Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,314, Henry Deck, New York

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SERVICE
New York              
Deck, Henry          
NUMBER
S.8314
He died in 1832
Widow Hannah
carded
CONTENTS

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14545
New York
Henry Deck
Herkimer Co in the State of N York
Who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Gross of the Rg commanded
by Col Willet in the N York
line for 2 years
This certificate is issued in favor
of Hannah Deck, Widow of
a deceased

Inscribed on the Roll of N York
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of May
1833 and sent John
Roth, [illegible] N York
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832 $120.00
3.55 [double underlined]
$123.55 [double underlined]
[crossed out: Pensions. allowance dating]
day of his death}
20 Sept. 1833}
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 53

Herkimer

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Pension Application 
of                
Hannah Deck

The war department 
will direct this proceeding to John Roth of Stark
Herkimer County
Direct to Van Hoans
will post office Stark
22639
died 20 Sept. '32
allowance to be made
to Hannah Deck from
4 mar. '31 to 20 Sept. '32
@ the rate of 80 $ per
annum
Richard Shemel 
affidavit

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York
Herkimer County} Ss;
On this eleventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer, now sitting; Hannah Deck the widow and relict of Henry Deck decd late of the town of Starks in the County of Herkimer and State of New York - aged fifty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That this deponent married the said Henry Deck decd on the twenty ninth day of July 1792 at the town of Canajoharie in the present County of Montgomery in the State of New York, that she continued to live and reside with the said Henry Deck decd from the time of her marriage aforesaid; until the twentieth day of September 1832 when he departed this life at the town of Starks in the County of Herkimer aforesaid leaving the deponent his widow, and leaving also nine children -
And this deponent further says that she was informed by the said Henry Deck decd in his life time, and this deponent has frequently heard him talk of the same; that he was a Soldier in the revolutionary war, that he enlisted in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Mannas Millett and the he served about two years

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and three months and that he was also in
minute man and in the Militia service
and that she believes the said Henry
Deck never drew a Pension in his life time
and that he was not on the pension list
roll of the agency of any State. That the
said Henry Deck also informed her, that he
was out with Genrl Sullivan when he went
through the western part of the State of New York

Sworn in Open Hannah X Deck
Court at 11th 1892
Julius C Nelson Clk

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Hannah Deck
Affidavit

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State of New York Herkimer County} Ss on the Eleventh of  October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting John Leppers of the Town of Minden Montgomery County State of New York who being duly sworn disposes and saith that he has been personally acquainted with Henry Deck in the war of the Revolution and ever since and that he this deponent ^& Henry Deck Enlisted at Fort Plank then Tryon County now County of Montgomery Town of Minden Under Capt Davis in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution some time early the Spring of the year 1779 this deponent and said Henry Deck Enlisted into the aforesaid Service for the term of Nine months By the aforesaid Capt Davis and was put in the regiment commanded by Colonel Frederik Wisenfeldt he this deponent further saith that he and said Henry Deck left Fort Plank Early in the spring and proceeded on our march under the command of Capt Davis ^and Colonel Wisenfeldt in the Wester parts of the State of New York we proceeded on till we arrived at Otsego at a place now called Cooperstown there we holded about three week was employed in throwing a dam across the Crick at the foot of the lake in order to dam

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said Lake to procure water to assist us in carrying our Boats down the Susquehannah River we proceeded down the river with ^a great number of ["about fifty" crossed out] boats or more three days after ^we let the water go we then consisted of several Regiments and was commanded by General Clinton this deponent further saith that after arriving  at tioga Point there we were joined by General Sullivan thence we proceeded to Newtown thence thru the western parts of the State of New York thence back to Wioming, Eastown in Pensylvania thence to New Jersey place called Morristown there this deponent and said Henry Deck Received our discharge said Deck was discharged by Colonel Wisenfeldt as this deponent thinks but further saith that he this deponant and said Henry Deck left Fort Plank Early the spring of 1779 together and remained together in one mess thru the western parts of the State of New York Pensylvania and New Jersey and was present when he received his discharge Morristown some time in the winter of 1780 this ended his term of enlistment of Nine months thence he proceeded home and further saith not
John Leppers X his mark
Sworn to in open court Oct 11th 1832
Julius C Nelson Clerk

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John Leppers

affidavid
for the benefit of Hannah Deck wife of Henry Deck 
deceased

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State of New York Herkimer County} Ss on Eleventh day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting Henry Shaver of the Town of Stark Herkimer County State of New York who being duly sworn deposes and Saith that he was personally acquainted with Henry Deck in the war of the revolution and ever since and this deponant was present when himself and Henry Deck Enlisted in the war of the Revolution at Fort Plank says that the precise year do not recollect this Enlistment was for the term of Nine Months under and by Capt Abner French and under the immediate command of Colonel Willet this enlistment took place early in the spring and remained in Fort Plank a few days then he and myself and others were called to Fort Plain from thence to Fort Timmerman thence to Fort House there remained some time thence to Fort Herkimer  there remained untill the full end of our time of enlistment this deponent further saith that during which time this deponent and said Henry Deck were in the service together and remained together during term of Nine Months from the time of our enlistment and this deponent further saith that Capt French

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was with this Company the most part
of [illegible] of enlistment and in his absence was commanded by Lieutenant Christopher Peak and further saith that I was present ^when said Henry Deck received his verbal discharge
By Capt. French in person and further says not at Fort Herkimer aforesaid
He makes out the time as best he can &
calculates that this enlistment was
in 1781 or 1782 --
Henry Shaver X his mark
Sworn to in open court Oct 11th 1832
Julius C Nelson Clerk

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Henry Shaver
Affidavid

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Henry House
Affidavid

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State of New York Herkimer County } Ss on the Eleventh day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting Henry House of the Town of Springfield Otsego County State of New York who being duly sworn deposes and saith that he has been personally acquainted with Henry Deck in the war of the Revolution and ever since and that this deponent was present [illegible] not recolect the year when said Henry Deck did Enlisted in the war of the Revolution & that this Enlistment took ^place at Fort Plank this deponent further states that he and said Henry Deck Both Enlisted at said Fort at the same time each for the term of Nine months under Capt Lawrence Gross under the imediate command of Colonel Marinus Willet this enlistment took ^place early in the spring ^thinks it first of March does not recollect the year  Shortly [imediately crossed out] after my enlistment myself and said Henry Deck was order to Fort Plain remained there about  one month ^or six weeks from thence we proceeded to Fort [illegible] there remained together on duty about two months from there to Fort House remained there about three week him there to Fort Fort Herkimer thence to First Taylor & so from place to place thence back to Fort Herkimer again there this deponent in company with

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Henry Deck Received our written discharge (it being a small strip of paper) by Capt Lawrence Gross this ended our term of of our nine months enlistment. He does not recollect Captain French or Lieutenant Peak-- but he recollects seeing Henry Shaver in the service. This enlistment was after the hard winter and he thinks the next spring after that Winter - 
Henrith House [signature]
Sworn to in open court Oct 11th 1832 Julius C Nelson Clerk

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George House
Affidavid

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State of New York Herkimer County⎬Ss on the Eleventh day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting George House of the Town of Warren Herkimer County State of New York who being duly sworn deposes and saith that he was well acquainted with Henry Deck in the war of the Revolution and ever since and he this deponent and Henry Deck were Enlisted Soldier at the same time under the command of Capt [illegible name crossed out] Lawrence Gross he this deponent enlisted under Capt Lawrence Gross at Fortraeneckis and said Henry Deck he this deponant had been informed had enlisted at Fort Plank he this deponent and said Henry Deck remained ^together in said Company under Capt Lawrence Gross as aforesaid about two & half months then this deponant was taken prisoner and taken to Canaday-- this deponent further Saith that this enlistment took place Early in the spring of as this deponent thinks 1781 or 1782 and in company together at Fortraeneckis  when this deponant was taken prisoner as above stated -- Henry House belonged to the company of Captain Gross when deponent was taken prisoner. He does not recollect that Henry Shaver was there or belonged to the company. The Regiment was Willetts Regiment. 
George House X his mark
Sworn to in open Court Oct 11th 1832 
Julius C Nelson Clerk

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State of New York Herkimer County} Ss on the Eleventh day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting Abraham Deck of the Town of Stark Herkimer County State of New York who being duly sworn and upon his oath depose and saith he was personally acquainted with Henry Deck in his life time and with Hannah his wife and that on the twentieth day of September 1832 he the said Henry Deck of the Town of Stark County of Herkimer State aforesaid departed this life leaving his wife Hannah Deck a Widow and ["further saith that" crossed out] that she is ^the same Hannah Deck as is [illegible blacked out] in the fore going declaration and further saith not 
Abraham Deck [signature]
Sworn in Open Court 
Oct 11th 1832 
Julius C Nelson Clerk

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After hearing the Declaration of the above named Hannah Deck and testimony of the witnesses Richard Shimmel, John Lepper, Henry Shaver, Henry House, and George House, each of whom was separately examined in open Court, he specially interrogated to the matters testified to by him, the Court are of opinion that the said Henry Deck served as a private soldier during the Revolutionary War at three different terms of service each for nine months, making together a service of twenty seven [eighteen crossed out] months--that he died at Stark in the County of Herkimer aforesaid on the twentieth day of September 1832 /  now last part: and that the said Hannah Decker is his widow:
I Julius C Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer do hereby certify, that foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Hannah Deck 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 12th day of October 1832
Julius C Nelson Clerk

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After re-examing and altering the affidavit of Richard Shimel hereto annexed, we have altered the foregoing certificate made at the last October Term of this Court from the period of Eighteen months to the period of twenty seven months; and that their was more than two enlistments of nine month each - and have directed the Clerk to add his certificate hereto -
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 applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states; and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the above witnesses are creditable persons & that their statement is entitled to credit 
I Francis E. Spinner Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hannah Beck 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 12th day of February 1833
F.E. Spinner

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Pension Application of Hannah Deck 
The war department will direct their proceedings to John Roth. Stark Herkimer County 
Direct to Van Hoens 
Vill post office Stark
22639 
died 20 Sept. '32 
allowance to be made to Hannah Deck from 4 Mar '31 to 20 Sept '32  @ the rate of 80$ pr annum 
Richard Shimel 
affidavid

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State of New York Herkimer County} Ss on the Eleventh day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Herkimer now sitting Richard Shimel of the Town of Stark Herkimer County State of New York who being duly sworn depose and saith that he was personally acquainted with Henry Deck in the war of the Revolution and ever since that he knew said Henry Deck to have been enlisted in the war of the Revolution under Capt Abner French that shortly after said company to which said Deck belonged left Fort Plank I Joined it as as a substitute for a brother of mine this deponent further saith that according to the last of my recolection the company had not done duty more then one week before I joined the company as a substitute as aforesaid and that then said Henry Deck was in the Company as afore mentioned this deponant further saith that he remained with said Company under said Capt French as they marched from from place to place as stated in this deposition of Henry Shaver and was present when said Henry Deck Received his verbal discharge at Fort Herkimer by Capt Abner French
I furthermore state that I joined the aforesaid company some ^time early in the spring thinks it was in the year 1781 or 1782 (and believes it was the early [illegible] year) and that when I was discharged in company with Henry Deck 
His Witness Henry Shaver was in the company or Regiment when the witness served:
[Crossed out sentence illegible]

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Deck & myself were discharged at the same time at Fort Herkimer as aforesaid it was some time at in the winter following making my actual Service a few days short of Nine months [crossed out "and further deponent"] He thinks the next summer he staid home and in the fall news of peace came--
Richard Shimel [signature]
Sworn to in open Court 
Oct 11th 1832
Julius C Nason Clerk

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22639
Henry Deck, dec.
W Hannah Deck
Herkimer Co
New York
aomd
John Roth
Stark
Herkimer
N. York

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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 
[blank] 183[blank]

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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Henry Deck,* late of Herkimer from the deposition of the widow & witnesses.
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered.|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.|Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.|Country through which he marched.|Place of abode when he entered service, and age at the present period.|Evidence by which the declaration is supported.|]
widow states ['1779' crossed out]|(2|3|service)|[blank]|['Capt Davis' crossed out]|Col. Willet|[blank]|[blank]|[blank]|John Lepper proves 9 months service|
John Lepper, a witness,|(state|s|the)|deceased|enlisted|&|served|as|follows|[blank]|[blank]|
Enlisted 1779||([blank]|9|[blank])|private|Capt Davis|Col. Winfield|Gen. Clinton|Otsego Susquehannah Tioga Newtown Morristown|Fort Plank|
Henry Shaver proves year not remembered Enlisted|([blank]|9|[blank])|[blank]|Capt. French|Col. Willet|[blank]|Fort Zimmerman Fort House Fort Herkimer|Fort Plank|Richard Schemel & George House|
Henry House proves year not recollected (enlisted after the hard winter)|([blank]|9|[blank])|[blank]|Capt Gross|Col Willet|[blank]|Fort Wintaker(?)Fort Herkimer Fort Taylor|[blank]|confirm the |within service|
[end of columns]
Application by his widow
*Died the 20th September 1832
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, 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
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 provion [sic] 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 enered [sic] 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.
I 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 for a pension.
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 each 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
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, and may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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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?
6.  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 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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase 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 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 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 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.

F. Bradford

Page 28

IIn reply to your request of 1 " inst., received 2 " inst., for a statement of the military history of Henry Deck, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in ["his (or" crossed out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S8314

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. l LENGTH OF SERVICE. l RANK. l OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. l CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.

Spring 1779 l 9 mos. l Private l Davis l Frederick Weissenfels l N.Y.
Spring 1781 or 1782 l 9 mos. l l Abner French l Marinus Willett l [blank]
" " l 9 mos. l [blank] l Lawrence Gross l " " l [blank]

was in Sullivan's expedition to Western New York.

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [checkmark] Enlisted at Fort Plank, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, by widow: Oct. 11, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Herkimer Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, fifty-nine years.
Remarks: Soldier married at Canajoharrie, N.Y. July 29, 1792. Hannah --, he died Sept. 20, 1832, at Starks, N.Y. and her claim was allowed. Soldier "left nine children," but their names are not stated.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
6--2856

Page 29

Rev War
8314
INVALID.
File No. 8318
Henry Deck 
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32 
Index: --Vol. 1st, Page 93 
(Arrangement of 1870.)
 1911 Dec. 7. Hist. to Mrs. Ina Zoller. letter in R. Fill 10,099 Rudolph Steele. [cent symbol]