Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2482, John Crenshaw, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Crenshaw John
S 2482
CONTENTS
Carded

19.165 19.165
let 15 th May 1839 R.A. Dalbey.
Winhard the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Jones of the first  second command by Col. Wilkinson the Virginia line for 9 months
19.165
Inscribed on the Roll of last  first  Virginia at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Aug 1833 and sent to  to  the  to  the  to A. Whitaker Kingston
Arrears to the 4th of March 60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00 75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by David Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 39

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832.
State of Tennessee On this 24 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Roane County now sitting John Crenshaw a resident of the State of Tennessee and County of Roane as aforesaid, aged, as he believes, twenty-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 the 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. . . . He entered the service in the State of Virginia Brunswick County, a substitute for Filmon Huff in the year, as he believes, 1781. having no recollection of the month or day, in and on which he entered. That he entered, as aforesaid, under Captain Peter Jones; was marched, by him to Nancimont River, which he crossed at Smithfield, which town the enemy had burnt on the day before his arrival, a church standing on a hill on the south side of the town only remained. That from thence he proceeded to Hampton Road where he joined General Lawson, as he believes, under the command of Colonel Wilkins. Major Boice was there acting as Brigade Major; but has no distinct recollection whether he was under his immediate command or not. The precise length

State of Virginia 1781
of time he was stationed there he has no distinct recollection of; but that it was considerably long. The business of the troops, as he recollects was to guard the place. On a certain day while on duty he discerned the British Fleet in the bay at a very great distance; that he called to the officer of the day, who was within hearing distance and who came with a spy-glass and satisfied himself that the Enemy was not only in the bay, but was steering towards them; and within a few hours was dropped a cross the Bay. During the time of the Fleet laying in the Bay a great number of British deserters came over to the American lines, who he understood to have been pardoned, he believing that at one time almost the whole of their guard came over and laid down their arms. A part of the Fleet having sailed to Pintsport he was detached, with others to go to that place under, as he believes, General Heubner. on the arrival of the troops at their place of destination he does not recollect in what order position the Enemy lay, being very much fatigued by a three days march in very rainy weather. The public story which appeared to have been the object of the Enemy was safe. He did not continue there but half a day. A strong guard being left, he was marched to Prince Edward County house. At that place he thinks an altercation took place between Generals Heubner and Lawson and that the latter took the greater part of the troops.

of the former, himself with the rest and marched, to as he believes, with his whole force, ex- cept a few sick, to Little York. himself being one of the sick, was with others discharged whilst march- to that place by General Layson personally, and in his own hand writing; but in what month, or day of a month he does not now recollect; having lost it in Newbury, South Carolina nearly 30 years ago. During his time of service which was, as he believes, long 9 months he was in no engagement with the enemy his service having been mostly stationary, and with scouting parties. He has but little recollection of the country through which he marched, but thinks, in general, it was a low flat country. He knows of no living testimony by whom he can prove his service. He was born and raised in Amelia County in the state of Virginia, but having no record of his age, the state he does not recollect. At the time of entering the service he was living in Brunswick County Virginia. water was From there he went to Guilford North Carolina, lived there 2 years he then returned to Brunswick and resided there several years; then moved to Warren County North Carolina lived there 12 or 13 years. From there to Edgefield South Carolina, from there to Georgia Jackson County. Thence to Tennessee Roane County where he now resides.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or or annuity except the the present; and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state, or (if any) only on that of the state of Virginia. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
W. S. Purvis
John Crenshaw

We George Arnold & John E. Wilson residing in the State of Tennessee and County of Roan hereby certify that we are, and have been for a considerable number of years, well acquainted with John Crenshaw who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 74 years of age, that he is a native, and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
W. G. Arnold
George Arnold John E. Wilson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as a soldier. The Court further certifies that George Arnold & John E. Wilson & who has signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. Galt
Wm B. Clark
John Carlton
I Henry Breazeale Clerk of the County Court of Roan County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Crenshaw for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal having no seal of office this 27th day of October 1832.
Henry Breazeale C.W.
By his Deputy
I do certify that to my knowledge Henry Breazeale is Clerk of the County Court of Roan County and Henry J. Purry is his deputy, and that there is no seal of office for said County, and the attestation is genuine.
January the 14th 1833
James Standifer M.C.

State of Tennessee, Henry Breazeale clerk of the Court Roane County of Ohio & District Superior for the County of Roane by my deputy Henry L. Purvis do certify that William Calbraith before whom the foregoing affidavit was known to be subscribed was then and there is an acting justice of the peace for said Court duly commissioned and qualified as such and due faith & credit should be given to his acts as such and that his signature is in his own proper hand writing Given under my hand & private seal not having a seal of official office in existence the 22nd day of April 1833
Henry Breazeale clerk of his deputy Henry L. Purvis
I certify that Henry Breazeale is clerk of Roane County Court and that Henry L. Purvis is his deputy and that his signature is genuine and that there is no seal of office for said Court 22nd April 1833
James Stanfield former N.C.
John Greenhaw
74 855

copy 19/65
M856
Mrs. Crenshaw Roane Co Tennessee
from 1781 first 9 months $30.
Jane Wilkin Va
Samuel Childers Kingston Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
11 Oct 31
183 3
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 tubular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of John Crenshaw Reame City State of Tennessee
   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.     Sub. 1781 9 Private Capt Jones Genl Lawson Col. Wilkins 74 years Brunswick County State of Virginia Traditionary Evidence Papers not authenticated  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ☞ This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; 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.

Rev War
2482
INVALID.
File No. 2482
John Crenshaw
First Rev War
Act: June 7, 1882
Index:—Vol. A , Page 80
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 21
Pension Claims Free
Free
Hon Lewis C. of L. of War.
Washington City D.C.
Mem N.P.
Kingston Tenn June 12 th 1833.

Morgan Courthouse Tennessee May 6th 1839.
James Edwards Esq.,
commissioner of Pensions,
I take the liberty of informing you that John Crenshaw, a Revolutionary Pensioner of this County at the rate of thirty Dollars per annum, under the act of the 7th June 1832 for the State, he was a Regular Soldier and enlisted in the United States Ser- vice, in Prince Edward County in the State of Virginia under Capt John Morton, and was transferred to Turner Byrum and during service went to the Redbanks, under General Wash. thence to Near Monmouth in the time served under another officer named Shoozer Byrum.

He states that He was in the time Engaged, in service on the Eastern Shores, and sometimes, in the waters and in the Hampton Roads in the sea, he states, that some years past, and before the act, of the 7th June 1832, that he applied for a Pension, through the aid of a Mr Roan of good standing and did not succeed, lacking something the particulars of which (he seems to have but a faint idea of) and that when He appli- ed for the Pension, the last time he applied in Roan County and concluded to apply for the Mili- tia service only, which was the course advised by his attorney, He gives an account of serving two years, and six months.

and had a printed discharge. * He has sent me a memorandum of some other officers names since he gave me the foregoing information of some other officers under whom he served in the said war, to wit Capt. Peter Jones, Col. Williams, Muhlenburg, Sturban, Lawson, and Major Bois his last and additional statement of officers has been sent to me, which is not specific as to whether the addition- al officers were of his militia or continental service, I suppose that they were meant to be of the militia service, or probably blended together. Mr. John Grenshaw is vastly old and very high man very frail can walk a little, memory tolerable good but slow he has been talking to me for some years at times about serving some years, and only draw- ing a small Pension. I finally

told him that I would make some search, to see if his name was on the Roll. I had conclu- ded, to prepare a Pension Declara- tion, and an Reflection, thought that it would be trouble and ex- pense, and as he could not calcu- late, on an increase of Pension under all the circumstances, excep- t the Rolls, corroborate and prove his statements, to save trouble I would ask information, which if found reasonable, would be thankfully Received
Respectfully your obedient humble servant
Robert H. Fabry
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington City D. C.

19326
John Crenshaw
See John Crenshaw C. N.
Hon. W. Standifer H. R.
Roan
vely as to the precise term of lection he served not less than the periods mentioned. year _____ months, and _____ days, I served and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Crenshaw 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? [blank] 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? no 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? no but an M.C. certificate

 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? no  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no  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? no 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? yes 
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.
a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
1800 but an M. C. certificate

Kingston
June 11 th 1833
Pennepack
Dear Sir
by the last Mail I received John Green Shaw's Pension Papers together with the Objections etc. and without offering any other apology for my being troublesome some then that I have a very troublesome some old man, & one who in his old age & extreme poverty is very anxious to receive the Pension that he thinks he is entitled to, realise I have taken the liberty to send the Papers back to the department with the brief I received the first time the Papers etc seem to be authenticated as the Certifications direct in everything but the Clerk's seal, but upon a closer examination you will find that I have obtained the Certificate of a member of Congress to the A & Amended Declaration which are all enclosed & for your inspection, etc
The other Claims I sent to Writ Gunning Blackwell, Bureau & Pensions I have not heard from
I am With Respect Yours
Samuel L. Whiting