Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,782, Daniel Brown, Continental (Conn.)
Page 1

Continental (Connecticut)
Brown, Daniel
Anna
Number: W.20,782
Born January 13, 1747 in Windham, Connecticut
Resided at [illegible] Hebron, Connecticut. Died June 1, 1832
Received August 10, 1837
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[2 columns. Left column]:
Connecticut
Anna Brown
widow of Daniel Brown
Connecticut
who died on the 1st June 1832
of Tolland County. in the State of Connecticut
who was an issuing commissary, 
in the
by Captain
of the
by
line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 600 Dollars per annum to
commence on the 4th day of March, 1834 and to end on the 10th August 1837, when Anna Brown died.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of July
1843 and sent to A. Ray, P[illegible]
Increased from $320 per annum
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Payable to Thomas Brown, Son -
and Administrator of Anna Brown, deceased
Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the
Cents per annum
---
Recorded by D. Brown
Book C Vol.1
[right column]:
Report
to
Set to A Ray October 1
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d section of the act of Congress
the 4th of July AD 1836.
State of Connecticut
Hebron District ss.
On the 9th day of August AD 1836 personally appeared
before the Court of Probate of said District Anna
Brown a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland and
State of Connecticut aged eighty one years on the twentieth
day of February now last, 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 4th 1836 That she is the widow of Daniel Brown who was assistant Commissary of issue in
the army of the United States during the Revolutionary war. That the said Daniel Brown entered the service of the United States early in the Revolution as assistant Commissary to Joseph Thornhill Commissary general. Previous to her intermarriage with this deponent and according to the best of this deponents recollection and [illegible] and upwards previous to such intermarriage not had [illegible] his service as aforesaid for a year [illegible] upwards after her marriage with the [illegible] -That he whole period of his service was three years and upwards- That this deponent. no documentary evidence of said service-
She further declares that she was married to the said
Daniel Brown on the 7th day of November 1776 then in
her twenty second year. That her husband the aforesaid
Daniel Brown died in the first day of June AD 1832
that she has remained a widow ever since that period
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as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above
written in open Court.
Anna Brown -her mark
Cyrus Mann Judge
State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss
Hebron Probate District
August 9
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Anna Brown the above named applicant
for a pension that she is a person of credibility
and that full faith and credit is due to her
statements or acts.
Cyrus Mann
Judge
State of Connecticut 
Tolland County ss
Hebron Probate District
I Simon House Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District, do certify that the within and foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court
matter of the application of Ann Brown for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 9th day
August A.D. 1836
Simon House Clerk
Page 5

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss.
Hebron Town Clerks Office
I certify that on the 7th day
of November AD 1776 Daniel Brown and
Anna Phelps both of Hebron were married
as appears by the town records in this Office
August 8th 1836
Attest
Cyrus Mann Town Clerk
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Gilead Connecticut
25 October 1837 [?]
Alexander Pray Esquire 
Washington City D C
Page 7

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss.
Hebron
On this 24th day of October 1842 personally appeared before
me Alonzo W Birge Justice of Peace in and for said
County. Thomas Brown a resident of Gilead-in
the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath state, that he
is the heir and Administrator upon the estate of
his deceased mother Anna Brown late a pensioner
of the United States under act 4 July 1836 at the
rate of $320 per annum, on the Connecticut roll
as the widow of the late Daniel Brown who was an
assistant Commissary of Issues in the war
of the revolution and that his mother the said Anna Brown died on the 10 August 1837.
Now the object of this declaration being
made as the heirs and Administrator is in order to
obtain an increased pension at the rate of an
Artillery captains pay though my Attorney
Mr Alexander Ray under the act 1836 and
the payment thereon from the 4 March 1881 up
to the 10 August 1837. for the service of my deceased
Father as an assistant Commissary of issues
Sworn and subscribed
to before me, on the day
and year above written
Thomas Brown
Administrator
Alonzo W Birge Justice of the Peace
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District of Columbia ss.
I, Henry Brown of the village of Cooperstown in the state of New York-aged 47 years being duly sworn saith- that he is the sixth child of Daniel and Anna Brown of Hebron Connecticut
and was born on the 12 of May 1789 -and he 
believes that from his certain recollection he
has always understood from his father the said
Daniel Brown that the said Daniel Brown
Was a deputy commissary of issues during the year 1775,76,77 and 78 under Joseph Trumbull and afterwards under Colonel Stewart commissary general-that this deponents father was a native of Windham Connecticut and  resided there until 1773
where, and in [illegible] and ever since he has understood he
Was acquainted with Samuel Gray whose affidavit is annexed This [illegible] states from knowledge of about 30 years standing-
Since this witness further saith that in 1773 his said father moved to Hebron where he commenced trading as a merchant in the year just aforementioned.
Page 9

then further this deponent states [illegible] and [illegible] [illegible]having seen his [illegible] [illegible] of [illegible][illegible]-and this deponent further saith that he has been informed + believes that his said father was in Bunker Hill Battle-that he has been told by his said father + also been informed by others more than 30 years ago-that of his [illegible] [of the army?] in 1775 this deponents father was appointed assistant commissary of issues by Joseph Trumbull Comm'ry Genl + continued with him during the campaigns of 1775,1776-+ 1777-and continued as assistant Comm'ry to Colonel Stevens in 1778-

That this deponent left home in 1806 and went to College since which time he has not been in Hebron except occasionally-that when he left home there were a great many papers relative to his revolutionary service which the deponent cannot particularly specify-that said papers were In old books + upon the
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the garret floor-- that this deponent has within the
last ten days examined the few remaining papers
left by his deceased father and finds among them
no other document relative to his revolutionary war service  except the monthly return now annexed
to the papers on file in the pension office at Washington purporting to be made in October 1778 which
is in part in his said Daniels hand writing - and this deponent
further saith that he has he any the garret floor-- that this deponent has within the
last ten days examined the few remaining papers
left by his deceased father and finds among them
no other document relative to his revolutionary service
been except the monthly return now annexed
to the papers on file in the pension office at Washington purporting to be made in October 1778 which
is in part in his said Daniel’s hand writing - and this deponent
further saith that he has been acquainted with Sylvester
Gilbert Esquire whose affidavit is annexed to said paper
for upwards of 30 years - that said Gilbert over that
period has been a practicing Lawyer and Chief Justice of Tolland County Courts In Connecticut and a number of [illegible]-That this deponents father resided about 2 ½ miles from said Gilbert from
the year 1779 till he died and upon this same
farm and was well acquainted with said Gilbert
to this deponents certain knowledge and for
the last 30 years since this deponent has no doubt
for many year before-- That this deponent has
several letter written by his father to him this
deponent some of which this deponent presents and will annex if desired-
And this deponent further saith that on Sunday
the 9th of August instant this deponent in [illegible] [illegible] with Cyrus Mann Esquire the clerk of Hebron Connecticut examined with him [illegible] of Hebron affidavit and found therein an
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an entry in the words and handwriting of Henry Daniel Brown and Ann Philips both of Hebron married
November 7th AD 1776 - That said Cyrus Mann is
undisputed Town Clerk of said town and he has
Custody of its records-that there is no [illegible]to [illegible] of him-that the above entry is made in a 
large book among others alphabetically arranged 
back to a [illegible] levy continues to 1776
and was made pursuant to the laws of said state
at the time of the making thereof - and the deponent further 
then saith that the wages of a deputy commissary this deponent
has understood from his father were $50 per month and [illegible] return at first and afterwards raised to $60-
Henry Brown
Subscribed and
Sworn to before
me this 16th day of
August 1836
N. Moulder
Justice of the Peace
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Revolution and 1812 Wars Section
August 26, 1927
F. Swift
Fraunces Tavern, Corner Pearl and Broad Street,
New York City
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 20782 it appears that
DANIEL BROWN was born January 13, 1747, a native of Windham, Connecticut.
In 1773 he was a merchant in Gilead, Tolland County,
Connecticut. He went to Boston in 1775 to buy goods, but
volunteered his services and was in the Battle of Lexington.
As soon as the army assembled at Cambridge, Massachusetts
he was appointed Deputy Commissary of Issues and
served four years under Commissary Generals Joseph Trumbull
and Stewart. He was also in the battle of Bunker Hill.
In 1831 he was living in Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut. He died January 1, 1832.
Soldier married November 7, 1776. Anna, born February
20, 1755, daughter of Captain Ichabod Phelps of Hebron,
Connecticut; the soldier was also then of said Hebron. She
was allowed pension on her application executed August 9,
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1838 while a resident of Hebron, Connecticut. She died
August 10, 1837.
In 1830 soldier referred to Lucy Ann as one of his
family, but did not say she was a daughter, and in a letter
to his children he addressed Sarah. His son Thomas was
living in Gilead, Connecticut in 1843, and Henry the sixth
child was born May 13, 1789, was living in Cooperstown,
New York in 1836 and in Chicago, Illinois in 1843.
Owing to the lack of a clerical force available for
the purpose, only two histories are furnished each inquirer.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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Daniel Brown
W. 20,782
Continental (Connecticut)
A return of provisions
received
issued, and remaining
in store,
under direction
of Daniel Brown,
A. C. I. [Assistant Commissary of Issues]for the
month of October,
1778, has been
removed from
this case in order
to send it to the
War Dept.
Sent to War Department January 16, 1913
F. W.
Apr. 24, 1911.
Page 15

State of Connecticut 
Tolland County ss.
Hebron Probate District Court
On this 3rd day of August 1843 personally appeared before me Alonzo W Birge Judge of Probate for said District, Thomas Brown
a resident of Gilead in said County, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath state
that he is the son and administrator upon the estate
of Ann Brown deceased who was a pensioner under the
act of Congress 4 July 1836 as the widow of Daniel
Brown an assistant issuing Commissary at the rate of
$320 per annum from the 4 March 1831 up to the
time of her death, and that said pension has been
lately deceased at the rate of $600 & the payment
made on the Hartford agency in the name of the
Administrator.
Now the object of this declaration being made
is in order, as administrator in the name of the widow. in
right of her husband decease to assert a claim to a
pension from the 4 of March 1831 up to the 1 June 1832.
when said Daniel Brown died, at the rate of $600 per
annum as assistant issuing commissary Under the 2nd
Section of the act 4 July 1836.
The application is made through my
agent Mr. Alexander Day of Washington
Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year above written before me.
Thomas Brown
Administrator on Anna Brown Estate
Alonzo W Birge, Judge of
Probate for Hebron District
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State of Connecticut
Hebron Probate District Court ss.
I John W. Ensworth Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said Court in the matter of the Deposition of Thomas Brown Administrator on Estate of Anna Brown now deceased for a Pension
and that the aforesaid Thomas Brown is a person well known to me and is a person of truth and his statement entitled to Credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said court at Coventry in said District 
this 3d day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty three
John W. Ensworth Clerk
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Washington April 4. 1843
Sir,
In behalf of the son and administrator upon
the estate of Anne Brown late a pensioner on the Connecticut
roll act 1836. as the widow of Daniel an assistant Issuing commissary: you state in your letter of the 3 January “no further
allowance can be made unless it can be shown that assistant 
Commissaries of issues at a Depot, corresponding as their duties
and responsibilities do with those of Clerk of principal commissaries receive more than Lieutenant pay.”
In answer to this objection I would respectfully beg to say; it
should be kept in mind that the regulations of the Continental
Commissary Department required (except when with a brigade)
that an assistant Commissary of Issues should be”stationed
as every fort, Post, place or magazine where provisions are or
may be stored”, and it was moreover required, that said issuing
Commissaries make monthly returns to the Deputy Commissary
general of the stores and provisions on hand”, which could not
have been done unless such an officer was stationed at a
Depot post, or magazine.
We find in the examination of the returns from the months, from
October 1778. to September 1779, by Samuel Gray Esquire Deputy Commissary General among the” Washington papers” deposited at the State Department volume 101, 102 and provisions letters volume 3 giving statements of the stores and provisions on hand in the respective months and the name of the
assistant issuing commissaries having charge of the same
at their post or Stations: in the return for the month of
October 1778. we find at the head of the list Daniel Brown
stationed at Fishkill New York a Depot of great importance
Page 18

as may be seen in the return made of the provisions issued
and in store at the end of each month, among other names
in the return of Samuel Gray Esq. we find as follows -
Hezekiah Ripley/ Issuing store/ at Danbury Connecticut
Samuel Canfield/ditto/Sharon ditto
Thomas Durant/ditto/Cambridge Mass
Nath. Stevens/ditto/[illegible] Village  Connecticut
Reuben Stiles/ditto/King Street, New York
Samuel H. Phillips/ditto/Danbury Connecticut
Timothy Logan/ditto/West Springfield, Massachusetts
Here we find seven names of assistant issuing Commissaries
in the returns of deputy Commissary General which has passed through my hands, all having been allowed to the widows at the rate of $600 per annum, except the widow of Daniel Brown, and the disallowance of her claim for the reason of her husband having been stationed or a depot would seem to me, to be
receding from the decisions in the seven cases above already
admitted, all having been engaged and employed in the same
manner, at different places, and by the same authority. with
these facts in view I cannot suppose you are willing to make
such a discrimination; but it may not be out of place to
state these facts to bring the case up in its proper light before you, to ensure a similar allowance to the widow of Daniel Brown
as has been made to the widows of the assistant issuing commissaries above named. In submitting the question with
year respect for your decision
I remain your most obedient servant
Alexander Ray
James L. Evans Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
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Washington June 15, 1845.
 Alexander Ray. 
Appeals on claim of Anne Brown for an increase Pension Office pension.
R89. Received June 16 /40 
 Pension Office.
Connecticut
Page 20

Washington June 15. 1843
Sir;
I have most respectfully to solicit your attention
to a claim asserted in behalf of the son and administrator
upon the estate of Anne Brown deceased, late a pensioner on the Connecticut roll act July 4, 1836, at the rate of $320 per annum as the widow of Daniel Brown as an assistant issuing Commissary in the war of the revolution. And whose claim to an increase has been disallowed by the Commissioner of Pensions, because it has not been shown he received more pay then a Lieutenant, see Paper marked Number 1.
The first question that would appear to arise in this case is,
was Daniel Brown an issuing Commissary, and if he was; is
not his widow entitled for such service to a pension under
Act 4 July 1836 at the rate of $50 a month.
It is admitted by the commissioner of Pensions that Daniel
Brown was an assistant issuing Commissary, and the widow has
been pensioned for such service. This fact being established, the
simple and only matter to arrive at is, at what rate of pension
is an assistant Commissary considered as entitled to receive.
upon this point hinges the claim to an increase. And for the
answer to this question, I beg respectfully to refer you to a letter
from the commissioner of Pensions under date "May 29. 1841”.
paper marked Number 2. and we find the question answered by the commissioner himself: in these words, “I have ascertained that the pay of an assistant Commissary of issues was raised to sixty dollars per month.” And the case of Charles Lippett which had been refused to an increase because it was not shown he was paid $50 per month in specie- was admitted, as you will perceive after the commissioner had ascertained the fact.
"that assistant Commissary of issue pay was raised to sixty dollars per month”.
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since the allowance of Tippetts’ claim to an increase equal to $50 per month. many assistant Commissaries of issue have
availed themselves of the benefit of the commissioners decision and among the number I give the names of Reuben Stiles. Nath Stevens, Samuel Canfield who were returned in the monthly reports by Samuel Gray and Thomas Fitch Esquire, Deputy Commissary General: And in the rolls referred to deposited in the department of State. appears the name of Daniel Brown as issuing commissary for the same months, and in all particulars equal to issuing commissary Stiles, Stevens, and Canfield. Indeed in a return made by one of the Commissary Generals the name of Daniel Brown heads the list. He being stationed at the time at Fishkill one of the most important posts of trust and responsibility then in the Country.
with these facts before the commissioner; and in view too, of his
letter " May 29 1841” which says. “After a very laborious examination I have ascertained that the pay of an assistant Commissary of issue was raised to sixty dollars per month.”
And after having admitted all the cases presented,
in the returns of Deputy Commissary General Gray, and Thomas Fitch Esquire at the rate of $50 per month. Evidence is
now required in Browns case, to prove that which, the commission of Pensions has ascertained "to be the fact, that issuing Commissaries were paid $50 per month. Then virtually departing from the practice of his office, and the spirit of his letter of the 29 May 1841 in the applicants case;
But again, the undersigned was permitted to examine the
declaration made by Mrs. Brown under act 1836. It is stated therein, she had no documentary evidence in her possession shewing the service of her husband in the Commissaries department. The claim was therefore supported by parole testimony-one of the certifiers was Samuel GrayEsquire, Deputy commissary general under whom Daniel Brown
served as an assistant as shown by the rolls in the State Department.
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Mr. Gray not only certifies to the service of Daniel Brown as
issuing commissary, but adds the important fact, that his monthly
pay was $50. This of itself, will have been supposed
sufficient to have settled the question, if it had not have been
before ascertained that that class of officers were paid at sixty dollars a month. Agreeable to the resolution of Congress July 2. 1777. [illegible] of Congress Vol 11 Page 185 and 6.
I merely claim Sir for my constituent the same
allowance, which the commissioner admits issuing Commissaries
are entitled to receive, and which has been awarded to the same grade of officers, under precisely similar facts, and principles. And as it has been shown by parole and documentary evidence that Daniel Brown was an assistant Commissary of Issues. It is conceived the case is clearly within the letter and meaning of the
commissioners letter of the 29 May 1841
The hope is entertained, that upon an examination
of the merits of the claim, you will view it in a favorable light
and as the head of the office to which the subject property belongs you will take such action therein, as will ensue to the relief it aught; and increased pension at the rate of $50 per month in lien for the allowance of $320 per annum.
I have the honor to remain
Sir your most obedient servant
Alexander Ray
Honorable Samuel Humes Porter
Acting Secretary of War
Page 23

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ⎬ Hebron Probate District
I Jacob C Loomis Clerk of the
for the District of Hebron
Court of Probate do hereby
certify that satisfactory evidence
has been adduced before the Court
that Mrs. Anna Brown late of said County did on the
10 of August 1837 and up to the day of her death
was a pensioner of the United States-and that her son Thomas Brown is the Administrator on her estate.
Jacob O. Loomis Clerk
Dated at the Probate office
in said District this 24th day of
October AD 1842
Page 24

Washington
August 23. 1843
Sir;
I enclose a claim aperto by Thomas Brown
of Connecticut the son and administrator upon the estate of Anna Brown deceased in right of Daniel Brown
deceased for the benefit of a pension under the 2nd Section
of the Act 4 July 1836. From the 4 March 1831 to the 1st
of June 1832 when he died, at the rate of $600 per annum
as an assistant Commission of Issues
I am very
respectfully your obedient servant
Alexander Ray
J. L. Edward Esquire
Court of Pensions
Page 25

Copy
Pension Office
January 3. 1843
Sir;
The answer from the State Department to
enquiry for evidence of the service of Daniel Brown in
the case of Anna Brown deceased merely shows that he was
in service as an assistant in the issuing Department at
Fishkill in 1778 and 79. no further allowance can be made
unless it can be shown that assistant Commissaries of
issues at a Depot, corresponding as their duties and responsibilities do with those clerks of principal commissaries,
received more than Lieutenants pay
I am, very respectfully
Your Obedient servant
J. L. Edwards
(Signed)
Alexander Hay Esquire
Present.
Page 26

(Copy)
Pension Office
May 29. 1841
Sir;
After a very laborious examination in the case of Charles Lippett, I have ascertained that the pay of an assistant Commissary of issues was raised
to sixty dollars per month a that time before he
entered the service. No objection therefore will be made
now to raising his pension for such service to six
hundred dollars per annum.
the highest rate allowed
by law to any officer. His pension certificate must be
returned to this officer. The pension certificate must be returned to this office, and it must be shewn that he
is still living. A new certificate will then issue.
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient servant
(Signed )
J. L. Edwards
Mr Alexander Ray
Present.
Page 27

Washington
December 6th. 1841
In your letter of the 3d ultro in the application made by the administrator upon the estate of Anna Brown late a pensioner under act 1836. [illegible] as widow of Daniel, an assistant Commissary of Issues in the war of the revolution, you say that
“unless it can be shown that he was paid more than $8 per
month Connecticut currency nothing more can be paid to the children; and you state too it is
not competent for an administrator to originate a
claim,”
Mr Brown was the among earliest issuing
Commissaries of the revolution but I am not preposed
to say what evidence you hold shewing as
an assistant issuing Commission he was only paid $8
month Connecticut money, perhaps if such evidence
of payment exist- it was at the first of his service
and before he entered the continental service,
there is no evidence on file showing that Daniel
Brown acted as an assistant commissary issuer under
Deputy Commissary General Samuel Gray. State of New York
he pleased to ask for such information as the
"Washington Papers" as the department of State approved.
Page 28

He is there returned in Deputy Commissary General Grays monthly reports with the names of Samuel Canfield, Nathaniel
Stevens,  Hugh Ripley, Timothy Leonard, Isaac De Graaf, Enoch Leonard, Reuben Stiles-Samuel H. Phillips, and other name of Issuing Commissaries all of who receive under the act 1832
or their widows under other acts of Congress at the rate of $600 per annum.See your letter of the 29th of May 1841, case of Joseph Lippitt Rhode Island.
You say an administrator is not competent to originate a claim, perhaps you apprised that Thomas Brown the administrator is the son of Anna Brown deceased.
I am my
respectfully
Your obedient servant
Alexander Ray
J. L. Edwards
Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 29

Washington
November 1. 1842.
Sir;
You will receive herewith, an application made by the son and administrator upon the estate of the late Anna Brown widow
of Daniel, she was a pensioner under act 1836 at the rate of $320 per annum. Connecticut roll.
The claim to made for an increase
at the rate of $600 on account of the revolutionary services of Daniel Brown deceased as issuing Commissary; a certificate of the Clerk of the Court showing the time of her
death, and that Thomas Brown is the
administrator is also enclosed
I am
respectfully
Your most obedient servant
Alexander Ray
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Page 30

Senate Chamber February 6 1843
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Sir;
I am requested by Mr Henry Brown of Chicago, Illinois to make
the following enquiry; Daniel Brown of Hebron
Connecticut. was a commissary in the Revolutionary war
, and died a few years ago; since which
time Anna Brown his widow was put upon
the pension list, and drew her pension until
she also died-- Mr Henry Brown of Chicago is her
son and wishes me to ascertain how much she
drew per month, and how much of her pension is
unpaid. Mr Brown says he has been informed
that a considerable amount is due to the Heirs
at law either of his deceased father or mother
in consequence of his revolutionary services, on
her pension, and desires me ascertain what
the facts are in relation to it.
I am very respectfully
Richard M. Young
Page 31

War department
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 4 July 1836, Anna Brown, of Connecticut
widow of Daniel Brown, who was an Issuing commissary
in the Revolution and died on the 1st June 1832, was
entitled to receive $600 per annum during her life
or widowhood, to commence on the 6th March 1831,
having received only $320 per annum, and died on the
10th August 1837, the amount due at the rate of $600
per annum from the 4th March 1831 to the time of
her death, after deducting what has been paid, is
payable to Thomas Brown, Son and administrator
of Anna Brown, deceased
Examined and
Countersigned.}
Given at the War Office of the United States this 11th day of
July one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Commissioner of Pensions.
Secretary of War.
Page 32

Extract from "A General Return
of Provisions etc. Received (including what
remained in Store the last day of the preceeding [sic]
month ) Issued and remaining in the several
Stores in the Eastern District under the
Direction of Samuel Gray D.C.G. [Deputy Commissary General] of Issues for the month of May 1778, agreeable to
the Returns of the issuing Commissaries”
John White Fishkill New York/Flour ditto casks/36940 pounds.
John White…/rations ditto/Bread ditto/Flour ditto.
John White (delivered Daniel Brown A.C.I. [assistant commissary of issues]/bread ditto/50340 pounds
Errors Excepted
Samuel Gray
Deputy Commissary General of Issues
Provision Returned Volume 2
Page 33

Extract from "A General Return
of Provisions etc. Received (Including
what remained in store the last Day
of the preceeding [sic] month) Issued, forwarded
and delivered to the issuing Commissaries
and Remaining in the several issuing
Stores under the direction of John
Fitch D.C. G. I.[deputy commissary general of issues] for the Month of November 1778 agreeable to the returns of the issuing
Commissaries.
Daniel Brown Fishkill New York/Number of Rations ditto 66 casks hard bread/ 213984 pounds hard bread.
Errors Excepted
John Fitch
D.C.G. [deputy commissary general] of Issues
Fishkill January 11th 1779”
Provision Returns Volume 3.
Page 34

Treasury Department
Registers Office August 16. 1836
I certify that it appears from the Records of this Department
that in the 4th April 1787, Jonathan Burnall Commissioner for adjusting the accounts in the Commissary and Quarter masters departments, issued two Certificate in favor of Daniel Brown, to wit Number 556 for $2500 and Number 557 for $151.6, each bearing interest at 6 per cent per annum from the 20 August 1777, which Certificates appear to have been subsequently
funded under the act of the 4th August 1790
T.S. Finch
Register
Page 35

9
Anna Brown 
Continental 
Second Section Act June 7, 1836
Admitted.
To be allowed rate of $600 from 4th March 1831 June 1st 1832 Alexander Ray, Esquire
D.C.
Page 36

Anna Brown, widow of Daniel Brown, Connecticut roll act July 4, 1836, at $320 per annum. Be pleased to say to what time She was last paid. 
Pension Office Feruary 8. 1843 
 Died 10th August 1837 [illegible] % that paid
J. H.
Page 37

[two sides of entries. Left side]:
Reported to Connecticut agent
August 17, 1836
Leter to A. Ray November 3. 1842
Letter to A. Ray January 3. 1843
Letter to Honorable R.M. young Feruary 9. 1843.
Letter to A. Ray May 15. 1843

[Right side}:
Connecticut Number 9
Anna Brown
Widow of Daniel Brown issuing Commissary
Inscribed on the roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 320 dollars. 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of August 1836 and delivered to Henry Brown Esquire Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $1600.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 1 September
$160.00
$1.760.00
Revolutionary claim
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk
Volume 1
Page 75
Page 38

Increase to $600. per annum. To end 10 August 1837 when Anna Brown died.
Payable to Thomas Brown, son and administrator of Anna Brown.
Send [illegible]: A. Ray
Present
Page 39

Anna Brown Connecticut
Suspended [illegible] to H. Brown Esquire 
18 August [illegible]
Act 4 July 1836
Page 40

[two-sided entry. Left side]:
Revolution
WIDOW, Etc.
Number 20.782
Anna Brown
Widow of
Daniel Brown 
Issuing Commissary Revolutionary War
Act July 4th 36 [1836]
Volume A Page 90
{Arrangement of 1870.}

[Right side of entry]:
1906 
History to Arthur N. Kaley
abstract from
letter of September 10 1830
To Reverend C. Strong of
New London, Connecticut
CMB
September 12, 06 [1906]
1927 August 26 - History to
F. Swift. MME
1932 January 14. Photos
mailed to Mrs. Cora C. Curry and [illegible] notified August 1934-February 2-Photos mailed to Miss Cora Curry-Accounts Director notified-ICCS
Page 41

BA-J/ILL
Revolution and 1812
Number 234


January 25, 1932
Revolution and 1812 Wars Section.
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
Revolutionary War pension claim of
Daniel Brown, W. 20782.
Actual  1 of each page
$2.00 8 pages
2 letters of this soldier to his son
Henry Brown each 4 pages long
Chief, revolution and 1812 war Section
one dated Hebron September 10,
1830, the other Hebron
January 13, 1831
Page 42

Administrator of Veterans Affairs January 7, 1932 Please furnish me photostatic copies of eight pages, not certified, from Revolutionary War pension claim of Daniel Brown, W. 20782. Miss Core C Curry 1420 Girard Street NW Washington D.C Received payment $1.20 Antonia W. Ford Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
Page 43

8 pages First 4 pages dated Hebron January 13-1831 "our beloved children" signed Daniel Brown
Second 4 pages dated Hebron September 30, 1830 our beloved children signed Daniel Brown
Page 44

Revolution Number 57
Revolution and 1812 Wars Section 
January 7, 1932
541
Revolutionary War pension claim, Daniel Brown File Number W. 20782
Actual 8 pages
$1.20 8 pages Revolution and 1812 Wars Section
Page 45

N. Kelly L. M. H. COPY. Sir Massachusetts. Sept 5 August 21, 1906. Mr. Arthur N. Kaley, The Wolfe Tavern, Newburyport, In reply to your letter dated the 29th, and received the 21st ultimo, which was returned to you for further data and received again on the 25th instant, you are advised that the records of this Bureau show only two soldiers named Daniel Brown on whose account pensions were allowed for service in the Connecticut troops during the war of the Revolution, the histories of which are herewith fur nished you. from the papers in claim Widow's File No. 20,782, it appears, that one Daniel Brown a native of Windham, Connecticut, was born January 13, 1747, resided at Gilead, in 1773, and at Hebron, on necticut, in 1775 whence he went to Boston, Massachusetts, at the time of the battle of Lexington; he volunteered his services and was entrusted with Sir Charles Burdett, prisoner, whom he conducted to Dedham, Massachusetts. As soon as the army assembled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was appointed Deputy Commissary of Issues and served under Commission by General Joseph Trumbull and Stewart, for four years. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Page 46

A. N. Kaley. -2-
Born February 20, 1755

He married November 7, 1776, Anna daughter of Capain Ichabod Phelps, of Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut. He died June 1, 1832, and his widow was allowed pension on an application executed August 2, 1836, at which time she was eighty-one years of age and a resident of Hebron aforesaid. She died August 10, 1837.
From the papers in claim Survivor's file Number 10,408, it
appears that Daniel Brown who was born in 1759, at Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, resided at East Haddam, Connecticut, when he enlisted July 15, 1775, in Captain Joseph Jewett's company, Colonel Jedediah Huntington’s
regiment, and served five and one half months. Enlisted January
1, 1776, in Captain Levi Wells' company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys' regiment was in the battle of Long Island, served one year and two weeks.
Drafted July 1778, for General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island; two months. Drafted in the Fall of 1779, in Captain Douglass' company, for two months.
He was allowed pension on an application executed October
17, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Pittsford, Monroe county, New York.
The records of this Bureau fail to show any claims for pension
filed on account of service in the Massachusetts troop's Revolutionary War, of soldiers named Ephraim Warren, other than Survivor File Number 44,006, and Survivor File 33,213, already furnished you under date
of May 11, 1906.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 47

O. W. and N. [Old war and Navy] Division.
3-525
[illegible] File 20782
Revolutionary War
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
Daniel Brown, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
will find below the desired information as contained in his widow’s application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[Table of five columns with entries. Column headings are:] Dates of Enlistment or appointment/Length of service/Rank/Officers under whom service was rendered/State.
1775/4 years/Deputy Commissary of Issues/Colonel Joseph Trumbull, Steward/-
[Notes across bottom of table:]
October 1778
April 1775
Guarded Sir Charles Burdett during Battle of Lexington and alarmed its people from Dedham to Hebron.
Battles engaged in, Lexington, Bunker Hill,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hebron, Connecticut. Native of Windham, Connecticut. Residence Gilead 1773.
Date of application for pension, Aug 1836 allowed.
1873
Residence at date of application, Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut..
Age at date of application, 81.
Remarks: Soldier married November 7, 1776, Anna Phelps, daughter of Captain Ichabod Phelps of Hebron
Soldier died June 1, 1832.
She died August 10, 1837
Very respectfully,
2058163m11 - 05
Commissioner.
Page 48

Administrator of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C.
January 25, 1934.
BA-J/ILL
Dear Sir: 
Please furnish photostatic copies of eight (8) pages
from Revolutionary War pension claim of Daniel Brown, W. 20782,
uncertified.
Very truly yours,
Miss Cora C Curry,
1420
Girard Street N.W. [Northwest]
Washington D.C.
Received payment
$2.00
I.S. Leach
Revolutionary and 1812 Wars Section.
Page 49

Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York Fraunces Tavern Corner Broad and Pearl Streets New York City 
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.  April 26, 1927 of July
Gentlemen:
May we request you to send us the pension records of John Egbert Roosa, a soldier of the Revolution , who was born in Hurley, New York, Jan. 25, 1761 and died in Kingston, N. Y., January 17, 1854; Daniel Eells, born in Middletown, Connecticut, December 5, 1757, and died in New Hartford, N. Y., July 17, 1851; and Daniel Brown (if you have it ) born in Hebron, Connecticut, January  15, 1747, and died in Hebron, Connecticut June 7, 1832. We would like these records to establish claims for membership in this Society. Very truly yours, F. Swift  
ASSISTANT, Secretary.
Page 50

Old War and Navy
Division.
3 -- 1888.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 14, 1906.
Mr.
Arthur N. Kaley,
The Wolfe Tavern,
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 29th ultimo, received the
31st, you are advised that in order to identify Ephraim Warren
and Daniel Brown, whose military histories you desire, some of
the additional data is essential:
Places of residence at enlistment and after service; organization
in which soldier served approximate date of death:
given name of widow.
Very respectfully,
J. L. Davenport
Acting Commissioner.
Ephram Warren enlisted at Groton or Shirley
Middlesex County, Massachusetts- residence Same
Daniel Brown enlisted at Tolland County.
Residence County: Tolland County , Connecticut
Very respectfully
Arthur N. Kaley
Page 51

[illegible]
THE WOLFE TAVERN
Daniel H. Fowle  and Son
NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS
Date July 29 1906
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send me
Revolutionary War Records of
the following soldier and Pensioners?
Ephraim Warren of Shirley Middlesex County
Massachusetts, and Timothy Carpenter
and Daniel Brown of Coventry,
Tolland County Connecticut and greatly oblige.
Very respectfully
Arthur M. Kaley
Wolfe Tavern
Newburyport, Massachusetts
[round stamp] US Pension Office August 25, 1906.
[round stamp] US Pension Office July 31, 1906
Page 52

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss
Sylvester Gilbert of the town of Hebron in the
County of Tolland aforesaid being duly sworn deponeth and
saith that he is eighty years old - That he was personally
and intimately acquainted with the late Daniel Brown of Hebron aforesaid previous to during and since the
Revolutionary war - that the said Daniel Brown early
in the revolution entered the service of the United States
as a Deputy Commissary under Joseph Trumbull Esquire Commissary General. That he continued in said service
as deputy Commissary aforesaid for as much as three or four
years-the said Browns service continued from 1775
to 1778 inclusive according to the best of this deponents
recollection and belief - And this deponent further
saith that he is also acquainted with Anna Brown
now the widow of the said Daniel Brown and
has been acquainted with her for upwards of sixty years
That her maiden name was Anna Phelps - that the
was the daughter of Captain Ichabod Phelps of Hebron aforesaid
and was married to the said Daniel Brown during the
time he was in service- and further the deponent saith not
Sylvester Gilbert
Sworn this 8th day of August AD. 1836
Before me
Ralph Gilbert Justice Peace
Tolland Countyss. August 8th 1838 I hereby certify that the
above Affiant is a credible Witness
Ralph Gilbert Justice Peace
1. ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the
Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT Ralph Gilbert Esquire
is, and for more than six months past, has been a Justice of the
Peace within and for the County of Tolland in said
State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify
the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Ralph Gilbert
in Court and County
In testimony whereof, I have in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the
Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six
Royal K. Hinman Secretary
Page 53

Number 42
Anna H. Brown
Connecticut
Number 8
Anna Brown Connecticut widow of Daniel Brown issuing Commissary
Admitted
$320
Page 54

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss-
Samuel Gray of Windham Connecticut being duly sworn saith that he this deponent was Deputy Commissary General during a part of the Revolutionary war- that he knew intimately Daniel Brown late of Hebron Connecticut - That he knew him at Cambridge near Boston during the first year of the war-that he knew him afterwards upon long and [illegible].
[illegible]-that said Brown was Deputy Commissary of Issues
During much of the time he this deponent knew him
in the army - that from a book kept by him [illegible] [illegible] it appears that on the 4th day of November 1779 this deponent paid to said Brown $1.267 for wages.That this deponent thereupon has no doubt but said Brown was a assistant commissary of issues under Joseph Trumbell and his successors  in office from the first year of the war was till 1779 - that the wages of said Brown were $50 per month [illegible] in the best of this deponents recollection and belief - and further this deponent saith-
Samuel Gray
Sworn and witnessed
This 9th day of August AD 1836 before me
Cyrus Mann Judge of Probate Hebron District
Page 55

State of Connecticut
Tolland County ss.
Hebron Probate District
I hereby certify that Samuel Gray Esquire
who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing
affidavit is a man of truth and that his
statement is entitled to credit.
August 9
1836
Cyrus Mann Judge
State of Connecticut
Office of the Secretary of State at
Hartford, August 11th AD 1836
I hereby certify that Cyrus Mann
is a Judge of Probate for the District of Hebron in this State
That said court is a Court of record, as appears from the records
in this office. In testimony of which I have affixed the seal of this State and signed the same/
Royal K. Hinman Secretary of State
Page 56

Hebron Connecticut
February 9, 
Postage 18½ Cents paid.Paid 18
Henry Brown Esquire
Cooperstown Otsego County New York
Page 57

P.S. Henry the Immortal Barbourn delivered a funeral elegy in the house of the delegates of Virginia upon the life, patriotism death  and burial of Peter Francisco a Revolutionary Soldier.
Our beloved Children.-
Hebron January 13th. 1831.
Through the goodness of God, we your aged parents have lived through another year and began upon a New Year - May we live more devotedly to God this year than we ever have done Jeremiah 28th 16. This year thou shall die. Because thou hast never taught Rebellion against the Lord-- This old Bunker Hill Deputy Commissary never taught Rebellion against the Lord; nor against my beloved country.
Your relatives and old neighbors’ [illegible] were as common as [illegible] you the mortality and sickness in Gilead since the cold weather commenced has subsided: there has 19 persons died in this parish last year.
I received your [illegible] and affectionate Letter December 16. 1831. It has fully convinced and it has fully satisfied my mind, that it was not best to make any application
to our Honorable Congress at present for any compensation for the disposition of final settlement notes, or Continental money that I received for my wages; and the supplies I furnished our Continental army the four first years of our revolutionary war
under the command of the Honorable Washington By the Message of the President of the way it appears to me that he
is engaged to pay off the national debt, and he is perfectly right. I have been through both Wars. Henry, stand still and read the history of the last war and see the salvation of God in our behalf-- God commanded the sun to stand still for General Jackson and his military to smite the invaders of our Country. Their arms were strengthened by Omnipotent aid! And their guns
Fired by an unerring eye or they never could have killed 700 disciplined men and wounded 1400 men and taken 500 prisoners. General Jackson Lost only 7 men killed and 6 men wounded-Sacred and profane history give no such interposition of Divine providence to any army before or since Noah’s flood-
This memorable Battle has travelled with yonder Sun
upon the wings of the wind among all the Nations of the earth and it will strike a dread to all tyrants and [illegible] [illegible] to our country never to invade our beloved country with impunity; as long as General Jackson is President of the [United] states- there are also many whose minds are so little, that they can conceive nothing great, which does not court the eye in all the
trapping of dress, and titles, and eternal splendor. American Patriot!: a Blanket Hero; a General from the plow: all these are terms of ridicule and reproach among many, yet each was Cincinnatus in the best days of Roman virtue- and the Immortal Washington in our day- Henry you will perceive by any newspaper the Speaker also laid before the House a letter from James Monroe late President of the U.S. upon the subject of his claim on the Government of the U.S.. which was referred to the Committee of the whole House-- I don’t believe that
President Monroe ever took a final settlement note or old Continental money depreciated- for and by the scale of depreciation made by Congress for his wages if he did he ought to complain or the stones would cry out against him-
among the memorials presented to day was one by Mr. Verplank
from a number of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary army many of whom served in the battle of Princeton, Saratoga, and Yorktown, but whose cases in consequence of their retirement from the Army, do not come within the provision of the act of 1828, praying to be indemnified for the depreciation
of the paper money in which their services were with or for relief in any other made which Congress may think proper to grant; and on motion of Mr. V[erplank] the memorial was referred to a select Committee. I guess that Mr. Verplank, a Freemason like Immortal Washington and General H. Knox he had [illegible] for our old Continental officers and Soldiers who achieved our Independence with their blood and treasure and saved our beloved country from eternal slavery with depreciated paper made of old rags without the Spanish milled dollar-Mr. Condict presented two memorials from number of the widows of
of deceased Revolutionary officers praying to be allowed some portion of the pensions granted to their respective husbands during her life time; which were referred to the same select Committee. To such men as achieved our independence - Rome in all her glory would have decreed honors and make up
the depreciation if they had paid them in old rag money- the Resolves of Congress to transmit the memory of their virtues is worthy of that magnanimity which ought to characterize public bodies-- Jealous and [illegible] rulers are sparing of honors to those who serve them- lest their own should be eclipsed- But your [illegible] Gentlemen can suffer no diminution this way;
Henry, I have now sent you an account of the part I took in our revolutionary war and how I received my pay. I [illegible] on my newspapers capturing Mr. Verplank’s appeal on the service of the surviving officers and soldiers of our revolutionary army, etc., etc.,etc.-
Page 58

[Right margin:]
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]the [illegible] [illegible] has not followed the examples of the Dutch deputies. Some of the officers in General Jackson’s army at [illegible] [illegible] beyond [illegible] for provisions General Jackson in notes than to [illegible] and [illegible] with him
[illegible] General Jackson [illegible] with them to take a walk they stopped under a [illegible] the ground breakfast with them upon [illegible]-General Jackson’s army beat the Dutch deputies. If Monroe had followed [illegible] he would not want 68,000 dollars.
[Main body of letter:]
To do to you what you would wish to be done by as the [illegible] rule, and the glory you justly bestow upon others that have served you; will only be reflected to increase your own glory! - Henry, the old Continental officers and Soldiers
wages were stated by Congress: and so our own members of Congress now I don’t believe that one member of Congress would be willing to take a depreciated final settlement or old Continental money for their wages; and it would not be right they should. This motto was printed upon our [illegible] in 1775 - Appeal to Heaven!- Death or Liberty!-
This Spirit of Liberty under Almighty God, achieved our Independence-
Henry, I feel  what I write!-I would [illegible] my own Arm off if I did not think it was write [sic] to petition our honorable Congress to make me some compensation for my wages; and money I advanced to carry on our Revolutionary War!- On the Revolutionary heroes. I will petition Congress every year as long as one of them is alive for some compensation for their services. I hope that this great moral question will be taken by yeas and nays-
Henry, I submit my cause to you; to lay it before Congress when you please.
I keep no copies of the letters I write to my children- I stated to you some time since what part I took in Bunkerhill Battle. Commissary General Trumball was very sick at Lebanon-. Now I will state to you what part I took in Lexington Battle
I went to Boston a day or two before the battle to replenish my stores and when I [illegible] Charleston ferry into Boston there was a 74 Gun ship stationed about four rods above the ferry, said to be full manned. I never saw one before I went into Boston and called upon my old Creditors and paid them in Continental
money: they all gave me a strong invitation to trade with
them they would furnish me with as many good as I wanted cheaper than ever.
I called upon my friend John Simpson in the fall. I bought about 70 Pounds worth of goods of him upon a years Credit and agreed to pay him in part and he told me that he belonged to Hendricks Cadet Company he had trained every afternoon
for a long time he never would train another day. G.B. [Great Britain] will subdue this Country and he would not be a Rebel no longer and he would sell me his gun and Bayonet for what it cost him in money where they bought 60 stands together- I told him I would give him my note for it; he said that he would not sell his gun without the money he would trust me for as many good as I wanted for he made a small profit on them. Then I went out upon the common to see the British Army exercise about 5000 men
with five bands of musick. I was exceedingly pleased with their martial appearance - I did not know then that they were going to kill our militia at Lexington the next day- I went home to my Boarding house and after it was dark I saw a house illuminated about 20 rods east. I enquired the cause for what the house was illuminated for; and I was told that the British officers had
assembled there to Celebrate the Battle of [illegible]on- there appeared to be great confusion in the street all night that I never closed my eyes to sleep all night; at day light I went into the street and saw a ship joiner. I asked him what the tumult in the street all night was; he said it was suspected that part of the British Army had gone out into the Country and he was going up
General Gages house to see if he could find out any thing about the movement of the British Arm. I went up with him everything was peaceable- we went a little further north and they were whipping a Soldier a 1000 lashes for deserting- we
went back to General Gage’s quarters we met a Gentlemen that could not spur his horse out of a walk-the joiner said it was General Gage’s ADC [aide-de-camp].They had met with a
repulse and he had come for a reinforcement. He [illegible] General Gage’s house and [illegible] at his back door and the drums beat to arms. I went to my quarters and got some breakfast and told the hosteler to bring up my horse and I rode out to Roxbury
When I arrived at Roxbury I could hear the Cannon and small arms roar
like thunder towards Lexington - The news had arrived at Roxbury that the British had commenced war against our Country by killing 5 or 6 militia men
Page 59

[Note: The top line appears to be a continuation of a separate entry from the left margin of the body of the letter. I have thus transcribed it at the beginning, where it is physically placed. It appears to be unrelated to the body of the letter which itself is a continuation from the previous page of the letter.]

The [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] serving against the U.S. is 68,000 dollars for his services in European [illegible] he never said he well knew the story of the two Spanish [illegible]who were sent to ambassadors the Hague [illegible] the pride of their [illegible] [illegible] they did not despise [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] when they question a plain [illegible] and [illegible] them on [illegible] [illegible]own upon Congress to [illegible] [illegible] their [illegible]-on the contrary they cried out with [illegible]never be able to conquer these people we must even make peace with them [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] to the [illegible]and [illegible] for [illegible] they

without any provocation upon Lexington Green. There was a Scottish minister in the street encouragin[g] the militia to march onto  Lexington in the name of the Lord of Hosts to exterprate the promited murderers from the face of the Earth!-There came on a company of Minutemen the captain desired the minister to pray with and for them and they all kneeled down upon the ground then marched on towards Lexington a few minutes after
There was another company arrived which performed the same ceremonies-after prayers they marched off for Lexington-another company soon after came on a soldier leading a grand horse and chaise with a gentleman in the chaise clothed in scarlet surrounded with fixed bayonets stopped at the tavern where I was. I told the captain if I could get a gun I would join their [illegible] as a volunteer-he said it was impossible to get a gun- Sir, you appear to be engaged in our cause-- have taken Sir Charles Burdett an Englishman a prisoner of war he has prevented two companies going on to Lexington by telling them it was a false alarm-Sir, I deliver Sir Charles Burdett into your hands as a prisoner of war to confine him untill called for. I will leave my Sargent to assist you to guard the Prisoner He had a good sword but no gun- I told the Landlord I wanted a room to confine the prisoner; he told me to walk up stairs ;after the Captain had marched on for Lexington about 15 minutes the Sargent went into another Chamber - Sir Charles got up and said that he would go home. I told him that he should not go home he said that he would. I got up to seize hold of him to such of him he struck me around the head with a long hunting whip which made a great whole [sic] round my head- I was a noted wrestler. I sprung upon him like a tiger, flung him down upon the floor and
to him by the throat until his face looked as black, as his boot. I
asked him what he ment by striking me. The Sargent heard the noise, ran into the room with his sword drawn got off and I will run the blaid [blade] through the body. the British are killing our people and I will kill him. You shall not kill him for he is my prisoner-- The Sargent was a very strong resolute man-- The prisoner begged for his life and I let him get up-- we were called down to dinner the sargent and I dined- I asked the prisoner if he wanted some dinner he said yes. after he had dined I told him to pay for his dinner he said that he had got no money and I paid his dinner. I went out into the back yard and got a hoop pole about six feet long-feeling— the sound of the Cannon and small arms appeared to be nearer- I told the sargent and prisoner
to get into the Chaise and if the prisoner tried to make his escape I told the sargent to run him through. [illegible] and I would nock [knock] his brains out with my club. After we rode a few miles the prisoner said that he lived in that house
upon the left hand will you not stop and drink a glass of 
wine. No! I want no -wine— a real Lady ran out of the house screaming and crying Sir Charles what have you done that a man with a drawn sword is at your right hand and a man behind the carriage with a club to nock [sic] out your  brains if you try to make your escape. The prisoner asked me he might get out of the carriage and kiss his wife for he never expected to see her again. I told him NO. he kissed his wife and she kissed him and they took their affectionate leave of each other-
which brought tears from my eyes: I told the sargent to drive-we stopped at Ames Tavern in Dedham I could hear the Cannon roar 5 or 6 old men ran out of the house that knew Sir Charles two of them with their swords drawn to kill him for they were killing our people at Lexington I told the gentlemen that Sir Charles
was my prisoner and they should not kill him. the Sargent and I 
had hard work to guard our prisoner. we went into the house and told the prisoner to sit in the corner of the room and the Sargent and I would guard him with our weapons.
again the old men- they made several attempts to kill him-- no person in the house went to bed that night
seventh and that night-- I convinced the old men that it was not right to kill a prisoner- at daylight I delivered up the prisoner to the Sargent and the old [illegible] [illegible] cryed down like a child and said Sir you have saved my life twice [illegible] [illegible] give you any money you ask. I have plenty of money, ask me  if you will guard me-I told the prisoner that the old men would do by him as well as I should and set out to alarm the people from Dedham to Hebron to turn out to defend the liberties of their country. I almost spoiled my horse. after I got home I had 2 packets of powder in the garret weighed out by candlelight to [illegible] wanted it set out next day to victual our militia company to Roxbury, etc., etc., etc.
Sir Charles was confined in jail for a number of months tryed and acquitted-
The first American blood in our Revolutionary war was spilt at Lexington without any provocation by our British bretheren
so called they murdered 39 of
Page 60

[Note: The first line is a continuation of the postscript on the right margin. I have transcribed it with the postscript.]

Americans and wounded 59. the Americans pursued the murderers to Boston and killed 65 and wounded 174. The militia collected from all quarters and Boston in a few days was besieged by 20,000 men - Henry, I have stated to you what part I took in Lexington Battle.Your  Immortal Governor Throops Message you sent me. I have read it with the highest Satisfaction and it is the best document of the kind I ever read. We don’t forget the old surviving Continental officers and Soldiers that achieved our Independence with their blood and treasure without one Spanish milled dollar who have not yet partaken of the bounty or shared in the Justice of the government
He alludes to these who engaged in the struggle for independence at an early stage of the war stimulated by an ardent patriotism without any promise of reward and have therefore not yet been deemed proper objects of 
remuneration. There services are certainly not less meritorious
cause they were disinterested. The US have an exuberant treasury in money and a world of land to dispose of- when one it becomes criminal to plead the cause of a suffering army when their virtues and Patriotism can no longer be safely recorded; the [illegible] enemy has  has put her last hand to her barbarous work- all the valuable purposes of society will be wholly indifferent to the old Continental officers and Soldiers-
If our honorable Congress wants to pay off the National debt the old Bunker Hill Deputy Commissary prays that our honorable  Congress would give him a good farm that the Honorable Browns might live by the sweat of their brows near where the Immortal [illegible] fatherland is who sacrificed his property and spilt his blood to establish our Independence on this day four score and four years old.
Through the goodness of almighty God my health has been as good ten years as it ever was. this arm that wielded my sword the first years of our Revolutionary war under the command
of the immortal Washington is still strong and nervous to support the Liberties of my beloved country
Let justice rulemale and Independence [illegible] [illegible] not men. pray who made man but God. Yet men
Make kings at this day to tremble at their [illegible]- Henry, I feel what I write: but here sincerity
obliges him to stop. I wish you and your family the greatest blessing that heaven and Earth can
afford and remain your affectionate father [illegible][illegible]- Daniel Brown

Henry, write me often and send me your newspapers after you have read them-You must excuse my writing for [illegible] and [illegible]-
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Postage paid 18 3/4 cents
Pain 18 3/4
Henry Brown Esquire 
 Cooperstown 
Otsego County New York.

[Stamp] Batavia October 14
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Hebron September 10th 1836

One Beloved Children
We your Aged Parents through the goodness of Almighty God enjoy as good health as can [illegible]
I never enjoyed better health-- Some time since had the dropsie [sic] in my legs they swelled considerable. I did not exercise but little; I was very fond of meat, and hearty victuals, I got to be
Very Corpulent that could not tie up my shoes- I [illegible] Bucan the family physician and he recommended Skunk Cabbage root dried and powered, it is an Indian medicine and it
don’t grow  anywhere but in the US. He describes the virtue of it; it is good for the Rheumatism, dropsie, Asthma, and it cures histerical [sic] fits. when much will not answer the only take only two teaspoonfuls of the root every morning untill you are cured; and the Indians take it after they get well-then patient ought to diet himself, and live upon light victuals and not drink any spirits. I have followed what he prescribed for about six weeks, and I find by experience it has answered his prescription.
I don’t think that I weigh as much by 30 pounds as I did two months ago. I feel much spryer than I did-I have not joined the cold water society.  my hand is not palsied with old age nor with
Fatigue [illegible] -The reason that a cow is more healthy than a man is: She is confined to one sort of food and drink - your mother has not joined the cold water society she don’t drink any spirits, she don’t take any opium, and she has left off smokng
and her health is about as good as it was when Sarah was here: she keeps knitting as usual-- our family are all well except
Lucy Ann her fits continue upon her yet, I think they must wear her out in time.
the whole family were greatly encouraged sometime since that she was going to get well but alas, alas, alas-we are almost discouraged now.
I believe that she is a sincere Christian,
I never heard her complain, she bear her sickness with as much patience as her Aunt Anne did- It is every dying sickly time here.
Mr Jonathan Town Widow Mack James Culvers wife reverend Mr. Nichols, Mr. Lord and Mr. Hodges young child have died lately-Deacon Ellis his son, Captain Ellis his daughter and a boy that lives there are all very sick. Captain Ellis life is despaired of given over by his physician-Mr. David Port has been sick and confined to his room, his wife has a wart on the bottom of her foot she cut it off with a razor repeatedly and it has broke out into a sore they are afraid it will be a cancer and it has been very painful and made her crazy-I hear they are getting better-the military academy in Middletown is taken up; and they offer all the buildings and land he had which they compute to be worth $90,000 to the Methodists to build a college their [sic]— The Methodists have agreed to build a college there next summer-- There is now a rebellion in the sophomore class in your college. There is 42 Scholars refuse to obey their Instructors-- The Faculty of college have sent to their parents to send for their sons home, they don’t want them there, what the consequence will be I know not. There is a dreadful stir among the calvinistic ministers for the want of money which they are seeking after with a step as steady as time and appetite as keen as death; only a few years since in this little county of Bolton, Summers, Andover, Gilead, Marlborough Coventry, Hebron have [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] most of the [illegible] have got ministers [illegible] or reinstalled; this would have been a new thing under the Sun 70 years ago-
General Johnson and his Lady called here few days since, and informed us that your Aunt Elderkin is in a poor state of health; the rest of your Windham friends are all well. My Garden has turned Preacher, and it blooming Tenants are so many lively sermons. I have paid a particular attention to  my Garden this summer. I go out almost every morning and work one or two hours in my Garden: my skillful hand has parcelled out the whole ground into narrow beds, and intervening alleys - The same discreet management has assigned to each verdant family a [illegible] and distinct abode; so that there is no confusion amidst the greatest multiplicity, because every individual knows its proper home-- What a source of wholesome dainties grows
in any Garden: and all for the enjoyment of man. The Beans stand firm like files of embattled troops-the peas rest upon props like so many companies of invalids; while both replenish their pods with the freshness of the earth; on purpose to pour them on the owners tables. Not on [illegible] among all this bounty of Hosts is a numberer of the ground-- what is still more [illegible] every portion of the year affords such [illegible] as are best suited to the temperature the air, and the State of our bodies: and every one of which tenders as some agreeable present and pays us a welcome tribute; and to furnish us at once with plenty and with pleasure -
When I was a young men I did not hoe but one at a time; now I have two rows, one with and with the help of my hoe handle advance forward to the next hills-- When I get tired I have a house in my broad alley which I keep sweeped, and garnished, I set down and rest myself; and contemplate upon the wonderful works of God in making my [illegible] and everything in my Garden grow, and flourish- I planted my Garden with the square compass and plum [sic] line according to rule, Lucy, dropped some of the seeds in my Garden here and kept one [illegible] them out the first time, since I have taken the whole charge of one Garden upon myself-When the Gentlemen and Ladies visit here I invite them into my Garden, and they all give me this [illegible] character, that I have the best Garden, and freest from weeds, of any in the Parish this is an honorable Compensation for all my hard services - Why then should the possessor of so valuable a spot envy the condition of Kings since I can walk daily amidst rows of peaceable and obsequious though mute Subjects, every one of which tenders me some agreeable present and pays
willing Tribute
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Sarah, you will find by experience that the Love and affection of Parents, are much greater then children is for Parents-- your Mother thinks that you have intirely forgotten your aged parents, because you dont oftener - But she saith that she cannot forgit Sarah whom she has [illegible] upon her knees, and
her breasts has given her suck, who have watched and toiled for her wellfare both in sickness and in health-- She thinks that you and your children have got the fever augue that you cannot write. She wants you to write a long letter when you heard from Augustus last. Where Doctor Mason is, whether Ephraims Children are healthy, and well-- She wants to know what views Dr Cotes had in going to London, and leaving a young family of children in a wicked world, who want a Father to protect and govern them, and train them up in the way that they should go 
and when they are old will not depart from it- I hope that you will write us as soon as you receive this letter-- Henry your aged parents are very anxious to hear from you. we want [illegible] to 
write the particular state of your health, if you are blind like your Mother we want to know it to sympathise with you under the act of God like Jobs friends. Health and a good conscience
are the two greatest blessings that we can enjoy his side heaven-- We want to hear when you Calculate to move to Cooperstown - The Hebron Freemasons are as firm as Roxbury they are not willing own that they have been a gang of knaves and villains, all the days of their lives-
there is not any of them [illegible] from the true faith; they are not willing to own that they murdered William Morgan or that they know who did murder him: or whether he is dead or alive now,
they cannot tell-- The Reverend Mr___of Columbia says that he will beg his bread before he will be a [illegible]Mason; he has not attended a Lodge for a great number of years: he Looks upon it to be a good institution, if they live up to their profession - The Rev Mr. Strong who was reinstalled at Hebron after D Bassett left there was a violent opposer of Freemasonry. his Cousin Strong is an antimason and printer at Hartford. Mr Strong to
bring up his Cousins news papers, and circulate them in Hebron. The Honorable Judge Gilbert, and Dr Arnold told him if he ment to be a pest to circulate these news papers, they would
not hear him preach. he is dismissed from Hebron; and reinstalled at Colchester not the
day appointed for that Business but the next day Dr Watsons is G.M. in this State
I hear that they talk of building a meeting house in Colchester for all sects to worship Almighty God in - Henry the history you have written conserning the abduction of William Morgan will stand the test of ages; and will enlighten all the Freemasons in the four
quarters of the Globe, and all honest men that want to know the truth, because it’s truth itself, and it will travel through the world without a passport-- The Antimasons came out with a double Bridle on they make a feint a mock design to find out what has become of Wm Morgan they would be dreadfully disappointed if he should come home; antimasonry has been a ladder for some time past by which dishonest men have elevated themselves to power to answer their selfish, and interested purposes; to turn out all the Freemasons out of office, and get in themselves. It is a
mistake to suppose the differences of Religion or Politics threaten materially the peace of Society-- It is only when they arm themselves with the authority of God to form parties. in the State, and struggle for the political assendency which has been
frequently exerted in your State wherever Government is wise enough to maintain an inflexible neutrality-- Those having seats are always found to live together
with sufficient harmony.
The Enfernal Hartford Convention has made about as much noise in the world; as the abduction of William Morgan - I have attended five Sessions of the General assembly, three terms at New Haven, and two terms at Hartford. the last time
that I attended the Assembly at Hartford - A friend presented me with a statements [illegible] and published by order of the Convention of Deligates held at Hartford December
15th 1814 Containing 36 pages Signed by the Convention themselves - It appears to me that there is treason, and rebellion; upon every leaf against the General Government.
I will send the pamphlet to you if you desire it - A. Printer would make more money by printing and selling it than by printing Bibles, and testament, in two month every Freemason ought to have one of the Book; for they see the men whom the U.S. must depend upon to defend the Constitution of the U.S. against treason and Rebellion-Henry, I opened a Store of dry goods in Gilead in 1773. I kept a cash account and I [illegible] 30 Pounds a year-
I went to Boston in 1775 to replenish my Store, when the hand of power was stretched against my native country, and when the first American blood was spit at Lexington from that fatal day
I chose my part- I took an active part in Lexington Battle, and Bunker hill battle as soon as our Army assembled at Cambridge. Commissary General Trumbull appointed me a deputy commissary to issue provisions to the army. he put unbounded Confidence in my integrity. he told me to employ as many Clerks, and Butchers, and fatigue men as I wanted; and pay them their wages according to act of Congress, and when
I did not want them to dismiss them and I will furnish you with money to pay them; of them or draw an order on me and I will pay them. I continued with the Commissary General Trumbull as long as he was Commissary general in 1775-76-77. He was taken sick and resigned his office-Then Colonel Steward was appointed Commissary General and I issued provisions in 1778 under him at Fishkill. I was married and quit the service. Thus I have served my beloved country four years under the command of the Immortal Washington without any [illegible] for I always
despised a thief and [illegible]— Our honorable Congress allowed me an honorable compensation for my service as they had paid me according to contract a deputy’s wages were $50 a month and four rations a day and money deposited they added $10, month more Commissary General [illegible] and our honorable 

[Note: Right margin postscript]
Henry, I would saw my hand off before I [six illegible words] some depreciation [multiple illegible words not transcribed]
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Congress appointed Jonathan Trumbull Esquire before he was governor of this State, Commissioner upon [illegible] 
Brother Joseph Trumbull later Commissary General of the U.S. Later I settled my account with him at Lebanon.
The agent collected all the debts due to me when I was a merchant, and paid it over to me when I was in the army and I paid it out to the men I hired, and for the deficiency of Rations that I did not issue agreeable to the act of Congress-The Supplies that I furnished the Army with: and my
wages if I remember right amounted to upwards of Five thousand pounds. the Commissioner never found any fault with one of my charges-- He gave me a final Settlement note for Twelve hundred and four pounds on interest, but no time set for the payment. the Commissioner treated me like a Gentlemen and invited me to dine with him, after dinner he asked me if I wanted to sell the note he gave me - Yes part of it I honestly owe to my Creditors in
Boston more than three hundred pounds for goods; they went of with the British when they left Boston. as soon as they return to this Country I want to pay them. I agreed them in cash, but they were not there to receive it andI sold to our contractors for ten dollars [illegible] in money and it is included in this Final Settlement note you just give me- what will you the in hard money in the pound for the note. answer the nominal
sum what will you give; One shilling and eight pence on the pound. I will rot in jail before I will take that. he said there was no compulsion- I issued provisions at Fishkill [illegible] 6 or 7 months under Commissary General Steward-he paid me my wages in continental money, an old Dutchman offered me one hard dollar for 7 paper dollars, and before I got home I was sorry I had not taken it- when I returned home it was the coldest weather that I ever felt before or since. Tavern keepers were stated and they would not sell at the stated price and I suffered for victuals, and my horse suffered for the want of hay with my pocketfull of [illegible] money. I started one morning at day light and rode three miles and froze both my knees so stiff, that if I bent then thought that they would break off. and from one foot after I got home, I and my Doctor, was afraid that I should lose my [illegible].
I have stated facts upon memory as simple as truth;
Pure as light, and level as water.
I will not affect a doubt but I have issued more provisions to the army than any commissary in our Revolutionary war for I continued the longest in the service. my Books and vouchers are in the archives of Congress and they will witness for me. I guess that I have been entrusted with a million dollars of Uncle Sam’s property in provisions and money. I never heard one officer or soldier complain of short weight, or measure, and no Regiment
ever waited at my store more than three hours for provisions the whole time that I was a deputy commissary. Extract from the Reverend Leo Morse’s history of our Revolutionary war
page 320 “The weakness of the [illegible] mention conjunction with flood of certificates or public Securities which Congress could neither fund or pay, occasioned them to depreciate
to a very inconsiderable value - the officers and soldiers of the late army and those who furnished Supplies for public emergency were obliged to receive for wages those
Certificates or promissory notes when they passed as official, on [illegible] or a tenth of [illegible] nominal value; being thus deprived at once of the greatest part of the reward due for 
their services; but such as were under the necessity of posting with them, were robbed of that support which they had a right to expect and demand from their countrymen-page 323. The whole history of this Continental paper is a history of public and private fraud- Congress in 1775 Suggested the idea of issuing bills
In the purpose of carrying on the war- and this was perhaps their  only expedient-money could not be raised by taxation: it could not be borrowed, and on page 327 such is the history of paper money thus far: a miserable substitute for real coin in a country
where the reins of government are too weak to compel the
fulfillment of public engagements and where all confidence of public [illegible] is totally destroyed - page 319. A remarkable instance of this happened in Connecticut as soon as the tumult of war had but sided an attempt was made to convince
the people that the act of Congress passed in 1778 (When I was a Deputy Commissary at Fishkill granting to the officers of the army half pay for life was highly unjust and [illegible]; and that was the first step towards the establishment of pensions and an unreasonable uncontrolled despotism. The Act of Congress passed in 1783. committing half pay for life for five years full pay, was designed to oppose the apprehension of the people and convince them that this gratuity was intended mainly to indemnify the officers for their loss by the depreciation of the paper currency and only to establish a precedent for granting of pentions [sic]-This act however did only satisfy the people who supposed that officers had been generally indemnified for the loss of their pay by the grants made them from time to time by the Legislatures of the several states-besides, the act, while it gave five years full pay to the officers allowing but one year’s pay to the privates. a distinction which had effect in [illegible] escalating and continuing the popular ferment, and one that turned a [illegible] those of the public rage against the officers themselves-I know by four years sad Experience that Camps of all worldly scenes after exhibit the greatest pictures of distress - the sick and the wounded; the dying and the dead; as well as want and sufferings of the living; our Continental Soldiers were almost naked, and bearfooted [sic], in the winter; which brought tears from the Immortal Washingtons eyes; to order them to
march against the enemy- Read the address and petition with a pensive mind of our old Continental officers and Soldiers signed by H. Knox-“At this period of the war it is with peculiar pain we find ourselves constrained to address your august body, on matters of a pecuniary nature and objected that the respective States have made settlements, and given bounties for our
 [illegible]due for part of the time- let the present value of these nominal obligations be [illegible] by the [illegible] men and they will be found little indeed and yet trifling as they are, many have been under the sod near twenty of parting them
Page 65

To prevent families from actually starving: We complained that shaddows [sic] have been [illegible] us; when the substance have been gleaned-The commissary was another part of the Soldiers hire the army on that score for the year 1777 were paid off in continental money when the dollar was worth about four pence the averages for the following years are unliquited and we apprehend scarcely thought of but by the army - Extract from the immortal General Washington answer to the officers and Soldiers of his Army and here I humbly conceive it is altogether uneccessary while I am pleading the cause of an army which
have done and suffered more than an army ever did in the defence of the rights, and liberties, of human nature-to [illegible] on their claims to the most ample compensation for their meritorious services; because they are perfectly known
to the whole world: at the the topicks [sic] are inexhaustible-enough has already been said on the subject-- to prove these assertions and if besides the simple payment of their wages, a further compensation is not due to the sufferings and sacrifices of the Officers: then have I been mistaken indeed- the whole
army have not merited what a greatful [sic] people can bestow then have I been beguiled by prejudice and built opinion on the bones of error-
But I am under no apprehension a country rescued by their arms
From impending ruin: will never leave unpaid- A debt of Gratitude!—
Fathers of our beloved country in the 22nd Congress assembled I never have received one cent besides the simple payment of my wages and retained Rations, and the supplies I furnished our Continental Army with in a final settlement note or Continental money depreciated about seven fold by the sale made by Congress. I never have received any half pay or commutation
this state gave any Brother Soldiers that served their Country three years in the Continental army; three soldier notes so called for about $40 cash to make up the pay of the depreciated Continental money that Congress paid them; I never have received any of these notes I never have received
any notes - I never have received any land, which my brother officers and Soldiers have received
My wife never received one cent out of the 21936 pounds of monies which this State advanced to support
officers and Soldiers wives when they were fighting for the liberties of our Country-- My Brother officers and Soldiers stated to Congress how they had received their pay, whom I had victualled four years; and their petition was confirmed by the Immortal Washington and our Honorable Congress granted
them half pay for life and afterwards compensated with them for five years full pay- Fathers I have quoted to the writings of the Immortal Washington and his Continental officers who under
God achieved our Independence; whose names impart consequence to those sentiments Fathers I have written this petition with my one hand in my 84 year of my age. the smallest favor will be acknowledged with lively gratitude. By your old Bunker hill Deputy Commissory-
In duty bound will ever pray-
Daniel Brown
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAN-51 12 - 5 - 41 Brown, Daniel WARRANT NUMBER 3753 BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD Private ACREAGE. Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Name-Brown, Daniel
Grade-Private 
Line-Massachusetts
Warrant Number 3753
Acreage-100
ISSUED Dec. 17, 1789 to Richard Platt, assignee The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800 which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.


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