The pension applications presented in this unique book are original source material as told by the men themselves. However, the men did the service many years previously to their claims and didn't always remember their service correctly; some were old and forgetful and, for the most part, illiterate. Those who served in the Continental or State Line troops were wintered and served their terms continuously; most received discharges when the service was completed, and so their service was easily proven with a discharge or by an officer.
The militia or county troops served as needed or as they were called. They defended their home turf for as long as necessary. Some were called for a day here and there, some for a few weeks, and some for a few months. They would enlist in different companies or the same company, and they would do it when needed. To collect a pension, a man had to prove service of at least 6 months. With no discharge, because the militia generally didn't give discharges, it was more difficult to prove this amount of service. Even those with discharges generally would lose them because they thought the paper of no value, and then their service had to be proven with witnesses filing an affidavit to support their service claim.
This is where the interesting stories come from and with great details.