Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4209, Nathaniel Graves, Vt.
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(3-1776)
 SERVICE                                             NUMBER

Vt. Graves, Nathaniel            R. 4209


________________________________________________
CONTENTS
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N. Graves
223927

Isaac Wilson [illegible]
Linden Genesee Co N.Y.
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State of New York
County of Genesee ss.}
On this 26 day of March 1833 personally appeared before the Hon. Addison Gardner Circuit Judge & Isaac Mitchell, Simeon Cummins, James Taggert Judges of Common Pleas, the court of Oyer and Terminer in + and for said County of Genesee now sitting. Nathaniel Graves a resident of the town of Attica in said County of Genesee + State of New York aged sixty-nine years the 22 day of September last. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress June 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated under the following named officers.
That in the summer of 1777, he resided in the town Ruport in the State of Vermont with his brother + three sisters, (his mother being dead some years before) And his Father went into the service the forepart of the season on the Approach of Burgoyne Army was in the battle of "Hubbarton" Vermont, where the americans were defeated by a detachment of Burgoyne's Army + Col. Warner's Regiment mostly cut off and his Father was taken a prisoner by the british + carried to Ticonderoga where he was taken sick + died. & That this declarant with his brother two years older than himself and his three sisters retreated from Ruport aforesaid on the on the general alarms + retreat of the inhabitants of Vermont immediately after "Hubbarton battle." And were scattered among his relative + friends in the Town of Bennington Vt. where he lived during the War except when out in service.
That according to the best recollection of this declarant the last of October or first of November 1777 the militia of the said town of Bennington were called to the northward and he volunteered as a private soldier to go with them, although but little turned of fourteen years of age & marched with said Comp'y under the command of Capt William Hutchins + Lieut Fillmore in a Regiment under Col. Herrick, though the Towns of Shaftsbury, Arlington, Sunderland, Manchester + several others as far as Castleton Fort, a distance of sixty miles through [illegible] roads where he was stationed for some time as a reinforcement to strength in the Garrison at that Fort, And when it was ascertained there was no danger of the approach of an enemy + their services were no longer deemed necessary the said company was regularly though verbally dismissed + returned home, having been in the Service of the United States ass near as he can recollect one month. - And this declarant further says that in the fall of 1778, he thinks the latter part of September, he again volunteered as a private
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soldier into the comp'y of Bennington Vt. militia under Capt. William Hutchins & marched from  Bennington aforesaid nearby the same route as the year before & through Manchester, Dorset, Rupert, Pawlet & to Castleton Fort, where they were stationed for some time for the same purposes as the fall previously & were regularly though verbally discharged & returned home having been n service according to his best recollection. One month.
And the declarant further says That during the year 1779, or two occasions there were alarms from the Northward & calls for the militia  - And at both of those calls he volunteered & marched with said Company of Bennington volunteer militia, under the Command of either Capt. Hutchins or Lieut. Fillmore or other & cannot distinctly recollect as far north as Castleton Fort, and was on each occasion some time in the service of the United States to [illegible] in guarding that fort, but from his advanced age & infirmity of body & mind. & [illegible] recollection he can not near be particular in stating the day or month of his entering the service or of his discharge from the same [illegible] he feels a degree of confidence from his general recollection of circumstances that he served in those two tours in 1779 not less than one and a half.
And this declarant further says the forepart of September 1780 The said Company of Bennington Militia were again called to the northward on an alarm & express for help & that he volunteered +marched with them, their usual route to Castleton Fort, under Capt Hutchins or LIeut Fillmore or both, where after sometime stationed at the Fort, he volunteered with another company detached to guard Castleton Mills, so called, about three miles west of the Fort, where there manufactured flour for the Army - he cannot remember the name of the Capt of the Guard - + he further says that he [illegible] in said guard Comp'y Stationed at the mills + did duty at that place for six weeks + was regularly though verbally discharged and returned home having been in the service of the United States at that time not less than two months. [margin note: 2]
And this declarant further says that about the 1st of October 1781. The said Bennington company of militia were again called to the northern on a alarm for the defence of the frontier, he volunteered + marched from Bennington with them under Command he thinks of Lieut Fillmore their usual [illegible] to "Castleton Fort." And that a short time after their arrivals at the Fort. 60 miles miles from Bennington this declarant Volunteers into a Scouting party of six men under the command of sergeant Tupper to go farther on to  the north down. Lake
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Champlain for the purpose of making discoveries + that in proceeding east when within a few miles of Ticonderoga Fort, they were surprized (sic) by a british scouting party of twelve men in ambush, who the first salutation one half of them fired six muskets upon our party, which fire killed Sergeant Tupper dead on the spot, + the remaining five of which this declarant was one were instantly surrounded and compelled to lay down their arms. + made provisions and were forthwith pinioned driven to Mt. Independence, there in possession of the British forces + crossed over to Ticonderoga were after being garrisoned - + the cartel for exchange of prisoners, being in favor of the United States they were considered as exchanged and permitted to tender a  the next day with a guard to return to the place where sergeant Tupper was killed + after having buried him, they returned to Castleton + the british party to Ticonderoga + that this declarant was some regularly though verbally discharged and permitted to return home, having been in service at that time not less than one half month. [margin note: 1/2]
And this declarant further says that he believed in the years 1782 on an alarm + call for the militia he was out with the said Bennington Company to the northward as far as "Castleton fort", in the service of the United States, under the same officers as before or one of them and a tour of duty + was verbally  dismissed, but does not recollect the day or month or length of time of said service - And he further says that he is quite confident that he ['is quite confident' crossed out] was out on the service of the United States in said comp'y of Bennington Vt. Militia to the northward to Castleton Fort as set forth at least once in every year from 1777 to 1782, inclusive of those two years + in one or more of those years he performed two tours of duty - + he also believes that he was out on every occasion + did duty where the said Bennington Comp'y of Militia were called out during those six years of commencing in the fall of 1777. + was at every tour under the command either of Capt Hutchins or Lieut Fillmore or both of them, but from advanced age and increasing infirmities and consequent loss of memory, he cannot be more particular in relations to the time of said service or of the officers under which he served. And he is confident that during the revolutionary war, he served, as aforesaid, altogether as a private soldier not less than six months for which he claims a pension. [margin note: 6]
And this declarant further says in answer to the interrogatories specially sent to him by the Court 1st he was born in Sunderland [illegible] in the years 1763.
2d. Has a record of his age in his Family Bible taken from a record in his old
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Family bible whose it was entered by himself more than forty years ago. 
3d. Lived when called into Service at Bennington Vt. as set forth + that after the close of the War continued to reside at said towns of Bennington about 4 years next lived at Springfield, Maddison Co. N. Y. 2 years. Whitestown Oneida Co N. Y. 1 year New Hartford some Co. 3 years - Germantown Harkins Co. N.Y. 3 years. Paris, Oneida Co., 6 years - Attica Genesee Co. where he now resides 3 years.
4th Volunteered as set forth - 
5. Cannot well be more particular in relation to the officers or Regiments where he served than is already set forth. does not recollect any regular officers or continental regiments + supposes there was more on that frontier after he commenced service - 
6. He was no written discharge - 
7. That he is acquainted with the Rev. Beriah N. Leach a clergyman + Col Ira Wilson residents of his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldiers of the Revolution.
And he further says that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his said service. And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. And does that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
/s/N Graves
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - Before me 
/s/Timothy Fitch Clerk

We Beriah N. Leach a clergyman residing in the Town of Attica in said County of Genesee + State of New York, and Ira Wilson residing in the Town of Middlebury in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Graves who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood were he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
/s/Beriah N. Leach
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Sworn and Subscribed the day and year, [illegible] aforesaid before me
/s/ Timothy Fitch Clerk

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 Beriah N. Leach who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman + resident in the town of Attica in this County + that Ira Wilson who also signed the same is a resident in the town of Middlebury in this County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
/s/ A Gardiner
/s/Isaac Wilson
/s/ [illegible] Mitchell
/s/James Taggart
/s/S. Cummings

Timothy Fitch Clerk of the court of Oyer + Terminer and of the County of Genesee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Courts in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Graves for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26th day of March 1833.
/s/Timothy Fitch Clerk
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strait [straight] integrity and that the utmost confidence can be found in his affidavit - Dated January 28, 1834 - 
/s/Isaac Wilson /first Judge of Genesee County

[margin note: Nathaniel Graves Afft for a pension
amended
Geo W Lay 
HR
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State of New York
County of Genesee}ss. Nathaniel Graves of the Town of Attica in the County of Genesee and State of New York being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he this Deponent made application for a pension at the Court of Oyer and terminer held in and for the said County of Genesee in the month of March 1833 and in that application he claimed a pension for six months service which he performed in the Revolutionary War, as a private Soldier in the Vermont Militia - And in this Deponents declaration he stated that he served one month in the fall of the year 1777 as a private soldier under Captain William Hutchins, Colonel Herrick's Regiment and continued to serve as such private soldier and perform a series of Military duty in last year thereafter till the year 1782 as set forth in his said declaration which is on file in the pension office in Washington City - and further this Deponent saith that he was mistaken as to the year in which the said first term of service was performed and after reflection and mature deliberation he
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is now confident the said service was performed in the year 1778 as it was the next year after Bennington Battle and Burgoins [Burgoyne's] Defeat - And further this Deponent saith that from old age infirmity of body and the consequent loss of memory he can not remember the precise periods of his several terms service as set forth in his said declaration; but according to the best of his recollection he served as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War not less than the periods mentioned below -  and under the following named officers - 
First In the fall of the year 1778 I served one [margin note: 78-1 mo] month in the Company commanded by Captain William Hutchins Colonel Herrick's Regiment & served not less than one month as aforesaid as a private soldier
Second In the fall of the year 1779 I served not less than [margin note: 74-1 mo] one month as a private soldier in the Company commanded by the said Captain Hutchins in Colonel Herrick's Regiment
Third in the month of July in the year 1780 I served [margin note: 80-1/2 mo] as a private soldier not less than one half month in the Company aforesaid of Vermont Militia
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4th [margin note: 80-mo] In the fall of the year 1780 I served as a private soldier not less than one month in the Company and Regiment aforesaid which he thinks was in October of that year.
5th [margin note: 81 2 mo] Early in the fall of the year 1781 I commenced service and in that fall I served as a private soldier not less than two months one half month in the said Company and Regiment under the said officers and one month and a half in a detached Company guarding Castleton Mills as set forth in said declaration but can not recollect the name of the Captain in said detached Company.
6th [margin note: 82] In the month of October 1782 I served as a private soldier not less than one half month in said Company commanded by Lieutenant Fillmore in said Regiment - 
And further this Deponent saith that he served as above stated not less than six months as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War in a body called into service by competent authority and during the several terms of said service I was employed in no civil pursuit whatever - 
And for such service I claim
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a pension. ['And further this Deponent saith that' crossed out]['Sworn to and subscribed this 28 day of January 1834' crossed out]
And this Deponent further saith that when he made his said declaration he verily supposed that his said first term of service was performed in that year 1777 and from that reason he was led into a mistake of one year in the date of his said other terms of service - And further this Deponent saith not. 
/s/Nathaniel Graves

Sworn to and subscribed This 28th day of January 1834 before me
/s/Isaac Wilson first Judge of Genesee County

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Nathaniel Graves who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me and that he is a man respectable for truth and veracity and strait [straight] integrity and that the utmost confidence can be placed in his affidavit - Dated January 28, 1834 - 
/s/Isaac Wilson First Judge of Genesee County

[margin note: Nathaniel Graves Afft for a pension Amended 
Geo W. Lay HR]
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Nathaniel Graves
New York
No. 23927 - 
6 mo alleged. only 14 years old first tour not specific

affidavit of Frank(?) Lay

Isaac Wilson Esqr.
Linden Genesee co.
N.Bk -
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[heading] WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 183 [blank]

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and he papers herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
_____________________
A Statement, showing the Service of Nathaniel Graves
_____________________
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered'| Duration of the claimant's service (Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Name 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.|]
1777|( - - -)| Pri| [blank]| 69 years|[blank]|
" vol.|([| blank]|1|[blank]| " | Col. Herrick| Bennington Vt.|[blank]|
1778 " |([blank]|1|[blank])| [blank]|[blank]|[blank]|
1779 " |(two tours together equal to 1 mo.15.)|[blank]|[blank]|Traditionary|
1780 " |([blank]|2|[blank])| " |[blank]|[blank]|[blank]|
1781 " |([blank]|[blank]|15| " |[blank]|[blank]|[blank]|
1782 |( - | - | - )| " | [blank]| [blank]|[blank]|
says served as Private not less than 6 months - 

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.

[note: 69 - 56/13]
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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, mucicians 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, 1838.
State, Territory, or District of
County of}ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. 'a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] 
(e) regiment of the [blank] 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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, [blank] A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of
[blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days 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 signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be
attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute: And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the, declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties. which the Court is herein requested to perform;
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he most 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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au 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 service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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 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 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.
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New York
Revo.
____
Nathl. Graves
____
Suspended 
let. to Isaac Wilson
4 June '33 - 

4209

Act 7 June '32
Page 18

['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.' crossed out]

          4209.
P.O. _______________________________
Nathl Graves 
_______________________
Service: ____________________

[annotated] REJECTED
Enlisted: _________, 18
Discharged: _____, 18

Application filed: ______, 18

Alleges: ______

Re-enlisted: _____________

Attorney: ________________________
P.O.____________________________
____________________________________________

_____________Recognized.   ____Contract
________Cert. of Dis. Searched for ________, 18