Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1136, Silas Brown, New York

SERVICE
New York
Brown, Silas Margaret
NUMBER
W 1136
B.L.M. 29,011-160-55
CONTENTS
b. 1758 in New Paltz, Dutchess Co. N.Y. res. at mt. Westchester Co. N.Y. m. in 1832, Wallkill, Orange Co. N.Y. d. Feb 28, 1839 in Orange Co. N.Y.

1920 New York
Nikias Brown
of Walthill in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Stewart of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dralle in the N. York line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars 62 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 1832 and due to L. Chattle W. Hope
Arrears to the 14th of Mar: '33 $ 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep: '33  40 $ 200
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Go. E. Stiles Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 46

N. 1602 New York City Margaret Brown widow of Silas Brown who served in the Revolutionary N.Y. war, as a pirate
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1818. 3 rd February 1833 Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Aug 1833 and sent to
Joseph Ellis Bloomingburgh New York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2 nd 1818, Page 69 Vol. A 3/53
1839

Cir. J. Ellis Feb 12/56
130, 798 { Act March 3/53 May 12/53
Margaret Brown, Widow of Silas Brown, private
Capt. Col.
Revolutionary War,
Pensioner, under Act Feb 3/53.
N.Y. Feb 53- 1602
A:1601a May 23/75
W. H. D.
W. H. D.
Vol. B2-71. —
Joseph Ellis, Bloomingburg N.Y.

State of New York County of Orange ss. On this fourth day of September 1832.
personally appeared in open Court before Samuel Swan John Wallock Jr Nathaniel P. Hill and Horace W. Elliott Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange being a Court of record now sitting. Silas Brown a resident of the Town of Wallkill in the County of Orange and State of New York aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration to wit: to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 4th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated, That about the month of September in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five he entered as a private in a Regiment of volunteers commanded by Col Samuel Drake in Capt Cornelius Steenrods Company raised by the Provincial Government of New York, that when he enlisted he resided in the County of Westchester in the State of New York that the Regiment marched to New York and was employed in building a Fort on York Island until about the twentieth of March 1776, his time of enlistment expired and that in the month of July following he again enlisted in a Regiment of State Troops commanded by Col Thomas Thomas in Capt Nathaniel Delavan Company, as a private for the term of six months that the said Regiment was attached to Brigadier Gen George Clinton's Brigade in the Continental Army, and that he served in said Regiment until the following January when his term expired and he was honorably discharged, while he was in said Regiment the same was stationed at Kings Bridge, on the line between Westchester

and New York, and he further said that he served in Col. Giles Regiment of Militia in Capt Samuel Lawrence Company and marched to Danbury in Conn. at the time it was burnt by the British and followed the British after Danbury was burnt to Compten where their shipping lay. And that he afterwards served in Col Greenes Regiment of Militia in Capt Gibson Seelys Company that he served in the Militia at different times from the commencement of the Revolutionary war until it ended, the service was all in the Militia except the two enlistments above stated, that his different periods of service altogether would exceed three years service, he was in the chief of the time in the County of Westchester in the State of New York where some part of the Militia was in actual service during the whole Revolutionary war that he has no documentary evidence of his services and knows of only two persons living by whom he can prove his services, Daniel Pindy and John Brown of Westchester County and that they are both aged and infirm and unable to attend this court without great care and expense which this applicant is unable to pay, but whose affidavits he has procured, he says he was born at a place called Nine Partners in Dutchy County State of New York in 1758. there is a record of his age in an old Bible of his parents who are both dead that he never received any written or printed discharge from service, he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State the said record of this applicants age is now in possession of his daughter Abigail Brown.

The wife of James Brown of Bloomington in the County of Sullivan and State of New York Subscribed & sworn the 4th September 1832 Silas Brown Asa Dunning Clerk
On my oath I Amos Harding a Minister of the Gospel and Erastus Mages both of Calhoun in said County being duly sworn the said Amos Harding for him- self says that he has been acquainted with the said Silas Brown who has resided in and near to the place of residence for more than thirty years but has never as he recollects heard any thing said respecting his having been a soldier of the Revolution until very lately, that he has ever believed him a man of truth and veracity and has no reason to doubt his ver- acity and he believes he is of the age he states and the said Erastus Mages says he has been acquainted with the said Silas Brown more than forty years it has been said and believed in the neighborhood where he has resided that he was a revolutionary soldier and recited as he states and that he is of the age he states.
Subscribed & sworn the 4th day of September 1832 in open Court Asa Dunning Clerk
Amos Harding Erastus Mages

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 appears to them that Amos Hending who has signed the preceding certificate under oath is a clergyman resident in the Town of Calhoun and that Gaster Stokes who has also signed and sworn to the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Asa Dunning Clerk of the Court of common pleas in and for the County of Orange do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Silas Brown for a pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this fourth day of September 1832
Asa Dunning
Silas Brown
Allowed
50

Westchester County } State of New York }
Personally Appeared before me the under Sign d Commissioner to take affidavits &c John Brown of North Salem in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Silas Brown formerly in the revolutionary war resided in North Salem now called but then called Cortland Manner in the County of Westchester State of New York that he knew that the said Silas enlisted in a Regiment of State troops raised in the County aforesaid and actually served in the same from on or about the first part of July one thousand seven hundred and seventy six until the first of January next ensuing as a private and that he the Deponent served in the said Company and that on the said first of January the said Silas was by verbally discharged the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomey  Regiment in Captain Nathaniel Delavans Company. John Brown
Sworn and Subscribed The 6 th day of July 1832 Before me Jonathan Wallace Commissioner &c

15 14
I Certify that John Brown who subscribed and swore to the within Affidavit before me is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Epaphroditus Wallace Commr. H. John Brown Affiant
SS Westchester County ss State of New York } Personally Appeared before me Epaphroditus Wallace one of the Commissioners for taking Affidavits in the Supreme Court of the said State (Daniel Nddy with whom I am well acquainted who resides in the Town of North Salem in the County and State aforesaid

88. Hecheſter County, } State of New York } Personally Apſe and before me Epeneſer Wallen one of the Commiſſioners for taking Affidavits in the Supreme Court of the ſaid State (Daniel Pindy with whom I am well Acquainted who reſides in the Town of Northſalem in the County and State aforeſaid and being duly ſworn doth depoſe and ſay that he is well Acquainted with Silas Brown who now ſtates that he reſides in the Town of Wallkill in the County of Orange in the State aforeſaid and that he the Deponant and the ſaid Silas in the war of the Revolution both reſided in the County of Weſt- cheſter and that he the Deponant knows that the ſaid Silas on or before the firſt of December in the year one Thouſand ſeven hundred and ſeventy five enliſted in a Regiment of Volunteer Corps, raiſed by order of the provincial Congreſs of New York by whom the Officers were Commiſſioned Commaned by Colonel Samuel Drake in Captain Cornelius Heemſde Company and that the term of the ſervice the regiment was Marched to New York and was employ- in building a fort on York Iſland called Hornſhorek near Newgate and that the regiment was Diſcharged their time of Enliſtment being out on the twenty fifth of March then next after ſervice of upward upwards of three months the deponant faith that he knows the above ſtated facts to be true as he belonged in the ſame regiment with him and the ſame Company and was Verbally Diſcharged and the Deponant further ſaith that on or about the firſt of July one thouſand ſeven hundred and ſeventy five the ſaid Silas Brown enliſted in a Regiment of State troops Commaned by Colonel Thomas Thomas in Captain Nathaniel Delavan's Company as a private which Regiment was Attached to Brigadier General George Clinton Brigade in the Continental Army and that he the Deponant belonged to the ſaid Company and Regiment the term of ſervice on the firſt of January then next and that he knows that he faithfully ſerved his time out and was Verbally Diſcharged and further the Deponant ſaith not

Sworn - Daniel Purdy.
Sworn & subscribed the 6 th day of July 1832 before me
Epnetus Wallace Commissioner
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester State of New York do hereby certify that Epnetus Wallace before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn to was on the day of the date thereof a Commis- sioner to take affidavits acknowledgments, &c in and for said County. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Commissioner and believe the signatures subscribed thereto as his are genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 6 th day of July 1832
N. Bayles Clk
12.262
Files of Brown
Daniel Purdy
Epnetus Wallace
I certify that I have not been in the least concerned in the matter of the within affidavit before me is a true bill (person in that history) - must be in order to read it.
Epnetus Wallace
Daniel Purdy

Silas Brown P. Centurio  fisher
Adm d 2 m ars. pri
804

Personally appeared before me the under- signed a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Orange and State of New York Silas Brown who being duly sworn deposes and says that by reason of old age and the conse- quent loss of memory he cannot recollect exactly 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 six months as a private in Captain Cornelius Sturdivant Company I served six months as a private in Captain Nathaniel Delancey Company in 1776 I served in Captain Samuel Lamm Company of Militia as a private for one year in 1777 & 1778 I served in Captain Gideon Seelye Company as a private for one month I served as a private at least three times each time with Captain Gideon Seelye and Samuel Lamm for a period of more than seven months in addition to the periods above mentioned from the year 1778 to the close of the war, and that all of the periods served in the Revolution- ary war amounted to three years and I think more all as a private and that he served with embodied troops 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 And for such service I claim a pension. Subscribed and sworn this } Silas Brown sixteenth day of April 1833 } before me John Tenney Justice of the Peace

Margaret Brown Widow of Silas Brown decided for a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3 d 1858
Joseph Ellis Attorney Bloomingsburgh Sullivan County N.Y.

Be it known that at a Surrogates court held at the Surrogates office in the Village of Goshen County of Orange in the State of New York personally appeared Margaret Brown a resident of said county aged 62 years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of February 1853 granting Pensions to certain widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Silas Brown who was a Soldier and served in and during the war of the Revolution. she further states that she was married to the said Silas Brown on the 23 rd day of April in the year of 1834 by the Rev. Gilbert Bube who was then a pastor of the Baptist church at New Vernon County of Orange and that the annexed is the marriage certificate she then received from the Rev. Gilbert Bube at the time of her marriage and that her said husband died on the 28 th day of February 1839 and that he was in the receipt of a pension at the time of his death at the rate of $80.00 per annum. and that she was not married to him prior to the 1 st of January 1800, but at the time above stated, she further that she is now a widow and that her name was Margaret Crans before her said marriage
Sworn and subscribed before } Me, the Surrogate of the said } County of Orange, this 18 th } day of May, in the year 1853. }
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, on the said 18 th day of May, 1853. James W. Fowler, Surrogate.
her Margaret X Brown mark

This is to certify that Mr. Silas Brown (a reputed soldier of the revolution) was on the Twenty third day of April and the year of our Lord, One Thousand eight hundred and thirty one, married to Mrs. Margaret Orange by me - in the town of Wallkill - County of Orange, and State of New York.
Gilbert Beebe Pastor Baptist Church at New Vernon Or. Co. N.Y.
Silas Brown Died February the last day 1839

Be it known that at a Surrogate court held at the Surrogate office in the Village of Goshen in the county of Orange in the state of New York that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the said court that Silas Brown was a pensioner of the United States and drew a pension at the rate of $80.00 per annum, under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he died on the 28 th day of Feb- ruary 1839, and that he left him surviving Margaret Brown his widow who made the annexed declaration, and that she is still a widow, and that her name was Margaret Crane before her marriage to Silas Brown her said husband deceased.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Goshen, in the County of Orange aforesaid, this tenth day of May, A.D. 1853.
Mrs. H. Fowler, Surrogate.
rec 27.

130.798 Margaret Brown an applicant for Bounty Lands under the Act of March 3 rd 1855.
Joseph Ellis of Bloom- -ingburgh, Sullivan County, New York Attorney.

STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF SULLIVAN. }
ss:
I, James L. Stewart, Clerk of the County of Sullivan, N. Y., and also Clerk of the County Court of said County, (which is a Court of Record,) do hereby certify that Geo S Smiley whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof of the declaration hereto annexed and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, elected and sworn and duly authorized to take the same—and as such Justice, his acts are entitled to full faith and credit: and further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County and Court the
7 th
day of May
1855
J. Stewart Clerk.
22 1/2 1/2 1/2

- recd March 3 rd 1855. She also declares that she has never applied for nor received under this or any other act of Congress any Bounty lands whatever. And she gives reference to her papers now on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, on which she obtained her pension to prove her marriage, and the services of her late husband the said Silas Brown.
Margaret her  X Brown (real mark) We James T. Anderson and Charles Ellis Residents of Sullivan County, in the state of New York, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed and acknowledged by Margaret Brown . . . in our presence, and that we know her to be a widow and that we believe from her appearance and statements that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
James T. Anderson Real Charles Ellis Real
I the said Justice, do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration and affidavits, were sworn to and subscribed before me, this 15 th day of May 1855, and I further certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, and that I know the Claimant, Margaret Brown . . . to be in the receipt of a pension as stated by her in the foregoing Declaration, and that the said Justice have no interest in her claim for Bounty Lands
Geo S. Smiley Justice of the peace.

State of New York } County of Sullivan } S.S.
Be it known, that before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized by law, to administer oaths, in and for said County personally appeared Margaret Brown and made oath in due form of law, that she is the identical person named in an original certificate in her pension, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy.
Department of the Interior. Widows Pension. I certify that in conformity with the 2 d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Margaret Brown, widow of Silas Brown, who was a private in the Revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 3 rd of February, 1853, and continuing for life unless she should again marry; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior this twenty ninth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
R. M c Clure
Secretary of the interior.
Examined and counterigned J. Cole
acting Commissioner of Pensions.
That she has not intermarried, but continues the widow of the above mentioned Silas Brown. . . . and that she now resides in the County of Sullivan in the State of New York and has resided there for the space of five weeks and that previous thereto she resided in the County of
Orange in the state of New York Of the truth of which statement I am fully satisfied, and that she makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty lands to which she may be entitled under the act appro-

- recd March 3 rd 1855. She also declares that she has never applied for nor received under this or any other act of Congress any Bounty lands whatever. And she gives reference to her papers now on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, on which she obtained her pension to prove her marriage, and the services of her late husband the said Silas Brown.
Margaret her  X Brown mark  real
We James T. Anderson and Charles Ellis Residents of Sullivan County, in the state of New York, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed and acknowledged by Margaret Brown . . . in our presence, and that we know her to be a widow and that we believe from her appearance and statements that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
James T. Anderson seal
Charles Ellis seal
I the said Justice, do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration and affidavits, were sworn to and subscribed before me, this 5 th day of May 1855, and I further certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, and that I know the Claimant, Margaret Brown . . . to be in the receipt of a pension as stated by her in the foregoing Declaration, and that the said Justice have no interest in her claim for Bounty Lands
Geo S. Smiley Justice of the peace.

12.262
Silas Brown
March 19 '35
64. 5. 11 2.3 16
adm d
P. 305
Joseph Chatfield Mount Hope N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Silas Brown Town of Wallkill in the State of N. York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted in September In 1775 discharged about the 20 th March 1776 Private Gen. Col: C. Stewards N. York Col: Sam l Pratt Militia   July 1776 6 " Col: N. Schuyler State Troops Col: J. Thomas   Some further Service is stated, but wholly undefined alleges that "his different periods of Service altogether would exceed three years"  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Westchester County - N. York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence and two living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Gordon Examining Clerk.

Pension Office August 23/50
Sir Please report sum of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c F Burt Esqr J Calh 3rd for Commr Present
Silas Brown, At 32 $80.00. — Died 22 d Feb. 1839, Paid to his death
F Burt Ansd.

May 10. 1853
App t of Margare Brown widow of Silas -
N. York 14920
Act 3 d Feby 1853.
Rev y : Allowed $80 per annum Com. Feb 6 1853
Joseph Ellis Bloomingburgh Sullivan Co
neg.

No 1617 Margaret Brown widow of Silas N. York.
Let Se. Jos. Ellis 28 th July/33
Act Heby 3. 1853.

✓ 29. oss
5 No. Aug

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1136  am
Margaret Brown,
Widow.
Silas Brown,
Priv. Rev. War.
Act Feb. 3. 1853.
Index :—Vol. A , Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bloomingburgh, May 16 th 1856.
Dear Sir,
Margaret Brown widow of Silas Brown deceased, and Mary Weed widow of Charles Weed deceased both made applications for bounty Land under act of 3 rd March 1855, for the Revolutionary services of their late husbands. Their applications have been examined and suspended for this reason, that no record evidence could be found in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions to support their claims, their husbands obtained their Pensions on parole proof. I have been in- formed that a late law or resolution has been passed by Congress giving them bounty Land, whose husbands obtained their Pensions on parole evidence, if so please send Land Warrants for Mary Weed and Margaret Brown under such law or resolution if any such has been passed. And if it is necessary for them to make supplemental Declarations under any

act that has been passed, please send me the necessary form of Application and Oblige
Yours Respectfully
Joseph Ellis
Minot Commissioner of Pensions.

Brief in the case of Margaret Brown widow of Silas Sullivan County and State of N. York act of Feb. 3 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Husband a pensioner act of June 7 1832 at $80 per annum
P. M.
Marriage proof - cr witts
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Death and report
Marr. cr witts
Name and residence of Agent
Joseph Ellis Bloomingburgh Sullivan Co.
Examining Clerk.
H. Gray

a Supplemental Declaration of Margaret Brown widow of Silas Brown
Joseph Ellis Attorney Bloomingburgh Sullivan County State of New York

State of New York County of Sullivan } S.S.
Be it known that personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County duly authorized by the laws of the State of New York to administer oaths in and for said County Margaret Brown a resident of the County of Orange in said State aged 63 years, and made oath in due form of law and on her oath states that she is the widow of Silas Brown deceased a late resident of said County who was in the receipt of a Pension under the act of 1832, that she is the identical Margaret Brown who made a declaration before me the Fowler Surrogate in and for the County of Orange in said State, for a Pension under the act of Congress passed February 3 rd . 1853, and that she has never received a pension under any act of Congress and that she has never applied for a Pension except the present application referred to by the annexed report. Declarant further states that she still remains widow.
Sworn and subscribed her Margaret H Brown before me the 17 th day Mark of August 1853- Geo S Smiley J.P.
I the said justice do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Margaret Brown and that she bears a good character and that I am fully satisfied that her statement in the above Affidavit is correct and true and I further state that I the said justice has no interest in the pension applied for by Margaret Brown who made the above declaration the word pension blotted before signing Geo S Smiley Justice of the peace.

State of New York } County of Sullivan } ss
Be it known that personally appeared before me the Subscriber a justice of the peace duly authorized by the laws of the State of New York to administer oaths in and for the County of Sullivan in said State William Miller a resident of Orange County in said State aged fifty fifty-two years and made oath in due form of law and on his oath states that he was well acquainted with Silas Brown who was in the receipt of a pension at the rate of eighty dollars per annum under the acts of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 and that he the said Silas Brown died on the 28 th day of February 1839 at his residence in the County of Orange in said State and that he left him surviving Margaret Brown his widow who made the foregoing Declaration and that she has not intermarried since the death of her husband the said Silas Brown and that she is still a widow Dependent further states that he has no interest in the pension applied for by Margaret Brown who executed the foregoing Declaration.
Sworn & Subscribed
William Miller
Before Me this 17 day of
August 1853 Geo S Smiley J.P.
I the said justice do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named William Miller and that he bears a good character and that his statements in the above is entitled to the fullest credit and belief and that I the said justice have no interest in the pension applied for Geo S Smiley Justice of the peace

State of New York } County of Sullivan } ss
Be it known that personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace duly authorized by the laws of the State of New York to administer oaths in and for the county of Sullivan in said State. Virgil Miller a citizen of Orange County in the State of New York aforesaid aged 38 years and made oath in due form of law and on his oath states that he was well acquainted with Silas Brown and that he was in the receipt of a pension at the rate of eighty dollars per annum under the act of Congress passed June 7 th in the year of 1832 and that he the said Silas Brown died at his residence in the County of Orange in the State of New York aforesaid on the 28 th day of February 1839 and that he attended his funeral and said his eulogy after his death and that he left him surviving Margaret Brown his widow now present and executed the foregoing declaration and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her late husband the said Silas Brown & this deponent further states that I have no interest in the pension applied for by Margaret Brown who made the foregoing declaration. Sworn and subscribed before me Virgil Miller. This 17 th day of August 1853. Geo S Smiley J.P.
I the said justice do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Virgil Miller who executed and made oath to the above affidavit and that I know him to have a good character and that I believe his statements in the above affidavit to be true and entitled to full credit and belief and I further certify that I the said justice of the peace has no interest in the pension applied for by Margaret Brown in the annexed Declaration. Geo S Smiley Justice of the peace

State of New-York, Sullivan County, ss:
I, PHILANDER WARING, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that at the date of the affidavits +  certificate of proof or acknowledgment to which this is subjoined, the said Geo. S. Smiley was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County, this 18 th day of August A. D. 185 3
P. Waring Clerk.
X

Pension Office July 28 1833
Sir
The claim of Margaret Brown widow of Silas Brown for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 3 rd 1833, is suspended to enable you to complete your proof in conformity with the enclosed instructions.
The identity of the claimant should be shown by the certificate of the Judge. If this cannot be done, it must be proved by two witnesses, who must be certified to be credible by the subscribing Judge or Magistrate. It were better that you transmit an amended application prepared in conformity with the annexed circular.
Very Respectfully S. M. Bates Commissioner
Joseph Ellis Esq Bloomingdale Sullivan Co. N.Y.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Brown which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? in part only V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No — No allowance for service nor for forth as circumstantially as the Regulations require VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Not all VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes — but the Clergyman States that he has known him for 30 years but never understood until very lately, that he was a Revolutionary Soldier XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? NO XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? NO XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.