Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 18743, Sylvanus Braman, Conn. Mass.
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Conn.   Bramon, Sylvanus   S. 18743
Mass.                                       carded
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6724
Massachusetts

Sylvanus Braman of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Crane of the ------ commanded by ------ n the Massachusetts line for 20 mos private of art, 21 days pr of Infantry
Mass & Continental

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 85 Dollars 65 Center per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of March 1833 and sent to Hon G S Hodges HR

Arrears to 4th of March 1833  171.30
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  42.83
                                  ---------------------
                                        $214.13

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Daniel Doyl Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 2  Page 96
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4844
Sylvanus Braman
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
Britol, ss.}

At a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton in and for said County on the twenty ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two by [unk] , before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Sylvanus Braman 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. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein after stated to wit- I volunteered into a company of Artillery & I was in Providence in the State of R.I. when I enlisted, and it was in April in the year 1775 said company was commanded by Captain John Crane. I will state further particulars of my service in my answer to the fifth interrogations, 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 Norton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty three and on the 17th day of June of that year.

2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it?  ans, there is a record of my age in the office of the Town Clerk of said Norton which is hereto annexed & also have in y Family Bible.

3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you live now?  ans, I was living in Providence when I first enlisted, I afterwards enlisted in Roxbury, I have lived in Norton ever since the war, & now live in Norton.

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?  ans, I never was drafted except at an alarm, I always enlisted voluntarily, I was never a substitute.

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.
Captain Crane alluded to above, was said at that time to be of Boston, I marched from Providence through [unk], from there did [unk] to Roxbury soon after the news of the Lexington fight reached Providence, this campaign was eight months, we were stationed in said Roxbury during the whate time my other company officers were Lt. Jotham Drury and Ensign Jeremiah Freeman, Freeman was of [unk]; Gen Thomas was frequently with us, I am not quite certain but think our company was under his immediate command and at the expiration of said eight months I was verbally discharged by my officers & before I returned home I again enlisted for one year. I refer to Benjamin Braman affidavit to prove this my first campaign. I enlisted for a second campaign as above stated for one year. I was n Roxbury when I enlisted, this Company was an Artillery company was raised in Massachusetts.

over
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And our former Lt. Jotham Drury was at this campaign appointed our Captain, Benajah Carpenter of the hoboth was our Lieutenant, & Jeremiah Freeman was our ensign. I marched from Roxbury to Dorchester & there was stationed a part of our campaign, and after the evacuation of Boston which was in March 1776 we were marched to Providence and from there to Hainfield in Connecticut & from there to New London & to New York & remained in and about the City a while, and were after moved to Hard Gate, & to Long Islan & was there in the battle on the Island, I was also marched to a place called White Plains and was there at the battle at that place. We soon after went up the Hudson river and at the proper season we went to winter quarters a little back from the river, Gen Knox frequently took the command of us while at New York. I think our service at New York was called continental service, or that we were placed under continental officers, and at the expiration of said year I received a verbal discharge from my officer and returned home. I refer to Isaac Hodges affidavit to prove this my second campaign.

I was also called out & marched at two several times, the first at a place called Slades ferry in the state of Mass & the second we were ordered on to Rhode Island & were placed in tat fort at that place, this was at an alarm I then served about three weeks these periods were short and I do not now recollect my officers nor but a little about the circumstances of the service. During my campaign at Roxbury I well recollect Generals Putnam & Thomas. And at & about New York, I well recollect Washington, Knox, and the traitor Arnold. I also saw many other officers whose names I have now forget.

Sylvanus Braman was born June 17th 1753
A true copy of Record attest John Nounce Town Clerk
Norton 29th August
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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?  ans. I was a soldier and I never received a written discharge, I was never an officer in the army.

7. State the names of persons to whom your 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. I refer to the Rev. Pitt Clark and Cromwell Leonard Ensign both of Norton in said County of Bristol

And the said Sylvanus Braman 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.

Sylvanus Braman

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

H. Baylies Judge of Probate

We Pitt Clark a clergyman residing in Norton and Cromwell Leonard residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sylvanus Braman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy-nine 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.

Pitt Clark      Cromwell Leonard

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

H Baylis Judge of Probate

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 Pitt Clark who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Cromwell Leonard 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.

H Baylis, Judge of Probate

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
Bristol ss.}

I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Sylvanus Braman of Norton in said County, for a Pension
In testimony wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.

Anselm Bassett
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Sylvanus Braman

Cap Crane
14 ob
Jany 12 1853

20 mos private of artillery
21 days " of Infantry
adm'd

Page 200



Hon J L Hoges
HR
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BRIEF in the case of Sylvanus Braman of the County of Bristol in the State of Mass.
(Act 7th June, 1832)

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

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

3. How old is he?  79 years

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

Period: In 1775 Apr
Duration of Service: 8 mos
Rank: Private
Names of General and Field Officer under whom he served: Capt Crane, in the Artly

Period: 76 Mar
Duration of Service: 1 year
Rank" ditto
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Capt Drury " Artillery

Period: called out on alarms
Duration of Service: 21 days
Rank: drafted
Names of General and Field Officers under he served: Officers not recollected

In what battles was he engaged?  Long Island, White Plains

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Providence & Roxbury

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

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

Levin Belt
Examining Clerk
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No 41844
Sylvanus Braman
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sylvanus Braman which require further proof or explanation.

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 amount of pension he is entitled?  yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes in 2 cases not recollected in the third

VII. Has he made a relinquishment to every claim to any other person 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
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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?

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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? no

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

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 the 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."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 expression are objectionable.

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 authenticated 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 end 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.
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18743 
INVALID

File No. 18742
Sylvanus Braman
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7 32

Index:- Vol. 1, Page 446

[Arrangement of 1870]
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I Isaac Hodges of the Town of Norton in the County Bristol & State of Massachusetts being seventy five years of age do hereby testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Sylvanus Braman of said Norton for a great number of years and that I knew of said Braman serving as a private soldier in a campaign of one year in the army of the American Revolution in a company of Artillery which was raised in the State of Massachusetts & I am not certain but think it was continental service & in a company commanded by Jotham Drury & Benajah Carpenter Lieutenant, Jeremiah Freeman was Ensign, the company were stationed a part of the campaign at Dorchester Massachusetts & a part of said campaign in & about the city of New Yor in the year 1776. Dated at Norton this 13th day of August AD 1832.

Isaac Hodges

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss.

Before me, in of the Justices of the Peace within & for the county of Bristol, personally appeared Isaac Hodges subscriber to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts according to the best of his recollection & belief. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 13th day of August 1832.

Croml Leonard Justice of Peace
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Bristol ss. Jany 23d 1833 I certify that Isaac Hodges signed the within affidavit is in my opinion a disinterested & credible witness.

Croml Leonard Justice Peace
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I Benjamin Braman of Norton in the county of Bristol & state of Massachusetts being seventy eight years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Sylvanus Braman of said Norton for a great number of years and that he served as a private soldier in the army of the American Revolution in a company of Artillery commanded by Capt John Crane, Lieutenant Jotham Drury & ensign Jeremiah Freeman were the other company of [unk], and the services was in the year 1775 & was stationed in Roxbury & Dorchester in said State and said campaign was eight months and I am not certain but think that Gen. Thomas had the command serving said campaign.

Dated at Norton this 13 day of August AD 1832.

Benjamin Braman

Bristol ss. January 23d 1833 I certify that Benjamin Braman who signed the above affidavit is in my opinion a distinctive & credible witness.

Croml Leonard Justice Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss.}

Before me, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Bristol personally appeared Benjamin Braman subscriber to the within affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and quality this 13th day of August AD 1832.

Croml Leonard Justice of Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.

I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said county of Bristol do hereby certify that Cromwell Leonard is a Justice of the Peace in & for said county & duly qualified to administer oaths and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty three.

Anselm Bassett
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The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT CARD*
NAME Bramble, David
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 10958
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED August 14 179?
to Francis Sherrard assigner

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrant Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the application for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.