Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 13953, for James Taylor, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Taylor, James Susan
W 13953
CONTENTS

George Marston Aug 9 / 1853-
6.333 Massachusetts
Susan Taylor - widow of James Taylor who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 - Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of May 1853. and sent to
George Marston Barnstable
Mass:
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 281 Vol. 16.

Massachusetts 15-2-95 James Taylor of Barnstable in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Parker of the 1st Regt commanded by Colonel Russell in the Mass. line for Bunker Hill
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July 1833 and sent to Davis Barnstable Mass. Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 1833 10.00 $50.00
Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by W. H. Weston Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 84

Susan Taylor
Married Nov 6. 1783
Town record
James died Sept 15 th 1823.
Death of James Taylor at above date - continued widowhood ever since - and identity - proved by 3 witnesses of the same county.

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable Town of Chatham in this town November eighth seventeen hundred & eighty three Sermon by Rev Thomas Pyle James Taylor & C James Smith both of Chatham
I verify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows November 6 th 1883 Josiah Mayes Town Clerk of Chatham
Josiah Mayes above named Clerk and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town aforesaid and that I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me
Josiah Mayes Town Clerk of Chatham
Subscribed and duly sworn before me this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1883 Joshua Dikerson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable p.
I, Frederick M. Crocker Clerk of the Courts within and for the County of Barnstable hereby certify that Joshua Nickerson Esquire of Chatham in said County is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly qualified and sworn, and that his signature to the document on the back hereof is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Com- monwealth, this fifteenth day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & fifty five,
Fredk M. Crocker Clerk.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress of the seventh of July, 1838, - granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, and the Acts of Congress passed subsequently thereto on the same subject.
State of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable: 3
On this eleventh day of May in the year 1855, personally appeared before the Judge of Court of Probate for the County of Barnstable - to wit: Hon. George Mainstay, - Susan Taylor a resident of Dennis in said County, aged 92 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 Acts of Congress passed July 7, 1838, & in subsequent years, granting half pay & pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of James Taylor, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution, & received a pension of Twenty dollars per annum to the time of his death. She cannot state with precision the place & nature of the services of her said husband, but she has understood that he served in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Job Crocker and she refers to the declaration of her said husband, now on file as she supposes, in the pension office at Washington - she further declares that she was married to said James Taylor on the sixth day of November in the year Seventeen hundred & eighty three - that he was then an inhabitant of the town of Chatham but removed to Dennis in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two - that her husband, the said James Taylor died on the fifteenth day of September in the year eighteen hundred & forty three - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service in said war, but at the time aforesaid.
She further declares that she has not been married since the death of her said husband but has continued & is now a widow.
Susan her Taylor mark
Witnesses: Lothrop Hovey James H. Hovey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable County ss.
On this eleventh day of May A.D. 1855, before me George MacLean Judge of the Court of Probate in the said County of Barnstable, personally appeared Susan Taylor within named, & made oath to the truth of the within declaration of her subscribed in my presence, with her mark she being unable from age & bodily infirm- ity to write her name. And I certify that the same was done at her residence where I attended for that purpose, she being unable from physical weakness to attend in open Court. I further certify that I have no doubt of the identity of the claim- ant, & that I have no interest whatever in the claim she makes for a pension.
Geo. MacLean, Judge of Probate, Barnstable Co Mass.

I James S. Hovey, Jr. of Dennis in the County of Barnstable on oath depose and say that I well knew James Taylor late of said Dennis who was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death - that he died in the month of September in the year eight hundred & forty three - and I well know Susan Taylor who was his wife and is now his widow - and I was present when she made declaration this day, in order to obtain a pension, before the Judge of Probate, - and I well know that said Susan, the declarant, is the identical person she represents herself to be - the widow of said James Taylor. And she has never married since the death of said James but now is & has ever been a widow since the death of said James.
Dated May 11. 1855.
James S. Hovey
State of Massachusetts
Barnstable ss: On this Eleventh day of May A.D. personally appeared before me the subscriber, George Austin, Judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County, the above named James S. Hovey, and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts. I further certify that said Hovey is a credible person - and that I have no interest whatever in the claim of Susan Taylor to a pension.
Geo. Austin. Judge of Probate Barnstable Co. Mass.

I Lothrop Howes, of Dennis in the County of Barnstable, on my oath before say - that I well knew James Taylor late of said Dennis, who was a pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death - and had known him many years previous to his death - He died on the fifteenth day of September A.D. 1843. I also well knew Susan Taylor who was his wife and is now his widow, & she has continued to be a widow ever since the death of her said husband and has this day made declaration before the Judge of Probate in order to obtain a pension, and I know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be - the widow of James Taylor - being present when the said declaration was made Dated at Dennis, May 11. 1855 -
Lothrop Howes
State of Massachusetts Barnstable ss.
On this eleventh day of May A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, George Marshall, Judge of Probate in and for said County, Lothrop Howes above named, and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence is just & true in all its parts. And I further certify that said Howes is a respectable & credible person - and that I have no interest in the claim for pension to which said deposition relates.
Geo. Marshall, Judge of Probate, Barnstable Co., Mass.

I Elizabeth Hovey Dennis in the County of Barnstable, wife of Lothrop Hovey, aged seventy years, on oath before me say - That I am the daughter of Susan Taylor, who has this day made declaration before the Judge of Probate for said County, in my presence, in order to obtain a pension - She was the wife of James Taylor, my father, who was a pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death; and I of course know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be, the widow of said James Taylor. Said James Taylor died on the fifteenth day of September in the year eighteen hundred forty three - and the said Susan Taylor his wife has not been married since his death - but has been & is now a widow. Dennis May 11. 1855.
Elizabeth Hovey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable: On this eleventh day of May A.D. 1855. personally appeared before me George Marshall, Judge of Probate in & for said County, the above named Elizabeth Hovey, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed - And I certify that she is a credible witness & her testimony is entitled to credence & belief. And I have no interest in the claim of said Susan Taylor for a pension.
Geo. Marshall, Judge of Probate Barnstable Co. Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss:
I Joseph M c Day Registrar of the Court of Probate in the said County hereby certify that Hon. George Marshall is the Judge of said Court, regularly commissioned and qualified - and that his signatures on this sheet & three papers attached are his true & genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand, & the seal of said Court, this four- teenth day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred fifty five.
Joseph M c Day Registrar

Payments to be made at Boston Mass. a by the First Natl. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2
Page 14 by K. K. Gardner Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, James Taylor of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the army of the Revolution 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 Twenty ninth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
John B. L. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Capt Jas Leach Company of Artillery No. Regiment not known renamed in Dennis 1832 April

I certify that Samuel Taylor is the Son of Samuel Taylor and his wife was Born in Chatham April 22 nd A D 1762 and is Recorded on the Towns Record Page 80 th
Levi Godfrey Town Clerk
Chatham 22 nd August A D 1822
The the under Signers certify that the above Samuel Taylor In a room of Truth we have known him an such time 40 years
David Godfrey
Richard Sears

against - 1.
2. . . . .
James Bay has artificially with Panicum stipatum
John Reed Esq Yarmouth N.S.
By Pennycuick Yarmouth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss. On this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally ap- peared James Taylor of Dennis in the county of Barnstable & Commonwealth aforesaid in open court before the Hon- Symphor Munroe Judge of the Court of Probate in now sitting in Barnstable in for said County being being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 -
That his age is seventy years - That he was born at Chatham in said County on the 28 th April A.D. 1762 & that there is a record of his birth in said Town of Chatham a copy of which is taken annexed - That he was in the United States Service from the 10 th of June on the first of July A.D. 1778 to the last day of December of the same year as a private in the Militia of Massachusetts, that he was residing in said Chatham when he entered the service - that he enlisted for six months and served for the period aforesaid under the Command of Captain John Crocker Lieut. Dinmock Lieut. of Butter Ensign - That he marched from Chatham to Newport Rhode Island State & were there stationed under Col. Harnett & Rev. Sullivan that he was there selected to go with others with the transport boats to carry Sullivan's army on to Rhode Island & take charge of the boats while there & conduct them off on the retreat from there he was with his company sent to protect Sullivan's

against some British ships which were anchored off against the town there was mischief - after the departure of the ships he was sent to Dorchester Heights to keep garrison where he remained to the close of the year of his enlistment - While at Fal- mouth he thinks he was attached to the Regt of Col. Erskine Hallit & while at Dorchester to that of Col. Sparhawk - That he was in no battles & at the end of said service he received no written discharge - That he knew at Newton Col. Jackson & Capt. George Webb Regular Officers That Mr. Ebenezer Taylor of Yarmouth was a Sol- dier in the same company with him and also Isaac Humes of Dennis acknowledged no other who was with him during the whole time - He now resides in Dennis in which town and in Barnstable County he has resided ever since its formation. He hereby renounces every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any State -
James Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
Attest, Ebenezer Davis, Register of the Court of Sessions.
We, Daniel M. Stevens, a clergyman residing in the town of Dennis, & Stephen Homer, Esq., residing in the town of Dennis in the County of Barnstable, hereby certify that now or well may be acquainted with James Taylor who has subscribed to and attests the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood, where he resides to this day as a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Daniel M. Stevens Stephen Homer -
Sworn to and subscribed as aforesaid.
Attest, Ebenezer Davis, Register of the Court of Sessions.

And the said Court as hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Daniel M. Stearns, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Dennis - And that Stephen Homer who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Dennis - and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
My own words are as follows
I, Almon Davis Register, the Court open and do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Taylor - for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and a seal of office the day and year first aforesaid.
Almon Davis, Regr.
James Taylor. Dennis.
26th

Barnstable, Js. August 16 th 1832.
At the Court within named, Noah Howes, of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable, Yeoman, testifies & says, that he enlisted at the same time & in the same Company with James Taylor, within named, & served six months with him, beginning the last day of June 1832  beginning to the last day of December the same year, at Rhode Island, Fall River, Mass. & Dorchester, Mass. and further the deponent saith not.
Noah Howes
Subscribed & sworn to in open Court.
Attest, Almon Davis, Regr.
No. 81 Table J
Probate Court at Yarmouth in said County 16 th day August A.D. 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court the above named Noah Howes & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed in Court. And I certify that the said Noah Howes is in the opinion of the Court a credible Witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court the day & year aforesaid.
Almon Davis Register

James Mayhew artificially, with Indian ink staining
John Reed Esq
Garneth
Esq
Garneth Garneth

I certify that James Taylor is the Son of Samuel Taylor and his wife was born in Chatham April 23 rd A.D. 1762 and is recorded on the Towns Record Page 80 th
David Godfrey Town Clerk
Chatham 22 nd August A.D. 1832
The the under Signers certify that the above named James Taylor is a man of truth we have known him as such this 40 years
David Godfrey
Richard Sears

No 26016 James Payson Barnstable County Massachusetts
Mar 6 1880
Alvin Dais
Alvin Dais Reg d Barnstable County Massachusetts Barnstable

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 show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Taylor Barnstable County Massachusetts
   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.     Second June 1778 — 6 — privt. Col. Brecher, Colonel Munroe, Col. Sullivan 70 years Barnstable County Massachusetts Traditionary evidence None. Notary's certified credible papers correctly attached.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states,
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. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 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 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 _____; 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 grades of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months, 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 fix 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.
[1] 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.
[2] 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 [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[6] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

9653 Massachusetts -
Susan Taylor - widow of James - who was a private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 - Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 1th day of March, 1843.
15th day of September
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of May 1855. and sent to
George Norton Barnstable Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book: M. Vol. 7. Page 251 -

I Ebenezer Taylor of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable aged sixty seventy one years testify and say that I well know James Taylor of Dennis who now applies for a pension & I have always known him since the revolution I was with him in the Militia six months in the year AD 1778 under the command of Capt Job Brockton We were stationed at Kingston R.I. a part of the time and a part of the time at Falmouth Massachusetts { and further the deponent saith not & a part of the time { a Dorchester heights { Ebenezer Taylor
Personally appeared before me this twenty seventh day of Sep. AD. 1882 the above named Ebenezer Taylor who is a witness to be credited & believed & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed -
John Reed { Justice of Peace —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Barnstable, ss. I Almon Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, living in Court of record, in the County of Barnstable, do hereby certify, that John Durd, Esq. before whom the within deposition was recorded, is a Justice of the Court for the County of Barnstable; And that I believe his name thereunto subscribed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of September - one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two.
Almon Davis, Clerk.

To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
I have the honor to enclose declaration of Eliza- beth Hoover, to obtain certificate for the Pension which was due her mother, Susan Taylor, - who died before she received certificate, & in fact before they were issued.
Respectfully
Yr. ob. Servt,
Geo. Marston,
Barnstable Mass. August 1. 1855,

Pension Office No. 15296 May 21. 1855
Sir
Please give the date to which the pension of the within James Taylor was paid. Maf roll act 1832, at £20.
Very respectfully
L P Macleod
Commissioner
W. J. Atkinson Esq. Third Auditor
15296
Dodge

James Taylor paid to 4 Sept 1843
Robt Morrison
Account

Susan Taylor widow of James Mass . Barnstable Co
Act July 7 th 1838 & subst. Admitted under acts of 1843. 4 Feb 1848.
at $20 per annum from Sept 15 th 1843 - the date of his death.
Certificate payable to the Claimant.
Atty.
George Marston Barnstable
Massachusetts

Barnstable Mass.
16 May 1855
Hon. Com: of Pensions,
I enclose declaration & proofs in case of Susan Taylor widow of James Taylor, for Pensions - which I hope may meet with early & successful consideration. I send them as an act of kindness to the old lady, at her request - & ask that correspondence in relation thereto may be addressed to
Yr Resp'tc
Geo. Manslow.
Barnstable
Mass

Susan Taylor Malo. Brief

Brief in the case of Susan Taylor, widow of James — Barnstable County and State of Massachusetts act July 7th, 1838 - allowable under the acts of 1843 - H. & C.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase" )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
James Taylor of Barnstable, Mass., pensioned under the act of June 7th, 1832, at $20 per annum, and paid to Sept 4th 1843, died Sept 15th 1843 -
Marriage - Nov 6, 1783. proved by Town record and parcel. Death of James Taylor Sept 15th 43. Identity - & widowhood, proved by three witnesses, neighbors of the claimant.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
James Taylor's certificate surrendered
Name and residence of Agent
George Marston Barnstable Mass.
S. G. Dodge Examining Clerk.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13953
Susan Taylor Widow of James Taylor Post Civil War
Act: Feb 22 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]