Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7616, Asa Gurney, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Gurney Asa Sarah
W. 7616 B.L.W. 9416-160-55,
CONTENTS

78.607-Act March 3/55- April 18/55-
Sarah Gurney wife of Ora Gurney
name is also Gurney
Private Col. P. Jacobs
Mass. Btl.
Revolutionary War
Mass. Feb 53-2262
Boston
Ad. 160 act Nov 7/55
Dodge
Mass.
E. D. & L. A. Dyer South Abington Mass
Vol. G. 171. 5

11.904
Massachusetts
Asa Gurney
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Pool of the Reg. commanded by Col. in the Comp time for 11 m 13 d.
Abel
Inscribed on the Roll of Masters at the rate of 38 Dollars 90 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Aug. 1832 and due to 1st Socy Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of (Mar) $ 76 20 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept' 32 19 05 $ 95 25
{ Revolutionary Claim, Under June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Col. Miles Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 29.
76 Plymo

3262
Massachusetts
Sarah Gurney
widow of Asa Gurney
Con n
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Pirate
subscribed on the Roll at the rate of 38 Dollars 10
cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Dec r , 1853 and sent to
E. D. & C. A. Dyer South Abington Massa.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 46, Vol. II
32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth — ss.
On this twenty second day of August 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Probate Court within and for the County of Plymouth now sitting in Hanover in said County — Asa Gurney of Abington in said County of Plymouth — aged seventy four years — who being first duly sworn according to Law — doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In the year 1776 — in the early part of the year I enlisted as a private Soldier under Capt Thomas Gurney late of Pembroke in the County of Plymouth — and went to Roxbury — and did duty there and at Dorchester Heights both near Boston for the term of two Months — I was on Dorchester Heights on the first night that our Troops broke ground in the erection of the Fort which overlooked the Harbour — I performed fatigue duty a part of the time — but my particular duty was on the main Guard and to attend the Officers — I was there when the British evacuated Boston — and saw their Fleet go down the Harbour — after our term expired I returned home —
Afterwards in the same year late in the Spring or first of the Summer — I again enlisted under Capt Thayer of Braintree I think — and Lieut David Hovey — and went to Nantasket (now Hull).

but I am not positive as to the time. and did duty there as a private soldier I think six months, our duty while there was to keep guard and to assist in erecting the Fort - We went on to Pentucket by the way of Dorchester point and remained there a short time - No events of a public nature took place while I was there - Joseph P. Gurney and Oliver Stetson both of S. Abington and now living were with me at the time. -
Afterwards in the month of July 1700 - I again enlisted under Capt Isaac Pool then of Abington and marched from Abington thro Worcester and Springfield in Massachusetts - and thence thro Claverick and Albany in New York to Schenectady in New York where we were stationed - Capt Pool and those under his command were stationed at the middle Fort - while we were there the town was surprised by the Indians - and destroyed - the Indians attacked the lower fort first and burnt the buildings - Capt Pool sent a small party to reconnoitre - they soon returned with the enemy in pursuit. - the enemy formed a line around the Fort where we were - but after considerable firing upon both sides with no considerable effect they retired - the next morning orders were given to march in pursuit - I was not well, and was excused from service that day - the Indians were pursued as far as the german flats but the main body was not overtaken - our term of service having now expired we returned home - having served three months and been absent from about four months - I never had any written discharge - that I recollect - I cannot tell what Regiment Capt Pool's Company was attached to -

I was born in Abington in the County of Plymouth December 11, 1750 - a Record of which is in the Town Records - and have ever since and do now reside in said Town -
And I hereby relinquish all claim to any Pension or Annuity, Patent except the present - and declare that my name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord                      Asa Gurney Register
We Silas Hall a Clergyman residing in the Town of Abington and Alexander Nash residing in the same Town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Gurney who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; and that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is respected and believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. — Silas Hall
Alexander Nash
Plymouth Ss. - April 10, 1833
Personally appeared the above named Silas Hall and Alexander Nash and made oath to the truth of the above Declaration by them subscribed - The inconveniences of attending before the Judge of Probate is the reason why the same is taken before a justice of the Peace - Before Jared Whiteman Justice of the Peace
And now the said Court do hereby declare their opin- ion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolu-

tionary soldier served as he states. And the said Court do further certify that it appears to them that Rev Silas Hall who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Abington & Alex Under Nash who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town & a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest
Jacob H. Lord
Reg. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Asa Gurney for a Pension, & that James Whitman Esq is a Justice of the Peace & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this twelfth day of April A.D. 1833.
Jacob H. Lord
Asa Gurney - 252/492

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 12 1853.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Cyrus A. Dyer was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
To Mr. Dwight Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth
On this fourth day of October A. D. 1853 personally appeared before the Probate Court of sa County  Sarah Quincy a resident of Abington in the County of Plymouth and State aforesaid, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the law of the United States, passed on the third of February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war:
THAT she is the widow of Asa Gurney who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War
that when he entered said service he was a resident of Abington County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts ; that he was pensioned under the act of June 7th 1832 and received $51.67 per annum at the Pension Agency in Boston, for proof of which, and for evidence of service the Commissioner is referred to the evidence on file at the Pension Office in Washington.
SHE further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Asa Gurney on or about the ninth day of February eighteen hundred and twenty five ; that her said husband died on or about the twenty fifth day of March A. D. 1843; that she was not married to him prior to the second day of January A. D. 1800, but at the time above stated. She also declares that she is now a widow, and she prays that her certificate of pension may be sent for her to E. D. & C. A. DYER, South Abington, Mass. Sarah Gurney
SWORN TO, AND SUBSCRIBED, on the day and year above written before me, and I certify that I have no interest in the result or prosecution of this claim
Aaron Hobart Judge of Probate

Plymouth Ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Joseph G. Beal Register of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that Aaron Abbott before whom the within declaration was made this day in open court is the Judge of Probate within and for said County and that his signature thereto is genuine. In testimony whereof I have here to set my hand and affixed the seal of said court for said County this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty three.
Joseph G. Beal

State of Massachusetts, Plymouth County.
We, John Gurney and Aaron Reed having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Asa Gurney who was a Soldier in the war of A D 1746, with Great Britain whose widow now applies for bounty land  pension that we knew him for more than twenty years before his death, which occurred at Abington about ten years ago,—that we know that he died at about that time because we were his neighbors
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
John Gurney Aaron Reed
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this twentypifth day of October A. D. 185 3
Cyrus A Dyer { Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of John Gurney and Aaron Reed of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Sarah Gurney is the widow, remaining unmarried
of the late Asa Gurney who was a Revolutionary Soldier and that the said Asa Gurney died at Abington about ten years ago
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentypifth day of October 185 3 ; and I certify that I have no interest in the annexed application for Pension Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace.

Ann Gurnez's Certificate

Anna, son of Noah Gurney & Ruth his wife was born, Dec 11 th 1752.
A true copy of Record.
Akington Aug 13 th 1832. Frederick Sharpe Town Clerk

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth Town of Abington,
Marriages solemnized & returned, by the Rev d . Willard Kimball, pastor of the first Baptist Church in Abington. February, eleventh, Eighteen hundred and twenty- six, Asa Gurney and Sarah Standiford both of Abington.
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date and figures which are expressed in the record in fair legible date and figures as follows:
Feb. 11 th 1826.
Freeman P. Howland TOWN CLERK of Abington.
I Freeman P. Howland above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Freeman P. Howland, TOWN CLERK of Abington.
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twentyfirst day of October A. D. 185 2 ; and I certify, that I have no interest whatever in the prosecution, or result of the annexed claim.
Cyrus Adger JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Asa Gurney Memorial Coll. 2585.

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth
On this twentythird day of March A. D. eighteen hundred and fiftyfive personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid,
Sarah Gurney aged seventyfour years, a resident of Abington in the State of Mass., who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Asa Gurney deceased, who was a Revolutionary Soldier, in the company commanded by in the regiment of
commanded by in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th day of June, A. D. 1812; that her said husband
on or about the day of A. D. 181, for the term of and continued in actual service in said war for the term of for more than fourteen days and was honorably discharged with said company at on or about the day of A. D. 181, as will appear by the roll of said company.
She declares that she receives a pension of thirtyeight dollars and ten cents per annum under the act of February 3 rd 1855, at the pension office in Boston.
She also declares that neither herself nor her husband have applied for or received any bounty land under any act of Congress, except a land warrant, No. which was issued under the act of Sept. 28 th , 1850.
She further declares that she was married to the said Asa Gurney in Abington on the day of A. D. 1815 by one Kimball a clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Husbard that her said husband died at Abington on the day of March
A. D. 1843, and that she is still his widow. and for the proof of his service and her marriage the commission is referred to her application
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress passed March 3 rd 1855, and she prays that a certificate thereof may be sent for her to E. D. & C. A. DYER, South Abington, Mass.
Sarah Gurney
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above mentioned. and I certify that I have no interest in her claim
Cyrus A Dyer
Justice of the Peace.
the pension

State of Mass. County of Plymouth
We Eliza Gurney and Davis Gurney residents of Herrington in the State of Mass upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Gurney in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Eliza Gurney Davis Gurney
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the thirteenth 23 rd day of March A.D. 1855, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in her claim
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts, Plymouth County.
We, Jacob Pool and Luther Peterson having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Asa Gurney who was a Soldier in the war Revolutionary war whose widow now applies for bounty land,—that we knew him for more than twenty years before his death, which occurred at Hingham about twelve years ago,—that we know that he died at about that time, because we were his neighbors and were personally acquainted with him—
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
Jacob Pool
Luther Peterson
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this A.D. 18 55
Twentythird day of March
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of Jacob Pool and Luther Peterson of the said County and State, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the foregoing application; that Sarah Gurney the applicant for bounty land in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, and that she is the widow of the late Asa Gurney who was a revolutionary Soldier and that the said Asa Gurney died at the time above stated.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this twentythird day of March 18 55, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace.

78.607 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 13. 1835
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestations hereunto annexed, Cyrus A Dyer was a Justice of the peace for the County of Plymouth
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
T. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

252 72
Asa Gurney Mass
Ps 118 11 Mr. 13 days
36 60 140 78 09
J. H. Lord Plymouth Mass

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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Isa Gurney. Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     enlisted   1776- 2 private Capt Turner. 74 born in Plymouth Co -   Spring 1780, enlist 6 he thinks Capt Thayer enlisted and now lives in   July 1780. " 3 13 " Capt Root Col Forster Saile Co —   Traditionary   Certificate of   Chapman & Citizen   a   Document,   and   3 Witness from the   Service  
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 days 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 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 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 [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.

9416
160 Am

No. 78607
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 18 th , 1855.
Ira Gurney - Sec. Pai-
Ecol Socy.
Mass. Inst.
Res. War.
9416_160-5-5-
C. D. & C. A. Dyer
South Abington
Mass.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7616
Sarah Gurney
Wid
Sarah Gurney
Brit Rev War
Act: Feb. 3 d  1853
Index:—Vol. A , Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V Pension Office Dec 15/52
Sir,
The case of the pensioner, enclosed , is not the same reported upon, two days since; but it seems there are two pensioners of the same name, under the same act, & upon the same roll. Please report time of last payment to, or death of this pensioner and also state, if practicable whether or not the arrears have been drawn, and by whom.
Respectfully &c.
F Burt Esqr J Cole 3 and for Com. Present,
(over)
Asa Gurney, Act 1832, $38.10 per Annum. Decd, 24 March 1843, paid, (arrears paid to Sarah Gurney, his widow.)
F Burt Auditor.

111_00701 For value received we the undersigned
Jane Hampshire Maryam Hampshire Anita Cannon Spooking

V 51567 S 10 dec 57
Sarah Gurney widow of Asa N o 3889
Plymouth Co. Mass
Act of Feb 3 1853
Allowed $38 10 / 100 per m from Feb 3-1853
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
E. D. H. C. A. Dyer South Abington M. Commt

Pensylvania Dec 12, 1853
Sir Please report time of last payment to, or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
H Burt Esq. S. Cole Band for Comm te Present.
Asa Gurney, Act 1832 $57.67. per annum, died 10 Dec. 1837, paid.
F Burt. Auditor.
This case was answered two days ago.

Gurney

Brief in the case of Sarah Gurney widow of Asa Plymouth County and State of Massachusetts act of February 3 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of June 7 1832. at $38 10 / 100 per annum
Allowed $38 10 / 100 per annum to com Feb 3 1858
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by authenticated Clergyman's Certificate
Death of husband proved by Auditor's Report.
Identity of Widowhood by credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
E. F. W. C. A. Dyer South Abington Mass.
Examining Clerk.
J. L. Gray

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept r 12 1832.
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 name of Asa Gurney, is on the Roll of Capt. Jacob Pool's Company and Col. Dyer's Regiment as having served as a private in said Company from July 21 st three months and thirteen days in the year 1780.
Edward D Bangs Secy

I Jacob Pool of Hanson in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I commanded a Company in the Service of the United States in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty - that I was marched from Abington in said County, the place of my residence at that time, in the Month of July and passed thro' Springfield in Mass. and Claverick in New York State and thence to Albany - at Claverick we were joined by the Companies of Captains Ford and Warren - and proceeded to Schenectady in New York and there were stationed and did duty for three Months - and that Asa Gurney then and now of Abington was a private soldier in my Company and served the above term. - Jacob Pool
Plymouth Jy. August 20. 1832 -
Personally appeared the above named Jacob Pool and made oath to the truth of the above declaration and I certify that the deponent is a credible witness, and his statement to him known by him signed - Before me Jared Whitman Esq. Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth Jy. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavits were made in a Justice of the Peace & that the several signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twelfth day of April A. D. 1833.  Jacob H. Lord

I Joseph Pool Gurney of Abington in the county of Plymouth and state of Massachusetts - aged seventy one years - do testify and say that I was with Asa Gurney of Abington and served with him in Roxbury and Dorchester in the year 1776 for the term of two months as a soldier. We both enlisted together and went and returned together from this service -
I further testify that the said Asa Gurney served under Capt. Jacob Pool at Scituate in New Bedford State for the term of three months in the year 1780 - I was also a soldier in the same company and served during the same term - Joseph P. Gurney
Plymouth 13 August 20 1832 -
Personally appeared the above named Jos. P. Gurney and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is and I certify that the deponent is a credible witness, and his statement entitled to belief. just and true. Before Samuel Whitman Justice of the Peace -

I Oliver Stetson of Abington in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts - aged ninety two years do testify and say - that I enlisted as a private soldier in the Army of the Revolutionary war - and served under Capt. Thayer of Braintree and Lieut. David Hovey of Abington - Ensign Randall of Easton - sometimes in the summer - the year I cannot now recollect - I think the same year the British evacuated Boston - the first were stationed in Dorchester - and then were removed to Nantasket near Hull - in Boston Harbor - and there remained on guard and on fatigue duty until our term expired - which was six months - Asa Gurney and Jos. Paul Gurney both of Abington were also private soldiers with me in the same Company and both served the term of six months. - I do not recollect the Name of the Col. commanding the Regiment - or whether our Company was attached to any Regiment I cannot now say. Oliver Stetson
Plymouth S. August 20. 1832 -
Personally appeared the above named Oliver Stetson and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just and and I certify that the said Stetson is a credible witness, and his statement entitled to credit. Before me Jonathan D. Dyer