Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,996, for Elias Munger, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Munger, Elias
S. 18,996
carded
CONTENTS

Vermont 18.702
Elias Munger
Rutland co. in the State of Vermont He was a private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain H. Spoon. of the Reg t comman- by Col. Ward in the Conn. Ma line for 13 mo. 5 da
Enscribed on the Roll of Vermont the rate of 43 Dollars 88 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept r 1833, and sent to R. Temple Rutland Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 33 $ 109.70 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34 21.94
$ 131.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. Brown Clerk, Book 3 Vol. 3 Page 48
Wm & Helms 1/24/1835 to same Aug 10 1835 J. M. Howe Apr. 25. 37 Hon. J. S. Lake May 29. 46 C. H. Thompson June 18. 53

Evans & Stuart Washington City

Know all Men by these Presents that I,
Elizabeth Munger
of Rutland
in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont widow of Elias Munger deceased, who was a Pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832
do hereby constitute and appoint Stephen Thomas of Witt十里 in the State of Vermont  irrevocably true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of my late husband (the said Elias Munger )
to a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Witness my hand and seal this 21 st day of August
1852
Linsey Round
Elizabeth X Munger mark
Shuyler Mason
STATE OF Vermont
COUNTY OF Rutland
Be it Known, that on the 21 st day of
August
1852,
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace,
in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and to take acknowledgments, personally appeared Elizabeth Munger above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Porter Howe
Justice of Peace.
I, Elizabeth Munger of Rutland in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that that my late husband, Elias Munger was formerly Pensioned under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 , that several years prior to his deceased, which took place in Sept. 1841, he was struck off from the Pension roll, that I believe he was justly entitled to a Pension and have given the foregoing Power of Attorney in order to obtain what was his due at the time of his death.
Elizabeth X Munger mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 21 st day of August 1852.
Before me,
Porter Howe
Justice of Peace.

Elias Manger
18 Mo. (2450)

STATE OF VERMONT, RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.
On this 16 th day of July A. D. 1832 personally appear- ed in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland, Dec r now sitting, Elias Munger a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 76 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In 1775 he resided in Guilford, Connecticut on Long Island Sound, & in the winter following he enlisted into Capt. Foster's Company, Col. Ward's Reg t of Connecticut, & marched to City of New York & crossed to Long Island & assisted in building a Fort opposite Staten Island, & served ten weeks, when he was discharged. In 1776, the 10 th Sept. he was detached & marched under Capt. Hopper, Col. Greene's Reg t to Fort Washington, about 10 miles above New York, reached there just after the British took possession of N. York - thence to East Chester & White Plains, thence to North Castle, where he was taken sick & dismissed after serving two & a half months - he was in the battle of White Plains. He was called out on alarm when Danbury was burnt & served about a week under Capt. Hopper. In Dec. 1777 he was detached & marched to New Haven in Capt. Greene's Company, was not attached to any Reg t . He served two months in guarding the place under Genl. Ward. In Sept. previous (1777) he was detached & marched in Capt. Munger's Company, Col. Weatherston's Reg t to Fishkill, thence to Red Hook, thence to Fishkill - This was when the British ships sailed up & burnt Kingston - he was on the march from Fishkill to Red Hook when they rec d news of the capture of Burgoyne - was dismissed at Fishkill after serving one & a half months - In 1778 he served one month in Capt. Munger's Company, ap d in guarding the coast at Guilford - In April 1780, he enlisted for six months in Capt. David Dudley's Company, was not attached to any Reg t - This company was raised to guard the lines, & prevent the British from coming from Long Island for provisions, & to prevent the Tories supplying them with provisions - he served out his six months in Guilford when he was discharged. From the time the enemy took possession of Long Island in 1776, he volunteered & stood as a minute man during the war, & being on the land, & near the enemy, he was frequently called out on alarm, always kept his arms at the head of his bed, always marched at a moment's warning, sometimes as often as twice a week, should think he was then called at least thirty times, & served from one to three days at a time, making at least two months service, besides being constantly on the alarm. He was at Eastham in the battle when the enemy came across & part

learned that place of New Haven. He knew Genl Washington, Green, Sullivan, & many others whose names he does not remember. He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He was born at Guilford April the 17. Feb. 1756 - his age is recorded there & in his Bible. He moved to Rutland, Vermont, this year after the war closed, & has resided here ever since. He never received any written discharge. He is known to the Rev. W. Tilden of the West Parish, of whom church he is a member, & to Francis Mason Esq, & most of the inhabitants of West Parish.
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.
R. Royce
Elias Munger
We Lucius L. Tilden a Clergyman residing in Rutland and Francis Mason residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Munger who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the } day and year aforesaid.
R. Royce
Lucius L. Tilden
Francis Mason
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 Lucius L. Tilden who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Rutland and that Francis Mason Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in Rutland and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Rodney C. Royce
Clerk of the Court of Probate
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Munger for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this 26
day of July A. D. 183 2
R. Royce

18996
INVALID.
Cur
File No. 18996
Elias Munger
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 275
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Chas Munger Aurora Vi 28 32
Alayne Wadsworth Nov 2 36
Private
Dear L. P. Waldo Counsel of Paris

March 10. 1853
In behalf of Elias Boudinot Colonel
Cherokee Pensions Pension Office Washington D.C.
O. H. Thompson
Esquire
Washington Co.
Miss.

Hon. S. S. Edwards
Com of Pensions

Hon. S. L. Edwards
Sir
Any thing in relation to the enclosed documents herewith sent please direct to Brown & Hopkins at your soonest convenience
I am
Sir
Very Respectfully Yours &c.
F. W. Hopkins.
Rutland 11 th Feby. 1835

The paper of Elias Munger of Vermont act of 1818, and was stricken from the Roll about 1834
son
Corn

Gannville Wash Co. N. Y.
March 7. 1853.
To. Hon. Comt. of Pensions
Sir,
Elias Menger of Rutland Vt was pensioned under the act of 1831. he rec d between $31- & $40- per ann. pay d at Vt s agency for services in Revolutionary war. he belonged to Conn. line. he rec d his pension until Sept 1834. when he with many others was struck off the Roll s . on account of Temple of Rutland Vt who got his pension certificate having committed frauds on the Gov t & did not draw his pension after that. he is is now dead but his widow is living and will you please state what evidence will be necessary or required of his service more than is now on file & the Roll s to enable his widow to draw the pension to which she she was entitled
Yours Respectfully O. H. Thompson

Washington, July 20 th 1853.
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 18 th inst t , in which you state, "You do not specify from what state the claims of Abigail Wadsworth, and Elizabeth Munger were made. They are not found on the rolls of Vermont."
Abigail Wadsworth, formerly widow of Herman Allen, Adm. Act 4 th July 1836. Conn t . Adm t for 8 months, increase sought to 2 years.
Elizabeth Munger, widow of Elias, Adm Vermont, Act 7 th June 1832, for increase.
From the foregoing extract from your letter of the 18 th inst t you will perceive that these cases had reached their turn for examination, and as we have furnished the information required, we do not think that they should be thrown back on the calendar, but should now be taken up. How L. P. Waldo Counsel of Pensioners. Very respectfully Ezra G. Hunt.

Washington, Sep. 24 1852.
Sir.
We herewith enclose a power of Attorney authorising us, to examine the papers and prosecute the claim of Elias Mungen, whose name was inscribed on the Pension roll of Vermont, under the Act of June 7 th 1832.
Very respectfully Evans & Hunt
J. E. Heath Esq. Chair of Physicians.

Hon ble James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

I hope to you last Winter an account of the services I did in the Revolutionary war I hope the times and places I served and likewise the Officers I served under you hope to me that the services I did under Capt. Dudley was at least one year different from what it was in the Declaration sent to you by Mr. Temple I would confess I might make that mistake the time being so long since I did that service and I being so far advanced in life as I am now in my eightieth year of my age I trust you will not think I'm straining if I made that mistake but you will consider that mistakes don't pay debts I suppose you have the testimony I sent you by Mr. Temple of Timothy Munger to Munger served with me through the six months that I served under Capt. Dudley I would inform that Capt. Dudley's company was raised for the purpose of stopping the illicit trade that was then openly carried only by the British and Tories by the British and the Tories in our land the British had possession of Long Island onley twenty miles from our shore and was then bringing British goods from Long Island and carrying provisions which the Tories prepared for them our services was very hard for our whole company was called out to arms and patrol on the sea beach in each night season for that was the time they carried on they traded for in the day time they would be molested Portland Vermont July 31 st 1835 Elias Munger

Rutland Vt 3. August 1835
Sir:
Inclosed I send you a letter from Elias Munger of this town, intended for the Commissioner of Pensions. Mr. Munger bro't it to me, on the day of its date, and requested me to engross it, and to make such additional suggestions as I might think proper. I know nothing of his case, beyond what the letter contains, excepting that he says the proof of the six months service therein stated is all that prevents his restoration to the pension roll; and that he knows of no witnesses now in life, by whom he can prove that service. He has made, I doubt not, a plain and simple narrative of his service, and one which would gain credit among his fellow-citizens to whom he is known, as readily as though it were sworn to in legal form. It would be useless, therefore, to attempt to illustrate or add to such a statement — though, if it be judged needful, Mr. Munger will yet add the formal attestation of an oath.
In the present state of the case, Timothy Munger being dead, I would respectfully ask, Whether his testimony is to be held as impeached? And, if so, Whether it can be restored in any manner; by the oath of the Magistrate taking it, or, by that of persons acquainted with the handwriting of Timothy Munger, or in some other way?
I am very respectfully Sir
Your Mt. Servant Lepr Gove
Perhaps it may be useful to remark, that the inclosed letter is, the whole of it, in the proper handwriting of Mr. Munger's language.
To Hon. James L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions City of Washington

I Timothy Mungu of Claremont in the County of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire aged 74 years, depose and say, That I resided at Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut. I was near neighbor to Elias Mungu and well acquainted with him who is now present with me. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War I was known to the late Elias Mungu's entering into the service under Capt. Fowler in Col. Wood's regiment, which I think was in December 1775 and was absent as near as I can recollect two and a half months - In the fall of 1776 I returned from a tour to the North, the above named Elias Mungu was then absent in the Militia the length of the term I do not recollect - In the year 1777 I was out with the above Elias Mungu we marched to Fishkills and Redhook at the time Kingston was burnt we left Guilford the first of October and returned the middle of November as near as I can recollect being absent one and a half months, we were discharged at Fishkills and returned home together to Guilford - In December 1777 the Militia was called for to march to New Haven the above named Elias Mungu was in the same company with me to guard the Lanes; we were there under the command of Col. Wood and served two months as near as I can recollect - In April 1780 Myself and the above Elias Mungu enlisted under Capt. David Doolittle for six months we were stationed on the sea shore to guard the enemy we served our term and both returned home together at Guilford together -
Timothy Mungu
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss
Claremont May 22 d 1833
Personally appeared before me Uriel Dean one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. Timothy Mungu and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true - I hereby certify that the above named Timothy Mungu is a credible witness
Uriel Dean Jus Peace

I am well acquainted with Arvid Levan Eng of Claremont - and this may certify that he is to my knowledge a true copy of the pencil for the currency of Sullivan and that the written is his own hand writing except the signature purporting to be the signature of another Munger
May 27 th 1833
Henry Bernard Munton of Congregational Church
Eliza Munton Testimony

Elias Munger
Rutland Vt.

Ideal Mogen Statement Done while at Rutland

I, Elias Munger, was born in Guilford, Conn, A 1756 and resided there during the Revolutionary war and am now residing in Rutland Vt in the year '78 I enlisted in Col. Ward's reg. and Capt. Fowler's company and served ten weeks. Sept following I was called in the militia to march to Fort Washington, in Capt. Hopkins's company and Col. Graves' reg. and was present at the battle of White Plains and being afterward discharged by reason of sickness, returned home having been gone about ten weeks. In the year '79 I was called in the militia in Capt. Hopkins's company at the time the Stores were burnt at Danbury and served served about a week. In the same year I was called in the militia and marched to Fishkill on the Hudson at the time Kingston was burnt in Col. Worthington's reg. and served six weeks. In the year '80 I was called in the militia at the time New Haven was plundered and was gone about a week. In the Winter following I was called in the militia and marched to New Haven for the purpose of guarding the town town and served 1 st month under Capt. Graves. In the year '80 I was called in the militia for the purpose of guarding the town of Guilford and served one month under Capt. Munger. In the year '81 I enlisted under Capt. Dudley for the purpose of ing the beach against Long Island said to prevent the trading that was carried on between the Tories and the British and served 6 months.
Previous to which, in 1776 I volunteered as a minute man and always held myself in readiness to march at a minutes warning by day or night during the war, and was often called upon as the British often came over from Long Island and destroyed buildings and carried off cattle &c. sometimes I would be gone two days and sometimes less or more &c.
I resided in Rutland in the state of Vermont when I made application for a pension; and my testimony was taken before Hon. Robert Pierpoint, I suppose as Judge of Probate Court for the District of Rutland, R.C. Royce was then Register.
The amount of my pension I think is $43.83 and have received payment up to Sept. 1834
Elias Munger

Elias Munger
R Temple
Notified
sent off to Mr. Hubbard
Explanatory declaration & testimony enclosed
R Temple
admit
13 mos 5 ds
R. Temple Rutland

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
9 April
1883
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1880, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.                 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Elian Mayers

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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D. _____ who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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

Elias Menninger
Explanatory Declaration
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

State of Vermont Reclained p 3
On the 25. day of May 1833, personally came before the undersigned Authority, Elias Munger of said County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath depose & say, in addition to & expla- -nation of his declaration of the 16. July 1832 - That his service first mentioned in said declaration commenced in Decemr. 1775 & ended in March 1776 as he now recollects - That his second period of service (in 1776) ended the last of Novr. - That he believes the one month service therein mentioned in 1778, was in Sept. & Oct. - & that he was discharged from his last six months service in Oct. 1780 - That he was frequently out for short periods of service under Capt. Hapgood, Lt. Munger, & Capt. Munger, to the amount at least of two months - but from old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot mean positively as to the precise length of all his several periods of service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than Eighteen Months as Private of Infantry - and for such service he claims a pension. Sworn before me this day & year aforesaid.
R. Brattle for Pres.
State of Vermont Reclained p 3
I Robert Pierpont, Clerk of Reclained County Court do certify that Robt. Brattle before whom the above affidavit was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said County, duly commissioned - and that the above is his signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 30. May 1833
R Pierpont