Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2475, Samuel Cross, Penn.

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(3-1776)

SERVICE
Penn.

Cross, Samuel

NUMBER
S2475.

Carded
CONTENTS

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Ohio 13. 274
---
Samuel Cross
of Adar in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Justin of the Regt commanded by --- in the Pennsylvania line for 8 months
 ----
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence in the 4th day of March 1831.
_____
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1833 and sent to Honl. Wm Russell West Union Ohio
-----
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible] 1833 $53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 13.33
====
$66.65
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J W Clagett Clerk
Book E Vol 8 Page 4commands
[right side]

sent to to Hon L.L Harris 83 [illegible] 7th July 1839
Cd at the Treasury under the [illegible] of the 6 April 1833 from Sept 1839 to 4 March 1833 at notified 14 March 1839
-------
let : 3 Jany 1842 to Hon W Doan

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th. 1832. 
State of Ohio
County of Adams
On this 10th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before me an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Adams and State of Ohio, Samuel Cross a resident of Wayne Township in the Court of Adams and State of Ohio, aged seventy seven 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 he was born in the County of Franklin and State of Pennsylvania where he resided till the first of July 1776 when he volunteered under Captain William Huston Lieutenant John Holliday and Lieutenant William Elliot in the flying camp. They went to Philadelphia and from there up the Delaware river to Trenton and from thence after a battle at Long Island, they moved up the Hudson River some distance, where they built a fort, called Fort Lee, after the name

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of their commanding officer opposite to Fort Washington and a part of the troops, were sent over to Fort Washington they then had a skirmish at Harlam River above Fort Washington and by the bad conduct of Colonels Soap & McGaw. Fort Washington was surrendered to the British and some time after they retreated to Trenton and crossed the Delaware River and in January their six months being expired they returned home. On the first of August 1777, he went out with Captain Roger and Lieutenant Brotherton in the Militia to Lancaster, thence to Brandywine, in the Army and was in the battle fought there, and the next day he joined Captain Crawford's company and went to view the British camps, thence they went to the White Horse, when the fell in with the militia under Captain Potter, and had a small skirmish with a small British force thence across Schuylkill River to a place called the Trap. Thence into the Battle of Germantown and a short time in October returned home. On the first of June 1779, he joined a company of about one hundred volunteers at the Town of Green Castle under Captains Johnston and Berehill and went on to the Luniata river to a place known by the name of the Standing Stone against the Indians and finding that the Indians had left the neighborhood he returned home. He has no documentary evidence to prove

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his services having received no discharge, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service, except William Cross & Cornelius Dougherty, who were living in Franklin County Pennsylvania when he volunteered into the service. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension on annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state.
Questions propounded by the Judge
1st. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Franklin County Pennsylvania in the year 1755, on the first day of January.
2nd. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it.
Answer I have in a book called "the confession of Faith now in my possession.
3rd. Where were you living, when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living in Franklin County Pennsylvania when I volunteered. I remained there about fifteen years after the war, then moved into Monongahela County of Fayette and lived there six years. Thence I moved to the County of Henry and State of Kentucky and lived there seven years, from thence I moved to Adams County Ohio where I have resided to this day.

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4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Answer I volunteered and served two tours of six months, each [crossed out], for the first and two for the second besides turning out against the Indians.
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 Service.
Answer The Officers that I now recollect, were General George Washington, General Lee, Captain Huston, Lieutenants Holliday and Elliot, Colonels Soap and McGaw, Captain Roger, Lieutenant Brotherton and Captain Crawford. The circumstances of my service are detailed in my declaration
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it. Answer I never did.
7th. 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 service as a soldier of the Revolution. Answer
The Clergyman of the Church to which I belong has lately died, but Misters William Cross and Cornelius Daugherty can testify for me - and Mr. Daugherty and myself are both unable

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to attend Court, from age and debility.
Sam Cross [signed]

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid. Robt [Robert] Morrison [signed]

We William Cross and Cornelius Dougherty residing in the County of Adams and State of Ohio, being duly sworn and hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Cross, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion. And we further certify, that we were living in the County of Franklin and State of Pennsylvania, at the time he entered the service, and recollect his volunteering and returning both tours.
Attest
Samuel Brush
Wm Cross
Cornelius his X mark Dougherty 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Robt Morrison

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I Robert Morrison and associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Adams and State of Ohio do hereby certify that he said applicant Samuel Cross is unable to appear in court from bodily infirmity and do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above married applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And i further certify that

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it appears to me that William Cross and Cornelius Dougherty, who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in the County of Adams and State of Ohio and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Robt. Morrison {Seal} [signed]

The State of Ohio Adams County Ss
I Joseph Darlinton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do here by Certify that the above named Robert Morrison Esquire before whom before whom the foregoing Declaration of Samuel Cross and depositions of William Cross & Cornelius Daugherty were taken & who have signed the same was at the time of signing the foregoing and still is a Justice of the Peace [crossed out] an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and quallified according to the Constitution of laws of this state and that full faith and credit are due to his said Certificates and all other official acts by him done as well in Courts of Justice as [illegible]. In Testimony I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court at [illegible] Union this 15th day of November in the year of our Lord 1832, in the 57th year of the Independence of the United States of America and in the 30th year of this State
Joseph Darlinton Clk A.C.

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In the year 1776. I Samuel Cross went out with Captain Huston to our Army where we received Eight dollars Bounty to serve six months, Then after the Battle at Long Island the Army moved up North River twelve miles above New-York, after the Battle at fort Washington we retreated back to Trenton where we crossed the Dalaware River and halted, some time after taking the hetians in trenton our six months was expired, there in the year 1777. I went out with a Captain Roger to our Army at Brandywine. after the Battle at Brandywine we moved on near to Germantown and after the Battle at Germantown our time was expired _ There in the year 1779 I went out with Captain Johnston against the Indians on the waters of Juniata River which was my last term which Counted to me ten months in the service, Six months of the said time I was a listed Soldier all my goings and the Battles that I was in was Stated as the Law directed and proven my comrades are all dead and gone or I could prove circumstances that would have entitled me to draw pention long ago I never made application for help while I was able to help myself after I became blind and

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no son to take care of me then I applied for help and to think that men that was very little longer in the service than me and some not as long to receive so much more than me and me not knowing that there was an alteration made in the Law I am [illegible] out of what I was geting I would be glad to be put in a way for something to support me and my old Woman my pention paper is lost and cannot be found as I was not sufficient to take care of it myself  This is a true statement from Samuel Cross

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS. Washington, D. C, 19 .
In reply to your request of , received,  for a statement of the military history of Samuel Cross a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in this (or his window's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.2.475
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.
July 1776
6 mos.
Pvt.
William Huston
Aug. 1777
2 mos.
Royer.
June 1779
21 mos.
Johnston
Johnston
Berchill
Battles engaged in, Long Island, Fort Washington Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Franklin Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 10, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Adams Co. Ohio. Wayne Twp.
Age at date of application, born Jan [illegible] 1755 in Franklin Co. Penn
Remarks: No family data.
Only S.G. of Penn. on the RW records
Respectfully,
Reviewed
Commissioner
6-2856

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May 17 1900 Hul Q
J.E. Cross Columbus O
1915 Feb 93 = history to Mrs.
F. E. Shetter. M.B.H.
1915 Apr 3: Mrs F.E. Shelter refer.
red to Auditor for date of death
M.B.H
1916 Aug 14. History to Mrs
C.S. Brown. M.B.H.

Rev War
2475
Fil No. 2475
Sanuel Cross
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index:-Vol. A., Page 80.
[Arragement of 1870.]

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James L Edwards Esq
C. of Pensions
Washington City
D C

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West Union, Ohio
May the 29th 1833

Sir
Enclosed I return to you the application of Saml  Cross the only objection made to his application was the want of being properly authenticated that is now done and I hope you will find at liberty to pass upon it immediately
Very Respectfully
J S Edwards Esq Your Obt Servt
William Russel

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Washington
Dec 10th [illegible]
Hon J L Edwards, Comm of Pensions

Sir

I herewith enclose a petition
asking & increase of the Pension
of Samuel Cross
I have the Honour to be
with great respect your
Wm Doan
HR

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Hon W. Doan
Jany. 3. 42
G.C

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Pen's Office Jany. 3, 1842 Sir, the application made for the purpose of obtaining an increase of pension for Samuel Cross has been so filed with his other papers. In his original declaration on file he alleged a tour of six months in 1776 and a tour of two months in 1777.  Also that he turned out with others in 1779 a volunteer to go in pursuit of Indians on the Juniata river and finding none retruned home. His two first tours he has been allowed a pension. The engagement to serve on the last alleged tour his believed to have been of that character no provided for is the pension laws.  it should be shown that they were called out by the authority of the state of Pennsylvania and the exact duration of time to the satisfaction of this office before an increase of pension can be allowed. The expedition in all probability did not exceed a week or ten days. Hon William Doan N. R.

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We the subscribers do think that Samuel Cross ought to have more given him. He proved that he went into the army in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six and after the battle on long Island removed up the river and in the battle at Fort Washington where we were give up by two grand deceivers, Col. Soap and gave info his part of the part of the army without firing a gun, Col. Magaw gave up the Fort without any objection and General Lee knew nothing of this until the British was between him and the fort, he was then obliged to give up  his part of the army to the british There was a few of us made our escape by geting badly hurt, sometime after General Washington went on with part of the army crost the Dallaware River at Trentown and then returned back and took the hesians at Trentown. Then in the year 1777 was in the battle at Brandiwine, from there went on to Germantown. some time after I was discharged and returned home. In the year 1779, turned out and went with Col Johnson against the Indians at Juniatta. And Samuel Cross was Sworn to this before one of the Judges of the Court that he was in all the places aforesaid and proved by sufficient evidence that know him to be in the army at them times. And he never applied for any relief till after he was blind, and having no son to take care of him he thought he had a right to be supported, and he thinks hard that he got so little and others that did not suffer much and others that never was in a battle at all should get so much given them and we the subscribers think that Samuel Cross ought to have enough given him to keep him and his old woman comfortably, and we wish the President and the Congress to view this matter.
Subscribers names
William Davis 
Andrew McManes 
John Carson 
William Ramsey
R.S. Archer 
Powal Carpenter 

Subscribers names
James Davis 
James Douglass 
James Foster 
David H Young 
Wm Daffey 
Amos Dixon 
Geo A Dixon

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Winchester Adams County Ohio Dec 16-1841
Wm Doan Dear Sir I have been personally acquainted with the within named Saml Cross ever since the year 1812 and always found him to be a quiet peacible citizen and have full confidence in all his statements. him and his old lady are very infirm at this time. He has been blind for a number of years and is very poor.  If you think there can be anything done fo increase his pension it would be benevolent for you to try.  Very Respectfully Joseph Eylar
Hon. Wm. Doan. The within petitioners for relief Mr. Saml. Cross is truly a worthy subject for your country's charity and fully concur in the above.  Winchester Dec 16th 1841 Geo Archer

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Treasury Department
Second Controller’s Office,
February 9th, 1839.
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,” Samuel Cross,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at
The rate of Twenty Six Dollars and sixty six Cents
per annum, u dear the law of the 7th June, 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept., 1836,
to the 4th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Paris
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

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Brief objections to the admission of pension claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of SamuelCross which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the delclaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his hot doing so?
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period of periods of the war when he served?  Yes
V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the departmebnt to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?  yes
VI. Has he given the names of the oficers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court iven their opinion?  The Judge has
IX.  Has the clerk given his certificate? Yes
X.  Is the clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes

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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Two citizens

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not be produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? witnesses 

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witness as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oat certificate that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper office under his seal of office?  yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicants service?  yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.   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 recol-lection he served not less that 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."

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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
properly attached to the certificate.
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

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Samuel Cross
Adams Coumty
Ohio
Adm for 8 Monhs
$26.66
Hon William Russell
West Union
Ohio

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War Department Pension Office, 6, June 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 show 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 Depatment, send this printed letter with them; and you will, be complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A statement showing the service of Samuel Cross, Adams County Ohio
Period when the service was rendered: Nov 1776, 1. Aug 1777. 1779
Duration of the Claimant's service: 6
Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served: Cap. Austron, Cap. Ragen, Cap. Johnston
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 77. years FranklinCounty Penn. I am respectfully your obedient servant, J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four 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 [musicians] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of 
County of 
}ss.

On this        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 serv-ed 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 the 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 to hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I              of the Court of           do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the atter of the application of             for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal to office (i) this       day of       &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such a 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 tot he 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

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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 ex-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 delcarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propund 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 service.
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 o fpersons 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 person-one of whom shuld 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 solder, and that they concur in that opinion. If on of these persons is a Clergy man, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons givin such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absense 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 genearl, 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, atttend 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 eveidence 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 confirming to the rule.
[c] The age of teh claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The delarant 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 definte 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 lost of memory, state precisely how long he served, he sould 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 services; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than 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 to 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 lngth of his service. The use of the prase about three or four  months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionalbe. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they the 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 clarly 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 emboded 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 relinguishment indespensable.
[g] The opinion of teh Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his ceertificate 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 authenticacates 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 teh 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 officail character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[pointing finger icon]The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Page 29

Rev-1 CBH
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir. Have you the 
record of Samuel Cross
a soldier in the
Pennsylvania Militia
during the Revolution
Who died in Adam’s
Co. Ohio about 1832.
Kindly give me the

Page 30

information you have on
record
Yours truly
Mrs. C.S. Brown
Winchester, O.
% James F. Cross
Aug. 6, 1916

[Stamp at bottom reads: U.S. Pension Office AUG 9 1916]

Page 31

R.F.D. Jane Lew, W.Va,
Mar. 25, 1915
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I am in receipt of the
military history of Samuel Cross, a
soldier of the Revolution - M.B.H.  -
G.F. 2475, for which I am very
grateful. Is there any record
of how many years this
pension was paid or date
of death of Samuel Cross?
Thanking you again, I am
Sincerely
Mrs. F.E. Shetter.

Page 32

1 Stamped envelope
2d V Jane Lew, WVa
Feb. 2, 1915
Stamped emerald CLW
U.S. Commision of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir:-
will you kindly 
Tell me if there is in
the list of pensioners
of the revolutionary
War, the name of
Samuel Cross, private
in Capt. James Johnson’s
Company , York Co. Pa.

Page 33

Militia, and if so is his date of birth mentioned? thanking you, I am, 
Sincerely
(Mrs, F.E.) Stella Cross Shetter

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A FEB 6 1915

Page 34

Recorder’s 
Office
Adams County, Ohio
J.E. McCreight
Recorder
West Union, Ohio May 10, 1900
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Will you please give me the record of
Samuel Cross, a revolutionary soldier from Pa who
Was pensioned I believe in 1833 under the
Act of the preceding year. Also please see
If there is any record of John Cross, also
A Revolutionary soldier from Pa., a member
Of Gen. Wayne’s division who also saw 
Service in the war of 1812, but don’t think
was pensioned, but am not certain.
Hopeing  to hear from you at your earliest
Convenience and thanking you in advance
For the form I am
Very truly yours,
J.E. Cross

Page 35

April 3, 1915.

Mrs. F.E. Shetter,
R.F.D.2,
Jane Lew,
West Virginia

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 25" ultimo, you are advised that for date of death of Samuel Cross, S. File 2475, Revolutionary War, you should address the Auditor for the Interior Department, United States Treasury Department, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:

"Samuel Cross, Ctf.13274 issued June 11, 1833 at $26.66 per annum, from March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency."

Very respectfully,
[illegible]
Commissioner.