Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3050, Thomas Bryan, Md.
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Service
MD

Name
Bryan, Thomas

Number
S.3050

carded
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Left Side Page

Date of Death not on AB

Right Side Page

Ohio Pittsburgh 22389
Thos Bryan
of Jefferson Co in the state of Ohio
who was a Private in the Co commanded 
by Captain Lewis in the Regt commanded
by Col Philips in the Maryland Line 
for one year

Inscribed on the roll of Ohio Pittsburgh
at the rate of 40 dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of Oct 1833 and sent to Hon H.H. Leavitt, Steubenville, Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 1834 $20
$120.00

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm R Palmer - Clerk
Book 6 Vol 8 Page 106
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State of Ohio, Jefferson County

On this 27th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three personally appeared before James Wilson one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county of Jefferson, Thomas Bryan, a resident of Steubenville township in said county aged 92 years who being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: that living in Baltimore County in the state of Maryland some months after the commencement of the revolutionary war (the precise time this declarant cannot remember) he entered the service as a drafted militia man in the Maryland Militia [illegible] commanded by Captain Thomas Philips - the names of the company officers he cannot remember - said company was attached to a battalion of light infantry commanded by a Captain Hutchinson. The company was ordered to Baltimore City where they were encamped for three months, where he was discharged by a officer whose name he cannot remember - this discharge took place in June - He was drafted and served three months at this time. Captain Philips resigned his commission as Captain at Baltimore at the expiration of said three months - Declarant then returned to his residence in Baltimore County and in about two weeks after, said company was again ordered into the service - the command of the company then devolved on Captain Robert Tevis who marched the company to Baltimore and from thence he was ordered to the Head of Elk where he was stationed for three weeks - from the Head of Elk he was ordered to Baltimore where he encamped for a few days and then returned to his residence
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He was in the service under this draft for three months.

Declarant further stated that during the existence of the revolutionary war, the company of volunteers to which he belonged was often called on in cases of alarms to the city of Baltimore for the defense of that place. He cannot from his great age & the defects of his memory state all the particulars of his services in these short expeditions, but he is positive that exclusive of the six months service which he has before stated he was in the service for at least six months.

He does not recollect the names of any officers of the continental army with whom he became acquainted during this service, nor does he know of any continental regiment or troops that served with him while he was in the army - he [illegible] company while in the service did not serve with any continental troops. He has no other record of his age than an entry of the time of his birth in his grandson's bible; He was born at the city of Waterford in Ireland on the 17th day of March 1741. He never received any written discharge from the service nor has he any documentary evidence of his services in the revolution nor does he know of anyone now living by whom he can prove the facts stated in this declaration. He lived for about four years after the revolutionary war in Baltimore County - from thence he moved to Beckley County in the state of Virginia - he lived there about four years - from thence he moved to Green County in the state of Pennsylvania where he lived about six years - from Green County he moved to said Jefferson County Ohio where he has been ever since. He refers to Josiah McGuire, Robert Mc
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Nair, James Simpson who will prove his good character for truth and veracity and also states the beleif in the truth of the facts stated in the declaration. He hereby relinquishes any 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.

Thomas Bryan

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me.

Jas. Wilson
Associate Judge as aforesaid

We Josiah McGuire & James Simpson residing in Steubenville township in said Jefferson County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Bryan who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be ninety-two 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.

Josiah McGuire
James Simpson

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Jas Wilson
Associate Judge

I the said James Wilson associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said Jefferson County do hereby declare it is my 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.
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And I do further certify that Josiah McGuire & James Simpson who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the township of Steubenville in said county and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

I do further certify that the saidi applicant is not only very aged but also blind and too weak and infirm in body as to be unable to appear personally in court - and that owing to such infirmity this declaration has been made before me at his residence.

Jas Wilson 
Associate Judge
Aug 27, 1833

State of Ohio Jefferson County
 26520

I James Ross Wells clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Jefferson do certify that James Wilson Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to & who has signed the foregoing certificates was on the 27th day of August AD 1833 and is now an associate judge of said court in and for said county duly commissioned & qualified. For whose official acts as such full faith and credit are due. In testimony whereof i have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Steubenville this 28th day of August 1833.

James Ross Wells - Clerk

I do hereby certify that I was present when the before named applicant made and sworn to his declaration of his services in the revolutionary war and that although his declaration is not as minute and explicit a is desirable, yet I have no doubt that he did serve in the revolutionary war for at least one year. His manner of stating his services was such as to exclude any presumption of falsehood or fraud and though his bodily infirmity is great, and his memory obviously impaired I cannot doubt the genuine correctness of his statement.

H H Leavitt

August 28, 1833
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26510
22389
Thomas Bryan
Ohio
Jefferson County

Adm 1 year $40

Hon H.H. Leavitt
Steubenville
Ohio
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War Department
Pension Office
8th October 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 show what is necessary to be done. These 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 Thomas Bryan

Period when the service was rendered:
1775

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
3 mo. and 3 mo.
Note: [illegible] up one year

Rank of the Claimant:
Private

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
Capt. Philips and Capt. Tevis

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
92 years - Baltimore County MD

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary

I am respectfully
Your obedient Servant

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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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, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 and 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 7th, 1832. That he 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 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 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 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 is 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 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 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
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3

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 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 as 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 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 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, and will also 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 Judge or 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 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 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 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 bis 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 mouths 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 public 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 [a] to [j] 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.
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Ocotber 21, 1931

BA-J/EEL

Mrs. Carl Gochring
605 N. 5th Stree
Steubenville, Ohio

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Thomas Bryan, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary war claim for pension S.3050, based upon the military service of Thomas Bryan in that war.

Thomas Bryan was born March 17, 1741 in the city of Waterford, Ireland.

While residing in Baltimore County, Maryland, he enlisted some months after the commencement of the Revolutionary War, served three months as a private in Captain Thomas Philip's Company in a regiment of light infantry commanded by Captain Hutchinson, Maryland Troops, and was discharge in June: about two weeks after the termination of his the above service, he again enlisted in the same company, then commanded by Captain Robert Tevis and service three months; he was afterward called out on alarms on short tours for the defense of the city of Baltimore entire length of this service at least six months; no dates are given for any of the above services.

After the revolution he continued to reside in Baltimore County, Maryland for about five years; then moved to Berkeley County, Virginia, where he resided for about four years; then moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania, resided there about six years; and then moved to Jefferson County, Ohio.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1833, while a resident of Centerville Township, Jefferson County, Ohio.

Note in margin - could not verify any of these officers.
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The name of soldier's wife is not given.

A grandson is referred to bout his name and the names of his parents are not stated, and there are no further family data.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

Date of Death not on AB
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Left Side Page

1931 Oct 21 - Hist to Mrs. Carl Gochring

Right Side Page

3050
Rev War
INVALID

File No 3050
Thomas Bryan
Pvt Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832

Index Vol A Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Pension Files Stamp - Received Oct 9 1931

605 N. 5th St
Steubenville, Ohio
Oct 6, 1931

Bureau of Pensions
Veterans Administration Dept
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir;

Kindly send me complete pension application and record of Thomas Bryan private Md. Militia - 1833 living in Jefferson Co, Ohio in year pensioned, if there are any names as benefactors of wife and children, I shall be more than delighted!

Thanking you deeply for your kindness, courtesy and immediate attention, I am

Very truly yours

Mrs. Carl Gochring