Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,313, Nathaniel Brisco, Conn.
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Service: Connecticut

Briscoe, Nathaniel

Number: S 12313
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    31312
Connecticut  31312 *
Nathaniel Briscoe
of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a fifer in the Company commanded by Captain Botsford of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Connecticut line for 
6 month - fifer -
Nathaniel Brisco*
  Records corrected Nov. 18/05 Js
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 22 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of January 1838 and sent to Hon. T. T. Whittlesey, [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1838   $143.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '38   11.00
[underline]
$154.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D McCurdy, clerk
Book E2 Vol. 3 Page 6
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Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown Ss: Newtown. On this 15th day of April AD 1837 personally approved, in open court, before Samuel G. Blackman Esquire, Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown, Nathaniel Briscoe, a resident of Newtown in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut and probate District aforesaid, aged seventy-four 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 about the first day of November 1779 I enlisted under Capt. Elijah Botsford, then of said Newtown, since dec'd in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution. I enlisted for the term of six months and in three or four days after I enlisted, we marched to a place on the shore, now called Darien, between Norwalk and Stamford in Connecticut. The object of the enlistment and service was to guard the coast along the sound, between Connecticut and Long Island. We were stationed at Middlesex (now called Darien) 'till some time in January I should think, from the best of my recollection, we then marched to Greenwich where we continued until the time for which we were enlisted, expired, which was early in May, to the best of my recollection. I ought to have stated that we first marched to Norwalk and remained there, from a week to a fortnight and then to Darien and from there to Greenwich as I have stated. 
When the term of our service, six months, had expired, we were all discharged and returned home. The officers I served under were Capt. Elijah Botsford, Lieutenant Joshua Hatch, Ensign David Judson. The name of the orderly Sergeant was Philo Beardslee, Joseph Hawley, was also a sergeant, and James Fairchild another. I do not now recollect the other sergeant's name. Ezra Sherman was a Corporal, Samuel Bobbit also another. Richard Bennit was drummer and I was the Fifer. I enlisted as...
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... a fifer and served as such during the six months service. I used occasionally to exchange with a man from Bethel in Danbury, whose name I do not recollect. I used to take his musket and he my fife for a while, and when it suited we would swap back again. During the service we belonged to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Garfield, whose given name I do not recollect. He belonged to New Milford in Connecticut. On one occasion, a short time before we were dismissed, a few of us, I should think not more than four or five, were out from the rest of the company a small distance and were surprised by a few British Light horsemen. I spring over a stone wall and as I spring over the wall received a wound on my wrist, the scar of which is plain to be seen. A man by the name of Hine from New Milford was not so fortunate in making his escape. He was dreadfully cut and mangled by the sword of a British Light horseman and left for dead on the field - but after the British left, he was taken care of and removed, as I understood. I was unable to do duty after receiving the wound on my wrist, but it was but a short time before we were dismissed and all returned home. I was wounded by the British Lighthorseman's sword. All the officers and men in the service I have herein related are dead to the best of my knowledge and belief, and were dead when I first heard of the passage of the act of Congress by virtue of which this application is made. And is the principal reason why application has not sooner been made. I did hope I should hear of someone still living who was out in the service with us but have not been able to hear of anyone. 
I was born in Newtown, County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, June 12th 1764. I have no knowledge of any record of my age except my own family record, which agrees with this statement. I have always resided in said Newtown except the six months while in the service as herein before stated. 

Nathaniel Briscoe

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 

Attest Charles Clarke
Clerk
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                                     Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Mrs. May B. Godfrey               E&L       AM
100 Arlington Road
Utica, New York


Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S12313, that Nathaniel Brisco (the name also appears as Briscoe) was born June 12, 1764, in Newtown, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

While residing in said Newtown, he enlisted about November 1, 1779, served as fifer in Captain Jabez Botsford's Company, which at the time was commanded by Elijah Botsford, Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment, was in a skirmish where he received a sword wound on his wrist and was discharged in May 1789, having served six months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 15, 1837, at which time he was a resident of Newtown, Connecticut, where he had always lived.

There are no data concerning his family.

Very truly yours

E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
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(government ticket)

12,313
Rev War

INVALID
------
File No.  12,313
Nathaniel Brisco
Fifer Rev War
-----
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--vol. A,  Page 47
(Arrangement of 1870)

----------------------------------

(notes on left side of page)

Mch 25/95 Mail hist to Mrs. Geo. Blakeman - 64 Bank St. Arby Conn.  (?)

Sept 20/97 Mrs. R. B. Hanley, Anesbury Mass.

sept 30/97 Letter to Mrs. R. B. Hanley
-----------------------------

Jan 4/98 Hist to Mr.J. E. Burton, Orange NJ
----------------------------
1929 Oct 2 , hist to Reba I Balch MEE
------------------------
1930 - Dec 9 - Hist to Mrs. May B. Godfrey EES
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Suspended
see let to S C Blackman
June 24, 1837
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N Brisco

J L Edwards Esq
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House of Rep

Dec 21, 37

James L Edwards Esq

Sir

I send you the certificates of the Secretary of State Ct, and a deposition JC Hawley in the case of Mary Fairchild widow of James Fairchild & Nathaniel Brisco. I have examined the papers. I also enclose the letter of Saml C Blackman Esq, than whom now can be more candid in statements, he runs the Dep of Hawly is additional testimony who was not known to be living when the testimony was taken. Mr Blackman also desires to know whether services when Fairfield and Norwalk were burned and considered evidence is proved.

In the care of Joseph Wilkinson it is a case from Connecticut.

I am very respectfully yours,
T T Whittlesay
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State o Connecticut
County of Fairfield
Probate District of Newtown ss Newtown June 14th 1837

Personally appeared in open Court, before Samuel C Blackman Esquire Justice of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, Nathaniel Brisco, who subscribed & made oath to the foregoing deposition, & being duly sworn according to law, made oath as [unk], to wit, Jabez Botsford was to the best of my knowledge & belief, the Captain who had the listing orders for the service I have testified to in my former deposition & to whom the command of the Company was given; and that for some cause, either sickness or lameness or some other cause, Elijah Botsford, performed the service or most of it in his stead, & as a substitute. I am pretty confident that Elijah Botsford, served & commanded the company, as Captain during the whole or greater part of the six months service, I have related in my former deposition. I am also confident that Capt Jabez Botsford had the lasting orders & the service was performed in his name; for I well recollect that after the service was over & we were entitled to our wages Capt Ebijah Botsford was collector of taxes and Jacob Stitson the mane with whom I lived as an apprentice to the [unk] trade was had to apply my wages in payment of his cases; and it could not be done without an order from Capt Jabez Botsford; & he went to said Jabez Botsford, obtained the order & then the [unk] applied my wages toward said Stitsons Taxes- I think I cannot be mistaken when I state that Capt Jabez Botsford has the listing orders & was to perform the service but that, owing to some cause, what i cannot not state, Elijah Botsford performed a considerable part of the service & I am not sure but all of it the Botsfords were couriers, Elijah was Capt of the militia at that time & Jabez commissioned fot that service I should think, he was also, at some time, Captain of the militia.

Nathaniel Brisco

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year last above mentioned.

Atteste Charles Clarke
Clerk
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At the same Court, personally appeared, in open Court, Lucy Stitson aged ninety two years last May, & being duly sworn, according to law, testifies as follows to wit, I am the widow of Jacob Stitson late of Newtown deceased. I am personally acquainted with Nathaniel Brisco of said Newtown. He lives in our family at the time of the revolutionary war, as an apprentice of my husband who was a [unk] and in the year 1779 & 1780 he enlisted for a six months tour & went & served, I understood, under Capt Botsford: I am not positive as to the year now how long he served; but remember he enlisted for six months & suppose he served the time out, after his discharge from the army he returned to our house & served the remaining of his apprenticeship with my husband.

Lucy Stitson  her mark X

Signed in the presence of Samuel G Blackman
Daniel Brisco

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year last above mentioned.

Attest Charles Clarke Clerk

At the same Court, personally appeared in open Court Philo Fairchild a resident of said Newtown & being duly sworn according to law, testifies as follows to wit: I am half brother of James Fairchild late of said Newtown dec'd whose widow is applying for a pension & my said brother James, as I have testified in behalf of his widow, performed one tour of duty in the capacity of Sergeant. I should think it was a six month tour, what year it was & where he served I do not now recollect, but on his return I recollect he said Nathaniel Brisco of sd Newtown was one the company & was as their Fifer.

Philo Fairchild

Sworn & subscribed the day & year last above mentioned.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant served as he states-and this Court further certifies that the applicant, said Lucy Stitson & Philo Fairchild who have testified in this application are credible persons & their statements are entitled to credit.
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Free
Newtown let
June I9
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
34174
Nathaniel Brisco
Conn
see Mary Fairchilds
papers-
admt-
6 mo Fifer
$22
Hon T. T. Whitlesey
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I Charles Clarke Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Brisco for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 1th day of June AD 1834.

Attest Charles Clarke Clerk
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Newtown June 17th 1837
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

At the request of Nathaniel Brisco the applicant, who lives in a remote part of the Town I forward this application. He supposes & I concur in the opinion that the Comptroller's certificate, forwarded to you two or three days since, in behalf of Mrs Mary Fairchild, will answer for this application as well as that; as the service of Brisco was performed at the same time & in the same company.

That certificate would have been sent sooner, but it was I suppose that it might be proper to have Brisco testify again & explain as to the Captains given name.

Your obt servt,

Samuel C Blackman
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Newton Ct
Dec 18

Hon. Thomas T. Whittlesey
Member of Congress
Washington City

Hon TT Whittlesey
Page 16

Newtown Dec 13th 1837

Dear Sir

I forward to you a deposition & the secretary's certificate as further evidence to her and on the application of Mary Fairchild widow if James Fairchild: and also on the application of Nathaniel Brisco for pensions. You are requested to have them to the Commissioner of Pensions J L Edwards Esq and I wish you to state some facts which I will mention. The deposition of Joseph C Hawley was taken at the expense of Mrs Fairchilds friends & for her use; with a request that the witness would also state what he recollected of the services of Nathaniel Brisco as the claim is that they both served the same tour of duty. It so happens that the Justice of witness did not understand it so, for he has names James Fairchild only once in his deposition & that is that he was one of their Sergeants, that however I suppose is sufficient & as good as if he had said more about his service.  If he served as a sergeant during that campaign his widow is ultimately entitled to a pension. The objections to allowing Mrs Fairchild's claim for pension were that the comptroller's certificate was not satisfactory, accompanied, it was said only "by (the deposition of a witness who for the first time asserts a claim for the same service) She has now got the Secretary of States certificates & the deposition of Joseph C Hawley, who was not suppose to be living when the former evidence was sent on. This Joseph C Hawley at the time of the revolution lived in Southbury & was called, as it is said, Joseph Hawley, generally, at best, but is unquestionably the same person who was mentioned as a sergeant in the sd Brisco's deposition, indeed it appears from inspection that in the present deposition
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it (his name), was written by the Justice Joseph Hawley, & after he had signed, the Justice finding that he wrote his name Joseph C Hawley, inserts the C between the other names wherever the name is written. The objections to Nath'l Brisco's claim is that he did "not furnish proof from the Records at Hartford nor depositions of the very numerous claimants for similar services under the State authority." He furnished the deposition of an aged Lady with whose husband he lived as an apprentice who, in her deposition confirmed his statement. They also say "it's believed his term of service if over rated" as to length of time. He has now the deposition of this Joseph C Hawley who the Justice certifies is a credible witness. I never knew him myself. I will now mention what I wish you to state which I think you know from tradition, that is, that in the time of the revolutionary war, Newtown was notoriously a Tory Town. More so, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, than any other Town in Connecticut. Since I have become an inhabitant of the Town, I have investigated the causes; but it is not necessary to state them here/ I will state however that since the revolution we have increased not more than an average in the State & we number more than 3000 inhabitants & in the whole Town there is but a single individual, male, native of the town or who lived there in the time of the wat who draws a pension & he was under 16 years of age when he served & now draws $24 a year. I mention it merely to show the difficulty a native Newtown revolutionary soldier has to encounter to obtain a pension. I do not suppose that circumstances will do away the necessity of proving the facts necessary to entitle
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him to a pension, but it does away the presumption that there are neighbors living by whom he can prove the facts & the assumption that they could testify differently if called upon to testify. At the commencement of the present Century, which was about the time I came to Newtown & commenced business in my profession I should think there were from 50 to 80 men living who had joined the British in the revolutionary war. They are now nearly all in their graces. There are therefore not any very numerous claimants for similar services that he the claimant knows of as I verily believe. The officers, he served under whom he has named, are all dead except Joseph G Hawley whose deposition is now forwarded; that is they have the reputation of being dead. Those who were called out at the burning of Danbury and Fairfield & Norwalk are clearly within the letter of the act granting pensions: but if I were to judge from the effect of proving such services those services on those occasions are disregarded by the Secretary at War, although the comptroller certifies that payments were awarded for those services. It is of small importance except to the widows whose husbands performed all their services before marriage except what they served at the burning of Fairfield & James Fairchild served seven months in the year 1775 to the perfect satisfaction of the commissioner of pensions: and I should think the evidence satisfactory to several other tours of duty, & some of them since the marriage. If Mrs Fairchild's pension is not granted with this additional deposition I wish you would ascertain from the Commissioner of Pensions whether proof with regard to services when Fairfield & Norwalk were burnt would be if use: I wish it more particularly because I have written to that office for information & could get no answer. I am Sir very respectfully your obedient servant.

Samuel G Blackman

It has been also objected to Nathan'l Brisco's claim that he gave no satisfactory reason delaying to make his claim to Congress he did. He told me he did not know that his case would be included in the act & did not hear of the case until long after it was made. It is true he lives in an obscure part of the Town between 4 & 5 miles from the center. He is very poor. No friends who will help him. A professor of religion [illegible]
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Sec Pension Bureau

Sir

Can you verify a statement handed down in the family of one who served in the Wa of 1776 as fifer, Nathaniel Briscoe of Newtown Conn. He entered the army, a few months before  it close, age 20 yrs. Received a pension , If your records can prove me necessary information. It will be
Page 20

Respectfully received by

Mrs. George Blakeman
64 Bank St.
Derby, Conn.

Also information concerning John Johnson.  Enlisted in Danbury 16th Regiment Conn Vol.
commanded by Col Waterbury - Captain Noble Benidict.
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[official stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY 
SEP 15 1897
FILES

[official stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
SEP 13 1897
Page 22

Sep 7, '97

Pension Department, Washington

I wish very much to know if the name of Nathaniel Briscoe is recorded on the pension list of the Revolutionary War. He has a daughter living, whom the "Daughters of the Revolution" would like to make an honorary.
Page 23

member of their Society. This daughter says he was a fifer in the Revolution, and for his services received a pension until his death. Will you kindly tell me where I can procure proof and oblige.

Yours very truly

Mrs R B Hawley

Amesbury Mass

P.S. He enlisted in Connecticut, but am not certain what town possibly Newtown.

Mrs R B Hawley
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[official stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
SEP 23 1897

[official stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
SEP 24 1897
Page 25

Sep 20 '97

To Pension Department Washington

I wish to know if there is a record of one Nathaniel Briscoe who received a government pension for services in the Revolutionary War.  his daughter still living thinks he went from Newtown Conn, but the records then do not speak of him. Any information will be gratefully received by 
Mrs R B Hawley

Amesbury Mass
Page 26

F Eugene Burton
Orange, N.J., Dec 27th 1897

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen,

Kindly furnish me with a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Briscoe enlisted I believe Nov 1779 resident of Connecticut.

Respectfully,

F Eugene Burton
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[official stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
JUL 15 1929
Page 28

1027 Mathews Ave,
Utica, NY
July 13, 1929

U.S. Dept of int.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, DC

Dear Sirs:-

kindly give me report of Nathaniel Brisco or Briscoe S. 12313. He was from Connecticut. I under-
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stand you have this record in "Revolutionary Soldiers who served from Connectictu."

Truly yours,

Reba I Balch
Page 30

100 Arlington Rd,
Utica, NY
Nov 18, 1930

US Dept of Int
Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sirs:-

Kindly give me a report of the services of Nathaniel Briscoe of Newton Conn, b 1764 & d 1848, wife Olive Prundle. He was in the
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Revolutionary War as a fifer I am informed.

Thanking you, I am yours very truly,

(Mrs) May B Godfrey
Page 32

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,
March 25, 1895

Madam:-

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Brisco a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment" Nov 1779
Length of Service: 6 mos
Rank: fifer
Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered: captain Elijah Botsford, Colonel Canfield
State: Conn

Near the last of his service he, together with four or five other members of his company, was surprised by a small party of British :Light Horse" and in making his escape received a slight cut upon the wrist from one of the horsemen.

Battles engaged on,   None

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Newtown Conn

Date of application for pension, April 15 1837

Residence at date of application, Newtown Conn

Age at date of application, Born at Newtown Conn June 12, 1764

Remarks: He signed his name as Brisco

Very respectfully,

Commissioner

Mrs. George Blakeman
64 Banx St
Derby Conn
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[upper left corner partially water-damaged]
This Bureau can furnish the military [illegible] such Revolutionary soldier [illegible] or whose widows were [illegible] their services.
[illegible] the original muster and pay [illegible] Revolutionary War and the [illegible] now in possession of the [illegible] are on file in the [illegible] and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

L.W.B.
I. 12313

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

O. W. & N. Div.
Revolutionary

September 20, 1897

Madam:-

Replying to your request for information concerning Nathan Briscoe, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on April 15, 1837, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Newtown, Conn., and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a fifer in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Botsford and Col. Canfield. He enlisted at Newtown, Conn.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Mrs. R. B. Hawley
Amesbury, Mass
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[upper left corner partially obscured]
This Bureau can furnish the military [illegible] of only such Revolutionary soldiers [illegible] or whose widows were [illegible] for their services.  [illegible] of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

L.W.B.
I. 12313

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
O. W. & N. DIV.
Revolutionary

January 4th, 1898

Sir:-

Replying to your request for information concerning Nathaniel Brisco, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on April 15th, 1837, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Newtown, Conn., and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a fifer in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Botsford and Col. Canfield. he enlisted at Newtown, Conn.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner

Mr. F. Eugene Burton
Orange, New Jersey
Page 35

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section

October 2, 1929

Reba I. Balch
1027 Mathews Avenue
Utica, New York

Dear Madam:

i advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12313, it appears that Nathaniel Brisco was born June 12, 1764, in Newtown, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

While residing in said Newtown, he enlisted about November 1, 1779, served as fifer in Captain Jabez Botsford's Company, which at that time was commanded by Elijah Botsford, Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment, was in a skirmish where he received a sword wound on his wrist and was discharged in May, 1780, having served six months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 15, 1837, at wich time he was a resident of Newtown, Connecticut, where he had always lived.

There are no data concerning his family.

Very truly yours,

Earl D. Church
Commissioner