Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14021, for Stedman Newbury, Connecticut
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(3-1776)
SERICE  NUMBER
Conn/  Newbury, Stedman  S14021
loaded
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Connecticut
Stedman Newbury of New London in the State pf Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Talmsted of the Regt. commanded by Col. [blank] in the Connecticut line for 22 months.
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Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 55 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of June 1833 and set to [illegible] Hartford
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Arrears to the 4th of Ma 34  $66.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 33  26.66
[total] $133.32
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book C. Vol. 3 Page 31
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No. 1260
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State of Connecticut }
County of NewLondon }  ss. On this 26th day of July A.D. Personally appeared in open Court Before the Court of Probate for New London District now sitting Stedman Newbury a resident of Waterford in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged about 80 years who being first dully affirmed according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named offices & served as herein stated.
That in the month of June A.D. 1775 he enlisted into Captain Saltonstall's company in New London in said County to serve for the term of six months as a private, that after the expiration of said term he again enlisted under the same Captain for another term of six months both which terms he faithfully served out  & was paid off & Dismissed. That said Company was stationed in New London aforesaid & was employed in building forts in that place & in the neighborhood.
That afterwards while he the said declarant was a Private in Capt. Jabez Beebe's
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company of militia in the New London Regiment, said company was ordered out he believes in the year 1777 for the term of Six months & was dismissed at the end of said term, that said company was stationed near the Town of New London & was employed in guarding the shores, that Ezekiel Tinker, William Darrow & Ebenezer Darrow were then & now his neighbors & were with him in said company.
That afterwards he the said declarant was drafted in the summer of 1779 to serve four months, that he did serve said four months in the company of drafted militia command by Capt Comstock then of said New London and at the end of said term of four months he was dismissed, that said company was stationed at New London or in its neighborhood guarding the shores.
That he does not recollect the names of the other officers of the Regiment or Companies in which he served, that he knows of no documentary evidence, that he knows of no other person now living who served with him in the company commanded by Capt. Saltonstall above named Excepting Mr. Ebenezer Goddard & one of the witnesses now produced in court & that since the revolutionary
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revolutionary war he has resided in the town of New London & Waterford aforesaid.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
And in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department the same being presented & put to him by said Court that said Stedman Newbury on oath states as follows.
I was born at Waterford the [illegible] in the year 1752.
I have a record of may age in a small record Book at my home in Waterford.
In the said 3 & 4th Interrogatories he answers that he has truly stated al the facts in said Declaration.
To the 5th he states that Jos Way was Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Jabez Beebe and further he cannot state ?? that he thinks William Crocker was a Liet in Capt Sam Thompson's Company.
[signed] Stedman Newbury
affirmed and subscribed the Day & year aforesaid in open court.
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William Durrow of the town of Waterford in New London County having been sworn according to law deposes & says that he is now about 73 years of age. That has has long known the said Stedman Newbury of the town of Waterford and now present in court & an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he believes the said Newbury to be of the age of about 80 years. That he the deponent was with the said Newbury in several tours of duty in the drafted militia as stated in the application of declaration of the said Newbury. That the facts set forth in said declaration in relation to those terms of service in which they served are according to the best recollection of the deponent correctly stated & further that the said deponent verily believes that all the facts set forth in said declaration are true & that the said Newbury is respected & believed in the neighborhood where resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that he concurs in that opinion.
[signed] William Darrow
Sworn to & subscribed in open court on the day & year aforesaid. [signed] I. Isham Clerk
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Stedman Newbury
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Francis Darrow of the town of Waterford paster of the Baptist Church in said Waterford having been affirmed according to law doth depose & say that Mr. Stedman Newbury of said town has long been a member of the said Baptist Church & that he is of unquestionable character for truth & integrity.

[signed] Francis Darrow
Sworn & affirmed & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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Ebenezer Goddard now of the town Waterford having been sworn according to law deposes & says that he is of the age of about 75 years. That he well knows Mr. Stedman Newbury of Waterford. That in the year 1775 he the deponent served as a private in the company commanded by Captain Geordan Saltonstall at New London that Stedman Newbury aforesaid was also a private & in said company & served with deponent for the term of six months. That the deponent the said Goddrd again enlisted under Captain Saltonstall for an additional term of six months & that the said Newbury served with the deponent in said company for said additional term of six months. That he believes the said Newbury is of the age of 80 years & that all the facts stated in his the said Newbury's application are correctly stated.
[signed] Ebenezer Goddard
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid.
[illegible] I. Isham Clerk
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I Ebenezer Darrow of Waterford in the county of New London & State of Connecticut on oath do depose testify and say that I am well acquainted with Stedman Newbury who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that  I was living near by him & was knowing of the fact that he served at New London in the year 1775. I saw him at work on the fort and he was occasionally back & forth home & thin was within a few rods of where I lived but how long he then served I cannot say. I also served in the same Company with said Stedman Newbury under Capt Jabez Beebe & for the term of time I think he has stated in said declaration, and I also served with said Newbury in Captain Oliver Comstock's Company as he has stated. I have no doubt that siai Newbury served as he states.
[signed] Ebenezer Darrow
Sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid in open court.}
[illegible] I. Isham Clerk
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories precribed by the War Department that the above named applicant Stedman Newburry was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and said Court further certifies that it appears to the court that Francis Darrow who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Waterford in the county aforesaid & that William Darrow Ebenezer Goddard & Ebenezer Darrow are  credible persons & that their respective statements are entitled to credit they having signed & severally from in opinions to the preceding affidavits.
I, Isiah Isham Clerk of the Court of Probate for District of New London in the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that the within  and forgoing contains the original  proceedings in the matter of the application of Stedman Newbury for a pension.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of my office this 26th day of July A.D. 1832.
[signed] I. Isham Clerk
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State of Connecticut}
County of New London} ss. Probate District of New London
On this 10th day of December A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of probate for said District now sitting Stedman Newbury a resident of the town of Waterford in said county & District, who having been first duly affirmed according to Law doth on his affirmation make the following declaration in addition & supplementary to his former declaration made before this court on the 26th day of July A.D. 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That his said former declaration is true & that the facts therein stated are correctly stated.
That in reply to certain objections contained in a written & printed brief hereunto to be attached which he believes was made out at Washington & returned with said declaration he now affirms that when he entered the service he resided in the part of the town of New London now Waterford & that he resided in said town of New London now Waterford during the whole of the Revolution War now since.
That to the best of his knowledge and belief the seal of the Court of Probate with a firm impression was affixed to said former application but that the same was  [illegible] or [illegible] on its paper in the mail during the warm weather of the month of August last past.
That he has much every exertion to procure other testimony that was formerly forwarded with said application, but that most of the aged people in the neighborhood where he has always resided are now dead or removed or are now applicants for a pension and that he is unable to procure their testimony & have heretofore and
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and now provided.
[signed] Stedman Newbury

Affirmed to & submitted }
before said Court in open} 
Court Dec 10th 1832}
[illegible] J. Isham Clerk}

I, [illeigble] Isham Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of New London do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original of supplemental proceedings os said Court in the matter of the application of Stedman Newbury for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of my office this 10th day of  Dec A.D. 1832.
I. Isham Clerk
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21114
William Newbury
CT

Admitted
Private 22 months
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjcined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew [sic] what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
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A Statement, shewing [sic] the Service of Stedman Newbury Connecticut
[The following is in tabular form.]
[Column 1] Period when the service was rendered.
[1st entry] 1775 June
[2nd entry] "
[3rd entry] 1777
[4th entry] Summer 1779 drafted

[Column 2] Duration of the claimant's service.
[1st, 2nd, & 3rd entries] 6 [months]
[4th entry] 4 [months]

[Column 3] Rank of the claimant.
[1st entry] private
[2nd, 3rd, & 4th entries] "

[Column 4] Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
[1st and 2nd entries] Cpt. Saltonstall
[3rd entry] Cpt. Beebe
[4th entry] Cpt. Comstock

[Column 5] Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
[1st, 2nd, & 3rd entries] [blank]
[4th entry] Col. forgotten

[Column 6] Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[Blank]

[Column 7] Country through which he marched.
[1st & 2nd entries] Stationed and employed in building forts at N. London
[3rd & 4th entries] "

[Column 8] Place of abode when he entered service, and age at the present period.
80 New London

[Column 9] Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
The 1st and 3rd town appears & specifically proven by Ebenezer Darrow and Ebenezer Goddard and the the others generally by them and William Darrow
The Certificate of Clergyman is given.

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafter, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of [blank] } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.D. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:

[The following note in the original document is contained within brackets.]
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [Finger pointing printer's mark added] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of an Agency in an State, or (if any) only on that of Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the d the day and year aforesaid.  [blank] A.B.

[The following note in the original document is contained within brackets.]
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sea of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we re well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[The following note in the original document is contained within brackets.]
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and the C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This the original discharge of commissions; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witnesses cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services?
6. {To a Soldier.} Did you receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.} Did you receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
[This paragraph has been flagged as the source of the objection to the application.] The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge of Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge  or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is Judge or Justice of a Court of Records, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein is required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
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[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reasons of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make the declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental office or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claim, must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &d. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent lost of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; - For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying office, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authentitcating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereunto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j[]In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[A pointing finger printer's mark] The notes [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] f a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

Jan. 20, 1926.

Mr. Chas. R. Hale,
33 Capital Ave.
Hartford, Conn.

Sir;
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14021, it appears that Stedman Newbury was born at Waterford, Conn., in 1752. He served as a private in the Conn., Troops as follows: from June 1775 for six months in Capt Gurdon Saltonstall's Company: during 1776 for six months in Capt. Jabez Beebe's Company: during 1779 for four months in Capt. Oliver Comstock's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 26, 1832 while living in Waterford, Conn. The date of his death is not on record.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
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{Left side of image]
14021
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 14021
Stedman Newbury
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index: _Vol. 1, Pge 274
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Rights side of image written in the center vertically upward]
1926 Jan 20. Tombstone date to Chas. R. Hale
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Stedman Newbury
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Stedman Newbury which require further proof of explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Not detailed where  he entered service.

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?

VII. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension that the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  No
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XI. Hs the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  certificate does not to the last paragraph of enquiry.

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. [single dagger printer's mark] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI.  [Double dagger printer's mark] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

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EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who. being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rand he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

[single dagger printer's mark]QUERE, XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

[double dagger printer's mark] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent ay paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 25

Hartford, Conn.  Dec. 27- 1925

To the Commissioner of Revolutionary War Records
Washington 
D.C.

Sir

Please send me the Revolutionary War record of John Fuller of Willington Conn pension roll 1840. Also of Stedman Newbury of Waterford, and Pension roll of 1840.
We wish to get headstones for these Veterans.

Yours very truly
Chas. R. Hale

33 Capital Ave.

[The note "S31684" added at the beginning of the above paragraph and the note "he wants tombstone data only" added at the bottom of the letter.]