Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26117, Jesse Worcester, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.H.
Worcester, Jesse Sarah
W. 26117
CONTENTS

21091 New Hampshire Jesse Worcester of Hillsboro' in the State of New Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Emerson of the Regt commanded by Col. Moulton in the N. Hampshire line for 13 months & 4 days M. 82 due 1834
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 14 Dollars 11 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Aug 1833 and Lieut. G. Dana Groton Massachusett Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $88.22 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/4/34. 22.05 $110.27
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by Whitson Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 st Page 128

New Hampshire, Concord
Sarah Worcester
widow of Lepe Worcester who was a Private.
in the New Hampshire line for 13 Mo. 7 days
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 44 Dollars & 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of July, 1843 and sent to
Benj o M. Harley Hollis N. H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1. Page 22.

State of New Hampshire
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hillsborough ss.
On this twenty seventh day of August 1832 Joseph Worcester personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough in the Commonwealth aforesaid State. Joseph Worcester of Holles in said county aged seventyone years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
 That soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, he repaired to Cambridge and joined the company of Capt. Davis in Col. Prescott's regiment. His brother the Rev. Dr Worcester, now of Brighton, Mass. was in Capt. Davis company; and after the battle of Bunker Hill being desirous to see his friends in Holles, the declarant was forthwith dispatched to take his place, and the Declarant served fourteen days or more, until his brother returned to camp.  On or about the 10. July A.D. 1775, he enlisted to go into the army at Ticonderoga, where he marched and continued to serve, until a few days of the 1 st December following, having arrived home the 1 st December. when he was discharged. His captain was Daniel Emerson of Holles. Oliver Parker 1 st Lieut. William Merrill 2 d Lieut. and Grimes. Ensign. His company, was attached to Col. Wingates, regiment. Connor, Lieut. Col. and Baker Major. in the Campaign five months.  In the month of May A.D. 1775, he enlisted for one month to go to New Castle, near Portsmouth, N.H. in a company commanded by Capt. Bauman. John Bradford, was Lieut. the other company affairs he cannot recollect. He served out his term, and returned to Holles. (Continued) over 
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not, on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed
Edmund Pashy Joseph Worcester Judge of Probate
Wm Eli Smith
A Clergyman residing in the town of Holles in the county of Hillsborough and Samuel Dana of Groton in the State of New Hampshire hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Worcester
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me Mary G. Pool Justice of the Peace Eli Smith Samuel Dana

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the investigation  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 The Rev. Eli Smith who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Ullrich, and Samuel Dana Esq.  are  credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Belmond Parkin, Judge of Probate Charles H. Hetherton Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County of Hillsborough do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Jesse Worcester for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of Septm in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
C. H. Hetherton Regr
And I further Certify that Benjamin Poole Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hillsborough and that his name and office which appears in the preceding Certificate is his proper signature. — C. H. Hetherton Regr
Septm 29. 1832

Jesse Worcester N. Hampshire
Rate 13 Months & 7 days
4. 5. 14. & 1608
May 1. 1833
P. 367
22132
45. 33 78 44. 11
E. Parker, Amherst N H

BRIEF in the case of Jesse Worcester 60 of Hillsborough in the State of N.H. (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? 68  3. How old is he? 71  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.     In 1775 volunteer Private Gen.   July 10 th 1776 enlisted about 5 4 20 " Col Emerson Col Wingate   May 1777 " 1 " Col Drown   Aug 1 st 1778 " about 4 2 25 " Col Emerson Col Nichols   Served as substitute for a Drake 6 " Col Glap   July 1 st 1780 enlisted 5 19 " Col Gilley transferred to Col Munroe Col Drown  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Waller  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional a document, three living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulation - the periods are not exact nor the length of service - the certificates of the witnesses are incomplete  I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dwyer
Examining Clerk.
X an Roll sum

Declaration of 4th Jesse Worcester
affidavit.
22432
Mr. Jesse Worcester lives on the Borders of the State and he humbly requests that he may be placed on the Mass a Agency as he d nearer to Boston and can more conveniently get his Pension there than at Portsmouth
for Jesse Worcester
J. Dana

4. 2 p.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hillsborough
to wit,
At the Court of Probate - - - - - begun and holden at Amherst within and for the County of Hillsborough on the twenty seventh day of August A. D. 1832 On the application of Jesse Worcester claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1 Where, and in what year, were you Born ? Answer, In Ullrich N.H. on the 30 th of April 1761.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have such a record in my Father's Family Register and my age is also recorded on the Town book of records in Holles
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, When called into service I was living in Holles and I have always lived there except about 10 years I lived in Profound N.H. and I now live in Holles
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer, I was always a volunteer and went into service upon my own motion only.
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 service?
Answer, Genl John Stark, Col. Reed of Fitzwilliam, Col. Weyman, Capt Badger and many others as Genl Patterson, Poor, Stark, Sylvanus Gates, Lafayette, Barron De Stuben and Washington.
6. 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?
Answer, Benj Mark Farley, Benjamin Dool, William Foss and Benoni Cutter Esq and Doctor Noah Hardy
7 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so where is it? Ans r  I never received but one discharge from service and that is here with transmittal. Jesse Worcester
attest
St Hutchinson  Major

boot over during the same summer, and after the retreat, (but before it was known,) from Ticonderoga, he, with many others marched towards Ticonderoga to New-Marlborough N. H. but the  Ticonderoga being given up he returned to Holles again, having been out 3. days. 5. About the 1 st . August A. D. 1778. a company of men, of which he was one, marched from Holles as Detachments, to Rhode-Island to support Gen. Sullivan, the company was gone from home about one month, having been here dismissed and allowed to return home the 1. September. His Captain, was Emerson. Lieut. Caleb Harley, and William Brooks. He also served six days as a substitute for a quaker, before he left the service. 6. About the 1 st July. A. D. 1778  1780 he enlisted, to go West Point for 6 months with several others; where he proceeded, he was about one week in Capt. Clapp's company. Col. Colley's regiment. He was then selected to go into the Light Infantry; was in Capt. M'Nees company, Lieut. Carter, and, he (thinks) Ensign Dickey. they were attached to Col. Courtlands regiment, Galloway, Major, in La. Fayette's Division of light infantry, and they were principally in New-Jersey; but when General La Fayette's Division was broken up, they were again re- stored to Col. Colley's regiment, and having served out his term, he received a discharge, which he now has. — This term was for six months —
Jesse Worcester

Jose Worcester Esq. Deposition de se.
Dear Mother I have been thinking of you and your dear children
1861 Jan 10 Dear Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities for their consideration. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. M. Cummins

Hills. Co. Milford, Water & W. May 9 1883
Having this day received my papers as a Revolutionary Claimant, returned from Washington as deficient In regard to the 8th & 9th queries I will undertake to tell my own story and put it down with my own hand. I therefore depose and say that according to my records I was born April 30 1761 at Holliston in the house in which I now live. In the summer of 1775 soon after the battle at Bunker's hill I repaired to Cambridge and served in the company of Capt Reuben Dows and Col. Wm Prescott regiment in my brother's room 14 days or more being then of the age of 14.
July 10 1776 at the age of 15 I enlisted for 6 months or to serve until December, but the regiment was dismissed about the 20 of Dec. but I was paid as I believe for 6 months This campaign I served in Capt Daniel Emerson's company and the regiment commanded by Col. Wingate at Mount Independence opposite Tyndaroga.
May 1777 I enlisted for one month and served at the island called New Castle near Portsmouth New Ham- shire in the company commanded by Capt. Newman of which John Bradford was Lieut. and a sergeant enough.
In the same summer 1777 On hearing that Tyndaroga was besieged with many others I marched near 50 miles in order to join the Army and was gone 3 or 4 days.
About the 10th of Augt 1778 I marched to Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt. D. Emerson and Col. Nichols regiment. The regiment returned home as I believe in about one month when

with a number more were hired for 20 days to serve in the room of Quakers. But after Genl Sullivan left the Island we were dismissed having served 6 days 1780 about the last of June or first of July I enlisted for 6 months or till the last of Dec and joined the Army at West Point and the company commanded by Capt Clap and regiment commanded by Col Gilley. But was soon taken into the Marquis Lefay's Division of Light Infantry and served in Capt Morris's company of Infantry N.H. and Col Portland's regiment of N.H. and Genl Howe's brigade. When the Marquis division broke up to go to winter Quarters, we again joined Col Gilley's regiment. And as 4 of us who were Messmates had gone thro' the campaign thru without missing or failing to perform any one tour of duty we were all discharged together the 1 st of Dec but we were paid for 6 months.
For volunteer services I don't remember of receiving anything including my volunteer services with my enlistments as I was allowed and paid a full amount according to the best of my recollection to thirteen months and twenty days and was a private soldier I further depose that - Jesse Worcester
In my discharge signed by Col Gilley Col my name is spelt Wooster. When it should have been written Worcester.
For my first term of service of four weeks in Capt Dorr's company at Cambridge D 1775. And for my third term of service of one month D 1775 was Capt

Bowman's Company at New Castle I have not been able to obtain proof. And it is many years since the members of each company have all died or removed to distant parts.
Jesse Worcester
Jesse Worcester own Declaration
May 9. 1833
Commonwealth of Massachusetts On the tenth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three. — Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth personally appeared Jesse Worcester who subscribed the foregoing Declaration and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars — and I do Certify that the above named Jesse Worcester Esq. is a man of good credit and deserving full faith in all places and before all tribunals. Sam l Dana Jus Peace as afore.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Maddleton ss. I. Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Samuel Dana whose own proper signature is above written, is a justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & thirty three Isaac Fisher By

Affidavit of Daniel Merrill in the case of Jesse Worcester
1 st at Rhode Island 1778.

I Daniel Merrill of Holles in the State of New Hampshire do hereby and declare that I served on the expedition to Rhode island in the year A D 1778 as stated in my Declaration on file in the War Department —
And I well know that Gape Worcester of the same Holles was there and served in Daniel Emersons Company one month in which Company I also served. — Daniel Merrill
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. July 14 th 1882. Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the Count ies in said Commonwealth
Daniel Merrill of Holles who subscribed the annexed Deposition
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Sam d Dana And I further certify that the above named Daniel Merrill is a disinterested and credible witness. Sam d Dana per Dana as of res.

Affidavit of Solomon Pierce in the case of
Jesse Worcester
5 m o at Tuenderoga 1776,

I Solomon Pierce of Holles in the State of New Hampshire do testify and declare that I served in the Campaign to Ticonderoga in 1776 as stated in my declaration on file in the War Department. —
And I well know that before Worcester of the same Colony was there and served in the Company of Capt Daniel Emerson for the term of five months in which Company I also served. in Col. Wingates Regt. Solomon Pierce
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. July 14 th 1882.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth
Solomon Pierce, of Holles who subscribed the annexed Deposition
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
And I further certify that the above Sam d Dana named Solomon Pierce is a disinterested and credible witness Sam d Dana jus Peace as a jus.

The Bearer Joseph Wooster being a New Levy in the First N. Hampshire Reg t of Artillery is hereby Discharged from the service & has leave to return to the state of N. Hampshire
All Officers & commissaries are desired to give
Passports to the above named Joseph Wooster untill the Sixteenth Inst. he procuring a Certificate of his last Drawing
Cambs Soldiers' Posthum Dec r 6 1780
Joseph Pillsbury

Sarah Worcester Hollis. N.H.
Ad July 7 1838 Hubbard Newton Amherst. N.H.
Agent Married 1832 4782 died 1834 Allow $ 44.11 per ann
H. Newton Amherst N.H.

State of New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State, May 10 th 1839
I hereby certify that from the Records in this office it appears that on the day of attestation of the annexed Instruments Luke Woodbury was duly in commission as Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Hillsborough & Hubbard Newton was duly in commission as a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hillsborough & that their official signatures to the same annexed are in my belief genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State
Jonathan Stevens Sec'y of State

2378 Sarah Wonsett Halls N.H.
Hubbard Newton Amherst N.H. Agent

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County SS.
On this second day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared Sarah Worcester, a resident of Hallis in the County aforesaid, aged seventy six years, before the Court of Probate held at Amherst, within and for said County of Hillsborough, who being first duly sworn according to law, 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 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
That she is the widow of Jesse Worcester late of said Hallis deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832; and, at the time of his death inscribed on the pension list, roll of the New Hampshire agency, at the rate of forty four dollars and eleven cents per annum. She further declares, that she was married to the said Jesse Worcester in the month of July A. D. Seventeen hundred and eighty two: that her husband the aforesaid Jesse Worcester died, at Hallis aforesaid, on the twentieth day of January A. D. 1834; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four - viz at the time above stated.
Sarah Worcester
Sworn and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before the judge of the Court aforesaid, in open Court.
Luke Woodbury Judge of said Court.

I Josiah Parker of Amherst in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged seventy eight years, depose and testify, that the aforesaid Applicant for a Pension, Sarah Worcester is the widow of Jesse Worcester, late of Hollis in the County aforesaid deceased, who was a Pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death - that she is my sister, that her maiden name was Sarah Parker, - that I was present at her wedding, and saw her married to the aforesaid Jesse Worcester, at Hollis, in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid, in the summer of the year, seventeen hundred and eighty two, as near as I can recollect
She was married by the Rev. Mr. Emerson of Hollis - My Brother Isaac Parker now living in Hollis was present at the wedding, as also were my sister Hannah & others not now recollecting
I am able to fix the date of my said sister Sarah's marriage by that of my own - She was married about ten years before me and I was married in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety two -
Josiah Parker
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. Sworn and subscribed this third day of October A.D. 1838 before me. And I do further certify that the above named deponent Josiah Parker is a person of good character for truth and is intitled to full credit as a witness.
Hubbard Newton Justice of the Peace
I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury before mentioned is Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c in and for said County of Hillsborough as before mentioned and that the foregoing signature, on the paper to which this is annexed, purporting to be his, is genuine. And I further certify that Hubbard Newton is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as above and as mentioned in the paper to which this is annexed and that the several signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said County and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County this sixth day of October A.D. 1838.
A. Wallace Clerk

I John N. Worcester aged thirty seven years depose and say that Sarah Worcester the foregoing Applicant for a Pension under the act of the 7 th July 1834, is the widow of the said Jesse Worcester as set forth in her declaration that she has remained a widow since the death of her said husband Jesse Worcester, and that said Jesse Worcester died at Hallis in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire on the twentieth day of January A.D. 1834. I further testify and say that the aforesaid Jesse Worcester was, at the time of his death, a pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 at the rate of forty four dollars and eleven cents per annum according to my best recollection.
John N Worcester
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss. Sworn and subscribed on this second day of October A.D. 1834 before me Hubbard Newton Jus. Peace
I John N. Worcester above named further depose and testify that I applied to the Town Clerk of Hallis in the County and State aforesaid, who searched the records thorough- ly, and no record of the marriage of the said Sarah Worcester the aforesaid declarant could then be found.
John N Worcester
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss. Sworn and subscribed this second day of October A.D. 1834, before me. And I further certify that the above deponent John N. Worcester is a person of good character for truth, and is entitled to full credit as a witness.
Hubbard Newton Justice of the Peace

Adm't private p 44. 11.
Concord Agency
Send to
Benjamin M. Harley
Hollis
N. H.

State of New Hampshire } Hillsborough County ss. }
On this twenty first day of April A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the sub- -scribed a Justice of the Peace within and for said County Sarah Worcester a resident of Hollis in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid aged 81 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third day of March A.D. 1843. granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Jesse Worcester late of said Hollis deceased who was a private in the Regiment of Col. (name not recollected) and she received a pension of forty four dollars 37 1/2 cents per annum under the act of July 7th. A.D. 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow - Sarah Worcester.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written, Before Benjamin M. Farley Justice of the Peace
Hillsborough ss. I hereby certify that the above named Sarah Worcester who subscribed and swore to the above declaration, is personally known to me and that she is a credible witness
Benjamin M. Farley Justice of the Peace

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. } sit.
I Perley Doye Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Benjamin M. Farley is an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified. That his commission was dated on the 13 th day of June 1840 and will expire on the 12 th day of June 1845 and that his signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 26 th day of April 1843.
Perley Doye Clerk.

New Hampshire
Sarah Worcester.
widow of Jesse Worcester, deceased who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832. and who died on the 20th: January, 1834. of Hillsboro' Co in the State of N. H. who was a private in the Compys - commanded by Captain Emerson of the Regt commanded by _____ in the N. H. fine for 13 Mo: 7 days —
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 44 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th: day of July 1839 and sent to H. Newton, Amherst, N.H. —
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $132.53 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 22.05
154.38
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M c Cart Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 59

Left Worcester Conn'd W.H. at 7 3/4 when paid. ad 1834
Decr 20 th Jan. 1834 p o
A.H.B.
to that period A.H.

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,117
Sarah Worcester
Wid of
Levi Worcester
Priv Rev. War
Act: Mch 3 rd  1743.
Index:—Vol. W , Page 358
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dear Worcester
Boston Agency
E Parker Esq Amherst N H

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jesse Horster which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? yes
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? yes
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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
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 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.