Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,422, for Silas Stone, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Stone, Silas Polly
NUMBER _____
W. 16.422.
CONTENTS

New York N o 24,940
Silas Stone
of Tompkins Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cushing in the Mass. Troops line for 12 months & 25 days
Inserted on the Roll of New York at the rate of 42 Dollars 75 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of March 1834 and sent to Parley Whitmore, Dryden, Tompkins Co. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 128.25 Semest. allowance ending 4 Sep. " 21.37
$ 149.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4 Page 123

Filey Stone, Pison Paper
19937

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832 State of New York Seneca County ss On this 21 st day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Seneca, New Sitting; Silas Stone a resident of the Town of Dixie in the County of Seneca and State of New York, 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 7th 1832,
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as here in States
About the last of July in the year 1776, at the Town New Braintree in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts, he volunteered as a Soldier to serve until the first of the next Decem- -ber following; about the middle of August, he marched to Dorchester near Boston, under the command of Lieut. Saffy in Capt. Knowl- ton's Company, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Dyer (served as a leader for Lieut. Saffy), until the first of December following. Then he was discharged and returned home to New Braintree.
The first of May in the year 1777, at the Town of New Braintree aforesaid he volunteered in Capt. Hodges Company in the Regimen- -tal Command by Col. Whitney, he marched from thence to Rhode Island and served there until fourth of July following; then he was discharged and returned home to the Town of New Braintree; in the Month of July aforesaid, there were orders at New Braintree aforesaid for one half of the Militia to turn out, and that he was called with the Militia under the command of Capt. Whipple A being a false alarm he was discharged in three days and returned to New Braintree again; in a few days there after the same Month, at the Town of New Braintree aforesaid he volunteered to go with a part of the Militia and marched to Bennington Bennington in the State of Vermont, under the command of Capt. Hodges in the Regiment commanded by Col. Cushing (about this time the enemy under the command of Genl. Burgoyne had advanced from Canada, and our army had retreated from Saratoga, a part of the enemy made a stand, near Benning- -ton) at this time he was with a part of the

apart the Regiment in which he belonged under the command of Maj r Hance, on the 16th day of August (1777) when he was in the Battle of Bennington, the enemy were attacked by our army under the command of Gen l Stark, during the first part of the engagement the division in which he and Silas Stone, belonged, lay back to cover the rear, as soon as the enemy were driven from their works, we were commanded to hurry on to meet their reinforcement where we lay under a heavy fire from the enemy's Musketry and Artillery and Cannon shot, that he was through the whole engagement until the enemy retreated leaving their field pieces in our possession. — Soon after he was discharged and returned home to New Braintree. On the 24th of June 1778, he volunteered to serve in any part of the New England States until the first of the next January following, about the first of July he marched from New Braintree afoot and into the State of Rhode Island, under the then joined Capt n Seaman Company, that time after Captain Cuttall's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col s Wade; on the 9th of August, he marched on to Rhode Island under the command of Gen l Sullivan, and was in the Siege against the British at Newport where he experienced, hardships and fatigue; about the last of August we retreated off the Island, and crossed over to east Greenwich, where we lay encamped, until about the middle of October following when he was taken ill and carried to the Hospital, he staid there about six months, and then returned to his duty, but being so feeble, the Surgeon of the Regiment gave him a Certificate of his ill health and he then obtained his discharge, and returned home to New Braintree with one of his legs badly swelled, which disabled him several years afterwards. That he resided in the Town of New Braintree in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts when he first entered the service of the United States as a soldier there and resided in the Town of New Braintree when he left the service —
That he was born in the Town of Harvard in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts on the 28th day of August in the year 1759; he resided in the said Town of New Braintree until the year 1801, when he moved to the Town of Milton in the County of Madison and State of New York, where he resided until the year 1827 — when

he married to the daughter of Dyer in the County of Poughkeepsie and State of New York when he was widely
That in the said application was called into the Service as a Volunteer and Subordinate as a for aid in this said application
When a substitute went for him for the said time he did not receive a discharge at any time during his service That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony, he can procure, who can testify to his service That he is known in his present neighborhood by William Falls and Stately Carr - who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revo- lution. That he has no record of his age believing that the Record is in the Town of Harvard where he was born He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annu- ity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
State of New York Poughkeepsie County
Carol. Love et al
Silas Stone
We Stately Carr - a clergyman residing in the Town of Dyston in the County of Poughkeepsie and State of New York and William Falls residing in the Town of Dyston in the County of Poughkeepsie and State of New York, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Stone, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is re- spected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Carol. Love et al
Stately Carr William Falls
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogato- ries prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant, was a Revolutionary soldier and served as a State And the court further certify, that it appears to them that Stately Carr - who has signed the preceding certificate

is a clergyman resident in the Town of Deyan in the County of Poughkeepsie and State of New York; and that William Stally Who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Deyan the County of Poughkeepsie and State aforesaid, and is a cred- -ible person, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
I Samuel Laine Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Said County do hereby certify that the forego- -ing containing the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Silas H. ... a portion
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of office the 3 rd day of October 1832 Samuel Laine Clk

State of New York
Schoharie County
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace of the Town of Dyke in and for the County aforesaid Silas Stone, 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 grades -
In the year 1776 in the months of August, September, October, and November, for four months I served as a private soldier - in the army of the Revolution - (Served as a water for but stuff the above four months)
In the year 1777, in the months of May, June, and July for the term of two months and four days I served as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution - likewise for three days
In a part of July aforesaid and August for the term of thirty five days I served as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution -
In the year 1778, from the 24th of June to the 15th of October being for three months and twenty one days I served as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution -
from the 15th of October to the 15th of November being for the term of one month I served as a private soldier in the army I was sick in the Hospital in the army of the Revolution -
In the months of November and December I served one month as a private soldier in the army as aforesaid - For such service I claim a pension
Sworn and subscribed by Silas Stone the eighth day of June 1833 before me
Schuyler Goddard Justice of the peace

Franklin
State of New York
Josephus County ss. 3
I Samuel Love clerk of said county do certify that Schuyler Godara before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County - and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his Name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine. Witness my hand and seal of office June 14. 1833. Samuel Love clerk

Albany 4643
Polly Stone widow of Silas Stone
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 19. January 1837 of Madison Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Medary of the reg't commanded by Col. Cushing in the War. time for 12 months & 25 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 12 Dollars 78 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 20. January 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Nov. 1838 and sent to Sarah DeWitt Pawneeria, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 39 111.93 Semi-annual allowance ending 10 March 21.39 $133.32
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book 1. Vol. 2. Page 101

6125
Received of [illegible] the sum of [illegible] for [illegible]

State of New York Madison County } ss. On this 6 th day of September 1839, personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the County Court in and for the county of Madison a person called Polly Stone a resident of the town of Canajoharie in said county of Madison aged seventy five years; who, being first duly sworn, according to her oath, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of Silas Stone who was a private in a militia company in the State of Massa- chusetts in the town of New Braintree where he resided, at the time he entered into the service of his country in the Revolu- -tionary War, but not having been married to the said Silas Stone until some time after the war had closed she cannot tell the names of the Officers under whom he served. She believes she often heard her husband mention during his lifetime the names of said officers but cannot now recollect them. She does not recollect in particular any of the battles in which her late husband had informed her that he was engaged except the battle at Bunker's Hill in which he said that he fired his gun so often that was so heated that he could not hold his hand on the barrel, she has heard her said husband say frequently that he had served at different times in the army during the Revolutionary War, to the amount in the whole term of fourteen months & a half or thereabouts according to her best recollection. But as her said husband Silas Stone was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death she would refer for a more particular account of his services to his pension papers now on file in the Pension Office at Washington, at the time he obtained his pension, which was as she believes under the act of Congress granting pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers, passed in the

the year 1832 he resided in the town of Dryden in the county of Tompkins, & State of New York.
She further declares that she was married to the said Elias Stone on the fifth day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven. That her husband the aforesaid Elias Stone died on the nineteenth day of January eighteen hundred and eighty seven; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, at the time above stated.
Polly Stone
Sworn and subscribed before me.
This 6 th day of September 1839.
Baraboo Beckwith, Judge.
State of New York
Madison County ss. On this sixth day of September 1839.
personally appeared before me Sewell Stone aged forty two years who being first duly sworn, according to law deposes and says he is the son of Elias & Polly Stone that he has often during the lifetime of his father the said Elias Stone heard him relate his services in the war of the Revolution in particular of being in what is termed the Bennington Battle, and also in the service at Rhode Island. He has heard him relate his being sick while in the army. That his said father died on the 19 th day of January 1837. That the aforesaid Polly Stone who made oath to & subscribed the above declaration is the widow of his father the aforesaid Elias Stone named in the aforesaid declaration and that the said Polly Stone still remains the widow of the said Elias Stone and justly
Sewell Stone
Seal not
Sworn & subscribed before me this 6 th day of September 1839 Baraboo Beckwith Judge.

And I the said Judge do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Mary (alias) Polly Storm, and the foregoing affidavit of Sewall Storm, are the original proceedings laid before me, in the matter of the application of the said Polly Storm to obtain a pension. And I do further certify that the said Polly Storm cannot attend court by reason of bodily infirmity, and that the said Sewall Storm who made oath to & subscribed the foregoing affidavit is a respectable person whose testimony is entitled to credit.
Barak Peckwith a Judge of Madison County Courts

State of New York
Madison County Court (for) Mr. Alexander Prudden & Clerk
of said County do hereby certify that Prudden
acknowledged the person before whom the foregoing
Declaration & Affidavit purport to have been known
was on the day of the date of said Declaration & Affidavit
a Judge of the County Court in the County of Madison
duly Commissioned & sworn and that I am well acquainted
with the hand writing of the said Alexander Prudden
and verify believe that the signatures to the foregoing
Declaration Affidavit & Certificate are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Seal of the said County the 13th day of September
1839
Alexander Prudden & Clerk

I Joanna Chamberlain of Granby in the county of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of lawful age depose and say, that my family name was White, that I am a sister of Nancy Stone , widow of Leah Stone , deceased, that I was present and saw them married, that the marriage ceremony was performed at the house of my brother Samuel White, by the Rev. Joel Hays of South Hadley, an adjoining town, there being at that time no clergyman in the town of Granby, I cannot recollect the year in which they were married, any farther than, that it was in the summer following the Shays rebellion, (sometimes called the Shays insurrection) and that they were married in the season of mowing, when the farmers were getting their hay, all which facts are distinctly within my recollection, but further the deponent saith not.
Granby, August 23 - 1839.
Joanna X Chamberlain mark
In presence of Asa Russell Taylor.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hamblin ss. - Aug. 23 - 1839.
Then personally appeared Mrs Joanna Chamberlain and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit, to which she has affixed her mark by way of signature, through inability to write her name, as she says.
Before me, William Belcher, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that said deponent is a person of truth and credibility. — Wm Belcher Justice of the Peace.

Town Clerks Office.
Town of Granby, Hampshire County,
Massachusetts, August 26 th 1839
Copy.
"Silas Stone of New Braintree, and Polly White of Granby, entered their names with their intentions of marriage, with the Town Clerk, on the sixth day of April, seventeen hundred and eighty seven , and a notification thereof was posted up on said day, by me,
Reuben Moody, Town Clerk. "
"A certificate of the above publication has been given by me, Reuben Moody, Town Clerk. "
The above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which on the record is expressed in fair legible figures, as follows, viz.
"Silas Stone of New Braintree, and Polly White of Granby, entered their names with their intention of marriage, with the Town Clerk, on the sixth day of April 1787 , and a notification thereof was posted up on said day by me,
Reuben Moody, Town Clerk. "
"A certificate of the above publication has been given by me, Reuben Moody, Town Clerk. "
I Chester Ferry depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town of Granby, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named,
Chester Ferry Clerk of the Town of Granby aforesaid
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26 th day of August A.D. 1839. and I certify that said deposition is a true copy of truth and credibility.
William Belcher Justice of the Peace.

Town Clerks Office, South Hadley, County of Hampshire, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Aug t 24 - 1839 I certify that the following is a true extract from the records of this town, Vis.
"A list of marriages solemnized by the Rev d Joel Hayes. In the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, were Elijah Nichols of Belchertown, & Mary Giddings of South Hadley, joined in marriage. Ebenezer Snow of South Hadley, & Mary Burr of Granby. Silas Stone of New Braintree, & Polly White, of Granby. James Barry & Mary Crawford of So. Hadley." &c. &c. &c. - - -
The foregoing is a true copy of the record, so far as to embrace the record of the marriage of Silas Stone to Polly White, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record, in fair legible figures as follows, Vis. "A list of marriages solemnized by the Rev d Joel Hayes. In the year 1787 were Elijah Nichols of Belchertown, Mary Giddings of South Hadley, joined in marriage. Ebenezer Snow of South Hadley, & Mary Burr of Granby. Silas Stone of New Braintree, & Polly White of Granby." &c. &c. - - -
I Titus Clark, depose and say, that I hold the the office of Town Clerk in the town of South Hadley, County and Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception therein named. Titus Clark (Clerk of the town of South Hadley aforesaid)
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 24 th day of August A D 1839. and I certify that said deponent is a person of truth and credibility.
William Belcher, Justice of the peace.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that William Belcher Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said William Belcher , and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this Twenty Seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Fifty nine.
Wells — Clerk.

No 19987 - Silas Stone N.Y.
prof P
Admitted Private 12 mo $25 days
Farley Whitmore Dryden Tompkins County - N York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Silas Stone Tompkins Co N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Past July 12th No 1 1777. May 1. 1777. July 12th Dismissed Dec 1777 Dismissed Dismissed Priv Capt Knulton Hodge Whipple Colts Dyker Whitney None Brantree Mass R.I. & P. Age 73 Brantree Mass Survey Witness Traveling   Vol June 24 Vol-1778 Dismissed after Battle of Brimstone middle of October 1778 One month and then was discharged Priv Hodge Leonard Cushing Wade Brimstone New Port Hospital  
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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. _____
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ 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  here  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 [j] 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.
G. W. Austin Dean of Clerk

Albany
Silas Stone act June 7. 1832 to what time paid?
VL
Died 19 Jan y 1837/paid to that period

464 m New York Polly Stone
Wid 5 July 1787 Husb died 19 Jan 1837
Col Cushing Capt Hodges
Admitted Private 12 mo & 25 day.
Barak Bicknell Esq., Gagunice N.Y.

Cazenovia Madison County N.Y. Sept. 16 th 1839
Dear Sir -
I herewith forward you the application of Mrs Polly Stone of Cazenovia for a five years pension. Any communication from the Department on the subject they will please direct to the subscriber at Cazenovia very respectfully your obedient Servant
Barah Beckwith
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Specimen of Pinner

Rev WIDOW, & Co.
File No. 16422
Esther Stone
widow of
Silas Stone
Pr. William
Act July 16 88
Index: Vol. M , Page 246
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Decem r 21 st 1833.
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 Silas Stone as a private is borne on a Roll of Capt. Ezekiel Hinoulton's Company of Militia Men, in Col. Nathan Sparkhaws Regt. for services and travel on the Alarm April 19 th 1775. where he is allowed fourteen days. m d. 14
Silas Stone's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Ezekiel Hinoulton's Company, in Col. Likes' Regt. Nov r 30 th 1776. where he is allowed for Travels, Grain, and Blanket Money. £ 0-11-10
Silas Stone's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Edmund Hodges' Company, in Col. John Cushing's Regt. where he is allowed from July 27 th to August 29 th 1777. for services and travel, One Month and seven days. 1-7
Silas Stone's name is borne on a Pay Abstract of a Company of Volunteers, under the Command of Capt. Asa Danforth who marched from Brookfield Sept. 23 d 1777. where he is allowed twenty two days. 22

Silas Stone's name is borne on a Pay Abstract of Capt. John Cutler's Company in Col. Nathan Wade's Regt. where he is allowed from June 24 th 1778 Six Months and twelve days. . . . . 6=12
Silas Stone claims for further service under Capt. Knowlton in 1776. - the rolls of which are not found in this Office except the above mentioned. -
Enc. 1.
Edward D. Bangs By