Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,666, Samuel Darling, New York

SERVICE
New York
Darling, Samuel
NUMBER
R. 2.666
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

Melina Conn. Pleas
Act. Term 1832
Declaration of Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier
17915
Filed Oct. 22 d 1832

Declaration of Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7-1832 entitled "an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war". The State of Ohio } Court of Common Pleas Medina County } October Term A.D. 1832
On this 22 day of October personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Reuben Wood president judge and Reuben Smith John Newton and Allen Pardon Esqrs associate judges of said court now sitting Samuel Darling a resident of the township of Liverpool in the county of Medina and state of Ohio, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his said oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress aforesaid, in the words and figures following to wit.
I Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier, being of lawful age and duly sworn, do on my said oath depose and say, that according to my family record which is contained in a Reap town out of my family Bible, which I swapped away several years ago, and which I have now at home if it be not lost, and according to my own belief, I was born in the town of Dover, county of Sussex and state of New York, on the 7th day of February A.D. 1755. The record however does not state the place. My father and mother have however repeatedly told me that I was born there at that time. When I was about 12 years old my father sold out in Sussex county, and moved to New Lebanon in what was then called Albany county but now Columbia county, I think but I cannot say for certain, where I was living when I was first called into the revolutionary service. Since the revolutionary war I first removed from New Lebanon when about 30 years of age to what was then the town of Wallingford but now called Meriden in the county of New Haven and state of Connecticut. I lived in Wallingford or Meriden as it is now called between 30 and 40 years, when I removed to my present place of residence in Liverpool Medina Co. Ohio where I have lived 14 years. In the year 1776 I think it was, while on a visit from New Lebanon to Dover, I enlisted for two months at Col. Morehouse's to guard stores belonging to the United States. I enlisted into Capt. Martin's company who were all two months men enlisted for that purpose. I do not recollect that there were any other commissioned officers in the company, as it was merely a guard for stores. I think the name of the sergeant of the guard was Morehouse Col. Morehouse's son, and it seems as if his christian name was David.

We had no other officers that I remember. Our duty was to stand sentry over the stores and deliver them out when called for by government. This was in the spring of the year - I can not recollect the day I enlisted but should think it was the latter part of May. Planting corn was over when I enlisted. No additional stores were brought there after I enlisted that I recollect. They consisted chiefly of pork, beef and flour and were sent to West Point in carts and wagons. I served out my two months and was then paid off in continental money which was then good. It appears to me I was paid at the rate of 7 dollars per month. We had the privilege of going out in the day time on our own account but had to stand guard at night. We received no written discharges, but were discharged by Capt. Morton by word of mouth. I supposed I was dismissed that time on the continental establishment, because I enlisted to guard continental stores. There were no regular troops nor non-commissioned officers at this place during at this time. As soon as I was discharged I returned home to New Lebanon. My next term of service was the next fall, when an alarm was given that the Tories were collecting in Phillips Town in Albany county between New Lebanon and Albany. I was out scouting at this time as far as Green Bush two or three days, but did not find the enemy. I next enlisted in the regular service in April, the fore part of this. I enlisted for nine months under a recruiting officer whose name I have forgotten at New Canaan, but my father not being able to spare me as I was almost all the help he had and he an old man, I hired a substitute one Charles Fitch to go in my room. I have forgotten the year but if I am not mistaken it was the year that America made an alliance with France. My next service was on a three months tour in this way to Cherry Valley in this way. We were called for by the men, that is, one quarter of the militia were called up at a time to perform a month's duty apiece in rotation. I do not know from whom the order for this draft came but I suppose from headquarters, probably from Gen. Washington. I was drafted in the latter part of summer probably about the last of August, though it is so long since that I cannot be more precise. We marched from New Lebanon to Cherry Valley in the state of New York but what county it was then or I cannot now tell. I served out my month when my brother Ebenezer arrived in a new draft, but his wife being sick at home, I took his place and served out his month. I then took the place of one of my near neighbors by the name of Ezra Thurston whose family was sick. When the third month was out several of us whose times were out were detained three days by Col. Alden till the recruits should arrive, but they not ar

giving he dismissed us by word of mouth only and we returned home - We went off about the middle of the forenoon and heard before we got home that the next night the fort at the valley was taken by the enemy and the garrison and inhabitants mostly destroyed - The commander at the fort was Col. - Alden, his Christian name I do not remember that I ever knew, - I do not remember if he ever did I have forgotten it, - I do not remember the names of any of the other field officers as the months men among whom I was being considered and treated as more with him and held in contempt by the regular troops, were billeted by themselves, and had but little connexion or acquaintance with the regular officers, though we frequently saw them - I think it was said there were about 400 regular troops at the valley while I was there - I saw them march out once on alarm and there was a handsome body of them - The commander of the company to which I belonged was Lieut. Smith. I think his Christian name was John - He commanded us to the valley, when we were put under the command of Capt. Benjamin a militia officer - There was about the number of three companies of militia men at the valley while I was there - I think we had a full complement of officers at the in our company though I have forgotten the most of their names - An orderly sergeant's name was I think Joseph Meacham - We had no skirmishing or fighting with the enemy while I staid and but one alarm which proved a false one - I do not remember the year when these transactions took place, though the season of the year I do as I have above stated - and was out just three months and three days - My next service was on an alarm - Our regiment, during the latter part of the war especially, were under orders to be ready at a minute's warning to turn out against the enemy as we should be ordered, and I for one was always ready equipped with gun, bayonet, ammunition, cartridge box, knapsack and blanket for that purpose, and was frequently inspected at reviews for that purpose among the rest - An alarm came it seems to me just before Burgoyne was taken, but of this I am not certain it is so long since and I am so old, for our regiment to turn out and march to the word against the enemy - The regiment accordingly turned out and marched from New London, then in Albany county where it assembled, to Greenbush, from there to Halfmoon, from there to Fort Edward, from there to Johnstown and then returned home

without finding any enemy - I cannot recollect exactly how long we were gone this tour, but as nigh as I can remember about half a month - I recollect we staid 4 or 5 days at Fort Edward - We were dismissed before we got back to Albany by word of mouth only - Our Colonel was Samuel Whiting I think - The Lieut Col, was Asa or Asahel Waterman - The Major's name was Buck a baptist preacher commonly called Doctor Buck - My captain was Meherniah Fitch, my lieutenant John Smett, my ensign Jonathan Mott - I do not remember the names of any of the other field officers except the surgeon which was Hamilton whom I well knew - An orderly sergeant I think was Joseph Meacham - My next service as it was in my mind though I cannot say but I may state periods in wrong succession, was at the taking of Burgoyne if I recollect right in 1777 - Orders came from our Colonel for our whole regiment to turn out and march to the northward against Burgoyne - We marched from New Canaan to Stillwater or Benis heights, crossing the North river as near as I can recollect at Half moon - We arrived at the battle ground on the evening of the 16 th of October or rather just before night and Burgoyne surrendered the next day so that we were not called into action - We were commanded by the same officers as when we went to Johnstown - We were gone at this time about 5 days - My next service was in the fall of 1778 being the next fall after Burgoyne was taken - One half of our regiment was called out on an alarm to go to Benis heights to fight the enemy who were reported to be in that vicinity - What month or time in the month I cannot remember but it was in the fall of the year - We marched from the same place in New Canaan to Stillwater or Benis heights but no enemy was to be found - We stayed there 2 or 3 days and then returned - I recollect it was the fall after Burgoyne was taken, because there were great numbers of Hessian shells as they were said to be, at the heights, lying on the ground - We were gone as nigh as 5 or 6 days, all officers were principally the same as before, but our commander was Lieut Col, Waterman, Col, Whiting not being with us - The remainder of my revolutionary service I cannot, from the nature of them state precisely in detail - We were under orders to turn out at a minute's warning, and living on what was at that time the frontier, our regiment was, among others, frequently harassed by other alarms from the British, Tories and Indians - The whole regiment was never called out but twice as I have stated - During however all the latter part of the war I was most of the time employed in

played in a series of operations - As it seems to me about two or three years before the end of the war, a conspiracy as it was discovered, was formed among the Tories to destroy the leading characters among the Whigs on the North side and then make their way across the river to the British forces westward of Albany - As soon as this conspiracy was discovered, I with others was employed to hunt for and catch Tories and bring them before what was called the standing committee for examination and trial. This committee was appointed by government, as I understood with general authority to try and punish crimes, breaches of the peace &c. I was almost always sent for in cases of alarms from the Tories, to go out scouting in small parties to arrest and bring them before the committee - At least one quarter if not more of my time was taken up in this service, I being considered a picked patrol. The duty was to range the fields, woods, hills, &c. by day and by night according as alarms came, to hunt for Tories in their lurking places and we frequently had good success. We scouted in all directions according to the course of the alarms and intelligence we received, but most of the time towards Green Bush and Albany. My whole revolutionary services amount as near as I can judge to about two years - It is highly probable that some short services have escaped my memory, for alarms were so frequent and we were so often called out in the manner I have stated that I find it impossible at this late period, when my memory is impaired by old age, to recollect more precisely than I have stated - I know of no person living by whom I can prove my revolutionary services, or any part thereof, unless it be Mr. Levi Delle, residing in Liverpool my own place of residence, whose deposition I intend to take to substantiate my claim - I never received a written discharge at any time, nor did I know of any that did except regular soldiers - I always supposed myself during all the different periods of my service to be a militia man except the first as I have stated. The following are the names of persons living in my present neighborhood who can testify to my character for truth and veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution viz, Seth Worlden, Moses Deming and John Hulet - Jacob Ward of Brunswick is the dearest preacher to where I live that I know of - I and my character are well known to Col. John Freese, Maj. Andrew Deming and others of Brunswick and to many others - I think upon reviewing my deposition, that I may be mistaken as to the time of enlisting into the regular service for 9 months which was perhaps the year

after Burgoyne was taken, though my memory is so confused I can not be so precise, as I wish I could, but all the other facts are, I am confident, as I have stated - Perhaps I ought further to state, that I am and have been for a long time very poor and destitute, my wife and children being all dead, my two sons, upon whom I might have relied for a support in my old age, having been as I suppose both killed in the last war, as they were both enlisted soldiers in the United States service before the commencement of that war, and as near as I can find out, marched from Canadilla in Pennsylvania under Gen. Hull at the time of his invading Canada and were killed in some of the battles or skirmishes fought at that time - That I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and further declare, that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or country whatever.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand under the seal of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Medina and state of Ohio, prefixed to this declaration in open court, this 22 d day of October A.D. 1832
Sworn & subscribed to before me Samuel Darling this 22 d day of Oct. 1832. T. Hudson Clerk
Deposition of Levi Odell a revolutionary soldier touching the matter of the application and declaration of the aforesaid declarant Samuel Darling
I Levi Odell a revolutionary soldier being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath depose and say, That I was born in the town of Goshen, county of Ulster and state of New York as I was informed and believe about 3 miles as near as I can remember from where the aforesaid applicant Samuel Darling was said, as he has stated, to have been born, I was just seven years and two days younger than him as near as I can find out, - I was well acquainted with him and his father's family in my childhood, having been often at his father's house before the old gentleman went out and went to New Lebanon as he has stated - I don't think I was about eight or nine years old when this took place, but I do not certainly remember - My father also went out and went to New Lebanon a few years afterwards, and went to New Lebanon when I again renewed my acquaintance with him and then - Samuel Darling was at this time about 18 or 19 years old - I saw him at home after this frequently, and heard from general report that he was out in the revolutionary service - I heard my two brothers Warner and Abiathar, both of whom were revolutionary soldiers during the whole of the war, say so, as did the

neighbors generally - I heard his mother say so, and lament it, fearing he would be killed - I have no doubt whatever but what he was out and performed the services he has stated - I was not out in the service till the last year of the war, being too young to go till that time, so that I did not see him in the service - Two or three years after the war was over my father moved from New Lebanon, since which time I have had no acquaintance with the said Darling till I found him in Inverness, Medina Co., Ohio, where I now reside and where I have again renewed my acquaintance with him - While I was acquainted with him in the state of New York as I have stated, he bore a good character in all respects, as did the family to which he belonged, his character is good now so far as I know or believe and I have no doubt whatever but that all the facts stated in his declaration are true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand under the seal of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Medina and state of Ohio prefixed to said declaration, in open court this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1832.
Levi Adell mark
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 22 nd day of Oct. A.D. 1832. T. Hudson Clk.
Deposition of Jacob Ward a Methodist preacher touching the same matter.
I Jacob Ward a preacher of the Gospel of the Methodist conversion residing in Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio and living about six miles from the residence of the said Samuel Darling in said Inverness, being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath depose and say that I have resided at the distance of about six miles from the above named applicant Samuel Darling about 14 years. That I have had but little personal acquaintance with him - That I have heard of his having had disputes, quarrels and lawsuits with some of his neighbors but nothing that might impeach his character for truth and veracity. That I believe he is of the age he represents himself to be in his declaration - I have never heard till lately anything about his having been a revolutionary soldier, but having heard the statements made by himself and the testimony of the witnesses taken in his behalf in whom I have confidence, I have no doubt but that he was a revolutionary soldier and that the facts set forth in his declaration are strictly true so far as his memory serves.
In testimony whereof I have herein to set

my hand under the seal of the court of common pleas of the county of Medina and state of Ohio, for said said declaration in open court, this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1832.
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 22 nd day of October 1832. J. Hudson Clerk
Deposition of Moses Deming and Seth Wardle touching the same matter.
We Moses Deming and Seth Wardle re- sidents of Liverpool, Medina Co, Ohio, being of lawful age and duly sworn do on our said oath declare and say, that we have resided within a short distance from the aforesaid declarant Samuel Deming in said Liverpool and have well acquainted with him and his character for 14 years. That he is a man of ordinary good character in all respects except one. He is a very passionate & irascible man, almost implacable in his resentments, and apt to quarrel violently when he thinks he has been provoked - When in this situation, with highly excited feelings of anger or revenge, his testimony is to be doubted but not in any other case - We have no suspicion that he would commit per- jury in any matter where property only is in controversy, in fact we have no doubt but that he is of the age he represents himself to be in his declarant, that the facts therein stated are true so far as he can recollect, and that his memory ap- pears to be very good for so old a man - Ever since he has lived here he has been supposed and believed to have served as a soldier in the revolutionary war and we fully concern ourselves in that belief -
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands under the seal of the court of common pleas of the county of Medina and state of Ohio preferred to said declaration, in open court, this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1832. Seth Wardle
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1832. J. Hudson Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opin- ion, after the investigation of the matter, and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that the aforesaid deponents Levi Dell, Seth Wardle, Moses Deming and Seth Wardle who have signed

their respective depositions are residents respectively of said Liverpool and Brunswick as they have stated, that they are all credible persons, and that their state- ments are entitled to credit
The state of Ohio
Wadsworth County ss. I Timothy Hudson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Darling for a Pension -
In testimony whereof, I have unto set my hand and seal of said Court, at Wadsworth, this 24 th day of October A.D. 1832 -
Timothy Hudson Clerk.

Medina Com. Pheas
Oct. Term 1832
Interrogatories put to Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier.
Filed Oct. 22 d 1832

The State of Ohio } Court of Common Pleas Medina County } October Term A.D. 1832
Interrogatories put by said court to Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier making his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 - 1832 entitled "An act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution"
— Interrogatory 1 st Where and in what year were you born? — Ans. — In Dover, Dutchess Co. New York Feb y 7 - 1755
— Int. 2 nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? — Ans. — There was one in my family Bible which is probably lost.
— Int. 3 rd Where were you living when called into the service where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live? — Ans. — When I was first called into the revolutionary service I lived in New Lebanon Albany Co. New York. Since the war I have lived in New Bedford, Connecticut and I now live in Livonia Medina Co. Ohio.
— Int. 4 th How were you called into the service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute and for what substitute for whom? — Ans. — I first enlisted into the service — The rest of the time I was drafted or was a substitute. I never was a substitute but twice once for my brother Ebenezer Darling and once for Ezra Sherston.
— Int. 5 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? — Ans. — I never received a written discharge.
— Int. 6 th State the names of the regular troops where you served, such continental and militia regiments as you recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? — Ans. — I recollect the names of Gen. Gates and Col. Alden likewise those of several of the officers of the regiments to which I belonged as Col. Whiting, Lieut. Col. Waterman, Major Buck & — The general circumstances of my service are stated in my declaration to which you refer.
— Int. 7 th 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 belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution. — Ans. — Levi Odell, Jacob Ward, Seth Darden and Moses Deming.
Sworn & subscribed to before me this Samuel Darling 22 nd day of Oct. 1832. J. A. Dyer J. Hudson Clk.

REJECTED
2666
P. O. _____
Samuel Harling
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

DARLING SAMUEL (N.Y.) R. 2666
Silens
And... ... ... ...

Samuel Darling is hereby Licenced to keep an Inn or Tavern in his house Darling Place in Kings Dist. until the first Day of March next ensuing the Date hereof. It appearing to us that a Tavern is necessary in the said house and we do also hereby certify that the said Samuel Darling has hitherto and uniformly behaved as a good and lawful friend to the American Cause since the Declaration of the Independence of this State and is of a good moral character. Given under our hands this 2 nd Day of January 1777.
  William Livingston  Supervisor  {  Commissaries for Licensing Taverns & Inns in Kings Dist.    John Beebe    Elkanah Grew    Justices of the Peace

Samuel Darling
Suspended
See letter to Charles
Olcott Medina
Medina County
Ohio - 1 st Oct 1833.
2666

Hon. Lewis Camp, Secy of War, Washington City, D. C.

Medina County Sept 10 1833.
Hon Lewis Cass Sir - One material objection to the admission of the pension claim of Samuel Darling, I perceive is stated to be, that the magistrate who administered the oath, (meaning, I presume, the court of Common Pleas) had not certified to the credibility of the witness . - I cannot conceive of the grounds of this objection unless it be, that the examining officers of the War Department, were of opinion that the clerk had not properly sealed the papers, or certificate to the swearing of the witnesses. The practice of the courts in this state is for their clerks to swear all witnesses in open court, and this is what Mr. Hudson means, when he says in his certificates "he presumes" &c - Should any formal error of this kind be still objected to, it might be rectified at the next court of Common Pleas in this county which sits the 14 th of Oct. Next, short the papers arrive in season. Mr Hudson is clerk of both courts. -
I have endeavored to conform myself, and cause others concerned to conform as nearly to the directions of the War Department, as circumstances would permit. - No member of Congress resided sufficiently near Mr. Darling's place of residence, to enable me or him to conveniently procure his certificate, or I should have again forwarded the papers, soon after their receipt. The Supreme Court is the first court of record which has sat in the county, since I received them
Very respectfully yours Charles O'Clott atty for Samuel Darling
Hon. L. Cass, Secy. of War.

Medina Sup. Court
Sept. Term 1833.-
Amended Declaration
of Samuel Darling an applicant for a pension

Additional or amended declaration of Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier, in or- der to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 entitled "an Act sup- plementary to an act, for the relief of the survi- ving officers and soldiers of the revolution."
The State of Ohio } Supreme Medina County } Court -
September Term A. D. 1833
On this 7 th day of Septem- ber A. D. 1833, personally appeared in said open court, before the Honorable
John C. Wright and Reuben Wood Esqrs judges of said court, now sitting in and for said county, Samuel Darling a resident of the township of Liverpool in said county of Me- dina and state of Ohio, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, sett on his said oath, make the following addi- tional or amended declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress aforesaid, in the words and figures following to wit:-
I Samuel Darling a revolutionary soldier, being of lawful age and help sworn, do on my said oath declare and say, in addition to my former declaration made in this matter - That I served during the term of my enlistment under Capt. Morton to guard stores as stated in said former declaration, 2 months.
- My next service on a visit to Phillips Town as therein stated was 2 days at least, probably 3 days.
- My term of service at Cheung Valley as therein stated, was 3 months and 3 days.
- My next service on the tour to Fort Edwards, Johnson & as therein stated was not less than 10 days.

and probably 15 days.
My first tour at the taking of Burghorne, as therein stated, was not less than 5 days, probably more.
My next tour to Burnside Heights, as therein stated, was not less than 5 days, probably more.
I have stated in my first declaration that I cannot tell with any great degree of exactness, the length of my other services. - I can however relate some further particulars, respecting the origin, object, and nature of those services, which may be satisfactory. The Tories were pretty numerous in that section of the country in which I lived, and, as was generally understood, all along the North river, and wanted strict watching, especially when our own troops grew mutinous, on account of the hardships they endured. - They created a great deal of fear among the people, and excited many alarms, so that a company of rangers was raised, to range the woods and mountains at all times, when it was judged necessary. I did not belong to this company, but saw it several times. - These alarms were the most frequent, when Brandt and Butler were threatening an invasion from the westward, though they were continued more or less frequently, through the war. - If I recollect right, I turned out and did duty on every alarm , as I have before stated, on every alarm except one. - This was in harvest time, and the grain beginning to fall and go into the ground, my father got leave of Capt. Fitch, to let me stay at home and cradle grain, which I did, though it was Sunday. - At the commencement of the war, military operations were confined to the neighborhood of Boston, and there were no alarms of consequence where in the quarter where I was; but the enemy soon invaded New York, and then the alarms commenced, and continued with more or less frequency through the war. - Sometimes they came in thick succession, and then a long

interval - They were most common in the summer and fall of the year, but hardly any in the winter season, when military operations were mostly suspended. - Here were usually commanded on our scouting parties by Capt. Fitch, though sometimes by the other officers. - The great object of all these scouting was to keep the Tories under, and to get intelligence whether any bodies of them, were collecting in force sufficient to be mischievous. - The scouting parties that I went out in, never happened to have any fighting, though we took many Tories and carried them before the standing committee. - This committee sat in New Canaan, which was nearly the centre of what was called at that time Kings District. They consisted of seven men, but five only used commonly to sit when they had any business to do. - I did not know by whom they were appointed, though I supposed by government. - They appeared to exercise a discretionary power to keep the peace, and preserve the authority of the government. - They were very severe upon the Tories and fined and banished many of them. Col. Whiting and Col. Waterman were members of the committee. John Beebe and Eleazar Grant, both justices of the peace, were also members, as was I think Philip Grisbee afterwards a colonel. From these last three I received a licence in 1784 to keep a tavern in Kings District, which licence I have now by me, and in which they certify, that I had steadfastly and uniformly behaved as a good and steadfast friend to the American cause since the declaration of Independence &c. - At this time, no person who had been suspected of lukewarmness to the American cause could have obtained a tavern licence in Kings District. I intend to send this licence to the War Department with this declaration. I have stated that one quarter of my time was taken up in the service after the alarms began. I did not however mean during the winter seasons, when military operations were suspended, but during the summer and fall, when I am sure, that full one quarter of my time was thus employed in this necessary service.

Alvares began to grow frequent, after the British came down upon New Orleans, and continued, so far that time till near the close of the war. I find it utterly impossible to state with exactness how long I served as a recruit on Alvares, but I will state with confidence, that I did not serve less than twelve months over and above the particular times I have mentioned. I have stated it as my opinion that I served two years during the revolutionary war, and it seems to me now that I served as much or that time during the seven years the war lasted. I will however state confidently, that I did not serve less than a year and a half in the whole, and I have no doubt more. I will further state, that it is utterly out of my power, so far as I know, to procure any other or further proof of my revolutionary services than I have offered, except the depositions of my old acquaintances in this part of the country, respecting my character, and their belief of the truth of my statements, some of which I intend to procure.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio, sitting in and for said county of Medina, in open court, this 7th day of September A. D. 1833.
Samuel Burdick
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 7th day of Sept. A. D. 1833 in open Court - by the appt. declarant. Supreme Court. Thos. Hudson Clk. S. C.
The deposition of Alpheus Alvares respecting the character and credibility of the aforesaid declarant.
I Alpheus bearer of Liverpool, Medina County, Ohio, being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my said oath depose and say, that I have resided a part of the time within 2\frac{1}{2} miles, and the rest of the time about 4 miles from the aforesaid declarant Samuel

2 Darling, more than 14 years, and during all that period, been well acquainted with him and his character, - That I would believe him under oath as quick as I would any other per- son, having never heard or known any thing of him, that should seriously affect his credi- bility, - That I heard him relate his adventures in the service of his country in the revolutionary war, several years ago, and so far as I now recollect, they corresponded well with the statements made in his declaration, which statements I have no doubt, are substantially true, -
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, sitting in and for said county of Medina, in open court, this 7 th day of September A. D., 1833. Alpheus Warren
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 7 th day of Sept. A. D. 1833 in open court by the aff d deponent. Alpheus Warren Thos. Hudson Clk S.C.
The deposition of Maj. Andrew Deming respecting the same matter, -
I Andrew Deming of Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio, being of lawful age and duly sworn, do on my said oath depose and say, - That I have resided about 5 1/2 or 6 miles from the aforesaid declarant Samuel Darling more than 14 years, and during all that time been well acquainted with him and his character. That I know of no reason why he should not be be- lieved under oath, - That I have always found him to be a man of truth and veracity myself, and believe him to be such, - Several years ago I heard him say, that he had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, though I do not recollect that he stated any partic-

rules, and I have no doubt whatever, but that all the statements in his declarations are substantially true.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio, sitting in for said county of Medina, in open court, this 7th day of Sep- tember, A. D. 1833.
Andrew Dunning
Sworn & subscribed to by the aff d deponent Andrew Dunning in open court, this 7th day of Sept. A. D. 1833, before me
Thos Hudson Clerk
The State of Ohio
Medina County ss — I Timothy Hudson Clerk of the Supreme Court of said county, do hereby certify that the
And the said Court are of the opinion, after due investigation of the matter, that and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states — And it appears to the Court that Stephen Warner and Andrew Dunning who reside in said County are credible persons, and in- vited to attend —

The State of Ohio Morrison County ss
I Timothy Hudson Clerk of the Supreme Court of said State who held within and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Samuel Car- ling for a Plea, with the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas of said County thereto annexed -
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and the seal of the Supreme Court, at Morrison this 9 th day of Sept. A.D. 1833.
Timothy Hudson Clerk

Samuel Darling

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Darling  Abner  at  Ohio 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? no 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? no 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? no
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?
‡XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
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.