Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,178, Joseph B Covil, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Covil, Joseph B. Covill or
S. 23178
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

24. 192 York Joseph B. Covill
of Essex Co. in the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Comp. commanded by Captain Pratt of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cotton in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov. 1833 and sent to J. A. Toulmin Keesville
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 300 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M. 31, 60
240 60 300
$360
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { dated June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. C. Steele Clerk
Book E Vol. 11, Page 94.

Joseph B. Coval Mission papers

State of New York } Essex County } fs:
on this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of common Pleas of the county aforesaid now sitting Joseph B. Corliss a resident of the town of Whitestfield in the county aforesaid aged seventy one 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 - first - In October 1775 - enlisted in a company of Massachusetts State troops for three months - company commanded by Captain Sike of Fulhampton in Barnstable County - enlisted at Sandwich in said State - marched from Sandwich to Cambridge - does not recollect regiment or commander of it - was stationed at Fort No 2 - Major Hems commanded the Fort - remained there till last of January or first of February 1776 - he was then discharged - he immediately enlisted with a company commanded by Captain Swift for eight or nine months - served - company went to Roxbury & joined Col. Cotton Regiment, believe that Cotton Regiment belonged to the Massachusetts State troops - General Putnam was commander of Brigade - remained at Roxbury until the enemy left Boston which he thinks was in the month of March - then went to Boston remained there till last of May or first of June - when a detachment consisting of their Company & others went down to Nantasket nine miles from Boston to a fort to guard the harbor - does not recollect commander of detachment, remained there till August - when Captain John Clinton commanding private Sloop Freedom then lying at Swansey in the State of Rhode Island came to Nantasket with the consent of their commanding Officers that up for volunteers to man said vessel for eight months - this deponent with others volunteered for said service went home for to winter to prepare for said service when he repaired to Swansey & went aboard said vessel pursuant to his enlistment in the latter part of September or first part of October - vessel sailed to Boston Harbor in three hours after which sailed on a cruise, but only stayed a few days when they sprung their main

part into Plymouth to repair damages when the vessel was run ridged into a brig - in the mouth of Noreen the vessel went to sea vessel carried twelve six pounders and a number of swivels & twenty two men including officers - this vessel was appointed Steward's vessel which out took some vessels - one a large brig called the brig Sally from back bound to New York laden with military stores & provisions this vessel arrived safe in Boston - one large ship in ballast from New York bound to England & two sloops - after being eight or nine weeks out came into Nantucket was driven onto the rocks in a gale of wind detained there a few weeks in making repairs to vessel and getting her off - then went into Boston where the vessel remained & continued this vessel on board of her until her time was out, captain John Clinton vessel as this vessel understood was in the service of the state & states during the above time -
In early 1777 - this vessel enlisted as a volunteer as a seaman on the aboard of the privateer brig Sally Won - commonly called the brig Sally commanded by Captain John Horn - shipped aboard of her at Nantucket - sailed at Old Plymouth - privateer carried twenty guns left Nantucket third of fourth of August went to sea in three days after night of Long Island about 9 A.M. fell in with two ships of the enemy carrying twenty guns after exchanging broadsides another (larger) ship of the enemy came in sight they then bore away & the last mentioned vessel gave chase & came up with them about two o'clock but was not able to make prize of the vessel - the enemy's ship was called the ship Daphne, of fifteen bottom carrying twenty four guns - they were taken into New York where they were put on board the prison ship Prince of Wales captain Prescott remained on board till February 1778. when he was exchanged - and went again into service till June 1779 when he enlisted at Peterborough in the state of New Hampshire into a company of state troops for eight months - which company was commanded by captain Stone of Westminster - a lieutenant Billings was one of the subalterns - this vessel was then promoted to the rank of a sergeant in said company - the company joined a detachment at Warrenton N.H. under command of Major Whitcomb then Lt. Major Whitcomb was under command of Colonel Snithy Buddle remained at Warrenton till about first of July then went went to Manchester in company with the same - was stationed stationed till November - then returned to Newbury in present remained there till the detachment was ordered South which he thinks was either in February or March 1780. this vessel did not go South with the detachment, but received order from Major Whitcomb to remain as a recruiting sergeant - he remained

Billings was one of the subalterns to the rank of a Sergeant in said company - the company joined a detachment at Hambleton N.H. under command of Major Whitcomb this M c . Major Whitcomb was under command of Colonel Timothy Bedle - remained at Hambleton till about first of July then went west to Northumberland & again promoted to Captain - remained at the Station till November - then returned to Newbury in Vermont remained there till the detachment was ordered South which he thinks was either in February or March 1780. this detachment did not go South with the detachment, but received orders from Major Whitcomb to remain as a Recruiting Sergeant - his orders were to recruit men either for eight months - three years or during the War as he could get them to enlist, as a recruiting Sergeant he went up and down Connecticut River from Newbury to Walpole West more than 10 towns adjacent and continued under same orders same officers recruiting in the same neighborhood for about the term of two years - when he enlisted men as aforesaid he sent them to their respective corps for which they had enlisted, which was determined by the term of their enlistment - he received money from time to time for this purpose - recollects of Captain Ebenezer Paige of Colonel Walbridge Regiment frequently furnishing him with money & directions as to recruits - enlisted during the period aforesaid from forty to fifty men - after he had been engaged about two years recruiting as aforesaid orders came to him to suspend recruiting & take the recruits then on hand to join Col. Walbridge Regiment at Newbury which he accordingly did then as the was in the summer of 1782 - remained in Captain Ebenezer Paige Company Col. Walbridge Regiment until he thinks the fall when the Regiment was disbanded - in Newbury the Regiment had been under the command of General Stark - he received no written discharge - he had papers showing his recruiting orders, names & number of his recruits & the particulars of the above service but they are now lost or destroyed - has no documentary evidence of his services & that he knows of no person or person whom testimony he can procure of any part of his services except the testimony John Nelson & Nahul Power whom affidavits are annexed to this application -
I more to & subscribed the day & year { Joseph B. Lord aforesaid James Stockwell of Essex Co. Mass

We Samuel Paine & Harris Page residing in the town of Chautauqua in the County of Essex State of New York do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph B. Boile who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court Samuel Paine Harris Page Leonard Stone clerk of Essex Co. N.Y.
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 knows as he states - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Paine & Harris Page who have signed the foregoing certificate, have been as long as in said town, are residents in the town of Chautauqua aforesaid are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit Signed by order of the court Leonard Stone clerk of Essex Co. N.Y.
State of New York Essex County ss
I Leonard Stone clerk of the County of Common Pleas of the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph B. Boile for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sealed the said court & of Essex this twenty fifth day of September 1832
Leonard Stone clerk
State of New York Essex County ss
On this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three personally

Second Statement
State of New York Essex County ss
On this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas of the county aforesaid now sitting Joseph B. Vail a resident of the town of Westminster in the County of Vt. aforesaid being the same individual who appeared before the said court on the 27 th day of September who is now aged seventy two  three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following Supplementary declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 -
That when he was examined before the said court on the 27 th day of September 1832 made the foregoing Damaged Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 He supposed that there was incorporated in his declaration all of the interrogatories propounded by the War Department - that the said interrogatories were put to him by the court at the request of his Attorney J. H. Forbush Esquire in the hearing of his cause, and that he incorporated them in said declaration or some part thereof that said interrogatories being now put to him by the court he again makes answer as follows that
1. Interrogatory - Where and in what year were you born? Answer - He says that he was born in Old Plymouth in the County of Plymouth in the then Province of Massachusetts on the 25 th of June in the year 1761.
2. Interrogatory - Have you any record of your age? and if so where is it? Ans - He has no record of his age and has no recollection that any was ever made, that he knows his age by recollection which was told him by his parents.
3 d Interrogatory - When were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live?
Ans - He says that when he entered the service he was living at Old Plymouth in Massachusetts aforesaid where he had resided until that time, that as stated in his declaration he retired at Sandwich town adjoining

after he was discharged from Service at Skaneateles as stated in his declaration he went to the town of Springfield county of Windsor State of Vermont where he resided till the year 1794 - when he removed to Easton in the county of Washington State of New York where he resided three years then removed to Canajoharie in said county & State where he resided till the year 1802 when he removed into the town of Westerlo Esopus county State of New York where he now resides in which town and in the town of Peen adjoining he has since continued to reside.
Interrogatory 4 - How were you called into Service, were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
Ans - To this interrogatory he refers to his declaration hereto prefixed for a full & minute answer - - -
To the Fifth and Sixth interrogatories also propounded by the War Department - He answers that as full an answer as he can give can be found in his said declaration hereto prefixed & so far as the same has applied he reaffirms & supports the same - To the Seventh interrogatory - He answers that General Price & Harris Page who are men of standing and character have already when he made the foregoing declaration testified to his credibility & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution, but he would also and in addition state the names of James H. Thompson & Isaac Lake who are acquainted with him & his wife & testify to who reside in his present neighborhood & who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution.
And the said Joseph B. Lovill further testifies and says that the foregoing declaration made by him under the act of Congress above referred to hereto annexed & made as aforesaid on the 27 th of September 1832 is in all respects true & is as full as his present impaired memory enables him to make, that he has no documentary evidence of his services, they being as therein stated all lost or destroyed & that he can prove no further evidence of his services other than the affidavits of John Wilson & Asahel Powers hereto annexed - The
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Sworn to, and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. J. B. Lovill

27 th of September 1832 is in all respects true Dis as full as his present misunderstanding enables him to state , that he has no documentary evidence of his services, they being as then stated all lost or destroyed & that he can prove no further evidence of his services than the affidavits of John Wilson & Abel Powne hereto annexed - the
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State — Sworn to, and subscribed this day & year aforesaid. J B M B Lord Levi A Lord clerk
We George H. Fowler James W. Franklin & John Lake residing in the town of Chesterfield in the county of Ulster State of New York do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph B. Carrill who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age: that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Leonard Stone Clerk of the Court of Asses. Pleas of Asses County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories proposed 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 James H. Hanahan & Isaac Lake who have signed the preceding certificate (there being no clergyman in Kentstown) are residents in the town of Chesterfield aforesaid and are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit
Signed by Order of the Court
I remain Sir your clerk

State of New York Essex County ss }
I Leonard How Clerk of the court of common Pleas of the county of Essex aforesaid Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Temple B. Boyle for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said court this twenty fifth Day of September 1883
Leonard How Clerk
State of New York Essex County ss }
John Edman of the town of Plattsburgh in the county of Essex aforesaid being duly sworn do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Temple B. Boyle for a pension

State of New York Essex County ss } 3
John Elmer of the town of Peru in the County of Clinton & State aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is now aged Sixty Six years - that he is well acquainted with Joseph B. Connel who is now applying for a pension under an act of Congress passed Mar. 3. 1832 - that said Connel now resides in Hartfield in Essex County - has seen him from time to time for the last thirty years they living in the adjoining towns during said period - And this deponent well recollects that with with years Seventeen hundred & eighty one or eighty two - the said Joseph B. Connel came to Withersfield Vermont where this deponent then resided as a recruiting Sergeant in the Continental Army or State troops (which he does not recollect) & remained & continued there & in that neighborhood for some considerable time, he recollects particularly that said Connel resided during the time he was there, one Samuel Dyer who was brother in law of this deponent who in command of his regiment went forward his time - this deponent recollects that said Connel was at said place exhibiting as aforesaid two different seasons - but does not recollect specifically the time in which he was thus employed & further this deponent says that he has been long acquainted with said Joseph B. Connel as above stated & from said acquaintance he believes that he was in the Revolutionary Service as set forth in his declaration to obtain the benefit of the provisions of said act & that he is a man of truth & veracity & further this deponent says not
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 19. Day of September 1832 }
John Elmer
Overseer of County Courts
I Alvin Huntington of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that John Elmer the person above named & who on the 19 th Day of September 1832, made the above

Also Affidavit before me is a person of understanding that full faith & credit should be given to his deposition also made before me this certificate made this 24 th of September 1833. at Albany filed in the County of Albany
Oliver Kirtland Judge of Court
State of New York } Albany County } ss }
Abel Powers of Springfield in the County of aged seventy two years being duly sworn

State of New York Essex County ss
Asahel Powers of Springfield in the county of Windsor State of Vermont aged seventy two years being duly sworn doth Depose & say that he is well acquainted with Joseph B. Gove of Chesterfield in the County of Essex an Applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, entitled "an act for the relief of the Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution" that he has been acquainted with said Gove since the year 1780 1782 - that he knows that Gove was a recruiting Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution as stated in his declaration except this deponent knows not the length of time in which he was employed as such recruiting Sergeant knows it was towards the close of the war - he this deponent then resided at Springfield said Gove was recruiting in said neighborhood destitute several of his intimate acquaintances who have been dead a number of years - this deponent further says, that he this deponent was a prisoner on board of the Prison Ship Prison of Wales, Capt. Prescott Commanding lying in New York harbor the same ship stated by said Gove in his declaration, that although he was then unacquainted with said Gove - yet from what the said Gove has told him in conversations which he had with him immediately after the War of the Revolution & often times since of facts & circumstances which took place aboard ship said ship he has known doubt said Gove was a prisoner as he has stated in his said declaration, as it would be improbable that he could have been conversant with them unless a prisoner aboard of such ship as aforesaid - and this deponent further says that he believes said Gove to be a man of truth & veracity that as long as he has known him he has been respected & believed to have been a soldier of the revolution as he has stated & further this deponent says not -
Asahel Powers
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 22 d September 1832
Overton D. Judge of County Courts

State of New York Essex County ss.
I Leonard Snow clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that Oliver Kennebec whose name is subscribed to the first of the two next preceding affidavits and before whom the same purports to have been sworn to at the date after same respectively a judge of the court of Common Pleas of said County duly is commissioned sworn and further I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and truly believe his name subscribed to the said first to be his proper hand writing and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this twenty seventh day of September in the
year 1832
Leonard Snow clerk
I Oliver Kennebec one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that Asahel Powers the person who made the within affidavit before me on the 25 th of September 1833 is a man of credibility & I believe that full faith & credit should be given to his said deposition made before me this certificate made the 24 th of September 1833 at Hartsville in the County of Essex aforesaid -
Oliver Kennebec Judge of County Courts
Joseph B. Merrill Application for proceedings to quash
State of New York Essex County ss.
I Leonard Snow clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that Oliver Kennebec whose name is subscribed to the above and the within annexed certificate also subscribed to the first of the two next preceding affidavits and before whom the same purports to have been sworn to at the date after same respectively was at the date of the said certificate respectively to wit on the 24 th of September 1833 a judge of the court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned sworn and further I am well acquainted with his hand writing & truly believe his name subscribed to said certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my seal of office this 25 th day of September 1833.
Leonard Snow clerk

No 25645 Joseph A. Covert Essex County New York
time Adm 2 years Serf $120-
Thos. A. Tomlinson, Hoesville N.York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 6. 1833
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 Joseph B Covill Essex County New York
   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.     Enlisted Oct. 1775 about 4 - private Capt Fish, Major Hems 71 years Sandwich Traditionary evidence & three Witnesses - papers not properly attached   Enlisted 1776 - 7 - " Capt Gurtt Col Cotton Col Pulsam, Massachusetts   Vol Augt 1776 - 8 - Stewards Mate Privateer Sloop Freedom Capt Clinton.   Enlisted Augt 1777 about 6 - Seaman Brig Sally Won, Captain Harn,   Enlisted June 1779 2 - - Sergt. Capt Stone, Major Whitecomb Col. Bencle, Col Wallbridge  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

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

Free L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington Dist Col.

Dy
1 Kennebec Oct 3. 1833.
Enclosed I return you the papers of Joseph B. Gove an applicant for a pension - you will perceive he has made a Supplementary declaration embracing all that he supposes necessary omitted in his first declaration I have caused his papers to be properly attached
Respectfully Your Ob. Servt Nathl. Lord

Washington, D.C., April 12. 1857.
Hon ble S. H. Heath,
Commission of Pensions.
Please inform me the condition of Aaron Hays or Hayes, Pension, who was of the Revolutionary Service. Aaron Hays is now living, and is of 90 years of age. Some of the relatives say he was in service at West Point under Captain N Griffin, for one year & three months.
M c Aaron Hays was written to by G.B. True in July 25 th 1845. Soliciting his business, stating that his case had been suspended for want of additional proof, hence I think M c Hays had made application.
The above, is all the information relative to his service I know from their letter. M c Hays is a resident of N.Y. state.
I am most Respectfully,
Oliver Phelps Jr.
J. James Covell aged about 90 years. Says he was never paid for his last years service during the Revolution. He draws a Pension of $120. per annum. he enlisted for the war. the Regiment were allowed

to go home subject to be called, but were not Is he not entitled to that last years pay? He is of N. Y. state.

Brookton
23178.
INVALID.
File No. 23178
Joseph B. Covill
Serg Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]
CV