Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,693, for Stephen Merrit, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Merrit, Stephen or Merritt, or Merret
W.25.693 B.L.Mt.36198-160-55.
CONTENTS
Meritt.
Dicey

act Mass 215.096 Sept 28/83
Nancy Merritt wid of Stephen Merritt
Capt Dale
Adm
36198ip
Ent Dis
49
Revlylia Pensioned set July 3. 1853 Samsica ed 27 141 July 58-7 5464 AD:160 Oct 29/56 B Dph
John P. Dickinson Present
Vol 16 = 2.8

5464 Kentucky Dacey Merritt widow of Stephen Merritt NC who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 dollars cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 8 th day of Sept r 1853 and sent to J. P. Dickinson Present.
215096
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act February 3, 1853, Page 75 Vol. 1

23 Dec 1863
29. 299
Kentucky
Stephen Merritt of Allen County in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Powers of the 1st Regiment commanded by _____ in the line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Winter City at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Feb. 1833 and David Walker Scottsville
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 75 3/4 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/4 Mar. 15 3/4 $90 3/4
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 24

DECLARATION FOR WIDOW
Who has never received Bounty Land.
STATE OF Kentucky } ss. COUNTY OF Allen }
On this 25 th day of September 1855, personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, (duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Mrs Dicy Merritt, aged 75 years, a resident of the County of Allen in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Stephen Merritt, deceased, who was a soldier, in the company commanded by Capt. _____, in the Regiment of _____
commanded by Col. _____ in the war with of the Revolution; that she is now drawing a pension of $100 per annum payable at the Agency in Louisville, Kentucky, under Act of Feb'y 3 rd 1853.
That her said husband entered the service of the United States at _____ on or about the _____ day of _____ 18____, for the term of _____ and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least fourteen days, and was honorably discharged from said service as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said company, not having any knowledge of the manner of her said husband's discharge. She further states that she was married to the said _____, in the County of _____ State of _____, on or about the _____ day of _____ 18____, by _____
and that her name before her said marriage was Dicy Levi, that her said husband died at in Allen Co Ky, on the 23 rd day of December 1843, and that she is still a widow.
For proof of service and death of her husband and of her marriage and present widowhood, she refers to her Pension papers on file at Washington.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855, never having received Bounty Land under this or any other act, nor made any other application for Bounty Land except the present.
JOHN P. DICKINSON, of Washington, D. C., is hereby authorized to prosecute this my claim and to receive any warrant that may be issued hereon.
Dicy her Merritt [SEAL.]
AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
We Harrison Benedict and Samuel Hains residents of the County and State aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Dicy Merritt, in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
And we further declare that we were well acquainted with the said Stephen Merritt and Dicy Merritt his wife (now the widow) during the life time of the former, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to have been so generally reputed. That her said husband, the said Stephen Merritt died at in Allen Co Ky on the 23 rd day of December 1843, and that she is still a widow; and that they have no interest in this claim.
Harrison Benedict [SEAL.]
Samuel Hains [SEAL.]
* If no public or private record of the marriage exists, or can be procured, state the fact in the declaration, after the word widow; and in such case, such other evidence, such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, will be admissible.
If a public or private record exist, an authenticated copy thereof must be furnished; if it be a private record, the authenticated copy thereof must be accompanied with the affidavit of some disinterested person, proving the genuineness of the original, and that the copy certified is a true and correct copy of it.
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.

210096
Act of 1855.
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW. Who has never received Bounty Land.
Claim of
Dicy Merritt Widow of Stephen Merritt
FILED BY
JOHN P. DICKINSON, WASHINGTON, D. C.
MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE.
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 she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Thos. Harston J. P.
COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATE.
STATE OF Kentucky COUNTY OF Allen
} ss.
I hereby certify that Thomas Harston Esq.
before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, this 26 day of Sept 18 55 —
Samuel Livingston Clerk. By J. P. Fitzpatrick D.C.

State of Kentucky County of Allen } SS.
On this the 10 day of June 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before William Hain, Edwin Morley, Thos. Sutter, William Frazier -Trick, Samuel E. Carpenter, prob ate county court justices of the county court in and for said county then in the courthouse of said county in court sitting. Stephen Merritt a resident of the county and state afore- -said aged 71 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 7. 1832.
This applicant upon his said Oath declar eth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War; but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For Three months I served as a private of infantry under Capt d Brinkley in 1778. For Three months I served as a private under Capt d Powers in 1779. For Three months I served as a private under Capt d Pitts in 1780. And for such Service I claim a pension.
To the questions prescribed by the department of War this applicant upon his said Oath declar eth and saith as follows (so said) To Question the 1 st this applicant responds that he was born in the county of Halifax in the state of North Carolina some time in 1762 as from the best information he has ever had on the subject he doth very firmly believe. To Question the 2 nd That he has no Record of his age and knows of no person who had. To Question the 3 rd That he lived in Halifax county state of North Carolina when called into the service: That since the Revolutionary War he removed to Rockingham county North Carolina, from thence he moved to Cape Fair River same state county not recollected, from thence he moved to Pendleton county South Carolina, from thence to Barren county Kentucky and from thence to Allen county where he now lives. To Question the 4 th That he was drafted as a

Private of Militia into the service of his country. To Question the 5 th That he does not recollect the names of any persons known to him to have been Regular Officers who were with the troops where he served. That he served under Generals Caswell and Linnington and in the Regiment commanded by Colo: William Lytle and other Field Officers whose names he has forgotten; all of whom he believes to have been militia Officers and in the companies commanded by Captains Brinckley, Powers and Pitts of Infantry. That the general circumstances of his service are as follows (To wit). This Applicant was drafted out of Captain Dickson's company of Militia at Infield Old Courthouse Halifax County State of North Carolina some time in March or April of the year 1778, and there and then placed under the command of Capt Brinckley from thence in said Brinckley's company of Infantry and under his command he marched to Hillsborough N. Carolina, thence to Wilmington, thence to the interior of the State to the country bordering on the Enoree and Congaree Rivers to suppress the Tories who were pillaging and devastating the country. That having served out his enlistment which was for Three months he was discharged in June or July to the best of his recollection at Long Creek. That in August 1779 applicant was again drafted out of same company same County and State and was placed under command of Capt. Powers of Militia Infantry, that he marched under Captain Powers and in his company as a private to Wilmington N. Carolina, thence to the Coharie Swamps against the British and Tories, and after serving out the term of his enlistment Three months he was discharged some time in the month of November to the best of his recollection again at Long Creek.
That in May or June of the year 1780 he was again drafted to perform a Three months term of duty as a private of Infantry Militia, from the same County & State and out of the same Militia company as before. That he was placed under command of Capt. Pitts and served as a private under him for the term of his enlistment. That Capt. Pitts marched his company this

applicant being sent to Halifax town near Roan Oak river, that they crossed the R. River near said Town when the company threw up a breast work expecting that the British then at Halifax would attack them. That the day after the British fired upon them across the river for several hours, that their fire was returned by said Company, and the enemy lost several men in the engagement who never seem to fall. In the evening believing that the British intended to cross the river and attack us in our intrenchments, the Company retreated up the river on the Virginia side opposite Granville Old Courthouse, where they recrossed the river, marched from thence to Halifax, and from Halifax proceed to join the division of the American army under General Gates, and reached not far from Clearmont on the day of the battle between the Americans and British called "Gates's defeat". That after Gates' defeat that they retreated across the river at the Shara Hills from thence to Coles bridge on deep drowning creek, from thence said company was marched to Hillsborough and discharged to the best of his recollection in August or September.
This applicant upon his said Oath further states. That from the intervening time and transactions between the times and events above set forth and the time of his making this declaration, it is probable that he may have incorrectly narrated some things and may have omitted some of which the recollection has escaped his recollection memory, if he has done so in either case, the error is wholly unintentional and he feels confident that his statement is true. To the 6 th interrogatory this applicant states upon his said Oath that he recollects having received discharge from each of the Captains under whom he served, or from the officers who commanded when the troops were discharged. This applicant had his discharge at his father's residence in Halifax County N. Carolina, where he left them.

many years ago. Applicant not believing them of any service to him after the war, never applied for them and they are no doubt destroyed and out of his power to procure them, the family residence in Halifax having passed many years since into the hands of strangers who had no interest in them. To the 7 th Interrogatory he states that he is known to many persons in his present neighbourhood who can testify as to his character for truth and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution and refers to Zachariah Bridges, Uriah Whitney, John G. Whitney, George W. Mansfield, Flemming Harris and John Whitney Esq r amongst others who would doubtless add their testimony in his behalf. This applicant further states that he has no documentary evidence nor can he procure the deposition of any persons except Mr s Ann Whitney and John Whitney whose deposition are appended hereto to prove his services as above set forth, he states that the s d Ann Whitney by reason of old age and infirmity is unable to attend in Court in consequence of which her deposition was taken by the nearest justice of the peace at her own house in Allen County Kentucky.
This applicant hereby relinquishes every claim to pension whatever or to annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed in Open Court his Stephen Merritt the day and year first aforesaid. mark
We John Brooks a Clergyman residing in Allen County Kentucky and Flemming W Harris and George W Mansfield residing in the same County and State aforesaid Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Merritt who has subscribed and sworn

to the above declaration: that we believe him to be 71 years old; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the day and year first aforesaid.
John Brooks Glenning W. Hays G. P. Mansfield
State of Kentucky Allen County Set.
I the undersigned a resident of Allen County Kentucky being first duly sworn according to law, depose and say: That I have heard the foregoing declaration of Stephen Merritt read and believe the statements made therein to be true For the following reasons (to wit) This deponent states upon his said Oath that he has known and lived near said Merritt thirty years or upwards and hath often heard said Merritt make in substance the same statements as to his having served as a Soldier in the revolutionary war as in his said declaration are set forth. This deponent further states that he recollects many years ago being in company with said Stephen and others who were reputed to have been Soldiers of the Revolution, that in the conversations held by and between them about the Revolutionary war they related incidents that they all admitted to have happened, and come under the notice and observation of them all, and some of which S d Merritt had acted a part. This deponent recollects hearing his uncles who were in the Revolutionary War state many years since that said Merritt served with them in said War. For the reasons above as well as from S d Stephens reputation in his neighbourhood this deponent is of opinion that S d Stephen was a Soldier of the Revolution and served as by him stated.

This deponent further states that as a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Allen State of Kentucky he did on the 1 st day of June 1833 attend at the house of Mrs. Ann Whitney in said County and there and then said Ann, swore to and subscribed the deposition purporting to be here, the same hereunto annexed, and that by reason of Old age and infirmity the said Ann Whitney is unable to attend Court to have her deposition taken therein. That the signature to said deposition is the genuine certificate signature of said Ann, and that the signature thereto purporting to be the signature of John Whitney P.C.A.G. is the genuine signature of this deponent and that said deposition was read to and explained to, and fully understood by the said Ann Whitney at and before her signing the same. Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court John Whitney the same day and year first aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories by the department of War prescribed that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them in proof that John Brooks — who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Allen County State of Kentucky and that Fleming W. Harris and sworn to and George W. Mansfield — who also signed the same are residents in the same County and State aforesaid. That the deponents Ann Whitney and John Whitney are likewise residents of the same County and State aforesaid and that the said John Whitney is and was on the 1 st day June 1833 a Justice of the peace in and for Allen County aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified to act. And the Court further certifies that the deponents Ann and John Whitney and all those who have sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Certificate are credible persons and their foregoing statements well entitled to credit.

and belief.
Signed in behalf of the Court
H. H. Hanning Presiding Justice of the Allen County Court Kentucky
State of Kentucky Allen County Set.
I David Walker Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Allen and State of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Merritt for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 12 th day of June 1833.
David Walker Clerk of Allen County Kentucky

State of Kentucky } County of Allen } SS
On this fifteenth day of August 1855, personally appeared before the Thomas Harston "justice of Peace of Allen County — Mrs Dicy Merritt, a resident of the County of Allen in the State aforesaid, aged 75 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed Feb'y 3 d 1835. That she is the widow of Stephen Merritt, dec'd, who was a private in the companies of Kentucky Troops commanded by Captains Powers, Brinkley & Pitts, and served nine months or more in the years 1778-79 & 80, and who was pensioned at the rate of $30 per annum, under Act of June 7 th 1832. She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Merritt on the 24 th day of July A.D. 1828 that her husband the said Stephen Merritt, died on the 23 rd day of December A.D. 1843 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof here to annexed. Dicy F. Merritt. Seal maker

The foregoing declaration was sworn to and subscribed, on the day above written, before Thomas Harston and acting justice of the peace Within & for the County & State aforesaid Thos Harston J. P. &c.
State of Kentucky Allen County Set
We Samuel Harston and Samuel Hains both of said County aged respectively 75 and 53 years do certify that we were well & intimately acquainted with Stephen Merritt who died in this County in the month of December Eighteen hun- -dred and forty three the said Stephen Merritt at the time of his death was a Revolutionary pensioner of the united States at the rate of about $30 a year and had resided in this County about (20) years previous to his death From our respective earliest acquaintance with said Stephen Merritt he and Mrs. Dicy Merritt lived together as husband and wife and were reputed so to be among their neighbors and acquaintance according to what we have always had and believe the said Stephen Merritt and Dicy were Lawfully Married in Kentucky in the year 18 Eighteen hun- -dred, twenty eight and the name of said Dicy before said Marriage was Dicy Levi) The said Stephen Merritt at the time of his death left said Mrs. Dicy Merritt his Widow since when she has never Married again but is still the Widow of said Stephen

Merritt she now lives in this County and at even date herewith made a declaration before Thomas Harston a justice of the peace for this County claiming pension as the Widow of said Stephen Merritt We made a joint affidavit of same date accompanying her said declaration and we refer to that for the reasons of respective statement and we are disinterested Witnesses Attest Samuel Harrington
Attest 2 Witnesses name of witness Samuel Harrington + Tho' Harston J.P.A.C. Both of Allen County } Kentucky }
State of Kentucky Allen County Set
Sworn to and subscribed before me, a justice of the peace in and for said County on this 15 th day of August 1855. Said Affiants are of Good Reputation for truth and veracity & I believe them to be of the respective ages that they call themselves and to be disinterested and I am myself so I further certify that the Witness my name hereunto signed owing to the age of said Merritt is bodily infirm and unable to attend Court in person Tho' Harston J.P.A.C.
State of Kentucky Allen County Set
I Samuel Swearingen Clerk of the County Court of the County of State aforesaid do certify that Thomas Harston Esq r whose Genuine signature appears to the foregoing Certificate was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified. I further state that

Mrs Dicy Merrill Who is well known to me did on this the 15 day of august 1855 Sign the foregoing declaration & I believe her to be of the age that she calls herself I further Certify that Said Dicy Merrill is known to me as the reputed Widow of Stephen Merrill due to the Said Dicy a reputed revolutionary pensioner of the United States in the Kentucky agency I find that the estate of Stephen Merrill was Administered on in the Allen County Court on the 8 day of January 1844 & it was proven to the satisfaction of the Court that Said Stephen Merrill departed this life on the 23 day of December 1843, leaving the Said Dicy Merrill then as his widow I further Certify that from the Records of my office it appears that there was issued by the Clerk of Said Court Marriages License to Consolidate the Rites of Matrimony between Said Stephen Merrill & Dicy Merrill Bearing date 26 th day of July 1828. & though Said License has never been returned to Said office according to law yet I believe the Rites of Matrimony were consummated by a legal authorized Minister but he has failed to make return of them according to law I further state that the above affiants
Whose reputation for truth & veracity is well known to me to be good I further Certify that I am disinterested
Witness my name and official seal at my office in Scottville on this the 15 day of august 1855.
General Swannigan C.O.C. By J. N. Fitzpatrick B.D.C.

e 1025785.
Stephen Merit Allen County Kentucky
from 1778 private 9 months $30
David Walker bld Allen County Kentucky

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 Stephen Merrett Allen County Kentucky
   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.     Served 1778 — 3 — private Capt Brumley 71 years Halifax County N. Carolina Traditionary evidence Witnesses certified credible - papers correctly Attached   Served 1779 — 3 — " Capt Pourns   Served 1780 — 3 — " Capt Pits  
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) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [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.

Stephen Merritt
25785.
diela

State of Kentucky County of Allen ss
This day personally appeared before me the undersigned John Whitney a justice of the peace in and for the County of Allen aforesaid Mrs Whitney aged about seventy five years, a resident of the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that she is well acquainted with Stephen Merritt of Allen County Kentucky that said Merritt and deponent were raised children together in the County of Halifax in the State of North Carolina, that during the Revolutionary War the deponent lived within a mile and an half of the father of said Stephen in Halifax County, North Carolina, that said Stephen then resided with his father. This deponent recollects that during the Revolutionary War, she frequently heard of said Stephen's being drafted to fight the British and Tories, and that she saw him when he left the neighborhood to serve against the British and Tories, as it was then stated and as she has always understood and believes. That to the best of her recollection said Stephen left his father as often as three times, being drafted as she always under- stood as a soldier of the Revolutionary War, that he was absent from the neighborhood for some time, thereafter, and she thinks it probable that he was gone as long as two or three months each time. That said Stephen has often related to her and to others in her hearing the incidents and particulars of his service in the American Army. That she always considered him and has no doubt of his having been a soldier of the Revolution. This deponent further states that she is unable by reason of her bodily infirmities she cannot attend the Court to have her deposition taken there

This deponent further states that she has lived near said Stephen Merritt for many years and that he has always had the reputation of being a soldier of the Revolution.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1 st June 1833. John M. Whitney
John M. Whitney J.P. &c.
State of Kentucky Allen County ss } I John M. Whitney justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original hereon file and of the whole thereof.

Stephen Merritt died 23 Decr. 1843 buried in fence
W. H. Taylor Wenig doct tor
Aug 6/58

Pen off Sep 4 1855
Sir
Please inform me when Stephen Meritt of Ky. act 1832 at #30 was last paid
Respectfully
Very Respectfully
Clanton
23 Dec 43
D. Cole
Impett
C.C.

Brief in the case of Dicy Merrett widow of Stephen County and State of New Bedford act 3 Feb 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832 at $30 a year Marriage shown by the Certificate of the Clerk of the County in which the event occurred that Marriage (If for increase.)  licence was issued from his Parish Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? for that purpose, and a habitation, several reports of marriage, identity, his death & her widowhood proved by credible witnes- ses,
Name and residence of Agent J. P. Dickinson Esq Boston
Hampton Lippitt Examining Clerk.

Washington D.C. Sept 1 st 1885
J. M. Minal Esq
Sir
I present herewith the Application of Mrs. Mary Merritt widow of Stephen Merritt dec'd, for Pension under Act of Feb'y 3 rd 1883.
Respectfully &c
Ino P. Wilkinson

Raw  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25 693 Dinah Merritt wid of Stephen Merritt Pris Rev. war
Act Feb. 3rd 1865.
Index: Vol M , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Stephen Merit 77 Case examined This 30 th April 1854 by S. B. True
S. B. True Present

Case examined this

Dicey Ferritt Widow of Stephen Kentucky, and 3 Febry 1833 Pension of $30 00 per annum from the papers of the act
Cert to J P Dickinson Esq Present

No 5993 Dicy Merritt Widow of Stephen Kentucky
3 rd Feb y 1853

5 No. 198
} Geo. Ains

Stephen Merritt Revol! pensions, Kentucky Roll Act June 7 th 1832.
Die Rinson
Refer 2/1832