Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17764, James Wells, Conn.
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Connecticut
Wells, James
S 17764
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17875 Connecticut James Wells of Hartford in the State of Con who was a Private in the Company com by Captain [blank line] of the [blank line] comman[illegible] by [blank line] in the Cow Guard line for Mo. Sergeant 12 no Inscribed on the Roll of Con at the rate of 95 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of October 1833 and sent N. Johnson Hartford Court - Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $237.50 Semi-annl. allowance ending Mar 4th 47.50 $285.00 {Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832} Recorded by E D Bulloch Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 47
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
On this 6th day of August 1832
Personally appeared in Open Court before
the Court of Probate for the District
of Hartford are now sitting, said Court
being Court of Record and having
by law a Clerk and seal James
Wills a resident of the town of
Hartford in said district and County
of Hartford in the State of Connecticut
aged Seventy Seven years and
upwards, who being first duly
sworn according to law doth on
his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain
the benefit the out of Congress
[illegible] June 7th 1832
---
That he entered the service 
of the United States in the Revolutionary War
April 1777 & from time to time thereafter continued in said
served until the close of the
year 1779. the beginning of the
year 1780 the [illegible]
at said Hartford. His first enlistment was under [illegible]
on of said Hartford, who was
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a commissioned officer with what
was called an Ensigns command
and during the latter part of said
time he was under the command
of William Boardman of said
Hartford who was also a commissioned
officer with a like command
and constantly served
and discharged his duty without
intermission during the whole
of said time being as much as two years and three months
His enlistments were for three months at a time and 
During the first year he performed
the duty of a private
and afterwards until his discharge
While on duty as a private the first year he was on duty every
other day, and the last fifteen months while a sergeant he
was on duty every day
The duty of said guard during the 
during the whole of the time was guarding
the prisoners of War confined
in the prison and at other place
designated as the place of confinement
some of the prisoners were Tories
and some were a
part of Burgoynes army who
[illegible] September and October 1777

He has no documentary evidences of his service 
he knew many officers of the Revolutionary
[illegible], who were occasionally at Hartford
In answer to sundry interrogatives however
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have? by the Court he answers as follows.  He was born at Hartford on the 14th of February, 1755, but has no reference of his age.  He lived in Hartford when ? into service has war time resided in the same town.  He entered the service by voluntary enlistment.  As before remarked he knew man of the Revolutionary offices who were occasionally at Hartford ivz Gent. Washington, Gent. Swift; General Knox, Colonel Samuel Wyllys, Major John Palsgrove Wyllys, Col. Grosevenor, Count Rochombearn the first General and many others -- Major Williams of the British Royal Artilalry & Lieut Bollan of the 62nd British Reg 1: were among the prisoners, confined at Hartford over whom he was war guard.  He never reviewed any challenge having served out his enlistment.  He is known to all the old inhabitants of Hartford and went ? refer to the Private Joel Hamby a clergyman in Town residing near at to him and James Hosmar an inhabitant from town who can testify as to his character for certainty and their belief of his service or a soldier of the Revolution.

His hereby relinguishes every claim who to pension or annuity exact the present an declares that his name is no on the pension role of the agency of any State.

Sworn to and substa? day and your aforesaid.
signed [James Wells]
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We Jack H. Linsley a Clergyman residing in the Town of Hartford and James Hosmer residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Wills who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be twenty seven years of age, that he is [illegible] in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Jas Herman Jack H. Linsley
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Nathan Johnson Justice Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and after pulling interrogatories subscribed by the war department that the above named applicant was [a revolutionary marked through] soldier on the Prison Guard at Hartford in the Revolution War and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jack H. Linsley who has signed the above certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Hartford and that James Hosmer who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Hartford and is a credible person and that their statement is available to audit.  I William Whitman Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original signing of the said Court in the matter of the applicant of James Wills for a pension. Wm Whitman Clerk of Court of Probate for district of Hartford.
No. 3507
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Pension Act of 1832
Declaration of James Wells is order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut County of Hartford] SS
On this 16 day July 1833 before Probate Court for the District of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared James Wells, a resident of Hartford is the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration is order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States as private in a company commanded by Barzillai Hudson at Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on or about the 25the day of April, 1777, that said company belonged to no regiment being merely a prison guard.  That he the deponent was entitled for three months, and coninued to serve in the said Corps, until on or about the 1st of September 1779 when he was discharged from service, at or near a place called Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut:  that when he entered the service, he resided in Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and was ? marched from ? Town but continued in guard service by subsequent enlistments for three months at a time and remained the whole time ? in the Prison Guard of said Hartford.  His ? enlistment was under Barzillai Hudson of ? Hartford who was a commissioned officer with what war called an Ensign command.  The latter part of said time he was under the command of William Barnard who was also a commissioned officer with a like command and who also belonged to Hartford.  He continually served and was an duty without interruption during ? while of said time being at last two years and three months.  His enlistments were for three months at a time and renewed without interference during the whole of ? time.  During the first year of ...[next page]
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his service he was a private soldier & performed that duty and afterwards for at least one year and three months and until the time his discharge he was Sergeant of the Guard and performed that duty. While on duty as a private the first year, he was on duty every other day for twenty four hours the next day was taken for [illegible] which [illegible]was preferred by the guard he being on duty a part of each day- While Sergeant of the guard he was on duly every day and had charge of the guard. The duty of said guard during the whole of the time of to his said service was guarding the prisoners of war confined in the prison or county road and at any other places designate as their places of confinement.  Some of the prisoners were Town and some were a part of Burgoyne's army who were taken in September and October 1777.
He has no documentary evidence of his services.
He knew many officers of the Revolutionary service who were occasionally at Hartford.
In answer to the several interrogations performed by the Court he answers as follows-
He was born at Hartford on the 14th day of February 1755 but has no record of his age.
He lived in Hartford when called into service and has ever since resided in the same town.
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He entered the service by voluntary enlistments as above described for three months at a time.
As before remarked he knew many of the Revolutionary officers, who were occasionally at Hartford - General Washington, General Swift, General Knox, Col. Samuel Wylby, Major John Polsyour Wylby, Col Grosvenor, Count Rochambeau the French General and many others. Major Williams of the British Royal Artillery and Lieutenant Bollen of the 62d British Regiment were among the prisoners confined at Hartford over whom he was guard.
He never received any discharge. He in every instance served out the time for which he enlisted.  He is known to all the old inhabitants of Hartford and wants particularly refer to the Reverend Jack H. Linsley a clergyman of said town residing nearest to them and to James Hosmer an inhabitant of the town who can testify as to his character veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolutionary
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And in reply to certain interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares, as is inserted in his affidavit.
1st. That he was born at [blank area] in the County of [blank area] and State of [blank area] on the [blank area] day of [blank area]
2d. That the day and year of his birth is [blank area] recorded [blank area]
3d. and 4th. That when he was called into service, he resided at the places or towns as herein before stated; and served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration.
5th. that the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such officers,  &c. as he distinctly recollects.
6th. That he [blank area] received a written discharge from the service [blank area]
7th. That he is personally known to [blank area] who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides, and can testify as to his character for veracity, and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
And the said James Wells hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, James Wells.
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 Jack H. Linsley was in [illegible] fact a clergyman residing in said Town of Hartford and that James Hormer is also a resident of said Town whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit and that Nathan Johnson was on the 20th of [illegible] last [illegible] is a [illegible] of the [illegible] for the County of Hartford.
I, Henry Bolden Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Wells for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 16th day of July AD 1833.
Henry Felding Clerk
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I Samuel Galpin of Middletown in the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut of lawful age being seventy three years of age do depose certify and say that I have within a few weeks seen James Wells whom I recognized and knew to be the same person who served with me during a part of the years 1777- 1778-1779. and I believe the part of the year 1780 in the Revolutionary War I was an enlisted private in the Prison guard at Hartford from some time in the year 1777 until the close of the year 1779 or the beginning of the year 1780 during the whole or nearly the whole of said period the said James Wells was in said service with me as an enlisted soldier who generally performed the duties of sergeant of said guard. The said Wells and myself enlisted into said service under Barzillai Hudson who was a commissioned officer with an Ensigns command and the latter part of the time we were under the command of William Barnard who was also a Commissioned officer with an Ensigns command. The said James Wells was an enlisted soldier in said service more than two years. Our duty was to guard the Prison at Hartford in which were confined prisoners of war taken from the enemy during the Revolutionary struggle we were State troops raised by order of the Governor under authority of the State Samuel Galpin
State of Connecticut ss County of Middlesex
On the 31st day of July A.D. 1832 Personally appeared before me Samuel Galpin and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the aforesaid Certificate which I read to him in his presence and hearing before the said Galpin made oath to the same. Jedediah Wilcox Justice of the Peace
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I certify that the Deponent Samuel Galpin is of the first respectability, is a credible person and standing and entitled to full credit as a witness.-- Jedediah Wilcox Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut Middlesex County } I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court of said County of Middlesex do Certify that Jedediah Wilcox Esq. who has signed the proceeding Certificates marked A.D. was on the 31 July last & now is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Middlesex as to Certif {mark} A.D. are his proper hand writing and signature.  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand & affix is the seal of said Court this 8 day of Jany A.D. 1832
John Fisk Clerk
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We Elisha Shepard of Hartford in the County of Hartfordin the State of Connecticut aged Eighty one years & Reuben
Wadsworth of the same Town aged Seventy Eight years
do certify depose and say that we were born
in said town and have ever since resided
there. That we are well acquainted and have
been from our youth with James Wells
of said Hartford and we well remember
that the same Wells was in the [illegible]
[illegible] in the Revolutionary War as a member of
the [illegible] Guard at said Hartford &
for several years as Sergeant of said
Guard. We cannot determine when he
entered or enlisted into said service, but
believe it was early in the Revolutionary War
from 1777 to 1779 and we believe that
his services continued more than two
years and that he was a faithful soldier
Elisha Shepard
Reuben Wadsworth

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford 

On this 20th day of August [illegible]
the above named Elisha Sheperd & Reuben
Wadsworth [illegible] to the above
certificate by them submited before me
Nathan Johnson Justice Peace
certify that the deponents as residents
of the town of Hartford; are credible
person at that that the statements
are entitled to credit
Nathan Johnson Justice Peace
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford ⎬
J. Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County
Court for County of Hartford, do
hereby certify, That Nathan Johnson
Esquire, before whom the foregoing & within
affidavit of Elisha Shepard & Reuben Wadsworth was
taken, was at the time of taking the same, & now is
& was since has been, a Justice of the Peace in & for
County of Hartford, duly commissioned & qualified 
according to Law, & that the respective signatures
purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of County Court
this 17th day of July AD 1833.
Jared Griswold Clerk
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for Gen John
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Comptrollers Office
Hartford Jan 14th 1833,⎬

I Elijah Phelps Comptroller of Public 
Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify
that at a meeting of the Governor & Council of
safety on the 18th day of July 1776, the following
proceedings were had, viz, "It being represented
" to this board by a resolve of the Hon. County Court
of the County of Hartford that it is absolutely
necessary that a good yard be forthwith built
" around the gaol in said County which they
" judge will be particularly useful to secure the
" prisoners of war that are or may be taken in or
" sent into this County, & on consideration voted &
" resolved that it be recommended to the County
" Court for Hartford County forthwith to make and
" construct a good and sufficient yard for said
" gaol with picket or plank in the best and most
, prudent manner they can. And it is further
" resolved that one half of the expence of constructing
said yard be borne and paid out of the
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public treasury of this Colony the residue by the
County of Hartford aforesaid,
Also, that at a meeting of said board on the
17th day of January 1777 the following vote was
passed, viz, "Voted that Barzilla Hudson
" and he is appointed Ensign & Commandant
of the guards about the good in the County of
" Hartford
Also, that at a similar meeting held on the
15th day of April 1779 the following proceedings
was had viz "Voted that Barzilla Hudson
" Ensign of the guard of fifteen men at the gaol
" at Hartford having resigned, William Barnard
" is appointed Ensign of said guards in his
" room. His pay to begin when the former left
& the latter undertook the service
by adverting to the books of the Pay Table
Office, it appears that orders were drawn in
favor of Ens.. Hudson from the 14th August 1778
to the 11th August 1779 on the Treasurer for
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the pay rolls of his guard, & that similar orders
were drawn in favor of Ens. William Barnard
from the 5th of August 1779 to the 26th July 1784,
for the payment of the guards under his command
which rolls were delivered to, & receipted by S.
Haskell Con together with other original vouchers
for disbursements made by this State during the
war of the Revolution
E Phelps
Page 19

Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel
December 27, 1928
Mr. F. C. Bissell
1009 West Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut

Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S. 17764, it appears that James Wells
was born February 14, 1755, in Hartford, Connecticut.
While residing at said Hartford, Connecticut, he enlisted
in April, 1777 and served two years and three
months as a private and Sergeant of guard at Hartford,
Connecticut, under Ensigns Barzilla Hudson and William
Barnard.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 16, 1832 at which time he was living in Hartford,
Connecticut.
There are no data as to family.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 20

Hartford July 17. 1833
Hon. Secy of War
As the papers of James Wells we return
to me for correction last written and the
declaration was amended by [illegible]
without its being known to the Judge
that that practice was objectionable-
Mr Wells is Feeble and infirm and unable
to go into Court and the business has been
delayed on that account-- I have now by
the advice of Mr Ely of your office made
a new declaration [illegible] all the
[illegible] of the guards in which he now
none are living except him & Mr Golpin
Mr Golpin's claim was allowed last fall
on the [illegible] testimony of Mr Wills &
I conclude the testimony of Mr Wells will
now be sufficient. I hope the [illegible]
will be examined as early as will be
consistent with the concerns of the Department-- 

[illegible]
your obt srvt
Nathan Johnson
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Revolutionary War Records Section
S 17764
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C. Feb 5, 1921

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: April 1777
Length of Service: 2 years, 3 months
Rank:  Private  Under Ensign Barzillai Hudson
Rank: Sargent under Ensign William Barnard at Hartford
Battles: non state
Residence at enlistment: Hartford, Hartford Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension: Aug 16, 1832
Residence at date of application: Hartford, Conn.
Age at date of application:  b: Feb 14, 1755 in Hartford, CT
No family data
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS/eel
January 1, 1929

F. C. Bissell
1609 West Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut

Sir:

I advise you that the Revolutionary War records of
this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to
the James Wells (searched under all spellings of the name),
who was born in 1748 in Wethersfield, Connecticut.
The James Wells, S.17764, that was furnished you
December 27, 1928, is the one whose pension certificate
was issued October 2, 1833 to commence March 4, 1831.
On the List of Pensioners which was published in 1835,
the age of this soldier is given as seventy-nine years
which means that he was that age in 1835.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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 [letterhead]
THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION
President
GEORGE S. GODARD State Library, Hartford
Vice - Presidents 
Maj. CHARLES H. SPRAGUE Bridgeport
DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE New Haven
FRANK E. SANDS Meriden
Secretary
ROBERT F. BRADLEY 306 Meigs Bldg., Bridgeport
Treasurer
HARRY H. PRITCHARD 886 Main St., Bridgeport
Registrar
F. CLARENCE BISSELL 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford
Historian 
FRANK A. CORBIN 1855 Church St., New Haven
Chaplain
Rev. ORVILLE A. PETTY 395 Englewood Ave., New Haven
Necrologist
LEVERETT BELKNAP P. O. Box 734, Hartford
Trustee to National Society
WILLIAM W. BUCKINGHAM 444 Humphrey St., New Haven
F. CLARENCE BISSELL, Registrar
1009 West Boulevard, Hartford
Delegate at Large
TRACEY B. WARREN
DELEGATES
WILLIAM G. BAxTER
ELI BIRDSEY
DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE
CLARENCE BLAKESLEE
WILLIAM H. BURR
F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON
FREDERICK A. DOOLITTLE
ARTHUR C. KLOCK
ARTHUR S. LANE
ALELLAN MATHEWSON
FREDERIC T. MUELLER, JR.
HANS C. OWEN
JOHN M. PARKER, JR.
EDGAR L. POND
SEYMOUR N. ROBINSON
ERNEST E. ROGERS
FRANK E. SANDS
CHARLES E. P. SANFORD
WILLIAM A. SCHENCK
JOHN A. SPAFFORD
ALFRED SPENCER, JR.
MARTIN WELLES
HERBERT H. WHITE
CLARENCE HORACE WICKHAM
ARTHUR E. WOODRUFF
OTHER MANAGERS
WILLIAM H. ALLEN
JOHN C. BRINSMADE
ORLANDO H. BROTHWELL
ALBERT F. CORBIN
WILLIAM H. CORBIN
REV. J. ROMEYN DANFORTH
FRANK B. GAY
WILSON H. LEE
ROBERT W. LOVELL
FRANCIS MAXWELL
EDWARD J. MORGAN
GEORGE C. Ross
EARNEST C. SIMPSON
WILBUR F. TOMLINSON
HARRY R. WILLIAMS
DR. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS
Secretaries of Local Chapters, ex-officio
WILLIS N. BARBER, Meriden
F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON, New Haven
FREDERICK A. DOOLITTLE, Bridgeport
EARLE M. WOOD, Norwich
ADRIAN L. MULLOY, Waterbury
CHARLES A. QUINTARD, Norwalk
MALCOLM D. RUDD, Salisbury
ELMER H. SPAULDING, New London
CHARLES G. STONE, Hartford
HARRY E. TARGETT, Danbury
[end letterhead]

June 6 1929
Con; Pension
I fear that mine of 29 DEC/28
has been lost in the holiday rush of mail
I asked for record of & James Wills
of Conn.  on Penin Roll Oct. 2, 1833
Commencement of Penison May 4. 1831, aged 79
not hearing from same, am afraid
[illegible]
Respectfully
F.C. Bissell, Regr,
PATRIOTIC HISTORICAL AND EDUCATIONAL
Page 24



Dec 31, 1920Gentlemen:

I am preparing my application for membership in our "Connecticut Society Sons of the American Revolution" and desire to enter name from James Wells, my mother's grandfather who lived in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Conn. and served in the Revolutionary War and was a pensioner.

Any information I can receive to help me join the Society, I will be very thankful for.

Thanking you in advance for your ? I am very respectfully Yours.

William A Willard
Page 25

The James Wells I am looking for is said to have born in Wethersfield, Connecticut (Newington Society) in 1748, married Miss Abigail England? Pearce? and died in 1835 and had pension S 17764.

Respetfully  F C Bissell
Page 26

IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/eel
3 - 1365
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
December 8, 1928

Mr. F. C. Bissell
1009 West Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut
Sir:
I advise you that there are several James Wells, of
Connecticut, found on the Revolutionary War records of
this bureau.
In order to identify the record of a particular soldier
by that name who might be the subject of your request
, as much as possible of the following data is essential
: approximate dates of birth and death, place of
residence at enlistment and after service and given name of
widow.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 27

Connecticut Pension
Dec 29, 1928
I thank you for record of James Wells, b: 1755, Hartford, Connecticut S17764
I find that this is not the James Wells that I want.
Please sen the record of James Welles, Private and Sargent placed in Roll Oct 2, 1833 @ 79
Respectfully
F C Bissell
Page 28

17764
Invalid
File No. S 17764
James Wells
Private Rev War
June 7, 1832

1921, Feb 5 Hist to Wm A Willard
1928 Dec 27 Hist to F C Bissell
1929 Jan 21 F. C. Bissell adv Hist furnished and no record 71C or the C A in 1748 in Wethersfield, Conn.
Page 29

3507
In the matter of approval of James Wells, Jr.? a Pension, Hartford
Page 30

Comptrollers Office Aug. 22 1832
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Pullie
County for the State of Connecticut, do
certify, that it appears from the Books of the
Pay Table, now remaining in this Office, that
sundry orders were drawn, between the 14th day
of August 1778 & the 5th day of February 1781,
some in favor of Ens..B. Hudson, & the other in
favor of Ens. Wm Barnard, & amounting to the
2113,9, 4. These orders were drawn by the
Pay Table Committee upon the Treasurer of
this State, & charged to the United States
as part of the expence of the Revolutionary War
, particularly for militia services in guarding
prisoners in Hartford Gaol

E. Phelps
Page 31

James Wells
6 mo. private 20
1 year 3 mo Sgt?  60 25
Total $95

signed N Johnson, Hartford
Page 32

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

V.  Has he mentioned with precision he length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
No.  Most of such guard, were called out  every second or third day.  The claimant must state the mode and apruntains? his service in detail
Page 33

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office? No
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? Not fully
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?
EXPLANATORY 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, &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 recolelection
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 a__________________  ; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 34

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where 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 be 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 authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.