Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30148, for Moses Taft, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Taft, Moses
S. 30148
CONTENTS

272 33.
Massachusetts
Moses Traft
of Uxbridge in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Segrave of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass line for
6 months private 1-,, corporal
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ Mass. at the rate of 23 — Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Mar ch 1834 and sent to Benj n Adams Esq r Uxbridge Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. $ 70 ,, 92 Servant. allowance ending 4 th  Sep r ,, . 11 ,, 83 $ 82 ,, 74
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 3 Page 85
Rate of death not at AB
74 Worcester

I Jesse Morse now residing in Douglas in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy five Years, testify & say, that I am well acquainted with M aj or Saff of Uxbridge in said County, and have been ever since we were small boys. and that we were out three short campaigns together, in the war of the revolution. The first time the said M aj or Saff & Myself went to Providence in the State of Rhode Island & were stationed in the College, I think it was in the year 1776, but am not positive it was that year; & we were there out six weeks, in the Company commanded by Capt- Samuel Saff - The next time the said Saff was out with me, we went to said Providence & were stationed in the town & to the best of my recollection we were there about six weeks & made a breast-work on the west side of the town, the Officer's names I do not remember - The third time I was out with the said Saff, we went on to the Island of Rhode Island and under the command of Capt-Job Snapp we were there a considerable length of time but I cannot determine how long And further the deponent saith not
Jesse Morse
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Worcester ss. November 23 d 1833 Then personally appeared Jesse Morse & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him taken on

Subscribed. I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Jesse Moore, the Deponent, that he is a competent witness & that full faith & credit may be given to his testimony
Benjamin Adams Justice of the Peace
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✓ Darius Saff of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy years, Testify & say that Mose Saff is my Brother that I was out with him one short campaign I think in the Company commanded by Capt Job Knapp we went on to the Island of Rhode Island & to the best of my recollection we were there about six weeks this was in the war of the revolution the year I am unable to recollect Darius Saff
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester ss. November 23 d 1833 Then Darius Saff personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Darius Saff, the deponent, that he is a competent witness, & full faith & credit may be given to his testimony Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace
I John Seagrave of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy six years do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Mose Saff of said Uxbridge & have been ever since we were boys. And I re- member the said Mose Saff was out with me one month in the war of the revolution, we went to Little-Compton in the State of Rhode Island, opposite to the Island of Rhode Island, we were in Col. Haws' Regiment, in Captain Farrow's Company, the year I am not able to recollect, But it was at the time of Genl. Spencer's Expedition, when we were prisoners during said time & further the deponent saith not
John Seagrave

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss: November 25 th 1835. Then personally appeared John Deyo and made oath to the of the affidavit by him subscribed on the other side of this paper: I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said John Deyo and that he is a competent witness and that full faith and credit may be given to his testimony.
Benjamin D. Deyo Justice of the Peace
My commission expires
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DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this Twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty Three personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Prine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester now sitting Noses Pratt a resident of Uxbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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 act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he was called out Seven times during the War of the Revolution, that he went to Providence the first time under the command of Capt. Samuel Read & was stationed in the College & was there six weeks. The second time he went to Providence aforesaid & was stationed in the town, and assisted in making a breastwork & fort on the west side of the River, He was then in the company commanded by Captain Edward Seagrave, the length of time he was there he is unable to say; but has the belief it was about six weeks. The third time he went to Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island & was in the company commanded by Capt. M c Neal, the exact length of time he was there, but thinks it was the longest tour he was ever in. The fourth time, he went again to said Little Compton & was in the company commanded by Capt. Fossar, this was in the time of General Sullivan's expedition, how long he was there he does not remember, but he was there with John Seagrave who has deposed in this case. The fifth time he went on an alarm to Firetown in the State of Rhode Island - He went as a waiter to Lt. Aaron Pratt and was gone from a fortnight to three weeks. The other officers of the regiment he does not remember their names. The sixth time he went to the Island of Rhode Island & was stationed by the fort, this was after the British had evacuated the Island, but the year he cannot remember, this was the tour which Deacons Pratt & Jesse Moore have deposed about. The seventh & last he went to Firetown in the State of Rhode Island in the summer time but what year he cannot remember nor the exact length he was there, but it was a month or six weeks, neither can he remember the names of any of the officers he was under at that time - As he has before stated he cannot remember the exact time length of time he was out except once but is confident that he was in the service at least seven months & from what others have said, it must be longer than seven months. He cannot remember any year he was out as aforesaid. He was born in Uxbridge aforesaid in the year 1760 of which there is a record in Fossar's book. He has always lived from that time to his in said town of Uxbridge since as aforesaid, and has always lived from that time to his in said town of Uxbridge that he turned out & went at each of the times aforesaid voluntarily, none being called for. The names of his officers he cannot remember any more particularly than before stated that he never had a written discharge given to him. That he is known to Mr. Amos Chapin, the Hon. Benezel Pratt, Hon. Nicholas Pratt, Joseph Shay or Esq. & many other who can testify as to his character for veracity, & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
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 agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before Nathaniel Prine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Noses Pratt

We David A. Grosvenor a Clergyman residing in the Town of Uxbridge and Amariah Chapin residing in said Town of Uxbridge hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Taft who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathl. Stone Esq. David A. Grosvenor of Probate for the County of Worcester Amariah Chapin
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that David A. Grosvenor who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Uxbridge and that Amariah Chapin who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Uxbridge and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Stone Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Reg'd, Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Moses Taft for a pension. & that Benj. Adams before whom the annexed affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester, & that his signature to the said affidavit is genuine. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of said Court this 26th day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Theoph. Wheeler Reg'd of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
Worcester ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I the said Theophilus Wheeler Reg'd or Clerk of the said Court of Probate for the said County of Worcester do further certify, that since making my certificate as above written, the further Declaration of Moses Taft, claiming a Pension from the United States made on oath, before Benjamin Adams Esquire dated 17th February 1834, has been produced and is annexed by ribbon under the seal of the said Court to me, to the papers in this case, before so annexed. I further certify that the said Benjamin Adams, is, and was on the said 17th of February 1834 a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Worcester, duly commissioned & sworn, and that the signature, purporting to be his signature to the said affidavit made by the said Moses Taft on the said 17th of Feb'y 1834, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court this 21st day of February 1834.
Theoph. Wheeler Reg'd of said Court
29.179 Moses Taft Uxbridge Worcester Co
Benjamin Adams Esq Uxbridge Mass

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MMHF:MLB
September 9, 1930
Mrs. C. B. Webb 442 Forrest Avenue Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
You are advised that in the claim for pension of Moses Taft (S. 30148), the day and month in which he was born are not shown.
It is suggested that you might obtain the same from the same from the records at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, the place of his birth.
There is no reference, whatever, to wife or children.
For information in regard to date of last payment, and the name of the person paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
Moses Taft, Certificate No. 27233, issued March 10, 1834, rate $23.67 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

August 26, 1920.
Mrs. C. B. Webb 442 Forrest Avenue Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30148, that Moses Taft was born in 1760 at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
While residing at Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in 1776 and served seven tours, specific dates not stated, in the Massachusetts troops as follows: six weeks as private in Captain Samuel Read's Company, six weeks as private in Captain Edward Seagrave's Company, one month as corporal in Captain Job Knapp's Company, about one month as private in Captain Farrar's Company, Colonel Howe's Regiment and was in Spencer's Expedition to Rhode Island, two or three weeks as waiter to Lieutenant Aaron Taft, one month and about six weeks, both as private, last two services at Tiverton, one of which was in Captain McHall's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 26, 1933, while a resident of Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he had always resided.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to show a claim for pension on file on account of the services of Abner Taft.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Moses Traft, whose Declaration in order to secure the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, which has been sent back to him for amendment, & to which this is annexed, further declares, deponeth & saith, that he cannot remember the names of the Colonels under whom he served, that he cannot procure evidence of all the times he served as stated in his said former declaration, that by reason of sick & old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot say more positively to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods men- tioned below, & in the following grades: For one month he served as Corporal (at being the time he went on to the Island of Rhode Island) and as a washer & a pri- vate soldier six months and for such service he claims a pension. Moses Traft
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County ss. February 17 th 1834. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace in & for said County, Moses Traft, the above named applicant for a pen- sion who being duly sworn, deponeth & saith, that, by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot say 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, & in the following grades: For one month a Corporal, and six months as a washer & private soldier, and for such service he claims a pension. Benjamin Adams Justice of the peace

James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

James L. Bowdoin Esq n  Uxbridge Feb th 27 - 1834
Sir, Inclosed You will find the original papers, together with additional ones, in the case of Moses Taft for a pension; which I hope will be satisfactory. Please to examine them, & let me know the result, so soon as your convenience will permit. & much oblige Yours, very respectfully Benjamin Adams

Notes Left 29.179
Pmats 6 mos Corporal 1 " Adm'd
Capt Segrave
Benj n Adams Uxbridge Mass s

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 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. 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 Moses Taft
   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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
As the applicant does not specify the exact length of service nor year when performed — nor name the officers — it will be necessary for him to amend his declaration, by making the oath as marked on the other side between braces thus ( )

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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before 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.
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 [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

30148 INVALID. Rev
1930. Aug. 26. Hist. to Mrs. C.B. Webb - L.L.R. for p.m. of Mrs. E.B. Webb ad. rel to b. & marriage, & date of last pay. etc. JMS
File No. 30148
Moses Galt
Rev Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1827
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 413
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MRS. C. B. WEBB 442 FORREST AVENUE DREXEL HILL, PA.
July 30/1930
Pension Commission, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir:-
Will you please give me the service record of Moses Taft - born 1768. His name appears on the 1840 list of pensions as residing with Wenell Taft of Elbridge, age 80 years. I believe he died in 1848.
Also have you any record of his father Abner Taft - born 12/20/1736 - died 5/30/1809 - also a Revolutionary Soldier.
Very truly Mrs. C. B. Webb.

Rev. & 1812 Wars. Section ILL.
MRS. C. B. WEBB 442 FORREST AVENUE DREXEL HILL, PA.
Sept 4-1930
Veterans Administration Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Att. E. W. Morgan Acting Com.
Dear Sir -
Your letter of August 26th received - and I refer to fourth paragraph, wherein you state "It is not stated that soldier was ever married."
Under date of 7/25/1930 I received a letter from Secy of Commonwealth of Mass. stating that Mrs Toft born 1760 appears on the 1840

list of pensions as residing with Merrill Taft of Lybridge, age 80 years.
According to Lybridge Vital Statistics Moses Taft born 9/29/1760 died a widower 12/4/1848 age 88 years.
He was married twice, and his son Stowell was born 7/28/1804.
Do you have any records in your department which would give the birth day, and month of Moses Taft - born 1760. Rev. War pension claim S 30148., or can you tell me to whom to write to get this information.
Did the pension of Moses Taft or your records reflect in 1848?
Very truly Mrs. C. B. Webb.