Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5949, Joseph Burk, Navy R.I.
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(8-1776) NUMBER

Navy R.I. Burk, Joseph W.5949
Hannah BLWt 36608-160-55

CONTENTS 
[blank]
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[Left hand side of paper]
Pension [illegible] form [illegible]
new certificate found [illegible]
Saml Hutchings Waterford, Pen[illegible]
July 29, 1835

Transf from Vermont to Penn
from 4 Sep 1834 - July 29th 1835

Setl S. Hutchins Mar 23 '37
same June 4 1838.

[right hand side of paper]
Pennsylvania 8.53 [illegible]
Joseph Burk
of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a Pri. Seam in the Company commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regt commanded by Col. Sullivan in the R. Island [illegible] line for b. [illegible] Seaman 24
b. [illegible] Pri 20
44
[faint writing "Pens [illegible] fr 68]
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 44 Dollars [blank] cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Apl 1833 and sent to R Temple Rutland, VT
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 88.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept " 22.00
$110.00
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 2832}
Recorded by Mr S. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 52
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3.055
Massachusetts
Hannah Burk
widow of Joseph Burk R.I
who served in the Revolutionary war as a Priv & seaman Increased from $20 Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 44 dollars [blank] cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 18th day of July 1855 and sent to Samual Binney New Bedford, Mass

recorded on Roll of pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 8 Vol. H

[written sideways on right "226949"]
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226.949 Act March 3 Dec 13
Hannah Burk wid
Joseph Burk pri
revy war
Pen Act
Feby 53 - 3055
[illegible] 2d 56
Boynton
[large script "R"]
Saml Bonney New Bedford Mass

Vol B 2 148
[written diagonally across page "No 36608 fr Aug 77]
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State of Vermont, Bennington County Js Be it known that on this 31st day of October 1853, personally appeared before the Hon the Probate Court for the probate District of Manchester in the County of Bennington & state aforesaid, Hannah Burk, a resident of the town of Dorset in said Probate district, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed February 3rd 1853. That she is the widow of Joseph Burk, who was a Private soldier in the army of the United States during the revolutionary war, as she understands and believes, in the Rhode Island Line, but in what particular company, regiment or corps he served, [crossed out text] for how long a term or period he served, she is not now fully able to state, but she has been informed & fully believes that this said husband for his said services, applied for, obtained, & enjoyed during his lifetime a pension from the government of the United States, of the sum or about the sum of six eight dollars per annum as she understands & believes under & by virtue of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832, & she begs leave to refer to his declaration & accompanying proof on file in the pension office of the U.S. for further full particulars thereof.
She further declares, that she was legally married to the said Joseph, at said Dorset by Isreal Sykes Esq late of said Dorset, but now deceased then one of the Justices of the peace in aforesaid county, on or about the 15th day of September in the year eighteen hundred & thrity two but the precise day from mental decay & the failure of her memory she is not now able fully to recollect, not ascertain, as she has no family record of it & knows of no other record either public or private to which she can resort therefore [illegible] or shows the same. that her name before her said marriage was Hannah Cummings being then a widow & that formerly & originally it was Hannah Wade.
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That he husband the said Joseph Burk died as she understands & believes in the State of Pennsylvania, where he had resided for several years previous to his said death. & as she also is informed and believes on or about the [blank] day of [blank] 1843, but she learns the same merely from report as she was not present at the time of his death. & that since his said death she has remained & still is a widow a& unmarried. 
[signatures "Witness S. Swift"] ["handwritten "X"] Hannah Burk her mark

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year first above mentioned before me, Leonard Sargeant Register

I Amos S Wade, a resident also of the said town of Dorset, aged 75 years, do testify depone & say that I am the brother of the abovenamed Hannah Burk. that I was not present at the time of her marriage with the said Joseph Burk but I understood & believe that it took place as stated & know that they afterwards lived together & were generally [illegible] as husband & wife as stated. & that since his death which it is said & I fully believe to have taken place in the state of Pennsylvania about the time above stated she has remained & still is a widow. And I further state that in her behalf I applied to the town clerk of Dorset as also to the family of Isreal Sykes Esq deceased for a record, minute, or other memorandum or proof of their said marriage & particularly I procured the records, files, & other papers of the said Sykes to be examined therefor but was unable to find any such & know of no family or other record thereof. I know that said Burk was a U.S. Pensioner [handwritten signature "Amos Wade"]
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above mentioned before me & I do further certify that it has been satisfactorily made to appear to me that the above affiant is a credible person. Leonard Sargeant Regist. Justice of the peace
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State of Vermont, Bennington County, Manchester Probate District js.
I Leonard Sargeant Register of the Probate Court within & for the Probate district of Manchester in the county & state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before said court, in the matter of the application of Hannah Burk for a pension. In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the said court, at Manchester this 31st day of October in the year of our Lord 1853, & of the independence of the United States the seventy eighth. Leonard Sargeant Regr.

[seal affixed to the left side]
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Joseph Burk
10 mo Army
6 " Navvy
19071

24
20
---
44

68
44
---
24
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STATE of VERMONT RUTLAND COUNTY ss.
On this 30th day of Oct A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland [illegible] now sitting Joseph Burk a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont aged 73 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
[remaining text is handwritten]
In 1778 he lived in Providence R Island & in the spring of [illegible] year [illegible superscript] he [illegible] for six months in Capt Whipple's company, [illegible] Ensign Wheaton, Col Hopping's regt of R Island State Troops & joined at Providence & served at the fort & guarding the shores until the latter part of Sept when he was [illegible] at Providence. he was in the battle at R Island under Gen Sullivan & retreated acorss Howland ferry. He was in the fort at Betts Hill during the action & retreated in night. In the year 1779, the first part of May he thinks, he entered on board the frigate Warren at Providence of 36 [illegible] Hopkins  commander, Lt Marcel & soon after sailed [illegible] to the south, in company with the [illegible] Providence & [illegible] 3 months off the coast of Virginia they fell in with an American Schooner Betsey which had been captured by the enemy & retook her & the deponent was first on board her under Joseph Randall [illegible] master & 3 other sailors & 2 prisoners & ordered to Providence [illegible] London, & about 24 hours after they were retaken by a British Privateer Schooner & carried into New York, where he was first in the British prison ship Good Hope & kept a prisoner there [illegible] where there were between 600 & 700 prisoners & where he suffered much with yellow fever, itch, lice, & all manner of filth. & in Nov following was carried with above 350 others to Boston & exchanged having been in service & in prison something over six months. Previous to the above service in the year 1777 whilst the enemy were in possession of Newport he performed there tours of duty of one month each twice under Capt Keane, Col. [illegible] Regt of Militia. he does not remember his captains name. The other month [illegible] the first tour he was drafted. the next time his master [illegible] Saunders was drafted & he took his place. & the next time her was drafted again himself. He cannot remember the dates but believes one of the times was in the spring, one in the summer & the other in the winter. he served these three month in the fort at Pawtuxet about 30 miles from Newport & 5 miles below Providence & worked at the forts. He lived at Providence during the whole war & was frequently called to an alarm during this time. The enemy were in possession of Newport & when they burnt Bristol & served from one to 3 days at a time and he thinks he served in this way at least one month making the whole two months service as a soldier & 6 months as sailor.
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he never received any written [illegible] & has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. Glover's brigade & Col Green Regt of blacks was in service at R Island when he was. He knew George Washington, Sullivan, Spencer, Putnam, Cols [illegible], Cornwallis & many other continental officers whose names he has forgotten. He was born at Smithfield R. Island the 24 August 1759 but knows of no record of his age except in his Bible. he lived in Providence & Smithfield after the war closed until at least 30 years age when he moved to Darby Vermont, where he has ever since lived. There is no clergyman in Darby but he is know to most of the inhabitants.
He hereby relinquishes claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signatures Joseph Burk RC Royce regst] we Daniel Kelley late of Darby now residing in Rutland and Philip Spaulding residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Burk who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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
RC Royce Regs. Daniel Kelley Philip Spaulding
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 Daniel Kelley who has signed the preceding certificate is a credible person resident of Rutland and that Philip Spaulding who has also signed the same, is a resident of Rutland, both late of Darby and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Rodney C Royce Regs. of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Burk for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of Nov A.D. 1832
RC Royce
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BOUNTY LAND CLAIM
Form of Declaration for Widow of an Officer or Soldier
State of Mass
County of Bristol ss.
On this 6 day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, Hannah Burk aged 84 years, a resident of new Bedford in the state of Mass who being duly sworn according to law declares, that she is the widow of Joseph Burk deceased, who was a soldier by sea & land in the company [crossed out "commanded by Captain"] In the revolution war.
Regiment of [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] That her said husband [blank] at [blank] on or about the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. for the tern of [blank] and continued in actual service in said war for the term of [blank] and was [blank] at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D., [blank] as will appear by [blank]
She further states that she was married to Joseph Burk in Dorsett on the month day of September A.D, 1823 by one Isreal Sykes Esq a Justice Peace and that her name before her said marriage was Hannah Cummings that her said husband died at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. and that she is still a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act passed February 28th, 1855 
her mark Hannah Burke [marked with an "X"]
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written Samuel Bonny
AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES
State of [blank]
County of [blank]
On this [blank] day of [blank] A.D. one thousand eight hundred and [blank] appeared before me, a [blank] within and for the State and county aforesaid [blank] and [blank] residents of the State of [blank] and county of [blank] who being duly sworn according to law declare that

[handwritten at the bottom of document: "Please here reference to the services of the late Joseph Burk through which she now draws her pension]
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[blank] is the widow of [blank] deceased, who was a [blank] in the company commanded by Captain [blank] in the regiment of [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank].
That the said [blank] was married to the said [blank] deceased, at [blank] in the State of [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D., by one [blank] a [blank], that the name of the said [blank] before her marriage aforesaid was [blank], that her husband, the said [blank] died at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. and that she is still a widow. That we know the within parties & knew them to live together as husband and wife as long as he lived & we know her to be the [illegible] his widdow now.
And they swear that they are disinterested witnesses, [Signed] Solomon Cummins Rebecah Cummins
Subscribed and sworn before me this [blank] day of [blank] A.D. And I hereby certify that [blank] and [blank] are credible witnesses.
* Witnesses will state here the reasons upon which their evidence is founded.

We Solomon Cummins and Rebecah Cummins residents of New Bedford in the State of Mass upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Hannah Burk in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Solomon Cummings
Rebecah Cummings 

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person her represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. Samuel Bonney Justice of the peace.
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[handwritten vertically on left top "226.949"]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's office, Boston Dec 10th, 1855

I hereby certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed Samuel Bonney was Justice of the Peace for the County of Bristol in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of court.
In testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written. E M Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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Joseph Burke
Rutland Co
Vermont

undefined service of 4 mo disallowed
[written in another hand underneath "undefined service 4 mo 6 mo pri 6 mo Seaman"]

[illegible]
6 mo seaman
6 mo pri 

40 
48
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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 regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Burke
[Following is in tabular form]
Columns: Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant’s service Years; Months; Days | Rank of the claimant | Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers | Battles in which the applicant was engaged | Country through which he marched | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period | Evidence by which the declaration is supported

[Table Data]
March 77 8 | 6 [in months col] | Private | Capt Whipple | Rhode Island | [blank] | 73 years Providence R. Island | Testimony
May 77 9 | 6 [in months col] | Sailor | Capt Hopkins | [across remaining columns] Frigate Warren of 36 guns  & prison something over six months 
[in first column: “whilst 777 the enemy were in possession of Newport he [illegible] 3 terms of duty of one month each two under Capt Keane Col Atweel “ he does not remember his Captain’s name the other month.” The [illegible] states that he was frequently called out on different alarms for one to three days “he [illegible] he lived in this way at least one month” “Making in the whole ten months as a soldier & 6 months as a Sailor”] | 4 [in months column] | [all remaining columns blank]

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 classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops, 2. The State Troops, Militia and Volunteers, 3. Persons employed in the Naval service, 4. Indian spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of County of } ss.
On this [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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 2831. 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: [blank]
[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 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. [inserted image of a pointing hand] 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.
[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 wo belonged to the New Hampshire militia and State Troops of Virginia, will made and subscribed 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the 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. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has 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 applicacation 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.
Where and what year were you born?
Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
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.
{To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it signed, 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?
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify 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 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, 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 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.

[the following are footnotes]
[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 this 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 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. Ina case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months and [blank days] I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such services 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 [italics] about three or four months, [/italics] 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 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 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 of the Court is always required.
[h] The clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal 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 deal 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.
[inserted image of a hand pointing] 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 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.

[[there are handwritten brackets next to notes [e], [j], and [m]]]
Page 18

Revy Widow, &c.
File No 3949
Hannah Burk Widow
Joseph Burk
Pri. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index: Vol A, Page 101
[arrangement of 1870]
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36.608
[illegible]
Page 20

New Beford March 13th 1855
S.P. Waldo Esq.
Dear Sir I am requested by Mrs Joseph Burk (widow) to apply to you for whatever may be due at the present time, as pension money, on account of her late husband's (Joseph Burk's) services in Revolutionary Army. The amount of which, you may, if you please, forward to my address and much oblige. Yours truly John H Kelley

S.P. Waldo Esq. Commissary Pensions,
Sir please pay to the order of John H Kelley the amount that may be due me at the present time on account of my late husband's (Jospeh Burk's) services in the Revolutionary Army & oblige Yrs Hannah Burk Her Mark [ marked with an "x"]
New Bedford March 13th 1855
Page 21

Mass
Hannah Burk
2nd [illegible]

[postal mark of New Bedford]
[handsignature "M Rae"]

Loren P Waldo
Pensions
Washington DC

[[ stamped "Free" in corner]
Page 22

No 3.720
With the third auditor please take the date of death of pensioner and at what time paid?
Nov 23, 1858 
Respectfully, LP waldo
Commissioner

Joseph Burk, Act 1832
$44.00 - per an - Paid to 4th March 1839, no date of death on our books.
Sam S Rind Actg. Auditor
Page 23

Jospeh Burk -- has applied for a transfer --
Whom reviewing the papers it would seem that his pension is not correctly computed $68 is allowed for 6 months seaman & 6 mo Private
respectfully refered to [illegible] branch by R.B. July 10 1835

Write to him that there is an error in his certificate & that he will be transferred when his certificate shall be returned & corrected. 

Sent let to S Hutchings July 11 35
Page 24

Joseph Burk
appling for transfer
Error in computation of pension as written
Under suspension
See W Engleby's letter within 
Respectfully referred to M Edwards R.B.

{Have a certificate for $24 as a seaman and $20 as a Private} $44 per annum, instead of $68. Let the deduction be first made before any further payment of the pension. M Burdine write the necessary letter & make the transfer
Page 25

226.949 
[postal stamps of "New Bedford, Mass Dec 11" "FREE"] 
hon L [illegible]
Washington D.C. 
Comm Pensions
Page 26

[left hand side]
8536
Vermont
Joseph Burk
of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a pri & seaman  in the Company commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regt commanded by Col Sullivan in the RI ma for 6 mo seaman 6 mo private
[handwritten "shd be $44 only"]
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 68 Daollars and 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Apl 1833 and sent to R Temple Rutland
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $136.00 Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept " 34.00
$170.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 52
[handwritten "[illegible] $24 per an too much [illegible]"]

[Right hand side]
Cer. recalled - error in - see let
S Hutchings, July 11 1835
See cir. From July 11 1835
Page 27

[left hand side]

Letter to S. Swift
Manchester, V.T.
Dec 9, 1853
Sept 28/54 to CG Shepard 
Sent to H Kelley Mch 7"/55
" " " " " 19/55
" " Saml Bonney June 14 "
" " [illegible] Page " " "
55 June 23 Transf for Burlington
to Massachusetts for 4 March 1854
[illegible] to S. Bonney
1855 July 3 to P Agt & S Bonney

[right hand side]
3055
[crossed out text: "Vermont"} Massachusetts
Hannah Burk
widow of Jospeh Burk who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private. Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on 3d February, 1853. Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of nov 1853 and sent to S Swift Manchester, VT

Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853 Page 34, Vol A
Page 28

New Bedford June 11 / 55
Hon Loren P Waldo Comm Pensions
Sir Enclosed Pleas find an application for a transfer for Hannah Burk from the State of Vermont to the City of New Bedford State of Massachusetts and send a certificate which will enable her to draw her new pension from Boston as her first certificate is missing.
Respectfully Your Friend Samuel Bonney
Hannah Burk is the widow of Joseph Burk
Page 29

Joseph Burke
Cert to penn
There is a mistake in the computation of the pension orgl papers referred to [illegible] July [illegible] 35
Page 30

Application for a transfer
County of Warren Ss. on this 24 Day of April 1835 before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace for Said county of Warren and State of Pennsylvania personally appeared Joseph Burk who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Capt Whipple in the regiment commanded by Col Haffing in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension rolls of the state of Vermont from where he has lately removed that he now resides in the State of Pennsylnvania where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future and that his reason for removing to the State of Penn are being old and infirm to obtain the air and assistance of J Bishop who had previously removed to the said state of Penn. Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid. Elijah Smith
Joseph Burk
Page 31

State of Penn Warren County ss. be it known that before me Elijah Smith a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Joseph B Bishop who on his oath declares that he is well acquainted with Joseph Burk and knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. Joseph B Bishop Sworn and subscribed to before me the 24 day of April 1835 before me Elijah Smith

State of Penn Warren County ss I certify that the deponent to the above affidavit is well known to me and is a man of veracity date as above Elijah Smith
Page 32

Pennsylvania Warren County ss I Walter W Hodges, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county So hereby certify that Elijah Smith Esq who apears to have taken & certified to the foregoing depositions was at the date thereof and is now an acting justice of the peace in & for said county duly come [illegible] & sworn & that all due faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts. I also certify that the subscription to this [illegible] of the said despositions is in the proper hand [illegible] of said Justice. In testimony whereof I haveunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said court at Warren the 20th day of June A.D. 1835 Walter W Hodges Prothy. CC PWC [illegible]
Prothys fees 25 cents
Page 33

Nov 21, 1853
Appl of Hannah Burk, Widow of Joseph Bennington Co VT PA Act of [illegible] 2 sections Allowed $24 per an Rev from Feb 3 1853 S Swift Manchester Vermont

[written horizontally "Hon Loren P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC"]
Page 34

Manchester Nov. 18th, 1853
Hon LP Waldo 
Hon Sir, I herewith transmit to you the  decl & accompanying vouchers of Hannah Burk for a pension. It will be that the dates of the time of her marriage, & of his death, are not precisely given nor proven; & the reasons therefor are assigned in her declaration to wit as to her marriage. her great age & the decay of her memory & the want of any family or other record, therof & as to his death... that she was not present at the time, nor has been to the place, where it occurred since that went. But in neither case, is it deemed as material, or requisite. As, in the first case, by our present law (differing from the former law granting Pensions to women) the time of the marriage, is immaterial & unimportant. In the second case, the time of his death, is also so as the pensions does not commence, or take effect, from that time, or, if it did, it is ascertainable from the files, in that Department. & I trust that the papers are otherwise regular. Very respectfully, I am Hon Sir, Your most obed ser S. Swift

P.S. I ought to apologize for the trouble I caused in the case of Mrs Provance. & I acknowledge that I had not examined the laws, as thoroughly, as I ought to have done, before addressing you but I was not aware at the time that Parkhurst belonged to the regular army. 
I am also requested, to trouble you, with another enquiry (i'r) whether the representatives of a widow married to an Offc (or soldier) before the revly war, who died  [inserted "subsequent to the [illegible]"] previous to the 4th July, 1836 are entitled to any for Pension, he her behalf, by virtue of the provisions of the law, of that date, from the 4th of March 1831 to the day of her death. As many are of the opinion, that the law will warrant that construction, collated with another act of Cong. passed on the same 4th of July 1836, giving construction, to the act of June 7th 1832, granting pensions to soldiers &c. respectfully, &c
NB The taking of these papers has been delayed, for the purpose of receiving a return from Penn to an application, sent for the time of death, which for some reasons, unknown, has failed. It has since been delayed, a few days [inserted "rather weeks"] be reason of the absence of the C Clk, who was [illegible]
Page 35

New Bedford June 29th 1835
Hon Loren P Waldo
Sir Enclosed pleas find the application for a new pension certificate Mrs Hannah Burk Widdow of Joseph Burk & report to my adress & oblige. She wishes me allso to to apply for a Bounty Land [illegible] for her on account of her husbands services in the Revolutionary War & says she is unable to set forth the services rendered. If necessary will you pleas instruct me that I may wait upon her in the matter & very much oblige you from Samuel Bonney
Page 36

226.949
Page 37

New Bedford Dec 10 1853
Hon J Minott Sir enclosed pleas find the applications for Bounty Land under the Act of 1835 & report the same to my address & very much oblige Your friend Samuel Bonney
Page 38

I Betsey W Farwell a resident of the Town of [illegible] in the County of Bennington State of Vermont, age of forty two years do testify depose & say that I was present of aforesaid Hannah Commings formerly Wade a resident then & since of the said town of Dorset, joined in marriage by Isreal Sykes Esquire then a Justice of the peace in aforesaid County of Bennington [inserted "since deceased"] at said Dorset to Joseph Burk. He also a resident of Danby in the County of Rutland in the same [inserted "state"] but who afterwards removed, as I understand & believe, into some place in the state of Pennsylvania, where I have been informed that he has since died. & that he was a pension of the United States & according to my best recollection & belief the said marriage took place about thirty years ago, & when I was about 12 years of age. & the said Joseph & Hannah afterwards lived together as generally expected as husband & wife & the said Hannah since his death has remained single & unmarried at said Dorset & danby. Betsey W Farwell
Sworn & subscribed this 14th day of October 1853 before me. I.N. Sykes Justice of the Peace
We Daniel Burr, age seventy eight years, & Favia Burr aged seventy nine years, both also residents of said town of Dorset, do each testify, depose & say that we likewise were present at the marriage of the said Joseph Burk to the said Hannah Cummings, as stated in the foregoing affidavit of the said Betsey W Farwell & we are knowing & coincide in all the statements as to the time & otherwise made by her, in her said affidavit. Daniel Burr Favia Burr Her Mark [marked with an "x"]
Witness S Swift Sworn & subscribed this 14th day of October 1853 before me I.N. Sykes Justice of the peace
Page 39

And I do further certify, that all the foregoing affiants are neighbors, & to me well known, & all are respectable & credible persons. Attest I.N. Sykes Justice of the peace
State of Vermotn Bennington County ss. I Harvey K Fowler Deputy Clerk of the County & Supreme Courts within & for the County of Bennington in the state of Vermont do hereby certify that the above named Isreal N. Sykes is a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Bennington aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified & that his bears date & effect from the 1st day of December 1852 to the 30th day of November 1853, inclusive & that this signature above is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my official signature & the seal of said county Court at Manchester, this 18th day of November 1853. H.K. Fowler Dept Clerk [seal affixed to left side]
Page 40

City of New Bedford
County of Bristol State of Massachusetts
On this 26th day of April 1853 Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the Said county of Bristol personally appeared Hannah Burk who on her oath declares that she is the widdow of Joseph Burk who was pensioned for his services in the United States services and that she the said Hannah Burk was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont whence she has lately removed that she now resides in the of New Bedford & State of Massachusetts where she intends to remain and wishes her pension their to be paid. In the city of Boston State of Mass the following are the reasons for her removing from the State of Vermont to Mass was her wish to live with her son. Hannah Burk Her Mark [signed "x"]
County of Briston State of Mass
then personally appeared before me Samuel Bonney a Justice of the Peace for Bristol County Solomon Cummings and made Solomn oath that the said Hannah Burk who subscribed & made oath to the above declaration is the person she represents herself to be. Solomon Cummings
Page 41

the foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be. Samuel Bonney Justice of peace
Page 42

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretarys Office Boston, June 9, 1853
I hereby certify that as the date of the attestation hereunto affixed Samuel Bonney was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Bristol in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constitued; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. E.M.Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 43

Burlington June 19, 1855
Sir, In reply to your favor of the 14th, [illegible] I would inform you that Hannah Burk, widow of Joseph, a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of Febry 3, 1833, at twenty dollars per annum, was last paid to March 4, 1854. 
I am respectfully Your Ob Servt C F [illegible] Pension Agent
Page 44

New Bedford Feb 27, 1854
L.P. Waldo Esq
Dear Sir Mrs Hannah Burk has called on me to communicate with you in relation to the pension which the US government allows her for her late husband's services in the Revolutionary Army.
It appears that in his lifetime by documents shewn me that he drew 34 dollars at one time, for 6 months or 68 dollars per ann. Since then his widow was rec'd 20 dollars only for 6 mo's. She would be glad to know why the difference if this is amount she will rececive hereafter and she wishes to say that she now lives in this city, formerly drew her pension in Vermont I believe and if she mush change her form of application. Will you have the kindness to reply & much oblige the widow & your obt Servt John H Kelley
N.B. I have no interest in this matter beyond a desire to aid this truly needy old lady. JHK
Page 45

I Herman Morse a resident of the town of Dorset in the County of Bennington State of Vermont do testify, depose, & say that I hold this office of Town Clerk & keep the Town records, of said town of Dorset, & have for nearly twenty years past. & that I have thoroughly examined the said records, & can find no record, entry, nor memorandum of the marriage of Joseph Burk to Hannah Cummings. & I further say that from said examination it appears, that about the year, eighteen hundred thirty there were very few marriage recorded [crossed out text: "& that there was no law at that time in this state, requiring the same"]
Herman Morse Town Clerk
Sworn to & subscribed this 25th day of October 1853 before me, JW Harris Justice of the peace
Page 46

Brief in the case of Hannah Burk, widow of, Joseph Bennington County and State of Vermont act 3rd Feb 1853

Claim, ("original," [crossed out text "or for increase"])
Proof exhibited, (if original,)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance
[handwritten: "Marriage and identity by then accredited oral witnesses there being no record of marriage"]

(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what?
[handwritten: "Allows for $20 from 3 Feb 1853 (Reduced from $44 - $24 having been allowed her husband as serving as seaman)

Name and resident of Agent S Swift. Manchester VT
[illegible] Adams Examining Clerk.
Page 47

[written across address: "Burk We Joseph Burk [illegible] 1853"]

[postal stamps "Manchester Dec" "FREE"]

Hon. Loren P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

Recds Dec 7th 1833
Page 48

Manchester Dec 5th 1853
Hon L.P. Waldo Hon Sir, I recd, two days since, the pension certificate for $20 for the widow Burk, together with your accompanying communication in which you state that upon examination, it appears, that Joseph Burk, her late husband, recd a pension for only $44 that $24 of it was for naval services, leaving but $20 for his military service which sum was allowed to her, as a pension. I apprehend that in some way, there has happened a mistake, in this case, & that probably incurrence to the rolls some other person on the pension list of the same names has been mistake for him as his friends here think that he never served in the Navy, & that his whole service in the Revy War was in the military in R. Island line, in which state he then lived, & that his pension was $68 per ann as stated in her decration (at least) or about that sum. Genrl W Daniel who recd sevl of his semiannual payments says that he believes they were $32 each, or $64 per ann. The family connexions think they were more. upon reviewing to the pension rolls of the state of vermont for the Co of Rutland it will be seen that he or one of his name, is rated at this sum of $68 per ann. At the time he obtained his pension & for some time thereafter he resided in Danby in the County of Rutland, in this State. previous to & probably at the time of his death he resided (as I understand) in Columbus in the Co of Warren & State of Penn. I shall retain in my hands her certificate, [illegible] until it can be asurtained whether there be the mistake, apprehended, or not. Very respectfully I am Hon Sir with due consideration Yours S Swift

P.S. As to the enquiry, propounded in my last I must acknowledge that I was fully aware, at the time, that a general rule had been established in (turnover)
Page 49

your department or office not to answer any inquiries, relating to pensions except in reply to some cases presented &c.
The enquiry was made, at the request of the wife, of our clergyman. I told her that I believed that a construction had been given to the Act of July 4, 1836 allowing that pension, not to allow it, except to Widows (or women) [underlined] alive [/underline], at the time of the passing of that act; but upon referring to the act, in question I perceived that the grant made thereby to the widows of soldiers was for the same annuity, or pension, which might have been allowed to the husband. As Congress had just previous, at the sessions, passed an act giving a construction to the act of June 7, 1832 extending the benefits of its provisions in all cases where the soldiers were alive on the 4th of March 1831, considering (as it appears) the claim to arise, & take effect from that time & their widows being afterwards placed & fully expressly in their shoes, & situation I felt very doubtful, as to the correctness of the construction, first above referred to. As the regular presentation of the case which was the object of the enquiry would be attended with so great expense (hardly warranted in a  doubtful case) I did not know, but you would condescend, so far, as to forego, a rather rigid rule, as applied in all cases & gratify her wishes, by briefly answering the enquiry, with the simple affirmative or negative. (in haste) respectfully &c.
Page 50

Brief in the case of Hannah Burk wid. of Joseph County and State of Massachusetts 2d section act 3rd February 1853 & 28 February 855

Claim ("original" or "for increase")
Proff exhibited (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Mrs Burk was admitted to a pension rate of 20 per annum in November 1853: her husband served 6 months as seaman. At that time the widow was not entitled an account of such service, it was therefore discarded in calculating her pension. She is now entitled under the  amend [illegible] act of 28 February 1853 and a certificate is correct at the properly augmented rate of $44:  per annum, Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?the 6 months service of her husband as a seaman being admitted & allowed for.
Name and residence of agent Samuel Bonney New Bedford Mass RMcRae Examining Clerk
Page 51

New Bedford July 11 1855
Hon Loren P Waldo Sir In your letter of the 14 of June you informed me that Mrs Hannah Burk was entitled to $24 more per year than she had drawn on account of the Act of Congress in 1853 which would be payable by your orders to Mr Barnes In Boston. I went to Boston this day 11 of July & he declined paying on account of no order from you to pay the additional sum. Will you be kind as to instruct him to pay & how much & also inform me & I will send for it. [illegible]  As according to your rules please direct Mr Barnes to send $ to my address at New Bedford as it is expensive to go there. respectfully Your Friend Samuel Bonney
Page 52

Hannah Burk
widow of Joseph
2d section Act 3rd February 53
Act 28 Feb 1853
Admt at $44 per annum comms 3 Feb 1853, former payments of 20 per annum to be deducted. Boston Samuel Bonney New Bedford Mass
Page 53

Pen Aff 17 July '55
The original cetificate to Hannah Burk is withheld. Pension agt was directed to pay the amount due on 3d July last upon her affidavit that it was withheld. For this reason that certificate is now surrendered prior to the issuing of the one at $44 per annum. R McRae
Page 54

Joseph Burk
Payments to be Made
at Burlington by [illegible] S Bri Bank
Agent for paying pension. ors in the Agency of Vermont. Capt Whipple, Col Hoffing, May 3, 1833 of Danby 30 yrs pervioud of Gloucester R.I.
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol 3 Page 52 by W.L. Williams Clerk
Page 55

War Department. Revolutionary Claim. I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832. joseph Burk of the State of Vermont who was a private & seaman in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive Sixty eight dollars and 00 cents per annum during his natural life, commencing of the 4th of March, 1834 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States this 17 day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. Lew Cass Secretary of War. JL Examined and Countersigned Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. 

[written across the paper "cancelled"]
Page 56

Waterford PA July 29 July 23[illegible]

War Department
Pension office Case Geo, [illegible] Crump Esq Washington City D.C.
Page 57

Waterford 22 July [illegible]
Geo Wm Crump Esq
Sir Yours of 11th in reply to mine of 30th [illegible] enclosing Joseph Burk's application for transfer has been recd and I herewith in accordance with your request together with the assent of Mr Burk return his certificate to the War Department when the error is corrected please enclose it to my case. Very respectfully, Your Obt Saml Hutchins
Page 58

[postal stamps: "FREE" "New Bedford Sep 25 Mass"]
To Chief of the Pension Office Washington DC
Page 59

1854 New Bedford 9 mo [illegible]
Chief of Pension Office Dear sir, Please inform me at your earlyest convenience the amount of money that has been paid to the widdow of Mr Joseph Burk Hannah Burk of the Town of Danby Vermont, as she is very anxious to know for herself. She thinks that she has not received all that is owed her & all the amount that has been drawn on her account since her husband deceased. All the above information will be thankfully received by the widdow. Verry Respectfully Yours C G Shepard PS She has not received only ten dollars & that same last march she wishes no more paid only to her order & she wishes to know if there is any one authorized except herself to draw the next amt coming to me & what cource she
Page 60

must take to draw the next amt due her. Please give her all this information that she cansee business her self as she will reside in this city with her children. C G Shepard.
Page 61

Joseph Burk
Mar 23
[illegible] J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington City DC
Page 62

Waterford Erie Co Penn 15 March 1837
J S Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, Joseph Burk's pension certificate is dated 29 day July one thousand eight hundred and thirty. I supposed it should have been thirty five as the Communication accompanying the certificate advising Mr Burk of his transfer from the Vermont Roll to that of Penn is dated 29 July 1835. The present certificate was issued instead of a former one which was cancelled I have supposed that if the agent of the Government of Philadelphia should observe in the certified copy sent by the Pensioner that the date was 1830. He would suppose that the mistake would be in the copy and thereofre is the reason for addressing you this time. Mr Burk through the error that existed in his former certificate had overdrawn $84 and therefore has waited until a significant time had elapsed to draw enough pay what he had overdrawn. Very respectfully Saml Hutchins
Page 63

[postal stamps: "New Bedford"]

Burk, Joseph

War Department
Washington DC Care of JL Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Page 64

Waterford 7 June 1838
JL Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir I herewith enclose Joseph Burks Certificate of Pension the Payt of which hereafter, I learn from the Pension agent Phila has been suspended until the certificate should be returned to the War Department, for the purpose of correcting the date. I discovered the error in this certificate immediately upon its issue from the Department and wrote the the Department upon the subject at the time, and was advised to return the certificate, for correcting and should have done so, but before I recd the instructions from the Department , Mr Burk had taken away his certificate to the adjoining county of Warren, and it was neglected, he subsequently sent to me his voucher to collect his pension it was to Phila and paid, and it being paid led me to suppose that the error was understood and that it would not be necessary to return it to the Department over
Page 65

the pension agent requested me to write him immediately upon receiving the return of the certificate from the department with the correction. Very respectfully Samuel Hutchins
Page 66

[postal stamp "WATERFORD PA JUY "]
7 July 1835 Burdine
Free
Pension ["illegible"]
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, DC
Page 67

Erie County Penn Waterford 30 June 1833 JL Edwards Esq Commissioner of pensions Sir I herewith enclose Joseph Burks application for this name to be transferred from the state of Vermont to the State of Penna if the transfer is made agreeable to his wishes please to address the communication to my ["illegible"] Very respectfully Saml Hutchins