Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.17296, Simon Brainard, Conn.
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Service- Conn.
Brainard, Simon
Number S. 17296
carded
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17280
Connecticut
Simon Brainard
s Middleton in the state of Connect
who was a private in the Corp commanded by Captain Riley of the Dept commanded by Col . Talcott in the Connect lie for 7 mos. 7210?.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connt. at the rate of 25 Dollards 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Aug. 1833 and  ______J.G. Centbock? Chataur?
Arrears to the 4th of _______ $51.32
Semi-ant allowancce ending 2 Sept '__ 12.83
$64.16
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by C.G. Stiles Clerk, Book E, Vol 3 ,Page 5
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No 4105
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State of Connecticut
county of Middlesex
On the 11th day of August A 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate within for the District of Chatham in said County of Middlesex, now sitting, Simon Brainard of the town of Haddam in the county of Middlesex, state of Connecticut aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to the law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, A 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following name officially served as herein stated-
That in the month of March A 1776 he enlisted into the company of Connecticut State troops commander by Capt. Riley of Berlin in said state - the name of the Lieut of said company he does not recollect- the Ensign thereof was Hezekiah Sears that said company was attached to the Regiment commander by Col. Matthew Talcott of Middletown in said state- In the latter part of said March or the 1st of April said company had orders to go to New York by land and proceeded to that place by way of New Haven, Stratford, Greenwich-On his arrival in New York said company was ordered over to Brooklyn, that he was there employed in keeping guard, fortifying Brooklym Heights & the other burins?, of the service about ten weeks, when said company over dis_____, that he well recollects the arrival in Newark of the American troops from Boston under Gen. Washington while he was in said service & sometime
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before said company was dismissed.
That in the month of August 1776 Exactly what time in the month he does not remember the whole of the 23d regiment of Connecticut militia was ordered to go to New York that he was then a private in the company commanded by Capt Daniel Brainard which was attached to said regiment that Col Matthew Talcott commanded said regiment & that Major Penfield was an officer thereof

That said regiment proceeded to New York by the water & after staying in the city about a week was ordered to go & went to Brooklyn & there remained till ordered by Gen. Washington to return to Long Island- then crossed back to New York & continued there till the British took New York & forced American troops to go to the Northern part of New York Island- that after this he remained at Harlam Heights till said company was dismissed having leaved according to the best of his recollection nine weeks.
That in the fall & winter of 1776 he was drafted as one of the Connecticut militia to go to Stratford& other places on Long Island Sound- that he belonged to the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Dart- the names of the other officers he does not recollect- that he marched to said Stratford in Conn. the 1st of November & after serving there about two weeks was ordered to East Haven in said Conn where he remained till the 1st of January making a term of two months- that during this term he was employed principally in performing garrison duty.
That in the month of September 1777 he was a private in a company of Connecticut militia under the command as he thinks of Lieut. David Smith that the whole of said company was then ordered to go to Fishkill on the Hudson River that said com-
Charles Foot, David Foote Culchester, 
Conn
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pany was attached to the regiment commanded by Col Comfort Gage- that said company marched to Danbury in Conn. & thence to Fishkill & was in the service at Fishkill & at Red Hook & other places on the east side of the river  about two months- said company was in the vicinity of Red hook when the news of the surrender of Burgoyne reaches them & that he as a private therein served the said term of two months or there abouts that as to his said service he knows of no person living whose testimony can be procured to prove the same except the person whose affidavit is hereinto annexed-
That he was born within the present limits of the said town of Haddam on the 9th day of November A 1753 that during the whole period of the revolutionary was he resided in the town of Chatham in said Middlesex County and that he now resides in the said Town of Haddam.
That he has no record of the time of his birth except a family record thereof.
That he never received any written discharge at the expiration of any term of said service nor has he ever had any such discharge therefrom and that he has no written or documentary evidence of any part of said service.-That he is well known to the Rev. Charles Bently & Freeman Arnold in the neighborhood where he resides who can testify as to his character for _huth & veracity? & the belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
That he cannot recollect the names of the regular officers who were with the Troops when he served except the Commander in 
Chief- nor has he any particular recollection of any other regiment except those to which he was attached.
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is whom the pension roll of the agency of any state- Sworn to and subscribed the day of 2 years first a foresaid-
Simon Brainard
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The Charles Bentley a clergyman residing in the town of Chatham County of Middlesex in the state of Connecticut-& Freeman Arnold of Haddam, County in the state aforesaid and all in the Parish of Middle Haddam hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simon Brainard who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to the seventy nine 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 & subscribed the day & year first aforesaid-
Charles Bentley
Freeman Arnold
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories 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 Charles Bentley who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Chatham and that Freeman Arnold who has signed the same is a resident of the same town and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit and the said court further certifies that the person by whom the accompanying affidavits were taken or testifies of the P___ regularly app____ & sworn.
J William G. Comstock clerk of the
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Amendment to the Declaration of Simon Brainard of the town of Haddam in the county of Middlesex & state of Connecticut in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 A 1832
Who being duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively as the the precise length of the several terms of service specified in his Declaration aforesaid to which this amendment is annexed but according to the best of recollection and as he verily believes he served as a private not less than the period mentioned below___. In Capt Riley's company at New York not less than one month and a half. In Capt. Daniel Brainard's company at New York not less than two month and seven days-In Capt Joseph Dart's company not less than two months & in the company Commanded by Lieut. David Smith not less than two months- making in the whole service as a private aforesaid of seven months and twenty one days & for  such service desires a pension. Dated at Chatham the 29th day of January A 1833
Simon Brainard
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State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex
On this 29th day of January A 1833 Personally appeared before the Lut. Scribe a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid Simon Brainard whose name is subscribed in  his own handwriting to the amendment on the other side hereof written and made solemn oath that the matter & things contained in said amendment are true.
Horace Foote Justice of the Peace
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Court of Probate for the District of Chatham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Simon Brainard for a pension.
The testimony whereof I have hereinto is my hand and seal of office this 17th day of August A. 1832
W.G. Comstock Clerk
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
29
---
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 the
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 OR
APPOINTMENT.
the
-
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
in
RANK.
at
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Date of enlistment Mar 1776- Riley length of service 
Date of enlistment Aug 1776 -Daniel Brainard - length of service
Date of Enlistment ____1776- Joseph Dart length of service 2 mos
Date of Enlistment ___1777- Length of service 2 mos David ____th
Part
COLONEL.
Matthew Talcott
Matthew Talcott
Matthew Talcott
Comfort Sage

STATE.
Conn
Battles engaged in,-
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chatham Middlesex County Conn
Date of application for pension, Aug 16 1832 _____ was at
Residence at date of application, Haddam
Middlesex conn
Age at date of application, birth 9 1753 at Haddam Conn

Remarks. There is no date on file as to his family
---
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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17296
INVALID
File No. 17296
Simon Brainard
Pri 
Act: June 7  32
Index:-Vol./, Page 437
Arrangement of 1870

1893- Jan. 19
Hist to Miss Carrie L
Middletown, Conn.

June 3, 1904 Hist to  WSS  Harris Havlf?

1917 Mch. 27 Hist to Mrs. Henry L Bock

1921, Nov 20 Hist to R.O. Pierson - Eu
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4115
Simon Brainard
5. 16.16

Aoma
7 mo. 21 ospre
W G Comstock
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Simeon Brainard which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled?
No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office? No
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 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 recolelection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: Foryear
months and - days, I served as a -. For - months
and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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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 is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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Ralph Smith of the town of Chatham
in the County of Middlesex State of Connecticut
aged seventy two years & being duly sworn doth
depose & say that in the month of March 1776
he enlisted into the company of Connecticut
State  troops of which was commanded by Capt
Riley of Beckin in Conn. Thomas Stevenson
was Lieut  L Hezekiah Years was Ensign of
said Company, which was attached to the
Regiment commanded by Col. Talcott. That
some time in said month of March said
Company marched to the City of New York, by
the way of New Haven, Stanford, Norwalk &c
and was engaged in the service of the United States
at New York & on Long Island, at least one month
a half, during which time this deponent was a
private in said company - And this deponent
further saith that Simon Brainard now of
Haddam in the County of Middleser, also on
listed into said Company & was a private therein
& Marched to said City of New York therein &
served as such private at the same places with
the deponent & for the same time for one
month & a half. At the Expiration of said
service, according to the recollection of this
deponent, the said Simon Brainard Cook
passage for connecticut in the same repel
with himself. And further this Deponent
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saith not. Dated at Chatham the 29th day of
January AD 1833.
Ralph Smith
State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex Chatham Jan. 29. 1833
then personally appeared Ralph Smith
whose name is subscribed to the foregoing depo
sition, well known to me to be a man of
truth & veracity & made solemn that said
deposition is true
Before me
Ralph Smith's deposition
the case of
Brainard
●
Horace Foote Justice of the Peace
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Benjamin Hurd of Chatham in the County of Middlesex & state of Connecticut aged seventy two years declareth and saith that in the month of August 1776 he was a musician in a militia company belonging to the 23rd Regiment of Conn. Militia , under Capt. Daniel Brainard & Col Matthew Talcott. That Simon Brainard then of said Chatham now of Haddam in said county was a private in said company that the whole of said Regiment was ordered into the service of the United States at New York & Long Island in said August 1776 & that said Simon Brainard served therein at the places as such private a little more than two months.
And saw Deponent further says that
a
the month of September 1777 he was
called into the end of the United States at
Fishkill on
Hudson River - that he was a
nice
in a militia Company attached to Col.
Lage's regiment, that according to the best of
his recolection & belief the said Simon Brainard
was a private in the same company with
him I served
therein about two months to
sometime in the month of November. And
further this Deponent saith not. Dated at Chatham
the 16th day of August 1832
Benjn Ward
State of Connecticut ss Chatham Aug 16th 1832
County of Middlesex
Personally appeared Benjamin Ward Esqr
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subscribed to the foregoing Deposition well known
to me to be a man of truth & veracity of made
solemn oath that the matters therein contained
are true
Before me
Horace Foote Justice of the
peaced
Benj. Han affidavit
of
owing to
I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and
Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to
whom it doth or may concern,
That Horace Foote
Esquire, before whom
the foregoing Affidavit of Simon Brainard Ralph Smith and Benjamin Hurd taken, is and at the
 time of such caption, was, a Justice of the
Peace within and for the County of Middlesex
in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full
power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths
to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and
to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signatures
purporting to be his are genuine; and that full credence is due
to his official acts and attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal
of said State, at the city of Hartford, in said State the Seventh
day of May
in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three
Thomas Days
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In replying refer to file
WELDING AND
CUTTING OUTFITS
DEMONSTRATING
AND COMMERCIAL
WELDING
WAREHOUSES
NEW YORK AND
WESTFIELD, N. J.
New York, November 9th, 1921.
Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me a statement
of the military history of Charles Marsh who
was placed on the Pension Roll in 1833 and
also the military history of Simon Brainerd
of Middlesex County, Conn., who was granted
a pension in 1833 as a Private in the Continental
Army.
The above information is wanted in
connection with application in sons of American
Revolution.
Thanking you in advance for this information
, I remain,
ROPE.
Yours very truly,
R. O. Preston

NOV 14 1927
Son
Unless otherwise agreed, quotations are subject to change without notice. All agreements are made contingent upon strikes, fires, accidents, or causes beyond our control.
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Pension Bureau
Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.
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Middle Haddam- Conn-
March 14-1917
Pension Bureau- Dept. of Interior
Washington, D.C.
Sirs:
Will you please send what date you have in regard to the Revolutionary services of Simon Brainard. Haddam-Connecticut. His wife was Abagail Hulburt. He was born in Haddam, Conn- Nov-9.1752.
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died May 18-1843.
Was Nehemiah Brainerd of Haddam, Conn. a Revolutionary soldier. Also a pensioner- He was born in 1742 and died 1807.
Very truly yours-
Mrs. Henry L. Bock
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Navy
May 25 1904
FILES
The Courant
Published by The Hartford Courant Company.
Hartford, Conn., May 21-04
Joseph R. Hawley
Charles Dudley Warner
Charles Hopkins Clark
Arthur L. Goodrich
Frank S. Carey
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Will you kindly inform me if Simon Brainard was a pensioner in 1832 or 3 for services rendered in the War of the Revolution.
He lived in Chatham or Haddam Middlesex county this state.
Very Truly
W.S.S. Harris
62 Burton St.

Pension Office US
May 28 1904
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Superintendent of Int.
Pensions Department
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Will you please give me particulars as to rank, age, & c. & c. Concerning S. Brainard or Simon Brainard.-a revolutionary soldier-Who
Page 27

was a pensioner under act of Congress passed June 1832.
Ref at years in Serv. Doc. 
______ XXIII. Cong 1833 + 34.
I wish to know if in that his services consisted.
Was he commander of a privates. and if so did he subsequently join the land forces.
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He was  called Lieutenant B. by his contemporaries but the Connecticut Records speak only of the Privatees Connecticut.
If your dept. cannot give desired information will you kindly tell me where I can look for it?
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I will remit the amount of _____ for service. When I receive your statement of amount.
Respectfully,
Carrie L. Gardner
231 College St.
Middletown Conn-
June 13, 1892
Kindly hasten search.
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June 15, 1892
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O.W. and N. Division
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., Jan. 1893
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Simon Brainard. a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. A.B. & C
Officers under whom service was rendered.
Dates of Enlistment- Mar 1776
Length of service- 6 weeks
Rank- PVT
Captain- Riley
Colonel-
Talcott
State- Conn.

Dates of Enlistment- Aug. 1776
Length of service- 9 weeks
Rank- PVT
Captain- Daniel Brainard
Colonel-
Talcott
State- Conn.

Dates of Enlistment- ___ 1776
Length of service- 2 mos.
Rank- PVT
Captain- Joseph Dart
Colonel-not remem.
State- 

Dates of Enlistment- Sept 1777
Length of service- 2 mos.
Rank- PVT
Captain- Lieut. David Smith
Colonel-
Sage
State- 

Battles engaged in, None mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chatham. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug 16. 1832
Age at date of application, 79 yrs.
Remarks:
Very Respectfully,
Green B. Raum Commissioner.
Miss Carrie L Gardner
231 College St.
Middletown Conn.