Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,600, Josias Callahan, N. C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Callahan, Josias Elizabeth
S. 31,600 BLW#71077-160-55
CONTENTS

Georgia 29872
Josias Callahan Retired in the State of Geo: who was a Pr: in the Compny commanded by Captain Roberts of the — commanded by — in the St d Ca M a time for 10 months.
O. Hall
Nov. 5/55
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of $33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Mar 35 and Sarah J. Callahan Treas. So. Co.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 35 133.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept: 35 16.67 $149.99
Recorded by M. Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 87
{ Revolutionary Claim } Act June 7, 1832 }
278694

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit, of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of Georgia ss.
Rabun County }
On this 7 th day of July 1834
personally appeared before the undersigned Judges of the Inferior or County Court of Rabun County in the State of Georgia. Josias Callahan resident of Rabun County in the said State aged Seventy seven years, this 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 an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under Capt. John Roberts in Surrey County N. C. on the 15 th day of April 1779. and marched through Wilkes, on their way to join General Sumter there was collected between 2 and 300 men they had marched about 100 miles, when this Declarant with James Gunton and Daniel Holifield had got a little behind, when three Tories mounted well armed rushed on them & they being unarmed, surrendered as prisoners, rather than be put to death. They were taken on Green River and carried from one place to another till they got to Camden, they were kept there until the last of August, when they were taken to a place on Lynchey Creek 20 or 25 miles from Camden in a few days they together with W m Lovel who was also a prisoner made their Escape, went up the Creek got clear & went home having been out until he made his Escape Four & a half months, being sick he was a long time near a month getting home.
Afterward, in November or December 1779 He turned out volunteer under Capt. Benjamin Humphreys for three months, to go and guard the prisoners at Salisbury and he did go and served out his time and until the relief came which took the prisoners northward he was dismissed without a discharge but they went with the new guard to see them over the Yadkin at the trading ford, he then went home and remained there until the Summer of the Year 1781.
When Orders came to the Governor to raise men for twelve months to go northward against Lord Cornwallis, He again volunteered (or Enlisted without Bounty) with John Martin as Captain of a Company of Infantry. They rendezvoused at Surry

Surry Court House, There was collected about 40 or 50 who were to remain until other Counties raised their quotas. While they were there Genl. Greene fought the Enemy at Guilford. And before we were ordered to march, news of peace came and He was discharged having been not less than two months & a half in the service at this time. This applicant served & was imprisoned as a prisoner of war not less than Four & a half months, 4 mo. 15 days. Served as Guard at Salisbury not less than 3 mo. Served at Surry C.H. not less than two & a half mo. 2. " 15. Total service not less than nine months. 9 Months all the time as a private.
He does not know a single witness who can prove any of his service, being too poor & old to hunt if any be alive. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Roll, Pension Roll of any agency in any State. —
And to the Interrogatories required to be propounded to applicants he makes the following answers.
Answer to 1 st He was born in Orange County near Hillsboro in the Year 1757 as he has always understood
2 o He has no record of his age.
3 o He was living in Surry County, North Carolina when he entered the service & until about 1783.
When he moved into Henry County Virginia lived there two years, moved into Rockingham N.C. lived there two years, moved into Surry where he lived until he moved into Greenville S.C. in 1797 he lived there 30 years, and moved into Rabun County where he now lives, & has lived for the last seven years.
4 th He was 1 st drafted, then Volunteered, then Volunteered (or enlisted without Bounty).
5 th He was with no Continental Officer to his knowledge was with Col. Armstrong, General Sumter.
6 He never got a regular discharge
7 He would refer to all the County for his character for veracity. Benj. Odell Esquire, William Kelly Esq. members of the House Reps. in the Legislature H. T. Moyle, The Senator of the County.

I certify that A. L. Barry whose signature appears within is Clerk of the Court of Habersham County as he states, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
James M. Mayne A. L. Barry
Josias Callahan Pruett
Georgia

Col. Samuel Beck, Majr. Edward Coffey, Majr. Price who now command the Militia of the County are especially referred to — Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court William Gilleffin J.J.C.
Josias Callahan
Robt. Brown J.J.C. John H. Sloan J.J.C. Bailey Dorr J.J.C. E. Melbourn J.J.C.
We John S. Henley a Clergyman, residing in the County of Rabun and Henry T. Mozley, residing in the same, Herby certify that we are well acquainted with Josias Callahan, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed to be in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Wm Gilleffin J.J.C. John S. Henley M. Gospel Robt Brown J.J.C. Henry T. Mozley
J. H. Sloan J.J.C. Bailey Dorr J.J.C. E. Melbourn J.J.C.
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 on the State.
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John S. Henley who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said County, and that Henry T. Mozley, who has also signed the same is resident in the said County of Rabun and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Wm Gilleffin J.J.C. Robt Brown J.J.C. J. H. Sloan J.J.C. Bailey Dorr J.J.C. E. Melbourn J.J.C.
J. A. L. Barry Clerk of the Inferior or County Court of Rabun County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Josias Callahan for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & private seal there being no seal of Office for said County this 7 th day of July 1834 J. A. L. Barry Clerk of the Inferior or County Court of Rabun County, Georgia

I - certify that A L Barry whose Signature appears within is Clerk of the Court of Waburn County as he states, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
James M. Payne W. L. Payne
James M. Payne James Payne

Act March 3/55 278,694 July 25/57
Elizabeth Callahan widow of Callahan Josiah Callahan priv
Capt Col of 1st Regt Tenn Vol Aug 21st 1861 N C line Revolutionary pensioner Rev. Allen
Geo 32 - No. 29872
Ad: 16 Dec Aug 20/57 [Signature]
Special [Signature]
W W Charlton Present
Set: W.W. Charlton, Aug 5/57 [Signature]
Vol 61 - 43

278.694 Elizabeth Callahan application for Bonsy Land
|
Filed by Wm Charlton Present

State of Georgia } ss
County of Rabun { On this the 16 th day of July A. D. One thousand Eight hundred and fifty Seven personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Callahan aged Ninety four Years a resident of Rabun County State of Georgia who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Gaius Callahan deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary War, and served in the State of South  North Carolina that her husband enlisted in said State  North Carolina and continued in actual service for said war, for the term of at least four hundred days, his Officer's names and precise length of service not being recollected owing to lapse of time and his extreme old age but for the particulars in reference thereto she respectfully refers to the pension papers on file in the pension office of her said husband who was upon the pension Roll of the United States and in the receipt of a pension at the date of his death.
She further states that she was married to the said Gaius Callahan in the State of North Carolina about the Year 1779, and that her name before marriage was Elizabeth Barnes (the precise date of her marriage and the persons name who married her not recollected from the causes aforesaid) That her said husband died at his residence in Rabun County on the 27 th day of January 1857 and that she is now a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved 3 rd March 1855. She further states that she never received any bounty land under this or any other act and that there is no private or public record of her marriage in existence so far as she knows or believes.
Elizabeth her Callahan Mark

We James Bleckley and Pamela the Hyde residents of Jabons County in the state of Georgia upon our oaths declare that the forgoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Elizabeth Callahan in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to, and that we are disinterested witnesses.
We further declare upon our oaths that we were personally acquainted with the said Elizabeth Callahan and her late husband Josias Callahan in the lifetime of her said husband that the said Josias Callahan and Elizabeth Callahan lived together as husband and wife and were so regarded and respected by all their neighbours for a period of at least twenty nine years to our knowledge that they know that the said Josias Callahan is dead and that he died on the 27 th day of January 1857 and that the said Elizabeth Callahan is now a widow
James Bleckley
Pamela the Hyde
James Bleckley
Pamela the Hyde
The forgoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be creditable persons, that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in the her Claim
W. J. Seill Notary Public

State of Georgia Rabun County
I know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Callahan of the County and State aforesaid hereby appoint William W. Norton of the City of Washington D.C. my attorney to prosecute my claim for bounty land as well as for pension or any arrear of pension due me in right of my husband James Callahan hereby authorizing my said attorney to prosecute from the proper authorities in Washington or elsewhere Certified Copies of any records or documents or any and all other evidence that may be necessary to establish her claim as fully as she might or could do if personally present and hereby revoking and countermanding all other authority that may have been heretofore given for the said purpose.
Witness my hand that this the 16 th day of July 1857 Signed sealed and delivered in presence of James Blackley Elizabeth Callahan mark
W. J. Seville Notary Public.
State of Georgia County of Rabun I William C. Price Clerk of the Superior Court in and for the County of Rabun do hereby certify that W. J. Seville whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate and as a witness to the above power of attorney was at the time of signing the same an acting Notary Public in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law that his signatures are genuine and that as such full faith and credit are due to his official acts
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this 17 th day of July 1857
Wm. C. Price Clerk.

31 600 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,600
Josias Callahan Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 65
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Josiah Callahan Georgia
Suspended
Col. Jos. Callahan This let. in John Dillard 8.31642 20 Sept. 1834
Adm. 10 mo. 1834 $333.33
Adm. Mr. Wayne 6 days 1835
one ln to Col. J. Callahan in adm. 021311 of Wm. Hughes.

7 M. O. O. O.
Hoacres

Filed by H. C. Spalding Nov 17 th / 88. } Atty P

State of Georgia Know all men by these presents I, Elizabeth Callahan hereby constitute and appoint H. C. Spalding of Washington City D.C. my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the claim of my pension for any amount of revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said agent to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim and file in the Department at Washington City or else where to file additional evidence or arguments and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said claim which certificate I wish made payable to G. M. Caroline at Clayton Troup County Georgia to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney and agent shall lawfully do in the premises. Witness my hand and seal this the 13 October 1858
Signed sealed in the presence of  Parvella H. Fry
Elizabeth Love Callahan mark
G. M. Caroline
State of Georgia On this the thirteenth day of  October  Eighteen hundred and fifty-eight before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared  Elizabeth Callahan and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. In testimony whereof I have to set my hand and seal this day and year aforesaid
J. M. Lillard P.P.

Be it known that on this Thirteenth State of Georgia } day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred Habers County } and fifty eight before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid personally appeared Elizabeth Callihan a resident of Habers County in said county and made oath according to law that she is the wife of Josiah Callihan who was a Revolutionary pensioner at the rate of thirty one Dollars per annum that she has been informed that said pension ought to be increased that she is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my agent may use in prosecuting said claim against the government as she believes that she is in title to the sum of ninety six Dollars a year as other pensioners. Sworn to and subscribed to day and year aforesaid before me Elizabeth Callihan I M Quillian J.P. her mark
I James M Quillian Justice of the peace in and for said county do hereby certify that Elizabeth Callihan who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this county and is I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. James M Quillian J.P.
I William C Price clerk of the Superior court in the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that James M Quillian before whom the foregoing papers were executed was at the date of the same

a Justice of the peace in and for Sevier County duly authorized by law to administer oaths and the name hereunto subscribed is Genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal This the 11th October A.D. 1858
W.C. Price C.S.G.

Josias Callahan Ga - d 18 34 35
Wachatchee Ga 37 38
May 1
Jermaine Agnew
Frederick Stephens
Cole
Washington, D.C.

Woodstock Cherokee Co Ga Oct. 25 th 1855.
To Commissioner Pensions or
Revenue Dept.
Washington D.C.
Sir
I am desirous of obtaining information from the Department to which this Epistle is addressed relative to the pension of Mr. Lyman Callahan of Spelayton Raburn Co Ga one of the Patriots of the Revolution. I have become interested in his welfare - and from his own statements am convinced that he does not receive that assistance from government that he is legally entitled to. He receives but $33. \frac{33}{100} (thirty three and one third dollars) per annum and from his own statements I am led to the conclusion that he is entitled to $96. If there is any error in this case I shall trust to your honor and generosity to see it regulated and if he has been receiving a less amount than he is by law entitled to can back arrear be obtained? Will be so kind as to point out to the act of Congress under which he is a pensioner. I would be more explicit in regard to his services &c - but you have the records before you which can tell you more accurately than I can. I am Sir, Genl Adjt Ser. C. Hall.

Falls of Picken District S.C.
2 nd December 1834
This is to Certify - That the Original paper declaration re the Application of Josiah Calaham of Rabun County Georgia is lost or mislaid -
That the Original was not lost mis- laid or destroyed in order to impose on the Government or prevent the strictest scrutiny - That the one now on File in Pension Office is in substance the same as the Original That the Amended one does not Essentially differ or vary from the Original upon the subject of the alleged services -
Given under my hand the date above.
Joseph Gresham

Josiah Callahan

28.40 7-
Josias Callahan
Private
Georgia
10 mo
Make return to Col Joseph Graham Falls Post Office Pickens District So Carolina

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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
   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.     79 4½   " 3   8 2½   10  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
[Handwritten scribbles and marks at the bottom left of the page]

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, (1) 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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must 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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Callahan, Patrick GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9156 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 11, 1791 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Callahan, Samuel GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11070 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 7, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.