Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16645, for Hugh Mc Master, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service
New York 

McMaster, Hugh
Martha

Number
W. 16645

Contents
Page 2

Lets to Hon M. J. Bouce Sept 14 1838

Martha 2204

Martha McMaster
widow of Hugh McMaster
who died on the 25 Sept 1837
of Montom. Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the  commanded by Capt. NY of the Regt commanded by Col. Fisher in the Revolution New York
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, & to terminate 25th September 1837

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of July 1838 and sent to Horvath J. Borne, Amsterdam, NY

Arrears to the 25 Sep '37 $111.15
Semi-annual allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 2

ded by D. Brown Cler
A Vol. 2 Page 113
Page 3

No 12.640

Hugh McMaster

5.14

P. 371 

4 May 33

resp'd

Platt Potter Agt

Mina Ville
Montgy Co 
N. York
Page 4

No. 12640 

Brief in the case of Hugh Mc Master of Florida County of Montgomery the State of New York 
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?
Before a Judge

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
yes

3. How old is he?
80 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed

Period. 
Volunteer In 1776 to the end of the war 

Duration of Service
Years, Months, Days. 

Rank.
As a private 

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served
Capt. David McMaster
Col. Fredk Fisher
Major NewKirk 

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Battle of Onskany 
and battle of Nellis Flats

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
in Florisa

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
2 living witnesses & traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Yes, seal defective in plainness

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

James Ood Examining clerk.
Page 5

The claim was allowed for the benefit of the widow, to commence Mch 4, 1831 and terminate at the date of soldier's death (no application by widow)
Page 6

3652
Page 7

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court house in the town of Mohawk in and for the County of Montgomery on the fourteenth day of March in the year 1838. 
Presents 
The Hon. Abraham Morrell First Judge
Stephen Yates
Samuel A. Gilbert
& John Hand Esq. Judges 

In the Matter of Hugh McMaster a deceased pensioner}
I Alexander J. Comrie Clerk of said county do hereby certify that David Cady a reputable citizen of the County of Montgomery aforesaid appeared in open court before the Judges thereof and after being duly sworn deposed that he was well acquainted with Hugh McMaster late of the Town of Florida in said county a reputed soldier of the revolution. That the said Hugh McMaster died on the twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven at the Town of Florida. The said County and has left a widow named Martha McMaster him surviving and who now resides in the said town of Florida. 
And the court directs me as their organ to certify that the testimony adduced to them in this matter was in all aspects satisfactory. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this fourteenth day of March in the year 1838. 
A. J. Comrie Clerk
Page 8

In the matter of Hugh McMaster for a pension
12.640
Page 9

State of New York 
Montgomery ss. On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before John Hand Esquire of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Montgomery, Albert Van Housen, a resident of the county & town aforesaid, aged eighty two years, who being  first duly sworn, saith, that he is well & intimately acquainted with Hugh McMaster of the town of Florida in the said county & has been so acquainted with him since the year 1776, that he the said Albert Van Housen & the said Hugh McMaster served together in the Revolutionary War as private in the same company of militia for seven years, or from the year 1776 till the year 1783, that the company to which they belonged was commanded by Captain David McMaster and attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Frederick Fisher called the militia of Tryon County, that he heard the declaration read which has this day made & subscribed & sworn to by the said Hugh McMaster before the above named John Hand Esquire in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 87th 1832 & knows that the general facts of service as therein stated & of his being wounded at the time therein mentioned is true. 
the word "wounded is yet interlined before sworn to 
his
Albert x Van Housen
mark 
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid before me John Hand one of the Judges of the Montgomery County Courts
Page 10

I John Hand one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Montgomery before whom the within affidavit was subscribed and sworn to do certify that Albert Housen the within deponent is a credible person and entitled to belief. Dated 6th June 1833
John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts
Page 11

State of New York
Montgomery County ss On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before John Hand Esquire, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Montgomery, Henry Staley a resident of the County of Montgomery & of the town of Florida aged Eighty six years, who being first duly sworn doth say that he is well & intimately acquainted with Hugh McMaster of the same place, and has been so acquainted with him since the year 1776. That he & the said Hugh McMaster served together in the Revolutionary War as privates in the same company of militia for seven years, or from the year 1776 until the year 1783, that the company to which they belonged was commanded by Captain David McMaster, and attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Frederick Fisher, called the militia of Tryon County, that he has heard the declaration read which was this day made & subscribed & sworn to by the said Hugh McMaster before the above named John Hand Esquire in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, and knows that the general facts of service as therein stated & of his being wounded at the time therein is true. 
his
Henry x Staley
mark

Subscribed & sworn the day and year aforesaid before me John Hand one of the Judges of the Montgomery County Court
Page 12

I John Hand one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Montgomery do certify that Henry Staley the within deponent is a credible person & entitled to belief. Dated 6th June 1833 John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts
Page 13

State of New York
Montgomery County ss.
On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before John hand Esquire, one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Montgomery Hugh McMaster, a resident of Florida in the county of Montgomery and state of New York, aged Eighty 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. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. 
That he the said Hugh McMaster was born in the month of December in the year 1752, in Princetown, in the county of Schenectady and state of New York. That he once had a record of his age kept in a Bible but that it is now lost or destroyed. That sometime in the year 1776 but in what month he cannot now recollect he entered the service of the United States as a private soldier & as a volunteer in a company of militia under the following officers, to wit, David McMaster Captain, James McMaster Lieutenant & David Beverly Ensign, that this company was attached to a Regiment called the militia of Tryon County Commanded by Col. Frederick Fisher, the Majors name was Newkirk, that he served in said company from the time he so entered the same as a private soldier till the close of the Revolutionary War in the year 1783. That at the time he entered the said service he resided in the said Town of Florida & County of Tryon now Montgomery and has resided in said town ever since that this company was composed of thirty or forty privates of whom he knows but three survivors besides himself to wit Henry Staley, Albert Van Housen & John Savoy by all whom he can prove his own service that during the whole time he so served the company was continually on the march, sometimes in a body in twice of alarm
Page 14

at other times in detached parcels, a few miles distant from each other to guard the most dangerous passes from the continued attacks of Tories and Indian Scouts, that he cannot give a regular history of the marches or movement of this company or the other companies attached to the same regiment as the movements were altogether directed by the nature of the alarms, and the command of the officers, which were governed by the fears and apprehensions of the inhabitants residing on the then frontier, that the following places were among the number, who during the war the said militia were at different times quartered, to wit, Florida, Fort Hunter, Fort Plain, Fort Stanwix, Canajoharie, Bowmans Creek, Fish house, Johnstown, German Flatts, Herkimer, Caughnawaga, & the whole line of the Mohawk river and the County of Tryon which was their frontier, that he was in the battle of Onskany that his Captain & nearly all the company were in that battle Captain Snork & Captain Pettinger's company were there & he thinks all the companies in the Regiment, Captain Pettinger was killed in that battle. this battle he thinks was in the month of August 1777. Recollects General Herkimer was wounded in that battle & died of his wounds. Col. Cox was also killed in that battle, that owing to the timely assistance of Col. Willett & his near coming from Fort Stanwix to  their relief the destruction of the whole militia was prevented, that subsequently after Schoharie was burnt, a company of British Indians & Tories under the command of Sir John Johnson came across the country committing depreciations murders and burning houses & destroying property the enemy were met by the militia under the command of General Van Rensselaer at Nellis Flatts Canajoharie where a battle ordered, in this battle he was wounded with a musket ball through the body from which his wound he was unable for three months to do duty, after his recovery he returned again to duty & continued in the service until the end of the war, that he is unable to state the year
Page 15

in which this battle accrued that after the war for several years he drew a pension of twelve dollars a year on account of this wound. That a man by the name of Shurtleff acted as his agent in drawing this pension, but whether it was drawn from the state or General government he cannot tell that the said Shurtleff, his said agent, who resident in Schenectady lost his pension papers as much as eighteen or twenty years ago. And since that time he has never received it. that he has no written discharge or other documentary evidence of his service that he is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend any court of record to make this declaration. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state only the state of New York, of that he is not certain except the pension above mentioned is so entered on the roll. 
Hugh McMaster

Subscribed & sworn to the day and year first above mentioned (the word 'the' in 3rd line above the word of interlined in 2nd page 4th line before sworn to) 
before me John Hand one of the Judges of the Montgomery County Courts

Mr. Robert Casey residing in Florida in the County aforesaid and Alexander Murray of Princetown in the County of Schenectady residing within three miles of the above named Hugh McMaster do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Hugh McMaster who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be eighty years of age & that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. 
Robert Casey 
Alexander Murray 
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me john hand one of the Judges of Montgomery County Courts
Page 16

And I the said John Hand do hereby certify and declare my opinion that after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider and served as he states and I do further certify and declare that it is my opinion and belief that the Hugh McMaster is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend any court of record to make his said declaration. And I do further certify that Robert Casey and Alexander Murray who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and are entitled to credit. 
John Hand one of the Judges of the Montgomery County Courts

I George D. Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Montgomery do hereby certify that John Hand before whom the foregoing proceedings were taken in the matter of the application of Hugh McMaster for a pension was at the time and still is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery. That I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Hand and believe his signature to the declaration certificates and affidavits taken before him in the foregoing proceedings to be the genuine signature of the said John Hand. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my had and affixed the seal of the said Court this eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty Two. 
Geo D. Ferguson
Page 17

February 17, 1940. 

Mrs. Frank Hotaling
3 Daniel Street
Amsterdam, New York. 

BA-J/ILL
Hugh McMaster
W. 16645

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Hugh McMaster (1752-1837), who served from Montgomery County, New York, and the Civil War record of Phillip Conover of the same county. 

Reply has been made in regard to Phillip Conover. The record of Hugh McMaster follows, as found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 16645, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 

Hugh McMaster was born in the month of December 1752, in Princetown, Schenectady County, New York; the names of his parents were not given. His brother, David McMaster was an officer in the Tryon County New York militia in the Revolutionary War. Hugh resided in Florida, Tryon County (later Montgomery County), New York, during the period of that war. 

Hugh McMaster volunteered sometime in the year 1776, served at different times until 1783, amounting in all to at least one year, nine months, as private in Captain David McMaster's company, Colonel Frederick Fisher's New York regiment. (One James McMaster was lieutenant in Captain David McMasters company, but no relationship to them was not stated.) During his service, Hugh McMaster assisted in the defense of the northern frontier, was at Fort Stanwix, Fort Hunter, Fort Plain, was in the battle of Oriskany in August 1777, in which he was wounded, was also in the battle when Canajoharie was attacked by the British and Indians, burning houses and destroying property, at which time he was severely wounded by a musket shot which entered his left side and passed ten inches through his body, and was extracted. 

On account of disability resulting from the above noted

NY Archive
page 296
Officers of Tryon Co. 
Mil. can be verified
Page 18

wounds received in service, he was allowed pension of $12 per annum. He received that pension until March 4, 1812. 

Hugh McMaster applied August 30, 1832, for pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, due on account of his service in the Revolutionary Way. He resided then in Florida, Montgomery County, New York. He died there September 25, 1837, survived by his widow, Martha McMaster. The pension which was due at the time of his death was allowed his widow, Martha. 

The maiden name of this soldier's wife, Martha was not given, nor the date and place of their marriage. Reference was made to his family but no names were stated. Martha McMaster was living in Florida, New York, in March 1838. 

Very truly yours, 
A.D. Hiller, 
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator. 

2.
Page 19

MDY
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 

June 19, 1925. 

Seely Vander Veer
Linwood Road, 
Woods of Larchmont 
New Rochelle, New York. 

Sir:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 16645, it appears that Hugh McMaster was born in Princetown, Schenectady County, New York in December 1752. 
While residing in Florida, Tryon County, (afterwards Montgomery County, New York, he enlisted in 1776 and served until the end of the was as a private in Captain David McMaster's Company, Colonel Frederick Fisher's New York Regiment. Received a musket hall wound through his body in the battle of Oriskany. 
He applied for a pension August 30, 1832 while living in Florida, Montgomery County, New York and he died there September 25, 1837 leaving,  a widow, Martha. The claim was allowed. 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
Page 20

Widow, & c. 
No. 16645
Martha McMaster
widow of 
Hugh McMaster
Pri Rev War 

Act July 4th 36
Index: Vol. Ma, Page 24

1912, Oct 5 History to 
Jane V. LaGrange Fr. 

1913 Jan 25 History to Chas. H. Patterson FR

1913 July 7 History to R. Bradford FR

1913 July 15 History to E. Van Heusen

1923 June 19 Hist to Seeley Vander Verr MDY

Feb 17 Hist. to Mrs. Frank 
Caling JLL
Page 21

date of
see letters within

See letter to J. Cady June 28 1837
Page 22

Revo

New York 

Hugh McMaster

Suspended Act 7 Jn 32

letter 18 Oct 33

letter to Hn. M.J. Bouce May 20 1837 P. Potter
do to Hon. C. McVean 3 Mar ' 34 do to 
Jay Cady July 21 1835 do to
said Sept 11 1835 do to Hon. 
M.J. Bouce Dec. 29 1836
Page 23

Number of Revolutionary Pensioners
act of March 18th 1818, and Invalid Pensioners under the 
the different States & Territories on the 15th October 1833 n. the rolls of 

Territories
Maine
Hampshire
sachusetts
necticut

Revolutionary act of March 18th 1818
857
671
1324
107
138

Invalid Pensioner
154
178
335
131

States and 
Ma 
Co
Page 24

See Ctf. of Court dated Mch 14 1838 furnished in lieu of widow's declaration 
This case is under Sec. 2 Act 1836 which gives the widow the right to soldier's 1832 pension
See printed list (over)
Page 25

of Inv. pensioners of N.Y. address unknown for disability pension
Page 26

Albany Roll

from 4 March 1831 
to 25 Sept. 1837 when Hugh McMaster died.
2d section act 4 July '36
$20 per annum
payable to his widow
send cut to 
Hon. M.J. Bouce
Amsterdam
N. York
Page 27

Hugh McMasters Invalid roll N.York
Be pleased to say to what time, and at what rate he was last paid
Pension office
Sept. 14 1838

To 4th March 1812- $1.00 p mo. 
S.N.F.
The first payment on our books is to 4 Sept 1789 but that payment is destitute of the indication (c.) of a commencement of Pension- so we have nothing conclusive on that point
S. N.F.
Page 28

Vol 7- p 4- L S. 7.1. 1/4  May 80 pri
5   16   Aug 79  -
6 14 2/2  Feb 79 - 
7.1   6.8 - Apl 80 Sergt
"   7.1 1/4 Oct 80 pri 
"  14.11   Aug 80 -
8   6.10    Aug 81 Sergt
"   7.7 June 80   pri
5.4.6   12 & 50 cts
Page 29

To what time was Hugh McMasters Invalid 12$ p. mo paid at the N. York agency 
GML 
24 Oct. 37

The name of Hugh McMasters appears on the Albany roll at $1.60 pr. mo. He has never received any pay. There is no other person of that name on any of the New York Rolls, 
Third and Office
Acts 24 1837
A. Hyde
Page 30

Nov 25
Hugh McMasters

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Com. 
Washington D.C.
Page 31

Amsterdam Nov. 22 1837

Dear Sir
I wish to make some signing in the case of the widow McMaster. The widow of Hugh McMaster deceased. The widow if too old and feeble to attend at Fonda where one courts are held. Will it answer to take the affidavit of one of the counselors to his last will. Before a justice of the peace as to the death of said McMaster and also as to the identity of the widow, and then the certificate of the County Clerk as to the Justice being done at the time the affidavit was signed & sworn to. Please answer this. 
And oblige as found
Mattice J. Bruce 

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 32

Hon. M.J. Bouce 
11 Nov 1837
D.C.
Page 33

War Dept. 
Pension Office
Nov 11 1837

Sir
Your letters of the 6th not relative to the case of Hugh McMaster dec'd have been received. No certificate of pension can be issued in this case under the act of June 7, 1832, until the name of the widow and the date of McMaster's death shall have been duly certified by the clerk of the court and his certificate sent to this office. And as he is dead, and its now impossible for any one to produce such proof as the act of March 3, 1819 directs no allowance whatever can be made on account of any revealed pension to which he might possibly been entitled. 

Ent'd

Ent'd this on 
N. York Index
Act June 7, 1832
No. 12.640

Hon. M. J. Bruce
Amsterdam N. York
Page 34

FREE

Nov 10 
Hugh McMasters

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Com. 
Washington D.C.
Page 35

Amsterdam Nov 6 1837 

Dear Sir
Yours the 2nd sections is at hand and in reply say you must have misapprehended my letter. I stated in that letter that Hugh McMasters was dead and what reasons the widow might to take to obtain from the detachment a new certificate in the place of one that was destroyed by fire in order to draw the arrears of his pension as an invalid pension he is on the rolls at the rate of $12 per annum- you refer me to c form letter also the laws of March 3d 1819- but that does not obviate the deficiently in my mind as he is dead and the surgeons could not certify as to the debility- please say how I might to procede to obtain the certificate. 
I am yours respectfully
Matthias J. Bouce

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 36

Nov 10 

FREE

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Com. 
Washington D.C. 

Amsterdam N.Y.
Nov 6
Page 37

Amsterdam Nov 6. 1837

Dear Sir
Yours of the 2nd instant is at hand and in reply say that I feel grateful to the department for allowing the widow of Hugh McMaster a Pension of $20 per annum under the act of June 7 1832 to the time of his death as the widow is in need of the money- you say the court should certify the day of his death or name of his widow- If you forward to me the certificate in the name of Hugh McMaster- I will then take the necessary steps to draw the money for the widow up to the time of his death. 
I am yours respectfully
Mattias J. Bouce

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 38

Oct 23
Hugh McMasters
NY

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Com
Washington D.C.
Page 39

Amsterdam Oct 19 1837

Dear Sir 
A few days since M. Hugh McMaster died he was an invalid pensioner at the rate of $12 per annum, but some years since lost his certificate by fire- is his widow entitled to the last pay and if so forward me the necessary blank with instructions how to procede in order to obtain the pay which was due her said husband. 
I am yours respectfully 
Matthias J. Bouce
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 40

Ninarville N.Y. 
June 24th 1837 

free

J.L. Edwards Esq. 
Com. of Pensions
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 41

Minaville June 21st 1837

J.L. Edwards Esq. 
Sir
I rec'd through the lands of the Hon M.J. Bouce your communication in the case of Hugh McMasters bearing date Dec. 29th 36. On the night of the same, I immediately wrote him and requested him to lay the same before the department. Since which time I have rec'd no answer yours bearing date Dec 29th you give the following instructions "He should in order to claim the pay which he claims produce such proof as the act of March 3 1819 direct to viz the testimony of two surgeons certified to be reputable in their professions showing that at the bimial examinations in Sept 1814 21 23 25 27 29 & 1831 he was disabled. This should partially describe his disorder, state the degree of his disability at those periods and the means they passed of a knowledge of his case. 
The department
Page 42

will discover by referring to his papers sent, that he was not examined in those years, for the very reason that his pension certificate was lost before 1814. Therefore he could not have been if he would. 
His application to the department is to have an original claim paid him as a invalid pensioner for a wound he rec'd in the Revolutionary War, which he show at the rate of $12 per year, together with a pension certificate. 
He has produced the most satisfactory evidence that he is the identical man, that once had a pension certificate & drew under the same of which the department has no doubts the only thing that remains under one as appears from the communications from the dept. is those he assassinations spoken of which cannot be done, as I before unknown in ammunition took place in those years he can produce the most satisfactory evidence of his wound and his disability, and in the opinion of the surgeons that the same disability insisted in those years spoken of. 
If the testimony as I have stated within satisfactory to the department, the same can be procured, the pensioner is not in
Page 43

circumstances to run the risque of the response without some appearance from the dept that it will be satisfactory. 
Had the applicant been able to be employed those that has no pertinance in these matters, he would perhaps have satisfied the dept. be this. 
If the proof that I have stated will make him to draw the trade pay due him is late be pleased as his situation is such at this time that he requires assistance from his country for which he truly spilt his blood. If not the dept will please inform me and he will no longer call for aid. 
Very Respectfully 
Your obt serv 
J Cady
Page 44

W 

May 19 

Dav Shepard 1940 
NY Act 1818
Hugh McMaster 
New York 

Rec'd 
M. Bouce

J.L. Edwards
Washington 
D.C.
Page 45

Amsterdam May 15 1837

Respected Friend

I wish you to do me the favor to send a copy of the papers of David Shepard who made application for a Pension under the act of March 1818. He resided at that time in this town. 
M.H. Bouce 

PS same time last winter forwarded to me some blank in the case of Hugh McMaster with directions here to provide & I forwarded them to his attorney & the papers cant be found- he is on the rolls as an invalid at $12  per ann. & had his certificate burnt places forward me the necessary papers with Instructions. 
I am your friend 
M.J. Bouce

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 46

Hon. M.J. Bouce

29 Dec. 1836
G.C. 

Record 136 page 417 

4 
1.37
2. 63
Page 47

War Dept. 
Pension office
Dec 29. 1836

Sir 
The papers in the case of Hugh McMaster have been examined and placed on our files. He should, in order to draw the pay which he claims, produce such proof as the act of March 3, 1819 directs, viz. the testimony of two surgeons, certified to be reputable in the profession, showing that tat the biannual examination in Sept. 1819, Sept 1821, Sept 1823, Sept 1825, Sept 1827, Sept 1829, and Sept 1831 he was disabled. They should particularly describe his disorder; state the degree of his disability at those periods, and the means they possessed of obtaining a knowledge of his case. The affidavits must be authenticated by the certificate of his proper officers under the seal of office. 
I have be
Hon M.J. Bouce
House of Reps
Page 48

July 16

Per Jay Cade 
P.M. Minaville

Gov. Hon. Crump Esq. 
Acting Com. of Pensions
Washington City 

Minaville NY
July 11 1835
Page 49

Minaville N York July 10th 1835 

Dear Sir 
Hugh McMaster a Revolutionary Soldier was placed on the pension list roll about forty years ago at the rate of $12.00 per annum he lost his original certificate about 30 years ago, since which time he has not drawn upon the department presuming that he could not, as he lost his certificate. He petitioned under the late act of Congress for a pension for services rendered of which he has nothing from. And he now wished to know if he can draw his back pay by his making the necessary proof that he is Identical persons has spoken of & c. 
The books of the department will I presume show the time of the last payment which was made to him will you be kind enough to inform me if his name is on the pension list roll with some instruction how to procure to procure the same for him as it will come very acceptable to him at this time, as he feels unable to employ an attorney to assist him in the above business, if this be informed me that the pension was granted him for two wounds he received in his body by two musket balls, your attention to the same will be kindly rec'd by the old pension, Respectfully your obt sert Jay Cady
Page 50

No 12640

Hugh McMaster

Platt. Potter,
Agt
Minaville
Montgy Co. 
N. York
Page 51

No. 12640

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Hugh McMaster which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
Yes

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

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

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

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? 
No Applicant required to furnish evidence of the date & length of back tome of service & the names of the officers under whom rendered. 

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? Yes And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 52

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood related to his revolutionary services?

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

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

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
Yes

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

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as regulations direct?

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

Explanatory Notes. 

Quere V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, & c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For - year--months and --days, I served as a -. For - months and- days, I served as a --; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 

Quere XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where he name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
Quere XVI. Mode of authenticating paper. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office by the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Hon. M.J. Bouce 
Nov 25 1837
GC

Record 46 page 95
Page 55

War Dept
Pension Office
Nov 25 1837

Sir
Your letter of the 19th noted to the attorney general was referred to this office yesterday, and in reply I have to inform you that it is his opinion that no one whatever not and in the Act of July 1836 is entitled to the benefit of that Act. 

Hon. M.J. Bouce
Amsterdam, 
N.York
Page 56

J. M. Bouce
Nov 2, 1837
G.C. 

Record 46 page 54
Page 57

War Dep
Pen off. 
Nov 2, 37

Sir
In reply to yours of 19 ult. respecting arrears of his Invalid Pension I have the honor to refer you to my correspondence with you upon that subject particularly to my letter of 29 Dec 1836 & a copy of which is herewith enclosed.