Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6931, Anthony Collins, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Collins, Anthony Mary
W. 6931
B.L.M. 26337-160-55.
CONTENTS

22.889
New Jersey Anthony Collins
Middlesex, in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Moyer of the Regt. commanded by Col. Neilson in the New Jersey line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Dec. 1833 and Sutto J. H. Randolph, President
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending A.M. 34 40 $240
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. C. Stiles
Recorded by Clerk, Book E Vol. B. Page 156

338 York - New Jersey Co. Mary Collins widow of Anthony who served in the Revolutionary war, as a N.J.  Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Jany 1854 and sent to
Peter P. Runyon New Brunswick N.J.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 91 Vol. A
32
Reg 3 m 55-76304
1854 Jany 17. Cr. to Page  Transf to N.Y. City for 3 m. 1853 to P.P. Runyon
[Signature]

16,304 / Act March 3/55 April 18/55
Mary Collins widow of Anthony Collins
3337 Seamen's Mi.
Rev. Pensioner of N.Y. July 53-3387
Will of Anthony Collins 1856
On
U.B. Livingston. New York
Civ. U.B. Livingston, Nov 3 d 55 " " " " " 19 th " "
Vol. Co-22.

Declaration of Anthony Collins of Middlesex county, New Jersey, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 — State of New Jersey Middlesex county ss. On this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas, of the said county, of Middlesex Anthony Collins in the seventy third year of his age who being duly sworn on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 —
He was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey on the seventeenth day of August in the year 1761 as appears from a record of his age in his family, birth now in his possession. He lived there, when he entered the service during the war, and from time to time lives there — He was regularly enrolled in the Middlesex Brigade of the New Jersey Militia in the company commanded by Capt. Morgan 2 d Regiment commanded by Col. Neilson in the year 1777. He was at that time ordered out and served at that time shortly after the British had been captured at Trenton when the enemy were at Princeton & served in that year 1777 at least fourteen tours of a month each under Capt. Morgan was stationed along the shore at Shrewsbury guarding that coast & defending his fellow coun- trymen & their property from the incursions of the enemy. In the year 1778 he served at least five tours of a month each under Capt. Morgan in the supervision of Col. John Neilson engaged as before in guarding along the Bay Shore & protecting that portion of New Jersey, and was there engaged as well as collected during the memorable engagement in Monmouth county. In the year '79 he also regularly served four tours of a month each under Capt. Morgan & Col. Neilson was stationed in South Amboy guarding along the shore from the mouth of the Raritan

17 To the Highlands & preserving the property of his fellow citizens from the depredations of the 47000 enemy. In the year '80 he served at least four tours of a month each under the same officers on the same station engaged as before. He may learn to remark that this shore along South Amboy was subject to the frequent and continued incursions & depredations of the plundering parties of the enemy during the war. In the year 1781 he served brief orders out of reg- 47000 ularly as before at least four tours of a month each under Capt. Morgan (who was a brave active & efficient officer during the war) Col. Neilson's Superior in along the Jersey Shore Guarding stations at Cherry Valley & guarding the coast & guarding the defences in that vicinity. In the year 1782 he also served in 47000 like manner at least four tours of a month each under Capt. Morgan & subject to the com- mand of Col. Neilson in South Amboy engaged guarding the coast & aiding & assisting in the preservation of the property of his fellow citizens & defending them against the depredations of the enemy & storing refuges. I am sure he served much more but cannot now particularly specify at this time. During all their service, he acted as private. I never received any written discharge from the service nor has he any documentary evidence of his services but during the times specified was actively engaged in the service of his country. Was not engaged in any civil pursuit and as to his character for veracity, they leave it to refer to the Rev. James C. Gill, a Presbyterian minister in his neighbourhood Devt. to Stephen Hall — one of his neighbours who can attest to his character. Other belief of his services and to Francis Scott and Henry Robert.

Surviving soldiers of the revolution reside now in his vicinity who can just testify his claim Statement by Peter own less and knowledge of his services. Verior than of known not of any living witness On his claim there made out Other just testified marks. I hope to receive in his advance age from compensation. And should only justify that his own Henry relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and hereby declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state. Anthony Collins Subscribed sworn to the day & year aforesaid Peter P. Rumsey Judge

We James C Goble, a clergyman residing in the township of North Brunswick, Mid- dlesex County, and Stephen Hall, a resi- dent of said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Anthony Collins, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be of the age of seventy two years, as he has stated; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we fully concur in that opinion. Subscribed & sworn to the 3 day of year aforesaid, & 3 before the judge aforesaid 3 Peter P. Remyon judge 3  James C Goble Stephen Hall
I Francis Letts of the county of Middlesex & State of New Jersey do hereby certify that I have been to law on his oath that he is Has been well acquainted with Anthony Collins who has signed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit & declaration from early life - That he knows that said Collins was a soldier of the revolution & attached to the same company under Capt Morgan and Col Wilson served several terms in the years '77 '78 '79 '80 & during the war - That they were frequently engaged in guarding along the river being stationed at Newburg under Morgan & had skirmishes with the enemy - That they were neighbors, & I had every opportunity of knowing that said Collins was a true & faithful soldier - He is in the State that said Collins has always been a very respectable citizen & has maintained a reputation for truth & veracity. That his statement in relation to his services is entitled to full credit. Francis Letts Subscribed & sworn to the day of year aforesaid Peter P. Remyon judge

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County
On this twelfth day of October 1833 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Anthony Collins the applicant named in the foregoing application papers, who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he can procure no further or fuller testimony to his services than he has already produced; and that with respect to his legal obligation to serve he respectfully refers to an abstract of the Laws of the State on the subject, which he is advised has been furnished to the Department by his Agent, James H. Randolph. The law being in corroboration of his statement, the fact must be determined by the weight of his own and his witnesses testimony.
Anthony Collins
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid before me Peter P. Ransom Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Peter P. Ransom before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn, and that the signature of said Ransom here attached is genuine. my full seal will also abundantly appear in the original papers. James H. Randolph Oct 1833. Late Rep in Congress.
Anthony Collins application for a pension under the act of June 1832.
Duplicate
27.111
James H. Randolph Agent
State of New Jersey Middlesex ss
I Nicholas Booracum Clerk of the Court of common Pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Peter P. Ransom you before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & sworn & that the signature of the said Justice thereunto is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at New Brunswick this thirty first day of October A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three N Booracum Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant, Anthony Collins, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that James L Goble, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the neighborhood of said applicant, and Stephen Hall, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same vicinity, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. The Court further certify that Francis Letts & Henry Oert, who have been examined as witnesses touching their knowledge of the Revolutionary services of said applicant, are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Robert McHenry Peter R. Thompson John C. Church Jacob Van Klief
Nicholas Boorman Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings in the case of Anthony Collins, an applicant for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of Office this twenty eighth day of August one thousand eight hundred thirty three.
N Boorman Clerk

Personally appeared before the Judges of Superior Court that in the twenty fifth year of his age a surviving soldier of the Revolution now receiving dispensation as far as his daily form on his oath faith that he is that he has been well acquainted with Anthony Collins who has subscribed the following declaration from early life lived near him always - knows that said Collins was a soldier in the Revolution & attended to Capt Moyans company of horse service there in the years '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 & under Capt Moyan along the Jersey Shore guarding that coast & has no hesitation in saying that said Collins was a good & faithful soldier & good friend to his country - He takes it upon him in adding that the said Collins is a man highly esteemed for his truth & veracity & has always been and that his statement in relation to his service in the war of the Revolution is entitled to full credit Henry Sherff Subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid Peter P. Buryon Judge

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss
I Theophilus M. Holcombe clerk of the Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex do certify that Peter P. Runyon, H. P. Forrest & J. Fitz Randolph whose
names are subscribed to the annexed proceedings and Judges of the said Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex aforesaid and that Peter P. Run- yon Esquire whose name is also signed to the affidavit of Deborah A. Gilloon is the presiding Judge of our said Orphans Court in and for the County aforesaid, and that the said Court is a Court of records and has probate Jurisdic- tion and the names in their own hand writing.
Witness my hand and seal of Office the twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Thos. M. Holcombe
That she is now a widow

(Declaration. In order to obtain the benefits of the 2 d section of the act of 3 d February 1853
State of New Jersey } ss On this seven th day of County of Middlesex } December one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before the Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey Mary Collins formerly a resident of the township of North Brunswick in the County of Middlesex aforesaid but now a resident of Brooklyn in the County of Kings and State of New York aged sixty five years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the ben- efits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War That she is the widow of Anthony Collins who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the law of June 7. 1832 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum payable at the New Jersey Agen- cy at Trenton She further declares that she was married to the said Anthony Collins on the fourteenth day of January 1834 by one James G. Goble a Baptist Minister That she has no record of her said marriage but expects to prove the same by one or more persons who were pres- ent at the wedding That her said husband died on the 27 th day of November 1846 That she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated She further declares that she is now a widow

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before us and we do certify that from our own knowledge Mary Collins we are fully satisfied the facts set forth in the fore- going declaration are true
Catharine Newton
Peter P. Thompson Atty P. P. Provost D. Fitz Randolph
State of New Jersey / Personally appeared before County of Middlesex / the Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex and State aforesaid Catharine Newton a resident of the City of Brooklyn in the State of New York aged twenty two years who being duly sworn according to law on her oath doth depose and say that she is well acquainted with Mary Collins who subscribed the foregoing de- claration in her presence that she knows that she and Anthony Collins who she knows was a Pensioner lived together as man and wife lived near them when the said Anthony Collins died knows that he died on the 27th of November 1846 that she was at his funeral and knows that the said Mary Collins is now his widow and that she has no interest whatever in her application for a Pension
Catharine Newton
Sworn to and subscribed on the 7th day of December 1853 and we do certify that she is a reputable person
Peter P. Thompson Atty P. P. Provost D. Fitz Randolph

Dear Sir State of New Jersey } Before me the subscriber Middlesex County } one of the judges of the Orphans Court in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Deborah N. Selover a resident of the City of New Brunswick, in the County of Mid- dlesex and State of New Jersey aged thirty one years who being duly sworn according to law upon her oath doth depose and say that she is the daughter of Mary Collins the person who signed the foregoing declaration for a Pension that she was present when her mother the said Mary Collins was married to Anthony Collins by the Rev. James Goble a Baptist minister that they were married at North Brunswick in Middlesex County aforesaid on the fourteenth day of January 1834 knows that the said Anthony Collins drew a pension as a Revolutionary soldier at the rate of eight dollars per month at the New Jersey Agency at Trenton That she was present when the said Anthony Collins died saw him die and was at his funeral that the said Mary Collins her mother who subscribed the the foregoing declaration is now the widow of the said Anthony Collins the identical person who drew a Pension as aforesaid that he died on the 27th day of November 1846 that he was the second husband of her mother she being a widow when he married her and she was his second wife she further says that she has no interest of a pecuniary character in her present application for a Pension
Deborah N. Selover
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 7th day of Dec- ember 1853 And I do certify that the above named Debo- rah N. Selover is a credible person Peter P. Wm. G. Wm. Judge
now a widow

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss
I Theophilus M. Holcombe clerk of the Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex do certify that Peter P. Runyon H on P. Forrest & J. Fitz Randolph who
names are annexed to the annexed proceedings and Judges of the said Orphans Court of the County of Middlesex aforesaid and that Peter P. Run- yon Esquire whose name is also signed to the affidavit of Deborah St. Geloon is the presiding Judge of our said Orphans Court in and for the County aforesaid, and that the said Court is a Court of records and has probate Jurisdic- tion and the names in their own hand writings.
Witness my hand and seal of Office the twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Thos. M. Holcombe
That she is now a widow

Act March 3 d 1855.
Bounty land claim. of Mary Collins.
presented by V. B. Livingston Jr. New York City.
76,309

State of New York } New York City and County } S.S.
On this 17 th day of April 1855, before me a Notary Public in and for the State and County of New York, personally appeared Mary Collins a resident of the city of Brooklyn in the County of Kings and State of New York, aged 65 years, who on her oath declares that she is the widow of Anthony Collins deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary War; that her said husband continued in actual service in said war for fourteen days and over, as will appear from the evidence already produced and on file at the Pension Office at Washington; that she now receives a pension of eighty dollars per annum under the 2 d Section of the act of Congress of February 3 d 1853, on account of the services of her said husband in said war.
She makes this declaration in order to obtain the bounty land she may be entitled to under the "act approved March 3 d 1855, and further declares that she has never before applied for nor received any bounty land under this or any other act of Congress. She furthermore declares that she is now a widow.
Mary Collins
We Sarah A Bissett, and Jane H Brown, residents of the city of Brooklyn aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that we are personally acquainted with the above affiant Mary Collins, and know

her to be the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit to which she has subscribed in our presence, and that she is now a widow.
Sarah A. Bissell
Sarah H. Brown
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year before written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; and that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
M. Charlton L.
Notary Public
I hereby certify that Mary Collins who has signed the foregoing declaration is a pensioner on the roll of this Agency, as therein set forth, viz. 2 d Sect. Act Feb. 3 d 1853. New York City Pension Agency.
April 17 th 1855.
Vanbrugh Livingston N. Y.

No 3998 Mary Collins Wid of Anthony
Act Feb 3-1853
allow $80 per ann To Com Feb. 3-1853
J. P. Runyon New Brunswick
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Pension Office, Official Business

D
Smith
Mr Rae
Wall St S.W.
Home of John King
Washington
D.C. U.S.A.
FREE

Ans. 28 Jan 72
J. P. Waldo Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
6931
Q
Mary Collins
Wid
Anthony Collins
Print Rev War
Act:
Sub. 3
K52
Index:—Vol.
A
Page
44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Marion NY Collins World Antwerp 22889 Gedaco #13
to the Commissioner of Customs
Recd Dec 17th 1873.

Marg. Collins
Perse Antwerp
Seattle
For the Comm. of Wash. & Oregon
P. G.
Recd Dec 29 th 1893

No 3.915
Mary Collins Widow of Anthony
Set to P.P. Runyon
Date
Dec 21/53
Allowed $80 per annum from Feb 23-1853
Act Feb 3/53

29 Nov 46
✓
Pension Office
December 30/53
Sir. Please, see paper inclosed marked A-1 and again report the time of the death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
H Burt Esqr 3 and Present.
J Cole for Council
Anthony Collins, Act 1832 $80 per annum — seed 29 Nov. 1846. paid.
J. Burch Auditor

29 Nov 36 Pension Office Dec 19. 1853
Sir. Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner & if arrears to whom paid
Respectfully F. Bentz 3 and 1/2 Rest.
J. Cole of Columbia
Anthony Collins, Act 1832 $80 per annum Paid 29 Nov 1836. paid.
J. Bentz Auditor

76384
Collins Mass
Joseph Minot Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
NOV 21

✓ 26.337
5 Mos. Amos

Anthony Collins
see letter 2 nd letter J H Randolph
I am that Pardon 2 years
Moyer Weilun
J H Randolph N Bruns
See letter 2 nd letter J H Randolph

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
2 Oct 33
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 shew 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, shewing the Service of Anthony Collins
   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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
It is my pleasure to inform you that the evidence in support of your claim 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 shew 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.

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
It is very desirable that the obligation be one alternate months be known - see D. Hall's case

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 inquiry 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, deposes 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.

State of New York } County of Ulster } I Nicholas Booream Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas holden at New Paltz seized in and for the said County that he hereby certify that Satisfactory evidence was exhibited to him that on the Eleventh day of March in the Year of Mark AD 1847 that Anthony Collins was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum was a resident of the City of Brooklyn County of Kings State of New York, and died in the City of Brooklyn County of Kings State of New York in the year AD Eighteen hundred and fifty six on the twenty ninth day of November, and there he left a widow whose name was Mary Collins
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at New Paltz this 24 th day of December AD 1853 N Booream

N.J.
Mary Collins
at 3 Feb. 53
when in answer transferred N.Y. City & pens. lives in Brooklyn
Verbum certificate of pension to —
P.P. Canyon New Brunswick N. Jersey
Pm. cut rel. 24 Jan. 54 to P.P. N. —

New Brunswick New Jersey Jan'y 12/54
To the Commissioners of Pensions
Sir
Will you direct the payment of Mrs Mary Collins Pension to be paid in the City of New York as requested in the letter accompanying her declaration. She resides in Brooklyn. It will be much more convenient for her to receive her money in the City of New York than in Trenton New Jersey. The Pension Certificate is herewith enclosed.
With due and sincere respect &c
Peter P. Henson
Mrs L. P. Henson

Brief in the case of Mary Collins widow of Anthony Middlesex County and State of New Jersey act of February 3 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in New Jersey line 2 Yrs. & pensioned under act of June 7. 1832, at $80 per annum
Allowed $80 per annum to Com. Feb 3-1853. (If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by Deborah N. Selover a resident of said Co & certified to be credible Death of pensioner proved by Auditor's report Identity & Widowhood proved by credible Witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
Peter P. Runyon New Brunswick New Jersey.
Examining Clerk.
J. L. Gray.

New Brunswick, New Jersey Dec. 15 th 1853
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Please find enclosed the Declaration of Mary Collins for pension under the act of Feb. 3 rd 1853 If her application is successful the assured payment to be made at New York City. Will the Commissioner communicate the result of his consider- ation of this case to the subscriber
With profound respect Sir
Peter P. Runyon
L. P. Wolcott Esq.

New York City Pension Agency Jan. 25 th 1854
Sir, I have this day received a notification from you under date of the 24 th Inst. that "Mary Collins Wid w of Anthony, a pensioner Act 3 Feb y - 53," has been trans d to this agency, and that her payment will commence from & after 3 Feb y - 53.
Seeing therefore that there are two classes of pensioners under the above named act, viz: the one for life and the other for five years, please inform me the period of continuation for the pension of said Mary that the same may be entered accordingly on the books of the agency.
Very Respectfully your Most obedient servant Van Brough Livingston
J. A. Waldo Esq r Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Trenton N. Jersey Pension Agency Jan y 19, 1857
Sir
Mary Collins directed to be inscribed on the roll of this agency, had not been paid any portion of her stipend under her certificate.
I have erased her name from my books under your instructions
Very Respectfully your ob: serv Phila Dickinson
Peterboro N. Jersey
L P. Waldo Esq Honour of Pensioning

New Brunswick, N. J. Dec 27 th 1855
To The Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Please find additional proof the exact date of the death of Anthony Collins whose widow is applying for a Pension The old lady as well as the witnesses had forgot- ten the precise time of his death but of the fact they were certain I could not see the necessity of being very particular as as to the time of the fact was fully established as she claims under the act of Feb 3 rd 1853 I have however obtained the certificate of the County Clerk which I hope will be satisfactory
With great respect &c Peter J. Rensselaer

Pension Office December 21 st 1833.
Sir,
Additional proof to establish the exact date of the death of the husband of the claimant, is indispensable to the claim of Mary Collins. Her case will therefore remain suspended until such proof is received,
Very Respectfully L. P. Wallus Commisioner
Peter P. Runyon, Esq. New Brunswick N. J.
(Gray)

Trenton Nov 12, 1855 W B Livingston Esq Sir, -
No rolls of service during the revolution are on file in this, or any public office in New Jersey. - The rolls were unfortunately forwarded to Washington, and destroyed many years ago - We have the record of Monies paid by our State, in 1784, for depreciation of pay due which is taken as good evidence that service had been performed - These records are contained in 27 books, without index, and arranged only by counties, - It is a fearful job to examine for any name, unless we know in what county, he resided. - In such case, after the receipt of two dollars, we make the search, and send certificate of the result
Respectfully
Thos L. Wilson Sec. of State

New York Nov. 14 th /55.
Sir.
In reply to your circular of the Inst. notifying me of the suspension of the bounty land claim of Mary Collins, (revolutionary,) On account of there being no " record evidence " on file, of the services of her husband, I beg leave to send the enclosed letter from the Sec. of State of New Jersey, and to enquire, whether such records, as is therein referred to, would, if obtained, be considered satisfactory to establish the justice of the claim.
I am Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant-
V. P. Divinston Jr.
Isiah Minot Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.