Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12339, John Brown, Conn. New York
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(3--1776) 
SERVICE Conn. New York 
Brown John 
NUMBER S. 12339 carded 
CONTENTS 
b. at Stamford Conn. 1759. 
res during Rev. Stamford Conn. & North Salem Westchester Co N. Y. 
In 1832 res of South Salem, Westchester Co. N. Y.
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Died 9 March 1838. 
Order to pay 16 April 1838. 
Examine 
H & d. Mch. 9 - 1938 9-13. 
8935 
832 New York 
John Brown West Chester Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Webb of the regt. commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Ck  men * line for 24 mo. 
* Conn. and N. Y. July 21 / 05 
Records completed. J.S [?] 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May 1833 and sent to Fred J. Coffin Somer  
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00 
$200.00 
[ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } 
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book # Vol. 4. 4 Page 44
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State of New York County of West Chester } Ss. On this ["third" is crossed out] fourth day of October ["September" is crossed out] in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester John Brown aged Seventy three 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 7th. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officer, and served as herein stated That he enlisted as a private to serve for the term of three months on the first day of January in the year 1776 at Stamford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticutt where he then resided in the Company of Militia commanded by Captain Nathaniel Webb, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel David Waterbury that he continued to serve in the said Company until the 25th day of March then next, when he was discharged in the City of New York. His discharge was not in writing The Company to which he was attached as aforesaid with the Regiment marched from Stamford through the County of West Chester to New York where they remained converted [?] with the Continental troops under the command of General Lee until they were discharged on the 25th day of March in the year aforesaid. Declarant personally knows General Lee. The said John Brown again enlisted 1st July 1776 for six months service at North Salem in the County of West Chester (where he then resided) as a private in a Company of Militia Commanded by Captain Nathaniel DeLavan in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas that on the 18th. July the Regiment marched to Kings Bridge and remained there some time from thence marched to White Plains and were there at the time of the Battle but the Regiment was not brought into action, he continued with the said Regiment in West Chester County until the first January following when he was discharged, he has no written discharge .
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The Declarant again enlisted for three months, service at North Salem in the County aforesaid on the 1st. day of March 1777 in the Company of Militia commanded by Captain Andrew Brown in the Regiment commanded by Colonel James ["John" is crossed out] Hammond he continued in the service at and in the vicinity of White Plains for the said three months when he was discharged his discharge writ  not in writing. He then resided in the Town of North Salem aforesaid - 
The Declarant again enlisted for the time of one year service at North Salem in the County aforesaid (where he then resided) on the first day of January 1778 in the Company of Militia commanded by Captain John Drake in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham that he continued to serve in the said Company until the first day of January 1779 where he was discharged from the service in the Town of Mount Pleasant ["Harrison" is crossed out] in the County of West Chester aforesaid. that his discharge was not in writing -
That he has no documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except the persons named in the annexed Affidavit & whose testimony as to his service appears, by the said annexed Affidavits. He hereby 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. his X mark John Brown 
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year afore said } [signature:] N Bayles Clk 
The following Interrogatories were propounded by the said Court to the said John Brown to wit . 
1st. Where and in what year was you born? Answer, I was born in the year 1759 at Stamford in the State of Connecticutt 
2d. Have you any Record of your age & if so where is it. Answer. I have a Record of my age in my Bible at North Salem in West Chester County -
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3d. Where were you living when entered into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, I lived at Stamford when first entered into service that I [crossed out word] left Stamford in the year 1776 and moved to North Salem that I now live in South Salem and that I have ever since the War of the Revolution lived in North Salem & South Salem in West Chester County. 
4th. How were you called into service, were you drafted Did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom? Answer, I was always a volunteer in all the militia service I performed - 
5th. 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 & the general circumstances of your service - Answer. I recollect Gen. Lee who commanded at New York at the time when the Regiment to which I was attached was marched. I do not recollect any other Regular Officers except Genl. George Clinton The Militia officers I recollect Colonel David Waterbury Capt Nathaniel Webb. I cannot state any other particular circumstances of my service except as described in my Declaration - 
6th. Did you receive a discharge from the service. Answer, [many words crossed out] I did not receive any other Discharge except by parol -
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7th. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution - Answer. I name Joseph Benedict of South Salem Frederick J Coffin Inhabitants of the Town of Somers in West Chester County State of New York who are well acquainted with me and have been for ten or twelve years past - 
We Joseph Benedict of South Salem & Frederick Coffin in Town of Somers ["West Chester" and "residing in the" are crossed out] in the County of West Chester Do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Brown who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be [crossed out word] Seventy three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that We concur in that opinion -[signature:] Frederick J. Coffin [signature:] Joseph Benedict 
Sworn & Subscribed this day and year aforesaid [signature:] N Bayles Clk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the ["interrogatories" is crossed out] 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 Joseph Benedict & Frederick J. Coffin who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the Town of South Salem and Somers in the County of West Chester are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - 
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County of West Chester do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Brown for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 4th day of October ["September" is crossed out] 1832 [signature:] N Bayles
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State of New York County of Putnam Ss. Samuel Pardee of the Town of South East in the County of Putnam being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John Brown of South Salem in the County of West Chester that he is about Seventy years of age; that the said John Brown was a Private in a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt. John Drake in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham in the New York line; that the said John Brown was in service in the said Company as aforesaid for and during the most ["whole" is crossed out] of the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty eight. And this deponent further saith that during the said Year one thousand seven hundred and twenty eight he this deponent was a Private in the Company commanded by Capt. Richard Sackett in the said Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment & was personally and intimately acquainted with the said John Brown a private as aforesaid and that to his knowledge the said John Brown performed duty as aforesaid as a private as aforesaid in the said Company of Capt. John Drake during the year one thousand seven hundred & twenty eight. The word "whole" erased and "most" interlined before sworn to. 
[signature:] Samuel Pardy 
Sworn to this 18th day of September 1832 before me [signature:] Jonathan Morehouse Justice of the Peace. }
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I Jonathan Morehouse one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Putnam in the State of New York do hereby Certify that Samuel Pardee who has been sworn to and has Subscribed his name to the within affidavit is a resident of the Town of South East in the County of Putnam and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit - Witness my hand this 18th September 1832. 
[signature:] Johnathan Morehouse 
Putnam County Ss. I Johnathan Morehouse Clerk of the Court of Court of Common Pleas and County Courts in & for the Cunty of Putnam in the State of New York Do hereby Certify that Jonathan Morehouse who has Subscribed the above Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Putnam & that his signature to the same Certificate annexed is his genuine signature - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court of Common Pleas & [?] County Court of the said County of Putnam September 18. 1832 [signature:] J. Morehouse -
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John Browns Pension papers 
Regd Dec 21. 1829
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Westchester Com. Pleas 
County of Westchester Ss, On this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record (proceeding according to the course of the Common Law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of their proceeding) within & for the County of Westchester in the State of New York John Brown a resident of the Town of South Salem in said County aged Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the first of May 1820 That he the said John Brown enlisted as a private for the term of one year on the first day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight in the State of New York in the Company commanded by Captain John Drake int the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham in the line of the State of New York in the Continental establishment, That he continued to serve in the said Corpse [sic] untill the first day of January 1779 when he was discharged from the service in the Town of Harrison in the County of Westchester in the State of New York, that his discharge is lost that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the Roll of any State except the State of New York and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension, that is to say this Declarant was not until very recently apprised of the fact that he could make out sufficient evidence of his service to entitle him to a pension, That in the month of September last he called upon a Lawyer and stated what he expected to establish as to his service by Daniel Delavan and Samuel Pardee, he was then advised to procure their Affidavits, he according had affidavits drawn which affidavits
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are hereunto annexed. And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any other manner disposed of my property or any part therewith intent thereby so to diminish it as to being myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled {An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property securities contracts or debts due to me, no have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed 
Schedule 
Real Estate- None either in possession reversion or remainder - 
Personal Estate as follows to with one feather Bed & beding [sic] - Necessary wearing apparel for myself & wife. one Pot & Kettle one Tea Kettle one ex [?] one Hoe. one pair Shovel & tongs. That the property of Declarant remains the same now as it did in the year one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen. The Declarant is a Common day Labourer but from debility incident to old age & from other bodily infirmities is unable to pursue labour- The family of Declarant consists of the following persons to wit. Himself, his wife Deanna Son John, Daughter Jane. That his wife is Sixty two years of age very infirm and unable to labour. that his son John is seventeen years of age, that his daughter Jane is twenty years of age neither of his Children live with him or contribute to the support of himself and wife - his X mark John Brown
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Sworn to and declared on the seventh day of December 1829 before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Westchester - 
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said John Brown did serve in the Revolutionary War as Stated in the preceeding declaration against the Common Enemy for the term of nine months under an engagement on the Continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court. that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is ten dollars - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court on this 7th day of December 1829. [signature:] Nathaniel Bayles Clk 
Putnam County (Ss) Samuel Pardee of the Town of South East in the Cunty of Putnam being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John Brown of South Salem in the County of Westchester. that he is about Seventy years of age that the said John Brown was a Private in a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt. John Drake in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham in the New York line on the Continental establishment, that the said John Brown was in service in the said Company as aforesaid for and during the whole of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight. ["he" is crossed out] and this Deponent ["was a Private" is crossed out] further saith that during the said year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight he this Deponent was a Private in the Company
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commanded by Capt. Richard Sackett in said Grahams Regiment and was personally and intimately acquainted with the said John Brown a Private as aforesaid and that to his knowledge the said John Brown performed duty as a Private as aforesaid in the said Company during the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy Eight [signature:] Samuel Pardee 
Sworn to this 25th day of September 1829 before me [signature:] Hiram Waring } Commissioner to take acknowledgment of Deeds Affidavits &c for Putnam Cunty - } 
Westchester Cunty (Ss) Daniel DeLavan being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John Brown of South Salem in the County of Westcher. [sic] that the said John Brown was a Private in a Company of Infantry Commanded by Capt John Drake in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham in the New York lines in the Continental Army That the said John Brown was in service in the said Company as aforesaid for & during the whole of the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy Eight. And this Deponent further saith that during the said year one thousand seven hundred & seventy Eight he this Deponent was a Lieutenant in the said Company Commanded by Capt John Drake and was personally & intimately acquainted with said John Brown a Private as aforesaid and that to his knowledge the said John Brown performed duty as a Private as aforesaid in the said Company -
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during the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy Eight [signature:] Daniel DeLavan 
Sworn to this 29th day of September 1829 Before me [signature:] Daniel Wm. Birdsall Commissioner &c. } 
Westchester County Clerks Office } I Nathaniel Bayles Clk of said County do hereby further certify that the foregoing depositions of Samuel Pardee and Daniel DeLavan are truly copied from the Records of the Court as aforesaid In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 7th day of December 1829 [signature:] Nathaniel Bayles 
I am requested to direct that the necessary documents in reply to this application be returned to T. J. Coffin Esqr in the Town of Somers County of Westchester & State of N. York [signature:] N. Bayles
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1.3832 John Brown 
Admitted 24 mo. Private. 
Robinson 
Fred J. Coffin, Somers, Westchester N. Y.
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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 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. 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 you 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 John Brown 

Period when the service was rendered. Jany 1st 1776 Enlisted "Served until 25th March then next when he was discharged " 
Duration of the claimant's service.  [blank] Years.   for 3 Months.  [blank] Days. 
Rank of claimant. Private 
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Cap Webb 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Waterbury 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
County through which he marched. from Stamford this Westchester to New York and joined W troops Comyd by Pr___ [illegible] remained then until discharged 1776 - 
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 73 years Stamford County of Fairfield State of Connecticutt 
Evidence fy which the declaration is supported. Two living witnesses one aged 70 yr. 

Period when the service was rendered. Enterd. 4 July 1776 was discharged 1 Jany following 
Duration of the claimant's service.  [blank]   Years. for 6 Months.  [blank] Days. 
Rank of claimant. Private 
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Cap DeLavan 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Thomas 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
County through which he marched. from West Chester to Kings Bridge from thence to White Plains and was there at the time of the battle but was not in the regiment 

Period when the service was rendered. Entered 1 March 1777 Discharged at the end Sep 3 mo 
Duration of the claimant's service.  [blank]   Years.  for 3 Months.  [blank] Days. 
Rank of claimant. Private 
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Cap Brown
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Hammond 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
County through which he marched. of the vicinity of the white Plains for the summer 

Period when the service was rendered. Enterd. 1 Jany 1778 
Duration of the claimant's service. 1 [??] Years.   [blank] Months.  [blank] Days. 
Rank of claimant. Private 
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. [blank] 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Graham 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. none  
County through which he marched. Town of wht. Plains [illegible word] 

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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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. 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 County of } SS. 
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provion [sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 enered [sic] 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 [blank] 
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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] & 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] 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
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3 
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 traditionary 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 during 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.
[j2] 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.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

Rev. and 1812 War Section. awf OWN 
August 13, 1925 
Arthur D. Wood 64 Maple Ave Danbury, Conn. 
Sir: I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12330, it appears that John Brown was born in 1759 at Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. 
While residing at said Stamford, he enlisted January 1, 1776 and was a private in Captain Nathaniel Webb's Company, Colonel David Waterbury's Connecticut Regiment, and served until March 25, 1776. 
While residing at North Salem, Westchester County, New York, he enlisted July 1, 1776 and served six months as private in Captain Nathaniel DeLavan's Company, Colonel Thomas Thomas' New York Regiment. 
He enlisted March 1, 1777 and served three months as private in Captain Andrew Brown's Company,
Page 20

Colonel James Hamman's New York Regiment. 
He enlisted January 1, 1778 and served one year as private in Captain John Drake's Company, Colonel Morris Graham's New York Regiment. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 4, 1832, while a resident of South Salem, Westchester County, New York. He died March 9, 1838. 
In 1829, soldier referred to his wife, Dianna, aged sixty-two years, daughter, Jane, aged twenty years and son, John, aged seventeen years. 
It is stated in 1838 that his widow resided in Connecticut. There is no further family data on file. Respectfully, WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
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64 Maple Avenue, Danbury, Conn., 23 June 1925. 
Sugject: Records of Revolutionary soldiers. 
To: Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, C. C. 
1. A copy of all records in your files pertaining to the two following Revolutionary soldiers is respectfully requested. The undersigned is a descendent of these soldiers and the information is for genealogical purposes. 
ELIJAH DEAN Served in 3rd Regiment Dutchess County, New York State, Colonel John Field. Served in 2d Regiment Westchester County, Ne York State, Colonel Thaddeus Crane. 
JOHN BROWN Served in 6th Regiment Dutchess County, New York State, Captain Elijah Bostwick, Colonel Morris Graham. 
[signature:] Arthur D. Wood Arthur D. Wood. 
[circular stamp:] U. S. PENSION OFFICE S JUN 25 1825
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1311 REJECTED 
P. O. John Brown 
Service: [blank] 
Enlisted: [blank] , 18 
[missing left edge:] 
__ischarged: [blank] , 18 
__pplication filed: [blank] , 18 
["leges:" is crossed out] rejected claims under Act Mar. 18, 1818 not 
["Re-enlisted:" is crossed out] recorded on printed list of 1852. 
Attorney: [blank] 
P. O. [blank] 
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract. 
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank] , 18
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12339 
INVALID. 
Rev War 
File No. 12,339 John Brown Priv. Rev. war 
Act: June 7th 1832 
Index:-Vol. A, Page 48 
[ Arrangement of 1870. ] 
1925 - Aug. 13 - Hist. to Arthur D. Hood [illegible initials]
Page 24

AEW 
Copy. War Department, Pension Office. December 21, 1829. 
Frederick J. Coffin Esq.
Somers, Westchester Co. N. Y.
Sir:
The papers forwarded to this Department in support of the claim of John Brown have been examined and placed in our files. He is not entitled to a pension under the law providing for Revolutionary soldiers. That act extends to those only who belonged to the Continental Establishment and Graham's Regiment in which he alleges he served, did not belong to that establishment.
Signed, J. L. E.
Page 25

21.066 John Brown Act March 18, 1818. 
New York 
Rejected. See letter to Fred. J. Coffin Somers, N. Y. 21 Dec 1829 
do 17 Jany 1831 to Hon H. B Cowlse H R This letter cannot be found in old letter book R 1311
Page 26

State of New York West Chester County } Ss. Samuel Lawrence of South Salem in the County of West Chester being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with John Brown in the annexed Declaration named that he was well acquainted with the said John Brown at the times of the War of the Revolution that he this deponent and John Brown aforesaid was in service in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. John Drake in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham in the year 1778 that this deponent served int the said Company for nine months during all which time the said John Brown was attached to the said Company and was in the same unit with this Deponent [signature:] Samuel Lawrence 
Sworn to this 4th October 1832 before me in open Court [signature:] N Bayles Clk
Page 27

Mechanics Bank New York 11th April 1838 
Sir I enclose for your examination the papers in the case of John Brown deceased, late a pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832, at $80 per annum, whose widow resides in the State of Connecticut, Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt [signature:] J S Willard Pt.
Page 28

13,832 John Brown Papers for Pension 1832.
Page 29

State of New York West Chester County } ss Joseph Benedict of the Town of South Salem County of West Chester being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with John Brown in the annexed Declaration named during the Revolutionary War, that in the year 1776 he this deponent and the said John Brown were attached to a company of Militia under the command of Captain Nathaniel DeLavan in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas, that the said John Brown was in regular service for five or six months during that year that the said John Brown assisted in Building fort Independence [signature:] Joseph Benedict 
Sworn to in open Court this 4th. October 1822 } [signature:] N Bayles Clk
Page 30

Sir - I have the petition of John Brown an applicant for a pension It appears from his petition that evidence of his service in the Revolutionary war, is on file in the War Department. to which papers he refers in his petition. He seems to have served in Col Graham's regiment - Will you have the goodness to send me this original papers on file, or copies of them for the purpose of presenting this to the House with his petition - Yours &c [signature:] Henry B. Cowles