Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,705, Joseph Brownell, R.I.
Page 1

(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE NUMBER
R.I.  Brownell, Joseph  W. 23,705
Deborah
CONTENTS
Page 2

247
Rhode Island
Deborah Brownell
of Newportes in the State of R.I.
who was a R.I. - in the  - commanded
[illegible] Captain - of the - commanded
by - in the 
[illegible] widow of Joseph Brownell de[illegible]late a private to 
the Revolution

Inscribed on the roll of R. Island
at the rate of 60 Dollars _ Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Nov. 
1836 and sent John
[illegible] Portsmouth R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $330.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Dollars $ 30.00
                                                             $360.00
                                           Revolutionary Claim,
                                           Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by DD Addison Clerk,
Book  -  Vol. /   Page 97
Page 3

Deborah Brownell
No. 511 aid of 
Joseph Brownell
[Illegible letters under name]
RI
Adm o. 18 mo pn
$60 per ann. commencing
4 March 1831. RI
Militia Capt [illegible]
Cost in 1761
Page 4

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836
State of Rhode Island 46
SS
County of Newport 
On this 30th day of September A.D. 1836
personally appeared before the Court of Probate of Little Compton in the 
County of Newport, a court of record, Deborah Brownell, a resident
of said Little Compton in the County of Newport & state of Rhode 
Island, aged Eighty Eight 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 4th, 1836. [followed by a squiggle line meaning “note the following”]
That she is the widow of Joseph Brownell, late of said
Little Compton, and who was a [carrot to insert the word “private”] soldier during the whole of the Revolutionary
War, in the 1st or South Company of Militia in said town.
We were married at the commencement of the trouble with the
Mother Country and lived during the war near the water, and near the 
first Guard post On the the south shore, east of Seckonnett Point.
When the British took possession of Newport in 1776 in the month of 
December, the whole company to which my husband belonged were ordered
into the public service in guarding the shores of the Town, at the guard
posts there in, on the south and western shores, and sometimes northerly on the 
shores of the Bay as far as Howlands Ferry. The officers of said Company at
the time were Capt Gideon Simmons, and [illegible] Capt Ep[carrot used to insert the letter “h”]raim Simmons,
And Capt Southworth, Samuel Coe, and Wm. Bailey were also officers
in the said Company during said War - And the  Company belonged
to. Col. Cooks Regiment - and my husband continued in the service 
without intermission, as near as I can remember, from September 1776 to
the next May - a period of Least five months - at the last mentioned
period the militia service in said Company was so arranged,
that each member of the company had to stand only one half of 
the time on his own account - the tours of service were for one month
at a time, when the portion or half the company on duty were relieved
by the other half and this alternate, monthly service continued
untill the Enemy left the waters of Narragansett Bay in November
1779 - From the month of May 1777 to November 1779 I think, and 
declare, that my said husband was in the public service, for fifteen
months at the least - I do well remember my husbands service during
said War - We had small children to provide for and protect, and  
how we got along with the small means we then had, I am unable 
how to tell - It seems as though I could not do it again, if I were
placed back to that period of my life again - our sufferings were
many and great - I have, at that time, frequently had to put my
childrens clothes, into a small bag, and hide them in the elders
and weeds, near the house, to keep them from the Enemy - They
annoyed us in every way they could - and we never were safe from
their approach - I cannot be exact as to the particular days in which my 
said Husbands services began or ended - I have no documentary evidence
in relation thereto -
I further declare that I was married to the said Joseph
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Brownell on the 11th day of February, Seventeen hundred and Sixty Six (1766)
That my husband the said Joseph Brownell, died on the 24th day of
February A.D. 1824; and that I have remained a widow ever since that
period, and will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
My said Husband was never a pensioner. Deborah [the words “her Mark” were inserted along with a large, bold “X”] Brownell
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day & year afore written, before, and in open
Court,
And said Court further certifies, that they believe the statements, herein made
by said Deborah Brownell, are true - and that she is a person of credit and
truth. - 
The Court further certifies that sd. [said] Deborah, is the widow of sd. [said] Joseph,
And that she has never married since the decease of said Joseph [paraph]
I Alexander R. Brownell Clerk of sd [said] Court of Probate, do
hereby Certify, that the foregoing, are the original proceedings, in the
application of said Deborah Brownell for a pension. [paraph]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal of office this 30th day of
September A.D. 1836 - And of American
Independence the Sixty first. [paraph]
Witness A.R. Brownell [name underlined]
Page 6

Town Clerk’s Office Little Compton October 13th 1836.
I certify that Joseph Brownell son of Giles Brownell died on the
24 day of February A. [D.] 1824
All of which appears of record in this office.
Witness - A.R. Brownell [name underlined]  Town Clerk.




SERVICE 
R. J. 
Brownwell, Joseph
NUMBER  
W. 23,705
Deborah

CONTENTS
Page 7

Town Clerk's Office Little Compton October 12th 1836
I hereby certify that Joseph Brownell Son of Giles Brownell &
his wife & Deborah Briggs Daughter of Joseph Briggs
& Ruth his wife were this day joined in Matrimony, Dated
Little Compton February y 11th 1766. By Jonathan Ellis Clerk.
All of which appears of record in this Office
Witness A. R. Bronwell Probate Clerk
Page 8

December 3, 1930

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Mrs. Frank Anthony Cummings
72 Keene Street
Providence, Rhode Island 

Dear Madam:

   You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 23705, that Joseph Brownell, the son of Giles Brownell, while residing in Little Compton, Rhode Island, enlisted in December, 1776, and served eighteen months as a private, at various times, in Captains Gideon Simmons’ and Ephraim Simmons’ companies, Colonel Cook’s Rhode Island regiment.

   He married February 11, 1776 in Little Compton, Rhode Island, Deborah, the daughter of Joseph and Ruth Briggs.

   The soldier died February 24, 1824 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. His widow Deborah was allowed pension on her application executed September 30, 1836, at which time she was living in said Little Compton and was aged eighty-eight years. 

   Their children were referred to but no names stated.

   Very truly yours

   E. W. MORGAN
   Acting Commissioner
Page 9

I Francis Willbur of Little Compton in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age,
being duly sworn, depose and say. That I was well acquainted with Joseph Brownell, late of this town, from my
youth up to his death - during the Revolutionary war we
belonged to the same Militia company in said town. It
was the south company under Captain Simmons,
in the Regiment of Col. Cook. After the British came to
Rhode Island in December 1776. said Company was called
into the public service in guarding the shores of the
town, at the guard posts herein under the officers of
said company-- the members of said company were
all in the service from sd Dec. 1776 to the April of 1777 according to the best of my recollection, and from April
1777 to November 1779, when the British left Newport, said
militia were in the service for half of the time. each
man performed for a month, and every alternate
month on his own accounts- I have seen and been in
said public service, with said Joseph, at the places aforesaid,
at periods, many times of a month at a time-- I have
not the least doubt, that said Joseph performed his full
share of duty, in the manner aforesaid in sd Company.
I further declare that Deborah Brownell of this
town, now an applicant for a pension, is the widow of
said Joseph, and has never married since his decease
Francis Wilbur

State of Rhode Island County of
Newport
S.S.
Personally appeared before me at Little Compton in
said County of Newport on the 13th day of October 1836
the above named Francis Wilbur, and subscribed, and was
duly sworn to the foregoing deposition according to law.
I further certify that the said Francis Wilbur
is to me personally known and is a credible witness
Philip F. Little Justice Peace
Page 10


State of Rhode Island &
County of Newport
Clerks office of the Court of Probate a Court of
Record of Little Compton in sd County of Newport
I hereby certify that Philip F. Little, whose signature is affixed is his
own proper hand writing to the foregoing Deposition of Francis Wilbur
was at the time of taking said deposition, a Justice of the Peace within
and for sd County of Newport, duly commissioned, under the seal of sd
States, and engaged thereon according to Law-- And that said Philip F.
Little is duly authorized to take depositions by the Laws of said State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal of said office on this 13th
day of October A.D. 1836.
A R Brownell Clerk
Page 11

I Gideon Tompkins of Little Compton, in the County of Newport and State of
Rhode Island, of lawful age, being duly sworn, depose that
I always was acquainted with the late Joseph Brownell of this
town in his life time. During the Revolutionary war we both
belonged to the same militia company of this town. After the British came to Newport in the year 1776 the Militia of our
Company were ordered into the public service, at the guard posts.
which were then made, on the shores of sd town-- and the whole
company were in the service at these posts, till April 1777 as
near as I can remember-- and then the sd company was divided
and one half were on duty at a time, for a month at a time
till the enemy evacuated Rhode Island in November 1779
During all of this time said Joseph was in the public service
in the guard service on the shores-- we at that time lived near each
other, and I knew him well-- I have seen him on duty, and been
on duty with him many times at sakonnett Point-- under Capt
Giden Simmons, and Capt Ephraim Simmons, and there was a
guard post for a part of the time at Joseph's House, on the South
shore-- from my best recollections and belief said Joseph served as
many as eighteen months in the public service, on sd shores as aforesaid
In Sullivans Expedition, he went as far as Howlands ferry, and
was there taken, and was put to helping build and prepare the boats.
he was a carpenter by trade.
Gideon
Tompkins
Personally appeared, in open Court, the above named Gideon Tompkins,
known to be a credible witness, and subscribed, and was duly sworn to
the above deposition-- At Little Compton on the 12th day of October 1836
Witness A R Brownell Probate Clerk
Page 12

I Owen Greennell of Little Compton in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island of Lawful age, but
duly sworn on my oath, declare, that I was well acquainted with
Joseph Brownell of this town, in the Revolutionary war, and
before said war, and after, until his death, during said
War I lived near to him-- he at that time belonged to the militia
in said Town in the lower or south Company under Capt Simmons
In the year 1778, I worked for Samuel Bailey, which was near to, and adjoining
the guard house, on Sakonnet point-- I was not old enough in that year
to be called into the service, but I well recollected seeing him on
guard duty many times before I enlisted into the State service in
March 1779-
I well know Deborah Brownell, the widow of sd Joseph
Brownell, of this town, and now an applicant for a pension and
know that she has never married since the decease of her husband
the said Joseph-
Owen Greennell -
Personally appeared, in open Court, the above named Owen Greennell,
known to be a credible witness, and subscribed, and was duly sworn to the
above deposition-- At Little Compton on the 30th day of September 1836 -
Witness A R Brownell Probate Clerk
Page 13

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23705
Deborah Brownell
Wid of
Joseph Brownell
[illegible] Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1916 Apr. 5 Hist to Irene
T. Seabury, Letter in S.F.
22.023 Gideon Tompkins
1930 - Dec. 3. Hist to Mrs.
Frank A. Cumming atty
Page 14


November 9, 1930
MRS. FRANK ANTHONY CUMMINGS
72 KEENE STREET
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs:
Will you please tell me if you have
any record of Revolutionary War pensions being granted to the following persons:

1. Nathaniel Pearce son of George Jr. and Deborah (Searle) Pearce of Little Compton, R. I. or

2. his wife Sarah (Rouse) Pearce daughter OF
George and Hannah (Horswell) Rouse

3. Sarah (Bailey) Manchester, wife of John
Manchester He lived in Tiverton, R. I.

4. Joseph Tompkins son of Samuel and Sarah (Coe) Tompkins of Little Compton, R. I. or 

5. his wife Martha (Pearce) Tompkins daughter
of James Pearce and Martha Wilbor

6. Deborah (Briggs) Brownell, widow of Joseph Brownell of Little Compton, R. I. 

US PENSION OFFICE 
A 
NOV 
11
1930
Page 15

Mrs. Frank Anthony Cummings
72 Keene Street
Providence, Rhode Island 

7  Nathaniel Batchilder, son of Thomas and Sarah (Tuck)
Batchilder of Hampton, N.H. or
8  his wife Anna or Hanna, (Butler) Batchilder
9  John Dunckle (Dunkler, Duncklee) son of
Hezekiah and Damaris (Wilson) Dunckle of 
Amhurst, N.H. or
10  his wife, Elizabeth (Chapman) Dunckle,
daughter of John and Marita (Perby)
Chapman
11  Daniel Barnes, son of John (Lived in R.I.)
or
his wife, Hope (Ballou) Barnes, daughter of
David Ballou.
13  Daniel Ballou, son of Obadiah and Damaris
(Bartlett) Ballou of Wrencham, Mass. afterwards
Cumberland, R.I. or
14  his wife Amy (Brown) Ballou, daughter of 
Joseph and Sarah (Pray) Brown

Will you kindly include any family data

[US Pension Office seal, NOV 11 1930]
Page 16

Mrs. Frank Anthony Cummings
72 Keena Street
Providence, Rhode Island 

that you may have on file.
With sincere appreciation of the trouble
you will take in this matter  I am
Very truly yours
Irene Seabury Cummings
(Mrs. Frank Anthony Cummings)
[seal - US Pension Office  NOV 11. 1930]
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.          3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
W. F. 23705     Washington, D.C.           ,19 [no date included]

In reply to your request of           , received     [no dates included]
for a statement of the military history of Joseph Brownell [name handwritten]
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.     Dec. 1776 [handwritten]
LENGTH OF SERVICE.     18 mot [months] at various times. [handwritten]
RANK.     Pvt. [handwritten]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.     
CAPTAIN.     Gideon Simmons  Ephram Simmons [handwritten]
COLONEL.     Cook [handwritten]
STATE.     R.I. [handwritten]
Battles engaged in, [no battles listed]
Residence of soldier at enlistment,     Little Compton, R.I. [handwritten]
Date of application for pension,     Sept. 30, 1836 [illegible][handwritten]
Residence at date of application,     Little Compton, Newport Co. R.I. [handwritten]
Age at date of application,     She was 88 yrs. old. [handwritten]
Remarks:     Soldier was the son of Giles Brownell.  He was
Feb’y 11, 1766 of Little Compton R.I.  Deborah dau [daughter] of Joseph
and Ruth Briggs, and died Feb’y 24, 1824 [illegible]  Children are
referred to but no names are stated [remarks are handwritten]
Respectfully,
Commissioner, [no name included]