Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,909, for Aaron Kendall, Virginia

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Va.

Kendall, Aaron

NUMBER
S.15909

CONTENTS

carded

Page 2

Virginia  23.576
Aaron Kendall [page missing here] Stafford in the Stae of Va who was a pri: in the [illegible] commanded by Captain Harding of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Va. line for [illegible] minths _ 4 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20- Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of MArch, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feby 34 and sent over to [illegible] Chinn [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 51.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 10.22
$61.32

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N. Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. [illegible] Page 21


Letter to Hon. I. Taleaferra & P. Hagner 1. June 1838

Paid at the Treasury under the act of 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept 1837 Agt notified 5 June 1838

Paid as above, from 4th Sep. 1841 to 4 March 1843. Agt notified 17. Oct 1844.

Paid as above from 4 March to 4 Sep 1843. Agt notified 24 April 1845

Page 3

Aaron Kendall
Declaration for a Pension
27.137.

Page 4

State of Virginia Stafford County S.S.

On this 14th day of October 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Stafford now sitting Aaron Kendall a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth [illegible] make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. that he entered the service of the United States in the Virginia Militia in the month [illegible] 1781, in the Company commanded by Captain William Harding - the Regiment to which the said company belonged was commanded by Colonel James Gault Lieu't Col. William Phillips & Major Wigg; That he was [illegible] in [illegible] county [illegible] in guarding that part of the county until in the month of October 1781 when the British prisoners who were taken at Yorktown were brought to the said County on their [illegible] Barracks beyond Winchester; that when the British prisoners were in the [illegible] he became the substitute of his brother Moses Kendall who was one of the guards employed in guarding the said prisoners [illegible] destination and he accordingly went as such substitute with the said prisoners to the Barracks beyond Winchester, from which hence he returned to the county of Stafford after an absence of about twenty five days_ The company of guards in which he was employed

Page 5

as the substitute of his brother was commanded by Captain William Ballard; Col. Edwards & Major Welch was officers of the Regiment [illegible] guards but the latter was [illegible] When the Declarant returned home from Winchester as aforesaid he and the Militia Company to which he belonged were summoned to guard to Winchester about three hundred & seventy Brithsh prisoners who had been left behind in consequence of wounds sickness & other causes & who had [illegible] about the time of the Declarants return [illegible] from that [illegible] to [illegible] the Barracks [illegible] Two companies of guards continued together one hundred and eight men & commanded by Col Phillips attended the [illegible] named missions_ the one in [illegible] the declarant was a soldier [illegible] commanded by Captain Jas Smith and the other by Captain James Primm, Rawleigh Brown was Quarter Master Charles Stewart & John Clarke were Lieutenants the latter was taken sick at Fauquier County [illegible] and returned home.  Rawleigh Palmer Anthony [illegible] John Hardin & George Williams were seargants_ The Declarant continued to serve in the Militia of the State of Virginia until the close of the Revolutionary War a period of more than two years from the commencement of his service before stated_ At the time the Declarant entered the service of his Country as aforesiad he resided in the County of Stafford and State of Virginia When he was home & continued to reside until the year 1805 during which year he removed to the State of Ohio; He resided in the

Page 6

[illegible] mentioned state until 1827 when he returned to this County & State where he has since been [illegible]. The Declarant remembers the names of many soldiers & officers who served with him, but they are all or nearly all out of the Commonwealth or dead.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year said in the foregoing proceeding mentioned.
Aaron Kendall [signature]

I John Sternis a citizen of the County of Stafford & state of Virginia do hereby certify that I was one of the guards mentioned in the foregoing Declaration who guarded the prisoners who were taken at Yorktown in 1781 to Winchester and from the circumstance detailed by the Declarant in regard to that service I am convinced that he was one of the said guards and served as he states although I do not remember that he was one_ I believe the said Declarant to be sixty nine years of age & to be a man of veracity_
John Sternis [signature]

I William Starke a citizen of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that I lived & now live in the neighbourhood in which the Declarant Aaron Kendall lived before he removed from Virginia and I have been informed & verily believe that he was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states, that he is sixty nine years of age & a man of veracity_
William Starke [signature]

The above certificates were subscribed & sworn to in open court and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states_ and the said Court do further certify that John Sternis and William Starke whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificates are residents of the County of Stafford & are credible persons & that their certificates are entitled to Credit.
Tho. Towson [signature]
W. P. Conway [signature]
W. H. Hooe [signature]
Wm Hewitt [signature]

Page 7

I John M. Conway Clerk of the County Court of Stafford in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Kendall for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of 15th OCtober 1833.

H. H. Conway [signature]

Page 8

April 23, 1940

Mrs. Laura P. Kendall
712 N.W. 19th
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma

BA-J/AWF
Aaron Kendall
S. 15909

Dear Madam

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Aaron Kendall, of Stafford County, Virginia.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S.15909, based upon service of Aaron Kendall, in the War of the Revolution.

Aaron Kendall was born in Stafford County, Virginia, no dates given, nor were the names of his parents stated.

While residing in Stafford County, Virginia, Aaron Kendall enlisted July 11, 1781, served as a private in captain William Harding's company, Colonel James Garret's Virginia regiment, and was on guard duty "in about" Falmouth, Virginia, until in October, 1781, when he went as a substitute for his brother, Moses Kendall, in Captain William Ballard's company, Colonel Edmunds' Virginia regiment, to guard prisoners to Winchester Barracks, and served about twenty-five days, then returned to Stafford County, and went, again, as a guard to prisoners to Winchester Barracks in Captain Joseph Smith's company, Colonel Phillips' Virginia regiment, and served until December 15, 1781.

Aaron Kendall moved in 1805 to Ohio, where he

Page 9

remained until in 1827, then returned to Stafford County, Virginia.

Aaron Kendall was allowed pension on his application executed October 14, 1833, at which time he was aged sixty-nine years, and a resident of Stafford County, Virginia.

The papers on file in this claim contain no discernable family data, other than the reference to Moses Kendall, brother of the soldier, Aaron Kendall.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:

Aaron Kendall
Certificate #23576
Issued February 25, 1834
Rate $20.44 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very Truly Yours
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 10

RECEIVED SEP 26 1938
MAIL SUBDIV.
[illegible] 14 [ink stamp]

OKLAHOMA CITY OKLA.
SEP 24
11 AM
1938 [ink stamp]

[canceled one cent stamp]

RECEIVED SEP 27 1938
[illegible] [ink stamp]

Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.

Page 11

Sept 24 - 1938-

Will you please read this pension of John Self who was living in Cumberland ^Co Ky. when he received a pension and see if he names a daughter Tabitha [Tabitha underlined] I do not want a copy only the above information_ Shall be so grateful for an early reply_ John Self was from Va probably Caroline Co_

Address
Mrs. Laura Pierce Kendall
712 NW 19th
Oklahoma City

Does Aaron Kendall - Stafford Co Va - name a son HOSEA - HOZEA -

Page 12

RECEIVED 
APR 4 1940
MAIL SUB DIV.
Reader No [illegible]
[ink stamp]

RECEIVED
APR 5 1940
Search Sect.
Index
Sub-Div. [ink stamp]

[one cent stamp affixed]

REPLY CARD
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDERSS

Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.

Page 13

March 30 - 1940


Please send Pension record of Aaron Kendall died in Stafford Co, Va - Pension Record S 15909

Address 
Laura Pierce Kendall
712 NW 19th
Oklahoma City - Oklahoma -

Page 14

OKLAHOMA CITY OKLA.
APR 26
1 PM
1940 [ink stamp]

[canceled one-cent stamp affixed]

RECEIVED MAY 1 1940
Search Sect.
Index
Sub-Div.
[ink stamp]

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Pension Bureau,
Washington D. C.

Page 15

April 26. 1940

Willyou lease send me pension record of AAron(sic) Kendall Stafford Co. Va S. 15909

Shall appreciate the earliest possible reply.

Address
Mrs Laura Pierce Kendall
712 N W 19th
Oklahoma City -

Answered Apr 23 1940
which letter evidently did not [illegible] Apr 26

Page 16

November 4, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Aaron Kendall, S.15909
John Self, S.31358

Mrs. Laura Pierce Kendall
712 N.W. 19th
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request that examinations be made of the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claims. Aaron Kendall who was pensioned from Satfford County, Virginia, and John Self who was pensioned from Cumberland County, Kentucky, in order to ascertain whether or not the name of a son, Hosea or Hozea, appears in the claim of Aaron Kendall and the name of a daughter, Tabitha, appears in the claim of John Self.

An examination of the papers on file in pension claim, S.15909, based on Revolutionary War service of Aaron Kendall who was pensioned from Stafford County, Virginia, has been made and no reference was made to a son, Hosea or Hozea.

An examination of the papers on file in pension claim, S.31358, based on Revolutionary War service of John Self who was pensioned from Cumberland County, Kentucky, has been made and no data whatever, relative to the family of this soldier, are shown.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 17

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/sel

February 2, 1929

Honorable James French Strother
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Strother:

In response to your letter of January 30, 1929, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15909, it appears that Aaron Kendall was born in Stafford County, Virginia, date not stated.

While residing in said county, he enlisted, July 11, 1781, and served as a private in Captain William Harding's Company, Colonel James Garret's Virginia Regiment until October, 1781, when he went as a substitute for his brother, Moses, in Captain William Ballard's Company, Colonel Edmunds' Virginia Regiment, to guard prisoners to Winchester Barracks, and served twenty-five days, when he returned to Stafford County, Virginia, and went again as a guard to prisoners to Winchester Barracks in Captain Joseph Smith's Company, Colonel Phillips' Virginia Regiment and served until December 15, 1781.

The rest of this letter in William Lucas R6507

Page 18

in 1805, he moved to Ohio and stayed there until 1827, when he returned to Stafford County, Virginia, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed October 14, 1833, aged sixty-nine years.

It is not stated that soldier was ever married.

Page 19

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

Dates of enlistment of appointment.
[writing too faint to read]

Length of service.
[writing too faint to read]

Rank.
[writing too faint to read]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain.
[writing too faint to read]
Colonel.
[writing too faint to read]
State.
[writing too faint to read]

Battles engaged in, 
[writing too faint to read]

Residence of soldier at enlistment,
[writing too faint to read]

Date of application for pension, 
[writing too faint to read]

Age at date of application, 
[writing too faint to read]

Remarks: 
[writing too faint to read]

Page 20

15909

INVALID.

File No. 15.909
Aaron Kendall
[illegible] Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 204

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 21

Jan. 24, '08 Hist to John W. [illegible] 

1929 Feb 2 - Hist to Hon. James F. Strother See letter in William Lucas R. 6507

1938 Nov. 4 Mrs Laura P. Kendall inf that the name of son does not appear
M C J

10 Apr. 23 - hist to Mrs Laura P. Kendall

Page 22

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 2 1838

Sir

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, Aaron Kendall a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at the rate of twenty Dollars and forty four Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th September 1837_

Respectfully, yours;

Albion K. Parris [signature]
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 23

GIDEON, PRINTER

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 14th, 1843.

Sir: 

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Aaron Kendall, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and 44 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1841, to the 4th March 1842.

Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris [signature]
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 24

Aaron Kendall
27.151._

[faint, illegible writing]

H

19 OCt 1833.

[John M Conway Esq stricken through]
[Stafford CH stricken through]

Hon. J. W. Chinn
H R

Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.

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 exists, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }) You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of [blank]


Period when the service was rendered.
[answer too faint to read]

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. [answer too faint to read]
Months. [answer too faint to read]
Days. [answer too faint to read]

Rank of the claimant.
[blank]

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

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

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
[blank]

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

Page 26

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 terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the county where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order of to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or Disctrict of County of} ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [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 of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied 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 and 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. A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, of Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the general 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

Page 27

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 inquiry 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 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 his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For _ year_ months, and _ days, I served as a _. For _ months and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pensioner 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 immediate, 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrisons; 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, 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 [illegible] 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 proper officers, under his seal of office.
The notes from (e) and (i) are [illegible] equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule [illegible] 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 28

Apl 2d 1845

Mr Evans

Page 29

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
April 1st, 1845.

Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Aaron Kendall a Pensioner in the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and 44 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1843, to the 4th Sept. 1843.

Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris [signature]

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 30

Aaron Kendall
Amended Declaration
for Pension


Hon. J. W. Chinn
H R

Page 31

State of Virginia Stafford County } S. S.

On this 10th day of February 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Stafford now sitting Aaron Kendall a resident of the County & State aforesaid aged Sixty nine years who being first duly sworn [illegible] on his oath make the following Declaration [illegible] made by him in this Court on the 16th day of October last in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832_ That he was called into service in the company of Militia commanded by Captain William Harding as mentioned in his said original Declaration, on the 11th day of June 1781 and continued in active services until the 15th day of December following - Until the Capture of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown the Declarant and the company and Regiment to which he was attached was stationed at "the [illegible] old field" near Falmouth_ it was considered necessary that these forces should maintain that position to protect the surrounding country from the ravages of an invading enemy who was then in our borders and whose approach to that point was daily expected_ After the capture of Cornwallis this affiant became the substitute of his brother in the Company of guard who were employed in guarding the British prisoners to the Barracks beyond Winchester & immediately on his return he & the Company of militia to which he belonged guarded other British prisoners from [illegible] Winchester as stated in his original declaration_ he got home from Winchester on the 15th of December having been employed in guarding the prisoners in the two trips

Page 32

more than forty days. after his return he continued to serve in the militia until the close of the war a period of more than two years from the commencement of his service as aforesaid_ The declarant after the 15th of December 1781 was not engaged in any distant tours or in very active service_ He was made ^permanently lame by the fatigue of his previous service; and the exposed situation of the frontier country in which he resided required the services of all its inhabitants to protect it from an attack of the enemy both Vz land & water_ He was always in readiness to fight for his country whenever occasion might require it_

Aaron Kendall [signature]

Subscribed & sworn [illegible] open Court

[illegible] said Court do hereby [illegible] after the investigation [illegible] 

W. H. Hooe [signature]
W. W. Peyton [signature]
Tho's Towson [signature]
W. P. Conway [signature]

[illegible]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this tenth day of [illegible] 1834

W. H. Conway [signature]