Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 15316, Nimrod Benedict, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Benedict Nimrod
S 15316
carded
CONTENTS

1774 Connecticut
United Benedict of Danbury in the State of Conn who was a Pri in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Bradley in the Conn line for 21 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 70 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Septem. 1833 and Lieut- Edward Taylor Danbury Conn Arrears to the 4th of Septem. 1833 $ 175- Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4. 34 3 50
$ 210-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Root Clerk, Book " Vol. 3 Page 6
Dead,
order to pay May 13, 1897
Dec Dec. 8, 1834.
(crunch)

BRIEF in the case of  Nimrod a Benedict  of Lantury  in the State of Connecticut  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     April In 1776 8 Private Col d Benedict Col d Bradley   Dec r 1777 1 substitute " Col d Broughton   July - 1778 1 " " Col d Brannan   Summer 79 1 " " Col d Astorice   July - 82 10 " Col d Campbell, Col d St. Clair  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Shrewsbury & Fairfield & New York  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lantury Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? a clergyman & other witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Nicholas Alcott Examining Clerk.

Kimura Benedict

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. U.S.
Probate District of Danbury.
On this 8 th day of August 1832. personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said County & State, now sitting at Danbury, within & for the said District: The same being a Court of Record.
Nimrod Benoit a resident of Danbury in the said County of Fairfield aged seventy two 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 1832.
That he was born in said Danbury & was held to service until discharged in consid- eration of his enlisting into the service of the United States, by Captain Noble Benedict of said Danbury. — He was born on the first of January 1760: he has no record of his age, but relies upon information from his Mother and other females who had knowledge of the date of his birth. He has always resided in said Danbury excepting that he has labored in adjoining towns in said State of Connecticut - occasionally for short periods of from one to three years. Since the Rev- olutionary War, but at each time of entering the service of the United States, as herein after mentioned he resided in said Danbury.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following names

officers, and serve as herein stated.
1 st In the month of April 1776. he enlisted for the term of eight months, and served the whole of said term, in the company commanded by his Master the said Noble Benedict in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Phillip B. Brady, of the Connecticut State Troops. He immediately joined said Regiment at New York, and served there in for the full term of eight months, as a private soldier, and until discharge on the 1 st of January following at Fishkill in the State of New York.
The Army or that division of it, to which his Regiment belonged was during said period of service under the command of different Generals: first under General Greene, then under Generals Ewing, General Mifflin, Robertson. The service of his Regiment was principally performed in the State of New Jersey but he was not engaged in any battle: His Captain the said Noble Benedict, was with a part of his company taken prisoner at Fort Washington, the other part of the company was at Fort Lee at the time.
At the expiration of this said term of service he returned to said Danbury, on being dismissed by his commanding Officer, but received no written discharge.
2 nd In the month of January 1777. Elazer Barnum of said Danbury was drafted to serve in the Militia stationed at Fairfield, in said Fairfield County as a Guard on the Coast of Long Island Sound, for the term of one month. The said Minioce was employed by said Barnum to serve, and did serve as the

substitute of said Barnum, the said term of one month as a Private Soldier, in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Boughton of the Connecticut Militia. Said Boughton belonged to said Danbury - There was only one Company of Militia during said period of service at said Fairfield, to-wit, that commanded by Captain Boughton - consisting of about fifty men: The duty of said Company, was to guard the Village and the landing place - and they were stationed about 80 rods east of the Court House. No remarkable occurrence happened during his said term. The enemy made no invasion; he and the other Troops performed the ordinary duties of soldiers and at the expiration of his term of service - to-wit some time in the month of February he returned to said Danbury. Thomas Benedict of said Danbury was Lieutenant and Deacon Pease of said Danbury was Ensign of said Company.
3 rd Afterward and in the month of July 1778 he was employed by some person in said Danbury, but whose name he does not now recollect, who had been drafted to serve as a substitute, one month in the Connecticut Militia at Housatuck in the Town of Greenwich in said State of Connecticut. He left home in said Month of July, in a Company of Militia commanded by the following Officers. -
Ephraim Barnum Captain. Thomas Benedict Lieutenant and Nathaniel Kelham Ensign all belonging to said Danbury.

and served as a private soldier in said company at Horseneck the said term of one month.
There was a Regiment of Militia there stationed, to guard the coast & the lines. They were engaged in no skirmishes with the enemy, and the said Coops, during said term were engaged in watching the movements of the enemy then commanded by Colonel Delancey —
4 th In the Summer of the year 1779. Samuel Andrews then, & now of said Danbury & who had been drafted to serve in the Connecticut Militia one month employed the said Simon to serve the said term as his substitute. He served the said term as the substitute of the said Samuel Andrews, at Fairfield, in said County of Fairfield & Norwalk in said County. — The Officers of said Company were in which he served, were Captain Jabez Botsford, and said Deacon Pierce was Ensign, the name of the Lieutenant he does not recollect. There were no Officers stationed there, of a higher grade than Captain, that he now remembers. He was present when both Norwalk & Fairfield were burned & was engaged in skirmishes with the British at both places.
5 th . That in 1782, in the month of July or August he enlisted in the service of the United States, in the Connecticut State Troops, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Confice, in the Company commanded by Captain James Stoddard, for the term of

ten months. He joined the said Regiment immediately after he so enlisted; and served as a private soldier, the said term of ten months at Horseneck, in said County of Fairfield near the enemy's lines. There were no troops other than said Regiment stationed there.
General Parsons Brigade in marching eastward halted there one night, some time in the fall of the year while he was there, and he believes in the month of October, the enemy gave them but little trouble, and the troops of said Regiment, were not engaged with the British Troops, excepting slight affairs between scouting parties.
All the Officers under whom he performed the aforesaid service are dead - & he has no documentary evidence to prove the same, & he knows of no person by whom he can prove the said service or whose testimony he can procure, other than those whose affidavits are herewith presented - The word "discharged" on the first page interlined before signing -
Being examined by the Court he saith that said George Barnum for whom he served as substitute at Horseneck is dead -
That he cannot definitely fix the date of his enlistment in said Company commanded by Captain Stoddard - but it was in the summer season - and before harvest, and most therefore he thinks have been early in the month of July. He states that he was born in Danbury known and established
the day of year or forenoon
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Vincent Benedict

The said Nimrod Benedict 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 in Spec. Court Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Nimrod Benedict
We, Rory Starr a clergyman, residing in the town of Danvers and Moss White residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nimrod Benedict who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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 date aforesaid in Spec. Court .
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Rory Starr
Moss White
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 Rory Starr who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in town of Danvers and that Moss White who has also signed to same, is a resident of the town of Danvers and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nimrod Benedict for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my said Office, this 8 th day of August 1832.
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

State of Connecticut } ss. Hartford County } ss.
I Richard Booth of Danbury in the said County, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the said State, do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esquire who has been and certified the foregoing and accompanying proceedings of the said Court of Probate, is Clerk thereof, and was such Clerk at the time the same, and that the foregoing and accompanying signatures, and all the signatures attesting the proceedings, are in his proper hand writing: and that all the facts and credit are true to the best of his knowledge at such Clerk.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in said Danbury this 8 th day of August, 1832
Richard Booth Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Connecticut

Lem. Taylor File with Nimrod Benedict No 15,316
Nov 9th 1810 Benedict

Minhad Benedict of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy four years being duly sworn doth depose and say that Samuel Taylor of said Danbury did serve at Horseneck in the State of Connecticut in the year 1779, as attested by this Deponent in his affidavit made by him in the matter of said Samuel Taylor's application for a Pension; and was a Drummer.
This Deponent having heard read the letter of the Commission of Samuel Taylor dated the 23 rd day of October 1833, saith, that he admits he has made a mistake in his declaration made by him before the Court of Probate, on the death of Samuel Taylor applying for a Pension; and that although such mistake exists, yet he trusts the said mistake on being corrected will not materially vary the effect of his testimony - For he saith that he served in Captain Botsford's Company as the substitute of Samuel Andrews in December 1778, or January 1779, and not as stated in his said original declaration in the Summer of 1779. And he further saith, that his service in the Summer of 1779 was as the substitute of another person in a Company of Connecticut militia commanded by Captain Ephraim Beman - and he served in each of the said terms as follows: in said first mentioned term, he was stationed at Fairfield in Connecticut, at Kings Point a place so called one month - and said Captain Botsford's Company was stationed there as a Guard - That in July 1779, a Company

of Militia was drafted from the Regiment commanded by Colonel Brindley I drew one man from the Garrison at Horsham. This Deponent undertook to draw said man as a substitute, but the name of the person and whose substitute he drew, he cannot now recollect. The said Company was mustered at Danbury, and proceeded two or three miles on their way to Horsham, this Deponent being in their company as said substitute. That they were overtaken by an express giving information that the British had landed at Kingston, and requesting them to proceed thither. They marched through the night and arrived there the next morning. There The said Company then marched & leading in rain rain & sleepiness, and on the following day proceeded to Norwalk when the British landed there & burned the town. After the British went on board their ships, the said Company proceeded to Horsham and drew the residue of their term of one month. And there this Deponent saw the said Samuel Taylor. The said Taylor in his original declaration was accused by his confounding the said two persons and the names of said Captain Taylor. That he drew said two men, and said said Samuel Taylor in the service at Horsham he clearly recollects, and although he was young, so that the said Taylor discharged in duty as a Drummer as fitly & efficiently at the same duty could have been performed by an older man. - Nimrod Benedict

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss. a.d.
On this 18 th day of January 1834, before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury, personally appeared Mirrod Benedict the above named Deponent and subscribed the foregoing Deposition, and being duly sworn, made solemn oath to the truth of the same. And the said Court certifies that the said Mirrod is a person of good character for truth, and a credible witness. —
Attest - Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Nathan Booth Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esq. who has subscribed & certified the foregoing Certificate is Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn - that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is in his proper hand writing. I further certify that although Samuel Taylor the applicant, and said Edward Taylor have a common ancestor, yet the degree of relationship between them is very remote; so remote that although I have made enquiry of both, neither of them is able to trace it and ascertain it correctly. Given under my hand at Danbury this 18 th day of January 1834
Nathan Booth

P.
15316
INVALID.
Revised
File No. 15316
Minard Benedict
Pa. Nov. 23,
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Please direct to Edward Leigh Blake of Sturminster Dunton 67
Aug 14 1832
ad
No 6252

Joseph P. Blake of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged seventy one years being duly sworn, do depose and say - That I have always known and been acquainted with Minrod Benedict of said Danbury, ever since I have known any person - He is about my age; perhaps a year or two older - He was a slave, and owned by Captain Noble Benedict, until he was emancipated on joining the Army of the Revolution - The said Minrod lived with his master the said Noble Benedict in the same neighborhood in which I resided - He was born in said Danbury and I have always understood and believed, and has during all his life time resided there, excepting that since the Revolution war, he has occasionally lived two or three years at a time in the towns adjoining - Very soon after the commencement of the war I went in the spring of the year 1776, and I think in the month of March April of that year, he enlisted in the company commanded by his master the said Noble Benedict in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Philip B. Bradley of the Connecticut State Troops; and served as a horseman and according to my best recollection until the last of the month of November following, in the said Corps: My belief is that he enlisted in the month of April of said year, and served seven months, and I am confident he served in that Corps. Afterwards, he served in the Connecticut Militia, for different terms and periods of service; but my knowledge and recollection of these latter periods of service is not distinct, as to the terms - He was out in the Militia, on long hand, bound on three different occasions, at Fairfield Arsenal and Norwalk, for periods of about one month

each - in the years 1777, 1778, and 1779, as I believe -
Towards the last of the war, he was engaged in the Militia Service at Danbury in said County of Fairfield, on a longer tour, and I have always understood and believed it was for ten months. He was engaged in said service at the time of the arrival of the news of signing the treaty of peace, and returned home then to said Danbury when the Army was disbanded. His latter period of service was by enlistment, and I believe for ten months. The other short tour of he served as a substitute, for others who had been drafted -
If I had knowledge at the time of the officers under whom he served, or the last named tour of service, I have forgotten - and further say not -
Joseph P. Cooke
State of Connecticut, Fairfield County ss. Probate District of Danbury Probate Court July 14 th 1832 -
Personally appeared Joseph P. Cooke, the above named deponent, and in open court acknowledged the foregoing deposition, and made oath to the truth of the same - And said Court doth certify that the deponent is a man of good character for truth and veracity, and a credible witness -
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
This was my deposition

I Reaye  Rayson of Danbury in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut aged seventy seven years being duly sworn do depose and say, that I know and am well acquainted with Minrad Benedict a Blackman now resident in said Danbury who hath applied for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That in the month of April 1776, as I believe, (it might however have been as late as the first of May in that year) I enlisted as a Private Soldier in the Connecticut State Troops in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Philip B. Bradley in Captain Noble Benedict's company for the term of eight months. The said Minrad Benedict enlisted in the said company about the same time and served therein as a Private eight months and until the 1 st day of January following. The said Minrad joined the main Army at New York soon after enlisting, and remained before the battle at Flatbush on Long Island. Said Regiment was ordered to New Jersey to keep the enemy in check who were posted on Staten Island. and was here stationed at the time of the battle at Flatbush & remained there until New York was occupied by the British when said Regiment marched for Washington. A part of the said company served in the Garrison at said Fort Washington and part at Fort Lee. said Captain Benedict, with the said company and about half the privates, in said company were taken Prisoners in Fort Washington at the time it fell into the hands of the British - I was in Fort Lee at the time. It was also the said Minrad - The remainder of the said Regiment with the American Army then retreated toward Philadelphia and crossed the Delaware - do so afterwards recrossed the said River, and the battle of Trenton

was fought - I was not in the said battle, nor was said Minroad - we remained in the rear - At the close of the campaign we were marched to Fishkill in the State of New York above West Point, and quartered in barracks there a few days - and about the first of January 1777, dismissed at said Fishkill, not receiving no written discharge - I served with said Minroad during the whole of the said campaign, and the greater part of the time was in the same, kept with him - and we were dismissed at said Fishkill and returned to said Danbury at the same time -  Eleanor Taylor
State of Connecticut, Fairfield County } ss. Estate Estate of Danbury
Probate Court - August 8 th 1832 Personally appeared Sayer Taylor, the above named Deponent, and in open court subscribed the foregoing Deposition, and swore to the truth of the same - And Comptroller certify that the Deponent is a man of good character for truth, and a credible witness -
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Minroad Branch Dist

I, Ezezer Hays of Waterbury in the county of New Haven state of Connecticut aged seventy seven years, being duly sworn do depose and say, that Simon Benedict now of Dan- bury in the county of Fairfield in the said state enlisted for the term of eight months in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Colonel Philip B. Bradley in Captain Noble Benedict's company. I enlisted and served with the said Simon the same term in the said company - he served from the time of his enlistment which was in the spring of the year 1776, until the 12 th day of January 1777 - when he was discharged and discharged at Milford Barracks in the state of New York - during said term he served a part of the time in the city of New York - being there stationed at garrison duty - and about time before the battle of Flatbush or Long Island we were ordered with said Regiment to New Jersey to watch the motions of the British Troops there on Staten Island - the remainder of the said term we served in said state of New Jersey - he said Simon served as a Private soldier the whole campaign - In the month of October of that year a part of said company with said Captain Benedict were taken Prisoners at Fort Washington - the remainder including said Simon and myself were in Fort Lee at the time -
Ezezer Hays

State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss. Probate District of Danbury Probate Court - July 26 th 1832
Personally appeared Stephen Hoyt the Deponent within named, and in open court subscribed the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same - And said Court doth hereby certify that the said Deponent is a man of a good character for truth, and a credible witness Attest Edward Taylor Clerk.
Simson Benedict

I Samuel Andrews of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years being duly sworn do depose and say that during the Revolutionary War I am not confident in what year but believe it was in the year 1779 I was drafted into the service of the United States as a Private soldier in Connecticut Militia. I have forgotten who was the Captain under whom I was drafted to serve. I was ordered to serve as a Guard on the coast of Long Island bound. I was engaged in learning a trade and was unwilling to go; and hired Moses Benedict a Black man who hath since applied for Pension as my substitute. He said Moses agreeably to his engagement entered the said service in my stead and served the term for which I was drafted which service was one month. — Samuel Andrews
State of Connecticut, Fairfield County 3d. S. Probate District of Danbury Probate Court August 7th 1832
Personally appeared Samuel Andrews the above named Deponent and in open Court subscribed the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same — and the said Court certifies that the Deponent is a man of good character for truth and credible witness — Attest Edward Sayre Clerk

I, Agariah Smith of Bridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years being duly sworn to before me do hereby certify that in the month of April 1782 I entered the service of the United States in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Colonel Samuel Campbell in Captain Stoddard's company, and served therein one year and until April 1783, excepting a short absence in the summer season - I never saw a Black man who is understood and believe called Simon and Benedict was a fully believe in the said service in the same company at a Private soldier - and served therein until the 12 th day of April 1783 when he was discharged with the rest of the Regiment. He entered the said service at a time when he was late, joined in the service thereof -
Not having seen him from the time we so served together until within about one month past, the circumstances of his service are now fresh in my recollection - as those of others of my school or men with whom I have since been acquainted and associated; but I have no doubt he served there the period of ten or eleven months.
Agariah Smith

State of Connecticut, ss. Probate District of Danbury Fairfield County ss Probate Court -
August 4 th 1882 Sworn & subscribed in open court, and the said board of Probate certifies that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness
Attest Edward Laylin clerk
Please deliver to Edward Laylin Esq Clerk of Probate Danbury Ct
Aug 14 1882
ad
No 6257

Nimrod Benedict
0257
21 mi pirata $ 70
E Taylor C.M. Postal St. Louis —

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nimrod Benedict which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 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 shewn 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Pension Agency Hartford May 1 1837
Mr Enclosed I forward the claim of the heir of Nimrod Benedict dec d it being more than two years since the last payment also the papers of Philip Halsey Amos Stevens Amos Tolle & Benjamin Dayton each claiming twelve months pension transmitted for your special directions authorizing the payment
I am Very Respectfully Your obed t Serv t
J. M. D. D. ag
J. S. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington

James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Education Washington
140 35 175

Franklin Ct. June 13 th 1833
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
The accompanying Papers submitted I wouldn't have been returned by mail by & the blocks of the Court to me showing disallowance was made after June it was done by mistake, and all the questions in the final disallowance, & there is to be returned in the 4 th instance, and the Brief in the case described by Mr. Coats shows that his papers are correct and that the statement of the official in the 4 th instance is correct and the matter is returned to you there are a few of the papers that in the 4 th instance in your office the original, as far as more returned by some of your blocks in attached
Yours sincerely and in your Obedient Servt
J. Lewis Scott Judge of the Court of Probate