Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26717, for Azel Kinsley, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Kinsley, Azee Patty
W. 26717
B.L.W. 12706-160-55
CONTENTS

Maine 11.556
Azel Kinsley - of Cumberland, in the State of Maine who was a - Pr & Pt in the Company commanded by Captain Randall of the Regt. commanded by Col Bailey - in the Mass Militia Troops -
6 Mo 14 1/2 - Pr 21.53 12 " 24 " Disch 46.89 68.42
Inscribed on the Roll of - Maine - at the rate of 68 - Dollars 42 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of May and sent to - 1833 Ft Bradford, Portland. Me
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 136.84 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 1 st " " 34.21
$ 171.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, Book C Vol. 1 Page 28

6-300 Maine
Patty Kinsley widow of Agel Kinsley who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a servant & fifer
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 68 Dollars 42
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 54.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct r 1854. and sent to
Jacob Herrick Lewiston Falls Maine
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848. Page 20 Vol. 1
1832

Act Mar 3/55 9912 April 26/55
Patty Kingsley wid of Ozel Kingsley
Private Bailey
Maple
Rev War
Revolutionary Pensioner
No one Feb 48- 6300
ad. 160 acs Dec 18/55 Dodge
File
Joshua Parsons West Minot Me
Vol. K. 71. 20

State of Maine.
ANDROSCOGGIN, ss.
CLERK'S OFFICE, SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
LEWISTON, Sep. 27 th A. D. 1854. }
I, Cyrus Knapp , Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said County, of Androscoggin, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Thomas Littlefield and Francis J. Howard
are is, and at the date of his certificate, to the paper hereunto annexed, were  was an ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County of Androscoggin, as appears by the paper hereunto annexed—that he  is duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid, and that the following signature, purporting to be this is an  his , is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
Cyrus Knapp CLERK.

Application of Patty Kimball Widow of Azee Kimball for Pension - Revolutionary Service —
Jacob Hume Capt. Lewiston Falls Maine

I Caleb H. Crafts of Auburn in the County of Androscoggin and State of Maine aged fifty four years on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with the late Azel Kinsley who died in this place (Auburn) in March last. He was a Revolutionary Soldier and a pensioner of The United States.
He left a widow surviving whose name before her marriage was Patty Howard. She has not intermarried since her husbands death but is now the widow of said Azel Kinsley.
C. H. Crafts
State of Maine Androscoggin County ss Subscribed and sworn before me and I hereby certify That the above named affiant is well known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity. I also certify That I have no interest in the claim to which the above affidavit relates Auburn August 22 d A.D. 1854.
Thomas J. Howard Justice of the Peace.

State of Maine Androscoggin County, ss Be it known that on this eighth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared before the Honorable Nathan Merrill Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, it being a Court of Record Patty Kinsley a resi- dent of Auburn in said County of And- roscoggin aged eighty eight years, who having been duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 — March 3 rd 1843 June 17 th 1844 and February 2 nd 1848, or any other acts, passed previous to or subsequent to the date of said acts, which may have any bearing on her claim — And this declaration states that she is the widow of Azel Kinsley deceased who was a pen- sioner of the United States under the act of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of $68.42 per annum, which he received on account of his service as a private and sipe in the war of the Revolution. She further declares that she was married to her late husband at Bridgewater Massachusetts previous to the year 1794 — That her maiden name was

Patty Howard. She also declares that her husband the said Oziel Kinsley died at Auburn on the 14 th day of March 1854, that she has not intermarried since his decease but is now the widow of the said Oziel Kinsley. Attest John Hutchinson                      Patty Kinsley mark Sullivan Cushman
State of Maine Annapolis County ss Subscribed and sworn the day of the year first written before me,
Nahum Morrill Providence

State of Illinois Anderson County ss I Stetson L. Hill Register of the Court of Prob- ate in and for the County of Anderson hereby certify that the Honorable Nathan Morill is sole judge of said Court and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In witness whereof I have here- unto signed my name and affixed the seal of said Court the 17th day of May, A.D. 1854. Stetson L. Hill, Register.

Copy from the Book of Records of the Marriages in the town of Bridgewater in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"One thousand seven hundred and eighty five, June sixteenth, Azel Kinsley and Patsy Howard were married by the Revd. John Reed".
I certify that the above is a true copy of the records, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows viz - "1785 June 16th"
Daniel Mitchell Town Clerk of Bridgewater Mass.
I Daniel Mitchell above named do hereby say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town, with the exception above named and certified by me
Daniel Mitchell Town Clerk of Bridgewater Mass.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Subscribed & Sworn to this 28 th day of June 1854
Before me Artemas Hale Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, July 7 th 1884
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Artemas Hale was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Maine, County of Androscoggin, Town of Auburn, Town Clerk's office May 31 st A.D. 1854. In a book of Records of Deaths happening in said Town, the following death is recorded Viz "Azel Kingsley died March 16 th 1854.,,"
Attest John C. Briggs S. Clerk
I John C. Briggs, on oath depose and say that I am Town Clerk of Auburn aforesaid duly chosen and sworn, that the Records of said Town are in my custody, that the foregoing Certificate was taken from said Records and is a true abstract from the same and if reduced to writing the date would read "March fourteenth Eighteen hundred and fifty four.,," John C. Briggs
State of Maine Androscoggin ss submitted and sworn the day of the year first above written before me Thomas Littlefield Just. Pa.

I Asaph Howard of Auburn in the County of Androscoggin and State of Maine aged eighty seven years on oath depose and say That I was well acquainted with Azel Kinsley late of said Auburn deceased. He was reputed a Revolutionary Soldier. He received a pension from the United States for his Revolutionary services, said Azel Kinsley died at said Auburn about the middle of March last, and left a widow surviving. Her name before her marriage was Patty Howard. She has not intermarried since her husbands death but is the widow of said Azel Kinsley.
Asaph Howard
State of Maine Androscoggin County ss: Subscribed and sworn before me, and I hereby certify that the above named affiant is well known to me as a witness of respectability and veracity. I also certify that the statements made in the affidavit are facts well known to me and I declare them to be true.
Auburn August 22 d , A.D. 1854.
Thomas J. Howard Justice of the Peace

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF OXFORD, SS.
On this nineteenth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five, before me, the undersigned, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, duly authorized by law to administer OATHS, within and for the County aforesaid,
Personally Appeared, Patty Kinsley ~ aged eighty nine years,
a resident of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine
of Shirley who being duly sworn, according to law, declares that she is the widow of Azel Kinsley ~ deceased, who was a in the company commanded by Captain in the Regiment of commanded by Colonel
That her said husband was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the day of , for the term of and was honorably discharged
on the day of , as will appear by papers in the War department. She further declares that she was married to the said Azel Kinsley ~ in July in the year seventeen hundred & eighty five
at Bridgewater in the State of Massachusetts on or about the tenth day of July - AD 1775 , by the a Minister of the Gospel at said Bridgewater and that her maiden name before her said marriage was Patty Howland ~ that her husband died at Auburn on the fourteenth day of March 1854 , and that she is now a widow. And a petition as will appear under act 182 ch 400 sec 1 will be referred to Page 20th vol. first in the pension office
She makes this Declaration, for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled, on account of said service, by virtue of the late Act of Congress, approved March 2d, A. D. 1855; and she further declares that she has not applied for or received, and believes she is not entitled to a Warrant for Bounty Land under any other Act of Congress, except as above stated; and she hereby appoints Joshua Parsons of West Minot her true and lawful Attorney, with power of substitution, to prosecute this her claim for land, to receive the certificate or Warrant when issued, and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.
X mark
WITNESS:
Jonathan Roberts Ellen Hutchinson
Sworn to and Subscribed Before Me, On the day and year first above written, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, for the purposes mentioned; and I hereby certify that I know said Patty Kinsley and believe her to be the widow of the identical man who served as above stated; and that she is of the age stated; and that I am not interested in this his claim as Attorney or otherwise. and that the above true copies were made before signed
Henry R. Parsons Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF OXFORD, SS.
On this nineteenth day of March A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, Gotham Roberts and Ellen Hutchinson who are to me well known, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, depose and say, that they are each well acquainted with Mrs. Patty Kinsley - the above applicant for bounty land—that they have known her for many years last past. That they were acquainted with Azel Kinsley - her late husband, having known him for many years previous to his death ; that they, the said Azel Kinsley and Patty Kinsley lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be, that deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned. That the said Azel Kinsley died on the fourteenth day of March 1854 ; and the said Patty has been since that day, and still is reputed to be his widow, which deponents believe to be the fact. That the following are the names and ages of all her children, viz :
That she has never married since her said husband's death, and still is his widow, and that her said husband was the identical man mentioned as a soldier in her declaration above, and further, that they were present and saw Patty Kinsley execute the foregoing affidavit by her mark to the foregoing declaration, and making oath thereto in due form of law, and further, that they, deponents, do reside in the County aforesaid.
Gotham Roberts Ellen Hutchinson
Sworn to and Subscribed Before Me, This nineteenth day of March A. D. 1855
Henry R. Parsons Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF OXFORD, SS.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court.
I, ELISHA WINTER, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, within and for the COUNTY OF OXFORD, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, hereby certify that
Henry R. Parsons Esquire, whose genuine signature appears to the Certificates hereunto annexed, was at the respective dates thereof, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer OATHS, and take acknowledgment of DEEDS and other Instruments ; and that the Court aforesaid is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of our said Court this Twentieth day of April 1855.
Elisha Winter Clerk.

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF OXFORD, SS.
On this nineteenth day of March A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, Gotham Roberts and Ellen Hutchinson who are to me well known, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, depose and say, that they are each well acquainted with Mrs. Patty Hinsley — the above applicant for bounty land—that they have known her for many years last past. That they were acquainted with Azel Hinsley — her late husband, having known him for many years previous to his death ; that they, the said Azel Hinsley and Patty Hinsley lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be, that deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned. That the said Azel Hinsley — died on the fourteenth day of March 1854 ; and the said Patty — has been since that day, and still is reputed to be his widow, which deponents believe to be the fact. That the following are the names and ages of all her children, viz :
That she has never married since her said husband's death, and still is his widow, and that her said husband was the identical man mentioned as a soldier in her declaration above, and further, that they were present and saw Patty Hinsley execute the foregoing affidavit by her mark to the foregoing declaration, and making oath thereto in due form of law, and further, that they, deponents, do reside in the County aforesaid.
Gotham Roberts
Ellen Hutchinson
Sworn to and Subscribed Before Me, This nineteenth day of March A. D. 1855
Henry R. Parsons Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF MAINE.
SS.
CLERK'S OFFICE, SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT.
Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, within and for the COUNTY OF OXFORD, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, hereby certify that
Esquire,
was on the day of 185 , ever since has been, and now is, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly authorized to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgment of DEEDS and other Instruments ; and that I believe that the signature to the instrument hereunto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine, official signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of our said Court, this day of 185
Clerk.

24561
Azel Kingsley, Cumberland Maine
Admitted
19 mos 8 ds
Feb 4, 21
Adm'd
  6 mos. 14 ds p.w.  21.53     12 " 24 " Life  46.89            $68.42   
Freeman Bradford Portland Maine

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 subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew 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 Abel Kinsley Cumberland Co. Maine
   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.     Feb 1776 " " 14 Priv Capt Randall 70 years Witness Jos. Hayward.   " " 1 " Fifer " " Bristol   July 1777 " 3 " " " Daggett 60   Do " 1 12 " Col. Burnap Mas.   " " 3 " " Col. Hayward   " " 3 " " Capt. Hawn   1778 " 1 12 " Capt. Randall   " " 3 " " Col. Harkness   " " 3 " " Capt. Daggett   1779 " 3 " " Col. Harkness " Meyer Daily   1780 " 6 " Priv Capt. Eddy   Roll 1. " 6 " " Col. J. Bailey Witness Benj. Conant.   19 8 Capt. J. Bailey  
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.
I 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 enquiry 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 required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper 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 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 that 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 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 affix 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.
[j] 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen

Declaration of Azel Hinsley
Freeman Bradford Portland Maine

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
INE DISTRICT SS.
At a Special District Court of the United States begun and holden at Portland, within and for said District, on the 14th day of March A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-three before the Honorable ASHUR WARE, Judge of said Court.
That he Azel Hinsley entered the service sometime in the fall of the year of 1776 and served two weeks as a substitute for Joseph... about one fortnight after this to wit in the latter part of the autumn of 1776 he volunteered in the Company of Capt. Randall... one month and was stationed at Tiverton aforesaid in the service of Joseph Borden. That during this campaign three Quakers were captured... in June or July in 1777 he re-enlisted in the Company commanded by Lieut. Col. Pratt and marched to the management there... three months at least and was stationed at Oldbridge, Newtown. He thinks that Capt. Dugget was the commander of the... sometime in the summer of 1777 or first of the autumn of the same year he entered the service in a company of which Edward... was commander in Col. Grafton's Regiment and served six weeks and was stationed at Tiverton two weeks waiting for the... to Tiverton and completed the term of six weeks. This term of service was in the Secret Expedition so called. He was five... two months of said term of time and one month at Providence. The Regiment was not embodied. General Gage had the... of the troops that were employed on the Coast. He was discharged in 1778 as late as July he thinks he enlisted in a company... by Capt. Dugget. Lieut. Pratt was Lieut. in Col. John Bathurst's... and served six weeks. He was stationed at Slades Ferry about two weeks... when Gen. Gage's Brigade of Continental troops marched over to the Island... with the Company to Bowdoin Ferry when he crossed to the Island... was exposed to the great storm and suffered for want of food... the Company which he belonged with the army moved to the lower part of... New Bedford and commenced skirmishing with the enemy... the north part of the Island when the general engagement took place. He... one man was killed by the name of Haskins who belonged to his company... following the battle he crossed over Bristol Ferry to what was called... he was stationed until the expiration of his term of service... on the first of March 1779 he enlisted in Capt. Peletiah Ladd's Company... Bathurst's Regiment and served three months and was stationed at Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island when he was discharged... of March of that year... in the month of June he enlisted in Capt. Adron Bailey's Company in the year 1780 in Col. John Bailey's Regiment in the Continental... and served six months. He mustered at Springfield on the 20th of July 1780 and marched from thence under the command... of officers to West Point in New York and was present at the execution of Maj. Andre. He was quartered at Tappan and Newburgh... his term of service the other part of the time he was marching in various parts of New Jersey on duty. He was discharged at West Point... 1781. He renounces a pension during any campaign.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states
I, John Nussey Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Azel Hinsley for a pension. That W. H. Porter, James Stone and Freeman Bradford are commissioners and the signatures to the annexed depositions purporting to be theirs are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this fourteenth day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. John Nussey Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.
Azel Hinsley U. S. Judge for the District of Maine
and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before

And the said Hinsley further states that he was born in the town of Easton County of Bristol State of Mass in the year of our Lord 1760 and has a record of his age in the town of Easton
That he was living at Easton when called into the service From that place he moved to Bridgewater Mass, and from Bridgewater to the town of Minot in the District of Maine then called now State of Maine. In the now resides.
That he never received any discharge except in the last service which discharge he lost
That George Beckman Clergyman and Moses Crafts and Allen Davis can bear testimony as to his character and their belief of his revolutionary services.
That he has no positive proof of the first two weeks but then states the circumstances of the service In the spring of 1775 he went to New Bedford to line and during the season an alarm came that the enemy had effected a landing on Rhode Island. Mr Hayward volunteered and in a few days returned home and requested him the said Hinsley who was then about 16 years of age to take his place. He took it and served in Hayward's place guarding the shores around Rhode Island for at least two weeks
That the said Hinsley served at least 19 1/2 months the most of which is proved by Liba Roundall, Reverend Dailly and the circumstantial evidence of Mr Hayward for which service he claims a pension as a life.
Elizabeth Hinsley
Given under my hand this 11th day of January 1841
Asheburnham
List Subj 1st Dist.
for Mass Dist.

Rule 26 4/14 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24 26.717
Patty Kinsley widow of Abel Kinsley Died Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index:--Vol. A, Page 403
[Arrangement of 1870.]

12.706
Herb Amey

No 139 Patty Kinsley wid of Azel Me
2 nd Feby 1848

Agel Hunsley Me own 32 Cole
FREE
[Handwritten signature or mark]
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commission of Puffins
Washington D.C.

Pen Off. Octo 3 1832
Sir
Abel Kinsley, Maine Rolls, Act 1832, $68. 42 per ann, Please state to what time paid.
R. Fitchison Esq 3 Auditor
Very Respectfully G. C. Cale Chief Clerk Pen Off.
Paid to 11 March 1831,
Robt. F. Main
auditor
3 3 3 3 3
F. Plutt

Brief in the case of Patty Kimble widow of Azel Androscoggin County and State of Maine act 2 o Feby 1848
Claim, ("original,"  )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832 at $584 2 per annum, (His papers show the service) necessary to prove date of marriage before 1794, date of her husband's death. Her identity as his widow, Marriage is proved by Record from the office  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? of the Town clerk of the Town where she was married. Her husband's death is shown by the Record of the Town clerk where he died, and her identity is established by Azaph Howard, Caleb H Crafts, and also by the return of her husband's Pension Certificate under the Act of 1832
Name and residence of Agent Jacob Kimble Esq Lewiston Falls Maine
Thornton D. Platts Examining Clerk.

Patty Kinsley - widow of Abel Androscoggin Co Me
Adm. 2 o Feb 1848 6 mos 148 p ri 421 53 12 o 24 o gift 45 89 $68.42
per annum from 14 March 1852, when her husband died.
sent to Jacob Henrichs Leavittown Falls Maine

Census of Pinnins Punts,

Lewiston Falls (Maine) Sep 27 th 1854.
To the Commissioner of Pensions Enclosed are the papers in the surviving widow of Azele Kimble a Rev. Pensioner of the U.S. The reason the papers have been delayed is because the Pensioner's Certificate was misplaced or lost so that it could not be rendered with the papers and was found but recently. I respectfully request that the claim may be registered and adjudicated as speedily as the Rules of the Department will admit.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
Jacob Henrick Lewiston Falls, (Maine)
Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.

Azel Hinsley
Payments to be made at Portland. Me by Isaac A. D. D. R. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Maine,
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book C Vol. 1 -
Page 28 by.
John T. Spence Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abel Hinsley of the State of Maine who was a Private, and Diser in the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Sixty eight dollars and Forty five 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 Eighteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
L. Randolph
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edward
Commissioner of Pensions.

I Joseph Hayward of Easton in the county of Bristol state of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years; do testify and declare, that Asa Pinsley came to reside with me in the fall of the year 1775, and made his home at my house during about the whole period of the revolutionary war. He left my house ostensibly to enter into the service of his country a number of times (viz) - to engage in the secret expedition on Rhode-Island, and to serve in three or four other campaigns. The terms he served in these several campaigns I am unable to state, but from his character for honesty truth and veracity I have no doubt, he served the terms in the revolutionary war which he will testify to more or less - Joseph Hayward
Bristol ss. The above named Joseph Hayward is a credible disinterested witness: and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed - The eleventh day of September A. 1832. Before me John Dool Jr. of the same

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. I. James Spratt, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that John Root & Calvin Drett, Esqrs. whose signatures are affixed to the within and annexed certificates are Justices of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of September Eighteen hundred & thirty two - J. Spratt

Benjamin Conant, Affidavit,
1 2 3

I Benjamin Conant of Turner in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, aged Seventy Six years, do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Azel Hinsley now of, Allen in the County of Cumberland & State aforesaid, but formerly of Boston in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts and which adjoins my former residence in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
That I first formed an acquaintance with the said Hinsley in the American revolutionary army in the month of July 1780, when I enlisted into Capt Luther Bailey's Company as a private, and he the said Hinsley into Capt Adam Bailey's Company as a fifer, and we both betained to the same regiment which was commanded by Col. John Bailey, and on terms of enlistment into said Companies were each for six months, and we both served them through. We were during said service stationed at Orange town, Topsham & other places in New-Jersey, and Maj. Amche was executed while we were there. I know the said Azel Hinsley, who is now an applicant, for a pension, to be the identical man who was with me there. Benja Conant
State of Maine.
Oxford S.S. Dec r 7. 1832. Then personally appeared Benjamin Conant who is well known to me as a man of truth and made oath to the truth of above affidavit, by him subscribed before me William K. Porter. Justice of Peace

I Ziba Randall of lawful age do testify & say that Mr. Hinsley went as a volunteer in 1776 in the Company commanded by Capt. Mathew Randall to Warren & from there to Bristol & was in service one month
That Mr. Hinsley marched in a Company in June & July 1777 commanded by Lieut. Col. Seth Pratt to Natick where he was stationed at Old Salem for a period of three months That Mr. Hinsley marched in December 1777 in the Company commanded by Capt. Mathew Randall to Warwick & was stationed there two months & then marched to Providence & was stationed there one month which makes three months in the whole That Mr. Hinsley was twenty two years of age Ziba Randall affidavit fully
Bristol ss
on the Eleventh Day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two, the above said Deposition was Exam- ined & sworn to agreeable to her to the deposition of record by him subscribed taken at the request of Mr. Hinsley
Calvin Brett Justiciar of Peace

Over Dailey Deposition

I Ever Dailey of Canton in the county of Oxford and State of Maine aged seventy years, on oath, testify & say That I was a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary war in the year 1778. I was at Rhode Island under General Sullivan and to my certain knowledge Abel Kinsley of Minot in the county of Cumberland & said State of Maine, was a piper in the regiment commanded by Col Wade or Col Cooper but I do not recollect the Capt of the company he was in, the Lieut in the company was Seth Pratt. The said Kinsley was a townsman of mine when we were young, he served in that campaign for the term of six weeks .
The said Kinsley the first of March 1779 enlisted as a piper in the company commanded by Capt Melitiah Eddy, in which company I enlisted at the same time, and we were attached to a regiment commanded by Col John Hathaway, marched from Boston in the county of Bristol, State of Massachusetts (the place of our residence) to Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, he there served with us for the term of three months, when he was discharged by Col John Hathaway Probably. In the month of June 1780, said Kinsley and myself again enlisted at Boston in the Continental service for the term of six months , we were mustered at Pawtucket in said County of Bristol by Apollo Leonard Muster Master; then marched to Springfield in Massachusetts where we were mustered again & marched by Continental officers to West Point in the state of New York, where he with myself & others were attached to a company commanded by Capt Adams Bailey in the Regiment commanded by Col John Bailey (Second Massachusetts Regiment), and at the expiration of said term he myself & I was discharged at West Point by said Adams Bailey, who gave us written discharges, which he signed as Captain Commandant.
Ever Dailey
State of Maine.
Oxford County ss. December 8. 1832. Personally appeared Ever Dailey and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, who is well known

to me, and who is a reputable witness.
Before me
James Parr. Justin Peur

We George Ricker a clergyman residing in the Town of Minot and Moses Crafts and Allen Davis of the same town on oath depose and say that we are well acquainted with Azel Hinsley of Minot and can cheerfully state that his character for truth and veracity is unexceptionable. We believe him to be seventy two 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 we concur in that opinion. We further say that the fullest faith and credit may be put on his declaration and that he is in vigorous exercise of his intellectual powers.
Moses Crafts George Ricker Allen Davis
State of Maine
Cumberland County ss. Then personally the above named George Ricker Moses Crafts & Allen Davis men well known to me and credible witnesses and subscribed the foregoing declaration and sworn that the same was true. Before me
Freeman Bradford justice of Peace