Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16783, Samuel Elgin, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md.

Elgin, Samuel

NUMBER
S 16783

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Two columns]
[Left column]

Missouri 19,951

Samuel Elgin

Boon Co in the State of Mo.
who was a Private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Henson of the Rgt. commanded
by Colo Jones in the Maryland
line for nine mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri
at the rate of 30 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Septr.
1833 and sent to Hon Wm.
H. Ashley, St. Louis.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 18 [year missing] 75.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [month and year missing] 15.00
$90.00
======

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Wm B Palmer Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol. 8 Page 81.

[Right column]
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

State of Missouri }
County of Boone } Sct.

On this 26th day of June 1833
personally appeared in open court
before David Todd Judge of the
Circuit Court for the County of Boone
now sitting, Samuel Elgin a
resident of said County & State
aged seventy four 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, [remainder of line blank]
That he entered the service of the
United States under the following
named officers and served as here
in stated.  That he was born in Charles
County Maryland, That in said County
ty in the year 1776, on the 1st day of
June of that year, he joined a comp
any of volunteers, raised at Port
Tobacco, in said county, commanded
by Capt. Thomas Henson; Lieut Saml
Jones & Ensign Wm. Adams, Lieut 
Jones afterwards became a Genl.
served through the war, and died 
in Charles County Md.  He states
that he belonged, as he now recollects
to that class of soldiers called the
Flying Camp.  This company turned 
out for six months.  When he first
turned out the company to which
Page 4

he belonged was called down on
the Potomac to help guard the coast
as Lord Dunmore was then on
the Potomac.  The British fleet
that was him when up the Potomac
burnt Esqr. Wm. Brents house about
forty miles below Washington
City on the Va. side, when on 
the Potomac he was subject to the
command of Col Wm. Harrison
after being on the Potomac a
short time the company to
which he belonged was ord
ered to join the main
army under Washington 
at York Island we joined the
main army on the last of August.
On first of September a few days 
after the Americans had been
defeated at Long Island, on
arriving at York Island, our
company was placed under the
command of Col. Ewing (his
given name he cannot now rec 
ollect) nor is it at this time
possible for him to recollect
the No. of his Regt. he will here
state that when he first turned
out it was understood that
they were to join Washington
immediately, but they were 
called down on the Potomac
for a short time as stated,
Page 5

when we left the Potomac, for the
main army, we passed through
Annapolis; thence to the head of Elk,
then to Wilmington, then to Philad
elphia, thence to Trenton, then
to Princetown [Princeton] where the college was,
then to Brunswick, then to Perth 
Amboy, then to Elizabeth Town,
& then to York Island, where we
came under Col. Ewing as stated.
Col. Ewing's regt. left York Island
and went up to the [illlegible]
hights [heights]; there the Brittish [British] surrounded 
us & we crept off in the night, got
clear marched all night & at break 
of day joined Washington again
at White Plains, two days after
our arrival there the Brittish [British] & 
our men under Genl. Wm. Small
wood had an engagement.
Col Ewing's regt. was called to
reinforce the Americans, but Genl
Smallwood had retreated before
their arrival. Several of Col. Ewings
men however were killed by a cannon
shot from the Brittish [British]. Shortly after
that we march up the North river to
what was called Coton's [Croton] Bridge
there we throwed [threw] up an entrench
ment. From there we went up to 
a town called Peekskill, we there
crossed the North river on to the Jersey
side, and march down to fort Lee
Page 6

opposite Fort Washington at Fort
Lee we met Genl Washington, the
day after our arrival Fort Wash
Kington was taken by the Brittish [British]
at Fort Lee the Brittish [British] attempted
to surround Washington, but
he got the news that the Brittish [British] 
had landed above him on the Jersey
side, Washington then slayed out
in the country, crossed two or three
rivers in the Jersey, he recollects one 
of them was [illegible] river, he recollects
they crossed that river on a bridge
Col Ewings regiment or a reconnoitering party from
that regt. was left at
that place to reconnoiter about
until the Brittish [British] came up when 
our army crossed we then raised
the Bridge.  The party left was dire
ted to remain till the Brittish [British]
came up, we remained there till
the Brittish [British] came up and let down 
the bridge, was about crossing we then
left and overtook Washington.
We moved on through the country on down
to the Scotch Plains, then on between
Brunswick & Princetown [Princeton] at the
time How's army lay in Brunswick 
as stated between those two
places he was discharged on
the first of December. he states that
he got no written discharge, but
was with others who turned out with
him. Discharged by the officers their
Page 7

term having expired.  He herein states
that it took him twenty three days
to get home. we had hard times gitt
ing [getting] home as we got nothing from
our service and had sometime 
to starve, when we were not
where we could beg. And if 
allowed the 23 days retiring home
(which he hope will be done) he
was in service six months,
23 days, but if not allowed the
23 days he then served six months
he was in eight small skirmishes, during
Washington's retreat from Fort Lee,
but was in no general engagements
on the retreat he was seven days &
6 nights, without sleep [illegible] as it
was done walking along, [illegible]
[illegible].   The Brittish [British] was in such
close pursuit of us, he recollects Col.
Richardson, Col Stone, and Genls.
Dent now with Washington on his
retreat. he here states that Dent was
his Genl. recollects that he saw Genl
Putnam on York Island where then
the troops were ordered every morning
to man the entrenchments above
a little town on the Island, as he 
now thinks called Harlem, at that
place he saw some French officers
laying off entrenchments, saw Wash
ington with them but did not
hear their names,  Cols. Posey &
Page 8

Stone with their regts. were on the
Island at the time.  Col Posey was
from St. Marys County Md. but
does not recollect whether he was a
regular officer or not.  He now
thinks Col. Stone he now thinks was 
a continental officer, he was from
Charles County Md.  As before
stated after his discharge he
returned home in Decr. 1776.
In September 1777, on the 20th day of
that month, he volunteered again
under Capt. Joseph Harrison, of
Charles County Md. for three months.
his Col. was Saml. Henson the brother
of his first Capt.  we immediately 
left there, went to Annapolis, then up 
to the mouth of the Susquehanna in
a small gun boat. then on through
Pensylvania [Pennsylvania] & joined Washington
at what he now thinks was called 
the White marsh bridge near 
Florentown above Philadelphia. 
he states that as much as he now recollects
Genl. Smallwood was his Genl.
our [illegible] was to reconnoiter the
country around and view the
motions of the enemy who was 
then in Philadelphia, when we were
near there the Brittish [British] came out 
to Chesnut [Chestnut] hill, and had an engag
ement with Genl Morgan, but our
Col. as all his regt. thought acted cowardly
for when called to reinforce Morgan
commenced retreating, but our
Page 9

Majr by the name of Senate or Sonnet rallied the men who would not follow their Col. At that time Gnl Morgan came up and encouraged us. Told us he knowed in the man that would fight, his appearance and talk to us encouraged us and we tenned & he marched as upon on to Chesnut ridge, & form of the Right the attack was again brought are, but the British would not come up to the engagement but retreated he back to Philadelphia, our Right was that night ordered down to the rising sun, near Philadelphia to asertain [sic] of the enemy had gone back, we then returned back to Washington, head quarters at White mash, soon after that, how long he cannot state, Washington left them and crossed the Schaycrid [?] and on to Valley Forge when he took up his winter quarters. but after crossing the Schiylkide [?], his term of service having expired was discharged having served left the 20th of December making a tour of three months. he received no written discharge but was dischargred by the officers, he recollects on that the have seen Genl Morgan & Smallwood, & other genl & [illegible] officers whose names he cannot
Page 10

now recollect his situation was such on that tour that he was not associated with any act of troops long at a time. Just before he join Washington at White Marsh bridge, he learned that the Brittish had fell in by surprise on Gent Wayne, at a place he now think called Paola, in the night put many of his men to the bayonet after that Wayne ought this my at Germantown, & put many of them to the bayonet this he harned but after that he was at Germantown when reconoitering & before stated & saw a grave of the enemy about thirty yards long that both towns He her States performed by him was as a private soldier, he states that he has no documentary order of his service, nor never had any nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove his service, nor does he believe . that such witness can be had, 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 any agency in any state, Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year aforesaid vary Ely all
Page 11

The said applicant in answer to the interrogatories required to be propounded by the instructions from the war department, makes this following answers that he was born of 5th July 1758. in Charles County Md eleven miles west of Port Tobacco, he has no record of his age at this time, at that time there was a man in every parish to keep the age of all persons born his uncle John Elgin done that duty & has seen his recover[?] & corresponds with that of his fathers. He was living in one mile of where he was born when he went into service & resided there till the year 1781. Then moved up in to Culpepper Va. Lived there near five years then moved to Bourbon County Kentucky from there moved to Pike County in this State & resided with his son till 1826. Then over to this county & has here resided with his daughter ever since. These [illegible] Interrogatories being answered in this declaration he states that in addition to the two persons who and subscribed the statement herein as to their belief of his age service that Gnrl Richard Gentry, Major Thos. W. Congers, Col James McElland, Major Miner Neal & Daniel Grant of the
Page 12

neighbourhood of his present residenceand  many other that might be named who can testify as to his character for veracity & the in belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid, Sam Elgin 
We Richard Cave a clergyman residing in the County of Boone state of Missouri and Richard Gentry residing in the county of Boone state of Missouri hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Elgin, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Richard Cave
Richard Gentry
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 the court also further certifies that it appears to them
Page 13

that Richard Cave who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Boone state of Missouri, and that Richard Gentry who has also signed the same is a resident in the said county & state & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit. 

David Todd
Circuit Judge  
State of Missouri 
County of Brown [illegible]

personally appeared before this the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for the county & state aforesaid. Samuel Elgin who being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & the consiquent laps of memory he cannot sure or 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 grade, for nine months & 23 days. (The 23 day however claimed as stated in the declaration). I served as a private soldier for which I claim pension - Sworn & subscribed the 27 day of June 1833. 

W. Woodson Justice of the peace 
State of Missouri ⎬ 
County of Boone

I, Roger N. Todd clerk of the Brown circuit court do herby certify that the foregoing (except the above affidavit taken by W. Woodson) contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Elgin, for a pension - and I do further certify that Warran Woodson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit was at the time of taking the same and now
Page 14

is an acting justice of the peace in and for the county of Boone, State of Missouri duly commissioned & qualified as such and that full faith & credit ought in given to his official acts and that the sign annexed is his ginuwin [sic] signature his testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 22 day of July AD 1833. 

Roger N. Todd 
Clerk
Page 15

July 10, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Samuel Elgin
S. 16783

Elizabeth Meffert
230 South Rollins Street
Centralia, Missouri

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Samuel Elgin, born in 1758 in Charles County, Maryland, died in Boone County, Missouri.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 16783, based upon military service of Samuel Elgin in the War of the Revolution.

Samuel Elgin was born July 5, 1758 in Charles County, Maryland, eleven miles west of Port Tobacco, names of his parents not given.

While residing about one mile from his place of birth, Samuel Elgin enlisted June 1, 1776, served as private in Captain Thomas Hanson's company, guarding the coast "as Lord Dunmore was then on the Potomac", this service was in Colonel William Harrison's Maryland regiment; he marched in August or September, in Colonel Ewing's regiment, to York Island, was in eight skirmishes in the retreat from Fort Lee, and was discharged December 1, 1776, in New Jersey, returns to his home reaching there in about twenty-three days. He volunteered September 20, 1777, served three months in Captain Joseph Harrison's company, Colonel Samuel Hanson's Maryland regiment, and was in the battle of Chestnut Ridge.

He continued to live in Charles County, until
Page 16

sometime in 1781, then moved to Culpepper County, Virginia, where he lived about five years, then moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, thence to Pike County, Missouri, where he lived with his son until sometime in the year 1826, then moved to Boone County, Missouri, to live with his daughter.

The soldier, Samuel Elgin, was allowed pension on his application executed June 26, 1833, then a resident of Boone County, Missouri.

The name of the soldier's wife is not given, nor are there any data in regard to their marriage. The names of the children referred above are not shown, and there is no further reference to children.

Reference was made to John Elgin, uncle of the soldier, as living in Charles County, Maryland, about the time the soldier was born.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data--

Samuel Elgin
Certificate #19951
Issued September 28, 1833
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Missouri Agency.

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 17

May 16, 1935 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Samuel Elgin - S. 16783 
BA-J/AWF 

Mr. Henry C. Tindall, 2nd 
1400 M Street, N. W. 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:  

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Samuel Elgin of Maryland. 

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16783, based upon the service of Samuel Elgin during the War of the Revolution. 

Samuel Elgin was born July 5, 1758 in Charles County, Maryland, eleven miles west of Port Tobacco, names of his parents not given. 

While residing about one mile from his place of birth, he enlisted June 1, 1776, served as a private in Captain Thomas Hanson's company, guarding the coast "as Lord Dunmore was then on the Potomac" this service was in Colonel William Harrison's Maryland regiment, in August or September, marched in Colonel Ewing's regiment to York Island, was in eight skirmishes in the retreat from Fort Lee, and was discharged December 1, 1776 in New Jersey, and returned home reaching there in about twenty-three days. He volunteered September 20, 1777, served three months in Captain Joseph Harrison's company, Colonel Samuel Hanson's Maryland regiment, and was at the battle of Chestnut Ridge. 

He moved in Charles County, Maryland until in 1781, then moved to Culpeper, Virginia, where he lived
Page 18

about five years, then moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, thence to Pike County, Missouri, where he lived with his son until in 1826, then moved to Boone County, Missouri to live with his daughter.

The soldier, Samuel Elgin, was allowed pension on his application executed June 26, 1833, then a resident of Boone County, Missouri.

The name of the soldier's wife is not given, nor are there any details as to his marriage. The names of the children above referred to are not shown, and there is no further reference to children. Reference was made to his Uncle John Elgin as living in Charles County, Maryland, about the time the soldier was born.

In order to obtain information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C. citing the following data:

Samuel Elgin
Certificate # 19951
Issued September 28, 1833
Rate $30.00 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Missouri Agency

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 19

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/eel

October 12, 1928

Mrs. C.R. Manassa
6240 Rosebury Street
St. Louis, Missouri

Madam:

I advise you that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary war pensioner, Samuel Elgin (S.16783), you should apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data.

Samuel Elgin, Certificate No. 19951, issued September 28, 1833, rate $30 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Missouri Agency.

Respectfully,

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
Page 20

Rev. War Section

March 20, 1914

Mrs. W.S. Protherton
5165 Cabanne Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri

madam

In response to your letter received the 25th instant, I advise you that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Samuel Elgin, of Boone County, Missouri, S.F. # 16,783, Rev. War, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, United States treasury Department, citing the following data: Samuel Elgin, $30 per annum, commencing March 4, 1831, Certificate No. 19,951, issued September 28, 1833, Act June 7, 1832 Missouri Agency.

The above noted is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records in this Bureau.

Very respectfully, 

G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 21

230 South Rollins St.,
Centralia, Mo.
Page 22

230 S. Rollins St.
Centralia, Mo. May 12, 1939

Bureau of Pensions
Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Mrs. Aleta Batterton Douglas, nation number 139063 joined the D.A.R. through SAMUEL ELGIN, private in Maryland troops. She states that he received a pension. He was born 1758 in Charles County, Maryland and died in Boone County, Missouri. Wife Aggie McClanahan.

Willy you please send me a record of his service and marriage.

Very cordially,

230 South Rollins St

Elizabeth Meffert

DATE STAMP: Received May 17, 1939
Page 23

Record Division
3-525
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

SF.16783

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of Samuel Elgin a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

2 Lines of Information

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: June 1, 1776 and Sept 20, 1777

Length of Service: 6 Months and 3 months

Rank: Private

Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered
Captain: Thomas Hanson and Joseph Harrison

Colonel: Wm Harrison Ewing and Samuel Hanson

State: MD

Battled engaged in: was in 8 small skirmishes
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Charles, Co. MD
Date of application for pension: June 26, 1833 His cl was allowed
Residence at date of application: Boone Co. Mo
Age at date of application:  born July 5, 1758 in Charles Co, MD 11 miles west of Port tobacco
Remarks: A son and daughter are referred to but no names are stated.
Uncle John Elgin

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 24

1400 M Street NW
Washington, D.C.

25 April, 1935

The Administrator
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Sir:

Kindy forward me a copy of the pension record with all family data on file therewith, of Samuel Elgin, who served in Harrison's Maryland Militia, War of the Revolution.

Very truly yours,

Henry C Tindall II

DATE STAMP: Received Apr 27, 1935
Page 25

Tuesay Jan 3rd

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Jan 15, 1928

Will you give me the date of the expiration of the pension to Samuel Elgin, revolutionary Patriot.

O.W.&N. Division
J.R.W.
16783 Inv
Rev War

Enlisted from Charles Co., Md

Your attention appreciated

Sincerely

Mrs. C.R. Manassa
6240 Rosebury
St. Louis, MO
Page 26

Harford Wash

D.B.

Bureau of Pensions

Will you please give me the dates of Rev service of Samuel Elgin. I think from Loudon Co Va - also the name of his wife.

Sincerely

Eliza H Harvey

(Mrs. J.B. Harvey
Harford, Wash

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Nov 4, 1918
Page 27

US PENSION OFFCIE STAMP

Mar 1, 1918
Page 28

AMES NATIONAL BANK LOGO

AMES Nation Bank (LETTERHEAD)
Capital $50,000

AMES, IOWA

H.W. Stafford, President
L.B. Spinney, Vice Prest.
I.O Hasbrouck, Cashier
C.T. Simmons, Assst. Cash.

Feb 26/18

Bureau of Pensions, 
Dept of Interior, U.S. Treatury Dept.

Gentlemen:

I am writing for proof of pension granted to Sam Elgin, $3.00 per annum, commencing March 4, 1831. Certificate #19951 issued September 28, 1833. I am anxious to get proof for Mrs. T.R. Douglass so that she may join the D.A.R. Thanking you in advance for this favor.

I am
Very truly yours,

Katherine Gray

Registrar Sun Dial Chapter, 
Ames, Iowa
Page 29

US PENSION OFICE STAMP: Jul 25, 1913
Page 30

Napton, MO July 22/13

Dear Sir:

Please examine your revolutionary files for the name of Samuel Elgin and send me his record if found.

Very truly
Mrs. O.J. Watts
Napton, MO
Page 31

RECORDS DIVISION STAMP: May 27, 1910

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: May 27, 1910
Page 32

Courtland, Ala

May 25, 1910

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Will you please send me the war records of Samuel Elgin also of Thomas Ashford who enlisted July 25, 1776 from Charles Co. MD.

Very truly 
Miss Mattie Ashford
Courtland, Ala

May 27, 1910
Page 33

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Mar 23, 1914
Page 34

Pension Dept Washington City

Dear Sir

Will you kindly furnish me the date of the last pension payment of Samuel Elgin of Boone Co MO a revolutionary soldier and greatly oblige.

Mrs. W S Protherton
5765 Cabanne Ave
St. Louis, MO

PS Also 1820 Census report of Samuel Elgin Bourbon Co, KY
Page 35

3-871

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Briefed by W.T.C.
Claim NO 6/2/10
Certificate No
Claimant
Soldier Samuel Elgin
Service Rev. War
Additional Service

No  Claim, State records   , 190

Remarks:

No claim as above except O W I F 16,783

0-8
Chief Division
Page 36

Left Side Page

16.783
INVLAID.

No. 16,783
Samuel Elgin
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7, 32

Index: Vol 1, Page 113
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Right Side Page

May 19, 1905 - Hist Mrs Juliette E Duncan, Corinth Miss.

199 Sept 4 - Hist to Mrs. Zannie May Estes from catalogue - her letter in W. File 8834 Wm Armstrong

1909 Nov 19 - to [illegible] Mr. General

1910 June 8 - To Miss Mattie Ashford

1913 Aug 4 - Hist to Mrs O.J. Watts

1914, March 30 - Mrs W.S. Protherton data to apply to and for Int Dept

1918 - Mar 6 - Hist to Katherine Gray

1918 Nov 6 - Hist to Mrs. J.B. Harvey
1928 Oct 12 - Mrs C R Manassa advise as to know to obtain date of death 

1935 May 16, Hist to Henry C Tindall 

1939 July 10 Send to Elizabeth Meffert
Page 37

19.951
Saml Elgin
20.946

Adm 9 months
$30.00

Ob.11.12.13.14.16

Ashley
St. Louis
Page 38

20.940

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

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

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

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

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

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grade in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? NO

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 39

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 relative to his revolutionary service? No Clergyman but a witness

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? NONE

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? NO

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? NONE If the has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper office certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

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

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? NO

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

EXPANATORY NOTES

Quere V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, etc. A.B. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For blank year blank months and blank days I served as a blank for blank months and blank days I served as a blank and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.