Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5253, William Cummins, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Cummings, William Deborah.
W 5253
B.L. Mt 67,676-160-55
CONTENTS

Ohio 7786.
Wm Cummins of Warren Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Pte & Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Parker of the Regt commanded by Col. Alexander in the New Jersey line for six months & five days 4 mos & 5 days. Private 13.88 2 months. Sergeant. 10.00 $ 23.88.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 23. Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of April, 1833. and sent to J. R. Wilds. Clk. Lebanon - Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 1833. 47.76 Pemi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 33. 11.94 $ 59.70.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. Wm Palmer Clerk, Book O. Vol. 8. Page Four.

Ohio 2478 Cincinnati Deborah Cummins widow of William Cummins N J who served in the Revolutionary war, as a 1 st Sergeant.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 23 Dollars 88.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Oct r 1853 and sent to Thos F. Thompson Lebanon Ohio
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 161. Vol. A
Let to Thomas F. Thompson Nov 1/53
27/024 sec 278486 at 07676-160
(32)

End P
277024 Act Mar 3/55 cont'd June 20/57 278486
1,1434-160
Deborah Cummings Wife of William Cummings First Sergeto
67.6/76 Cal July 22 2/57
Rev. Wary
Ent a Dirch a
Ad: 160 ac, p. 6, 21/57 B.W.M.
Ohio 53- no 2478
Special By
Mrs Paul berg Thompson Lebanon Ohio
Vol 62-161

No 15050 = 7.786,
William Cummins of Warren County Ohio
1
Homeless 6. Months of 5 days from 1778. $20.55,
6/23 4/3. 5 as Pounds 13.33 52 mo left. — 10. .58 23.88
3.33 4. 13.33
Lebanon P.O.
J. H. Wilds Bth of Warren County Ohio

BRIEF in the case of William Coomer,  County of Warren  in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 yrs  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.     Draftd. In 1778 - 1 - private Gen. Brig. Genl. Heard, - Dickinson   " - - 16 private Col. F. Frelinghuysen, Wm Davidson adj't.   " - 1 29 private Col. Rudolph Sechen   Vol - 1779 - 3 - private Capt. Jno. Parker,   2 Sergt - Genl. Caswell, Rutherford, Col. Alexander   Capt. Jno. Wash, Genl. Gates,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Somerset County New Jersey.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary  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.
Richd. Key Watts Examining Clerk.

State of Ohio Warren County
Warren Probate Court
On this 26 th day of July A D 1853 personally appeared before the Probate Court within and for the County and State aforesaid Deborah Cummins a resident of said Warren County and State of Ohio aged 68 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of February 1833 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: that she is the widow of William Cummins now deceased who was a pensioner of the United States on the Revolutionary Roll under the Act of June 7 th 1832 inscribed on the Rolls of the Pension Agency at Cincinnati Ohio at the date of Twenty Three Dollars & 88 per year for proof of which facts and also of his services during the Revolutionary War she respectfully refers to the evidence upon which said Pension was granted to said William Cummins, now on file at the Pension Office at Washington and upon which Pension Certificate N o 1786 was issued Recorded in Pension Office in Book E Vol 8 page 4
She further declares that she was married to said William Cummins at Warren County State of Ohio on the 27 th day of July A D 1826 by one James Benham a Justice of the Peace as will appear by the Marriage Records of said County: that her said husband died on the 18 th of November A D 1833 at Lebanon in said County & State: she further declares that she is still his widow; that her name before marriage was Deborah Thompson now Cummins John H. Thompson Deborah X Cummins mark

State of Ohio Warren County
Warren Probate Court
On this 26 th day of July A D 1853 personally appeared before the Probate Court within and for the County and State aforesaid Deborah Cummins a resident of said Warren County and State of Ohio aged 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of February 1833 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of William Cummins now deceased who was a pensioner of the United States on the Revolutionary Roll under the Act of June 7 th 1832 inscribed on the Rolls of the Pension Agency at Cincinnati Ohio at the date of Twenty Three Dollars & 88 per year for proof of which facts and also of his services during the Revolutionary War she respectfully refers to the evidence upon which said Pension was granted to said William Cummins, now on file at the Pension Office at Washington and upon which Pension Certificate N o 1786 was issued Recorded in Pension Office in Book E Vol 8 page 4
She further declares that she was married to said William Cummins at Warren County State of Ohio on the 27 th day of July A D 1826 by one James Benham a Justice of the Peace as will appear by the Marriage Records of said County; that her said husband died on the 18 th of November A D 1833 at Lebanon in said County & State; she further declares that she is still his widow; that her name before marriage was Deborah Thompson I hereby certify John H. Harrison
Deborah X Cummins mark

Sworn to and subscribed in open court and before me on the day and year first above written and I hereby certify that said Deborah Cummings is the widow of William Cummings who was a Pensioner as aforesaid
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court at Starren this 26 th day of July 1853
Nichol Dunbar Probate Judge
State of Ohio Warren County
Before me John C. Dunbar, Probate Judge in & for said county personally came Martin Barkhart aged 44 years and John Thompson aged 55 years who being duly sworn ac- cording to law on their oaths say that prior to the death of William Cummings who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States they were acquainted with him and his wife Deborah Cummings that they lived together as man & wife up to the time of his death; that he died on or about the 18 th day of November A.D. 1833 at Starren in the county & state aforesaid; that the above named Deborah Cummings is the identical individ- ual who was married to & lived with said William Cummings and that she now is & has been since the death of said William Cummings his widow and further that they are in no wise interested in this matter
Attest Nichol Dunbar, Geo. Starren
Martin Barkhart John H. Thompson
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26 th day of July A.D. 1853 and I certify that I have no doubt of the truth of the statements above made and I also certify that I am disinter- ested in this matter
Witness my hand and official seal at Starren this 26 th of July 1853
Nichol Dunbar Probate Judge

Record of Marriage License Issues
21st July 1826 William Cummins to Deborah Thompson Both of Campb. age 40.
Record of Marriage Returns.
No. 2526. I do hereby certify that on the 27th day of July A.D. 1826, William Cummins & Deborah Thompson were by me legally joined in marriage. Witness my hand and seal the 5th Augt. 1826.
James Penham S.P.
Warren Probate Court
State of Ohio Warren County } ss
I, Inc. C. Dunlevy, Probate Judge of in and for said county do hereby certify that the above is a correct transcript from the Records of Marriage License Issues and Marriage Returns kept in this office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Lebanon this 19th day of August A.D. 1853.
Nob Dunlevy Probate Judge

by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court do further certify, that it appears to them that the Revd. William Thompson who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Warren and State of Ohio, and James Conner, who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio Warren County
I, Dora Han
R. Wells
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applica- tion of William Cumming for a pension.
War. Com. plead Ex parte Decree. Wm. Cumming 15057 for Pension

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June the 7 th A. D. 1832.
The State of Ohio } Warren County } Set.
On this third day of October eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, being the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County aforesaid, William Cumming a resident of Turtle Creek Township in said County of Warren and State of Ohio, aged seventy years on the 20 th of May last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein after stated. —
He states that he was born in Bascridge Township, Somerset County in the State of New Jersey on the 20 th day of May 1762, and resided there at the time he entered the service as follows — that in the month of March 1778 he was drafted and served as a private one month, that the Regiment to which the company was attached, to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Frederick Frelinghuysen, and William Davison was the Adjutant thereof, and his Company Officers were Capt. Rudiff Sutrow, and Lieut. Samuel Annan, the Ensign's name he does not recollect. He recollects that — Herd was the Brigadier General, and he thinks — Dickison was the Maj. Genl. — The Company in which he served, was sent out on a tour of duty on the British lines under the command of the aforesaid Capt.; and marched thro' said Somerset County, and thro' the County of Middlesex County in N. J. to Amboy in the last named County, and from thence returned home, after one month's service and was verbally discharged —
William Cumming further states, that in the month of June 1778, (still residing in Somerset County aforesaid) the Militia of the State of New Jersey were ordered out, and he then served as a private about sixteen days — The aforesaid Brig. Genl. Herd, and Maj. Genl. Dickison still had the command, and said Col. Frelinghuysen commanded the Regiment to which he belonged; and his Company Officers were Capt. John Parker, and Lieut. Israel Rickey, Ensign's name not known, or not recollects. The Regiment to which he belonged, under the command of said Col. Frelinghuysen, marched thro' said County of Somerset to Princeton

from thence to the Draw Bridge in Burlington County in said State of New Jersey, from thence marched to within about a quarter of a mile of the battle-ground in Monmouth. He saw the Battle of Monmouth fought, but was not engaged in it, the Militia not being called upon or ordered to join the Regular Army: From Monmouth he, with his Regiment, returned home after sixteen days service, as aforesaid, and the Militia were then verbally discharged from further duty at that time. —
William Cummins further declares, that in the year 1778, after the Battle of Monmouth aforesaid, he was frequently ordered out as a patrol, and served in the Militia on small tours of duty, on alarms given; and on those occasions he served from two to three four & five days at a time, making in the whole, he has no hesitation in declaring, seven weeks, if not more: but he cannot state the different times, nor can he specify accurately the service done, he can state that during those services, he frequently marched under the Command of his Officers from twenty to forty Miles distant in different directions, and returned home again to Somerset County aforesaid — he can also state that during the whole of the time of the last mentioned service, he was under the Command of the Officers lastly mentioned above. —
Said William Cummins would further declare, that about the last of April 1779 he removed to and settled near Saulsbury in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina, and that whilst residing there he volunteered in the service of the United States, on the 14 th day of June 1780 for a three months tour — Maj. Genl. — Caswell was, he thinks, the Commander of the Division, Brig. Genl. — Rutherford the Commandant of the Brigade, and the Regiment was commanded by Col — Alexander, and — Allcorn was his Adjutant. His Company Officers were Capt. John Wash, Lieut. Adam Petro, and he thinks James Dodd was the Ensign thereof. He was appointed and served as second sergeant on this tour of duty. The Regiment to which he belonged under the command of Col. Alexander, as aforesaid, started from Saulsbury aforesaid, and marched to the Town of Charlotte in the County of Mecklenburg N. C., thence we marched to Ramson's Mill, in (as he thinks) Lincoln County in said State, where a battle had been fought with the Tories, before we arrived, by a band of Soldiers under the command of Col. Lock, from thence we marched back, with the prisoners taken at the battle last aforesaid, to Saulsbury aforesaid. In a few days thereafter, the Regiment aforesaid started again and marched down the Yadkin river

about 50 miles, thence down the Great Pedee river about 50 miles to the Town of Cheraw, Situate on the Great Pedee river, the name of the County not recollecting; And from thence we marched to Rudeley's Mill, in South Carolina (within about 12 miles of Camden) where we were joined by the Army under the Command of Genl. — Gates. On the night of the 15 th of August 1780 about 10 o'clock, as he thinks, we were ordered to march and attack the British in Camden, but being Sick he did not engage in the battle fought on the plains of Camden. The Militia, as is well known, broke an run on this occasion, and in scattered groups returned to their own homes.
Declaring on his In this way Home he was captured & taken a prisoner, but soon for a few days before the expiration of the term of three months, escaped and returned home Sick and distressed, and remained Sick for about 24 weeks after his return home. While on his march last aforesaid he saw Genl. Gates, Genl. Sumpter and Genl. Marion — He has no record evidence of his service or discharge.
And I said William Cummins hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of any State whatever. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 3 rd day of Oct. A. D. 1832 J. H. Wilds Clk
We Wilson Thompson a Clergyman, and James Cowan both residing in the County of Wayne & State of Ohio, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named William Cummins, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Wilson Thompson James Cowan Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 3 rd October 1832 J. H. Wilds Clk
And The said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatory prescribed

By the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court do further certify, that it appears to them that the Revd. Wilson Thompson who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Warren and State of Ohio, and James Cowan, who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
The State of Ohio Warren County
I, Jonathan R. Wild, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applica- tion of William Cumming for a pension.
Wm. Cumming for Pension Oct 3 rd 1832
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid at Lebanon this 3 rd day of October A. D. 1832. J. R. Wilds clk

Set 3 rd March 1855
Deborah Gummins
Widow of William - Revolutionary War -
W m B. Parr Cincinnati Ohio

STATE OF Ohio - COUNTY OF Warren -
On this 8 th day of July 1857 Personally appeared before me a Justice of Peace within and for said County, Deborah Cummings aged 88 years years, a resident of said County - who being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of provision made by the 2 nd section of the Act of Congress, approved March 3 rd 1855 -
THAT She is the widow of William Cummings deceased late of said County who was a Private and Sergeant in the New Jersey State Troops in the war of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $23.88 per annum under Act of Congress of 7 th June 1832. That she is now a pensioner at the same rate at the Cincinnati, Ohio Agency under the 2 nd Section of the Act of Congress of 3 rd February 1853 - She further declares that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband but is now a widow, and that she has not received a warrant for Pensions said under this or any other Act of Congress - but that she did make an application to John C. Huntley of Lebanon Ohio who has informed her that he could not procure one for her - That she constitutes and appoints Wm B Barry of Cincinnati, her Attorney in the premises to receive her warrant.
ATTEST Charles C Reed Iraen Braden
Deborah Cummings her mark
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year first above written, before me, and I certify that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this Claim -
J. D. Blackburn J.P.

we Charles C. Reed and Irwin Braden
Residents of Warren County Ohio upon our oaths declare that the within declaration was signed and acknowledged by Elizabeth Cummins in our presence and that she is known to us to be the identical person she represents herself to be - we also declare from our intimacy with her we know that she is now a widow and that we have no interest in her claim to Pownall Land - Charles C. Reed Irwin Braden
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year first herein written and I certify that the foregoing are known to me to be credible persons -
J. D. Blackburn, J. P.

The State of Ohio } Warren County } James S. Totten Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County. Witnesseth that D. D. Blackburn Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made (and whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificates) was at the date thereof an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned as such -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this 8 th day of Feb y
1857.
James S. Totten Clerk By V. L. Harrison Deputy

Febry 4-1902 Jane G. Hunter Salem Ohio
Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5253
Deborah Cummins Widow Wm Cummins Herbgt. Per. Rev.
Act: Febry 3/9/53
Index:—Vol. A , Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

5 J. B. 1876
1876

Commissioner. (Mrs Cummins, Pensioner) Pension Office, Office Oct. 7. 1853
Sir, Please certify the time to which the within pension was last paid; and, if in your power, the date of his death. Very Respectfully, Your obed servt.
G. S. Cole Pro Commissioner
F. Burt Esq. 3 d Auditor
William Cummins, Act 7 th June 1832, $23.88 per annum. — Paid to 4 th Sept. 1833, no date of death on our Books.
F. Burt Auditor
Mrs Cummins Dea d and Deborah Ohio A853-2478
Wm the Pensioner Washington D.C.

Set. Defec: Wm B. Barry, July 31/57
Act Mar. 3/55. 278,486. July 21/57
277,024 Com M 277,024, Deborah Cummins Widow of William Cummins dec d priv. v.
Capt.
Col.
N.J. State troops, Revolutionary War.
See Pension papers.
Ohio Feb 53-2478
William B. Barry Cincinnati Ohio

100.00 1/10 1853 App. of Nebos- rah bam - Mins, in div of William, Warren co., O.
7786
Ad 3 rd Feb. 1853.
Amtd $23 88 / 100 per annum Comencing 3 rd Feb. 1853 Mr.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business
Rev. F. Thompson, Lebanon, Warren co., O.
What is required in this case? - There is no new endorsement. B. B. Bryan

As soon
Nov. 1. 1853 -

Schoharie April
Oct 25 th 1853
Camr of Pension
Dear Sir We recd your Cer- tificate in the case of the Application of Deborah Cummings, Widow of Ben Cummings for a pension. But We presume you certify to her being entitled to receive from the date of the Act of 3 rd March 1853
We respectfully submit that there may be, probably a mis- take in the Certificate, in that res- pect, in as much as the 2 nd Section of the Act says that the "Wid- ows &c - Married Subsequent to Jan- uary 1800 shall be entitled to a pension in the same manner as those who were married before that date" Since it occurs to us that the Act - was intended to abolish the distinction heretofore made between Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers who were married prior, and those who were married subsequently to the year 1800, If she had been married previous to the year 1800 would she not have been entitled to draw from the date of the death of her husband?

Which occurred as the proof on file will show in the year 1833? And if so, the distinction being taken away We respectfully suggest whether in the press with instance she is not thus entitled,
If there be a mistake in the certificate or if she be entitled as here suggested, will it be necessary to send the present certificate back for correction?
Respectfully Yours
Thos H Thompson
To the Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.

Brief in the case of Deborah Cummins , Widow of William Warren County and State of Ohio act 3 rd February 1853
Claim. ("original," XXXXXXX )
Proof exhibited. (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832 at $23.88/100 per annum
Marriage proved by certified copy of Records of Probate Court
Identity of claimant and death of husband proved by affidavits of Martin Eckhart and Luke H. Thompson, duly certified to be credible witnesses
(X for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Thomas F. Thompson, Sebanon, Warren Co
Name and residence of Agent
Ohio. J. H. Adams , Examining Clerk.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Cummins 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? yes 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? 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? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 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 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.
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.

Letter to Thomas W. Thompson - With to Deborah Cummings.

Sabanon Ohio
August 20 th 1853
Dear Sir
I herewith transmit to you the declaration of Deborah Cummins Widow of William Cummins decd & who died a pensioner.
She deserves the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 3 rd of Feb A D 1853
You will please address me at Sabanon Warren County Ohio
Respectfully
Thos H Thompson
Atty for
Deborah Cummins
To the Commissioner of Pensions

Bounty Land Application 277034
Deborah Cummings Widow of Wm Cummings
address Jewell & Thompson Salem Ohio

State of Ohio Warren County
On this 15 th day of October A D 1855 personally appeared before me Probate Judge within & for the county & State aforesaid Deborah Cummings aged 85 years a resident of Lebanon in said county who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of William Cummings who was a private & sergeant in the company commanded by Capt [blank] in the Regiment of [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Revolutionary War between the United States & Great Britain that her said husband enlisted at [blank] on or about the [blank] day of [blank] A D [blank] for the term of [blank] and continued in actual service for at least thirty days & was honorably discharged at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A D [blank]
She further states that she was married to the said William Cummings at Lebanon aforesaid on the 5 th day of August A D 1826 by me Jas Bonham A D that her name before said marriage was Deborah Thompson that her said husband died at Lebanon Warren County on the [blank] day of Nov A D 1833 and that she is now his widow
She states that the evidence of the service of her said deceased husband & his discharge will be found on file in the War Depart

at Washington in an application made by W m Cummings for Pension on which a Certificate was issued April 2 nd AD 1833 said Certificate being Numbered 7786 and Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol 8 and Page 4
She also states that the proof of her said marriage & of the death of said her husband will be found on file in the Dept of Interior in applicant's appli- cation for pension on which Certificate was issued to her dated Oct 17 th 1853 No 2478 & Recorded on Roll of Pensions under Act of Feb 3 rd 1850 Page 161 Vol. A
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 rd 1855
Deborah has Cummings mark
We John Thompson and John St. Borne residents of Salem Warren County & State of Ohio upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & ac- knowledged by Deborah Cummings in our presence and we believe from our acquaintance with applicant and from her appearance & statements that she is the identical person

ss. represents herself to be.
John R. Bone
John Thompson
The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written. And I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the Claimant is the person she represents her- self to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
In Witness Whereof I hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court on this 15 th day of October 1855.
J. M. Smith
Probate Judge & by Law Clerk of Probate Court