Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10978, for Silas Leonard, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Leonard, Silas
S 10978
bearded
CONTENTS

8298
New York
Silas Leonard
of Oswego in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Seely of the Regt. commanded by Col. Martin in the M c Clurey line for 9 1/2 months — Issued in favor of Stephen B. Leonard } Heirs Seth B. Leonard } Harry C. Leonard }
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Mar 1833 — and sent to Lt. Barstow Nichols Troop Col.
Arrears to the 14 29 of Oct '32 the day of Semi-ant. allowance ending at his death } Died 29 Oct 1832
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Enobromwell Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 24

11, 121
Silas Leonard de- ceased of Court neg-
Silas Leonard
Mr. Banton
5.6 m. x.
25 Sep '32 12 Dec
Thomas Harrington Owego, Tioga Co. N. York

11,121
BRIEF in the case of  Silas Leonard - Oswego,  Co of Tioga  in the State of  New York.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does  3. How old is he? 73 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.     Ap. or May In 1776 abt. 4 1/2 Substitute Col. Beeley, Col. DeWitt, Col. Sterling.   Summer 1777 1 " Col. J. Wall, Col. Spencer & Genl. M c Donough   "Same Summer" 1 " Col. Biglow, Col. W. Myles   1781 3 Private Col. B. Baldwin, Col. Bannet, Col. Beeley, Col. M c Spence  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bristol Hills.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hanover, Morris Co. N.J.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trad'y  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Havell  Examining Clerk.

11.121
In the matter of the application of Silas Leonard for a Pension. -
Declaration &c.
Cause of — Geo. H. Barstow M.D.
admt.
9 1/2 mo. pri.
from 4 mar 31. to 29 oct '32 — To his heirs &c
Stephen B. Leonard Seth. G. Leonard Mary C. Leonard
$3166. p. annum

Amendments to the pension Application of Silas Leonard which has been returned for further proof or Explanations. —
Personally appeared before me Ezra S. Sweet Esq. the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for the County of Tioga in the State of New York. Stephen B. Leonard who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is the son of Silas Leonard the individual who has made the application for a pension in these proceedings mentioning that the said Silas Leonard since the making the foregoing application and before this application was returned for further proof and explanations departed this life, to wit, on the 29 th day of October, A.D. 1832. And further this deponent saith that from information derived from his father (the said Silas Leonard) he believes that he (the said Silas Leonard) served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For four months and fifteen days in the year 1776 under the command of Captain Seeley — For one month in the year 1777 under the command of Captain Josiah Hall — For one month in the summer of the same year 1777 under Captain Aaron Bigelow — For three months in the year 1781 under the command of Captain Stephen Baldwin Making in all nine months & fifteen days for which the said Silas much the said Silas Leonard claimed a pension —
And further that the reason why no Clergymen's evidence was procured by the said Silas Leonard, is that the said Silas Leonard has been for the last four years past blind and from that reason and old age and consequent infirmity he has been secluded from the world in a great measure and that all the Clergymen in the neighbourhood of the said Silas Leonard have been recently settled in said neighbourhood, and were not any of them acquainted with the said Silas Leonard. And that the reason why this fact was not stated by the said Silas Leonard in his original application is that it is stated in the Judges Certificate which was deemed at the time a Compliance with the regulations of the department.
Sworn & subscribed this fifth day of January A.D. 1833 before me E. Smith Justice of Peace
Stephen B. Leonard

And I the said Justice do certify that I am personally well acquainted with the deponent Stephen B. Leonard and that he the said Stephen B. Leonard is a credible & respectable witness & is entitled to full faith credit & belief - Witness my hand this 5 th day of January A.D. 1833 -
E. Smith Justice of the Peace
State of New York,
Tioga County Clerks Office
I Green M. Tuthill Clerk of the County of Tioga do hereby certify that Ezra S. Sweet Esq. by whom the foregoing affidavit was taken & by whom the above certificate was given was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County duly sworn & commissioned & authorized by law to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signatures to the same to be genuine - In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County this 5 th day of January A.D. 1833 -
Green M. Tuthill

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court house in the Village of Oneida the 1 st day of January A.D. 1833 -
Present
Hon. Grant B. Baldwin Esq. first judge John R. Drake Joseph G. Darling Elijah Shoemaker } Esq. judges Darius Bentley }
Jan'y 3 rd 1833 Present as before -
The said Court do hereby certify & declare that it satisfactorily appears to them under oath that Silas Leonard the Applicant in the annexed proceed- ings made application for a pension named after his life on the 29 th day of October A.D. 1832 and that the said Silas Leonard left no widow and that the only surviving children of the said Silas are his three sons & heirs Stephen B. Leonard Seth G. Leonard and Henry L. Leonard -
And the said Court do certify that due & satisfactory proof of the death of the said Silas Leonard & that he died leaving no widow and that Stephen B. Leonard Seth G. Leonard & Henry L. Leonard are his only surviving children has been duly made to said Court -
In Testimony Whereof the Court have hereunto caused the seal of said Court to be set and the signature of the Clerk of said Court to be subscribed done in open Court this 3 rd day of January A.D. 1833 -
Green M. Tuttle Clerk

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. -
State of New York } County of Tioga } p.
On the 24 th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me John R. Drake a judge of the Court of Common Pleas not for the county of Tioga aforesaid in the State aforesaid Silas Leonard a resident of the town of Oswego in the county and State aforesaid aged seventy three years last November who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the fol- lowing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated His company officers were Captain Seeley - his Chris- tian name he does not recollect - and the names of the other officers of the company he has forgotten - His field officers were Colonel Martin - does not recollect his Christian name - and has forgotten who the other field officers were - General Washington was there and Lord Sterling but he does not know whether he was under their immediate command - That he entered the service in the year 1776, he thinks, in the month of April or May and continued till he thinks sometime in September, making about four months and a half - That he resided in the township of Hanover county of Morris, & State of New Jersey at the time he entered the service - That he was a substitute for

his brother-in-law Joshua Leonard who had enlisted under Captain Seeley for five months and had served about two weeks of his time. - That he joined the Company in the city of New York & Joshua Leonard went home from there. - Here he remained then a few days till the British fleet came into the and anchored off Staten Island. - He was on guard as a sentinel on one of the wharves in the city when they came in, & saw them come in at the Narrows and anchor in a line. - Soon after this, he thinks from three to five days, he passed over with our army onto Long Island. - Here they worked on the entrenchments and fortifications some time; & about the time the works were finished the British landed some troops south of the works at a place called, he thinks, Frogs Point. - The Americans met the British at this place and had a battle; but he remained in the fort, & was not in the battle owing to his having the camp distemper. - The Americans retreated back to their works, & were pursued by the British till within canon shot of the fort and took a station back of a hill. - The next day the British frequently came to the top of the hill & fired upon the Americans & then retired behind the hill again. - This they kept up during the day. - He knew General Washington commanded while on the Island. - Captain Bonds Company lay next to Capt Seeleys Company. - The next night after the firing from the hill above stated, the American army left the Island and passed over into the city of New York. - From this place he was removed with the sick to Bergen or POWERS BACK in New Jersey

York. - From this place he was removed with the sick to Bergen or Powles Hook in New Jersey and from there in wagons to the Academy which in Newark which was then used as a hospital. - And from this place he was carried home by his friends, and continued unable on account of sickness to join his company again till the expiration of their engagement. -
After the above engagement, and in the fore part of the summer of 1777 he again entered the service. His captain's name was Josiah Hall. - His other company officers he does not recollect. - There were two Colonels with the regiment Colonel Spencer & Colonel Lord - & also Major Morris. - He does not know whether both Colonels belonged to the regiment as they were with them in a battle at the Short Hills in New Jersey. - He thinks Major Morris belonged to the Continental army. - Major Morris he heard was afterwards killed by the fall of a tree. - This engagement was for one month. - He entered the service for the month as a substitute for his brother Elijah Leonard. - That he served the month out & then returned home. - The militia were called out by turns for a month at a time when he lived. - He lived at the time of this engagement at Rockaway in Morristown. - He was in the battle close by the Short Hills in a place called Springfield - This is alluded to above. - The battle was with the refugees who came over from Staten Island. - He thinks there were about 500 men on each side. - It was in the night - they fired at the flashes of each other. - The Americans sent for the old Congress Regiment which lay about seven miles from them to come and aid them. - The Congress Regiment came, but the enemy retreated just before they arrived. - The

Congreg Regiment joined them & they pursued the enemy nearly all day, but they escaped across onto Staten Island before they could be overtaken. - Previous to this battle and during this engagement he was stationed at Morristown & helped build a fort there. - after the battle, the month having ended, he returned home.
During this same summer and soon after the last mentioned engagement, he again entered the service. - He does not recollect the month. - His Captain's name was Aaron Bigelow. - His Generals name was William Wynes. - The adjutant's name was Samuel Ball. - The surgeon was Doct. Budd. - Don't recollect the names of the other officers. - He continued in the service a month. - He recollects that fruit was ripe in the orchards during this month. - He got apples from an orchard while he lay at New Windsor. - He resided at this time in Rockaway, New Jersey. - He was also a substitute during this engagement for his brother Elijah Leonard. - was in no battle this month. - They started to march on to the north to meet Burgoyne's army who were marching down towards Saratoga. - He went on as far as New Windsor on the Hudson river & then they waited for further orders. - And while lying there they heard of the capture of Burgoyne. - He remained at New Windsor till the Continental troops came down the river from the north. - And then they went home. - This closed the month. - They marched through Warwick in going to New Windsor. - after this, in the year 1781 the year that Cornwallis was captured he again entered the service. - It was during the summer or spring of the year - does not recollect the month. - He continued

That Cornwallis was captured he again entered the service. - It was during the summer or spring of the year - does not recollect the month. He continued three months and was then discharged. - at the time he was discharged apples were ripe & lay in heaps in the orchards. - His Captain was Stephen Baldwin. The orderly sergeants name was Burnet - he thinks William Burnet. - His Colonel was Colonel Seeley, the same man who was his Captain in the first engagement above mentioned. - The sergeant majors name was Spencer. - His other officers he does not recollect. - He resided at Rockaway at the time of this engagement. - That he enlisted as a soldier for three months - was in no battle this three months. - after enlisting they marched to Dobbs ferry on the Hudson river. - General Washington lay there on the east side of the river with the American Army & six thousand French Troops who had previously landed in this country. - Colonel Seeleys regiment lay on the west side of the river; and after laying there a few days Washington crossed over the river and took up his march for the South to meet Cornwallis. - His regiment after a few days moved down to Connecticut farms in New Jersey near Elizabeth Town. They there remained and kept guard along the shore opposite Staten Island till the expiration of the three months. - Cornwallis was captured that fall. - And he the said Silas Leonard further declares that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. - That he was born in the year 1758 in the town of Hanover in

The county of Morris and state of New Jersey and that he has no record of his age - That he was living, when called into service in the places already mentioned and has since the revolutionary war lived in the town of Tyringham County of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts for about two or three years - Since which time he has lived in the state of New York, and the principal part of the time in the town of Onondaga where he now resides - He refers to Ebenezer B. Gregory David Huntington and Anson Camp as persons to whom he is known and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and and their be- lief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any the the agency of any state Sworn to and Subscribed
The day and year aforesaid before me
John D. Drake Judge Vioga Com. Pleas
Silas Leonard

State of New York Tioga County } ss.
We Olney B. Gregory & John Ripley residing in the town of Owego, in the County and State aforesaid and being duly sworn do hereby depose and say that we are well acquainted with Elias Leonard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we be- lieve him to be seventy three years of age, and that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. -
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me John Drake Judge Tioga Co. Pleas }
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify that it appears to me that Olney B. Gregory & John Ripley
who have signed and sworn to the preceding affi- davit are resident in the town of Owego aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement
Sworn & subscribed this fifth day of January A.D. 1833 before me J. Smith Clerk Pleas }
Stephen B. Leonard

is entitled to credit. - And I do further certify that it further appears to me the clergyman in the neighbourhood of the said applicant is not acquainted with the said applicant for the reason that he has recently been settled in said neighbourhood; and that the said applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. -
John O'Drake Judge Tioga Com. Pleas
State of New York Tioga County ss.
I Green M. Tutbill clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Tioga do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding had before the Honorable John R. Drake a judge of said Court, duly authorized and empowered to act as such judge in the matter of the application of Silas Leonard for a pension. - And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and believe the signature John R. Drake to be the genuine signature of the said John R. Drake. - And that he is a judge of the said Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Tioga.

In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office this 24 th day of Septem- ber 1832 -
Green M. Tuttle
I Green M. Tuttle Clerk of the County of Tioga aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings (as above stated) together with the Amendments thereto and the proof of the death of the said Silas Leonard and of the heirship of the Children And further that I attached
a seal to this certificate with a ribbon to connect all the papers together as the Department require this 9 th day of January A.D. 1839. —
Green M. Tuttle Clk

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
August 19, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF
Mrs. O. M. Gibson Warren Ohio.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.10978, that Silas Leonard was born in November 1758 in Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing in Hanover, New Jersey, he enlisted in April or May 1776 and served as a substitute for his brother-in-law, Joshua Leonard, in Captain Seeley's company, Colonel Martin's New Jersey regiment. He was a guard on one of the wharves in New York city, for several days, then went to Long Island and worked on the entrenchments and fortifications; at the time of the battle of Frog's Point, he was sick with camp distemper and had to remain in the fort, after the battle was sent to Bergen, New Jersey, and from there to the Academy at Newark, which was used as a hospital, and from there was carried home. The length of this service was four and one half months.
He enlisted in 1777, while residing in Morristown, New Jersey, and served one month in Captain Josiah Hall's company in Colonel Ford's or Spencer's New Jersey regiment, was in the battle of Short Hills. This service was as substitute for his brother, Elijah Leonard. Later in 1777, while residing in Rockaway, New Jersey, he enlisted and served one month in Captain Aaron Biglow's company, this service was as substitute for his brother, Elijah. He enlisted in 1781 and served three months in Captain Stephen Baldwin's company, Colonel Seeley's regiment.
He applied for pension, September 24, 1832, then a resident of Owego, Tioga County, New York, and stated

that after the Revolution, he lived in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts for about three years and since that time had lived in the state of New York.
He died October 29, 1832, leaving no widow, but the following children survived him and were allowed the pension due him- Stephen B. Leonard, Seth G. Leonard, and Harry G. Leonard.
The name of soldier's wife is not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON August 19, 1931
THIS LETTER REFERS TO YOUR FILE NUMBER:
IN REPLY REFER TO:
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF
Mrs. O. M. Gibson Warren Ohio.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.10978, that Silas Leonard was born in November 1758 in Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing in Hanover, New Jersey, he enlisted in April or May 1776 and served as a substitute for his brother-in-law, Joshua Leonard, in Captain Seeley's company, Colonel Martin's New Jersey regiment. He was a guard on one of the wharves in New York city, for several days, then went to Long Island and worked on the entrenchments and fortifications; at the time of the battle of Frog's Point, he was sick with camp disorder and had to remain in the fort, after the battle was sent to Bergen, New Jersey, and from there to the Academy at Newark, which was used as a hospital, and from there was carried home. The length of this service was four and one half months.
He enlisted in 1777, while residing in Morristown, New Jersey, and served one month in Captain Josiah Hall's company in Colonel Ford's or Spencer's New Jersey regiment, was in the battle of Short Hills. This service was as substitute for his brother, Elijah Leonard. Later in 1777, while residing in Rockaway, New Jersey, he enlisted and served one month in Captain Aaron Biglow's company, this service was as substitute for his brother, Elijah. He enlisted in 1781 and served three months in Captain Stephen Baldwin's company, Colonel Seeley's regiment.
He applied for pension, September 24, 1832, then a resident of Owego, Tioga County, New York, and stated

that after the Revolution, he lived in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts for about three years and since that time had lived in the state of New York.
He died October 29, 1832, leaving no widow, but the following children survived him and were allowed the pension due him- Stephen B. Leonard, Seth G. Leonard, and Harry C. Leonard.
The name of soldier's wife is not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. AWF
December 16, 1929 OK
Mr. Lawrence Leonard Metropolitan Club Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 10978, it appears that Silas Leonard was born in November 1758 at Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing in said Hanover, he enlisted in April or May 1776 and served as a substitute for his brother-in-law, Joshua Leonard, in Captain Seeley's Company, Colonel Martin's New Jersey Regiment. He was a guard on one of the wharves in New York City, for several days, then went to Long Island and worked on the entrenchments and fortifications; at the time of the battle of Frog's Point, he was sick with camp distemper and had to remain in the fort, after the battle he was sent to Bergen, New Jersey, and from there to the Academy at Newark, which was used as a hospital, and from there was carried home. The length of this service was four and one half months.
He enlisted in 1777, while residing in Morristown, New Jersey, and served one month in Captain Josiah Hall's Company, in Colonels Ford's and Spencer's New Jersey Regiment. He was in the battle of Short Hills. This service was as substitute for his brother Elijah Leonard.
Later in 1777, while residing in Rockaway, New Jersey, he enlisted and served one month in Captain Aaron Biglow's New Jersey Company. This service was as substitute for his brother Elijah Leonard.
He enlisted in 1781, while residing in Rockaway, New

100-280704 Jersey, and served three months in Captain Stephen Baldwin's Company, Colonel Seeley's New Jersey Regiment.
He applied for pension, September 24, 1832, while residing in Owego, Tioga County, New York, and at this time stated that after the Revolution, he lived in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts for about three years, and since that time had lived in the state of New York.
He died October 29, 1832 leaving no widow, but the following children survived him and were allowed the pension due their father- Stephen B. Leonard, Seth G. Leonard, and Harry C. Leonard.
There are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

warren ohio
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen ; - Any information which your department may have on
Abraham van Gorder and Silas Leonard  2 both pensioners from New York state , will be appreciated . Both were soldiers of the Rev.
Very Respect fully
Mrs O. M. Gibson.

Lawrence Leonard Metropolitan Club Washington, D.C.
Personal request
Dec. 16-1929
Silas Leonard S. 10978

1929-Dec. 16 - Hith L. Lawrence Leonard case. 1931-Aug. 19 - Hith to Mrs. A.M. Gibson
Rev. Hith
10978
INVALID.
File No. 10978
Silas Leonard
Dis. Rev. War.
Act: June 7th 82
Index: Vol. 2, Page 221
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11. 121. Silas Leonard
From
Mr Waugh
22 Cases
Barstow

11,121.
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Leonard which require further proof or explanation.
This case has been returned for further proof & explanation, and has come back with additional proof; the papers are duly authenticated: but the original applicant has died since the papers were sent home.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

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

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.