Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18328, Abraham Blackwell, S.C.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Blackwell, Abraham
NUMBER
S. 18328
Carded
CONTENTS

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Let
Hon J. McQueen
Apr 2 2/st
Date of death not on AB.

Pension increased on the 17th Feby 34
Let. Pension's Agt.

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23.422
[South] Carolina
Abraham Blackwell of [Chesterfield] in the State of So. Car who [was a] pri. in the - commanded by Captain - of the Regt commanded by Col Benton in the So. Car. line for 2 years.
---
[Inscribed] on the Roll of So. Carolina at [the] rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 34 and sent Hon James Blair H.R.
---
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 200
Semianl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 40
[total] $240
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 64 Page 63

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The State of South Carolina
Chesterfield District
On this the Ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty three, personally appeared before me James Jowers one of the justices of Peace in and for the District and state aforesaid Abraham Blackwell, who being by me 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 on the 7th June 1832. That he is about the age of Eighty years. That he entered the military service in the State of South Carolina was drafted and placed under the command of Col. Benton deponant then being about Eighteen years old, that after marching under that command against the Tories on drowning Creek he was marched under the command of Captain Hardiman to Cheraw So. Ca. and from thence to George Town So. Ca. under the command of Capt. Elisha McGee, from thence he was marched to Haddrills Point under the command of Capt. Dubose, from thence he went to Fort Johnson under the command of Capt. Hardiman above named who here joined the forces. From Ft. Johnson he marched to Buryburgh and at a bridge between Charleston & Purysburgh he was in an engagement with the enemy, the name of the bridge he does not now recollect, From Purysburgh he returned to Charleston and again was placed under the command of Col. Benton, from thence he was marched to Santee and transferred under the command of Col. Hicks. That he was sent from thence with a detachment as an escort with the family and property of Genl. Sumter and was engaged in a skirmish with the Tories. At this latter period the British was in possession of Camden. This deponant further states that he is unable from recollection to state the dates of his particular services but is positive that he was in the actual service of the Country more than two years. The Deponant further swears that he is, and has been for many years unable from bodily infirmity to get out of his house or to attend and make this his declaration in open Court. This deponant states that he is unable to say whether any of his fellow soldiers are now alive and who can testify as to his services but if Graves of Anson County or Capt. Jones of Lancaster District are now alive they can testify as to the services. The Deponent states that he removed to Chesterfield District about Fifty years ago and has resided within the same, since. Deponent 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 of the United States
Abraham Blackwell his mark X {LS}
Sworn to, and subscribed before me the day and year above written
James Jowers J.P.

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We Thomas Berry, a clergyman residing in Kershaw District, and Guillam King residing in Chesterfield District, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted, and have been for many years, with Abraham Blackwell who hath subscribed the forgoing declaration: That we believe him to be Eighty years old: that he is, and has been always reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. We further state that we know he is unable from bodily infirmity to attend and make his declaration in open Court.
Thomas Berry
Gillum King
Sworn to before me this 17th day of February 1833
James Jowers, J.P.

I James Jowers one of the justices for the District of Chesterfield in the State of South Carolina do hereby declare after the investigating the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that I am perfectly satisfied and am of opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it is also well satisfied that Thos. Berry who hath signed the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman resident as stated and that G King who has also signed the same is resident as stated, and that their statement is entitled to full faith and credit. I certify that I am well satisfied that the applicant is unable to appear in open Court to make his Declaration
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand (there being no seal of Office) the day of February 1833.
James Jowers J.P.

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
I John Craig Clerk of the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas in & for said district do certify unto all whom it may concern that James Jowers who signed the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the district aforesaid, and that all due faith and credit is & ought to be given his official and attestations as such.
Given under my hand & the seal of the said Court at Chesterfield Court House the Eleventh day of February 1833
John Craig C.C.D.

South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Personally appeared before me the undersigned James Kelly, a justice of the peace for the district & State aforesaid, Mr. Abraham Blackwell, 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; about the begining of the revolutionary war He served a tour of at least six months under Capt. Elisha Magee in the malitia of So.Ca., and had a skirmish with the Tories.
His next tour was for one month in the malitia & went against the Tories upon Drowning Creek in No. Ca. Does not recollect the names of any of his officers.
His next tour was for one month in the malitia of So. Ca. under Capt. Hardiman.
His next term of service was likewise for one month under Capt. Duboise of the malitia.
 He next tour was performed at Hadrel's

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Hadrels Point, near Charleston, still among the malatia. Does not remember the names of his officers. His next month's service was rendered at Fort Johnson near Charleston, under Capt. Hardiman. He next served three months & two weeks at Purysburgh under Regular officers, were driven from there by British troops, and had a skirmish with them at Bacon's bridge. His next tour was a month under Col. Hix & Capt. Elisha Magee, on Santee River. His next tour was about one month under Capt. Fair, escorting Genl. Sumter & his Family towards No. Ca. Had a battle with the of British on Lynch's Creek and was defeated by them. He served the balance of the War under various officers all of whose names he has forgotten except Capt. John Watts & Ensign Holmes. He participated in the battle of Eutaw [Eutaw Springs] under Genl. Green, and was uniformly engaged in service during the whole Revolutionary war, but can not recollect precisely the various dates & officers. He is confident, however, that in the aggregate he served considerably over two years.
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the day of the November A.D. 1833.
James G. Kelly J.P.
Abraham Blackwell his mark X

I went to Abram Blackwell's house, drew the above affidt. myself, superintended its execution, and know James G. Kelly to be a Justice of the peace duly authorized to administer an oath .
James Blair M.C.

[sideways print]
Declaration of Mr. Abraham Blackwell For A Pension

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
I, J. C. Craig Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Genl. Sessions for said district do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that Zach. Marshall before whom the foregoing affadavits were made was at the time and is yet an acting Magistrate in and for said district duly appointed & qualified as such and that his signatures thereto are genuine
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Chesterfield Court House this 23d day of Decr Eighteen Hundred & fifty
J. C. Craig Clerk

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
personally appeared before me William Marshall and after being duly Sworn according to law sayeth that he is acquainted with James Blackwell and also knew Abraham Blackwell his Father and he always acknowledged the said James Blackwell to be his Legitimate son sworn to before me
December the 14th 1850
Z Marshall Magst.
William Marshall

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Personally appeared before Zachariah Marshall one of the Magst in and for said District being duly appointed and now acting Bentley Outlaw and being duly sworn sayeth that he is well acquainted with James Blackwell and knows that he is a lawful heir in Abraham Blackwells Estate
Sworn to before me
December the 17th 1850
Z Marshall Magst
Bentley Outlaw his mark X

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Personally appeared before me Zachariah Marshall one of the Magst. in and for sd. District being duly appointed and now acting Ephraim Gandy and being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with Abraham Blackwell and knows that he the sd. Abraham Blackwell served six months to my Knowledge in the old Revolutionary war under General Marion as a Militia soldier the said Deponent dont recollect the precise date but perfectly Recollects the services of the said Abraham Blackwell Deponent fur says that according to the Record of the old Family Bible he was one hundred and Eight years old the Eleventh day of September last
Ephraim Gandy his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed before me
December the 17th 1850
Z Marshall Magst.

Test
Isaac Moseley
William W Daniels his mark X

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South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Personally appeared before me Zachariah Marshall one of the Magst. in and for said District being duly appointed and now acting Bentley Outlaw and being duly sworn sayeth that he was well acquainted with Abraham Blackwell and knows that he the said Abraham Blackwell served as a Mitia soldier under the command of General Marion and General Sumter Deponent says that he dont recollect how long the said Abraham Blackwell served but knows that he served along time Deponent says that he and Abraham Blackwell was in the fight at the Eutaw Spring dont Recollect the precise Date but Recollects well the services of the sd. Abraham Blackwell Deponent says that to the best of his recollection that he is one hundred and Three years old
Bentley Outlaw his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed before me
December the 17th 1850
Z Marshall Magst.

Test
Isaac Moseley
William W Daniels his mark X

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State of South Carolina
Chesterfield District
Personally appeared before me Isaac Moseley and being duly sworn saith that Sarah Blackwell the wife of Abraham Blackwell died in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty, deponent also saith on oath that he knows the fact that Abraham Blackwell has been dead fifteen years.
Isaac Moseley
Sworn before me 18th Decr 1850
J C Craig Clerk
Court Com. Pleas.

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June 8, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
ABRAHAM BLACKWELL
S. 18328
BA-J/MLB cw

Mrs. H. P. Jenkins
3900 Cathedral Avenue
Washington, D. C.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your personal request of June 3, for the Revolutionary War record of Abraham Blackwell (S. 18328).
The record of Abraham Blackwell follows as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S.18328, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abraham Blackwell was born September 11, 1742; the place of his birth and names of parents are not given.
Abraham Blackwell enlisted in the State of South Carolina early in the Revolutionary War, date not stated, served at various times until the close of the war, amounting in all to more than two years as a private under Captains Elisha Magee, Hardyman, Du Bose, Fair and John Watts, and Colonels Benton and Hicks in the South Carolina troops; he stated that he served also under various other officers including Ensign Holmes and that during his service he was in the battle of Bacon's Bridge, several skirmishes, in an engagement on Lynch's Creek and in the battle of Eutaw Springs.
The soldier moved about 1783 to Chesterfield District, South Carolina.
Abraham Blackwell was allowed pension on his application executed February 9, 1833, while a resident of Chesterfield District, South Carolina. He died about 1835.
Reference was made to Abraham Blackwell's wife, Sarah, who died sometime in 1830, no other details in regard to her given, also to soldier's son, James Blackwell, who was alive in 1850, his place of residence not stated. No other reference was made to children.

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In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the exact date of death of Abraham Blackwell, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Abraham Blackwell
Certificate #23422
Issued January or June 20, 1834.
Rate, $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
South Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
-2-

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Payments to be made at Charleston by the Pr. U.S. Br Bank Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of South Carolina

cancel this & send the new Cert. to Hon. James Blair HR

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 6 Page 63 by N Rice Clerk.

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WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abraham Blackwell of the State of South Carolina who was a private in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty-one dollars and fifty five cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in [every] year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 20 day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
[signature not available]

Examined and Countersigned.
J L [Edwards]
Commissioner of [Pensions]

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Free
Jas. Blair

Hon. J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Pension Office,
Washington City, D.C.

$80 per ann.

[sideways]
S.C.
Hon Jas. Blair

Allowd &c for two years. L.C.

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Capitol, Jany 10th 1834.
Dear Sir:
Since I left office, and after reflecting on the case of old Mr Abraham Blackwell & his distressed situation, I feel it my duty to say a few words more on his behalf.
Although I believe its impossible for him to make better legal proof of his service, than he has done, yets, knowing him as I do, and knowing the reputation he bears amongst the old people in his neighbourhood, I would not desire stronger moral evidence of his have faithfully & gallantly served, not only two years, but nearly or quite the whole of the Revolutionary War. He is universally believed, where he is known, to have been one of the bravest & most Patriotic soldiers of his day. He he has been for many years past an exemplary

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examplary member of the Baptist Church, and no man that knows him wd. question his veracity or any subjects.
His recollection, as regards details & particular Circumstances, is not greatly relied on even by himself, on act. of his great age & infirmity, but every one who knows him will believe him when he asserts, generally & positively, that he served more than two years.
I trust, therefore, on this additional statement of mine, you will have no hesitation in allowing him a full pension. Should you hesitate about it, yourself, I must beg you Shew this & all in Blackwell's papers to Mr. Cass. And, after all, if nothing better can be done for the poor old man, you will at least be so good as to allow him what we had agreed upon when I last saw you.
Very respectfully your obt svt
James Blair, H. of [R]

J. L. Edwards, Esq.

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[first column]
Mr. Edwards will please allow a pension for what time of service has been satisfactorily made out. Say nine months & 14 days, and the balance may stand until old Mr. Blackwill can prove his service more satisfactorily.
James Blair
H. of Reps.

Admd
9 mo. 14 d.
30 1.55
[total] 31.55

Hon. James Blair
HR

[second column]
28.681 -
Mr. Abram Blackwell

Hon. James Blair
H. R.

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

A Statement, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

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

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
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.
of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that 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 period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of 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 such applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three of four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with 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, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of office.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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June 3, 1936
Vets. Admin.
Kindly furnish record of Abraham Blackwell (S.18328) Rev. War & mail to
Mrs. H. P. Jenkins
3900 Cathedral Ave.
Washington, D.C.

Page 26

[first column]
1936, June 8 - hist. to Mrs. H. P. Jenkins - MLB

[second column]
P
18328
INVALID.
File No. 18,328
Abraham Blackwell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:- Vol. 1, Page 432
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 27

House Reps. 8th Jany 1850

Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Enclosed I send you papers of Mr James Blackwell, who it seems is applying for a pension as heir of his Father who was a revolutionary soldier, I do not know whether this in his original application, if so, I apprehend his papers are not properly made out, please examine them and if they are not send me a copy of the regulations in such cases that I may forward them to Mr Craig.
I have the Honor to be your obt srvt
Jno McQueen