Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2420, for Amos Norton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass N. 26
Norton, Amos Hannah
N. 2420 B.L.Wt 13012-160-55-
CONTENTS

15726
Massachusetts
Amos Norton
of Essex Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Elkins of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gerrish in the Mass. line for 20 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 11 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of May 1833 and sent to Mr. Worth Natick post
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $33.32 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 33.33
$166.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book Vol. 2 Page 57

Ames Station
15/1/5

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Massachusetts: County of Essex, ss
On this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Daniel Chipman White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex, aforesaid, now sitting at Newburyport, Amos Norton a resident of Newbury in the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy three years, his words being first duly sworn according to Law doth, in 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 Seabrook, in the State of New Hampshire, in October 1775, in the company commanded by Captain Henry Ekins; in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bennington, New Hampshire Militia, and marched to Winter Hill, and served in said company as a private soldier three months when said company was discharged at Cambridge.
Also enlisted at and to the best of his present recollection in the month of July 1776, in the company commanded by Captain Dyer; in the regiment commanded by Col. Wrigate, and served therein at Ticonderoga. Since which he was discharged at Mount Independence about the last of November of that year.
Also enlisted at said Newburyport, in the month of August or in September 1777, in the company commanded by Captain Stephen Jenkins, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Stark, and served therein for three months; was discharged at Fort Stark in the month of December following, a few days before the term of his enlistment expired, but received pay for three months service.
Also enlisted at said Newburyport, in the month of October A.D. 1777, in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Shaw; in the regiment also commanded by Colonel Stark, Massachusetts Militia, and served therein at Winter Hill seven months; was discharged at that place. —
He was born in Seabrook - N.H. in the year 1758. He has no record of his age. When called into service he lived in Seabrook. He has lived since in Salisbury, Newbury and Newburyport. He entered the service voluntarily. He served with Col. Bennington, Col. Wrigate and Col. Stark. He received one written discharge, but has lost it.
William Bartlet esq. and Wm Wourt esq. know him and can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief that he served as he states.
That in his early life he resided in said Seabrook, and after wards in Newburyport aforesaid. That he now resides in Newbury — aforesaid, and has resided there for the last twelve years.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Given to me this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832.
Amos Norton
D. Chipman Judge of Probate.

We Rev Leonard Withington a Clergyman residing in Newbury aforsaid and Samuel Newman Esquire, a Magistrate residing in Newbury aforsaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Amos Weston who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration: that we believe him to be seventy 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 we concur in that opinion.
L Withington Sam Newman
Subscribed and sworn to before
W Wooton Justice of the peace
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing 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 Rev Leonard Withington who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Newbury and that the said Samuel Newman Esq who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at said Newbury and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D H Pierce Judge of Probate
I Nathaniel Lord Junior Register of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex, aforsaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Amos Weston for a pension.
Also that William Wooton 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.
Nathaniel Lord Jr

I Levi Eaton, of Scituate, in the county of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy four years and upwards, in faith do testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Amos Weston, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, in Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and do know, that the said Amos Weston, was a private soldier, in the company commanded by Captain Elkins, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Durfee, and that he served therein at Bunkerhill Hill, in the year 1775, and was in said Company together, at that time, and I am knowing to his having served Ten months.
Newburyport July 16 1832.
Levi Eaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Edwards Newburyport July 16 1832. Then Levi Eaton, a name which is personally 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 said Levi Eaton is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. G. D. Justice of the Peace

I, Evan Bartlett of Hebron, in the county of Oxford, (and State of Massachusetts), do hereby certify and declare, that I do hereby certify that Amos Norton, was a private soldier, and served in the company commanded by Captain Stephen Jenkins, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jacob Gunk in the year 1779. Three months at Albany - I was a private in the same company and served the same time - Newburyport July 7. 1832
Evan Bartlett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Newburyport July 7th 1832 - Then personally came Evan Bartlett above named, 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 Evan Bartlett is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. Oakes Justice of the Peace

I, Salvanus Eaton, of Scituate, in the county of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, and Servant six years, do hereby certify and declare, that I do know, that Amos Norton of Newburyport in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was a private soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Stephen Jenkins, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Gerrish, and that he served therein, in the year 1779 as a private in the same company and served therein the same time as a private in the same company - I was a private in the same company and served therein the same time Newburyport July 7th 1832
W. W. Wash
Salvador his + Eulen mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Edes St. Newburyport July 7th 1832 - I like Salomon Eaton, also named, who is personally known to me per- -sonally appeared, and made oath, in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. I do further certify that the said Salomon Eaton, is believed by me to be a credible witness
1 W. Wash Section of the Pen

I, Salvanus Eaton of Scituate, in the county of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts, age seventy six years, do hereby testify and declare, that I do know, that Simon Norton of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was a private soldier, in the company which was commanded by Captain Samuel Huse, in Colonel Gerrish's regiment, Massachusetts Militia, and that he served therein at Winter Hill, six months, in the year 1777 & 1778 - I was a private in the same company.
Newburyport July 7th 1832
Witness W. Wood
Salvanus
X Eaton mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Before me, Newburyport July 7th 1832. Then Salvanus Eaton, above named, who is personally 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 further certify that said Salvanus Eaton is believed by me to be a credible witness.
before me W. Wood Justice of the Peace

2730 Wassachusetts, B.
Hannah Norton, widow of Amos Norton
who served in the Revolutionary N H G. war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 66. Dollars 66.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of November 1853, and sent to
S. M. Knight Present.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 43. Vol. (1)
(32)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex } ss. District of Newburyport }
On this twelfth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, before the subscriber, a Judge of the Police Court, for and within the District of Newburyport, in said county, and commonwealth aforesaid, being a Court of Record, personally appeared Mrs. Hannah Norton, who is to me known as a resident of the town of Newburyport aforesaid, aged seventy-four 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, approved 3rd February, A.D. 1853, viz:
That she is the widow of Amos Norton, deceased, who was a Private of New Hampshire State Troops and Militia, and a Pensioner of the United States under act of June 7th, 1832, at the rate of $66 66 / 100 per annum.
She further declares that she was married to the said Amos Norton, on the fourteenth day of September, in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, as will more fully appear by the proofs hereto annexed: That her husband, the aforesaid Amos Norton, died on the fifteenth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-five. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above written, and I certify that I have no interest in the application as attorney, agent or otherwise.
J.W. Norton
Hannah Norton
I do hereby constitute and appoint S. M. Knight, esquire, of Washington, D. C. my true and lawful attorney, for the purpose of presenting this my application for a Pension, to attend to the same while pending, and to receive the certificate when issued, and to do all things necessary and proper, as fully as I could do, were I personally present.
Dated this twelfth day of August, A.D. 1853.
Witnesses - J. H. Bragdon.
Hannah Norton
James Gay Acknowledged to be her free act, before me, J.W. Norton Jm. P.C. Agent
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex } ss. District of Newburyport }
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, Judge of the Police Court, for and within the District of Newburyport, in the county and commonwealth aforesaid, a Court of Record, that Hannah Norton, above named, is the widow of the identical Amos Norton, who was a Pensioner of the United States, and who died on the fifteenth day of January, eighteen hundred and thirty-five; and that

he left surviving him the following named widow, Hannah Norton aforesaid, who is yet a widow.
I also certify that the above named subscribing witnesses are credible persons, and that each of the foregoing facts certified to are within my personal knowledge.
Witness my hand this twelfth day of August, A.D. 1853.
Stephen W. Marston Judge, &c.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, } ss. District of Newburyport. }
I do hereby certify that Honorable Stephen W. Marston, whose genuine signature appears attached to the foregoing declaration and certificate, was at the date of the same a Judge of the Police Court, for and within the district of Newburyport, held in and for said county, (a Court of Record) duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the Police Court, of the District of Newburyport, for said county, this twelfth day of August, A.D. 1853.
J. W. Marston Clerk.
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, reading "Stephen W. Marston"]

Hannah Norton
Deed re for benefit of
2 nd Sec. Act 3 Feb 1833

Marriages returned by Rev. Solomon Hooton minister of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Amos Norten to Mrs. Hannah Ross both of Newbury Sept. fourteenth (14) eighteen hundred & twenty eight (1828).
A true extract from the town records of Newbury, Attest Joshua Coffin Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Essex:
District of Newburyport, } ss.
I hereby certify, that Joshua Coffin, Esq. is Town Clerk of Newbury, that full faith and credit are due to his of- ficial acts; and that his signature to the annexed is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of the Police Court of Newburyport, for and within the said District in said county this 15 th day of August, A. D. 1853.
J. W. Manslor Clerk.

Act March 3/53- Apr 28/53
104744
Hannah Norton with Lewis Norton Pri
Pirate Cajet Shepard
130 Troops
Rev Har
no
Ar Pen-
Arr. July 3, 1853
Map Feb 53-2730
Co. 160th's Decr 21/55
Hodge
130
Glax. Ray
Reserv
Vol N. page 118.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 24. th 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed, William W. Bullock was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and Joshua Coffin a Justice 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.
E. M. Wingate Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I,
Hannah Norton 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 Dunreer in the County of Essex State of Massachusetts my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead,
To prosecute before the Hon. L. P. Waldo, Commissioner of Pensions; a bounty Land Claim I have against the United States Government, under the act of Congress passed March Third Eighteen hundred and fifty five
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 Third day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of William Stanwood Joshua Coffin
Hannah Norton her mark
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Essex }
On this Third day of April A. D. 1855, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, personally appeared Hannah Norton 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 Danvers in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have made constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make constitute and appoint Alexander Ray of Washington D.C., my true and lawfull Attorney for me and in my name place and stead, to prosecute before the Hon. S.P. Waldo Commissioner of pensions the Claim of Hannah Boston for bounty land under the act of Congress passed March 3 1855 Witness my hand and Seal this Twenty Third day of April A.D. 1855
Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of
Israel Perkins
G.W.M. Smith
W.W.B. Bullock
State of Massachusetts } S.S. County of Suffolk
On this Twenty Third day of April A.D. 1855 before me the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, personally appeared Israel Perkins, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned
W.W.B. Bullock
Justice of the Peace

104 1242
Hannah Norton
au 5 Feb 53
Alex A. A.
Apr 28/55

State of Massachusetts,
County of Essex
ss.
On this Third day of April A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive, personally appeared before me, Joshua Coffin , a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county and State aforesaid, Hannah Norton aged Seventy six years, a resident of Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Amos Norton deceased, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served as a Private in manner particularly set forth in the papers on file in the Pension Bureau, in the matter of her application for pension under the act of February Third Eighteen hundred & fifty three ; that she is now a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, at the rate of _____ per annum; that her pension certificate was issued to her under date of _____
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 approved March 3, 1855. She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Siteth Joshua Coffin  Hannah Norton  her  X mark William Starwood We, William Starwood and Mary Gould , residents of Newburyport in said County and State, upon our oaths declare, that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Hannah Norton in our presence, and that we know her to be the identical widow of Amos Norton who was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war; that she is a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and that she is now a widow. William Starwood Mary Gould
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.
Joshua Coffin Justice of the Peace.

Amos Norton Mass
From the 20 Months
151/5
W. Waart Newburyport Mass

BRIEF in the case of  60 of Essex
Amos Norton  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73  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.     Octo In 1775 enlisted 5 private Gen. Ekins Col. Durnham   July 1776. " 2 5 " Col. Shephard Col. King   August 1777. " 3 " Col. Jenkins Col. Gerrish   Octo. 1777. " 4 " Col. Huse Col. Gerrish   1 year 8 months  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Seabrook N.H.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary and some living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George South
Examining Clerk.

✓ 10.012
3
Also pay

Rev y  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2420
Hannah Norton,
Widow,
Amos Norton,
Priv. Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3, 1853.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 3181 Hannah Norton, Wid: of Amos
Set to Mr. Knight 17 Oct. 1853.
Oct. 3 d Feby. 1853

15 Sept 1853
Appl. of Hannah Norton, wid. of Amos — Essex Co. Mass
act. 53
Very
$66.66 Re An — Com. Feby. 3 rd 1853
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official R# Inc. 22
S. M. Wright. Resent
15 Jan 35.
Rec. Ev: "Norton's"

Gen. Off: 27 Oct 1/53
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the will in name fusion was paid, on the date of his death.
Yours Respectfully,
J. Hall
For the Commission. Amos Norton, aft 1832 #66. 66. p. an. - Died 15 th Jany 1835, Paid to his death.
J. Burt Auditor.
Francis Burt Esq., His Auditor, Luan }

Washington
October 25, 1833
Hon. L. P. Waldo, Counsel of Pensions & Sir.
I have the honor to return to your office the declaration &c of Hannah Norton widow of Amos Norton, for benefits of act of 3 rd Feb. 1833, corrected as required in your letter of the 17 th inst.
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t L. M c . Knight

1/10.
Washington.
Sept 15 th 1853.
Hon. L. P. Waldo, } Comm r of Pensions. } Sir;
I have the honor to enclose herewith the declaration of Mrs Hannah Norton, widow of Amos Norton, dec d (late a pensioner of the United States under act of 1832), for the benefits of the 2 nd section of the act of Feb y 3 rd . 1853. together with proof of her marriage.
Very respectfully,
Your ob st Serv t
S. M. Wright

Washington.
October 10 th 1853.
Hon. S. P. Waldo, Comm r of Pensions } Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith, the affidavits of John Pearson, and George Bowditch, as the additional proof required of the marriage of Hannah Norton, widow of Amos Norton, whose claim for a pension has been heretofore filed.
Very respectfully,
Your obed t Serv t ,
S. M. Wright

Newburyport, Oct. 21, 1853.
I. M. Knight. Esq:—
Your letter is at hand.
The "declaration" and the "power of attorney" were regularly acknowledged and sworn to before Judge Marston at the date of his certificate, but owing to the multiplicity of documents upon the same sheet, he inadvertently omitted his signature upon these. His recollection of the event is fresh in his mind, as well as my own, and he now corrects the same, which I trust will answer your purpose.
Respg your obt servt.
Joseph H. Bragdon.

Brief in the case of
Hannah Norton. Widow of Amos. Ebenezer County and State of Mass: act 3 d Feb. 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Hannah was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June, 1835.
Record evidence of marriage.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
J. M. Knight, Esq. Name and residence of Agent Present.
J. C. D. Norton. Examining Clerk.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Amos Norton 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
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

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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Personally appeared before me
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX : District of Newburyport. } ss.
I hereby Certify, that
Joseph H. Bragdon
Esq.,
is a Justice of the Peace for and within the County of Essex, in said Commonwealth, that his commission is dated
January third
A. D. eighteen hundred fifty-two
and will expire
January third
A. D. eighteen hundred fifty-nine
that full faith and credit are due to his official acts; and that his signature to the annexed is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of the Police Court Newburyport, for and within the said District in said County, this seventh day of
October,
A. D. 185 3 .
S. W. Mandell Clerk.

We, the subscribers, citizens of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say that we are well acquainted with Hannah Norton, widow of Amos Norton, who served in the Revolutionary War, that she is the identical person named in the application for a pension, that to our knowledge she lived with, and was the reputed wife of said Norton, and that she still remains his widow.
George Donnell John Pearson
Witness J. H. B. Braden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex, ss. September 1853. Personally appeared before me George Donnell and John Pearson, to me well known as gentleman of veracity and respectability, and made oath to the facts contained in the above affidavit.
Joseph H. B. Braden, Jus. pacis.