Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,668, George Brown, R.I.
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R. I.

Brown, George

S.26668
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Rhode Island 10031

George Brown

of Little Compton in the state of Rhode Island
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Simmons of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Richmond in the Militia
time for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Rd. Island
at the rate of 80 Dollars --- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of 
March 1833 and sent to 
Hon. A. Robbins, Newport R. I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 33. $160.00
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33 $40.00
$200.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Francis F. Francis Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2 Page 103
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Declaration State of Rhode Island &c. County of Newport, town of Little Compton, Sc. On this eighteenth day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Open Court, before the Court of Probate of Little Compton, in said State and county, at a adjourned session thereof, George Brown, a resident of said Little Compton, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he was first draughted as a private in a militia company in the town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island under Captain George Simmons, September 1775 in the regiment of which was Colonel. Said company was immediately marched to Rhode Island, and quartered first at the Bannister, and then at the Dudley House. The object in marching this force to Rhode Island was to repel the incursions of the famous Wallace and others, who were continually marauding on that and the neighbouring Islands, and carrying off stock. On one occasion three prisoners were taken by this company in repelling these incursions. This declarant continued with his company from September 1775 until the first day of January following, a period of four months, when he was taken so seriously ill, that he was obliged to solicit and obtained a discharge. Declarant further states upon oath as afresaid that about the first day of October 1776 he enlisted as a private in a company of R.I. State troops commanded by Captain Henry Wilds in the regiment whereof Col. John Cook, of Tiverton, was Colonel. This company was stationed in Newport, at the Point, previous to the occupation of Rhode Island by the British, and declarant's time was about two thirds expired when the enemy arrived there, December 1776. Declarant served three months in this company and was discharged at Howland's ferry. At the time the British came into Newport declarant was engaged with several boats to secure and carry
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away the stones of the officers, which he effected and brought to the ferry aforesaid. Very soon after declarants discharge from the State troops, say within a month of that period he was draughted as a private in Capt. George Simmons' company of militia in Little Compton, to do duty as guards to protect the shores of that district from the incusions of the enemy. This draught was made under the act of Assembly of December 1776, draughting into three divisions all male persons, in the State of Rhode Island, subject by law to bear arms, and placing them under the orders of the Governor, or Commander for the time being, to be marched as soon as possible to such places as said authorities should point out. Declarant was immediately called upon duty in this company, and continued to serve as a private therein, every alternate month for the period of nearly two year & seven and a half months. viz. until the Island of Rhode Island was evacuatied by the enemy. The arrangement of duty was, the one half of the company should do duty as guards for one month and then be relieved by the other half, the succeeding month; and so on alternately until the exigency which had called for the draught had determined; the whole company in the mean time being liable to duty at a minute's warning. Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid, that he performed a months tour of duty as a private in addition to the above in said Captain George Simmon's company at the time of Sullivan's expedition when the said company was ordered to Rhode ISland as a part of the Army which that General had collected with a view of cooperating with the French Admiral, and expelling the enemy from the Island. After the failure of the expedition declarant returned to Little Compton, and resumed his duty as guard in the nammer above stated. That in 1781, at the time the French troops evacuated Rhode Island he was again draughted and served as a private in the militia company of Little Compton
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Whereof Benjamon Coe was Captain, John Bailey 1st and Gamliel Tompkins 2nd Lieutenant; that said company was marched to Newport, and was stationed at Jahleel Brenton's house in Brenton's neck, where declarant did duty for the period of a month, and was then discharged. That in 1777 at the time of Genl Spencer's expedition, he was again draughted and did duty as a private, in the militia company of Little Compton commanded by Captain Nathaniel Church; being principally employed with nineteen others in superintending & assisting in the passage of troops & at Slade's ferry, where at the expiration of the [interlineation illegible] month he was finally discharged. Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid, that he was born in the town of Little Compton, in the then Colony of Rhode Island, December 16th, 1757, as by record in the town clerk's office appears the proper certificate of which from the present Town clerk, will be hereunto annexed: that he was living, at the time of his first being draughted in the militia in 1775, in said town of Little Compton: that he has lived there ever since the revolutionary war; and that he now live there: that he never received any written discharge at the expiration of his service in either of said companies of militia, or from the company of State troops, under command of Capt. Wilds, nor was it customary at that period to furnish such a discharge: that he has no documentary evidence whatever of the services he has sworn to: nor can he produce any witness in court, nor does he know of any witness who of his own knowledge could testify to said services, with the exception of Wm Woodman Hezekiah Wilbur & B. Corey, whose deposition will be annexed that his memory will not allow him to fix with more precision than he has herein done the particular day, month or year when he entered the service, or when he left the same; and that he claime to have served in the whole two year, and one month & a half actual duty.
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that as to the manner of his being called into the service, and the names of the officers under whom he served, they are both succinctly stated in the first part of this Declaration; and that he refers to Walter Wilbur and Isaac Brownell, as persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 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 any agency of any State. George Brown.
Sworn in open Court the day and year above written. Witness A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk. 

We Walter Wilbour, residing in Little Compton, in the county of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, and Isaac Brownell, residing in the same Little Compton, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Brown, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Walter Wilber Isaac Brownell Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year above written Witness A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk. 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that fter 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
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certifies, that it appears to them that Walter Wilbour, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Little Compton; and that Isaac Brownell, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town; and that both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to full faith and belief.

I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the county of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of George Brown for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, this eighteenth day of September A. D. 1832.

A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.

The testimony of the nearest clergyman having been requested, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of the applicant, the Court thinks it proper to state, that the Rev. Emerson Paine having been recently settled in this place, and the only one who could be conveniently called upon, was not sufficiently acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness.

A. R. B.
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William Woodman, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, upon solemn oath, deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with George Brown who on the eighteenth day of September, A. D. 1832, made subscribed and swore to his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, that he is well knowing to the truth of that part of said Brown's declaration, wherein he states that he served as a private in Captain George Jenisons[?] company of militia in September 1778, when it was called out + was marched to Rhode Island to repel Captain Wallace. This deponent was a private in the same company, on the same expedition, and knows that said Brown served therein a term of two months, + how much longer he is unable to state.

This deponent is knowing also to said Browns having performed guard duty in Little Compton, while the British were in possession of Rhode Island, as stated in his declaration, but for what length of time he is unable to state, having stood guard in a different part of Little Compton for a part of said period. Deponent did guard duty with the declarant at the Rowne[?] House in Little Compton, + at no other station.

Williwam Woodman
Newport [illegible]
State of Rhode Island [illegible]

Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton, September 19th, 1832. Then personally appeared William Woodman, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of George Brown to the count made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition by him, the said [illegible] subscribed. And the Court further certifies that the said William Woodman is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith + credit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal of Court.

A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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Hezekiah Wilbur, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with George Brown, who on the eighteenth day of September 1832 subscribed and swore to his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he is knowing to the fact that said George Brown performed guard duty as a private in Capt. George Simmons company of Little Compton militia at the time the British were in possession of Rhode Island. This deponent was a private in the same company and stood guard with said Brown, at Col. Wm. Richmond's and at the Rowse House in Little Compton, but for what length of time he is unable to particularly to state. Hezekiah Wilbur

Newport Sc. State of Rhode Island &c. Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton September 19th, 1832. Then personally appeared in open court, Hezekiah Wilbur, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of George Brown to this Court made, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition by the said Hezekiah subscribed. And the Court further certifies, that the said Hezekia Wilbur is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit. Witness my ahdn and the seal of said Court A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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Hezekiah Wilbur, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with George Brown, who on the eighteenth day of September 1832 subscribed and swore to his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he is knowing to the fact that said George Brown performed guard duty as a private in Capt. George Simmons company of Little Compton militia at the time the British were in possession of Rhode Island. This deponent was a private in the same company and stood guard with said Brown, at Col. Wm. Richmond's and at the Rowse House in Little Compton, but for what length of time he is unable to particularly to state. Hezekiah Wilbur

Newport Sc. State of Rhode Island &c. Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton September 19th, 1832. Then personally appeared in open court, Hezekiah Wilbur, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of George Brown to this Court made, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition by the said Hezekiah subscribed. And the Court further certifies, that the said Hezekia Wilbur is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit. Witness my ahdn and the seal of said Court A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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George Brown
22433
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Town Clerks office Little Compton October 25th 1832

  I hereby certify that George Brown the son of William Brown & Elizabeth, his wife was born December 16th 17(?)7 - as of record doth appeared.

Witness AR Brownell Town Clerk
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Admitted private
2 years
$80.00 
per annum

Hon. A. Robbins
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BRIEF in the case of George Brown of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island (Act 7th 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? 76 years
4. State his services, as directed in the form annexed. 

Period. - Septr. In 1775, Oct. 76, Dec.r ", 81, " , ". 
Duration of Service. 
Years, - " , " , 1, ", ", ". 
Months, - 4, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1. 
Days. - ", ", 15, ", ", ".
Rank. - As a - Private, ", ", ", ", ". 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. - Gen. - Capt. Simmons, Capt. Wilds, Capt. Cook, Capt. Simmons, Capt. B. Coe, Capt. Church

5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated. 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Little Compton
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? credible witnesses, and traditionary
8. Are the papers defefctive 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. Francis F. Franciosi
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RECORD DIVISION
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION

3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ___, 19__

S. 21668

In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of George Brown 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.

[table] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Sept. 1775
Oct. 1776
1777 at various times
[blank cell]
1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
4 mos.
3 mos
[two blank cells]
1 mo

RANK.
Pvt.
[four blank cells]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
George Simmons
Henry Wilds
George Simmons
Nathaniel Church
Benjamin Coe
COLONEL.
[check]
John Cork
[two checks]
[blank cell]

STATE.
R.I.
[four blank cells] [/table]

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of solder at enlistment, Little Compton R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 18, 1832 [illegible] allowed.
Residence at date of application, Little Compton, Newport Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, born in Little Compton, R.I. Dec. 16, 1757
Remarks: Soldier was son of William + Elizabeth Brown. There is no further data on file as to family.

Respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.

5-2856
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I Benjamin Cory of Westport in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, on oath do testify and say that I served with George Brown now residering (residing) in Little Compton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island whom I well remember in the year 1776, for the term of three months lacking one day in Rhode Island said Brown was a private in Capt. Henry Wilds company in Col. John Crooks Regiment of Militia and we were marched on to the Island of Rhode Island and was there stationed at diferent places during the aforesaid term of service, the precise time that we went on to Rhode Island I cannot positively recollect but I well remember that we retreated of the Island at or about the time that the British troops landed at Newport, and after we came of the Island to Tiverton I enlisted in Capt William Hickses Company in Col Kemptons Regiment and after that I do not recollect of being in Company with said Brown during the War. Benjamin Cory. 

Newport for Little Compton October 6th 1832. Personally appeared before me the above named Benjamin Cory and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Signed. And I further Certify that said Benjamin Cory is well known to me and that he is a credible witness in the premises - before me Sylvester Gifford Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island &c. Clerks office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Little Compton in the county of Newport & State aforesaid. I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify, that Sylvester Gifford whose signature is affixed to the above written Deposition in said county of Newport duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and sworn therein according to law, and qualified to act in said capacity. And
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I do further certify that the signature of said Gifford attached to said deposition is in his own hand writing, which to me the said Brownell is well and familiarly known.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of our Court at Little Compton this twenty sixth day of October A. D. 1832.

A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.

Court of Probate Little Compton, R.I.
Read in open Court, and directed to be attached to the Declaration of Geo. Brown, an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7th, 1832.

A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.

[inverted] Benjamin Corys
Deposition [/inverted]
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1703[?]
251, Broad Street, Hillsdale, Mich.
Nov. 24, 1922

Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Will you please send me the war record of George Brown, a Revolutionary pensioner from Rhode Island, born in Little Compton Dec. 16, 1757?

Thanking you--
Very truly yours--
Vivian Lyon Moore
[illegible]

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
M NOV 27 1922 [/stamp]
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1922 Dec. 5. History to Mrs. D.K. Moore, [illegible].

Revolution
21668
INVALID.

[cut off]e No. 21,668
George Brown
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. 9, Page 37

[bracket] Arrangement of 1870. [/bracket]