Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23237, Samuel Gorton, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Gorton, Samuel

NUMBER
S.23237

CONTENTS
Page 2

24.618
New York

Samuel Gorton of Madison Co. in the State of New York who was a Captn &c. in the Comp. commanded by Captain Wilcox of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dyer in the Rhode Island line for 4 months and 6 days Capt. 
2 " [months] private

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 92 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Jany 1834 and sent to J. Clark Brookfield

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 [1833] $231.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending A.D. '34 46.33
$277.99

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 102.

[right side]
Duplicate issued 13 May 1834 & sent J. Clark Brookfield N.Y.


20
4
80
6
86
  660
92.66

185.32
  46.33
231.65
Page 3

Samuel Gorton
19919

Passed.

[illegible] of Joseph Clark Brookfield New York

[vertical]
to North Kingston in the state of Rhode Island to guard the shores one continued in the service one month and left [illegible] in September following
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th June 1832
State of New York
County of Madison } Ss

On this 5th day of June 1833 personally appeared before me Joseph Clark one of the Judges of Madison county courts Samuel Gorton Esqr a resident of Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York aged eighty seven 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 provisions made by the act of congress passed June 4th  1832 that he entered the [service?] of the United States under the following named officers and served as herin [herein] stated that he lived in Exeter County of Washington and State of Rhod [Rhode] Island during the whole time of the Revolutionary affair that he volunteerd [volunteered] at Exeter afore said the last of November or first of December 1776 into the service of the United States under Capt George Wilcox and lived as a private in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island to guard the shores and continued at that place one month and was discharged at North Kingston aforesaid the last of December of first of January following -

that in March 1777 he volunteered at Exeter aforesaid under Captain George Willcox [Wilcox] in the service of the United States in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer and marched to North Kingston aforesaid to guard the shores and continued in the service of the United States at and near that place one month as a private and was discharged in April 1777

that in May 1777 he was appointed and commissioned a captain in the state [illegible] by the Legislature and Governor of the State of Rhode Island and [illegible] at the same time a committee sworn to [illegible] the Militia to raise the continental troops that was not [illegible] and served six days or [illegible] as a captain, that he volunteered as capt in Exeter aforesaid in July 1777 in the service of the United States in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer and marched to North Kingston aforesaid to guard the shores and continued in the service one month and left the service in August 1777 he volunteered the same month, to wit, in August 1777 in the service of the United States as captain at Exeter aforesaid in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island to guard the shores and continued in the service on month and left there in November following
Page 5

that in September 1777 he volunteered as captain at Exeter aforesaid for one month in a regiment commanded by Col. Charles Dyer and marched to North Kingston in the state of Rhode Island and continued in the service of the United States one month to guard the [illegible] that in October 1777 he volunteered as Captain in the service of the United States at Exeter aforesaid in a regiment commanded by Col. Charles Dyer and marched to East Greenwich Warwick and crossed the Bay to [illegible] in the state of Rhode Island and at Tiverton in said state in [illegible] and continued in the service one month, that in May 1778 he was again reappointed captain and [illegible] and a committee man to class the militia and [illegible] the continental troops and was in the service five days in Exeter aforesaid as captain.  That in April 1778 he volunteered at Exeter aforesaid in the service of the United States. Under Col. Charles Dyer marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island to guard the [illegible] and continued in the line one month as Captain.  That the last of June or first of July 1778 he volunteered as captain at Exeter aforesaid under Col. Charles Dyer in the line of the United States and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island to guard the stores and continued in the service one month, that in August 1778 he volunteered at Exeter aforesaid into the service of the United States as captain under Col. Charles Dyer marched to East Greenwich crossed the bay in a sloop to [illegible] from there to New [illegible] in the state of Rhode Island then carried on to Rhode Island in [illegible] expedition while on the Island was taken [illegible] and sent of this Island to Bristol and was in the line of the United States one month that the last of September or first of October 1778 he volunteered as Captain at Exeter aforesaid in a regiment was commanded by Col. Charles Dyer in the line of the United States and marched to North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island to guard the stores and continued in the service one month
Page 6

3. that in May 1779 he was again reappointed Captain of the militia and a committee man to class the militia to [illegible] the continental troops and was in that service five days at Exeter aforesaid that in May 1780 he was again appointed Captain of the Militia to class the militia to nurse the continental troops that was not inlisted and was in that service five days, that in June 1780 he was appointed a committeeman to purchase blankets for the continental troops that was [illegible] in the town of Exeter aforesaid and continued in the service of the United States under his commission as captain ten days that in May 1778 he was appointed  executing officer for one year by the legislature and governor of the State of Rhode Island, that he was [illegible] in Coventry County of Kent and State of Rhode Island August sixth 17[?].
That he has no record of his age.
That he lived in Exeter county of Washington and state of Rhode Island when called into the service and continued in that place until about thirty six years past he then moved into the town of [illegible] county of Madison and state of New York where he was living and has lived for the last thirty six years past
That he volunteered every time he went into the service of the United States
General [illegible] was in the service with him in 1777
General Sulivan and [illegible] was with him in 1778
Col Dyer was his commander of the regiment through all of his services and [illegible] regiment was stationed with him except Sulivans expedition and [illegible] expedition that he needed a commission of Captain signed by the governor of the State of Rhode Island at four different times but has them all many years past.  That Eli S. Baily a clergyman and John S. Crandall who resides in his present neighborhood can testify as to his veracity and the belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Samuel Gorton Capt.
Sworn and subscribed June 5th 1833 before me
Joseph Clark Judge of Madison County Court
That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony [obscured] Daniel Gileng has + one Stephen Gorton
Page 7

[obscured] testify to his services.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and [illegible] that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Samuel Gorton Capt.
Sworn and subscribed June 4th 1833 before me
Joseph Clark Judge of Madison County Court
We Eli S. Bailey a clergyman residing in the town of Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York & John J. Crandall residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Gorton Esq who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be eighty seven 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.
Eli S. Bailey
John T. Crandall
Sworn and subscribed the 5th day of June 1833 before me Joseph Clark Judge of Madison County Court
That I the said Joseph do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that Eli S. Bailey who has signed the [illegible] certificate is a clergyman resident in Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York and that John J Crandall who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a credible person and that the statement is entitled to credit.
Joseph Clark Judge of Madison County Court
I further certify that Samuel Gorton Esq the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend court; and from a long acquaintance to him to sustain an excellent reputation for truth and veracity
Given under my hand at Brookfield aforesaid June 5th 1833
Joseph Clark Judge of Madison County Court
Page 8

5

State of New York  Madison County Clerk's Office } ss  I, Andrew S Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Joseph Clark before whom the three preceding Affidavits purport to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the two preceding Certificates, was, at the dates of the same, a Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County.  And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificates, to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 8th day of June 1833 -
A. S. Sloan Clk.
Page 9

State of New York
Madison County Ss}
Daniel Tillinghorst a resident of the Town of [obscured] in said County being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is seventy six years of age.  That during the Revolutionary War he resided in the Twon of Exeter County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, and then and there served as an ensign and as a lieutenant in the first company of militia of Exeter aforesaid.  That Samuel Gorton Esquire who is now present who then resided in Exeter aforesaid and who now resides in the Town of Brookfield in said County of Madison was Captain of the Third Company in Exeter aforesaid during the Revolutionary War.  That he this deponent was then intimately acquainted with the said Captain, and that it was then and there reputed that the said Gorton was in the [illegible] under General Spencer and also in the expeditions under General Sullivan upon the Island of Rhode Island, and also that he was much on duty at other times.  From report at that time as well as from an acquaintance with the same Gorton at that time this deponent has no doubt that the said Gorton was repeatedly in the service for a number of years during the Revolutionary War as a Captain.  And this deponent doth further depose and say that the said Gorton has ever been a man in respectable standing and ever sustained a [illegible] unimpeachable character for veracity and further this deponent sayeth not.
Daniel Tillinghast
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of August 1832 and I hereby certify that the said Daniel Tillinghorst is a man of the first respectability and entitled to full credit.
James B. Eldridge first Judge of Mad. Co.
Page 10

[appears identical to previous page 9 of 29]
Page 11

[vertically at right of top portion]
In the Matters of Capt. Samuel Gorton's application for a pension
Aff't. of Lieut. D. Tillinghorst
[horizontally on bottom portion]
State of New York
County of Madison }Ss
I Ely Barnard Deputy Clerk of the said county do certify that James B. Eldredge before whom the within affidavit purporting to have been sworn and whose name is subscribed to the within certificate was at the date of the same first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature.  Witness my hand and seal of office this ninth day of October 1832.
E. Barnard Dep. Clk.
[seal]
Page 12

State of New York
County of Madison }
on this 29th day of September 1832 personally appeared before me Joseph Clarke one of the Justices of the Peace of the town of Brookfield County of Madison Stephen Gorton of Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York aged sixty five years and being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is son to Samuel Gorton who he believes to be eighty seven years of age that he lived with his father in the town of Exeter County of  Washington and State of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War that he was knowing to the said Samuel Gorton having a Captain's Commition (sic) a number of years during the war and that he was in General Spencers and General Solomens expeditions against Newport in the State of Rhode Island and a number of towns that he did in guarding the shour (sic) and that his father was a committee to class the militia to raise the troops for the contanentle (sic) army and also a committee to purchase the blankets for the troops and that he was gone much of his time for three or four years in the service of the United States.
Stephen Gorton
 I hereby certify that Stephen Gorton appeared before me and subscribed and swore to the above and I further certify that I have been acquainted with him for more than twenty years & believe him to be a man of truth and veracity.
September 9th 1832
Joseph Clark Justice of the Peace
Page 13

[duplicate of page 13 of 29]
Page 14

[top section]
State of New York County of Madison } Ss
[seal]
I Ely Barnard deputy clerk of the said county do certify that Joseph Clark before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn and whose name appears to the within certificate was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature.  Witness my hand and seal of office this ninth day of October 1832.
E. Barnard Dep Clk
[bottom section, written horizontally]
Samuel Gorton
19919
Passed
[illegible]
Clark Brookfield
New York
Page 15

19919
Saml Gorton
N.Y.
Admitted
Captain 4 mo & 11 days
Private 2 "
[illegible]
[illegible] of Joseph Clark
Brookfield N. Y.
Joseph Clarke
Samuel Gorton
Brookfield
New York
Page 16

[printed form with handwritten entries]
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May [?] 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 shew what is necessary to be done.  Those 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, shewing the Service of Sam'l. Gorton Madison Co. N. Y.
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Vol. '76 | 1 month | pr. | Cap Wilcox | C. Dyer | [blank] | R. I. | 87 Washington Co. R. I. | [illegible] & witnesses who swear that he was in the war & C
" Mach "77 | 1 month | " | do | do. | [remaining columns blank]
- May " | 1 day | Capt. | - | - | [remaining columns blank]
Vol. July 77 | 1 month | Capt. | - | do | [remaining columns blank]
" Aug " | 1 month | do. | - | " | [remaining columns blank]
" Sep " | 1 month | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
" Octr " | about 1 month | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
- May '78 | 1 day | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
Vol Apl 78 | 1 month | not stated | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
Vol. June [illegible] | 1 month | Capt. | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
" Aug '78 | about 1 month | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
Oct or Nov '78 | 1 month | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
May '79 | 6 days | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
May '80 | 6 days | do | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
June 80 | 10 days | Com P B | - | " - | [remaining columns blank]
May '78 | 1 year | recruiting officer | [remaining columns blank]
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions.
Please give a certificate payable at [illegible]
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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) _ 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 Unted States in the year (d) _, with _ and served in the _ (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named officers: _
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service, (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers,) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service, the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _ A. B.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
_ of the Court of _ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _ day of _ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (J) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, vis:
(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. 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 if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his  alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
Page 18

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 of 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.
[underline]
[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 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."
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 [italicized] about three or four months, [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions [illegible] 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; 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 affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
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 of 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.
[handwritten]
W. L. Williams Ex. Clk
Page 19

[printed form with handwritten entries]
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., __, 19 __
In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Gorton 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 with this Bureau.
[column headings]
Dates of enlistment or appointment. | Length of service. | Rank. | Officers under whom service was rendered. | State.
Nov or Dec 1776 | 1 month | Pvt. | Capt Geo Willcox | Col. Charles Dyer | R. I.
Mar 1777 | 1 month | " | Cpt. Geo Willcox | Col. Chas Dyer |
July 1777 | 4 " | Capt. | Capt. 3" Co. of Exeter | Col. Chas Dyer |
Apr 1778 | 1 " | " | [blank] | Chas Dyer |
May 1778 | 6 days | " | on recruiting service | [checkmark]
June or July 1778 | 2 months | " | blank | Chas Dyer |
Sept. or Oct 1778 | 1 " | " | [blank] Chas Dyer |
May 1779 |  6 days | " | on recruiting service | [checkmark] |
May 1780 | 6 days | " | on recruiting service |
June 1780 | 10 day | " | on purchasing duty | [checkmark ]
Battles engaged in, Generals Spencer and Sullivan's expeditions
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Exeter Washington Co R I
Date of application for pension, June 5, 1833.  His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Brookfield Madison Co. N. Y.
Age at date of application, b. Coventry, Kent Co. R. I. Aug 8, 1745
Remarks"  His wife and two of his sons are referred to no names stated other than Stephen aged 65 and res of Brookfield NY in 1832
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
Page 20

Revolution
23237
INVALID.
File No. 23,237
Samuel Gorton
Capt. Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. D, Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Jany 24 1903 Lorin M. Saunders
[underline]
1916 Dec 16 Heir to Mrs. Sebe Baker. AW
Page 21

Baker
[stamp] U. S. Pension Office Dec 1 1916
418 North Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Nov. 27, 1916
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D. C.
Dear Sirs; please be so kind as to send me all the information concerning the Pension papers of Absolom Miner the Guilford Volunteer.  I am told there are two Absolom Miners in the Rev, and mine is the one that had Ruth Morse for wife and served on Sea Coast defenses.
I also want the pension record of Samuel Gorton who is on the Pension rolls from Madison Co., N. Y.
Absolom Miner is in Conn. Maen in Rev pg 584 Pay roll of Capt. Peter Valle Co
Samuel Gorton was Capt. of the second Exeter Co. Kent Co Infantry and Commissary in the Rev.  R. I. records pg. 291 Vol. IX
I would be glad to get the records of both Miner man if possible to compare them.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Frances Bixby Miner Baker 
(Mrs. Sebe Baker)
Page 22

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis

Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.

BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, the twenty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three and of Independence the fifty-eighth.

John Brown Francis

BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S Command.

Henry Bowen Secry
Page 23

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation.
Secretary's office October 21, A. D. 1833.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday in May one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, Samuel Gorton was elected Captain of the third company of militia in the town of Exeter, for the term of one year.  That at May session one thousand seven hundred seventy eight it was voted and Resolved "That the second and third companies of militia of the town of Exeter be annexed to and do duty under the command of the commissioned officers of the first company of militia of said town, until officers shall be appointed by this assembly for the said second and third companies."  That at June session one thousand seven hundred seventy eight the said Gorton was superceded by the appointment of George Willcox as Captain of said company.  All which appears of record.
Witness Hentry Bowen Secry
Page 24

Payments to be made at New York by the U. S. Bank Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 4 Page 102 by Go C. Stiles Clerk
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Gorton of the State of New York who was a Captain & c. in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Ninety Two dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing of the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 18 day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
[seal]
Examined and Countersigned. } J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 26

Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Free
Hon. Wm. R. Fuller House of Representatives
Washington Citty (sic)
Brookfield NY May 6th }
May 12th
Samuel Gorton
certif ret'd.
Page 27

Brookfield Madison County New York
May 6th 1834
Dear Sir
I enclose the pension certificate of Samuel Gorton for correction.  I received this certificate in February last from the War office.  I have since made the proper papers to advance the money but it is [illegible] inconsequence of a mistake in the date of the certificate.  You will see the date ought to be 1834 without doubt.  I wish it correct as so that the money may be drawn as possible it being of great consequence to the persons concerned.  Do not fail to correct it as soon as possible.
[illegible] Joseph Clark P. M. Brookfield NY
Truly yours
Joseph Clark
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington Citty
Page 28

Dec 5 [illegible]
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Washington Citty
Page 29

Brookfield NY Nov 29th 1833
Dear Sir
I forwarded the papers of Samuel Gorton Esq with the certificate of the secretary of Rhode Island.  His first appointment was with his declaration but says he was the next year superseded by Capt. Willcox & he does not say whether he was ever afterwords appointed. Capt. Gorton says that Willcox was the Capt. that he first served under but after he was appointed Willcox never had command of the company allthough he believes he was chosen but not accepted by the Col. in another company from his first appointment as captain he continued in command of the company until the close of the War it so appears by the statement of two of his sons his wife & all the persons that I have seen that was acquaint with the events of the war in his neighborhood.  He is as aged now & in a low state of health & su[obscured] you must allow what you think proper as we cannot pursue the subject farther.
Please forward his certificate as soon as consistent
With great respect
Your obedient Serv
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington Citty