Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,241, George N Weaver, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Weaver, George N.
R 11.241
CONTENTS
alive in Oct. 1833.
res in 1833 of Jefferson Co. N.Y.

REJECTED
11,241
P. O.
Geo. N. Weaver
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: The declaration is _____, 18
Mining
Application filed: _____, 18
Declaration papers transmitted to the
Hon. T. C. Chittenden March
Alleges: _____ 9. 1840
Re-enlisted: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension of this man for George Weaver of Watertown, Jefferson Co. N.Y.
Attorney: as follows: Service as a
P. O.  minute-man in Col. Bellinger's regiment not specified nor detail given - the numerous survivors of this service in Vermont, if applied to, might recognize afford the best evidence of service
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
, 18

Watertown N York Octo. 22 d 1833
Sir Yours of the 12 th inst in relation to the claim of George N. Weaver is rec d , in which you state that that every applicant should produce the best evidence in his power, and that there are numerous applicants in Herkimer County who served under Capt. Hart & Col. Bellingr - had you have given the names of these claimants, under other circumstances it would have proved beneficial - but Weaver is probably on his death bed - he was sick at the time of making his declaration and in producing the evidence of one credible witness to his services he did procure the best evidence in his power - It may appear I am aware, to those who see claims coming from every quarter arising from services performed under the same officers, an easy matter to procure direct proof of the services claimed - In most instances coming under my observation, applicants for pensions, through loss of memory & lapse of time are unable to give the names of very few, if any beside the officers under whom they served - and many who did much service can not do even that - Mr Weaver is a very respectable man, one of the oldest inhabitants of the County well known as one of strict integrity and truth - in confirmation of which I send you herewith the certificates of the Hon ble Judge McKnight and the Hon ble Egbert M c Eyck late first Judge of the County and formerly Member of Congress - You also state that there is no evidence that Bellingr's Regt was in service - 75- Weaver says it was &

if he should be mistaken about the name - there is no doubt in my mind he served in the Puff of Militia which commanded by him on not the years he has declared for - he also served for more than two years after that - It does seem to me a contravention of the spirit of the Law as well as the regulations established under it that he should be required to procure two witnesses to his whole service - I do think Mr Wren has established his claim and is justly entitled to a pension - I have not informed him that his claim is suspended, to do so would hasten his dissolution - a denial of his claim would be no worse to his feelings -
I solicit the favor that you would take up his claim again - in connexion with the testimony already produced and the certificates of character sent herewith and either deny or grant him a pension -
Yr obed Servt
Admiral Ely
Hon. S. L. Edwance
Washington

No 23913 George H. Weaver Jefferson County New York
ej. Disbursed for further proof
Adriel Ely Watertown, New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjjoined 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, showing the Service of George M c Wear, Jefferson County New York
   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.     Enlisted April 1775 - 4 - private Col. Martin. Colonel 79 years NY State Troops   Called 1 st April 1776 - 3 - private F c Bellinger Terra Company German State Traditional evidence & Cluymans Certificate, Witness certified credible by the Judge, who also states that the Applicant is confined to his bed - The living Witness certified credible papers correct   Called out 1777 - 5 - private Col. Martin Herkimer County New York   Called out 1778 - 4 - private Col. Willett.   Served April 1779 - 5 - private Officers not named.   Served - 1780 - 3 - private — not named   Served - { 1781 & 1782 } - 6 - private — not named.  
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 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 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.
[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.

Hon. J. C. Chittenden
Mar 9. 1840
- Ob.

War Dept Pension Office Mar 9 1840.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the original papers 3rd number of George M. Weaver, and have to request that you will be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of them, specifying the number of papers received.
Copies of the papers of George Joseph Hall, an applicant for an Invalid pension, are now preparing, and when completed they will be sent to You.
The pension of Mrs Lucretia M.
In the case of Mrs Lucretia Marsh, a new pension certificate was issued for her on the 26 th Ult o and by mistake transmitted to you at Albany, New-York. The error occurred in consequence of the original papers having been enclosed to you at that place.
Hon. J. C. Chittenden H.R.
Geo. M. Weaver No. 2. 1832. No. 23913. (3 pages sent)

Watertown June 18. 1833
Sir I herewith return the pension papers of George N. Weaver amended agreeably to the regulations
Yr Obed Servt Admiral Ely
Hon L. L. Edwards Com d Pension

Revo.
Act 7 June 1832
George W. Weaver
Suspended
See letter
to 112211
Adriel Ely Esq.
Watertown
N. York
12 Oct. 1833
let. to same 28. Apr. '34 cannot find
do to Mrs. J. C. Chittenden Mar. 9.
1840 Sent him the papers.

George Weaver Susp o N.Y.
32-
Also examine and copy papers of Nicholas Hart Purs N.Y. 32- who served with Weaver.
Mr. W. S. Davis Washington

Stirling Jan 25 th 1853. To the Commissioners of Pensions.
Allow Mr W. E. Weide to examine my fathers papers filed in that office, for the purpose of ascertaining whether I can obtain a Pension or not.
Yours respectfully. John Weaver..

War Department Pension Office Oct. Sept 12, 1833
Sir
The paper of George N. Weaver have again been examined — The applicant alleges in his supplemental declaration that he enlisted as a minute man for and during the war in Col Billings Regiment in the month of March or 1 st of April — 1775 — It does not appear from any evidence in this Department that Col Billings Regiment was then in service — Every such appli- cant is required by the regulation, to produce the best evidence in his power — There are numerous claimants in the County of Northumberland who served under Col Billings Lieut Capt Harter, Company — See The affidavit of some one of them at least should be obtained in order

to sustain this claim — The case is Gurnea and the Japan Museum on Fifth Street
Adriel Ely Watertown New York
Adriel Ely N.Y. 12. Oct. 1833
O. L.
Rec. Msl 30. p. 27.