Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 901, Luke Vosseller, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Vosseller, Luke
S 901
CONTENTS
banded

10 Nov. 1825 - susp. moved 15 Dec. 1825. See letter letter. L. Conditt. do to S. B. Miller May 4. 1837
Notification sent to Mr. Pennington Esq. 29 Sep 1826.
Mirah N. I.
17372 New Jersey Lake Vasseller of Straits in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the Comp. by Captain Jas. Taylor of the Reg. by Col. Med. Light in the N. Jersey line for 3 Years
Order to pay 18 Oct 1837 Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 3rd March 1831 from 17 Jan 1843 to 31 Jan 1845
Inscribed on the Roll of P. Vasseller at the rate of 80 Dollars per m. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of 1833 and the 11th of the (MC-1)
Arrears to the 14th of March 1834 Permanent allowance ending 4th of March 1834
Recorded by Book E Vol. 3 p. 10 Revolution Rebel June rk,

State of New Jersey
Somerset County ss
On application for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
On this sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Bridgewater, in & for said County of Somerset, Luke Vofeller a resident of the Township of Bridgewater in said County aged seventy five years - last March, 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 7th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated; He was called out as a militia man at various times during the war of the revolution, & served under different Captains recollects the names of Captain Ten Eyck - Vanarsdalen, Fitch, Logan & Smallly; others he cannot remember, as he was often placed under strangers He remembers of being out under Col. Frelinghuysen, Col. Meddagh at different times; other Colonels being strangers he cannot now recollect. The first tour he made was against the Tories in Hunterdon - His next tour was to Burlington - He was also at Elizabethtown & Newark on several tours. - He was at home when some of General Washington's Army who had revolted passed by his house - He was on a tour of duty at Mount Holly, at the time the British took Mudfort & Redbank - He was also stationed at Cooper's Ferry opposite Philadelphia, when the British had possession of that city - He was also at Boundbrook on a tour of duty while the British lay at New Brunswick - at the commencement of the war the whole of the Jersey militia were called out, & he was out on duty - afterwards the militia were put in clopen & he performed his regular tours of duty during

the war, until the close; he has no doubt the different tours of duty he performed exceeds two years in the whole, but cannot now specify the precise length of time he served on each tour. - he was more frequently stationed at Elizabeth Town, & other places along the line, there as a guard. - He was born in the year 1757, in the township of Bridgewater aforesaid, where he resided when called into service, and has resided in said township ever since, - The record of his age is in his family bible at home, and also he believes in the Church Register at New German town in New Jersey. - He never received any discharge, nor has he any documentary evidence. Ned John Vanderveer Andrew Van Eyck Esquire John Nevins Esquire, Cornelius Vanderveer, Bout Ganjor & Peter J. Blomdorf and many of his neighbors, can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. - but he is unable to produce any one living witness who can testify as to his services, they are all dead & gone. 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 & subscribed } The day & year aforesaid
Luke Vosseller
W. J. Gaston
We John Vanderveer a clergyman residing in the township of Readington in Hunterdon County New Jersey, and Cornelius Vanderveer residing in the township of Bridgewater, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luke Vosseller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: That we believe him to be a worthy

five years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
I have subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
A. J. Gaston
John Van Lieu Cornelius Van Dike
And the said board 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 board further certifies, that it appears to them, that John Vandusen who has signed the preceding certifi- cate, is a clergyman resident in the township of Readington in Hunterdon co. and that Cornel Van Dyck who has also signed the same is a resident in the township of Bridgewater and is a credible person, and that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
A. J. Gaston
Dan: H. Burrough John Kirkpatrick

Luke 10:2
3520
M.
P.

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of Luke Bosler for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
J. M. Mann

Answers to the interrogations required by the War Department, in the case of Luke Vofelle -
1 I was born in the Township of Bridge- water, in the County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, in the year 1757.
2 I have a record of my age in my family Bible at home.
3 I resided in the said Township of Bridge- water when called into service and have re- sided there ever since.
4 - At the commencement of the revolutionary war, the whole of the militia were called out I was called out by my Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck afterwards the half were called out. The one half one month - and the other half the next month - and so on for some time when the militia were put into chaps and the chaps were called out upon town of a month at a time until the close of the war. I always served my regular tour of duty for myself, and never as a substitute.
5 I recollect the name of Capt. Conway - of the Virginia line who lay at my father's one winter & two or three other officers of the Reg- ular army. whose names I cannot recollect I remember Genl. Muhlenberg, who was station- ed the same winter at Mr. Brinkaw's one of our neighbors. I do not now remember the names of the continental regiments, but I very well recollect Col. Klinghoffer's and Col. Weddagh's regiments of militia for I served under them - and for the general circumstances of my service I refer to my former declaration.
6 - I never received any discharge from the service. The militia were dismissed at the end of their tours, by their officers.

7th For the inquiry of persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood and who can testify as to my character for veracity, and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. I refer to my declaration already made -
Luke Vosseller
Sworn to & subscribed the 14th day of May 1832. before me -
A. H. Gaston
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Somerset, Luke Vosseller, who being duly sworn deposes 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 period mentioned below and in the following grade. For two years as a militia man in the Jersey militia and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn to & subscribed to the 14th day of May A.D. 1832 before me
Luke Vosseller
A. H. Gaston

New Jersey
Somerset County ss.
John Haas being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that he is well acquainted with Luke Vosseller the above named applicant and has been acquainted with him from a boy he was out on several tours of duty with him during the Revolutionary war - he was with him at Bergen Heights one tour at Newark with with him on several tours and on several tours with him at Eliz- abeth town and along the shore as many as eight or ten tours - perhaps more. These tours were a month each time after the mi- litia were called - before that count. The tours were longer or shorter according to the emergency -
John Haas
Sworn & subscribed before me July 9 th 1833
W. B. Gaston
Somerset County ss.
I William B. Gaston one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Somerset. Do hereby certify that John Haas esq. who has sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a person of truth and veracity, and that his statement is entitled to credit. —
Somerville - July 9 th 1833.
W. B. Gaston

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a further of the peace in and for the county of Somerset, in the State of New Jersey, Luke Vosseller 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 service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the grade of a private -- In the spring or early in the summer of 1776, he was drafted and served a term of a month against the Tories, in Hunterdon - under Capt. Van Dyke Col. Frelinghuysen Commandant, but don't remember his Major's name -
1, m
In the summer & fall of '76 he served three months at Bergen Heights & Communipaw watching the enemy - under Capt. Vanderkalm. Maj. Baird & Col. Frelinghuysen being the superior Officers -
3, m
In the winter spring & autumn of '77 he served four terms of a month each - two at Elizabeth Town Point under Capt. Hulks, guarding the shore, Col. Frelinghuysen & Maj. Baird being the superior Officers - And one at Newark under Capt. Logan, watching the enemy, Maj. Baird & Col. Frelinghuysen Commandants - And one at Pombrook under Capt. Frelinghuysen when he was in the Service with the New Britain at that place - Officers not recollected -
2, m
1, m
1, m
And in the latter part of same year served one term of a month at Mount Holly under Capt. Hulks watching the enemy. Col. Meddagh Commandant, Major's name not recollected
1, m
And one month under Capt. Hulks at Elizabeth Town Point, guarding the shore. Col. Frelinghuysen & Major Baird being the superior Officers -
1, m

1 m In the winter of 1778 he served 1 monthly tour at Coosus Ferry - watching the enemy (who were then in Philadelphia) under Col. Frelinghuysen but cannot recollect the Capt & Major's name.
1 m During this year he served 1 month at Rahway under Capt Small - guarding the shore. Don't recollect the Superior Officers - and two months
2 m at Woodbridge under Capt. Gull - Maj Baird and Col. Frelinghuysen - guarding the shore.
2 m And two months at Elizabeth Town Point under Col. Weddagh - guarding the shore. Does not remember his Capt and Major's name.
2 m In 1779 - he served two monthly tours at Eliza- beth Town Point, under Capt. Van Eyck, guarding the shore - Col. Frelinghuysen & Major Baird
2 m being the Superior Officers - two months at Elizabeth Town under Capt. Logan, Col. Weddagh 1 m Commandant, guarding the shore, - one month
1 m at Newark under Capt. Van Arsdale, other Officers not recollected - and one month at the Great Neck, under Capt. Van Eyck, guar- ding the shore. Baird or Linn being the Major and Frelinghuysen the Col.
1 m In 1780, he served 1 month at Quibbletown under Capt. Gull, watching the enemy - other Officers not recollected, thinks Linn was Major
2 m In same year two tours of a month each at Newark under Capt. Van Eyck - Col. Freling- 1 m huysen & Maj. Linn - and one month at
Elizabeth Town under Capt. Van Eyck, Col. Fre- 1 m linghuysen & Maj. Linn - and one at Rah-
way under Capt. Small - Major Baird & Col. Frelinghuysen - And therefor for this service I claim a pension - and the Ponant further says that at the time his Papers were first prepared and sent to Wash- ington he did not recollect that Linn

Haas who was out with him on various tours during the Revolutionary war was living in Huntington County. and that he has now procured his affidavit.
Sworn & subscribed, before me July 15 th 1883
Luke Vosdicker
W. P. Gaston

Suke Bofeller
James F. Randolph New Brunswick N.J.

State of New Jersey Somerset County
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William B. Gaston before whom the foregoing amended declaration of Luke Brien was sworn to and subscribed and who has made the foregoing certificate and whose proper signature is subscribed to said Certificate and Affidavit was at the time of the date thereof and still is a Judge of said Court and Justice of the peace in and for said County in full commission. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Bridgewater this tenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty three.
J. M. Mann

State of New Jersey } John M Mann Clerk of the Inferior Somerset County } Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William B. Gaston who before whom the amended proceedings in the within application for a pension was had and when his signature is subscribed thereto is a Judge of said court in full commission & In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fifteenth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty three
J. M. Mann

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 4 th 1845.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The child n of Luke Vosseller, dec d . a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1842, to the 17 th January 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
W. B. Lewis
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 901.
Luke Vossellen
Rev. N. J. Line
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 276
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Winter Bank Pimoor Office
October 16 1839
Sir
The enclosed Voucher requires Your special direction for payment
Am Respectfully
Your Ob d Serv t
Philip Dickinson Pres t
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

3526
Luke Vopella
complete
Return this a c
Admitted
Private 24 months
Hon J. F. Randolph Pursuer

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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
   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,
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) 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[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.