Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1947, for Ephraim Smith, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Smith, Ephraim Jerusha
W 1947
CONTENTS
Apr 23, 1758 at Medfield, Norfolk Co. Mass. Bap. ch. in 1822 son of Marlowe, Windham Co. Mass. d. Oct 25, 1894 at Westminster, Windham Co. Vt.

no 114
Adm. for 20 mo. and 24 days on special p. 33
Sister, E. Graham Mar. 19th

11,140
BRIEF in the case of Ephraim Smith of Warborough in the State of Vermont (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Fall - In 1775 42 Private Col. J. P. Root's Regt. } State Capt. B. Cheney's Co. } Sen. 1st Major   1776 3 do Col. A. P. Root's Regt. } do do   June - 1776 5 do Col. B. Wheeler's Co. } do do   not known not recollected do Capt. Munroe's Co. } do do   July - 1778 6 42 do Col. Benj. Hovey's Regt. } do do   1779 6 do Col. Tyler's } do do   not recollected thinks - 4 do Capt. M. Thayer's Co. } do do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? At the battle on R. Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Medfield - Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by witnesses in part of his service & the traditional evidence of others - certified to be credible  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk.

State of Vermont Windham County ss.
On this 13th day of September A.D. 1832 - Personally in open Court - Before the Probate Court for the District of Marlborough - Present - Marshall Miller Esquire, Judge - Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District - now sitting - Ephraim Smith of Marlboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by an act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - That he enlisted, at Medfield in the county of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts, in Capt. Ephraim Cheney's company in Col. Joseph Pits's regiment. Massachusetts State Troops for six weeks, in the fall of the year 1775 and served in said company at Roxbury Mass. six weeks was employed in guarding the British and other military duties -
Enlisted again at said Medfield, does not recollect the month 1776 in a company commanded by Capt. John Bayden for three months, in Mass. State Troops. He or Col. Andrew Peters regt served at Roxbury and Brookline - an enlargement keeping guard and standing sentry etc.
Enlisted again at said Medfield the last of June 1776 in Col. Joseph Brails company Col. Ephraim Whelock's regiment, for the term of five months marched to Ticonderoga was under the command of Gen. Gates while there - was employed in keeping guard etc. when his time was out was discharged -
Enlisted again at said Medfield in Capt. Salin Mass's company - was stationed at Taunton, was employed in guarding the coast at Taunton and other places, does not recollect term of time he enlisted nor how long he served - Enlisted again at said Medfield in July 1778 for six weeks, in Capt. Adarn Peters Co. in Col.
Benjamin How's regiment. Mass. Militia was in Gen. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island - was in the battle there - at the expiration of said six weeks was discharged or dismissed -

Enlisted again for six months, 1779 in Capt. Howell's company, in Col. Tylers regiment - was marched to Rhode Island - served there and at Newport, Peterborough recalled, guarding prisoners in a vessel while in this term of service - does not recollect the month that he enlisted, nor the time that he was dismissed.
Enlisted again at said Medfield in Capt. Nathan Mayes's company, Massachusetts State Troops - was marched to West Point Gen. Arnold commanded there until he deserted to the British - soon after Arnold deserted Gen. Washington arrived - was there when Maj. Andre, the British Spy, was brought in - saw Andre in a room by himself he was walking very fast across the room - thinks he enlisted and served four months at that time does not recollect the time he enlisted, nor when he was dismissed - He relies upon the affidavits of Phinehas Allen, Eli Smith and Rufus Hawn to prove his services in the war of the revolution, in addition to his declaration, which he herewith transmits to the War Department.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his oath, as follows -
1. Was born in Medfield County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts June 23 d 1758 -
2. Has a private record of his age -
3. Lived in said Medfield when called into service, lived in said Medfield until 1803 when he removed to Fitch William St. where he lived about eight years - then removed to Medfield and lived there until 1820 when he removed to said Marlborough where he now resides -

11 th Enlisted voluntarily each term of his service in the revolutionary War —
12 th His comrades Colo. Reed, Gen. Gates, Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Arnold, Gen. Washington, Gen. Putnam has detailed above as near as he can recollect his services and employment in the War
13 th Never received any written discharge at any time —
14 th James Nathan Houghton Esq r and Eben r Morse as witnesses under this interrogatory Ephraim Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
We Nathan Houghton of said Newfane and Eben r Morse of Newfane aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Smith of said Marlborough, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion C Nathan Houghton Eben r Morse
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
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 Nathan Houghton and Eben r Morse, who have signed the preceding certificate, are citizens of the said town of New Fane, in said county, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit —

I James Elliot Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Marlborough aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Smith for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of September, A. D. 1832.
James Elliot, Probate Register.
No. 87. Marlboro Co. Vermont. Ephraim Smith. Decree for Pension. September 1832.
11140
Ms. A. 9. 2. 13 Ephraim W 1947

Vermont 95 57
Ephraim Smith
of Windham in the State of Vermont who was a Patri: in the company commanded by Captain Thayer of the Reg't commanded by Col. Wheelock in the Mass'ts line for 20 mos. & 24 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 69 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of May '33 and sent Jas. Elliott Newfane Vt.
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 - 138.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 34.66 1/4
$173.32 1/4
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Diller Clerk Book E. Vol. 8. Page 90

376 B Vermont
Jemima Smith widow of Ephraim Smith who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 10 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Oct r 1847 . and sent to
Jacob Mates Super Miss V. Mages N. H.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2/1848, Page 141 Vol. 7
J. J. Book D
Reported

Meadfield Me June 24
J.
Jacob Wales Esq. Paper Mill village N. H.

Capt Eph m Smith and Jerusha Clark both of Medfield were joined in marriage March twentieth seventeen hundred and ninety four "
By Elijah Adams Justice Peace
Medfield June 18 th 1849. I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows.
March 20 ——— 1794
Isaac Fiske.
I, Isaac Fiske, above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Medfield, in the County of Norfolk, and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Medfield, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Isaac Fiske, Town Clerk
Sworn to before me this nineteenth day of June 1849.
of the Town of Medfield
Jon a P r Bishop Jus of Peace County of Norfolk Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston July 7 th 1849
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Jonathan P. Bishop was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. L. Chaplin Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Medfield June 28 1869
Mr Wales
Dr Sir
I herein enclose you a certificate of the Marriage of Ephraim Smith & Jerusha Cla certified & sworn to by me in the form required at the pension office, as desired by you.
I also acknowledge the receipt of Rev. for which please accept my thanks.
Respectfully Yr obed Servt Isaac Pike

No 476 Senika Smith widow of Ephraim VI
out 29 July 1848
Marrid 1794 husband died 1835
adw. #169 33 pram pm 4 March 1848
Jacob Wales Papa Mill Village JL 17 H (Faint vertical text from the reverse side of the paper) Jacob Wales Papa Mill Village JL 17 H

(Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848
State of Vermont Windham County fs, on this 27 th day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before me David Chandler Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, in open court now sitting in Rockingham in said County. The widow Jerusha Smith of Westminster in said County aged Eighty one years the 12 th day of last July, who being duly sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848, granting pensions to certain widows of Soldiers who served in the war of the Revolution. That she is the widow of Ephraim Smith late of said Westminster deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and who was a pensioner under the act of 1832, for the sum of about sixty nine dollars per year and for the proof of her said husbands services she respectfully refers to the evidence filed with his application by which he obtained his pension under said act of 1832, now at the war department. She further says her husband the said Ephraim Smith died in said Westminster the twenty fifth day of October one thousand

eight hundred and thirty nine and that she has never intermarried but has remained a widow ever since. She further says that she was married in the town of Medfield County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the twentieth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety four by Elijah Adams justice of the Peace as will more fully appear by the certificate of Isaac Fiske Town Clerk of said Medfield which will accompany this declaration. She further says that her maiden name was Jerusha Clarke that she and her husband the said Ephraim Smith both originated from said Medfield and continued to reside there after they were married for about seven years then moved to Fitzwilliam New Hampshire and resided there about eight years then went back to said Medfield remained there about eight years then moved to Marlborough in said state of Vermont resided there until 1836 then moved to said Westminster where she now resides. She further says her husband was eighty one years old when he died that he was a resident of said Medfield when he went into the service. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January eighteen hundred. (to wit) at the time before stated & she further saith that her said husband obtained his said Pension while a res- ident in said Marlboro
his Jerusha Smith mark

State of Vermont
District of Westminster } 3
At a Probate Court held at Rockingham in said district on the 27th day June A.D. 1849 Personally appeared the declarant, Jerusha Smith, and made oath to the foregoing declaration by her subscribed. Before me, and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Jerusha Smith and know her to be the identical person named in the foregoing declaration and whose signature is thereunto affixed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said to be affixed the day and year above written.
David Chandler Judge of Probate for said district
State of Vermont
District of Westminster } 3
I Abiel Woodard Register of Probate hereby certify that David Chandler is a Judge of Probate for the district of Westminster aforesaid, and that his signature to the above certificate is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court in Probate Court at Rockingham in said district the 27th day of June 1849.
Abiel Woodard Register

I Eli Smith of Medfield in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts testify & say, that I was well acquainted with the services of my brother Ephraim Smith then of said Medfield now living in the State of Vermont, during the war of the Revolution as I lived in the same house with him and his family when I was not myself absent in the service. I will recollect that he marched to Roxbury at the time the British held possession of Boston in Capt Ephraim Cheney company of Massachusetts Militia but the length of time he remained in that service I cannot now recollect. He also enlisted, in the expectation to Ticonderoga as near as I can recollect for five months in Col Wheeler's Regiment was marched and remained in that service I have no doubt the term of his enlistment. He also was a volunteer in the expectation to Rhode Island in a company of Massachusetts Militia in 1778 at the time the British held possession of the Island in Capt Peters company Col Hens Regiment and I believe went there with two several detachments at different times for I saw him there and was myself accepted as his substitute after the British had evacuated the Island and remained one fortnight to enable him to come home to his family - The whole time he remained on the Island and the vicinity in that service I am unable to determine He also marched to Cambridge after the cap- ture of Gen Burgoyne's army and was in the Guard to that army - I saw him there in that service as I carried to him necessaries from home. In all these services he was a private unless in one expectation he acted as Corporal I have a strong impression also that he was in the service at West Point at the time of Arnold's desertion during the time of my absence in the service in another quarter. I have no doubt

to determine the term he was in these several services and after such a lapse of time my memory fails to determine it. But I always have had the impression that he was in the service for a considerable period of the time he was here and I have not seen my brother for many years.
Eli Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss. August 18 th 1882. Then personally appeared the above named Eli Smith a person worthy of full credit, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Daniel Adams, Jus of Peace

Norfolk Is.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I James Ware Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Norfolk hereby certify that Daniel Adams Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of peace in and for said County duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that his signature on the same, the other side of this sheet, is genuine and true. . . .
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth at Dedham this twenty eighth day of August A D one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
James Ware 3

I Ephraim Smith of Westminster in the county of Windham and State of Vermont aged forty nine years. Depose and say that I am Son of Ephraim Smith late of said Westminster deceased, That my Father the said Ephraim Smith died in said Westminster the twenty fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine that I was living in the same house with him at the time of his death, I further say that my Mother Jerusha Smith has never intermarried since the death of my father but still remains his Widow, I further say my father the said Ephraim Smith was a Pensioner under the act of 1832 for the sum of about sixty nine dollars per year, that he obtained his pension while he resided in the town of Marlborough in said State of Vermont, I further say that my Father and Mother always told me that they originated from the town of Medfield Massachusetts & was married there by a justice of the Peace by the name of Elijah Adams, I further say that I well remember the time that my Father & Mother lived in Fitzwilliam, they resided there about eight years then went back to said Medfield and resided there about eight years then moved to said Marlboro. and resided there until the year 1836, then moved to said Westminster and remained there until my Father's death I further say that my Mother always told me that her maiden name was Jerusha Clark, I further say that

my Mother has had nine children two older than myself and six younger than myself. That my father was eighty one years old when he died as he always told his age.
Ephraim Smith State of Vermont Windham County ss June 27 th 1849 subscribed and sworn to the day and year last above written.
Before me Abishai Stoddard Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named Ephraim Smith is a person of strict truth and veracity. Abishai Stoddard
State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office Newfane June 30 th A.D. 1849 I Marshall Miller Clerk of said Court certify, that Abishai Stoddard, was on the 27 th day of June instant and still is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, the day & year first above written.
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MHP/eel
November 14, 1928
Mrs. Grace N. Briggs 305 East 11th Street Hutchinson, Kansas
Madam:
I advise you that the histories of Ephraim Smith of the Revolutionary War (W. 1947) and Ephraim Smith of the War of 1812 (Wt.20109-160-55) whose histories were forwarded you on September 11, 1928, were furnished because the Ephraim Smith in whom you were interested, you stated was of Massachusetts and Vermont and had a son, Ephraim, hence the Revolutionary War record, and you also stated that Ephraim Smith lived in Livingston County, New York, and in Whitley County, Indiana, and received Government land there, hence the War of 1812 record.
The records of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 of this bureau afford no information in regard to an Ephraim Smith whose entire record was as you stated, so as a means of aiding you as much as possible the above was furnished and the bureau has no means of determining whether either man was your ancestor.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

au g September 11, 1928.
Mrs. Grace N. Briggs 305 East 11th St. Hutchinson, Kansas.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 1947, it appears that Ephraim Smith was born June 23, 1758 at Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
While residing at said Medfield, he enlisted and served with the Massachusetts Troops, as follows-
In the fall of 1775, six weeks in Captain Ephraim Cheeney's Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Regiment; in 1776, three months in Captain John Boyden's Company; from in June 1776, five months in Captain Joseph Daniel's Company, Colonel Ephraim Wheelock's Regiment; in 1777, Captain Mann's Company, length of service not stated; from in July 1778, six weeks in Captain Andrew Peter's Company, Colonel Benjamin Howe's Regiment, and was in the battle of Rhode Island; in 1779, six months in Captain Howell's Company, Colonel Tyler's Regiment; and three or four months in Captain Nathan Thayer's Company, and was at West Point, when General Arnold deserted to the

British.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 13, 1832, at which time he was living at Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont.
He died October 25, 1839 at Westminster, Vermont.
The soldier married March 20, 1794 at Medfield, Massachusetts, Jerusha Clark, who was born July 12, 1767. They were both then of said Medfield.
She was allowed pension on her application executed June 27, 1849, at which time she was living at Westminster, Vermont.
Their son, Ephraim Smith, was living in Westminster, Vermont in 1849, and stated that there were two children older and six children younger than himself, but did not give the names of any.
The rest of this letter is P. S. Clark for Ephraim G. Smith - Wt Pa. 20/109. 160. 55.
RECORDED INDEXED SERIALIZED FILED
NOVEMBER 19 th 1888

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1942
Jerusha Smith Widow
Ephraim Smith Brn. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index: Vol. M , Page 218
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1928-Sept. 11-Head. to Mrs. Isaac M. Burgess - as T. 1928-Head. 14-Further information to Mrs. E. M. Burgess

Hutchinson Kans. Aug. 25-1928
Winfield Scott, Com. Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Ephraim Smith
Replying to your letter Aug 1 st , Rev. and 1812 War sections, am asking help in establishing record for D.A.R. membership.
Answer to this part of letter in B. Lt. Vol. 20, 109-160-155-Ephraim Ephraim Smith born Danvers Mass. Served as sergeant marines in war 1812. Was married 1812 to Martha Ireland in Salem Mass. - subsequently removed to Vermont where he remained until 1835, when he removed to Livingston Co. N.Y. - later going to Indiana where he entered government land in Whitley Co, where he died at age of 85 years.
I think his enlistment papers or record would be in your office and would contain date of birth, which I need, also his fathers name (Ephraim Smith, revol. ancestor), whose service record, date of birth and death, and name of wife, are necessary to complete my record.
Your help will certainly be appreciated and I thank you for any or all of this information.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs Grace N. Briggs 305- East 11 th St, Hutchinson Ks.

Hutchinson Ok.
Oct 19 - 1928
Mr. Winfield Scott Caram. Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Your letter Sept 11 th Rev. and 1812 Wars section, am sorry to bother you further in my behalf.
I asked your office to locate record of my rev. ancestor, Ephraim Smith, giving his son, also Ephraim Smith of the war of 1812 as the key. You could not find the 1812 ancestor on your records, but sent my revolutionary ancestors record.
As you say there are so many Ephraim Smiths on your records, would you kindly let me know how you traced this ancestor, that we may be positive he is the right one?
The local D A R registrar requests this information, and

I thank you for it, also for the help you have already given me.
Sincerely,
Mrs Grace N Brugg
305- East 11 th St
Hutchinson Ks.
yours-

Ephraim Smith VT act 7 June 1832 p 169 33 p m
To what time was he last paid?
Pension office Oct 12 th 1849
Gl. A
Died 25 th Oct r 1839.
P a to his death. B. B.

11.120
B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ephraim Smith — 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? — no  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? — no 

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 Clergyman - but others
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
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? in part of 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? 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, 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who 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.

Hon James L. Edwards Comr of Pensions Washington
D.C.

Paper Mill Village N. H. July 12 th 1849
Hon J. L. Edwards Comr of Pensions
Sir enclosed is the Declaration of the Widow Jerusha Smith of Westminster Vermont for a Pension under the act of July 29 - 1848, which I trust you will attend to in turn and make return to me at Paper Mill Village N. H.
and much oblige Yours &c Jacob Waldo

We Eleazar Morse of both Nathan Houghton of Newfane in the county of Windham and State of Vermont of lawful age do here and say, that we have been acquaint- ed with Ephraim Smith of Marlborough in said county about twelve years last past, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that said Smith was formerly an intelligent man, that we have frequently heard him relate his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that said Smith had a severe fit of sickness last spring and inflammation in his head in consequence of which he lost the sight of one eye, and since his sickness he appears to have much broken and his memory very much impaired, that he cannot recollect circumstances nor does he appear to be able to relate facts near so well as he did previous to said sickness, that said Smith is respected and beloved in the neighbor- hood where he resides to be a man of veracity
Newfane September 14 - 1832 -
Eleazar Morse Nathan Houghton
State of Vermont Windham County ss. Newfane Sept. 14 - 1832 Personally appeared the above named Eleazar Morse and Nathan Houghton Esquires and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed contains the true and nothing but the truth - Before me Marshall Miller. Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont. Windham County Court Clerk's Office, New France, September 13. A.D. 1832.
I certify that Marshall Miller, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written.
James Elliot, Clerk.

I Phinehas Allen of Medfield in the County of Norfolk & State of Massachusetts testify and say that I entered the service of the United States during the war of the Revolution as a volunteer for three months and was marched to West Point in a Company commanded by Capt Nathan Thayer in Massachusetts State Troops. Genl Arnold being commander in Chief. He absconded while we were there I well knew Ephraim Smith then of Medfield but now of Vermont; he enlisted in the same Company as a private soldier and was marched to West Point with said Company and performed duty therein during his three months enlistment Phinehas Allen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss. August 18 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Phinehas Allen a person worthy of full credit and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him sub- scribed is true Before me Daniel Adams Jus of Peace

Norfolk ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I James Ware Clerk of the Superior Court being Clerk of record, in and for said County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Daniel Adams Esq. before whom the within deposition was taken is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly ap- pointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that his signature within is a genuine and true. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereto at Dedham this twenty eighth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty four
James Ware

I Rufus Harns of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk Esq aged seventyseven years, testify and say that Ephraim Smith of Marlborough in the County of Wrentham & State of Vermont formerly of Medfield in the County of Norfolk Mass. to my knowledge, was in the United States service in Capt. Joseph Barrall's Company in Col. Ephraim Wheelock's Regt from the last of June to the last of November 1776 in the Massachusetts State Troops at Concord. Also I further testify & say, that said Smith was to my knowledge in the United States service at Roxbury when in the latter part of the year 1775 about six weeks under the command of Capt. Ephraim Hemenway in Col. Joseph Reed's Regt Massachusetts State Troops. Also I further testify and say that said Smith was to my knowledge, was in the service of the United States under the command of Capt. Artemas Pits in Col. Benjamin Hovey's Regt Massachusetts militia in Gen. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island from the latter part of July to 1778 to about the eighth of September 1778.
Rufus Harns
Mass. Norfolk County 1. August 24 1832
Subscribed and sworn to
Before me Melatiah Everett Justice of the Peace in the County of Norfolk
50 30 8 1/2 30
32 1/2 20

Norfolk ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I James Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Melatiah Smith Esquire before whom the within deposition was taken, is a Justice of peace in and for said County duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office and that his signature within is genuine and true.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereunto, at Dedham this twenty eighth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
James Ware

Med field June 26 - 1879
Received of the Towns Committee the sum of thirty Pound, Pears or Each one for himself, in part of line to engage in the Service of the United States We say Recd by us -
Epaphroditus Smith Amos Allen

Westminster John L Johnson in the County Windham and State of Vermont aged twenty seven years, Depose and say that I formerly resided in said Westminster in the Neighborhood of Mr Ephraim Smith late of said Westminster deceased. I will remember the time the said Smith died but I do not remember the exact time, but I think it was about nine years ago. I further say the said Smith left a Widow by the name of Phebe Smith who now resides in said Westminster and has remained a Widow ever since the death of her Husband the said Smith. I further say that I always understood that the said Smith was a Pensioner. John L Johnson
Subscribed and sworn to this twenty seventh day of June 1849.
Before me Abiah Steadman Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named John L Smith is a person of truth & veracity and the words (of Westminster) were interlined before signing & the word (formerly) was erased before signing. Abiah Steadman

State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office Newfane June 30th A.D. 1849 I certify that Abishai Stoddard was, on the twenty seventh day of June, instant, and still is, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commission- ed and qualified and that his signatures within written are genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand the day and year above written
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk