Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,154, Charles Chamberlin, Vt.

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(8-1776).                              SERVICE NUMBER
 Vt. Chamberlin, Charles.      (8- 23154)
    Or Chamberlain

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[verso]
Let to J S. Bush 20 May 1851
 "             "          3 Sept    "

[recto]
246 29 New York
Charles Chamberlain Livingston Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin of the Regt commanded by Col Brown in the Vermont line for 17 months
______
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Jany 1834 and Hon J Dickson House Reps
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 - $141.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  28.33
______
$169.98
______
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 4 Page 130

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State of New York
County of Livingston} Ss
On this 28th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the county court of Livingston aforesaid Charles Chamberlain aged 72 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That in the year 1777 in the month of February fore part enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Stevens Elias Stevens and Amos Chamberlain new Lieutenant marched from the town of Thetford in Vermont. Where he then resided through the woods out the green mountain to Fort Independence in Lake Champlain - companies not being full was consolidated and he was attached to a company commanded by Captain Benjamin Lucy Barnes & Chamberlain - Regiment commanded by Cale Brown. dont recollect the names of the field officer - Colo Herrick was an officer at the same place of another Regt Genl Lincoln was at Pawlet - Vermont State Troops he supposes at Lake George Landing took a large number of the Enemy a quantity of ammunition and Provisions Part of the troops made an assault upon the enemy upon Dyvon Isham and were repulsed with [illegible] - Burnt a great number of [illegible] and destroyed all the property they could that they couldnt carry away and retreated through the woods to Pawlet in Vermont where Genl. Lincoln was at the time - Staid at about the

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time General Burgoyne surrendered and he was sick and got liberty to go home and continued sick so that he didnt return to company having enlisted for one year & the company was disbanded before he was able to return.
That in the first of November 1777 again enlisted after the disbanding the company in which he served in his last enlistment into a company commanded by Captain Davenport Phelps 1st Lieut Ezra Moses - dont recollect the 2nd Lieutenant in a Regiment commanded by Timothy Buell Regiment was raised for the purpose of joining the army which was expected to march into Canada under Genl. Lafayette - The Regiment were quartered at Haverhill in the state of New Hampshire and after object for which the troops were raised had failed they discharged on the last day of May or first days of June 1778
In the year 1780 at the time Royalton was burnt in the month of October cant recollect the exact day went as volunteer in alarm and were employed in building a block house & scouting and was out two months - Lived at Thetford in Vermont -
Was born in the Town of Colchester in the state of Connecticut in the year 1760 Feb 24
Record of age in the town when he was Born
Called into service as stated above 
General circumstances above -
never recd any written discharges aforesaid until five years since then moved to Livonia and now lives in Livonia in said county of Livingston

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That he was drafted in the year 1776 in the month of November or December and went with his company - Capt. Timothy Bush - Chamberlain Lieut. Joseph Horsbrock was Ensign from Thetford in Vermont to Charlestown and down Connecticut River and drew the Provisions and from there through the woods and over the mountain to Rutland and from thence to Mt. Independence dont recollect the commanding name of the troops that lay there when he got there - they were engaged in making a floating bridge from Mt. Independence to Ft. Ticonderoga - drawing timber on to the ice T.C. discharged in the month of January 1777 out two months
That he has no documentary evidence and that he know of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his actually serving as aforesaid except Elias Chamberlain
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 any agency of any state 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
[signed] Charles Chamberlain

We John Van Fossen and Ruel Blake Esq residents of the town of Livonia in the county aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Chamberlain who has sworn & subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be 72 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 and that we have never heard the correctness of such opinion questioned
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[signed] John Van Fossen
[signed] Ruel Blake

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And the said court do hereby certify and declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 said court do further certify that it appears to them that John Van Fossen and Ruel Blake Esqs are both residents of the town of Livonia aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -

I Chauncey R. Bond Clerk of Livingston common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Charles Chamberlain for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31st of October 1832
[signed] C.R. Bond Clerk
by S.G. Haven Dep Clk

Charles Chamberlain
Application
22860

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And the said Court do hereby certify and declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 said court do further certify that it appears to them that John Van Fossen and Ruel Blake Esqs are both residents of the town of Livonia aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - 

I Chauncey R. Bond Clerk of Livingston common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Charles Chamberlin for a pension. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 31st of October 1832
/s/C. R. Bone Clerk
by S. G. Haven Dep clk

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State of Newyork
Livingston County SS.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of Livingston County Courts Elisha Powell who deposeth & saith that in the year 1777 Charles Chamberlain with whom he had been acquainted and with whom he is now acquainted and by no doubt he is 72 years of age and upwards he saw at Lake George Landing in the state of Newyork in the army at that place in Captain Benjamin's company & Regiment of Colo Brown how long he was in the service he has no means of knowing but understood at the time that he enlisted for a year and that he served the greater part of the time of his enlistment deponent being the greater part of the term in the service dont recollect the particulars of his service - deponent further says that in the year 1778 he said Charles Chamberlain enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Davenport Phelps - Regiment commanded by Colo Timothy Beedle - the deponent was a Lieutenant in the same Regiment but not in the same company - deponents last recollection is that the said Charles enlisted in the month of January and discharged about the first of June cant recollect the exact day nor the exact length of time he served - ant that the said Charles has always been considered a man of unimpeachable character for truth & veracity -
Elisha Powell his X mark
Sworn & subscribed to this 17th day of July 1833 Before me -
[signed] Leman Gibbs a Judge of Livingston County Courts
I certify that the above named Elisha Powell is a credible person -
[signed] Leman Gibbs Judge L.C.

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State of New York
Livingston County} ss
Personally appeared before me Leman Gibbs a judge of Livingston county court Elias Chamberlain who being duly sworn deposeth + saith that he is a brother of Charles Chamberlain and that the said Charles is 72 years of age & upwards and that during the revolutionary war this deponent & the said Charles resided in different towns in the state of Vermont and be cannot  state any particular service that the said Charles rendered but knows he was in the service but how much he doesnt know - heard at different times that he was gone but at all were more or less in the service and during the rest this deponent and as it never happened that he & the said Charles were engaged or served at the [illegible] at the same time he knows nothing only what he then heard & has since ever understood (that is) that he was ore or less in the service - 
/s/Elias Chamberlain
Sworn & subscribed this 17th day of July 1833 Before me }
/s/Leman Gibbs a Judge of Livingston County Court

I Leman Gibbs before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken do certify that Elias Chamberlain the deponent to the foregoing affidavit is a person of credibility for truth & veracity - 
/s/Leman Gibbs a Judge of Livingston County Court

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State of New York
Livingston County } ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of Livingston County Court Charles Chamberlain to me known who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 periods mentioned below and in the following grades - In the year 1776 served as a private at least two months - In the ['month' crossed out] year 1777 as a private at least nine months - In the year 1778 in Colo Bradley's Regt. as a private at least four months in 1780as a private at least two months - having served after all at least ['served' crossed out] seventeen months for which I claim a pension - Lived in what is ['then' crossed out] now called Vermont - but was then ['cal-' crossed out] held by or claimed by Newyork - Rec'd pay from the state of Newyork and claimants best recollection is that the Troops were paid by Gen'l Lacey - The Territory where claimant then resided was also claimed by New Hampshire - subscribed claimant doesn't know nor didnt then know whether he served under the Newyork or New Hampshire Jurisdiction - all is he knows he served what he has above stated beside a great many alarms &c. which is not above named being a resident upon the frontier over continually [illegible] - 
/s/Charles Chamberlin
subscribed & sworn to July 12, 1833 Before me
/s/Leman Gibbs a Judge of Livingston County Court

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State of New York
Livingston County ss 
[court seal affixed] I certify that Leman Gibbs before whom the preceding affidafit of Elisha Powell, of Elias Chamberlain and of Charles Chamberlin purports to have been sworn and also whose signature appears to the preceding certificates of Credibility of Elisha Powell & Elias Chamberlain was at the date of the same a legally authorized Judge of Livingston county Courts. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name to the Jurat of all the said affidafits and the said certificates is his own proper writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of office this 2d of Jany A.D. 1834.
/s/Chauncey R. Bond
Clerk of Livingston court
By. S. G. Haven clk

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[margin note: Oct 1832]
State of New York
County of Livingston} Before me Warren Green a Justice of the peace duly authorised personally appered Lydia Bliss aged 62 years who being duly cautioned and sworn in due form of law, states that she is the daughter of Charles Chamberlin who was a Revolutionary Soldier from the State of Vermont and that her father died on the 14th day of January 1835 1845 and that her mother named Mary died on the 1st day of April 1831 and that they were married on the wartime ['day of' crossed out] 17. and that they were Residents of Livonia in the State of New York and that she is a resident of Livonia in the State of New York and that furthermore She by these presents constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorises irrevocably and with powers of substitution F. E. Hassler of Washington city D. C. as her true and lawfull attorney for and in her stead to examine into to prosecute claim demand and receive her rights, in all and any manner of claim ['that' crossed out] that may be due her as daughter of Charles Chamberlin who died leaving the same emdrawn as in right of law, custom, inheritance and Equity She is entitled.
[seal affixed] In witness whereoff She has hereunto signed her hand affixed her Seal
/s/X her mark Lydia Bliss
Signed Sealed & acknowledged and Sworn to before me on this the 21st day of February 1852
/s/Warren Green a Justice of the Peace in and for Livingston Co.

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State of New York
County of Livingston} 
We Charles C. Bliss and Samuel G. Chamberlin of Livonia being disinterested witnesses do swear that Lydia Bliss is the daughter of the identical Charles Chamberlin aboved named who was in the Revolutionary Military Service of the United States in Vermont as above set forth and further sayeth naught /s/Charles C. Bliss X his mark
/s/Samuel G. Chamberlin

Sworn and Subscribed Before me this 21st day of February 1852 /s/Warren Green J.P. 

I Warren Green Justice of the peace in and for the County of Livingston and State of New York do hereby certify that Charles C. Bliss and Samuel G. Chamberlin who have made the foregoing affidavit are persons of credit and entitled to full belief
/s/Warren Green J.P.

STATE OF NEW YORK,
LIVINGSTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,} ss.
I CERTIFY, That Warren Green Esquire, was, at the date of the foregoing or annexed affidavit, a Justice of the Peace I and for said County, duly qualified and authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing; and verily believe that the signature of said Justice of the Jurat thereto is genuine.
[county seal affixed]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, this 22d day of March A. D. 1852.
/s/Israel D. Root Clerk,

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Examination
Charles Chamberlain

New York Rolls
act 1832

filed 31 March 1832

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No 22860
Ch's Chamberlain
Livingston Co New York - 

admd
m.
3/

Hon. Mr. Dickson
['C. R. Bone Clk Livingston Co New York' crossed out]

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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, May 30 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
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A Statement, shewing the Service of Charles Chamberlain Livingston N York
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[column headings: Period when the service was rendered.|Duration off 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.|]
Drsd 1776|( - | - | - )|Private|Cap Bush|72 years|Traditional Evidence|
dischd Jany 77|([blank]|2|[blank)|[blank]|Cap Stevens|town|[blank]|
Enl Feby 1777|(not stated)|[blank]|Capt Suit|Thelford Vermont| ----|
Enlst 1777|(blank|[blank]|[blank])|Col Brown|[blank]|claimants are required|
until June 78|([blank]|[blank]|[blank])|Col Huick|[blank]|to produce the best evi-|
Vol Oct 1780|(- |2|[blank])|[blank]|Genl Lincoln|[blank]|dence in their power.|
[blank]|([blank|[blank]|[blank])|Cap Phelps|[blank]|[blank]|
[blank]|([blank]|[blank]|[blank])|Genrl Lafayette|[blank]|[blank]| [end of columns]

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 et 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} County of} ss. 
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers : 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ⇒This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary 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 [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. 
It 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 to the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be
attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute: And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are  requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the, declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties. which the Court is herein requested to perform;
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he most assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith. that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below. and in the following grades:- For ____ year ____months, and ____days, I served as a ____ . For ____ months and ____days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held; as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers, the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
⇒The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.}
/s/John N Ashton

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23154
Revolution 
INVALID.
File No.  23,154
Charles Chamberlain
Pri. Rev. War
Act:  June 7" 32"
Index: -  Vol. 2, Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870]