Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,649, John J Blauvelt, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Blauvelt, John J. or John J.
S. 22,649
CONTENTS

New York 24.480
Order to pay 11 April 1840
John S. Blauvelt of Rockland Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. H. Ay - in the N. Y. m. line for 14 1/2 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 48 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Jan y 1834 and sent to Hon A W and H Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $120.83 Semian t . allowance ending March 34 - 24. 16
$144.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book _____ Vol. 4 Page 109

21382 Declaration of John J Blauvelt

State of New York, } ss.
Rockland County, } ss.
On this twenty eighth day of November in the year A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Open Court, before the judges of the court of Common Pleas, now sitting, John J Blauvelt, a resident of the town of Clarkstown, in the county of Rockland and state of New York, aged eighty years years, the sixth day of March, 1832, 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 named Officers, and served as herein stated. That he belonged to a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Henrick Tenure, Walter Van Buren and Thomas Blauvelt were Lieut. in a Regiment commanded by Col n A. Hanches Hay, and in the year 1776, about the latter part of August or first of September, the British army having taken possession of the City of New York, and their shipping having sailed up the North River, the aforesaid Company was ordered out to guard the west shore of the Hudson River and he went with the company and served in guarding as aforesaid and was out nearly the whole of the time until the next spring, when, in order that all that was able to do duty should be obliged to take part in the war, the Militia was ordered to class themselves in class of four and that one man out of every class should be out on guard or to scout through different parts of the county of Bergen, and serve one week when he was to be relieved by an other man out of the class, in which manner I served until the close of the Revolutionary war, and they had to guard along the river to prevent as far as possible the enemy from landing to plunder burn and destroy, and a scouting through different parts of the now county of Rockland and the county of Bergen, in the State of New Jersey, and exclusive of the aforesaid duty he was ordered to hold himself in readiness to march at a minutes warning when ever there was an alarm, which was very often, for whenever the enemy came out in large bodies those of the guard that did first discover them would give the alarm by firing guns which was repeated by the next and so continued, by which means the intelligence was given for many miles in a few minutes, and all that were at home had to march to assist in driving them off, and they then joined the first company they met with, under different officers at different alarms, and some of their excursions would last for eight and sometimes ten days, before they got home again. That the time he served his country, putting all his services together, he is now unable correctly to state, but he is enabled and can confidently

declare that it exceeds two years. That he has always resided in the now town of Clarkstown aforesaid. That he has no documentary evidence of his services, and all the positive testimony he can offer is some of the surviving soldiers of the Revolutionary war. 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.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
For Open Court
David Pyle Clerk
J. N. 9 Blauvelt
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 John Dickerson and Jacob Linky, who have signed the annexed certificates, are residents in the County of Rockland aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statements is entitled to credit. And further, that the said John J Blauvelt, has for many years heretofore been one of the judges of the said court, and has always sustained an unblemished reputation, and that his statement is entitled is entitled to full credit. And also, that all the above proceedings were in Open Court.
Per Curiam
David Pyle Clerk
I, David Pyle, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John J Blauvelt, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this twenty eighth day of November, 1832.
David Pyle

State of New York }
Rockland County } On this twenty ninth day of October 1832 — personally appeared before me Peter DW Smith one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County. Jacob Tinkey, a Resident of the town of Ramapo, in the county aforesaid, aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn, did depose and say That he was well acquainted with John J Blauvelt during the Revolutionary war and ever since, that he knew him faithfully to have served in a company commanded by Capt. Hendrick Tenure during the Revolutionary war from the commencement to the close of the said war, and believes him to be eighty years of age and believes that he actually served in the said company for at least two years during the said war — and further, That the said John J Blauvelt bears an unquestionable character in the County of Rockland and that his oath is entitled to credit.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Peter DW Smith
his Jacob Tinkey mark
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent Jacob Tinkey believe him to be a man of veracity whose oath is entitled to credit
Peter DW Smith Judge
I David Pyle Clerk of the County of Rockland, do hereby certify, that Peter DW Smith whose name is subscribed to the above Affidavit was on the day of the date thereof one of the judges in and for the county aforesaid, and further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge and verily believe that the signature of Peter DW Smith subscribed thereto, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty ninth day of October 1832
David Pyle

State of New York, On the 29 th of October 1832 — Rockland County — } th before me Peter D r . Smith one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County came John Atkinson a resident of the Town of Clarkstown said County aged Ninety one years who being duly first sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with John D. Blewett during the Revolutionary War that he knew him faithfully to have served in a company commanded by Capt. Henrich Tenure from the commencement to the close of said Revolutionary War, that he the depon- -ent acted as Sergeant in said company, and that he before the said John D. Blewett served therein at least two years, and further that the said John D. Blewett has held an unblemished Reputation and that his Battle is entitled to Credit. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid — his John X Atkinson Sworn before me Mark Peter D r . Smith Judge
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent John Atkinson believe him to be a man of Veracity whose Battle is entitled to Credit Peter D r . Smith Judge
I, David Pye, Clerk of the County of Rockland do hereby certify, That Peter D r Smith Esq. before whom the above affidavit was made and whose is subscribed thereto, was on the day of the date thereof, one of the judges in and for the county aforesaid. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge, and verily believe that the signature of Peter D r Smith subscribed thereon, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty ninth day of October, 1832.
David Pye

State of New York } Rockland County } ss
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county John S Blauvelt of the Town of Clarkstown and in said county aged 82 years and being duly sworn Saith as follows Viz
He is the same John S Blauvelt who on the 28 day of November 1832 made a Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas to obtain a pension under the Law of June 7 th 1832 which Declara- -tion has been returned as defective in its specification, and also as to the Interrogatories — In the Answers to the Interrogatories he says that he was Indicted in open court on the 28 day of November, that he was born in the year 1751 at Clarkstown in the now county of Rockland & State aforesaid, that the Record of his age is Recorded in a Book kept for that purpose belonging to the Congregation of the Low Dutch Church at Clarkstown, and that he has always Resided and still doth Reside in the town of Clarkstown and in the County and State aforesaid,
That he entered the service of the United States in a Company of Militia in the now county of Rockland and State of New York Commanded by Capt Hendrick Termer Walter Van Orden & Thomas Blauvelt were Lieut in a Regiment Commanded by Col A Hawkes May in the year 1776 the latter part of August or the first of September, from Clarkstown the Company was ordered by the above named officers to Nyack where we were Stationed for sometime from which place we were marched to Clarkstown Tappan town and back again to Nyack and down the north River as far as Sneden ferry performing guard duty at each and every place untill the middle of December when he was Discharged and went home after having served the full time of three & a half months in actual Service during the time
In the year 1777 He entered the service under the above named Capt Hendrick Termer in the month of April and served over four weeks untill the month of December of the same year that during the said Service he was Stationed at

2 mo Nyack Clarkstown and along the north River marching from place to place as necessity required performing guard duty at each and every place that during the said year he served in the different periods not less than two months in actual service
2 mo In the year 1778 he entered the service under the said Capt Hendrick Termeure in the month of march and served every fourth week until the latter part of December of the same year Stationed Duty & services as mentioned in the year 1777, served the full periods of two months in actual service when he was discharged and went home
2 mo In the year 1779 He entered the service under the above named Capt Hendrick Termeure in the month of march and again served every fourth week until the the middle of December Stationed duty & services as stated in the year 1777 served the full wkly period of two months in actual service in the field when he was discharged and went home
2 mo In the year 1780 He again entered the service under the above named Capt Hendrick Termeure in the month of April as near as he can recollect and served every fourth week until Christmas the 25 th day of December of the same year Stationed at Markotown Nyack and along the north River performing guard duty at each and every place, and served the full weekly period of two months in actual service, when he was discharged and went home
2 mo In the year of 1781 He entered the service under the Capt Hendrick Termeure in the month of march and served every fourth week until sometime in December of the same year Stationed duty & services as stated in the year 1780 where he had served the full period of two months in actual service he then was discharged and went home
2 mo In the year 1782 He entered the service under the said Capt Hendrick Termeure in the month of may and served every fourth week until sometime in September after having served the full month in weekly tours station and duty the same as in the statement of the year 1780 when he was discharged and went home Col A Hawks May command the Regiment of which this company was a part during the whole of his services in the year 1782

command the Regiment of which this company was a part during the whole of his services in the war of the Revolution
We the Deponent further saith that he has done more Service Volun- -tarily, and by alarms, than all of his services now set forth in his annexed Declaration but cannot give the duration of each tour of duty he performed and by that reason he is necessitated to Relinquish them, and the deponent further states that in his first Declaration he has set forth more minutely his service he per- -formed in the war of the Revolution, That is to say concerning the country through which they marched and also when and at what place the enemy were stationed
From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before Recited Services were rendered many Particulars must have escaped his memory he has faithfully endeavoured to adhere to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken and now claims a pension for the full period of fourteen and a half months being in actual service in the field for each term alleged and was not employed in any civil pursuit during the above mentioned services for which he claims a pension under the Law of June 7 th 1832
Sworn and subscribed this 7 th day of December 1833. Before me
John T. Blanche Justice
John J. Blauvelt
We Alexander H. Warner, a clergyman, residing in the town of Clarkstown, in Rockland county, and Wm F. Fraser residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John J. Blauvelt, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this 16 th day of December, 1833. Before me
John T. Blanche Justice
Alexander H. Warner Wm F. Fraser

I, the said justice do hereby certify, that I know that Alexander H Warner, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Clarkston, and that Wm F Fraser who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
December 16 th 1833
John T Blanch Justice
State of New York Rockland County
I, David Pyc, clerk of the said county do hereby certify, That John T Blanch, whose before whom the foregoing amended declaration of John T Blauvelt, and the traditional testimony of Alexander H Warner and William F Fraser, and the annexed affidavits of Claus Vanhouten, Gerrit Sarven, and John Hoose, was sworn, and whose name is subscribed to the different certificates, is a justice of the Peace, in and for the said county duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name subscribed thereto, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this Eighteenth day of December, 1833.
David Pyc

State of New York Rockland County } ss } to
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the County of Rockland Claus Van Houten & Garnet Serwen, of the Town of Ramapo in said County, the said Claus Van Houten aged 87 years and the said Garnet Serwen aged seventy seven years who each of them being duly sworn doth each for himself say that they are well acquainted with John P. Blanchett who has made application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That they were acquainted with him in the Revolutionary war, that he was a soldier therein and this deponent well recollects that the said John P. Blanchett in the year did serve the Company of Captain Bendick Tenney in the Regiment of Col. A. Hawkes Key in which Regiment Gilbert Cooper was Lieutenant Colonel, from the Spring of 1777 to the winter 1777 78 and from the Spring until the winter of each year following until the winter of 1781, and from the Spring of 1782 until some time in the month of September of said year, and performed his regular tours of duty according to the arrangement made for the as mentioned in his declaration service of the Company to the best knowledge and recollection of this deponent, the said deponent being a fellow soldier with the said John P. Blanchett in the same Company during the said years performing like duty. That the said Company was stationed at Clarkstown, Nyack, and along the North River, performing guard duty at each and every place, as well as at times of alarm scouting up the North River as far as Haverstraw, and down the same as Goshen, and back from said River into the country in the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey.
• Subscribed & sworn to before me the 13 th day of December 1833 John P. Blanchett Justice
Claus Van Houten Garnet Serwen
in the same year that during the said service he was stationed at

I do hereby certify to the Secretary of war And Com te of pensions that Claus Vanhouten Garret Jansen John House whose affidavits with their signatures now attached to the amended Declaration of John J. Blauvelt Esq are persons of good credit and now fully intitled to Relief
John J Blauvelt Justice

State of New York Rockland County ss
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the County of Rockland John House of the town of Clarkstown in said County aged seventy four years, who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with John J. Blauvelt who has made application for a pension under the laws of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he was acquainted with him in the Revolutionary war, that he was a soldier therein, that he well knows that the said John J. Blauvelt did serve in the Company of Capt. Tenney in the Regiment of Col. A. Hawks Key, Gilbert Cooper Lieutenant Colonel from the month of August 1776 to the winter of that year, and from the spring until the winter of 1777, then from the spring until the winter of 1779, from the spring till the fall of 1780, from the spring until the the winter 1781, and from the spring till winter the month of September 1782 and performed his regular tours of duty according to the arrangement made for the service of the Company to the best knowledge and recollection of this deponent, The said deponent being a fellow soldier with the said John John J. Blauvelt in the same Company during the said years performing like duty. The said company was stationed at Clarkstown, Nyack, and along the North River, performing guard duty at each and every place, as well as in times of alarm scouting up the North River as far as Haverstraw and down the same as far as Closter, and from the River back into the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey -
Sworn to & subscribed before me the 7 th Day of December 1833 John House
John J. Blauvelt Justice
and served ever fourth weeks in of the same year that during the said service he was stationed at

No. 21.082
John S. Blauvelt Rockland County New York
+ Mrs. Blauvelt
Admitted Private 14 1/2 months
 46.66  1.66  48.33   81.66  124.16  120.83 
W Ward
David Frye Agt. Clarkstown P.O. Rockland County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 28 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John D. Blannett Brothland County New York
   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.     1776 He started his service in all expeditions 2 0 13 Private Capt. Tenure St. Order Blannett Col. A. H. Hay To Hudson River 80 years Living witnesses   1779 2   1780 2   1781 2   1   14 13  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Resolutions
22649 INVALID.
File No. 22,649
John J. Blauvelt His Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mechanics Bank New York 11 th April 1840
Sir
I enclose for your examination, the papers in the case of John S. Blauvelt, a pensioner under the act of 7 th June 1832, at $48 \frac{33}{100} Dollars per annum, who claims his pension from the 4 th March 1839.
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt J Knapp Secy
James P Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington