Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4427, for John Jameson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Jameson, John
S 4427
boarded
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

20964.
John Samson, of Barren County Ken- tucky
5. 14
Adm 2 years priv $80.
Glasgow
Wm Logan, Clk., Bar- ren County, Kentucky

BRIEF in the case of John Jameson of Barren County in the State of Kentucky (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69 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.     Enlisted In 1779. 6. As a substitute for his father. Gen. Cap Michael Coulter, Lieut. David Buchanan.   Enlisted 1779. 6. Substitute for Rot. McChesney. Cap. Saml. McChesney, Cap. Patrick Buchanan.   Vol. 1781. Not stated. As a spy. Col. Booger, Col. Wm. Ward.   Drafted 1782. Six months.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Augusta County, Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness & traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. B. Turner, Examining Clerk.

Head letter to B dated 19 March 1836
22115
Kentucky
John Samson
Pension in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the 2d Regt. commanded by Captain Colton of the 2d Regt. commanded by Col. Boyd in the Virginia line for 2 years
Entered on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Oct 1823 and Wm Boyd Glasgow
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200.00 Pension allowance ending 4 March 40.00 $240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 15

John Clappison Applications for Pension 20974
(Collected by printer) To be sent to the Office of the Comptroller General

State of Kentucky County of Barren No. 2
On this 19 th day of Nov r 1832, personally appeared before the Justices of the County Court of Barren County, an open Court, John Watson a Resident of Barren County in the State of Kentucky, aged 69 years the 22 nd day of last October who being first duly sworn according to Law, said on his oath that he made the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of "An act to provide for the service of the United States" passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
He was born in near  near Scorton in Augusta County Virginia on the 22 nd of Oct r 1763, & lived there up to the time he entered the service, which he entered in the Virginia Militia as near as he can now recollect, about the 1 st of September 1778 as a substitute for his father George Watson. Michael Coulter was his Captain David Buchanan his Lieutenant, the other Company Officers not now remembered. Under these Officers he was assigned at Dixie Ferry on Dan River near the north Carolina line for the purpose of marching against the Tories. He did not however reach his destination, & indeed went no farther than Dixie Ferry, for the Battle of Kings Mountain had just been fought, & he met the troops at the ferry with the prisoners, which were delivered over to Major Alexander Stewart, who  who commanded a Brigade of which Capt. Coulter's Company was a part & this Applicant a member of that Company. They took the prisoners through Bedford County, crossed at Rockfish Gap, down through Augusta then to Winchester Barracks, where they guarded the prisoners until the period of six months, for which time the applicant had entered the service, had expired, when they were still, the applicant among the rest, discharged. He does not now remember whether he received a written discharge or not, if it is now best to let it pass.

Robert McPherson under Capt. Saml. McCutchen of Linnunane's Comp. McCutchen both of the same name (cousins). He went in the company to Albermark Barren to guard the Prisoners taken under Genl. Wayne. He was there placed under the command of Col. Taylor (perhaps his given name was Dickard). He remained here as a guard for the prisoners until the period of six months, the term for which he entered this service, has expired. He was then dis- charged and went home but cannot now remember whe- ther he received a written Discharge or not, & if he did it is now lost or mislaid. I indeed he never expected to have any use for it if he recd. them.
About the 18th April 1781, about the same time the Assembly had been driven out of Charlottesville by the British, he volunteered in the company of Capt. Patrick Buchanan & Lieut. Col. William Steele & Ensign James Hamilton. The company reorganized at Rockfish Gap at the Blue Ridge, where it was placed under the command of Col. William Dyer. He marched down the main thru Chipping Road down to Richmond, called the burnt Chimney, where Col. Dyer took up position where a skirmish took place with the British, in which the applicant was engaged, & in which Dyer was taken prisoner & James Hamilton, Ensign of the company had his leg bro- ken by two musket balls. Dyer was on horseback, ha- ving borrowed the horse of the rode, of John Francis, a friend to him but received no answer, or he would endeavored to get his testimony. He then, after the skirmish, retreated back to the Burnt Chimney. A few days after that he was in an engagement at the Green Springs under the command of Genl. Wayne, the other field officers not now remembered. In the engagement Wayne had about 1000 men killed & wounded, & was compelled to retreat back to the burnt chimney. He then went down through Williams- burgh under Wayne to Little York, where he arrived about 15 or 18 days before the surrender of Cornwallis & continued there until the surrender. He was there discharged & went home. Suddenly having been for the trial.

Complaint of one man to another, he had not opportunities of becoming acquainted with either the Regular Officers or Regiment. This Applicant will let you know further mention that after the battle of the Green Springs, by some called the Battle of James Town, he was taken in a detached company under Col William Canby, who com- manded at Kings Mountain when the prisoners were taken, through Richmond, crossed James River at Westham Ferry, thence to Spotsylvania & intersected the road leading from Petersburg to New London for the purpose of meeting the British who it was reported, was going to New London; but on reaching the said Road they found that the report was not true - then went back & joined the main Army. While lying near the road with General Buford, who then ran a foot race & was killed on the  who then ran a foot race & was killed on the this Applicant, & from that circumstance attracted the attention of the Applicant. Buford's Affidavit is herewith submitted to the War Department for its consideration.
In the month of April 1782 He served out as an Indian spy, being drafted for that purpose. He served in the Boundary set apart between the Gwynedd & Kenhawa Rivers close to the Ohio River under Col. William Ward, Lieutenant Col- ony Alexander & Ensign James Ward. Greenbrier & Monroe Met once a month, on Col. River, a little River which empties into the Kenhawa, with his Captain & comrades for the pur- pose of imparting any information they had gathered & in capacity of an Indian spy. He served six months in the a written Discharge from this service or not, if it did it is lost. The Applicant desires to say that the above narration is given according to the best of his recollection & as correctly as under the circumstances it could be given. He has no Documentary evidence & knows of no person, except the above Ensign Buford whose affi- davit is submitted, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes his claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any scale. In answer to the question propo- sed by the War Department he saith that he was born in the August a month

the profession of M rs Lucinda Patten in Nelson County in this state. He lived in Fauquier County Virginia every time he was called into service where he lived until 1786, when he moved to Fayette County in this state, then to Nelson County & then to Bangor County Ky where he has lived for the last 19 years. The two first tours, he was a substitute, the 3 rd he volunteered, & the 4 th was drafted as an Indian spy. The first tour he was a substitute for his father George Samson the 2 nd for Robert McChesney. At the siege of Fort Pitt where Cornwallis was taken, he frequently saw the Regular officers, Genl Washington Lafayette, Col Morgan Col Mackintosh & Genl Wayne. He does not remember the name of the Regiment. He was in the skirmish at Hot Water, the Battle of Green Springs, & the capitulation of Cornwallis & acted as an Indian spy in 1782. If he ever received Discharges he cannot now tell what has become of them. In answer to the 7 th he would name Rev. Isaac Lock, Jesse Stallworth, Elisha Dickey, William Harbison Esq r , David Lock, William Savage, Kelly Colonel, Stephen C. Burch, John McWhorter, Starks, & William ...  Subscribed & sworn to this day & year aforesaid
John James
Personally appeared an open court Simon Buford who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he remembers the circumstance mentioned in connection with his name in the foregoing Declaration that he is now in the service that the said John Samson was there in the service. Simon Buford to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Simon B
We William N. Kidd a gentleman residing in the County of Warren state of Kentucky & William Savage residing in the same County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Samson who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides & has been

*If the said Court has sufficient acquaintance with the facts of the case
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named & foregoing Applicant, John Jameson, was a soldier of the Revolution & served as he states, in the Continental Army. It was inadmissible for the S d Jameson at this Court to procure the attendance of a clergyman, that it appears to them that William St. Hill, who has signed the proceedings, is a credible person, resident in the County of Barron Co., & that William Savage who has also signed the same is a Resident in the same County, and is a credible person that their statement is entitled to credit.
I William Logan, Clerk of the County Court of Barron County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John Jameson for a Pension.
For testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17 th day of Novr 1832
Wm Logan Clerk

Rev. 4 1812 Rate Service 1000/1000
December 21, 1928
Viola Root Cameron Hotel Windermere, East Chicago, Illinois
Madam:
In response to your letter of the 15th instant, addressed to the Treasury Department, and which has been referred to this bureau by that department, I advise you that in order to obtain date of last payment of pension of John Jameson (not Jamison), S.4427, and the name of person paid, you should apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, this city, citing the following data as a means of identification of this particular record: "John Jameson, Certificate No.22115, issued October 11, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831. Act of June 7, 1832, Kentucky Agency".
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

June 27, 1918.
Mr. Roosevelt Dunlap, East Auburn, Cal.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 18 th instant, you are advised that you were furnished the history of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Jameson, Virginia Troops, S. File 4427, on May 30, 1918, and it is not the practice of this bureau to give the same record twice to any person. The clerical force not being available for the purpose.
Your attention is invited to the bureau letter of May 30, 1918, relative to the furnishing and cost of photographic copies of papers in said claim.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

May 20, 1916.
Mr. Boutwell Dunlap, First National Bank Building, San Francisco, California.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the thirteenth instant, you are herewith furnished the record of John Jameson, Virginia Troops, Revolutionary War pensioner, S.F.4427.
Photographic copies of the affidavits upon which said claim is based can be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of 15 cents for each sheet photographed, with 25 cents additional for certification, if that is desired. Said affidavits contain 9 sheets; an uncertified copy would cost $1.35 or a certified copy would cost $1.60.
The proper amount should be forwarded by certified check, draft, money order or cashier's check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior Department. If a certified copy is ordered, it will be necessary to place a ten cent internal revenue documentary stamp on the certificate, which stamp you should forward and not include the cost thereof in your remittance.
Very respectfully,
G. M. Stackpole Commissioner.

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of John Jarneson a so _____ the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired info _____ contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion _____ in this Bureau. S. L. 4427.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept 1. 1779. 6 mos. Pri. Michael Coulter ✓ Va.   May 1780. 6 " Saml M c Cutcheon Richard Taylor   Apr. 1781. 6 " Patk. Buchanan Wm. Boyer   ✓ Wm. Campbell   Apr. 1782. 6 " Wm. Ward ✓  
Battles engaged in, Hot Springs, Jamestown, or Green Springs surrendering Cornwallis.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 19, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Barren Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, B Oct 22, 1763, near Staunton, Augusta Co. Va.
Remarks: His first service was as a substitute for his father, George Jarneson.
There is no further data relative to family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

State of Kentucky } ss. Barren County }
On this 16 th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the judge of the Barren Circuit Court now sitting, John Jameson Aged 70 years the 22 nd of October 1833 now next ensuing, a Resident of Barren County, State of Kentucky, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration by way of Amendment to his original Declaration made out on 19 th day of Nov r 1832, before the Justices of the County Court of Barren County.
This Applicant would respectfully shew that his said original Declaration has been heretofore sent on to the War Department, and the same has been returned for Amendment, first in this That Applicant has not "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." To obviate that objection he would further state, That on the first Tour mentioned in his original Declaration under Capt. Michael Coulter, he was discharged at Winchester Barracks where he had been guarding the prisoners taken in the Battle of Kings mountain; And that in that Tour he served six months as a Private in the Virginia Militia as a Substitute for his Father George Jameson.
On the 2 nd Tour he entered the Service as a Substitute for Robert McChesney under Capt. Samuel McClellan and assisted in guarding at Albemarle

Robert M c Chesney.
His 3 rd Tour was under Captain Patrick Buchanan, in which Tour he rendezvoused at Rock Fish Gap, & was in the Battle of Hob Water as is set forth in his original Declaration. In which Tour he was also in the Battle of the Green Springs under Genl Wayne, and at Little York when Cornwallis capitulated. On this Tour he served six months as a Private in the Virginia Militia.
On his 4 th Tour, which was in the Capacity of an Indian Spy, he served six months as a Private in the Company of Cap William Ward. He cannot say whether the troops he served as a Spy in can be called State Troops or not but presumes they were Militia.
As to the objection that two Citizens, instead of a Clergyman and two  one Citizen, have certified to his, he considers that obviated by the Certificate given below.
And he considers that the objection that his Witness Simon Buford has not been certified by the Court to be credible and respectable as his Witness is also sufficiently obviated by the Certificate of the Court. For the above Services the applicant claims a Pension.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Jameson
We Jacob Lock — a clergyman residing in the County of Barren Kentucky, and Joel Gancy residing in the same County hereby certify that we are

believe him to be 70 years of age the 22 nd day of October 1833; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood 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. Jacob Look
Joel Nancey.
And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion after an investigation of the matter, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to this Court, that Jacob Look — who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Barren County Ky, and that Joel Nancey who has also signed the same is a Resident in the same County and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that Simon Buford, who, on the 19 th day of Novr 1832, made made oath to the Affidavit in the abovenamed Applicant's original Declaration before the County Court of Barren County, is a credible and respectable person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.

I Richard Garrett Clerk of the Circuit Court of Barren County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the Amendments of the original application of John Jameson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 16 th day of September 1833.
Richard Garrett Clerk
John Jameson To 3 Amendments Original Declaration for a Pension

Becker
4424 INVALID.
File No. 4424
John Garrison Dr. Van Liew
Act: June 7, 1922
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 170
[Arrangement of 1976.]
1906 Dec 10. History to Forest Pottinger.
1914 April. Hint to Saul F. Pottinger M.B.H.
1916 May 20. Bontwell Dunlop advised of cost of copier law
1916 May 20. History to Bontwell Dunlop. For
1918 Jan 29. B. Dunlop advised same record out but trace to one person out
1928 Dec 20. Tilda Port Cameron how to obtain date of last fragment. M.M.K.

DIVISION OF BOOKKEEPING AND WARRANTS
IN REPLY REFER TO FILE B. & W. 100-6
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON
December 18, 1928.
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior.
Sir:
There is transmitted herewith for your consideration a communication from Viola Root Cameron, Chicago, dated December 13, 1928, seeking information as to a certain payment to a Revolutionary pensioner.
The writer has been advised of this reference of her communication, as may be noted from the enclosed copy of Treasury letter addressed to her this date.
By direction of the Secretary:
Respectfully,
Chief of Division of Bookkeeping and Warrants.

100.0
December 18, 1928.
Viola Root Cameron, Inc., Hotel Windamere, East, Chicago, Ill.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of December 13, 1928, seeking information as to the payment of the last installment on the Revolutionary Pension of John Jamison, No. S 4427, Virginia, who died in 1832 in Barren County, Ky., you are advised that it is impracticable to identify the specific payment referred to from the records of this Department.
Inasmuch, however, as all matters and records pertaining to payments to individual pensioners are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, I have taken the liberty of referring your letter to the Commissioner of Pensions for his consideration, to whom it is suggested that any further communication in the matter, if necessary, should be addressed.
By direction of the Secretary:
Respectfully,
(SIGNED) A. F. Bartlett
Chief of Division of Bookkeeping and Warrants.
AMS:W

VIOLA ROOT CAMERON INC.
Genealogist
NEW YORK LONDON
HOTEL WINDERMERE, EAST CHICAGO
December 13th, 1928.
Revolutionary Records. Treasury Department. Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Can you give me from your records to whom was paid the last installment on the Revolutionary Pension of John Jamison No. S 4427, Virginia., who died in 1832 in Barren County, Ky.
Thanking you for this information, I am
Respectfully,
Viola Root Cameron
FAMILY HISTORIES COMPILED AND PUBLISHED, COATS OF ARMS
SPECIAL RESEARCH OF ALL KINDS ANCESTORS AND HEIRS TRACED

East Auburn, California. June 16, 1918.
United States Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Will you please be good enough to furnish me at your earliest convenience on the blanks you furnish for that purpose the Revolutionary record of John Jameson who made application while probably a resident of Kentucky for pension on 19 November 1822. He enlisted 1 September 1779 in Virginia.
Very respectfully,
P.O. Address-----
Boutwell Dunlap (East Auburn, California.)

Rev. Sec.
1148
East Auburn, California. May 13, 1916.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please give me the record in the Revolutionary war of John Jameson, who while residing I think in Kentucky, made application for a pension upon the 19 November 1832, which pension was allowed. He was born in Augusta county, Va., 1763, son of George Jameson, enlisting 1 Sept 1779, as a substitute of his father.
under head of "remarks,"
Upon the blank you have for such reports as to Revolutionary service, will you please state all names of officers and men also who are mentioned by him in his affidavit or description of his service. Also advise me what the expense will be to copy this affidavit, if found what is desired.
Very respectfully yours,
P. O. Address-----
Bortwell Drinlap { First National Bank Building, { San Francisco, California.

OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE IN REPLYING REFER TO
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
March 27, 1914.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
For use in establishing my eligibility to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, please give me an abstract of the services of my great-grandfather, John Jameson, who was pensioned as a Revolutionary soldier about the year 1832 or 1833.
He was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in October 1763, the son of George Jameson, for whom he served, first, as a substitute for six months, and he died in Barren County, Kentucky.
I should be glad to have a brief statement of the main facts in his pension papers, for which please accept my thanks in advance.
Respectfully,
Samuel F. Pottinger,
Bureau of Internal Revenue, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C.

Data from card. H.
IN ANSWERING REFER TO NO. FP
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
November 30, 1906.
Jo W.M.
Hon. Vespasian Warner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
For use in completing an application for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, please give me an abstract of the service, etc., of John Jameson, one of my ancestors, who served in the Revolutionary War and who was pensioned on October 11, 1833. I believe he served in the Virginia Line, and at the time of his death was living in Barren County, Kentucky; that when the pension was granted he was 71 years old. As to the latter statement I am not sure--perhaps he was 71 years old when he died.
Thanking you in advance for this information, I am
Respectfully,
Forrest Pottinger
Office of Auditor for Navy Dep't,
Treasury Department,
Washington, D.C.
I want to know especially — The date of his birth, place of birth and residence in Va., date of enlistment, designation of organization in which he served, length of service, wife's name (if known), date of death, place of residence at death.

John Farnson
Sensory Claims

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Garrison , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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. Two citizens.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The Court have not.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeh and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.
REQUIRE 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.
REQUIRE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.