Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9514, David Waterman, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Rd
Waterman, David
S 9514
CONTENTS
carded

N o . 2255 New York
David Waterman
of Niagara in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Olney of the Regt. commanded by Col. Amos in the New York line for full term
R. S. Line. Record corrected. Feb. 7/25.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov. 1833 and issued Thos. Doolittle Middleport
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th of Sep. 34 40
$240
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Go. Estlin Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 128.

In the matter of the application of David Waterman for a pension
18158
v

State of New York } Niagara County } on the fifth _____ day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two appeared before the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of the County of Niagara David Waterman a resident of the town of Hartland in the County of Niagara and state of New York aged seventy two years who first being 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 the 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here in stated.
1 st That he lived in the town of Johnston County of Providence and State of Rhode Island about the first of December 1776 he was sixteen years of age. At this time the soldiers were alarmed; the company he belonged to was commanded by Captain Emes Olney Daniel Angel lieutenant. Jonathan Waterman ensign. They marched to Providence that being their alarm post southward to Pawtucket; he was out about one month, and the company returned home. The British army came into Newport about this time.
2 nd That he thinks in January 1778 the company he belonged to was divided; one half was out one half of the time, which was about one month each time  longer till some time in June he thinks he was stationed at Pawtucket twice and Warwick once he thinks Moses Stowell was colonel he thinks those
3 rd Three towns must have amounted to at least three months That some time in the month of June he enlisted at Warwick under Jacob Belknap Lieutenant (he was seventeen years old the 10 th of this month) for the term of nine months

he went to Providence and drew Equipments went back to Warick from thence to Oldikes neotown thence to Bristol Back to Warick there crossed by Seekannet in to Massachusetts through Tanton to the east of Newport he was commanded by General Spencer. Jeremiah Crary Col.; James Williams Lieut. Col.; Abraham Dyer Captain; Benjamin Walcutt first Lieut.; Simon Dexter Ensign; that they made two attempts to land on the Island and failed then crossed back to Bristol and was stationed there till his term of enlistment was out and was dismissed or discharged he does not recollect of receiving any written discharge
4 th
That in the spring of 1778 the Company he belonged to was divided one half on duty at a time commanded by Capt. Emers Olney of Johnston his term of Service was about one month at a time when he was not on duty in his division he was subject to frequent alarms he thinks he served under Capt. Olney one half of the time for nearly three years he then served under a short time under Daniel Angel Capt.; the town of Johnston he next served under Leban Waterman Capt.; the town of Johnston during the War of the Revolution thinks he must have served between two and three years in all.
5 th
That in the spring of 1778 he was drafted and marched with his company to Warick under Capt. Olney served about one month and was dismissed.
6
That the same spring he was drafted and went to Pawtucket thinks Amos Atwell was Col. served about one month
7 th
That about the first of August he marched on to the Island of Newport under Capt. Olney

- Commanded by General Sullivan Served Twenty days and was dismissed before the Battle - That he took cold in the heavy Storm that drove the French fleet out of the harbor he was unable to do duty till some time in - September following
8 th That in Autumn 1778 he was drafted and marched to Pautuxet Stationed in one Carpenters house he thinks under Capt. Olney Served about one month and was dismissed
9 th That he marched with his company to the Village of Warick under Capt. Olney Served about one month and dismissed he was Stationed in a Mr. Lockwoods house
10 th That in the beginning of 1779 he was drafted and marched to Pautuxet under Jeremiah Waterman Lieut. was served about one month was stationed in Capt. Pitchers house and then dismissed as a substitute for his Brother who was Fifteen Years older than himself.
11 th That in February 1779 he was drafted and marched to Pautuxet under Col. Atwell, and Capt. Olney for about one month stationed in Carpenters house
12 th That in the Spring of 1779 he was drafted and marched to Pautuxet and served about one month and dismissed he was stationed in one Eburnes the Commissarys house
13 th That he was drafted and marched to Pautuxet stationed half a mile to the south of the village thence to Warick he thinks he was commanded by Capt. Olney served about five weeks.
14 th That in the summer following he was called out in an alarm; he thinks Olney was Capt. marched to the north end of Freshport stationed on the main land served about Twenty days and was dismissed. That he is not sure whether the above tours were mostly by drafts or by Alarms as they were each very frequent

That of more than fifty Years has erased some of the particulars from his memory
15 th That he had Two tours on the Island of report after the British army left the Island commanded by Col. Jenks, and Capt. Waterman A bout six weeks.
16 th That he had a number of tours at Warick Thinks General Cornwall commanded he was there when a British Ship ran a ground and assisted in getting a cannon to play at her served a bout one month
17 th That he had Three tours of being alarmed and marching to Bristol under Capt. Waterman once at the lower part of the village of Bristol stationed in a deserted house for about one month. once in the middle of the Bristol village for a bout ten days and one tour near the center of the village in a deserted house for a bout ten days — That he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and described the day and year aforesaid —
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
David Waterman
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me in open Court Henry Patton Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Prov. of Niagara County
We Joel Doubleday, a clergyman residing in the town of Marland Marland, County of Niagara State of New York; and Jacob Odell, residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Waterman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be Seventy two Years, as stated in the annexed declaration — That I Joel Doubleday have been acquainted with the said Waterman, for the period of twenty Years and upwards — That I Jacob Odell have been acquainted with said

Waterman for the period of five years - That he the said Waterman is reputed to be  has been ever since our first acquaintance with him, as aforesaid, reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we are concur- in that opinion - And that said Waterman is a man of unimpeachable truth and veracity. -
Jacob Dabbleday
Sworn, and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
before me in open court Henry Seton Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Wingard County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing 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 Joel Doddleday who has signed the preceding certificate is a blacksmith in a Resident of the town of Rutland and that Jacob Adell who has also signed the same is a resident in Rutland and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
J. W. Collins } Members of L. Howard } the Court in Eli Hathaway } attendance

In the Matter of the application of David Waterman of Hartland Niagara Co. N. York. for a Pension.
Thomas Dunlap agent Middleport Niagara Co. N. York

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of New York } Niagara County - ss. }
On this Twelfth  English day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Niagara, David Waterman a Resident of Hartland in the County of Niagara and State of New York aged Seventy Three 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States in the Year 1776, and served under the following named Officers as hereinafter stated.
That he was born in the Town of Johnston, County of Providence and State of Rhode Island in the Year 1760, when he resided when called into Service; he resided in said Town until the Year 1797, when he removed to Shrewsbury in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont and remained there until the Year 1827, when he removed to the Town of Hartland aforesaid, where he has ever since resided.
That he has no record of his age, except one which he caused to be made in the Town of Johnston in the County and State aforesaid, after he became a man of family, which he supposes now to exist in the Records of said Town.
That about the first of December 1776, he was called out on an alarm in the Company of Militia to which he belonged, - the Officers of said Company were Capt. Emer Olney, Lieut. Daniel Angel, & Ensign Saban Waterman. They were marched to Providence then alarm post, thence to Pawtucket; he served one month to the best of his recollection when his company returned home. The British Army came into Newport about this time. He served he thinks in the Regiment of Col. Amos Avelle. That he thinks, in January 1777, his company, commanded by the same Officers above mentioned, was divided, and the two Divisions served alternately until some time in June, he was

Stationed. he thinks, twice at Pawtucket and once at Warwick, was out - one Month on each town according to his recollection and served at least three months at those times, and was in a Regiment - Commanded, he thinks by Col. Amos Stevell.
That sometime in June 1777. he enlisted in the State Troops of Rhode Island under Lieut. Jacob T. Belknap for the term of Nine Months, went to Providence and drew Equipments, went back to Warwick, from thence to Obedikes, Newtown, from thence to Warwick, from thence to Bristol where he joined a Regiment Commanded by Col. Archibald Gray in which James Williams was Lieut. Colonel, and served in a Company Commanded by Capt. Reuben Ballow in which Benjamin Walcutt was 1 st Lieutenant and Simon Dexter Ensign. They were under the Command of General Spencer. They were marched from Bristol to Kickassett into Massachusetts through Taunton to the East of Newport - they made two attempts to land on the Island and failed, then crossed back to Bristol where he was stationed until his term of Enlistment expired, and was dismissed or discharged, but does not recollect of receiving any written discharge. He now recollects another of his officers, Maj. Northcote.
That in the Spring of 1778. (he cannot recollect the month) his Company Commanded as aforesaid, was divided, and the two divisions served alternately (Colonel Stevell being in Command of the Regiment) as follows.
1778 In the Spring of that year (he cannot recollect the month) he marched under Capt. Olney to Warwick, served about one month and was dismissed.
In the same Spring (month not recollecting) he went to Pawtucket and served about one month and was dismissed.
20 About the 1 st of August of same year, he marched on to the Island of Newport and was then under the Command of General Sullivan. Served Twenty days and was dismissed before the battle - He took cold in the heavy storm that drove the French fleet out of the harbor and was unable to do duty till September.
In Autumn of that year (month not recollecting) he marched to Pawtucket, was stationed in one Cooper's house, served about

One Month and was dismissed. Late in Autumn of that Year (month not recollected) he marched to Warwick, was Stationed in the Lockwood's house. Served about one Month and was dismissed. These several tours were per- formed under Capt. Olney. In the beginning of 1779 (month not recollected) he marched to Pawtuxet under Jeremiah Waterman Lieutenant, was Stationed in Capt. Pitchers house. Served about one month as a Substitute for his Brother Daniel Waterman, and was dismissed. In February of same Year he marched to Pawtuxet under Capt. Olney, was Stationed in Carpenter's house. Served about one Month and was dismissed. In the Spring of same Year (month not recollected) marched again to Pawtuxet, was Stationed in the house of Eburns the Commissary, Served about one month and was dismissed. Forsooth, he thinks under Capt. Olney. In the same Spring or Early in the Summer (month not recollected) he marched again to Pawtuxet, was Stationed about half a mile South of the Village, thence to Warwick, served about five weeks, under Capt. Olney he thinks, and was dismissed. In the same Summer (month not recollected) he was called out in an alarm. Marched to the North of Newport, was sta- tioned on the Main land, Served about Twenty days, under Capt. Angel to the best of his recollection, and was dismissed. He is unable to distinguish whether the several tours of duty above mentioned in the Years 1778 & 1779 were mostly by drafts or Alarms, as both were very frequent. That he performed two tours of duty on the Island of Newport after the British Army left there, and served in both under Capt. Water- man and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Innes about six weeks and was dismissed. He was called out on alarms at this time. That he served a number of tours at Warwick under the Command of General Cornwall, was there when a British Ship ran aground and assisted in getting a cannon to play upon her. Served about a month and was dismissed. He does not recollect who his Captain was at this time, but only served under three Captains Olney, Angel & Waterman (by Alarms)

11. 17
That he was three times called out on alarms and marched to Bristol under Capt. Waterman - Once he was stationed in the lower part of the village and served about one month and was dismissed - twice he was stationed in the middle of the village and served about ten days at each time and was dismissed. He is unable to say at what precise times the several last mentioned tours were performed.
12. 27
That by reason of old age and the great length of time which has intervened and the loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of many of the tours above mentioned, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods above severally specified.
That he recollects no other Regular Officers than Gen. Sullivan and Gen. Spencer.
He cannot recollect any Continental or Militia Regiments other than the one in which he served.
one principal reason for which is that he acted (a greater part of the time of his service) in the capacity of Waiter to his Captains.
He does not recollect of ever receiving a Discharge or Commission.
He is known to Col. Doubleday, Benjamin Cornell, Daniel Van Horn & Franklin Butterfield persons residing in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his 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 any Agency in any State.
That since he made his previous declaration, he has procured the Affidavit of his Brother, who testifies to the fact of his having been in the service of the United States, although he did not serve with him.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above David Waterman 4th of Sept 1883 before me J. M. Collins Judge of Niagara County Court

In the Matter of the Application of David Waterman of Hartland for a Pension

We Joel Doubleday a Clergyman residing in the Town of Hartland, County of Niagara and State of New York and Ezra Hildridge jr residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well ac- -quainted with David Waterman who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration; that we believe him to be Twenty three years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the Neighborhood where he resides. to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Joel Doubleday Ezra Hildridge Jr
Sworn and Subscribed last the day and year aforesaid before me J. M. Collins Judge of Niagara County Courts
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 Revolu- -tionary Soldier and served as the States. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Joel Doubleday who has signed the pre- -ceding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Hartland aforesaid, and that Ezra Hildridge jr who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a credible person, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
J. Dayton } Judges of J. M. Collins } Niagara County J. Butterfield } Courts Calvin Hotchkiss

Henry Waterman of Shrewsbury in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of Lawfull age Testify and say that I am well acquainted With David Waterman of Hartland State of New York and in the Revolutionary War he lived in the Town of Johnston in the State of Rhode Island and lived in the same family with him and was knowing to his being in service of his Country See all times does. Not recollect how many times know he was on the Island at the time the Battle was and am knowing his Enlisting in the State Troops of Rhode Island he thinks for nine months but is not certain and has known him and lived Neighbour to him in the Town of Shrewsbury aged Twenty Seven years and further the Deponent say not Dated Shrewsbury August 7. 1833
Henry Waterman I here by Certify that the above named Henry Waterman is a Creditable witness. John Buckmaster Justice Peace
State of Vermont } Shrewsbury August 7th 1833 Rutland County } Then personally appeared Henry Waterman and after being Carefully Examined and duly Cautioned made Solemn oath that the foregoing Disposition by him subscribed Contains the Truth and nothing but the Truth before me
John Buckmaster Justice Peace

State of Vermont Rutland County ss:
I Robert Pierpont Clerk of Said County do hereby certify that John Buckmaster before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken is one of the Justices of the Peace of Shrewsbury in Said County, and that the signatures within purporting to be his are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Said County this 10 th day of September in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three.
R Pierpont
Filed 10/13/33 John Buckmaster Robert Pierpont Rutland Robert Pierpont John Buckmaster Shrewsbury Rutland

18158 David Waterman Niagara co N. York
on rolls of Crans
c i
Admitted Private 2 years
Thomas Dunlap, Middleport, N. York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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 David Waterman, Niagara co N.Y.
   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.     Drafted 1776 about 1 private Capt Olney Col Thos Patucket 72   Enlisted 1777 3 Lieut Belknap Lieut Col Williams Crary Wawarick Providence   9 1/2 Capt Ballou Obdikes R.I. tradition   From 1778 for 3 years half the time in service as a spy 1 6 Capt Small Kickamut   Waterman  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
on roles of Col Crary Regiment

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) _____ 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 (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 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] 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.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
January 26, 1929
Mrs. R.W.Poindexter, Jr. 533 South St. Andrews Place Los Angeles, California
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9514, it appears that David Waterman was born, June 10, 1760 at Johnston, Providence County, Rhode Island.
While residing at said Johnston, he enlisted and served with the Rhode Island Troops as follows;
From December 1, 1776, one month in Captain Emer Olney's Company, Colonel Amos Atwell's Regiment; from January, 1777, three months in same company and regiment; from June, 1777, nine months in Captain Reuben Ballou's Company, Colonel Archibald Crary's Regiment; from the spring of 1778 to the close of the war, monthly tours under Captains Emer Olney, Daniel Angell, Waterman and Colonels Atwell and Jenks, all service from the spring of 1782 amounting to about two years. One month's service was as substitute for his brother, Daniel Waterman.

1000 000
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Hartland, Niagara County, New York.
It is not stated that the soldier was ever married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 9514
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1, 1776 1 mo. Ebenezer Olney Amos Atwell R. I.   Jany. 77 alternate 3 mos. " "   June 77 9 mos. Reuben Ballow Archibald Cram R. I.   Spring 78 1 mo. Ebenezer Olney Atwell   Daniel Angell "   2 yrs. Jeremiah Waterman Jents  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Johnston, Providence Co., R. I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5, 1832. Allendale.
Residence at date of application, Hartland, Niagara Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, June 10, 1760 at Johnston, R. I.
Remarks: In and for death etc.
1 mo as sub. for bro Daniel under Jeremiah Waterman

Per
Buffalo, N.Y. Feb. 8. 1909
9514 Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me the military record, and such family data as you have, of David Waterman , who in 1840 was a Revolutionary pensioner of the town of Hartland, Niagara Co., N.Y. The service belonged to Rhode Island as shown by memoranda in my possession, corroborated in part by Revolutionary records of that state. The date of his death is specially desired.
Very truly yours
Jeanette G. Waterman per F.S.W.
Address
Mrs. Warren Waterman 37 Greenwood Place Buffalo, N.Y.

April 13, 1928.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, —
Will you be so kind as to send me a copy of the original application for a pension of one Susan Roth listed on page 113 Census of Pensioners of 1840 as living with Mrs. Moyer in Lancaster City, Lancaster Co., Pa? I hope she is the mother of a Susan Roth who married a Miner in the 1790s and was my great great grandmother. Also a copy

of the original application 13 of David Waterman aged 80 of Hartland, Niagara Co., N.Y. in 1840.
If there is any charge for the above kindly let me know.
Thanking you in advance for the above information,
Very truly,
Irene M. Poindexter
Mrs. R. W. Poindexter, Jr., 533 South St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles, California.

1909 July 23. Hirt. to Mrs. Warren Waterman, f
1929 - Jan. 26. Hirt. to Mrs. A. W. Poirier ex-w
Rev. War
9514 INVALID.
File No. 9514
David Waterman
Rev War
Act: June 18 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 393
[Arrangement of 1870.]