Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12318, John Bradford, N.H.
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(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE N. H. Bradford, John
NUMBER S. 12318
carded
CONTENTS
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2440
New Hampshire
John Bradford
of Hancock in the State of N H who was a Private in the company command by Captain [blank] of the Reg [REGIMENT] commanded by Col [COLONEL] Reed in the NH line for
2 Mos [MONTHS] 9 Days Captain
2 " [mos]  Lieutenant
2 " [mos]  Ensign
14 " [days] Private
Inscribed on the Roll of NH at the rate of
92 Dollars 21 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Nov 1832 and sent [illegible] Brown Francestown NH
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $138.31
Semi-anl. [ANNUAL] allowance ending 4 Mar [18]33. 46.10
_____________
$ 184.41

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H Mc Blair Clerk
Book D Vol. 1st Page 143
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No. 151.
John Bradford
8545
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STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
County of Hillsborough, SS.
On this [blank] day of August A.D. 1832
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate, now sitting at
Francestown within and for the County of Hillsborough, in the State aforesaid, John Bradford a resident of the town of
Hancock in said County aged 88 years
Who being 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 officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say, When he heard in April 1775 of the enemy's march from
Boston to Concord he volunteered & went to Concord & from that place served as a soldier
two weeks or more
In the latter part of November or the first of December 1775 he entered the service for six weeks & served the term out - and during this service was, & did the duties of Ensign in Capt. [CAPTAIN] Taylor's company of New Hampshire militia. The name of the lieutenant of the company was Ballard. The company was attached to Col. [COLONEL] Reed's regiment, &
was stationed at Winter Hill. after the six weeks were out he continued at the request of Gen. [GENERAL] Sullivan in the service, he thinks
two weeks longer, so as to make a term of two months in the service.
In May 1777 he entered the service again & served as Lieutenant in Capt Bowman's company of N.H. Militia. William Dickey was Ensign of the company. The company was stationed at New Castle near Portsmouth N.H. He cannot state with certainty how long the service continued, but he is sure it was one month or more. No other company was stationed at the place at the time.
About the first of July 1777 there was a call for men to rejoin the American army at Ticonderoga He was then Capt. of a militia company in Amherst N.H. A company was raised & manned under his command to Vermont, where they were informed of the retreat of our army & were ordered to return - He was absent about a fortnight from the time of his return from the above mentioned service  at Newcastle until he marched for Vermont as above stated he was employed in enlisting men for this service -having received about the time of his return commission as Captain -  Immediately after his return from Vermont a company  was enlisted of which he was Captain for two months. The company joined the regiment at Manchester Vermont under Col. Moses Nichols & Lieut [LIEUTENANT] Col. Gregg -He & his company were in the Battle of
Bennington under General Stark & afterwards joined the northern army under Gen. Gates & remained with it till the term of two month was out.
In the latter part of July he thinks it was 1778 he entered the service and served one month as adjutant of the regiment commanded by Col. Moses Nichols & was with the army under General Sullivan on Rhode Island
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He had regular commissions as Ensign Lieutenant and adjutant as aforesaid but has lost the commissions
He was born at Amherst N.H. - April, he thinks
1744. He has no record of his age. The first time he entered the service he lived in Lyndeborough N. H. and subsequent time he lived - Amherst, Since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Amherst, Hillsborough and Hancock N.H. at the last of which places he now lives 
He never received any written discharge from
the service - John Whitcomb & Jonas Hutchinson Esquires are persons in his present neighborhood to whom he is known & who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution 
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, John Bradford Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate
We Archibald Burgess a Clergyman residing in the town of Hancock in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid, and Samuel Gates residing in Hancock aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bradford who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 88
years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we
concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Archibald Burgess
Saml [SAMUEL] Gates
Edmund Parker, Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Archibald Burgess who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the town of Hancock and that Samuel Gates who has signed the same, is a resident in the town of Hancock - and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edmund Parker} Judge of Probate for said
County of Hillsborough.
I CHARLES H. ATHERTON, Register of the court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Bradford
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, this thirtieth 
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
H. Atherton Register of Probate, for said county of Hillsborough.
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STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. [sic]
County of Hillsborough, to wit,
At the Court aforesaid, On the application aforesaid, the following interrogatories were propounded to the said John Bradford and the following answers given, to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In Amherst N.H. & I think, April, 1744
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have no record
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer. When I entered the service the service the first time I lived Lyndeborough. NH. at each engagement time I lived -Amherst -
since this war I have lived in Amherst Hillsborough & Hancock N.H is the last of which places I 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? Answer, I can give no other information
in this front than is contained in my foregoing
Declaration
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 service? Answer, I believe all the particulars within recollection required by this interrogatory are stated in my (foregoing) Declaration
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answer, I never received any written discharge
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution? Answer, John Whitcomb and Jonas Hutchinson Esquires of Hancock
Certified by C. H. Atherton Register.
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No 8545
John Bradford
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No 8545
BRIEF in the case of John Bradford
of Hancock in the State of New Hampshire -
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 88 -
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. |
In 1775 Apl. [APRIL] | 14 days | Private. | Gen. Sullivan|
1775 Decr. [DECEMBER] | 2 months 2 days | Ensign. | Cap [CAPTAIN] Taylor Col [COLONEL Reed |
1777 May - | thinks one month or more | Lieut - LIEUTENANT] | [Captain] Bowman |
about 1777 July 1 | - x - 2 Months | Capt. | Col [COLONEL] Nichols
He thinks - 1778 July - | - O 1 month - | Adjt [ADJUTANT] | Same [Col Nichols]
x on Role 2 month & 9 days
5.  In what battles was he engaged? Bennington
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lyndenborough. [LYNDEBOROUGH] N. H.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary -- Living Witnesses -
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Saml [SAMUEL] J Potts Examining Clerk.

O on Roll [illegible] served as adgt 
5 Aug 1778- dish [DISCHARGED] 28 Augt [AUGUST] 1778
[illegible] 26 days
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8545
John Bradford
2 Mos MONTHS] & 9 days Captain
2 Do [DITTO] Lieut [LIEUTENANT] 
2 Do [DITTO] Ensign
16 days Private
---
Admitted
$92.21
Titus Brown
Francestown
N H
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Bradford which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes -
V. *Has he mentioned 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? yes-
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes -
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate: Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes-
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Has produced the testimony of living witnesses
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes-
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
[illegible]TORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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. [ETC.] 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 - year-- months, and --- days, I served as a - For - months and --- days, I served as a -;  and for such service I claim a pension."
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3 
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.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
++QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
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Jan. 29, 1910.
To Pr. Mr. Genl. [POST MASTER GENERAL] U. S. A.
for [illegible] F.W.
RevWar [REVOLUTIONARY WAR] 
12318
INVALID
File No. 12,318
John Bradford Capt [CAPTAIN] &c [ETC.]
Pri. [PRIVATE] Rev. [REVOLUTIONARY] War
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 47
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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I John Wallace of Milford in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged seventy six years, being sworn, testify and say, that during the Revolutionary War I lived in the town of Amherst, and in the latter part of
November or first of December in the year 1775 I enlisted in a company of Militia commanded by Capt [CAPTAIN] Benjamin
Taylor of said Amherst, to serve six weeks.-- Ballard Welton was Lieutenant of the company and John Bradford then of said Amherst, now of Hancock in said County of Hillsborough was Ensign. We marched to Winter Hill, and the company was attached to Col. Reads [REED'S] Regiment. We served our time out, and then at the request of Gen. [GENERAL] Sullivan we served some time longer. I think about two weeks, making two months service in the
whole. Said Bradford served the whole of said time.
About the first of July in the year 1777 a call was made for men to reinforce the Army at Ticonderoga, or that vicinity. The said John Bradford was then Captain of one of the companies of militia in said town. A 
company of volunteers was immediately raised commanded by said Bradford, and marched to Vermont, where we understood our army had retreated from Ticonderoga. Our company then had orders to return which we did and were gone about a fortnight.
Immediately on our return orders arrived for a
company to be formed to serve for two months, and said Company was commanded by said Bradford. I was one of the company. We immediately marched for Bennington in Vermont, and at Charlestown were organized in [illegible]. At Manchester the Regiments were formed, ours commanded by Col. [COLONEL] Moses Nichols - Lt. [LIEUTENANT] Col. Gregg, and the whole commanded by
Gen. Stark. - We were in the battle called the battle of Bennington, and afterwards joined the Army near Saratoga. We served our term out and were then discharged
John Wallace
State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough ss on this seventeenth day
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of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. John Wallace above named personally came and signed the foregoing affidavit and made oath in due form of law that the same is true. Before me Edmund Parker Justice of the Peace-
I certify that I am acquainted with the above
named John Wallace, that his character for truth
and veracity is good and that he is entitled to
full credit.
Edmund Parker Justice of the Peace
[several lines crossed out]

John Wallace Depo [DEPOSITION]
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I Jesse Worcester of Hollis in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire now in my 72d year did in the month of May in the year 1777 enlist as a Soldier for one month and agreeably to orders proceeded to the Island called New Castle near Portsmouth NH and joined the company commanded by Capt [CAPTAIN] Bowman of Hencker [HENNIKER] in said State, of which company John Bradford then of Amherst, now of Hancock in the same county was our Lieutenant and we both served 
the term of one month and until regurly [REGULARLY] discharged about the last of July in the year 1778. There was a call for volunteers to join the army at Rhode Island
commanded by General Sullivan who was then expected soon to lay siege to New Port [sic] then in possession of the British troops. I then with about sixty others from Hollis went under the command of Capt Daniel Emerson of said Hollis and we joined the Regiment
commanded by Col. [COLONEL] Moses Nichols of Amherst of which I have a firm belief that the said John Bradford was the Adjutant. That when the enquiry was made to me who was your Adjutant at Rhode Island, I was
unable to recollect. But on reflection I have no more doubt of his being there as Adjutant than I have of being myself a soldier
Jesse Worcester

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. Augt [AUGUST] 27th 1832 then the said Jesse Worcester appears & makes oath that the sworn deposition by him subscribed is just & true
Before me
C.H. Atherton Jus [JUSTICE] Peace
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and I the said Justice do certify that I am
acquainted with the said Jesse Worcester that in my opinion he is a man of truth & respectability, & that his declarations are entitled to full credit
C H Atherton J. [JUSTICE] Peace

Jesse Worcester
affidavit for
John Bradford
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Aaron Putnams [sic]
Affidavit
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I Aron [AARON] Putnam of Lyndesborough [LYNDEBOROUGH] in the County of
Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged 72 years being sworn testify and say that in the sumer [SUMMER] of 1778 I lived at Amherst with John Bradford & that in the latter part of July or first of August in the year aforesaid their [THERE] was a call for men to go to Rhodisland [RHODE ISLAND], that the said John Bradford volunteered as an
Adjutant in Col. [COLONEL] Moses Nichols [sic] Regiment in about four days after the said Bradford marched, I volunteered in the company commanded by Capt [CAPTAIN] William Lee of said Lyndesborough and marched to said Rhodisland, that when we arived [ARRIVED] at said Island I found
the sd [SAID] Bradford doing adjutants [sic] duty in said Nichols Regiment, I was in the United States service on and about said Island one month, and the said Bradford did the duty of an adjutant during said time
Aaron Putnam

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough ss on this eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Aaron Putnam above personally came and signed the foregoing affidavit and made oath in due form of law that the same is true before me
Thatcher Bradford Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with the above
named Aaron Putnam that his character for
truth and veracity is good, and that he is entitled to full credit
Thacker Bradford Justice of the Peace
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Affidavit William Dickey for John Bradford
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I William Dickey of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsboro and State of New Hampshire depose and testify, that in the month of June or May 
1777 I entered into the service of the United States as an Ensign in a Company commanded by Capt [CAPTAIN] Boardman Henniker, NH. and
marched to Portsmouth with said Company where we remained more than one month but I do not remember precisely how long
John Bradford of Hancock in the County & State aforesaid was a Lieutenant in the same company with me and served during the same term. In August 1778 I again entered the service of the United States in the N.H. Militia as a Lieutenant in Capt Gilmore's Company. Joseph Grieg of Londonderry was the other Lieut [LIEUTENANT] we marched directly to Rhode Island, were in Colo' [COLONEL] Nichol's Regiment the troops were generally under the command of Genl [GENERAL] Sullivan as I think that Genl Lafayette was there.
John Bradford aforesaid was there as an officer
I knew him perfectly well then as I have ever since but he was not in the same company with me nor do I remember to what company he belonged. I was in service at this time I think between one & two months-
William Dickey

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough SS August 18, 1832 Sworn and Subscribed the day and the year last aforesaid
Before me Franklin Pierce Justice of the Peace
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I certify that I am acquainted with
William Dickey the within named deponent, that his character for truth and veracity is good and that he is entitled to full credit 
Franklin Piece Justice of the Peace
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Ebenezer Averill
affidavit
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I Ebenezer Averill of Milford in the County of
Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire aged 80 years, being sworn testify and say, that during the war of the Revolution I lived in the  town of Amherst, and in the month of April 1775 news came that the enemy had marched out of Boston. I was called upon to march to
meet them, I went to Concord Massachusetts, and from there to Cambridge, and when at Cambridge I frequently saw John Bradford then of Lyndeborough and now of Hancock in said County of Hillsborough, and know that he
was doing military duty.
I further certify that in November or December in the year 1775 I enlisted in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Benj [BENJAMIN] Taylor of said Amherst to serve six weeks
Ballard of Wilton was Lieutenant of the company and John Bradford then of said Amherst now of Hancock was Ensign we marched to winter hill near Boston and the company was attached to Col. [COLONEL] Reeds [sic] Regiment we served our time out, and then at the request of Gen. [GENERAL] Sullivan served two weeks longer making two
months service in the whole of said term, said
Bradford served the whole of said time
Ebenezer Averill

State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough Ss. August 18th 1832
Ebenezer Averill above named personally came and signed the foregoing affidavit and made oath in due form of law that the same is true before me
Thatcher Bradford Justice of the Peace

I certify that I am acquainted with the above
named Ebenezer Averill; that his character for
truth and veracity is good and that he is
entitled to full credit
Thatcher Bradford Justice of the Peace
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I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court 
of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Thacher Bradford Franklin Pierce, Charles H. Atherton & Edmund Parker are Justices of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough, and that their respective signatures to the papers hereunto annexed, are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832
A Wallace Clerk