Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2525, William Cross, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Cross, William Mary
R. 2525-
CONTENTS

Chautauqua County } Town of Othello } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the town of Othello in and for the county aforesaid. William Cross a resident of the town of Othello who being duly sworn, deposes and saith that by reason of his 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 viz: For one month in the company commanded by Captain Ferguson Lieut Hamilton Ensign Smith, Col Buerer Lieut Col Carleton, entered the service the first of March 1773, and served one month as a private.
In the middle of May 1773 he enlisted the service under the command of Captain Hamilton, Col Buerer Lieut Col Carleton, entered the service the first of August following, and served three months as second sergeant.
That about the first December 1775, he entered the service as substitute for Stephen Hall, about four weeks after he marched for Liconderogo, under the command of Captain Ferguson, Col Buerer Lieut Col Carleton was discharged about the middle of April 1776, served three months as second sergeant.
That the twentieth of April 1776, he entered the service as substitute for Col Spelman for three months, under Captain Cole, Col Robertson Lieut Schuyler & Wayne, and served three months as second sergeant.
That the last of July 1776, he entered the service under the command of Captain Nathan Wood.

Sgt Critendon, Col Fellows, and served four months and twenty days, as second sergeant, was discharged the first part of January '1777'
That the first of March '1777' he entered the service as substitute for Eliza Cook under Captain Nathaniel Wood Col Van Rensselaer and served one month and fourteen days as second sergeant
That the middle of June '1777' he entered the service by draft and served three months as second sergeant, under Col Fellows, the other commissioned officers names he can not recollect
That he was called into service by compulsory authority, and was not employed in any civil pursuit, That he served in the whole one year eleven months and four days and for such he claims a pension
Sworn and subscribed } Wilson Onond before me at Otsego this } 4th day of June 1833 }
Asa Pritchard Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named deponent, and that he is of good moral character, and that his testimony is entitled to credit
June 4th 1833.
State of New York
Asa Pritchard
Albany County ss: I Jarvis H. Pike Clerk of said County certify that Asa Pritchard before whom the preceding affidavit was sworn to have been sworn to at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine handwriting and signature
Interw. by hand and seal & office June 1833 P.T.D. Pritchard
State of New York

Amicus Curiae William Lloyd Jones June 1832 P.T.B. P. 118
State of N.Y.
Chenango County ss. 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 John Gray Esq. Bigelow Nathan Taylor Charles York and Hezekiah Redd Esquires, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chenango, being a Court of record in and for said County, William Cross a resident of the town of Otsego in the said County of Chenango and State of N.Y. aged eighty five (85) 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 viz. In the forepart of March (the precise day of the month he cannot recollect) in the year (1775) for three months, in the town of Loudon in the County of Berkshire and State of Mass into the Company commanded by Capt Ferguson of Blandford, County of Springfield then last aforesaid, at the time he enlisted into said Company, he received of the said Capt. H. as one months pay, thinking about four weeks after said

enlistment he recruited furnished himself with necessary equipage, and joined said Company at the house of the said Ingusans in Blandford, and Marched for Brukes hill, after marching three or four miles he left the said Company by the order of the said Capt, and hired one Asa Moore to serve in his room
About the middle of May the same year the day he cannot recollect he left his house enlisted as a Colonel Sergeant, to serve in the Company commanded by Capt Hamilton, of Granville County of Spring- field, Mass he cannot recollect the names of the Subaltern officers, he then & there recd of the said Hamilton of the sum of $100.00 in money to furnish himself with necessary equipage, he was allowed three or four weeks to equip himself and prepare for the campaign, thinking about the truth of John, he met with about twenty five men at the house of Nathaniel Wood in the town of Sudon, to March to Blandford to join the Maine part of the said Company, order came that the Company should encamp for the Smallpox, that in about a week after said order he was inocu- lated as directed, in him the infection would not operate, after inoculating one in a week for three weeks, he inhaled the infection from a vial, by which operation he was made to have the Smallpox he was confined about three weeks after he was taken

Thinks about the first of August the said company met & organized in Blandford County aforesaid and Marched for Ticonderoga in being unable to march, in consequence of having the small Pox which was left - about the twentieth of August he left Lowden with his party equipment and traveled to Ticonderoga, and found the said company commanded by Capt Hamilton, and Lieut. commanded by Col Duer Lieut Col Carlton both of Boston, the other commissioned officers of the regiment he cannot recollect, the army was commanded by Generals Schuyler & Wadsworth, about a week after joining said company & regiment, he was dispatched with said company commanded by the said Capt Hamilton, to range the country between Ticonderoga and St Johns, he was employed in this, until about the twenty fifth of November he was then discharged from service and returned home to Lowden,
Then or four days after his arrival in the said town of Lowden, he was hired to serve as substitute for one Jonathan Hall of Granville Springfield County, Mass, for three months in the company commanded by Capt Ferguson aforesaid, he cannot recollect the names of the other commissioned officers

he thinks he was allowed three or four weeks to regulate his business and prepare himself for the campaign, about the middle of December 1775 he joined the said company at Nathan Woods in the said town of Louden and marched for Scituate, via Albany, where he halted about five days, then marched to Scituate and joined Col. Duer & Lieut. Col. Carlton against the Canoe vessels the name of the Major, about a week after joining said regiment he marched about with about twenty five men under the command of Lieut. Taylor to Lake George and was stationed in the Blane house about a mile & a half from Scituate Soon after, his commander was taken sick, & the said company was commanded during the term by this deponent, at the expiration of the three months he was discharged from service and returned to the said town of Louden, where he arrived then about the middle of April, 1776
About a week after his arrival he entered the service as substitute for Mr. Spillman (of Granville Springfield County) for three months, shortly after he joined the company commanded by Capt. Cole at the place of Middletons in Louden town. He woods and marched to Scituate, the name of the

and Marched to Steubenville, (the name of the
other commissioned officers he cannot recollect) and joined the Regiment commanded by Col Robbison, cannot recollect the names of the other field officers, after joining said Regiment he passed muster, and took a supply of provisions, and went out at night between Steubenville & Canada, he was employed in the above business until the expiration of the term, was then discharged from service and returned home in the said town of Lowden.
In the latter part of July or the first of August (he can not tell which) 1776 he enlisted for three months as Second Sergeant, into the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood of Lowden, in a few days after he enlisted he joined said Company at the said Capt. Wood's (in Lowden), and Marched for Steubenville, where he arrived there, the latter part of August, after joining the Regiment commanded by Col. Halloway, he passed muster, and took a supply of provisions and went out with said Company commanded by Capt. Wood to range the country between Steubenville and Fort Edward, after the expiration of the term for which he enlisted, he was retained about seven weeks for the purpose of escorting the prisoners taken at Burgoyne's defeat, down to Albany, about the first of January (1777) he was discharged at Albany and returned to the said town of Lowden (1777).
The first part of March the first day he cannot recollect he entered the service as Sub-Lieut.

for, Mr. Eliha Cook (of the said town of Louden) he traveled to Albany and joined the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Wood of Patten, the Subaltern officers he cannot recollect, the regiment to which the said company belonged or was attached was commanded by Col. Van Kliefden, he cannot name the other field officers, he served in said Company and regiment as second sergeant about six weeks, was then discharged, and returned to the said town of Louden.
About the middle of June the same year, the day of the month he cannot remember, he was drafted in the town last aforesaid for the term of three months, to serve as guard at New Haven. After about twenty days after said draft he furnished himself with necessary equipage, and went to the place last aforesaid, and joined the company in which he served, he cannot recollect the name of the Commanding officer belonging to said company, nor the day he joined the company, the Col. name was Collins he served as second sergeant in said company until the end of the term was then discharged from service and returned to the said town of Louden, during which he was out from home about four months.
He has no documentary evidence of these his services and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to prove his services in the Revolutionary War.
In answer to interrogatories required by the War department, to be put to applicant for pensions he answers as follows:

The answer to interrogatories required by the war department, to be put to applicant for pension as follows:
(1.) He was born in the town of Windham in the County of Windham and State of Conn the 13 th day of June in the year 1747.
2 d He has a record of his age, his age was recorded in his father's family Bible, was afterwards copied in his own, which is now in his possession.
3 d When he entered the service he lived in the town of London, as mentioned in his declaration. He lived in said town, until the year 87, then moved to Hoosick, in Rensselaer County State of New York, he lived there 8 or 10 years, then moved to the town of Millford, in the County of Otsego State last aforesaid, lived there five or six years, then to the town of Otsego in the County of Chenango & State of N. York, where he now resides.
(4.) The answer to this question is contained in the body of his declaration.
(5.) Generals Schuyler, Wayne, Gates and Arnold, at Saratoga, such Continental and Militia regiments and general circumstances that he can recollect are contained in the body of his declaration.

never received any discharge
7
He gives the names of Asa Pritchard Ebenezer Hill Justus of the Dean, Wm Crosby George Cooly Aaron Goddard Thomas J. Fitch Reuben Buckingham Wm Amity all of the town of Otisfield in his neighborhood, all men who can testify to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of, his services as a soldier of the Revolution, he also states that there is no clergyman in his neighborhood, or within several miles of him
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension, or an 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 before me J. H. Pike Clerk
W. H. Bass Clerk
We Asa Pritchard and Reuben Buckingham residing in the town of Otisfield in the county of Oxford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr. Cross who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 85 years of age as he has stated, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where

he decided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and that we have not heard any doubts expressed by any person as to his having been such a Soldier and that there is no Clugymann residing in his neighborhood Witness and subscribed the day Nathan Fortier and year aforesaid before me  Ruben Buckingham J. H. P. O. C.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories, presented by the War  department department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and the said Court further certify that it appears to them, that Isaac Ditchard and Ruben Buckingham who have signed the preceding Certificate are Residents of the town of Otsego Chenango County, an Credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit,
Judges of Chenango Common Pleas New York H. Read Charles Foster Nathan Taylor

State of New York } J. Davis K. Pike Clerk Chautauqua County } of the Court of Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Crop for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
J. P. Middle Deputy Clerk
Mrs. C.

2014359
William Coops Chenango Co. N.Y.
Yolanda Haseu Norwich

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. These 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 William Carpenter Chenango Co. N.Y.
   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.     Entered 1775 Mayhew X Private Capt. Thos. Henson Capt. Dan. Hiltner Col. Pomeroy Lt. Col. St. Leger Col. Titcomb Gen. Schuyler Gen. Gates Bunker Hill Red Bank Saratoga Trenton Princeton Monmouth Leicester Berkshire Mass. 85 Testimony   Subs. Recd. Jan. 1776 2 Capt. Thos. Henson Lt. Col. St. Leger Col. Pomeroy Lt. Col. St. Leger John   Dischd 1776 Sub. in Sp. for Mon. 3 Capt. Thos. Henson Lt. Col. St. Leger Col. Pomeroy Lt. Col. St. Leger Lake Geo.   July 22/1776 1777 3 7 Serg t Capt. Thos. Henson Lt. Col. St. Leger Col. Pomeroy Lt. Col. St. Leger Second Gen. Howe Albany   Sub. in Elisha Cook Jan 1777 Dischd 3 6 Capt. Thos. Henson Lt. Col. St. Leger Col. Pomeroy Lt. Col. St. Leger New York Trenton  
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 also 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 will be subject to the rule conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must be stated with precision.
[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 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.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper as 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.

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 be satisfied, 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 common as to admit of no doubt as to the amount of pension he is entitled to. 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 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.
[i] The 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.

In the matter of the pension application of William Crops now deceased

State of New York
Herk County ss. I, Mary Droup of the town of Otisfield in said County, aged 87 years, being duly sworn, depose and swear that she is the widow of William Crop, late of said town, and now deceased. That the said William Crop in his life time applied for a pension under the late pension law for services in the Revolutionary war and that he died on the 8 th day of May 1884 in Otisfield aforesaid.
She further states that she has since her husband's possession in his life time a military paper called a sergeant's warrant, and always understood from her husband and others in his life time, that he had been a sergeant in the Revolutionary war - and she further says that she is left by her husband's death in very poor circumstances and needs assistance and help. She does not know of any person living who knows or would be likely to know anything of her husband's military services. - She knows that during the whole term of their living together as husband and wife, she always heard that he was a Revolutionary soldier and was uniformly considered so by all his neighbors.
Mary Droup his Mark

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4 day of July 1834 and I also certify that I know the above deponent and have done for many years and that she is of good character and that her oath is entitled to the fullest credit
Asa Fitchard Justice of the Peace and Post Master at Otsego.
Affidavit of citizens and neighbours of William Croft deceased a Revolutionary Soldier Otsego County ss
We certify that we were well acquainted with the above named William Croft, deceased, in his life time - that he died in the town of Otsego in said County, on the 8th day of May 1834, leaving a widow by the name of Mary Croft who has made the above affidavit. The said William Croft was a man of good moral character and we think that any statement made by him may be relied on as true. He always bore the reputation of being having been a soldier of the Revolution, and we have no doubt that he did serve for the term, and during the term, as stated in his declaration.
Asa Fitchard

that he did serve for the term, and during the term, as he has stated in his declaration.
And his said
We believe his widow to be left in poor and needy circumstances and that she cannot bear the expense of making efforts to procure any testimony of her husband's services, if there should be any in written
subscribed and sworn to this 14 day of July 1834 before me Ara Pitchard Justice of the Peace.
William Amos born of Amos Eleazar House Thomas S. Fish Elijah Stokes
State of New York
Chautauqua, County ss. I, Harris H. P. Clerk of said County do certify that Ara Pitchard before whom the preceding affidavit of Mary Cross suspected to have been sworn and also before whom the preceding certificate of William Amos, Eleazar House Thomas S. Fish and Elijah Stokes suspected to have been sworn was at the date of each a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that his signa- tures to them are genuine. The above named William Amos, Eleazar House Thomas S. Fish and Elijah Stokes are known to me to be persons

of credibility and character.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said County this 18th July 1834
P. P. Mitchell Dep. Clerk

New York
Wm Crops
Revolutionary
Suspended
See letter to
Sylvester Hazen May
Oct. 1834 - do to Hon. A. Holney
11 June '34
Letter to same 18. Aug. '34
2V 2V
Act 7 June '32

2525
P. O.
William Cross
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

✓ William Cross
✓ (New York)
✓ Susp d . Oct 1832.
Col. H. MacMillan

Witness Nathaniel Jewell as Witness
State of New York, } County of Albany } Be it known that on this 30 th day of October A.D. 1852. Before me the under signed a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of State aforesaid personally appeared Joseph Jewell & Acenith Jewell. Heirs of William Croft Deceased, residents of New Hudson. Albany County & made oath according to law that she is the daughter of William Croft, who was a Soldier in the war of the revolution & who has heretofore made application for the Benefit of the Pension Act. that she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, & makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim Countermanding & revoking all Powers of Attorney & authority heretofore given I hereby constitute & appoint C. W. Bennett of Washington City my true & lawful At- orney to prosecute the claim of William Croft. Deceased for any amount of Revolution or Pension or increase of Pension that may be due; & I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers, or documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional evidence or arguments or to receive for my exclusive Benefit the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein expressed & to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present; Hereby ratifying & confirming all that my said Attorney & Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. Joseph Jewell. Sworn to subscribed & acknowledged before me the mother day & year above written. I hereby certify that I believe the said Acenith Jewell to be directly interested in said claim as set forth & to be the identical party therein alleged. } George Clark } Justice
Acenith Jewell mother

State of New York County of Albany
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been Exhibited before me Clerk of said County that Acintha Dwell the party who has sworn to & acknowledged the foregoing Declaration & Power of Attorney is heir of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify that George Clark Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit & power of Attorney were made & acknowledged was at the time of so doing a Justice of the peace in & for said County & that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 2 nd day of November 1852. John D. Rockefeller Clerk of Albany County

St 24 July 31 Mrs Knapp
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq. Court of Pension Washington

Waverly Ohio Aug 6 - N 9 July 24. 1874
Dear Sir,
I send herewith to the Department the deposition of Mary Cross the widow of William Cross deceased and also the certificates of some prominent men in his town of his good character &c.
His death
necessarily prevents any explanation of some things which if living he might render plain and clear.
I trust that in this case which is truly deserving, you will find cause for allowance of a pension - I feel confident that as  could you know the circumstances of the case there would be no hesitation in afford granting for the benefit of his poor widow the little bounty to which he was far better entitled than many of his neighbors and peers who have already rec d .
Respectfully
Sylvester Hazen
J. A. Edwards Esq.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 14 th 1834.
I 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 roll of Capt. Ferguson's Company in Col. Brewer's Regt. as described by W m Croft who claims for services under the above Officers in 1776. is not found in this Office. — William Croft claims for services under Capt. Cole. in Col. Robinson Regt. in 1776 and under Capt. Nathan Woods in Col. Fellows from July 1776. and under Capt. Woods in Col. Van Rensselaer's Regt. in 1777; but the rolls which he describes are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Dangi. Secy