Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9,464, for Peleg Redfield, Connecticut

SERVICE
Conn.
Redfield, Peleg
NUMBER
S. 9464
carded.
CONTENTS

Nov 21 st 1837 New York
Peter Redfield
of Ontario Stein the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Walbridge of the Regt. commanded by Col. Humphreys in the Cont. time for full term.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 88 Dollars (88) Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov 1833 and settle D r M c Neil Phelps
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 220 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st M ch 34 44
$264
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. Steele Clerk, Book E. Vol. 1. Page 118
140 120

GENEALOGY OF THE REDFIELDS.
1.—Of the descendants of Theophilus and Priscilla Redfield.
THEOPHILUS REDFIELD, from whom all of that name in America have descended, was born in England in the year 1682, and came to America, as an adventurer, by the way of the W. Indies, in 1704, in the 22d year of his age. He first settled at Killingworth (old town) in the state of Connecticut. In 1705 he was married to Priscilla Grinnell, of the town of Saybrook, the second daughter and fourth child of Daniel Grinnell, whose forefathers were also from England, being part of Dr. Robertson's congregation, who, for the sake of religious tolerance, during the reign of King James, fled to Leyden, a town in Holland, from whence he came to America, and settled upon Cape Cod, which was then called Scituate, in 1620. In 1715 (about 10 years after his marriage) Theophilus Redfield removed to the northern part of the town of Killingworth and settled upon a ridge of land called Chestnut Hill, where he died February 14, 1739, in the 77th year of his age, leaving 13 children, 9 sons and 4 daughters, whose names, births and deaths are as follows:—
 1.—DANIEL, born Sept. 22, 1707—Died Jan'y. 11, 1759.  2.—ELIZABETH, do. May 8, 1709—  3.—RICHARD, do. June 18, 1711—do. Feb. 2, 1771.  4.—EBENEZER, do. Dec'r 3, 1713—do. Jan. 5, 1766.  5.—LYDIA, do. Feb'y 9, 1715—  6.—THEOPHILUS, jr. Sept'r 6, 1718—do. Jan. 30, 1770.  7.—PRISCILLA, do. July 20, 1720—do. Jan. 12, 1779.  8.—Capt. PELEG, do. April 2, 1723—do. Dec. 5, 1760.  9.—GEORGE, do. Nov'r 7, 1725—do. May 30, 1812.  10.—Capt. WILLIAM, do. Dec'r 5, 1727—  11.—JOSEPH, do. Sept. 6, 1730—do. Aug. 6, 1802.  12.—JANE, do. June 24, 1733—do. May 24, 1762.  13.—Capt. JAMES, do. March 29, 1735. 
2.—Of the descendants of Geo. & Trial Redfield.
GEORGE REDFIELD, the 6th son and 9th child of Theophilus Redfield, was married to Trial Ward, of Killingworth, by whom he had six children, five sons and one daughter, as follows:
 1.—AMBROSE, born Dec. 13, 1750—Died  2.—JEREMY, do. Aug. 21, 1752—  3.—SYLVANUS, do. Dec. 30, 1754—  4.—SETH, do. Jan. 17, 1757—  5.—JANE, do. Dec. 19, 1759—  6.—PELEG, do. May 14, 1762— 
3.—Of the descendants of Peleg & Polly Redfield.
PELEG REDFIELD, the 5th son, 6th and youngest child of George and Trial Redfield, was married to Polly Judal, the first daughter and child of Heman Judal, of Farmington, (Conn.) who had by his wife Anna Goodrich, daughter of Zebulon Goodrich, of Wethersfield, seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows:
 1.—POLLY, born Oct. 9, 1765—Died  2.—ELIZUR, do. Jan. 16, 1767—  3.—DRYDEN, do. Dec. 17, 1769—  4.—HESTER, do. Feb. 14, 1771—  5.—DANIEL, do. Jan. 19, 1773—do. Oct. 22, 1801.  6.—SAMUEL, do. Dec. 13, 1780—  7.—ANNA, do. Dec. 20, 1782— 
The following (10 in number, eight sons and two daughters) are the descendants of the said Peleg and Polly Redfield, now residing in the town of Farmington, Ontario co. N. Y.)
 1.—HEMAN J., born Dec. 27, 1788—Died  2.—MANNING, do. March 17, 1791—  3.—LEWIS H., do. Nov'r 26, 1793—  4.—HARLEY, do. Nov'r 8, 1795—  5.—GEORGE, do. Oct. 6, 1796—  6.—MARY, do. July 2, 1798—  7.—HIRAM, do. Nov. 11, 1800—  8.—ANN, do. Sept. 16, 1803—  9.—ALEXANDER H., Oct. 24, 1805—  10.—WILLIAM H. C., May 8, 1810— 

Peleg Redfield Declaration
1981

STATE OF NEW YORK, Ontario COUNTY. ss.
ON this Twelfth Seventh day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the General Court  of the County of Ontario aforesaid - now sitting
Percy Redfield a resident of Manchester in the county of Ontario and State of New York aged Seventy years, who being 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.
In the year 1779 he enlisted about the 1 st June a musician in Captain Isiah Baldwins company of Connecticut Militia (does not recollect the number or Colonel of the Regiment) and served four months in guarding the sea coast between New Haven and New London and doing other duty, ended at this time at Killingworth , County of New Haven State of Connecticut at the end of this campaign was verbally discharged and returned home. In the year 1780 about the 1 st April he again enlisted in the service a musician in Captain Simons Company of Connecticut State Troops in the Regiment under command of Col. Humphrys and served eight months at Home Neck in the State of Connecticut, during this term of service he assisted in surprising and taking prisoners at Crogs Point near New York a party of Refugee guards together with considerable property destroying all their Ammunition and Stores. The next day after which their party was overtaken by Captain Delancy and his company of Eight  Dragoons (light) who killed and made prisoners of 13 of their men, was verbally discharged at the end of this campaign and returned home. His next campaign was in the year 1781 and 1782 - he enlisted a musician in Capt. Samuel Brangus Company of Connecticut State Troops under command of General Waterbury and served twelve months at Home Neck and White Plains in the State of New York. Was at White Plains and distinctly recollects seeing the French Army, when they drew off their forces and joined Genl. Washington and moved on to attack Lord Corwallis whose army then lay at Yorktown in Virginia. From this time he retreated back with Genl. Waterbury arms to Stanford in Connecticut, assisted in building Fort Stanwick , was verbally discharged by Genl. Waterbury on the 4 th March 1782. He then enlisted about the 1 st April 1782 a fife major for three years to march to and guard Fort Niagara and served three months only at Fairbury in Connecticut, being verbally discharged on receiving the news of peace. Was born in the town of Killingworth County of New Haven (now Middlesex ) Connecticut in the year 1762, at which place he resided when he entered the service in the Revolutionary war and resided there after the war until about the year 1794 when he emigrated to New York. That he now resides in Manchester County of Ontario and State of New York and has resided there for the space of more than thirty years past. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services, but is acquainted with Marvin Allen a Clergyman Jedidiah Dewey who reside in his neighborhood and will testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his having served in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
in Open Court, Charles Pease, Clerk.
Percy Redfield
We, Marvin Allen a Clergyman residing in the Town of Manchester in the County of Ontario and State of New York and Jedidiah Dewey residing in the same County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Percy Redfield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
in Open Court, Charles Pease, Clerk.
Marvin Allen Jedidiah Dewey

No, Marvin Allen a Clergyman residing in the Town of Manchester in the County of Ontario and State of New York and Jedidiah Dewey residing in the Town and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Redfield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
in open Court, Charles Crane, Clerk
Marvin Allen Jedidiah Dewey
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 Marvin Allen who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Manchester, County of Ontario and State of New York and that Jedidiah Dewey who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town and State aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Charles Crane -- Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Ontario, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Redfield for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Twenty Seventh day of August A.D. 1837.
Charles Crane

State of New York ss Personally appeared before me the Ontario County ss undersigned, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, Pele Redfield, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, That he knows his age to be seventy years, from a Record kept in his Family Bible, which is a copy taken from the Records kept on the Town Books, in the Town of Hillington County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, where he formerly resided, and which will also be found in the annexed printed Genealogy of the Redfield Family. Known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit. 14th day of December 1832 David McNeil Judge of the County Court
Pele Redfield
State of New York Ontario County ss : I Charles Crane Clerk of the said County hereby certify that David McNeil Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date thereof, a Judge of the County Court of Ontario County duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and truly believe that it is his hand.

State of New York § Personally appeared before me the Ontario County ss: § undersigned, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, Pales Redfield, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that he knows his age to be seventy years, from a Record kept in his Family Bible, which is a copy taken from the Records kept on the Town Books, in the Town of Hillingworth County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, where he formerly resided, and which will also be found in the annexed printed Genealogy of the Redfield Family.
Sworn to and subscribed this 14th day of December 1832 David Merrill Judge of the County Court
Pales Redfield
State of New York Ontario County ss: I Charles Crane Clerk of the said County hereby certify that David Merrill Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date thereof, a Judge of the County Court of Ontario County, duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and truly believe that the signature to the above certificate is genuine.
(Witness my hand and seal of Office, at Canan daigua this 21. December Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Charles Crane

Comptrollers Office September 11 th 1833
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accts of the State of Connecticut, do certify, that among the files of this Office there is a bond executed by Joshua Stanton as principal, & Charles Goldswell as Surety, dated September 4 th 1779. In the condition of which is this description, viz, "that whereas Joshua Stanton is appointed a Captain of light infantry, Colo Meads Reg t , for defence of this State and Pay Master of the same de. de. An account was opened with him on the 4 th of September 1779 & settled the 3 d of June 1780, by a credit, viz, by rendering his account for £37387, 12. 6. that I find no roll of his company, or duration of service.
Under date April 5 th 1785. there is charged on the books of the Pay Table, to the United States, the amount of Capt. Josiah Baldwin pay roll of his company, stationed in Killingworth in 1780 viz amount of wages £495, 0, 0, do bittaking £440, 0, 0 commissions 1 1/2 per cent £14, 0, 6 3/4 that I find no roll of this company.

It appears by the books in this office, & the State records, that Samuel Granger was appointed & served as a Captain in a corps raised by order of the General Assembly in November 1780, augmented & reorganized in February 1781 and to serve until the first day of March 1782, and commanded by Brig. Genl. Waterbury. No roll of this company commanded by Capt. Granger, or proof of their time of service has been found.
No roll of those who enlisted for three years or during the war in 1782 has been found.
E. Phelps

State of New York \beta Personally appeared before me the Ontario County ss: \beta Undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, Peleg Rootfield, who being duly sworn according to Law deposes & says, that the Eight months Service Alluded to in his declaration made the 27 th day of August 1832 (accompanying herewith), was under Command of Capt. Lasher Stanton, in Col. Meads Regiment of Connecticut State Troops, that owing to the loss of memory, he had previously supposed that Humphrey was the name of the Colonel, but that he is clearly of opinion according to the best of his recollection that Humphrey was a Major in said Meads Regiment, and in the absence of Col. Meads acted as Colonel - That respecting his Service of Three months in the year 1782, An inducement was held out by Government, that all those who would enlist to serve Three years at Fort Niagara in the State of New York, should receive beside, their monthly pay a bounty in Wild Lands not before appropriated And on these terms he enlisted for Three years and Service, Three months only being discharged at Salisbury in the State of Connecticut, on their way to Fort Niagara On hearing the rumour of Peace, The names of his Officers, under whom he enlisted and served, has entirely escaped his recollection, And for said Three months Service if sufficient records are not to be found at the Pension Office showing said Service he will claim nothing - further this deponent saith not - Sworn to and subscribed before me This 23 rd day of September 1833- Peter Utchfield J. P. Peleg Rootfield

State of New-York,
Ontario County ss. } I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County do hereby certify That Peter Mitchell whose name is subscribed to the within certificate of affidavit is a Justice of the peace in and for said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the said signature to be his proper act and deed. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 23 d September 1833.
Charles Crane

1 st Brief
No 7981.
Philip Rosfield
10.17.
18 Sept. 1832 21 Nov.
Page 53.
David McNeil Agent

N o 7981
BRIEF in the case of Oliver Redfield of Manchester County of  of Ontario — In the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In Open Court. —
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
70. Years. —
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.     1st June 1779. ✓ 4. Musician Capt Josiah Balcom   1st April 1780. ✓ 8. " Capt Stanton Col Humphrey   1st April 1781 & 1782. ✓ 12. " Capt Saml. Granger Genl. Waterbury   1st April 1782. — 3 ✱ Life Major.  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Hillingworth County of New Haven Conn. —
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By traditionary Evidence. —
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear to be in due form. —
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ord
Examining Clerk.

Rehran
9464. INVALID.
File No. 9464
May Bellillo Br. Am. Mar.
Act: June 1882
Index: —Vol. 1 , Page 312
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 7981 Pleg Redfield
Admitted Musician Infantry 2 years a e
David McNeil Phelps Ontaria County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Aug 8 th 1833
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 Pily Ruffield
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier, { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer, { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1852; 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 here a 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.
In absence of this proof the applicant is referred to the files of the War Dept. (See also the Military of that State)

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