Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 18338, Thomas Williams, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.H.
Williams, Thomas Olive
W 18338
Act.
CONTENTS

4169
Remant Mansfield
Oliver Williams
widow of Thomas
N.H.
served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 32 Dollars 20 ,
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
12 day of March 18 49
and sent to
Mrs B. Tyler East Bethel N.H.
Roll of Pensioners under act 1848, Page 103 Vol. 3 ,

Vermont 18.873
Thomas Williams of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a Pvt - in the Company commanded by Captain Hutchings of the Regt commanded by Col. Gilly in the New Hampshire Militia -
9. No 21 St Private - 32.28
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 32 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Oct 1833 and sent to J. Conner, Bkett, M
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 80.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending Feb 1834 16.10 $96.60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. J. Spagard Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 98

State of Maine
York County ss.
September 15th. 1843.
I, Lauriston Ward, Clerk of the First Congregational Church in the town of Saco in the County of York State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the following certificate appears upon the records of said Congregational Church
The Records of the Church in Pepperellborough. Marriages.
One thousand seven hundred and eighty four. November twenty eighth.
Thomas Williams to Olive Green
Lauriston Ward, Clerk of said Church
I further certify that the above is a true copy of the original record with the exception of dates which is expressed on the records in plain legible words and figures as follows.
The Records of the Church in Pepperellborough Marriages.
1784. Nov. 28. Thomas Williams to Olive Green."
I, Lauriston Ward, depose & say that the town of Saco was formerly called Pepperellborough, that I hold the office of Clerk of the first Congregational Church in said town of Saco and that the above is a true extract from the records of the said Church with the exception above named by me.
Lauriston Ward, Clerk of the First Congregational Church in Saco.
(The words "depose & say" were interlined before signing. House engraving) L. Ward

State of Maine } York County ss. } Subscribed & sworn to this 15th day of September A. D. 1843. (Frederick Greene) Justice of the Peace
I, Abraham Forsholm Town Clerk of the town of Saco in the County of York and State of Maine depose and say, that I have held the office of Clerk of said Town of Saco since the 23 day of August 1843.
I have the possession of the Records of said town and have carefully examined the same from the year 1762. (being the earliest date of the records of said town of Saco) to the year 1843 and can find no records of the marriage of Thomas Williams to Olive Green within the period aforesaid.
I further say that there is no record of the births of any children of said Thomas Williams and Olive his wife.
I further say that there is no record of any marriage on the Books of said town of Saco prior to the year 1799
The records do not appear to be regular and full but nothing appears to raise a presumption against the marriage of said Thomas Williams to said Olive Green.
The words "the same from" were } interlined before signing / } Abraham Forsholm } Town Clerk of Saco
State of Maine } York County ss. } Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of September A. D. 1843. (Frederick Greene) Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
County of York, Set.
I, William Trafton, Clerk of the Judicial Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Frederic Greene is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty seventh day of March 1841, and will expire on the twenty seventh day of March 1848, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County, this nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty three.
William Trafton, Clerk.

Olive Williams Declaration 10346
Olive Williams
at 43' 5935-
at 7. July 38
m 84. a 36-
adm
9mo. 21 d pri
32. 20
from 22
July 36 the day of her husband death Please address
Stephen Thomas agent of Olive Williams.
West Fairlee Vt.
also
Register Vt. under att
March 43.
32. 20
Hon W. Upham Senate

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 entitled an "act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows"
State of Vermont Windsor County } Hartford District of Probate S.S. }
on this 28 th day of October A.D. 1843 Personally appeared before me Thomas P. Russell Judge of Probate within and for the District aforesaid Olive Williams a resident of Bethel in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled an "act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows"
That she is the widow of Thomas Williams who was a private in the army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States upon the Rolls of the Vermont Agency at the rate of Thirty two dollars, and twenty cents per annum under the act of June 7, 1832
She further Declares that she was Married to the said Thomas Williams on the Twenty eighth day of November Seventeen hundred and eighty four in the town of Pepperellborough in the State of Maine, and that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Williams Died on the Twenty Second day of July Eighteen hundred and Thirty Six that she was not Married to him prior to his leaving the service but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four (viz) at the time above stated
Olive Williams Mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above mentioned before me, and I further certify that the declarant is a person of truth and credibility.
Thos. P. Russell Judge of Probate
I Margaret Smith of Bethel in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged 58 years Depose and say that Thomas Williams who was a Revolutionary Pensioner upon the Rolls of the Vermont agency was my Father, that he died at Bethel aforesaid on the 22 d day of July A.D. 1836, that I was present when he died. That Olive Williams of said Bethel is my Mother and that she is the widow of the said Thomas Williams Margaret Smith
Sworn to and subscribe on this 20 th day of October 1843 before me, and I further certify that the above affiant Margaret Smith is a person of truth and credibility.
Thos. P. Russell Judge of Probate

State of Vermont Hartford District
I Odell Billings Register of the court of Probate of the District of Hartford aforesaid. do hereby certify. that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Olive Williams for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Woodstock this 20 th day of October A 1843.
Odell Billings Register.

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Thomas Williams a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted in the army of the
United States in the year 1780 with and served in the Regiment of the New Hampshire Troops under the following named officers viz Capt Stetson, Ensign Thompson (name of the Lieut not recollected) That the Regiment was commanded by Col. Gilley, Major Scott in General Poors Brigade. That he enlisted in the Town of Greenland in the State of New Hampshire where he then resided into the Continental Establishment for the term of six months in the month of May 1780 - the precise day of the month not recollected - That immediately upon such enlistment he marched to West Point in the State of New York where he arrived the fore part of June - Genl Arnold had the command at West Point when he first went there - That he remained at West Point till the last of July as he thinks, when he marched to a place called Orange Town as he thinks and tarried there a while and then returned to West Point again and thence to Fort Constitution where he remained a while discharged at a place called Soldiers Fort which was the latter part of November or forepart of December 1780 - That he received a written discharge which as he thinks, was signed by Col. Gilley Genl Poer being dead - That during this service Genl Arnold attempted to betray the Post at West Point into the hands of the British but failed. Thank God!
That he was not in any battle during this term of service - That at said town of Greenland - New Hampshire in the month of August 1781 - day not recollected - he again enlisted for the term of four months into the company commanded by Capt - name not remembered - Maj Scott commanded as he thinks the Troops on Hudson River at that time as the principal part of the officers and men had gone to the South to engage Cornwallis - That

immediately upon such enlistment he marched to a place called Tallow's Hill as he now recollects - where he joined the army and which in the forepart of September 1781 as he thinks - That he remained at this place three or four weeks and then went in a sloop to Albany and from there to Saratoga where he remained till he was discharged which was the 21 st day of December 1781 - That he received a written discharge signed by M o ry Butten Capt Com d by order of Brig. Genl. Schuyler which discharge he now has and intends to send with this declaration - That he was born at Greenland New Hampshire July 29, 1763, where he lived till after the War, then moved to Cornish N. H. thence to Bethel where he has resided for about twenty years last past
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Thomas Williams
L. Marsh, Register
We, Washington Granger a Clergyman residing in Bethel and Mills May residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid. }
Washington Granger Mills May
L. Marsh, Register
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 Washington Granger who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Bethel (Vermont) and that Mills May who has also signed the same, is a resident in Bethel and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Williams for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of August A. D. 1832.
L. Marsh, Register

Thomas Williams
10.-
No 2609

N. Re.
Williams Shos.
W. 18338
Tis. cf.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18338
Oliver Williams Widow of Thomas Williams Pri. New War
Act: Feb 29. 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1936 Mar. 10. Tombstone data to Paul F. Wilson Berthel W.F. see letter m. John Moody M30261. aw.

8450.
Vermont
Chis (William) widow of Chas (William) who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 29th July 1836 of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a Privat in the Comp y commanded by Captain Wentworth of the Reg t commanded by Col. Kelley in the New H amp line for 9. Mo. 21. days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 32 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836. The day of his death
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of June 1844 and sent to Hon. Mr. Cushman, Senate
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by No. S. P. Kim Clerk, Book L Vol. 1 Page 143
Report
No 141
Certificate under Joint Resolution of the 23 d Jan y 1845. at $32. 20. per Annum, from 4 th March 1836 to 29 th July 1836 from which time her pension has already been paid under Act 7 th July 1838. Sp d 17. April 1845.

Revised
5648
Vermont Montp.
Oliver Williams
widow of Thos Williams
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 32 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of June, 1844 and sent to
Dear Mr. Upson, Franklin, Vt.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 32 . Vol. 1 , Page 32 .

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the act of congress passed on the 2 d of Feb 1848
State of Vermont } Windsor County s.s. }
on this 6 th day of Sept 1848 personally appeared before me Wm B Tyler a Justice of the Peace in & for said county & state Olive Williams of Bethel in said county Aged Eighty Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed on the 2 d February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War
That she is the Widow of Thomas Williams who was a private in the war of the Revolution; that she has been pensioned under the Acts of July 7 th 1838, 3 d of March 1843, and June 17 th 1844 which she received at the pension Agency at Montpelier Vermont at the rate of thirty two Dollars & twenty cents per annum — That she further declares that she still is a Widow
In presence of Benjamin Williams Wm B Tyler }
her Olive X Williams marks
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Wm B Tyler Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office Montpelier September 15. 1848
I hereby certify that William B. Tyler Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his genuine handwriting to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Windsor, in said State duly constituted and commissioned, and that full credit is due to his official acts and attestations as such justice.
In testimony whereof I here to set my hand and affix the seal of this Office this 15 th day of September A.D. 1848.
Fernand F. Merrill Deputy Secretary of State

State of Vermont } Windsor County s. s. } At Bethel September 15 th 1848
This may certify that I am personally acquainted with Oliver Williams signer of the foregoing Declaration and do know her to be the identical person she therein claims herself to be
Wm B Tyler Justice of the Peace

March 13, 1845.
Dear William,
Yrs Jan 23 1845
Committee of Senators Cannon Washington D.C.
Edwards
Yrs

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the resolution of Congress of the 23 d January 1845
Whereas the act of the 30 th April 1844 prohibited me from drawing a pension for the same period during which my Husband was a pensioner I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefits of the resolution above mentioned.
I am the Widow of Thomas Williams who was a private in the war of the Revolution. I have drawn a pension at the rate of Thirty Two Dollars & Twenty Cents p r annum from the 22 d day of July 1836 and now ask for the amount due me from the 4 th day of March 1836 to the 22 d day of July 1836 when my former pension commenced in the year 1836 at Thirty Two Dollars and Twenty Cents
Dated at Bethel in the County of Windsor this 6 th day of March 1845
Olive his Williams marks
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 6 th day of March 1845 Almon D. Dike Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me & that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit
Almon D. Dike
Justice of the Peace

S. Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that Almon Durkee, who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, and that the foregoing is his Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of said County Court, this Seventh day of March A.D. 1845 at Woodstock in the State of Vermont
N. Williams, Clerk

Please communicate with Stephen Shancas agent West Fairlee Vermont

Olive Williams under the joint resolution of 23 d Jany: 1845 & act 7 July 1838—
Adm d : c$32.20 per ann from 4 March 1836 to 22 d July, 1836—
Stephen Thomas Esq: West, Fairlee Vermont
Aug 24 1840

East Bethel N.Y. Sept 15 th 1848
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Sir I have certified the Declaration of Marcy Hinckler as requested by the Department and now return the same with two more one of Elizabeth Burbank and the other of Oliver Williams which I have taken since I sent Mrs. Hincklers. If approved please forward all the certificates to me at this place and
Oblige Yours
Respectfully
Wm B. Tyler
P.S. An early return would be very acceptable to the claimants
W. B. T.
taken out
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10

E Bethel Vt Sept 19/48
Dear
Mr Cole E Bethel Vt Com
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City D. C.

Washington D.C. Apr. 18. 1844.
Sir,
I enclose to you the letter of Stephen Thomas Esq. of West-Fairlee, Vermont, dated Apr. 13. 1844, with a request that you will, soon as convenient, inform me what disposition you have made of the applications for pensions therein mentioned. Have the good. Sir, to return with your answer the letter from Mr. Thomas to me
I am, Sir, very respectfully yours,
Wm. Upshur
Colo. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

claim of Thomas Williams of Bethel
Claimant
Admit 9 mos 21 d's
J. C. Morse Bethel
✓

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
8 April
1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will 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
   Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.                 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
M Thomas Williams
Bethel
VT

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 _____ A. B.
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) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, 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 (1) 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 he 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 required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[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.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Only one term of service can be allowed upon the present evidence. From the shape of the declaration it is exceedingly probable that the claimant served but one term which was all in the 2 d H Reg t

Thomas Ayers Affidavit

I Thomas Ayres seventy years of age testify and say that I am acquainted with Thomas Williams who now resides in Bath Vermont but formerly lived in Greenland New Hampshire that I lived about half a mile from said Thomas Williams at said Greenland that the said Williams as this deponent believes entered into the of the United States at said Greenland in June 1780 and was gone till late in the fall or first of the winter following this deponent knows that said Williams was gone from said Greenland the term of time above mentioned and that said Williams was gone one other time but cannot tell how long time said Williams was gone
State of New- Hampshire Sullivan
On the second day of September A.D. 1833 Thomas Ayres made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is just and true Before me Benjamin Chapman Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have long been acquainted with the above named Thomas Ayres and Thomas Williams and that they are both personally known to me the same and that they both sustain good characters and are credible witnesses Benjamin Chapman Justice of the Peace

Benjamin Chapman
State of New Hampshire Sullivan County ss.
I Benjamin P. French Clerk of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature, for said County, do hereby certify that Benja- min Chapman is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 4 th of September A. D. 1832, and will expire on the 3 rd day of Septem- ber 1837, and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 11 th day of September A. D. 1833.
P. P. French

Thomas Williams Affidavit
5-2-18 Roll n. 2

State of Vermont — Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Windsor County Justice of the Peace for said County of Windsor. Thomas Williams, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that in the last of May or first of June in the year 1780, at Greenland, in the State of New Hampshire, he enlisted into the Army of the United States in the Company commanded by Captain Watchings, Ensign Thompson. That owing to old age and consequent loss of memory he does not now recollect the name of the Lieutenant of the Com- pany in which he served. That the Regiment in which he served was commanded by Colonel Gilley, Major Scott, in Genl. Dyer's Brigade. That he enlisted as a soldier for the term of six months. That immediately upon such enlistment he marched, through the towns of Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts, Litchfield & Danbury Connecticut, to West Point in the State of New York, where he joined the main Army in the in garrison, which was at that time commanded by General Arnold, who shortly after attempted to betray the said Post into the hands of the Bri- tish, but was fortunately prevented. That he remained at said West Point till the last of July or first of August 1780 when he, with the whole Brigade to which he belonged marched from said West Point to the English Neighborhood, so called, and thence to Orange Town, where they remained about four weeks, while there Major Andre, a British Spy, was hung. That soon said Orange Town they returned to West Point, where they remained a few days and then crossed the River to Fort Constitution, which stands opposite West Point. That they remained at said Fort till about the first of November 1780 when they were marched to a place called Soldier's Fortune in said New York where they remained till he was discharged which was about the first of December 1780. That while at Soldier's Fortune, the troops were engaged in building huts for such troops as remained during the

service . That while at said Soldier's Fortune he went out with a party after forage about forty or fifty miles, and was gone on said business about five or six days, and obtained a good supply. That at the expiration of said term of six months he was discharged at said Soldier's Fortune, and received a written discharge, which he thinks was signed by Col. Billy, as Genl. Poor was dead. That said discharge he has lost.
That at said Greenland in the month of August 1781 he again enlisted into the Army of the United States as a soldier for the term of four months, and marched immediately to a place called Gallow's Hill in the State of New York not far from West Point, where he joined the Army that was there, most of the Troops having gone to Virginia to fight Cornwallis. That the he was enlisted as a recruit to supply the place of those who had gone to the South. That he thinks the highest officer in the Company where he served was Ensign Thompson, the senior officers of the Company having gone to the South. That the Troops at the Hudson River were commanded by Majr. Scott. That they remained at said Gallow's Hill a while and then went to Albany and thence to Saratoga, where he remained till the expiration of his said four months, when he received a written discharge, which was on the 21st. day of December 1781, signed by Moses Sutton Capt. Comd. (which he shall forward with this affidavit). That he positively performed two tours of service, one six months and the other four months, as above set forth. And that he knows of no person living by whom he can prove his services. That during the term of said service in an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was in the field or garrison, and that for all the time during which the service was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit. —

That he has made his declaration which he has once transmitted to the War Department, and which intends to return to said Department with this affidavit. That owing to old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot at this distance of time recollect every particular, but that the foregoing statement is according to the best of his recollection, and that he knows it is substantially correct.
Thomas Williams
Sworn to before me this 27th day of August A.D. 1888.
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont Windsor County ss I hereby certify that the above named Thomas Williams is, and has been for a long time past personally known to me the subscriber and that he has ever sustained an unimpeachable character for truth and veracity and is a credible witness.
Jonathan Marsh Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont | I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court Do Windsor County ss | hereby certify that Jonathan Marsh is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures above written I believe to be genuine
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County Court, at Woodstock in said County this Seventh day of September A.D. 1888.
Benj Swan Clerk

By Order of B d Gen l Starkes Thomas Williams New Leavy In the 2 d New Hampshire Reg t is Discharged the Service. Given Under Hand in Garrison at Solotoge this 21 st Day of Dec r 1781. To All Conferinde.
Moses Dutton Cap t Com d G d OOOO

8881-11
Thomas Williams
Last Waving the Sparrows