Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2164, for George Porter, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE Mass
Porter, George
Susannah.
NUMBERW. 2164
B.L.Wt. 13023-160-55
CONTENTS [BLANK]
Page 2

Vermont - 17.358

George Porter of Windham Co in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Payne of the Regt. commanded by Col. Parsons in the Mass. ma. line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Augt. 1833 and sent to Danl. Kellogg. Rockingham

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 40.00
$200.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 34
Page 3

State of Vermont
County of Windham ss
On this ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and  No 5.  thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Probate Court within and for the District of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont now  No 5.  sitting George Porter of Athens in said County and State aged seventy three 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
No 4.  That he was born in Taunton County of Bristol State of Massachusetts the 29th day of Jany 1759,  No 4.  at which place and Athens aforesaid he has always lived excepting three years in the State of Rhodeisland
No 4.  That he entered the service of the United States a volunteer each term (except one) he enlisted therein. That the place of his enlistment each and every time was either  No 4.  Rehoboth or Taunton Mass, which he cannot specify in each instance, that he first enlisted for the term of one month and a half in the Mass militia in December 1775 under Capt Nathaniel Carpenter of Rehoboth aforesaid and Col Parsons. The Deponent was stationed at Brooklyn near Boston Mass where he served the full term of his enlistment and was dismissed, receiving no written discharge either at this or any subsequent time of his leaving the service aforesaid
The Deponent again entered as aforesaid in the Mass militia in the US service in Jany 1776 for the term of three months in Capt Paynes Company and Col French's Regiment, and marched to Winter Hill where he was under the command of Gen Sullivan and in a short time was ordered to Dorchester Hill, where he was stationed when the enemy evacuated Boston and when they burnt the Castle, the destruction of which
Page 4

the Deponent saw. He saw the blood of three men who were killed by a cannon ball on Dorchester Hill. The Deponent was employed in building the fort on Dorchester Hill, where he remained until the close of the term of his enlistment and was dismissed in April
The Deponent again entered Mass militia in said service in the summer of 1776 in Capt Thayers Company and Col Jacksons Regiment, was stationed on Nantucket - was there when war Independance was declared - was employed in building a fort on Nantucket Hill, at which place the Deponent concluded the full term of enlistment [crossed out: and] being four months and was dismissed.
The Deponent again entered the said service in the Mass militia (and in the Mass militia each  No 4  subsequent time by enlistment as a volunteer and every time as a volunteer except one) in Capt. Nathaniel Carpenters Company of Rehoboth, for the term of four months, went to the south of Howlands Ferry for the purpose of guarding the shores against the enemy on Rhodeisland, where he served that the term of his enlistment and was dismissed.
He again entered the said service as aforesaid in the spring of 1778 in said Carpenters company and Col Whitneys Reg, for three months and was stationed in Providence R.I. thence marched to Tower Hill and Point Lieden. He was one of a small picket guard which took about and two prisoners at Rhodeisland and sent them to head quarters at Providence, the Deponent served out the term of his enlistment and was dismissed.
The Deponent again enlisted in said service in the fall or near the close of the summer of 1778 in said Carpenters Company and said Whitneys Reg for the term of three months, was stationed on the Naraganset Shore (at what place he does not recollect) where he served the full term as aforesaid and was dismissed
The Deponent again entered said Carpenters Co in the winter of 1778 for three months was stationed
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at Howlands Ferry in Col Webb's Reg also under Major Huntington where he served the full term and was dismissed
The Deponent again enlisted in said Carpenters Company in 1779, for the term of three months was stationed on Rhodeisland, and in the vicinity, where he served the full term of enlistment and was dismissed
In the winter of 1779 the Deponent again entered the service in Capt Moses Wilmouths Company in Col. Daggets [Daggett's] Reg  for three months and was stationed at Warwick 10 miles south of Providence where he served the full term as aforesaid and was dismissed.
In 1779 he again enlisted in Captain N Carpenters company aforesaid, for one month and was stationed in Providence R.I. where he served the full term aforesaid and
was dismissed.
the Deponent, after the retreat of Gen Sullivan from Rhodeisland again enlisted in Capt Coles Company as a substitute in the place of a sick man and served one month and a half being stationed on Hog Neck in [illegible] where he was dismissed
N. 4  The Deponent never recd a written discharge from any of the term aforesaid; nor does he remember other officers
No 2  The Deponent further declares that he has no documentary evidence - that he knows of no person whose  No 2  No 9  testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service  No 4  - that he has heard his father mention a record of his age formerly kept in a bible, but believes it is now lost, and he knows of no other. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension on annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any state. That there is no clergyman residing in  No 1  Athens the place of his residence, but he believes that Thaddeas Alexander Esqr Joseph Tinkum Esqr [crossed out: and Hon L [illegible]], his townsmen will
certify of his truth and veracity and their belief of  No 4  his services as aforesaid. He has no record of his age  No 4  The Deponent recollects no further particulars than those above stated as to the time of entering the service and leaving the same nor any other officers of the  No 4  Regular Army in most of the instances, there not being any on the ground
George Porter
Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Peter R. Taft Judge

27 mos
Page 6

No 1   Personally appeared in open Court Thaddeus Alexander Esqr Joseph Tinkham Esq and Abraham Ball Esqr of sd. Athens credible persons, who being duly sworn according to law depose and say that they have been well acquainted with the said George Porter for more than thirty, years, that often ever since said acquaintance they have heard him mention his services in the American Revolution, that they consider him a man of irreproachable character for truth and veracity have no doubt of his services in the Revolution and believe that his affidavit on that subject may be implicitly relied on The Deponents are townsmen and neighbours of the said Porter
Thaddeus Alexander
Joseph Tinkham
Abraham Ball

Sworn and subscribed to on me this same day and year aforesaid
Peter R Saft Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion of the investigation of the matter and after the [illegible] above [illegible] by the Wars 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 Thaddeus Alexander Joseph Tinkham & Abraham Bell who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in said Athens and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit-
Peter R Satt Judge

I Asa Theyer 2d Clerk & Register of the Probate Court of said Deptment do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Porter for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ninth day of August AD 1832
Asa Theyer 2d
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7.  5472  B
Vermont

Susannah Porter
widow of George Porter who served in the Revolutionary war as a Private Mass Mil

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Apl. 1850 and sent to George C. Cahoon Lynden [Lyndon] Vermont

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act [crossed out February] July 24 1848, Page 32 Vol.1 book A

H
Reg 5 m 55-65234

Reported
Page 8

641. B.
Declaration & proofs of Susannah Porter, widow of George Porter for a pension
Athens, Vermont
Marred 1798
Husband died in 1844
Aomo $18. p an
Mu 4 March 1848
Page 9

STATE OF VERMONT,
Caledonia County,....ss.
I, G. A Burbank, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that George C. Cahoon Esq. of Lyndon in said County is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 30th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signatures below and one the margin of the annexd. sheet are [crossed out: is] genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 9th day of February A. D. 1850
G. A Burbank
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State of Vermont
Probate District of
Westminster in the County
of Windham ss

Declaration of Susannah Porter Widow of
George Porter a Revolutionary Soldier and pensioner under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 29th July 1848.
On this thirteenth day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared before the Probate Court holden at Athens within and for said District of Westminster Honl Abishai Stoddard Judge of said Court presiding Susannah Porter a resident of Athens in said County of Windham in said Probate District of Westminster aged seventy three years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following
DECLARATION in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed the twenty ninth day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty eight. That she is the widow of George Porter late of said Athens deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution in the Massachusetts Militia and at the time of his death was receiving a pension of eighty dollars per annum that he received his first payment of his pension as she recollects it soon after he was informed of being placed on the pension roll and the amount he received at that time was two hundred dollars and she thinks it to have been in the fall of eighteen hundred and thirty three, that the original Pension Certificate of the said George Porter was surrendered soon after his death to draw the balance of pension due at the time he died. And being shown the "Vermont Pension Roll" giving the Statement of Windham County, Vermont, on the 142 page the name of George Porter is entered as a private with an allowance of eighty dollars annually, that he had then received two hundred and forty dollars, that his description of service was Massachusetts Militia
Page 11

that he was placed on the pension Roll Aug. 13. 1833, that the commencement of his pension was March 4. 1831 and that his age was seventy five, and from the whole description she confidently believes that entry to have been made with reference to her husband, as it regards the particulars of her husbands service for which he received a pension She has no personal knowledge, but her information is  derived from her husband when living and from the annexed statement of said service by the said George Porter made in his own hand writing and signed by him (Marked A.) making it in all twenty nine months. This paper   was found among his papers after his decease and is supposed to be the substance of his Declaration made at the time he was placed on the pension list.
She further declares that she was married to the said George Porter on the fourth day of January in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety eight by James Shafter Esqr a Justice of the Peace, that said marriage took place at said town of Athens, that her husband the aforesaid George Porter died on the eleventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty four; that she was not married to him prior to his having the service but the marriage took place previous to the second of January Eighteen hundred viz at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension
Susannah Porter

Witness Tisdale Porter
George C. Cahoon

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
Abishai Stoddard
Judge of Probate for the District of Westminster
Page 12

1. State of Massachusetts and County of Bristol and town of Rehoboth 1775
1775 I inlisted for one month and half in Capt Nathaniel Carpenters Company in Col Persons Regiment and served that out we was Stationed in Brookline near Boston
2. January 1776 I inlisted Capt Paine Company of Rehoboth in Col French Rigerment for three months and marched to Winter Hill and Joined General Sullivan Divison in a short was ordered to Dorchester Hill and drove the British from Boston and the after they burnt the bildings on the Castle and fled I was thare and see the distruction of the Castle and of the blood of three men that was killed by the British a few nights before with a Cannon ball on Dorchester hill and I served the time out
3. in the Summer 1776 I inlisted in Capt Thayers Company in Col Jacksons Rigement and was stationed on Nantucket independence was Declared and we built a large fort on the hill I inlisted for four months and staid the time out
4. in 1777 I inlisted in Capt. Nathaniel Carpenters for three months and went to the South of Howlands ferry garding against the enemy on Rhodeisland [Rhode Island] and sarved the time out
5. in the Spring 1778 I enlisted in Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter Company of Rehoboth in Col Whitneys Regiment and was stationed in providence and from there we marched to Tower Hill and point Judea [Point Judith?] and staid three months of I was one five a small piquet Gard that took a British boat and two prisoners from Rhodsisland and sent to head quarters at Providence
6. in the Summer and fall 1778 I inlisted in Capt Nathaniel Carpenters Company of Rehoboth in Col Whitney Rigement on the Naraganset [Narragansett] Shore and staid three months but the town name I have forgot
7. in the winter of 1778 I inlisted in Capt Carpenters Comany and to Howlands ferry for three months and was under Comand of major Huntington then Comanding Col Webbs Rigement and staid there three months
8. in the Summer 1779 I inlisted for one month in Capt Carpenters Compeny and was in Providence on mations plains under the Command of the Six month Col then Comanding a Rigement at that place then
9. in the winter 1779 I inlisted in Capt Willmoth Company of Attleboro in Col Daggets [Daggett's] Rigement for three months and was stationed at Warwick ten miles South of Providence and staid the time out after the retreat of Sullivan from Rhodsisland I took a sick mans place and staid one month and half and was stationd on hog neck in Swangey in Capt Coles Compny
there is three months that I have forget the time and place where we were stationed I was in Capt Nathaniel Carpenters Compeny in all 29 months
George Porter
marked A. Attest Abishai Stoddard Judge of Probate for the District of Westminster
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State of Vermont
District of Westminster ss
I Abishai Stoddard Judge of Probate for said District, do certify that the above named Susannah Porter the Declarant being unable from bodily in firmity to appear in said Court at a usual time & place of holding the same said Declaration was made at a session thereof specially holden at her house for that purpose by the subscribing authority.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this thirtieth day of January A.D. 1850.
Abishai Stoddard Judge of Probate for said District of Westminster
Page 14

State of Vermont
Windham County, ss
Athens Town Clerk's office
January 30, 1850
I Elijah P. Shattuck of Athens in said County of Windham, Town Clerk of said town of Athens certify that in the town book of records of said town of [crossed out: said] Athens Kept for recording, births, marriages and deaths I find recorded in said book among other things pertaining to George Porter's family record that of his marriage of follows "George Porter was married to Susanna Gray January fourth Seventeen hundred and ninety eight ' Said record being certified as follows "The foregoing is a true record
Attest James Bayley Town Clerk"
That it is a true copy of record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "January 4. 1798"
I Elijah P. Shattuck above named depose and say that I hold the office of town Clerk of the town of Athens in the County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified
Elijah P Shattuck
Town Clerk of Athens

Sworn before me
Amos Davis Justice of the Peace

I certify that the affiant is personally known to me and is a credible witness
Amos Davis Justice of the Peace
Page 15

I Tisdale Porter of Athens in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged forty six years depose testify and say that I am son of George Porter late of said town of Athens deceased who in his lifetime was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, & of his wife Susannah Porter who is now his widow - that the said George Porter drew his first pension to the best of my recollection in the fall of the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty then at which time I got the money for him and recollect that its amount was two hundred dollars, his pension being granted under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832, that the said George Porter at the time of his death resided in the same dwelling house with myself and that I was present at the time of his death and that the same took place at his residence in said Athens on the eleventh day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty four (1844) leaving a widow the above named Susannah Porter who has not since intermarried but still remains his widow. That the original pension certificate of the said George Porter was soon after his death surrendered up to draw the balance of pension due when he died. That I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said George Porter and know the memorandums of service made upon the paper (marked A) and signed George Porter denoting his period of service to have been in all twenty nine months to have been in the handwriting of the said George Porter and that the same was found in his papers at the time of his decease & believe the same to have been made at or about the time of his being placed on the Pension Roll, The paper above referred to as being marked A is the same referred to by the said Susannah Porter in her Declaration and attached thereto with the attestation of Abishai Stoddard Judge of Probate for the District of Westminster to said mark
Tisdale Porter

Athens January 31st. 1850
State of Vermont
Windham County ss
January 31st. 1850
Subscribed and sworn to before me Amos Davis Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I certify that the affiant Tisdale Porter withing named is personally known to me and is a credible witness.
Amos Davis Justice of the Peace
Page 17

I Amos Davis of Athens in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged 48 years depose testify and say that I have resided in said Athens for the last seventeen years past on a farm adjoining that on which George Porter a Revolutionary Pensioner and husband of Susannah Porter, now a widow, lived at the time of his death, and that previously thereto I lived in said Athens [crossed out: and] eleven years, making in all twenty eight years and that previously thereto I lived about two miles distant from said Porter in the town of Grafton when I was born. that I have known the said George Porter and his family ever since my boyhood that I know the said Porter to have been a Revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of eighty dollars yearly for many years before his death, that I was at the dwelling house of the said George Porter at the time of his death which took place on the eleventh day of July Eighteen hundred and forty four and that I was at that time Sexton of said town and superintended the digging of his grave and attended his funeral & have since assisted in the erection of his grave stones. That at his death he left a widow Mrs Susannah Porter whom I had known as his wife ever after my first acquaintance with his family and by whom he had a daughter Experience H. Now married to Rufus Chaffee Jr. of Lyndon Vermont who has always been reputed to be over two years older than myself and that she was born on the thirty first day of March Seventeen hundred and ninty nine. I further depose and say that the said Susannah Porter Widow of the said George Porter is now living and still remains his widow
Athens January 31st 1850
Amos Davis

State of Vermont
Windham County ss
At Athens January 31. 1850
January 31. 1850
Subscribed and sworn to before me John Austin
Justice of the Peace

I certify that the affiant is personally known to me & is a credible witness
John Austin Justice of the Peace
Page 18

[the following text is crossed out]
State of Vermont
Windham County Cort Clerk's Office
Newfane January 30th AD. 1850
I Marshall Miller Clerk of said Court certify that
Page 19

State of Vermont
Windham County ss
Windham County Clerks Office Newfane January 31st. 1850
I Marshall Miller Clerk of Windham County Court, do certify that the Hon. Abishai Stoddard of Grafton in said County is Judge of Probate for the District of Westminster in said County, that he is duly qualified to act as such, that the term of his office commenced on the first day of December 1849 & will expire on the 30th day of November 1850 and that his three official signatures made on the Declaration of Susannah Porter & the paper referred to therein annexed hereto are his genuine signatures.
I further certify that Amos Davis is a Justice of the Peace of said County duly qualified to act as such and that his four signatures to the depositions of Elijah P. Shattuck & Tisdale Porter hereto annexed are his genuine signatures & that his commission bears date November 30th. 1849 & will expire on the 20th. day of November 1850. I further certify that John Austin is a Justice of the Peace of said County of Windham duly qualified to act as such and that his commission bears date November 30th. 1849 and will expire on the 30th. day of November 1850 and that his two signatures to the deposition of Amos Davis hereto annexed are his genuine signatures
In witness whereof I hereto affix my hand and seal of office the day and year first above written
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 20

I Experience H. Chaffee wife of Rufus Chaffee Jr of Lyndon in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont depose testify and say that I am the daughter of George Porter late of Athens in the County of Windham in said State deceased and of his wife Susannah Porter now his widow that I was born at said Athens as I have always been informed and understood it on the thirty first day of March Seventeen hundred and ninety nine, and that I ever resided in said town of Athens until the month of February A.D. 1849 when I removed to said Lyndon I have frequently heard my Father & Mother converse about the time of their marriage & of the person who performed the ceremony - And this to from my earliest recollection and they ever uniformly fixed the day of the ceremony to have been on the fourth day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety eight and to have been performed by [crossed out: by] James Shafter Esqr. Justice of the Peace there of said Athens, who lived a near neighbor to my father to the time of the sd. Shafters death which took place many years since, but the
precise time I cannot now name. My Father the said George Porter drew a pension as a Revolutionary soldier of eighty dollars yearly for several years before his death and at the time he died I was married and lived some two miles from his residence My Father & my brother Tisdale Porter lived in the same house together at the time of his my Father George Porter's death. I was present at the time he died which was at his home on the eleventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty four, leaving a widow my Mother the said Susannah Porter who is still a widow and living at said town of
Athen, with her son Tisdale Porter. Being shown the memorandum Signed George Porter attached to the Declaration of the said Susannah Porter before Hon Abishai Stoddard Judge of Probate for a pension I say that I am familiarly acquainted with the hand writing of my Father George Porter and think that memorandum of his service to be in his own hand writing.
London February 7th. 1850
Experience H Chaffee

State of Vermont
Caledonia County
Witness Rufus
Chaffee
Subscribed & sworn to before me
George C. Cahoon Justice Peace
Witness Rufus Chaffee +

I certify that the affiant is a credible witness
George C. Cahoon Justice of the Peace
Page 21

65.234 Act Mar 355
April 13/55
Susannah Porter widow of George Porter Pri
Susannah Porter, wid: of George, Pri;
Mass Mill.
Revolutionary Pensioner
Act- July 48-547
Ad:160 acres Decl:17/55
Boynton.
A. S. Campbell
Bellows Falls Vermont

Cir. Ap. Campbell, Oct. 10"/55
Vol P. page 112
Page 22

S Porter.
65.324
Page 23

State of Vermont
Windham County SS
On this 3d day of April AD 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths Susannah Porter aged Seventy Eight years a resident of the County of Windham and State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is now the widow of George Porter deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary war that the said George Porter continued in actual demise as she believes two years, that she was married to the said George Porter in Athens in the State of Vermont on the 4th January 1798 by one James Shafter a Justice of the Peace - that her name before her said marriage was Susannah Gray - that her said husband died died at Athens State of Vermont on the 11th day of July Eighteen Hundred & forty four and that she is now a widow for the proof of these facts she refers to her application for a pension under the act of July 29. 1848 upon which she obtained a pension - She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved
March 3 1855
Susannah Porter
Page 24

 We Joel C Redfield and Stephen W. Moultrop residents of the County of Windham in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that we are personally acquainted with Susannah Porter that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by her in our presence - that we know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow
Hel C Redfield
Stephen W Moultrop

The foregoing Declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this 3d day of April 1855 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be - and that I [text is covered by another document] in their claims

State of Vermont,
WINDHAM, S. S.
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court for the County
of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
Benjamin Smith was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the certificate thereon written is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Brattleborough, this
9th day of April Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five
Royall Taylor Clerk.
Page 25

We Joel C Redfield and Stephen W. Moultrop residents of the County of Windham in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that we are personally acquainted with Susannah Porter that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by her in our presence - that we know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow
Hel C Redfield
Stephen W Moultrop

The foregoing Declaration & affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this 3d day of April 1855 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be - and that I have no interest in this claim.
Banja. Smith Justice of the Peace
Page 26

In reply to your request of [BLANK], received [BLANK] for a statement of the military history of George Porter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([crossed out: or] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. F. 2164.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  ||  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  ||  RANK.  ||  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  | CAPTAIN.  |  COLONEL.  ||  STATE.
Dec. 1775  || 1 1/2 mos  ||  Pvt.  ||  Nathaniel Carpenter  |  Parsons  ||  Mass
Jan. 1776  ||  3 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Pain [Payne]  |  French  ||  [BLANK]
Summer 1776  ||  4 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Thayer  |  Jackson  ||  [BLANK]
[checkmark]  ||  4 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Nathaniel Carpenter  |  [checkmark]  ||  [BLANK]
1778  ||  9 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Nathaniel Carpenter  |  Whitney  ||  [BLANK]
1778  ||  1 1/2 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Cole  |  [checkmark]  ||  [BLANK]
1779  ||  4 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Nathaniel Carpenter  |  [checkmark]  ||  [BLANK]
1779.  ||  3 "  ||  [BLANK]  ||Moses Willmarth  |  Dagget [Daggett]  ||  [BLANK]

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Taunton, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 9, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Athens, Windham Co., Vt.
Age at date of application, B. Jan. 29, 1759, Taunton, Bristol Co. Mass.
Remarks: He mar. Jan. 4, 1798, at Athens, Vt., Susanna Gray. He died July 11, 1844, at Athens, Vt., where she resided when al. pens. on her ap. ex. Jan. 30, 1850, aged 73 yrs. Two children referred to: Experience H., born Mch. 31, 1799, married Rufus Chaffee, Jr., and a son, Tisdale.

Respectfully, Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 27

13.023
Rev [illegible]
Page 28

Hon J. Minot
Comr of Pensions
Washington City

[stamped: FREE]

[stamped: BEDLOWS FALLS Vt DEC 13 1855]

65234
Susannah Porter wid George
Ad July 48-549

Boynton
Page 29

Rev: act 29" July. 348-57:
Boynton
Page 30

Hon L P Waldo
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City

[stamped: BELLOWS FALLS Vt. APR 10]

65-234
Page 31

O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C., [BLANK], 189 [BLANK]
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of George Porter, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF SERVICE.  ||  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  ||  RANK.  ||  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  |  CAPTAIN.  |  COLONEL.  ||  STATE.
His pension was allowed for 2 years actual service as a private with the Mass Troops, Enlisted Dec 1775 discharged finally sometime during the year 1779. Following officers are mentioned: Nathaniel Carpenter Col Parsons Capt Payne Col French over

Battles engaged in, none
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Taunton Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug 9 1832
Residence at date of application, Athens Vt
Age at date of application, Born Taunton Jan 29 1759.
Remarks: Pension allowed

Very respectfully,
Hon Geo Porter
Derby Line Vt.
Commissioner.

7941b-3m
Page 32

Capt Thayer Col. Jackson [crossed out: &] Col Whitney Col Webb Capt Moses Wilmouth Col Daggett & Capt
Page 33

Rev. -1 ABH.
Sandwich Ont Feb 28-17

Commissioner of Pensions
Wash. D. C.

Dear Sir
I have been refered to you by the War Department (Adjutant General's Office) for information concerning a soldier of the Revolution by the name of George Porter he was my Great grandfather and by tradition was a Private in Capt. Paines Co.
Page 34

Frenches [crossed out: Reg] Mass. Regiment and served through the earlier War for Independance I need this information in joining the Daughters of the American Rev. and any help you can give me will be thoroughly appreciated
Very truly
Mrs Josephine Laible
Box 74 Sandwich Ont
Page 35

[stamped: U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 3 1917]
Page 36

F. D. BUTTERFIELD  F. G. BUTTERFIELD
REECE'S PATENT
SECTIONAL VIEW OF COLLET & DIE.
FACTORIES:
DERBYLINE, VT AND ROCK ISLAND, P.Q.

BUTTERFIELD & CO.
MANUFACTURERS OF
STOCKS & DIES, SOLID DIE PLATES
REECE'S NEW SCREW PLATES.
TAPS AND DIES FOR ALL USES.
YOUNT'S AXLE CUTTER AND TOOLS FOR ENGINEERS' AND STEAM FITTERS' USE

Derby Line, Vt. Feb. 6, 1893.

The Commissioner of Pensions

Sir-
I have the honor to request that so much of military history of George Porter - a revolutionary soldier as is shown by his pension papers on file in your office - be sent to
Hon. George Porter Derby Line Vt. who is the great grandson of
said soldier.
It is not known whether he served
in Mass, R. I. or New Hampshire troops. He was a pensioner and
after his death his widow Suson
or Susannah was also pensioned
Very respectfully
F. G. Butterfield

this week J.S.
Page 37

WIDOW, &c.
Revy
File No. 21164
Susannah Porter, Widow
George Porter, Priv. Rev. War.
Act: July, 29, 1848.
Index:-Vol. M, Page 134
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1893, Mar. 10. Hist to George Porter, Derby Line, Vt. F.S.
1917, Mch. 16. History to Mres. Josephine Laible. F. W.
Page 38

George Porter, Windham County Vermont
Act 7 June 1832, $80.00 pan
Be pleased to look at this case again Windham County is attached to the Burlington Agency. It is possible even that Porter may by mistake have been placed on the Montpelier agency- to what time he was last paid?

Pension Office
April 10 1850

Ans. to his death, July 11, 1844, on the Montpelier roll
Page 39

Bellows Falls Vermont
December 12th 1855

Sir
I send herewith a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Massachusetts in suport of the application of [crossed out: George] S [Susannah] Porter for Bounty Lands application numbered 65234
Respectfully yr
A S Campbell

Hon J Minot
Comr of Pensions
Washington City.
Page 40

Bellows Falls Vermont Apl. 10 1855

Sir
I send herewith the application of Zerniah [illegible] & Susannah Porter for Bounty Land under Act of 3d March 1855
Respectfully yr
A S Campbell

Hon L P Waldo
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston
December 11th 1855
I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of George Foster is borne on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter's Comp. Colo Josiah Whitney's Regt. from March 14th 1777, 3 mos. 23 days, as private, from Bristol County.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 42

Bellows Falls, Vermont
December 8th. 1855

Sir
Will you please send me a certificate of the service of George Porter in the Revolutionary War. The certificate is to be used in support of the widows claim for Bounty Land.- George Porter lived in or near Taunton where he performed the service. I send $1 for fees.
Respectfully yrs
A S Campbell

Secy. of State
Boston
Mass
Page 43

Saxtons River Village Rockingham
Vermont May 6th 1833

J L Edwards Esquire

Sir
I am attorney for George Porter & Charles Colton applicants for a pension & [illegible] has handed to me the papers returned in those cases. I have examined them carefully, & find that those parts of the instructions included in the brackets are principly literally or virtually answered in the original declarations. For the convenience of the Department I have numbered the several clauses in each case so included, and have placed correspondent numbers, opposite the pertinent clauses in the Declaration, which will show at a glance [crossed out: of the eye] of how far the instructions have been adhered to. I will here add some explanatory notes

George Porters Case
No 1 (In Instruction &) also in several clauses of Declaration Deponent says in declaration in clauses marked No 1 as follows viz There is no clergyman residing in Athens & the Clergymans Certificate is supplied by affidavit in open Court of Justices of the Peace. They do not speak of his age, but say they believe his affidavit and of course believe the age true which he then states & that he served as he there states which seems to answer to
Page 44

the clause requiring a statement of their belief that he was a Revolutionary soldier, All and far more than is required in No 1 it is believes will be found embraced in that affidavit their credibility is certified by the court.
No 2  It appears in Declaration No 2 that declarant has no documentary evidence, that is supposed to include discharge. Also that he knows of
no person who can testify to his services
No 3  It appears that the hearings was done before Court of record
No 4  It appears where he was born and all he knows respecting a record of his age is mentioned & that he knows of no further evidence. The manner he entered service & the place is mentioned in each term
No 5 6 7 8 & 9  are all complied with actually - I believe in the course of the Declaration

Charles Colton's Case
No 1  It appears by his Declaration No's 1 that there is no clergyman in Athens Two Justices of the Peace have made an affidavit in open
Court which was supposed fully to supply the [crossed out: affidavit] clergymans certificate. Their veracity is certified by the Court as per No 1
Page 45

No 2  It appears also that he has no documentary evidence (supposed to mean discharge or the like well as other papers) also that he has not nor knows not of any other evidence
No 3  Complied with
No 4  It appears where he has lived and now lives & where he enlisted are - These facts are mentioned in the description of each term & finally he declares he recollects no further particulary &c &c
No 5  complied with &
No 6  Certificate of Clerk [illegible] certificates of Justice of Peace was not obtained because In this case the certificates before the Justice were considered almost superfluous & so much over & above what the Department [crossed out: would] required
In this case I notice the absolute neglect of our requisition & one only which is not answered one way or another viz Record of Declarants age - & that I supposed in the nature of traditionary evidence & not wanting in this case I supposed it implied in every case that the applicant is a private unless he otherwise states
I supposed that the instructions of the Department were designed as suggestions, leaving it to the appli
Page 46

cant to present his in a stronger light if possible & if he but fulfilled in substance the requisitions with additional strength it would be approved of. So far as I have been concerned I have taken great pains to have all important points presented whether definitely required by the Department or not, I have been particular to have the Declarants state every matter of consequence within their clear recollection, & I believe they have so done & consequently that their declarations
cannot be made much more satisfactory by any new matter.
It was supposed to be perfectly superfluous, when 2 or 3 Justice of the Peace made affidavit of having been often told by the declarant for a great length of time of his services in the Revolution - to add "that he was reputed a Revolutionary soldier in his neighbourhood & they concured in that opinion." It was supposed that the weaken evidence was merged in the stronger; or if they believed his affidavit that it was thought unnecessary to say they believed him of the age therein stated - Yet in Coltons case the language will be found literally according to the instructions, & his services in part are supported by 2 or 3 affidants to the fact
I have not mentioned the return of the papers to the applicants, but I know they tried to remember every particular & said it was a hard case that they should
be expected to remember so much.
Your Obt Svt
D L Putman
Page 47

Case of George Porter

Admitted
2 years

C. S. Putnam Esq Saxton's River
Kaniel Kellogg Esq Rockingham Vt
Page 48

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
⎬ ss.
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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.
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
1
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 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.
1,
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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
those numbers an added by the Declarant & refer to
respondent numbers in his original declaration
wering the requisitions of the clauses opposite to
& for the convenience of general referance
No 3
No
in 5
Nob
of
No
No 8
3
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 exexpected
. 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.
7. 17
and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
To an Office 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
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 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.
No
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fullow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
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
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Untonel 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 to
die 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 the 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 person to 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 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
tricity in in or
lic 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 may
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
is 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
are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is
note il applies to continented troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the condition.
Page 49

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 [BLANK]
County of [BLANK] ss.
On this [BLANK] day of [BLANK] personally appeared (a) before [BLANK] A.B. 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] line, under the following named officers: [BLANK]
[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. [symbol of a hand pointing to the right] 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 [BLANK]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [BLANK] 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 [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 seal 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.

[The following section is enclosed in handwritten parentheses, with the note: N1 #]
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 are 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 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 [BLANK] and that 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 of office, this [BLANK] day of [BLANK] & c.

[The following two paragraphs are enclosed in handwritten parentheses, with the note: No 2]
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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

[The following is a handwritten note inserted at the bottom of the page: # Those numbers an added by the Declarant & refer to
correspondent numbers in his original declaration answering the requisitiory of the clauses opposite to & for the convenience of general referance]

3
[The following paragraph is enclosed in handwritten parentheses, with the note: No 3]
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 exexpected . 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 following section is enclosed in handwritten parentheses, with the note: No 4]
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 [text missing due to fold in the document], 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 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 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.
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section: No 5]
[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 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.
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section: No 6]
[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 the 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."
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section, and was crossed out: No 7]
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the person to 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.
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section: No 7]
[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.
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section: No 8]
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 may 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.
[The following handwritten note is to the left of this section: No 9]
[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 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.
[symbol of a hand pointing to the right] 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 as 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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration.