Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,553, Isaac Decker, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn.
Decker Isaac
NUMBER
S 10553
CONTENTS
carded.

20.748 New York
Dead. See letter to J. H. Fleming P. A. F. May 5: 1834
Isaac Decker
Resided in the State of New York who was a Private in the Co. G. commanded by Captain Jones of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hawthorn in the Penna line for Full term
Inscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Sep 1831 and sent to M c Cough Georgetown
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $ 20 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Apr. '34 4 00 $ 24 00
Revolutionary Claim, Entry June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. O. Stiles Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 95

Declaration of Isaac Decker
10382
✓

Declaration of Isaac Decker, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
(State of New York } ss County of Genesee }
On this ninth — day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Genesee now sitting, Isaac Decker a resident of the town of Castile in the said County of Genesee and State of New York aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That is to say That on or about the tenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six he enlisted into the Pennsylvania State troops, in the Minisink County at Delaware township in the County of Northampton in the State of Pennsylvania, for the term of five months (with troops that were then called the "flying camp") under Captain Timothy Jones, lieutenant Henry Shoemaker and ensign Lewis Mear whose company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Andrew Heubaline (or Fetherline) the said Company joined the said Regiment at Easton in Northampton County aforesaid, and marched to Perthambay in the State of New Jersey and there joined the troops commanded by Generals Doe and Dickinson, and from Perthambay they soon after marched to Long Island in the State of New York, passing over Flings bridge through New York City and over the East River and joined the Army on Long Island, and thinks but would not be positive, that Lord Sterling commanded the division to which he was attached, thinks there were 15 or 16000 troops there — and says he

was in the battle fought soon after on Long Island and in said engagement had his left arm broken and was left for dead on the field of Battle near Flatbush marshes, that on the third night after the British had passed over, he made his escape from the Island with one companion only in a small Boat to New York and there rejoined the Army, and was in the same company as before, but commanded by Captain Abraham Horn (Captain Jones having been taken prisoner) but soon after joining his company he was sent to Powell's Hook among the wounded and did not join his company until after the Battle of White Plains when his wounds being sufficiently cured he rejoined the Army on its retreat into New Jersey, that the troops passed through Raritan took up the bridge and stopped a short time at the six mile Run below Brunswick where he was with said troops when his said term of five months service expired, which to the best of his recollection was in the month of December, when he took a written discharge from his Colonel which he has since lost not thinking it of any value to him he did not try to preserve or keep the same — and returned to his home in the town of Delaware in Northampton County and State of Pennsylvania aforesaid and that soon after  immediately  his return home as aforesaid , he again immediately enlisted in the same Company under Captain Abraham Horn and joined Colonel Andrew Shepards Regiment again, for the term of six months and with the troops marched to Wells falls on the Delaware River, and there they crossed the River in crafts which they destroyed, and marched down and encamped on the bank of the River opposite to Lamberton a little below Trenton where they staid a few days, when they crossed the River about five miles above Trenton (at a place called Scudders falls) and marched to Trenton and in the morning, it being not far

from Christmas, engaged. The British troops there, in which Battle he was wounded by a bayonet in the left knee but not severely - he thinks the division of our troops to which he was attached was commanded by General Israel Putnam, but is not positive who commanded said division - That in the course of eight or ten days he marched with three Regiments to Princeton under the command of General Putnam and lay in ambush a little off the road until the main armies were engaged and then joined in the Battle there, they tarried a few days after the Battle of Princeton at Pennington, and then marched under the command of General Putnam to Princeton  Six mile run where he was with the said troops when his said last term of Service expired, he then also took a written discharge from his commanding officer (but which discharge he has not preserved considering it of no value to him) and he then returned home again to the house of his father in Pennsylvania aforesaid. -
And he further states that soon after his return home as aforesaid his father Henrich Decker being drafted in the militia for the term of three months, he took his father's place and entered the service and served said term of three months as a substitute for his father under Captain Cowkell, whose Company was formed at Lower Ditchfield in the County of Northampton Pennsylvania, and soon afterwards marched to the Schuylkill River & joined the troops commanded by General Lacey in three or four weeks they crossed over into New Jersey at a place then called Red Bank, and marched to Cape May thence to Egg Harbor and soon afterwards returned to Cape May - from thence, passing through Raritan to Bound Brook, where he was when his said term of three months service expired, and he

was in the 1 st ... took his discharge (which he has not preserved) and returned home again to his fathers house in the town of Delaware Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania aforesaid, it being as near as he can now recollect in the fall of the year 1777 - And he further States that soon afterwards in the same fall but the month or particular day of the month, he cannot now recollect, he again enlisted in Delaware township aforesaid, either in the Continental or State troops of Pennsylvania (but which he cannot tell being an ignorant unlettered man and was not then aware of Continental and State distinctions with regard to the troops that wore Regimentals) but he is confident at this time of enlistment he drew Regimentals - for the term of nine months under Captain Johannes Van Natter, Lieutenant Benjamin Ellis (and as the said officers were inhabitants of the neighborhood where he resided he is now led to believe and does believe that they were in the line of Pennsylvania State troops) which said company marched to Durham forge and there joined a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Heaverer (or Houbener) and marched to Mud fort on the Delaware River passing through Philadelphia, and joined the army near Red Bank in New Jersey (but what General then commanded the troops he has forgotten and cannot state) - The body of troops of which he was one stationed in Mud fort was about six hundred, they remained in said fort about six weeks until the British forced their way to Philadelphia. said troops then marched nearly to Amboy and then turned suddenly back and crossed over the Delaware River into Pennsylvania at Easton, (at which time he is confident they were commanded by General Putnam,) and passed on through Bucks County & Chestnut Hill to Germantown, and was there engaged with the

British - and says General Putnam commanded the division in which he fought during that Battle - After the Battle of Germantown they returned to Chestnut Hill, where the said troops & he enlisted, and in the spring following march- ed to a post on the Schuylkill River below Phil- adelphia where he was when his said term of nine months service expired, which was as near as he can now recollect in the month of April 1778 He then took a discharge from his com- manding officer (which discharge he has not preserved) and returned to his home in the State of Pennsylvania, where he staid and served in the Militia in scouts against the Indians on the frontiers and about Van Mattern's fort, in one of which excursions he was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh and was carried into fort Van Mattern - he served there until near the close of the War when as near as he can recollect in the month of August in the year 1782 he was drafted into the service in the Pennsylvania Militia for the term of three months and served said term under captain Johannes Van Mattern - the said company when formed marched to Easton and joined Colonel Jacob Stoudt's Regiment, which marched soon after to Morristown in New Jersey, thence to Perth Amboy where they staid a short time - thence to New Brunswick, where they staid two or three weeks and then marched to Tappan, where he left the Militia and enlisted into the Continental or Pennsylvania line of State troops (which he cannot tell as he then knew no distinction) - during the War under Captain Luke Brodhead whose company was attached to Colonel Hawthorne's (or Heathorn's) Regiment - which soon afterwards marched to Philadelphia where they staid 2 or 3 months and marched to the Southward - passed a place called Red Stone a short distance

and encamped for the space of 2 or three months when News of Peace with Great Britain arrived. when he took a discharge from his commanding officer and returned home - But which said discharge, as well as all others by him obtained from the Army he considered of no value & did not preserve the same and cannot produce any of them - he says he was in the service about seven months on his last term. -
He further says he is old and forgetful and may possibly be mistaken in some particulars in his said declaration either as to the officers who commanded or the times when the Army pass through different places, but is confident that in the main he is correct. -
And to the special Interrogatories of the Court he states that he was born in the town of Delaware in the County of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & fifty seven. He has no record of his age, but is confident that he was nineteen years of age when he first enlisted into the army in 1776 -
He was living in the Minisink Country in Delaware township Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania when and every time he was called into the service and has since lived there until 1806 - they moved to the town of Sparta in the County of Sussex and about 7 years from Sparta County in the State of New York - and now lives in the town of Castile County of Genesee and State of New York -
was called into the service in the town of Delaware in Pennsylvania sometimes he enlisted, sometimes was drafted, and served one term of 3 months as a substitute for his father - He served under Captains Timothy Jones - Abraham Horn, Johannes Vannatten, Corkel, & Levits. Henry Shoemaker Benjamin Ellis & others - Colonels Andrew Hethaline, John Heavener, Jacob Stoud &c - Generals Lord Sterling - Israel Putnam, George Washington who was Chet Commander at Long Island, Trenton & Princeton - General Gage and and that the general circumstances of his services all
Disposition of the town of Phelps in Ontario County in the State of New York until the spring of the year 1802 when he removed to the town of Lehighsburg in Northampton County where he lived until the year 1806 when he removed to the town of Sparta in the County of Sussex in the State of New York and now lives in the town of Castile in the County of Genesee in the State of New York

Chief Commander at Long Island, Princeton & Princeton - General Day  July 2 nd and that the general circumstances of his services are the same as set forth in his above annexed declaration to the best of his recollection - He received a written discharge at the expiration of each term of his service, but did not preserve them not thinking them of any value and cannot produce any of them.
And he further states that he is well acquainted with Levi Becker his Brother and Catherine Conk- lin, his sister who now reside near him, The said Levi in the town of Leicester in Livingston County and the said Catherine in Castile in Genesee County aforesaid, and both of whom lived with his father during the whole period of the Revolutionary war and know that he entered the service at the several times above in this his said declaration mentioned, and that he returned from the said service as mentioned and other particulars of the same and who can testify to the same - and also to his char- -acter for veracity, and their belief of his said services as a soldier of the Revolution. -
He further states that there is no clergyman in his immediate neighbourhood with whom he is acquainted, but that he is well acquainted with Aaron B Friesdell and Calvin P Bailey citizens of his neighbourhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. -
He further states that he is very poor and infirm and has not at any time received any support whatever from the government of the United States. -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pen- -sion Roll of the Agency of any State. -
Sworn to and subscribed the day & and year above said - in open court
J. Fitch clerk
55006 511/20

State of New York } Genesee County ss }
Levi Decker of the town of Leicester County of Livingston and State of New York - And Catharine Conklin of the town of the town of Castile in the County of Genesee and State of New York afore said being each severally sworn do each for themselves severally depose and say that they are well acquainted with Isaac Decker who has subscribed and sworn to the above annexed declaration, that the said Isaac Decker is the Brother of these deponents - That they believe he is seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that they concur in that opinion -
And these deponents further to particularize and set forth their knowledge of the services of the said Isaac Decker in the Revolution do state and say that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six these deponents and their said Brother Isaac Decker all lived together in the house of their Father Hendrick Decker in the Minisink tract in the township of Delaware County of Northampton in the State of Pennsylvania, where they resided during and for a long time after the Revolutionary war -
That they both know and very well remember that the said Isaac Decker enlisted at that place into the troops that were raised at that place in the summer of the year 1776, called the "flying camp," for the term of five months as he states in the company commanded by Captain Timothy Jones, with whom these deponents were also well acquainted - That said Company & the said Isaac Decker in the same left that place at the time he states and went into the service and after being gone about five months returned again - That it was current understood in the neighbourhood at the time that the said company

was in the ... my was to and did join Col Heholines Regi- ment - whom these deponents well remember to have seen but had no personal acquaint- ance with him - these deponents also say they were well acquainted with Lieutenant Henry Shoemaker and Ensign Lewis Mead who they also know served at the same time in Captain F Ianes Company - and these deponents further state that on the said Isaac's return from said five months service his left arm was crooked and in some measure stiff and bore evident marks of having been wounded and broken as he states on Long Island and they verily believe his said statement in that respect - And these deponents further state that they know that the said Isaac soon after his return home, enlisted again with other young men of the town of Delaware afore said into a company raised at that time by Capt Abraham Horn and commanded by him, with whom these deponents were also well acquainted, and that the said Company left the place as was reputed and generally believed to join Colonel Andrew Heholines Regiment - and these deponents further state that the said Isaac Decker was absent during all the subsequent winter and did not return home until late the ensuing spring and from the best of their recollection he was gone the term of 6 months as he states, and these deponents well recollect that the battles of Trenton & Princeton were reputed to have taken place in the mean time and from all the facts within their knowl- edge they verily believe the said Isaac was in said battles under the command of General Israel Putnam as he states. - And these deponents further state that they know and well recollect that in the summer of the year 1777 their father Hennius Decker was drafted in the Militia of the said town of Delaware for the term of three months in Captain Conkels Company

and that the said Isaac Decker entered the service in said Company in lieu of his father as he states - that said Company marched as was reputed and generally believed for the main army in New Jersey - and after the said term of three months had expired the said Isaac Decker returned home; and these deponents do verily believe he performed the said term of three months service in Captain Conkels Company of Militia as he states - And these deponents further state that in the fall of the year 1777 and soon after the said Isaac had returned home from the said last service he again enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Johannes Van Katter and Lieutenant Benjamin Ellis - but for what length of time these deponents cannot state nor do they know whether or not he drew any equipments from Government, nor can they state what Regiment said Company was reputed to have joined - These deponents further state that the said Isaac was absent from home all the ensuing winter and on his return in the spring was reputed to have served all of said term in the army and suffered a wound in the thigh  leg stating the same to have been made by a bullet  carbine which these deponents from the facts & circumstances verily believe to be true - And these deponents further state that the said Isaac served in the Militia near home for a long time and until near the close of the war, in which time the said Isaac was engaged with others in scouting parties against the Indians and received a bullet wound in the thigh in an encounter with them and was brought into Fort Vannatter - And these deponents further state that the said Isaac Decker was out on service with Captain Vannatters Company and in Colonel Stoudes Regiment for some time near the close of the war, but what particular length of time these deponents cannot state - and these deponents further say that

was in the ... from the numerous terms of the said Isaac's service in the army and the length of time that has since elapsed, that further particulars of his said service have escaped their recollection of and that in the above statements these deponents have set forth nothing but what they well and clearly do recollect — and these deponents further state that the said Isaac Decker is now a resident of the town of Castile in the County of Genesee and State of New York that he is very poor and has never to their knowledge or belief drawn any pension or received any aid from the Government of the United States —
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Isaac Decker
before me — Antonio Williams of Genesee Catharine her Conklin mark And I further certify that Sai Decker and Catharine Conklin who appeared before me and took the foregoing affidavit, are to me well known and that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit — Antonio Williams of Genesee
We Aaron D. Friesdell of the town of Castile County of Genesee and State of New York and Calvin P. Bailey of the town of Perry County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Decker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five  eight years of age — that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood 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 before me in open court
Calvin P. Bailey Aaron D. Friesdell
Antonio Williams of Genesee J. Fitch Clerk

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 Calvin P Bailey and Aaron D Friesdell who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Perry & Castile in the County of Genesee and in the neighbourhood of said applicant and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. -
Isaac Wilson S. Cummings Robert Darrell Jr
Judge
State of New York Genesee County ss
I Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County certify, that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Decker for a Pension.
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twelfth day of October 1832
T. Fitch clerk

State of New York
Genesee County
§ 20: I Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said County, certify that Antonio Willard before whom  the affidavit of Levi Decker appears to have been taken when at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace of said county, duly authorized to take the same and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of said Justice and do acutely believe that his name subscribed to the certificate of taking the same and the certificate of credibility is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18 th day of June 1838.
Timothy Fitch Clerk

1011382
Isaac Dushin
Seneca Co. N. York
All-f
Schmidt
Private 2 years
M. C. Hough ago
Perryville Seneca Co. N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjjoined 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 Isaac Decker Genesee Co. N.York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1776 ✓ 5 Private Capt Simon My Jones Col. Rieke Lieut. Col. Long Island Perth Amboy New Jersey 75 2 Oaths of Levi Decker   Enlisted 6 Lt Henry Lieut. Col. Col. Rieke Trenton Princeton Catherine Decker   Sub for Henrietta Decker 1777 3 Capt John My Jones Gen. Howe Gen. Clinton Brandywine Germantown Red Bank Red Bank fractionary also   Enlisted 9 Capt John My Jones Gen. Howe Gen. Clinton Red Bank Germantown Red Bank Red Bank   Enlisted in 1782 3 Capt John My Jones Gen. Howe Gen. Clinton Red Bank Germantown Red Bank Red Bank   Enlisted in 1782 7 about Capt John My Jones Gen. Howe Gen. Clinton Red Bank Germantown Red Bank Red Bank  
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) _____ 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 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 he 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.
witnesses are not certified on file

Rehran
10553
INVALID.
File No. 10,553
Isaac Decker Rev Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]