Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8753, for Elnathan Strong, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
bonn.
Strong, Elnathan Margaret
V 8753
B.L.Wt. 29,060-160-55
CONTENTS

11 382 New York
Elnathan Strong, of Columbia in the State of New York who was a private in the Comy. commanded by Captain Granger of the Arty! commanded by Col. Sanfield in the Connecticut line for 12 Months 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. at the rate of 42 - Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 - day of May 1833 - and sent to H. H. Clark Auditor - N.Y.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. $84.44 Pensant. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833. .21-11 $105.55
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book E. Vol. 11. Page 44

State of New York
County of Columbia ss. On this fifteenth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the Justices of the Superior Court of the City of Hudson now sitting Jonathan Strong a resident of the Town of Hillsdale in the County and State of New York aged Sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, took an oath and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That this applicant was drafted in the militia of the State of Connecticut in the fall of 1780. at this applicant's time - He served at this time about one month. His age at this time was Sixteen in August of that year. The Squad to which he belonged consisting of about two com- panies, went to Guilford Connecticut - The British were at this time laying off this place and an attack was expected - from them, they however shortly after drew off and soon after they disappeared this Applicant was discharged.
Mason Cooke took the command of this Squad. Giles Hilly was the Captain - The other officers he does not recollect - The Captain is deceased. The Major's place of residence, if alive, is unknown - Applicant has no witnesses to prove the time of service. A part of the Regiment raised went to New Haven.
And further this applicant declares That on the first day of April 1782. this applicant enlisted for the term of

2. One year in the State Troops of the State of Connecticut. That he served the whole of said term of one year, which expired on the first day of April 1833. This applicant at the time he enlisted resided in the Town of Old Haddam in the State of Connecticut.
Samuel Campfield of the Town of Old Haddam was the Colonel of the Regiment to which this applicant belonged. Who, as he has been informed, is deceased.
Abner Granger of Suffield Connecticut was applicant's Captain, who died several years ago.
Abial Wilson of Windsor Connecticut was the Lieutenant, who as applicant has been informed died two or three years ago.
The remaining officers of the Company are either dead or removed from their former places of residence, in the opinion of this applicant.
The Affidavit of Silah Scott of Anson, Litchfield, Connecticut, is hereto annexed, to which this applicant would respectfully refer.
This applicant has formerly applied for a pension under the Law enacted, prior to the Act of 7 th of June 1832, - the one under which he makes this application.
At that time he had the affidavits of the following persons filed - Said Silah Scott, whose affidavit is hereto subjoined -
Said Lieutenants Abial Wilson's Affidavit - The Sergeants Oliver Brooks Affidavit - and David Trafton, the Quarters Affidavit.
This applicant was at that time unsuccessful.

And he was informed that his case did not come within the provisions of the Act Because he was in the State Service .
The affidavits of the above named persons were left with applicant's Attorney who now informs him that he has lost them. The Lieutenant Wilson is since deceased. Sergeant Barker has removed from his former place of residence, but when this applicant does not know. The Drummer, Taylor, applicant thinks is deceased.
Applicant was born in the month of August 1784. And his age is on record in the Town of Middlestown in the State of Connecticut.
He has lived since the Revolutionary war principally in Scituate aforesaid and now resides there.
This Regiment relieved General Waterbury and said Regiment took possession of the Fort of which General Waterbury had held possession. The Fort was situated near Stamford Connecticut.
Their service was to secure the Country in pursuit of Refugees or Cow Boys.
This applicant says that he has no written evidence in his possession and that he never had any other evidence than a verbal one.
Applicant served in the Capacity of a Common Soldier.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the

4. Oaths of any State. Sworn to and subscribed Smither Strong the day and year aforesaid Hiram Milton, Clerk
[Large decorative flourish or signature consisting of multiple overlapping loops and wavy lines.]

State of Connecticut } Be it known that August 13 1882
Litchfield County } on this day personally appeared Selah Hart of Concan midland County
and being duly Cate and La Pueras taken and says that in the year 1782 he was acquainted with Elnathan Strong then of New Hartford  Concan in this State and none of Wellsdale in the State of New York that he the said Hart was in the Revolutionary war at that time in the Company of Col. Almer Granger and Col. Samuel Conforti's Regt. and well recalled that the said Elnathan Strong belonging to the same Company with me and that he served one year as his & my term expired at the same time that we served at a place called Horse Neck and that we were both discharged the same day which was in the spring of 1782 but had not any writing
Selah Hart
Sworn before Michael D. Miles Justice of Peace and I here by certify that the said Selah Hart who has subscribed to the above affidavit is a Resident of the Town of Concan and whose known to me is a credible person and that his Statement is entitled to credit
Michael D. Miles Justice of Peace

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connec- ticut certify that Michael K. Hill, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, legally commissioned & qualified, & authorized by law to ad- minister Oaths, and that the signature to the proceeding Certificate which purports to be his is genuine & his proper hand writing.
Witness my hand, & the Seal of said Court at Litchfield. in said County this third day of August A. D. 1832.
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.

State of New York County of Columbia
I Richard Paul a Justice of the peace residing in the village of Hillsdale in the County of Columbia and State of New York, being duly sworn deposed and said that he resides and has resided for the last thru nine years past in the same neighborhood with Elathan Strong, and during all that time has been acquainted with him. Said Elathan and friends here to be a man of good moral character - and consider said Elathan a staunch English to full credit. Said Deponent further says that said Elathan has a general reputation in his neighborhood of being a Revolutionary soldier. And this Deponent has more than once heard it said he this Deponent has no doubt upon the subject - but fully believes that said Elathan served in the war of our Revolution.
Deponent further Saith that said Elathan has been and still is a communicant in the Dutch Reformed Church formerly under the care of the Rev Richard Shytle of Claverack. And now under the care of Rev Wm P. of Ghent, both living about nine miles from said Elathan further Saith not.
Given this 14th day of September 1832. Before me Nathaniel Chamberlain Justice of the Peace
Richard Paul

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Richard Gane who subscribed Oaths to the within affidavit before me he is a man of truth & veracity this Statement relates to full credit Nov 19 1832 Nathan Chamblaine Justice of the peace
State of New York County of Columbia } ss. I, Joseph D. Monroe clerk of the said County, do certify that Nathan Chamblaine before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the justices of the peace in & for the said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing & truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his free hand writing And Signature Witness my hand & seal of office The Sixty day of December 1832.
J. D. Monroe Clerk

State of New York County of Columbia
I Joseph D. Dellemonile Clerk of the said County do certify that Isaac Mc Cass before whom the affidavit of Richard S. Sayer hereto annexed purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Justice Court in & for the City of Hudson and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand & seal of office this Sixth day of December 1832.
J. Dellemonile Clerk

State of New York County of Columbia ss. Richard H. Huxton, a Minister of the Gospel (Reformed Church) residing & preaching in Clarmack in the County and State aforesaid, being duly sworn, deposes & says, that in the year 1813, he officiated in the Church at Hillsdale in this County dis- tant about nine miles from said Town of Clarmack, where he then resided & now resides. One in said month and held meetings in the neighborhood then as often as once a fortnight. That at that time Elmer Huxton resided in Hillsdale where he said Elmer now resides. Who became a com- municant in said Church at Hillsdale in about one year after this deponent became the Pastor of said Church in Hills- dale. And has continued such commu- nicant ever since. He then became ac- quainted with said Elmer & has ever since been acquainted with him. He cannot say anything in relation to said Elmer's Christian services & not having lived in his neighborhood he has no information as to any general reputation said Elmer may have of having lived in the Revolution any war. Deponent says he is well acquaint- ed with the moral character of said Elmer and believes it to be unexception- able; he also believes his religious character to be good. And is fully of the belief from said Elmer's character, that whatever statement he makes in relation to his services is entitled to full credit - of which faith not.
Richard Huxton
Subscribed & sworn before me this 20th Aug 1832 J. M. Clegg, J. Peace

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier of the United States. And the Court further finding that it appears from the records that Richard Shaffer who signed the affidavit hereto annexed is a Chapman resident in Colborne in the County of Columbia & State of New York and that Richard Grant who also signed the affidavit hereto annexed is a resident of Hillsdale County & State of said & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Exhibit A 179
John D. Root before Clerk of the United States Court for the City of Washington to wit: do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elkanah Strong for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this seventh eighth day of December 1832
John D. Root Clerk

3 Albany New-York
Margaret Strong widow of Nathaniel Strong Con n who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars 22
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Oct. 1848 and sent to
W. H. Clarke Hudson, New-York
Recorded on Roll of Pension February 2, 1848, Pa
July 29th
Reported

No 5 Therzant Strong.
At 29th July 1828.
Marned 1 June 1802 Musham am 1839
ADM 12 mi 20 cays In
#4222 Am 4 March 1843 - Therant Clarke, Hudson NY York City.
W H Clarke Hudson NY

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848 Entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving widows of officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary Army,"
State of New York Columbia County ss. On this 31 st day of August 1858, personally appeared before the undersigned, one of the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Hudson in said County, the same being a court of Record, Margaret Strong a resident of the town of Claverack in said County aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848 entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving widows of officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary Army." That she is the widow of Nathaniel Strong who in his life time obtained a pension of $42. 22 per annum under an act of 7 th June 1832 on account of his Revolutionary Services.
That she was married to the said Nathaniel Strong prior to January 1 st 1800. That she has no record of her marriage. Was married by Mr Soule in this County, who was then a justice of the peace as she believes or one of the Justices of said County.
That her marriage with the said Nathaniel Strong was in August One thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty Six. That her oldest child Samuel Strong was born the tenth day of July Seventeen hundred & Ninety Seven, he was baptized at the First Reformed Dutch Church in Hillsdale in this County by the Rev Mr. G. H. Strong.

My said son Samuel is dead & was buried in the Church yard of said Church & has a Stone Erected at his grave with his name & age at death inscribed thereon - and the time of his death. said Stone was Erected soon after his death & before the expiration of the year after his death. My maiden name was Margaretha Van Holtenburg and am of Dutch Extraction. My Husband Elmathan Strong was from Connecticut. & I still remain his widow.
Taken subscribed & sworn to before me this 31 st August 1848
her Margaret J Strong mark
Richard Goul } Justice of the peace & Justice of the Peace Court of Hudson Columbia County, New York.
I certify that the said Margaret Strong is well known to me that she has been for forty - years past. I knew Elmathan Strong in his life time for thirty - years before his death. He was a pensioner as stated in the above Application. I know said Margaret Strong to be his widow & that she still remains his widow, and that by reason of age & infirmity said Margaret was unable to attend before a Court of Records, she being blind as well as otherwise infirm.
Richard Goul } Justice of the peace &c.
I certify that in said Church record said Margaret Christian name is written Margaretha, which I believe to be by interpretation from Dutch to English means Margaret.
Richard Goul } Justice of the peace

Richard Gault
State of New York
Columbia County ss.
I, Jacob P. Bortle of Hillsdale in said County do hereby say that he is one of the Elders of the First Dutch Reformed or Reformed Dutch Church in Hillsdale in said County - That he has the old records of said Church in his possession that had there in his possession for about twenty years past.
That he finds upon the Records of said Church the Birth of Samuel Strong son of Elhanan Strong & Maragtha Bartholomey the tenth day of July One Thousand Seven hundred & thirty seven. That the above contains a true statement of said record of the Birth of said Samuel Strong. Except the date which is in figures, and that said date is expressed there in figures, which are fair and legible.
That the said records contain the name of the child and the name of its parents set in two columns opposite to each other & that the maiden name of the mother is given in all cases that have come under my notice.
The said Record does not to my knowledge or belief contain the birth of any illegitimate child. I have known the said Elhanan & wife from about the year Eighteen hundred & six. They were husband & wife & lived together as such since before  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  six . I am sixty two years old. I have lived here fifty nine years. I know Samuel Strong the son of said Elhanan & wife, he worked for me during many years. Samuel is dead. He was the oldest child of said Elhanan & wife. I do not know if there was another child named Samuel Strong, whose Birth is recorded in said Church Record, was the son of said

Ebenezer Strong & wife. That said Ebenezer Strong was in his life time a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at his death I resided within one mile of me at his death, when he had resided many years. Deponent further says, that he has some recollection of said Ebenezer Strong & wife before they were married, which was more than forty eight years ago, but his recollection is not distinct enough to state the exact length of time. Said Ebenezer Strong was buried in the grave yard at the said Church in Hillsdale, which has a tomb stone erected at his grave. I now to be subscribed before Jacob P. Boote. On this 31. day of August 1848.
Richard Goul } Justice of the Peace & Justice of the Peace, Town of Hudson.
I certify that said Jacob P. Boote is a credible person & witness, & that I examined said Church records & know of my own knowledge that above deposition states the contents of said Records correctly in all that relates to the birth of said Ebenezer Strong.
Richard Goul } Justice of the Peace &c.

State of New York Columbia County } ss. Jeremiah Hest of Hillsdale in said county being sworn say I am fortyfour years old, & reside within ten rods - of the First Reformed Dutch Church in Hillsdale aforesaid, & have resided there for the space of ten - years past. That the Grave yard of the congregation of said church lies adjoining said church.
I know Matthew Strong in his life time, who resided within one half mile of my residence. He was a Revolutionary Pension- er of the United States - His widow is still alive & still remains his widow. I know their son Samuel Strong, their oldest child who is dead & was buried in the church yard burying ground of said church. I have a tomb- stone erected at his grave, which states that said Samuel Strong died the the twenty fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred & twenty nine. aged thirty two years. The inscription on his tomb stone, which I know to be his is in the words & figures following to-wit:
"In Memory of Samuel Strong
"Who died August 27. 1829.
"Aged 32 years".
Said tomb stone is of white marble & the figures upon it are fair & legible.
Taken Subscribed & sworn to
before me this 31 st August } Jeremiah Hest 1848
Richard Goul }
Judge of the Peace
& Justice of the Peace Court of the city of Hudson.

I do hereby certify that I was with the said Richard G. Gail & examined the tomb stone of said Samuel Shaw, & of my own knowledge certify that the inscription on said stone is correctly copied in the above deposition, & that said Gail is a credible person.
State of New York - Richard Gail, Justice of the peace for Columbia County, City of Hudson, ss. I, Clerk, pro tem, of the Superior Court of said City, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Richard Gail whose name is subscri- bed to the foregoing Declaration, deposition & certificate, was on the day of the date thereof one of the Justices of said Superior Court, duly qualified & authorized to act therein, to wit: in said County, that I am acquainted with his said Gail and justly believe his said subscribed to said document to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court. This 2 nd September 1848.
Richard G. Gail, Clerk pro tem
No 5 - Strong. Oct 29 th July 1848.
Marned 1 st 1832 1839
Wm 12 th Dec 1848
442 nd 14 th
Heiden Holanke Hudson N.Y.
City
M.H. Clarke Hudson

115.622 See Kan 3/55
May 2/55 Margaret Strong Margaret Strong for Elizabeth Strong, Am
Copy - " " Copy - " "
1/2 2/4/55 Note of the resolution
U.S. Pension under Act - 1848
MS. B. 1. 6 v. 4 - p. 3 - MS. B. 1. 6 v. 4 - p. 23 - 5/56
MS. B. 1. 6 v. 4 - p. 23 - 5/56
C. S. Rowley Hudson
Rev. A. B. Rowley Jan'y 14/56
Vol. So - 79.

115422 Bounty Land Claim of Margaret Strong
Act March 3, 1855
Atty. S. Rowley, Atty. Hudson N.H.

Declaration of Margaret Strong (Widow of the late Philip Strong)
Columbia County, ss. On this Twenty third day of April AD 1855 before me Philip S. Shufeldt — a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Margaret Strong aged 84 years a resident of the Town of Claverack in the State of New York aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law with me the Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the Bounty Land to which she is entitled under the act of Congress approved March 3d. 1855
That she is the widow of El Nathaniel Strong who was a private in the Revolutionary War, that on account of the services of her husband the aforesaid El Nathaniel Strong in said War she now receives a Pension at the Rate of Forty two Dollars and 50 Cents per annum under the Act of 29 th July 1848 — as will more full appear by reference to the Widows now on file in the Pension Office at Washington —
She further declares that she is now a Widow, that she has never before applied for nor received any Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress —
She hereby appoints H. S. Gove of the City of Hudson N.Y. her true and lawful attorney to receive her warrant when issued and do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.
Her Margaret X Strong mark
We Mary Jones and George Jones
residents of Claverack in the State of New York

on oath, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Elizabeth Strong in our presence and that we know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is now a widow. — Mary Jones George Jones
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; And I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the identical person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the claim.
Philip J. Shapley Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Columbia County ss. I hereby certify that Philip J. Shapley Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits and power of attorney were made and acknowledged and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing an Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereunto is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Twelfth day of April 1833
D. C. Van Pelt Clerk of Columbia County

19908 Elnathan Strong (N.Y.)
"about 1 mo" taken for 20 days.
10/12 2) 12 mo. 20. d. pri
M. H. Clarke Hudson N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
20 th May 1833
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 subjoined 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. These 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 Nathan Strong Columbia Co N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     drafted July '80 about 1 priv Capt H. Strong alias Cooke Major Cooke Connect. 68. Tradg. &   2 nd trip 82 " Capt Granger Col Campfield New Bedford Conn. lost sight who served to the last term   From St. John's 1  
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 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 day 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 he 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 time, 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.
[1] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Stollans Esq.

✓ JJ 29.060
5 Veo Ans

Per  WIDOW, & Co.
File No. 8753
Margaret Strong Wid.
Ebenezer Strong Brig Genl. War.
Act: July 22 d  1848.
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 242
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elnathan Strong, Columbia Co NY act 7 June 1822 $42 22 per ann.
To what time was he last paid? P.O.A.
Pension Office Sept 28. 1848 } paid to 4 th Sept 1839 W. Lyon

Hudson, N.Y. Sept 2 nd 1848.
Sir
I send enclosed the Declaration of Mrs Partinon & Strong.
Mrs Strong's case is an original Application under act 29 th July 1848.
I presume the marriage is satisfactory by proven.
She had no record of her marriage.
The Evidence sent is the best I can obtain.
I took the Magistrate with me & he examined the Church Record & the Grave Stone with us.
Mr Gane went within a few years lived in Hillsdale & attended Church at Hillsdale mentioned in the proofs in this cause.
Gane himself is 69 years old & always lived in the country towards the people in that part of Hillsdale.
Please attend to them as soon as you can conveniently.
Rev J Young.
Wheeler H. Clarke.
How J. L. Edwards. Gov Sec.