Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 35142, John Williams, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md.

Williams, John

NUMBER
S 35142

CONTENTS
Page 2

Maryland
======
John Williams 1st
of Baltimore in the State of Maryland
who was a private in the Regiment commanded
Colonel Gunby of the Maryland
Line, for the term of five years
======
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence
the 3d of April 1818.
======
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th of April 18[18]
and Returned to Samuel [illegible]
Washington City
======
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 $40-
===
$40.00
===
now {Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

[Right side]
July 27 / 98 Md History
furnished T J Young C

[Sideways on right]
Reinstat [missing text] of Feby
1823 [missing text] to the Hon Mr Little
Page 3

The Declaration of John Williams of the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, late a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War under the Continental establishment, made in virtue of, and agreeably to an Act of Congrefs of the United States, pafsed on the Eighteenth Day of March, in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war". as follows, 
That he enlisted as a Private Soldier in Captain Samuel Griffith's Company of Foot, attached to the Third Regiment, of the Maryland Line, on the twenty fifth day of April in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight, and continued in the service of his Country, until the thirty first day of July, in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty three, at which time, he obtained leave of absence from Colonel J Gunbey of the First Maryland Regiment, agreeably to a Resolution of Congrefs, bearing date the twenty sixth day of May, in the year last aforesaid, which discharge or leave of absence is hereto annexed
John Williams

State of Maryland, City and County of Baltimore fs
Be it known, That on the second day of April, in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen,
Before
Page 4

Before me the subscriber Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial district of the State aforesaid, Personally came and appeared John Williams who hath made the foregoing Declaration and hath subscribed the same and being by me solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty GOD, doth depose and say, that the facts stated in the said Declaration are just and true according to the best of his knowledge and believe; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his Country for support. And I the said Chief Judge doth further certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Williams has served in the revolutionary war as aforesaid, against the common enemy
Walter Dorsey

State of Maryland Baltimore County Fct [Sct]
I Hereby certify that Walter Dorsey Gentleman before whom the aforegoing affadavit was made and by whom the aforegoing certificate was given and who hath thereto fubscribed his name was at the time of so doing Chief Judge of the sixth Judicial District of the State of Maryland duly commifsioned and fworn
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office fecond day of April Eighteen hundred and Eighteen
Wm Gibson Balt Coty Court
Page 5

1818.9.4
1818.4.1
-----
5.3 / 31.............3
8..........................8
______...........______
$40.77 31 | 2400|77
..........................217
..........................230
Page 6

To the Honorable John C Calhoun Secretary at War
The petition of John Williams of the City of Baltimore Late a Pensioner of the United States, Most Respectafully begs leave to represent that by a Notice received from the department of war he is informed that the pension heretofore granted to him has been Suspended and his name struck out of the pension list on account as is alledged of the property he is pofsefsed of - in consequence of which he begs leave to add that he is in pofsefsion of a Lease hold Estate Consisting of a small house in the City of Baltimore subject to an Annual ground rent of forty one Dollars and twenty five cents, which would not lent for more that six or seven Dollar per month thus situated at an advanced time of life with a family of two daughters and four small grandchildren to provide for and also maintain he at the age of sixty two years is rendered in capable of such Exertions need full and necefsary to support and maintain himself and such a helplefs family after spending his best days in the service of his Country which was from 25th August 1778 to the end of the war, he also begs leave to observe that his Eldest son  was a Soldier in the late war in the 38th Redgiment Commanded by Colonel Little and died at Craney Island, which has deprived him of the afsistance that, his son would have been able to tender him, In this advanced situation of life his whole dependance (without further aid) is to what he can make by collecting for such people who will Employ him small debts at a  small percentum which will not afford him sufficient means to
Page 7

Pay the yearly ground rent and Taxes arising on his Little property and furnish provisions for his family 
Therefore under all these Circumstances your petitioner fondly hopes and prays that the Honorable the Secretary at war will take his case into consideration and thereby revive and Extend the pension heretofore granted him and with the utmost gratitude he is bound - to pray +c +c +c [&c &c &c]
John Williams

The undersigned take the liberty to represent to the honorable the Secretary at war, that they have known John Williams the above-named petitioner for many years, and believe that the facts stated in his petition as true as therein set forth and that he is worthy and deserving of having his prayer granted -
Rb Gilmor | Chas Weigman
J Oliver | Wm Wilson
A Buchanan | James Wilson
Mr Mc Blait | A Mc Kim
Jas H Mc Culloch | A Haidonald
John Stricker | Geo F Warfield
Jno Hollins | T Smith
A G Schwarthe | R Smith
Wm Thompson | W H Murray
.............................. | Wm Patterson
............................... | Sam Hollingsworth
Page 8

Ridgely N Hamp
James Carroll Jr

I John Eager Howard Lieut Capt in the Mayland Line of the army of the United States in the war of the revolution do hereby certify that the within named John Williams was a good Soldier and was in the actions of Guilford and at the Eutaw Springs and several other actions in Carolina. and I further certify that I believe the facts as stated by him to be true, and in my opinion he is a proper object for a pension under the late act of Congrefs That many of the lots of land in Allegany County of fifty acres each were formerly sold for eight dollars each and I do not think that at this time they will sell for that, being only rocks and mountain
John E Howard
Nov 11 1820

Baltimore 10th November 1820
I do hereby certify that John Williams a native of Maryland 5 feet 9 inches high, fair complexion, gray eyes, brown hair, aged about 33 years, enlisted in the 38th United States Regt Inftry on the 10th August 1813 and was a Soldier in the 1st company of said Regiment under my command and that he died at the temporary Hospital near Norfolk on the 7th May 1814
Remus Haslett
late a Capt. U.S. Infanty
Page 9

SCHEDULE.
=========
The United States of America
(A.) District of Maryland SS.

On this fifth day of December 1820, personally appeared in open court (*) in the District Court of the United States on and for the said (C.) District John Williams aged Fixty [sixty] two years, resident in the City Baltimore in said (D.) District who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: (E.) In the 3d Maryland Regiment in Captain Famuel Griffith [Samuel Griffith] Company in the Maryland Line, that he enlisted in said Company and Regiment on the 25 April 1778, and that he was honorably discharged on the 31st July 1783 according to his original Declaration dated on or about the 2d April 1818 and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th March,1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Page 10

A fmall [small] House and Loft under Ground Rent at $41.25/100 per
annum would not rent for more than $7 per month} $500 -
16 Chairs of which I have had for 20 years .......... 10 -
4 Tables ..........10 -
4 Potts .......... 4 -
2 pair Aud Irons .......... 1 -
1 Stove .......... 18 -
5 Washing Tubs ..........1 -
6 cups + faucers 4 filver Tea Spoons 8 pewter fpoons .......... 5 -
1 old chest of Drawers I have had 25 years ........... 3 -
50 Acres of Land in Allegany County received for Revolutionary
fervices from the State of Maryland for which I cannot get } .......... 8 -
-------
$560.
-------
I have received a pension under the act of 18th March 1818 and my certificate is dated 4th April 1818 commencing 2d April 1818 at $8 per month - The number appears to be 61 -
My family consists of two daughters one 20 the other 17 years of age, and 4 grand Children the eldest 9 - the fecond 7 - the third 4 - and the youngest 2 1/2 years of age, their Father has deserted them, and they have been dependant on me for three years past - I was lately employed as Porter in the Union Bank of Maryland, but have been discharged and have now no regular businefs nor any means of Support other than what I can come by being occasionally employed in the collection of accounts which is frequently not one dollar in a week. My age and bodily infirmities are fuch [such] that I am not able to labor in a livelihood, and am reduced to fuch abject poverty and stand in need of the afsistance of my County without which I shall not be able to support myself and will have to depend on public or private charity for the common necefsaries of life
Signed John Williams

SWORN to and declared on the 5th day of December 1820 
BEFORE, the District Count aforesaid
I, Philip Moore Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Five hundred and  fixty [sixty] Dollars and -- Cents.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said court, on this 7th day of December 1820
Philip Moore
Clerk of the District court for the District of Maryland
Page 11

61
Maryland.
----------
John Williams 1st
private,
In the army of the U. States.
-----------
At $8 per mos com@. 2@ April, 1818.
-----------
Cert ifsued 4th April, 1818.
+ delivered to James Davidson
Esqr of Washington City
----------
Anl. to 4th Sept 1818. 5 3/31 mos $40.77
====
(Revy Claims
Act 18th Mar: 1818)

Maryland Line
five arrears
not entitled
-----
decision confirmed by Hon: Secy of war, 26th Feby 1821.
Page 12

Notification sent the 17th June 1820, to Mr
Davidson S. Auditors office,
City of Washington.

Reconsidered + original decision confirmed (See letter 18 July 1821
Page 13

Pension office

Recd 26 Nov: 1821.

[Round stamp mark]
[illegible]

Free

The Honble ]Honorable]

John C Calhoun
Secry of War
Washington
Page 14

Baltimore 21 Novr 1821
Sir
John Williams, a foldier [soldier] in the Maryland Line, has shown me your letter of the 18 July in which you have informed him that he cannot be admitted on the pension list as his Schedule of property amounts to $577. The principal part of [illegible] consists of a house on a lot paying a ground Rent of $44.35 - now if he was to fet [set] up this when for [illegible] it would not bring one dollar above the ground Rent. or if he were to rent it. he could not get more or so much as would pay the ground Rent - this he represents to me, and I believe the fact. as a proof he fubmits [submits], the  Enclosed figures by a most respecatable firm - The truth is that people took let when property was high + built on them fmall [small] houses - many of whom unable to pay the ground Rent have left the city and relinquished their houses to the Landholder if this description is house valued at $503. once not worth a cent fubject [subject] to the Rent, nor would it fold [sold] for a dollar more than would pay the incumbrance, John has been and continues to be
Page 15

an industrious and fober [sober] man. but he is now old and incapable and has to fupport [support] those Grand Children, whose father is in the army. his fon [son] was killed in the army during the late War. - he himself was an excellent Soldier, well known to me. ever if is a man deserved a pension he was - and I pray you to [illegible] a point in his favour
You Obt Serv / 
Your fincere [sincere] [illegible]
P Smith

Washington Jany 5th 1822
[illegible] my own knowledge of the value of properties in the City of Baltimore, I would not accept of the [illegible] and Lot valued by Mr Williams in his Schedule at more than 500$ as a present subject to the Ground Rent it is under at present. The time when he first applyed for a Pension say in the year 1818 or 19 it might have sold for some thing but at the best of times it is very doubtfull whither it ever would have sold for that at which it is set down in his schedule. at present it is worth nothng
Peter Little
Page 16

Congrefs Hall Januy 22nd 1821

Sir / I must beg the favour of you to lay the inclosed before the Sec of War. Williams is an honest worthy man - I have known him thirty years - he is indeed very poor - if any one entitled to a Pension he is for he now lives on the Benevolence and Charity of his Townsmen - It is desirable that such as him who is sober and respected should if indebted for his subsistence in the decline of life were it to his Government within then the [illegible] charity of others
Respectfully
Your Obt. Sevt.
Peter Little
Page 17

Baltimore, January 18th 1821.

Colo. Peter Little,
Respected Sir,
Since I had the honor of receiving your's of the 20th, ulto. accompanying the answer from the Hon. Secy. of War, my distrefses [distresses] have been such as scarcely tongue can tell, or can credit, resulting wholly from the pecuniary ambarrassments in which I am situated. Day after day has pafsed [passed] over my head, without a morsel to ease the cravings of nature, save what the benign hand of Charity presented; and to add to my miseries a fond Daughter lies languishing on what I fear will prove her death bed, and should it, I feel fully afsured [assured] I shall not long Survive.
With the Horror of Famine before me, and the tyrant Death hovering around my bed, I have taken the Short time since I last heard from you for a whole Century, (for it has been an age of woe;) and, therefore, Kind Sir, humbly supplicate you to urge the Honourable Secretary to a decision, which I am fully aware must be in my favour, - and though small that grateful gratuity from a noble Country will be received with thanks and prayer, and though God, may be the means of prolonging the life of a miserable old man,
who has the honor to Subscribe himself,
Respected + Generous sir,
Your most humble Servant
John Williams
Page 18

[Written in pencil: "O.W.+N. 
ECL
S. 35142"]

T O YOUNG - T O YOUNG & CO., - B W GUTHRIE.
Manufacturers' Agents,
112th St + Amsterdam Ave
New York, June 18th 1900

[Rectangle stamp mark]
O. W. & N. DIVISION
JUN 21 1900
RECEIVED.

{Round stamp mark]
U S PENSION OFFICE
K JUN 19 1900

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send to Mrs Mary E Skinner 120 Charlotte Street Norfolk Va a military history of John Williams a soldier of the Revolutionary War John Williams enlisted in the 3@ Maryland Regt Capt. Samuel Griffith April 1777 and Served to July 1783 Mrs Skinner is a Grand Daughter of John Williams 3@ generation will you Please enumerate all the Battles on record in your office that John Williams participated in Mrs Skinner's object in asking for this Military history is merely a desire to Join the Society of Daughters of the Revolution
I make this request of you as I am the Oldest living decendent of John Willimas
Your Truly
Thomas O Young
Page 19

THOS A YOUNG, President.
JAMES H BROOKS, Vice-President.

W

JAMES D PEET, Secretary.
T O YOUNG, Treasurer.

THE NATIONAL BUYERS' EXCHANGE.
NO. 299 BROADWAY,
New York, Oct 2 1894

REFERENCES:
J H PARKER, Vice-President Park National Bank, New York.
J C PARSONS, Vice-President Chemical National Bank, New York.
W W FLANNAGAN, President Southern National Bank, New York.
D C HIPKINS, of H, Hentz & Co., Cottom Exchange, New York.
J C McNULTY, Coffee Exchange, New York.
ZACHARIAH DEDERICK, Assayer, 18 Maiden Lane, New York.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C
Dear Sir
My Maternal Grand Father John Williams was a Soldier of the Revolutionary war and belonged to the Maryland Line he died in Baltimore in 1835 will you please give me a History of his Services I want it as a Family Record
Yours Truly
T O Young

35120 I
35142 I
Page 20

[Left side]
CW

[Rectangle stamp mark]
[illegible]
JUN  10 1893
FILES

[Round stamp mark]
U S PENSION OFFICE
D JUN 5 1893

[Right side]
War Department,

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, May 27, 1893.

Respectfully returned.
There are no records of the force employed in the Revolutionary War on file in the War Department Such records of that force as are in possession of the Government are filed in the Department of State and in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions.
H C Conkein
Assistant Adjutant General.

Respectfully referred to the 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
DC.
Thos O Young
New York
June 2 / 93
Page 21

The Wilson & Fenimore Co.,
MANUFACTURES OF
Paper Hangings,
Factory and General Office, Bristol, Pa.
New York Office, 299 Broadway.

New York, May 26th 1893
M Adj't. General U.S.A.
Washington, D. C
=========
Dear Sir: -
I am positive that my maternal grandfather - John Williams, was a solider in the Revolutionary Army, and belonged to the Maryland Line - and that he was on the Pension List at the time of his death - which occur@ in Baltimore, Md., either during the year of 1833 or 1835.
Will you Kindly look up his record and advise me at your earliest convenience as to his time of service + position?
Obliging

Yours very respectfully
Thos O Young
299 Broadway N.Y.

P.S. This enquiry is solely made for a family relic
Page 22

35142

Revy INVALID.
-----
File No. 35142
John Williams
Pri Rev War
-----
Act: 18th March 18
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 457
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

Oct 12 / 94 Hist to T O Young
299 Broadway N.Y. City: C
----------
June 26 1900
Mrs Mary E Skinner
Norfolk Va
Page 24

Balt 2 April 1818

Dear Davidfon [Davidson]

To oblige an old friend (our Porter, John Williams) I Enclose you his documents to Present to the War Department, to have him put on the New Pension list, you will much oblige the Poor old Man, by your attention to it and if further papers are necefsary, they will be forwarded
Mr [illegible] R Hi[illegible]
Page 25

AGREEABLE to a Refolution of Congrefs, bearing Date the 26th Day of May, 1783, the Bearer hereof, John Williams Private of the First Maryland Regiment, has Leave of Abfence [illegible] called upon by proper Authority to join his Corps or is finally difcharged.
Given at Annapolis this 31th day July 1783.
J Gunby Col

Registered + attested
M Mc Pherson Adjt
Page 26

John Williams Discharge: 1783: 45678

he Inlisted in [Regt Samuel Giffith]
3d Maryland Regt 25th April 1778

Discharged 31st July:
Page 27

We do hereby certify, that we have rented to Mr S Clayton, at Seven Dollars per month, a small Brickhouse, 16 1/2 feet Front, with a Kitchen adjoining, situate in Conway Street, next door to a House of the same size, without a Kitchen, occupied by Mr John Williams.
Baltimore 2d Octor. 1821
Mayer + Brantz
Page 28

John Williams
(61)
(Sept 1818)
(Maryland Roll)

not entitled
Stricken off Roll
June 17, 1820 +
notifn fent [sent] to Mr
Davidfon [Davidson] 3d Auditor
Huir
Page 29

* The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify the amount of property of the applicant, the oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court is in session.

(Cross symbol) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the Act of Congress:

1st, Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which create them;

2d, Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record;

3d, Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount;

4th, Which have the power of fine and imprisonment;

And courts which proceed according to the civil and canon law, having neither of those attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such. - (Opinion of the Attorney General of the United States.)
==========
DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING UP THE BLANKS.

A. District, - circuit, - county, or corporation, as the case may be.

B. State why a court of record.

C. After repeating the district, circuit, county, or corporation, insert the declarant's name.

D. District, circuit, county, or corporation.

E. Here set forth the regiment, company and line; or ship, corps or vessel, and the date of the original declaration; and if he has received a pension, the number of his pension-certificate should be inserted.

F. Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary bedding and clothing excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances as to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the third section of the Act of the 1st May, 1820, "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself with the assistance of his country," comprehend those only, who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.

Extract of a CIRCULAR LETTER from the War Department, to the several Agents for paying pensions, enclosing the forgoing Form.

"For the guidance of persons already on the pension list, or who may hereafter make application for that purpose, it may be proper to state, explicitly, that, as experience has proved the necessity of a rigid adherence to particular forms in such cases, no instrument of writing drawn up contrary to this form can be admitted as a proper voucher."
Page 30

Schedule runs thus - "A fmall [small] 
House, under Ground rent at
$41 per annum - $500
personal property 77
577
age 62 - Served over 5 years
- family -
2 Daughters - 20 + 17 - + 4
Grand Children - eldest 9 -
youngest 2 1/2 - lately a Porter
for the Union Bank - no regular
businefs now - nor any means of
support - vide
memorial within signed
[by] 21. very respectable citizen of
Baltimore
Page 31

Mo be ansd. especially, it is supposed
that his property is worth amt in
schedule after deducting ground
rent

[Sideways]
Hon Mr Little
(of Md.) H. R.

Reinstate
Page 32

Congrefs Hall 11th Decr. 1820

Sir / I enclose the Schedule and memorial of John Williams who I have known for many years and one who (I unhesitatingly) believe entitled to the Pension prayed for - when in Baltimore last he presented me the memorial - I suggested to him the necefsity of making out a Schedule and [illegible] this application to be continued on the list of pensioners to accompany his memorial - if any doubts exist which I can answer I'll do myself the honour to wait on you in person, and answer them if I can - it will own from his schedule that he has nobody to depend upon employment provisions and insufficient for his support - I was at Craney Island and remember the death of his son during the
Page 33

War - have the goodnefs to give him your early consideration -
Very Respectfully
Your
Obt. Sert.
Peter Little

Hon. John C Calhoun
Sec of War
Page 34

John Williams

copy -

Mr Edwards
I. C. C.
Page 35

SCHEDULE
=========
The United States of America
(A.) Maryland District SS.

On this fourteenth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court (*) in the District Court of the United States for Maryland District John Williams of Baltimore aged Sixty two years, resident in Baltimore who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare, that he serviced in the Revolutionary War, as follows: (E.) In the third Maryland Regiment in Capt Samuel Griffith's Company in the Maryland line that he enlisted in said Company and Regiment on the 25th April 1778 and that he was Honorably discharged on the 31st July 1783 according to his original declaration dated on or about the 2d April 1818. and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th March, 1818: and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Page 36

A fmall [small] House 18 by 28 - 2 Stories brick under
Ground Rent @$41.25 per annum ...... $500 -
16 Chairs some of which I have had for 20 years ...... 10 -
4 Tables ...... 10 -
4 Potts ...... 4 -
2 Pair Aud Irons ...... 1 -
1 Stove ...... 18 -
3 Washing Tubs ...... 1 -
6 Cups + Saucers, 4 Silver Teas Spoons 8 Pewter Spoons ...... 5 -
1 Old Chest Drawers I have had 25 years ...... 3 -
50 Aces of Land in Allegany County received for
Revolutionary Services from the State of Maryland ...... 25 -
--------
$577 -
--------
I have received a pension under the act of 18 March 1818 and my Certificate is dated 4th April 1818 commencing 2d April 1818 at $8 pr month - The number appears to be 61
My Family Consists of two Daughters one 20 the other 17 years of age and four grand Children, the eldest 9, the 
second 7 - the third 4 and the youngest 2 1/2 years of age; their father has deserted them and they have been dependent on me for three years past I was lately employed as Porter in the Union Bank of Maryland but have been discharged and have now no regular businefs nor any means of Support except what I may earn as a public Collector which is often not one Dollar in the week
Johns Williams

SWORN to and declared on the 14th day of June 1820
Before,
I, Philip Moore Clerk of the District Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is of the Value of Five hundred and Seventy five Dollars and
IN TESTMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said court, on this 14th day of June 1820.

Philip Moore Clerk of the District court for the Maryland District
Page 37

* The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify that amount of property of the applicant, the oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court is in session.

(Cross symbol) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the Act of Congress:

1st, Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which create them;

2nd, Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record;

3d, Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount;

4th, Which have the power of fine and imprisonment;

And courts which proceed according to the civil and canon law, having neither of those attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such. - (Opinion of the Attorney General of the United States.)
========
DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING UP THE BLANKS.

A. District, - circuit, - county, or corporation, as the case may be.

B. State why a court of record.

C. After repeating the district, circuit, county, or corporation, insert the declarant's name.

D. District, circuit, county, or corporation.

E. Here set forth the regiment, company and line; or ship, corps or vessel, and the date of the original declaration; and if he has received a pension, the number of his pension-certificate should be inserted.

F. Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary bedding and clothing excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances a to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the third section of the Act of the 1st May, 1820 "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his country," comprehend those only, who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.

Extract of a CIRCULAR LETTER from the War Department, to the several Agents for paying pensions, enclosing the foregoing Form.

"For the guidance of persons already on the pension list, or who may hereafter make application for that purpose, it may be proper to state, explicitly, that, as experience has proved the necessity of a rigid adherence to particular forms in such cases, no instrument of writing drawn up contrary to this form can be admitted as a proper voucher."