Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,621, for Silas Parker, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Parker, Silas
S 17621
Mass Sea Service
Mary
B.L.Wt. 61.004.160-55
Privateer
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for contents]
[Blank lined area for contents]

196,257. Mar. 3. 1855.
July 30.
Molly Parker, widow of Giles Parker, Marine.
Parker,
End. Dis.
W. M. H. G. & Co. Parker, March 31st 1857
General
Revolutionary War Pensioner. (9)
Map June 32-21662
" also 2 d July 48 - N o 77
Adm o as Mich st 1857 if she has not rec d as the widow formerly of Chas. Herbert,
W. M. H. G. & Co.
Wapley & Young John D. Johnson Present
W. W. Young July 30 1857 End P
Vol. P. 29. 2

21.662 Massachusetts
Silas Parker
of Alder in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Perkins of the Regt commanded by Col Little in the Mass & line for 10 months Privateer & Mass Sea Service
aw
Enscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Oct 1833 and sent Mr. Mount Newburyport Mass.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $83.33 mutant. allowance ending Mar 34 - 16.67 $100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R.H. Adams Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 66
196257
85 Eper

Silas Parkin Map
Private & Marine 10 Mos
5 06 May 25 1833
O. 407
15 109
35 53 2
66 66
16 49
83 55
W. Moart
Newburyport
Mass

BRIEF in the case of Silas Parker  Co of Ussek  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before the Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 83  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     April In 1775 enlisted 8 Private Gen. Gage   enlisted 1778 on board 5 Private Gen. Sullivan   " " Armed Ship 2 Private Gen. Thomas  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Took some Prizes  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newbury Port Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Three living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H' Capt of Marine
George D. Dyer
Examining Clerk.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
State of Massachusetts: County of Essex ss.
On this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared _____ before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex, aforesaid, now sitting at Newburyport. Silas Parker a resident of Newburyport in the county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, aged Eighty three years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
He first enlisted at said Newburyport, in the month of April 1775, in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Perham; the regiment commanded by Colonel Moses Little, Massachusetts Militia, and served as a private in said company at Cambridge until the last day of December following being Eight months, according to the term of his enlistment - a part of which time he assisted in building Barracks for winter Quarters for the Army. had no written discharge.
Also shipped and entered on board the private armed Brig Pallat, commanded by Captain James Patinson, mounting Fourteen carriage guns, and manned with about Twenty men, and commissioned by the Government of the United States - Sailed in said Brig from said Newburyport for Gloucester and from thence on a cruise in the month of April 1778, and was absent in her on said cruise more than Nine months, during which they captured and destroyed several British vessels, one of which was a Brig laden with rum, sugar, and other produce of the West Indies, bound from Jamaica for Europe. Served on board the said Brig as Captain of Marines.
Also shipped and entered on board the armed Ship Vengeance, commanded by Captain Thomas Fitch in Massachusetts (and armed, on an Expedition, with other forces against the Enemy, at Penobscot) and was in said Expedition as near as the necklets about Three months.
That he was born at Malden in the year 1748 knows family record of his birth - lived at Newburyport when he voluntarily enlisted in said service - refers to Revd Mr. Melton and Thomas M'Clusky for evidence of his character for veracity, and believes his revolutionary services
That he now resides in Newburyport aforesaid and has resided there more than fifty years previous to which he lived at Malden. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not in the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Giles Parker
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, by said Parker, who from bodily infirmity cannot attend Court D. A. White Judge of Probate.

We Rev d Charles W m Metton a Clergyman, residing in Newburyport aforesaid and Salomon H h Burnier Esquire, a Magistrate, residing in Newburyport aforesaid, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Silas Parker who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration: that we believe him to be eighty three years of age and upwards, 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.
Subscribed and sworn to before
Charles W m Metton
W m Lloyd Justice of the Peace
S h H h Burnier
And the said Court hereby declares its 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 the Rev d Charles W m Metton who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, residing in said Newburyport and that the said Salomon H h Burnier who has also signed the same, is a Magistrate resident at Newburyport aforesaid — and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
D r A. D. Pillsbury Justice of the Peace
I Nathaniel Lord Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Parker for a pension.
Also, that William Ward is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex and that his signature to each of the affidavits annexed is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the eleventh day of September A.D. 1832.
N h Lord Jr. Off

Silas Parker fin
15109
151
151
151

I Amos Pearson of Newburyport in the county of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts a Eighty three years and upwards, do hereby certify and my Friend Silas Parker of Newburyport who is well known to me was a private soldier in the company commanded by Capt Benjamin Perham in the year 1775. in the light infantry service so called
Amos Pearson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Newburyport, September 3 d 1832. Then Amos Pearson above named, who is personally well known to me personally came and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written affidavit before him subscribed in my presence - I also certify that said Amos Pearson is believed by me to be a credible witness.
William Pittman Notary Public

I Lemuel Cossin of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years and upwards do, on oath do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Silas Parker of said Newburyport, and do know that said Silas Parker was a soldier, and served in the war of the Revolution in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Perkins; in the regiment commanded by Colonel Moses Little, (and that he served therein at Cambridge, the full term of Eight months - I was a private in the same company - and know that he served from sometime in April 1775 to the last day of December following or 1 st of January 1776 Newburyport September 3 d 1832.
Lemuel Cossin
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. September 3 d 1832. Then Lemuel Cossin, above named, who is personally well known to me personally came, and made oath, in due form of law, to the truth of the above written deposition, by him subscribed in my presence. — I do also certify, that the said Lemuel Cossin is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. W. Oates, Justice of the peace

I Thomas Evans of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged twentyone years, on oath do testify and declare, that I was a seaman on board the private armed Brig Dallas, in the war of the revolution, and I do know that Silas Parker of said Newburyport - was Captain of Marines on board the same Brig and sailed in her on a cruise from said Newburyport in the month of April 1778 - and served in her as such more than five months - said Brig was armed with fourteen brass guns and light swivels - and carried between seventy and eighty men - and commissioned by the Government of the United States as a privateer, was commanded by Captain James Saltonstall.
Newburyport Aug 2 d 1832.
Thomas Evans
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Newburyport August 2 d 1832. Then Thomas Evans, above named, who is personally known to me, personally came, and made oath to the truth of the above written declaration by him subscribed in my presence - I do also certify, that the said Thomas Evans, is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. H. Cross, Justice of the Peace.

196,257.
Tapley W. Gaunt
Present
Palmer

State of Massachusetts } County of Essex } S.S.
On this eighth day of June A.D. 1855 Personally appeared before me Joshua Coffin a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Molly Parker a resident of Newburyport in said County and State aged eighty nine years; who first being duly sworn according to law; declares that she is the widow of Silas Parker deceased. who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. at the rate of Thirty three dollars and Thirty three cents. per annum. That her said husband's pension certificate was issued to him, on or about the month of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three, She further states that she was married to the said Silas Parker of Newburyport on the eighteenth day of January in the year Eighteen hundred and ten by one Daniel Dana Pastor of Presb. Church Newburyport and that her name before her said marriage was Molly Sleeper That her said husband died at Newburyport on the seventh day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty two. and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress approved March 3. 1855.
Molly Parker

We, Rufus Danforth and Samuel Shaw, residents of Newburyport in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Molly Parker, in our presence; and that we know her to be the identical widow of Silas Parker late of said Newburyport who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and that she has remained his widow ever since his death.
Rufus Danforth Samuel Shaw
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year within written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the identical widow of Silas Parker above mentioned; and that I have no interest in this claim.
Joshua Coffin, Justice of the Peace
Parker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, Eleazer Johnson Clerk of the City of Newburyport in the County of Essex, hereby certify that it appears by the records of said City now in my custody - that Deacon, Silas Parker, and Mrs Mary Herbert both of Newburyport were married by Rev d Daniel Dana - Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport January eighteenth eighteen hundred and ten.
Also that Deacon, Silas Parker, died December seventh eighteen hundred and thirty two aged eighty three years nine months.
Given under my hand at Newburyport this eighth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and fifty five Eleazer Johnson City Clerk
I, Eleazer Johnson above named on Oath do declare that I hold the Office of Clerk of the City of Newburyport aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said city now in my possession with the exception only that on said record the date is expressed in full legible figures thus "January 18." 1810 Also December 7. th 1832, 83 years 9. months.
Eleazer Johnson City Clerk
Subscribed & duly sworn to before me this ninth day of June A.D. 1855 & I certify that I have no interest or concern in the prosecution or result of this claim. Joshua Coffin, Justice of the Peace.

And I further certify that Eleazer Johnson is now Clerk of the City of Newburyport - Joshua Coffin, Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts } County of Essex } S.S.
On this seventeenth day of March A.D. 1857.
Parker Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace, within and for said County. Molly Parker, a resident of Newburyport in said County and State aged about 91. — years; who first being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that she is the widow of Silas Parker, late of said Newburyport, and that she is the identical Molly Parker who made an application to the United States government for bounty land (under the act of Congress passed March 3. A.D. 1855), on account of services rendered by said Silas Parker in the Revolutionary war. That she never has received a warrant for bounty land under any act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor, and this deponent further saith, that she was formerly the widow of Charles Herbert, late of said Newburyport, that her name prior to her marriage to said Charles Herbert was Molly Butler which was her maiden name. That her name prior to her marriage to said Silas Parker was Molly Herbert. + Rufus D. Dafford Molly Parker
+ Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me.
J. H. Burson Justice of the Peace

And I hereby certify that Molly Parker the within deponent, is to me well known. That she is of sound mind and memory. That she sustains a good character for truth and veracity, and her words and attestations are entitled to full faith and credit, And I further certify that I have no interest in this matter
S. H. CURRIE Justice of the Peace
Essex J s March 17 1857.

17621
INVALID.
No. 17621
Silas Parker
Br Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 426
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ms. A. 9. 2. 26. 63 Pm 26. 63
Walter Parker
Adams
Lynton
Adal Essence. Recd of Mar 3/55. No 196. 25 7/7. D. S.
} }
Hon.
Geo. C. Whiting Comr of Pensions
Present.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Essex, City of Newburyport. } Js.
On this 17 th day of March A D One thousand eight hundred and fifty seven. Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and and State aforesaid Molly Parker of Newburyport a resident of the State of Massachusetts. who being duly sworn according to Law testifies and declares, that she is the Widow of Silas Parker, deceased who was a Private in the revolutionary War, and is the identical person that has made application for bounty land under the Act of March 3 rd 1855. for services of her late husband Silas Parker deceased.
She further testifies that she never has received any land warrant for bounty land under any Act of Congress, nor made any application therefor, except the one now on file in the Commissioners Office. She further testifies that she was formerly the widow of Charles Herbert, now deceased, late of Newburyport, and that her name before her marriage to said Charles Herbert was Molly Butler, and that she was married to the aforesaid Silas Parker in Newburyport on the 10 th day of January A D . 1810, by one Daniel Dana a clergyman and that her name before said marriage was Molly Herbert and that her said husband died at Newburyport on the 7 th of December A D . 1832, and that she is now a widow.
She further testifies that it also appears, that my said Husband was a revolutionary pensioner, and the papers were prepared and sent to Washington and that I received the first payment after his death up to the time he died 7 th December 1832, and have never received any pension since. she further testifies that she has received a Pension certificate for $57.88 3 / 4 per annum during life dated June 12. 1848. in the name of Molly Parker, under the services of Charles Herbert her first husband, as his widow.
Molly Parker
Witness
Rufus Danforth
Sworn to, and subscribed before me the day and year, above written
S. H. Currier Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Essex, City of Newburyport.
} fs
On this 17 th day of March A D One thousand eight hundred and fifty seven. I personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace. Sarah Lewis aged 74 and Ebenezer Rogers aged 73 years both of Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to Law testifies and declares that they are well acquainted with Molly Parker the widow of Silas Parker deceased who was a in the Revolutionary war. who has made application for bounty land under the Act of March 3. 1855 on account of services in said war rendered by her late husband Silas Parker, and the claimant at the time of making her application was a widow. (i.e.) unmarried.
We further testify that the aforesaid Silas Parker died on the 7 th day of December 1832. in Newburyport and I Sarah Lewis further testify that I was present when Mr Parker died and attended the funeral services and I Ebenezer Rogers also attended.
Sarah Lewis Ebenezer Rogers
Witness Rufus Danforth
Sworn to, and subscribed, before me the day and year above written.
S. H. Currier Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, July 28 th 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestations hereunto annexed,
Joshua Coffin & Fitch Poole were Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
T. M. Winthrop Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I,
Molly Parker of Newburyport in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts have made, con- stituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint Israel Perkins of South Danvers in the County of Essex State of Massachusetts my true and law full Attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead,
To prosecute before the Hon. S. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions, a bounty Land Claim I have against the United States Government. (under the act of Congress approved March 3. 1855.) on account of the services rendered by my late husband Silas Parker , in the Revolutionary War.
giving and granting unto my said Attorney, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do if personally pres- ent, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his substitute or substitutes shall lawfully do, or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty first day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
1. Rufus Danforth 1. Jacob J. Danforth
Molly Parker
2 witnesses 1.
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Essex
On this twenty first day of June A. D. 1855, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, personally appeared Molly Parker and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned, and also made oath that she is a party directly interested in the above mentioned as a claimant.
Joshua Coffin , JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Know all men by these presents that I, Israel Perkins of South Danvers in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have made substituted and appointed and by these presents do make substitute and appoint J. W. Young of the City of Washington D.C. my true and lawfull Attorney for me and in my name place and stead to prosecute before the Genl Commissioners of Pensions, the claim of Molly Parker, for bounty land under the act of Congress approved March 3 d 1855, Witness my and Seal this Twenty Sixth day of July A.D. 1855
Signed sealed and delivered Israel Perkins In presence of Jonathan Perkins Albert P. Dodge
State of Massachusetts } County of Essex } S.S.
On this Twenty sixth day of July A.D. 1855 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for said County, personally appeared Israel Perkins and acknowledged that he signed the foregoing power of attorney and that it was his free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned
Fitch Poole Justice of the Peace

Molly Parkin Widow of Silas Parkin abt of 1832
Paper L. M.
J. W. Young agent.

Newburyport April 21 st 1855~
Hon
L. P. Waldo.
Sir
Commissioner of Pensions.
Being, the widow of Silas Parker, late of said Newburyport, who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
Be pleased to allow my agent R. W. Young of Washington D.C. to examine the papers on file, in your office, upon which said Silas Parker was pensioned
Yours Sir
Respectfully
Molly Parker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 8 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Silas Parker, as a Marine, is borne on a Portorage Bill of the Ship Vengeance, commanded by Capt. Thomas Thomas, on an Expedition to Penobscot in 1779, where he is allowed, from June 27 th to August 27 th two months. m. dy 2=
82. No.
Edward D. Bangs, Secy

Power of Attorney
!
Mrs. Johnson of Washington D.C.

Washington Mar 26th 1857
Hon. Geo. B. Whiting Com'r of Pensions.
Sir,
I beg leave herewith to present a additional Evidence in support of the claim of Mrs Molly Parker widow of Deacon, Silas Parker, decd. and respectfully ask that it may be made special as Mrs Parker is about 90 Years of age, and is represented to be in a very feeble state of health.
M c Grath Perkins who has this case in my hands - says there are two Silas Parkers - the husband of Molly having been paid up to 7 Dec 1832 - & the other up to 4 of Mar 1834 - and that Molly's husband was pensioned at the rate of $26.67 per ann; and that the Dept t can be satisfied as to the truth of the fact by writing the Pay Pension Agt of Massachusetts.
I desire herewith to file a power of atty. I am, Very respectfully,
Your obed t Servt.
Thos. Johnson agt.
No. 196:257.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, 23 d October 1856
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Chas M Drett
Justice of the Peace for the County of Dorfolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
A. D. Merrill Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Know all men by these presents. That I Israel Perkins of South Danvers, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts have made substituted and appointed John Johnson, of the city of Washington D.C. my true and lawfull attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead, to prosecute before the honorable J. Minot, Commissioner of pensions. The claim of Nelly Parker of Newburyport in the aforesaid county, for County Land, under act of March 3. 1855, and the claim of Robert Bayley  opade in behalf of James O. Huggup. Likewise the claim of John Sibby , both of said Newburyport for County land, under the aforesaid act; hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do, or cause to be done, by virtue thereof.
And I hereby revoke all powers of Attorney by me at any time heretofore made.
Witness my hand and seal this twenty third day of
October A.D. 1856.
Attest Benj: C. Sipher
A. L. Fernald
Israel Perkins
Signed sealed and acknowledged before me
Chas W. Doret
Justice of the Peace C. Suffolk

Nelly  Darker , Widow of a Revolutionary Soldier claims Bounty Land.
Residence, Newbernport - Mass.
Widow by Israel Perkins - as he says, more one year. There is the number of the case - but believe Mr. J. W. Young has.
Mr. Cole will much oblige by letting me know the condition of the claim.
His oblig'd servt.
Mrs. Johnson agt
Dec 10 of 56

15709 Jim
Silas Parker
Wm Woart Esq Newburyport Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Park Jr which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy
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? yy
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? yy No. The service on board of the Vengeance
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy
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? yy
His service on board of the Pallas not provided for in application should be made to E. D. Bangs for evidence of his service on board the Vengeance

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? yy
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? yy
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy
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? yy
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy
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 shewn 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.

J L Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions (Washington)

Newburyport August 12th 1833.
J L Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I forward you herein, a certificate of the demise of Titus Barker, an applicant for the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1833, as found on the rolls in the Office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth. Will you allow me Sir, on returning his paper to your department, to renew my enquiry, in regard to the application of William Farris the same gentleman for whom enquiry was made by the Hon. J. Nelson. It was then supposed that his certificate had been handed over to Mr. Ware, but it appears that the one handed to him was for an individual of that name in the District of Maine, a private in the Infantry, whereas the former J. Farris of this place was in the Navy.
I am
Very respectfully
Yr. Most obedt Servt J. W. Cook

61.004.
160 acres.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 19 th 1857
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
S. H. Currier
was a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
A. D. Merrill
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
[Handwritten signature of A. D. Merrill]

State of Massachusetts
County of Essex
355
On this 17 th day of March, A. D. 1857.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County.
Sarah Lewis a resident of Newburyport in said County and State; aged — 74 — years who first being duly sworn according to law; doth depose and say;
That she was well acquainted with Silas Parker late of said Newburyport, deceased. That he was a Revolu- tionary pensioner of the United States.
And this deponent further saith, that she is well acquainted with Molly Parker, of said Newburyport who is the widow of said Silas Parker. That she does well know the said Molly Parker to be the identical person who is now the wife of said Silas Parker, and that she has remained his widow ever since his death.
Sarah Lewis
Rufus Danforth J. H. Curriën
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me.
J. H. Curriën
Justice of the Peace
And I hereby certify that Sarah Lewis, the above deponent sustains a good character for truth and ver- acity, and his words and allegations are entitled to full faith and credit. And I further certify that I have no interest in this matter. J. H. Curriën Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts } County of Essex } S.S.
On this seventeenth day of March, A. D. 1857 Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace within and for said County, Ebenezer Rogers— a resident of Newburyport in said county and State aged seventy three years who first being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say; That he was well acquainted with Silas Parker late of said Newburyport deceased. That he was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States. And this deponent further saith that he is well acquainted with Molly Parker of said Newbury port who is the widow of said Silas Parker. That he does well know that the said Molly Parker to be the identical person who was the wife of said Silas Parker and that she has remained his widow ever since his death
Ebenezer Rogers
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me.
J. H. Currier Justice of the Peace And I hereby certify that Ebenezer Rogers. the above deponent sustains a good character for truth and veraci- ty and his words are entitled to full faith and credit And I further certify that I have no interest in this matter J. H. Currier Justice of the Peace