Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22450, for James Proudfoot, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Proudfoot, James
NUMBER 8 22450
B.L. Wt. 21.827-160-55
CONTENTS

22.662 Pittsburgh Penn.
James Broadfoot. of Washington in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the 6 o — commanded by Captain Travis of the Reg t commanded by Major Turnbull in the Penn a . a line for 8 months 27 days.
22,662
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a L ts P ty at the rate of 20 Dollars 78 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Benj. a H. Stewart. Washington. Penn a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. — 51.95. Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 34. 10.39. $62.34
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. 5 Page 87. five
see letter Oct. 27. 1840 to Hon. Isaac Scott M.C.
Same person to Third Auditor 11 th Decr 1840
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1834 to 4 March 1840 agt notified 26 Decr 1840
Nov 31 m 55 58151

27.9.32
Declaration of James Proudfoot Esq addressed Ben d Stewart Washington Penn a

Declaration of James Proudfoot Esquire in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Pennsylvania
Washington County
On this 1 st day of
October A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting James Proudfoot Esq a resident of Hanover Township in the County of Washington & State of Penn a aged Seventy three years on the 8 th day of Nov. next, 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. I first entered the service the 22 d day of September 1777 when we rendezvoused at Peck Botton ferry on the Susquehannah river in the State of Penn a My Company was commanded by Capt John Graves & Lieut W m Reed & Chas Dixon Ensign. We had three Com- panies in the Battalion which was com- manded by Major — Vanosdal. From our place of rendezvous we were marched up the Susquehannah to Reeds ferry, where we

left the river and marched across the Country to Lancaster, where those of our Battalion who were destitute were supplied with arms. From Lancaster we marched North east until we joined General Pat- Brigade the day after the battle of Ger- mantown, which occurred on the 4 th of October. From Germantown we were marched from place to place between the Delaware & the Schuylkill river, until finally we were marched across the Schuylkill to the west bank of s'd river where we were employed as scouts to prevent the British and Tories from carrying sup- plies into Philadelphia which was at this time occupied by the Royal forces under Sir Wm Howe. We remained in this service until the term of service for which the Company was called out had expired, when we were marched to- wards home but dismissed before we had got the length, and every man permitted to take his own road. On this occasion I served two months and was in no reg- ular engagement during the whole time. The second time I was also out two months
On this occasion I entered the service about the first of October 1780. under Capt. James Edgar by whom the Company was mar- ched to Camp Security about five mi- les below Little York on the Susquehanna

road from York to Lancaster. At Camp Security we joined several other Compa- nies under a Major whose name I have for- gotten. - We remained at the Camp for the two full months for which we had been drafted guarding the pris- oners (about 4000 in number) who had been captured at the defeat of General Burgayne. No incident worthy of men- tion occurred while we were in Camp except that we had a glorious day of rejoicing, when we heard the news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, which occurred on the 19 th of Oct 1781. When our term of service expired the Company was marched out of Camp and dismissed and every man took his own road home wards.
In the first week of Sep 1782 I was again drafted for two months. On this occasion we rendezvoused at Little York in York Co Penn a under Captain Shum as Klingen. From York we marched to Carlisle where we drew our provisions and ammunition, we were fitted out for an expedition against the hostile indi- ans west of the Allegheny. We understood that we were destined for the plains of

Sandusky - From Carlisle, we were marched to Cumberland in Maryland (then Fort Cum- berland) by the way of Shippensburg and Chambersburg along what was called Braddo- ck's road. From Cumberland we pursued the same road to a little town at the foot of the Laurel hill, now called Uniontown. From Uniontown we went direct to Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) from thence we marched up the Monongahela to the mouth of the Little Creek, which is about two miles be- low "Braddock's field". We remained encamped at the mouth of Little Creek until we were discharged, when every man was permitted to take his own road home. On this occasion I served two mo- nths and one week . The reason we did not proceed to Sandusky plain as we expected, was that we received a proc- lamation from Philadelphia stating that preliminary articles of peace had been adopted, or were about to be adopted between the Colonies & Mother Country. I was born on the eighth day of November 1760. in Nottingham Township Chester County Pennsylvania at which place I lived with my father as I am informed until I was 4 years old when he removed to Hopewell Township in York County in same state at which place I lived until I was 27 years of age. I have a record of my age in my father's large family bible which is now in my

pension. On each, and every occasion when I entered the service I lived lived in Hopewell Township in York County Penn a . I lived in York County until the year 1787 in November of which year I came to Washington County Penn a and settled on the farm where I now live - The first term of my service I was a volunteer, being only 17 years of age I was not liable to a draft. On the second & third occasions when I entered the service I was drafted. For the first and second time I was out in the service I received no written dis- charge - but for the third term I did re- ceive a written discharge which was given & signed by Capt Thos. Glengen which I lost some forty or fifty years since, I did not consider it of any importance at conse- quently took no care of it. The only of- ficers in the Regular service with whom I was acquainted were Col Hartley - Capt Greer & Lieut John Rife - I have no doc- umentary evidence with which to prove my services And I know of no person living who has a personal knowledge of my services and who be procured to can prove the same - All the services I rendered to my Country, which was six months and one week, was as a private , I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and de- clare that my name is not on the pension

hall of the Agency of any State I am well known to the following named persons in my neighborhood some of whom have known me for 40 or 50 years. Who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution viz The Hon W m M c Greery late member of Congress, James M c Ferran Esq Edward Jack- son Geo Jackson Dan M c Colonel Rev Elisha M c Curdy, Hon Boyd M c Cers Judge of this Court and Hon J. H. M c G. M c Kennan present member of Congress and many others old & respectable citizens And also the Hon Thomas H Baird Pres- ident Judge of this Court. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Thos Officer Pro James Prondfoot
We Boyd M c Curdy a clergyman residing in the County of Washington and Rev d Babbit John M c Sumner & H c Crawford residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Prondfoot Esq who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age in the ensuing autumn, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion. Boyd M c Curdy John M c Sumner & H c Crawford Sworn & subscribed Oct 15 th 1832 John M c Curdy

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 Boyd Mercer who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Washington and that Henry Babbit, Abramoff and John McConnel who have signed the same are resident in Washington Co and are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Officer Proth notary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applica- tion of James Broadfoot Esq for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 1st day of October A.D. 1833 —
Thos Officer Proth

58.151 act 3 March/55 April 10/55
Braden & Miller Sept 24/55 Oct 17/55 Hon. Jon. Knight. Apl. 8/55
James Provenfoot Private
Capt. Levy's } Penna Genl. Robt's } Mts. Pa. Militia, Pensylvania Revolutionary war
AD 1600 circa, Apl. 8 1856, Wm. June 32 Sept 1856 , Bryn Athyn
Hon. Jonathan Knight Ho. of Reps Braden & Miller Washington Penn a
Vol P. page 141

58.151

State of Pennsylvania County of Washington ss.
On this 6 th day of April One thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county of Washington and state aforesaid, James Prudfoot, aged 95 years, a resident of Washington County and State of Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James Prudfoot who was a private in the company commanded by Captain John Travis in the regiment of Pennsylvania Militia commanded by Gen. Potter in the Revolutionary war, that he was drafted in York county Penn s on or about the 23 rd day of September A.D. 1777, for the term of two months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days and was honorably discharged at Philadelphia On or about the 22 nd day of November A.D. 1777, that he performed two months service in the year 1781 under Captain Edgar guarding the prisoners taken at the surrender of Burgoyne, that he also performed two months service under Captain Klingan in 1782, that he is drawing a pension under the act of Congress 1830, that his name is enrolled in the pension office in Pittsburgh, reference thereto had will more fully appear.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the county land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March the 3 rd 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for county land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor, and he hereby authorizes J. C. Braden & G. W. Miller of Washington Pa. to receive said warrant as his attorney.
James Prudfoot

We, Jacob Hoffman and V. B. McCracken, residents of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, upon our Oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by James Broadfoot in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
Jacob Hoffman V. B. McCracken
The foregoing declaration and affidavit 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 person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim—
John McCallough Justice of the Peace

State of Pennsylvania County of Washington ss:-
I Wm S. Moore Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that John McCallough whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing
declaration and affidavit is, and was, at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly Commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts as such, are entitled to full faith and credit; And that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and the seal of my office at Washington this 7 th day of April A. D. 1855
Wm S. Moore Pro

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. James Proudfoot S.F. 22450
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 22, 1777 1 mo. Pvt. John Travis ✓ Penn.   Oct. 1, 1780 1 mo. " James Edgar ✓   Sept. 1782 1 mo. and 1 week " Thomas Ehingen ✓          
Battles engaged in, /
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hazleton Twp. York Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 1, 1832 His el was al.
Residence at date of application, Hanover Twp. Washington Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, Nov. 8, 1760 in Nottingham Twp. Chester Co. Penn.
Remarks: _____

21.82 } 5 Rec Aug

58.151
PAID
Genl J. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Printed 7" from 32, Pa.
ROF/DR

G.W. Miller
H.B.
Hon. Jonathan Knight
Washington City -
D.C.

58151
Pa.
James Broadfoot
W.D. 32-22662-
Ex Pa
Hon. J. Minot (Commissioner of Pensions) Washington City, D.C.

Mr Boynton will share with Horse Knight.
Official business
Gen. J. Mink Census - Patents Washington D.C.

Providence
22450
INVALID.
1911 Jan'y 30 Hist. to Mr. Cornston. V.L.M.
File No. 22,450
James Brownfoot Rev Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 827
[Arrangement of 1870.]

05427P
JAN 26 1911

610 Arch St., Meadville, Pa.
Jan 23, 1911,
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, - Will you kindly inform me if, on the list of Revolutionary pen- sioners is found the name of Andrew Proudfoot, (or Proudfit) or James Proudfoot, of Hopewell Township, York Co., Pa.,
James Proudfoot lived later in Washing- ton Co., Pa. is said to have drawn his pension in Pittsburgh.
I understand there is no fee required for supplying such information.
I shall be greatly obliged by a prompt reply.
Very truly yours,
M. Compton.

James Proudfoot - Plum a Pitts burgh R.M. at $ 20.78 per Annum.
Be pleased to say to what time he was last paid.
Plenpin Office
10 th . 4 th March 1834
JA

Harrisburg April 4 th /56 Hon. Jonathan Knight. Dr Sir;
I made an application for Bounty land some time since for an old Revolutionary soldier and the application was suspended, for want of record  evidence of service . I now find in the Auditor General's Books of the State payment for Service to Mr James Prudett.
Now I hope you will please take this certificate enclosed to the proper Department & have the warrant issued immediately . Mr Prudett - Prudie in F. town is one of our best & oldest citizens, & more than that he is one of the few survivors of the revolution & by all means his claim should receive immediate attention . He is now near 100 years of age & may drop off any day. I hope you will please see to the & oblige your friend Geo. W. Miller (over)

P.S. I will say further that if they are not satisfied with this that Mr. Prudfit has drawn a pension from the State of Pennsylvania based upon his services as an recd in the Auditor General's Office.
I hope however that the Department will be satisfied with this evidence which is undoubtedly the best that can be produced.
Mr. Prudfit is now so old & feeble that unless the warrant is issued soon he will never receive it.
Send the warrant if issued to me or let the Department send it to
Braden & Miller. Atty's Washington Pa

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 17 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," James Roundfoot, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Pittsburgh, Pa. Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and 78 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1834, to the 1 st March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Alison B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Oct 26 40.
Grand Forks Park
FREE
James N. Edward Esqr Commr of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Washington Penna Octo 21 st 1840
Dear Sir:
I send you enclosed, a letter from Mr John  James L. Prowfoot an old Pensioner, which you will please examine and send him the necessary directions, to enable him to obtain the balance of his pension. This is the case of a pensioner, who has neglected for a year and upwards, to apply for his pension. You will please return to me, the letter, with your directions and blank forms &c.
Yours very respectfully &c
James L. Edwards Esq
Isaac Lest

28. 157.

Indian Office, April. 8 th 1856.
Sir:
In answer to Your letter of the 7 th inst: I have the honor to state, that the country land claim of James Broadfoot, has this day been admitted for 160 acres.
I am, with much respect, Your Ob t : Servant,
Simint
Commissioner,
Hon: Jonathan Knight, Ho: of Reps:

981
Frederick Miller Washington Pa
Oct 14/55
James Proudfoot Not on South file Oct 15/55 Malcolm
Bryanton

Washington Pa. Oct. 11 th 1855
Gen. J. Minot
Dr. Sir
Your communication of (No 58,151) 24 th of Sept. last in reference to the claim of James Bransfield for bounty land under the act of 3 d of March 1855 has been recd. The claim you say is suspended because there is no record of his service in your office —
If there is no record you will allow me to say that there ought to be. The applicant is very old and poor man is now drawing a pension at the office in Pittsburgh, of which fact you can have conclusive proof by addressing a line to Hon John Grayson who is the agent at that place. We can produce the affidavits of twenty men if necessary to prove that he did serve in the Revolutionary War and that too until its close We should think that the Department should at once stop paying Mr. Bransfield's Pension if they have come to the conclusion that he never

performed the service for which. he is now drawing it. Please to inform us of the best way to establish this old man's claim, and we will follow any directions you may give for we know him to be entitled under the act. to his claim, and it would be very unfortunate for him if there can be no record of it found at the proper office
Respectfully &c.
Brecken & Miller
Step for the Applicant

House Reps
April 8 th 1856
Hon J. Minot
Comm ee Pensions
Esteemed Friend
I have the honor to enclose for your consideration and action, a letter from Hon. Geo. H. Miller, a member of the Legislature now sitting at Harrisburg from my County of Wash. Pa. accompanied by a documentary evidence of the Revolutionary services of James Broadfoot (or Broadfitt), of the same County (in my Cong l . district); and asking for bounty Land.
Mr Miller states the very advanced age of the applicant (who is also personally known by myself) and urges that the good old patriots' claim may receive the immediate favor of your official regard; in which request, I most cordially join. Be so good as to advise me in writing at earliest convenience.
Very respectfully
Y. fr d
W. Knight!

Certificate of pay of James Proudfoot a Revolutionary soldier

No 13764] B
£ 13.2.6 Specie.
I Do hereby certify, that the State of Pennsylvania is indebted to James Proudfoot of York Co. Militia in the sum of thirteen pounds two shillings & six pence — Specie, with lawful Interest from the first Day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty three; the same being due upon an Account settled in this office. Pursuant to an Act of Assembly, passed the first Day of April 1784.
Comptroller General's office } 5 Januy 1787.
J. W. Nicholson
Auditor General's office Harrisburg Pa April 4th 1856.
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the original certificate remaining on file in this office. Witness my hand, and seal of office the day & year above written.
E. Panno Auditor General

27.732 22.662
James Proudfoot. Penn o
Adm. H. Montague G. G. days
20. 78
 20.782  41.56  10.39  51.93 
Benf. H. Stewart Washington Penn o

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
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,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.