Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10,455, Benjamin Brush, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn 
Brush, Benjamin 
Semantha 
NUMBER
W. 10,455
CONTENTS
Page 2

22.782 Connecticut
Benjamin Brush of _____ in the State of Conn who was a Prv in the ____ commanded by Captain Wood of the ____ commanded by ______ in the ___ troops line for 9 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of ___ at the rate of 30 dollars __ cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Page 3

Stamp Oct. 22d 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I again forward and the papers of Ray Brush
his requisition of evidence from the Comptroller that the 
" Rangers" of David Wood were rented by the State [illegible]
into service "will I presume he found to be complied
with the comptroller certificate [illegible] that
David Wood repeatedly and many of the service
of the troops under him & in June 1781 drew a
large sum $645.4.1 for the service of his "[illegible]
Rangers" & subsequently an additional allowance
of $492.12.0.- The allowance in 1781 [illegible]
and covers the services of his Rangers in 1780-1
Stated by the affidavit of his witnesses- at all
[illegible] by Charles that Woods Rangers
were raised & ordered into service by the public and
that Ensign Worden matured by the applicant of who is
one of his witnesses obtained a pension due
eight or ten months ago
Respectfully
Your obt svt
Chs. Hawley
Page 4

State of Connecticut    ss Probate District of Stamford
County of Fairfield
On this 14th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court,
before the Court of Probate for said District,
now sitting, 
Benjamin Brush a resident of Greenwich
in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged sixty eight 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 7, 1832: --
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and
served as herein stated: viz. In April or May (he thinks April) of the year 1780
(he thinks that was the year he enlisted for seven months in a company of Connecticut Troops (state troops he supposed) called Rangers commanded by Captain
David Wood the of Greenwich long since dead cannot recollect who was a Lieutenant
Roger Worden was Ensign - enlisted at said Greenwich - served out
the whole term after the expiration of the term the times were such troubled &
[illegible] were wanted, Included of the of the company continued in the
service without any [illegible] for two or three months longer under the
same officers - cannot say certainly whether two or three months but is of
confident it was not less than two - having the service Declared [illegible] in taking
 [illegible] Bullock now of said Greenwich & Charles Rundle late of said Greenwich
which were [illegible] now and who were  [illegible], pensioners. The service was rendered in said
Greenwich of the adjacent [illegible] of New York. was in several skirmishes -
Capt. Charles Smith of Hartford in said county and set out with his men on
 [illegible] occasions sometimes [illegible] Wordin as declarant believing is now
living in the City of New York -  Eli Mead now of Chester in New York two hundred miles from this was in the company with declarant he is very aged older
than eighty does not know, that there is no other person living who was in
Comp or who has knowledge of declarants service

Declarant was born in said Greenwich on the 5th day of July 1764
has a record of his age in a family record in his possession which he received
from his parents, resided in said Greenwich when he entered the
service & has resided the during his whole life to this time-
enlisted voluntarily of not as a substitute - cannot name other
than those he has, nor the  [illegible] nor circumstances
of the service which will be useful in the investigation of the merits
of his application - never received a written discharge. Declarant
will obtain if in his power the testimony of said Wordin & said [illegible]
in relation to his services - Declarant further says that the
[illegible] of his parish the Revd M Buffet has not been there long enough to know any thing about his services & that they have not much the [illegible] of conversation of the neighbor he doubts whether Mr Buffet has ever heard in relation to them 
He defers to those who depositions accompany this application to prove his character in truth & their knowledge or belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
Declarant was in constant service all the time aforesaid [illegible]
will having slept often on the frozen ground, his service ended
at said Greenwich in may 1781
Page 5

The said Benjamin Brush hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any State,
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
viz the 14th September 1837
Benjamin Brush
Chas Hawley Judge
and
We,  ____________________ a clergyman, residing in the town of _________
and 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 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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies,
that it appears to them that Jared Smith, Joseph Close, [illegible]  who have signed the
preceding certificate resident in the town of Greenwich in Connecticut
and that Roger Worden one of who also signed the same, is a resident in the City of New York
that they are all credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chas Hawley Judge
Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of
Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Brush for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 14th day of September 1832.
Sam Lockwood
Page 6

7234
---
Benjamin Brush
[illegible]  private
Ch Hawley
Stamford
Con
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
June 1 1833
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 this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the service of
Period when service was rendered

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years, months, days
 
Rank of claimant.

Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.

Age at present, and place of abode
when he entered the service.

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Benjamin Brush
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE, 18325.
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 claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, 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.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of                                  ss
On this ___ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ________ A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _______ state, territory, or District of ______ aged ____ years 
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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ____
served in the (e) ______ regiment of the _______ line, under the following named officers:

Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served 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 country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension 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 a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I ___________of the Court of __________
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of 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 days 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 Revolutionary 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 that C.D., who has also signed the same as a resident in the ___________________________
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _______________________ Clerk of the Court of __________________do hereby certify 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, this  ____ day of ______ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if 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 services 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
It should be shewn by documents in the Public offices
at Hartford that the Rangers were raised by the State
and ordered into actual service
Page 9


alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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 attempted ;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
 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 now live?
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 given
, 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 testify
to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the 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 character 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
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 before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform
certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by 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
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
herein required is mate, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure 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 follow the rules 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 should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age the in 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 _______ and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 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 authority ; that he was 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. if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other 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 contains 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, so as 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 must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k]This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l]If a 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.
Page 10

5209
Connecticut
Semantha Brush
widow of Benjamin
who served in the Revolutionary Conn
war as a Private for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30  Dollars and 00 cents
per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
17th 
day of Novr 1847
and sent to
Charles Hawley
Stamford
Connecticut
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 204 Fol. 4
Page 11

13977
Semantha Brush
wv of Benjamin
Con
on 7 July 1838
Married 1784
[illegible]d husband
due 8 March 47
{illegible] June 44
$30 paid
on 8 March 47 to 4 March 48
Admr act 2 Feby 48
$30th Paid
4 March 4
Charles Hawley
Stamford
Conn
Page 12

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled
act granting half pay of pensions to certain widows, and of any & all
act of Congress whatever their titles reputing & when passed giving to
widows pensions for the services of the husband, in the Revolutionary war of
continuing such pension originally granted to their husband, to them
State of Connecticut ss
on this Fourth day of September AD 1849 personally appeared before
the Court of Probate in & for the District of Stamford in the County of
Fairfield in said State, now sitting, Samantha Brush a resident of
Greenwich viz the town of Greenwich in the County of Fairfield aforesaid in
said District aged Eighty three 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 7
1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" & of any of all act of Congress, whatever their titles respectively of whenever passed, giving to widows pensions for the services of their husbands in the Revolution war continuing to them such pension originally granted to their husband that she is the widow of Benjamin Brush decd late of said Greenwich who was in his life time a private during the Revolutionary war and as such
drew a pension of thirty dollars per annum during his natural life, his
pension certificate being dated the 5th day of November AD 1839 signed by
Lew Cass secretary of War - she is now very aged and her memory greatly in
[illegible] she cannot specify any of the services rendered by the said Benjamin or the places where in the particular time or times when rendered or
the officers under whom in the Corps in which he served, but [illegible]
refers for such & [illegible] of the proof in support of them, to the original
application of the said Benjamin & the proof in support thereof, forwarded
by him to the Pension department & as the supposed now on file therein

She further declared that the her maiden name having been
Semantha Reynolds,  was married to the said Benjamin Brush on the
fifth day of February in the year seventeen hundred & eighty four - that
her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Brush died on the eighth day of
March in the year eighteen hundred & forty seven. that she was not
married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred ninety
for, viz at the time above stated - That he has ever time the death
of her said husband been & still is his widow - That he at the time of
Page 13

his death resided in said Greenwich of he has ever since resided & still
resides in the same place. That the cause of only [illegible] why he has
not some were this application is that Charles Hawley of Stamford
in said District by whom this application is drawn always did her late
husbands pension business & had charge of his papers & the wished her
application made by him & that she resides ten miles or more from
the residence of said Hawley by reason of her great age & her the infirmities
has not been able conveniently to call on him to do the business
at an earlier period period
Sworn to & subscribed on the day from above written, before me
William T. Minor                                                  Samantha Brush
Judge of the Court of Probate                                  her mark
for Stamford District


{Next two paragraphs are Xed out}

I Jonas Head of the Town of Greenwich in the County of Fairfield State of
Connecticut do hereby certify & testify that as many years have been
Clerk of the second Congregated church in said town & is at hand
have had charge custody of the records thereof - that the Revd Jonathan Murdock
long since due was formerly pastor of said church that no record there
and of the marriage of Benjamin Brush & Semantha Reynolds of which the law
allowing is a true Copy viz Benjamin Brash Samantha Reynolds were mar
and February fifth, seventeen hundred eighty four by Jonathan Murdoch
that this is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is
passed on the record in fair legible as follows " Feb 5 1784"

I Jonas Head above named depose and say that I held the office of Clerk
of the second congregational life in the County, town & State aforesaid
and that the above is a true truck from the records of said church with
the exception above named as certified to me
Clerk of the second congregational church in Greenwich
[End xed out text]
to
This was now by me for what was said by a person (not the
clerk of the locality), to be a copy, but which not a true copy
The correct copy is set forth in this deposition
Chs Hawley
Page 14

State of Connecticut Probate Court District of Stamford
Fairfield County ⎬ SS
Sept 4,1849
Joseph Brush in greenwich in said
Fairield county and in the Probate district of Stamford
the said Fairfield County depose and say that I am
the son of Benjamin Brush late of said Greenwich decd
that the said Benjamin during his life time and up to
the time of his death drew a pension on account of
Services rendered in the Revolutionary war that the aforesaid
Benjamin Brush died at his residence in said Greenwich
on the Eighth day of March, Eight hundred and forty
seven, that I was present at the time of his death
and that Semantha Brush the maker of the within and
foregoing application is still the widow of said Benjamin
Brush and she has been since his death
Joseph Brush

Sworn to and subscribed on the 
day and year last above written before me
William J. Minor Judge of the Court
of Probate for Stanford District

State of Connecticut Stamford Probate district 
Fairfield County
I Sands Seely Clerk of the Court of Probate for the
district of Stamford hereby certify that William S. Minor
is the sole presiding Judge of the Court of Probate for the district
of Stamford and that the signatures purporting to be
his to the above deposition and to the within and foregoing
declaration are his own proper hand writing and signatures

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and the seal of my office
this 5th day of September AD. 1849
Attest
Sand Seely
Clerk of the Court of Probate
for Stamford district
Page 15

I Jonas Mead of the Town of Greenwich in the County of
Fairfield & State of Connecticut do hereby certify & testify that I
am & for many years have been clerk of the 2nd Congregational
Church in sd town of Greenwich & as such have & hold custody and charge 
of the records thereof - that [illegible] Jonathan Murdock
done long since decd was formally pastor of sd church, that in the
record of marriages in the records aforesaid, solemnized by said Murdock is the record the marriage of Benjamin Brush & Semantha Reynolds of which the following is a true copy, said copy necessarily embracing more than the record of the marriage of said Ben
Junior & Semantha viz
Marriages in Seventeen hundred eighty four
January twentieth-- Benjamin Barks was married to Hannah Marshall
February forth. Jonas Mead married to Sara Ward
fifth: Benjamin Brush was married to Semantha Reynolds,"
Jonas Mead Clerk of the 2nd Congregational Church of Greenwich

I Jonas Mead above named depose & say that I hold the office of
Clerk of the second Congregational Church in the County town of
State aforesaid & that the first above is a true extract from the
as certified by me Jonas Mead Clerk of Second Congregational Church 
in Greenwich aforesaid

Sworn to and subscribed on the
Greenwich aforesaid
18th day of September AD. 1849
before me William J. Minor Judge of the Court
of Probate for Stamford district
Page 16

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County       ⎬ Stamford Probate district SS
Sands Seely Clerk of the Court of Probate
for Stamford district and Keeper of the Seal and
records thereof hereby certify that William T.
Minor is the sole presiding Judge of the Court
of Probate for said district of Stamford and that the
signature purporting to be his to the certificate 
on the other side of this paper is his
own proper hand writing and signature
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
the Seal of my office this 9th
day of September A.D. 1849
attest
Sands Seeley
Clerk of the Court of Probate
for Stamford district
Page 17

RECORD DIVISION.    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 ____________________________
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF             LENGTH OF  RANK,  OFFICERS UNDER                            STATE.
ENLISTMENT OR  SERVICE.                   WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
APPOINTMENT.                                    CAPTAIN.       COLONEL.

[illegible] 1780     9 months      Pvt      David Wood  John Mead                  Conn 

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn
Date of application for pension,  September 1832
Residence at date of application, Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn
Age at date of application, Born at Greenwich Conn July 1764
Remarks:  Died March 8, 1837 at Greenwich, Conn
He married February 5, 1784 at Greenwich Conn Semantha Reynolds
She was allowed pension on an application executed Sept 4, 1849
while a resident of Greenwich Conn aged 83 years
A son, Joseph was also residing there in 1849.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner,
6 -- 2856
Page 18

Rev IDOW, &c.
File No. --10455
Semantha Brush
Wid
Benjamin Brush
Pvt Rev War
Act:
Feb 2d 48
Index-- Vol. A Page 85
Arrangement of 1870.}

191, Feby 28, Sent to MIss
Nettie C. Smith [illegible}
Page 19

634
Connecticut
Semantha Brush
widow of Benjamin
who was a Private
in the Revolution
for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1847. & end
4th March 1848
Certificate of Pension issued the
19th day of Novr 1849
and sent to Charles Hawley
Stamford,
Connecticut
{Act of JUNE 17, 1844.}
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 50
Page 20

State of  Connecticut
County of Fairfield.       SS    Probate District of Stamford
on this 29th day of July AD 1833 before the Court of Probate
in the district aforesaid now sitting personally appeared Benjamin
Brush of Greenwich in said County who being duly sworn
ding to law doth on his oath in open Court declaring in addition
to his former declaration dated Sept. 14th 1832 that he
knows his services in his declaration stated were in the year
1780  ending in 1781 he is upon reflection confident his his services commenced
in April of that year & he thinks in the early part of the month
in this he is confirmed by the Recollection of Ensign Roger Worden
he knows it was in seven months which most time expired  in Wordens
[illegible] of that year of he knows that he continued in the service for at least
two months longer with particular reenlistment at the urgent request of Capt. Wood. 
well recollects will the while he was his service in January 1781 the company to which he belonged took a flock of sheep which were for the enemy
[illegible] was one of the drivers of the sheep five of the men shot
at him he was killed, being pierced by three balls & five buck shot
Bringing the whole term of service of seven months & the two months
or more being which declarant did afterwards was paid
[illegible] as a Continental soldier. Col Jonathan Hawes 
of said Greewich [illegible] had a charge of the regiment to
[illegible] to Moses Lockwood [illegible]
[illegible]  write then , but now dead and were Sargeant in H company
the services were rendered  in said Greenwich & in the [illegible]
New Rochelle in the State of New York.

The Company in which his services were rendered a was a regiment
constituted of enlisted corps of troops to raised & ordered in the
service by the [illegible]of Connecticut of & New York
[illegible} in the services rendered by the
Claimant  were constant services in the camp or field viz in scouting
[illegible] & defending the town & State from there in
[illegible] & were such as required the whole time and labor of said
Declarant & such as took him away on all civil pursuit but counted
himself constantly to the service of the public. He enlisted from
the whole the time as a private
As the declarant cannot tell with certainty how long he served after
his enlistment of seven months& he knows with certain when J. Search with
certainty that he served for two months at least in addition to the
seven, [illegible] the term of two months that he may not ex
Page 21


-pect {illegible]

The Declarant says the nature of old age & of the consequent loss
of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length this
service but according to the best of his recollection he served not
less than he said period indicated below & the following grades
for nine months I served as a private in Capt David Wood's
Company as stated in my original declaration and for such service
I claim a pension of seven months positively & that I served as
much as to the full term of nine months
Sworn & subscribed the         Benjamin  Brush
day and year aforesaid

Chas Hawley Judge

the Platt Buffett is a clergyman residing in the town
Greenwich in Fairfield County in Connecticut & Benjamin
Brush Jr of the same place hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Benjamin Brush who as
signed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe
him to be sixty nine years of age that he is [illegible]
n the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution of that we concur
that opinion
Sworn to & declared the          Platt Buffett
7th day of August AD 1833      Benjamin Brush Jr.

Chas Hawley Judge
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation 
of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
the War department, that the above named applications a revolutionary
soldier & served as he states in the Court further certifies that it
hears & them that the Revd Platt Buffett who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resided the town of Greenwich  in
Connecticut & that Benjamin Brush who as also signed the
same is a resident of the same place of is a credible person & that
their statement is entitled to credit
C. Hawley Judge
I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of 
Stamford in Connecticut do hereby cerrtify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Benjamin Brush for a pension. In testimony
when I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this 7th day of August AD 1833.
Saml Lockwood Clk
of
Page 22

Stamford (Connt) Sep. 10, 1849
Hon J.L. Edwards

I forward the application
of Samantha Brush for a continuance to her of the
pension enjoyed her late husband during his life
Please communicate the result to me
Yours very respectfully sent
Chs Hawley
Page 23

Benjamin Brush, Con, act 7 June 32 $30th pr ann
To what time was he last paid [illegible]
Pension Office Benjn Brush died March 1847 in full
Nov. 12th 49 WT
---
Page 24

Comptrollers Office
October 18th 1833
I Elisha Shelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts
of the State of Connecticut do certify, that there is
charged to the United States, upon the books of
the Pay Table, under the following dates, pay
rolls of Capt David Woods companies, viz
under date Oct. 1st 1779 "To order on Treasurer
Capt. D. Wood pay roll his company Horseneck
1089.14.00; April 17th 1780, To order on Treasurer
Capt. David Woods pay roll $146, 47, under
date December 18th 1780, To order on Treasurer
Capt David Wood for payroll Norwalk Alarm
10.4.4; under date June 2d 1781, To order on
Treasurer &. Capt. David Wood payroll his
company Coast Ranger 685,41; and also
under date April 16th 1783 to order on Treasurer
David Wood additional allowance & State of
order $492, 12, 0.
And that I find no roll of Capt. Woods
and no evidence how long they were in service 

E Phelps
Page 25

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County       ⎬ SS Probate District of Stamford
These papers were attached to each other by me the
Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District
Witness my hand seal of office this 23rd
day October AD 1833
Sam Lockwood Clk
Page 26

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield    ⎬ SS   Probate District of Stamford
On this 14th day of September and 1882 before the Court of Probate in said  District
personally appeared Roger  Wordin of city of New York who being prior
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath in open Court above sd he well
knew Benjamin Brush of Greenwich in said District who subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing declaration believe him to be sixty
eight years old   in the Revolutionary war in the year 1780 in
unto said Brush [illegible] in a company of Rangers (being
Connecticut State Troops) in and Greenwich Commanded by David Wood.
The Company was ordered out under command of Col. John Mead
Deponent was Ensign of said Company, we enlisted in April of that
yr for seven months & were in active service during the whole time until
Expiration of that term we continued without particular reenlistment in the [illegible}
in said company for two  months longer. The service was rendered in said Greenwich
& on the lines occasionally going into the State of New York the said Brush
under service in this company during the whole time aforesaid - Deponent eighty four years old at February last
Sworn to subscribed the           Roger Wordin   his mark
day aforesaid
Chas Hawley Judge

and in the same day before said Court personally appeared Jared Smith of Greenwich
in said District who being first duly sworn doth his oath in open court 
say that he is well acquainted with Benjamin Bush who
subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration with Roger Wordin
has subscribed & sworn to the forgoing deposition & that they are both men
of good character for veracity & both [illegible] respectable men
Deponent is sixty four years
Sworn & subscribed the day       
aforesaid
Chs. Hawley Judge
And on the same day the said Court personally appeared Joseph [illegible]of said Greenwich who being first duly sworn doth on his oath in
open Court Deposes that he well knows Benjamin Brush who
Subscribed & Sworn to the forgoing declaration of Roger Wordin and the
foregoing deposition. The characters of both for truth are
perfectly good they are highly respectable men
Joseph  H [illegible]┃
and on the same day before said Court personally  appeared Jeremiah Brown
of said Greenwich who being first duly sworn doth
on his oath in open Court depose& say he well knew Benjamin
Brush of the forgoing declaration & believe his age
Sixty eight years his character for truth is good. Deponent
and frequently in the Revolution to see said Brush
Page 27

was in the service of the County against  the enemy in a copanym
my commanded by Capt. David Wood & Ensign Roger Wordin
I cant say what the company was called. This was about
the year 1780 said Wordin sand powers character for truth is perfectly
good-- Deponent has always lived in said Greenwich and is seventy two years old
Nehemiah Brown
Sworn to & subscribed by the said Joseph Close & Nehemiah
Brown Correction the day & year aforesaid
Chas Hawley Judge
Stamford Probate Office 27th 1833
I certify that I will know Roger worden
Said Smith, Joseph Close & Nehemiah Brown respectively makers of the preceding depositions & that they are credible persons
C. Hawley Judge
Page 28

Lady Fenwick Chapter, D.A.R.
Cheshire Connecticut
To the Adjutant General
or the Pension Department
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
as Regent of the above
Chapter I write to ask you for
information regarding one Benjamin
Brush who is on the Pension Rolls
of 1832 from Conn
We are very anxious to prove him
up for our Roll of Honor and if
it be possible to furnish this infor
Page 29

mation to one not a descendant, I will be
personally grateful, and also for the
Chapter
We wish of course to know what family
record he gave as well as service
I am
Very truly yours
(Miss)   Nettie Smith
Regent
Cheshire Conn
[Stamp}

U S Pension Office
FEB 21,1913