Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39221, Joseph Britton, Continental Md.
Page 1

SERVICE
Continental
Md.

Britton, Joseph

NUMBER
S39221
B.L. Wt. 244-200. Lieut
Issued July 30.1790
No papers
and
Half pay claim, Act. July 3,1832
Page 2

6673
Tennessee East

Joseph Britton
of  in the state of Tennessee
who was a Lieutenant in the regiment commanded by
Colonel N Gist of the Virginia
line, for the term of 3 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 27 of June 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th of Feby 1819
and sent to Hon J Rhea
House of Representatives

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 2 mo 8/30 =  45..33
Semi-anl. all'cc ending 4th Mar 1819      120.00
                                                               ________
                                                               $165.33

Pensions under
Act 15 May 1828

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
Page 3

State of Tennessee
Washington County Ss
Personally appeared before me Thomas Emmerson one of the Judges of the State of Tennessee, Joseph Britton, Aged Sixty five years last march, who being duly sworn according to Law, deposeth & Saith, that on the sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in Capt Henry Waggermans Company in Col.o Nathaniel Gists Regiment of Rangers, one of the additional Regiments Raised by order of Congress, as will appear by his recruiting instructions of that date herewith inclosed as also by his Commission bearing date, the 18th June 1778 - also herewith inclosed, that persuant to the instructions of Commission, this Deponent entered into the recruiting service, by continued to recruiting soldiers untill after the battle of German Town above Philadelphia, and when the army lay at a place - called white Marsh, above German town this Deponent joined the army, with his recruits, of Capt Waggaman not having joined the Company Capt Joseph Smith was appointed in his place, the Com-
Page 4

pany was then attached to the third Maryland Regiment at that time commanded by Colo Nathaniel Ramsey the army on the part thereof to which this Deponent was attached was at that time commanded by Gen.l Smallwood the following winter was quartered at Wilmington Delaware from thence the next spring we marched to Valley Forge from thence we sersued the Brittish into the State of New Jersey, & this Deponent was in & fought at the Battle of Montmouth, on the 28 June 1778. from thense we marched with Smallwoods [Brigade crossed out] division of the army up the North river to licks Kill from thence we crossed over to the white plains, that Between that of Kings bridge, under the immediate command of Col.o Nathaniel Gist, being on an advanced Guard, this Deponent was taken prisoner on the 16.th September 1778. & taken into the City of New York, & put into prison for twelve days, from thence admitted on parole on Long Island & there remained a prisoner of War untill the 2nd April 1781 as will appear by a pass of that Date herewith inclosed that on the 20th April 1781 - this Deponent was commissioned a first Lieut in said Gists Reg.t as will appear by the Commission herewith inclosed & to which he refers, which commission entitled
Page 5

this Deponent to take rank, from the 23d April 1779 - he further states that on the 23d May 1781 he setled his accounts with the auditor of accounts of the main army as will also appear by the Copy of the account herewith inclosed
This Deponent further states, that he hereto fore has never asked for, nor received any pension whatever from the said United States of American, and if such has been allowed or alloted to him, he Does hereby relinquish his Claim to any such pension.
He further states that he is poor, upon his Reduced circumstances he nees the assistance of his Country for support, he further States that he was born in the state of Pennsylvania & raised in the State of Maryland that he remained a Citizen of Maryland untill the Year 1786, that he then removed to Washington County in the State of Tennessee, where he resided, untill near three years ago, that he now resides in Hawkins County, in the State of Tennessee, about thirteen miles from Hagersville in said Count and further this Deponent saith not Sworn to & Subscribed this 27th June 1818-
[signed on right] Joseph Britton
Attested
[signed] Thos Emmerson Clk
Page 6

State of Tennessee
Washington County.  I James V. Anderson Clerk for Circuit Court for the County aforesaid do Certify that Tho.s Emmerson Esq.r who hath taken the forgoing Deposition & statement, was at the Time thereof& now is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of the State aforesaid & presiding Judge, in the Circuit Court for the County of Washington aforesaid, that full faith & credit is due to his attestation as such, as well in Court of Justice as there only  In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my private seal Having no seal of Office, at office this 27th June 1818
[Adm written upside down] 
[signed on right] James V. Anderson
[seal affixed on left]

[faint, illegible writing, upside down, on bottom of page]
Page 7

Joseph Britton Dida
ration
Page 8

August [illegible] 1820
State of Tennessee
Hawkins County

On this twenty ninth day of August day of August 1820 Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the said County, Joseph Britton aged Sixty Eight years next march, resident of the said County of Hawkins, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oathdeclare that on the twenty seventh day of June 1878, he made of it his Declaration before the Honorable Judge Emmerson & [next three words illegible} Certificate dated 5th February 1819 & no 6673 and that he served in the Revolutionary War. also that he was appointed a Second Lieutenant on Capt Henry Waggamans Company, in Col Nathaniel Gist Regiment of Rangers and the additional Regiment raised by order of Congress, that persuant to his instructions and Commissioned (heretofore forwarded to the Department of War) he continued to Recruiting Soldiering till after the battle of Germantown, above Philadelphia, and when the army lay at White Marsh, above Germantown, this Deponent joined the army with his recruits, & Cap.t Waggaman not having joined the Company Cap.t Joseph Smith was appointed in his place, & the Company at that time was attached to the third Maryland Regiment, at that time commanded by Col.o Nathaniel Ramsey, the army or that part thereof to which this Deponent was attached was at that time Commanded by General Smallwood, & the following winter was quartered at Willmington Delaware, from thence the next Spring we marched to Valley Forge, & from thence we persued the British Army into the State of New Jersey, and this Deponent was in & fought in the Battle of Monmouth, in the 28th June 1778 and from thence we marched with Smallwood, division of the Army up the North River to Peekskill, & from thence we crossed over to the White Plains, that [illegible] that, & Kings bridges under the [illegible] command of Col.o Nathaniel Gist, being on an advanced Guard, the Deponent was taken prisoner, on the 16th September 1778, & taken into the City of New York & put into
Page 9

Prison for twelve days, from thence admitted on Parole on Long island, & thence remained a prisoner untill the 2.d of April 1781 - and on the 20th Aril 1781- this Deponent was Commissioned a first Lieutenant which commission entitled this Deponent to take rank from the 23 April 1779 - as will appear by his commission heretofore forwarded together with the other vouchers accompanying them to which he refers, and I do solemenly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by Gift sale or in any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby so the diminish it, as to bring myself, 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 this 18th March 1818, & that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other that what is contained in the schedule hereto ammended, & by me subscribed, towit 

[1st column of 3]
124 acres of mountain land   $124.~
1 Small horse 20 yrs old     25.~
1 do 3 yrs old     20.~
1 Cow Calf    9.~
1 do 3 yrs Old lost one Tet  6.~
3 Calves   8.~
1 Sow 5 y.r old  4.~
2 do 1 year old   4.~
4 barrows small   6.~
4 Shorty ~ utensils [illegible]   4.~
1 old Collar    ~.25
2 paint cans    ~.75
2 pair Chains   2.~
2 Old Leather back bands    ~.33
1 Old plow           1.75
1 Shovel plow     1.~
1 Set [illegible] of [illegible]  .33
1 [illegible] hoe   ~.75
3 old hoes   ~.75
2 falling [illegible] 2.~
1 old wooden Toothed Harrow  ~.6
1 Sychels of [illegible]  1.25
                      ____________
[column total] $221.22

[Column 2 of 3]
amt bro.t up 221.22
1 Sickle    ~.33
1 Old Culliny Knife & steak within box ~.12
1 Old broad axe   ~.75
1 Old cross cut saw   1.~
1 Old Hand saw   ~.33
1 Old adze  ~.33
2 Augurs  ~.25
1 Turkey Oil Stone or piece thereof  ~.16
1 Small Stone [illegible]  .18
2 Old bench planes   ~.33
1 set Old floor & Groving planes  ~.12
4 old moulding planes  ~.18
1 spota set  ~.12
1 Gimblet   ~.6
1 Pair small compasses  ~.6
1 Iron Crow bar  2.~
1 Grind Stone    ~.50
1 Glue Pot   ~.33
3 Iron Wedges   1.~
1 Trow    ~.33
1 Ten Gallon Kettle with a crack in botton  1.~
18 Gallon pot with a hole in the side   1
2.4 Galon pot       1.50
5 qt. Tea Kettle    3.~
                          _____________
[column total]    $236.20

[Column 3 of 3]
amt bro.t up $236.20
3 sitting chairs       ~.66
3 pairs of chains     ~.50
1 Walnut Table     1.50
1 Small Chest box  ~.6~
2 Old pewter dishes   ~.66
6 plates             ~.75
1 Pair Steel Cards      1.25
3 pails & [illegible]  ~.50
1 Small wooden buckets  ~.20
1 Coffee mill   1.~
1 Old Oven    ~.33
1 Iron pot rack   ~.50
4 Old Knives & forks  ~.37
1 bottle    ~.12
1 Iron candle stick & snuffer  ~.12
1 wooden bottom sifter  ~.25
1 Small looking Glass   1.~
1 small trunk    ~.12
2 Old Razors   ~.33
3 Old Grain Tubs   ~.50
                            _______________
                            $ 244.82
Total amount Debt due to this applicant
                                  60.
                             ________________
                             $ 306.82
Page 10

This Deponent further States, that he owes & stands indebted to to several persons to the amount of three hundred Dollars, & upwards, & he has no other means to pay the [illegible] but by means of the before mentioned property
This Deponent further States he learned the trade of a waggon maker but never followed it since the revolutionary war, [illegible mark] and has for many Years become a former, which he now considers His occupation, by reason of his age & body infirmities he is unable either to follow his trade or obtain a living by Labour  he further states, he has a wife who is greatly afflicted with disease & more than half her time is confined to her bed by sickness, & that she is altogether unable to work, & this deponent to get a living, he further, states, he has a daughter in her twenty ninth Year who has a weakly constitutional, who resides with him, but who is not able to do much towards aiding him in obtaining a living & how long she may choose to reside with him, this Deponent cannot tell, he also has another daughter in her fifteenth year, & a small boy going on thinks eleventh year of his age, being all his children who reside with him, & now able to maintain themselves or or very little more if able,
Sworn to and Declared on this 29th August 1820 before
[signed on right] Joseph Britton

State of Tennessee, I Stockly D. Mitchell, Clerk of the Court of pleas & quarter sessions for the County of Hawkins do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto answered are truly copied from the records of the said County, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of this said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is three hundred and six dollars and eighty two cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand, and affixed the seal of Office at Office in Hagersville this 29th day of August 1820
[signed on right] S.D. Mitchell Clk
Page 11

Power of Attorney
from Jo.s Brittons
kin-
Page 12

We the under signed heirs of Joseph Britton a lieutenant and Captain in the Revolutionary War, who was a pensioner paid as [illegible], Tennessee and who died the 16 day of november 1842 do constitute and appoint [illegible] D. [illegible] to present a claim we have against the United States in light of our said ancestor and [illegible] allow him a reasonable compensation out of the Money if he obtains any and nothing if he does not.  Witness one [illegible] this the 24 day of April 1850,
[signed on right]
David X his mark Britton [word seal in hand drawn circle]
R. H.. Stasey [work seal in hand drawn circle]
Elizabeth X her mark Britton [word seal in hand drawn circle]
Elvirey X her mark Britton [word seal in hand drawn circle]
Martha X her mark Bailey [word seal in hand drawn circle]
Archibald Tucker [word seal in hand drawn circle]
Sacket B [illegible] [word seal in hand drawn squiggle circle]
Page 13

Hon John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 14


Rogersville East Tennessee
Dr Sir
This address is in behalf of one of the Fathers
of our County Joseph Britton who I  believe and am satisfied have as high Claim  on his government for charity and assistance at the time as my American born son in he endured
many privations and hardships during our struggle or liberty I am satisfied, he has raised a numerous family say 13 children two of which lost their during the late war
he has sustained a good character in private life he is temporal and lives economically and prudently his children have all emigrated to different parts of this union  except three, two daughter and a little son unable to assist him who remain with him be is supported by the labor of his daughters principally
his wife is infirm and unable to do any thing
he has at this time but little property which
will appear from Schedule the forwarded accompaning this address I know it to be correct, before  the old gentleman was
stricken from the pension Roll I know he purchased property on credit and
anticipated  a continuance of his pension to meet those debts, the circumstance of his being stricken from the Roll of pension caused those to whom he was indebted to have but little money from him they pressed the claims against him and has realy (illegible) his property for one forth of value and he has not half property sufficient to satisfy the demand not against him. If constant  with the regulations of the Department which you have the honor to direct I do think He should be placed on the roll of pensions
Page 15

to draw from the time his pay was suspended
of there is no person acquainted with Joseph Britton in the community but will rejoice to see him as this time aided by his country-- The Hon John Blair has known him from his infancy I refer
you to him for further information also to the
Hon John Cocke If a petition was record
to strengthen his claim to a pension from his
Government I am satisfied that hundreds could
be had
 I am respectfully your O Servant
Jno A Rogers
Hon. John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 16


Revy
39221
INVALID.
File No.   39221
Joseph Britton
Lieut Rev War
Act: 18 March 18"
Index: -- Vol. 3
 Page 59
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17


NO 12705
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14 1871.
-
WAR OF 1812.
Lt Joseph Britton
Va Line
Revolution

Discharged ............, 18
3035
H.J. Pay- Oct 32
Received.........., 187

Attorney.
Page 18

and from 1777
1st date in 1820
124 acres mountain land    $124.00
    1 Small horse 20 yrs old       25.00
       1 do 3 yrs old                      20.00
       1 cow                                     9.00
        1 do 3 yrs old                      6.00
        3 calves 4 sows                  16.00
         4 barrows                           10.00
          (illegible)                           36.82
                                                  $246.82     
        { many lines illegible}                          ⎬

complainants land schedule states that upon his being stricken from the rolls 
creditors pressed their claims against him and had recertified his 
property for one fourth of its value, and that he has not
property, sufficient to cover their demands against him
Claimant age 72
wife old and great deal of 
the time confined to
her bed  2 daughters and a son 
under age
companying the declaration of claim
is a letter from the Hon John Blain
that he has known claimant
his earliest recollection and
will save any question within hisB
knowledge which may be asked
Hon John Blair
13 Decr 1824
40.00
14.83
54.83
Page 19

Washington, D.C. March 22/61
Hon George C. Whitney
Commissioner of Pensions
Present
Sir
Be pleased to furnish me with a copy of the declaration of St Joseph Britton of Con
Nathaniel Best Regiment; pensioned
under the act of 1818, from the state,
of Tennessee, in which declaration he
States he entered the service the 6th
of February 1777. He soled his County
Land Claim in 1870, to Col John Evans
of Ross Coty Ohio whose heirs are 
applying to  (unreadable)  pay for a service of
of  three years,
Very Respectfully
obt sr 
R.B. Bagby
Page 20

Papers copied &
sent to Hon J L Taylor
Jan 30,49
Page 21


House of Reps
Washington City
20 Jany 1843
Dear Sir
Herein I hand you three papers marked A.B.C.
which relate to the business which I named to you this morning
A. being a letter from H. Massie to me relative
to the Lieut in Ohio, which he & I are
defending showing that the whole
point of the dispose & contraversy
in Ohio, is, as to the identity of the
Person, of Joseph Britten, who was 
a Lieut in Col. N. Gist in in the Revolutionary War
B. the letter of Mr. Wallan to Taylor & Marssin
the same subject & C.  man of the
papers, up which Joseph Britton late
Page 22

of Tennessee, Miriam a pensioner 
These the paper,
I wish (illegible)  to me; they are only part of those sent to me to and my investigation
-I am trying to get testimony at Baltimore & 
Richmond  (illegible)  in the same matter and my  object now is to get from your office  a  copy 
I have confidence in  full, up which the
Tennessee Britton obtained a 
Pension

(illegible )  other
matter or suggestions  that  you can
make, so that I may ferret out  the truth 

your Obt Sevt
J. L. Taylor
Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Comm of Pensions
Page 23

Revolutionary Claims
Under the act, entitled ""An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
SIR:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
29 Nov 1828.
I have the honor to inform you, that Joseph Britton formerly a Lieutenant in Col Gests
Regiment of the line of the Continental Army; and who has heretofore received a pension at the East Tennessee agency, has been admitted
to the benefits of the abovementioned act.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
Richard Rush 
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
No 121
Page 24

Joseph Britton
and Let A.L. Burene
Mill Bend (Ten)
Feby 26 1856
cannot and their
Letters.
Page 25


Mill Bend Tennesse 16 Feby 1856
Sir:
In behalf of the heirs of Lieutenant Joseph Britton deceased. who it is alledged was an officer of the Revolution in the Virginia
State line, and for said service was pensioned under act of Congress passed March 18. 1818 was enrolled and paid at the Jonesboro, Ten. Agency and died 16 Novr 1842. I beg leave to submit the enclosed authority.
It is alledged by the claimants that their ancestor the said officer was included within the provisions of the act of the Virginia legislature passed May 1779. Chas C. Hennings Statutes at large page 25, but which claim arising under said Virginia law was assumed by the United States by act approved 5 July 1832, the claim being half pay for life, from the date of his promotion as officer aforesaid all of
which I have assureance is familiar with yourself and office
It is further alledged that the half pay this granted was never applied for or received.
The officer died intestate, but an administrator was legally constituted who it is said has fully administered
There are it appears no forms furnished by the Secretary of the Treasury, nor by your office to which the adjustment of the class of claims was transfered by act congress 3 March 1835.
The "Rules furnished by the Comm of Pensions June 2, 1835, are silent as to the proper forum for verifying the testimony It is presumed that the list furnished by the Auditor of Virginia
will afford you such testimony corroborating the foregoing statements as will justify you to notice this communication. I therefore, set my
request
That you be pleased to furnish me the forms and instructions requisite in the case, if indeed there be in fact any such available claim to the heirs in question, I would not trespass
upon any rule or usage of your office, or in your goodness in the request, but my experience in this class of cases will
justify me to undertake its presentation without advices from the office.
I ought to add that Indisposition has kept me from noting the claim sooner.
With sentiments of profound
respect, I am sir: your very
obedient and Oblige friend
and humble servant
Absalom L. Buren
Mill Bend 
Ten
HON. J. Minot
Comm of Pensions
Washington
D. C
Page 26

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
(illegible) with
Invalid file
 #
39321
Page 27

Rogersville Tennessee
November 7th 1828
Sir:
Enclosed I send to you the declaration of Joseph Britton regularly authenticated together with Mr Britton's commission
 referred to in his declaration. The old gentlemen has desired me to enclosed his papers to you and should his proof be deemed satisfactory, he request you to forward his certificate to this place
I have the honor to be
very respectfully your
obt Servant


Commissioned Lieutenant in one of the additional Regiments to rank from the 23d of April 1779.
Date 25 of May 1779
Joseph Britton Esqr
Page 28

Rogersville Tennessee
November 7th 1828
Sir:
Enclosed I send to you the declaration of Joseph Britton regularly authenticated together with Mr Britton's commission referred to in his declaration. The old gentleman has desired me to enclosed his papers to you, and should his proof be deemed Satisfactory, he request
you to forward his certificate to this place
I have the honor to be
very respectfully your
Obt Servant
D. Alexander
The Honorable Richard Rush
Page 29

1260
No. of original pension 222
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

18 Nov 1828
Joseph Britton
of Beech Creek in the County of
Hawkins in the State of Tennessee has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled ""An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828.
He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such until the
reduction under the resolves of 3 & 21 Oct 1780 (one of the additional at which period he was a Lieutenant in Col Gists  regiment of the
line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of six hundred
dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of East Tennessee
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated
by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary
F. A. Dickens
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
20 November 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to Joseph Britton Lieutenant in the Maryland line, amounting to sixteen Hundred dollars.
It further appears that Joseph Britton is now on the pension list of the E. Tennessee agency, and has been since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of twenty Dollars per month
Peter Hagner Aud
-
Page 30

He states that he approves

Copy
Joseph Britton's
Petition
Page 31

Hawkins County
State of Tennessee
On this 22nd day of November 1824
personally appeared in open Court being a
Court of record for the County aforesaid Joseph Britton aged Seventy two years next March who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath declared that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows to wit that on the 6th day of February 1777 he entered into
the Continental establishment in the revolutionary war as a Second Lieutenant in Capt Joseph Smith company then called Henry Waggamans in Col. Nathaniel Gists regiment of Rangers one of the additional regiments
raised by Congress as will appear from his recruiting instructions now in the War Office that he served the United States as second Lieutenant in recruiting for some time and the Battle of Germantown joined the army with his recruits  at the White Plains and was under Capt Joseph Smith who was appointed Capt as
aforesaid in the place of Capt Waggaman which Company was attached to the 3d Regiment of the Maryland line of Troops at that time commanded by Col Nathaniel Ramsey that part of the army to which the deponent was attached was commanded by Gen Smallwood in which said 3rd Regiment he served as 2nd Lieutenant until he was taken prisoner on the 16th September 1778 and was put in close confinement in New York for
twelve days then paroled on Long Island & continued a prisoner of war until 2nd April 1781 that he after his release was commissioned as a first Lieutenant on the
20th April 1781 in Col Gists regiment that he was in the Battle of Monmouth & others mentioned in his original Statement now on file in the War office to which he refers for more particularity as to the time and manner of entrance into the service his continuance 
therein his manner of leaving the same together with the several documents filed with the said declaration from which the whole is fully made to appear and the directions of his servitude, which was about four years 
in succession inclusive of the time of his imprisonment He states that he appealed to the Government of his
Page 32

Country in his old age for a participation in her proffered County and was heard in that appeal & placed on the list of pensioners by certificate of date February the 5th 1819 to draw at the rate of $2000 per month from the
27th day of June 1818 which he continued to draw until March 1820 when under provisions of the act of May 1820 on rendering to the War office a Schedule of his property his name was stricken from the roll of pensioners and he has only drawn up to March 1820 The applicant further states that in November 1820 he made out a full for and perfect statement of the whole amount ofhis then property which was recorded in the office of the County Court of Hawkins a certified copy of which he sent to the War office amounting to the sum of
Three hundred six dollars eighty two cents which Schedule Contained every tour of property he there owned Valued at the highest estimate when at the same time from his care and Economy he had procured the greater part with his pension being indebted at the time of his original application for his poor piece of land and having since paid for
the same in his said pension he states that during the short time which his pension was continued to him he drew more from the government than the hole amt of all he was worth at the time he made out his Schedule in 1820 inasmuch as he was indicted & obliged to pay his debts & again reports that all the property & effects he moved when stricken
of the roll or at any time since was not equal
to the County of to the sum drawn from the United States before that time & he must conceive that some misapprehension then existed in his case for he cannot entertain the idea that he would be less entitled
the government from the consideration
that he had used rigid economy & saved his little pittance of property with his pension. He states that since the time he made his former schedule
Page 33


and which was considered too extensive  to admit his continuate on the roll his property has only underwent the following change as the following contains a full statement of all his property & effects which compared with that on file will show the
comparative to wit as contained hereafter in Schedule here to annexed. And I do herein again solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen the United States of America on the 18th day
of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States of the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th of March 1818 and its subsequent amendments and that I have not
nor has any person for in trust for me any property or security contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed to wit 141 acres of land poor mountainous and of like
quality with that which is now taken up at Twelve & a half cents per acre in many places which at the most exorbitant valuation cannot exceed one dollar per acre which as before stated has been principally paid for with his pension money. Say $141.00
2 pair chains & harness & old called & very old backband          2.33
1 old bear shear plow without Coutter or Stack --- .........................1.00
1 old shovel plow            1.00-
some single tree irons        .50
1 old grubbing hoe & 2 weeding hoes (old & worn)                       1.25
2 falling axes 125 1 very old log chain 125.................................................2.50
1 broken cradle & cold sickle 1.00
1 old cutting knife & Steel (no Box)
1 old Br axe old ady 6 chissels 2.50
1 old crossent saw 2.00 1 piece of Turkey oil some 50 of              2.50
4 old moulding plains 1 spoke set 2 gimblets Jr Compasses            1.56
2 old bead plains tongued & grooved do old hand saw 
small grind stone 15 of 1 glue pot of 2 Iron Wedges 37                       2.17 1/2h
2 drawing knives sold frow 2 Augers 2 hammers                                    2-00
Page 34


Amount Brought forward -
1 Kittle with crack in the bottom -    1.00
2 do 8 Gallon hole in side                  1.50
1 do piece broken out of it 5 Gallon 1.00
1 Five quart Tea Kittle                         1.00
Six old sitting chairs 1 pr old sheep shears
1.25 
1 Walnut Table 250 2 small boxes 125
3.75
5 pewter plates & Six Spoons 150  1 Steelyards 125.....................................................................275
2 old Buckets 1 pail 1 Coffee mill        1.50
1old oven & pot rack 20 of old knives & forks 37..........................................................................2.37
i Iron candlestick & Snuffies 12 ½ wooden riddles 75............................................................0.87½
1 small looking glass 125 1 Small trunk & old ray ors 62 1/2 ...............................................1.87 1/2
2 old grain tubs of 1 cotton cards 50   1,50
1 Flax hackle 2 smoothing Irons           -1.75

1 old Saddle & Bridle.....................................6.00..
---
1 Young Colt valued at $3.00 -----          3.00
............................................................................192.34
that he is at this time indebted to the amount of Two hundred & Twenty dollars and has debt and owing to him in debts forty five dollars seventy six & ¼ cents leaving himself still indebted over and above the debts due
him the sum of $170.33; which must be paid out of the above Schedule of property-- but in honesty he conceives himself bound to show the true condition which is fully set forth in the above exposed that he as before stated is 72 years old next march and is unable to prosecute manual labour successfully for support & has an old woman infirm & unable to labour for his wife that he has but one of his children under age but two daughters over age reside at his house & contribute by their labour to the support of himself and wife, that
a collection of the debts which he owes or did owe at any time since the passage of the act of 1818 had been rigidly enforced he would have been in a great measure stripped of his property & is dependent upon the charity
and benevolence of his creditors for the pittance of property he has or does now enjoy-- he states further that he has always been in very low circumstances & but from the aid which he received from his pension
during the time he drew the same must have been destitute of the means of ordinary support & will again
Page 35

appeal to the County whether the circumstances of holding as much property as he has received pension can be esteemed a forfeiture of the favours of his Country Sworn to & subscribed
before the Justices of our said County
in open Court this day and year ⎬
first before written
Joseph Brittain
Test
W B Mitchell D Clk of the
Court of Pleas &c for Hawkins County.
State of Tennessee
Hawkins County 
November Session 1824
Personally appeared in open
Court being a Court of record Coer Bailey Sent Williamson Tucker & William Bailey who being duly sworn according to law depose and say that they are well acquainted with the property in the foregoing Schedule & that the valuation set on it is and and that it does not exceed in amount the valuation at on it.
Test
W. Mitchell D. Clk
Caer Bailey
Williamson Tucker
William Bailey    his mark

State of Tennessee
I Stockley Mitchell Clerk of the Court of 
Pleas and quarter session of Hawkins County in the State aforesaid do certify the foregoing to be a correct Copy of the Petition of Joseph Brittain as entered of record in the records of
said Court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the
seal of Office at office in Rogersville
this 13th day of December A.D. 1824
S D, Mitchell Clk
By W B Mitchell his deputy
-
Page 36

1260
for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers & Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution "approved on the 15th of May 1828 I Joseph Britton of Beech Creek in the County
of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee do hereby declare that I was an officer in the continental line of the Army of the Revolution and served to the time when the
arrangement of the Army provided by the resolves of  Congress of the 3d & 21st of October 1780 was carried into effect, and was reduced under that arrangement, at which period I was first Lieutenant in one of the
additional Regiment commanded by Col Nathaniel Gist, in the Army of the United States, refference being had to my commission  25th day of May 1779 will more fully show  and which is herewith exhibited
And I do declare that I afterwards received a certificate commonly called a commutation certificate for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay, which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress of the 22d
of March 1783, instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the
21st October 1780, and which certificate as
at the City of Anapolis in the State of Maryland
And I do further declare that I have received of the United States as a pensioner since
the 3 day of March 1826 up to the 4th day of
September 1828 Six hundred dollars, being at
the rate of twenty dollars per month, paid to me by the agent for paying pensions, Robert King of Knoxville East Tennessee 
Joseph Britton
Sworn to & subscribed before
me this 7th day of November 1828
J L Huffmaster JP
.
Before me Joseph Huffmaster a
Justice of the peace in for the County of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee aforesaid personally appeared this day
Nicholas
Page 37

Alexander Clerk & Master of the Court of Chancery held at Rogersville, both citizen of said Town of Rogersville in said State of Tennessee, who did severally make oath in due form of law that Joseph Britton by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed
is generally reputed and believed to be an officer in the army of the revolution in manner as therein Stated
D. Alexander
witness my hand this
7th November 1828
Jos. Huffmaster JP

I Stockley D Mitchell Clerk of the Court of
the County of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that Joseph Huffmaster before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court
at office in Rogersville this 7th day
of November A.D. 1828
S. D. Mitchell Clk
Page 38

Britton Joseph S 39221
The papers of th Va half pay claims have been consolidated with Lieut Joseph Brittons pension claim He was the only soldier of that
name on the Tenn. pension agency and the half pay claim (illegble) 
Gists continental regiment ponental fight was composed of men from Va an Maryland . Gist himself wasfrom Va, but Lieut Joseph Britton was from Md
so I suppose the heirs thought they had
titles under the Va half pay act.
I have searched all the old registers
of claims under the Va half act and  
do not find any reference to this claim
at all

(See Hufman 
for records of these officers)
AW.
Oct.10,1914