Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,803, Samuel Caswell, Conn.

(3-1776)
SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Caswell, Samuel
R. 1803
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for writing]
[Ruled lines for writing]

In the matter of Samuel Caswell and Applicant for a pension 23941
Geo. A. S. Crooker Atty and Agent Iquawango Cattaraugus Co New York
That the original to this an entire new declaration is which I believe is in all respects conformable to the will of the War Department
G. H. H. Foster

State of New York Cattaraugus County
ss - On this thirty first day of January 1883 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas now sitting Samuel Bashell a resident of the town of Randolph in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, aged Seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated -
He says that he enlisted in a company of infantry under the command of Capt Daniel Bone at the town of East Bad- claw: Penn: for the space of seven months, that in the month of May in that year he marched to Boston, that he did duty as a private soldier in the vicinity of Boston until December when his term of enlistment expired, that during the battle at Bunker hill he was at Prospect and in sight of the contending armies, that his colonels name was Spencer, that in this town he served a little more than seven months, that he was brought home sick -
That in May 1776 he enlisted again at East Williamworth, Penn. under the command of Capt Stevens, in a Regiment commanded by Col: Mott & the Majors name this department believes to be Sumner, that he marched to Concord and did duty there, that in November or December he returned home, that he enlisted for six months and served six months. That during

this campaign he frequently saw Gen Ar- nold & Gen Gates -
That in 1778 he enlisted under Capt Solomon Phelps, at Colchester Conn: That he served six months as a teamster, that he was employed in carrying provisions from Colchester, Hartford, Springfield in Massachusetts to White Plains in New York State -
That in 1780 he enlisted again at Chat- ham, Conn: for six months, under the command of Capt Williams, Colonels name was Ebenezer Huntington, Generals name was also Huntington - That he marched to Orange town New Jersey, that most of the season was employed in marching staying but a few weeks at one place, That he was in the vicinity of Sappan when Andne was executed, that from Sappan he marched to West Point that he was there four or five weeks, that from thence they marched to Red Bank then to White Plains at which place this deponent broke his leg, that from thence he went rode to Bedford where he remained till his leg got better, that in December he had a brother who came after him & he went home, that he was absent in this campaign about seven months -
That in 1741 or 1742 he was drafted for two months, that he marched from Chatham aforesaid, to New Haven & from thence to Horse neck, that the commandants name was Major That he served two months -

That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the inherent, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State -
Sworn and subscribed this thirty first day of January 1833 before me Israel Day a Judge of Cattaraugus Comm Pleas Court
Samuel Caswell
We Solomon Nichols a preacher of the Gospel residing in the town of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York and Frederick Sample a Commissioner of Highways of the same town do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Caswell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we have been acquainted with him for many years That we believe him to be seventy six years of age and that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Solomon Nichols Frederick Sample
Sworn and subscribed the 31 day and year aforesaid before me Israel Day a Judge of Cattaraugus Comm Pleas
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 Solomon Nichols who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman or preacher of the gospel resident in the town of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York and that Frederick Sample

who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Alson Leavenworth Dan Allen Henry Day Andrew Pennell Israel Day
I John W. Staunton Clerk of the court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Couswell for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31 st day of January A.D. 1833 John W. Staunton C.R.
I return the original & also an entire new declaration in which I believe is in all respects conformable to the rules of the War Department
G. A. L. Cooke

In the Matter of Samuel Casswell an applicant for a Pension Amended declaration
Geo. A. L. Brooks Atty and agent Conewango New York

State of New York
Cattaraugus County of On this nineteenth day of January 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Samuel Caswell a resident of the town of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated -
He says that he enlisted in a company of infantry under the command of Capt Daniel Cone at the town of East Haddam Conn. in a regiment commanded by Col (afterwards General) Spencer for seven months - that in the month of May in that year (1775) he marched to Boston that he did duty as a private soldier in the vicinity of Boston until December when his term of enlistment expired, that during the battle at Bunker Hill he was at Roxbury and in sight of the contending armies that in this town he served seven months and was brought home sick -
That in May 1776 he enlisted again at Killingworth Connecticut under the Command of Capt - Stevens in a regiment commanded by Col. Mott and the Major's name this deponent believes to be Sumner - that he marched to Ticonderoga and did duty there - that in November or December he returned home - that he enlisted for six months and served six months
That during this Campaign he frequently saw Gen Arnold & Gen. Gates That in 1778 he enlisted under Captain Solomon Phelps at Colchester Conn. in the Corps of Continental Light Artillery that he served six months as a teamster and was employed in carrying provisions from Colchester Hartford and Springfield in Massachusetts to White Plains in New York
That in 1780 he enlisted again at Chatham Conn. for six months under the command of Capt - Williams in Col Huntington regiment - that he marched to Orange town New Jersey that most of the season was employed in marching staying but a few weeks in a place - that he was in the vicinity of Tappan where Andre was executed that from Tappan he marched to West Point that he was there four or five weeks that from thence they marched to Peekskill thence to White Plains at which place this deponent broke his leg, that from thence he rode to Bedford where he remained till his leg got better that in December he went home that he served seven months in this Campaign

That in 1781 or 1782 he was drafted for two months that he marched from Chatham aforesaid to New Haven and from thence to Horse neck that the company was commanded by Capt — Holmes that the Lieutenant Holmes and that he served two months and was not attached to any regiment for that period as far as he knows — That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service — He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Samuel Caswell
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me in open Court Israel Day a Judge of the Court of Claims
And the said Court put to the above named Samuel Caswell the interrogatories presented by the War department and the said Samuel Caswell answered in open Court first That he was born in the year 1757 at Mansfield in Massachusetts. That he has a Record of his age in his bible at the house of his son in Randolph N.Y. That he lived in East Haddam when he was called into service That he has lived in Ballston and Herkimer in the State of New York till for five years last past he has lived in Randolph N.Y. Since the Revolutionary war and now lives in Randolph N.Y. That he was an enlisted soldier at all times of his service except two two months, when he was drafted That he served under several officers Colonel Mott in Genl Swifts Brigade Col. Spencer General Huntington etc — That the general circumstances of his service are set forth in the foregoing affidavit and declaration — That he never to his recollection received a discharge from the service or asked for and  one And before the said Court came also the undersigned Solomon Nichol a preacher of the Gospel and Frederick Sample residents of the town of Randolph in the County of Callanayus and State of New York & made the following affidavit

We Solomon Nichols a preacher of the Gospel residing in the town of Randolph and State of New York and Frederick Sample a Commissioner of the said town do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Caswell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be seventy six 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
D. Grendenick Sample Solomon Nichols
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court Israel Day a Judge
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states And the Court further they certifies that it appears to them that Solomon Nichols who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus New York and that Frederick Sample who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Israel Day Don Allett Thos. J. Wheeler
Judge of Court
I John W. Stanton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cattaraugus New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Caswell for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this nineteenth day of June One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
John W. Stanton, clerk

Samuel Caswell New York N o 23941
c.c.m.
Geo. A.S. Booker Esq. Conewango N.Y.
Entirely confidential memorandum was placed in a military packing - The Affidavit

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 7 1883
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined 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 Samuel Caswell
   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.     enlist 7 and more Pri Capt. Cond.   May 1776 enlist? 6 " Col. Matt 76 years Traditionary   1778 enlist? 6 Teamster   1780 enlist about 7 Pri. Genl. Huntington   1781 or 82 drafted  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Team service above alleged was not rendered in the corps of enlisted Continental Teamsters which by special act of Congress was placed on a military footing - { See Affidavit

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 the 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.
Wherever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

1893
RECEIVED
P. O.
Samuel Cassell
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleged:  List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause of suspension as follows: "Suspended for proof of service"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New York Rev.
Sam e Caswell
Suspended
let. to A. S. Brooker
28 Oct 1833
Sett 19 December 1834 to
Wom a Hazzettine not found &c.
1803
Act. 7 June '32

Samuel Caswell, Application for Rev. Pension filed from N. York under Act of 1832, supposed to be suspended.
Dickinson
Report J. M.

Geo. A. S. Crooker
28 Oct. 1833
OC
Rec? vol 30. p. 87.

War Department Pension Office Oct. 28 1833
Sir The paper in support of the claim of Samuel Carwile has again been examined. By the printed sheet accompanying the paper, when returned for amendment, it was shown that the Department required the best evidence the case would admit of. It does not appear that any exertion has been made to procure proof. It should be made to appear that suitable efforts have been made to furnish evidence. In the meantime the case is suspended & the paper placed on file.
George A. S. Crocker Esq. Conesango Cattaraugus Co. New York

Samuel Cornwell
Dec 13
for proof Sam. Cornwell M rs Ample
Hon. Almon Hazeltine Jamestown
Hon A Hazeltine

Randolph Oct. 3. 1834
Dad in
The bearer of this has made application to me to aid him in obtaining his father's pension as a soldier of the Revolutionary War and I have directed him to you -
Samuel Carmell the applicant lives in this town and is an infirm and poor old man and is in my opinion well deserving of aid from the American people - - your attention to this will serve the cause of humanity and confer a favor on me - I'm haste
Yours &c -
Sam. Erasing
Hon. Abner Hovey

State of New York } Monroe County } ss
Joel For living truly knows say says. he is a Revolutionary Soldier aged Seventy nine years and now a pensioner, that he is well acqu- -ainted with Samuel Casmell the Applicant for a pension in the year of our Lord 1780- or 1781. in the Month of Dec- -ember in the Town of Watbury in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, the deponent saw the said Samuel Casmell serve in the Revolutionary War under Captain Salomon Phelps in the Team Service, that the deponent most went with him the said Samuel Casmell and served with him but how long the deponent can not recollect, the deponent served from March in the last service & Comfort Goff also served with him at the same time, the deponent speaks from Personal Recollection and that he now resides in the Town of Henrietta in the County of Monroe & State of New York Sworn & Subscribed before me on this 19 th day of July 1834
Joel For
Peter Price { Justice of the peace for Monroe County
State of New York Monroe County ss.
I certify that Peter Price Esquire was at the time of taking the above affida- vit a Justice of the peace in & for said county, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verify that the above signa- ture purporting to be his, is his proper hand and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office, this twelfth day of August 1834.
Leonard Adams clerk

James L. Cornell - of Poland Chautauqua
Mr. H. G. Stearns P. O.
M rs Alfred Caswell Town of Poland Chautauqua county N.Y. Kenadog Ville
Forwarded from Poland Herk Co Aug 20 - Rapper Directed to Herk Co

August 12. 1834
Mr Samuel Caswell Sir Sir I send you with this for affidavit which I have taken much pains to get and I have spent one day to find Comfort Goff then found he was dead and his name being mentioned in Fox's testimony you will do well to instruct your agent to mention his death in his communication to the office or it may prevent your drawing your pension without his testimony I have one case of the kind I can find no more infor- mation in these parts I have had to pay out some money to effect this which you will please to refund back if you get your pension I will show the bill when I hear of your getting it, please to say to my Brother we are all well most respectfully I remain yours
Michael Briminstool