Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4637, Daniel Berry, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Perry, Daniel Dorcas
N. 4637
CONTENTS

26.072
Pennsylvania
Daniel Berry of Columbia Co. in the State of Pa who was a _____ in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col. _____ in the _____ was for _____.
9 Mo P $ 20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of March and _____ 1831, War at Bunker Hill, N.H.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 15.00 Rem-ant. allowance ending 1 st March '34 15.00 $ 90.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page _____

493  Pennsylvania
Docas Berry widow of Daniel Berry of Columbia Co. in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the regt commanded by Seely _____ in the N. J. militia for nine months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 30 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 22 nd Feb 1834 the day of her husband's death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Februa- -ry 1837 and sent to T. G. or A. Beasunt H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 March 1837 15. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. H. Wilson 4 July 1836 Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 7 Page 159
let 3 July 1837 B. Orde  Parvin Guar Bank Litto Robt. McCoy, July 11. 1837

State of Pennsylvania } County of Columbia } 55
On this 22 d day of January 1934 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas  Sumner Sessions now sitting Daniel Berry a resident of Berry township in the County of Columbia and State of Penn a aged Eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1836.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
1 st He was drafted into the service in October 1776 he then resided in Mendon township Morris County State of New Jersey under Capt. Cook and was marched to Elizabethtown to the Army under Gen. Washington which was in the neighborhood the General that he served under was Williamson and his Colonel was Jacob Ford from there he was marched to Brunswick in which neighborhood he remained until his time was expired which was one month
He then volunteered before he returned home under Captain Drake the Commanding officer was Gen. Winds and Major Bailey in this service he remained seven months he was in a number of skirmishes one of which was at Scots Plains near a place called Dublestown and also Brown Brook where the British guard was taken consisting of about 40 men and at another at a place called Shantown where we took 30 prisoners and about 500 Bushels of salt and also another at Springfield where we took 30 prisoners and killed four he was in another party who were taking some property from New York to Brunswick
In the summer of 1778 he was drafted again and served one month under Capt. Crain was marched to Springfield where we drove the British to Elizabethtown and from there to New York our officers were Gen. Winds Col. Sealy Majors Brown & Hotchkiss
In the fall of 1778 he was called out under the same Captain

as before and was marched to Hackensack and Newark was in no engagement this time and served one month
In the same fall he was again in the service under Capt. Stephen Jackson was marched to Elizabethtown and there remained one month
In Jan 1779 he was sent by Gen. Starks Stryker's Plains to guard a Continental storehouse to prevent the forces from burning the same in which service he remained one month
He was again called out under Capt. Crain and was marched towards Monmouth but did not get there in time for the Battle they were met by an express and ordered to take another course he remained in this service one month
He was again called out under Capt. Crain and marched to Hackensack River to drive the enemy out of country where they were committing depredations on the farmers and other inhabitants he was in this service one month
He was out another month under Capt. Bell at was at an engagement at Staten Island there officers were Gen. Dickinson Col. Frelinghausen Major Hoags This was about Battle of Red Bank
He has no papers to show any of his services but has two witnesses who's depositions accompany this
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 any state Agency on any state
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me Jacob Early Rec.
Daniel Berry
We Robert Wboy and Elizabeth Morris residing in the Township of Loring County of Columbia State of Penn hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Berry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty four 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. & that the only Clergyman in the applicant's neighborhood with Rev. Dr. Putnam is sick & unable to attend court to testify his knowledge respecting the applicant. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Jacob Pugh Rich
Robert M'Gee Hezekiah Morris
And the said Board 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 Board further certifies that it appears to them that Robert M'Gee and Hezekiah Morris are residents of Derry Township Columbia County Pa. and are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit
Ellis Lewis, Presiding William Montgomery Leonard H. Piper
2
State of the Board of Examiners of Revolutionary Claims in the County of Columbia Pa. do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the proceedings of the said Board in the matter of the application of Daniel Burns for a Pension. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 11th day of Jan'y 1818
Questions by the Board to the applicant
Q 1st Where and in what year were you born
A 1st I was born in Morris County New Jersey in the year 1750
Q Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
A 2nd It is recorded in a Bible given him by his Father and is now in his possession at his residence
3 Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolution and where do you now live
A 3rd I lived in Mendon Township Morris County and State of New Jersey and have lived upwards of forty years in Derry Township Columbia County State of Penn s where I still reside at the present time
4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom

Ans m I was drafted some times was called out without being drafted once I volunteered and served seven months But was never a substitute
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 service
Ans m was never in service with any Regular troops was not acquainted with any Continental officers Does not remember the names of any the Regiments in which he served?
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, if so by whom was it given what has become of it?
Answer. I do not know if I ever received a discharge
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution?
Answer - John McReynolds, Charles Clark esquire, Colonel Thomas Moonhead - Col. Daniel Fulmer & John E. Dean esquire.
Sworn & submitted in open Court Jan y 22 d 1834 before me Jacob P. Cagle Clerk
De B. [Signature]

State of Pennsylvania Columbia County } ss
On this "Tenth" day of February A.D. 1837. Personally appeared before me a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County Dorcas Berry a resident of Limestone Township in the County of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania aged seventy eight years who brought with her and produced before me a bible containing the following record of her marriage with, Daniel Berry and Dorcas Armstrong were married September the 14 th A.D. 1779 - and the said Dorcas Berry being duly sworn according to law did on her solemn cash make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 3. 1836. That she is the widow of Daniel Berry deceased late of Berry Township County and State aforesaid who served as a private in the militia of the United States during the revolutionary war as will appear of records at the war de- partment of the United States he having received a pension in his lifetime in consequence thereof and she the said Dorcas further declares that she was mar- ried to the said Daniel Berry in Morris County in the State of New Jersey by Thomas Young Esquire and that she carried clothes to her said husband while on duty in the revolutionary war and that afterwards they moved into Columbia County in the State of Pennsylvania where she lived with her husband the said Daniel Berry until

the time of his death and that her husband the aforesaid Daniel Berry died on the fourteenth day of February 1831 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to proof herunto annexed
her Dorcas Berry Mark
State of Pennsylvania Columbia County } ss
Seal I William Montgomery Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County who administered the oath to the above and within affiant do certify that the above and within named affiant Dorcas Berry is a person of ve- racity and full faith and a credit should be given to her declaration and that she is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend in open court to make the declaration required by law in the case of Pensions.
William Montgomery
State of Pennsylvania Columbia County } ss
I James Donaldson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Columbia State of State of Pennsylvania do certify that the above named William Montgomery Esq. is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County & State the said

Court being a court of record in the state aforesaid and that as such is authorized by law to administer oaths and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts and that the above and with the annexed signature is genuine
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County at Danville the tenth day of February AD 1837
James Donaldson Prothonotary

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4637
Daniel Berry Wid.
Daniel Berry Port R.F. Neils
Act: July 14/36
Index:—Vol. A , Page 49
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓
Daniel Berry Pa. act 7 June 1832 to what time paid? Pan: Offin. Feb 16.
to the day of his death 22 nd Feb 1834 at 7.30 pr. Ann. D. Med Offin Feb 16. 34

From Rev. Union Aguy
Ans - July 3, 1887
Mr. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Police Washington D.C.

Girard Bank Philad a July 1 1839
Sir
I have this day discovered on reference to the Books, that Dorcas Berry widow of David Berry has been paid 180 dollars for six years pension from 4 March 1831 to 4 March 1837 when it appears also by the Roll that David Berry a pensioner of Act of 7 Jan 1832 was paid to the date of his death which was on the 22 July 1834. The payment of the pension to Dorcas Berry was made agreeably to your Order of Feb y 16. 1837. viz from 4 March 1831. As other pensioners under Act of July 4 1836 have been paid only from the date of the decease of their husbands, where they were on the Rolls, I give this information, that in case this pensioner has received more than was intended by the Department, I may have an Order to deduct the proper Amount from her pension when it shall become due if you think necessary.
I am Sir very Respectfully Y r Ob t Serv t
Jas Schott Post H o Com e
Pension Clerk
J L Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington

July 10 Recd Robert M'Kay H.M. Washingtonville Pa July 11 } Esq. Berry Rev. Phebe Gray Pa 1116
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Customs Washington City

Washingtonville Pa July 6/37
Dear Sir
Not knowing to whom to ask for information I take the liberty of adressing this to you asking your early attention to it or to hand it to the proper person whose business it is to attend to such business
I this day received a letter from the Clerk of the Superior office in Phil a of which the following is a copy viz "It appears by the Roll of the Phil a Agency that Daniel Berry a pensioner under act of 4 th June 1832 recd 22 nd July 1834 and was paid up to that time at 30 dollars per annum the sum of 84 dollars — It also appears that Jonas Berry Widow of Daniel Berry was paid under act of July 4/36 from 4 th March 1837 to 4 th March 1838 at $30. per year amounting to $150 — on the 19 th May 1837"
"It appears also that Deborah Grey was paid on the 22 nd October 1836 the sum of 20 66 / 100 dollars from June 1 st 1836 (the date of her husbands death) to 4 th Sept. 1836 & that it also appears Deborah Grey under act of 7 th June 1832 was paid 19 33 / 100 the amount due to his estate which was June 1 1836 — The agent has not discovered till to day July 1 1837 that the husband of Jonas Berry was on the Roll or had received any pay subsequent to 4 th March 1834 but has made the above mentioned payments agreeably to the orders he has on file, viz t from the War Department — Why the Department has not deducted the pay of husband from one as well as the other is not known to the agent. But I presume is a mistake intending to act alike in all cases — The War Department will probably explain the matter if written to on the subject
Gerard Bank Phil a . July 1837
H. C. Crane
I hope my dear Sir you will say this is a small affair but perhaps when I tell you that I am charged with withholding and defrauding Deborah Grey of her pension and that that charge we must this have some foundation for the charge they say how comes it that Mrs Berry is paid from

12 th March 1831 and Mrs Gray gets pay no further back than the death of her husband your will, hence the situation I am placed in. I have a large family of children who must be disgraced by any foul act of their Father. I do hope you will have the matter satisfactorily adjusted in some way or other so that I may not be imputed as the agent of Phoebe Gray in fraudulently withholding from her what is her due. This may be done by giving notice to the Agent in Phil a . to recover back what has been paid by mistake or in withholding the pay in the future. Pardon me for thus presuming to direct you. I am so deeply involved in the affair that I am anxious something should be done.
Yours Respectfully,
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Robert M c Eay

State of Pennsylvania Columbia County } ss
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said County Daniel Hollmer who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that he was acquainted with Daniel Berry deceased late of Derry Township County State aforesaid the late husband of Dorcas Berry the aforementioned petitioner for a pension; and that the said Daniel Berry died on, the or about fourteenth day of February 1831 and that the said Dorcas Berry has remained a widow ever since that period and continues still to be a widow and that the said Dorcas is a person of unimpeachable credibility and veracity and that she is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend in open court to make the declaration required in cases of pension. Daniel Hollmer
Sworn and subscribed before me This ninth day of February 1837
G. Lichtenthaler State of Pennsylvania Columbia County } ss
I G. Lichtenthaler a justice of the peace in and for said County who administered the oath to the last aforementioned affiant do certify that the Daniel Hollmer the said affiant is a person of credibility and veracity. Witness my hand and seal this ninth day of February 1837 G. Lichtenthaler.

State of Pennsylvania Columbia County
I James Donaldson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the above and within mentioned G. Lichtenthaler is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and as such is authorized by law to administer oaths and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts and that his signature annexed is genuine
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County at Danville this tenth day of February AD 1837.
James Donaldson Prothonotary

State of Pennsylvania County of Columbia
personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Columbia, Darcus Berry, who upon oath doth depose and say that she lived in Morris County the state of New Jersey when she was married to Daniel Berry in the time of the Revolutionary war, and was married by Thomas Young Esq. of the same place and have lived with her husband Daniel Berry ever since until his death. They had three children during the said war, and that she carried clothes to her said husband during said war, once, that after the said war was ended they left Jersey and moved to Berry township Columbia County, and have resided there until the death of the said
Daniel Berry
her Darcus + Berry mark
Sworn & Subscribed before me the 13 th day of October 1836 witness my hand and seal
G. Lichtenhauer
State of Pennsylvania James Donaldson Prothonotary of Columbia County & the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County do hereby certify that
G. Lichtenhauer is a Magistrate as above to all whose official Acts due faith and Credit is & ought to be given and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville this nineteenth day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty seven James Donaldson Prothon.

State of Pennsylvania } County of Lycoming }
Subs personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county Francis Vandine who doth depose and say that he was acquainted with Daniel Berry in the year 1779 in Morris county State of New Jersey; Some time in the fall of that year the said Daniel Berry was said to be married to Dorcas Armstrong; that they the said Daniel and Dorcas had two children before the close of the revolutionary war; that they lived & cohabited together as man and wife until the death of the said Daniel Berry which is better than two years ago; that this deponent has been acquainted with the said Daniel Berry and Dorcas his wife from the year 1779 until the death of the said Daniel Berry and that this deponent was at divers times in the revolutionary war in company with the said Daniel Berry; and he has frequently heard the said Daniel Berry and Dorcas his wife say they were married that they were reputed and held to be married and that this deponent never heard it contradicted.
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 22 nd Day of September 1835 1835 my hand and Seal
Francis Vandine
Henry Purston

State of Pennsylvania Lycoming County
I J W Mendenhall Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Henry Funston Esqr who administered the within oath is an acting Justice of the Court in and for said County duly appointed according to law & that full faith & credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts, and that the written signature purporting to be his is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Williamsport the 1 st day of July A.D. 1837.
J W Mendenhall Pro.
1134
admitted 9 notes. #30
Hon. A. Devereux H.R.

Daniel Henry son of A. Beaumont
29. 7. 24. —
Hon. A. Beaumont

State of Pennsylvania Columbia County ss
I Jacob Eyler Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Columbia County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Berry for a pen- sion In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court at Danville the 22 d day of January A.D 1834. Jacob Eyler Pro.

Lycoming County ss I, Sealy personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Lycoming, Israel Herriman aged about 70 years who upon his solemn oath doth depose & say, that he this Deponent was well acquainted with Daniel Berry during the Revolutionary war, that in the year 1779 this Deponent was out in the Revolutionary Service, two different times of Duty in company with the said Daniel Berry at Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey under Col Sealy & Hathaway & General Winder - in the year 1780. this Deponent was out one time under in company with said Applicant whose quarters were at Elizabeth Town under General Dickerson, that this Deponent resided in the same neighborhood with the said applicant & knows of applicant to be out in the Revolutionary Service at after James & further saith not, so depon. Subscribed before me this 16th Day of August 1838 Jacob Harriman
Henry Fenton
I do certify that I am well acquainted with Israel Harriman, who has subscribed & sworn to the above Deposition & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a man of truth and veracity.
Henry Fenton

State of Pennsylvania } S. J. Wood Prothonotary of } the Court of Common Pleas Lycoming County } in and for said Do hereby } certify that Henry Johnston Esq. is a magistrate at within said - nature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Williamsport the 21 st day of November A D 1833 For S. Wood Protho J. L. L. L. L.

For Commonwealth vs Francis Vandine personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the said Justices of the peace in and for the County of Lycoming Francis Vandine aged about 75 years who upon his solemn oath doth Depose and say that, he this Deponent was well acquainted with Daniel Berry in the years 1776-1777 & 1778 & knew him to have been out in the Revolutionary Service several times, & that this Deponent was out in company with the said after at Baskin Ridge, Backenbach, twice at Elizabethtown and at the Scotch Plains under General Windes, and one time of duty at Elizabethtown under General Dickerson & that Comr. Sealey & that this Deponent Resided in the same neighborhood with the said applicant & knew him to have been out at other times in the Revolutionary Service but this Deponent was not in company with said applicant & further saith At Sworn and subscribed before me this 18th Day of August : 1833 Henry Penston Francis Vandine 
I do hereby that I am well acquainted with Francis Vandine who has subscribed and sworn to the above Deposition, & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a Man of Truth and veracity  Henry Penston 
State of Pennsylvania I, J. Wood, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County. Do certify that Francis Penston Esq. is a Magistrate as above, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Williamsport the 21st day of November A.D. 1833 For J. Wood Pro J. L. Lefevre

29. 724
Daniel Berry Penn a
Adm 9 Months
Hon A Beaumont Ho of Rep

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 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 proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Berry, Edward GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11011 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 5, 1789 to not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.