Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,583, Nathaniel West, Va

SERVICE
Va
West, Nathaniel
NUMBER
S. 32.583
Born in Md.
CONTENTS

Illinois 13.409
Nathaniel West.
of Madison in the State of Illinois. who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Polk of the Regt commanded by Col Crawford in the Virginia line for 9 mos.
$30.
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of July 1833 and sent to Wm Page. Carmi. White Co. Ills.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 33. - 60. - Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept 33. - 15. -
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by Wm H. Adams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 4
Dated 12. 1833

12.616 Natha West Illinose 13/109.
Return 5
Adm 9. Months.
H. J. Page Agents Carrie White Canby Fla

BRIEF in the case of  Nathaniel West  County of Madison  in the State of Illinois  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 82  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     Militia in the fall of 1831 no date In 17 drafted no time given private Genl. Polk Col. Crawford Genl. McIntosh   Spring following volunteered neither date nor time about 3 " Col. Baker   following Spring volunteered about 3 " same officer   that in the Spring following about 3 " same officer  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Crop Creek in Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are defective as to period and length of service 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Nathaniel West
12616.

Declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Illinois } Lawrence County } ss.
On this 18 th day of September personally appeared in open court before the Hon. William Wilson judge of the circuit court for Lawrence County now sitting Nathaniel West a resident of said County of Lawrence & State of Illinois aged 82 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States in the militia & served as herein stated That he was drafted under Lieutenant Thomas Polk in the fall of the Year that Fort McIntosh was built That he then resided on the waters of Crooks creek at that time in Virginia but when the line was run was found to be in Pa. That he marched to join General McIntosh then at Pittsburgh. That Colonel Crawford was in command of the regiment. That after remaining a few days at Fort Pitt he marched down the Ohio river to the mouth of Big Beaver and there built a fort called Fort McIntosh, from there he marched to the Muscogee river, built another fort there and remained there until ordered back to Fort McIntosh & there discharged. That his discharge was signed by Col. Crawford. There was a regiment of regulars there, but cannot remember the number or any of the officers.
In the Spring following he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain Mathew Richie others not recollected, Col. Crawford ordered out the men but was not out himself. There were three companies out, one

stationed at Pittsburgh & one at Wheeling and the other at Hollidays Cove. He was at Hollidays Cove That he resided as above & did duty as a ranger He was out three months.
That in the following Spring he was in the same duty at same place under same officers and out the same length of time.
That in the Spring following he was also in the same duty at same place under same officers and out same length of time. That at expiration of each of the above terms his discharge was signed by Captain Richie. That he has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to his services.
That he was born in Baltimore Co. Maryland May 6-1750. Has no record of his age. That he resided in Virginia about 7 years after his last discharge That he then removed to Madison Co. Ky. - lived there 18 or 20 years - then removed to Gibson Co. Indiana at that time however in Knox but during his residence Knox was divided & he fell into Gibson. Cannot now remember the number years he resided there he has resided in this county about five years - His discharges were all burnt soon after he removed to Gibson Co. Indiana That he cannot recollect any regular officers or regiments. That and Joseph Johnston and Josiah Telfer are persons residing in my present neighbourhood and will testify to my character for veracity, and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
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.
Nathanial his West
Sworn to & subscribed the day 8 year aforesaid M c Lean Ch cl P.C.

We Joseph Johnston
residing in the county of Lawrence and Josiah Selby residing in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel West who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be 82 years of age; that he is re- puted and believed, in the neighborhood where resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Nathaniel West March
Sworn & subscribed, the 23 day of year aforesaid.
Joseph Johnston Josiah Selby
J. M. M c Lean Ch. C.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joseph Johnston who has signed is _____ a resident in the county of Lawrence and that Josiah Selby who has also signed the same is also a resident of said county and an credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
M c W. Wilson
I James W. M c Lean clerk of the circuit court of Lawrence county, do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel West for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18 day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
J. M. M c Lean Ch.

January 31, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Nathaniel West-S.32583
Mr. H.H.West 214 South Hill Street Los Angeles, California
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Nathaniel West, who, in 1840, was living in Clay County, Illinois, aged ninety years.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War Pension claim, S.32583, based upon the military service in that war of Nathaniel West.
Nathaniel West was born May 6, 1750, in Baltimore County, Maryland. The names of his parents are not stated.
While residing "on the waters of Gross Creek", at that time in the state of Virginia (but later in Pennsylvania), Nathaniel West enlisted, date not given, served in Lieutenant Thomas Polk's Company under Colonel Crawford, marched to Pittsburgh, then went down the Ohio River to the mouth of Big Beaver Creek, where he assisted in building Fort McIntosh; then marched to Puscara was, Ohio, where he assisted in building another fort; he served three months on this tour; he subsequently served two other tours of three months each in Captain Matthew Richie's Virginia Company, both tours in the spring of different years, dates not given.
After his discharge from service, he lived seven years in Virginia, place not given; thence to Madison County, Kentucky, resided there eighteen or twenty years; thence to Knox County (that part which was later Gibson County) Indiana; thence to Lawrence County, Illinois. (lived there about 5 yrs)
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, while residing in said Lawrence County. It is not shown that he ever lived in Clay County, Illinois.
There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Nathaniel West(S.32583), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city and cite the following data:
Nathaniel West Certificate No.13409 Issued July 18, 1833 Rate, $30.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Illinois Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

32583 Reery INVALID.
File No. 82, 583
Nathaniel West
Rev Rev was
Act: June 1 st 1827
Index: — Vol. 9 , Page 448
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1912, Aug. 15, History to Charles F. Mills. For (For table)
1929, Mar. 20 - Lett. to Hon. D. A. Kendall for Dr. D. Bentch. MMT
1938 Jan 31 - Lett. to H.H. Heat. ER

CHARLES F. MILLS, President.
THOMAS REES, Vice President.
GEORGE M. CLENDENIN, Secretary.
JOSEPH F. BUNN, Treasurer.
CHARLES F. MILLS EDITOR
CIRCULATION OVER 62,000 VOLUME 37.
THE FARM HOME THE ADVOCATE OF GOOD FARMING AND GOOD LIVING OFFICE: 508-510 EAST MONROE STREET SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Chicago Office: JOHN D. ROSS, 712 Hartford Building, Cor. Madison & Dearborn Sts. New York Office: ALLEN & WARD SPECIAL AGENCY, 25 W. 42d Street.
August, eighth, Nineteen - twelve.
Hon. J. C. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir;—
The Daughters of the American Revolution desire to have a bronze tablet cast with the names of Revolutionary Soldiers that are buried in Madison County.
In order to complete said tablet, it is desireable to have the Military record of the following Revolutionary Soldiers from Virginia who received their pensions at the Illinois Agency, viz;
Henry Thornhill,
Nathaniel West,
You are invited to aid the ladies in this patriotic work by sending the information referred to above.
Very truly yours,
Charles F. Mills,
Pres. Spgfd. Chapter S.A.R.
CFM-B.

O. BEN FAST, D. D. S.
69 CHURCH ST. FAIRCHANCE, PA.
Winfield Scott, Commissioner, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
March 26, 1929.
Dear Sir:-
I would like to know if there are any claims there concerning one Nethaniel West , who served in the War of the Revolution, under Captain Edmund Baxter for Chester County. This information I gathered from the Pennsylvania Archives 5th Series Volume 5 and Page 682. This is all it gives and I would like to have any information regarding his wife and family if any is to be had.
Thanking you for past favors and awaiting your earliest opportunity, I remain
Yours truly
Ben Fast.
CBF/AK

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U. S.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
March 28, 1929.
-----, 192
Respectfully referred to
this letter returned
Commissioner of Pensions
Very respectfully,
S. A. KENDALL -----

H. H. WEST CO. Manufacturers' Representative 214 South Hill Street VAndike 1818 Los Angeles, Calif.
January 15, 1938.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
On the List of Revolutionary Pensioners from the 1840 Index is the name:
NATHANIEL WEST , 90 years old, in Clay County, Illinois.
Will you kindly furnish me an abstract of the pension application of this veteran, with any family history he may have submitted and oblige. Information desired for a history of Hezekiah West, a Revolutionary Soldier.
Yours very truly,
H. H. West.
HHW/M

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. MCHF
March 30, 1929.
Honorable S. A. Kendall, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Kendall:
In response to your request of the 28 th instant, with letter, herewith returned, from Dr. O. Ben Fast, 69 Church Street, Fairchance, Pennsylvania, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 32583, it appears that Nathaniel (his name does not appear Nethaniel) West was born May 6, 1750 in Baltimore County, Maryland.
While residing on the waters of Cross Creek, at that time in Virginia, but which part was later Pennsylvania, he enlisted, date not given, served in Lieutenant Thomas Polk's Company under Colonel Crawford, served three months assisted in building Fort McIntosh at the mouth of the Big Beaver River and one other fort. 1 Tuscarawas, O.
He subsequently served two other tours of three months each in Captain Matthew Richie's Company under Colonel Crawford, both tours in the spring time of different years, dates not given.

After his discharge from service, he lived seven years in Virginia, the place not named, thence to Madison County, Kentucky, resided there eighteen or twenty years, thence to Knox County (the part later called Gibson County) Indiana, thence to Lawrence County, Illinois.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832 while residing in the last named county.
There are no data on file relative to his family.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Nathaniel West who lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania and served in Captain Edmund Baxter's Pennsylvania Company.
✓ This bureau is in receipt of a letter from Dr. O. Ben Fast, also dated March 26, 1929, requesting information relative to Nethaniel West. It is regretted the bureau is unable to aid him further.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

August 15, 1912.
Mr. Charles F. Mills, 508 - 510 East Monroe Street, Springfield, Illinois.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 8" and received the 10" instant, you are advised that Henry Thornhill, Sur. File No. 32,557, Rev. War, was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while seventy-five years of age and a resident of Goshen Township, Madison County, Illinois.
He stated that he entered the service in Rockingham County, Virginia, in April or May, year not recollected, and served in Captain Robert Craven's company, six months; again enlisted in July, year not recollected, served in Captain Ragan's company, 10th Virginia regiment, three months, and was discharged at Yorktown, five days before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.
From the papers in the claim Sur. File No. 32,583, Rev. War, it appears that Nathaniel West was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, while a resident of Lawrence County, Illinois.
He stated that he was born May 6, 1750, in Baltimore County, Maryland, and entered the service while a resident

Thornhill - 2
West - 2
on Cross Creek, Virginia, in the Fall of 1778, under Colonel Crawford, and served three months, during which he assisted in building Fort McIntosh; served during the Spring of 1779 and 1780, under Captain Mathew Richie and Colonel Crawford, six months.
There is no family data on file.
Very respectfully,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "J. L. Pavey", is written in ink above the title "Commissioner".
Commissioner.
no. exe and

Lawrenceville May 30 th 1833 Mr J. L. Edwards Dear Sir
You have herewith the papers left from the war department with the additional declarations - you will please send them to this place to me, as the applicant for a west booth in this county
Very Respectfully your obed Servt E. B. Ryland

DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
PENSION OFFICE, June 27, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, entitled "an Act supplementary to an "Act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution."
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.
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 exists in this Department, all person 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 before the of the A. B. a resident of in the county of and State, Territory or District aged 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year , with and served in the 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.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I 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.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will receive detailed instructions, respecting the nature and form of the testimony, they must produce, to secure their being placed on the Pension Roll. As the presumption will, in such cases, be against the applicants, in consequence of the omission of their names in the muster rolls, they will be required to furnish, as near as may be, the same evidence as has heretofore been required, by the Regulations and practice adopted for carrying into effect the act of Congress, of March 18, 1818, and the acts supplementary thereto; with such relaxations as have been from time to time, sanctioned by the Department, on account of the rapid decrease of the survivors of the Revolutionary Army, and the consequent difficulty of procuring direct positive testimony in every case.
Wherever an officer or non-commissioned officer is now in the receipt of a pension, he should make application, if entitled to the benefits of this act, by letter merely, setting forth his rank, and the regiment, corps or vessels, in which he served, and his present place of residence. His pension certificate must accompany his letter.
In those cases where the applicants have once been on the pension roll, under the act of March 18, 1818, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property, or for any other reason, or where applica-

tion has been made under the act of May 15th, 1828, and the evidence of service is in the Departments, or having made application and proof of service, and having been rejected, instead of the above declaration they will make a statement, setting forth, under oath, their having been previously on the pension roll, and their having been struck from the same, shewing their rank, the regiment, corps or vessel in which they served, their present place of residence, and their place of residence when the first application was made, or of their application under the act of 15th May, 1828.
In a case where a claimant may make personal application at this Department, and can produce satisfactory proof of service, and of his identity also, at the seat of government, he may make his declaration before a justice of the peace.
2. The case of the State troops volunteers and militia is different. There are in the Department no rolls of the State troops, except those of Virginia; and no rolls of the militia, except those of New Hampshire.
Applicants, who served in the State troops of Virginia, and applicants, who served in the militia of New Hampshire, will be required to produce the same proof, as is prescribed for those, who served upon the Continental Establishment. But, with respect to the other State troops and militia, there is no record to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted. The nature of the case, therefore, demands a different rule of proceeding.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except as is above provided, will make and subscribe the following declaration:
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State, Territory or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of now sitting, A. B. a resident of in the County of State, Territory or District of aged 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:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the day (if possible) and the month and year when the claimant entered the service, and the time when he left the same; (and if under more than one engagement, he must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of his officers;) the town, and County or State, in which he resided, when he entered the service; whether he was drafted, was a volunteer or a substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he marched; the continental regiments or companies with which he served; and the names of some of the Regular Officers whom he knew, together with such farther particulars as may be useful in the investigation of his claim; and also, if the facts be so, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.]
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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And then will be annexed the following certificate:
C. D.
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 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.

The form of the proceedings and of the certificates will be so varied, as to meet the case, when the declaration is made out of Court, before a Judge, as hereafter provided for.
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, 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, 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 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? 
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 service 
 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. To require from the applicants positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the Militia by the existence of Rolls in the Department, there is no good reason why this requisition should be extended to them. On the other hand, to receive the declaration of the parties, as a sufficient ground for placing them upon the Pension Roll, without corroborating circumstances, would be to open the Treasury to great frauds. A just medium seems to present the best rule for carrying into effect the objects of Congress.
If the two persons, whose certificate is required, cannot be produced in Court, without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, then the statement of the facts and opinions, above mentioned, will be made under oath before some Judge or Justice of the Peace, and the certificate of the Court to the situation and credibility of the persons making the statement will be given.
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.
 3. Persons serving in the marine forces.  4. Indian Spies. 
Each of these two latter classes of cases will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
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.

Note of Illinois Laurence County J.P.
On the 21 st day of May A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me A.S. Bocullet one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County Nathaniel West being first duly sworn. According to Law makes the following Declaration in addition to the Declaration made on the 18 th of Sept 1832 before the Hon. William Wilson a Judge of the Circuit Court of Laurence County. And returned from the War Department
That by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear as precisely as to the length of his services - nor to the time of his entering & discharge but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades
Under Lieutenant Polke as a private 3 months As Capt. Richie as a volunteer - 3 months under the same officer as a volunteer 3 months
Making in all nine months and for which service he now claims his pension and the said Applicant further states that he has no recollection of his age neither can the deponent swear to year or month of his entering the service as aforesaid. Nathaniel West sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
A.S. Bocullet J.P.
Laurence County set
I Richard Gurner a clergyman in Satt Spring Township in the county aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with

Nathaniel Pett who has subscribed and sworn to this declaration. That I believe him to be eighty two years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that Opinion
Sworn & subscribed this 23 rd day of May 1833
I do certify that Richard Gardner who has signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in Salt Spring Township in said county that he is a credible person. and that his statement is entitled to credit A.S. Badollet J.P.
State of Illinois Lawrence County ss.
I James M c Leod Clerk of the circuit court of the county aforesaid do hereby certify that A.S. Badollet before whom the foregoing declaration was made and who has signed the Certificate was at the time and still is one of the justices of the peace for the county aforesaid duly Commissioned as such and to all whom official acts full faith and credence is and ought to be given and that the signature A.S. Badollet is the
writing of the said A.S. Badollet
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Lawrenceville the 30 th day of May A.D. 1833
C. G. W. and D. C.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel West which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? None VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no clergyman  yes as to others
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes  except 2
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in 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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.