Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,304, Samuel Browning, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Browning, Samuel
NUMBER
S.12,304
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

10.479
Rhode Island
Sam.l Browning
of Washinton in the State of R.I. 
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Parker in the R. Island line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Apriil 1833 and sent Wm Updike Kingston R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00
Sem-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 40.00
$200.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2d Page 103
Page 3

83 Declaration of
Samuel Browning
12.760

Mr Pearce
Page 4

He hereby relinquishes every claimi 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.
his
Samuel X Browning
mark
Witness
Saml Hemle Clerk

We, William Northrup & Christopher Allen residing in the Town of North Kingston hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Browning who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six 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 to and Subscribed the day aforesaid.
William Northrup
Christopher Allen
Witns Saml Helme Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 William Northrup who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the same town and that Christopher Allen who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Browning for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of September 1832
Saml Helme Clk
Page 5

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,
COUNTY OF Washington} Ss

On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Samuel Browning a resident of South Kingston in the county of Washington and the State of Rhode Island, aged seventy seven 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 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, that I was born in North Kingston in the County of Washington & has no record of his age he has always lived in said Town. In 1776 he listed into a regiment of State Troops, of which John Cooke was Colonel, it was in to (illegible) when he listed. He does not remember any of the Field Officers, except Col. Cook, James Parker was Captain of the Company, to which he belonged, Stephen Whitman was Lieut & Jonathan Mason Ensign. He listed for three months, the Regiment was stationed at Newport when the British Fleet came in 1776, the British Forces being to numerous the Americans retreated from the Island, and went over to Tiverton, he remained with the Regiment, until his time expired. He then returned home, a draft immediately took place in the Militia and he took the place of one Benjamin Turner a Drafted man for one month. William Taylor was Captain of the Company, which he entered, James Congdon Lieut. Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment, to which the Company belonged, they went to Tiverton and he served out the months there and returned home. 
He was soon called out again, with a part of the company to which he belonged under the same officers, and stationed along the shores of Boston Neck, from the North to the South Ferry to guard the shores, he recollects of being stationed at three different Houses, during that month, small companies or parties of the enemy occasionally landed along shore and committed depredations, during the month, they had one skirmish with a party of the enemy, which landed there, and one of the company was killed in the same. He returned home & remained at home one month, and was again called out, for a month or months under
Page 6

The same officers, to guard the shores, and quartered at a House called the [Coggshall] House in Boston Neck. He served out the months and nothing material took place. He then returned home and remained at home, a month when he was again called out, with the same [unclear] officers and part of the company and stationed at a House called the Shepherd House in Boston Neck, and was again called out and stationed a Month, at [Bissells -- ] in North Kingston, at the [Fortney?] House, and another month at the Shepherd House again, and another month at the [Coggshall] House again. 
He was often called called out afterward and stationed along shore, in named places, but cannot at this distance of time [collect] particulars. As a continental guard was [kept?] [illegible] at the [shores] of the Bay, from the time the British took possession of Newport until they left in 1779, and he always [went] when his time came to [stand] guard.  
In August 1778, he was on Rhode Island with General Sullivan in his Expedition. 
James [Allero] was his captain then. The [officers were] shifted several times during his service, and John Cole was Captain [illegible] & Nathaniel Shearman [illegible]. In addition to the specific [-- alone] stated, he thinks he served at least ten months more, standing guard along the shore, and he is positive that he was [ twenty months] two years in the [service], actually [under arms] during the war. In 1777 he was in General Sherman's Expedition, John Browning & [Colonel] Austin, are [knowing] to a great part of his [services] as they were with him [some].

the [Court] to the [Reverend] William Anthony & Mr Christopher Allen to the [goodness] of his [character], and that it has always [been] reported and believed] In his Neighborhood, that he was a [illegible] of the Revolution, he has always resided in North Kingston.
Page 7

12.760
Page 8

12.760
BRIEF in the case of Samuel Browning of Washnly in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? a Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 77

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
1776 - Summer
immediately after
after
"
---

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
- 3 - 
- 1 - 
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -

Rank. 
As a 
private
Substtute
Private
"
"
"
"
"

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. Parker - Col Cok
Capt. Taylor Col Dyer
Capt. Cole
States his services very indefinitely but says he served at least two years.

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Skirmished with the enemy

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? North Kingston R.I.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
2 living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The declaration on papers not preperly connected. The seal has no device. the authentication of the affidavits not properly connected with them

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Wm. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
19th Jany 1833
Page 9

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C. ____, 19__
S. F. 12.304

In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Browning 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 OF APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
STATE.
Summer 1776 3 mos. Prt. James Parker John Cooke R.I.
1776 served at various times until 1779
2 years.

Willliam Taylor Charles Dyer
James Albro
John Cole
Nathaniel Shearman

Battles engaged in, Guargds, Spencers & Sullivan's Expeditions
Residence of Soldier at enlistment, North Kingston R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 4 1832 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, North Kinston, Washington Co. R.I.
Agee at date of application, 77 years old, town of North Kingston R.I. aw 
Remarks: It is not stated whether he was ever married

Respectfully,
Commissioner
See report attached from Treas. Dept. Auditor's Office
6-2856
Page 10

20/93 Hist. to A. C. Arnold
Stanford Conn. MEL

1910 May 19 A. C. Arnold.
informing him where to apply for date of death V. L. M
 
Letter in S.F. 15-377

1913 June 24 acknowledgment of family data from Alfred C. Arnold on file

1917 Mch. 2 and for Int. Dept. to verify date of death.

1917 Mch 9 Hist. to Hist. to E. Gertrude Arnold
Letter in S. 38577 Clark Brown

Looked up in cupboard
no proof of service aw

Rev War 
12.304
INVALID.

File No. 12.304
Samuel Browning
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 47
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 11

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,&C.
Washington County,} Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 30, 1832.
Personally appeared the aforenamed Leone Austin & John Browning-
and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in the presence and they signed the same in my presence.  And I further certify that the said deponents on well known to me and that he sustained a fair character for truth, and that their deposition one entitled to credit.
                          Wilkins Updike  Justice Peace.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. Washington County, Sc.

 I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed were taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said sate and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand,eight hundred and thirty two.

Sam. Helme Blk
Page 12

John Brownings
Depo.
Page 13

The deposition of John Browning of Warwick in the County of Kent in state of Rhode Island aged 74 years testifies on oath & says. That I know Samuel Browning now an applicant for a pension that he served as a private in Captain Wm Taylors company of infantry in the revolutionary war in the year 1776 in guarding the shores in North Kingston in said state and that he served under Captain four or five months. That he served under Capt. John Cole in 1777 as a private in the same service. that he was a private in Capt Lawrence Pearce's company about for months and that he enlisted in Capt. James Parkers company about three months & went to R Isand and was stationed on the Fort and did garrison duty under the command of Cool John Cooke. Ths servic in Cooke's regiment was in the year 1776. That said Samuel Browning to my certain knowledge was in Spencer's expedition and served about one month & half and was about one month & an half in the expedition under Gen Sullivan in the year 1778. That previous to this time he served under Captain Albro in grauding the shore but I do not recollect that he served under Albro more than two months.
John Browning
Page 14

Rhode Island}
Washington County} Sc

So Kingston Sep 3rd 1832

Personally came the withn maned John Browning and made solem oath to the truth of the written deposition
before me W Updike
JPeace

John Brownings
Depo.
Page 15

The Deposition of Pearce Austin of North Kingstown in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island aged 77 years on oath testifies & says

That  was in Capt. William Taylors company 1776 and Samuel Browning now an applciant for a pension was a soldier in the same company and did duty therein against the common enemy to the term of three or four months in guarding the shores. After that he performed duty as a soldier in Capt. Coles company in guarding the shores and in 1776  he enlisted in to Capt Parkers company of infantry and was marched on Rhode Island and quartered there & built the (illegible) Fort and guarded the Town & was on duty there about three months. I saw him then & knew he did duty there. And after that he was drafted into Capt. Albro's Company and served therein three months or more. He served three or four years in the war as a soldier under various officers, but it is to long ago cannot now specify all the times & further the deponent saith not 
his
Pearce X austin

Witness W. Updike
Page 16

R. Island 
Washington Sc 

South Kingston 
Sept 3rd 1832

Personally came the within named Pearce Austin and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.
W. Updike
JPeace

Pearce Austin
Depo.
Page 17

Supplemental
Affidavit
In the Application
of Samuel Browning
Page 18

Washington Sc in North Kingston February 12 1833

Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for said Town of North Kingstown Samuel Browning of said North Kingstown an applicant for a pension 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 services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades.
In 1776 I served as a private three months in a Regiment of State Troops of which John Cooke was Colonel. one month afterwards I served as a private in a company of Militia in North Kingston of which William Taylor was Captain and as a substitute for one Benjamin Tanner. Also two months as a pivate in the same year in said Company for myself. In 1777 I served as a private six months in 1778 six months and in 1779 six months under the of prior and in the manner stated in my declaration making in the whole for two years. I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension
Samuel Browning

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Washington Sc in North Kingston February 12 1833
Then appeared before me, the subscriber to the above deposition (Samuel Browning) and after being duly examined cautioned and sworn by me made oath to the truth of the above subscribed affidavit which was by me reduced to writing in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence. And I further Certify that the said Samuel Browning is well known to me that his character for truth and veracity is good and that said affidavit is entitled to full faith and credit.
Joshua B. Rathbun Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washingon County Sc
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Joshua B
Page 19

Rathbune Esqr. before whom the annexed supplimental
affidavit, was taken and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace
duly elected and qualifed within and for the County of
Washington in said State, & that his signature thereto, is in his
own proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 14th
Day of February in the year 1833 Saml Helme Clk
Page 20

Rev. Records     3-397
S. (?) NO. 12304
Samuel Browning
Rev. War
                                                       V. L. K; Ex'r
                    Department of the Interior
                      Bureau of Pensions,
                       Washington, D.C., 
                           March 2, 1907

SIR:
   For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Samuel Browning pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832 by certificate No. 10479, issued April 10,1833,$80, per annum from March 4 1831, R. I. Agency, showing date of death, date of last payment of pension and to whom it was paid. 

Very respectfully, 
(?)
Commissioner.
Interior Department,
Pension L March 7,1917 office
Page 21

                                      TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                                          WASHINGTON  
OFFICE OF 
AUDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
IN REPLYING QUOTE INITIALS 
 
                                                    MARCH 6,1917

The Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir:
   In reply to your letter of the 2nd instant you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U.S. Pension Agent, at Providence, R.I. the records of this office show last payment to have been made to Samuel Browning. Priv.,Army Rev., certificate No. 10479, and $80.00 per annum.  to March 4,1845, to Samuel B. Smith, Attorney.  Said pensioner resided in North Kingston, Washington County, R.I., for fifty years, but the date of his death is not shown.

Letter herewith returned.
Respectfully
Astor A Price
Auditor.
By
Deputy Auditor.
Page 22

O. W. & N. Division.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

F. S.
M. E. C.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., November 29, 1895.

Sir:
   In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Samuel Browning --- 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.

DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. COLONEL.
STATE.

See Supplemental statement.

Battles engaged in, None -- see above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, North Kingston, R.I.
Date of application for pension. September 4, 1832.
Residence at date of application, North Kingston, R.I.
Age at date of application, Seventy-seven years. Born at N. Kingston.

Remarks:

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Mr. A. C. Arnold
Stanford, Conn.

870blm
Page 23

Supplemental statement.
(Samuel Browning)

In the summer of 1776 he enlisted and served three months as a private in Capt. James Parker's company, of Col. John Cook's Rhode Island regiment; about one month after again entered the service as a substitute for one Benjamin Tanner, and served on month as a private in Capt. William Taylor's company of Col. Charles Dyer's regiment; after that he was frequently drafted to render alternate monthly tours of guard duty, &c., as occasion demanded, and in this way probably served at least six months during each of the years 1777, '78, and '79.
His officers during this time were Capt. Wm. Taylor, Capt. John Cole, Capt. Nathaniel Shearman, Col. Charles Dyer, and probably others whose names he did not mention. He was engaged in several small skirmishes and was on Rhode Island during the expeditions of Spencer and Sullivan.
Page 24

Record Division.

May 12, 1910.

Mr. A. C. Arnold,
P. O. Box 1,
Stamford, Conn.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 7th and received the 10th instant, you are advised that in the claim of Samuel Browning, Sur. File No. 12,304, Revolutionary War, the date of his death is not stated.
For the date of last payment of his pension and probable date of death, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, citing the following data: Samuel Browning, Certificate No. 10,479, issued April 10, 1933, at $80. per annum under Act of June 7, 1832, Rhode Island Agency.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Records Division.

May 19, 19190

Mr. A. C. Arnold,
P. O. Box 1,
Stamford, Conn.
Page 25

A. C. Arnold,
Cabinet Maker and Jobber
Shop: Quintard Place.
Residence: Clinton Ave. Cor. Division St.

O. W. & N. Division
F. S.
M. E. C. 

Stamford, Conn., June 9th 1913

Commissioner Pensions
Dear Sir

The enclosed certified copy of the Smith family record I would like to have placed with the other papers of Samuel Browning. A Revolutionaery soldier Residence North Kingstown R. I. Applied for pension Sept. 4th 18332. Age at Application 77 years

I want to file this with his papers for the benefit of his descendants who wish to join the sons or daughters of the Revolution.

Very respectfully
Alfred C. Arnold

Pension Office
D June
17
1913
U.S.
Page 26

I, WILLIAM F. WATERBURY, Town Clerk of the Town of Stamford, declare that Mr. Alfred C. Arnold handed me a part of a family record, of which the following is a copy:
"List of deth
Stephan Smith died June 15, 1873 in the 86 year of his age.
Luly Browning died October the 6, 1836.
Anna Smith died October the 26, 1844 in the 61 year of hir age.
Samuel Browning died June the 3, 1845 in the 91 year of his age."
William F. Waterbury
Town Clerk

Sworn to before me this 22nd day of May, A. D., 1913, at Stamford Connecticut.
Mabel E. Hamilton
Notary Public

Pension Office
D
Jun
17
1913
U.S.
Page 27

Rev. War Section.

June 24, 1913.

Mr. Alfred C. Arnold.
Quintard Place,
Stamford, Conn.
Sir:
In compliance with your request dated the 8th and received the 17th instant, the record of deaths of Stephen and Anna Smith, Luly and Samuel Browning, certified to as a copy of part of a family record, has this day been filed in the pension claim of Samuel Browning, Sur. File No. 12,304, Revolutionoary War.
Very respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner

Looked up, not left in claim as no relationships given as to Samuel Browning, nor is it a copy of the Town Record.
It is a copy of Mr. Arnolds family record which was given to the Town Clerk by Mr A.
AW