Hi, Some things that no one has mentioned ... witnesses in 1832. In the case of a recent find in PA papers ... an application for a Pension, but it had been denied because no one was around to verify the applicants claims. It appears that the man knew it, but tried anyway ... and for that we have just 'a peek' of what an prisoner/impressed soldier went through after the Battle of LI. In addition, the witnesses would certainly be a key issue when either parties had relocated. Age ... it has been a while since I have read any, but do recall reading the vagueness that some applicants had in recalling events which happened up to 57 years earlier. This in combination of 'several' service periods during the war, in different places/battles, and what appeared to me, a lot of substitution for other soldiers service time ... anyway, you know, the 'age thing' ... Widows ... if young with children ... they probably didn't stay widows, with orphans, very long. Jan