Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12385, Joel Burr, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Burr, Joel
S. 12385
carded
CONTENTS

16. Sept: 1841. see Act: 65 H. Nichols - letter to J. W. O. - - cott - pen agh: 17 - Sept: 1841 -
New York 14/95.
Abel Bass of Saratoga Co in the State of N. Y. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bells of the * Regt commanded by Col Canfield in the no: for
19 months
★ Conn. Line.
Records corrected. Nov. 8/95.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 63. Dollars 33. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of June 1833. and sent to A. Goodrich, Ballston, Saratoga Co
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 126. 66. Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/ Sept. - " - 31. 66
$ 158. 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis F. Francioni Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 46.
✓

Ms. A. 9. 2. 21. 10
Joel Burn.
Abner P. H. 10
Sept 21 1832 Nov 9 1832
A. Goodrich (Ag.)

No 7991. —
BRIEF in the case of Joel Burn of Galway of the County of of Saratoga in the State of New York. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In 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.     June In 1776. 6. private Gen. Washington.   Dec. 13 th 1776. 3. " Capt. Salomon Rowd.   1 st April 1777. 4 4 " Capt. J. Bells. Col. Purnfield.   March 1778. 1. " M aj Burr Capt.   Fall 1778. 2. " Eug t . John Alnstead.   apt 1779 1780 to 1781 6. serjeant Capt. Thos. Nash.   Period Years Months days Rank Names of Officers   April 1782. 1. substituted Capt. Starr.   1782. 1. " Capt. Birdsey.   " Capt. Thos. Nash.  
Copy traditional Evidence. & two living witnesses.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear to be in due form.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jane Od
Examining Clerk.

No 7991. —
BRIEF in the case of Joel Burn of Galway of the County of of Saratoga in the State of New York. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In 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.     June In 1776. 6. private Gen. Washington . Capt. Zalmun Howard .   Dec. 13 th 1776. 3. " Capt. John Bell. Col. Cunfield .   1 st April 1777. 4 4 " M c Burn Capt.   March 1778. 1. " Eug. John Alnstead .   Fall 1778. 2. " Capt. Thos. Nash .   apt 1779, 1780 or 1781 6. Teamster Capt. Starr .   1. Substitute Capt. Thos. Nash .  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
White Plains.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Reading, Count.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By traditional evidence. & two living witnesses.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear to be in due form.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ad
Examining Clerk.

State of New York Saratoga County } On the 6 th Day of September 1832 Personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga New York, Daniel Canah Dog- of the town of Milton in the said County, of Saratoga aged sixtyeight years on the 22 nd Day of April last, who being first duly sworn according to law, Doth on his oath Depose and say, that about the month of November or December in the year of 1780 he was a soldier at Black Rock in the County of Fairfield in the state of Connecticut in Col- lands guard commanded by Capt Wash of the Militia that he served one month in said Company, and that Deponent further saith that for several years before and after that time he resided in the town of Reading in the County of Fairfield aforesaid, that he was a near neighbour to Aaron Burr and was then and has ever since been well acquainted with him the said Aaron Burr whose situation in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832 is herunto annexed - and that the said Aaron Burr served as a corporal in said Company with him for one month as aforesaid, and further saith that

when he lived Neighbors to the said Joel Burr as aforesaid he then understood that the said Joel Burr was at different times and in different years was a soldier in the service of his Country —
Daniel Couch —
Sworn and subscribed to me this Court the Day & Year aforesaid
Thomas Palmer Clerk

State of New York } Saratoga County }
On the 6 th Day of September 1832 Personally ap- peared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga now sitting, Joel Bruns of the Town of Gal- way in the said County of Saratoga aged seventy four years on the 23 rd Day of August last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Decla- ration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832.
Saith in the fore Part of June of 1776, he enlisted in Capt. Nelson Read's Company for six months, he marched from Reading in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut where he then lived, to Mill River in said County of Fairfield, (about fourteen miles) when he embarked on board of Capt. Thorne's Sloop, and sailed to New York, where he joined Col. Gould & Silliman's Regiment, in Genl. Wadsworth's Brigade, he served to the end of the said six months, at New York and Long Island, Harlem Heights, New Rochelle, White Plains and North Cas- tle when he was discharged, in the aforesaid Company; the British army took Possession of New York - the American Army retre- ated to then Harlem Heights, from thence to New Rochelle, from thence to White Plains, they were pursued by Part of the British ar- my to White Plains, where an Engagement or battle took Place between the two Armies, the American Army Retreat- ed to North Castle, when he was Discharged as aforesaid.
That about the fifteenth Day of December of 1776, he and thirteen others of the Town of Reading in the County of Fairfield aforesaid, were were enlisted by Quartermaster  Quartermaster Moorhouse, of Capt. Jesse Buel's Company  Company  for three months  for three months  in  in the County of Fairfield aforesaid, he marched from Reading by the way of

Wilton, and overwalk to Stamford, where he ended the war about the seventeenth Day of December aforesaid, in the Company Commanded by the aforesaid Capt. Jesse Bell, in Col. Samuel Garfield Regiment, Revoluts of General Worcester being at Stamford; on a certain night arriving at Roll call, Genl. Worcester gave orders that every man be on the Parade at twelve O'clock at night, they were Paraded at the time, they were marched by General Worcester about seven miles to Vallentin's hill where they had a battle with a Party of the British army, and drove the British from, and took Possession of a small fort, which fort they held in Possession for about two weeks, when the British drove the Americans from and took Possession of said fort, and burned the Barracks on the same, Day the Americans were reinforced, and attacked the Fort, some eight or ten Days thereafter, a twenty four Pound heavy Cannon, which was said to have been taken from the British, at St. Johns in Canada and some Artillery men was sent to the said Fort, and in firing the said Cannon at Fort Independence, then in the Possession of the British, and about (as he thinks) about three fourth of a mile from the fort, at Vallentin's Hill, and the third time in firing said Cannon, split the Car- riage so as to prevent the further firing said Cannon, and at the end of said Campaign, they were marched to Bi- can's Bridge, where they returned their cartridges & were Discharged on the fifteenth Day of March 1777

On the first Day of April 1777, he was Drafted for four months, he marched from Reading aforesaid, by the way of Northfield, and Greenfield, in the County of Fairfield aforesaid, to the Town of Fairfield, where he entered the service in a sergeants guard, Commanded by Sergeant William Burr of said town of Fairfield, when and where he served four Months and four Days, when he was Dismissed, and returned home
In the fore Part of March of 1778 he was Drafted for one Month he marched from Reading aforesaid by the way of Northfield Greenfield, and Mill River, to Compo, where the British landed when they burned Danbury, where he entered the service in a Company or guard Commanded by Ensign John Olmstead, when he served One month, when he was Discharged that there was not any other troops or Commission officers at Compo at that time except as above stated
Late in the fall of 1778 thinks in the Month of November he was Drafted for two months, some four or five Days after he was Drafted, he marched from Reading aforesaid, by the way of Northfield & Fairfield to Bridge Port, then called Newfield, where he entered the service in a Company Commanded by Capt Thomas Wash, of Stratford  Stratford , where he served to the end of the aforesaid two Months, when he was Discharged
In the fore Part of April of 1779 he enlisted in the term Department or service under Capt Micajah Starr, for six months, his Duty was to Cart, Provisions, stores, Baggage & forage from Danbury, New Milford, and Fairfield, in the state of Connecticut and from the Nine Partners in the state of New-York, to carry army at Fishkill, and at White Plains, in the state of New-York, and other Places &c, and that he served as aforesaid to the end of the term of the aforesaid six months
Thinks In December or January of 1780 or 81 , he was a substitute for Nathan Burr of Reading aforesaid, who was Drafted for one month, he entered the service at Black Rock, in the County of Fairfield in a Capt's Guard, Commanded by Capt. Thomas Wash, where he served one month and was Discharged

In the fore Part of April of 1782 he entered the service at Black Rock aforesaid, in a Capt s Guard commanded by Capt s Birdseye of Fairfield aforesaid, as a substitute for William Monhauer who was drafted for one month, he served one month in said company and then discharged.
In the Months of August & September of 1782. he entered the service in a Capt s Guard commanded by Capt s Tho s Nash at Fairfield aforesaid, he was a substitute for Seth Minker of Reading aforesaid who was drafted for one month, he served in said guard one month, and was discharged.
In answer to the Interrogatories Propounded by the Court I answer as follows
1 st I was born in the town of Reading in the County of Fairfield in the state Connecticut the 23 rd Day of August 1758 as by the family Record of my father -
2 nd I have a Record of my age in my Bible at home, copied from the family Record of my father
3 rd I was living in the town of Reading in the County of Fairfield in the state of Connecticut, when called into the service and  when I served , where I Resided until the year of 1796 when I moved to the town of Canajoharie in the County of Saratoga where I have Resided ever since -
4 th A part of the time of my service was by enlistment, a part of the time was by being drafted and a part of the time I served as a substitute for Nathan Burr, for William Monhauer, and for Seth Minker, as before stated -
5 th I do not recollect of the names of any of the regular officers, or

of any of the witnesses or Maria Vaughan, James  James  the  the  above  above stated as above, in my said Declaration 6- I never received any written Discharge but was Dismissed at the expiration of the several terms of service 7- I am known in my Present neighbourhood by John Finn, Elijah Curtis, James McCabe a clergyman Isaac Gurn, Doggett, Robert Smith Doggett who can testify to my character & their belief of my services the above  is  the  truth  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge
That he has no documentary evidence of his services, and he knows no surviving witness who can testify to his services, other than those whose affidavits are hereto annexed.
And that I hereby affirm and claim whatsoever to a Pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court the Day and year aforesaid } Joel Barr Thomas Palmer Clerk
Mr Charles McCabe a clergyman Residing in the town of Milton in the County of Saratoga and Daniel Couch Residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joel Barr who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court the Day and year aforesaid } Charles McCabe Thomas Palmer Clerk Daniel Couch
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as such And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Charles McCabe who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Milton in the County of Saratoga & State of New York, and that Daniel Couch who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town, and a Justice of the peace of the said town, and is a person entitled to credit.
Thomas Palmer Clerk

Thomas Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joel Burr for a pension — In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of — Office this sixth day of September 1832.
Thomas Palmer Clerk

96 Joel Burt
1799
Team service of 6 mo dis allowed -
adm.
19 mo. pri.

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
P. S.
Bureau of Pensions,
M.E.C.
Washington, D. C., March 1, 1895.
Madam:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Joel Parr a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. June 1776 6 mos. Pvt. Zalmon Read Sullivan Conn. Dec. 1776 3 mos. Pvt. Jesse Bell Ganfield Conn. Apr. 1777 4 mos. Pvt. Sgt. Wm. Parr None Conn. Mar. 1778 1 mo. Pvt. Ens. John Olmstead Not stated. Conn. Fall 1778 2 mos. Pvt. Thomas Nash Not stated. Conn. Apr. 1779 6 mos. Teams. Micajah Starr Not stated. Conn. Dec. 1780 1 mo. Subst. Thomas Nash Not stated. Conn. Apr. 1782 1 mo. Subst. Birdsey Not stated. Conn. 1782 1 mo. Subst. Thomas Nash Not stated. Conn.
Battles engaged in, White Plains, Valentines Hill.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Reading, Conn.
Date of application for pension, September 6, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Galway, N. Y.
Age at date of application, Born at Reading, Conn., Aug. 23, 1758.
Remarks:
Very respectfully,
Mrs. John M. Gardner, 262 Liberty St., Newburgh, N. Y.
1904b1m
Commissioner.

Wil. H. to Mrs. John A. Gardner 262 Liberty St., Newburgh, N.Y.
Rehman
12385 INVALID.
Ind. 1/93
File No. 12,385-
Joel Burr Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 52
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ezra Brainerd Joel Burr
Joel Burr Testimony

Joel Burn Testimony
Ezra H. Burford Joel Burn

State of Connecticut ss District of Fairfield August 22 d AD 1832 I David Hill Judge of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Ebenezer Hill of Haddam in County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut before whom the within Deposition was taken and know him to be a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Fairfield in Connecticut and also certify that the within signature of his Name is his genuine signature
David Hill -
State of Connecticut ss District of Fairfield August 22 d 1832 I David Hill Junr Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid hereby certify that David Hill is Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in Connecticut and that the above signature of his Name is his genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office
David Hill J. Clerk

I Ezra Bates of Redding Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged Seventyfour Years being duly sworn - do Depose and say that in the Month of April 1778 Joel Burr enlisted in the Team service under Captain Micael Starr for six months our duty performed was to cart Forage and Stores from Danbury to Fishkill for the Army and from Wine Partners - remove the the sick and wounded at head Quarters - at Fishkill, cart the Dead - and anything the Army wanted he served the time of his enlistment in the Revolution and was discharged - I sd Burr was then an inhabitant of sd Town of Redding - has since moved to Galway County of Saratoga and State of New York - also said Burr was Drafted and served four Months and four days in the Militia or guard at Fairfield in sd County of Fairfield sd Draft was made the first of April 1777 sergeant W m Burr had the command of sd guard after term of was discharged at sd Fairfield - I was with him in both of the above terms in the Revolutionary service - Ezra Bates
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss. At Redding in sd County sworn and subscribed before me - this 16 th day of August 1832 And I certify that the Dependant is a credible witness for truth - Eben Still Just. of Peace
Thereby certify that the above named Eben Still is a justice of Peace for the County of Fairfield Walker Bates

I Ezra Bates of Redding Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged Seventy four years being duly sworn do depose and say that Joel Burr in the Month of June 1776 the , enlisted, in Captain Zalmmon Read Company embarked onboard of Capt. Sharps Schoop at Milbroes for New York joined Col. Goot. S. Silliman Regiment in General Washington the Brigade at New York and did duty at New York & Long Island and was drove from the Island by the British one very hot day (at that time the Burr was an inhabitant of the Town of Redding) since I understand he lives at Galway - County of Saratoga and State of New York His term was for the term of six Months he served the term in the State Troops in the Revolution and was discharged at North Castle Roger Bates
State of Connecticut } ss. At Redding in said County Fairfield County } Sworn and subscribed before me, this 16 th day of August 1832 and I certify that the Deponent is a credible witness in point of truth and Veracity Eben Still Just. of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Eben Still is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Fairfield
Walter C. Phelps

State of Connecticut ss District of Fairfield August 22 d AD 1832 I David Hill Judge of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Ebenezer Hill of Middlesex in County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut before whom the within Deposition was taken and know him to be a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Fairfield in Connecticut and also certify that the within signature of his Name is his genuine signature
David Hill -
State of Connecticut ss District of Fairfield August 22 d 1832 I David Hill from Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid hereby certify that David Hill is Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in Connecticut and that the above signature of his Name is his genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office
David Hill J. Clerk

I Zalmon Hull of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy three years being duly sworn - do depose and say that in the fall of the year 1778 Joel Burn then of o r Redding - now resides in Galway Saratoga County and State of New York was drafted for two Months - and served under Capt. Thos. Clark at Fairfield as a private the said term of two Months (and then was discharged) being of Malitahgard in the Revolutionary War and then was verbally discharged Zalmon Hull
State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } At Redding in said County Sworn and Subscribed before me this 18 th day of August 1832 - and I certify that the Deponent is a Credible witness
Wm Hill Just. of Peace

In the matter of
Joel Barr, a
Revolutionary pension
Certified copy order

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court-house in the Village of Ballston Spa, in and for the County of Saratoga, on the second day of September 1841.
Saratoga Common Pleas
In the Matter of } September 2 d 1841 Isaac Burn a Revolutionary
Pensioner
It appearing by affidavit that Isaac Burn of the Town of Galway in the County of Saratoga and State of New York a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 and who is entitled to receive sixty Three Dollars and Thirty Three Cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4 th March 1831 and payable semiannually on the 4 th March & 4 th September in every year as appears by the Certificate of John Cobb acting Secretary of War dated at the War office the 26 th day of June 1833 now here shown is now insane and under such disability of mind as not to be competent to make the necessary deposition to obtain the instalment to become due him on the 4 th day of September instant
It is therefore ordered that William G t Burn of the said Town of Galway a person of full age and a son of the said Isaac Burn be and is hereby appointed a Special Guardian for the said Isaac Burn for the purpose of receiving the said pension to become due to the said Isaac Burn
Saratoga County ss. I Archibald Smith Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the order entered in the record of the minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the said Court this 2 d day of September 1841
Archibald Smith Clerk

State of Connecticut p. District of Fairfield August 22 d 1832 I Joseph Banks a resident of the District and State aforesaid aged seventy five years, being duly sworn according to Law. on my Oath, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Joel Barr, formerly of Hadding in this State now a resident of the Town of Galloway - County of Saratoga and State of New York - and I know and certify that he was drawn in the lines at Horse Neck, or beyond, some time in the latter part of the year 1776, and in the beginning of the year 1777, the time he served I do not now know or recollect - If he staid as long as the rest of the Company to which he belonged, he must have been there on duty as many as three months Sworn to and subscribed on the                      Joseph Banks day and year aforesaid by me - David Hill Judge of Probate for the District aforesaid.
State of Connecticut p. District of Fairfield August the 22 d 1832 I David Hill Junr. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid, hereby certify that David Hill is Judge of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid and that the signature of his name to the above Deposition of Joseph Banks is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office David Hill Jr Clerk

State of Connecticut & District of Fairfield January the 8 th 1889 I the Librarian Judge of the County of Probate for the District aforesaid hereby certify that Joseph Banks the person who has submitted and means to file the within deposition in concerning Joel Barr is a man of Truth and his statement is entitled to credit - As said Librarian Judge of Probate

2 nd Brief No. 7991.
Joel Burn. — " —
A. Goodrich (Ag t ) Vic

Ms 7991 — BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Burr — 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 ?
Yes. —
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 ?
Yes. —
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ?
Yes. —
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.
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
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?
Yes.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes.
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 the 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.
† 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

13 th Sep 1841.
M rs Stewart.
Joel ... ... person
James ... Schwartzberg Compt. of Prisons W m Department Washington City
J
F

Albany Sept 11 th 1841 To J. Edwards Esq. (N York) Comm r of Pensions
Sir
For instructions as it regards the inclos d I am desired by Mr. Jenkins the Pension Agent for this city to write you - it being a new case to him - he thinks it will require your order - You will if you please - after examining the paper - forward to Mr. H. Nichols of Albany (N York) such order - or such instructions as to enable Mr. Barr (William G Barr) to know how to proceed -
Very Respectfully Yours William G Barr By H. Nichols

B Feb. 4. 1895.
Commissioner of Pensions.
My dear Sir:-
I am very anxious to know, if you have any documentary evidence, that Joel Burr, of Galway, Saratoga Co. New York St., who was born in 1759 and died in 1841 received a pension for service in the Revolutionary War. If you are not the right person for me to make this request of, would you be kind enough to give me the address of the right one, also what expense, if any, there is.

I am desirous of ascer- taining this, as soon as possible.
Very truly Yours,
Mrs. John W. Gardner, 26 P Liberty St. Pittsburgh, Pa.