Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7783, Garret Van Arsdlen, New Jersey Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey Penn
Van Arsdlen, Garret or Vanansdallen
S. 7783
carded
CONTENTS

Ohio 29.016
Garret Van Arsdalen of Butler Co in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Peter of the Regt commanded by Col Van Dyke in the New Jersey line for
6 Mo Pr $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Febry and sent to 1834 John Wards, Hamilton, Ohio
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 50.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending March 1834 10.00
$ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John S. Hough Clerk. Book C Vol. 8 Page 21
Garret Van Arsdalen. P.A. and N.J.
Records corrected. Oct. 14, 1904

The State of Ohio Butler County Court of Common Pleas of the Term of October 1832 } sp
On this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Butler in the State of Ohio Garret Renausdallan aged seventy nine years a resident of the County of Butler aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June seventh eighteen hundred and thirty two That about the first of July in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six he enlisted in Somerset County New Jersey to serve as a "minute man" in Captain Peterson's Company Major Trelinghuysen at that time commanded the Battalion - he served as a minute man four months a part of which time he was engaged against the Tories, he mounted guard at Elizabethtown Point and at Bargain Point, at the expiration of the above term deponent returned home - Deponent states that he served regular militia tours in New Jersey until early in the summer of

seventeen hundred and seventy seven during these tours he was mostly engaged in erecting bat- teries and in mounting guard at Newark Elizabethtown Point, at Bargain Point and at other places he served under Captains Denike and Brogue under Colonels Vandyke and Trick - In the fall of the year seventeen hun- dred and seventy seven deponent was called out and served for a term of at least two months in the militia of York County Pennsylvania (to which state he had then recently removed) he served under Captain McShane of Colonel Potters regi- ment, during this tour deponent was in a skin- mish with the British at Gulp Hills - depo- nent believes that the whole time that he served during the war of the revolution was at least two years - Deponent has procured the deposi- tions William Hoogtellen Isaac Vanarsdal- len and John Bunkerhooff of Adams County Pennsylvania who were acquainted with deponent during the war of the revolution the depositions accompany this declaration he is also well known to James Hice John Sutherland Thomas Blair and others residents of the County of Butler Ohio by whom he can as he believes prove that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity and that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the

revolution - Deponent never received a written discharge. - he has a written record of his age from which it appears that he was born in March seventeen hundred and fifty three in Somerset County New Jersey He has lived in Butler County Ohio twenty two years - 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 John Reily Clerk } Butler Com Pleas Garret Van Dusen
We James Hill and John Leuders residents of the County of Butler in the state of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Garret Vanmausdallin who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that we have known him for ten years that he sustains a good character for truth and veracity that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we have full confidence in the truth of the above declaration Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid James Hill John Leuders G. D. H. 11 John Reily Clerk } Butler Com Pleas

18637 ✓
Garret Vanausdalen a Revolutionary Soldier
Garret Vanausdalen hereby Certify & State that I cannot state my services in the army of The Revolution with more certainty than I have already done in my declara- tions within and the amend- ments made thereto hereto attached - By reason of my age & infirmities, & the loss of my memory I am unable to state the different terms I ser- ved more fully than I have done & I will be satisfied if allowed for the time that it is sufficiently stated - Jan'y 16 th 1834
attest James Hice
Garret Van Auersdalen

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation reading the depositions of William Hoogtilton, Isaac Vanarsdale, & John Brinkerhoff, herunto attached, 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 James Hill and John Scudder, who have signed the certificate, are residents in the County of Butler, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John Reily Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Butler aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Garret Vanarsdale for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Hamilton this twentieth day of October. One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John Reily

The State of Ohio Pulaski County ss
Before me a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid came personally Garret Vanarsdalen who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration before the Court of Common Pleas for said County and said Garret Vanarsdalen being duly sworn deponth and saith that he did serve the four months under captain Peterson as stated in the foregoing declaration and he also served the two months under captain Mc Ivaine as stated said services being rendered by him as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution - Said Garret Vanarsdalen fur- ther states that he did serve several other terms during the Revolutionary war in the Army of the Revolution as a Militia man in the New Jersey Militia but by reason of old age long sickness and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service except as to the six months above stated, but according to the best of his recollection he did serve not less than two full years altogether as a pri- vate in the army of the Revolution part of the time as an enlisted soldier and part of the time as a militia man in the Militia of New Jersey and part of the time as a militia man in the Militia of Pennsylvania to which state he had removed during the war of the Revolution - He never received a written discharge - As to the services above stated he claims a pension - Sworn & subscribed before me This sixteenth November 1833 James Hill J.P.
Garret Vanarsdalen

The State of Ohio Butler County ss -
Before me a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid came personally Francis Montfort a Clergyman who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he has been personally acquainted with Garritt Vanarsdall who has made and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and declaration for more than forty years said Vanarsdall has always been reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution in the neighborhood in which he resided and deponent concurs in that opinion. Said Vanarsdall has always sustained a good character for truth & veracity and his statement is entitled to credit -
Sworn & subscribed before me by said Francis Montfort, Francis Montfort a Clergyman this 16 th day of November A.D. 1833 - William Hunter JP
The State of Ohio Butler County ss
John Reily Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid Certify that James Hill Esquire by force whom the deposition of Garritt Vanarsdall taken in Matter was taken on the sixteenth day of November 1833 was at the taking thereof a justice duly qualified to keep the peace in the said County of Butler and that William Hunter JP before whom the deposition of Francis Montfort above stated was taken was at the taking thereof a justice duly qualified to keep the peace in the said County of Butler.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Hamilton the twenty three day of November One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
John Reily

Adams County Pa. State of Penna.
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County William Hooghteller who saith that he was well acquainted with Garret Venersdallen (formerly of Adams County of said & now of Butler County in the State of Ohio) & that he served as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War under Captain John McRae who was of the Penna line (as they were then called) the said Garret served at that time two months in the fall of the year 1777 & was not discharged until some time after the first of January 1778 this deponent further saith that he was a soldier in the same Regt. himself & so far as he understood at the time the s d Garret was a good soldier.
Sworn & subscribed before me William Hooghteller the 15 Sept 1832
My Garrison
Personally appeared before me Isaac Venersdallen who upon his solemn oath deponeth & saith that he was acquainted with Garret Venersdallen in the State of Jersey before he removed to Adams County in the State of Penna. & that he was enlisted in the State of Jersey in a kind of Troops called Minutemen for four months & that they were not called into actual service for some time after the enlistment & that when the English troops arrived in the State of Jersey the s d Garret marched with the Company he enlisted in & served out the time of his enlistment and after he was discharged.

in the state of Jersey he removed to Adams County in the state of Penna. & served as a Militia Man under Captain Geo. M c Ilvain for two months the service he rendered under Capt. M c Ilvain was in the winter of 1877 & 1878 near Philadelphia
Sworn & subscribed before me the 15 Sept r 1882
Isaac Van Dallen
Geo. Gavvin
Personally appeared Geo. Brinkerhoff Esq. who saith that he was acquainted with Garret Vernordallen of said & that he the said Garret marched in Capt. M c Ilvain's company in the winter of 1877 & served out the term of the draft which I believe was two months & that from information from other soldiers at the time the said Garret served as an enlist- ed Minuteman in the state of New Jersey sometime before he removed to Pennsylvania
Sworn & subscribed before me the 15 Sept r 1882
John Brinkerhoff
Geo. Gavvin
I do hereby certify that I am intimately acquaint- -ed with William Heoogler. Isaac Van Dallen & John Brinkerhoff Esquires the afore named de- -fendants & that they are respectively reputable Citizens & that their statements are entitled to full credit
Geo. Gavvin

For Garret Vanacalle son Bull County Ohio
one Dollar 75 by W. Spangler the cost of Depositions and Seal Recd. by me John Brinkerhoff

Pennsylv a Adams County ss.
George Welch for the time being of the Court of common pleas in and for said County of Adams Do hereby certify that John Garvin Esq. before whom the foregoing Deposition were made and taken is and was at the time of doing the same one of our Commissioners of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Adams duly Com- missioned and sworn to act as such and that due faith and credit is given to all his official acts and deeds. And that the signature of the said John Garvin Esq. is his own proper hand writing —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Gettysburg the 15 th day of September. 1832.
G. Welch
Clerk

1863 7
Garret Vannansdallen Ohio
Return 5.11.12.14.
Jn Woods Hamilton Butler Co Ohio

BRIEF in the case of  Garret Vannansdallen County of Butler  in the State of  Ohio (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     enlisted In 1776 — 4 — As a Minute man Gen. Capt Peterson, Major Frelinghuysen,   1777 — 2 — Private Capt McIlvaine, Col Potter   " deponent believes that the whole time, that he served during the war of the revolution was at least two years " Capt Denille, Capt Brogue, Col Van Dyke, Ulrich,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Guelph Hills  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Jersey to enlisted  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & tradition only  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No clergyman 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. H. Forrest
Examining Clerk.

1919 June 24, History to R.E. Van Dyke - aw
Rev. Mag
7783
INVALID.
File No. 7783
Garret Van ★ Arsdalen
Prof. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 287
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Garret Van ★ Arsdalen. Records corrected. Oct. 4, 1924.
✓

War Department Pension Office
13 th Dec r 1833
Sir
The claim of Garnet Vanarsdalen has been again examined and the papers are herewith returned. He is therefore required to specify his tours and the duration of the same, as pointed out in Note 2 of the accompanying brief.
To allow the claimant two years service upon such slight and vague grounds would be at once, to open the Treasury of the United States to any person who might be disposed to press a claim upon the Department. — Unless the claimant shall be more specific his claim cannot be admitted for more than six months.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Yours at Serv t J. L. Edwards
John Woods Esq r Hamilton Butler County Ohio

Garret Vanarsdalen has nothing more to say only he did not get full reckonings when in the service he wishes you to get earnings closed Dec. 30 th 1833
James Hice satisfied with the result
att Van Buren
Garret Vanarsdalen
I agree to accept of a pension to be allowed for six months ser- vice & release all other or further claim for a pension witness my hand this 16 th Jany. A.D. 1834 - Garret Vanarsdalen
attest
James Hice

Vanam dollars
I have obtained the required certificate of the credibility of the witnesses - the testimony of Francis Monfort a clergyman and the affidavit of the applicant as to the term of his services. He is so old & infirm that he cannot make a fuller statement
John Woodh Nov. 25 th 1880

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Garret Vannansdallen  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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 XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No 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? witnesses 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? Yes 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? No Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes 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? Yes 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? see 6.
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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Garret Van Arsdalen a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1, 1776 4 mos Minute Man Peterson Mess Frelinghuysen N.J.   1776 or 1777 ✓ Pvt Quirk Tandyke "   Brogan Quirk   Fall 1777 4 mos Pvt John McIlvain Potter Pa  
Battles engaged in, Gulphs Mill Residence of soldier at enlistment, Somerset Co. N.J. and Adams Co. Pa. Date of application for pension, Oct 15, 1832. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Rutland Co. Ohio Age at date of application, b. March 1753 in Somerset Co. N.J. Remarks: No family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

THE MICHIGAN SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Rev. Sec. m
PRESIDENT GEORGE H. BARBOUR DETROIT VICE-PRESIDENT MAJOR FREDERICK M. ALGER DETROIT VICE-PRESIDENT CHARLES H. LEONARD GRAND RAPIDS SECRETARY RAYMOND E. VAN SYCKLE DETROIT
REGISTRAR FRANKLIN S. DEWEY DETROIT
CHAPLAIN REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D. D. DETROIT
HISTORIAN PROF. WARREN W. FLORER, PH. D. ANN ARBOR
TREASURER FRANK G. SMITH DETROIT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 1729 FORD BUILDING DETROIT. MICHIGAN
June 7 1919
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Please advise revolutionary service and family data, with dates, etc of:
(1) Garret Van Arsdalen , bn 1743, res Somerset Co. N.J. Lived Butler Co, Penn, 1832 (Pension- Invalid 7783)
(2) none  Puryas Van Clafe , res Somerset Co N.J.
Private Capt Coonrad Ten Eyck's Co 2d Reg N.J. Militia 1776 three days.
(Variant spelling "Jurias, Juryas, Yurias, Yuryas" VanClef, Van Cleefe also Van Kleef
(3) none  Yoseph or none  Joseph Van Arsdale or Van Arsdalen
N.J. bap Sept 8-1751, Harlingen N.J. son of Gerret Van Arsdalen and Lucrese..... married Eliesabet Van Cleef
Secretary
Raymond E. Van Syckle

18. 637.
Garret Vanarsdaller
Ohio
Adm. 6. Months —
Return $20 —
Jan'y 25 th 1894
It will be seen by the within that Mr. Vanarsdal has cannot state with more certainty his services the time so than he has done in his declaration & supplemental affidavit - as he has other the testimony of living witnesses to I presume the evidence will be deemed sufficient to obtain a pension for 2 yrs months with which he will be content
John Woods 2 yrs
Danilton
Butler Co
Ohio

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 subjocined 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. Those 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 Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before 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.
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.
[k] 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.