Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2870, for Samuel Mount, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Mount, Samuel
S. 2870
Carded.
CONTENTS

New Jersey 17585.
Samuel Mount
at Monmouth in the State of N. J.
who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Stout of the Reg t commanded by Col Holmes in the N. J. troops time for
2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. J.
at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Aug h 1833. and deliv d Hon. L Condick of N. J. Present
arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 — 160. — Pens ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept r — " 40 —
$ 200. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis J. Dancion Clerk, book E. Vol. 3 d Page 121.

N o 3099
The Petition of Samuel Mount, an appli- cant under the Pen- sion Law, passed June 7 th 1832 —
RG
By decision of the Hon. Secy. the rules requiring a specifica- tion of service are waived upon the cer- tificate of the Col. ct.
Amount
24 mo. per m
80 $
Levi Condit, Pmt

Supplemental Affidavit of Samuel Maunt in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th. 1832.
State of New Jersey.
Monmouth County } Personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Samuel Maunt who being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that by reason of his age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the several periods mentioned below, and in the following grades, that he first entered the service of the United States near the commencement of the war, as he thinks in August 1776 and served three months in that year. viz. He was enrolled and served as a private under Capt John Hunt, Lieut. Tobias Henderson & Lieut. Wood, in August, that tour was performed at North Amboy, the 2 d month October. I served as a private under Capt Jonathan Sippincot at Shoals Harbour in the County of Monmouth, whilst there he was engaged in capturing a British vessel loaded with horses, the 3 d December, when Monmouth County was entirely overrun by the British Refugees & the militia were compelled to lay down their arms. He joined Genl. Washington's army & was with it in the battle of Trenton; that after- wards he marched with the army across the State to Morris- town & remained there till March as he thinks, making two months, viz. January & February. That he returned to Monmouth County in March & was immediately called out as a militia man I served his monthly tour viz. March, May, July & September under Capt Benjamin Randall in guarding the shore at the various stations on the Coast from Amboy to Long Branch & in doing duty generally in the different parts of the County, that during this time besides performing his monthly tour of duty he done such a good deal of service as a Sub- stitute, but for whom does not now recollect; that some

time in September as he thinks he served as a private under Capt. Jonathan Pitman & was attached as he thinks to the brigade of Genl. David Forman, that he joined Genl. Washington's army & was with it at the Battle of Germantown in October. That afterwards he returned & served the month of December in the County of Monmouth does not recollect under whom. Making at least eight months in 1777. In the year 1778. I served as a  private  for  the  month  of  January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December in the County of Monmouth, viz February & April He served under Capt John Burrows in protecting the inhabitants of the township of Freehold from the plundering parties of Refugees with which it was then infested. The 3 rd being June he served under Capt John Burrows in the township of Freehold; that he was at the Battle of Monmouth, but as he had the charge of a team and some baggage, he took no part therein; that the remaining three months viz August October & December, he served as a private in the different Companies that were under Capt Benj n Randall, in the township of Middletown, New Jersey  in the County of Monmouth  in the township of Freehold. That in one of these times, he alone made six refugee prisoners at Squan River, they landed from without arms from their boat, he watched them come suddenly upon them drove them up to the tavern had them tied & then took them to Shinton's where Genl. Forman then was, that one of these refugees was named Morris. In the year 1779 I served for six months, viz in the County of Monmouth, viz February under Capt Pitman John Burrows in the township of Freehold. April & June, under Capt. Jonathan Sippinot in keeping guard at Manascunk Shoal Harbour, Highlands & Long Branch in the townships of Shrewsbury & Middletown. August October & December under Capt Randall in the township of Freehold. In 1780. He served under different Captains and in different Companies in the township of Freehold for the months of February & April: but from the nature of the service & his

extreme old age, being said to be about a hundred years old, is unable to recollect the circumstances attending it. In June he entered what was called the three months service under Capt. Lawrence, & served June, July & August near Newark & Elizabeth towns, that during this time he was engaged in the Battle of Springfields and in the Skirmish at Connietute Farms; that they had several Skirmishes about the same time with parties of the Refugees near and in the neighbourhood of Newark, and he recollects one in particular, when they the Refugees had collected a drove of Cattle & were driving them to Newark, but by the timely interference of his Party they were compelled to abandon their spoils to its rightful owners & afterwards he returned to the County of Monmouth & was again performed his regular turns of monthly duty, viz. October, & December, under Capt. Brock in the township of Middletown in guarding the shore from at Browns Point Manasquan Shoals Harbour. For other places on the shore, making at least seven months of service in 1781. In 1781. He served six months, his regular turns of duty viz. February, April, June, August, October & December. This service he thinks was principally performed under Capt. Headly at the months of February & April in guarding the shore at the Highlands and Long Branch, June at the Coast House at Nichols in the neighbourhood; August, October and December, at Tinton Falls. Shrewsbury and at various other places in the township of Shrewsbury; In 1782. he served six months viz. his monthly turns, February, April, June, August, October, all in the township of Freehold & December all in the township of Freehold under Capt. Lawrence. That his field officers were Genls. David Forman, Col. Elisha Holmes, Col. Samuel Forman & when at Germantown, thinks he was under a Col. Lawrence, his Major, Col. Walton, he thinks he served at different times under the above named

officers. That during the above time he served in an embattled Corps called into service by reason of an act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey. & that during the whole time, he was in actual service extra in the field as a soldier & was not employed in any civil pursuit Sworn & subscribed this twenty fourth day of July A.D. 1833
The erasing in lines 9, 12 & 32 on 1 st page & 9, 18, 19 & 20 & 28 on 2 nd page & 14, 31 & 32 on 3 rd page & the interlineations in lines 28 & 4 on 1 st page 15, 19 & 20 on 2 nd & 14 & 38 on 3 rd page being first made Thos. C. Shook morten
His Samuel D. Mount near R
I, Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monmouth do hereby certify that the annexed papers contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Mount for a Pension. That John Paterson, William Lloyd & John R. Davis who names are thereunto subscribed an Inages of said Court duly commissioned & know that I am acquainted with their hand-writing respectively & believe their signatures to be genuine & that full faith & credit should be given to them their official acts. I further certify that Thomas C. Shook morten before whom the preceding supplemental affidavit was taken, is an acting Justice of the peace of said County duly commissioned & sworn & that his name is enrolled as such in my office. That he is authorized to administer an oath - That I am well acquainted with his hand-writing and believe his sig- n to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of August A.D. 1833 H. H. Ellis Clerk

State of Pa. Issued 3 rd July Monmouth Co N.J.
On this thirty first day of July A.D. 1832, Personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monmouth, now sitting. Samuel Mount, a resident of the Township of Upper Freehold in said County N.J. of a very advanced age (90 years of age, and is reputed in his neighborhood to be rising 100 years old) - who being first duly sworn, according to law, maketh the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - That he entered the service in the commencement of the war (somewhere about the latter part of the year 1776 he thinks) - That he believes he first went out under the requisitions of the Laws of this State, and suppose it was called drafting - That he thinks he first went to Battle Abbey under Capt. John Steel. Lieutenant Tobias Hendrickson & a Lieutenant Wood - That he went to Shrewsbury under Capt. Jonathan Lippincott, and expected when there to take a British vessel, having horses on board - That (he) continued in the militia until a short time before the Battle of Brandywine, when he joined General Washington's army & that he was in the Battle of Brandywine, and after that, marched along the State with him, and at last got to a place called Morristown, where he staid through the winter - sometime in the next Spring, he came back

(and joined the militia) to Monmouth, and done duty with them nearly all the time - when it was not his month to be out, he went as a substitute, but he cannot now remember for whom - That he liked soldiering better than being at home, and started out nearly all the time - That he was in the Battle of Springfield - That he was on a in the three months service, and served the time under one Captain Coward, and at that time laid (he thinks) principally at Connecticut Farms - That he had a small skirmish with the Refugees near Newark which is this 3 months service; the Refugees had been stealing cattle - That he was under one Captain Jonathan Pitman (and attached as he thinks, but is not sure) to Genl David Forman's Brigade, and joined Washington's Army, and was with him at the Battle of Germantown - That he served for some time (2 or 3 months) under one Capt. John Burrows - That he was at the Battle of Red Bank, but having charge of a team and some baggage, did not take a part therein - That after the Battle of Monmouth he continued in constant service in the militia and which in this service, he (alone) took six Refugees prisoners at Igou-Pine - They had laid a trap for the Boys without their arms - he watched them and came suddenly on them - drove them up to the barn, had them tied, and then took them prisoners to Genl. Salomon's Genl. Forman the land - One of these Refugees was called Capt. Morris - That he served nearly all the war, but cannot recollect the name of the War officers nor can he recollect exactly the order in which he served, nor the Continental Regiments - inasmuch as he is very old and his mem-

- ony is much impaired. He cannot remember in detail the circumstances of the war - but  cannot remember the name of any particular  officer That he has no doubt that he was out in actual service at least five years - and he thinks six years, during the war, though he cannot recollect dates - That he lived in Upper Freehold at time of entering the service & has lived there ever since - That he has no documentary evidence to substantiate his claim, but one Daniel Brittain who was out some of the time with him can testify to his service -
And he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declaring that his name is not on the Pension Rolls of the agency of any state
Sworn & Subscribed this 31 st } of July A.D. 1832 } John Patterson }
Samuel M. Munn his mark
State of New Jersey } Monmouth County }
Personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, Daniel Brittain, who being duly sworn according to law saith, that he is well acquainted with Samuel Munn, the above- applicant. That he himself is now 78 years of age, and he has no doubt that Samuel Munn
...for whom he has not heard from since

the applicant is at least 90 years old That he knew him during the Revolutionary War That he saw him just after the Battle of Springfield and knows he was in it. He has seen him out in service at many and different periods through all parts of the Revolution, to the end of it. He was always esteemed a most brave and faithful soldier and he has no doubt  and that he was in actual service at least five years. He has ever been celebra- ted in his neighborhood for his prowess and daring in the Revolution. That he has heard read the proclamation hereunto annexed, & believing that it is all true - And he further believing he is entitled to his Pension under the act of June 7 th 1830 - Given & subscribed this 31 st } Daniel Bretton of July A.D. 1830 } his mark John Patterson }
I, Brantilla Hendrickson, residing in the county of Muscatine & State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Moore who has been known to the above Declaration. That I believe him to be at least 90 years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, on the part of the United States, & that I concur in their opinion - Given under my hand - Count the 27 th } Brantilla Hendrickson of aforesaid - } William Lloyd }

And the Judges of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas of the County of Mon- mouth do hereby declare their opinion after a full investigation of the Case and after putting the interrogations pro- posed by the War Department, that the above applicant Samuel Mount was a soldier of the revolution and served as he stated and the Court fur- ther certifies that the said Daniel Brittain — (Killed at the Battle of Brandywine) who having signed the above affidavit in in behalf of persons and their statements are entitled to credits — and that they believe there is no clergyman now residing in the neighborhood (Brev: Holy Trinity, now being established) Wm Patterson
Dear Father William Lloyd John H. Dawson
Questions propounded to Samuel & Maude applicants for a pension, according to rules of War Department.
1 Where and in what year were you born—
I cannot exactly say —
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it - I have none -
3 Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolution and war and where do you now live — — In Upper Merrihold

4 How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute. And if a substitute, for whom - This question is answered in my Deed
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 service - See Declaration
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it - I rec d nothing but a verbal discharge
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 See affidavit &c
Sworn to before me this 31 st of July 1832 Samuel Mount Justice of the Peace
John Patterson

I, the Subscriber, Clerk of the Inferi-
or Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Monmouth, in the State of New-Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Samuel Mount for a Pardon
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Freehold, this thirtyfirst day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
H. H. Ellis  clerk
for the original of this 1832 July 31st 1832 Samuel Mount his Attorney J. W. & E. R. Bartleson

3099 Samuel Mount Upper Freehold Monmouth Co N.J.
The testimony of survivors of his several services must be obtained, or
otherwise it must be alleged in terms that none can be found. Witnesses must state facts within knowledge in detail.
Levi Bondia Curator.
Mr L. Dayton Forfeited
Mon th Co. - N.J.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 29 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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. 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 Sam d Mount of Newmarts Co.
   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.     1776 - Aug st 3 Private Genl B. Forman 90 yrs at least & is reputed to be upwards of 100 - Testimony of Living witnesses and certificate of another neighbor as traditional evidence   77 - 8 Col R. Holmes   78 - 6 Col Sam d Forman   79 - 6 Col Lawrence (he thinks)   80 - 7 May E. Walton   81 - 6 Company officers   82 - 6 Capt John Stout   Lieut Y. Hendrickson   Lieut David   Capt Benj t Randall   Capt John Pittman   Capt John Bunney   Capt Jonas Lippincott   Capt Coward   Capt Headly  
Service as a substitute &c. not estimated { 3 }
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Samuel Mount

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; 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 [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.

Rev War
2870
INVALID.
am
File No. 2870
Samuel Mount
First Rev War
Act: June 7. 1882
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

To the Hon ble Lewis Cag, Secretary of War. Sir.
You doubtless recollect the case of Samuel Mount the very aged applicant from Monmouth, N. Jersey, presented for your consideration by Mr. Edwards a few days past, which you referred to me for my certificate, in regard to "his physical & mental incapacity." —
I have the honor to inform you, that since our interview, I have written to gentlemen in that County, upon whose statement the most implicit confidence may be placed, & the following is the result. —
Samuel Mount has no record of his age. He has only a traditional belief, derived from his parents, which many of his neighbors rec d . from him many years since, & according to that tradition, which has gained very general credit, it is believed that he is one hundred & three years old. — Such extraordinary longevity, produces some doubt on the minds of some persons who have not known him more than 20 years — altho' he bears upon his countenance, the most undeniable proof, of being a Centenarian. I firmly believe him to be not less than 95 years old myself — & he is now probably 100. — His powers of body & mind, have been prolonged to an uncommon age — but within a few months he has become a child in both respects. He seldom leaves his room, & his mind is now so imbecile, that the impressions of yesterday, are almost entirely effaced. — I firmly believe him now to be altogether incapable of giving any narration of his services, which would be coherent or consistent.
Most respectfully &c.
Lewis Condick.
Washington Aug. 24 th . 1833.