Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9528, George Weir, S.C.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE S. C.
Weir or Wier, George
NUMBER S. 9528.

Carded

Born in Ireland
CONTENTS
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[left side]
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the the act of 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept. 1836 to 4 may 1839 the day of his death -- age modified May 4, 1857

A.S. Wallace May 4, 1857.


[right side]
23.805
South Carolina
George Wier of Chester, in the State of So Ca, who was a Pri in the --- commanded by Captain --- in the rgt commanded by   Col. Lacey in the So. Car. line for 18 months

George Weir
Record corrected Jan 21, 1905

Inscribed on the Roll of South Car at the rate of 60 - Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Apr. '30 and sent to Hon M. K. Clowney. H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 180
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept" 30.
$210-

Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk
Book E  Vol. 6 Page 83 -
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Rich Hill S.C. & Roads S.C.
25th March 1857

G. C. Whiting
Com of Pension

Sir you will confer a favor on me to permit A.S. Wallace of York District S.C. to examine my Father George Wier's claim for an increase of Pension by himself or agent

My Father George Wier was a pensioner at rate of $60 per annum his service he was in the cavalry which from the length of times he was in service would increase his pay

Your complyance will very much oblige your Humble Sevant
[signed] David Wier

Witness
James W Kee
magt
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State of South Carolina 
Chester District
on the 24 day November 1832 Personally appeared before me Peter Wylie Judge of the court of Ordinary of said district George Weir, then aged 80 years, of the district & State aforesaid, who being 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 the 7 of June 1832. 

That he first entered the service in the Revolutionary war in what was commonly called the Snowey Campaign in the years 1775 & 6 In a volunteer Company under Cap John Nixon, Leiut Alex Adams, Col. Hichison's Regt against the Indians & Tories. Gen. Sumter was then adjutant

The Expedition commenced in the fall of the year & continued time till some in the winter after Christmas. That they marched over Broad River & up to the then frontiers of the State to McCarron's Creek S.C. . Where they defeated the Enemy & captured a number of prisoners

That the snow fell about Christmas, supposed to be the greatest ever in South Carolina and then torrents of rain, that they after described deep water throughout & suffered immensely from cold and continued till the campaign was over
2nd
the next was an Expedition to Charleston, still a volunteer in the same company) when the  British fleet attacked Fort Moultrie. Was there the time of the Battle, & continued in the Town to guard
the town until they were discharged and recollects that they got home in the month of August
3rd
that he does not recollect of being out on any other regular tour of duty until after the fall of Charleston in May 1780. That he had been for a long time confined with a cancer in his foot that rendered him unfit for duty. But when the British marched into the country he turn again a volunteer in the same company, then under Capt Samuel Adams Col. Lacy Reg & Joined Genl Sumter, was at the Battle of the Hanging Rock and then marched with Gen'l down on the west side of the Catawba & Wateree River to the taking of Tories fort near Camden Ferry on the day Gen Gates was defeated on the other side above Camden. That he was left as a
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sentinel near the Ferry, when the British fired over at them, when the troops retreated & he was left
alone, & nearly to have been captured by the Enemy

That he their pursued on & came up with the army & continued on the retreat untill they were over
taken by British commanded by Col Tarlton, and defeated at Fishing Creek on the Catawba River
which scattered the Troops and lost his [illegible] at the defeat, came home a fort & lay out till he got some clothing & then retreated up into the Indian Land & North Carolina. That when the British moved up to Charlotte in North Carolina, he was taken prisoner by Lord Rogers troop & ordered by his Lordship (for one acquaintance sake) to be hanged for he knew him in Ireland But by some means his life was saved & he was put into Charlotte Jail with John Adam late Governor Adam of Kentucky who was a prisoner at the same time. and was some time afterwards paroled + returned home, but did not know that ever he was exchanged Adam was kept a prisoner
4th
hhe next he thinks was down to the Congaree, the time Gen Green was besieging 96. and the British was marching up to raid the siege and was attacked at the Jun[illegible] by the State Troops, where his neighbour Samuel McWaters was killed
5.
the next was down by Martial's Mills on the Congaree when they stopped some time & then to Orangeburg and was there when Gen Greens army marched down the Country before the Battle of the Eutaw. That he was a volunteer in the same company & Regt but how long he was out on that the Expedition he cannot well recollect but knows he always staid untill he was dismissed to go home. That he dose not recollect of any regular tour except it was to guard Tories & Horses there in
Col. Lacy Block House but how long he cannot recollect

As he has no particular date to refer to he cannot state precisely how long he was in the service but having been two tours before the fall of Charleston & the greater part of the time afterward until the Enemy was [illegible] out he thinks he must have been from Eighteen months to two years in the service of his country & as a prisoner

That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a  pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State, or of the United States

[signed] George Weir
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To the first Interrogatory he answers
That he was born in the Kingdom of Ireland in the year 1752 and Emigrated to America when he was
about twenty years of age
2d An. I have seen a Record of my age in a Book of my fathers; but dose not know where it is now
3d A. I was living near where I now live & have lived here ever since in what is now called Chester District
4th An I always volunteered for I joined a volunteers Company at first under Capt John Nixon, (who was killed, in the war) and continued to volunteer when ever called upon
5 Ans. I knew Gen Sumter Col Thompson Col. Joseph Kershaw & Col. Richison. I believe they were Regulars. Col John Winn Col. Richard Winn, who was wounded at the Hanging Rock, afterwards
Genl Winn Col Lacy. Col Hill Col. Bratton Captain Nixon. Capt Adams, Capt Mills, Capt Steel, Capt McClure that fell at the Hanging Rock with other of the Militia. the other circumstances I have stated in my declaration
6th. The Militia & Volunteers were not discharge in writing, but merely dismiss when their time of service was out
7th An I am so well known in my neighbourhood having lived here since the year 1773. that all
my aged & respectable neighbours can testify for me. But I will mention a few that knew me in the
time of the war John Brown, Capt James Harbison Esq, John McDill, Wm Garrity, Joseph Gaston The Revd Samuel McCreary & John McCreary about the latter end of the war
[signed] George Weir

Sworn to & subscribed to the 4th Nov. 1832 in open Court, as also sworn & subscribed to the declaration in margin hereof
Peter Wylie J C O C D
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And the Court do hereby declare his opinion that the within Named George Wier applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
Peter Wylie J C O C D

I, Peter Wylie Clerk of the Court of ordinary do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Wier for a pension

In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of office this 24 day of November 1832
Peter Wylie C.C.O.C.D.
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State of South Carolina
Chester District
Personally in open Court before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary for said District, appeared George Wier, an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832 in order to amend his declaration who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age he now going in 81 years; and the consequent loss of memory, and the great length of time since his services were performed, and no record being kept. That he cannot swear positively to the length of his services. That he has given a fair and true statement in his Declaration of his services according to the best of his memory and the officers he served under that he can only recollect from the events that took place and the seasons of the year and so forth but with respect to particular day or length of time he cannot. That he so remembers that the snowy Campaign (which was his first) 
commenced in the fall of the year 1775, (being the fall before American Independence) he thinks about the coming of frost that the same fell about Christmas and was followed by torrents of rain that raised the waters immensely so that when they were discharged and the camps broke up it was very difficult to travelling but what time they got home he cannot remember but sometime in the month of January perhaps towards the latter part. His second tour was the next summer to Charleston but what time he left home he cannot positively state, but was there when the British Fleet attacked Fort Moultrie and at the time of the declaration of Independence and stayed till he was discharged &
remembers that he got home in the month of August I have stated that when the British invaded the
country after the fall of Charleston in May 1780 that I joined General Sumpter, but cannot posi
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[posi]tively state the time, but think it to be about the last of July. That I was at the battle of Hanging Rock and the taking of Carys Fort and at the defeat on Fishing Creek which was after Gates defeat. That some time after that I was taken prisoner by the British and confined Charlotte Jail, but how long I cannot now tell that I first understood I was to be hanged, but was after some time paroled and returned home. But when Genl Green came to Camden and had the battle with the British and they began to retreat down the country there was a call for volunteers and although I did not know that I was ever exchanged I turned out a volunteer again and then commenced the campaigns down to the Congaree & to Orangeburg two tours in the course of that summer: But have no data from which I can ascertain the length of time in either only that I know I always staid my time out until I was discharged or dismissed to go home. And although it is impossible for me to come up to the strict
rules laid down in the marginal notes from the Secretaries instructions considering the great length
of time since my services have been performed, yet I think I have given sufficient to satisfy the Department of the validity of my claim which as a conscientious man is all that I can do and claim
on the whole for Eighteen months service and a prisoner. Should the Department on viewing the
whole not think me entitled to that sum, they may give me whatever they think proper, as I can give
them no farther information on the subject except it might be to the credibility of my testimony and
as to it being well known that I was a Revolutionary Soldier. I have sat and thought I had at first
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fully complied with the requisitions of the Secretary of War not having seen the marginal notes
subjoined to the regulations
[signed] George Wier 

Sworn to & signed in open Court this 17th day of October 1833
Peter Wylie J.C.O.C.C.

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 us also qualifying the above named George Wier to this amendment that he the said applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel McCreary who has signed an attached certificate Sworn before Jno Thompson a Justice of the peace of Lancaster
District is a respectable clergyman resident in Chester District (as I am well acquainted with him & know his hand writing) and John McCreary Esqr who has signed a like certificate in open Court before me is a resident in Chester District and a man of credit and that their statements are entitled to credit
Peter Wylie J C O C C

I Peter Wylie Judge and Clerk of the Court of Ordinary of Chester District do hereby certify that the foregoing attached contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Wier for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day October 1833
Peter Wylie J C O C C
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Direct
2371
George Wier
State of South Carolina
Chester District 
Chester Ville P.O.
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State of South Carolina
Chester District 
Personally appeared in open in open Court, before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary John Brown Wm Garrity & Joseph Gaston Esq & being duly sworn according to Law sayeth that they were well acquainted with George Weir the present applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress pass the 7 of June 1832. That he was a true friend to his Country in the time of the Revolutionary war that they often served with him & believes that the Statements made in his declaration, to be substantially true, and that he is a man of truth, & of good moral Character, & that his testimony ought be relied on as such and that they believe him to be of the age of Eighty years as he states
[signed] John X Brown his mark
William X Garrity his mark
Joseph Gaston

Sworn to & signed in Open Court this 24 day of November 1832
Peter Wylie J C O C D
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State of So Carolina
Chester District  
Personally appeared in open Court before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary of district
John McCreary (formerly a Member of Congress from this district) and being duly sworn on his oath sayeth that he has been well & personally acquainted with George Weir the present applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 ever since the latter part of the Revolutionary War. That he is a man of good Character, truth & veracity & is deemed by the Inhabitants as a Revolutionary soldier that he has heard many say they served with him that he has no doubt but that his statements in his declaration is true & correct as far as ever his memory would serve him; and
ought to be relied on as such. And that he believes him to be of the age he has stated but of tollarable sound mind for that age & believe him to be a very conscientious man, & that he would state nothing that he did not know or believe to be true
[signed] J McCreary

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 17th day of October 1833
Peter Wylie C C O C D
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[envelope]
Lancaster C H S C  10
1 Aug

Mr George Wear
Chester Dist
Cedar Shoals P.O.
SC
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State of South Carolina
Lancaster District

personally appeared before me Judge J. P. Thompson Justice of the peace for Lancaster District Sam'l McCreary being duly sworn saith that for the space of 56 years from the year of Independence he has been husband personally acquainted with George Wier a native of Ireland who have resided in Chester District during the term above mentioned and he served with him in the revolutionary war in the campaign of 1780 under Gen Sumpter & that he participated with him in the battle at the Hanging Rock on the 7th of August in year 1780 that he is a man of probity &  that he have every reason to believe the accompanying declaration which he have made concerning his revolutionary service
[signed] Saml McCreary

Sworn to before me this 5th day of August 1833 
J.. P. Thompson.

South Carolina
Lancaster Dist
I Simon Peckham Clerk of the Court of as for the District aforesaid do hereby certify that J. T. Thompson whose name appears to the above affidavit as a justice of the peace is an acting Magistrate in the Dist above named as appears on record in my office

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my name & affix the seal of my Office August 1833
Simon Peckham C C C L D
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9528
INVALID. Rev War
File No. 9528

George Wier
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7th '32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 410
{Arrangement of 1870.}
George Weir Jany 31 1905
Records corrected.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENTS
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 25th 1840
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States, "The children of George Wier, decd a Pensioner on the Roll of the S. Carolina Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars and -- Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4 of Sept. 1836 to the 1st May 1837. the day of his death

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
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Yorkville So Ca
31st March 1837,

Hon J. C Whiitng
Com of Pensions,
Dr Sir
I herewith hand you the letter of David Wier requesting me to examine the claim of his father George Wier, late of Chester Distant, an act of the 7th June, 1832, with view of having the claim be increased

You will confer a favor on me to send me an abstract of his claim as it is inconvenient for me now to
visit Washington - he was pensioned at the rate of $60 per annum

Very Respectfully yours
A. S. Wallace
Yorkville SC
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28762
George Wier
SC

[illegible]
18 mo $60

Hon Wm K Clowney
HR
So Car
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[blank form]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office, 183
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. 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, showing the Service of ---

Period when the service was rendered

Duration of claimant's service
Years Months Days

Rank  of the claimant.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

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 District of County of 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 pension 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 enered 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. [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 --- 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
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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 he 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 rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were 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 clamant 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----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 miliia, &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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that 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 affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in 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 once, 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 claimants entering the service and the time and manner of his leaving the same as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibly 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 [a] to [i] are 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 indispensible 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