Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1023, Isaac Carter, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Carter, Isaac Priscilla
W 1023
CONTENTS

21. 2 p.m. 17  Massachusetts  Isaac Carter
of Blackstock in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Peck of the Regt. commanded by Col. Carpenter in the Mass line for 9 Mos. 15 ds.
Me
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug. 1832 and due to H. W. Hild Survivor
Arrears to the 14th of Mar '31 $63.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 1st Sep '33 15.83 $79.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } P. C. Stiles Clerk.
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 2. Page 13.
72 Bunker

Isaac Leavitt Clarkstown (N.Y.) Application for Pension Oct. 10 1832
15198

Carte
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, ss.
ON this tenth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Hon. William P. Nally Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting Isaac Cartier a resident of Clark'sburgh in the county of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Twenty 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 7th, 1832:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in June 1777 I
served one month in the company commanded by Capt Walter Carpenter of P'keepsie Massachussetts when I then lived went to Bristol & from there to New Can I was discharged at North Kingston - Col Thomas Carpenter was our Col. in the fall of the same I served one month in Spencer's Expedition so called under Capt Pily Putn 2 Col Moses Carpenter - in 1778 I served one month in Sullivan's Expedition under Capt Stephen Bullock & Col Thomas Carpenter & was in the Battle on Rhode island - in June 1779 I enlisted for nine months under Capt Saby Barney, this company not being filled I returned in the company commanded by Capt Jacob Hux then I went to Haddam Ferry & from there to Howland's Ferry then on to Rhode Island the afternoon of the British left the next morning, I did duty there un til some time in January or February & then was detached & went to Providence - Lieut. Northrop when I did duty until my time was out when I was discharged Genl Cornwall was the commanding officer. I stood as a minute man three years & it being part of the time above stated I was frequently called out a few days at a time on alarms during the said time
I was born in P'keepsie Mass July 7th 1762 - I have no record of my age that I know of - I have lived since the War. at P'keepsie & Dartmouth until 38 years ago when I came to Adams & have lived in Adams & Clark'sburgh where I have lived most part of the time since - I went a substitute for my brother John Cartier who was drafted the first campaign - 2 d campaign I went a substitute David Wood of Swansy, in Sullivan's Expedition a substitute for my brother John Cartier who was weakly & took his place not time I enlisted I never read a discharge in writing -

When my time was out Lieut. Northrop told us by order of Genl. Carroll we were dismissed we turned in our cartridges & went home Elisha Kingsley Deborah Colburn Esq. I believe will testify as to my honesty & as to my being in the service as to report

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
Isaac Carter
We, Elisha Kingsley the town of Adams and Jeremiah Colgrove residing in Adams hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaac Carter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy 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 day and year aforesaid.
Jeremiah Colgrove Elisha Kingsley
W. P. Walker J. Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Elisha Kingsley is a resident in the town of Adams and that Jeremiah Colgrove who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Adams and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
H. Henry W. Bishop - Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Carter for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of
October A.D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate

We, the subscribers, residing in Adams, fully certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Isaac Caster, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighbor- hood where he lives, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.

15798
Isaac Easton
Parents 9 Months 15 days
1506
June 12 1833
Page 116
165
H W Bishop
Leavitt May

BRIEF in the case of Isaac Carter  of Clarksburg in the State of Ohio  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 1 Private Gen. [illegible] Col. Carpenter   1777 1 " Col. [illegible] Col. Carpenter   1778 1 " Col. [illegible] Col. Carpenter   1779 6 15 " Col. [illegible] Col. [illegible]  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dist. of the Ohio  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Nickolas Catts Examining Clerk.

2673
Massachusetts
Priscilla Carter
widow of Samuel Carter who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Mass Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
31 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Oct 53 and sent to
Mabel Pease Leicester Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 38 Vol. A
32

State of Massachusetts P Berkshire County ss }
On this eleventh day of June 1853, Personally appeared before me Daniel H. Dewey Probate Judge in and for said County Priscilla Carter aged Seventy Eight years Widow of Isaac Carter (Deceased) who is a Resident of Clarksburg, who first being duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit 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 Isa- ac Carter who was a Private in said War and En- -tered at Rehobath in the State of Massachusetts, at different Periods which she cannot now state but refers to his Declaration on file at the War Department, for Particulars and that he drew a Pension in his lifetime at the rate of Thirty one dollars and 66 cents per annum, She further declares that she was Married to said Isaac Carter in the year one thousand eight hundred & twenty seven on the day of November in the Town of Sturminster in the State of Ver- mont, That her said Husband died on the 11 th day of May 1842, — That she was not Married to him prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated, She further declares that she is now a Widow
Priscilla
Carter Mark
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above mentioned at the dwelling house

of the said Court in Clark's Court in said County, she by reason of infirmity being unable to ap- pear in open Court. I have no interest in the result of this case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
Daniel N. Denny
Judge of Probate.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire County ss. I Henry W. Nott, Register of Probate within and for said County of Berkshire do certify, that Daniel N. Denny Esq. before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the date of said proceedings the Judge of Probate within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts as such accordingly - and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Probate Court, this fifteenth day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three Henry W. Nott

I Extract from the records of the town of Stamford and county of Bennington and State of Vermont
The following marriages returned to the Town Clerk of Stamford by Thomas Bratten Esq. by him Solemnized
State of Vermont }
Bennington County, ss. Be it remembered that at Stamford in said county on the twentysecond day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twentyseven Isaac Carter of Clarkburgh Mass. and Priscilla Smith of Stamford Vt. Vermont were duly joined in marriage by me I. Otis Phillips Town Clerk of Stamford certify that the foregoing, is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legable figures as follows 22 nd day of November A.D. 1827
I Otis Phillips above named depose } Otis Phillips } Town Clerk depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the of town of Stamford and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the record of said Town of Stamford with the exception above named as certified by me
Otis Phillips } Town Clerk of Stamford

State of Vermont
Bennington County ss
October 5 th 1853, Personally came Otis Phillips Clerk of the Town of Stamford in the County of Bennington aforesaid Subscriber to the within certificate and made Oath to the truth of the within express. — And is a credible Witness And I further Certify that I have no interest in the within named Claim
B. Wilber Cook Justice of the peace
State of Vermont, } Bennington, ss. COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, SAMUEL H. BLACKMER, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Bennington, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
B. Wilber Cook Esq. was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a Justice of the peace
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified ; that his signature to the foregoing jurat and certificate is genuine ; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form ; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Bennington, in the County of Bennington, this 5 th day of October Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three —
S. H. Blackmer CLERK.

New Year
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1023
Biscillabaster
Widow
Isaac Carter
Br. Rev. Mass
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:—Vol. A Page 113
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct 10 1853 No 3422 Priscilla Carter of Isaac
Berkshire Mass.
Act Feb. 3 1853
Allowed $31 66 2/3 100 per Annum Com. Feb. 3 1853
Mrs. Priscilla Carter Berkshire Co. Senose Mass.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Commiss

Oct. 10, 1853
App d 7 Pr is ?
Alta 6 1/2
Widow 7
Isaac,
2124
Nov 15
Allowed
$31 66/100
per annum Con Feb 3. 1853
oral Peace
Send
Mass.
2124 Nov 15 Allowed $31 66/100 per annum Con Feb 3. 1853 oral Peace Send Mass. Washington City D.C.

Pension Office Oct. 24/53
Sir Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
F. Burt Esq 3 Aud
C. S. Cole for Council
Present
Isaac Carter, Act 1832 $31. 66. p. an. — Died 18 th May 1842, Paid to his death.
F. Burt Auditor.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 26 th 1833.
* hereby Certify. That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Isaac Carter, as a Private, is borne on a Pay-Roll of Capt. Jacob Haskins' Company, in Col. John Jacob's Regiment, — in which it appears that he entered service July 17, 1779, and served until January 31, 1780, and is allowed, for service and travel, six months and fifteen days.
Excd L. —
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this tenth day of July A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Isaac Cartu a resident of the town of Clarksburg in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy 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. in addition to one made on the tenth day of October 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in June 1777 I served one month under Nathaniel Cushing who was Captain of the Company of Riflemen which I then lived Massachusetts went to Bristol & from there to Providence & was discharged at North Kingston - Col Thomas Cushing was our Col, I served one month in the fall in Sullivan's Expedition under Capt. Philip Park & Col Thomas Cushing, we went to Slides Ferry & from there to Howland's Ferry from there to Fogland's Ferry & was then discharged - In 1778 in the fall I served one month in Sullivan's Expedition on R Island - under Capt. Stephen Bullock & Col Thomas Cushing & was in the Battle on R Island & was discharged in Bristol at a place called Pop's Squash. In June 1779 I enlisted into Baby Barns Company & went immediately to New Bedford & then to Taunton I enlisted for nine months, after having mustered, I was paroled & went home until I was returned under Capt. Jacob Hopkins the Col of Capt. Baby Barns not being killed, we went from Slides Ferry from there to Howland's Ferry, then on to R. Island. The British left the next day after we marched on - & Col John Sams came in and ordered them to do their duty then until January or February following when I was discharged at Providence - I was under General orders as a minuteman for three years & until the year of the check days when Warren's Brigade was sent I was called out for three days, & when Fall River Mills was burnt again I was out & served three days & when the British landed at New Bedford I was out served three days the British then took Old Brick Eddy the Chairman of the Committee of Safety & also his kind men Gadsden & Trefren - I was home in Rehoboth Massachusetts July 7th 1762 I have read of my age - I lived in Rehoboth & Dartmouth to 1798 when I moved to Clarksburg the town where I now live & have lived there & in Adams the adjoining town most of the time since the first & third time I went a substitute for my brother John Cartu who was in prison the 2nd time I went as a substitute for David Wood, I have no written discharge & have no living witness to prove my service that I know of & no documentary evidence except the certificate of Edward D. Bassett Esquire Secretary of State from to an record that there is no flying man in Clarksburg & no one in Adams the town of Clarksburg small place.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this tenth day of July A. D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Isaac Carter a resident of the town of Clarksburg in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy 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. in addition to one made on the tenth day of October 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in June 1777 I served one month under Captain Carpenter who was captain of the company of Reoboth when I then lived Massachusetts went to Bristol & from there to Providence & was discharged at North Kingston - Col Thoms as captain was our Col. I served one month in the fall in Shermans Expedition under Capt. Philip Pake & Col Thoms as carpenter, we went to Slades Ferry & from there to Howlands Ferry from there to Foglands Ferry & was then discharged - In 1778 in the fall I served one month in Sullivans Expedition on R Island - under Capt. Stephen Bullock & Col Thoms as carpenter & was in the Battle on R Island & was discharged in Bristol at a place called Poppsquash. In June 1779 I enlisted into Dabys Battery company & went immediately & passed muster at Taunton. I enlisted for nine months, after passing muster, I was ordered to Westport until I was returned under Capt. Jacob Hopkins the Col of Capt. Dabys Battery not being filled. We went from Slades Ferry from there to Howlands Ferry, then on to R Island. The British left the next day after we marched on - & Col John Sams commanded then. I did duty there until January or February following when I was discharged at Providence - I was under General orders as a minuteman for three years & until the year of the check day when Warrens Battery was burnt & I was called on & for three days & when Fall River Mills was burnt again I was out & served three days & when the British landed at New Bedford I was out served three days the British then took Obediah Eddy the Chairman of the Committee of Safety & also his friend man Gadsden Trafton - I was born in Rehoboth Massachusetts July 7th 1762 I have read my age - I lived in Rehoboth I went from there to 1798 when I moved to Clarksburg the town where I now live & have lived there & in Adkins the adjoining town most of the time since the first & third time I spent a substitute for my brother John Carter who was in firm the 2nd time I went as a substitute from David Wood, I have no written discharge & have no living witness to prove my service that I know of & no documentary evidence except the certificate of Edward D. Barry Esquire Secretary of State from the record that there is no discharge in the list of service in Adkins the town of Adkins except that

13 days who is absent & not to return in season for this term -
8. July 10.
Isaac Center
I swore and subscribed the day & year aforesaid W. P. Wallbridge Probate

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
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
We _____ a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and _____ residing in _____ 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 day and year aforesaid.
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
_____ who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of _____ in the County of _____ and _____ of _____ and that _____ who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of _____ in the County of _____ and _____ of _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings supplementally attached of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Isaac Carlton for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this Eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Henry W Bishop Register Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. On this 30. day of September A.D. 1853. personally appeared before me Benjamin F. Robinson Esquire a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Berkshire who being duly sworn. According to Ben. Estlin Whitcomb a President of Clarksburg in the County of Berkshire who being duly sworn. According to Ben. Under Oath. Says that she was well acquainted with Isaac Center in his life time. And that the said Isaac Center died on the Eighteenth. day of May One thousand Eight hundred forty two And that she attended his funeral. And that the said Estlin Whitcomb is a credible witness. And I further say that I have no interest in the prosecution of Isaac Center.
Estlin Whitcomb Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire County ss. On this 30. day of September A.D. 1853. personally appeared before me Benjamin F. Robinson Esquire a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Berkshire. Estlin Whitcomb of Clarksburg in the County of Berkshire who being first duly sworn According to Ben Under Oath Says that she was well acquainted with Isaac Center in his life time And that the said Isaac Center died on the 18 May A.D. 1842 And that she attended his funeral. And I the said

Prof. F. Robinson, do certify, that the said Colvin Whitcomb is a respectable witness. On oath that I, for the life, that I, have no interest in the prosecution of said claim.
W. F. Robinson, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I, CHARLES SEDGWICK, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Benjamin F. Robinson Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said B. F. Robinson and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Commonwealth this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Chas Sedgwick
Clerk.

Brief in the case of Mrs. Priscilla Carter widow of Isaac Berkshire County and State of Massachusetts act of Feb. 3. 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in Massachusetts line of Mass. Vols 15 days & pensioner of the U.S. under act of June 7. 1832 at $31 66 / 100 per annum Paid to his death May 18. 1842
(If for increase.) Allowed $31 66 / 100 per annum to commence Feb. 3. 1853 Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by public record
Death proved by Auditor's report.
Identity & Widowhood proved by credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
Nial Pease Esqr Lenox Berkshire Co Mass
Examining Clerk.
J. H. Gray

Lenox October 7 th 1853, L. P. Waldo Esq., Sir,
I send you the Declaration of Priscilla Cutter the Widow of Isaac Cutter late of Clarksburg Dead Respectfully Yours Nevil Pease

15798 Isaac Carter
Rev. Mr. Bishop Lebanon Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isaac Carter Blackbough  et al which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Application should be made to E. D. Bangs Esq. Secy of the State of Mass, for evidence of the claimant's service