Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13423, Edward Holmes, Conn. Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn. Mass.
Holmes, Edward
S. 134213
Carded
CONTENTS

20.345 New York
Edw a Holmes
of Madison in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Dale of the Reg t commanded by Col. Imes in the Cont t * (time for 2 Years)
Conn. Aug 1 Mass t Record completed Apr. 10th 39
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Aug 1 1833 and to J. B. Edridge Hamilton
Arrears to the 4th of Mar y $ 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sep y 40 $ 200
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. C. Willis Clerk, Book E, Vol. 4, Page 62
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1836 to 17 th April 1837 the day of his death. Aft Notified 7 th Decr 1839.

Declaration of Edward Holmes
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York, Madison County ss. On the eighth day of October 1832, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas now sitting, Edward Holmes, a resident of the Town of Grafton, Lewis in said County, aged twenty years, who being first sworn in due form of law, state on his oath that he made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served here in State.
That the third year of the War he thinks in the Month of March he enlisted at Ashford, Madison County, Connecticut into a company commanded by Josiah Hill Captain, John Frank, first Lieutenant, Root, second Lieutenant and Forbes ensign for nine months or a year, thinks a year. They were mustered at Ashford and marched for West Point in New York where they joined Colonel McClure's Regiment. From there the Regiment marched to West Point where they were stationed until some time in the fall. Colonel Ross Regiment he recollects was at West Point at the time when other Troops were there he don't recollect. In the fall their Regiment went to New London for winter quarters where they were billeted out at different houses, where they remained until their enlistment expired when they were discharged which was in March or January after February that he served this campaign one year he thinks and of which he has no doubt. That the same spring upon his first being home a month, he again enlisted it was the last days of March or first April it was at Ashford and the company to which he enlisted was commanded by Daniel Allen Captain, one of the Lieutenants was David Nott the others not recollects. They were first mustered at Ashford and marched direct to New London in Connecticut where they were stationed through the summer, in the Month of December they moved for Winter quarters and Captain Allen's company were billeted out at East Haven and the rest of their Regiment which was commanded by Colonel Willis was billeted out at New Haven where they remained until in March, when they were discharged, which was on the Sabbath day after church. Their company was paraded in front of the Mailing House and all discharged at once by Captain Allen reciting to them a general discharge, upon which they all returned home, as so this declarant then

That he does not now recollect who were their Regimental Officers other than Colonel Willis and the Adjutant whose name was Root. The Lieutenant Colonel and Major he does not recollect. Nor does he think they were much with the Regiment.
In the Year 1780 this Detachment was living in Manson Massachusetts and in the Month of May or first of June he enlisted into a Company commanded by Noah Hall Captain Lieutenant and Ensign not recollect. enlisted at Manson where they were first Mustered and from there they marched to the high Lands in the State of New York where they joined a Regiment he thinks was commanded by Colonel Smith though he can't speak with certainty. They soon moved down the River to Verplank's Point where they halted some hours, then crossed the River to Stony Point and went into the State of New Jersey and were moving from place to place through the season during which they stopped at Red Bank, Green Town, English Neighborhood, and at Orange Town at the latter place they were stationed when Major Andre was hung. They remained in that Neighborhood some time then moved to West Point for Winter quarters, and in the Month of December this Detachment was discharged. That he served this campaign six months which he thinks was the term for which he enlisted.
In the Year 1781 this Detachment was living in Poughkeepsie in Connecticut and there were troops called for and the Militia were put in to classes and each class had to furnish one man, and he went for one class. He engaged for a year, they were Mustered at Poughkeepsie in the Month of May, and marched to the highlands where they joined the Army, he was there put into a Company the Captain of which he can't recollect for he was soon transferred to another Company. He thinks the Captain's Name was Rice though he can't say for certain for there was boatmen recruited and this Detachment volunteered as one, and was there after employed as a boatsman on the North River through the season. In December when Navigation closed he went back of New Windsor where the Army was encamped for Winter quarters, when they went to work and finished off and built Barracks in which they remained until he was discharged which was some time before the term for which he enlisted expired which was

a Year, was discharged sometime the last of January or first of February, thinks he served a few days over nine months, that he this campaign was shifted so often and so little with his officers that he can't recollect their names.
This Deponent has stated the foregoing details of his service according to his best recollection, that he served the several campaigns mentioned he is positive and he is also positive that he has stated the time right or nearly so that he served each campaign but that he has stated the different campaigns to have taken place in the different years that they virtually did take place, he dare not say for his memory will not enable him to do it, and he has no record to aid his recollection. That he has a distinct recollection of serving one whole campaign which he has not set forth for the reason that it is now out of his power to say what year it was, with whom he enlisted or served, or where he was stationed or how long he served but, thinks it was a year, and during which he recollects that their Winter quarters were a part of the time at Fort Griswold and a part of the time in New London. That it has always been his impression and full belief that he served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War more than three and a half years of which he feels fully warranted in saying so, but he cannot now from recollection reckon up so much time.
That in addition to the service above stated at the time Fort Griswold was taken and Colonel Ledyard Massacred and New London burned this Deponent went on an alert in a company commanded by Captain Cargill and Lieutenant Natten, to New London got there before the fires were all extinguished where the buildings had been burned, they there found a Regiment commanded by Colonel McClelland, and passed over to Fort Griswold when they entered the Fort the blood was in great abundance all about the Fort, that they remained at Fort Griswold until they were relieved by other Troops. Thinks he served this time three months.
That he has no documentary evidence of his service except what

is here to annexed and that he does not know of any other person he can procure to testify to any part of his services.
That he here by 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.
Edward Holmes
Sworn & Subscribed before
Me 8th October 1832
A. S. Hoan Clk.
And the said Edward Holmes did then and there upon his oath make the following answers to the several interrogatories put to him by the said Court. (As by the War Department prescribed.)
 1st That he was born in Ashford Connecticut 1762  2 That he has no record of his age though he supposes there is one in the Town of Ashford in the Town records.  3 Was living in Ashford when called into service each time except twice and in Manson Massachusetts one in Pampet in Connecticut since the Revolution lived first in Wind Hall Vermont about five years then in Manchester a number of years then in Charlotte New York Chenango County a number of years, then in George Town Madison County unnumbered years then in Nelson then in Ligonier unnumbered years then in Nelson until quite recently, when he moved back into George Town where he now resides.  4 Was called into service as Set fourth in his declaration.  5 That he has set fourth in his declaration the details of his service the Troops with which he served and the officers and in whom he served as fully as his recollection will enable him to.  6th That he received during his service in the Revolution two written discharges but can't now say who they were signed by he soon lost one of them, the other he forwarded with other papers some years since to the War Department, when he made application for a pension under the Law of 1818.  7th That the Ezra Gorton Berry Eaton and Mary Wren are acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for veracity and their opinion 
are acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for veracity and their opinion

of his having been a Soldier in the Revolution
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a soldier in the Revolution and served as the states, and the said thereby is that he is a soldier in the
I Andrew S. Sloan clerk of the court of common Pleas of the county of Madison do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Edward Holmes for a pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 9th day of October 1832 —
A. S. Hoan CLK
Handwritten initials or marks
you which may not returned to me, as so this declared thing

State of New York Madison County ss. I, Benjamin Holmes of the Town of Charlton in the County of Albany & State aforesaid being sworn in due form of Law, state and this Oath Depose and say that he is seventy one Years of age. That during the Revolutionary War he resided in Ashford Madison County Connecticut that he was then and there intimately acquainted with said Holmes a Neighbour to Edward Holmes who is now present and who now resides in George Town in said County of Madison and who lived during the Revolutionary war in Ashford aforesaid. That after the second or third year of the Revolutionary and which he cannot say, he this Deponent and the said Holmes both enlisted into a Company commanded by Captain Hill Coat of Arms they enlisted at Ashford aforesaid for nine Months, & were in the Spring March and April they Marched to White Plains there joined Colonel McPherson's Regiment from there they Marched to West Point, where they remained until some time in the fall when their Regiment moved to New London in Connecticut for winter quarters, where they were billeted out in different houses the said Holmes and this Deponent were in the same house and were then Messmates and had been Messmates the whole campaign That they remained at New London until the time for which they enlisted expired, when the whole Company was discharged which was in the Month of March. That the said Holmes served the whole campaign except that he was in well had a furlough for a few days then returned and was discharged with the rest of the Company. That this Deponent knew that the said Holmes again enlisted either for a year or for nine Months & he can't now say which, into a Company commanded by Daniel Allen Captain, but the year this Deponent can't recollect that he enlisted in the Spring and went off with the Company and was absent from home and it was then fully understood and commonly talked that he was gone as a soldier in the Army of which this Deponent from what he then knew has not the least doubt, though he did not see him in actual service. And this Deponent states further
that you may not return home or so this declarant then

Barnes as an other further depose say that same time after the year of the last campaign mentioned before, this defendant sees in the Army in Colonel Smiths Regiment they were then stationed at Verplank Point in the State of New York, he there saw the said Holmes a Soldier in the Army he the said Holmes then belonged to an other Division and was and this defendant then learned from him where he had been stationed and in what service but the particulars he can't now recollect.
And this defendant doth further depose and say that from what he then knew of the service of said Holmes he has no doubt but he must have served as a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution three years or more, and that he the said Holmes had always been a man of good character for veracity and otherwise respectable, that he has always continued to be acquainted with said Holmes from their boyhood until the present time
and further this Defendant saith not.
Subscribed and sworn before me this 88th day of September 1837 & I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Roger Eaton and that he is a man of good character for veracity and every way respectable and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Eden
James Beldridge first judge of Middlesex Co.
I Berry Eaton a resident of the Town of Schurman in the county of Onondaga and State of New York do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Edward Holmes described in the foregoing affidavit and have been acquainted with him from my childhood, first in Vermont then where I now reside at death of which place he was a neighbor to me and I have continued to be acquainted with him since he moved to George Town where he now resides at those places it has been reported and believed that the said Holmes was a Soldier in the Revolution and I am in that opinion and I do further certify that the said Holmes is a man of good character for veracity and otherwise respectable. And I would further certify that I have often heard my father Ebenezer Eaton and the said Holmes recount their services in the

Revolutionary War Years ago, and that by their conversion then the service of the said Tholmes were as set forth in the said affidavit of the said Eaton, and further deponent sayeth not
Subscribed and sworn before me September 10th 1832 and I here by certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Berry Eaton and that he is a man of good character for veracity and every way respectable and that his statement is entitled to credit. J B Bedredge, first Judge Madison Co.
Berry Eaton
Harry Hamilton a resident of Hamilton in the County of Madison and State of New York do certify that I have been personally acquainted with Edward Tholmes described in the foregoing affidavit and certificate for twenty years or more that it has always been reported and believed in the neighborhood where said Tholmes has resided that he was a soldier in the Revolution and I am sure in that opinion I would further certify that the said Tholmes since my acquaintance with him has sustained a good char- acter for truth and veracity and otherwise respectable, and further this deponent sayeth not.
Harry Hamilton
Subscribed and sworn before me this 10th day of September 1832, and I here by certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Harry Hamilton and that he is a man of good character for veracity and every way respectable and that his statement is entitled to credit.
James B Bedredge first Judge of Madison Co.

State of New York County of Madison
I Andrew S. Sloan clerk of the said County do certify that James B. Eldredge before whom the three preceding affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the dates of the same First Judge of the county courts in and for the said county and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand Seal of office this 9th day of October 1832
A. S. Sloan Clk
Declaration of Solomon and Moses
16097
affid

State of New York, Edw Holmes being Sworn in the Madison County ss I now state on his oath before and say that from old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, but from his best recollection he is confident that he served not less than the periods mentioned in the following Statement. (N o 1.)
In the Year 1775 and for part of 1776 as a private 1 year - 0 In the Years 1776 & 1777 in one Campaign as a private 9 months In the Year 1780 in one Campaign as private 6 months In the Year 1781 & 1782 in one Campaign as a private 9 months (more) for which he claims a pension. That he knows positively that he served the different Campaigns mentioned in the above statement and from his best recollection he thinks and believes they were in the different Years set forth in said Statement. That the above Statement does not include all his services he knows, but from the want of recollection he cannot state the rest of his services particularly but he is perfectly certain that he served during the war Revolutionary War as a private soldier more than three years.
Edward Holmes
Subscribed & sworn before me
June 3 d 1833 James B. Eldredge J. P.

Andrew Sloan
Subscribed
for first
room 2
24 mo. per
80
State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss. I, Andrew Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that James B. Eldridge before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 10 th day of June 1833. A. S. Sloan Clk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Nov. 30 th , 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," Six of Seven child ren of Edward Holme, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, have been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1836, to the 17 th April 1837, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion P. Parry Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

No 16097.
Edwards Holmes Madison Co N.Y.
Amended as understand to be required
abund.
J. B. Eldridge Hambleton Madison Co N.Y.
Cut 228

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 16 183 3
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 Edwards Holmes Scherson Co. 8. NY.
   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.     March 4 1772 1 Captain Hull Col. Mc White Plains 70 years Testimony of living witnesses   March 1778 Lieut. Frank Col. Cross Red Bank Testimony of living witnesses   March 1778 Ensign Col. Hill Red Bank Testimony of living witnesses   March 1778 Captain Allen Col. Smith Red Bank Testimony of living witnesses   March 1780 6 Captain Allen Col. Smith Red Bank Testimony of living witnesses   March 1781 9 Captain Ball Col. Smith Red Bank Testimony of living witnesses  
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 transmittal of 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? a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule 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.
John S. Harkness

April 8, 1932
BA--J/AWF aw XXXXXXXXXXXX Edward Holmes B34E3423
Miss Mary C. Warner Guys Mills Pennsylvania.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Edward Holmes, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 13423, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Holmes.
He was born in 1762 in Ashford, Connecticut.
While residing in said Ashford, he enlisted in ut second or third year of the war (no definite date given), and served one year as a private in Captain Hill's company in Colonel McClellan's Connecticut regiment; he again enlisted, soon after being discharged, and served about nine months as private in Captain Danile Allen's company in Colonel Wylls' Connecticut regiment.
He moved to Monson, Massachusetts, and enlisted in May or June, 1780 and served six months as private in Captain Noah Hall's company in Colonel Smith's Massachusetts regiment.
He moved to Pomfret, Connecticut, and enlisted sometime in May, 1781 and served a short while in Captain Mix's company, when he volunteered to serve as boatman, and served on the North River until in December, when navigation closed, then went to New

Windsor and assisted in building barracks there, length of this service about one year.
He had other tours of service, and was under Captain Cargill and Colonel McClellan, when New London burned, and was at Fort Griswold, when Colonel Ledyard was massacred.
He stated that all of his service amounted to three and one half years.
After the Revolution he lived in Windhall (?), Vermont; Manchester; Georgetown, Madison County, New York; Sherburne, Chenango County, New York; Cazenovia, New York; again in Georgetown, New York, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832.
He died April 17, 1837, leaving children. The names of children were not given nor is the name of his wife stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

13423
INVALID.
Rev. War
1932. Cpt. S. Hark to Mrs. Mary Warner
File No. 13,423 Edw d Holmes Briv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Guys Mills, Pa. Feb. 29, 1932
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Would you please send me pension record of only Edward  Edward Holmes , born 1762; enlisted in the Revolution from Monson, Mass.?
I also desire the record of one Thomas Lynn of Whitehall, N.Y. now
Very truly,
(Miss) Mary C. Warner