Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 860, Jared Bishop, Conn.
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Conn.          Bishop, Jared              R.860
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_______Ex'r.           INVALID>


Jared Bishop

. O.

Service:

Enlisted: __________________________, 18
Discharged: ______________________, 18
The printed list of 1852
shows reasons for rul
plusion
Application filed: _________________, 18


lleges: "Service as substitute
not sanctioned by the
rolls."
Re-enlisted:


Attorney:
. O.

opposing page

May 3, 1905 Hist. to Geo. A. Root,
Topeka, Kans.
__________________________________
1943-July 25- Hist to Robert R.
Phillips accy
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Jared Bishop, son of David Bishop Jun. & Andrea Bishop, was Born October 22nd 1764.

A true Copy from the Records of the Town of Guilford
Attest Samuel Fowler Town Clerk
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David Bishop
on the roll for the
whole term 7 mo. 23 ds
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Declaration

In Order to Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, Passed June 7th 1832

State of Connecticut Probate Court
New Haven County District of Guilford

On this 18th day of June A.D. 1833 -
Personally Appears in Open Court before 
Reuben Elliot the Judge of the Court of Probate
for sd District. Jared Bishop a resident
of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut
Aged Sixty Eight years, Who being first duty sworn - Doth on this oath make the following Declaration in Order to Obtain the benefit of
the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 - 
That He enters the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated ____________________ Viz. ______________
That he was born in Guilford October 22nd A.D. 1764 and has lived in Guilford ever since the revolution & do now live in sd Guilford
A Certificate of this Record of my birth from under the hand of the Town Clerk is herewith forwarded. In the year 1781 when 17 years old I entered the services of the United States as a substitute for David Bishop & was on the first of May in sd year stationed at Point Rocks in sd Guilford as one of the Coast Guard under command of Capt Peter
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Vaill. David Mose and Wilmot Goldsmith were Sergeants. I was continued in service at that Place until the 18th day of June following, on which day the enemy landed at a place called Leets Island about three miles west of Point Rock where a smart engagement took place & two men Viz Eben. Hart and Simeon Leete were killed & several men wounded, among whom was James Davis of Guilford one of the Block house guard, in his arm
Immediately after this the guard at Point Rocks was ordered to Leets Island & station at the Bock House. At which place & at Sachems head a place about a mile & half East I continued in the service until the first of January 1782 having served constantly Eight months as a Private Soldier. When I in Company with Nathan Redfield & N0ah Benton & several others of the guard where march up to the public square by Ser. Goldsmith and by him ordered to fire as we entered the green, having discharged our pieces we were then verbally discharged by Sergt Goldsmith
In proof of this service I attach the depositions of Nathan Redfield & Noah Benton
I have no written discharge or any
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Documentary evidence of my service
I do not recollect that the coast guards were attached to any particular Regiment or Brigade on Conn do not remember any other officers than those under which I served
As I was under the age 21 years my father received my wages


I was afterward attached to a Company in which I enlisted as a Volunteer under Capt Samuel Lee We were called minute men & on every alarm it was our duty to be ready at a minute warning
We were also often called out in the night to explore the shore & rivers & detect traders with the enemy & prevent carrying off Cattle, In this service which was often very fatiguing we had several smart skirmishes in one of which Capt Meigs of East Guilford Nors Madison was killed
I continued in this kind of service through the War but as it was periodical & not Constant I shall relinquish any claim to a pension on account of it but feel the stronger claim to compensation for the eight months which I first served
Capt Abraham Fowler - Samuel Elliot & Nathaniel Griffing Esqrs are well acquainted with me, have always lived in the same neighborhood & can testify to my character for truth & veracity
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I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Jared Bishop

Sworn & Subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
before me      Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford District


We Aaron Dutton a clergyman residing in Guilford, and Wyllys Elliott residing in Guilford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jared Bishop who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
Aaron Dutton
Wyllys Elliott

Sworn & Subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
Before me George Griswold Jus Peace
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Amendment
State of Connecticut
New Haven County} ss. Probate Court Guilford District
On this 8th day of November A.D. 1833. personally appeared in open Court Jared Bishop who has made the foregoing Declaration and in order to amend the same in regard to the defects alluded to in the brief returned then with further declares and says that as to the character of his service as one of the Cost guard, his brother David Bishop, for whom he served as a substitute belonged to Capt. Dan Collins Company of Militia in Guilford, that he had a family and to avoid being drafted & sent far from home he enlisted under Capt. Peter Naill as one of the Coast Guard & who accepted of him the sd Jared Bishop as a substitute for his Brother David & under whom he served as set forth in his former Declaration. That his sd Brother David Bishop removed from Guilford to Paris in the State of N. York about twenty five years ago. And died there last April, or his testimony to the foregoing would have been procured. That he knows of no person living who served with him through the whole term of his service.

How few men were in guard with James Davis at the time the enemy landed at Sects Island he know not, being them stationed at Point Rock. But before while at Point Rock, and after when
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stationed at Sachems head and Leets Island the Guard consisted of the ordinary number of men employed in that service, that he well recollects that during his service as one of the Guards, that some of the Guard whose time of enlistment had expired were discharged & others enlisted for different periods of time, among whom was John Coan whose deposition is attached to his first declaration,
"That the Officer under whom he served" were Capt Peter Vaill & [unk] Morse & goldsmith
"The duration of his term of engagement" eight month
"The particular places where the service was performed" Point Rocks, Sachem head, & Leets Island in sd Guilford
"That he served with the Coast Guard regularly called into service- eight months- constantly and for the time during which the service was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
Jared Bishop
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me
Reuben Elliott Judge
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I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in New Haven County, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original & additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jared Bishop for a pensions.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 8th day of Nov. 1833.
George Griswold Clerk
Probate Court Guilford District
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AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
STATE OF Connecticut
COUNTY OF New Haven} ss.
Be it remembered, That, on this 23 day of December A. D. 1852, I, John H B Chidsey do make known and declare that I am the husband of Marry M, daughter and heir-at-law to Marry who was the only wife of Jared Bishop a Revolutionary soldier, who served    years, under the command of                        in the forces raised by the State of Connecticut and that he and his said wife were married about the year A. D. 1784 that he died about the month of November A. D. 1842 and that his said wife also died about the month of February A. D. 1844. No pension was ever received on account of said services, by either, or the heirs of either of said parties. A claim was filed under the act of 1832 but suspended because he served as a substitute of his Brother David Bishop and in his name. And that claimant is now 52 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services: NOW, Therefore, the true intent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower ALFRED J. WORKS, of New Haven City and County, State of Connecticut, as my Attorney, with power or substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand, and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by my said Attorney, or his substitute, in virtue thereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purpose.
Attest,
Wm Goodwin
James H. Conklin} In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date above named,
John W B Chidsey
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above indicated.
Wm. Goodwin
Notary Public
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July 25, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Jared Bishop- R. 860
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Robert R. Phillips
Nassau
New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Jared Bishop of Guilford, Connecticut, or of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. 

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States, based upon the military service of soldiers in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War services of Jared Bishop of Massachusetts.

You are furnished herein the Revolutionary War record of Jared Bishop of Guilford, Connecticut. The data were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 860, based upon his service in that war.

Jared Bishop was born October 22, 1764 in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut; he was the son of David Bishop, Jr. and Audrea Bishop.

He applied for pension, June 18, 1833, while a resident of Guilford, Connecticut, where he stated he had always lived. He alleged that he served from May 1, 1781, eight months as private, as substitute for his brother, David Bishop, in Captain Peter Vaill's Company of Guards; after which he volunteered and served in Captain Samuel Lee's company, as minute man until the close of the war, was in many alarms and several
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skirmishes.

The claim was not allowed as proof of service as required by the pension law, was not furnished.

Jared Bishop married about the year 1784, Mary, her maiden name not given, nor are there any details as to their marriage. He died in November, 1842, and she died in February, 1844.

John H. B. Chidsey in 1852, fifty-two years of age, then stated that he was the husband of Mary, the daughter of Mary, the "only wife: of Jared Bishop; this statement was made in New Haven County, Connecticut.

David Bishop, the brother of Jared Bishop, had a family during the Revolution, and moved from Guilford about the year 1808 to Paris, New York, where he died in April, 1832.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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March 25, 1836
Sir,
In reply to yours of 17 ult. of Capt. Vail is conclusive against the claim of Jared Bishop. No considerable reason can be assigned why Capt Vail should retain afore a roll, (showing the names of his enlisted neighbors, the duration of the service of each ranging from 1 mo. to 8 mo. 20- Rations & pay by each) the name of David Bishop, when are fount of facts the whole entries applied to Jared bishop- afterwards acceptance as a substitute- all the pay & other [unk] of that service enured to him a reprehensible impropriety in credibility [unk] with it. But it would violate any established principle of evidence to receive parole
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2
testimony to contrarect & [unk] an ancient & column poraneaous record It would be a mischievous & fatal precedent to adopt in the adjustication of Pension Claims. His claim is therefore rejected.

Reuben Elliott
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Connecticut
Revo
Act 7 June 1832
Jared Bishop
Suspended
Letter to
Geo Griswold
Guilford
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Nov. 30, 1832

To George Griswold

Sir: The evidence of actual service accompanying the papers of Ebenezer Russell is not satisfactory in its presentation. It may be shown from the archives of the State at Hartford whether the corps in which service is alleged were in actual service at the period stated. The papers are placed in file awaiting this evidence

Similar remarks apply to the claim of Jared Bishop whose papers are also placed on file.
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State of Connecticut County of New Haven Ss
Guilford June 18th 1833

Best Remember that in the day and year aforesaid formally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford District duly qualified Noah Benton of said Guilford to me personally known & who I certify to be a credible witness and being first duly sworn on his oath declares & says That in the year 1781 He belonged to the Coast Guard in Guilford & was on duly alternately at Point Rocks Sachim Head & Leets Island Capt Peter Vaill was Capt of the Guard That he served seven month constantly & that Hared Bishop was also one of sd Guard with whom he was well acquainted & who remained in that service until discharged which was in the first of January 1782
We were discharged at the Corner of the green in Guilford Where we were marched by Sergt Goldsmith by order of Capt Vaill & dismissed after discharging our muskets.
Noah Benton

Sworn & Subscribed the day & date aforesaid before me
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate

I certify that the above named Noah Benton is a credible witness
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
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State of Connecticut County of New Haven Ss
Guilford June 18th 1833

Be it Remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford district duly qualified Nathan Redfield of sd Guilford to me personally known & who I certify to be a credible witness & being first duly sworn on his oath declares & says that in the year 1781 He belonged to the Coast Guard in Guilford under command of Capt Peter Vaill & was first stationed at Point Rocks & afterward at Leets Island & Sachems head & that Jared Bishop of sd Guilford was one of the guard on duty there & served with him at each place & was discharged with him on the first of January 1782
We were discharged by Capt Peter Vaill & dismissed at the Corner of the Public Square in Guilford by Sergt Goldsmith who ordered us to discharge our muskets & then dismissed us that was not on duty as long as Mr Bishop But was well acquainted with him & have no doubt that he served as stated in his declaration
Nathan Redfield

Sworn & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid before me 
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
I certify that the above named Nathan Redfield
is a credible Witness 
Reuben Elliot Judge of Probate
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John Coon

Certificate for
Jared Bishop -
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State of Connecticut county of New Haven SS
Guilford Augt 3 1832

Be it remembered that on the day and year aforesaid personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Esq a Justice of Peace within and for New Haven County duly qualified John Coan of said Guilford to me well known & who I certify to be a credible witness and being first duly sworn on his oath declares and says that he belonged to the Coast Fuard in Guilford in the year 1781 and served there one month and he well remembers that Jared Bishop belonged to sd Guard and continued to do duty in sd Guard during the time of service that I performed at that time and further the deponent saith not
John Coan

Sworn & subscribed on the day and date above
before me
Reuben Elliott Justice of Peace 
 a Judge of Probate

I certify that the above named John Coan is a credible witness
Reuben Elliott Judge Probate
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George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Guilford in New Haven County
Do Hereby Certify that Reuben Elliott Esq who
signed the attestation of the foregoing Declaration & of the foregoing & annexed Deposition is & was at the dates thereof Judge of Probate for Guilford District & Justice of Peach for New Haven County & that all acts & attestation done by him in this capacity ought to be entitled to full credit as he is duly commissioned & legally qualified and on the authority of the state I am well acquainted with his hand writing ^ know his signature to the foregoing to be genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18th Dy June 1833
George Griswold Clerk
C.P. Guilford District
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribe by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Aaron Dutton who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Guilford and that Wyllys Elliott who has also signed the same is a resident in Guilford and is a credible person & that their statements is entitled to credit.

Reuben Elliott - Judge

I George Griswold clerk of the Probate Court for Guilford District hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jared Bishop for a pensoin.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18 day of June 1833.

George Griswold - Clerk
Probate Court - Guilford District
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Mar 11
Jared Bishop
and
James Davis
Cases
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Guilford New Haven County Court
Feb 17th 1836

Sir

In behalf and by request of Jared Bishop and James Davis of this town whose declarations for a pension are on file in the Pension Office we advise you these persons claimed to have served in the guard under Capt. Peter Vaill in 1781 but their claims have not as yet been allowed.

These claimants served as substitutes; Jared Bishop for David Bishop and James Davis for John Leete. On being made acquainted with the discovery of the old payroll of the guards at Guilford these persons desired us to invite your attention to the consideration of their cases and request that a re-examination of their claims may be had.

By referring to a copy of the said payroll of Capt. Petere Vaille's Co of Guards at Guildford, the original of which was forwarded to the Dept in the case of John Coan and others, we find the name of David Bishop for whom Jaren Bishop claimed to have served as a substitute and also the name of James Davis (Then Junior) who claimed to have served as a substitute for John Leete. On inquiry respecting the different positions of their names, Mr. Bishop gives the following explanation viz: that at the time of enlistment his brother David was enrolled & expected to enter the service but at the time of mustering which was a few days after owing to peculiar circumstances of his brother's family he could not consistently leave them and it was concluded that he Jared should take his brothers place as he himself had no family - and that
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as soon as the necessary preparations were made, he joined the guard & answered to his brother's name. The correctness of this explanation is rendered the main probable from the fact that Mr. Bishop claimed but eight months whereas most of the applicants claimed nine months - It appears herewith by the roll that neither the one nor the other served as long as they claimed.

In reference to Davis, we observe that in his relation of the claim & skirmish at Leets Island he says that his father James Davis & Shoeball Shelley went to the shore to draw on the fort & discovered the enemy's boats etc. the fact that both of these men's names appear on the roll is at least a partial consideration of his statements.

These claimants are men of respectability and veracity, and the belief is general that they serve in the guard as they have stated.

There cases are again respectfully submitted.

Very respectfully
we are
Sir
Your obt servants

Reuben Elliott, Judge of Probate, 
George Griswold - Clerk

Hon J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Jared Bishop
20 543 860

Claimant
Guildford
Co
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War Department
Pension Office
23 Sept 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will when you return your papers to this Department send this printed letter with them and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement showing the Service of Jared Bishop

Period when the service was rendered:
BLANK

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
BLANK

Rank of the Claimant:
BLANK

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
BLANK

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
BLANK

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Not On Roll

I am respectfully
Your obedient Servant

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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-2-
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it 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 

No appendix from the declaration of James Davis that but a small mention of the guard on Leele Island were on duty at the time. The character at the determinate must be distinctly
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension." {It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [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. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 32

LETTERHEAD
O.W.& N.

Kansas Historical Society

Topeka Kan April 19, 1905

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir

Will you kindly give me the pension record of the following named persons:

1 - Jonathan Bishop who entered service as a guard for town of Guilford, Conn May 26, 1780, in service 141 days. Samuel Lee was Lieutenant of his company; Jonathan Bishop was born in Guilford in 1762 and died there in 1826.

2 - John Bishop B 1756 Guilford Conn died in 1846 aged 92
3 - Jared Bishop B 1764 at Guilford Conn and died there in 1839.

Any information concerning the above will be greatly appreciated.

Yours truly,

Geo A Root
C/O Hist Soc'y
Page 33

Nassau, N.Y.
July 9, 1934

War Department
Pension Bureau, Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,

I am very anxious to obtain the revolutionary war record of Jared Bishop who may have enlisted from Connecticut or from Massachusetts. If from Conn., he probably was with comrades from Guilford, Conn; if from Mass, he would enlist from Berkshire Co as he owned property in Stockbridge soon after the war.

I believe him to have been the son of Ebenezer and Mehitabel (Chittenden) Bishop but have no proof.

Any information relating to the above Jaren and his family well be acceptable.

Yours Truly

Robert R Phillips 

VETS ADM Rec'd Stamp - July 13, 1934