Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12360, Gardner Brownell, Navy R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE 

[handwritten] 

Navy 

R.I

Brownell, Gardner 

Ruth 

NUMBER 

[handwritten]

W12360

CONTENTS
Page 2

[handwritten]
3500.
Rhode Island Roll
Gardner Brownell, H
Private [illegible]
Rhode Island Line

[typed] In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of [ handwritten]Rhode Island
at the rate of [handwritten] Eight Dollars per month, to commence
the 24 of April 1818-
[illegible]

Certificate of Pension issued the [handwritten] 8th of October 1818 
and sent to William Anthony Esqr Judge
Newport
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 - [illegible-] 11/30  36:93
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 March 1819-
48:-
[handwritten] 4 -11/3 0 9 months to 86 $ 24:93
{ Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
one [crossed out] years 
[illegible]
Continued
Little Compton
Page 3


Notification Sept 28th June 1821, to Benjn Cowell Esq
Providence, R. Island
Page 4

Gardner Brownell
3500
Mar. 19

J.L.E.

The ages of his family not mentioned
Page 5

Gardner Brownell's Family

His Wife [illegible] -- 58 years
4 children which he has to maintain -- [viz]

[Samuel] -- aged -- 21 years 
Lydia -- 17
[Ruth] --13
Aaron -- 11-

Of above children [Samuel] and Ruth are very [weakly] and have been for the last year, a greater [expense] to their parents.
Page 6

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.

[handwritten] County of Newford Circuit [crossed out] District Court, [handwritten] June

Term, A.D. 1820

On this [handwritten] 16th day of [handwritten] June 1820, personally appeared in open Court. being a Court of Record within and for [handwritten; illegible] Gardner Brownell aged [handwritten] 67 years, residing in the town of [handwritten] Little Compton in said [handwritten] county who being first duly sworn according to law. doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: thus he served [illegible] in Col Olney regiment in the Rhode Island line as a private in other service that he made a previous declaration on the [handwritten] 24th day of [handwritten] 1818, and that he has received a certificate for pension, being No. [handwritten] 3500. And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand and eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other that what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Page 7

It appears by the Regimental Book of occurrences, that the bearer Gardner Brownell enlisted for and served the full term of nine month, a Private soldier in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jeremiah Olney in the Rhode Island Line on the continental establishment, and was honorably discharged from said Regiment at [Saratoga?] in the State of New York on the twentieth day of December 1782, being the expiration of the term of the said enlistment. 

Providence July 10th. 1818
Mr. Dexter Major 
of said Reg. [illegible]
Page 8

Admitted
Gardner Brownell
an applicant for
Page 9

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
[Newport Ss] 
On this Twenty fourth day of April 1818, before me the Subscribed One of the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court of Said State Personally Appear Gardner Brownell aged Sixty three years resident in Little Compton in the said district, who being by me first duly Sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to attain the provision made by the Late act of Congress, Entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war." That he the said Gardner Brownell Entered on Board the Continental Frigate Providence at Providence in the State of Rhode Island about the year 1776. Commanded by Abraham Whipple; that he continued to serve on Board said Frigate Twelve Months and twenty five Days: when
he was Discharged from service at Providence in said State
That he the said Gardner Brownell Enlisted in the year 1782 about the 20th March in the State of Rhode Island for
Nine months in the Company commanded by Capt Brown
in Col Jeremiah Olneys Regiment of the Rhode Island Line
that he continued to serve in the said Corps or in the service
of the United States untill he had served his Nine months
When he was discharged at Saratoga in the State of
New York and that he is in reduced circumstances and
stands in need of the assistance of his Country for Support
and that he has no other evidence now in his power of
his said services - Sworn to and declared before me the
day & year aforesaid
William Anthony Just Supm. Jude Court

S. William Anthony Judge & as aforesaid do certify that it
appears to my satisfaction that the said Gardner Brownell
did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy; and P. now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress
April 24, 1818
William Anthony Just Supm. Jude Court
Page 10

Newport Ss--The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
I Gideon Palmer Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court
for the County of Newport and State aforesaid Do Certify
that William Anthony Esqr whose signature is affixed
to the papers hereunto annexed is third Justice of said
Supreme Judicial Court legally appointed and quallified and the signature to the above papers are in the proper Hand Writing of the said William Anthony
In Testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 25 Day of April AD 1818
Gideon Palmer Clerk
Page 11

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas & General
Sessions of the Peace for the County of Newport:
I hereby certify that Thomas Durfee Esquire
whose signature is affixed to the annexed
attestation is Chief Justice of the Court of
aforesaid duly commissioned & Engaged under the seal of said state:
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court this Twenty fourth day of September in the year of our LORD
One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen & forty third of American Independence.
H.Y. Cranston Clerk
Page 12

I Stephen Earl of Providence in the County of Saratoga & State of New York, formerly of Dartmouth State of Massachusetts Yeoman, maketh oath and saith, that I served as an officer of Marines in different Grades on board the United States Frigate Providence in the year 1776 of and Seventy Seven in the revolutionary war on board of which Frigate Gardner Brownell of Little Compton in the County of the services of [Chesapeake]  laborer was a Marine enlisted for twelve months, who served out said time on board said Frigate and was discharged, accordingly.
Stephen Earl

Newport [Ss] At Tiverton in said county this 21st day of Septemb: [W W.] Personally appeared Stephen Earl and made oath to the truth of the foregoing [affirmation] by him subscribed, which was taken at the desire of Gardner Brownell to be used in obtaining the Provisions made by the act of Congress Instituted [ennacted?] to provide for certain persons in the land and Naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war.
Taken before me
Grain
[T. Durfee] Presid S Jus. [Court L of Com Pleas & Gen sessions of Newport]
Page 13

I. Ichabud Simmons of Tiverton in the county of Newport yeoman make oath and say that I was a Soldier in the regiment commanded by Jeremiah Olney in the revolutionary army in the year 1776 for nine Months.
That Gardner Brownell of Little compton was a Soldier in the same Regiment for nine Months, that he continued in said Service during the time of his enlistment and was discharged at Saratoga in the State of New York in the Month of December in the same year.
Ichabod Simmons

Newport Ss. At Timerton in said county on the 22d day of September (illegible). Personally appeared Ichabud Simmons abovenamed and made Solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed which was taken at the (illegible) of said Brownells (illegible) for obtaining the Provisions made by the  late act of Congress Intitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the las and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war.
Taken before me
T. Durfee presiding Jus.
Page 14

I Job Palmer of Little Compton in the County
of Newport [Sayeth] on oath declare that I was a [soldier] in Captain William Allen's [company] in Col. Olney's Regim. and knew Gardner Brownell of said Little Compton that he was in Captain Joseph Browns company in the year 1782 and was enlisted for nine months, that he was turned into the regiment of Col. Olney and [continued] in said regiment untill the month of [Dec 1782] at which term the Term of his enlistment expired and he was discharged.
Job Palmer

Newport [Ss] at Tiverton in said county on the 21st day of September 1840. Personally appeared the above named Job Palmer and made solemn oath to the foregoing affidavit by him signed which is taken at the desire of Gardner Brownell, and for the purpose of obtaining the Provision made by the late act of congress instituted an act "To provide for [certain] persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war

[Testified] Before me
[T. ] Durfee Jus. Court of Com. Pleas of [Providence]
Page 15

4154209 00035

Rhode Island [140]
Ruth Brownell
widow of Gardner Brownell dec'd
who died on the 9 October 1830
of Newport Co in the State of R. I. 
who was a private in the Marine Company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Crary in the R.I. line 
for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of March 1837 and sent [from]
[D.]J. Pearce Newport R. I. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $480.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1837
40.00
$520.00 [total]

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3

Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book A. Vol 1. Page 97
Page 16

Town Clerks Office Little Compton October 11th A.D. 1836.

I hereby certify Gardner Brownell of Little Compton Died October 9th AD. 1830.

As appears of record in this Office
Witness-
A. R. Brownell Town Clerk.
Page 17

Town Clerk's Office Little Compton October 12th 1836.
I hereby certify that Gardner Brownell of Little Compton Son of William Brownell and Ruth Palmer of Little Compton Daughter of Phebe Palmer were lawfully joined together in Marriage on the Eleventh Day of January AD. 1781.

Witness Enus Gifford Justice of ye Peace
All of which appears of record in this Office
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
Page 18

988
Ruth Brownell
widow of Gardner

married 11 Jany 81 -
9 mo service in '82
Topham & on board Providence
[AOMd]

2 years priv. & Marine
80 $
no deduction
Hon D. J. Pearce
Newport
R. Id.
Page 19

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport} ss
On this 11th day of October A.D. 1836
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate of Little Compton in the County
Newport, a Court of Record, Ruth Brownell, a resident of said Little Compton
in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy seven years
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 Gardiner Brownell late
of said Little Compton, and late a soldier of the Revolution, and also
late a pensioner of the United States. I and my s’d Husband the said
Gardiner, were both born, and always lived in this town, except a short period, in
the adjoining town of Tiverton, a short time before my husbands decease-- I was well
acquainted with him before the revolutionary war and during said war, before
our said marriage, when he came home, on furlough, or when his time
was out. I used to see him-- he was almost continually in s’d war
from the beginning to the end. And I with pride refer to the character he ever
sustained of being a brave and persevering defender of his Country-- he had a
strong and abiding hatred of the British as long as he lived-- owing to my
age, and the long time passed since his services were performed, I cannot state
into what particular company or Regt he served before our marriage. I have
heard him mention being under Col. Crary, and Col Topham in the State service
and also of being on board, a Continental man of war for a long time
and I think for one year-- This more of was I think was called the "Providence”. These services are perhaps detailed in his original papers on file in the
Pension Department-- After our marriage, which took place on the 11th
day of January 1781 my said husband was away in the public service at Newport several times I do not remember how many-- nor
I do not know the officers he served under-- these services were in
1781 and in 1782, in 1783 he went again, and for the last time into
the Army - He went for a class that had to furnish one man, to
fill up the Regiments then in the public service, he went from home
to Providence, and from there to Philadelphia, when he joined the
Army, and was put into the Regiment of Col. Olney-- This service was
for nine months, but I believe he was in the service longer than that
period before he was discharged-- when he came home the war
was over-- I have no documentary evidence of any of my said husbands
services.
I further declare that I was married to the said Gardiner
Brownell on the 11th day of January, Seventeen hundred and Eighty one
(1781), that my husband, the said Gardiner Brownell, died on the 9th
day of October A.D. 1830, and that I have remained a widow ever since
that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed
Ruth Brownell her X mark
Page 20

Sworn to, and subscribed in the day & year afore written before, and in open Court.
And said Court certifies, that they, believe the statements, herein made by said Ruth Brownell, are true And that she is a credible person
And said Court further certifies, that she is the widow of sd Gardner late of Sd town deceased - and has never married since sd Gardiner decease.

I Alexander R. Brownell Clerk of said Court of Probate, do here
certify, that the foregoing, are the original proceedings, in the application of sd Ruth Brownell for a pension.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this 11th day of October A.D. 1836. - And of
American Independence the Sixty first

Witness A.R. Brownell, Probate Clerk
Page 21

I Owen Greennell of Little Compton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, being duly sworn,
depose--that Gardiner Brownell, late of this town, and late a revolutionary
Soldier, was with me in Captain Grafton's Company in Col Topham's Regt
of the Rhode Island State troops, from March 1779 to March 1780 - for one
year. I know that he served out his time, and was a valiant soldier-
I also saw him on Rhode Island in the year 1782 he was then in the service
but I do not know to what company he belonged-- it was in the summer season.
I do not know whether he was in the State troops or in the militia
Said Gardiner Brownell was the husband of Ruth Brownell
of this town who is now an applicant for a pension-- I know that she is
now the widow of said Gardiner, and that she has never married since
the decease of her said husband the said Gardiner
Owen Greennell
Personally appeared, in open Court the above named Owen Greennell, known
to be a credible witness, and subscribed, and was duly sworn to the above deposition
-- At Little Compton on the 11th day of October 1836
Witness A.K. Brownell Probate Clerk
Page 22

Gardner Brownell [obscured]  act 1818 when last paid?
G.W.C.
Mar. 23. 1837
[illegible] 4 Sep 1830
JH
Page 23

Hon. Jas. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Page 24

Portsmouth R.I. Dec. 26, 1836.
Sir
I herewith transmit the papers of the widows Mary
Manchester of Tiverton, and Ruth Brownell of Little Compton
both in this County for a pension, under the Act of Congress
of July 4th 1836. I have enclosed in the papers of Mary Manchester
an original pay Roll of Capt Peleg Simmon’s Co. late of s’d Tiverton, for
one months service performed at Newport in Oct. 1781, in Lieut. Col
Olney's Regt against her late husbands name, on this roll, will be found
a mark in red-- Another month that her s’d husband was away
in the service at Newport she cannot prove-
Gardiner Brownell the husband of said Ruth, was
in his life time, a pensioner (I believe under the Act of March
18, 1818) his widow is ignorant of the service which he then proved.
I hope the papers will be found satisfactory.
I have the honor, very Respectfully, to be
Your Obt Servant.
Jno. Cross
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
W. City
Page 25

R.I.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12360
Ruth Brownell
Wid of
Gardner Brownell
Pri Rev. War
-
Act: July 4 1836.
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 86
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office, of the Court of Probate of the town of
Tiverton, in the County of Newport & State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the aforesaid Court of
Probate, a Court of Record, do hereby certify, that
Asa Gray is a Justice of the Peace within and
for said County of Newport in the State aforesaid
duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, and
fully authorized to act in his said capacity.
And I further certify that the signature of his name to the certificates on the annexed
Depositions of Abner Simmons and Knight
Springer are his genuine Signatures.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of said Court this
twenty fourth day of December
in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and
thirty six - And of American
Independence the sixty first-
Asa Gray, Clerk
[seal with ribbon]
Page 27

I Abner Simmons of Tiverton, in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island Esquire, aged Seventy four
years, on my oath do testify and say, that I was well
acquainted with Gardiner Brownell late of Little
Compton in this State, in the time of the war of the
Revolution, and since till his decease, and know
that he was a Revolutionary Soldier; we served
together in the year service, in Capt. Philip Palmer's
Company in Col. Crary's Regiment of Rhode Island
State Troops; we entered said Company in March or
April 1778 and were discharged in March or April
1779. he was my file leader in the battle at Quaker
hill, on Rhode Island in Aug. 1778. my gun by accident
was double loaded and when she fired, she jumped out of
my hand and fell on his head or shoulder.
Abner Simmons
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport} Ss
Be it Known that on the 31st day of October 1836
fore the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for
said County of Newport, personally appeared Abner
Simmons Esqr and subscribed and made oath
to the truth of his above deposition, and I further
certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 28

Knight Springer of Tiverton, in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, being duly sworn declare
That I was well acquainted, with the late Gardiner Brownell
of Little Compton dec’d from the beginning of the Revolutionary War up to
his death, we both drew pensions for our Revolutionary services under the
Act of March 18. 1818-- In the year 1783 I belonged to Capt Ebenezer Macawbers 
company in Col. Olney's Regiment, of the Continental line, and in
the Spring of that year we were quartered in Philadelphia, at this
time said Regiment was filled up, by recruits raised in Rhode Island
for nine months-- among the recruits that came on from Rhode Island
and joined said Regiment, at that time, was said Gardiner, whom
I very well knew-- we were marched from Philadelphia to the High
lands on the North River below West Point, there I think in the fall
of that year to Saratoga where after our time was out the Regiment
was disbanded and we were dicharged, and returned home - the
war was then over-- said Gardiner was put into the same
company to which I belonged-- he served his time out and more than
nine months before our discharge—s’d Gardiner was
the husband of Ruth Brownell widow, now of Little Compton
and an applicant for a pension-- he was the best of soldiers
Knight Springer his X mark
Signed in presence
of me}
Samuel T Cook
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport } ss.
Be it known, that on the twentieth day of December 1836
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said
County of Newport, personally appeared Knight Springer and
subscribed his above written deposition, and was duly sworn
to the truth of the same, And I further certify that
said Knight Springer is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of Peace