Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,551, William Brown, Penn Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Penn
VA.

Brown, William

NUMBER
S23551

CONTENTS
A 1787 in Lancaster Co. Pa.
Residing Rev. Cumberland Co. Pa & Frederick Co. Va.
years (?) 1833 Layette Co. Pa.
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6598
Pittsburgh

William Brown
in the State of Penn

who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Barnett of the regt commanded by Col. Holmes in the Pa Militia
for 2 yrs

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh at the rate of 80 Dollars 0 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of March 1833 and del. to Hon. A. Stewart
H. R.

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832   120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M'ch 1833  40.00
=====
$160.00
=====

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by  J. Duffield  Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 2  Page 168
Page 3

Fayette County
State of Pennsylvania
On this 18th day of August
1832 personally appeared before me Charles Porter one
of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas
for the County of Fayette, William Brown a resident
of Fayette County aforesaid, & state of Pennsylvania aged
ninety five years, who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the followed named officer & served as herein stated.
That he was born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania
in the year 1757 - that he continued to reside there
until he had got his growth when he removed to
Cumberland County Pennsylvania where he lived until
1775 when he was drafted unto the service of the
state (this was in the spring of that year) to go out against the Indians who were harassing the settlements on the head water of the Susquehanna- that he cannot recollect the name of his captain but the Lieutenants of the company to which he belonged were John Murphy 1st & William Connell 2nd and that the troops were commanded by Col Montgomery & Armstrong. That they
were never able to bring the Indians to an engagement, -that they suddenly appeared in the settlement,
committed outrages & as suddenly disappearing - that
they were generally headed by either British or
Canadians. That he does not recollect the period for
which he was drafted - but think it was six months ┃
Page 4

as he recollects distinctly that he continued in that
service until the fall of 1775. That in the fall of
1776 he removed from Cumberland County pen. to Fredrick County Virginia. That in the spring of 1777 as
soon as military operations could be commenced
 (the last of March or first of April) he was drafted in Captain James Barnett's company of Militia which was joined to Col Holm's Regiment, that they were marched from Frederick County Virginia Virginia to an encampment on the  & there stationed for the purpose of embarrassing the British whose general force in the south were commanded by Lord Cornwallis.- that he continued in the army until 1780 when he was impressed into the Wagon service to assist in conveying Bourgoin's prisoners from Albemarle Barrack, northward to Little York Pennsylvania to keep them out of the way of Cornwallis. - That as soon as he returned from this service he was drafted in Captain George Bell's company. (this he thinks was in July or August 1781)- that they were ordered from Shenandoah to Yorktown where they were joined to main American army commanded by Genl Washington - that he was engaged in all the fighting that took place in the capture of Cornwallis at York town, - that on the 19th day of October 1781 Cornwallis surrendered his whole army to Genl. Washington who ordered the militia to guard them to little York pa. That in the march to that
place he was taken sick at Fredericksburg [illegible]
where he received a furlough from his captain
George Bell. - that he went house & continued
sick several months, that he did not again return to the service - that he served generally in the revolutionary war rom its commencement until after Cornwallis's surrender. That he can say with perfect safety that during this period he was not out of the service of his country more
Page 5

than six or eight months. That he never received any discharge. That after the war he continued to live in Frederick County Virginia until 1786 when he removed to the western country, and has had lived within a few miles of where he now under (in Fayette County PA) ever since - That he knows of no persons living at present by whom he could establish his services, & that he has no documentary
evidence, that he is ninety-five years of age.
that he has no record of his age but remembers of being told repeatedly by his parents that he was born the same year that George the third of England was born.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension
Role of the agency of any State.
Wm Brown
Affirmed to and subscribed to this 16th day of August AD 1852 before Charles Porter, Judge

I, James Frey, a clergyman residing in the County of Fayette & State of Pennsylvania, and John Lewis, clergyman of the same place, do hereby certify that we are well-acquainted with William Brown, the applicant mentioned in the above declaration, who has sworn & subscribed to the same. That we believe him
ninety-five years of age. that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we incur in that in that opinion.
James Frey
John Lewis
Affirmed & subscribed this 16th day of August A.D. 1832 before Charles Porter Judge
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I, Charles Porter, one of the associate Judges of
the Court of Common pleas for the County of Fayette, State of Pennsylvania, do certify that if in the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department, that the within-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And it is further certified that the said applicant is very old and is
infirmed and so pressed down with years that
he could not properly attend the court at its sitting. And I, as Justice, do further certify that I am personally acquainted with James Fray & John James, the clergymen who have signed the within certificate that they are residents of the County & live in the neighborhood of the applicant, that they are both highly respectable in their calling as clergymen, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Charles Porter Judge

Fayette County, Pennsylvania
I, Henry W. Beeson, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, do hereby certify that Charles Porter Esq is a magistrate as above stated, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Union Town the 21st day of February 1833
H W Beeson, Prothy

Declaration of William Brown
Revolutionary Soldier
19134
Page 7

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
17,235-51
In reply to your request of _____, received _____
for a statement of the military history of William 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.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:
Spring 1775
LENGTH OF SERVICE: Six months
RANK: Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED:
CAPTAIN: Lieut. John Murphy and Wm McConnell
COLONEL: Montgomery, Armstrong
STATE: PA

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:
March & April 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 1780
RANK: Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED:
CAPTAIN: James Barnett
COLONEL: Holm
STATE: PA

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:
1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE: July 1781
RANK: In wagon service, and helped guard prisoners from Alemarde barracks to Little York, PA
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED;
CAPTAIN: George Bell
COLONEL: 
STATE: PA

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT:
July or Aug, 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE: After the surrender of Cornwalis
RANK: In wagon service, and helped guard prisoners from Alemarde barracks to Little York, PA
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED;
CAPTAIN: George Bell
COLONEL: 
STATE: PA

Battles engaged in, siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland County, Penn
Date of application for pension, August 16, 1832
Residence at date of application, Fayette Co. Penn
in or
Age at date of application, born in Lancaster Co. Penn. in 1737
Remarks: In 1857 John Brown, Soldiers son was
a resident of Fayette Co. Penn. Children are referred to, but no other name is stated. 
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
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BROWN, WILLIAM
(PA, VA)
S. 23,551
Page 9

I Do hereby certify that Wm Brown hath taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly entitled An act to oblige the free male inhabitants of the State above at a certain age to give assurance of allegiance to the same, and for other purposes. Witness my hand and seal this seventeenth day of November, 1777 
Thos. Hilm  (Seal)
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Camp Nov. 3, 1781. I do hereby grant a furlough to William Brown a sick man under my Command to go home - 
George Bell Capt.
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1512 Jenny Lind St
McKeesport, Pa.,

Sept. 30, 1929.

Department of the Interior M.O#642641- $1.90
Bureau of Pensions.  
Washington, D.C.
Rectangular stamp with the following: FINANCE DIVISION (BROK-KLEMER’S DESK) OCT 9, 1929 BUREAU OF PENSIONS

To the Commissioner - E.D. Church
Sir - Enclosed find a money order for one dollar and ninety cents for a photostat copy of papers on file in Revolutionary War Pension claim of William Brown, S. 23551 (Certificate No. 6598), and certification of same.  I understand there are eleven pages to be copied at rate of fifteen cents each, and twenty-five cents for certification of same.

Respectfully
Emma V. Spangler
(Mrs. John J. Spangler)
Page 12

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.  1-681.    PHONE Branch 476
——————————————————-——————- 
All inquires regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 36461
     Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
—————————————————————————
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications,  October 18, 1929.   
Room G 139 
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering ——Pension——-Deliver to Room No.——5033——
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELTE TYPE, EXACTLY LIKE FOR LIKE AS IT IS TO APPEAR OR FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 11 pages from Revolutionary war pension claim of William Brown, S.23551, Pa, &Vs, TPS.,
No. Of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing?….. …..days For further information see Mrs. M.M.H. Finch—-Room No 5033—-phone no. 541. 
Approved 
A.D. Wilkinson.             Margaret MH Finch
————————.           ——————————
Chief Clerk of Bureau.    Chief of Division
 NOTE: No order made “SPECIAL” unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering——————————————————————————————————————————————————
                     CHECK WORK DESIRED
                     ————————————-
Duplicate
Multi graph. Single or double space?—-Facsimile signature?——
Mimeograph  One side or both sides?—-Facsimile signature?——
Folding.    Once or twic?
Assembling
Stapling.  Once? Twice? Side?   End?
Electric typewriter. Fill in addresses? Dated?—-
Addressograph from lists———————————-
Envelopes, size—-(two blank lines)Cards, size—-(two blank lines)
Proof list——(two blank lines)Pay rolls—-(two blank lines)
Labels (submit sample) -(two blank lines)Corrections—(two blank lines)—
Fill in letters—(two blank lines)Tabulation sheet—(two blank lines)
     Photostat X Size—actual—Official use?——Repay? Yes—-$1.85
     Blue Print.    Size——-Official use?——-Repay? —-$——

Remarks————————————————————-
 (OVER)

(Lower left hand corner oblong stamp that shows, but is partially covered by typing: PUBLICATIONS, RECEIVED OCT. 13, 1929, DEPT OF THE INTERIOR)
VERTICALLY ON PAGE 
To Lew Oct 2
Page 13

Rev. A1812 Wars Section.
MMMHF

July 5, 1929.

Mrs. John J. Spangler
1512 Jenny Lind Street
McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Madam:
     I advise you that photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim of William Brown, S.23551 (certificate no.6596) will be furnished you, under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired.
     The number of pages to be copied is eleven. 
     The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
                              Respectfully,
                              EARL D. CHURCH
                              Commissioner.
Page 14

1512 Jenny Lind St.
McKeesport, Pa.,
June 26, 1929

Dept. Interior
Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.   (handwritten Revo and underlined)

May I have a copy of record in your office, name of William Brown, Revolutionary Soldier,File S. - 23551? Also certificate #6598 Dept. Internal Affairs, Auditor’s Office?
Sincerely
Emma V. Spangler
(Mrs. John J. Spangler)

circular stamp showing: Pension office U.S. June 28 1929
Page 15

3

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
FEB 12 1920.  19 —

Chief of Rev, War Section

Sir;
I have this day received from Col WC Brown cash for $ 75/100 requesting copy as per letter herewith.
(4 blank lines)
Very respectfully, 
WM Campbell (3 initials)
Chief of Division
Page 16

Circular stamp with Pension Office U.S. 1920 

Date Feb. 14, 1920
Name-Wm Brown No. S23551
Rev. War Pa &Va Troops
Photographic copies wanted of 2
Pieces, consisting of 5 pages.
Remarks: ——————————————————
———————————————————————-
Ext AE Wilson. Chief Rev, War Section
T.F. Dennis
Law Clerk

Serial No. 615
Page 18

DETROIT CHAPTER
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

PRESIDENT                                         CHAPLIN
CARL F. CLARKE.  REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE D.D.
VICE-PRESIDENT.                               HISTORIAN
GEORGE E. BUSHNELL.             ALBERT H. FINN
VICE-PRESIDENT.                              TREASURER
HERBERT B. TRIX.                     FRANK G. SMITH
SECRETARY
RAYMOND E. VANSYCKLE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1729 FORD BUILDING
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
10/4/1921

Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir - 
     Pleases furnish statement of revolutionary services and family data William Brown/(file5.23577?/File 523551?
Born 9.19 174 Lancaster, Pa
Died 3/1 -  1833 Foyette Co. Penna.
Wife Mary
Respectfully
Raymond E.VonSyckle

Circular stamp with PENSION OFFICE D OCT 10 1921 U.S.
Oblong stamp with RECORD DIVISION OCT 11 1921
Page 19

MEMBER OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA 
MEMBER OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
MISS NAME ELLISON WEOOD
GENEALOGIST
WESTERN, PENNSYLVANIA
1226 Spruce St. Philadelphia, Pa.  June 21-1919

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:- Will you kindly give me the military history and other information if any, contained on the pension papers of one William Brown, a private of the Foyette County, Penna, Militia. According to the Report of the Secretary of War, 1835, Pen.2, page 153, he was placed on the rolls March 2, 1833, and died MMarch 1. 1835 aged 96 years. Thanking you, 
I am, very truly, 
Col. Wm C. Brown
U.S. Army
Per Miss Wood
(Circular stamp with PENSION OFFICE K U.S. JUN 24 1919)
Page 20

Finalay Q.
May 7, 1914

U.S. Pension Department, 
Washington, D.C.

Will you kindly send me a copy of the record of William Brown of Foyette, Co. Penn.
A private annual allowance $80.
Service -  Penn. Militia

The stationary had a capital letter S up in the left hand corner
Page 25

John Brown.         18,316
In case of.             ———-
Wm Brown of Penn. Not the case
Act 32 payee.       ———————-
                                  Quit

———————-
Ex by Clerk Wade
Dec-8-1857