Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,707, Abraham J Brower, New Jersey
Page 5

State of New Jersey Begen County SS - Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bergen the 19th day of July A.D. 1833, Abraham J Brower An Applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 who under Oath made the following answers hereto annexed to the Questions Propounded by me in Pursuance to the directions of the war department of the United States.

Question 1st.  Where and in what year were you born?
  Answer-I was born in the year 1763, the 19th day of June at New Bridge in the County of & State of New Jersey

Question 2d.  Have you any Record of your age & if so where is it-
  Answer-I know of no Record of my age now.  My age was Recorded in my fathers Bible in the City of New York but I know not what has become it it -

Question 3.  Where were you living when Called into service.  Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war & where do you now live -
  Answer-At the time I entered the service, I lived at the New Bridge in the County of Bergen, & there I lived untill after the war (in the year 1790 to the best of my Remembrance) when I Removed to the City of New York, where I Resided about fifteen years.  Then Returned again to the County of Bergen aforesaid where I have lived ever since & there I now live -

Question 4th. how were you Called into service were you drafted, did you Volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a subsitute for whom
  Answer. I was always a Volunteer & never served in any other capacity -

Question 5th.  State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and Malitia Regiment as you can Recollect & Generally the Circumstances of your services -
  Answer-Gen. Winds, Gen Wains (who Commanded the Pennsylvania line), Major Lee, Col. Day's Bergen County Regiments- & for a more particular detail I Refer to my Declaration -

Question 6th. did you ever Receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given & what has become it -
  Answer I never Received a written discharge that I can now Remember -
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Question 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 & their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution -
  Answer - Isaac P. Vanderbeck and Garret Brinkerhoff are the names of the Persons to whom I am known in my Present neighbourhood & who can testify to my Character for varacity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution -

   Abrm. J Brower

Sworn & Subscribed to before me the 19th
day of July A.D. 1833. -
David J. Christie Justice of the peace
   And the Said Abraham Brower further Saith - That he entered the Service of the United States in the year of our Lord 1778 & upon mature Reflection since making his Declaration, He is certain that he served one full year in the Company Commanded by Capt Elias Romine as a musician that the said company was a part of the Bergen Regiment as stated in his declaration and in the year 1779 he entered the Company Commanded by Capt Samual Demarest & served as a private in the said Company for two full years the Company being Located at the New Bridge & Browers Hill (which are places which are within half a mile of each other) and it Being the seat of war - as the New Bridge & Browers hill would Sometimes be one day in possession of the enemy & the next day the enemy would be Drove back again And be in possession of the Americans - And in the Beginning of the year 1781 He again joined the Company commanded by Capt. Elias Romine was elected a Sergeant in said Company and served therein till the first of January 1783, when he left the service; & is certain that from the year 1781 to 1783 he performed one full year of Active Service - and for such Service (as above stated) he claims a Pension - & for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any Civil Pursuit -
   Abrm J Brower
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me the 30th day of July A.D. 1833-
  David J Christie, Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
County of Bergen   SS:   I Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the County of Bergen & Clerk of the inferior court of common pleas in & for said County Do hereby Certify that David J. Christie whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the foregoing affidavit was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said county duly commissioned and sworn, and further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of Justice, and verily believe that his signature to said Jurat is genuine.
[seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this first day of August A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
   Abr. Westervelt Clerk
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State of New-Jersey
County of Bergen   SS:
   On this first day of November AD 1832, personally appeared in open Court in before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen in the State of New-Jersey now sitting at New-Barbadoes, Abraham J. Brower, a resident of the Township of New-Barbadoes in the County of Bergen aforesaid in the State of New Jersey aged sixty eight years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to Law, and on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the Seventh AD. 1832 Entitled "An act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of certain Surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution"  That he entered into the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein Stated.

   That he entered into the Service of the United States in the year one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy eight, and Served about one year in a Company of Mililtia of the County of Bergen aforesaid under the command of Capt Elias Romaine as a musician.  that the said Company was a part of the Bergen County Regiment of Militia commanded by Colonel Teunis Dey, attached as this deponent believes to the Brigade or command of Genl. Winds.  that he entered into the Service as aforesaid as this deponent believes in the month of March AD 1778.  that the aforesaid Company was stationed at the New-Bridge in the County of Bergen aforesaid, where this deponent was born and where he resided or had his home through the whole course of the Revolutionary War, and where he joined the said Company.  And this Deponent further Saith that in the year 1779 he entered the company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel
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Demarest, stationed at the New-Bridge aforesaid where this deponent joined the Same, and served as a private therein about two years.  that the said company was a part of the aforesaid Regiment commanded by Col. Teunis Dey.  And this deponent further Saith the shortly after his service in the last mentioned company was terminated, and as this deponent believes, sometime in the beginning of the year 1781 at the New-Bridge aforesaid, he again joined the Company of the aforesaid Captain Elias Romaine and was elected a Seregent in said Company and served therein until about the first day of January 1783, about which time he finally left the service.  This deponent further Saith that while attached to the Company of Capt. Samuel Demarest as aforesaid, he accompanied the Corps of Major Lee and was with them acting as a Guide in the attack and Capture of Powles Hook in the year 1779, in which expedition he this deponent was with the Company of dismounted horsemen (a part of said Corps commanded by Capt McLane, and after the said attack this deponent assisted in conducting prisoners captured on that occasion, to the New-Bridge aforesaid.  And this deponent further saith that while attached to the Company of Capt Samuel Demarest aforesaid, he Served in the attack made by the Jersey militia under the Command of Captains Demarest, Outwater and Smalley on a body of Refugees, commonly called
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Wards Refugees, who were engaged in erecting a Block-house or Fortifications at Fort Lee, in the County of Bergen, in which attack the Refugees were routed and driven off, but afterwards, as this deponent believes, built the Block-house on the West bank of the Hudson River below Bulls-Ferry where they were afterwards attacked by the troops under the command of General Wayne.  And this deponent further saith that during the time he was attached to the aforesaid Companies he was in several Skirmishes with the enemy, who were in the constant practice of sending out foraging and marauding parties from New York into the neighbouring parts of New Jersey.  

This deponent was born in the year 1763 at New Bridge in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey where he resided, except while absent for temporary purposes or on the Services above stated until about the year 1790, according to the best of his remembrance, when he removed to the City of New York and there resided about fifteen years then returned to the County of Bergen aforesaid.  Where he has had his home ever since, and where he at present resides, principally supported by the bounty of his friends.  This deponent knows of the existance of no record of his age, he received no written discharge from Service, and believes that none of the militia of New Jersey ever did.-  Albert
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Wilson of the County of Bergen and Samuel Helm of the City of New York know of the performance of much of the services above stated and are still living, and their affidavits hereunto annexed, and that he has no other documentary evidence except what is hereunto annexed.  Isaac P. Vanderbeck & Garret Brinkerhoff are neighbours of this  deponent who live near him, and can testify to his character for veracity and to their belief of his services as a Soldier in the Revolution, and 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.
   Abrm J Brower
Sworn to and Subscribed
in open court the day and
year aforesaid -
   [personal seal]
   Abr. Westerville, Clerk

We Isaac P. Vanderbeck & Garret Brinkerhoff both residing in the County of Bergen in the State of New-Jersey hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham J. Brower who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration.  that we believe him about eighty years of age, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he now resides
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to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
   Isaac P. Vanderbeck   
   Garret Brinkerhoff
Sowrn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
   Abr: Westervelt, Clerk
   [personal seal]
I have knowledge of the fact, that said Brower
was in military service during the revolutionary
war, how long I know not... [illegible] Romaine, of the City of New York

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 Isaac P Vanderveck who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the Township of New Barbadoes County of Bergen and State of New Jersey and that Garret Brinkerhoff who has also signed the same is a resident in the county aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
   Westervelt Clerk

I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas in and for Said county of Bergen do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abraham J Brower for a Pension.
[seal affixed]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this first day of November A.D. 1832.
   Abr: Westervelt Clerk
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State of New York,  SS: City of New York SS. In the Marine Court on this twelth day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight, personally appeared before the Marine Court of the City of New York Maria Brower, a resident of the City of New York, aged Sixty two 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 act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows", that she is the widow of Abraham J. Brower who was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death; that she has no documentary evidence of his services in the Revolution, neither can she procure the affidavit of any persons that knew him in the service, but she repectfully refers to the evidence upon which he was pensioned, now on file in the proper office at Washington City.
   She further declares that she was married to the said Abraham J. Brower on the thirty first day of December, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety three.  that her husband, the aforesaid Abraham J. Brower died on the twenty first day of March, in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty six; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated.
   Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before
me, in open court
Judah Hammond
Justice of the Marine Court   Maria Brower

Know all men by these presents, that I do hereby constitute and appoint Isaac L. Kibbie of the City of New York, my true and lawful attorney, to take all necessary and lawful measures to procure for
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me a pension from the United States under the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838.  Dated the twelfth day of November A.D. 1838.
    Maria Brower
Acknowledged before me
J. Hammond
Justice Marine Court.

   I do certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to prove that the above named Maria Brower is a person of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit.   Dated this twelfth day of November, 1838.   
   J. Hammond
   Justice Marine Court

I, John Barberie, Clerk of the Marine Court, do hereby certify that Judah Hammond is a Judge of said Court, and that the above are his genuine signatures.

Given under my hand and
seal of office this twelfth
day of November A.D. 1838.
   John Barberie

City of New York SS.  Isaac L. Kibbe being duly sworn doth Depose and say that he is well acquainted with Maria Brower the deponent within named and that she is such person as she represents herself to be and is a person of credability and entitled to credence and that he is a resident of the City of New York
   Isaac L. Kibbie
Sworn in open court
Nov. 12 1838 before
J Hammond J.M.C.
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State of New York
City & County    SS
of New York
   Maria Brower of said City, being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say, that the record of her marriage with Abraham J. Brower, now exhibited in open court, is a leaf from her family Bible, taken therefrom by her within the month last past.  That said family Bible has been in her possession, at all times, since said record of her marriage was made therein, and that her marriage is correctly stated therein.
Sworn and Subscribed
this 12th day of Novr.      Maria Brower
1838, before me
  J. Hammond
  Justice of Marine
  Court

  I, John B. Scott, one of the Judges of the Marine Court in the City of New York, Do certify that the record of the marriage of Maria Brower, above mentioned, is in the exact words and figures following, viz:  "Abraham J. Brower was married to Maria Hoffman December 31st 1793."
   and further, I certify that said Maria Brower is a person of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit.  Novr. 12th 1838.
Page 17

State of New York
New York City and County   SS.

   On this 21st day of April 1855, before me a Notary Public in and for the State and County of New York, personally appeared Maria Brower, a resident of the City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings and State of New York, aged 78 years, who on her oath declares, that she is the widow of Abraham Brower, who was a fifer and private in the Revolutionary War; that her said husband continued in actual service in said war, for fourteen days and over, as will appear from the evidence already produced, and on file at the Pension Office at Washington; that she now receives a pension of eighty dollars per annum, under the act of Congress of February 2d 1848, on account of the services of her said husband, in said war.  She makes this declaration in order to obtain the bounty land to which she may be entitled, under the act approved March 3d 1855; and further declares that she has never before applied for, nor received any bounty land, under this or any other act of Congress.  She furthermore declares that she is now a widow.   Maria Brower

We Samuel H Burtis, and H Milton Burtis, residents of the city of Brooklyn aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that we are personally acquainted with the above affiant Maria Brower and know
Page 18

her to be the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit to which she has subscribed in her presence, and that she is now a widow.
   Saml H Burtis
   H. Milton Burtis

  The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year before named, 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 this claim.
[seal affixed]  
M Clanton (?)
Notary Public

I hereby certify that Maria Brower, who has signed the foregoing declaration, is a pensioner on the list of this agency, under act February 2d, 1848.
New York City Pension Agency
April 21st 1855.
Van Burgh Livingston
Pension Agent
Page 20

State of New York
City & County of     SS:
New York

   Rachel Kelsey of said City being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that she is the daughter of Abraham J, and Maria Brower.  that she well recollects that there was a bible in her father's family in which the family record was written:  that the said bible was worn and torn leaf by leaf:  that said record was transferred to another bible now in the possession of deponents mother.  that the leaf hereto annexed is a leaf torn from the family bible last above referred to, and is the leaf to which said record was transferred as deponent verily believes.

   Rachel Kelsey
Sworn & subscribed
this Twentieth day of May
1839 before me -
   Jno. T. Banta
   Commssr. of Deeds

State of New York
City & County of     SS:
New York
   Maria Brower of said City being duly sworn says, that she is the widow of Abraham J. Brower, and was married on the thirty first of December seventeen hundred and ninety three, to said Brower.  that the record of said marriage was written in her family bible which was destroyed:  that the
Page 21

leaf hereto annexed is a true copy of said Record in the hand writing of "woman who was boarding" in the family of deponent in the years Eighteen hundred and twenty six and seven; that deponent is unable to find the person who copied the family record from the old bible onto the leaf hereto annexed, but knows it to be a true copy of said record:  that this leaf was taken from the family bible now in possession of deponent, by deponent, six or eight months past.
   Maria Brower
Sworn & subscribed
this 20th day of May
1839 before me
   Jno T. Banta
   Commissioner of Deeds

I the Subscriber do  hereby Certify that I have no particular knowledge of the Character of the above said Maria Brower, but being acquainted with her family Connections, Would have no hesitation in saying that She is  Lady of Truth and Veracity

State of New York
City & County of N. York  SS - personally appeared before me James Gilbert Known to me, who being by me duly Sworn did depose and say that the above said Maria Brower and Rachel Kelsey are both well known to him, and has had considerable dealings with them and has good grounds to believe that they are Ladies of truth and varacity- and further this deponent says not.
   James Gilbert
Sworn before me the 22nd day of May 1839
Jno T. Banta, Commisr of Deeds
   Jno T. Banta
Page 27

State of New York
City & County of N York  SS:  On the third day of October 1829 before me personally appeared Ann Eliza Wheeler, wife of Epenetus Wheeler, and Daughter of Abarham J. Brower  deceased, who being by me duly sworn did depose and say, that a certain piece of Writing copyed by her from an old English family Bible the property of her said father Abraham J. Brower decd. in which was Recorded the Births, deaths, and Marriages of her said Father decd. and said copy as is said has been transmitted to Washington the Seat of Our Government, on file for Pensions; And this deponent further says that said copy is in her own hand Writing.  And further, this deponent says not.
   Ann Eliza Wheeler
Sworn to this third day
of October 1839 before me
  Jno T. Banta
  Commissr. of Deeds
Page 28

This may certify that I the undersigned have known the within named Ann Eliza Wheeler for some time past and to the best of my knowledge believe her to be a woman of Respectability and veracity
New York November 4th 1839
   Jno. T. Banta
Page 30

State of New York
City and County     SS:
of New York
   Isaac L. Kibbie of said City, being duly sworn, says, that Abraham J. Brower who was a soldier in the revolutionary army, and for whose services his widow, Maria Brower, now claims a pension, died on the twenty first of March A.D. 1837 (Eighteen hundred and thirty seven).  that the date mentioned in the declaration of said Mrs. Maria Brower as to the death of her said husband, should have been the 21st day of March 1837, instead of 1836 which was a mistake of this deponent - that deponent has (two days since) examined the family record of Mrs. Catharine Pell, the daughter of said Abm. J. Brower, by which record it appears that said Brower died at the time above mentioned.  That the memorandum of said death was made at the time it occured by the husband of said Catherine Pell, as this deponent was informed.
   Isaac L. Kibbie
Sworn & Subscribed
this 5th day of May
1841 before me
  Richard Reed
   Comr. of Deeds
Page 36

Declaration

In order to obtain arrears of Pensions due from March 4, 1836, under the act of July 7, 1838.

       _____________________________________

On this eighteenth day of January 1843, personally appeared in open court before the subscriber, a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the City and County of New York, Maria Brower, a resident of the City of New York, aged Sixty-five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the 4th of March, 1836, to the 21st of March 1837, from which period she has been already paid under the act of the 7th July, 1838. - And the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Abraham J. Brower who was a Private and Fifer during the Revolutionary War; that her pension was allowed at the rate of Eighty dollars and thirty three cents per annum, and was paid to her at the Agency in the City of New York. - And further she saith not.
   Maria Brower

Sworn and subscribed on the
day and year above written
before me
  D.P. Ingraham
  Associate Judge of
  N. York Com. Pleas
Page 38

State of New York
City and County of New York   SS:

On this twenty first day of April AD 1848 before me, Irving Paris a Commssioner of Deeds in and for said City and County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Maria Brower, a resident of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Abraham Brower, who was a Private and Fifer in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension at the New York City Pension Agency of Eighty dollars per annum under Act 17 June, 1844.
   She further declares that she is still a widow
    Maria Brower

Sworn to and subscribed in the day
& year above written before me
  Irving Paris
  Commissioner of Deeds
Witness
  Pierre M Irving

I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration.
  Irving Paris
  Commissioner of Deeds.
Page 40

(first letter)
New York  April 21, 1848

Sir

  I herewith transmit application of Mrs. Maria Brower for a continuance of her pension under Act 2d February, 1848.

Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Pierre M. Irving
32 Wall Street

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

(second letter)

New York  March 18, 1843

Sir

  I herewith transmit application of Mrs. Maria Brower for one year's additional pension under the Act of 3d March, 1843.  The certificate can be sent to me, No 15 1/2 Wall Street

Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Pierre M. Irving

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 41

New York City Pension Agency
March 9, 1843

Sir

  I beg leave to return for correction the pension certificate of Maria Brower, & the notification issued in her case. - Mrs Brower, as appears by the Books, has been paid from the 21st March 1837; not from the 21st March, 1836, as inadvertently stated in the certificate & notifications.  She is therefore entitled to arrears from 4th March 1836 to 21st March 1837, a year & some days.  The certificate give her arrears for a few days only.
   Please make the correction, and return the certificate to my address, No. 15 1/2 Wall St.

Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Pierre M. Irving

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
Page 42

New York  January 18, 1843

Sir

  Enclosed I forward application of Mrs. Maria Brower for arrears of pension under Act July 7, 1838.

Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Pierre M. Irving
No 15 1/2 Wall Street

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 43

New York City Pension Agency
December 29, 1842

Sir,
  
  I herewith transmit the application of Mrs Maria Brower for the arreages due her under a recent decision at the Pension Office.  If any thing further be requisite to the success of her application, please inform me.

Very respectfully 
Your obedient Servant
Pierre M. Irving

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

P.S.  To guard against erroneous inferences I beg to add that the application is made through me at the express invitation of the claimant, and with the sole view on my part of protecting her from an attempt at gross [illegible]
Page 44

House of Reps
Feb 15, 1842

Dear Sir


  I enclose the affidavits of John Brower & the Certificate of the Rev
Page 45

Mechanics Bank
New York 19th June 1841

Sir

  Maria Brower, widow of Abraham J. Brower, has made application at this Agency for her pension, and states that her husband was a pensioner, and drew his pension to the time of his death, consequently, if he died on the "21st March 1836" should not her pension commence on that day, instead of "21st March 1837" as stated in the certificate, which is herewith enclosed.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
S. Knapp Prest
by Sylvester Spencer
Chf Clk Pension Office

James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 46

Washington June 11 1841

My dear Sir-

  I have examined the case of Mrs Brower, and am satisfied that the wrong date of her Husbands death as set forth in her Petition & Papers, was owing to the mistake of the Person employed by her to prepare her claim.  I Believe her justly entitled to her pension and I hope that I may be able upon my return to the City to  make her heart glad.

With great respect
Very truly
Yours
O Hoffman

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commiss of Pensions
Page 47

New York May 5th 1841

Sir,

  I enclose my affidavit relative to the date of the death of Abraham J Brower, on account of whose services in the Revolutionary army, his widow, Maria Brower claims a pension.

Very Respectfully
Yr. obt. servt.
Isaac L. Kibbie
Page 48

New York April 12, 1841

Dear Sir

   When I last had the pleasure of seeing you at Washington, I promised to write to you and remind you of the application of Mrs Maria Brower for a Pension - the affidavit, which I transmitted to you, brought her case within the letter of the act, and altho' the time fixed by him was the very last day of the year, Yet that very fact serves to show the honesty of his oath - for, if fraud was intended, it would have been easy to have fixed an earlier day, and thus avoided all suspicion.  He lives now at Utica & the Poor old woman has no friends to prepare a fuller affidavit & to write to him & obtain the reasons which induced him to remember that particular day, as you suggest to her - My time is now so constantly occupied, that I cannot undertake to do it for her.  Yet I am so perfectly convinced that she is entitled to her Pension- even under present proof - And as I know her to be poor worthy old woman, that I now snatch a moment from the duties
Page 49

of my office to again press her claims upon you, and to express the hope that you may find yourself justified, as I think you will be, to grant the Pension to her-
   She has no claims before me, but those which a conviction that she deserves her Pension, given birth to - and a desire, which I am sure you participate with me, that she who deserves should receive, the bounty of Government.

  Your early attention will oblige
Very truly
Your St
O Hoffman

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commiss of Pensions
Page 50

New York May 23d 1839

Sir

  The leaf containing the family record of Mrs. Maria Brower, with the afft.s of Rachel Kelsey & of Maria Brower attached thereto, and, also, the afft. of Catherine Collins, certified by the proper officer, are herewith respectfully enclosed.

Yr. Obt. Sevt.
Isaac L. Kibbie

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Page 51

New York Novr. 4th '39

Sir,
   I respectfully enclose the aff't of Ann Eliza Wheeler made in the case of Mrs. Maria Brower who claims a pension under act 7 July 1838, with the certificate required by your letter of the 1st inst.
   This aff't being forwarded to the Pension Office by Mr. Brooks who did business for me during sickness.

Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Sevt.
Isaac L. Kibbie

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 53

State of New York
City & County of    SS
New York
   Maria Brower of said City, being duly sworn, says, that her late husband Abraham J. Brower was a private in the New Jersey line, and as deponent believes in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Demarest, but in what Regiment deponent does not know.  that her husband was a pensioner at the time of his death which took place on the 21st March 1836; that after his death, his pension certificate and other papers were sent to the pension agent at Trenton, N.J. by the Surrogate of Bergen County N.J.  that deponent respectfully refers to the evidence on which said pension was granted, she being now unable to furnish any other except as above, viz. that her late husband served under Capt. Demarest, as she thinks - that Ann Eliza Wheeler, who copied the family record from an old Bible onto a leaf in another Bible (which leaf has been forwarded to the pension office) is at this time confined with severe sickness, and is wholly unable to state the particular time said copy was made, but that she has told deponent that it was done in 1811 or 1812 and deponent from her own recollection verily believes it was done in one of those years, that is, so much of said copy as relates to the marriage of deponent herself, and that the dates of the marriages of her Daughters were added to the leaf (as the several events occured,) upon which the date of deponent marriage was copied.
   Maria Brower
Sworn & subscribed this Tenth day of Jan.y 1840
before me   Jno T. Banta
   Commissr. of Deeds
Page 54

New York Feb. 11th 1840

Sir

  I enclose the aff't. of Mrs. Maria Brower, (who claims a pension under the act of July 7th 1838) relative to the time when the records in the Bible leaf were made.
  It will be seen by the aff't. why this evidence is not furnished by Ann Eliza Wheeler, the person who copied the family Record.

Very Respectfully
Yr. obt. sevt.

Isaac L. Kibbie
16 Chambers St

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Page 55

House of Reps
Dec 21, 1840

Dear Sir
 
  Mrs. Maria Brower, of the City of New York, has an application for Pension pending in your office - she claims under the act granting 5 years pay to the widows of Soldiers of the Revolutionary who were married after the Peace & before the 1st of January 1974.  The maiden name was Maria Hoffman & I believe her to be a poor but worthy woman.

   I wish you would do me the favor to inform me in what state her application is, and what are the objections, if any, to her claim, in order that I may endeavour to remove them, & submit them to the House.

   Your attention will oblige.

Very Respectfully
Yours
O Hoffman

The Hon
J. L. Edwards
Commissr. of Pensions
Page 56

New York Dec. 22d '46

Sir,
 
  Enclosed is the aff't. of John Brower, who was present when the marriage took place between Abraham J. Brower and Maria Hoffman, on the 31st Decr. 1793.  Mrs. Brower claims a pension under the act granting 5 yrs. pension to the widows of Rev.y Soldiers who were married previous to the yr. 1794.

I am Respectfully
yr. obt. srt.

Isaac L. Kibbie
16 Chambers St.

Mr. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Page 57

House of Reps
Jany 18, 1841

Sir:

  Since I wrote you in Relation to the Pension claim of Mrs Maria Brower I have recd a letter informing me that she had procured the testimony of a Mr John Brower of Utica in our state, who was present at the marriage & hereby states, "that it was celebrated" the day before New Years day 1794"- and that the affidavit of Mr J. Brown to this effect, together with the certificate of the Rev Mr  Anthon of St Marks Church in New York as to the good character of Mr Brower were forwarded by mail to you.  Have those papers been recd?  And were they part of the Proof upon which your judgment was formed?  Your communication to me, I have sent to her in N York, and I do not recollect whether this additional Evidence was referenced to
Page 58

by you.

I am,
very Respectfully
Your Svt
O Hoffman

To
J. L. Edwards Eq
Com. of Pensions
Page 59

New York Nov. 14th 1838

Sir

  I herewith enclose the Dec.n and other papers of Mrs. Maria Brower, who makes application for pension.

Very Restpect.y
Yr. obt. Sev.t

Isaac L. Kibbie
No 9 Beekman

Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Page 60

State of New York
City & County of N York   SS:

On the Sixth day of October AD. 1838 before me came Catharine Collins, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that she this deponent was present and saw Mrs. Maria Hoffman Enter into the Holy bonds of Matrimony before the Reverend Solomon Freoligh to Abraham J. Brower and further this deponent says not.
   Catharine Collins

Sworn to this 6th day
of October 1838 before me
  Jno T. Banta
  Commissr. of Deeds
Page 62

   Know all men by these presents that I Abraham J. Brower of the City of New York have made constituted and appointed my wife Maria Brower, and by these presents do make constitute and appoint the said Maria, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name place and stead to sign my name and affix my seal to any Deed or Deeds, Conveyance or Conveyances in the Law necessary for the purpose of transferring or conveying any personal or real Estate in the State of New York or elsewhere in which I now am or hereafter may be interested, or to which I now have or hereafter may have any right title or claim whatsoever either at law or in equity, to any person or persons, and to such uses & purposes as the said Maria shall deem proper, hereby giving and granting to the said Maria full power & lawful authority to do and perform all and every act & thing whatsoever requisite & necessary to be done in & about the premises as fully to all interests & purposes as I myself might or could do, were I personally present.  And I do hereby ratify & confirm all that the said Maria shall do by virtue hereof  In Witness whereof I have  hereto set my hand & seal this 9th day of January 1827.
   Abrm. J Brower
Witness present:
   J.J. Reed

City & County of New York SS:   I John H. Lee one of the Commissioners to take the acknowledgement of Deeds &c in and for the said City and County, hereby certify that on this ninth day of January 1827, personally appeared before me Abraham J. Brower above named and also John J. Reed the subscribing wit. to the above power of Attorney to me personally known, and the said Abraham duly acknowledged that he executed the said power of Attorney, and the said John J. Reed being by me sworn said that he knew the said Abraham and that the said Abraham was the person described in & who executed said power of Attorney.  I therefore am satisfied with said proof to allow said power of Atty to be recorded - John H Lee
Page 64

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS.    Before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared David D. Demarest Town Clerk of the Township of New Barbadoes, who being first duly sworn upon his Oath deposeth and says that he has searched the marriage record of the Reverend Solomon Froeleigh, and that there are no marriages recorded on the record of Marriages..  From the Year A.D. One thousand and Seven hundred and Seventy-Six up to the year A.D. One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety six
   David D. Demarest
Town Clerk

Sworn to and Subscribed
this 6th day of November 
AD. 1838 - Before me
   John Bogut Justice
   -=- of the Peace

State of New Jersey
Bergen County   SS:   I Samuel H Berry Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas & Clerk of the County of Bergen, in the State of New Jersey, Do Certify That John Bogut before whom the above affidavit was taken, was at the time of the taking thereof, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bergen, duly commissioned & sworn as such Justice, and duly authorized to take depositions & affidavits and that the signature John Bogut to the Jurat of the above affidavit  is in the proper hand writing of said Justice.
[seal affixed]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court of New Barbadoes  in the County of Bergen aforesaid this Seventh day of November Ad. Dom. Eighteen hundred & thirty eight.

   Saml. H Berry Clerk
Page 65

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS
  Personally appeared before me Charles Kinny one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen Lodowick Michler aged 79 years who being duly sworn deposesth and saith that he is well acquainted with Maria Brower formerly Maria Hoffman that to the best of his knowledge and belief she was married to Abraham J. Brower in the year one thousand seven hundred and Ninety three that he knew her before her marriage and has known her from that time to the present as the wife and widow of the said Abraham J Brower that they had nine Children together and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 3d day of October 1838.
   Lodowick (his - mark) Michler
Charles Kinsey
Witness present
Catherine Pell
Page 66

State of New Jersey
Bergen County  SS
This is to certify that I have been for many years well acquainted with Lodowick Michler and his wife and know them to be people of the first respectability and character for truth and veracity
   Charles Kinsey

I Samuel H Berry Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Do hereby Certify That Charles Kinsey Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavits marked A. & B. were taken was at the time of the taking thereof, a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Bergen, duly commissioned & sworn as such Judge; and that the signature Charles Kinsey to the Juras of each of said affidavits is in the proper hand writing of said Judge.
[seal affixed]
In Testamony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at New Barbadoes in the County of Bergen aforesaid this Fifth day of October An. Dom. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
   Saml. H Berry Clerk
Page 67

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS.
Personally appeared before me Charles Kinsey one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen Anna Michler aged 72 years who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is well acquainted with Maria Brower before her marriage Maria Hoffman that to the best of her knowledge and belief she was married to Abraham J Brower in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety three sometime in December, at Hackensack New Jersey - that she has known her intimately from that time to the present.  that they had Nine children together and further this deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed before me this 3d day of October 1838.
   Anna (her x mark) Michler
Charles Kinsey
Witness present
Catherine Pell
John L Michler
Page 76

Abraham J. Brower

Born June 19 1763 at New Bridge Bergen Co NJ where he resided until about 1790 when he removed to NY City & about 1805 returned to Bergen Co & when he applied for pension In Nov 1832 he was living in New Barbadoes Bergen Co NJ

Mard (married) Dec 31, 1793 to Maria Hoffman & 1848 (?) Brooklyn
Applied for pension from NY City Nov 1838 aged 62 yrs

Died March 21, 1837

John Brower in Dec 1841 of Utica aged 69 yrs a brother & witness went to Montgomery Co in Spring 1794 & was in Utica 1820
In March 1778 he Vold (volunteered) as a fifer for one year under Capt Elias Romaine & Colo Tunis Dey & was stationed at New Bridge & in Hackensack - New bridge being opposite NY city would one day be in possession of the Americans & the next occupied by the British, the occasion of which was to facilitate foraging parties in collecting provisions which gave opportunity to the marauding incursions of the Tories making the locality a scene of numerous conflicts. (a seat of war)
From the first part of 1779 he served as private 2 years under Capt Saml Demarest in Colo Tunis Dey command - He was stationed at New bridge & Brower's Hill  During this service while the British were on a hill of the Fort &c at Powles Hook, in order to Break up to foraging & Tory incursion Maj Henry See who commanded a regt of Cavalry was ordered with some Infantry to attack the place  He was successful in part in capturing Augt 19 1779  159 Prisoners, 79 of whom Brower assisted in guarding & conducting to New Bridge.
From sometime in 1781 to close of the war in 1783 he was (?) duty for
Page 77

full one year during which period a successful attack won a block House near Fort See Bergen Co. occupied by Wade refugees or Tories who were completely routed & driven off.

During the whole period of his service he was engaged mostly in skirmishes with parties of the enemy

Ann Eliza Wheeler was a daughter & wife of Epeneus Wheeler
Mrs Demarest was a sister of Soldier
Catharine Pell was a daughter mard June 29 1825 to Emmet T Pell
Rachel Kelsey was a daughter mard James E Kelsey Dec 31 1822
Maira   was mard Jany 1, 1815 Lewis B Reed
Wedding party went to Paramus & ret Jany 2d to Quilliam Demarest house at New Bridge when a wedding party had a celeration
John Brower about March 19 1795 moved to his farm in Montgomery Co.
Page 80

Veteran's Administration

Please furnish Rev. War Record of 
Abraham J or I Brower -  W-13707

Mary Frances (Broome) Hewitt,
Mrs. Edmund Hewitt
115 Martine Avenue
Fanwood, New Jersey
   April 27, 1937

Thanks!
Page 84

State of New York
City & County of   SS.
New York

John Brower of Utica, in said State, being duly sworn according to Law, doth depose and say, that he was present and saw Maria Hoffman and Abrahamm J. Brower joined in marriage by the Rev. Soloman Freligh: that the marriage took place between the hours of nine and twelve A.M. before noon, on the thirty first day of December in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety three: that deponent has a distinct recollection of said marriage; that it took place on the day before new years day 1794: that on new year day after the marriage the wedding party went to Paramus, about five miles, and returned the next day, the second of January, to Quilliam Demarest's house, near the New Bridge, Hackensack, where they had a wedding party and celebration, deponent being present: that about two months after the marriage as above stated, deponent moved on to his farm in Montgomery County in the State of New York.  this deponents removal took place in the early part of March (about. the truth) in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four.
   John Brower
Sworn and Subscribed
this 12th day of Feb.y
1841, before me.
  Richd Reed Commissioner of Deeds City of N York
(over)
Page 85

New York  February 12th 1841.  This is to certify that when I resided in Utica in this State from the Years 1821 to 1828, I was acquainted with Mr. John Brower & have every reason to believe that he was an upright citizen & of a good moral character & was so esteemed by his neighbors.

Henry Arthur
Rector of St. Marks
Church  New York
Page 87

State of New York
City and County of
New York           SS

Samuel Helm of Gloucester Township and County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, Tanner and Shoemaker Being duly Sworn Doth Depose and Say.  That he is well acquainted with Abraham J. Brower of the Township of New Barbadoes in The County of Bergen and State of New Jersey Blacksmith and Has known him intimately during and since the Revolutionary War, - That in the Year One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy eight the said Abraham J. Brower served as a Musician in a company of Militia then commanded by Captain Elias Romaine in Col. Tunis Dey's & Regiment of Bergen County Militia One Year. - That the said Company was then stationed at New Bridge near Hackensack about the time the enemy built two Redoubts on Brower & Van Sawing hill and this Deponent further Saith that he knows the said Abraham J. Brower to have been in the Service of the United States in Captain Samuel Demarest's Company of Bergen County Militia as a Volunteer at least one Year, and untill the close of the war 1783.  And further this Deponent Saith not.
   Samuel Helm
Sworn this 4th day of
October 1832  Before me
Wm W Cowan
Assistant Justice &c.
Page 88

City & County of New York SS:
I William W Cowan of the City of New York, Justice of Peace, do certify that Benjamin Romaine of said City Esquire, who is well known to me as a Gentleman of Strict Veracity & integrity, personally appeared before me, & being by  me duly sworn did depose & say that he had been acquainted with the within named Samuel Helms from his boyhood, having served with him in the Army of the Revolution;  That he knows his General character for Veracity, and is in his opinion entitled to full faith and Credit, all which to me is satisfactory evidence, that the said Samuel Helms is a Man of truth & veracity.
New York Nov. 18, 1833
William W Cowan
Justice of Peace

City & County of New York SS:   Benjamin Romaine of said City being duly Sworn deposeth & Saith, That this deponent is personally acquainted with Abraham J. Brower named in the annexed affidavit, and has been so acquainted with him for a number of years.  That this deponent has known from early life, and in the years 1778 & 1779 this deponent knew the said Abraham as a Fifer to a Militia Company then stationed at New Bridge in the County of Bergen, then commanded as deponent believes by Capt. Demarest in the Regiment of Coln. Day.

Bjn. Romaine
Sworn this 18th day
of Nov. 1833
W. W. Cowan
Justice of Peace.
Page 91

State of New Jersey
Bergen County  SS:   Albert Wilson of the township of Franklin County of Bergen and State of New Jersey Wheelwright being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Abraham J. Brower of the Township of New Barbadoes in the said County and State Blacksmith and had known him intimately since and previous to the Revolutionary War.  That in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight the said Abraham J. Brower served as a Musician in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Elias Romaine in Colo. Tunis Dey's Regiment of Bergen County Militia for several months - That said Company was then stationed at New Bridge near Hackensack about the time the enemy built two Redoubts on Browers and Van Saw's Hill.  And this Deponent further saith that he has always understood and believes it to be true that in the year 1779 the said Abraham J. Brower acted as a Guide to
Page 92

Captain McClungs Company of Dismounted Horsemen belonging to Major Lee's Regiment which attacked and took Powles Hook with Seventy Prisoners.  That the said Abraham J Brower afterwards served in Captain Samuel Demarest's Company of Bergen Militia as a Volunteer which company was engaged in the battle at Fort Lee's.  That the said Abraham J. Brower continued in the said service under the said Captain Demarest for several years when he again joined the company under the command of the said Captn Elias Romaine.  And this Deponent further saith that the said Abraham J. Brower remained in the service of the United States in the said County of Bergen until the close of the war in the year 1783 during which the said Abraham was actually engaged with the enemy in several Skirmishes and engagements  And further this Deponent
Page 93

  Saith not.
     Albert Wilson
Sworn this 2d. day
of October AD 1832
at the said Township
of Franklin before
me -
Henry B. Hagerman
Justice of the Peace
in & for said County
of Bergen

[certification on right hand side of the page]
State of New Jersey
Bergen County  SS:
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Albert Wilson the person who has subscribed and sworn to the above Affidavit - that he is a Resident of the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey and that he is a creditable person and his statement is entitled to credit.
   Henry B. Hagerman
Justice of the Peace in
& for the County of Bergen

State of New Jersey
County of Bergen   SS
  I Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Bergen & Clerk of said county Do hereby certify that Henry B Hagerman before whom the foregoing affidavit of Albert Wilson was made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and residing therein.  That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice & that the signature "Henry B Hagerman Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Bergen" subscribed to the Jurat of the above affidavit is genuine.
[seal affixed]
In Testimony where I have here-
unto set my hand and seal of Office
this said day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty two.
   Abr. Westerville Clerk
Page 94

State of New Jersey
County of Bergen    SS     No. 1.

No 1.   Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County Abraham J Brower of said County aged 69 Years & being duly sworn saith as follows
     I am the same Abraham J Brower who on the 1st day of November 1832 made a declaration before the Court of Common Pleas to obtain a Pension under the Law of Congress of June 7th 1832 which declaration has been returned as being defective in its specification
     In his first or original Declaration it is stated one year under Capt Romaine in the year 1778 two years under Capt Samuel Demarest 1779 & 80 by which he intended or meant that he belonged to their Company during the time but was not all the time in actual service, & that again under the above named Capt Elias Romaine until the end of the war.  In which he the deponent will now endeavour to set forth the duration or period of each, his times of Services he performed in the war of the Revolution in this his Amended Declaration to the Best of his memory & Recollection.  that the deponent then Served within the Bounds of a Company Commanded by the above named Capt Elias Romine who had orders from Governor Livingston to raise a Company be stationed on the frontier of the County of Bergen at which time Capt Elias Romine would receive Recruits in the following order some were sent to him out of other Companys who were drafted men, others did Volunteer and all for different reasons  the deponent Volunteered in the Latter part of March or the first of April (by Persuasion of the above named Captain) & served six months.  in the summer of 1778 he being a fifer of said Company and where stationed at the New Bridge Browers Hill & the Liberty Pole marching with the said Company from place to place a Necessity Required doing duty as a musissioner (muscian?), at the expiration of the above named services he was discharged.

     In the spring of the year 1779 he Volunteered & served under Capt Samuel Demarest as a Private in the following manner (namely), two months stationed at the Liberty Pole, New Bridge & Closter marching from place to place as Necessity Required Guarding the Inhabitants & watching the movement of the enemy who had possession of the City of New York and the Lower part of the County of Bergen and were constantly committing depredations.  Served the time & was discharged.
     In the fall of the same year he again Volunteered & served
Page 95

one month under the above named Capt Samuel Demarest. Station & duty as before mentioned served the time & was discharged.
    In the spring of the year following 1780 he again Volunteered under the above named Captain Samuel Demarest then stationed at the New Bridge for three months from which place they were marched to the Liberty Pole, Closter & along the north river Guarding the shores & Landing places also that of Guarding the Inhabitants, served the time & was discharged.
   He then in the fall of the same yaer Volunteered & served two months under the above named Capt. Samuel Demarest duty & service as above stated. Served the time & was discharged.
   In the spring of 1781, Believes it was in April he Volunteered for six months under his former Capt. Samuel Demarest then stationed at the Liberty Pole New Bridge, Browers Hill and Closter marching from place to place doing Guard duty and other Services as necessity Required.  Served the time & was discharged.
   In the month of December in the same year He again Volunteered for one month under the above named Capt Samuel Demarest Stations, duty, & Services as above stated.  Served the time & was discharged.
   In the month of March 1782 he the deponent was Drafted for one month under Capt Elias Romine stationed at the Liberty Pole doing Guard duty, served the time & was Discharged.
   He performed 3 months services as a Volunteer  he recollects it was in the season of Sowing Rise probably in the month of September 1782 under the above named Capt. Elias Romine, then stationed at the New Bridge, Liberty Pole and the English neighbourhood marching from place to place as necessity Required doing Guard duty.  And also to prevent the elicit trade carried on (by a party called London Traders) with the Brittish in the City of New York.  Served the time & was discharged.
   Col. Tunis Dey Commanded the Regiment of which the above Company were a part.
Page 96

   From the Great length of time which has elapsed since the before recited services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his Memory.  He has related all which he can remember as connected with his services & which are calculated to explain them.  In the order of time, he may In some Instances have fallen into mistakes.  he asks for a Reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory, which he has faithfully endeavoured to Adhear concentiously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken.  And he Verily Believes that he faithfully served his country in the war of the Revolution the full period of twenty five months being in actual service in the field for each term aledged as a private & a musician for which he claims a Pension from the United States under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832

was not employed in any Civil pursuit during the above mentioned Services.
And does not know of any more Witnesses who he can procure to testify to his services then will be hereunto annexed.
   Abrm. Browery
Sworn & Subscribed to before
me this 7th day of November
ADom. 1833 - - -
David J. Christie, Justice of 
the Peace

State of New Jersey, County of Bergen SS;   I Abraham Westerville Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the inferior court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby Certify that David J. Christie whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the foregoing affidavit of Abraham J. Brower, marked No. 1. was on the day of the date thereof, and still is, an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized by law to take the same; and that his signature to the Jurat aforesaid is genuine & in his own proper hand writing.
[seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of the said Court this twenty second day of November
A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
   Abr. Westervelt, Clerk
Page 97

State of New York
City and County         SS:
of New York

   John Brower, of Utica, in said State being duly sworn accoiidng to Law doth depose and say:  that he is sixty nine years of age; that he is the brother of Abraham J. Brower, decd., who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary army, and a pensioner after the peace; that deponent was  present when the marriage ceremony was performed, by the Rev. Solomon Freleigh, between Abraham J. Brower and Maria Hoffman, which took place on the thirty first of December, in the year 1793:  that the next day, being new years day, the wedding party had an entertainment given them by deponents father, at the house of deponents sister, Mrs. Demerest, who resided at Hackensack
Page 98

New Bridge:  that in the Spring of the year 1794, deponent, with his family moved to the County of Montgomery in the State of New York, and the brother of said deponent, the said Abraham J. Brower, and his wife took possession of the home and ten acres of Land then left by deponent.
   John Brower
Sworn and Subscribed
this 21st day of December
1840, before me -
   Richd Reed
   Comr. of Deeds
Page 99

New Bridge:  that in the Spring of the year 1794, deponent, with his family moved to the County of Montgomery, in the State of New York, and the brother of said deponent, the said Abraham J. Brower, and his wife took possession of the home and ten acres of Land then left by deponent.
   John Brower
Sworn and Subscribed
this 21st day of December
1840, before me -
   Richd Reed
[certificatoin attached]
STATE OF NEW YORK
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK,   SS.

I, Joseph Horie, Clerk of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Richard Reed Esq before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I believe the signature of said Commissioner thereto subscribed, is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 22 day of Decr 1840
   Joseph Horie, Clerk
Page 100

New York  December 21, 1840.  I do hereby certify That when I resided in Utica in the State of New York I was acquainted for several Years with Mr. John Brower & knew him to be a man of good moral character.  My residence in the above place was from 1820 to 1828
   Henry Authur
   Rector of St. Marks Ch.
   New York
Page 101

State of New York
City and County of New York   SS

   Ann Eliza Wheeler being duly sworn, says that she resides in the city of New York, that she is the daughter of Mrs. Maria Brower who now is making application for a pension.  And this deponent further says, that she transcribed from the Bible leaf the date of the marriage of her mother the said Maria Brower with Abraham J Brower, which has been sent on to Washington in her previous affidavit.
   Ann Eliza Wheeler

Sworn this first day of 
July 1840
Before me
James Lynch
Associate Judge