Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17403, for Philip Nichols, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Lois
Nichols, Philip Abiah
U. 17403
CONTENTS

17.949
Connecticut
Philip Nichols
of Monroe in the State of Conn who was a Private in the Conn command by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Whiting in the Conn troops time for 7 mos 14. ds -
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 24. Dollars & 8 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Octo 33 and sent Pension Agency P.O. Munroe Ct
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $ 62.20 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar 4 - 12.44
74 64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ed Buelock Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 31

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } ss: Newtown
On this first day of July 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the court appointed for the District of Newtown, now sitting, Philip Nichols of Monroe in the County of Fairfield, who made the foregoing declaration, subscribed & made oath to the same, & being again duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath further explain & testify, in answer to the 4 th query, as respects the six weeks tour for which I was drafted: I served on guard in Stratford, as stated in the foregoing declaration. I served in the capacity of a private, and I am confident that it was in the summer of 1779 as I was sixteen years old the May previous; by reason of the great length of time since, I cannot recollect the day when we commenced the service; but am confident the service was performed about the middle of summer. I remember we were there at harvest time: which usually takes place at about the 10 th of July & from that time until it is finished, I remember this pulling feast while I was there: and should say, from my best recollection & belief that we were dismissed some time the latter part of August. To the best of my recollection, there were from twelve to twenty who were drafted & stationed at Stratford to keep the gates at the time. My father, David Nichols, was of the company to which I belonged. The company was from three companies, of militia, to wit, from North Stratford (now Trumbull) to which I belonged, New Stratford (now Monroe) & Ripton (now
2333 1-15-16 14.88

Huntington) at that time three parishes belonging to the Town of Stratford; but have since been incorporated & made Townships by the names I have assigned them. Sergeant Mallory who commanded the guard was from the Com- pany belonging to Ripton, Parish. The Corporals name I do not recollect. There were no other officers stationed there except the Sergeant I have mentioned & a corporal. I am confident the term of service for which I was drafted was six weeks & that I and those who served with me served out our term of six weeks. & that during said time I was not employed in any civil pursuit. As it respects the six months term of duty; from reflection, since I subscribed the foregoing declaration, I am confident it was in the year 1780 commencing about the first of May & ending about the first of November. It is impossible at this length of time, for me to tell the exact day of the month when my service commenced & when it ended. When I say, my service commenced about the first of May, I mean, that from my best recollection & belief, that it did not vary ten days from that time. I am confident that I entitled for & served out the full period of six months at Newpasture point, a place so called, at that time as stated in my declaration - At the time Danbury was burnt in April 1777 the militia Company belonging to North Stratford where I then belonged, was commanded by Lieut. Ephraim Middlebrook & my father was Ensign, the Captain where

Name was Lee, had got a clearing or dismission shortly afterwards. Lieut. Middlebrook was killed at Danbury, or thereabouts, at that time & my father was ap- pointed Captain soon after - probably in May 1777 - a short time before we united to serve on guard at Newpasture point as before stated, my father, as Capt. of the Militia Company belonging to North Shelton, received orders from the Colonel of the Regiment to which that Company belonged, to enlist a certain number of men, to the best of my recollection & belief, not more than twenty nor less than twelve, to compose a sergeant's guard, including a sergeant & corporal. And the Colonel ordered that if he could not enlist, to draft them. The place where the Company used to parade was but about five miles from the place where the guard was to be kept. And the number required by the Colonel's order was soon obtained by enlistment; as the men had rather enlist & serve so near home than run the risk of being drafted to go a greater distance. Colonel Whiting commanded the regiment until about that time, when he was succeeded by Col. John Benjamin. Which of the two commanded the regiment at that time I am not positive; but am confident it was one of them. They both belonged to Stratford. I always understood & never had a doubt scarcely that the draft for which I served my six weeks tour at Stratford was by order of one of the above named Colonels, which I cannot say, as it is, from length of time, impossible for me to recollect at what time Col. Benjamin succeeded Col. Whiting. During all my service I was employed in no civil pursuit. I have stated the names of

all the officers who performed actual service with us except the corporal in the six weeks' storm at Stratford whose name I do not recollect, nor do I believe there is any person living who can now tell. — In answer to query 12 th .
When I was in my twenty sixth year I moved from my native place to the town of Monroe, eight miles from where I used to reside, & have resided there ever since; and about three & a half miles from the residence of any clergymen. And the clergymen in my native place & in the place of my residence are all young men & have been recently settled in the ministry; that is in the town of Monroe the two have been settled within six years; & the clergymen in my native place is a Scotchman Scotchman & has not been settled more than ten or twelve years & can neither of them be presumed to know my reputation as a soldier of the revolution. Philip Nichol,
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year last aforesaid. Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate for the District of Newtown
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown — On the 10 th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the court of probate for the District of Newtown, now sitting, the Rev. Rodney Rossiter, a clergymen residing in the town of Monroe in said Fairfield County, & being duly sworn according to law testifies that he is well acquainted with Philip Nichol Esq r who submitted the foregoing declaration; that he believes him to be about seventy years of age, & that his character for truth & veracity is good. The deponent has been settled & resided in said Monroe for about four years & cannot does not know his character for having been a soldier of the revolution. The deponent further testifies that he is well acquainted with Thomas Hawley of Trumbull, & believes him the said Thomas to be seventy years of age or more; & that said Thomas Hawley is a credible witness & his testimony, in the opinion of this deponent, is entitled to credit.
Rodney Rossiter
Sworn & subscribed the day & year last above written.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate.
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield ss: Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown —
On the 11 th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open court, before the court of probate for the District of Newtown, now sitting, Doctor Stephen Huddbrook a resident of Monroe in said Fairfield County, & being duly sworn according to law, testifies that he

is well acquainted with Philip Nichols who has submitted & made oath to the foregoing declaration and that his character for truth & veracity is good & that he is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to credit - He also testifies that he is well acquainted with Thomas Hawley of Trumbull in said Fairfield County & he knows him to be a credible witness & his testimony entitled to credit.
Stephen Middlebrook Just. of Peace Sworn & subscribed the day & year last aforesaid Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate for the District of Newtown
And the Court certifies that it appears to them that Rodney Rossiter who has submitted & made oath to the foregoing deposition is a clergyman resident in the Town of said Monroe, & that D. Stephen Middlebrook who has submitted & made oath to the last preceding deposition is also a resident of said Monroe & a Justice of the peace for said Fairfield County & that said Rossiter & said Middlebrook are both credible witnesses & their statement entitled to credit; And I hereby further certify that since the preceding statement was made & sworn to on the 16 th day of August 1832 by Thomas Hawley & Benjamin Hamlin, their character for truth have become known to this Court, and this Court has ascertained that they the said Thomas Hawley & Benjamin Hamlin are credible witnesses & that their said statement is entitled to credit. Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate for the District of Newtown.

I, Eldred W. Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newton, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Philip Nichols — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office. This 22 nd day of September A D 1833
Eldred Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newton

State of Connecticut, } ss. Newtown County of Fairfield
On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown
now sitting, Philip Nichols a resident of Monroe in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged sixty nine years, who being first 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 7, 1832, That he entered the
service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. That about the first day of May in the year 1780 or 1781 to the best of my knowledge & belief, I cannot be certain as to the year nor month. I recollect it was the next season or next but one after Danfield & Newwalk were burnt. I enlisted as a volunteer under Sergeant David Lake, for the term of six months to guard the coast and was stationed at New-pasture-point, a place so called - Sergeant Lake commanded the guard; & Robert Chauncy Beardslee was Corporal. I do not recollect any other officer belonging to the corps. New-pasture-point is a point of land on the East side of the Creek on which Bridgeport now stands in the State of Connecticut between that Creek & one about half a mile East of that, which the yellow mills, so called, now stand - at the time I enlisted it was not known how long we should remain at that place: we were liable to be removed to any other part of the Coast but we were kept there at New-pasture point on guard during the whole six months. I should think there were from sixteen to twenty who composed the guard: Thomas Hawley, & Benjamin Hamlin, were of the guard & are now living; Thomas Shattuck & Samuel Ufford of Bridgeport or Stratford, were also of the guard & are now believed to be living - The following persons who belonged to the guard are are supposed to be dead; to wit, Sergeant Lake above named & Corporal Beardslee; Robert Nichols, Centus Beach, John Coe, & others to the number of from sixteen to twenty I should think. The guard who were at the occupied the lower rooms of a house belonging to a Mr. Wilkinson, a boat maker who lived on the point where the guard was kept. I cannot recollect how early in the Spring the new guard took off duty began; but I well remember it got to be cold frosty nights before we were dismissed. From that circumstance I believe it was as soon as the first of May when we were first stationed there. In the summer previous to the year in which I recd the above tour of six months I was drafted & served a tour of duty of six weeks at the coast coast in Stratford. Sergeant Mallory commanded the guard. I do not recollect any other officer; I suppose he is dead for I have not seen him in a great many years - Eben Blackman was

of the guard, who has been dead more than thirty years. I do not recall any person now living who was of that guard. The Stratford house was burned as the guard house by the guard. I was born on the second day of May 1763 in the parish of North- Stratford, now Town of New Britain, County of Fairfield State of Connecticut. My father made a record of my age in his bible, the same has been copied into my bible & is there now. I lived with my father on my native place until I was about twenty five years of age then commenced house keeping in the parish of New Stratford, now Town of Monroe in the County of Fairfield aforesaid where I have ever since still live. I never had a full written discharge as I recollect for either of the place tours of duty. I have no documentary evidence, by which I can prove any of the facts also herein stated. Thereby heroby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension.
_____, hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that his  my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. day and year aforesaid. Philip Vachots Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newton.
We, _____ a clergyman, residing in the town of _____ and _____ 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 date aforesaid.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in town of _____ and that _____ who has also signed to same, is a resident of the town of _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the 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 this _____ day of _____
Office,
1832.
Philo. Nichols

We Thomas Hawley of Trumbull in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut & Benjamin Hamlin of Northfield in the County of Litchfield & State of said, being duly sworn according to law do testify & say that in the year 1780 or 1781 the we came of recollect which they entitled as volunteers under Sergeant David Lake for a tour of duty of six months to guard the coast in the war of the revolution in the service of the United States. The corporals name was Robert C. Beardslee. That Philip Nichols was was also one of the guard above mentioned & served during the six six months. That they have heard his foregoing declaration which he has subscribed & sworn to & they know the same to be true so far as regards his six months tour of duty as therein stated; they also testify that they have been acquainted with him from his youth, & that his character is good for truth & veracity, & they believe him to be of the age therein stated. Thomas Hawley
Benjamin Hamlin
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown
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 said Court further certifies that the applicant's character for truth is good. That the above named Witnesses Thomas Hawley & Benjamin Hamlin are strangers to the Court, but their appearance respectable, & their statement of facts & answers to interrogatories appeared to be candid, and entitled to credit.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown
I, Eliza W. Steele, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the same Court in the matter of the application of Philip Nichols. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this 3 rd day of September A.D. 1832
Eliza W. Steele Clerk of Probate
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield ss. Newtown September 3 rd 1832 I Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, do hereby certify that Eliza W. Steele whose name is subscribed in her hand writing to the foregoing certificate is at the date thereof was Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown duly appointed and qualified. That the seal affixed to said certificate is the genuine seal of said Court, & that full credence is due to the official acts of said Clerk so authenticated. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year aforesaid. Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate for the District of Newtown

rep
Connecticut 2150
Abiah Nichols Widow of Philip Nichols, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832, and who died on the 31 January 1836, of Fairfield in the State of Conn. who was a Spn. in the Conn. commanded by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded by Col Whiting in the Conn. State line for 7 mos. 14 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 24 Dollars 88 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Mar. 1838 and sent to Isaac Sherman, Bridgeport, Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1839 $74.64 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '39 12.44 $87.08
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Cundy Clerk, A. Vol. 1. Page 201.

1933
Abah Nichols Aid of Phelps Com
Ad July 188
Mar 1789 Acc
Jan 31 188
Alau $24.55 per am Mash 4/83 from leaf 32/83
Have Sherman Es Bred-pat et

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport
On this 29 day of August. A.D. 1838
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the district of Stratford in said County Abrah Nichols a resident of Monroe in said County aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay said Pensions to certain Widows."
That she is the Widow of Philip Nichols late of said Monroe die who was a Pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency under Act of June 7. 1832 and to her Pension application at Washington she refers for proof of her said Husbands service in the Revolution
She further declared that she was married to the said Philip Nichols on the twenty first day of January Seventeen hundred and eighty nine (1789). That her husband the aforesaid Philip Nichols died at said Monroe of gravel on the 31 day of January 1836.
That she was not married to him prior to her leaving the service. The marriage took place on the first

of January 1794 viz at the time above stated —
That she was as aforesaid married in the Parish of North Stratford now called Brimfield in said Hampden County by the Rev. Israel Whitmore who was the Regular Pastor of the Congregational Church of said Parish at that time.
and that her maiden name was Abiah Nichols the daughter of Andrew Nichols and that she has a family Record of her husband in his life time as follows viz —
Phillip Nichols Married Abiah Nichols Jan. 21 st 1789
Abiah Nichols
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year first above written — before me Hanson Hamlin Judge
I hereby certify that there has been shown to me by the said applicant what appears to be an ancient Family Record, which the said applicant states was made by her late husband, the said Phillip Nichols, that it was torn by accident from his Family Bible, which Record contains an account of births, deaths & marriages in the family, and among others, the marriage of said Phillip Nichols & said Abiah Nichols, of which the above is a true copy, as examined by Me, Hanson Hamlin Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter that the above named Abiah Nichols is the Widow of Philip Nichols an a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner as she states.
Attest Isaac Sherman  Isaac Sherman  Isaac Sherman Judge
I Isaac Sherman Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abiah Nichols for a Pension and that Isaac Sherman is a Justice of the peace in & for Franklin County duly commissioned & qualified that his commission will expire in June 1839 and that his signature to the Deposition of Abiah Nichols the foregoing into answer are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court this 13 th day of September 1838
Isaac Sherman Clerk.

Stiles Nichols of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 77 years of age Deposith and saith that he was own brother to Philip Nichols late of Monroe in s d County and who testifies and says that he was present at the Marriage of said Philip to Abiah Nichols in the month of January 1789 and saw them married by the Rev. Isaac Whitmore Pastor of the Congregational Church of North Stratford (now called Trumbull) at the time aforesaid. and that said Philip died at said Monroe in January 1836 and left a Widow by the name of Abiah Nichols who is now a resident of s d Monroe and who has not married since the death of s d Philip and that said Philip was a citizen of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut Army
Stiles Nichols
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport Sept r 13. 1838 Personally appeared Stiles Nichols and subscribed and made Oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who I certify is a credible Witness well known to me.
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Suzon Nichols of Monroe in The County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut of Lawful age Deposeth and saith That he is a son of Philip & Abiah Nichols of Monroe and that his father Philip Nichols died at said Monroe on the 31 st day of January 1836 of gravel and that he was a Pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut agency under Act of June 7 th 1832 and that his mother the said Abiah Nichols has never married since the death of said Philip and that she is a resident of said Monroe -
Suzon Nichols
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport August 29. 1838 Personally appeared Suzon Nichols and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who I certify is a credible Witness
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield
Trombull Sept 5 th 1838
This certifies that I Mr Brinsmade of the Town aforesaid, being Clerk of the Church of Christ in s d Town, having carefully examined the records of s d Church, which records are in my custody, do not find the marriage of Philip Nichols to Abiah Nichols therein recorded.
It appears that the records at the time of the marriage of s d Nichols were kept by the Rev. Isaiah Whetmore he being the stated Pastor of the s d Church at that time, in the Year Seventeen hundred & eighty nine (1789)
5 Mr Brinsmade Clerk of the s d Church
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Windsorport Sept 5 th 1838
Personally appeared Mr Brinsmade and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above certificate before me who Testify it a credible Witness well known to me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17403
Abiah Nichols
Widow of
Philip Nichols
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 7. 1838
Index:—Vol. M , Page 86
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The applicant respectfully requests that the answer may be directed to
Stepney Post office in Monroe Ct. near which the applicant resides.
Samuel C. Blackman

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield Bridgeport
W. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir I send you the Pension application of the W m Abiah Nichols of Monroe in D r County you will please send his certificate to me.
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman

9866 Philip Nesholt
7m 16 fur
Claim Refaey P.O. Monroe Co
49 76 12 44 62 20

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Philip Nichols  Laurel 6 th V th which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no/yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? no

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

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