Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7566, Samuel Graff, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Graff, Samuel Susannah
N 7566.
CONTENTS

Let J. S. Perkin Dec 17/58
4876
Pennsylvania Sulanna Graff widow of Samuel Graff who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private Pa Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 70 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March , 1848.
27 June Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of June 1849 and sent to
Hon. R. L. Rose , Albany Hill N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 223 Vol. 2

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838. Agt notified 15 June 1839.
N o 11,880 Pennsylvania
Samuel Graff
of Crawford Co. in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Adams of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Elder in the Penna. Mil. time for 21 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 70 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of July 1833 and sent to David Dickerson Meadville P a
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1833 140.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep. 1833 35.00 $175.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 5 Page 21

State of Pennsylvania County of Crawford
On this twenty ninth day of December One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before Hon. Henry Shippen, President, and Stephen Darlow and Robert Work Spence, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting. Samuel Cross a resident of Sadsbury township in the County of Crawford in the state of Pennsylvania, aged seventy four years on the 21 st of last September, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the month of September  October 1777 shortly after the battle of Brandywine, deponent was drafted with the Militia of Lancaster County, where he had been born and raised. And marched in the company of Captain Isaac Adams, attached to the Regiment of Colonel — Elias, who resided near Harrisburg, Penn a . The Regiment marched within seven miles of Philadelphia and encamped for two weeks. Genl. Potter of Berks County, Penn a being in Command. Deponent states that while he was in camp, at the place last mentioned, he conversed with the British general a German, being about twenty rods apart in their respective lines. The German held up his bottle and told deponent to come and get a drink which he refused. That after laying two weeks at this place, Colonel Elias Regiment, in which deponent was, crossed over the Schuylkill River at Swedes ford about 27 miles above Phil a and joined the Army under the command of Genl. Howe and lay at White

Marsh the head quarters. That shortly after joining the army of Genl. Irvine, a short of eighty men, under an Ensign named not recollected to which detachment was attached, was sent out to watch the enemy's outposts. That they proceeded about ten miles, towards Phil a when the commanding officer became afraid and would proceed no further. There were three Irishmen in the company who became enraged with the Ensign and asked detachment if he would go with them to to the outposts of the enemy, he agreed to, and proceeded about fifty rods when coming near to a cornfield they heard a noise which they were anxious to know the cause of, and going forward they saw a British soldier lying on the ground, dead. They took him and conveyed him to where the officer, with the remainder of the men of the scout, was, who un- til this time did not know that we had broke ranks, and de- tachment, with his three companies, refusing that the prisoner should be put into the guard of the whole scout: they - forsook him to Genl. Wash- ington at White Marsh, who treated them with brandy. The scout started after dusk returned by day light the next morning.
That shortly after this, in the last of November or beginning of Decem- ber 1777, early in the morning Adjutant Bell came into camp and said that the enemy was approaching under Genl. Howe. The American Army was im- mediately put in motion, and the Militia sent in advance and after proceeding about 3 or 4 miles, to Chert Hill. They met the British who fired and then retreated. The Americans pursued them; Genl. Irwin had one of the reins of his horse bridle shot off, and the horse taking fright threw the Genl. who was taken prisoner and carried to Phil a . There was but one of the Americans killed that detachment is alleged to. Detachment states that while in pursuit of the British he discovered a man behind a tree in the woods, and mentioning it to his nearest companion, they fired at him and shot him through his head. They took from him his musket, sword, two pistols in silver, a guinea and silver watch. He was a Hessian attached to the British Army. The man then returned to camp, and de- tachment with the other Lancaster County Militia, was discharged after a service of two full months.
That in March 1778, detachment with several of the Militia of Lan- caster County was drafted to go to Lebanon Penn a and guard

the magazines which had been transferred to that place - that he marched under Balthazar Ot. Captain of his company. - After re- maining two months at Lebanon. he was put into the company of Captain Joseph Eber, and continued two months longer at that place - making an entire service at that time of four months. For the first two months Col. Curtis Grubb, and after him, Col. Greene- walt, had been in command at the station.
That in the last of July July or beginning of August 1778, immedi- ately after he departed returned from his service at Lebanon. Captain Gray, of the U. States Army, came to where he defendant lived with his father in Coocalico township, Le Lancaster County, Penna. with an order from Genl. Washington, to procure seven teams of four horses each, and if ne- cessary to press them, if service service. That Captain Gray called on de- fendant to assist him, that he did so, with seven others, who, in company with the Captain, got the requisite number of teams, but not without much difficulty from the utter unwillingness of persons to enter into the service. The teams were taken to Dunbar or Dunbar town - Lancaster County. After remaining there for some time, teams were employed by Captain Gray, & the teams sent to the main Army, as defendant re- lains, at Valley Forge. He however was discharged by Captain Gray after serving two months.
That in the month of April 1779. Col. X. (not long before) Captain Gray called on defendant, and the other seven men, who had been his companions in the service last above mentioned, to go to them to volunteer in pressing the like number of teams, - seven, and twenty eight horses, for public service. That they did so, and got them in Carl township, Lancaster County. At this time defendant states that he was two full months in active and hard service, having been frequently met by his countrymen, in his attempts to secure teams, with armed determined hostility.
That in May 1780 Defendant enlisted under Captain Babbly for one year, in Lancaster County; that he marched under Captain Babbly to Phila. from thence they proceeded, in Shippensburg, up the Dela- ware river to Trenton, and from thence to head quarters in the upper end of Jersey. replaced under Col. Chambers near to the falls in the Schuylkill river. Genl. Wayne Com- manded there and had two Brigades, all of the Penna. kind. On the fourth day after joining the main Army, the Army marched under Genl.

Genl. Wayne to storm a fort which had been pickt up by some Vir- gin blacks within about nine miles of New-Beth. An attack was made with the infantry and two or three pieces of Cannon, the largest not more than a three pounder, and which was manned by thirty seven men, all of whom except five were killed. The engagement lasted about three hours, and after a loss of eighty four men by the Americans, Genl. Wayne ordered a retreat. After this the army returned to its former quarters, where it lay until the month of August or September when it was marched to a place called Red  Blue Bank Paramus Church about 35 Miles above New York on the North River, where the greater part, if not all the American Army, at one time , as was said at the time to 45,000 men, had collected. The whole army separated and proceeded to the Brigades under their respective commanders proceeded to different quarters, those under Genl. Wayne going to their former quarters in Jersey. In December following, General Washington with the Brigades to form which place four miles from Morristown, New Jersey, where they remained until the beginning of January, when a large portion of the Brigades composed of the New Jersey became dissatisfied and leaving the rest of the army went to Prince- ton. The day following General Washington proceeded a far less to return home, under a promise that he would join the army during the winter or spring on its march to the South, which he did in March fol- lowing and marched with the army as far as to Cookstown Pa. when he was discharged the term of his enlistment having expi- red within one month, and it was not considered expedient that he should be marched further South.
Deponent states that he was one of a detachment of 380 men who were repairing a road between Paramus Church and Shippensburg, eight miles distant, on the North River. At the time that Arnold passed down the River in a small boat to join the British that he was seen by all the men, but it was not known at the time that it was Ar- nold. That he was well acquainted with all the officers & men mentioned in his foregoing statement; and also with many others, viz. Genl. La Fayette who at one time reviewed the troops while de- pendent lay at Dotawney River, Genl. Greene, Genl. Stearns who went over to the British.

State of Pennsylvania Cumberland County ss
I Edward A. Reynolds, Clerk of the several Courts of Cumberland County do hereby certify that Stephen Barlow Esq. before whom the foregoing af- fidavit was made is an Associate Judge of said County and that his signature to the affidavit is in his own hand writing. Witness my hand and seal of office this 27 th day of April 1853.
Edward A. Reynolds Clerk of Courts of Cumberland County
Samuel Smith 29107

That he has no documentary evidence whatever of his services, and he knows of no person, except his brother Joseph Grapp, resident in Stark County, Ohio whose deposition is hereto attached, who can testify to his services. The said Joseph in his deposition states that deponent's enlistment was in 1779, but in this he, deponent, thinks he is mistaken, not that he can establish the years during which he rendered services in particular, but from circumstances. He states, too, that he may be mistaken as to the times. Moreover, by reason of his advanced age and great loss of memory, he cannot speak with certainty. He states that in his application to the Legislature of Penn o . that body on the 7 th March 1827 granted him a pension of forty dollars per annum which he has drawn ever since. See pension laws of 1826-7. pag-90.
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, except as above mentioned.
Deponent states that he left Lancaster County on the year 1797 and moved to Penns Valley, Centre County, Pennsylvania where he remained for certain years, and then he removed to Sadsbury Township, Crawford County, where he has remained ever since. That while he lived in Centre County, he belonged to a war volunteer Company under Captain Tichenor, & during the late march to Buffalo, New York, & after he moved to Crawford County he went with the Protection to Erie Penn o where that place was threatened by the enemy. That he was born 28 th September 1758 in Coalville Township, Lancaster County, Penn o . and that he has it set down in his bible, but which he forgot to bring with him to present, and he resides 12 miles from Millersville.

That there is no clergyman in his neighbourhood with whom he is acquainted and who can testify to his character, but that Daniel Williams & Robert Stewart are well acquainted with him and can give evidence respecting his character and report in the neighbourhood of his being a Revolution-ary soldier.
affirmed to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Ebenezer Dymond Pres.
Samuel Graff
We Daniel Williams, formerly of Sadsbury township, now Vernon & adjacent towns, and Robert Stewart of the said township of Sadsbury, Lawrence County, do hereby certify that we are now & have been acquainted with Samuel Graff the foregoing applicant for fifteen years. In our declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion; I never heard that fact questioned —
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Ebenezer Dymond Pres.
Daniel Williams
R. Stewart

And the said Courts hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after the aforesaid Samuel Graff (usually called Samuel Grove) had responded to the enquiries required by the war department, and on the testimony of Joseph Groff taken before Pitney Guest a Justice in Ohio, hence forwarded that the said Samuel Graff was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certifies Daniel Williams and Robert Stewart who have just now sworn before us to the foregoing certificate are known to the Court as citizens of Respectability in whose testimony reliance may be placed.
Certified Dec 29 1832
Henry Shippen Pres to Court
And I said President further certify that being a native of Lancaster County & long resident there, the names of many persons & places within mentioned are familiar to me and that it is a very common & usual there particularly among the Germans to call persons who spell their name "Graff", by the name or sound of Grove & sometimes Grofe - and those names though apparently different are indiscriminately used for the same person.
Henry Shippen Pres.
Concord County Pa. I Edward A. Reynolds. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, Penna. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Graff for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 31 st day of December A.D. 1832. Edward A. Reynolds (Prothonotary)

State of Pennsylvania } Crawford County } ss Be it known that on this 27 th day of April 1833 personally came before me the subscriber, one of the Associate Judges of Crawford County & the same with the person mentioned as one of the Judges in the foregoing application, Samuel Groff the same person within mentioned, who being first duly sworn, doth depose & say that to the best of his recollection, & as he verily believes, he received written discharges at the expiration of his different terms of service, but that they have been destroyed, as deponent believes, and that he has not seen them for more than forty years; and he is well satisfied they are in existence. He also. The deponent has shown to me a German Bible, purporting to be printed in the year A.D. M.D.C.C.L.X.V.I. bearing the mark of age, which the said Samuel states was in the family of his father and which came into his possession after the death of his father, about the year 1783. In this bible the age of Samuel is written, with many others of the Groff family, all in German. viz. "Samuel Groff born 21 September 1758" (translation). All this has the appearance of authenticity and which, I the said Judge believe to be correct and true.
Affirmed before me
the 27 th day of April 1833
Stephen Barlow one of the Associate Judges of the Court Common Pleas for Crawford County
Samuel Groff
State of Pennsylvania } Crawford County } ss
I Edward A. Reynolds, Clerk of the several Courts of Crawford County do hereby certify that Stephen Barlow Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an Associate Judge of said County and that his signature to the affidavit is in his own hand writing. Witness my hand and seal of office this 27 th day of April 1833.
Edward A. Reynolds
Deputy Clerk of Common Pleas Crawford County
Samuel Groff 22107

Isannah Graff. Act 2 o Feb. 1848.
Susanna Graff, widow of Samuel, he
Act 2 o Feb 1848
Married 1780 Husband died 27 June 1848 Aged 21 months in $70 per annum for 27 June 1848
Hon R. S. Rose, Mens Hill, N.Y.

State of Pennsylvania County of Crawford ss.
On this 31 st day of May 1848- personally appeared before the Subscriber the President a Judge of the Courts in & for said County Susanna Graff resident of the Township of Woodlock in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed February 2 d 1848.
This declarant states that she is the widow of Samuel Graff deceased who was a soldier in the war of the revolution and a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $70- per annum and who died in said town- ship on the twenty seventh day of June in the year eighteen hundred & forty eight. (1848.)
This declarant further states that she was mar- -ried to the said Samuel Graff on the first day of January 1780- & from the time of her marriage to the period of the death of the said Samuel Graff she lived with him in Crawford woodlock & had children born. This declarant states that the annual record is the original family record of her said husband, and contains the dates of the births of the children she had by him - that it has been in the family for many years and she believes that it contains a true statement of the times of the births of her children -
This declarant further states that since the death of her said husband she has not married again but remains the widow of the said Samuel Graff -
Sworn & subscribed to
the days year first above written - Before me -
Susanna her Graff Mark
Gaylord Church
Brs. Justices of the 6 th Dist. Pa.
I hereby certify that the above named Susanna Graff is unable by reason of old age & bodily in- -firmities to appear in Open Court. & further

Certify that Satisfactory evidence was adduced before me that the above named Samuel Graff was a Pensioner of the United States - that he died on the twenty seventh (27 th ) day of June 1848. and that since his death his said widow has not again married -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31 st day of May A. D. 1849. Gaylord Church . President Judge of the Court of Orphans in Crawford County, Penn a .
State of Pennsylvania, Crawford County, Jr.
It is hereby certified that at a special Orphan's court held at Meadville, in said county, on the 31 st day of May, 1849, it was duly proved by the exhibition of testimony satisfactory to said Court that Samuel Graff, late of the township of Woodcock, in said county, died on the twenty-seventh (27 th ) day of June in the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight (1848,) that at the time of his death he was a Pensioner of the United States, under the act of 7 th June, 1832, at the rate of $70 per annum, and that he left a widow surviving him named Susannah Graff, who is still living, and resides in said township of Woodcock. And I do further certify that the Hon. Gaylord Church, Esq. by whom the foregoing certificate and attestations and jurats are made and whose name is thereto subscribed, was and is at the time of making thereof the President Judge of said Court, to all whose acts as such full faith and credit ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 31 st of May A. D. 1849.
W m M c Laughlin , Clk. O. C.
Fees paid

Samuel Graft ist gestorben 10 2 sein Sohn David ist gestorben im 80. Jahr zu Kümmersbruck
18 1/2
Samuel Graft ist geboren am 21. Februar 1758
I. 11
Mein Sohn David ist geboren am 13. Februar 1853

Meine Tochter Nanna ist geboren den 15. Juni im Jahr 1782
Mein Sohn Johannes ist geboren den 4 August im Jahr 17 1784
Mein Sohn Samuel ist geboren den 15. Juni 1786
Meine Tochter Susanna ist geboren den 23. Januarius 1788
Meine Tochter ist geboren den 23. Januarius 1790
Meine Tochter Rubeda ist geboren den 23. Januarius 1792
Meine Tochter Catharina ist geboren den 14. Decembris 1793
Meine Tochter Hanna ist geboren den 8. Decembris 1796
Mein Sohn Jacob ist geboren 13. Decembris 1798
Mein Sohn Isaac ist geboren 31. März 1800

Revolutionary wed at 1848
Suspended Chain
Sam. Graff Penna
Pensa Oct 1832
Prefer
Mr Hafson
Feb 1853

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF Pennsylvania } COUNTY OF Crawford } Joseph L. Perkin a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Katharine Clarke aged 59 years, who being duly cautioned and
Be it known that before me
then sworn in due form of law, states that She is the daughter of Samuel Graff who was a revolutionary† in the State of Pennsylvania and that he died on the 27 th day of June 1848 and that her mother, named Susanna died on the fourth day of May May 1850 and that they were married on the day of in the year 17 and that they were residents of Woods Creek in the State of Pennsylvania and that they resided there forty years, and that *She resides in Said County and that furthermore BY THESE PRESENTS , constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as true and lawful Attorney for and in name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government and State officers rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land that may be due her as the daughter of Samuel Graff who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law She may be entitled.
In witness whereof, She has on this Sixth day December 1852, hereunto signed her name, and affixed her seal.
Susanna  X  Sluch Murch
Witness: Joseph L. Perkin } Witness: Samuel Graff }
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Said Susanna has always by the community been known as the daughter of Said Samuel Graff
Dated on this Sixth day of December 1852.
Joseph L. Perkin J. P.
STATE OF Pennsylvania } to wit: COUNTY OF Crawford }
I hereby certify, That Joseph L. Perkin Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of Common Pleas of Said County Court , this Tenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Joseph Brown Clerk.
* If a Widow applies, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband." † State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner—and amount of pension.

22,107 Samuel Graft
l.
Adm
21 mos
$ 70.-
David Derickson
Meadville
DA

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
April 6 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive 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 Samuel Graff of Crawford County, Pennsylvania
   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.     1777 2 Priv. Cap t Adams Col l Elder thru Penn s ylvania to St. Lensey Lancaster Penn s ylvania aged 74 Living   1778 2 " Ort Gen l Potter   " 2 " Gehr Col l Gritt   " 2 " Gray " Greenawalt   1779 2 "   1780 11 " Hobby Chamby  
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 , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[u] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Henry
WIDOW, &c.
Am
File No.
7566
Susannah Graff
Widow
Samuel Graff
Rev. War
Act:
Feb. 2 d 1848
Index:—Vol.
A
Page
286
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pennsylvania Roll, Act 7 June 1832, Samuel Graff. private $70 per annum.
To what time last paid? p. to 4 th March 1848
W. T. Tison

Pension Office Nov. 27. 1858
Sir
Please give date of last pay t of pension of Susannah Gruff. Pa. act 2 nd Feb /48.
Very respectfully
John R. Robt
for Commissioner
A. J. Atkinson Esq. } Nov. 1858 3 rd Auditor }
3 rd Auditor's Office Nov. 27/1858.
Sir: Susannah Gruff. Pa. act 1848, appears to have been paid to March 4 th 1880.
Very Resp y
A. J. Atkinson
Auditor
Geo. C. Whiting Esq. } Comm r of Pensions }
Dodge

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 3 d , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Samuel Graff ————— a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Seventy Dollars and ————— Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, 1838, to the 4 th Sept r , 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Allen Hill June 7, 1849
Dear Sir
I send you the Papers in the case of Savannah Graft & hope you will give them your attention
Yours truly
Col. Moore
Hon. J. L. Edwards } Your Pensions }

Umanago Dec 17, Nov 1858. Hon Geo C. Whitney Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
My Father Samuel Graff was a Revolutionary pensioner from the State of Pennsylvania. My Mother his Widow also drew a pen- sion from the United States by virtue of his services for I think some two years after his decease. I am anxious to know how their pension acco- unt stands. Whether there is any back pay due which was not drawn by either of my parents.
You will confer a favor

by informing me through Joseph L Perkins Esqr of Bennington Pa Witness Henry Ruby Young Lewis Hiltz Isaac his Graff Mark
P.S. My Mother's name was Susan Graff

State of Ohio ss Before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the Stark County peace in and for the County of Stark and Township of Pike came Joseph Grove a citizen of the county of Stark Township of Pike and State of Ohio who on his solemn oath saith that he he gave the the following Deposition in Crawford County Pennsylvania last fall to wit -
Crawford County ss Joseph Grove a citizen of the State of Ohio County of Stark and Township of Pike aged about sixty seven years Brother of Samuel Grove an applicant for a pension from the United States on account of his revolutionary service on his Solemn oath Depreth and saith that about the last of May A.D. 1849 his Brother the above named Samuel Grove Enlisted in the service of the United States in the Pennsylvania line in the Regiment commanded by Col Chambers that he the said Samuel was legally Discharged from the service aforesaid
This Deponent further states that he was a waggoner in service for a short time in the service aforesaid about the time his Brother the said Samuel Enlisted and that he was with him in his tent when in the service aforesaid that his Brother above mentioned is now living in the County of Crawford State of Pennsylvania and in the Township of Sadbury This Deponent further states that he has no interest whatever in his said Brother obtaining a pension from the United States of Amer- ica except those natural feelings of a Brother and a full knowledge of the necessitous situation of his Brother the applicant sworn and Subscribed Before me James Harrit Justices of the peace
Signed Joseph Grove
and he the said Deponent adds further that the above Deposition is correct as far as it goes and further adds that his Brother the said Samuel Grove was ten months in the service aforesaid before he was Discharged This Deponent states further in order to explain what he has stated about being in service as a waggoner that it was not himself but the team that was in service and he believes he told his Brother during so last fall sworn and Subscribed to before me this 2nd Day of Sept A.D. 1852
Patney Guest Justices of the peace
Joseph Grove

State of Ohio Stark County
I John Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County certify that Otney Guest Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been made is Justice of the Peace in and for said County Commissioned and sworn as such by lawful authority and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Canton the 25 th day of September 1832
J. Myers Clerk.