Monday, December 10, 2012

Amanuensis Monday - Revolutionary War Pension File of Martin Carringer: Post 2 - Affidavit

Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started his own Monday blog theme several years ago called Amanuensis Monday. What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

The subject today is a document from the Revolutionary War Pension File of Martin Carringer (1758-1835) of Mercer County, Pennsylvania (accessed on and copied from www.Fold3.com):




The transcription (handwritten portions in italics):

DEPARTMENT OF WAR

Regulations for the Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War who acquired a right to Land from the United States, but have not received it.

By an Act of Congress, of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve, during the War, or until discharged by Congress, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.

N.B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, are not entitled to land from the United States.

The following declaration must be filled up and sworn to by the claimant:

State of Pennsylvania
County of Mercer

I, Martin Carringer aged sixty seven years years, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six I enlisted for the term of "during the war," and served in the regiment No. Eight (8) under the command of Colonel Broadhead of the Pennsylvania line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, when I was regularly discharged from the said Eighth regiment, commanded by Colonel Broadhead.

I further declare that I have never received a warrant for Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever; therefore,

Know all men by these presents, that I, Martin Carringer aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint the Hon. William Marks to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and received from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purpose above expressed.

Attest ..................................................... Martin Carringer [signature]
Thomas Templeton

I, William Amberson aged seventy five years, do, upon oath, declare that I have long been acquainted with Martin Carringer who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I know, or do believe, that he did perform the military service therein stated.

Attest ..................................................... Wm Amberson [signature]
Thomas Templeton

Before me, Thomas Templeton personally appeared the above named Martin Carringer subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and, likewise, personally appeared William Amberson who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition by them respectively submitted, this nineteenth day of October 18 27.

........................................................ Thomas Templeton [signature]
........................................................ Justice of the Peace

In testimony that the abovewritten Thomas Templeton was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments &c, in the State of Pennsylvania at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Mercer this nineteenth day of October 18 27.

....................................................... Wm S Rankin  C. Clerk, &c.

While the handwritten entries are in the handwriting of the Justice of the Peace, the signature of Martin Carringer is in his own hand.  



I'm not sure that I would recognize that in a document that did not have his name clearly written!

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2012/12/amanuensis-monday-revolutionary-war_10.html

Copyright (c) 2012, Randall J. Seaver

1 comment:

The Brigham City Fort said...

I need to check Revolutionary War Pension File records again.