Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30020, for Noah Pease, Massachusetts
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(3-1776)
service.   number
Mass. Pease, Noah  S.30020
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27188 Massachusetts  Noah Pease of Edgartown in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp'y commanded by Capt. Mahew of the Reg't commanded by Col. Norton in the Mass. line for 22 Months private
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Feb'y 1834 and Sent to Honor. J Reed H of R
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833.   $183.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Mar. '34 - 36.66
_______
$219.99
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor  Clerk,  Book E  Vol. 2  Page 66

Let. to pensioner 23 Augt, - and Let. to Franklin F Craven pen. agt. Boston, directing the suspension of payment till otherwise directed.  do. to J. P. Norton Sept. 21. 1838.
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Apl 20 1843
Mass
Noah Pease
D D Addison
M't

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comm. of Pensions
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Washington April 20th 1843
D Sir,
Mr. Isaiah D. Pease of Edgartown Mass't requests me to ascertain the cause of the suspension of his late Father's (Noah Pease) pension. and what further evidence, if any will be necessary for him to furnish in order for him to draw the arrears of pension from the 4th of March 1838 to April 18th 1841, the day of the death of said Noah Pease. He was a pensioner under the act of 1832, on the Mass't roll at $73.33 pr annum
I am Very Respectfully Yr. Mo.Obt St DD Addison
J. L. Edwards Esq'r. Com of Pensions
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Noah Pease Edgartown Mass 27.013
Admitted private 1 year 10 Month
Cap. Mahew Col Norton

Hon. J. Reed  HR
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dukes County ss.
At a court of Probate holden at Edgartown in the aforesaid County on the fifteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three before the Honorable George Athearn, Judge of the Probate &c. for said County, personally appeared Noah Pease, a resident of Edgartown in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered in the service of the Colony or State of Massachusetts on the twenty fifth day of June, seventeen hundred seventy five, under the following named officers to wit: under Beriahe Norton, Colonel; Matthew Mayhew, Captain; Ezra Cleveland Lieutenant: A more particular account is set forth under the fifth interrogatory - and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:  1. Where and in what year were you born? Ans. That he was born in Edgartown in the County of Dukes County ad State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty four.  2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? Ans. I have a record of my age in an ancient Family Bible, and also on the Records of the Town of Edgartown.  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?  Ans. I was living at Edgartown aforesaid, at the time I entered the Service of the Colony or State of Massachusetts. I have lived in said Edgartown ever since that period, occasionally being absent at Sea.  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?  Ans. I volunteered in the service of the Colony or State of Massachusetts and was no substitute.  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.  Ans. I entered the service as above stated, and remained on duty for the defense of the Sea Coast untill the 27th August 1776 when I enlisted under the command of Barakiah Bassett, Benjamin Smith, Captain (Malatiah Davis, Lieutenant; and James Sharrod and continued in the service of the State until December 1776 when I was discharged. In March or April 1777 I again enlisted
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as a volunteer soldier in Capt. Benjamin Smith's Company and remained in the service until September 1778 at which time the British forces to the number of three or four thousand landed and disarmed the Soldiers and Citizens of Dukes County.  6. Were you a soldier or an officer? if 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? if an Officer did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed; and what has become of it?  Ans. I was a soldier - I received a discharge from Barakiah Bassett which was deposited in the hands of Capt. Benjamin Smith.  7. State the same of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood , and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  Ans. I would beg leave to state the names of William Mayhew, Elijah Pease, and the Rev'd Ebenezer Poor -  Noah Pease
And the said Noah Pease doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State, to his knowledge. Noah Pease
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me George Athearn, Judge of Probate
We William Mayhew & Elijah Pease residing in Edgartown in said Dukes County, and Ebenezer Poor residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Noah Pease who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine 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. William Mayhew  Elijah Pease Ebenezer Poor, Minister of the Gospel.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - before me George Athearn Judge of Probate
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William Mayhew & Elijah Pease, who have signed the preceding certificate are very respectable men, long residents in the Town of Edgartown in said County of Dukes County, and that Ebenezer Poor - who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and a respectable Clergyman and that their statement is entitled to credit.
George Athearn Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss.
I Cornelius Marchant, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Noah Pease of Edgartown, in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Cornelius Marchant Register of Probate
[seal]
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Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia

Containing the Deposition of Rufus Davis relative to Noah Pease' Pension
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I Rufus Davis of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence, do on oath, testify and declare, ----
That I was born in that part of Edgartown known as the East side of Holmes Hole, about eight miles from the Village of Edgartown, where I ever since lived. - That soon after the commencement of the revolutionary War, the British, in small armed Vessels, committed many depredations on the adjoining Elizabeth Islands and the adjacent Coasts, burning the Houses and plundering the Inhabitants. That the People of this Island, in order to defend our own Shores from their attacks, formed themselves into Volunteer Companies under the Command of Col Beriah Norton of Edgartown, who received his authority from the General Court at Watertown - that part of the Island where I lived being the most exposed to their attacks, the Companies assembled in the Neighbourhood on the first intimation of an attack - My Mother kept a public house and I have a distinct recollection of having repeatedly seen Mr. Noah Pease among the Volunteers - When an attack was expected, a Messenger was always dispatched to Edgartown and other parts of the Island to inform the Companies, and on all such occasions I remember to have seen Mr. Noah
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Noah Pease present - I have seen him there more or less frequently, in the years seventeen hundred seventy five, seventy six & seventy seven. I have seen Mr. Noah Pease there sometimes once a week, sometimes once in two weeks, and sometimes once a Month - The number of Troops out on such an occasion was from two to three hundred, and whenever a detachment was sent from Falmouth by Col. Barakiah Bassett to assist in preventing the landing of the British, our own Troops were often obliged to take lodgings in the neighboring Barns. - And furthermore the Deponent with that the Officers of those companies of Volunteers were Col. Beriah Norton, Captain Benjamin Smith & Capt. Nathan Smith & Lieutenants James Shaw & Malatiah Davis - together with Col. Barakiah Bassett of Falmouth - And further the Deponent saith not -
Rufus Davis  Edgartown Dec. 4. 1838
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Dukes County ss.
On this fourth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight the aforesaid Deponent was examined and cautioned, and sworn agreeable to Law, to the truth of the Deposition aforesaid, by him subscribed in my presence, Taken at the request of Noah Pease of Edgartown in said County, and to be used as Evidence in his application to the War Department of the United States, for a Continuation of the Pension heretofore granted to him the said Pease, under a certain Act of Congress of the United States.
Sworn to the day and year above written,
Before me, Daniel Fellows - Justice of the Peace

Dukes County ss. Edgartown December 4th 1838.
I hereby certify that the aforesaid Deponent, Rufus Davis is a credible Witness, and that he has ever been considered a man of the strictest Veracity and unblemished Character.
Attest - Daniel Fellows - Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss.
I Theodore G. Mayhew Judge of Probate for the County of Dukes County, hereby certify that Daniel Fellows is an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County, that his name above signed is his own signature and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his acts and doings in his said Capacity.  Edgartown, Dec. 8th 1838.
Theodore G. Mayhew - Judge of Probate for the County of Dukes County
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I Jonathan Fisher of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth Massachusetts, testify and declare, that I was born and have ever lived in said Edgartown, that in the Month of October one thousand and seven hundred and seventy seven, I saw Noah Pease of Edgartown, at a place called Holme's Hole in Martha's Vineyard doing military duty as a volunteer soldier in the Company under the command of Benjamin Smith - at the same time there was a British Fleet in the Harbour of Holmes Hole. that the said Noah Pease performed the duty of a Soldier under Captains Mayhew and Smith about one year according to the best of my recollection - that I have good reason to believe and do believe that the said Noah Pease served as a Soldier in the revolutionary War, the major part of the time from the year Seventeen hundred & seventy five to the year Seventeen hundred & seventy eight.  
Edgartown Feb'y 3rd 1834.  Jonathan Fisher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss. February 3rd 1834. Then the above named Jonathan Fisher, personally appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Instrument by him subscribed - Before me, Daniel Fellows - Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum}
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss. Edgartown February 3rd. 1834.
I do hereby certify that I have long been personally acquainted with the within named Jonathan Fisher, that in my opinion, he is in all respects a man of honesty and integrity, and a credible witness - Daniel Fellows, Justice of the Peace -

Dukes County ss.  I Cornelius Marchant Register of the Probate Court for said County do hereby certify all whom it may concern, that the above named Daniel Fellows Esqr. is an Acting Justice of the Peace in said County, and that full Faith and Credit ought to be paid to all his doings in his said Capacity, and that the above is his Genuine Signature 
Given under my hand and the Seal of the said Court at Edgartown on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Cornelius Marchant Regtr
[seal]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss.  Edgartown January 17th 1834.
To all whom it may concern, I the undersigned do hereby certify and declare, that I have duly examined many original Papers and Documents in the hand writing of Captain Benjamin Smith late of said Edgartown, deceased, (said papers having fallen into the hands of Jeremiah Pease of said Edgartown, who married a Grand Daughter of said Smith.) and among said Papers I find the original Commission dated the 28th of October A.D. 1775, appointing the said Benj'n Smith Captain of the first Company raised and stationed on the Island of Martha's Vineyard for the defense of the Sea Coast. I also find that the name of Noah Pease is borne on the Pay Rolls of said Capt. Benj. Smith. I also find among said papers, the names of Noah Pease and fifty five other persons on an original Receipt, given by said persons, to the said Benjamin Smith for their Services as Soldiers in the service of the Massachusetts State, from the first of June to the first of September A.D. 1776.
Attest, Daniel Fellows Justice of the Pease & of the Quorum}
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Dukes County ss.
I Cornelius Marchant Register of the Probate Court for said County do hereby certify all whom it does or may concern that the written named Daniel Fellows is an Acting Justice of the Peace (and of the Quorum) in said County and that full Faith and credit ought to be paid to all his doings in his said capacity, and that the above or within is his Genuine Signature.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the said Court at Edgartown on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Cornelius Marchant Regtr
[seal with ribbon]
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I Cornelius Huxford of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and declare, that I was born in said Edgartown and have lived in said town to the present time, that I am now in the Seventy eighth year of my age; that at several different times during the years Seventeen hundred and seventy five and six, I saw Noah Pease of said Edgartown, performing Military Duty as a volunteer Soldier in the Company under the command of Captain Benjamin Smith & Barakiah Bassett Colonel - that sometime in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven a British Fleet came into the harbour of Holmes Hole, on Martha's Vineyard, all the Militia and Volunteers were ordered to repair forthwith to Holmes Hole; I went myself as a volunteer, I saw the said Noah Pease there as a Soldier, performing his duty under Colonel Bassett and Captain Benj. Smith, I also marched there in company with said Pease - that I believe said Noah Pease was a volunteer Soldier, the major part of the time from the year 1775 to 1778 when the British disarmed all our Militia - Edgartown Feb. 4th 1834.
Cornelius Huxford
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dukes County ss. February 4th 1834. Then the above named Cornelius Huxford personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed, Before me, Daniel Fellows - Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum}
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss. Edgartown February 4th. 1834.
I do hereby certify that I have long been personally acquainted with the within named Cornelius Huxford, that I consider him a man of integrity, and a credible witness -
Daniel Fellows - Justice of the Peace

Dukes County ss.  I Cornelius Marchant Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify all whom it may concern that the above named Daniel Fellows Esqr. is an acting Justice of the Peace in said County and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his doings in his said capacity and that the above is his own genuine signature - Given under my hand and the Seal of the said Court at Edgartown on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four
Cornelius Marchant Regtr.
[seal with ribbon]
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Edgartown Ms. Sept 15
Collectors Office. Edgartown
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. Washington City

Com Sept 21
Noah Pease Mass
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Collectors Office
Edgartown September 13th 1838
Sir
Permit me to state that I have examined some of the papers of Captain Benjamin Smith deceased which are in possession of his heirs wherein I find that Col. Barakiah Bassett, Col Beriah Norton, Capt Benjamin Smith, Capt Nathan Smith, Lieut James Shaw, Lieut Malatiah Davis & Lieut ----- Bassett were some of the officers appointed by the General Court of this State in the years 1775 & 1776 I find by orders issued from that body to Capt Benjamin aforesaid soldiers were enlisted for defense and protection of the Sea Coast, agreeably to the establishment for that purpose made and that Noah Pease was one of the Soldiers enlisted under the above named officers, I further find by field Orders issued by Col. Barakiah Bassett dated June 9th 1776 40 men were ordered to be stationed at Edgartown near the Harbour in the intrenchment or fort in which they were stationed is in part remaining to this day and is not more than five rods from my dwelling house, There is not a man left of the company in which Mr. Pease served who is able to testify to the services rendered by him except one who has lost much of his recollection by means of age, the memory of Mr. Pease is much better than the most men of his age he is now 84 years old and has always sustained a very good character - I find by field Orders issued by Col Bassett aforesaid datted Sept 10th 1776 that every soldier was ordered to repair to his Barrack at 8 o'clock every evening, I have likewise examined the Statements made by Mr. Pease and attested to yesterday before T. G. Mayhew Esq Judge of Probate for Dukes County and have no doubt they are correct, it is a great pity if this aged veteran in the evening of his life should fail to receive the bounty that
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his government has provided for him, there is not the least doubt in my mind but what he has rendered the service that he has stated, or in fact during the whole was, if at any time they were disarmed by the enemy they soon found means to arm themselves again - Sir I have taken the liberty to address you on this subject at some length, and it is because I feel interested for this old Soldier, and it is not for any fee or reward that I have received, or ever expect to receive.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant
John P. Norton Coll.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
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Edgartown. Sept 12th 1838
Sir
Yours of the 23rd    is received wherein you require a statement under oath of the service performed by me while a Soldier in the revolutionary war &c. - In answer I have to state that I first entered the service of my country on the 25th day of June 1775 as a volunteer soldier in the company under the command of Col Beriah Norton, Capt. Matthew Mayhew, & Capt. Benjamin Smith and served untill August 27th 1776; on which day I entered as a soldier in the company raised for the defence and protection of the Sea coast, agreeably, to resolve of the General Court of this State, then sitting at Watertown, under command of Col. Barachiah Bassett, and served untill the latter part of November 1776 - then I entered the service as a volunteer for the defence of the Sea coast & as before stated. the number of soldiers, as near as I can recollect was about 300. - I served until Sept 1778 when the enemy landed a large body of troops on the island and disarmed our Company - the names of the officers, as far as I can recollect were Col. Barachiah Bassett, Col. Beriah Norton, Capt. Benjamin Smith, Capt. Nathan Smith , Lieut. James Shaw, Lieut. Malatiah Davis & Lieut. ---- Bassett. - We were stationed on the Island of Martha's Vineyard at Edgartown, near the harbor - at the East side of Holmes Hole harbor in said Edgartown - at the West side of Holmes Hole harbor in the Town of Tisbury - and at Manamsha, in the Town of Chilmark - distance from my home 8.14 & 18 miles - the Company was paraded every day and ordered to March from time to time, to the dif-
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[dif]ferent stations as circumstances require - We were sometimes quartered in houses, barns, barracks and the open fields without shelter. - For more than three years actual service. I received about three months pay from the State at $6 - per month; - I paid for my equippage and subsistence myself and never received any renumeration until my pension was granted by the U. S. War Department which is all the means of support I now have. the original papers of Capt. Benjamin Smith are in the hands of his heirs or those to whom they were given by will, or otherwise. - All which is respectfully submitted to your consideration. - I have the honor to be very respectfully, Sir, Your ob't Ser't
Noah Pease

Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City
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I, Noah Pease of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify on oath, that the foregoing statements by me subscribed are just and true, according to my best knowledge and belief. So help me God.
Noah Pease
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Dukes County of Edgartown. Sept 12. A.D. 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Noth Pease and acknowledged the foregoing statements by him subscribed to be just and true, by making solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Theodore G. Mayhew Judge of Probate for the County of Dukes County
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Jan. 9 1834
I hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Noah Pease is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Benj. Smith's Company, stationed at Martha's Vineyard, where he is allowed for services from the first day of Sept. till the Twenty-first day of November, 1776, two months and twenty-one days....... m. 2 d. 21
Noah Pease claims for further services under Capt. Smith, in 1776, 1777 and 1778; and also for services under Capt. Matthew Mayhew, in 1775 - the rolls for which are not found in this office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy
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House of Representatives Feb 14th 1834
Sir
I herewith enclose you the papers of Noah Pease an applicant for a Pension I know the applicant & almost every one who has certified & can say they are in my opinion people of truth
I must by your early attention to the business
With Respect
Yr Ob't Ser'nt. John Reed
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Washington  Feby 15. 1840.
Sir
I enclose a letter from Isaiah Pease about the Pension application of his father - I ask that with your answer that his letter to me of the commission now sent by returned to me -
I am very respectfully YouObediSevt
Wm Parmenter

James L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
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30 020
Revy INVALID
File No. 30,020
Noah Pease
Prv Rev War
Act: June 7th '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Let. to Hon. Jno. Reed Feb'y 9, 1839
do: Hon. Wm. Parmenter Feb: 19th: 1840-
let to D D Addison May 25 1843
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Vol. 36 238.9 from 16 Jan to last Feb - & from 1 June to 1 Sep  X
" 260 " 1 March to 1 May - 76.  X
" 243 from 1 Sept to 21 Nov. 76 on 2 mo 21 dy
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27013
Noah Pease
Hon. J. Reed
Cornelius Marchant
Edgartown Mass
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, Nov 11. 1833 
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. Period when the rendered.
A Statement shewing the Service of Noah Pease
Period when the service was rendered| Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.| Rank of the claimant.| Names and rank of the Field officers under whom served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Application must be made to the Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of your Service -
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, &., 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.
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:
For year months, and days, I served as a ; For mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 35

Hon'e J. L. Edwards
Comm'r. of Pensions.
Washington City
Page 36

Collectors Office
Edgartown December 7th 1838
Sir
Permit me to inform you that Rufus Davis of this Town is well known to me, his deposition in favour of Noah Pease's pension will accompany this letter he is a gentleman very much respected, and always has been noted for his sound intellect and recollection, the most implicit confidence can be placed in his testimony, I will further add that within six months, he has attended as a witness at the Supreme Court
I am respectfully your obedient servant
John P. Norton  Coll.
J. L. Edwards 
Pension Office Washington City
Page 37

House of Representatives
Jan 28. 1839
Sir
It appears that some time last fall on a reexamination of the evidence in the case of Mr. Noah Pease of Massachusetts you withheld his Pension because it was originally admitted without sufficient evidence -
You require as evidence in support of his claim to a pension the original papers of Cap. B. Smith I have obtained those papers with a deposition of Rufus Davis & also a letter from Mr. Norton Collector of Customs for Edgartown - I beg that you will reexamine his case with the additional evidence now afforded
With Respect Y'r Ob't Ser'ant John Reed

J. L. Edwards Esq.