Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 5344, for William Masters, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Masters, William Mary
W 5344
CONTENTS

3890
Pennsylvania Phil a
Mary Masters widow of William Masters N J who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Sergeant.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1852. and sent to
Hon. S. J. Russell H on. of Rep s .
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 107 Vol. A
copy.
1321

Pennsylvania. 22638.
Wm Masters.
of Bedford in the State of Penn a — who was a Sergeant in the Co — commanded by Captain Howard of the Reg t commanded by Col o Martin in the New Jersey. line for two years.
No 21.138.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a — the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Nov r 1833 and sent to Hon George Burd. M.P. Bedford. P a Arrears to the 4th of Sep r . 1833. — 3 00. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Mar 34. — 60.
$ 360.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm B. Palmer Clerk, Book E Vol. 5 Page 40,

Bedford county State of Pennsylvania } B
On this twenty seventh day of Novem- ber A D 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before Alexander Thomson Esquire President & his associates Judges of the Court of Common Pleas &c. in the County of Bedford in the State of Pennsylvania William Master a resident of Londonderry Township in said County & State aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated - About the middle of May in the year 1776 he enlisted for five months in the Company of Capt n John Soward in the Regim t commanded by Col. Ephraim Martin & that John Munson was the Lieut Col. That he marched from Sussex County New Jersey where he lived when he enlisted, to New York & remained there until August and then went to Long Island and was in the battle on that Island - That he remained on Long Island some time & went back again to New York - Three days afterwards they were compelled to evacuate New York and retreated to Kingsbridge where they had an engagement - From Kings- bridge they went to White Plains where he was engaged in taking care of the sick in the Hospital - Thence they went

they went to Fort Washington on the North River where the term for which he had enlisted expired.
Afterwards in January 1777. He went out in the militia as a first sergeant under the before named Officers excepting the Captain who was Francis Headly.
He then lived in Sussex County aforesaid - and marched from there to Elizabeth town where they captured thirty six Hessians - They remained near Elizabeth town at the Scotch plains during the month for which they were called out & during which time they were generally engaged in scouting - After his return from Scotch plains he served five monthly tours the precise periods of which he cannot recollect but they were all previous to the end of the year 1777, & during said time he was at Red Island when it was attacked taken by the British -
Early in the year 1778 - applicant - joined a volunteer Company commanded by Capt n Thomas Keill and remained in the same thirteen months at his own expense - (as did the rest of said Company) during which time they were engaged in scouting for Tories -
Also in the month of June 1779. He enlisted under Capt n George Ribble in a company attached to Col. Taylor's Regiment for six months - That John Johnson was the Lieut.
& Westbrook Ensign - Two months of said time they were stationed at Elizabethtown & Hackettstown - and the the remainder of the time at different places on the Delaware River - Having served the whole six months -

his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid In Open Court Job Mann Presiding.
~
William Masters
Bedford County ss.
William Masters above named being sworn before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County saith that he serves as a First Sergeant all the time after the first six months stated in his application.
Sworn & subscribed this 30 th day of Sept r 1833 before me Josiah Miller
~
William Masters
Declaration of Mr. Masters for a Pension 21138

State of Pennsylvania
Bedford County ss 3 And the Court do hereby declare their Opinion that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
I Job Mann Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bedford in the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Masters for a pension. And I do further certify that Jacob Anderson Esquire before whom the foregoing depositions appear to have been taken and whose name is thereto subscribed was at that time and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Bedford duly commissioned and qualified to legal and acting as such, and that the signatures "Jacob Anderson" thereto are genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the seal of said Court at Bedford the 11 th day of December A. D. 1832.
Job Mann Prothon.
ch...

Division of Mary Bannell
Bannellaria 3 1/2
your shop cuppa bunns

Pennsylvania } Bedford County } 46
I Jacob Grigler a clergyman residing in Somerset County Pennsylvania hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Masters who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration; that I believe him to be twenty five years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed this 30 th day of Septem ber AD 1833
Jacob Grigler
Isaiah Miller
State of Pennsylvania Be it known that on this day personally appeared William Masters who is known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing declaration and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.

Recapitulation of services
  From May 1776 ----- 5 months   1777 ----- 1   Same year ----- 5   1778 & 79 ----- 13 as 1 st Sergeant   From June 1779 ----- 6   1782 ----- 2   32 
State of Pennsylvania Bedford County - ss
I Jos. Wann Prothonotary (or Clerk) of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Bedford, do certify that Jacob Anderson Esquire before whom the annexed affidavits of David Bonnell dated 8 th October 1833. was at the time thereof and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified by legal authority & acting as such, and that Josiah Miller Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits of David Bonnell (William Martner) appear to have been taken & whose name is thereto subscribed was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned & qualified by legal authority & acting as such & that the signatures "Jacob Anderson" & "Josiah Miller" thereto are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Bedford the 17 th day of October A.D. 1833. Jos. Wann Protho.
1833 Josiah Miller

In 1782 he also served a tour of two months commencing the last of September of said year - on the Juniata in Bedford County Penn s under Col. Piper - He was appointed a sergeant and during said time had the command of Station Fort at the Crossings of Juniata. And applicant further states that he only believes that the length of time he served exceeds two years & six months -
Applicant states that he was born in Sussex County New Jersey on the 25 th of February AD 1707. and that he has in his possession a record of his age - That after the Revolutionary war he lived several years in Bedford County Penn s - then went back to New Jersey & remained there twelve years - then returned to Bedford County & has lived there ever since excepting five years when he was in Ohio - - That he was compelled to be in readiness after his five months service to go out whenever he was called on & was usually taken out one month at a time - Applicant states further that he was acquainted with Genl Putnam - He also knew Genls Sullivan & Greene on Long Island - But his recollection as to many circumstances has failed - - He had a discharge from the five months service which his father carried to Mississippi - But never had a written discharge afterwards - Applicant does not know of any one who is acquainted with his services excepting David Bonnell Esq. and Mary Bonnell who are old and infirm & cannot conveniently be brought to Court - Their affidavits are herewith presented - Nor is there any clergyman who can be procured to make the military certificate -
He hereby also relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present, and declares that Bedford County is his only home before the the undersubscribed one of the justices of the peace in and for said County David Bonnell - and after first being duly swearing on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God according to Law doth hereby certify that

like one of the justices of the peace in and for Said County David Bannell - and after first being duly swearing on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God according to Law doth Depose and say that he was not in the Service many at present when He was listed last known from Martinsburg He was not was in listed and was in the battle at Long Island both from Martinsburg and others that was with Him in the Service in the war Likewise He the said Deponent knows of Him being enlisted by His parents and others in the Six Months Service at the Winna Sinka on the Delaware River on the Indian frontiers and likewise He the Deponent says that He heard General William - Wind say that William Masters was with Him in the - Service and was as a great a soldier as He had under His and helped to take the Indians between Elizabethtown and Franktown and likewise He knows that by good authority that Masters served two Months at the crack He is in Pennsylvania and further the Deponent says saith not -
Subscribed to before David Bannell sworn the this twenty seventh day of October A.D. 1832
Jacob Anderson
I do also certify that Mary Bannell the above named Deponent is a person of respect- ability and rightly entitled to credit when on oath or otherwise
Jacob Anderson
Bedford County ss personally came before Me the under subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the said County Mary Bannell and after first being duly swearing on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God according to Law doth Depose and say that She has certain knowledge of William Masters being enlisted in the five Months Service and

October 10 1882
Jacob Anderson
I do also certify that Mary Bannell the above named Defendant is a person of respectability and integrity entitled to credit when on oath or otherwise
Jacob Anderson
Bedford County ss Personally came before Me the under subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County Mary Bannell and After first being Duly Swearing and on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, according to Law doth Depose and Say that Shee Has Sattain knowledge of William Masters being intitled in the five Months Service and served His time and was Legally Discharged and Also was intitled in the six Months Service and to the best of His knowledge did serve His time and was Honably Discharged and Also Shee knows that He the said Masters when there was any insurrection He had to give all aminits warning in the old Revolutionary war and further this Defendant saith not Swearin and subscribed to before Me the twenty seventh day of october 1882
Mary his Bannell Mark
Jacob Anderson
I do also certify that David Bannell the above named Defendant is a person of respectability and integrity and entitled to credit when on oath or otherwise
Jacob Anderson

State of Pennsylvania Bedford County } 3/6
Personally came before me the subscriber one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the Peace in & for said County. David Bonnell Esq. aged Seventy three years and upwards a resident and Justice of the Peace in Londonderry Township in said County, who being duly sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with William Masters the above named applicant and has known him from a boy; that he was not personally present at the enlistment of the said Masters but he knows by information at the time from the parents of the said Masters and others who were with him in the service that he did enlist in Sussex County New Jersey under Capt n Sowerd as he has stated in his application, and that he was in the battle on Long Island as he has stated; He also knew from the same authority that said Masters was enlisted in the six months service at the Minnadinks on the Delaware River and the Indian frontier. Deponent further saith that he was well acquainted with Genl William Winds of New Jersey who told him that Mr Masters was with him in the service and was as good a soldier as he had under him and that he helped to take the Hessians between Elizabeth Town and Shunktown. Deponent also knows by common report & other good authority that said Masters served two months at Martins Fort on the Juniata in Pennsylvania. Deponent further states that he is well acquainted with the Rev d Jacob Brigher a clergyman of the Lutheran church who resides in Berlin Somerset County Penn a and that said Jacob Brigher preaches in Londonderry Township aforesaid where the applicant & this deponent reside - Deponent further states that May Bonnell who has signed the above deposition is Seventy two - years of age. Deponent also further saith that he came from New Jersey to Londonderry Township Bedford County aforesaid in the year 94 - where he has resided ever since.
Sworn & subscribed this eighth day of October AD 1833 before me
Jacob Anderson
David Bonnell " " "

Application of Mrs Mary Masters for a Pension Bedford County Pa
Ino Mower Bedford Penna

State of Pennsylvania Bradford County } ss.
On this 10 th
day of August A D 1853, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, Mary Masters, a resident of Londonderry Township, in the County and State aforesaid, about eighty six years of age, 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 on the 3 rd of February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who serve during the revolutionary war; — that she is the widow of William Masters, who was a private & sergeant in the army of the Revolution; that according to the best information in her power to obtain, and the best of her knowledge & belief founded upon her husbands declarations, her said husband about the month of may 1776, in Sussex County, New Jersey enlisted & serve five months under the following named officers, viz: — Captain John Sower, Col. Ephraim Martin & Lieut. Col. John Munson. That during said term he was at New York until it was evacuated; at Kingsbridge, at White Plains where he was in an engagement, and at Fort Washington where his time expired; That in 1777 he was called out in the militia of Sussex County aforesaid, & marched as 1 st Sergeant under Capt. Francis Beadly, was at Elizabeth =town, & assisted to capture some Hessians; he was also out another month late in the fall of the same year, and at different times about that same period & serve five months; That in 1778, he belonged to a volunteer Com= =pany under Capt. Thomas Hill, and serve in said Company thirteen months; That in June, 1779, he enlisted in a Company under Capt. George Ribble, with Lieut. John Johnson, & Ensign Westbrook, and was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Taylor of Puncheon, & continued in said Company six months

He also serve six monthly tours on the Indian Frontier and in 1782, he serve two months from the last of September, against the Indians, on the Juniata in Bedford County, Penna. during which time he serve as Sergeant under Col. Piper, & had the command of Martin's Fort at the crossings of the Juniata, and altogether so far as she can learn he serve about two years six months. and in corroboration of this statement, she refers to the declaration of her said husband, on file in the Pension Office, on which he drew a pension under the law of 1832.
She further declares that she was married to the said William Masters, on or about the first of August 1810, that her said husband die on the 30 th day of November, 1857, that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated.
She also further declares that she is now a widow, and that she makes this declaration before a Justice of the Peace, because, by reason of her advanced age, & her bodily infirmities she is unable to travel from her residence to Court, a distance of about twenty miles over a rough road.
Sworn to & subscribed on this day & year above written, before me John Blair Jr J.P.
her Mary Masters mark
I do certify, from personal knowledge, that by reason of bodily infirmities the above named applicant is unable to leave home & go to court, and that her statement is just & true. Given under my hand this 10 th day of August A.D. 1853
John Blair Jr J.P.

State of Pennsylvania — Bedford County } ss.
Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in & for said County personally came Elizabeth Poorbaugh, who being duly sworn saith she is well acquainted with Mary Masters widow of William Masters a soldier of the Revolution now dec d , and has known her about fifty years past. That she was present and saw Richard Baker, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, residing in Londonderry Township, join the said Mary (by the name of Mary Wauguman) and the said William Masters in marriage, about the first of August A D 1810, and that she has known them as man & wife, from that time to the date of said Mr Masters death. Sworn to & subscribed
this 7 th day of May A D 1853.
before me
Geo. Spull
Elizabeth her Poorbaugh mark

State of Pennsylvania - Bedford County } ss.
Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in the said County came John Miller, who being duly sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with Mary Masters, widow of William Masters a Revolutionary Soldier, now dec d . and has known her for about fifty years. That he recollects in the year 1810, some time about the first of August he was residing in the family of George P. Shultz, and at that time Mrs. Shultz left home to go to the wedding of the said Mary with the said William Masters. And he knows that from that time until the day of said Masters death they were taken & reputed to be man and wife in the neighborhood where they resided Sworn to & subscribed this 9 th day of May A D 1853
John Miller
John Blair

State of Pennsylvania Bedford County
I Daniel Washabaugh Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County, do hereby certify that John Blair Sur. & Joseph Dull Esqrs. before whom the foregoing declaration & affidavits were made, were at that time and still are Justices of the Peace, in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified and that full faith and credit are due to all their official acts. And that the fore- going signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name this 13 th day of December A D 1853.
D. Washabaugh Proth.

Additional evidence in the matter of the application of Mrs Mary Masters -
J. L. Russell Ho. of Rep.

State of Pennsylvania Bedford County } ss
Be it known that on this 6 th day of March, A D 1884, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally came Jacob Waggoner, age about fifty seven years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose & say, that he is intimately acquainted with Mrs Mary Masters, widow of William Masters dec d , whose application for a pension is now before the Commissioner of Pensions, that he is the son of the said Mary by a former husband, and that he has resided in the immediate neighborhood of the said Mary from the time of her marriage with the said William Masters until the present time - being in Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania - That he was also intimately & well acquainted with said William Masters from the time of his marriage with his mother until his death; That he can testify positively of his own knowledge that said William Masters was a Revolutionary pensioner of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and that the said Mary Masters is his widow. He also knows that said William Masters continued to draw his pension from the United States up to the last payment which

was due before his death Sworn to & subscribe this day & year before written } Jacob Wagman Before me John Blair } J.P.
And I the said John Blair do certify that the above named witness Jacob Wagman, is a person of veracity, & respectability, and that his statement is worthy of the fullest credit. I do also certify that "John Miller," whose affidavit of the marriage of the said William & Mary Master, is appended to the application of the said Mary for a pension, now before the Commissioner of Pensions, (which said affidavit was made before me,) is a person of good character for truth & veracity, and that his statement so made under oath, is entitled to the fullest confidence.
Given under my hand this 8 th day of March AD 1884. John Blair (Seal)
State of Pennsylvania Bradford County } ss I Joseph Dall, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, before whom was

produce Mrs Elizabeth Poorbaugh, a witness to prove the marriage of the foregoing name William & Mary Masters, and whose affidavit, taken on that occasion, is appended to the application of said Mary Masters for a Pension, do hereby certify that the said Elizabeth Poorbaugh is a person of good character for truth & veracity & that her statement is worthy of entire confidence & credit Given under my hand this 7 th day of March 1854
Joseph Dull J. S. (Seal)
State of Pennsylvania Bedford County Edd.
I Daniel Washabaugh Prothono- tary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that John Blair Esq. & Joseph Dull whose names are appended to the foregoing affidavit & certificate are Justices of the Peace in & for said County, duly elected, commissioned & qualified & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court & subscribe my name this 10 th day of March, A D 1854.
D. Washabaugh Post.

21138
William Masters
9 Feb. '33
Obj. 16
Hon. Sec. Burd-
H.R.
Page 240

BRIEF in the case of William Mastig of Londonderry Township  County of Bedford in the State of Pennsylvania  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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.     Enlisted about the middle of May In 1776 $ — 5 — private Gen. Ephraim Martin } M. Gen. Sullivan Capt. John Siverd } Brigs   Went out in June 1777 — 1 — 1st Sergt. Col. Martin } Capt. Francis Healy }   After this in 1777 paid & monthly term $ — 5 — private not stated } Capt. Thos. Hill }   Volunteered early in 1778 & continued at his own expense $ 1 1 — — Col. Taylor }   Enlisted June 1779 — 2 — Sergeant Col. Gen. Rabb } Col. Piper }   Last Sept 1782 — — — — —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Supex Co. New Jersey  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. Strick Examining Clerk.  5. July 1833

Ray WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5344
Mary Masters Wid. M rs Masters Sergt. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 3/53
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 3
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 3884 Mary Masters, wid: of William.
Set: to S. S. Russell, Ho: Rep. December, 17 th 1853,
Act Frby: 3.7853.

Brief in the case of Mary Masters, widow of Wm Bedson County and State of Pa act 31st May, 1853,
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of June 1832. One witness testifying to the marriage, & one to general reputation of marriage & cohabitation.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
H. M. S. Russell Esq Name and residence of Agent Hov Rpl
J. C. Bryant Examining Clerk.

J. L. Russell M.C.
Gen. L. P. Waldo Comm' of Pensins Washington D.C.
Mary Masters Pa

Washington D.C. Mch 13 th 1854.
Dr. Sir,
You informed me some time since that the application of Mrs. Mary Masters for a pension was suspended on account of a defect in the proof submitted with it. The enclosed affidavits will supply that defect. I hope that a cer- tificate may be issued to her.
I am
Respy' Young
J. L. Russell Ho. of Rep.
Genl. Waldo Comm te of Pensions

22.640
22.638.
William Masters
Application
Penn a
Adm 2 years surf
$128
Hon George Burd Bedford Pa

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

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? Yes
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
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 ? No
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
No. See Issue 16.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

To J. L. Edwards Esq.
Redford 6 th Nov. 1833
Dr Sir
I herewith forward you the papers of Mr Master an applicant for a pension & hope that they may be sufficient to authorise the issuing of his certificate.
I am desirous to know whether about one month since the papers of Henry Horn of this County were forwarded to yr. Office. I am under the impression that I forwarded them but having at the time just recovered from a severe indisposition I may be mistaken.
It will confer a favour on me if you will immediately on the rec d of this cause any examination to be made & inform me as above.
Very Respectfully
Yr friend & serv t
George Purd

1 Mrs. Re: Sup: 30 Nov. 51.
"N. Y. T. H. N."

Rec. P
Dec. 15, 1853.
Mary Masters
wid
William
22638
Margaret Allen
wid
Seedor.
11879
Peter Remembrance of William Washington D.C.

Heads of the No. of Represent. December 15 th 1853.
Dear Sir,
Herewith I send you two applications for Pensions. one of Mrs. Mary Master. the other of George Allen administrator of Mrs. Margaret Allen. to which, be so kind as to give your usual prompt attention & inform me of the result of your exam- ination.
Respy Yours
J. L. Russell
Commissioner of Pensions

200 75 75 Widow of Mary Master. Widow of 18 th
Richland Co. Pa
Act 5/3 $120.00 Per An. Comm: Febry 3 rd 1853,
Rev.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Pension Office, Official Business
J. S. Russell H. R. R.

8126
Pension Office, 18 th Mch. 1854
Sir,
21 M 52
Please certify the time to which the within named pension was paid, or the date of his death.
Very Respectfully,
J. C. Clegg For the Commissioner.
W. H. T.
Francis Root (Agnt) Miss Anderton, Mass.

William Masters, Oct 1832. $120 per annum, Died 30 Nov. 1851. paid.
J. Burt Auditor