Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1137, John Van Zandt, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Van Gandt John or Van Gant
S 1137
barded
CONTENTS

22.911 New Jersey John Van Gandt of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Corps commanded by Captain Sote — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Melick in the New Jersey line for 2 years — — — — —
+ Same as
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Dec. 1833 and sent to J. H. Randolph of N. Bruns.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep'33 $200 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st Mo'34 40 $240
Recorded by Geo. Stiles Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 13. Page 137.  { Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
1838 1785 53
1838 1795 43

John Van Zant-
11/60/4.

State of New Jersey, County of Somerset ss: on this thir- teenth day of August. In the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two. personally appeared in open Court Before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset non-sitting. John Van Zant of Somerset County of Somerset aged eighty one 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 the 7 th June - 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States in the war of the Revolution In the year 1776. under Capt Lott - went to Staten Island as a volunteer was out one month - Then went out to Amboy under Capt Van Eyck (as he thinks) was out one month same year - Then one month to Elizabethton was out other times 3 or 4 months under Capt Garretson - was at the Battle of Springfield. then under Capt Van Nest was out there one month - next one month to Hackensack - next under Capt Peter Ditsmar one month - was one month at Pompton commanded by Gen Hurd - was one month at Morristown at the time Gen Washington lay there we marched from there across New Jersey to Cresskill ferry where the army crossed into Pennsylvania was then discharged - my orders were that I must always hold myself in readiness at a moment's war- ning and went out a great many times. in all more than Three Years. But the time has so long passed I cannot now particular- ly enumerate the time and place. recollects have have gone to Staten Island to take Courtland Mennix. whose Comm- anded by Col Nelson - have been under Col Van Dike - Maj Morris. have been under Col Frelinghuysen - Gen Hurd - I lived when I was called into the Service in the same place where I now live where I have lived ever since - I have no record of my age. he is 81 and in his 82 nd Year of age was born on Long Island - I am known to many persons in my own neighborhood who can testify to my good character.

He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State - Sworn and Subscribed in open Court aforesaid -
A. J. Gaston
John
X Van Zant mark
Somerset county ss. Before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of? appeared John Baird who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is now and was during the revolutionary war well acquainted with John Van Zant the above named declarant that this respondent served with him during the revolutionary war in the service of the United States - that he was with him at Elizabeth town and Staten Island and many other places, is quite sure that the said Van Zant served more than three years - that he is a man of good character whose word may be relied upon - This respondent is twenty seven years of age -
Sworn in open Court the day and year above -
A. J. Gaston
John Baird

We John L Zebishie a clergyman residing in the County of Somerset and William Wilson residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Van Zandt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one year of age. that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion - sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two
Wm H Gaston
John L Zebishie Wm H Wilson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the board further certifies that it appears to them that John L Zebishie who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Somerset and that William Wilson who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit -
Wm H Gaston
Danl A Disbrowe
Genl Vandermeer

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of common pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing in the contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Van Zant for a pension: In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. — J. M. Mann.

6074 Supplemental proceedings in the case of John Van Sandt, an appo- cant for a pension under the Law of June 1832.
James Randolph Agent

Supplementary declaration of John Van Landt of Somerset County New Jersey in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 and named in papers numbered 5074 by the War Department State of New Jersey Somerset County ss. On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the subscribers one of the Justices of the Peace in Somerset County John Van Landt of Somerset County N. Jersey who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he was born in the year 1751 as he has always understood from his parents but has no record of his age - He believes there is a record among some of his relatives in New York State. At an early age he removed into Som- erset County N. Jersey. Since then when he entered the service, during the war John Van Landt resided there. In the year 1776 before the enemy came into the Bay he entered the service as a volunteer private in the company commanded by Col. Seth L. Col. Van Brughuyser's regiment of the Somerset Brigade of Jersey militia. At that time in that capacity in the month was stationed on Staten Island and after the taking of Red Bank fortification afterwards in the year 1776 he served as a volunteer in Morrisville two towns of a month each - He first at Amboy, afterwards at Elizabeth Town both under Capt. Conner. For eight or nine months then sections of the State - In the winter of '76 & '77 when the enemy laid in New Jersey he volunteered and served as a volunteer private four months in Philadelphia under Capt. Lott. and Col. Smith at various stations along

the Millstone engaged in guarding along the river - in cont- d protecting the disarmed & their property from the plundering parties of the enemy. Afterwards in the year '77 he served 3 mos three terms of a month each under Capt. Stuart of Shannon - the first being as after the others as a volunteer - all at Woodstock guarding them in that vicinity. In the year '78 he served in three as a volunteer Spirit 3 mos three months in succession under Capt. Conrad De Grey Lt. Grelingbryne engaged at Beryn & that neighbourhood guarding that section of the state - 3 mos Afterwards in the same year he served three terms of a month each in the eastern part of the state & during the three months was under Capt. Garrison as a volunteer spirit guarding in Beryn & Ely. 5 mos In the year 1779 he served five terms of a month each - the first under Capt. Ditmars at Hack- ensack - the three others under Capt. Ditmars Major Morris at Newark - the fourth at Newton under Capt. Garrison at Newton & the fifth in Beryn County again under Capt. Ditmars - all under the supervision of Lt. Grelingbryne engaged in guarding those sections of the state before mentioned & aiding in the defense of the property of his fellow citizens In the year 1780 he served at least four terms of a month each - the first under Capt. Conrad De Grey at Doback & the second third and fourth under Capt. Ditmars at Elizabeth Town where the others of the and third under Capt. Van Rant on the same station and at the period of the landing of Knyffhausen before Elizabeth Town was marched after the enemy and was in the great battle at Springfield. It is evident that the contest was heavy and severe -

In the year 1782 he joined as a volunteer the first in the Col. Detached I Col. San Dyke at Monmouth when Washington laid there with the regular army I had a time with some troops in that vicinity that revolted & the remaining three troops under the same Captain I Col. Belintlynyson at Elizab. & I was guarding that station I along the lines shielded & protected the dispossessed families of the fallen citizens & In the year 1782 there were at least no volunteer service 4 out New York between Woodbridge & Shrewsbury under Capt. Detmas I the Supervisor of Col. Belintlynyson's & guarding the lines I with the performance of similar duties Altho' he cannot prove positively, the precise length of all his services yet consequence of his old age I forgot of memory yet he has no doubt I served more less than the forty years period I always in the service of a private I is sure he served much more being our present time during the war I had nearly all the time, He never had any written discharge from the service nor has he any documentary evidence of his services yet he refers to the testimony of his son produced of him I to the additional testimony of John Baird, Abraham Van Nest, John S. Middle, worth and several other officers of the Revolution who can attest to his services besides when he was in the service He hereby relinquishes all other claims whatever to a pension except the present one declares that his name is not on the pension roll

of any Agency of any State. And he cannot further add any conclusion - That he served long & faithfully, & takes for his services these particular sums & thus substantiated to receive in his advanced age some compensation. Subscribed upon to 3 John Van Zandt the day & year aforesaid male before me John Schumme Justice of the peace
Forensic county of ... personally appears before the subscribers one of the Justices of the peace in the said county John Baird a soldier & captain in the War of the Revolution now receiving his pension as such who being duly sworn, saith that he is the man well acquainted with John Van Zandt who has signed upon to the foregoing declaration from facts, life - knows that said Van Zandt was a soldier of the Revolution - that he served long & faithfully during the years '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 & '81 - that he was a good & faithful soldier I am no doubt for many of these years however as a man has always justly earned a high reputation for truth & veracity that his amended declaration of his revolutionary services is entitled to full faith & credit - Subscribed upon to 3 John Baird the day & year 2nd day of Feb ry A.D. 1833 before me
Peter P. Staats Justice of the peace I hereby certify that Capt. John Baird who has signed the foregoing affidavit is a man of truth & veracity that his statement is entitled to credit
Peter P. Staats Justice of the peace

Somerset County Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in Yor fork county Capt Abraham Van Nest who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is upwards of eighty years of age that he was a soldier & captain in the war of the revolution has now receiving his pension as such - that he knows & has known John Van Landt for a long time - since they were young men that he knows that said Van Landt was a soldier in the revolution & served as such that he believes he served faithfully in the years '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 etc - and not only that he served honestly & faithfully but has always as a man been generally esteemed for his truth veracity & the his statement in relation to his revolutionary services is entitled to credit
Abm Van Nest
Subscribed before me the 2nd Feb 1833
before me
Peter P Staats Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that Capt Abraham Van Nest who has subscribed before me to the foregoing affidavit is one of our most worthy citizens of Somerset universally esteemed as a man of truth & veracity that his statement is entitled to credit
Peter P Staats
Justice of the peace.

Middlesex
Forest County
State of New Jersey 3d. On this second day of Sep- tember, 1833, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John V. Middleworth, known to me to be a credible person, whose state- ment is entitled to credit, who being only sworn on his oath saith that he is in the 77th year of his age, a soldier of the Re- volution, and now in the receipt of a Pen- sion as such. That he is well acquainted with John Van Zandt, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, knows that he served loyally & faithfully in the revolution, that he served in each and every year from 1776 to 1781 both inclusive, several times, he be- lieves, in each year - served with him re- peatedly but not all the time, was a neighbor to him, and always knew when he went out - has no doubt that said Van Zandt served upwards of four years, as he was always out on his regular tours, & frequently on other occasions. Knows said Van Zandt to be a man of truth, and that his statements are implicitly to be relied upon.
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me
John V. Middleworth
Peter P. Ransom, Justice of the Peace
Middlesex County
New Jersey
3d. On this ninth day of September 1833, before me one of the Justices of the Peace of said County, personally appeared Richard Garrison, who being only sworn saith that he is a soldier of the Revolution, and now in receipt of a Pension as such. That he well knows John Van Zandt

The foregoing applicant, knows that he served in the Revolution - frequently was out with him, at various periods of the war, can not particularly specify, but has no doubt of having been out more than six months at as many times. Believes said Van Gant to be a man of truth, and that his statement is fully to be relied upon - Subscribed (sworn to this) Richard her  and Garrison day, 17th of March 1833
Peter P. Runyon Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that Richard Garrison the informant named in the foregoing affidavit is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit
Peter P. Runyon } Justice of the peace }
I hereby certify that the foregoing depoi- tions of John Van Gant, Captain John Brink, Captain Abraham Van Nest John V. Middleworth, & Richard Garrison, contain the supplemental proceedings in the case of John Van Gant, an applicant for a pension named in paper 6074. I also certify that Peter P. Staats & Peter P. Runyon, are both personally well known to me, and that I know them to be Justices of the Peace, duly commissioned & sworn, and that their signatures to the fore- going affidavits, are genuine.
New Brunswick Oct 1833
Jamieson Randolph House of Reps N.J.

State of New Jersey } I John M Mann Clerk of the Somerset County } Inferior Court of Common Pleas in
and for the County of Somerset do hereby certify that John Schum and Peter P. Staats before whom the foregoing supplemental affidavits of John Bausant John Baird and Abraham Van Nuete were taken and whose proper signatures are subscribed thereto were at the time of the state thereof Justices of the peace of said County duly Commissioned Sworn. -
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this first day of November Eighteen Hun- dred and thirty three.
J. M. Mann

State of New Jersey } I Nicholas Wood acm. Clerk of the Court of Blind along County } Common Pleas in the said County do certify that Peter P. Runyon before whom the foregoing affidavits of John V. Medderworth & Richard Goulet were taken was at the time a Justice of the Peace in the said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature after the same is genuine In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at New Brunswick This 14 th day of November AD 1833
N. Wood acm Clerk

INVALID.
File No.
1137 John August. Miss N. J. Sine.
Rev Mar.
Act:
June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol.
a, Page 386
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6074
John Van Landt
a c Admitted Private 2 years
1835 75 60
note Kielshuyse
James P. Mansfield H. Flanagan Agent. James P. Mansfield N. Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 21 st 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 subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Van Land
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
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 such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which 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 fix 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.