Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29522, James Walker, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Walker, James
S. 29522
CONTENTS

15892 Massachusetts
James Walker
at Peterborough the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded by Col Marshall in the Massa time for 14 months  Service 10 " " of time
Cont'd & etc
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 88 - Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Aug 1830 and Sub Mark Nolittle  Peterborough, Mass.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $176.16 Semi-ant. allowances ending Sept 1833 44.17 $220.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ab. Atkinson Clerk Book C Vol. 20 Page 93

James Walker 5888
Notes of July 10 Mon " " Aug 14 24
Aug 06 April 3 1833
P 321
  25 58  24.69    4.14  211.66    41.46  88.33  
  83 32    16 68    100 00  
Mark Colittle Belchertown Mass

old case  BRIEF in the case of James Walker of Belchertown in the State of Massachusetts , (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 74 Years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Full In 17 75 " 1 12 Private not stated   July  76 " 10 " Provi- sionary Capt. Bellasam (Pioneer)   June 15 th  77 about 2 " Private not stated   78 " 8 " " Col Wood Capt. Some.   Winter  79 " x 9 " " Capt. Smith & Marshall  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Belchertown (Mass)
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses for fourth term of 8 months only.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witness
Not stated as credible
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
X on rolls of June 9 March
D. C. Atkinson Examining Clerk.

4040 James Walker
5888.
X

DECLARATION,
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7th OF JUNE, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. }
ON this fifteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before Samuel Hinchley Judge the court of Probate now sitting, James Walker a resident of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the fall of the year seventeen Hundred & seventy five I the said Walker served in the militia of Massachusetts six weeks in the Revolutionary war, & went to Cambridge near Boston. In January seventeen hundred & seventy six I the said Walker enlisted in a company of artillery in the service of the Revolutionary War for one year in Capt Bedleams Company & in the Regiment of Col Knox. In this campaign I went to Brooklyn fort near Boston when we were during the winter, in the Spring of 1776 the whole company was marched for Candace, we went thro' Kenne & over the Greenmountain to Otter Creek & down the creek to Lake Champlain & on as far as there rivers in Candace there we heard that an army was retreating from Ticonderoga, we returned by a slow march to Crown-point & staid a short time & then went up the Lake to Mount Independence when I was dismissed in the month of November 1776 - In 1777 I went out as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia in the war of the Revolution when Burgoyne was coming down from the north, & went to meet him and was there on the ground at the taking of Burgoyne, How long I was out on this Expedition I cannot remember but I believe about two months about the first of June 1778 I again enlisted in the service of the Revolutionary War for eight months in the Militia, in a company of which Elijah Kent was Lieut & in the Regiment of Col Wood, the name of the Captain I do not remember, but he was from South Ampton, in this campaign I went to Pikes Kill in the State of New York & spent the time till the 28th of January 1779 in that place & near there on duty, on the 28th of January I was discharged & returned home the beginning of February 1779. Some time in the summer of 1779 I again enlisted in the Continental service of the Revolutionary war for nine months & served out my time, I was in Capt Smiths Company & in Col Marshalls Regiment, in this campaign I went to West Point & Fish Kill on the North River in the State of New York
App dated 18 May 19-18 aged 61
6 rows
11 rows
8 rows

He was from Southampton, in this campaign I went to Peks Kill in the State of New York & spent the time till the 28 th of January 1779 in that place & near there on duty, on the 28 th of January I was discharged & returned home the beginning of February 1779. Some time in the summer of 1779 I again enlisted in the Continental service of the Revolutionary war for nine months & served out my time. I was in Capt Smiths Company & in Col Marshalls Regiment, in this campaign I went to West Point & High Bridge on the North River in the State of New York & the time was spent in those places & near there during that service. In the Spring of eighteen hundred & eighty I returned home. I was born in Belchertown where I now reside & have always resided. I have no discharge - I made application for a Pension under the act of March 18 th 1818 & once drew a pension & never but once I was dropped from the pension roll, as I believe on account of having some property. My certificate I have lost, I know not where it is, it cannot be found.
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 Massachusetts
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
James Walker
Samuel Brinsley Judge of Probate for said County
We, Moses Hannum residing in the town of Belchertown and Mark Doolittle residing in Belchertown hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Walker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four 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.
Samuel Brinsley Judge of Probate Moses Hannum Mark Doolittle
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Moses Hannum who has signed the preceding certificate, is and the resident in  an honorable mark and that Doolittle who has also signed the same, is a resident in Belchertown and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Brinsley Judge of Probate
I, Sam e F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Walker for a pension.
James Walker
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteen th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two
Sam e F. Lyman Register

His Excellency the Secretary at War. Washington
Within is the Deposition of Hezekiah Walker

I Hezekiah Walker of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire. Commonwealth of Massachu- setts of lawful age, being presently three years of age this month testify & say that in the fall of the year seventeen hundred & twenty five my brother James Walker enlisted as a soldier in the revolutionary war for six weeks & left our fathers house for Boston at the close of that time he enlisted again from return without returning home for some time & then lived at home at our fathers house & was the oldest son of my father at home, after my brother James went into the army we often heard from him by letter & other ways & the family knew in this way generally the places where he was, some time in the winter following he left Boston where he had been for some time stationed & he with the company marched for Canada he remained in the service till the fall of seventeen hundred & twenty six he then fell sick as we heard he then being at Sicanderoga near Lake Champlain, upon this intelligence reaching our family our father went after my brother & was absent something like two or three weeks. I think he was absent nineteen days from certain circumstances strongly impressed on my mind that our father was absent nineteen days & returned home with my brother James who was very weak & poor & was unable to perform any labor for several months after his return - I know the time of his absence from home for I lived at home during the time, the place where he was I know only by letters & other information from him sent to our family, I do not know that any of his letters are now in existence We have no settled minister now in this place & have not had any steadily with us since the first of August last.
Hez Walker

Commonwealth } on the twenty third day of Massachusetts } of April in the year of Har. 1832 } our Lord eight hundred & thirty three the within named deponent appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed taken at the request of James Walker & to be used by him on his application for a pension at the office of the Secretary of War under the act of the United States of June 7 th 1832 - & I hereby certify that Ezekiel Walker the deponent is known to me & that he is a man of credibility attest Mark Doolittle Justice of the peace through the Commonwealth of Mass s

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that Mark Doolittle Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, Commonwealth duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty fourth day of April A. D. 183 3 -
Sam F. Lyman
Register of Probate.

James Walker's application for a Pension —
James Walker
Private Col. Marshall's Regt Massachusetts line 1779-10 months
on roll
13 July 79, qm. 13 ap't 80
certificate of service wanted.
Certified by the Judge Admitted

I James Walker of Belknapstown in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts do on oath say I am sixty one years of age That I enlisted as private soldier on or about the first day of July in the year 1779 at Springfield in said County and marched to West Point in the State of New York and was placed in the Company commanded by Capt. Josiah Smith & in the Regt. commanded by Col. Thomas Marshall in Genl. Patterson's Brigade in the Massachusetts line, and in the Revolutionary war, and I continued to serve in said Company & Regt. in the State of New York untill the middle or latter part of April 1780 when I was regularly discharged having served nine months as a soldier as aforesaid in the revolutionary war being the time for which I enlisted, my discharge I have lost.
I also served in the Revolutionary war as a soldier from January 1776 to Novr. 1776 in the Company of Capt. McLain in the Regt. of Col. Root being a Regt. of Artillery - I enlisted for a year in said Company & Regt. but was taken sick in Novr. aforesaid and was so unwell that I was discharged from service - my discharge I have lost.
I am in reduced circumstances and in absolute need of assistance from my Country for support & I pray the Honorable Secretary for the War department of the United States that I may be placed on the Pension list of the Revolutionary Pensioners pursuant to the Law of the United States of March 10. 1810 - James Walker May 19. 1819
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss May 19. 1819 I hereby certify that James Walker above named is known to me to be a credible man and he personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed is true - and I further certify he is in reduced circumstances and in absolute need of assistance from his Country for support - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal the day & year aforesaid.
Samuel Brinckley Judge of the Court of Probate of Wells St. within the said County

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Walker , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 29522.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Fall, 1775. 6 wks. Pri. ✓ ✓ Mass.   Jan. 1776 to Nov. 1776 Badlam Knox.   1777. 2 mos. ✓ ✓   June 1, 1778 to Jan. 28, 79. Pomeroy Wood.   July 1, 1779. 9 mos. Josiah Smith. Thos. Marshall.  
Battles engaged in, Capture of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Belchertown, Mass.
Date of application for pension, May 19, 1819. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Belchertown, Hampshire Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, 61 yrs. Born at Belchertown, Mass.
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

29 522 Rey INVALID.
File No. 29, 522
James Walker Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 337
[Arrangement of 1870.]

March 15 th 1914. Will. Read. to Mrs. Emma E. Walker, 163 South St., Morristown, N.J. Oct. 28 th 1913. Hist. to Everett M. Walker South St., Springfield, Mass. W.C. 1914, Feb. 4. History to H. W. Walker. Fr.

15.067 Massachusetts James Walker
of Belchertown in the state of Massachusetts who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Marshall of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Nine months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 19 of May 1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of Sep 1819 and sent to Samuel Hinckley Northampton Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819. 28. 4
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1820. 48. 0
3 Mo. 13 4 31 30
$ 76.41
76 41
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
JP

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss
I Samuel Hinkley Judge & as aforesaid do hereby further certify That it appears to my satisfaction that the said James Walker above named did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months at one time on the Continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken I had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support
Witness my hand & seal of Office this fifth day of Augt. 1819
Samuel Hinkley Judge as aforesaid

Edward H.
Len. Andrews for James Walker

I Samuel Andrews of Ware in the County in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say that same time in the Summer Centu- hundred & twenty eight, I believe in June, I enlisted in the service of the revolutionary war for eight months in the Militia in the company of Capt Pommeroy of South Amptn & Lieut Kent, & in the Regiment of Col Wood, In the same Company was James Walker of Belchertown in this County & went with me, to the north river in the same company, the company spent the time at Peks Kill, White Plains & other places in that vicinity, the said James Walker served in said Company with me during said term a little before the expiration of eight months I returned home, I then lived in Ware, where I have ever since resided, & know James Walker of Belchertown to be the man who served with me, I am now seventy one years of age last May
Samuel Andrews
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County } on this fifteenth day of August eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared before me the Subscribed Samuel Andrews signor of the above Deposition made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition taken at the request of James Walker who used on the application of the D r Walker for Pension at the Department of War office, under the act of June 7 th 1832 before Mark Doolittle Just of Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Samuel Andrews the deponent here named & that he is a man of credibility after Mark Doolittle Just of Peace
Hampshire April 22-1833

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Merrill Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of August A. D. 1832.
Sam F Lyman
Register of Probate.

James Walker 58885
Mark Kirtt

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Walker 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no - He has living witness for eight months etc.
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

His Excellency the Secretary at War Washington
Within is the Deposition of Stephen Shinnick

I Stephen Shumway of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire & Common- wealth of Massachusetts of lawful age being twenty five years old last November testify & say that some time in the summer I think in July 1779 I enlisted in the service of the United States, (having served some time before that in the same service) & was placed in the company of Capt Smith, later became Col Marshall's regiment, & was mustered & marched on to West Point in the state of New York, in this company was James Walker of this town and was a soldier in the company & marched with us & continued in the company doing service & remained at West Point near the north river in the state of New York & in that vicinity doing service till some time the next spring being the spring of seventeen hundred & eighty & we returned home in April I think, the time for which I enlisted at that time was nine months, I know said Walker the whole time & know that James Walker of Belchertown is the same man who served with me & further the deponent saith not.
Stephen Shumway
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire Co
On this twenty second day of April 1833 personally appeared before me the subscriber, Stephen Shumway signer of the above deposition & made solemn oath that the truth of the foregoing deposition lies him subscribed taken at the request of James Walker & also used by Walker on his application for a pension at the War Office of the United States under the act of June 7 1832 & I hereby certify that the D. Stephen Shumway is known to me to be a man of credibility Attest Mark Doolittle Justice of Peace thro the Commonwealth

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that Mark Doolittle Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, Commonwealth duly and regularly appointed, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be genuine.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty fourth day of April
A. D. 1833 —
Sam F. Lyman
Register of Probate.

16
163. South St.
Morristown, New Jersey.
March 1, '94.
To
The Manager of Dep't.
Can you give me any information concerning Capt. James Walker of the Revolutionary Army?
I know that he drew a pension all his life after his army service, but I wish to have official proof. He would be recorded in the Thirties .
His original home was Belchertown, Massachusetts, but he spent his last years in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Any information or proof that you can send me, will be deeply appreciated, and of great value to
Yours truly,
Emma E. Walker, 163. South St., Morristown, New Jersey.

301953 138683 295228 191503
Springfield Mass.
Oct. 14th 95
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D.C.
2207 W 11718 W
Dear Sir,
Please send me from the Bureau of Pensions, a certificate of the service of James Walker, from Belchertown Mass. who served in the Revolutionary War.
also the date when pensions were first granted for service in that war.
This information will very much oblige Yours sincerely,
South St. Springfield Mass.
Everett W. Walker

Parkersburg West Va
Jan'y 17 - 14
Supt Pension Dept Washington DC
Dear Sir: James Walker Jr My Great grandfather, son of James Walker, Captain in the French War in 1757. was a pensioner of the Revolution. Will you kindly give me a record of their service and obit.
Yours respectfully
W H Walker 1060 Avery St Parkersburg West Va
This record is for an application to membership in the Sons of the Revolution
W H Walker

JW. Rev. War Records.
February 4, 1914.
Mr. W. H. Walker.
#1060 Avery Street.
Parkersburg, W. Va.
Sir:—
In response to your letter dated the 29 th ultimo, you are herewith furnished the history of James Walker, S. File 29,522, Rev. War, and advised that in a former abstract of the papers in said claim, the statement that soldier was seventy-four years of age in 1818, was erroneous.
You are further advised that the Revolutionary war records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Captain James Walker or Lieutenant or Major Henry Woods, described by you.
This Bureau has no records of soldiers who served prior to the Revolution.
Very respectfully,
J. M. McAlister Commissioner.

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
W. S. H. E. C.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., October 28, 1895.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- James Walker --- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. Fall 1775 6 wks. Pvt. Not stated. Not stated. Mass. 1776 11 mos. Pvt. Bedlam Knox Mass. 1777 2 mos. Pvt. Not stated. Not stated. Mass. June 1778 8 mos. Pvt. Elijah Kent Wood Mass. Summer 1779 9 mos. Pvt. Smith Marshall Mass.
Battles engaged in, Capture of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Belchertown, Mass.
Date of application for pension. May 19, 1818.
Residence at date of application, Belchertown, Mass.
Age at date of application, Seventy-four years. Born at Belchertown.
Remarks: Pensions were first granted for service in the Revolutionary war under the Act of Congress approved March 18, 1818.
Very respectfully,
Mr. Everett W. Walker, South St., Springfield, Mass.
Commissioner.