Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17742, Eli Twitchell, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Twitchell, Eli.
8 17742
CONTENTS
Carded

Maine 28.448
Eli Fritchell
Ofords in the State of Maine
She was a pr: Su: in the commanded
by Captain — of the Rgt commanded
by Col Haws in the Mass.
time for 6 mos 17 days pr!
2 - 17 - Su:
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine — at the rate of 34 Dollars 71 Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June 34 Mason — H R and Sub. P. on Moses
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 34 104.13 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. — 17.35 $121.48
Revolutionary Claim, June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nath. D. Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 59.

li Smithell
10804
✓
li Smithell

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of Maine } ss. On this fifteenth day of September County of Oxford } in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Probate, now
sitting
Eli Twitchell a resident of Bethel in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, 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 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.
On the nineteenth day of June 1775, being then a resident of the town of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, I was called upon to repair to the American Camp near Boston, under the command of Capt s Goulding, whose company was attached to the Regiment: commanded by Col: Bullard.
upon a call for the whole company to march. Upon our arrival at Cambridge on the same day, our company met the American Army upon its retreat from the heights of Bunker's hill, after having fought the ever memorable battle, called the battle of Bunker's hill; in which our company expected to participate. After ascertaining the result of the day, we were ordered to return home on the same day. The weather being excessively warm, and our exertions, to arrive upon the battle-ground, very great, I, with many others of the company, was taken sick and confined by a fever; which finally settled in my left arm and shoulder: and upon opening the abscess or sore, formed upon this shoulder, a piece of bone four or a half inches long, was taken from my arm, beginning at the shoulder-socket and extending lengthwise of the arm. I was thereby rendered unfit for manual labor for three years: and have, down to the present day, experienced great inconvenience and pain. The sore never was and never can be perfectly healed, and is now a running sore. — Being anxious, however, to enter the service of my country, I was mustered, about the first of July 1778, in the Company of Captain Amos Perry of said Sherburne, and of which place I continued a resident, and marched to Rhode Island. was stationed, two weeks, at Tiverton — then crossed the ferry and went to Butts's hill. was ordered on an expedition to take New-port — stopped at Doman's hill for the French fleet to come up and co-operate with the army — the fleet was driven off and damaged by a great storm, and was obliged to lay by and repair — we remained here two or three weeks, on fatigue duty, in digging trenches and building breast works — and had some fighting with the enemy, in which some of our men were killed. We then retreated, in the night, to Butts's hill, and the enemy followed us.

we made a stand at the hill, and at day-light the next morning, a battle commenced, which continued for twelve hours. I was in this engagement. The day following, we were employed in digging a trench or trenches, expecting, on the succeeding day, a great battle with the enemy; but at nine o'clock in the evening were ordered to march to Howland's ferry and to cross over to Tiverton. We made a good retreat and went to Providence; where we remained about a week. From thence we marched to Greenland to guard the west shores of the island, and were dismissed the last of September of the same year. This tour of service lasted almost three months, and was performed under General Sullivan of the Continental Army.
30/10
In August 1779 I was again called out under Captain Perry to go on an express to Rhode-Island and went. One of my legs was rendered very lame by travelling and was sent to the hospital; where I remained, under the care of the surgeons, two months. - At the expiration of which term I returned home. And in July 1780, I enlisted under Capt Samuel Woodward to guard the continental stores, then situated at said town of Sherburne, for three months, and performed duty during that term.
20/11
In September 1782, I enlisted, under Captain Harrington, as a sergeant of guard, stationed at a place then called Sudbury Canada in the District of Maine, and now called Bethel in the State of Maine; and performed duty in a fort, situated at the lower part of said town, until the tenth day of November following. This service was of two months continuance; and was rendered during the alarm, which then existed at that place, in consequence of a previous incursion of a few Indians from Canada and the capture, by them, of Capt Ebenezer Twitchell, Jonathan Clarke, Nathaniel Segur and Benjamin Clarke and the death of Messrs Pettingill and Poor, all inhabitants of the place and vicinity.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, if declaring that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Eli Twitchell
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid
Stephen Emery, Judge
Mr. Charles Frost a clergyman, residing in the town of Bethel Maine and Barbour Borliff of the same Bethel hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Eli Twitchell who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in the opinion.
Charles Frost.
Barbour Borliff
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court, the day of year aforesaid
Stephen Emery, Judge

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states, he having adduced the depositions of Peter Smithell & Benjamin Russell, on oath, and the certificates of Charles Frost, a clergyman of said Bethel & of Brown Bostell - credible persons, in corroboration of his own declaration.
Stephen Emery, Judge
I Joseph G. Gole Register of the Court of Probate hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eln Smithell for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of September A.D. 1832.
Joseph G. Gole Register.

16,804
Eli Twitchell
4
Annual private-
6-mo 17 d. 21.88
2 " 17 d. 12.83
$34.71
Hon. Moses Mason
Home of Rep.
Jan y March 25-1834
Jan y
March

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Dec 16 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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, shewing the Service of Ebenezer Doolittle
   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.     1778 1 17 Private Applicant would not say positively but he as an impression, that he was in Col: Haines's & Brig: Gen: Loomis's Regiments. 75 years Sherburne Applicant's own declaration, supported by the certificate of the Judge of the court, Rev. Charles Frost and Bar- bar Bartlett, agreeably to the rules & regulations prescribed by the War Department, and the deposition of Peter Switchee.   1779 2 Private None recollected. company had not joined any Regiment before he left it in consequence of lame- ness. Sherburne   1780 3 Private None recollected. Sherburne Same as above.   1782 2 17 Sergeant None Sherburne Applicant's declaration, as aforesaid and deposition of Benjamin Russell.   11 17  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
* Applicant is without doubt that his term of service lasted three months; but as he stated, in his first declaration, that it was nearly three months, he is willing that the time should be reduced.

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 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, depose 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

STATE OF MAINE.
OXFORD COUNTY, ss.
I, RUFUS KING GOODENOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that
Barber Bartlett Esq
whose genuine signature is annexed to the foregoing Deposition of
Benjamin Russell is a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Oxford.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this 18 th day of October in the year A. D. 1832
RK Goodenow
Clerk of Oxford County Courts.

I Benjamin Russell of lawfull age do testify that Eli Twitchell did serve two months in the last year of the Revolution- ary war. he had the command of a fort in Sudbury Canada* now Bethel under Capt. Langton in the year 1782. Benny Russell
Sept 15 th 1832 Personally appeared
The above named Benjamin Russell and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true before me
Barb o Bartlett Justice of the Peace now Bethel in the County of Oxford.
Oxford ss Bethel May 25 th 1833 I hereby certify that the above named Benjamin Russell is a person of truth and veracity Barb o Bartlett Justice of the Peace

War Department Pension Office
December 20. 1833
Sir,
The papers of Eli Twitchell have been again examined, the discrepancies are such between the first declaration and the supplementary one, that direct proof must be adduced to establish his claim. In his first declaration he alleges that he went as an express to Rhode Island, was taken sick there &c in 1779: and in his supplementary declaration he declares that he belonged to the company commanded by Capt. Perry and went on an expedition to Rhode Island in said company. From his various statements it is a matter of some doubt whether that tour of duty, as well as his service at Sherburne and Bethel were in an enlisted corps, called out by competent authority. It is somewhat remarkable that in his first declaration he should have omitted to mention that he served as Sergeant. If he served in that capacity in a regularly organized Corps, he undoubtedly received a warrant to that effect. If so, what has become of it? From the vague and unsatisfactory manner in which he narrates his services, the Department does not feel authorized to admit his claim, without a minute and uniform detail of his services, supported by the best possible proof. By applying to E. D. Bangs Esq. Secretary of the State of Massachusetts he may procure direct proof of a large part of his services, which will tend to make the remainder more probable. The papers are herewith returned. I am respectfully
Your Obet. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
J. G. Cole Esq.
Paris
Maine

Oxford ss. Nov. 11. 1833.
State of Maine.
Personally appeared before me William Frye, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Oxford, Eli Switcheil, who being duly sworn, deponeth 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 services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For three months, I served as a private in the company commanded by Capt e Amos Perry in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1778 - For two months I served as a private in the company commanded by Capt e Amos Perry, upon an expedition to the State of Rhode Island in the year 1779 - For three months, I served as a private in the company commanded by Capt e Samuel Woodward, in guarding the continental stores at Sherburne, Massachusetts - For two months, I served as a sergeant in the company commanded by Capt e Forsington, at a place then called Sudbury-Canada, now Bethel in the State of Maine in the year 1782; and for such service I claim a pension.
William Frye, Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MAINE.
OXFORD COUNTY, ss.
I, RUFUS KING GOODENOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that
William Frye whose genuine signature is annexed to the foregoing Deposition of  Eli Switcheil is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Oxford.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this nineteenth day of November in the year A. D. 1833.
RK Goodenow } Clerk of Oxford County Courts.

16804 Eli Twitchell
He has not distinctly stated the length of each term of service, which must be done
Hon. Moses Mason House of Reps
J. D. Colb. Rep.
D. D. Mason

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Eli Twitchell Bethel Maine 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 - see Issue 5- 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? no device
This must be complied with otherwise a favorable decision cannot be expected

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? ay yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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? yes
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?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no to the last No.
This objection has not been removed
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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.

184
W m Frye Esq re
Bethel Me
M. Mason Main

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 2 nd 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Eli Twitchell, as a private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Amos Perry's Company, in Col. Haws' Regt. where he is allowed from July 28 th to Sept r 12 th  1778 One month and seventeen days. ————— M. ds 1-17
Eli Twitchell's name as a Serjeant, is borne on a Pay Roll of a Company, commanded by Lt. Stephen Farington, where he is allowed from Sept. 4 th to Novem r 21 st 1782. two Months and seventeen days. ————— 2-17
Eli Twitchell claims for services under Capt. Gouldin. or Goulding, in 1779. also for guarding continental stores at Sherburne, but the rolls he describes are not founds in this Office. 4 0 4
Edward D. Dany Esq

STATE OF MAINE.
OXFORD COUNTY, ss.
I, RUFUS KING GOODENOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that
Joseph G. Colbourn whose genuine signature is annexed to the foregoing Deposition of
Peter T. Twitchell is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Oxford.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this 18 th day of October in the year A. D. 1832
R. Goodenow
{ Clerk of Oxford County Courts.

I Peter Twitchell of Bethel in the County of Oxford in the State of Maine aged seventy one years on oath depose and say, that Eli Twitchell of said Bethel is my brother, I know that out in the service of the United States during the war of the Revolution at different times the exact periods of his service I am not able to state. I saw him while he was sick in the Hospital at Medway in the State of Massachusetts, and think that he was there confined five or six months. I know that he was employed in the service at Sherburne in Massachusetts to guard Stores deposited there and I took his place for a short time while he went home on a visit, once or twice. Being near home the time of his absence on these occasions was only for a day or two. I cannot state any other particulars of his service from my own personal knowledge. Peter Twitchell
Oxford Jp. September 15. 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Peter Twitchell and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me
Joseph G. Cole Justice of the Peace
Oxford Jp. May 22. 1833
I hereby certify that the above named Peter Twitchell is a credible witness.
Joseph G. Cole Justice of the Peace

17742 INVALID.
File No. 17742 17742
Ch. Mitchell
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 352
[Arrangement of 1870.]