Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10,420, Daniel Bliss, Conn. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. New York
Bliss, Daniel Martha
N 10,420
CONTENTS

Dear Order to pay $100.00 to Mrs Armstrong 19 Sept 1838.
116 S March 26
Letter Ally
25. 7. 10.
Mrs. Pittsburgh.
Daniel Bliss.
of Westmoreland Co. in the State of Penn., who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Morris, of the Bgt commanded by Col. Swift, in the New York, line for 1822.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn. Pensions at the rate of 60. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Dec. 1833 and sent to Mrs. Armstrong. Greensburg. Penn.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 — 150. Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 Sta. 34 30.
$180;
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { At June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Wallace, Clerk, Book 3. Vol. five Page 72.

7.265 Increase
Pennsylvania Martha Bliss widow of Daniel
who served in the Revolutionary N.Y. war, as a Private
Pittsburgh Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
27 th July 1865. Ded. subseq. payts.
Certificate of Pension issued 5 th day of Oct. 1868. and sent to J. M. Dashane Connellville Pa.
Acts Feby 3/53 & July 27/68.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 156 Vol. H
William Ferguson

State of Pennsylvania } Westmoreland County ss. }
On the twenty sixth day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas for said county, now sitting, Daniel Bliss, a resident of Donegal Township in the County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, aged sixty nine years, of age 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 th 1832 —
I entered the service of the United States as a substitute in the year 1780, or 81, in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Morris, our sergeants name was Sanford we were marched from a place called Fishkill on the North River to York Island, while there we had some hot skirmishing, we killed some of the British Soldiers, and took some of them prisoners, and the British killed a good many of our Militia — we were then obliged to retreat, and were marched to a place called Westpoint fort, where I was discharged after having having performed a tour of six months in the Militia as a substitute, — while at Westpoint Fort, and immediately after quitting the Militia I enlisted for one year,

I enlisted with Sergeant Knapp, and served in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Swift, which Regiment belonged to General Heath's, Brigade, we were marched from West Point in the direction of New York, & to York Island, where we had a great deal of skirmishing, along the British lines, and Colonel Delancey's Corps gave us a terrible chase. This was while the British held possession of the City of New York, about this time we had a great deal of skirmishing with the British light horse. after I had served the year for which I had enlisted General Heath gave me a written discharge, which I left with my brother Timothy Bliss, for safe keeping, he then resided near New York, but I have never seen or heard of him since, and cannot tell what had become of my discharge. After I was discharged I removed to a place called Weymouth, in Gloucester County, in the State of New Jersey - In the year 1783 I volunteered my service in the Brig Marshal, Commanded by Captain Noah Scovil, and served in her a tour of three months, we crossed the gulf stream and cruised about the West India Islands, looking out for English ships trading to & from the West Indies, and the very day before peace was proclaimed we captured the Brigantine Hope on her way from Jamaica to Liverpool, laden with Cotton wool, Coffee, fustick & lignum vitae, we carried her into New London, in the State of Connecticut where she was sold, together with her cargo - After I had served my tour

of three months on board the Brig Marshal. I was dismissed but received no discharge that I recollect of, then I worked whenever I could get employ. and nearly three years afterwards I was paid for my services while on board the Brig. I then returned to New Jersey where I resided about twenty years, afterwards went to the State of New York, and lived two years at a place called Peenpack, in Goshen County in said State. In the year 1808 I moved into the State of Pennsylvania to Donegal Township Westmoreland County where I have resided until the present time.
During the whole of the time that I was in the New York Militia and in the Continental  United States troops we were kept continually moving about, from place to place, marching, & countermarching, and skirmishing along the British lines. - Declarant has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person who could testify to his service but a certain John Barney, who served with him in the army near New York, he has some time since left this State and gone to the state of Ohio, but declarant cannot tell to what part he has gone. Declarant claims a pension for six months service, as a substitute in the New York Continental Militia, for one year, as a private soldier in the United States troops, and for three months service as a volunteer on board the Brig Marshal. Captain Noah Leavil. in all twenty one months. And I hereby Relinquish every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the present,

and declare that My name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency of any State -
To the following interrogatories propounded by the Court Declarant answers as follows -
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Answer I was born somewhere north of New York in the year 1764,
2 nd Have you any record of your age Ans r : I have none
3 rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war: and where do you live now?
Answer I lived in the neighborhood of Westpoint fort when called into the service, the remainder of this interrogatory is answered in the foregoing declaration -
4 th How were you called into service?
Answer I was a substitute, but cannot now recollect for whom -
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service -
Answer - My Memory is so far failed that I am not able to state the names of any other Regular.

officers than those mentioned in My foregoing declaration and am also unable to state the names of any Regiments of Militia or Continental troops, or any other Circumstances than those already stated -
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service. if so by whom was it, given & when is it.
Answer this interrogatory is answered in the foregoing declaration -
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, and good behaviour - &
Jacob Kint, William Thompson Esq. Peter Gay, George Kepler, Abraham Hays -
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. allot. Randal McLaughlin Pub y  Daniel Bliss
We Jacob Kint and Hugh Larimer residing in Donegal Township Westmoreland County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Bliss who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be about sixty nine 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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Test Randal McLaughlin Pub y { Jacob Kint Hugh Larimer

In 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 Jacob Kent and Hugh Larimer who have signed the preceding certificate are Citizens Resident in Donegal Township in the County of Westmoreland, and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Randal McLaughlin Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings in the matter of the Application of Daniel Bliss for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at my office in Greensburgh this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Randal McLaughlin Prothonotary

Filed by J M Dushane Attorney Connellsville Pennsylvania

State of Pennsylvania ss County of Fayette ss.
On this 13 th day of February A.D. 1868 personally appeared before me the Clerk of Common Pleas Court in and for the County of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania Martha Bliss a resident of the County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania aged 89 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress of July 29 th 1848. and also Second Section of an act of Congress of February 3 1853. That she is the widow of Daniel Bliss who was a Private soldier in the service of the United States in the Rev- olutionary war with Great Britain and was at the time of his death a Pensioner of the United States under the acts of Congress granting Pensions to the soldiers of the Revolution, and also the Pension role of the State of Pennsylvania, and that his Pension Certificate was surrendered after his death, that her husband the aforesaid Daniel Bliss died at his home in the County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania on the 15 th day of February 1858. and that she has remained a widow since that period. She further declares that she was married to the said Daniel Bliss on the _____ day of November 1801 at Stonington Connecticut by a Justice of the Peace whose name before said marriage was Martha Cook and that she knows of no record of said marriage, and that the justice of the Peace who married them, together with the witnesses that were present at the time, are dead, she also declares that she has not in any way been engaged in or aided or abetted the Rebellion in the United States, and she also declares that she has not made any previous applications for a Pension and that she is not in the receipt of a Pension under any act of Congress.
And I hereby make and affirm J. M. Preshon of Carmelville Pennsylvania my

true and lawful attorney for me in my name and place to present and prosecute this Claim and to receive my Pension Certificate when issued and receipt for the same My Post office address is as follows Donegal Pa
Thimmas Knopsmider Christopher Craig
Martha her Bliss mark
Also personally appeared Thimmas Knopsmider and Christopher Craig residents of Fayette Co. County and State of Pennsylvania persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being by me duly sworn declare that they were present and saw Martha Bliss make her mark to the foregoing declaration and power of attorney and they further declare that they have every reason to believe from their acquaintance with the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and we were well acquainted with her husband the said Daniel Bliss deceased during his lifetime, and of our own personal knowledge know that he was a revolutionary Pensioner, and from our intimate acquaintance with the applicant and her husband, we know them to have lived together as husband and Wife, and were so regarded and respected and we have every reason to believe that they were married on or about the day of November 1801 the , and that she has remained a widow since the death of her said husband and we have not interest in the prosecution of this Claim;
Thimmas Knopsmider Christopher Craig
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 13th day of February 1868. And I certify that I have no interest in the prosecution of this Claim.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal at Uniontown the day & year above written
George W. Litman Clerk

7265
Pennsylvania Martha Bliss widow of Daniel
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Pittsburgh Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension, issued 15 th day of April 1868 and sent to J. M. Dashane Connellville Penn a
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 156 Vol. 26
D. Smith CLK

Increase 7.2.65 Brief in the Case of Martha Bliss. Widow of Daniel Bliss Donegal Fayette County and State of Penn 2 o he Act Feb 3. 1853
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
PROOF EXHIBITED,
A pensioner roll of Pa as $60.00 per ann Certificate return. Claim increased under Act July 27 1858.
Personal identity & Widowhood shown
Admitted Oct 1. 1858 to pension as $96.00 per annum to commence July 27. 1858 directing pay since.
Name and residence of Agent. J. M. Dushane Connellville Pa.
W. E. Frick Examining Clerk.

Brief in the Case of Martha Blip  Pitts Widow of Daniel a Private Revolutionary War. Westmoreland County and State of Pennsylvania . 2 o Sec Act Feb y 3. 1833.
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
PROOF EXHIBITED,
Aims a pension as Widow of Daniel Blip - who was a pensioner at $60.00 pr Annum - roll of Pittsburgh. - died Feb. 15. 1838.
Arrears of pension of Daniel paid to claimant.
Identity - Marriage & Widowhood shown properly See letter of John Armstrong in case dated Sept. 12. 1835
Admitted April 8. 1868 to a pension at $60.00 pr annum commencing Feb 3. 1833.
Name and residence of Agent.
J. M. Dushane Councilville Pennsylvania
W. E. Trask Examining Clerk.

PAYMENT TO BE MADE
at Pittsburgh by James McTear
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Pennsylvania
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853, Page 156 Vol. 36 .
J. Smith Clerk.

7265
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that, in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Martha Bliss widow of Daniel Bliss who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, is inscribed on the Pension List, at the rate of Sixty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 3rd of February 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry: in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
GIVEN at the Department of the Interior, this Fifteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and Sixty-eight
M. T. Otto Acting Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and countersigned.
Joseph W. Barnett Commissioner of Pensions.

State of Pennsylvania County of Fayette      SS
Before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Samuel Fliger and Andrew Hisler aged respectively 60 and 67 years both of whom are residents of Westmoreland County in the State Pennsylvania, who are well known to me as highly respectable and worthy of belief, and being by me duly sworn according to law on their Oath declare, that they are well and intimately acquainted with Martha Bliss or as she is generally called Massa Bliss, and personally know that she is the widow of Daniel Bliss who was at the time of his death a Revolutionary Pensioner, that of our own personal knowledge we know that they lived together as man and wife for 20 years and were so living at the time of his death, and they raised a family of children, and that they were always known and respected as man and wife by their neighbours and community in which they resided, and were highly respected by all who knew them, that we resided near neighbours to them for 20 years before the said Daniel Bliss died and yet reside near neighbours to his widow the aforesaid Martha Bliss, and we know that the said Daniel Bliss was a Revolutionary Pensioner, from our having frequently seen and read his Pension Certificate during his lifetime, that he died on or about the 15 th day of February 1838, and that we know from our own personal knowledge that the aforesaid Martha Bliss or as she is generally called Massa Bliss, is the widow of the above named Daniel Bliss, that we have resided near neighbours to her continuously from the date of his death as above stated and

so resided for 20 years before his death, and that the aforesaid Martha Bliss has never remarried but yet remains the widow of the said Daniel Bliss and that she is the identical person that drew the arrears of Pension that was due up to the date of the death of her husband the aforesaid Daniel Bliss, and we have no interest in the claim of the aforesaid Martha Bliss for a Pension
Samuel Miller Andrew Hughes
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2 nd day of April 1868 and read and made known to the witness before signing, and I have no interest in the claim of the said Martha Bliss for a Pension nor concerned in the prosecution of the claim
Jacob H. Miller Esquire
Pennsylvania, Fayette County, SS:
I, GEORGE W. LITMAN, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Jacob H. Miller Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavits appear to have been made, was at the date thereof and now is an act- ing Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that he is duly authorized to take the acknowledgment of deeds and other instruments of writing, and to administer oaths, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court at Union- town, this 3 rd day of April A. D. 1868
Geo W Litman
Prothonotary.

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. March 26 1868
Sir:
In reply to yours of 23 rd inst. I have to inform you that Mrs Martha Blip's Application for a pension, as the widow of Daniel Blip has been filed. Papers filed in the case of Daniel Blip show that the arrear of pension due him to date of his death was claimed by his alleged widow.
The christian name of the person then claiming arrear, is not the same as the one now claiming pension as his widow. The discrepancy in regard to name must be explained a identity of claimants as the widow of Daniel Blip clearly & satisfactorily established.
Delay in claiming pension also to be explained.
J. M. Washane Connellville Pa
Respectfully Jos. H. Barrett. Colt N 46 Conn

Martha Bly
Yellow Deer
Ky

Connellsville Pa March 23 rd 1868
Hon. Joseph H. Barrett
Dear sir
On the 18 th of February I forwarded to your Department an Application for Pension for Mrs Martha Bliss widow of Daniel Bliss a Soldier of the Revolution, and who was at the time of his death a revolutionary pensioner, please inform me if the application has been received and place in file
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant J. M. Dushane

N.
DECLARATION FOR INCREASE OF PENSION.
Under section 13, act of July 27, 1868.
FILED BY
J. M. Dushane Attorney Connellsville Pa.
Printed and sold by W. H. Moore, 484 11th st., Washington, D. C.

N. DECLARATION FOR INCREASE OF PENSION. Under Section 13, Act of July 27, 1868.
State of Pennsylvania } ss. COUNTY OF Fayette }
ON THIS 17 th day of September , A. D. 18 68 , personally appeared before me, Prothonotary of the Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, Martha Bliss , aged 89 years, a resident of Donegal , in the State of Pennsylvania , who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical Martha Bliss to whom was granted Pension certificate No. 7265 , payable at Pittsburgh Pa. , at the rate of sixty dollars per month  annum , issued under the act of 3 rd February , 18 53 ; that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the act of July 27, 1868.
My Post Office address is as follows: Donegal Pa.
And she hereby constitutes and appoints J. M. Deshane of Connellsville Pennsylvania her Attorney, to present and prosecute this claim, and authorizes him to receive and receipt for any certificate that may be issued for the same, and to do any other act or thing necessary or that she might do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby countermanning all former authority that may have been given for the above specified purpose.
et  Heimas Knopfnider Jacob Brooks Signature of Claimant: Martha her Bliss mark
Also personally appeared A Heimas Knopfnider and Jacob Brooks , residents of State and County aforesaid persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Martha Bliss sign her name (make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her that she is the identical person she represents her self to be; and they further state that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Signatures of Witnesses. { A Heimas Knopfnider Jacob Brooks
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 th day of September , A. D. 186 8 ; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Signature of Judge or other Officer: George W. Litman Prothonotary

State of Pennsylvania } County of Fayette } S.S.
Before me a justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Martha Bliss a resident of Donegal Township County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, widow of Daniel Bliss who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and personally known to me as such, and being by me duly sworn according to law on her Oath says, that she is the widow of Daniel Bliss who was at the time of his death a Revolutionary Pensioner, that her husband the said Daniel Bliss died on or about the 15 th day of February 1838 and that she is the identical person that made application for and received the arrears of Pension due her said husband up to the date of his death, that her christian name is Martha but that her husband always called her Massa, and usually called by that name by her neighbours and known by that name (Massa) to the Attorney (Mr Carpenter) that drew up the Vouchers for the arrears of Pension as aforesaid, and if that name was written in the Vouchers for the arrears of Pension as aforesaid it occurred in that way but it should have been Martha, She further swears that after the death of her husband she went to Greensburg Pa. twice to make application for a Pension, but was informed each time that unless she would swear that she was was married to the said Daniel Bliss before the 1 st of January 1800 she would not be entitled to a Pension, which she would not do, as her marriage dated in November 1801, that she resides miles from the County seat and in the mountains and never heard until within a few months that the Pension Laws had be so amended as to entitle her to a Pension Martha her Bliss mark
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2 nd day of April 1868 and read and made known to the affiant before signing and I certify that the affiant is respectable and credible and well known to me as the

widow of Daniel Bliss and I certify that the said Daniel Bliss was a Revolutionary Pensioner which fact I know of my own personal knowledge and that his widow aforesaid is known in the neighborhood both by the name of Martha and Massa, and I have no interest in the claim of the said Martha Bliss for a Pension nor concerned in the prosecution of the claim
Pennsylvania, Fayette County, ss:
I, GEORGE W. LITMAN, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that
Miller Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit
appears to have been made, was at the date thereof and now is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that he is duly authorized to take the acknowledgment of deeds and other instruments of writing, and to administer oaths, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court at Uniontown, this 3 rd day of April A. D. 1868
Geo W Litman Prothonotary,

W Evans, Sep 6/17
J. S. E. Stuart-Eggle
Commissioner of Customs Washington City
Mr

Newburgh West Co. Penn a 12 th Sept. 1838,
Dear Sir
Inclosed is The Power of Attorney of Mary Bliss relict and widow of Daniel Bliss late a pensioner of the United States, deceased empowering Randal McLaughlin to draw the arrearages of pension due her husband at the time of his decease, and as he had not drawn his pension for one year (lacking five days) before his death. The agent for paying Pensions at Pitt t informed Mr c McLaughlin that he would have to forward the documents to the Commissioners of Pensions.
I inclose also the original Certificate of Pension. Dear Sir Yours very Respectfully,
J. L. Edward Esqr Com. of Pensions
John Armstrong

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10420
Martha Bliss, wid. of Daniel Bliss, Private Rev. war
Act: Feb 8 th 1853,
Index:—Vol. a , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]

28. 620 25.710
Daniel Bliss Penn a
Cash Rules
Adm 1. year & 6 months -
John Armstrong Greensburg Westmoreland Co Pa.
... was a proof loan.
now repaid the loan

inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before a Record of the proper
A Statement,  showing the Service of Daniel Bliss—
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
The claimant is required to produce the testimony of a living witness or witnesses having a personal knowledge of his services also to show whether the vessel in which he served belonged to the U.S. or was a privateer.

11. 20 He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and 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) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.