Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15371, John Carpenter, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Carpenter, John
S. 15371
carded
CONTENTS

Letti J K Parish. aug 17 43
N o 18421
Vermont
John Carpenter
Orange Co, in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wallbridge of the Regt, commanded by Col. Moleott in the Conn t Troops time for 8 months & 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 27 Dollars 98 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of August 1833 and sent to John M c Smith Chelsea N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 55.96 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sep. 1833 13.99
$69.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 57

John Carpenter December No 2. 562
John Carpenter No 2. 562
Please to make me turn to John W. Smith Chelsea Or County Vermont

State of Vermont, ORANGE COUNTY SS.
At Chelsea in said County on this 21 st day of August
A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Titus Hutchinson Daniel
Court of said Orange County, now sitting, being a Court of Record
John Carpenter a resident of Washington in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832,
that he entered the service of the United States under the following name of Hartford State of Connecticut. that in the year 1775 he resided in Sturbridge in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts. that on the 20 th of April of that year, the day after the Battle of Lexington he volunteered in the service of the United States in the Connecticut Militia in the Campagna commanded by Capt. Amos Walbridge. Lieut. Col. John C. Hovey & Ensign Josiah Gurnee - that they were called out on alarm and marched on the 20 th of April a/s to Boston - that they remained there until the 17 th of May when they were dismissed - that he does not recollect that his company was attached to any particular Regiment, the troops then at Cambridge & the vicinity were under the Command of General Putnam & Warren - and a great body of the Militia from the New England States were assembled there and there was much confusion that he continued there marching in Cambridge, Watertown & other places about one month when he was verbally discharged at Roxbury in S. Massachusetts. that he was not on this Campaign a little more than one month -
Also that on or about the first of June 1776. he enlisted in the service of the United States at Sturbridge a/s. in the Company commanded by Capt. Abiel Pease Lieut. Col. Oliver Smith, in the Continental Line of Connecticut as he believes. but is not positive whether it was called State Line or Continental Line - that as near as he can recollect the first of July he was ordered to New London - and marched thence to New London - that he cannot state particularly whether he enlisted for six months or three. but he understood when he entered that his time of service commenced when he enlisted & received his bounty and was ordered to be ready as soon as called for - that they were employed at Fort Trumbull building the Fort. and on guard and fatigue duty, that several times while
stationed at New London a/s. they were called out on alarm when the British Shipping came to the mouth of the River which happened two or three times - that according to his recollection there was one Regiment at Fort Griswold for the first three or four weeks after he arrived there, under the Command of Col. Wolcott a/s. that about the last of July or first of August - the Regiment was ordered to New York, except his Company & three others. commanded by Capt. Mathew Bulkeley & Shepleigh - that he continued there employed as a/s. till the first of January 1777. and that he was then verbally discharged - that he does not know whether he was discharged from the service or not -
Also that on or about the 15 th day of March 1777 he volunteered in the service of the United States in the Connecticut Militia at Sturbridge a/s. for a six weeks trip to Rhode Island - that he entered the Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Robinson. Lieut. Dickinson & Ensign Smith - he cannot recollect the Colonel or other Regimental Officers. but they were under the Command of General Spencer - that he & his Company proceeded immediately after they volunteered to Providence in Rhode Island where they remained about a week - they then marched to Warren in S. State and were there stationed about five weeks - & were expecting daily to march to Bristol and Newport - but did not go. they were employed on guard & fatigue duty while at Warren - and were then & there discharged the first day of May 1777 - that his discharge was verbal - he thinks there was no other Company at Warren while he was there, stationed except Robinson, that a large body of troops was stationed at Bristol four or five miles distant. he thinks General Sullivan was then Commander of the American forces in Rhode Island - that at end of the three terms of service above mentioned his residence was in Sturbridge a/s. that he has no documentary evidence to prove his service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his service. except what he has furnished that he was born at Sturbridge Connecticut on the 10 th of May 1756. but has no recollection of his age except some mark by himself that he is very infirm. and wholly unable to labor. being compelled to go on two crutches. in consequence of a fall from a horse. that his discharge from the service a/s. were verbal -
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. or not on any that he knows of
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Carpenter H. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
We Edward Dodge - residing in Washington in said County of Orange and Amos Wright - residing in the said Washington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Carpenter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 76 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. And we know of no person in the immediate vicinity, that can be presumed to have any knowledge of the above matter.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Edward Dodge Amos Wright H. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
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 certify that it appears to them that Edward Dodge - who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Washington in said County, and that Amos Wright - who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
H. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk of the Court of Orange County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Carpenter for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 21 st day of August A. D. 1832.
H. E. G. H. Laughlin CLERK.

State of Vermont } At Chelsea in S. County Orange County } on the 2 nd day of July AD 1853. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within and for the County of S d John Carpenter late of Washington now of Randolph in S d County who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear more positively than he has done as to the precise length of his services. but accor- ding to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. "Kies" for one month I served in Capt Walbridges Com- pany - & for six months I served in Capt Chas Pease Company and for six weeks I served in Capt. Elisha Robinson Company each time as a private. and for such service I claim a pension —
He also testifies and says that he was be- fore acquainted with Edward Dodge Deacon, Amasa Wright Harry C. Munden and many other elderly men in his immediate vicinity. and he could cred them better acquainted with him as a man of truth & veracity & his as putation as a soldier than any Cler- gyman as none lives in the imme- diate vicinity which was the reason he procured them to certify for him in his declaration instead of a clergyman and further saith not John Carpenter

State of Vermont Chelsea July 2 d Orange County ss 1833. Then personally affirmed John Carpenter a person well known to me and a good credible witness. and made Salmon oath the foregoing af- fidavit by him subscribed con- tains the truth & nothing but the truth before me — John W. Smith, Justice Peace
State of Vermont, Orange County Clerks Office. J. Harry Hale, Clerk of Orange County Court, do hereby certify that John W. Smith is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orange, and that the above writing, purporting to be his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I here- unto set my hand, and affix my seal of Office, at Chelsea in said County, this fifth day of July A.D. 1833. Harry Hale, Clerk.

1534/1. INVALID.
File No. 15,371 John Carpenter Pin New War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 62
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elizabeth Edson
Deposition

I Eliab Edson of Randolph in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of Lawful age depose and say that I am personally acquainted with John Carpenter of Washington in s d Orange County and that during the Revolutionary War we both lived in Stafford in the State of Con- necticut - I also testify and say that the said John Carpenter was in the same Company & the same mess with me at New London. Con- necticut in the year 1776. that the s d Carpenter & myself were soldiers in the Company com- manded by Capt. Abial Pease in the State service "so called," in the Regiment commanded by Col. Enustus Wolcott. we both joined the Army at New London. (Connecticut) the first of July 1776 and continued in the service until the first of January 1777. when we were both discharged - I further testify & say that in March 1777. the said John Carpenter and myself enlisted in the State service in the Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Robinson and under the Command of General Spencer - that we went together in s d Company to Rhode Island on a six weeks- tour and were both discharged from the service about the first of May 1777 - Eliab Edson
State of Vermont & At Chelsea in s d County June Orange County ss 26 th 1832 personally appeared Eliab Edson above named and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition before him subscri- bed contained the whole truth and nothing but the truth before me - John W. Smith. Justice Peace

I further certify that I am acquainted with the S d Elisha Edson & that he is a credible witness and that his testimony is entitled to credit
John W Smith Justice Peace
State of Vermont Orange County Clerk's office August 23 d 1832 I H. E. G. H d Laughlin Clerk of Orange County Court hereby certify that John W Smith before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at that time a Justice of the peace of said County duly qualified to administer oaths & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of Office the day & year above written — H. E. G. H d Laughlin Clerk

I Israel Howe of Stafford in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut aged seventy four years, testify & say that in the month of May 1776 (according to the best of my remembrance at this time) I enlisted as a private soldier for the term of seven months under Capt. Abiel Pease then of Torrington Tolland County (now dead) and that John Carpenter formerly of S. Stafford, now of the town of Randolph in the County of Litchfield & State of Vermont, enlisted under the S. Capt. Abiel Pease for the term of seven months the S. John Carpenter and myself, immediately after our said enlistment joined the company commanded by the S. Capt. Abiel Pease which S. company belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col. Erastus Wolcott (State Troops) and were  immediately marched in to the town of New London in S. Capt. Pease S. company to the town of New London in S. State of Connecticut, and S. Carpenter, myself and the rest of S. Capt. Pease S. company were quartered during S. seven months at Fort Trumbull in S. New London, and were principally employed during S. months in work on said Fort Trumbull & guarding the town & harbor of S. New London, and after serving at S. Fort during S. term of seven months the S. Carpenter, myself & the rest of S. Capt. Pease S. company were dismissed or discharged. I know the fact, that the S. John Carpenter served with me in S. Capt. Pease S. company during the whole term of S. seven months.
I further depose & say that some time in the month of March 1777 the S. John Carpenter & myself enlisted for the term of six weeks under Capt. Elijah Robinson then of S. Stafford (now dead) in the State Troops, and immediately after S. Carpenter & myself enlisted as aforesaid we joined the S. Capt. Robinsons company, and were marched in S. company to the town of Warren in the State of Rhode Island and the S. John Carpenter & myself remained quartered at S. Warren in said Capt. Robinsons S. company during S. term of six weeks, and S. company were during S. six weeks employed in guarding the military stores & boats at S. Warren, and at the expiration of S. six weeks the S. John Carpenter, myself & the rest of the S. Capt. Robinsons S. company were dismissed or discharged. I know that the S. Carpenter served with me as a soldier in S. Capt. Robinsons company during S. term of six weeks & further the Deponent saith not - Stafford July 8 th A 1833 - Israel Howe
State of Connecticut } ss Stafford July 8 th A 1833 Tolland County } Then personally appeared Mr. Israel Howe of S. Stafford, and made solemn to the truth of the facts stated in the above Deposition by him subscribed - sworn before me Rodolphus Woodworth Justice Pease I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Israel Howe who has subscribed & sworn to the above deposition, he sustains a fair character for truth & veracity, and his testimony is entitled (in my opinion) to full credit, as I have been well acquainted with him for thirty years last past -
Rodolphus Woodworth Justice Pease

State of Connecticut County of Tolland
S. O. County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County do hereby certify that Rodolphus Woodworth Esq before whom the within deposition of Israel Howe on the 8 day of July instant was taken & executed, then was & now is a Justice of Peace in & for sd Tolland County & authorized to administer oaths & take depositions and that the signature to the foregoing certificate purporting to be his is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal at Tolland This 20th day of July A D 1833 —
Jeremiah Parish Clerk
John Carpenter Esq
Israel Howe's S. S.

Sam Rinney Departure
John W. Smith Esqr Chelsea Is

I Isaac Pinney of Royallton in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont of the age of Seventy four years testify and say that in March 1777 I lived in Strafford Vermont, and was then well acquainted with John Carpenter then of said Strafford but now of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, with whom I have personally known & seen ever since, and who is now present at my giving this deposition. I was personally knowing that in said March 1777. he enlisted into the same company with me at said Strafford under the command of Capt Elijah Robinson of said Strafford in Genl. Spencers command for the term of Six weeks. and he the sd Carpenter served his term out with me, when we were dismissed having served said six weeks faithfully. In this service we were to march to Pe Island and this company and others were raised this length of time, to give an opportunity to raise continental Troops for a longer term and further say not. Isaac Pinney
State of Vermont } Windsor County } Royallton May 22 d . 1833 Personally appeared Isaac Pinney of Royallton age the origin of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before Me. Dea Billings Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named origin Isaac Pinney is disinterested and of good character for truth and credibility Dea Billings Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont } Windser County h }
Woodstock County Clerks Office
July 3 1833. I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windser County Court, Do hereby Certify that Oel Billings is one of the Justices of the Peace within y for said County, and the within are his Signatures —
In Testimony whereof, I hereto affix the Seal of said Court & subscribe my name, the day & year above. —
Benj. Swan

I John Carpenter of Randolph in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged eighty. Seven years and a Soldier of the Revolution and now a Pensioner of the U.S. testify & say that my services in the War of the Revolution were as follows one month at the time of the battle of Lexington at the first breaking out of the War. Three seven months at New London Conn. and last six weeks or a month & a half at Warren R.I. making in all between 9 & ten months services. I further testify and say that the deposition of Israel Hove proving my services both at N. London & R.I. was not received until after my papers & claims upon which my Certificate was obtained had been sent on to the Department. And I further testify that the reason of my not trying obtain the increase of my Pension was that it was so small that I then neglected to do it but that now I am very infirm & lame so also is my wife and poor indeed & these considerations have induced me to make this affidavit to accompany that of Israel Hove to the Pension Office
John Carpenter
State of Vermont } At Randolph in said county this 23d. day Orange County ss. } of June 1843 personally appeared John Carpenter to me well known as a person of truth & veracity and subscribed the foregoing affidavit in my presence & was sworn to the truth of the same in due form of law By me
J. K. Parish Justice Peace

claim of John Carpenter
Admitted 8 Mch 12 o s
John W. Smith Chelsea N o

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 8
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 subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.                 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Iden W Smith Esq, Chelsea no

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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court of the application of said Court in the matter of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the
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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 29 1843
Vt.
Jno. Carpenter,
J. P. Chandler Esq.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Washington City

Randolph W. June 23 d 1843.
Sir, I herewith enclose the certificate of Mr. Carpenter for a Pension for $27.98 per year. Also the affidavit of Israel Hovey together with his own statement upon oath and being well acquainted with him, I had but little doubt that the Department would add the little pittance to his pension yearly which appears to be justly his due.
The papers are submitted & in case there is not sufficient proof to increase the Pension the certificate will be again returned to me
I am Sir Yr obedt Servant
J. K. Parish
To the Comt. of Pensions Pension Office

Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Scandia
Enclosed I return to you the papers of John Carpenter with the additional deposition of Isaac Peasey. Mr Carpenter has been at considerable expense and trouble in endeavoring to substantiate his claim by living citizens in Connecticut - but can add nothing more to his testimony, tho' he might have furnished abundant proof. had the pension law passed one year sooner. his witnesses whom he might then have procured are now dead - Mr Carpenter is a cripple and wholly unable to labor and in indigent circumstances. He has complied with the regulations of the Department so far as he is able and I hope that his proof will be deemed satisfactory.
Very Resp. Sir, I am Obedt Servt John W. Smith Chelsea July 5. 1833 -