Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31488, Thomas Williams, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Williams, Thomas
S. 31488
Put.
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

23335 (7) Kentucky
Thomas Williams of Cumberland Co. the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Hick of the reg Val. commanded by Col Gaskins in the line line for 2 years
papers copied 28 ap. 1834 Sent to Hon J. P. Moore P. 24
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sept 1833 and March Samuel Gaskins W.K.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 40 00
$240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan W. Boyd Clerk
Vol. 7 Page 33

No. 731 Jan 7 1833.
Thomas Williams
(1) 2065.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution; approved on the 15 th day of May 1828."
I Thomas Williams a resident Citizen of the County of Cumberland, State of Kentucky, aged Seventy eight years - do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution in the year 1777 for and during the war, and continued faithfully in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a private in Captain Isaac Israel's Company in the Regiment of the Virginia line, Commanded by Col. Jno. Green.
And I also declare that I afterwards received a Certificate, for the reward of eighty dollars, to which I was entitled, under an act of Congress, passed the 15 th day of May 1778 - I further declare that I was not on the 15 th day of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States that I was born in the County of Brunswick in the State of Virginia in the year 1755 -
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 14 th of January 1833 Thomas Williams
Attest A. King Spence
Before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for Cumberland County Kentucky, duly authorized to administer oaths in said County personally appeared this day William R. Hillis and Amos Narney resident Citizens of my said County, who did severally make oath that Thomas Williams by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed in generally reported & believed to have been a private soldier in the Army of the revolution in manner as therein stated - And I further certify that the affidavits Thomas Williams, William R. Hillis and Amos Narney

were reputable men, and their statements are entitled to the fullest confidence and credit - Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14 th day of January 1833
Wm. B. Willis (Seal)
Attest
A. King Esq. (Seal)
Amos Vanney (Seal)
Kentucky Cumberland County set. I Milton King Clerk of the County Court for said County, do hereby certify that Alfred King esquire, whose sig- nature is subscribed to the two foregoing affidavits is and was at the date thereof, an acting justice of the peace in for said County, duly commissioned & qualified, that his attestations are in due form of law, and his official acts are entitled to credit and that his signature is his genuine signature -
Given under my hand & seal of office in Clarksville, this 14 th day of January 1833
M. King
38

Re: 22 nd May 1833 Revolutionary Claims Thomas Williams (2)
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of Certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of the Army of the revolution, approved the 15 th May 1828.
Before me Alfred King a Justice of the peace in & for Cumberland County Kentucky, duly empowered to administer Oaths, personally appeared Thomas Williams of said County personally known to me as a person of good repute & entitled to credit, who being first duly sworn, does on his Oaths say that in the year 1776 or 1777 in the month of September, he enlisted in the County of Brunswick State of Virginia under Lieut General Thomas Threaddgill & Captain Isaac Hicks for and during the war that he continued in service within the State of Virginia to the South from his enlistment till the fall of 1780 - at which time he was marched from Petersburg Virginia to the South under the Command of Colo. John Green, & continued in the South until February or March 1781 was taken sick, and with other sick & the Baggage waggons returned to Virginia in the month of May or June 1781 and very shortly thereafter he again entered the service in Virginia under Lieut Colo Thomas Gaskins upon James River above Richmond, and continued in service at different places within the State of Virginia until the termination of the war - at which time he was under Colo. Gaskins of the Virginia Continental line. That in August 1781 he rec d pay for his services on James River not far from Cobbin Point from some Officer who was under Colo. Gaskins. That he was discharged from service after the close of the war, at Petersburg Virginia, but whether it was written or parol, he cannot now say - if written, it is lost or destroyed - that he has not rec d from the United States or any one of the States any bounty for his services either in Land or money -
That he rec d a Certificate for the reward of eighty dollars to which he was entitled under a resolve of Congress of 15 th of May 1778 - that he has never rec d a pension from the United States this first application was made in January 1833 - he does not know of any one living by whom he can prove his service, but in all probability there are - that in age is 79 years, born in Brunswick County Virginia in 1754 now lives in Cumberland County Kentucky, moved direct from Brunswick to this County in the year 1813 has lived here ever since.

And In Testimony whereof, he has hereunto annexed his signature - Witness my hand this 4 th day of May 1833 Thomas Williams Attest
A. King Ipleb
Before me Alfred King a Justice of the peace in & for Cumberland County Kentucky, personally appeared this day William Baker, Thos. N. Barton & Winston J. Barton of the said County of Cumberland & State of Kentucky, persons known to me as Credible witnesses, who did severally make oath, that Thomas Williams, by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have served in the Revolutionary war in manner as therin stated, and we concur in that opinion - Witness my hand this 4 th day of May 1833
Attest
A. King Ipleb
William Baker
Thomas N Barton
Winston J Barton
I Milton King Clerk of the County Court for the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky, do hereby certify that Alfred King before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time a Justice of the peace in and for Cumberland County, duly empowered to administer oaths, and I believe the signature annexed to the same, and purporting to be his, to be genuine -
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & fixed the seal of the said Court, at my Office in Burksville, this 4 th day of May 1833
M. King

The most Convenient Branch Bank of U. S. at Louisville Ky. The most Convenient Post Office - Burkesville Kentucky "to the Care of Milton King Clerk of Cumberland"

Revolutionary Claim of Thomas Williams under the act of 15 th of May 1828 (3)
Before me H. H. S. Goffey - a justice of the peace in & for Cumberland County Kentucky, duly em- powered to administer oaths, personally appeared Thomas Williams a resident citizen of my said County, personally known to me as a man of good repute and entitled to credit, being duly sworn does declare - That in Sept r 1777 in Brunswick County Virginia - he enlisted into the Army of the Revolution for the term of three years under Lieutenant Tho. Threadgill & Capt. Isaac Dickes - that he served within the State of Virginia until the fall of 1780 at which time the said Williams was attached to the Regiment Comman- ded by Colo. M c Green March to the South Carolina and wintered at or near Pee Dee River not far the Cheraw hills - the month of February 1781 he returned to Virginia after serving out the full enlistment. - Again in the month of May or June 1781 he again entered the service for five years or for and during the war under an enlistment and joined the Army immediately after the James River above Richmond, in the regiment commanded by L t Colo. Tho. Gaskins his Captain's name not recollected - That he continued to serve till the final termination of the war - If he got written discharges, he does not recollect, if he did however, they are lost or destroyed - That his first application for a pension was in January last - He amended his declaration in May last - That he has never rec d a pension nor pay in land or money for his said services - That he is aged 79 years born in Brunswick Virginia in 1754 lived there from the end of the war to the year 1813 removed from thence to Cumberland County Ky. where he now lives has lived ever since - Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6 th day of July 1833
Thomas Williams
H. H. S. Goffey Jr

I before me Alfred King a Justice of the peace in & for Lin- derland County, Kentucky, Cause Charles Thurman of my said County, who is personally known to me to be a man of good repute and entitled to Credit, who made oath as follows - That he knew the aforesaid Thomas Williams, saw him in service as a private soldier in the Continental line in the City of Rich- mond Virginia in the summer of 1781 and believes he continued in service till the close of the war.
The said Williams was from Pulaski County Virginia, and at the time he saw said Williams he was in Col. Gaskins's Regiment. - Sworn to & subscribed before me this 8 th day of July 1833 -
Charles his Thurman mark
A. King, P.C.C.
Kentucky Cumberland County. To wit I Milton King clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Harold P. Baugher & Alfred King Esquires, whose signatures are subscribed to the foregoing declaration & affidavit, are Justices of the peace in & for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified, that their Official acts are entitled to Credit -
Given under my hand and the seal of my Office in Danville, this 8 th day of July 1833
M. King

31488 Recy INVALID.
(8)
File No. 31,488
Thomas Williams
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 455
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Kentucky Cumberland County ss (4)
This day Thomas Williams a resident citizen of my said County, came before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and made solemn oath to the statement following
That he is the same person who made out his pension declaration on the 6 th day of July 1833 under the act of Congress of 15 th of May 1828 and was rejected by the Treasury Department by letter of date 25 th of July 1833 -
That he served as a private soldier in the year 1781 in the Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gaskins as set forth in his declaration above mentioned, that he now lives in Cumberland County Kentucky, and did live in said County, when his first application was made, that he did serve as by him stated in his declaration referred to -
Subscribed by said Thomas Williams sworn to by him before me this 11 th day of October 1833
att Harold J. Sanfley J.P.
Thomas Williams
Kentucky Cumberland County ss Milton King Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Harold J. Sanfley Esquire, whose signature is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Williams, is a Justice of the Peace in Commission, that his official acts are entitled to Credit, and his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have

herein into set my hand, and affixed the seal of my Office in Pirtsville, this 13 th day of November A.D. 1833
M. King

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 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.
C. D.
And then will be annexed the following certificate:
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 seem 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.

That William Kentucky.
for 1777 p on $80.
original paper at Dumas Lake. on Roll.
To - C. T. Jenkins
Rev. King Buckner K

(5)  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. 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 Thomas Williams,
   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.      The affidavit of William Williams is herewith returned. It is deficient as will be seen by reference to note j. The applicant should make an affidavit as required by the regulations, which are noted in the margin.   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

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