Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12322, Thomas Brown, Continental (R.I.)
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Continental (R. I.) Brown, Thomas S.12322
(Conn Regt)   res of
                        soldier

res. at enl, Richmanton, R. I.
res. in 1833, Hamburg, Erie Co, N. Y. aged 77 yrs
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14.478
New York
Thomas Brown of Erie in the state of N York who was a private in the compy. commanded by Captain Chapman of the [illegible] commanded by Bob Parsons in the line for 12 months
Continental Line
Records corrected July 6, 1905. J.
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 40 _ Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to Fillmore of Hall Buffalo. N York
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833. 20.
$100.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by George Taylor, Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 4. Page 4 of
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Thomas Brown
20368
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State of New York Erie County ss:

On this 1st day of December AD 1832 at the town of Hamburg in said county before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of said town & County personally appeared Samuel Starkweather a resident of said town who being duly sworn deposes & says that he is acquainted with Thomas Brown of the town aforesaid & resides in the same neighbourhood with said Thomas Brown for a part of the time during the Revolutionary War and will recollect that the said Thomas Brown about the first of the year 1770 entered the service of the United States as a soldier for one year and knows that he left his place of residence and was gone for a year & further understood and believed and now fully believes that the said Thomas Brown served for one whole year as a soldier as aforesaid and that he saw him doing duty as in the march with the soldier when some three or four regiments passed through where he lived (from Roxbury to New York City as he understood).

And the said Samuel Starkweather further says on his oath aforesaid that he recollects that he understood at or soon after the time said Thomas Brown left the service that he served under Capt. Ebenezer Brewster Lieut. Samuel Clift & Ensign Jesse Prentice and that in the regt. was commanded by Col. Samuel Tyler and that one (illegible) a near neighbor of his was Lieut. Col. or major and that he this deponent is at the age of eighty two years & upwards

Samuel Starkweather

Sworn and subscribed before me this 1st day of December 1832

Samuel Parmele, Justice Peace

Our County ss I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Samuel Starkweather & that he is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to full credit. Dated this first day of Dec. 1832.

Lemuel Parmele JP
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State of New York Erie County Ss. Rowland Cottin of Buffalo in said County being duly sworn deposes & says that he is Seventy three years old & upwards and is well & personally acquainted with Thomas Brown of Hamburg & has done for more than twenty years, that he this deponent during the War of the Revolution resided in Windham Court Connecticut & [illegible] also a soldier then commissioned officer for more than six years, that in the year 1776 he served in the Brigade of Genl. Spencer which was during the year placed under the command of Genl. before Col. Paring, and that he recollects that there is as in that Brigade a Regt which in the fore part of the year was commanded by said Parsons as col. and after about July 1776 by Col. Tyler who had him his Lieut. Col. This deponent that year served in Col. John Durges Regt. That as long ago as 1819 he frequently heard the said Thomas Brown tell of having served in said Regt. under Cols. Parson & Tyler and tell the general circumstances at his service, and who were his officers & who were officers at the places where he served and give a history of his marches &c &c and that he has from that time almost every year since connected with him & heard him converse on the subject of his Revolutionary services that the said Thomas Brown has always said he served in said Regiment a year & always gives a uniform & this deponent believes a correct accounting of his services and from this deponents knowledge of this history of that service & the movements of that Regt. & Brigade & of the officers of the Regt in which the said Thomas Brown alleges that he served with many of whom he this deponent was well acquainted this deponent as no
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doubt the said Thomas Brown served in that Regt for one year as he states. And this deponent further says that the said Thomas Brown sustained a fair reputation and an unimpeachable character for truth & veracity. And further saith not Rowland Cotton Sworn & subscribed before me this 1st day of December 1832 J. Clary Justice Peace I certify that I am well and personally acquainted with Capt. Rowland Cotton who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidt. & that he is a credible person J. clary Justice Peace
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[Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the REGULAR ARMY, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.]
State of New York, Erie County, Ss. On this 4th day of December  1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Buffalo, in said County, Thomas Brown a resident of Hamburg in the County of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 77 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the 1775 or 76 with and served in the Regiment of the Connecticut line, under the following named officers: That about the first of January 1775 at the Town of Richmond in the state of Rhode Island where he then resided he enlisted under Capt. Chapman Lieut Ebenezer Brewster & Ensign Samuel Clift for one year. His Company was under Col. Parsons Lieut. Col. Tyler & Major Prentiss and his regt. was under Brig. Genl. Spencer. Immediately after he enlisted as aforesaid, he marched to Roxbury where he joined his regiment. He served under the above named officers until the month of July 1779 where his officers were promoted as follows Col. Parsons was made Reg Genl. Lieut Col. Tyler Col Major Prentiss Lieut Col. & Capt Chapman Major and Brewster was made Capt at the City of New York. That he served his time out that is he served for the full term of one year and was dismissed or discharged at Peekskill in the state of New York on the first of January 1777. That he never received any written discharge. That after he enlisted as aforesaid he went to Roxbury in Massachusetts and marched from there to New York City and then to Long Island and on Long Island was in the month of August in the Battle with the Enemy under Genl. Howe and then returned to the city of New York where they made a stand and then to White Plains and discharged or dismissed as aforesaid. That the above service as was rendered as a private soldier.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a Pension, or an annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State Thomas Brown X his mark
Sworn and Subscribed this 4th day of December 1832 Noah P. Sprague Clerk of [illegible] Common Pleas. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Brown for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of December 1832 Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Court Common Pleas
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20368
Thomas Brown
Erie County N. York



Fillmore J Hall
Buffalo N.Y.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 183 Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with the request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Brown of Erie Co. N.Y.
Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted 1776 Continental. Duration of the claimant's service. Years. 1 Months. Days. Rank of the Claimant. Private. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Chapman. Names and Rand of the General and Field Officers. Col. Parsons Colonel Tyler. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Long Island. Country through which he marched. Roxbury New York White Plains Peekskill Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present 77 Rhode Isl. Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Two credible witnesses prove the service of the applicant. 
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions. W. Beall
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
    The following regulations have been adopted:
   This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line", "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all 
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
   Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
      1. The Regular Troops.
      2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
      3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
      4. Indian Spies.
  As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in-
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is 
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATIONI
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of  ss.
County of
On this    day of     personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of       in the county of   
State, Territory or  District of      aged (c)    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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7, 1832. That be enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with   and served in the    (e) regiment of the    line, under the following names officers:
  [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time be left the service, (and if he serv-
ed under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service, the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the county through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)
  He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a person or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of        
  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A.B.
    [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was Revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
1.                                          of the Court of
                  do certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of                       for a pension..
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this            day of                
&c.            
  If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be 
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
  Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
  (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the        
  and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify,
that we are well acquainted with                      ,
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be          
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.
   Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
   [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after-
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.                                 who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                                     and is a credible person, and that their statement in entitled to credit.
  1.                                  Clerk of the Court of
                       do hereby certify that the foregoing
contain the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of                
   for a pension.
     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                  day
of                   &c.
  Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the ser-
vices of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
  If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department, A very full account of the services of each person.
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at-
tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
  The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
  1. Where and in what year were you born?
  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you live now?
  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
  6. {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
en and what has become of it?
      {To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the char-
acter and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
  The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
  Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration be-
fore required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a 
Judge of Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
  No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can pro-
cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
________________________________________________
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fol-
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he would amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: ___For______year_______months, and ___
days, I served as a ______. For ____months and ____ days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
  It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
in the militia,, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority; that he as either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
  {f} The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
  {g} The opinion of the Court is always required.
  {h} The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
  {i} The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pub-
lic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
   In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which con-
tains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, soas to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
  {j} In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths much certify to the credibility of the wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
  {J} The notes from {a} to {i} are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
not {j} applies to continental troops only.
  {k} This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
  {l} If witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
  {m} The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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OWN Revolutionary War Records Section. S 12322 3-525 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS. Washington, D. C., 19 In reply to your request of received for a statement of the military history of Thomas 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 OF APPOINTMENT. Jany 1, 1776. LENGTH OF SERVICE. 1 yr. RANK. Pvt. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Chapman, Ebenezer Brewster. COLONEL. Parsons Tyler. STATE. Conn. Regt. Battles engaged in, Long Island. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Richmonton R.I. Date of application for pension, Dec. 4, 1832. His cl was al. Residence at date of application, Hamburg Erie Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, 77. Remarks: No Family data Respectfully, Commissioner. 6-2856
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Rev. War Section

June 23, 1921.

Mrs. Alfred H. Beach
Newcastle, Wyoming.

Madam:
  In response to your letter dated the 7" instant, you are advised that in order to ascertain the date of last payment of pension and possibly the date of death of Thomas
Brown
   "Certificate NO,. 14,478
     issued May 27, 1833,
    $40. per annum from March 4, 1831,
    Act June 7, 1832,
    New York Agency",

you should forward this letter to
The Auditor for the Interior Department,
    14" and E. Streets S. W..
    Washington, D. C.
Very respectfully,

H.M. Vandervoort
Commissioner.
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

Jan. 16, 1924.

Mrs. W. W. Edmonson,
Lusk, Wyoming

Madam:
  I have to advise you, that if your desire photostat copies of papers in Revolutionary and 1812 Wars claims of this Bureau, the name will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra in each
case for certification, if that is desired.

In the Revolutionary War pension claim, of Thomas Brown of Erie Co. N. Y. S. 12322, the number of pages to be copied is four.

In the 1812 bounty land claim of Vernon Brown of Erie Co. N. Y. Warrant 31349-160-55, the number of pages to be copied is two.

A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension, or bounty land on file on account of the services of a Leonard Stimpson, War of 1812.

The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau, by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior. Please return this letter with your reply.

Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.


(handwritten in left border "her letter in this & also receipt for payment")
(handwritten in lower left border "copy all of this")
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Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate) Ex. Cut M6
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No. 512 Date Jan. 28. 24 Subject Thos. Brown, War Rev. S12322 (No.) 1 copies of (No.) 1 pieces consisting of (No.) 4 pages to be  forwarded when completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Division. Remarks: Approved: Wm Wilson Chief Div Rev. War section Chief Clerk.
Page 16

ALFRED H. BEACH
ATTORNEY AT LAW
NEWCASTLE, WYOMING

June 7th, 1921

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.  Attention Mr. Gardner

Dear Sir:
  With reference to your letter of June 2nd,
( CW 12322) with reference to the Revolutionary service of Thomas Brown, who in 1832 applied for Pension for service in Rhode Island, and then living in Hamburg, Erie County
New York, would like to inquire when the payment of this pension ceased.

 I have no other means of estimating the approximate date of his death, and your information did not contain this data.

Thanking you in advance for this data, I am
Very truly,
Cora W. Beach

(stamp lower right corner U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUN10 1921")
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Rev Sec.
ALFRED H. BEACH ATTORNEY AT LAW NEWCASTLE, WYOMING May 14th, 1921 Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C. My dear Sir: I am informed that my great-great grandfather, Thomas Brown served in the Revolution and at the time of receiving a Pension of $80 per year, he was residing near Buffalo. I should say in Erie county for hi son Varnum enlisted from there in War of 1812. I should like his service record and place of enlistment and any other information you may have pertaining to him. Very truly, Cora W. Beach (Mrs. A. H.) Send S12322 it is the only one of Erie Co. NY but he only got $40 per an AW Pension S. May 17 1921
Page 18

Rev War 12322 INVALID. File No. 12,322 Thomas Brown Priv. Rev. War. Act: June 7th 1832 Index: - Vol. A, Page 48 [Arrangement of 1870.]
1921 June 2. Hist. to Ms. A. H. Beach AW
1921 June 23 Data to apply to and for Int Dept furnished Mrs. A. H. Beach
1924 Jan. 16. Mrs. W. W. Edmondson [illegible] of cost of copies AW
1924 Jan 29. Copies mailed to Mrs. W.W. Edmondson Lusk Nw Yo. see receipt for payment in Vernon Brown, War 1812 B. L. Wt. 31349-160-5-5)