Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26841, for Silas Parsons, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Parsons, Silas Sarah
N. 26841
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

21.157 New York Silas Parsons
Niagara in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Warner of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brand in the N. Jersey line for 10 months and 13 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 34 Dollars 74 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Nov. 1833 — and Reutto J. K. Chapin Stockport
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r '33 $86 85 Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr r '34 17 37
$104 22
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Co. A. Stiles Clerk Book 8 Vol. 11 Page 113

7302. New York.
Sarah Parsons, deceased, widow of Silas Parsons, who was a private in the Massachusetts line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 44
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. & ending 4 August, 1843, when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept. 1845.
and sent to A. H. Mess, Lockport N. Y.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 82.
25th: Sept. 1845, repd. to agt. by letter. Ltr to A. H. Mess Oct 13. 45.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Franklin ss.
I Henry Chapman, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Franklin, do certify that Elam Kellogg Esquire whose signature is affixed to the certificate on this paper, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity: and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Elam Kellogg Esq. and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth this 18th day of May A.D. 1844.
H. Chapman. Clerk.

Shelburne Franklin Co. Mass. May 16. 1846
This certifies, that I find in the records of the Congregational Church in Shelburne, Franklin County, Massachusetts, which records were kept by Rev. Robert Hubbard the Pastor of said Church , and which records I now keep as Pastor and Clerk of the Church, I find in said records the following extract, viz.
"One thousand seven hundred and eighty three. March eleventh."
Marriage. Silas Parsons to Sarah Fish."
The above is a true copy from the church records of the church in this place, except that the date in the original record is given in figures and this copy of the date is given in letters (The original on the records stands thus, "1883 March 11.")
Theophilus Packard Jr. Pastor of Church
I Theophilus Packard Jr. above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Pastor and clerk in the church of Shelburne, Franklin Co. Massachusetts, and that the above is a true extract, (with the exception above stated) from the records of said church, as certified by me
State of Massachusetts Franklin County May 16 th 1846 Then Theophilus Packard Jr personally appearing made Oath that the above certificate and deposition was true Before me Eliza Phelps Justice of the Peace

Selas Parsons Declaration of principles
232A1

State of New York Niagara County ss.
On this fourteenth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of General Sessions of the Peace now sitting Siler Pearsall a resident of the Town of Lockport in the County of Niagara & State of New York aged seventy years and upwards according to the best of his knowledge & belief 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 in the following named officers & served as herein stated — That in June or July (as he believes) in 1777 Ebenezer Pearsall an older brother of the declarant was exempted from the Company of militia to which he belonged in the Town of Chesterfield (now Goshen) in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts for three months to oppose the progress of General Burgoyne as was then believed, and as the father of the declarant had then lately deceased & as there was a necessity that the said Ebenezer Pearsall should remain at home with the family, the declarant was accepted to perform that tour of service in the place of his said brother — That in the first part of August 1777 he was organized into the United States Service & marched with a detach- ment of militia under Lieut. Samuel Lyon a militia officer from Chesterfield to Bennington in Vermont & arrived there just at the close of the battle at that place. When he so entered the service he resided in the Town of Chesterfield aforesaid — He does not remember the day he entered the service but he believes it was about the twelfth of August 1777 After remaining at Bennington a short time he & Lieut. Lyon's detachment were put under the com- mand of Capt. Warner a militia officer from the Town of Cummington in the County of Hampshire aforesaid. He does not remember Capt. Warner's Christian name nor the name of the other Com- pany officer & they were marched from Bennington to the landing at Lake George & joined Col. Brown's Regiment. This was the first time he saw Col. Brown to his recollection. He thinks Col. Brown was a militia officer but is not certain. He does not re- member the names of the other Field Officers — After leaving the landing at Lake George he remembers passing Fort Ticonderoga & Fort Edward on the East side of the Hudson with Col. Brown's Regiment, arrived on the West side of the Hudson opposite Stillwater the next day

after the surrender of General Burgayne. Here he remained a short time & being in ill health he hired a substitute to serve the remainder of his term and he returned home. He does not remember the day he left the service but he believes it was as late as the twenty fourth of October 1777. He received no discharge nor has he any documentary evidence of this service, but he believes that he continued in the United States service at this time according to the above statement two months & a half lacking two days —
That in the month of May 1778 according to the best of his remembrance & belief he was drafted for six months & entered the United States service under Capt. Kirkland a militia officer who resided as he believes in the Town of Roxwich in Hampshire County aforesaid & was stationed at Springfield in Massachusetts & performed artillery duty. He does not remember the names of the other officers belonging to the company nor the christian name of Capt. Kirkland. After remaining at Springfield a short time another company of militia arrived & were also stationed there. In August (as he believes) in 1778 a part of Capt. Kirkland's company (he believes about thirty men) including the sergeants were detached to take some cannon & ammunition to the American Army at Rhode Island. The detachment was put under the command of Sergeant Miles of Capt. Kirkland's Company. They took five cannon & five ammunition wagons as he believes & went through Millershome and Brookfield directly to Providence in the State of Rhode Island. Immediately on arriving at Providence a part of the detachment went with a part of the cannon & ammunition over to Rhode Island & the sergeants & remainder of the detachment were left with the rest of the cannon & ammunition at Providence. He was informed by those parts of the detachment that crossed over to the Island that before they arrived at the American Camp they met some of the American troops retreating. The American Army soon retreated from the Island under General Sullivan & the sergeants with the detachment to which he belonged returned to Springfield, he thinks, by the same route having their cannon & ammunition at Providence. He remained at Springfield & performed his duty in Capt. Kirkland's company after his return from Rhode Island.

manner at Springfield & performed his duty in Capt. Kirkland's Company, after his return from Rhode Island
till some time in the month of December 1778 when his term of six months expired & he was dismissed & returned home. He received no discharge nor has he any documentary evidence of this service, but he says he continued in the United States service at this time six months —
In the latter part of the summer of 1779 according to the best of his remembrance & belief the day & month he does not recollect he enlisted (rather than to state his chance for a desert) for the term of two months as a militia man & entered the United States service under Capt. Benjamin Barry a militia officer who resided in Chesterfield in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts. At the time he so entered the service he resided at Chesterfield aforesaid. He does not remember the names of the other officers belonging to the company. He marched with a part of the company from Chesterfield to Windham in the State of Connecticut where he joined the rest of the company & Capt. Barry led them to a choice of their commissioned officers. They then marched from Windham to New London where he with Capt. Barry's company was quartered in Maj. Harris' house and other buildings on the hill near a small fort called Fort Mavene a short distance back from Fort Trumbull. While stationed at New London he with others from Capt. Barry's company were often ordered to dig an underground passage from the small fort on the hill above mentioned to Fort Trumbull. Some British troops landed at the Light House below New London & the troops were ordered to go & drive them off. The lieutenant marched with Capt. Barry's company but upon their arrival at the place the Enemy had embarked on board their ships — He does not remember the names of any Col. or other field officer who was in command while he was at New London nor does he remember of being attached to any Regiment. He remained at New London & performed his duty in Capt. Barry's company till his term of two months had expired & he was dismissed & returned home. He received no discharge nor has he any documentary evidence of this service, but he says he continued in the United States service at this time two months — He does not remember the day or month when he left the service — He was born in the Town of Northampton in the County

of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts on the 26 th day of September 1761 according to the best of his information & belief. He has a record of his age in his family Bible which he transcribed from his father's family records & which agrees with the above statement —
He continued to reside in Massachusetts & his home was in Chesterfield till about the year 1803 when he moved to Swabury in Rutland County & State of Vermont, where he resided till about the year 1816 when he removed into the State of New York & after residing a short time at several places in said State he moved to the Town of Lockport in the County of Niagara in said State where he now resides —
He has no documentary evidence & he knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State — Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid —
Before me the foregoing affidavit was acknowledged this 11 th day of September A.D. 1832 before me Henry Austin Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace Niagara County
John D. Dows
We Joseph Myers a Clergyman residing in the Town of Lockport in the County of Niagara and State of New York and John D. Dows  John D. Dows of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Rev. Elias D. Dows who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be about seventy 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 to & subscribed before me this 11 th day of September A.D. 1832 before me Henry Austin Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace Niagara County
Joseph Myers John D. Dows
Since the said Court has hereby declared their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. The Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joseph Myers who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Lockport & County of Niagara & State of New York & that John D. Dows who has also signed

This decree is a resicunt of the same place & a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit —
J. M. Collins } Members of the J. A. Wood } court in atten- Otis Hathaway } ance
I Burnham — Clerk of the court of General Sessions of the Peace of Washington County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceed- ings of the said court in the matter of the application of Silas Parsons for a pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Burnham Clerk
Seal of the American Association encloses the original

1226 P
PAID
25
Hon. Secretary of State of Massachusetts Boston
Single

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
July 17 1845.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Silas Parsons is borne as a private upon a pay roll of Capt n Enoch Chapin's Comp y , in Col. Jacob Gerrish's reg t . of guards detached from the county of Hampshire, to guard the several stores in Springfield and Brookfield, — from July 6 to Dec r . 31, 1778, including 2 days allowed for travel, 5 months, 26 days; — Daniel Kirkland was 1 st Lt. of this comp y . The name of said Parsons is not upon any rolls of Capt n Barney or Warren, or Col. Brown, — and the preceding is all the evidence of service in the case, shown by any of the records in this office.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer; Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE Son OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of my Father Silas Parsons in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Northampton in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts . He enlisted from the Town of Northampton or Goshen in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts , in the year 17 as I have understood in the Company commanded by Captain  he removed from Northampton to Goshen in the same County & there resided — Regiment until a long time after the war, but in what year he enlisted or under what Captain or in what Regiment I cannot state — and he served as I have understood as follows, viz: — in the Year Seventeen hundred & Seventy Seven under Captains Warner and Colonel Brown but what time I have no memory of stating he also claimed to have served under Captain Kirkland in Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight and under Captain Barney in Seventeen hundred & Seventy nine. The length of each period of service in what particular place it was, expanded or the particular circumstances of the case I have no means of stating my father has been dead some years and all I know about it is from statements from him & others while living & from others since & from the fact that he drew a pension while living & from the papers on file at Washington he claimed to have made such service at the times & under the officers aforesaid and under such claim and the indexes furnished by him he was pensioned and drew a pension up to the time of his death & his certificate was in my possession since & has been since sent to Washington
I am now thirty eight years old, and my memory  knowledge does not enable me to state my father's services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, at Lakewood day of April 22 nd A. D. 1845
this
Silas Parsons
Signed by said Silas Parsons } In the year 17 in my presence, after the war, of officers } Regiment in the Company commanded by Captain memory" were read & the knowledge interlined A. J. Pease JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

23221.
Silas Parsons Niagara Co New York
L.M.
Adm 10. Months & 13 days.
T. H. Chapin Esq Lockport Niagara Co N. York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31 183 5
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 subjjoined 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. These 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 Silas Parsons. Niagara Co New York.
   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.     July 1777 Abt 2 13 Pvt Capt War- ner — Lt. Lyon Col. Bro- wn — None N York 70 years Hampshire Traditionary.   May 1778 " 5 28 " Capt Kirk- land Not stated " Rhode I. Mass.   Aug 1779 " 2 " " Capt Ben- Banning Not recol- lected — " Mass.  
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 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
Joseph Raven Ex. Ex

Silas Parsons
10. mos. 13 days
Provs in this application
178-
n 5. 28
by Certificate Secy State Dept } 79
42
X Died Dec 6 th 1839-
7. 10
Married March 11 th 1783.
Widow died 4 Aug t 1843 X
Children's names
Clarissa Hovey.
Seth Parsons.
William Parsons.
Paulina Pratt.
Theodosia Warner.
Sarah Pratt.
Silas Parsons.
Agent A. A. Mop Lockport N.Y.
from death of her band under act of 7 July '38- & from 4 march 43 to 4 aug 43. — March 43
23. 33 1. 11

14085
Sarah Parsons
N.Y.
Act 7 th July 38
m 83. d 39 —
adm?
7 mo. 1000.
24.44 from 6 Dec. 39 —
Also Act March 43. to 4 Aug 43 the day of her death
To Clarissa Henry Seth Parsons William Parsons Paulina Pratt Theodosia Warner Sarah Pratt Vilas Parsons Agent A.H. Mops Esq Lockport N.Y.

State of New York Niagara County ss.
On this Eleventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in and for Said County Silas Parsons a resident of the town of Lockport in the County of Niagara aged thirty eight 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 July 7. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay Pensions to Certain Widows" that he is the Son of Silas Parsons and Sarah Parsons late of Lockport aforesaid deceased that the said Sarah Parsons died on the fourth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three that at the time of her death she resided in the town of Lockport in the County of Niagara and State of New York that she was at the time of her death the Widow of Silas Parsons who was a private in the Revolutionary Army and served in the Revolutionary War for which he received from the Government of the United States a pension of thirty four dollars and Seventy four cents per annum under the Law of the United States of the Seventh of June Eighteen hundred and thirty two that a pension Certificate was granted to the said Silas Parsons from the War Department bearing date November Sixth Eighteen hundred and thirty three Numbered 24.157-
He further declares that the maiden name of the said Sarah Parsons was Sarah Fisk and that she was married to the said Silas Parsons on the Eleventh day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty three as appears from a Copy of a Church Record now in his possession, that they were married in Shelburne Franklin County and State of Massachusetts that the said Silas Parsons husband of the said Widow died on the Sixth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty one at Lockport aforesaid that the Marriage aforesaid was not prior to the said

Silas Parsons leaving the Service but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four. Voz at the time above stated - He further states that the said Sarah Parsons widow of the said Silas Parsons never married after the death of her husband the said Silas Parsons but continued her widow until her death at the time aforesaid that at the time of her death she left living Seven Children Three Sons and four Daughters, who are still living and whose names are Seth Parsons William Parsons Silas Parsons Glauissa Hovey. Paulina Pratt Theodotia Warner and Sarah Pratt.
He further states that the pension which his father the said Silas Parsons received in his life time was drawn by him up to the fourth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty nine, and has not been drawn since, that the annuities due him at the time of his death was not drawn by his said widow during her life nor by their Children since.
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written before me in open court
Silas Parsons
Eliot Ransom First Judge of Niagara County Courts -

State of New York Niagara County clerk's office
I James C Lewis clerk of said county and of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Elias Ransom before whom the foregoing declaration was made in open Court was at the time of taking the same First Judge of Niagara County Court and was holding the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County at the time of taking said declaration and duly authorized by the Law of said State to hold the same. That said Court is a Court of Record proceeding according to the course of the Common Law having a Clerk and a Seal and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and that his Signature within written is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this Eleventh day June 1844
James C Lewis clerk

for a statement of the military history of Silas Parsons a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his heirs widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 12, 1777 Oct. 24, 1777 Pvt. Warner Brown Mass.   May 1778 6 mos. Kirkland   July 1779 2 mos. Benjamin Bonney Porter        
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chesterfield & Goshen Hampshire Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 14, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Lockport Niagara Co. N.Y. Dec. 6, 1839.
Age at date of application, Barnes Northampton Hampshire Co. Mass. Sept. 26, 1761 and
Remarks: Soldier married at Shelburne, Franklin Co. Mass. Mar. 11, 1783, Sarah
Fick. She died Aug. 4, 1843, at Lockport Niagara Co. N.Y. leaving seven
children: Clarissa Hovey 60 yrs old, Seth 58 yrs, William 53 yrs, Paulina
Pratt 57 yrs, Theodotia Warner 47 yrs, Sarah Pratt 45 yrs, Silas 38 yrs, in 1843.
Soldier had an older brother Ebenezer in 1797.
Very respectfully,
Lockport N.Y.

State of New York Triagasa County
ss. personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for the said County Silas Parsons who being duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in addition & amendment of his former declaration to which this is annexed
That at such time when he entered the service of the United States as stated in his said former declaration, he resided in the Town of Chesterfield in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts. That in his former declaration he stated that "In the latter part of the summer of 1779" he "enlisted" "for the term of two months as a militiaman" & entered the United States service under Capt. Benjamin Barney" & since the present now says that from further reflection upon the subject he is persuaded & believes that it was in the month of July 1779 when he enlisted & entered the service as aforesaid under the said Capt. Benjamin Barney & the declarant also says that from further reflection he now recollects that the first Lieut. name was Beach & the second Lieut. was Michel their Christian names he does not recollect, and that Col. Porter of Hadley in Hampshire County aforesaid a militia officer was his Col. & had the command at New London as he believes.
The declarant further says that "in the month of May 1778" when he was drafted for six months & entered the service under Capt. Kirkland, as stated in his said former declaration, the object of the said draft was to raise troops to guard the military stores at Springfield in Hampshire County aforesaid & that on arriving at Springfield Capt. Kirkland's company performed artillery duty only till the other company arrived. & then the other company attended to that business & Capt. Kirkland's company was employed as a guard.
That some of the persons to whom the declarant is known in his present neighbourhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution are Rev. Joseph Myers, Abt. Hathaway Esq.,

Cab. Tisher Sexton, Stephen Stony, John Gooding, Morris H. Larker, Matthew Mc. Cagg & Gillett Bureau all of the Town of Lockport in said County of Niagara
Subscribed & sworn to before me September 13 th A.D. 1833.
Silas Parsons
Joseph Center Justice Peace
State of New York Niagara County } ss. I Joseph Center a Justice of the Peace in & for said County do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the Rev. Silas Parsons who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and have been acquainted with him for some years past. And I further certify that the said Silas Parsons is a man of truth and veracity and his statement entitled to the unreserved confidence. Joseph Center Justice Peace Dated September 13 th 1833.
State of New York Niagara County } ss. I Henry Catlin Clerk of the County of Niagara & of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace in & for said County do hereby certify that Joseph Center before whom the annexed or above additional declaration of the Rev. Silas Parsons was sworn to on the 13 th day of September 1833 and who made & subscribed his annexed or above certificate bearing date the same day was on the said 13 th day of September 1833 a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. And I do further certify that the annexed original declaration of the Rev. Silas Parsons & the certificate of the Rev. Joseph Myers & Mrs. Hetherway & the declaration of the Court were all annexed together by or with wafer as they are now annexed together, on the 14 th day of September 1833 when the same were executed by the said Court & when made my certificate & affixed my seal of office thereto. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand also affixed my official seal at Lockport the 23 rd day of September A.D. 1833. Henry Catlin Clerk

96311 New York.
Sarah Parsons, deceased, widow of Silas Parsons, who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, and who died on the 6. December, 1839, of Niagara in the State of N. Yk. who was a private in the coy commanded by Captain Warner of the commanded by Col: Brann in the Infantry line for 7 mo: 10 days —
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany — at the rate of 211 — Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 6th day of March Dec. 1839.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25. day of Sept: 1845 and sent to A. H. Moss, Lockport, N. Yk —
Total amount, $ 30.55
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. Stewart Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 — Page 175

Oct. 7, 1907 Airt. to Mrs. R. J. Gant V. L. M. (See S.F. 42 947 for letter)
Ray
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26841
Sarah Parsons Wid of Silas Parsons Phila Mass. line
Act March 31 st 1843
Index: Vol 9 , Page 116
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payment to be made at Albany by T. W. Alcott. Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of
Payable on the 4th March, and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Vol. Page by
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Sarah Parson, decd: who was the widow of Silas Parson, who was a private in the Revy. War, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $24.44 per ann: commencing on the 6th Decr. 1839, under the act of July 7, 1838 and ending on the 4th March, 1841; which will be paid upon the production of the who was a proper voucher to Clarissa Hovey, Seth Parson, Wm Parson, Paulina Pratt, Theodora Warner, Sarah Pratt and Silas Parson only children of and died on the _____ day of said Sarah Parson - decd is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the and terminating on the 4th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 25 th : — day of Sept: — one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payment to be made at
Albany
by
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book            Vol.            Page
Clerk.

war Department.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, Sarah Payson, decd: who was the widow of Silas Payson, who was a private in the Revoly: War, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $24.44 per ann: commencing on the 4 March 1843 widow of under the act of March 3 d 1843, and ending on the who was a 4 th August, 1843, the day of her death; which will be paid and died on the _____ day of upon the production of the proper vouchers to Clarissa Hovey, Seth Payson, Wm Payson, Paulina is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Pratt, Theodora Warner, Sarah Pratt and Silas Payson only children of Sarah Payson, decd: - dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th March, 1843, and terminating on the 4 th of March, 1844, unless the Pensioner shall marry or die before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 25 th - day of Sept r : one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.

11085, Sarah Parsons died N.Y.
Suspended. let. to A. H. Moss - October 3 d '44. to Name April 7. '45. In State Nat. 10 Sept 45
Act July 7 th 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sep. 12. 1845.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Silas Parsons is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Enoch Chaplin's Company Col Jacob Gerrish's regt. detached from the County of Hampshire to guard several stores in Springfield & Brookfield for the term of 6 months from July 1. 1778. as a private from July 6. to Decembru 31. 1778. 5 months & 28 days, including allowance of 3 days for travel. Upon another of Capt Benjamin Bonney's Comp y Col Elisha Patten's regt from the County of Hampshire for service at New London in Conn t , as a private from the 31 st July to the 27 th August 1779. inclusive. 42 days, including allowance of 5 days travel. Not upon rolls of Capt Warner, and the above is all the evidence of service of any one of the name as shown by the records in this office.
5. 28 78 42 79 7:10

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of Sep. 10 1845. was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowl- edge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Harvey.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Feb. 18. 1895.
Adela Hencourt
Sarah Parsons, etc.
Hon.
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Lakewood February 11. 1845
Hon. J. L. Edwards Committee of Pensions
Sir,
In pursuance of the requirements of Your letter of October last in relation to the claim for a pension of Sarah Parsons widow of Silas Parsons deceased or rather the children of Sarah Parsons I now forward you a certificate of the Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of Niagara County of proof of the death of Sarah Parsons and the number name, & ages of the children who survived her. This I trust is satisfactory on this point. You also request the certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts of the service of Silas Parsons - This I have not obtained and I trust it will not be necessary inasmuch as Silas Parsons once made proof of service & was pensioned himself during his life time & his certificate returned with the papers of the children - and in the fourth paragraph of the regulations bearing date July 17. 1838 sent to me by you
That in every case in which the deceased officer or soldier was the pensioner, the fact should be so stated and the pensions so described as to enable the department to refer to
This I supposed superseded the necessity of furnishing proof of service as I supposed the proof upon which Silas Parsons was pensioned was sufficient to support this claim and it being attended with considerable expense and the amount expected being so small I had hoped & still do that it will be unnecessary to take any measures to procure the certificate

I know I am in error in this please please inform me at once & I will endeavor to procure the Certificate Let me hear from You soon Yours A. H. Wolf
Feb. 18, 1895.
Ada Ter care Sarah Parsons, Hon. Secy of the Interior

July 28, 1845.
Adams to me
Dear Parsons
Hon J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington
PAID
10
W

Sockport July 23 d 1845.
Hon J. S. Edwards Com of Pensions
Sir I have obtained the Search and Certificate of the Sec. of Massachusetts of the Services of Silas Parsons as a private in the Revolution And now enclose it to you for the purpose of Supporting the claim of the Children of Sarah Parsons late Widow of Silas Parsons for the pension she was entitled to at the time of her death - I trust this with the evidence on file upon which he was pensioned himself will be Satisfactory - have the goodness to advise me of the result as soon as the paper, can be examined
Respectfully Your ob t Servt A. H. M c s

Oct 13. 1845.
Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson 1 State Street Boston
PAID
Am. J. L. Edwar...
Mr. Attention. 7302

Sakpnt Oct 7. 1845. Hon J L Edward, Com of Pensions
Sir the pension certificates in the case of Mrs Sarah Parsons Children are Recd - I return one for this reason it seems to me under the Law it ought to commence on the fourth of September instead of 6 Decr. 1839 Mr Parsons died I think 6 Decr 1839 he drew the last time 4 Septm 1839. If I understand the Law correctly she cannot draw for any time during which he drew. now he did not draw from 4 Sept to 6 Decr 1839 neither did his widow or any one else draw the annuity at his death and the whole now becomes payable to the children the very person to whom these certificates run I can see no objection to commencing them there is a different mode prescribed to obtain it this certificate being granted to entitle the children to all the claims the widows would have had if living seem to me ought to entitle them to go back to the fourth of September 1839. If however I am in error it cannot be done therefore give the certificate & please advise me why the same annual amount is not allowed the children which the father drew. that was $34.74 per year. And I had supposed the children entitled to the same
I am Very respectfully Yours & A H. Mop

State of New York County of Niagara
I Edwin Shepard Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas held at the courthouse in Lockport in and for the County Do hereby certify that Satisfactory Evidence has been Exhibited to said Court, That Sarah Parsons who was the widow of Silas Parsons deceased - Died on the Sixth day of August in the year 1843 in the County of Niagara and State of New York, and that She left Seven Children surviving her whose names are, Claussa Hovey who is now sixty years of age upwards, Seth Parsons who is now fifty eight years of age and upwards, William Parsons who is now fifty three years of age and upwards, Paulina Pratt who is now fifty one years of age and upwards, Theodotia Warner who is now forty seven years of age upwards, Sarah Pratt who is now forty five years of age upwards, & Silas Parsons who is now thirty eight years of age
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office at Lockport this Seventh day of February in the year of our Lord 1845. Edwin Shepard Deputy Clerk

Hon J L Edwards, Com of Pensions City of Washington

Lockport June 11. th 1844
Hon J S Edwards Sir
Enclosed I send you a declaration for a pension for the Widow of Silas Parsons deceased the Widow is now dead and the pension is now claimed by her children. I have Your Letter of the 15 th of April last which informed that the children could draw what the Widow was entitled to but who died without asserting her claim the period for which these children will draw seems to be according to the act of April 30 from Sept 4 1839 to March 4. 1841, unless the children are also entitled to the additional year under the Law of March 3 rd 1843 please advise me how that is — and if so why not include it in one certificate? I have made the declaration in this case from Your letter of April 15 altering the original form so as to suit the case according to my own judgement. — I forward also an afft of the Marriage with Copy of Church Records giving an account of the Marriage I think duly authenticated as is also the declaration now made before the Court. I also return the original pension certificate of Silas Parsons and as he was a pensioner I have made no proof of his Service as that is on file I think all is correct & I hope so at all events, — please examine the matter as soon as convenient and advise me.
I wrote you recently for information in relation to claims of Invalids who served under Genl Wayne and received an answer and some blanks. I want to know now whether the appointment of the Surgeons must actually be by a District Judge of the

United State, Court or whether such appointment may be made by any of our State or County Judges? and whether the testimony cannot now be taken by any County Judge out of Court under the Law. Copy of which you sent me
I am Very Respectfully Yours &
A. H. Mof

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Parsons, Solomon
S. 4646
CONTENTS

19.9.76 Ohio Pittsburgh.
Solomon Parsons of Huron Co. in the State of Ohio, — who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain — of the Regt. commanded by — in the Cont. line for 18 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pensions at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of Oct. 1833 and sent to Lewisville Huron Co. Ohio.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1833. 150. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar' 33 30. $180.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c Cluer Book 6, Vol. 8 Page 123,

17. 121, 19.976
Soloman Parsons
Aurora Co Ohio
Return of
Adm. 1. year & 6. Months $40.00.
Levi B. Shurges Marshal Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
17 June — 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 Solomon Parsons, Huron Co. Ohio
   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.     Enlisted 1777 1. 66. Traditionary   " 1778 6 Soares   1779 Coast   Transferred to the French Army.  
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

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; and Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place 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 12 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.

Solomon Parsons
17121
✓
6 months in Brewster

State of Ohio . Warren County ss
On this eighth day of October A D one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two; personally appeared before the President Judge and the other Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County now sitting in Norwalk in said County - in Open Court - Solomon Parsons, a Resident in the Town of Perrymillion in said County aged sixty six years old, who being firstly 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 7 th June A D 1832. That he was born in the Town of Windsor in the State of Connecticut in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six - where he lived Twenty nine years - He then moved into the State of New York & lived in the Town of Roxbury in the County of Delaware in the last mentioned State Twenty years. From thence he moved into said Perrymillion about Seventeen years. That he has no record of his age
That he served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, as follows viz That in the year A D 1777, in the Town of Somers in said State of Connecticut. He enlisted into the Continental Army for one year as a Recruit to fill up Vacancies in a Company commanded by a Captain Robinson. He don't recollect the name of the Colonel of the Regiment - That he marched to Hartford in Connecticut from thence to West Point, and there assisted in building the Fort, and that he served his time out. That at said Somers in the year A D 1778, he enlisted as a Volunteer into a Company commanded by a Capt Wright in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Wyllys. He marched again to West Point and again assisted at the works of the Fort. Saw Major Andree. Hung & executed, and saw him after he was dead. He also went into & served in New Jersey.
and he served for the afore term for which enlisted which was six Months That afterwards, at said Somers, viz in the year A D 1779 he enlisted into the French Army as a Teamster in a Company commanded by Captain Levi Peas. That Colonel Green in Roadsworth of Hartford, Connecticut and Colonel Carter of Boston Massachusetts were the head Conductors of all the French Teamsters & Teams That they travelled on to the White Plains where they joined the Army - That they crossed the North river down into New Jersey and then on to the south that they were Fifty two days & Fifty two nights on their march. - that they halted at Williamsburgh in Virginia - They then went on to York Town in Virginia - They went to James River with their Teams & loaded them with the

Ammunition & provisions and carried them to York Town & into the Fort during the action.
That he served under the said last enlistment one year That at said York he frequently saw General Washington Gen. Lafayette & Colonel Alexander Hamilton.
That he knows of no person now living who can positively testify respecting his Revolutionary Services His documentary Evidence of his services - never received a written discharge but was honorably discharged from the service That the Reverend Asahel Morse of said Newalk and Jeremiah Van Ben Schoter of Huron Twp. D County, can testify respecting his Character for truth & veracity and his reputation of having been a Revolutionary Soldier. He also declares that he served during said Revolutionary a bout two years in the Militia at old Providence Rhode Island but he is so informed his memory has so failed him that he cannot recollect the officers or the particular circumstances.
Solomon Parsons
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency of any State.
Solomon Parsons
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
D. G. Libby Clerk By M. N. Fildes Deputy
We Asahel Morse a Clergyman residing in the Town of Newalk in said County of Huron and Jeremiah Van Ben Schoter of Huron in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Parsons of Vermillion in said County who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe to be sixty six or sixty seven years old That he is reputed & believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & That we concur in that opinion and further that we have always considered him a man of truth and veracity
Asahel Morse
Jeremiah Van Ben Schoter Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
David Libby Clerk N. H. R. By M. N. Fildes Deputy
And the said Court do hereby certify declare it as their opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 certify that it appears to them that Asahel Morse who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Lyons in said County of Huron and

That Daniel Vanburen Schott who signed the same is a Resident in the Town of Huron in said Huron County and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to Credit
O. Higgings Clerk
Timothy Baker } Judges Frederick H. Vawter }
I David Gibbs Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Huron State of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Solomon Parsons for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand, Eight Hundred and thirty two. D. Gibbs Clerk

Solomon Parsons

State of Ohio Huron County ss Norwalk
On this Second day of May A D one thousand, eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before Timothy Baker one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County Solomon Parsons a Resident in the Town of Vermilion in said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath depose the following Supplementary declaration in addition to his former Declaration made before said Court of Common Pleas on the 5 day of October A D 1832 - in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision of an act of Congress passed 7 June 1832. That at the time he served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War in the year A D 1777 for one year as mentioned in his said former declaration. He cannot now owing to his old age & consequent loss of memory say positively who was the Colonel of the Regiment including the Company commanded by Captain Robinson but upon further reflection he believes Colonel Wyllis was the Colonel of the Regiment as he believes the same Colonel then commanded the Regiment as afterwards commanded the Regiment when the Declarant served for six months in Captain Wrights company - as he the Declarant served in both periods at at West Point at the works of the Fort. That previous to his said services in 1777 & 1778 as mentioned above on some time in the year of 1776, he volunteered and served in the Militia at Old Providence in Rhode Island in the United States Service and that General Spencer commanded. That he knows that he did not serve less in the service of the United States as a revolutionary Soldier than one year & eight months exclusive of the one year which he served as a Freeman in the French Army then cooperating in the Common cause with the American Army and for which he claims

a Pension -
Johnson Parsons
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 2 nd day of May 1833
Timothy Baker Judge of Marion Court Pleas
State of Ohio Marion County } David Gibbs Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do certify that is a lawfull Judge of said Court as above The signature above purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof have hereunto subscribed my name affixed the seal of said Court at St. -walk this 2 d day of May A.D. 1833. D. Gibbs Clerk H. Co.

FREE
L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington -
Chas Nutt

Norwalk, Ohio 5 Sept r 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner to Ser
I now return to you Solomon Parsons Pension Papers. It is not in his power to procure any more proof respecting his year's services in 1777. His old associates are all dead. You will observe that for that term of one year, he did not in the first instance regularly enlist & but served as a recruit to fill up vacancies. It is for you to determine whether serving as a recruit there would be probably a return of his name on the roll - and if not, whether the same favorable proof should not be admitted as in case of service in the Militia - where the oath of the applicant & his good character verified, is considered as sufficient.
You say there is evidence on the rolls of his service for six months. - considering his service as a Teamster in the French Army, altho' cooperating at the same time with the American Army, cannot strictly & technically be allowed - yet will not this circumstance induce a more liberal construction as to his services for one year & six months in 1777 & 1778?
I have rec d your Letter informing of the rejection of Philip Lutter's claim for a Pension. He will, in a proper time, request a revision of that decision.
Have rec d from you a Certificate allowing a Pension to Noah McVactor.
I am with much respect
your Ob. Serv t
Edw s B. Sturges
This appears by his first Declaration. By his second declaration he says he thinks Col t Wylllys was his Colonel in 1777 when he served in Capt e Robinson's company.

Rev War
4646.
INVALID.
File No. 4646
Solomon Parsons
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 287
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* Solomon Parsons, Apr. 16 '04 Records corrected