Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2937, George Hays, Penn.
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(8-1776)

Service Penn.
Hays, George
Sarah
Number W 2937
Contents
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Penna Pittsburgh Agency 27.564
George Hays
of Butler County in the State of Pennsylvania who was a [Illegible] in the C[illegible] commanded by Captain Gaudy, of the [Rep] commanded by Co'l [illegible] in the [illegible]
[illegible] $ 30.00
Inscribed on the Roll of [illegible] at the rate of 30 dollars [zero] cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of August and [sent] to the [illegible] Mc Clelland, Butler, Pa.
nears to the 4th of March 1834 90.00
[illegible] allowance ending 4 September  15.00
$105.00

Revolutionary Claim
As June 7, 1832
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book 6; Vol 5 page 79 (or 19)

let. 8 May 1840 [illegible]
W. Beatty, [illegible]
for same May 18, 1840
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11,570
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh
Sarah Hays deceased, widow of George who died on the   of  in the state of Pa. who was a Private in the     commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank]  commanded by - Penn in the Revolution for 9 months. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 30 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836 = (She died 1842)  Ending 4 March 1841.

Certificate of pension issued the 21st day of June 1853 and sent to L. M. Drury, Canandaigua, New York
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending 

Revolutionary Claim Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk
Book    Vol. 1  Page 22
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{Illegible] Pensions
George Hays
12.081
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State of Pennsylvania [County of Butler]
On this thirteenth day of June AD 1832, personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of [illegible] Pleas of the County of Butler now holding a court in and for said county George Hays a resident of said county and state aforesaid aged seventy nine 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 of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he was a volunteer in Captain Gaudy's company in October 1776 on a tour of two months to [Amboy] in the state of New Jersey, and was still in [Amboy] at the time it was commanded by the British from Staten Island, and in 1777 the time not recollected was appointed an ensign in a militia company commanded by Captain John Elliot, and in the same year was drafted a tour of two months, officer was [recollected] and marched from Cumberland County to within twelve miles of Philadelphia, where we encamped with Morgan's regiment, we were attacked at that time by the British troops from Philadelphia, four times, and was driven  from our encampment, four miles, in one of the attacks, and Col William [illegible] from [Carlisle] was taken prisoner in one of the attacks, in another of the attacks we were
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[drove] into Gen. Anthony Wayne's encampment who was encamped in White Marsh. [illegible] Number commanded the regiment to which I then belonged.  Col [illegible] commanded another regiment of enlisted that lay there. In September 1778 I was drafted for a tour of two months as a Lieutenant in Captain Bole's Company in the regiment commanded by Colonel Dunlop's of Shippensburg marched against the Indians to [Standing] [Stone] valley on Sheaffer's Creek now in Huntingdon County and was in a skirmish with the Indians in Nitteny Valley now [illegible] [Bellefonte], in which Captain Bole was wounded.  [illegible] in the 1780 called on a tour of one month to unit from the 21st May to the 20th June as an ensign with the twelve men, to [Buffalas] valley to Colonel Clark's station to defend the country against the Indians.
In the [face] of 1782 I was drafted for a tour of two months and then served as a captain and marched to [Middle?] creek valley in Northumberland County, commanded fifty men and received my marching orders from Colonel Hunter who then [illegible] in Sunberry, I received a written discharge from Colonel Chambers which I left with Thomas Steward in [Mifflin] County who is since dead and I have been unable to obtain it.    Had the commission of ensign when out on service but [aa] not recollect who it was signed by. I have been unable to obtain the testimony of any living witness in this County, owing
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[?} there being [name] in the County.

[I hereby] relinquish every claim whatever to a [pension] or annuity except the present and
[illegible] my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
George Hays [signature]

We John France clergyman residing in the township of Middlesex and County of  Butler and James Brown [Esq] residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Hays who has sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be seventy-nine years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we can [illegible] in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Rev John France [signature]
James Brown [signature]

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and that the court [illegible] certifies that it appears to them that John France who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Middlesex and that James Brown who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place in the County of Butler is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Peter Duffy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the said court in the matter of the application of George Hays for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of March AD 1833
Peter Duffy [signature]
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No 14627
Sarah Hays
deceased widow of George
Pa
Sch 7 July 1838

Direct to L. M. Drury
Canandagna
New York
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Allegheny
On the seventh day of May 1851 personally appeared in open court William M Hays aged fifty years, resident in the City of Allegany in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount due to the heirs of Sarah Hays deceased widow of George Hays under the 
act of 7th July '38
This declarant states the he is the son of George Hays deceased a soldier of the revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $30.00 per annum and who died in the Township of Middlesex
in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania of the twenty fifth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five (1835)
This declarant further states that he is the son of Sarah Hays the widow of the said George Hays, that the maiden name of this declarants mother the said Sarah was Sarah McCannis, that she was married to the said George Hays in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one (1781) in the Tuscarora Valley in the State of
Penna.
This declarant further states that the annexed record is the original family record of his said father George Hays made by him many years since and in his awkward writing that it contains as this declarant believes, a true statement of the time of the births of his said parents children, that it was so regarded by the said George & Sarah Hays during their life time and was the only written reference on which they relied for the dates of the births of the children therein mentioned that after the death of this declarants said father the said record was kept in the possession of his said mother, and since
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her death it has been kept by one of the children.
this declarant further states from information and belief [attained?] from his said father, that the said George Hays served in the war of the revolution in the Capacity of Ensign Lieutenant and Captain although he drew a pension for service only as a private.
This declarant further places that he had eight
brothers & sisters who were the lawful children of the said George and Sarah Hays and who were born prior to the time of the birth of this declarant.  Declarant further states that his mother the said Sarah Hays died on the twenty first day of August in the year eighteen hundred and forty two (1842) that after the death of her husband the said George Hays she did not again marry but died being his widow.
This declarant further states that the said George and Sarah Hays left six children surviving them now living whose names are John Hays, William H Hays, Agnes Barry, Ann Fulton, Jane Fulton & David M Hays
This declarant further states that the names of his eight brothers & dates born referred to are as follows, viz John, David M., George, Nancy, 
James, Ann, Jane & Sarah.
William M Hays
Sworn to & subscribed
the day and year first above written
Before me, 
Geo. S. Hays
Pro
State of Pennsylvania
County of Allegheny, SS
I Geo S Hays Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas pleas held in and for said County of Allegheny certify that at a Court held in and for said County on the Seventh
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May, 1851 it was proven by the exhibition of
Testimony satisfactory to said court that George Hays deceased a revolutionary pensioner of the United States of Middlesex Township in the County of Butler & State of Pennsylvania died on the twenty fifth (25th) day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five (1835) that his widow Sarah Hays died on the twenty first (21st) day of August in the year eighteen hundred and forty two (1842).  that the said George and Sarah Hays left six children surviving them whose names are John Hays, William M Hays, Agnes Berry, Ann Fulton, Jane Fulton & David M Hays, and that the said Sarah Hays did not again marry but died being the widow of the said George Hays.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court & County this 7th day of May 1851
Geo. S. Hays
Prothonotary
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John Hays was born December 23rd 1781
David M. Hays born Sept. 17th 1783
George Hays born July 1st 1786
James Hays born July 3rd 1788
Agnes Hays born March 17 1794
[illegible name born illegible year]
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THE CONTENTS
Of Christ as a prophet, … Page 145
Of Christ as a priest, … 149
Of the first part of Christ's priestly office, viz. his satisfaction, } … 152
Of the second part, viz. his intercession, … 154
Of Christ as a king, … 158
Of Christ's humiliation, … 164
1. In his incarnation and birth, … 165
2. In his life, … 166
(1.) In being made under the law, … ibid
(2.) In undergoing the miseries of this life, … 167
(3) In enduring the wrath of God, … ibid
3. In his death, … 168
4. In what passed on him after his death, … 169
Of Christ's exaltation, … 170
1. In his rising again from the dead, … ibid
2. In his ascending up into heaven, … 175
3. In his sitting at the right hand of God the Father, … 178
4. In his coming to judge the world at the last day, … 180
Of the application of redemption, … 18
Of union with Christ, … 1
Of effectual calling, … 1
Of benefits in this life, … 2
Of justification, … 2
Of adoption, … 21
Of sanctification, … 21
Of the benefits that accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, } … 22
1. Of assurance, … ibid
2. Of peace of conscience, … 226
3. Of joy the Holy Ghost, … 227
4. Of increase of grace, … 228
5. Of perseverance. … 230
Of benefits at death, … 233
Of benefits at the resurrection, … 235
FINIS.
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May 5, 1938.
Mrs. Frank M. Robertson 245 North Yale Wichita Kansas.
BA-J/ILL George Hays W. 2937 John Cavanaugh S. 40802
Dear Madam:  The record of George Hays, W. 2937, is given below.
George Hays was born October 1, 1753 in Maryland, the county and the names of his parents not given.
While a resident of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he volunteered in October, 1776, and served two months as private in Captain Gondy's Pennsylvania company and marched to Amboy, New Jersey. He was commissioned ensign in November, 1777 in Captain John Elliot's company, Colonel Chambers' Pennsylvania regiment and served two months, during which period of service he was in several skirmishes near Philadelphia; from September, 1778, he served two months in Captain Bole's company, Colonel Dunlap's Pennsylvania regiment and was in a skirmish with the Indians; he served from May 21, 1780, one months against the Indians, this service under Colonel Lyon; in September 1782, he took command of a company of fifty men and served two months in Colonel Hunter's Pennsylvania regiment engaged in Northumberland County, but did not receive a commission as captain in said service.
The soldier resided in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, about fifteen years following the war, then moved to Butler County, in that state.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 13, 1833, at which time he resided in Middlesex County, Butler County, Pennsylvania.
He died August 26, 1835 in Middlesex County, Pennsylvania.
George Hays married in 1781 in Tuscarora Valley in Pennsylvania,
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Sarah McCannis; the name of her parents, her age or further data regarding their marriage are not shown. Sarah Hays, the soldier's widow died August 21, 1842 in Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania.
The names of six children of the soldier, George Hays and his wife, Sarah, who survived their mother are shown, all living in 1851; John Hays, who was born December 23, 1781; William M. Hays; Agnes Berry, born March 17, 179- (not legible); Ann Fulton; Jane Fulton; and David M. Hayes, born September 17, 1783.
The son, William M. Hays applied in 1851 for pension which was due their mother on account of the Revolutionary War services of her husband, George Hays, in behalf of the surviving children, named above. The claim was allowed.
In 1851, this son, William M. Hays was a resident of Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, aged fifty years. He stated then that he had eight brothers and sisters; the names of those other children (who did not survive their mother, Sarah Hays), are given —  George Hays, born 1786; James Hays, born -- 3, 1788; Nancy.
George Hays, the soldier, referred to his married sister but did not give her name.
JOHN CAVANAUGH — S. 40802.
John Cavanaugh, as his signature appears times but whose name is shown Cavenaugh and Cavenough in the papers in his pension claim, was born February 1, 1754; the place and names of his parents are not given. His name is borne on the pension rolls as Cavenaugh.
He enlisted June 7, 1777 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, served as private in Captain Samuel Montgomery's company, 7th Pennsylvania regiment, and was in the battle of Brandywine during which he was wounded in the
2.
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shoulder by a musket ball and was confined to a hospital; he returned, served in the same company until after the battle of Green Springs, then served in Captain Henderson's company and continued until August 14, 1783, at which time he was discharged as corporal from the 1” Pennsylvania regiment.
John Cavanaugh was allowed pension from September 4, 1794, on account of disability resulting from the above noted wound, at which time he resided in York County, Pennsylvania.
In 1818, the soldier resided in Monahan Township, York County, Pennsylvania, postoffice Dillstown. On May 15, 1818, he relinquished his disability pension, and made application for pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War.
In 1820, he was a resident of Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and stated that the only person of his family who then resided with him was his wife, Ester, aged sixty-four years. He did not state the date and place of their marriage, or her maiden name, or refer to any children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of the above named pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following:
John Cavenaugh Certificate #453 Issued May 12, 1818 Rate $8 per month Commenced May 5, 1818. Act of March 18, 1818. Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2937
Sarah Hays Widow
George Hays Pri. Rev. War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:— Vol. A, Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1933 - May 5 - Hist. to Mrs. Frank M. Robertson
See corres. in John Cavanaugh — R. W.
S. 40802 — J L L.
Page 18

Sarah Hays decd.
Widow of George Pa
Admd. July 7 1838.
9 mos pri $30 per annum
from 4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841
Pay to John Hays. Wm M Hays. Agnes Berry. Ann Fulton. Jane Fulton & David M Hays
Surviving Children
She died 21 August 1842
Cert to L M Drury Esq Canandaigua NY
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Butler SS
Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Daniel Beery resident in the Township of Middlesex in said county who being first duly
sworn doth depose and say that he was present at the burial of Sarah Hays who was the wife & widow of George Hays late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act 7th June 1832 at 30$ per annum,
that the said Sarah Hayes died on the twenty first (21st) day of August in the year eighteen hundred and forty two (1842) that his knowledge of the date of the time of the decease is based upon a written record of the fact made by himself (deponent) at the time of its occurrence.
That the aforesaid George & Sarah Hays were at the time of their decease residents of the Township of Middlesex in the County & State aforesaid.
This deponent further states that he was very well acquainted with the children of the aforesaid George and Sarah Hays, several of whom are upwards of sixty years of age viz John & David Hays also George & Nancy Hays the children of the said George & Sarah would
of now living be upwards of sixty years old.
and further deponent saith not.
David W. Beery
Sworn to & subscribed on this ninteenth of June 1852 before me
Wm Cunningham J Peace
they
I do hereby certify that the above named affiant is a man of credibility.
Wm Cunningham J Peace
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State of Pennsylvania County of Butler Ss
I hereby Certify that William Cunninghan Esq before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken was a Justice of the Peace at the time thereof in and for the County of Butler and State of Pennsylvania and authorized to take acknowledgements and to administer oaths for general purpose and that his signature thereto is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have signed my name and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 21 day of Feby AD 1853 John T Baid Pro
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Canandaiqua, N. Y. March 2, 1853
Sir: the enclosed testimony is furnished to comply with the requisitions of your letter of the 13th July last, in the case of Sarah Hays deceased widow of George Hays of Pennsylvania
Very respectfully your Obt. Sert.
L.M. Drury
J. E. Heath Esq Comr. of Pensions Washington. D.C.
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War Department Pension Office 21st March 1834
Sir Upon a re-examination of the papers for
George Hays I find the Original declaration is not with the papers. The declaration now forwarded is made before a Justice of the peace. In all cases the original papers should be returned, and if a supplemental declaration should be made, this may be done before a Justice of the peace. In the present instance, this is to be regarded as an entern paper, or an Original declaration, and hence, agreably to the regulations should be made in Open Court, as before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record.
The papers are herewith enclosing.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obt Sert
J.L. Edwards
Hon John Bredin Butler Penn
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Pension Office
June 25 1832
Pa Rolls, Pittsburgh Agency
Act June 7 1832
Geo. Hays pri

pen $30 per annum. To what time was he paid?
T.T.

J. S. Gallaher Esq  
Auditor

Died 26th April 1835
Pd.to his death
B.L.M.
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No 14627
Sarah Hays dec
wid of George
Pa
Act 7 July 1838
Lettr. Drury July 13 1832

3 Awd 25 June 1832
Page 25

Washington 9th May 1840
Be pleased to furnish me with A Certified Copy of the declaration and depositions in support of the Claim of George Hays decd. late a Pentioner under an act 7th June 1832 at $30 per annum for the purpose obtaining a pention from the State of Pennsylvania for his widow
Yours with Respect Wm Beatty
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pentions
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Brief in the case of Sarah Hays decd widow of George
County and State of Pa
act July 7 1838
Claim, (“original,” or “for increase.”)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Husband was a pensioner at $30 p an act June 7 1832, service proved in his papers, Documentary evidence of Marriage,
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? Certificate of Court as to birth & heirship
Thornton Triplett Examining Clerk.
Name and residence of Agent
L M Drury Esq
Canandaigua NY
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Butler August 17th
Sir In the case of George Hays I have herewith enclosed all the papers relating to his application since the commencement and would be extremely obliged if you would point out explicitly where the error is if it so be that the papers are again returned without a certificate. Wm Hays has been unable to obtain the requisite proof, as regards his serving as an officer but thinks his application as a private will certainly be accepted
John McClelland

N. B. The You will please return those papers hereafter directed to myself
Jno McClelland — agent
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Allegheny County SS
-Seal-
Before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania personally came James Clendenen of the County and State afforesaid who on his solemn oath doth depose and say
that he was personaly acquainted with a certain George Hays now Residing in Middlesex Township Butler County & State of Pennsylvania and that he the said Clendenen saw the said Geor Hays in the year AD 1778 as a soldier in the Malitia at Whitemarsh Church I think he was under the command of a then Capt John Elliot and was at that time in the Revolutionary war the said Hays with the whole of the forces at their station or fort was Driven into our camp by the Brittish and was then on a two months tower in the Malitia service of the said Revolutionary war
Further in the year AD 1780 or 81 I knew the said Hays to be out a tower of two as a scout against the Indians him and my self together Further Saith not
Sworn and subscribed before me this 3d day of July AD 1832
[signed] James his-X-mark Clendenen
[signed] Wm Duncan S
Pennsylvania Allegheny County SS
I William McCandless Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Allegheny in the State aforesaid do certify that William Duncan Esq before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken was at the time & now is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & sworn to all who act as such full faith & credit are due & of right ought to be given throughout the United States & elsewhere. Given under my hand & seal of said Court this eleventh day of July Anno Domini one thousand Eight hundred & thirty two — Wm McCandless Pry.
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Allegheny County SS
-Seal-
Before me a Justice of peace in and for said County of Allegheny personaly came Robert Scott of Pine Township in the County afforesaid Who being duly sworn saith that
I seen George Hays in Buffallo Valley — Northumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania and he Hays said he was a volunteer at Colonel Clarks there to gard the frontiers till assistance would come to them the year I do not Recollect but it was in the time of the english or Revolutionary war and Report said they were voluntary for one month Said George Hays now lives in Middlesex Township Butler County in the afforesaid state further saith not
[signed] Robert Scott
Sworn and subscribed Before me this 8th day of September AD 1831 Wm Duncan
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Butler.  March 13th 1833

Sir,
        I am well acquainted with George Hays whose application for pension accompanies this-  he is a man of veracity and his Statement may be fully confided in

          Very Respectfully
              Your ob[edien]t s[ervan]t

                         Jno. Gilmore

Hon Lewis Cass
Secty of War
Page 31

12.081.
George Hays
Penna
from 1776 per 9 mos $30
Return — [illegible] —
for [illegible]
John McClelland Butler.
Hon John Bredin Butler Pa
Page 32

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
4 Feby 1834
Sir.
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined 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 what is necessary to be done. Those 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, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
_______________________
A Statement, showing the service of George Hays
_______________________________________
| Period when service who rendered. |
______________________________
| Duration of the claimant's service. |
__________________________________
| Year | | Months |  Days |
_____________________________
| Rank of the claimant. |
| Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served. |
| Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. |
| Proof by which the declaration is supported. |

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

This claim cannot be admitted for service as a Com officer, unless the claimant shall produce the testimony of living [illegible] clearly establishing the fact of his being an Ensign & serving in that capacity for the time alleged
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2
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, drafted, 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, mucicians 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  _
On this _ day of _ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _ in the county of _ and State, Territory or District of _ aged (c) 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), with _ and served in the (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named officers:
[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. 
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 any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[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 _ of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _day of _ & 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 _ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have beena soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _ Clerk of the Court of _ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this _day of _ & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 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 connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 ever 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 ever 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.
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 inquiry 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 or 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 a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, 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 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.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his 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 officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant 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 to 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, &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 _ year _ months, and _ days, I served as a _.  For _ months and _ days, I served as a _; 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; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that 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 be 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 officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating 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 thereto 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.
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 line 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.
The notes from (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) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and went to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 35

State of Pennsylvania }
     County of Butler     }

On this fourteenth day June AD 1833 personally appeared George Hays before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Butler now holding a cou[r]t[sic] in and for said county in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832. That I received an Ensign’s commission in the year 1777 [crossed out: and] in Lancaster in John Elliots company and kept it with Thomas Stewart in Mifflin County and that he [inserted name] Thomas Stewart is since dead. and that I could never tell what became of it. I was appointed as a Captain by Colonel Purden & Lieutenant Forbes, to go against the Indians who were then massacreing[sic] whites within about eight miles of us but never had a commission [inserted] as Captain I was acting as captain in place of a man by the name of Mathias, who was not there I was appointed as a lieutenant in 1778 and two months tour in place of John Fauts but never had a lieutenants commission
     Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year above mentioned
       George Hays
       Peter Duffy Pro[thonotary]
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[Left corner is torn off]

[State] of Pennsylvania }
County of Butler }

On this eleventh day of September AD 1833 personally appeared George Hays before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Butler now holding a court in and for said county and makes the following further declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832  that I received an Ensigns Commission in Lancaster in 1777 in December in Captain John Elliott’s Company.  I held the ensigns commission until the end of the Revolutionary war.  I left said commission with Thomas Stewart in Mifflin County, Pa. in the year 1784 or near as I can recollect Thomas Stewart is since dead and I have been unable to get the said commission and I cannot tell what has become of it

Sworn and subscribed
in open court the day }         George Hays
and year above written}
Peter Duffy Pro
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[Left top corner rolled in]

[Sta]te of Pennsylvania }
  County of Butler  }

On this seventh day of March AD 1834 Personally appeared George Hays before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Butler County a resident of said county and state aforesaid aged eighty years on the first day of october[sic] last past who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following [inserted]further declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed June the seventh A.D. 1832. That I was a volunteer. in a company commanded by Captain Gaudy, I volunteered for a two months service at that time and served out the two months, I volunteered in october[sic] 1776, in Cumberland county, and marched under the command of Gaudy to Amboy in the state of New Jersey, and was in Amboy guarding the town at a time when we were canonaded from staten[sic] Island by the British, part of our company Joined what was called a flying camp and went to fort Washington, the flying capp[sic] as it was called was commanded by Col. Frederick Watt of Cumberland county, we were reveiwed[sic] by Colonel Wilson of Carlisle, In 1777 about the middle of november as near as I can recollect I marched with a militia company commanded by Captain John Elliott. as a drafted militia man, and served at that time two months, during this tour we marched from Cumberland county to within twelve miles of Philadelphia and encamped, Philadelp[hi]a was occupied at that time by the British, we had four engagements or skirmishes during this tour I was commanded at that time by Col. Chambers of Carlisle, and Potter of Northumberland county was our General, Col. Lyon commanded another regiment of Militia who lay there at the same time, In September, I think on the tenth as near as I can recollect I was drafted for a two months tour in Captain Boles Company, of Cumberland County
Page 38

Our regiment was at that time commanded by Colonel Dunlop of Shippensburgh, this was in the year 1778 we marched at that time to Standing Stone Valley an Sheaffers creek now in Huntingdon County we marched against the Indians, and had a skirmish with the Indians in Nitteny Valley, Captain Boll was severely wounded in the skirmish.  In 1780, I volunteered for one month to wit from the twenty first of May to the seventeenth of June, we at this time volunteered to guard the country until the Militia could be raised (against the Indians)  We marched at that time to Col. Clarks Station in Northumberland County.  Lyan was an colonel In the fall of 1782, in September I was drafted for a tour of two months and then served as a Captain but had no commission we marched to middle creek in Northumberland County I commanded fifty men and received my marching orders from Col. Hunter who then resided in Sunberry I at the end of this tour received a written discharge from Col. Chambers and left it with Thomas Stewart of Miflin County and further saith not

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension as annuity except the present and declare my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid.   George Hayes
James Brown

We John France a clergyman residing in the township of Middlesex and county of Butler and John Power residing in same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Hays who has sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be eighty years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
John France Clergy      John Powers
James Brown
Page 39

James Brown a Justice of the Peace in and for the county do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interagatories subscribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I further certify that John France who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Middlesex and county of Butler and that John Power who has also signed the same is a resident also of Middlesex of Butler County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit, and further I also certify the George Hayes owing to bodily infirmity is unable to attend the court in order to make his declaration.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March A. D. 1834
James Brown

1st  Where & in what year were you born --Answer, I was born in the state of Maryland on the first day of October in the year 1753
2  Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Answer.  I had a record of my age kept in a Bible which my sister took with her when she was married
3  Where were you living when called into service  where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live -- I lived in Cumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania, when called into service, and about fifteen years after the revolution moved to where I now live
4  How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute -- first I was a volunteer, the second time I was drafted & the third time I was drafted, fourth time a volunteer, fifth time drafted
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Butler County, the
State of Pennsylvania ss
I Peter Duffy Prothonotary of (illegible) the court of common pleas of the County of Butler do Certify, that James Brown Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions & certificates were taken, was at the time, they were taken, and now is an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned & Sworn, to all of whose acts as such due faith and credit are to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Butler this 8th day of March, A. D. 1834
Peter Duffy Pro