Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,136, Nathan Brown, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE Conn 
Brown, Nathan 
NUMBER S. 23136
b. [born] Nov 10 1764 in Lebanon 
res. [resided] at enl. [enlistment] Norfolk, Litchfield Co. Conn.
res. in 1832, Bristol, Addison Co. Vt.
Page 2

1482 
Vermont 
Nathan Brown 
of Bristol in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded Maj. Whiting in the Connecticut line for 1 year 
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont the rate of 40 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of November 1832 and del’d [delivered] to S. Haight Present 
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832    60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mch 1832  20.00
$ 80.00  
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. M. Duffield   Clerk
Book D.  Vol. 4 Page 48
Page 3

Nathan Brown
7311
Page 4

State of Vermont 
District of Addison Ss}
 On this 17th day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for the of Addison, now sitting Nathan Brown of Bristol in the County of Addison having resided for a few years past as part of the time with his children in Essex County New York, having no family of his own but calling his residence at Bristol aforesaid aged sixty seven years last November, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following the declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served herein stated: 
In the month of March 1781, being the spring before Cornwallis was taken, at Norfolk in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut, enlisted for the term of one year in a company commanded by Captain Matthew Smith of the [unreadable] in the same County in regiment, composed of two battalions; to one to which I was attached was commanded by Major Whiting - the other by Major Shipman, I do not recollect that there was any colonel - the brigade was commanded by General Waterbury of the Connecticut State troops. We were stationed at Stamford, Connecticut, near Horseneck
Page 5

The forepart of the month of June of that year, I was on guard with a Sargeants guard, between Stanford & Horseneck, at Titus's bridge, when we were surprised by a Scout of British & Refugee horsemen, under the Capt Knapp of Horseneck, and taken prisoner, and carried to New York, and confined in the Sugar House for about six weeks.  Then I & one other of our guard were exchanged. And when I returned to my regiment, they were stationed at White Plains near New York. When went to White Plains as part of the American Army, were stationed there & I particularly recollect the troops under the command of a French General, who I always supposed to be General de LaFayette, who I saw frequently.  Not long after the Continental troops were withdrawn and I do not recollect that any troops were left there except the corps of Connecticut State troops to which I belonged. About the last of August first of September, as near as I can recollect we returned to Horseneck and thence to Stamford, where we remained [unreadable] until discharged at
Page 6

While stationed at Stamford our troops were employed in building a fort there - which the troops called Mud Fort - whether it had any other name I know not.
I was born, as understood in the town of Lebanon,  in a Parish called Lebanon Crank, November 10th in the year 1764. Before my recollection my points removed to Norfolk aforesaid. The only record of my age, which I ever saw was kept by my father in his family bible, which I have not seen for many years. I resided in Norfolk during the war, until eight or ten years after the war; thence I removed into Winchester an adjoining town, & remained there one or two years and thence about thirty eight years ago I removed to Bristol, Addison County Vermont, where I have since resided, except for a short time at Middlebury, Vermont, & in Essex County, New York with different children, since the loss of my wife. I had no discharge, when I left the army, but when I received my pay some time after, from Captain Smith, under whom I served, at Goshen, Connecticut, he gave me a discharge & commendation which carried home & put it with my father writings, and I do not recollect to have seen it since. I have no documentary evidence of said service, and now know of no person living who can testify positively to my service, nor am I now able to produce any proof my said service, except the annexed affidavits. After the passing of the act of 18 March 1818, I made application for a pension under that act, and to support my claim obtained the affidavit of Ian White Esq. then of Danville Vermont, who has since died, and I have no knowledge what has become of his affidavit. Said White served in the same company, and testified to my whole service as above stated.
Nathan Brown
And the said Nathan Brown hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.  
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Saml Swift Judge
Page 7

State of Vermont 
District of Addison}  
On this 17th day of September 1832, before the Probate Court for said District of Addison personally appeared Nathan Case of Middlebury in said District, and being duly sworn deposes & says, that I resided in the town of Norfolk, County of Litchfield, Connecticut during the Revolutionary war; and was there well acquainted with Nathan Brown, who has made and signed the foregoing declaration, he lived in the same neighborhood & went to the same School enlisted in the army in the summer of 1780 and continued until January 1782, during all what time was absent from home. I recollect distinctly that I then learned, and have ever since understood, that the said Brown enlisted & served in the Connecticut State troops for the term of one year; that he served at or near Horseneck - at that while in the service he was taken prisoner by the British, and detained for some time. I also understood that he served under Capt. Smith, with whom I was acquainted. One circumstance, which induce to recollect some of the above particularly more distinctly, in that another schoolmate, was killed in the service, who was said to belong to the same company. I have no distinct recollection of the time he entered the service, but recollect, that it was while I was from home in the army.  And I further depose and say that some time after the passage of the act of Congress of 18 March 1818, Dan White Esquire, then living in Danville in the County of Caledonia Vermont, appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for said County of Addison, and made his affidavit under oath, Stating that he served in the same company & for the same period, that the said Brown served, and knew that said Brown served in the company for period above mentioned. The said White has since died. 
Nathan Case
Sworn to & subscribed the day & aforesaid, 
Saml Swift, Judge
Page 8

State of Vermont 
Addison County ss } 
On this 17th day of September 1832, before the Probate Court for said District personally appeared Eliphalet Mason of Bristol in the County of Addison, and being duly sworn deposes & says. That during the Revolutionary war, I resided in the town of Norfolk, County of Litchfield, Connecticut was then well acquainted with Nathan Brown, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, and who then resided in the same neighbourhood & went to the same school.  I well recollect, that the said Nathan Brown went into the service of the United States, the same year that Cornwallis was taken. I then understood that he enlisted & served one year after his return, I understood he had taken prisoner & detained a prisoner for some time by the British and that another young men, be the name of James Morton who I understood went out in the same company was killed in the service. was then only twelve thirteen years of age, and although I well recollect the prominent facts above mentioned. I am not able to recollect, that I ever knew, under what officer he served or at what place, but think I understood he was taken prisoner at or near Horseneck. 
Eliphalet Mason
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid, 
Saml Swift, Judge 
State of Vermont 
District of Addison ss} On this 17th day of September 1832, before the Probate Court for the said District of Addison personally appeared Riley Adams of Bristol in the County of Addison and being duly sworn, deposes & says. That I resided in the town of Norfolk, County of Litchfield, Connecticut, during the Revolutionary War and Nathan Brown, who has subscribed & Sworn to the preceding declaration, resided at that time in the same neighbourhood, & went to the same School.  I well recollect, that the said Nathan Brown enlisted into the
Page 9

army, toward the latter part of the war, for one year, and served understood for that period.  His officers I do not recollect.  I recollect that while he was in the army, he returned home on a furlough and I well recollect when he returned after his time had expired, and conversed with him in relation to his service; and he then informed that he had been taken prisoner, and the circumstances attending it, I recollect also, that intelligence of this fact reached his friends while he was a prisoner, and I heard his father state the fact, and he appeared to be much affected by it.- 
Riley Adams 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Saml Swift Judge 
And the said Court do hereby declare that opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Nathan Case, Eliphalet Mason & Riley Adams, who have signed & sworn to the foregoing affidavits are persons of respectable characters and credible witnesses. --- 
Saml Swift, Judge.
Page 10

State of Vermont
District of Addison Ss}
I Harvey Bell, Register of the Probate Court for the said District of Addison, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nathan Brown for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 17th day of September A. D. 1832
Harvey Bell Register 
Saml Swift, Judge
Page 11

No. 7311
Admitted
Private 1 year
$ 40
to Judge Haight
Present
Page 12

BRIEF in the case of Nathan Brown of Bristol in the State of Vermont 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In the Probate Court, 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3 How old is he?   67 years. 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. In 1781  Duration of Service.  1 Year  Rank. As a private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Conn’t Line Capt Smith Major Whiting 
5. In what battles was he engaged? not stated 
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norfolk, Connecticut 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Two witnesses swear that he was in service, generally, 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Duffield 
Examining Clerk.
Page 13

GEO. M. BLAKE, 
ATTORNEY AND NOTARY. 
REFER TO ANY BANK IN ROCKFORD. – 
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE H HAN 15 1895
Rockford, Ill., Dec 31st 1894 
I have held this but cannot find given name of NY  Brown 
All I know is that he lived near (within 25 or 30 miles) of Benson Rutland Co. Vermont- That he lived to be 98 years old and drew a pension for services in Revolution.  
I fix date for his death about 1837  but cannot be sure by 10 years. I  fix that from a visit made by his son Chauncey Brown to him.  
This son after the ever of 1812 lived in NY State and went back to Addison Co. Vermont to visit “Father” Brown.
I should say from other data this visit must have been about 1820 & Father Brown lived some years after that.  If you can give me the all Revolutionary Browns who Were pensioners in these two counties you
Page 14

would confer a favor on a fellow is who is groping in the dark.
Respectfully 
Geo M. Blake
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE H JAN 5 1895
Solomon Sat Means Nov 19 19  273 OWN
Nathan P. M. Conn – Nov 5 3 – 1482 
Asa P. M. R. I.  Dec 19 3343
22139
23136
Page 15

P. B. 
GEO. M. BLAKE, 
ATTORNEY AND NOTARY. 
REFER TO ANY BANK IN ROCKFORD. 
Rockford, Ill. Jany 25 1895 
Dept of Interior, Bureau of Pensions 
O. W. & N. Div - F. S. 
Referring to former letters asking search for a  “Brown” where service in Revolution (or at any Vert [Vermont] residence after) was in Rutland or Addison Co. Vert - I have now to add - That I just learn of a Chauncey Brown who was in a Co Raised at Richford Franklin Co. Vermont in War of 1812 (Now my father in Laws name was Chauncey Brown - that was his father name too & might it not be the Grandfathers who I am seeking!) I should like very much to know the age of Brown who was in this this home 1812 Richford Franklin Co. Vermont.  
I also learn also that then was of one Benjiman Brown at Benson Vt – at an early day but he removed from there before pension began to be paid
Page 16

and they do not know when to 
Very Respectfully 
Geo. M. Blake 
[stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY FILES FEB 1 1895
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE C JAN 30 1895
Page 17

GEO. M. BLAKE, 
ATTORNEY AND NOTARY. 
REFER TO ANY BANK IN ROCKFORD. 
B.
Rockford, Ill. January 14 1895 
Sir
Replying to enclosed by to say, Nathan Brown is too young of Age is correctly stated to be my man – 
The descendants of my Brown say he lived in Benson Addison Co. Vermont - Now Benson is in Rutland Co. so they gave up the Town but insist on Addison Co. My Brown lived to be 98 years old tis said - at any rate very old - To day I get the first square tip- A man at West Haven Addison Co. Vert. Writes me that Gaines Brown (Eldest son of my Brown) lived at Benson Vt "in the early years of this entry" was married in April 1864 at West Haven to one Lorisa Fosket - this first Square tip to Correct trail you see takes me to Benson again when I lost the trail before - I know troubling you but bear with me – Give me another name & let me run them down - I have inquiries out now to trace down Nathan but am sure he was too
Page 18

Young - Give me Solomon Brown where did he come from Originally & where did he stop by on the way-- As per Declaration - Ive had my Eye on him quite a while- Or a Rutland Co. Vert Brown whose age seems Right – Brown (the one I want) must have been from within 10 years one way or another of 1750 - say between 1740 & 1750- 
Respectfully 
Geo M. Blake 
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE JAN 16 1895
Page 19

Blake M. E. C. 
Revolution
23136 
INVALID. 
OWN  
File No. 23136 
Nathan Brown 
Priv Rev War 
Act June 7” 32” 
Index:-  Vol. 2, Page  575 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
Feb 2 / 95  Letter to Geo. M. Blake 
Rockford Ill copy inside,