Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38566, John Brown, Navy (R.I.)
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(8-1776)
[Left column] Service Navy (RI) 
[Middle column] Brown, John 
[Right column] [Partially obscured] Number S38566

CONTENTS

[illegible] [Born] 1764 at Newport, R.I.
[illegible] [Enl] at Boston
[illegible] [Srv] 1805(?) res. of [illegible name] [Dublin County Georgia]
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John Brown

of Camden Cty in the State of Georgia
who was a Mariner in the Regiment [crossed out.  Replaced by Frigate Providence] commanded by Cap Whipple of the US Navy line, for the term of 18 months RJ

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4th of August 1820

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of April 1820 and sent to the Hon G Duval
Washington City

Arrears to 4th of March 1820          $56.25
semi anl all'ce ending 4 Sep 1820   $48
                                                             $104.25

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818}
(1 May 1820)
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[ ]
March 25th
The Hon. Secretary of War
Washington City
[ ]
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St Marys, State of Georgia March 24th 1821
The Honble Secretary of the War Department
Sir
Conformably to the Advice of the [ ]  The Judge Duvall I take the liberty of subjoining a supplemental Deposition of John Brown with a view so far to support his claim & Revolutionary war Pension from the government of the U. States. I had not at the time the first Deposition was made either of the Pension Acts of Congress by [ ] Otherwise so many [   ] would not have a [ ]

Respectfully
Stephen Moore
State of Georgia
County of Camden
Town of St. Marys

Supplemental affidavit of John Brown

On this 24th day of March in the year 1821 before me one of the Justice of the aforesaid State & County personally appeared John Brown who after by me Solemnly Sworn & Deposeth & Saith that sometime in the month of August in the year 1779
He entered on Board the Providence Frigate at 
Boston in the State of Massachusetts at Seamans wages & [ ]
He the Deponent having satisfied the office of said Frigate that he had been [crossed out & inserted] voyage at Sea
He the Deponent agreeing at the same time to Do, & perform any & every service that might be requird of him on board said Frigate which was surrendered to the Enemy in the month of May 1780 by Capitulation at the Port of Charleston So. Carolina thereafter remaind a Prisoner on board the ship Renown a British Ship of 50 Guns from Which ship he was released after 5 or 6 weeks Detention [crossed out words] and sailed therefrom in a  Cartel vessel to Philadelphia [ ] and arrived at said Port about Cherry time. That this Deponent left the U. States Service immediatly after his arrival in Philadelphia. That he arrived in the State of Georgia in the year 1812 and hath never since  resided without the  [ ] of the U. States.
Sworn to before me
Will Gibson J. J. C. C. C 
John Brown
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N. B. (illegible) to forward the (illegible) & Execute the (illegible) which he made (illegible) of.
S. W. Moore
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17,280
John Brown
Camden Co. Georgia
4 August 1820

Mariner onboard the frigate Providence
Abraham Whipple  comdr

The testimony, on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, certified as such, by the judge, proving, explicitly, from their own knowledge, 9 months service in continuancee (sic) on board the frigate Providence, is required,
William Gibson 
St Mary's, Georgia
21 August 18?? [looks like 26]

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John Brown
Camden Co. Georgia
William Gibson agt
St Mary's, GA
recd 21 August 1820

Suspended for further evidence.  see letter to Hon: Gabriel Duval one of the judges of he Supreme Court there in Washington City,

Navy Dept
Pension Office
Feb 19 1821
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State of Georgia, Camden County  }
Port & District of St. Mary's            }  Affidavit

On this fourth day of August in the year 1840 before (illegible) subscribe (illegible) of the Judges of the Inferior Court of the County aforesaid.  Personally appeared John Brown aged 75 & for many
years past resident in the State & County aforesaid who 
being by me examined & duly sworn according to Law on his oath make the following declaration, with a view to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the late Benevolent Act of Congress Entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" )  That he, the said John Brown was born at Newport in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1764 & did when actuated by that ardor which so generally prevailed amongst the American Youth at that period in the year 1779 in the 15th  year of his age.  Enter on board the U. States Warren Frigate for two years, the said Frigate being a that time commanded by Cap't or Commodore *Dudley Saltonstall or some such names Commander & served therein for 6 months at the expiration of which time the said Frigate after a short contest with the enemy at Penobscot was then burnt & abandoned by the Captain & Crew, & this Deponent further saith that he did thereafter at Boston enter on Board the United States Frigate Providence, Capt. H. Hacker & (illegible) therein & the said Frigate together with the Queen of France, Boston & Ranger Frigates forming a Squadron under the Command of Commodore Abraham Whipple which were in Charleston Harbor in the State of So. Carolina when
*Dudley Saltonstall
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when the Town & Garrison being ["presently" crossed through] at the time under the firm hand of Genl [General] Lincoln I was along with those Frigates Surrendered to the Enemy by capitulation in the year 1780. The Sufferings of this Deponent as a prisoner at that time were great & almost incredible & after this Deponent was released as a Prisoner He engaged in the merchant Service as a Seaman, Sometimes acting on shore as a Journeyman Baker making in various ways many Efforts to procure an honest Subsistence but is at length reduced to great indigence having many bodily Infirmities to contend with, & living for many years past in great [illegible] obscurity. He hath been ^but^ lately [illegible] of the Relevant Pension Action of the American Congress under the Authority of which this Deponent humbly prays for Assistance. The Deponent saith that he hath it not now in his power to [illegible] the Facts herein Recited other than by the solemnity of his own oath.
[signature] John Brown
Sworn to before me this fourth day of August 1820}
Will^m Gibson, one of the Justices of the Sup^r Court Camden County, G^a
I William Gibson one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Camden County State of Georgia Do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above [illegible] John Brown Did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding Declaration against the Common Enemy for the term of [5?] Months at our birth & [crossed through] several Months thereafter in the Naval Service of the United States sc was [illegible] the preceding sc Testimony taken [illegible] before [illegible] Honorable the Secretary of the War Department [further?]to the aforesaid Declaration given in the aforesaid [illegible] Act of Congress - [illegible]  Satisfied that this aforesaid John Brown stands in great Need of the [assistance?] & Support & which he Humbly & Respectfully applies for - 
{Will^m Gibson J.J.C.C.C
[St Mary?]
State of Georgia
Aug^t 1820
Hon^ble Secretary for the Department of War
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State of Georgia}
Town of St Marys}
Before me W^m Gibson Esq Intendant of said Town personally appeared John Brown a native Citizen of the U. States who being by the said Intendant solemnly Sworn Did Depose & Say that he hath not at any time During his Life by Gift Sale or in any [illegible] whatever disposed of any property or any part of any property with Intent thereby to [divest himself?] So as to bring Himself within the Provisions of An Act of Congress Entitled An Act to provide for Certain Persons Engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 - And this Deponent further Swears That he hath not any real or Personal Property Except One Blanket a few old [Cloaths?] & some other [illegible] being Trifles all of which are not sufficient to [illegible]  - [crossed through] is  most humbly [illegible] submitted - 
[signature] John Brown
Sworn to before [me?] this [4 or 8?]th day of August 1820
[signature] Will^m Gibson
Intendant of St Mary's}
Town of St Marys
I James Campbell Esq, Clerk of the Court of the Town of St Marys which is a Court of Record Do Certify That William Gibson Esq, Is Intendant of Said Town & that all proceedings signed by him as such are to be [illegible] Given under my hand this 4th day of August 1820
[signature] James Campbell Clk [Clerk]
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L. W. Fennell
905 East Main Street, North
Gainesville, Florida

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S38666, that John Brown was born in 1764 at Newport, Rhode Island.

He enlisted at Boston, June 14, 1779, on board the frigate "Warren", commanded by Captain Dudley Saltonstall, and served until she was abandoned and burned in the Penobscot.  He then returned to Boston and enlisted, September 20, 1779, as seaman on board the United States frigate "Providence", commanded by Captain H. Hecker in Commodore Abraham Whipple's squadron, entered the port of Charleston, South Carolina, February 10, 1780, was ordered to the Exchange Battery under General Lincoln, March, 1780, where he was captured by the British, May 12, 1780 and held prisoner on board the British ship, "Renown", until exchanged in August 1780, when he left the service at Philadelphia.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1820, at which time he was a resident of Camden County, Georgia, having moved there in 1818.

There are no data as to family.

Very truly yours
E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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January 30, 1929

Mrs. Remer Y. Jones
Box 276, Valdosta
Georgia

Madam

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, 38566, it appears that John Brown was born in 1764 in Newport, Rhode Island.

He enlisted at Boston, June 14, 1779, on board the Frigate, "Warren", commanded by Captain Dudley Saltonstall, and served until she was abandoned and burned in the Penobscot.  He then returned to Boston and enlisted, September 20, 1779, as seaman on board the United States Frigate, "Providence", commanded by Captain H. Hecker in Commodore Abraham Whipple's Squadron, entered the port of Charleston, South Carolina, February 10, 1780, was ordered to the Exchange Battery under General Lincoln, March 25, 1780 and held prisoner on board the British ship, "Renown", until exchanged in August, 1780 when he left the service in Philadelphia.
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He was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1820, at which time he was a resident of Camden County, Georgia, having moved there in 1812.

There are no data as to family.

Respectfully,


WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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April 29, 1911.

Mrs. William J. Hays
32 East Avenue, 
Atlanta, Ga.

Madam:

In reply to your undated communication received on the 26" instant, you are furnished the following record of the only Revolutionary War pensioner named John Brown who was paid at the Georgia Pension Agency, and advised, that this Bureau has not been able to identify the subject of your inquiry for the reason that there is no information given subsequent to 1821 in the following case, and the data published in the volume entitled "Census of Pensioners, 1840", was not compiled from the records of this Bureau, but by the persons who took the 6th Census and is therefore in many cases, incapable of verification.

Sur. File No. 38,566, John Brown was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1820, at which time he was a resident of Camden County, Georgia.  It appears that he was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1764, and enlisted at Boston, June 14, 1779, on board the Frigate "Warren," commanded by Captain Dudley Saltonstall, and served until she was abandoned and burned in the Penobscot; he then returned to Boston and enlisted September 20, 1779, as Seaman on board the U. S. Frigate "Providence" commanded by Captain H. Hecker in Commodore Abraham Whipple's
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Squadron entered the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, February 10, 1780, was ordered to the Exchange Battery under General Lincoln March 25, 1780, where he was captured by the British, May 12, 1780, and held a prisoner on board the British ship "Renown" until exchanged in August, 1780, when he left the service at Philadelphia.

He removed to Georgia in 1812; thee is no other reference to his residence, and no data relative to family.

For his last known residence, the date of last payment of his pension and to who paid, apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, giving him the following data "John Brown, Certificate No, 18,099, issued April 7, 1821, under the Act of June 7, 1832 at the Georgia Agency".

Very Respectfully,



Commissioner.
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3-1965

Record Division.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Washington

April 20, 1910.

Mrs. William J. Hays
32 East Avenue, 
Atlanta, Ga.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 13" and received the 15" instant, you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim has been filed on account of his services, and in order to identify such a claim, in addition to the soldier's full name, some of the following data is essential:  names of some officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment, and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and  death, given name of widow

Very respectfully,

H. Davenport
Commissioner.

In reply to above, which refers to any request for the the record of John Brown, a Pensioner of Randolph Co, Ga i 1840. I can only say that he came from Campbell Co. Tenn. to Monroe Co. Ga, after the Revolution, and died in Randolph Co, after 1840.  His son Enoch (illegible) Brown was a resident of Baker Co, ( which joined Randolph)
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before Crawford was cut out), and his descendants have always been told that his father was a Revolutionary Soldier. I am asking for the record from his pension papers in the hope of finding out when and where he was born, where and under whom he enlisted and the name of his wife. Had I known these facts I would not need the record from pension papers.
Hoping you can now identify my ancestor I am
Yours Very Truly
Mrs W^m J. Hays

[Stamped at the bottom]
Circular stamp on left: RECORD DIVISION. APR 26 1911
Circular stamp on right: U.S. PENSION OFFICE. D APR 26 1911
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905 East Main Street, North,
Gainesville, Florida,
Sept. 12, 1930.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please send me a copy of the Pension Record of John Brown, who served in the Revolutionary War from Georgia. He was receiving a Pension in 1835 and was living in Camden County, Georgia at the time. H e was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, 1764, died 1835 in Camden Co., Ga.
Thanking you in advance for this information, and hoping to hear from you at an early date, I am
Sincerely yours,
L. W. Fennell 
[stamp that says U.S. PENSIONS OFFICE SEP 15 1930]
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Valdosta, Ga
April 24, 1928

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,
I want to complete papers for the W.A.R. on the record of John Brown born in Kingston R.I. 1764 died in St. Mary's Ga 1826. He drew a pension for Rev. Services.
Will you please mail me a copy of his pension paper.
Very truly
Mrs. Remer Y. Jones,
Box 276 
Valdosta, Ga.
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[left page]
April 29, 1911 Mrs. Nm. J Hays
fur. hist. I5C. per (ineligible)
1929- Jan. 20- Hish. t. Mrs. Remer Y. Jones (ineligible)
1930- Sept. 29- Hish t. L.W. Fennell (ineligible)

[right page]
Invalid
File No. 38566 Navy
John Brown
Mariner
Frigate "Providence"
Revolutionary

Act March 18. 1818
Index: Vol. [blank], Page [blank]

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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I Benjamin Page of Portsmouth County of Newport State of Rhode Island On Oath Certify and Say that I was a Lieutenant On board the U States Frigate Warren Dudley Saltonstall Esq^r In Boston June 14^th 1779 On the muster of that Day was John Brown aged Fifteen years from Newport Rhode Island he served on board that Frigate until she was abandoned & [burned?] at Penobscot returned by land with me to Boston to the U States Frigate Providence Abraham Whipple Esq Where I was ordered as First Lieutenant September [illegible] 1779 On that Day said John Brown was mustered as one of her crew and sailed with us November 4^th and entered the Port of Charles Town Feb^y 10^th 1780 I was ordered with part of the crew including said Brown, to the command of the Exchange Battery under General Lincoln March 25 1780 Where we surrendered to the British Army & Navy May 12^th 1780 so that said Brown remained prisoner of War until the regular Exchange took place in August 1780.
Benj Page

[Attached at bottom barely legible]
Personally appeared before me the above named Benj [Page?] made oath as to the truth of the above Deposition by him signed and I further Certify & Say that I [illegible] acquainted with the above named Deponant that he is a [illegible] Respectable [illegible] standing [illegible] is entitled to full Credit - 
[Daniel Denham] Justice [illegible] Common Pleas
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport:
I hereby certify that Daniel Denham Esq whose signature is affixed to the annexed attestations is a Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned and engaged under the Seal of said State
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty sixth Day of March in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred twenty one and forty fifth of American Independence.
[signature] H. [J.?] Cranston Clk [Clerk]

[seal affixed to lower left unreadable]
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His Hon. the Secretary of the War Department
P hail G
Washington City
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Georgia Town of St Marys Oct 13th 1820
The Hon^ble Secretary of the War Department,
Sir, under the [illegible] of every [illegible] of Respect I take the liberty in behalf of John Brown a Native Citizen of the U. States of Resending to your Department his late Application to obtain a pension for Services performed on Board Two American Frigates during the Revolutionary War which hath in your Absence as it appears by its being Franked by [illegible] [illegible] been returned, I [illegible] with the information that other proofs [for?] the Applicants oath are required to Substantiate his [request?] for a Pension. It gives me pleasure to acknowledge that the [illegible] at your office is perceived to be entirely correct, & even kind, inasmuch as it does not preclude the [illegible] from further [attestation?] [further consideration crossed through] therefore do myself the honor, to request as a special favor, that you will ^be pleased^ to countenance the Return of the Application, & permit it to remain in your Department until the next session of Congress for Reconsideration, before [illegible] at which time the Hon^ble Judge [Duvall?] with Character is his Benvolence hath engaged to [illegible] a [illegible] with [word crossed through, illegible above] of the officers who have been [delegated?] to him by Name & Rank who ["m" crossed out] it hath been very recently ascertained [illegible] living in the Towns & neighborhoods of Providence & Newport ^in the State of Rhode Island^ with whom Brown served on Board the [illegible] Frigate Providence during the R. War - When the testimony [illegible] are obtained of which I have not the smallest doubt the [illegible] will be presented to your Department by the Hon^ble Judge [Duvall?] to whom I have written at this Date as well as before [illegible] taken the liberty of including [words written above illegible] [illegible] letter to him, which [illegible] [embraces?] almost everything [word written above illegible] relating to Brown: & [illegible] favor of you to cause it to be forwarded to the Address - Not having the honor of a personal acquaintance with you (altho I was aware your Respectable [word written above illegible] & very well Remember [illegible] when [illegible] [illegible] with his family from Abbeville District to Charleston [illegible] where I resided for [many?] years) I deem it a duty which I [illegible] owe to you as ^well as^ to myself to make every apology & to [assign?] at least some reason for Interesting [illegible] to [illegible] with [illegible] be half - when I first noticed him here [phrase written above illegible] he was a [illegible] off Bread
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Bread to other families in this Town & of bringing it to him as he often it appeared to me during his [illegible] to be desirous of being attended to by me at length he was gratified. He then related the History of the greater part of his life as detailed in his affidavit already [illegible] to - at this time I found to my astonishment that he was a great champion for the support of the American Character & afterward I found [illegible] that he was a bold bellowing Advocate for the Dignity [interest?] & Honor of the Government of the U. States this together with his [Indigent?] Liberation did not fail to inspire me with his united feelings of Compassion, & no small degree of Regard Soon after [illegible] he left this place I was so illegible] that I believe I had entirely forgotten him - The discovery of his national [illegible] was [inserted text above line illegible] Congressman before the passage of [illegible] either of the Benevolent pension Act - Brown [hearing?] turned [illegible] has been by our City Council ^appointed?^ Town [illegible] - I hope the Honble [Honorable] Secretary will be so good as to believe me that I do not offer the aforegoing account of Brown as any Evidence either by Analogy or otherwise [illegible] support this Claim for a Pension - I [illegible] only to be supplemental to the Apology I [illegible] endeavoring to make for giving [illegible] the Secretary of the War Department the trouble of [Deceiving?] ^& [illegible^] this [illegible] Communication about Brown Concerning [illegible] with great Consideration I have the honor to be Your Obed.- [obedient] Serv- [Servant] 
[illegible] Moore
P. S. The Honble [Honorable] Secretary is Respectfully [illegible] that if Brown is  placed upon the Pension List a Certificate thereof can [illegible] our City & one of the Judges of our County Court before whom Browns Application was Attested. with every Respect
SWM
[additional writing lower left is illegible]