Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,297, Brownell Amesbury, Mass. Navy
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE                                          NUMBER
Mass.         Amesbury, Brownell      S. 18,297
Navy      or Armsby  or Brownwell

carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

[opposite page, left: 75
Bristol]

6723
Massachusetts

Brownwell Amesbury
of Bristol in the State of Mass
who was a pr & arm in the company commanded
by Captain Kempton of the [illegible] commanded
by - in the Massachusetts
line for 8 Mos Armorer.   and Navy.
6 " Private   F.W. Jan 19, 1910.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
t the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Marc
1833 and Sent to Hon
J L. Hodges at a

Arrears to 4th of March 1833 160.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book D Vol. 2 Page 34
Page 3

Brownell Amsbury
18791

J. L Hodges
H. R.
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
BRISTOL, SS.
AT a COURT OF PROBATE holden at [handwritten] Dighton [end handwritten] in and for said County on the
[handwritten] fifth [end handwritten] day of [handwritten] October [end handwritten]
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIJAH
BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared [handwritten] Brownell Amesbury [end handwritten]
a resident of [handwritten] New Bedford [end handwritten] in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged [handwritten] seventy four [end handwritten] years,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress,
passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration. [handwritten] That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit, under, Captain
Manasseh Kempton Lt. [crossed out: Thomas Cook, Col.] Robert Earl [crossed out: Hathaway], again under Capt Robert Earl
Lt. William West, the names of all the field officers he has forgotten; -
again under Capt Hacker in the Sloop Providence [illegible] Philip Brown & Gardiner,
said Sloop was in the Service of the State of Rhode Island as he thinks though her principal
port of rendezvous was New Bedford in Massachusetts; he entered on board said Sloop twice:
and the particulars of his several services he will state in reply to the fifth subjoined interrogatory; [end handwritten]
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in [handwritten] Little Compton [end handwritten] in the County of [handwritten] Newport [end handwritten] and [handwritten] State [end handwritten] of [handwritten] Rhode Island [end handwritten]
in the year one thousand seven hundred and [handwritten] fifty eight- Jany. 20 [end handwritten]
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? [handwritten] On my bible in my possession. [end handwritten]
.3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where
do you now live? [handwritten] I lived in Dartmouth when called into service and since New Bedford
was divided from Dartmouth I have lived & still live in New Bedford [end handwritten]
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute,
for whom? [handwritten] I voluntarily enlisted every time. [end handwritten]
Page 5

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental
and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. [the rest is handwritten] Under Capt. Kempton I
entered in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven and marched from Dartmouth
to Fogland's Ferry in the State of Rhode Island to join what was called Spenser's Expedition; we marched
then to Howland's Ferry and made attempts to cross to Rhode Island, but did not succeed; then we
marched to Bristol in the same State and embarked in the night in flat bottomed boats, and went
down the Bay to North Kingstown, then called Updike's Newtown, where we staid some time &
while there a party of which I was one were detached to the Island of Conanicut where we landed
and took one prisoner a sentry, but being discovered were obliged to return; afterwards we went to
[written in left margin: 3 mo.] Providence and there served out the term of our enlistment which was three months, performing
garrison duty; Under Capt. Earl, I entered in the summer of Seventeen hundred and seventy
eight and marched to Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island and were stationed between Fogland
Ferry & Howland's Ferry & built us booths in the wood & staid until the time of Sullivan's Expedition,
in which we joined and marched to the American lines where we did duty for awhile, till the retreat to Butts's Hill,
when our Company being composed of men who lived on the Sea coast were employed in the boat
service for said Expedition; I saw the Battle at Quaker Hill & during that day was in one of
the boats employed in transporting the wounded of our army from the Island to the Main;
after the battle we carried arms & ammunition in boats to Providence & having delivered
them were ordered to Pawtuxet a few miles below Providence where we were employed in
guarding the Coasts against the enemy until this term of service, which was also for three
[written in left margin: 3 mo.] months, was out; On board the Providence I entered at New Bedford in the winter of seventeen
hundred and seventy nine, we sailed first to Boston where we joined Company with the Frigate
Providence and sailed together on a cruise; but were separated by a gale of wind, afterwards,
back of Long Island, we fell in with the British armed Brig Diligence of equal force with ours,
and after an engagement of an hour & a half captured the Brig and brought her into the
port of New Bedford; I was in the said Sloop on this Service about four months; after our
arrival at New Bedford I again entered on board said Sloop, & when refitted we sailed again
on another cruise and joined in the expedition to Penobscot under Commodore Saltonstall; the
Page 6

[written in left margin: 10 m.] expedition failed and after lying before the Place a long time doing nothing the enemys
fleet arrived [crossed out text] and we were compelled to run up the river and burn our
ships to prevent their falling into the enemy's hands; after which I made my way through
the woods with much suffering, and at length reached home, having been engaged on this
Service about four months from the time of my entering till my arrival home; for proof
[written in left margin: 4 m.] of my several services aforesaid I refer to the annexed affidavits.
[left margin: 14 m.]
Page 7

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if 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? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom
was it signed, and what has become of it?
[handwritten] I was a private soldier in the Militia; and on board
the Sloop Providence I was the armourer; I never had a written discharge. [end handwritten]

7. State the names of the 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.
[handwritten] Richard Williams Esq. - William Fullman both of New Bedford
and the Revd. Pardon G. Seabury and Jabez Taber Esq
both of Fairhaven - [end handwritten]

And the said [handwritten] Browning Amesbury - [end handwritten] doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency
of any State, [crossed out print: or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of] [handwritten] Brownell Armsby [end handwritten]

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[handwritten signature] H. Baylies, [end handwritten] Judge of Probate.

WE [handwritten] Pardon G. Seabury a Clergyman [end handwritten] residing in [handwritten] Fairhaven
adjoining New Bedford - [end handwritten] and [handwritten] Jabez Taber Esq [end handwritten] residing in the same [handwritten] Town [end handwritten] hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with [handwritten] Browning Amesbury [end handwritten] who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration; that we believe him to be [handwritten] about seventy four [end handwritten] 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.
[handwritten signature] Pardon G Seabury.
[handwritten signature] Jabez Taber,
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.  [handwritten signature] H. Baylies, [end handwritten] Judge of Probate.
Page 8

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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as
he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that [handwritten] Pardon G. Seabury [end handwritten] who has signed the
preceding certificate is [handwritten] a Clergyman - [end handwritten] resident in the Town of [handwritten] Fairhaven - [end handwritten] in said County of
Bristol, and that [handwritten] Jabez Taber - [end handwritten] who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[handwritten signature] H. Baylies [end handwritten], Judge of Probate.
[crossed out print: Register of Probate.]

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
BRISTOL, SS.
I [handwritten] Anselm Bassett - [end handwritten] Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [handwritten] Browning
or Br [illegible- covered by object] Armsbury [end handwritten] of [handwritten] New Bedford [end handwritten] in said County, for a Pension.
n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first
above written.
[handwritten signature] Anselm Bassett
[to the left is a faint filled-in circle on a diamond-shaped piece of paper, no legible text]
[at the bottom is illegible text from a different page behind this one]
Page 9

16,791
Brownwell Amesbury

6 mos Private
8 " Armourer
Adm'd $80 -

Cap [illegible]
Kempton
J. L. Hodges
H. R.
Page 10

16.791
BRIEF in the case of [handwritten] Brownwell Amesbury [end handwritten]
of [handwritten] Bristol Cy [end handwritten] in the State of [handwritten] Mass [end handwritten]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [handwritten] a Court [end handwritten]
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [handwritten] - [end handwritten]
3. How old is he? [handwritten] 74
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. (Years, Months, Days.) Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

'77 fall - 3 - private Capt Kempton - - part of time on garrison duty
'78 Summer [crossed out print] - 3 - . Capt Earl
79 Winter - # about 4 - Armourer Sloop Providence Capt Hacker
afterwards - # about 4 - . do do

5. In what battles was he engaged?
[handwritten] with British armed Brig Diligence [end handwritten]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
[handwritten] Dartmouth [end handwritten]
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
[handwritten] 3 living Witnesses [end handwritten]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
[handwritten] Right [end handwritten]
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
[handwritten signature] W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
[handwritten] 14 Feby 1833 [end handwritten]

[handwritten, lower left corner: # time stated as being 4 mos by
the witnesses]
Page 11

18297
INVALID.
File No. 18297
Brownwell Amesbury
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

Jabez Hathaway
for
Brownen Armsba
Page 13

I Jabez Hathaway Formerly of Dartmouth Now New Bedford
in the County of Bristol State of Massachusetts of the
age of seventy six years
Testify and say that I was a Soldier and a Mariner
in the war of the American Revolution in the year 1779
between three & four Months in the Sloop Providence Capt Hison
Hacker, Commander on an Expedishan to Ponopsket
whair the Sloop was burnt and we had to march through
the woods home

I Knew Browning Amesbury Formerly of Dartmouth Now
New Bedford in the County of Bristol and he was on
bord said Sloop on the Expedishan with me between ^three & four Months
according to the best of my Recorlection and belieave said
Browning Amesbury has Resided in the Town of Dartmouth
and New Bedford Ever sence  [signature] Jabez Hathaway
Fairhaven August 27 1832

Bristol Ss August 27th 1832 Then the above naimed
Jabez Hathaway personally appeared and solemnly swore to the
above deposition by him subscribed together with his answers to the above
Interrogatories therein contained
and I ferther certify that I am personally acquainted with the said
Jabez Hathaway that he is of good character for Truth and that his
testimony is intitled to credit
Jabez Taber Justice of the Peace
Page 14

I Lettis Washburn Formerly of Dartmouth Now Fairhaven
in the County of Bristol State of Massachusetts of the
age of seventy four years
Testify and say that I was a Soldier and a Meriner
in the war of the Amerencan Revolution in the year 1779
four - months in the Sloop Providence Capt Histon
Hacker Commander on a Cruse and took the Brigg
Delligence a Kings Brigg of Warr
I Knew Browning Amesbury Formerly of Dartmouth Now
New Bedford in the County of Bristol and he was on
bord said Sloop four Months and was in the
Ingagement when we tooke the Brig Indelegence 1 1/2 ours
according to the best of my Recorlection and belieave said
Browning Amesbury has Resided in the Town of Dartmouth
and New Bedford Ever sence Lettis his [hand drawn X] mark Washburn
Fairhaven August 16 - 1832
Present
Jabez Taber
Page 15

Bristol Ss August 16th 1832 Then the within Lettis
Washbern personally appeared and Solemnly swore
to the within deposition by him subscribed
together with his answers to the Interrogatories therein
contained before me Jabez Taber Justice of the Peace
and I ferther certify that I am personally acquainted with
the said, Lettis Washborn that he is of good cheracter
for truth and that his Te[illegible]ny is intitled to credit
Jabez Taber Justice of the Peace
[vertical writing on right edge of page: Lettis Washburn
for
Brownen Amesby]
Page 16

Stephen West
for
Brownen Armsbury

[written sideways along right edge of page: Anselm Bassett]
Page 17

I Stephen West Formerly of Dartmouth Now New Bedford
in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts
of the age of seaventy six years
Testify and say that I was a Soldier in the war of
the Amerecan Revolution in the year 1777 three Months
in the State of Rhode Island
in Spencers Expedition in Capt Monasseh Kempton,
Company Lieutennant Thomas Cook Crestafer Hammond
orderly sargent in Cornal Hathaway, Rigment
I Knew Browning Amesbury then of the Town of
Dartmouth now New Bedford and he was in said
Company and served three Months the term of Enlistment
was three months according to the best of my Recorlection
and belief,
I further Testify and say that I was a Soldier in
the war of the Amerecan Revolution in the year
1778 one and half months in the State of Rode
Island in Sullevens Expedishan in Capt Robert
Earls Company and a Lieut [illegible] William [illegible]
I Knew Browning Amesbury then of the Town of
Dartmouth now New Bedford and he was in said
Company & I Left him thair the term of Enlistment
was three months according to the best of my Recorletion
and belief, said Browning Amesbury has Resided
in the Town of Dartmouth and New Bedford Ever
sence
Stephen West
New Bedford October 3 - 1832

Bristol Ss October 3th 1832 Then the above named Stephen West
personally appered & maid solem oath to the above deposition
and I ferther certify that I am personally acquainted with the
said Stephen West and that he is of good carrecterd for
Truth and that his testimony is entitled to credet
before me
Jabez Taber Justice of the Peace

[right edge of page, halfway down: image of what appears to be part of a ribbon, coming from behind this page]
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts-
Bristol Ss.  I Anselm Bassett Register
of the Court of Probate in and for the said
County of Bristol, do hereby Certify that
Jabez Taber is a Justice of the Peace for
said County & that the foregoing signatures
which are affixed to the foregoing Affidavits,
purporting to be his, are the genuine
signatures of the said Jabez Taber -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & the Seal of the said
Court this 22d. day of October AD. 1832
Anselm Bassett

[left margin of page halfway down: image of a large dark circle with what appears to be ribbon attached; no legible text]
Page 19

16,791
Brownwell Amesbury

J. L. Hodges
H. R.
Page 20

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
[handwritten] Brownwell Amesbury [end handwritten] which require
further proof or explanation.

[the answers to the following questions are all handwritten]
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Yes
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?
Yes
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?
[crossed out: No]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
[crossed out: No]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes
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?
Yes
Page 21

2
[All answers to the following printed questions are handwritten.]
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?
Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?  Yes
  If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? Yes

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?
Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes

[the rest of text is printed]
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 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 - months
and - days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 22

3
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 [italicized] about three or four months [end italicized] is too indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state 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 shewn 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he 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.
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 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
[printed symbol of a hand pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.