Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7197, for Kenneth Mc Caskill, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
McCaskill, Kenneth
S 7197
CONTENTS
Carded

South Carolina No 23.643
Mississippi
Kenneth M c Cashell of Kershaw Dist. in the State of S. Carolina who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Irad McGill of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Wade in the S. Carolina Troops time for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 20 Dollars Conts per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of March 1834 and sent to Hon. Jas Blair U. S. R.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 60.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. " 10.00
$70.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E, Vol. 6 Page 74
Letter to Hon. A. G. Brown on to Rev Act 25 Feb 1840
To Mississippi from 4 March 1831. 27 March 1840
let: 12 May 1840 To A. G. Brown.
Letter to Third Auditor 20 Feb 1841.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838, from 1 st March 1831 to 4 March 1840. Agt Notified 27 March 1841.
let to Hon. A. G. Brown August 22. 48 1857 Feb. 20. To Col. M c Cashell Hon. A. G. Brown Ivance to 3 rd Auditor pens d dead
Hon. A. G. Brown Feb 4/58

State of South Carolina } Kershaw District }
On the Twenty Ninth day of October - one Thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty Three - Personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Richard Gantt presiding Judge in the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Kenneth McCallill Senior a resident of the State of South Carolina and the District of Kershaw, 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 19 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. I entered the service as a drafted soldier in the winter of the year 1781. In the company of Col. Thos. Wade - and under Captain William Shreadgill and Lieutenant William McGuire & Sergeant Matthew Reaching - This deponent saith that he remained in the said company until he was regularly discharged for his three months service - This deponent saith that he obtained his discharge from said Col. Thomas Wade, this deponent saith that he resided in the state of North Carolina. Richmond County when he entered the service

He joined said Col. Tho. Wade Company about Two Miles above Cheraw Hill on the East side of Big Pee Dee River where the said Company was stationed at the time when Genl. Greens Army came to Pee Dee and there remained for some time. Col. Wade gave order to his Company to march up to Colsons Ferry on the said River Pee Dee for to procure provisions for Genl. Greens Army we then returned down near Cheraw where I first joined the Company and served my three months term, I was regularly discharged - This deponent further deponeth and saith that he was drafted a second time for the term of three months, which he served in a Horse Company under the command of Col. Tho. Crawford and Major William Wall, in the Company of Captain William Easterling - after I served my term of three months I received my discharge from the hand of Capt. Wm. Easterling - This discharge as well as the one obtained from Col. Tho. Wade I preserved for some considerable time, but finally they got misplaced but I do not know how - The this deponent saith that while he was under the command of Col. Crawford that they were generally in pursuit of Fories in the state of North Carolina & in the counties of Richmond, Moore & Montgomery to these three counties we were principally confined.

I was in no particular Battle in either of the Wars in which I served except that we dispersed several nests of Tories at one time we caught two of a Tory party by the name of Captain Cagle, & a private by the name of Hanner. we hung them. and another time we caught three Tories, one of them a Captain Price & two privates by the name of Ellis and Buice, we hung them. Three together, we caught Tories at several times some we sent to Jail, and some others we whipped and turned loose. This deponent further deposes and saith that he has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure as an eye witness to his service. This deponent was Born in Scotland in 1700, according to family traditions, but has no record of his age in his possession. His age is about seventy three years, - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declair that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
This deponent is known in the neighborhood where in he resides to Genl James Blair, member of Congress, Col. James Chesnut, Col. William Nixon, Col. Chapman Levy, Stinger Perkins, L. Young & A. McFarlin. Esquires. Sworn to & Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid -
Sworn to in open Court before Richard Gantt Presiding Judge
Herewith M c Calbire

We Thomas Berry a clergyman & Allen McCaskill Esquire Both residing in South Carolina and the district of Kershaw do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Kenneth McCaskill Senior who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy Three years of age 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 & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Sworn to in open Court Thomas Berry clergyman before Richard Gantt Allen McCaskill Esq. Presiding Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogator- ies prescribed by the war department, that the above applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Berry, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the district of Kershaw & State of South Carolina - and that Allen McCaskill Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident of the said district and State, and is a credible person

and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Richard Gantt
I John S Blair Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District and State afore- said, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Kenneth M c askill Sen r . for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of the said Court this Twenty ninth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.
J. S. Blair.
cl k .
South Carolina } Kershaw District } I John S Blair Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas; for the District of State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the preceding three sheets of paper, contain the original proceedings of the Court in the application of Kenneth M c askill for a pension, and that I have this day attached the said three sheets of paper, with a loop under the seal of the said Court - February 1 st 1834.
J. S. Blair. cl k

State of South Carolina } On this First day of Feb Kershaw District } ary A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty four personally appeared in open court before Holl. J. M c Gu Esquire, Judge of the Court of Ordinary, now sit- ting, Kenneth M c Callie who being first duly sworn aco- -ding to law, doth on his oath make the following amendment explanatory to his Declaration hereto prefixed, and saith that, he was called into service by State authority, being drafted in the regular militia, each town, and that the said service was in the army, not in parties collected for neigh- -borhood defence. Sworn to & Subscribed in open court, the date aforesaid before. -
Holl. J. M c Gu } Judge of the Court of } Ordinary for Kershaw District }
Kenneth M c Callie
South Carolina } I Holl. J. M c Gu Judge of the Kershaw District } Court of Ordinary, for the District & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the amended application of Kenneth M c Callie for a pension.
In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand, and the seal of the said court this First day of Feb ruary A.D. one thousand eight hun- dred, & thirty four. -
Holl. J. M c Gu Judge of the Court of Ordinary for Kershaw Dist.
28671
Kenneth M c Callie's
Declaration
for a Pension

Rev han
4/19/94
INVALID.
F. No. 7197
Kenneth McCaskill
Miss Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 245
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hermit Mountain N. 1/4 - 20/1000
Mr. J. G. Johnson Mr. G. H. Johnson Cousin H. H.

Enl. as a drifter held in winter of 1787 in the County of Thurs Col: Wade under Capt: Wm. Threadgill & Lieut. Wm. McElice. Regularly drilled. 3 Mo. Service. Served Second Term under Col: Wm. Crawford & Major Wm. Wall. Company of the Company of Capt. Wm. Easterling Served 3 Mo. Discharged

Company of Col. Thos Wade Capt. William Threadgill Capt. Thos. Wade tender captain William Threadgill Lieut. Wm. de Gnie Served 3 mos. Drafted a 6 mos. time for 3 mos. in a New Company under Col. Thos. Crawford and Major Wm. Wall, under Captain William Easterling Served 3 months discharged

3 d Auditor's Office Feby 3. 1838.
Sir: Kenneth M c askell M.P. Act 1832, appears to have been paid to Sept. 4. 1840.
Very Resp y Rob t Tomlinson Auditor
Geo: C. Whitney Esq. Comm r . of Pensions

London Office, July 2, 1858.
The 3 d auditor will please certify what time within named pensioner was paid and if arrears to his death were paid, to whom.
Very respectfully D. Cole Chief Clerk
Gibbes

House of Reps (N.S.) Washington. 11 Aug 1848
Hon J. L. Edward Com. of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed I have the honor to send you, the certificate of discharge for John Huffman a discharged soldier and request your attention to the same.
I certify to the official character of the clerk of the Probate Court of Jefferson County whose name is to the certificate. Should it not be in your power to attend to this case immediately please address the letter enclosing the certificate to Mr A Watkins Rodney Miss. Mr Watkins is enclosed.
I beg leave to invite attention to the enclosed letter of Mr McCaskie and to inquire what sum? is now due his father, the old man was paid last at Hatchery and tho I do not recollect his christian name he was the only person named McCaskie I suppose who was paid at that office.
Yours faithfully &c
A G Brown

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 24 th 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Kenneth McCallie, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Mississippi Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832. has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1831, to the 4 th March 1841.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson C. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Payments to be made at Charleston by the Dist. U. S. Br. Rk. & Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of S. Carolina
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 6 Page 74 by D. Brown Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Kenneth M. Haskell of the State of South Carolina who was a Private in the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 12 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty- four
L
Examined and Countersigned. }
JLE
Co.
Signature missing June 22, 1904, Q 1

May 12. 1840 Wm Clark
A. R.
J. L. Edwards Esq. (Com. Pension) Washington D.C.
Hon. A. G. Brown, H. R.

House Repn U.S. May 11 th 1820
Dear Sir
Some time since I received the pension papers of Kenneth McLaughlin late of So. Carolina & now of Mississippi which I forwarded to him and have received the written letter in reply Will you be pleased to re-examine his case and if there exists (as he supposed) any error have it corrected & communicate that fact to (Yours ob ly &c) A. G. Brown

March 3 1840
J. P. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC
11.25

Charleston 29 Feb: 1840
Sir
I have received your letter of 25 inst. No payment appears to have been made to Mr. Haskins a pensioner under Act of 7 June 1832 at the rate of $20 per annum since his name has been inscribed on the Roll of this Agency.
I am very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant J. H. Spars Pension Agent
J. H. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC

House Rep. U.S. Feb 23 d 1840
Sir The written papers have been sent to me with the request that I should attend to the matter. Will you do me the favour to examine them at your leisure and let me know whether the Proof is complete & if not what is wanting-
Yours obed servt
A. G. Brown

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of
Hempser 20 th
ss.
On this
day of
January
1891,
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of
Hempser
personally appeared Kenneth McSkaskill
Kenneth McSkaskill
who, on his oath, declares that he is the same
person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain
but  William Easterling
in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Thomas Crawford
in the service of the United States; that
his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of South Carolina
from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District,
or Territory,) of Mississippi
where he intends to
remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The follow-
are his reasons for removing from Kershaw District State of South
Carolina to the state of Mississippi, That the
Country, he lived in, in the State of South Carolina
was very poor, and he removed to Mississippi to
get good Lands for himself and his children.
Kenneth McSkaskill
Sworn and subscribed to before me, { 20 th the day and year aforesaid. }
Wm. D. D. Justice of the peace
¶ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
¶ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
¶ 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 be sent with the papers.
¶ Mode of authenticating papers.—In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.

State of Mississippi } Personally appeared before me Kemper County } Wm P Rowe a acting justice of the peace in and for said County affirms that Hugh M c Castill who after being sworn says that Kenneth M c Castill is the same person that is described in the above affidavit and the said Hugh M c Castill is a man of veracity sworn to and subscribe before me this the 20 th day of January 1840 Hugh M c Castill Wm P Rowe Jr
The State of Mississippi } I Wm G Gill Clerk Kemper County } of the Probate Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William W. P. Rowe whose name appears to the above affidavit is and was an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County at the time of writing and signing the same (and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine Therefore full faith and credit should and ought to be given to all his official acts as such Justice In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office as Clerk in the Town of Hattiesburg the 23 rd day of January A.D. 1840 Wm G Gill Clerk

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Kemper 33.
On this 20 th day of January 18 40 , before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Kemper personally appeared Kenneth M c askell who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Captain William Threadgill in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Wade in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of South Carolina from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State ( District, or Territory ,) of Mississippi where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Kershaw District State of South Carolina to the State of Mississippi , That the Country he lived in, in the State of South Carolina was very poor, and he removed to Mississippi to get good Lands for himself and his Children.
Kenneth M c askell
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } 20 the day and year aforesaid. }
J. M c Guire Justice of the peace
□ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
□ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
□ 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 be sent with the papers.
□ Mode of authenticating papers. —In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.

State of Mississippi Tensas County
Personally appeared before me Wm P Pove an acting justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Hugh McCaskill who after being sworn say that Kenneth McCaskill is the same person that is described in the above affidavit and the said Hugh McCaskill is a man of veracity and a man
who can be relied on Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 20 th day of January 1840
Hugh McCaskill
Wm P Pove Jp
The State of Mississippi Tensas County
I Wm G Gill Clerk of the Probate Court
for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that William W.P. Pove whose name appears to the above affidavit is and was an acting justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified (and that the above signature pur- porting to be his is genuine, therefore full faith and credit should and ought to be given to all his official acts as such Justice In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in the Town of Oakville The 23 rd day of January A.D. 1840 Wm G Gill Clerk

Ms. K. 1. 1 v. 1, p. 1 McKee, McKee Pension papers, 1834.
Admiral's private documents, p. 21.
Adm
Hon. James Blair H.R.

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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported. Years. Months. Days.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
G. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Department of War Pension Office
December 5. 1883
Sir,
The claim of Kenneth M c askell has been under consideration, and is herewith returned, that the applicant may have an opportunity of making some explanations relative to his 3 months tour.
Service of that kind consisting exclusively in the pursuit of loins and ranging upon horseback through the country, are not considered as military, but partaking of that of domestic police, and hence inadmissible.
The applicant will however, state clearly and fully the nature of that service, whether he was in a legally embodied Corps, and constantly upon duty during the whole tour, who served with him &c.
The papers require that they be authenticated by attaching the whole to the seal of the Clerk, as pointed out in the regulations.
The declarations of Moses Wooten, Nath l Jones, John Blue, James Jones and Abraham Blackwell are herewith also returned.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Ob dt . Serv t .
J. L. Edward
Hon. J. Blair
House of Representatives