Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,641, James Bishop, Conn.

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Service: Conn. 

Bishop, James

Number: S16.641

Widow- Mary 

carded

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28.170
Connecticut
Daniel Bishop Dce.
New Haven in the state of Connecticut
who was a pr & Segt. in the Conn. commanded by Capt. _____ of the reg.= commanded by ____ in the Connecticut line for 3 months and 12 days Private
7 [assumed months] 0 days Sergeant 
Certificate paid to Widow
==========================
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 46 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
==========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of March 1884 and G. Griswold Guilford
==========================
Arrears to the 4th of March
Semi-ant. allowance ending 

arrears to 16th June 1832
the time of  Pensioning death 
=====
$58.18

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Danl Boyd, Clerk
Book E. Vol. 7 Page 3

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State of Connecticut 
County of New Haven} S.S. Probate Court - Guilford District.
On this 18th day of December A.D. 1833 Personally appeared in open Court before Reuben Elliott Judge of said Court Mary Bishop widow; of James Bishop late of Guildford District. Who has made the foregoing Declaration And in Order to amend the same further declares and says that her late Husband James Bishop was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as herein State.... Vez.
1st- That in the year 1775 and when living in Guilford he belonged to the Militia Company in North Guilford society & was a private soldier and that when News of the Battle at Lexington came a First day of said Company, of whom he was one, were ordered to march for Lexington and proceeded as far as Pomfret, where information of the enemies [illegible] was received, and the Company was ordered back to Guilford, where they were dismissed having been in the service seven days. 
That she has no documentary evidence of this service than the deposition of Matthew Chidsey which is annexed to the foregoing Declaration & who has since died.

2nd. That in the Month of May 1775, thee living in said Guilford. He enlisted into the 2nd Company & Reg. state troop as 2nd Srgt. & served in that grade five months- The company was marched to New Haven & Stratford in Co. & [illegible] thence

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to N. York- from thence back to Harlem from thence to the East and of Long Island by water & then back to Harlem & were dismissed there in the Month of October, that Stephen Hall was 1st Srgt. Hiel Meigs, 2nd Lieut. & Ebnr Fowler  was ensign the Company belonged Col. Andrew Waus, Regiment General Woosters Brigade. That she has no Documentary evidence of the service & knows of no person living who can testify then to & has no person living who can testify then to & has no other proof then of said the deposition of Ebn. Fowler who deposition is annexed to the foregoing declaration & who was Ensign of said Company but is now dead.

3rd That in the month of August A.D. 1776 still living ion Guilford. He was drafted from the Company to which he belonged by his Captain Augustus Collins, William Rossetter was Sergeant of said Company, the Company was then Marched to Fort Washington, New York and joined Col. Douglass Reg.  Graves was May and that he served there & in that [illegible] as a Serg. Major Three months

That she has no documentary evidence of Rank & service & knows of no person living who can testify thereto & has no proof thereof except the deposition of Matthew Chedsey which is annexed to the foregoing declaration & who is now dec?

4th That at the period of the war when the enemy were at Rhode Island. He was detached & marched in Capt. Josiah Baldwins Company in Col. Shipmans Reg. to Rhode Island & served there as a private soldier two months at Providence

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That she has no written evidence of this service & does not know any other living witness than Abraham Scranton  who was in the same service & who deposition is annexed to the foregoing declaration.

5th That in Feb. or March A.D. 1779 He was drafted and enlisted and Marched under Capt. Peter Vaill to Horseneck & Eastchester & served there & in that vicinity  as a private soldier one month and twelve days Of this service she has no other proof then the deposition of Jared Dudlyey attached to this foregoing declaration.

Rev. Zolva Whitman, Col. Abel Rossetter, Saml Elliot & Nathaniel Geoffery Esq. May be referred to, and can testify to my Character for health & veracity & their belief of the said James Bishop.  serves as a Soldier of the Revolution.

She hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annuity except the present and declares that the said James Bishop is not in the Pension Roll of the agency of any state
*That he was born in Guilford Conn. in the year 1744-45 The record of his age is enclosed in the original declaration that he lives in Guilford when called into the service & lived in Guilford even after until he died, that he was drafted & sometime volunteers for the service that he served under the officers named & that she knows not that he ever had a written discharge.
Mary Bishop

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Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Reuben Elliott, Judge and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that James Bishop the husband of the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as is stated. 
Reuben Elliott, Judge

I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original & supplementary proceedings of the said Court on the matter of the application of Mary Bishop, Widow of the said James Bishop for a pension.

In Testimony, Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 18th day of December A.D. 1833.
George Griswold

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven} S.S. Probate Court

On this 7th day of August 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the probate court of Guilford District. Mary Bishop of Guilford aforesaid aged Seventy One years and in oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832  Viz.

That she was married in the year 1813 to James Bishop & lived with him until the 16th day of June 1832 that on the said 16th day of June. The said James Bishop died aged Eighty Seven yers. That she is now 71 years old & that during the nineteen yers that she lived with the said James Bishop. She had often heard him relate the circumstance of his being in the army of the United States that he had served in the army more than two years & now send you all proof that she can at present obtain of his service as a soldier & officer of the Revolution. 
Mary Biship

Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before the court. 
George Griswold, Clerk Court Probate
District of Guildford

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Be it remembered that on the 7th day of August 1832. Personally appeared in open court Jared Dudley of Guilford in N. Haven County to the Conn. formally know and  a credible witness  and being duly sworn on his oath declares & says that in Feb. & March 1779  he was in the United States service at [illegible] & East Chester & that he well knew James Bishop that he was in the same service & was dismissed together after some weeks, service by Capt. Peter Vaill.
Jared Dudley

Sworn & Subscribed this 7th day of August 1831 & before the court. 
George Griswold Clerk 
of Probate Court
Guildford District

I certify that Jared Dudley and Abrm Scranton are credible witnesses- Geo. Griswold Clerk & Just of Peace

Same Court-
Personally appeared Abraham Scranton of [illegible] a soldier of the Revolution to the Court. well and personally known and a credible witness and on oath declares & says that during the revolutionary war he was at Providence in Rhode Island on service in Capt. Josiah Baldwin CO. & Col. Shipman, Regiment & that James Bishop of Guilford was also there and belonged to the same company & I believe that he served two months which was the full term of service.
Abraham Scranton 
Sworn and Subscribed before the court the day & date aforesaid
George Griswold Clerk.

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We David Baldwin a Clergyman was serving in Guilford and Wyllys Elliott residing in Guilford do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Mary Bishop Widow of James Bishop dead, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration and we believe the said James Bishop whose term a soldier in the Revolution and that he served as stated in her declaration

Sworn & Subscribed}
the Day & Year aforesaid}

David Baldwin
Wyllys Elliott

I certify that I [illegible] in marriage James Bishop and Mary Johnson, she signer of the above declaration
David Baldwin
Minister of the Gospel

The said Court do hereby do claim these papers that the said David Baldwin is a clergyman & that Wyllys Elliot is well known to the Court as a credible witness & both around an in Guilford & that their statements is entitled to Credit. 
[illegible] as Judge Geo. Griswold Clerk

I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of this P. Court in the matter of the application of Mary Bishop widow of James Biship, Deceased for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 7th day of August 1832. 
George Griswold, Clerk.

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James Bishop son of Ebenezer Bishop by Mehitabel  his wife was born January the 3rd 1744'5.
This Copy of Record from the Records of the town of Guilford District. Samuel Fowler Town Clerk

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information as contained in (his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. James Bishop SF 16641

Dates of Enlistment/ Length/ Rank/ Officers under whom service was rendered/ State

1775/ 1 week/ Pvt./ in Militia Co. /  to Guilford/ Conn.

May 1775- Oct. 1775/ 2nd Sergeant / Col. Andrew Ward/---

Aug 1776 /3 months/ Sgt. Maj./ Augustus Collins/Douglass/---

---/ 2 mons/ Pvt./ Josiah Baldwin/ Shipman

February 1779/ 1 mon 12 days/ Pvt/ Peter Vaill/--

Battles engaged in: _________

Residence of soldier at enlistment: Guilford Conn.

Date of application for pension: Aug. 1832, Her claim was allowed

Residence at date of application: Guilford Conn.

Age at date of application: She was 71 yrs old

Remarks: 
Soldier son of Ebenezer and Mahitabel Bishop was born Jan'y 3 1744 or 1745 and died June 16, 1832. He married Mary Johnson in 1813.

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*Left side reads as written*

16.641
Invalid

No. 16.641
James Bishop
Sergeant Rev. War

Act: June 7 '32
Index:- Vol. 1, Page 33

*Right side read as written*
Dec. 20, 1904. His
Rev. C. M Bishop
st Jan mo

--------------
1908 Apr. 3 Hist. to Ethel Lord 
Scofield m. F.L.M.

1916 Aug. 9 Hist. to H. S. Stewart

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16350*Crossed out*

Widow Mary Bishop
in behalf of 
James Bishop

Declaration for a
Pension.

Guilford Conn.
16702

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Probate Court for Guilford District County 1832
Personally appeared before said Court Nathan Chidsey Esq.  Personally known to the Court to be a credible witness and being duly sworn on his oath declares and says that he belonged to the Company of Militia in North Guilford  in the year 1775 that at the time of the Lexington battle a part of said Company marched to Pomfret in Connecticut and that James Bishop was in said Company  and was in service at that time about one week & in the year 1776 the Company was ordered to Fort Washington and that James Bishop was a soldier in said Company and did duty therein as a Sergeant Major about three months and further the deponent saith not

Nathan Chidsey

Sworn & Subscribed the day and date above before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate

I certify that the above named Nathan Chedsey is a credible witness. 
Reuben Elliott Judge

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I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate of Guilford District In New Haven County Do hereby Certify that Reuben Elliott who has Subscribed the [illegible] of the foregoing deposition is Judge of Probate Court for Guilford District duly appointed & Legally qualified & that his signature therein is his genuine signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 7th day of Aug. [cut off]
George Griswold Clerk

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I Ebenezer Fowler of Guilford in New Haven County & State of Connecticut being infirm with  age and lame in consequence of a fall from a wagon feel at this time unable to appear before the County Court or Probate Court do depose before Henry Elliott Esq. and say that I was acquainted with James Bishop late of Guilford Connecticut and know that said Bishop enlisted in the Connecticut State troops of the Revolution as near as I recollect about the first day of May 1775 and marched for Stratford Conn. on the 2nd day of June 1775 that he served as 2nd Sergeant in the 2nd Conn. 1st Reg. State troops, the Reg. was commanded by Gen. Worster, Andrew Ward was Col., Stephen Hall was 1st Lieutenant Heil Meigs, 2nd Lieutenant & myself Ensign of said company, he remained at Stratford a short time then marched to New York remained there about 3 weeks then marched to Harlem then was moved to the East end of Long Island then back to Harlem, as near I can recollect he remained with our Company till about the 1st of Oct. 1775. Further the deponent saith not. 
Ebenezer Fowler

Signed in our presence
Wyllys Elliott
Ammi Fowler

State of Connecticut, New Haven County Guilford August 1st, 1832
Personally appeared Ebenezer Fowler the above named Deponent and made oath to it before me Henry Elliott Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that in my opinion the deponent is unable to go out of his home also that the deponent is a man of respectable character and of strict truth & veracity.
Henry Elliott Justice of Peace

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I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford do hereby certify that Henry Elliott the subscribing authority to the frequency deposition is and has for several years been a Justice of Peace for New Haven County to me personally known.

George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District.

All erasure & Interlineations were made before signing & sealing

attest-
George Griswold Clerk

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Mary Bishop
Connecticut

for 1775 Pr. & Sergt. 10 mon 12 days
Pr. 3 mons 12 days $11.33
Sergeant 7 montsh $35.00
Total = 46.33

Died 16 June 1832,
and to time of death. 
$58 10/100
widow may [illegible]

G. Griswold
Guilford

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War Department 
Pension Office

Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined and the papers are herewith returned. The Following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will 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 Department send this printed letter with them; and you will be compiling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of
*Chart blank*

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

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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 the 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 served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of this 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.]
( I 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 [illegible] the husband of 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 proceeding 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 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 _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and yer aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

A)
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, is a resident in the ________ and as 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.

B) Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the [illegible]

Claims must be established with all reasonable certainty the Department has no former to draw money from the Treasury upon conjecture.

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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of services  of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify  as o your character for veracity, and their belief of your serviced 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 and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry  whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge  or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary  of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the. Court or County, under his seal, of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may be 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 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 pension merely state 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 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 certificates 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 must be attacked 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] The tradtitionary 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 declarations.

*Hand written bottom of page reads as written*
The Certificate of the Comptroller of Public Account [illegible] in 1775 should be procured .

*Text on right side of page sideways reads as written*

The claimant must allege to how much service & in what rank the claims that her husband served, in order that it may be seen whether she has evidence to support the claim- which must be established by direct proof at each term & service.

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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 Mary Bishop, Widow of James Bishop, dec. which require 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 declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? ------

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 
No & being dead could not, but the witnesses have.

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 department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? You could not- But the witnesses have as near s could be estimated

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
No- But Witnesses have in part.

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
No - He could not, But if it is proper that the said who applies should do so she will not hesitate to do it but is [illegible] & infirm & lived 5 or 6 miles from Court.

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ----

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 ay 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? No--- Yes  the evidence of David Baldwin clergyman & Wyllys Elliot a respectable witness is obtained as to their belief his services (age accidentally omitted)

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

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? 
----
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?   Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of 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- The certificates were in the same sheet which contains the dep. they are not attached by the seal of Court.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, is not, which of them is not so answered?  1.2.3.4.5.6.7 
How could a dean man answer, the certificate of his oath & how, when & where he was born the declaration shows when & where he died. The Witnesses have stated that he belonged to the Company in Guilford & enlisted in Guilford, and it is well known to us that he has in enlisted ever since the Revolutionary War.

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 following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth &. saith, that, byy 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.

Page 24

                                   3 
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 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.

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 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.

QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.

-> In every case where the clerk of court, or other certifying officer, 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. 

The witness must in order to substantiate this claim for faith in their deposition what they may know in regard to the service of James Bishop, dec

Jared Dudley & Abraham Scranton the two first witnesses have stated all they know. 
Ebenezer Fowler & Nathan Chidsey the two last witnesses are both dead. Under these circumstance the poor widows case is again [illegible] 
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate Court 
George Griswold, Clerk

Page 25

This certifies that on the 17th day of June in the year of our Lord 1832. I buried James Bishop aged 87 in the town of Guilford County of New Haven, State of Connecticut according to the Order prescribed by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

David Baldwin
Rector of the Episcopal Churches in said Guilford

Page 26

*Stamp top center reads as written*
Old War & Navy Files
Dec. 9, 1904


Francis Street.
M.E. Church South  
     ______
C.M Bishop, B.B.
Pastor 

615 Francis Street. 
St. Joseph, Mo.   Dec. 5th, -'04

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:- 
I wish to inquire concerning records in Pension Bureau of James Bishop a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
There was a James Bishop who enlisted from town of Guilford, Connecticut, in  April, 1775, and marched "for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm".
There was also a James Bishop, of Col. Canfield's Militia regiment, at West Point, in September, 1781. He was from Durham, Conn.
I would like to know if the Pension records contain the names, and any biographical facts concerning either or both of these.

Very Respectfully, 
C.M. Bishop      


*round stamp at bottom reads as written*
Pension US Office
 A
Dec 
8 
1904

Page 27

*side text reads as written*
L. 16.641

*Top of page*
1119 Chapel St., New Haven, Conn.
March 23, 1908.

Bureau of Pensions,

Washington, D.C.
  In the Pension List of 1832 (Conn. Men in the Revolution p. 634 (or p. 834) I find the name of one James Bishop residing in New Haven County. Kindly advise me of any data contained in your records in regard to this man, especially  his place of residence at the time of application for a pension.

Thanking you in advance for the courtesy, I am,

Sincerely yours,
(Miss) Ethel Lord Scofield

*Round stamp*
Record Division 
March 25, 1908

*Round Stamp*
Pension Office
U.S. 
Mar. 24, 1908

Page 28

Record Division.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department  of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
April 1, 1908.
Searched by Gill
Original No.
Certificate No.
Claimant,
Soldier, James Bishop
Rev. War
Remarks: No soldier pensioned in 1832 from Conn. except w. 25,241 & l. 16,641.
27498b4m2-07 
Cheif of Division.

Page 29

Rec K . I . G . 
Cin. O. July 28 - 1916.
Beauro [Bureau?] of Pensions.
Wash. D.C.
Will you kindly let me know what information you have in your file concerning the following party.
James Bishop. S.F.
No. 16 - 641
residing at New Harem Co. Conn.
year 7 1832
Thanking you for some
I am Very Truly yours, H.S. Stewart.
119 E 5th Ave.,
Cin. Ohio.