Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,302, Edward Brooks, Mass. Vt.
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Mass         Brooks, Edward         S2302
Vt           carded
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76
Hampden

27161
Massachusetts
Edward Brooks.
of Hampden in the State of Mass
who was a private in the compy. commanded
by Captain Bannister of the Rig commanded
by Colo Cushing in the Mass
line for 7 1/2 months private

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the state of. 25 Dollars — cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of [Feby?].
1834 - and sent to
James W. Brooks Esq. Springfield Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833. $62.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 - 12.50
$75.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book [3?] vol. 2 page 42
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28844
Edward Brooks
Monson
Hampton Co
Admi 7 1/2 Private
Cap Bannister Colo
Cushing
James W Crooks
Springfield
(illegible)
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden County

On this fifth day of November A. D. 1833 personally approved in open Court before the Hon. Oliver B. Morris Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, at Springfield within and for said County of Hampden

Edward Brooks, a resident of Monson in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid aged seventy-five years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A.D. 1832

I was born in Western in the County of Worcester, State of Massachusetts October 30th A.D. 1758 which continued to be my place of residence with the exception of the few months when I lived at Bethel Vermont, till the year 1786, when I removed to Springfield in this County and lived there about two years. I then removed with my family to Tollond, Connecticut, where I resided about twenty-two years. For the last twelve or thirteen years I have lived with my children in Springfield and Monson in this County; and am now a resident of the last mentioned town. I have no record of my birth, but believe it was recorded on the town books of Western where I was born.

I am acquainted with Joel Norcrosss Esq, Jonathan Torrey, Esq and Rev. Alfred Ely of Monson and the Rev Moses Asgood, and Peabody and Howard, and Jacob Perkins, Major Charles Howard, Jos. Weatherhead Esq, and Wm B. Colhower Esq of Springfield, who will testify of my character for truth and veracity.
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I first entered the service of the United States at Roxbury in the year 1775, soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The reason of my joining the Army at this time was to take the place of my brother, Sylvanus Brooks, who was then a soldier, but was taken sick and unable to perform duty. For this purpose I went from Western to Roxbury and remained in the service doing duty for one month, as a substitute of my brother. He recovered and I returned home. The company office I do not now remember. The Regiment was under Command of Col. Keys of Western. My brother died about fifteen years since. When I joined the Army it was expected that Sylvanus would return home; but on his recovery, Col. Keys chose to retain him as he had been longer in the service and was older than myself. My Father was also in the Army during that summer and died in the autumn of the same year at Cambridge.

In August 1777 I volunteered with about fifty or sixty others from Western, Brookfield, and Springfield, on an alarm that General Burgoyne with his army was marching towards Bennington. We did not organize as a Company but marched with as great speed as possible till we searched Williamstown where we formed company. Before we reached there the Battle of Bennington had taken place and the British retreated.
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We remained at Williamstown, Ma about a week, where an officer, whose name I cannot remember and who had been wounded in the Battle of Bennington, advised our Company to return home saying that a draft would soon be ordered for our respective towns. We accordingly returned having been in the service about ten days.

About the first of September 1777, a draft was ordered in Western. The town was divided into classes and each class was required to furnish a man. I was taken from one class and entered the service at that time, for three months according to my best recollection, under Capt. Bannister. The other officers of the company I do not remember. Joseph Cutter, whose deposition is hereunto annexed, was drafted at the same time and belong to my Company; and I cannot learn that any other member off said Company is now living. Immediately after the draft we commenced our march for the purpose of joining the Northern Army against Burgoyne. 

We passed through Belchertown, Hadley, Northampton, Cummington, and Williamstown, Ma, and arrived at Bennington where we camped for a day or two. Here we saw many of the soldiers who had been wounded in the battle a few days before, and several died while we remained here.
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The meeting house was occupied as a hospital for the sick and wounded and we saw many of the dead carried out.

While at Bennington, an incident occurred to me which I well remember. I lost all my clothes, shoes and stockings, except what I had on, together with many other articles of comfort among which was a nice large cheese that I had brought from home with me .The were all on board the company's baggage wagon and by accident or my own neglect were taken to Stillwater or from the place, so that I heard no more of them. 

Here said Joseph Cutler and myself, with many others amounting to about sixty men, were detailed on guard duty and marched to Manchester, Vt. where one army had great quantities of continental stores. The rest of the troops marched about the same time to join the Army at Stillwater, as I believe, against Burgoyne. 

I remained at Manchester, performing guard duty till the expiration of the time for which I was drafted, which I verily believe was three months; and was then discharged verbally, by the commanding officer of the Guard, whose name I cannot remember. Said Cutler and myself returned home to Wester sometime in the winter following; and I well
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In the month of March 1778, the town of Western was called on for another draft or a complement of men, to serve as a guard to the British prisoners who had surrendered under General Burgoyne. I enlisted as a volunteer, according to my last recollection, for I think I was not drafted, for three months. I served under Capt. Whipple of New Braintree and first Wheeler. The orderly Seargeant was Nathan Blodget of Western. He served meany ears ago to the Western port of the State of New York. Whether he is none living, I cannot say; if so, he can testify to this term of service.

Soon after joining the Company under said Whipple, we marched to Boston where we remained about three weeks. Our company was there ordered and I marched to Scotland as a guard to said prisoners and remained there doing duty till the expiration of our term of service which was three months. Maj. Reed was in command of the guard and from him I received an honorable discharge, but not in writing, and have no recollection that I ever had a written discharge. After my discharge I returned home to Western. 

The several terms of service before mentioned were performed in the line of State Troops--or Militia of Massachusetts.
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In the summer of the year 1781 I lived in the town of Bethel, Vt. purchased a small farm there and began to work and improve it. That part of the country was then much infested by the Indians in alliance with the British who made frequent attacks upon the villages and New Settlements. Royalton, about ten miles from Bethel, was burnt and the inhabitants of many of the towns greatly annoyed and distressed by the British and their allies, the Indians.

A Company of Rangers under the command of Capt. Spafford was stationed in the frontier settlements for the defense of the inhabitants. After the attack upon Royalton, I volunteered and joined said Company and continued in it about four days duty there. We pursued the enemy several miles from Royalton, but could not approach near enough for an engagement. 

After a service of several days at [Unreadable] in Capt. Spafford's company. I was discharged by a verbal order, as were many others who joined the company for a few months only. 

I do not remember the names of any officers except Capt. Spafford. The men who were mostly strangers, as I lived in that part of the Country but a short time, having sold my farm and returned to Western in the fall of the same year. Capt. Spafford's Company I believe belonged to the line of the Army, though the volunteers must have belonged to the Vermont Militia.
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I know of no person living who can testify to this tour of duty, but state my distinct recollection of the time of service last about mentioned.

I have no documentary evidence of service except the Deposition of Jos. Cutler before referred to; nor of many other persons whose testimony I can procure as to my service in the War of the Revolution. 

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the personal and declare that my name is not borne on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.

Swarn to and furbished the day and year aforesaid. 

Edward Brooks.

We Bezaleel Howard, a Clergyman residing in Springfield [Unreadable] and Jacob Perkins residing in the same town hereby certify that we are acquainted with Edward Brooks who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Bezaleel Howard
Jacob Perkins
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and served as he states & the said Court do further certify that it appears to them that Bezaleel Howard who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman residing in said Springfield & that Jacob Perkins who has also signed the same certificate is a Resident in said Springfield & is a credible witness & that their statement is entitled to credit 
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court the same being a Court of Record within & for said County of Hampden, do hereby that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Edward Brooks for a Pension. 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this fifth day of November in the year of our  Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three Justin Willard Clerk
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I Joseph Cutler of Western in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose testify & say, that I have been well acquainted with Edward 1 Brooks from his childhood; but was more intimately acquainted with him before he left this town & went to reside in Brimfield.
Said Brooks has always, so far as my knowledge extends, sustained an unimpeachable character for honesty & truth.
 In the month of August or September 1777 the said Brooks & myself were drafted for three or four months; my impression is that it was four months, & entered the service of the United States, at said Western under Capt Seth or John Bannister of Brookfield. Capt. Bannister commanded a company of the Militia that was raised in said Western & Brookfield; & we immediately marched to join the Northern army against Burgoyne. We marched to Williamstown, Ma. Pennington & Shaftsbury Vt & from them to Manchester Vt. While at Manchester & soon after our arrival there, the said Brooks & myself with about sixty others will detailed as a guard to protect the public stores that place. The rest of the
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troops marched to join the main Army, I believe at Stillwater.
The said Brooks & myself remained at Manchester & performed Garrison duty until the expiration of the term  for which we were drafted; which, was for three or four months. We were then both honorably discharged & returned home to Western.
 The said Brooks & myself turned out on an alarm that the British were marching towards Bennington & were about in the service about a month. This was five or six weeks previous to our being drafted as before stated. And directly after our return home on the alarm, we were drafted & took up our march for the main army of the North as I have before stated & deposed. Joseph Cutler 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. August 19th 1833. Then Joseph Cutler above named personally appearing, subscribed & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition and I certify that the said Deponent is a person of truth & veracity & that full credit is always given to his statements by his neighbors & all who know him. Before me James W. Crooks Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk  of the Probate Court the same being a  Court of record within & for said County do hereby certify that James W. Crooks before whom the preceding Deposition  of Joseph Cutler was subscribed & sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County & that I believe his name subscribed to the preceeding certificate thereof is his proper hand writing
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield  this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty three Justin Willard Clerk
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BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
pension on file in this Bureau.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
In reply to your request of
a statement of the military history of Edward Brooks.
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
S. 12.332,
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1775, Aug 1777, March 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
4 Mos, 10 days, Nov. 29, 1777.3 mos., 3 days, 4 days
RANK. Priv
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
on an alarm at Williamston
John Barnston
Thomas Whipples
Spofford
COLONEL.
Job Cushing
Alijah Stearns
STATE. Mass, VT

Battles engaged in, None.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Western Worcester Co Mass
Date of application for pension, Nov 5, 1833, His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Monson Hampden Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, b in Wester Worster Co Mass. 1.31152
Remarks: Soldiers fathers name not stated, was in the army and died at
Cambridge in the fall of 1775.
In 1833 soldier refers to his children, their names not stated, and that of a
wife are not stated.
Respectfully,
Miss Hendry evidently furnished this history to Mrs. W. A. Clark of Adams N Y, who enquired on Nov 1, 1914, but she did not endorse the 
 jacket: A W
commissioner
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SEP 14 1916
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Grace Chapel              Sept 13 1916
415 East 13th STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
My Dear Sir:
For purposes of genealogical
research.  I am asking to know something
of the Revolutionary Record of one
Edward Brooks or Broocks, of
Western, (now Warren Massachusetts)
There may have been two of the same
name from the same town.  One
is supposed to have died in
Roxbury Camp in January 1776 or 1777
if you can give me any information, 
mth rates and with names of any relatives
of these two Brookses.  I shall be grateful.
Very Sincerely Yours,
(Rev) Benjamin M Washburn
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Adams, N.Y.
Nov 1, 14
Pension Bureau
Washington DC
Will you kindly send
me the service of Rev
Edward Brooks, who
enlisted in Western (now
Warren) Mass, Apr 1775
also the records or service 
of Madad Kellogg, who 
I believe enlisted from
the same place.
Is there any record of
in the pension department
of Daniel Holloway
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who enlisted June 28, 1780
in Major James Keith's
Company 8th Mass Regt
If so will you kindly
send this also
Very Respectfully
Mrs. R.A. Clark
Adams, N.Y.

Pension Office 
Nov 3 1914
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1916 Sept 25 Rev Benj M Washburn
furnished hist aw

12302
INVALID.
File No. 12.302
Edward Brooks
Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 9th 1832
Index:-Vol. a, Page 47
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Springfield Feb 14 1834
Sir-
I beg leave to enquire
whether there is not a mistake in
the enclosed Certificate Perhaps
not - but I had supposed that
the Pensioner should have been
denibed or of the State of Massachusetts
instead of Rhode Island
Please return the Certificate
with an answer to the above
Enquiry
Very Respectfully
Yours
JL Edwards      James W Crooks
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James W. Crooks
Springfield
Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan 18, 1832
hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books
and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this 
Department, it appears
that the name of Edward Brooks, as a private
is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. John Banister's
company, Col. Job. Cushing's regiment, where
he is allowed for services and travel, from
Sept. 7 to Nov. 29. 1777, two months and twenty-eight days
Edward Brooks name is also borne on
an abstract Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Whipple's
company, Col Abijah Stearns' regiment, where 
he is allowed for services and that three months and three days
from March 30, 1778
Edward Brooks also claims for services
under Capt. Spofford, in 1781, but no such roll
is found in this office
Edward D Bangs
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James L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington DC
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Springfield Jany 25. 1834
I enclose to you the
Declaration of Edward Brooks
which was returned to me for
additional evidence
the certificate
of Mr Bangs unty of State is also
enclosed.
I have no doubt that
Mr Brooks did serve as he states in
his declaration
on it, being read
to him by the Judge of Probate
he was not confident that the sword
terms of service were exactly court as
at first written and the alterations
interlineations were made before
he signed the paper in open Court
Please forward the Certificate
to me, provided then should be
a favorable action in the case
as were as may be
James L Edwards Esq
Com
James W. Crook