Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 20,648, Nehemiah Brown, N.H.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N. H.
CONTENTS
Brown, Nehemiah
Res at [*] Westmoreland, Cheshire Co N.H. there in 1827 aged 75 years
NUMBER
S. 20,648
Carded
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1285
New Hampshire
-
Nehemiah Brown
Private in
Captain Parker's company of the U. S.
Army
N.H. Troops
Ratio of disability, one half
Date of discharge,
Time of closing testimony, 27th April 1828
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire
at four dollars per month, to commence on the
27th of April 1828
Certificate of pension issued the 8th of May, 1828
and sent to Hon. Joseph Healey
H. R.
Arrears to 4th September 1828 $17.04
Semi-annual. all'ce ending
Act of the 4th February 1822
$
17.04
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E & A Brown 
in case of 
Nehemiah Brown
Page 4

I Ephraim Brown, aged sixty two years, brother of Nehemiah Brown, have lived in the same town with said Nehemiah during my whole life, and lived with him in the same family in the year 1777 and before and afterwards, —The said Nehemiah was drafted to march to the State of Vermont against the British  in 1777 --- He left home sound and well and as I then understood and always understood tho not having been personally present cannot testify, was in the battle of Bennington, a few days after the battle he was brot home wounded in the left leg a ball having been shot directly through the calf of the leg, entering on the front or back part and coming out at the back or front part, having pased as stated by the Physician between the bones of the leg — He was brot to Keene N. Hampshire and placed under the care of Dot. Frink where he remained several months — from that time to this I have often heard him complain of inconvenience from that leg in travelling-- and the wound now is perfectly distinct & plain to be seen —
Ephraim Brown 
I have read the above deposition and confirm in all particulars, I am 60 years of age and a brother & lived in the family as did the above deponent —
Amos Brown
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State of New Hampshire 
Cheshire ss April 20. 1827 

Then the said Ephraim Brown & Amos Brown personally appearing made oath before me, that the foregoing affidavits by them subscribed contain the truth and nothing but the truth. —-And I certify that the foregoing deponents are credible witnesses 

S. Hale, Commissioner
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I Nehemiah Brown, aged sixty seven, depose that I live in the town of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, and have lived there since 1775- that in the spring of 1777 I was drafted to go against the British at Manchester in (now) Vermont, and in the vicinity of Bennington, in the militia service, under- Parker commander of the Company-- I continued in the service untill the day of the Battle of Bennington - on that morning I was coming into the battle from a service on which I with others, constituting a guard, had been detached on the day before, which service was to guard some cattle sent from Bennington to the north river-- while on the march we were fired at by a party in ambush —three men were killed, John Ranstad, Benoni Tisdale, Abel Gilbert and I was wounded by a musket ball through my left leg at the calf, the ball passed between the bones of the leg as the Surgeon stated and shattered the bone - I was then  carried into Bennington on a horse and I was there ordered to return home, after having been there a few days, & the horse was provided for me for that purpose, I returned to Westmoreland, and then came in a few days to Keene N.H. and placed myself under  the care of Doct. Frink who had been appointed by the Govt to take care of wounded soldiers - I was there two or three months, and my leg did not entirely heal up under six months and has always from that time been troublesome to me-

since I left the service I have been engaged in farming - the whole time I am not on the Pension list of any state- nor
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have I ever before made any application for a pension. - The reason why I have not before applied  is that I have been able thus far to live without it and I thought there would be some trouble and expense in procuring the testimony-  

I further say that according to my recollection I was drafted for the period of two months, and that I was ordered home in consequence of my wound 

Nehemiah Brown. 
His  X Mark

Witness Elijah Knight

District of New Hampshire
Cheshire SS April 25, 1827

Then the said Nehemiah Brown personally appearing made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit contains the truth and nothing but the truth. Before me 
S. Hale commissioner
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March 21, 1938 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

BA-J/EEL
Nehemiah Brown - S.20648

Mr. Harry J. Brown
Transportation Building 
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Nehemiah Brown, who served in the New Hampshire troops and was wounded August 16, 1777, in an engagement near Bennington, Vermont. 

The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed in pension claim, S.20648, based upon disability resulting from a wound received by Nehemiah Brown in the Revolutionary War . 

The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Nehemiah Brown are not shown. He stated that from 1775, he resided in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. 

While residing at said Westmoreland, Nehemiah Brown enlisted in the spring of 1777, served as a private in Captain Parker's New Hampshire Company, in May, 1777, went on an expedition to Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, returning about the last of June; shortly after his return, he with some others, was sent to guard some cattle being driven from Bennington to Albany or Lansingburg, and as they were returning were attacked by the enemy, on the day of the battle of Bennington, several were killed and Nehemiah Brown was severely wounded by a musket ball which passed through the calf of his left leg shattering the bone. He was sent home, thence to Keene, New Hampshire, where he remained under the care of a physician for six months. 

He was allowed pension on account of disability resulting from the above noted wound on his application executed April 26, 1837, at which time he gave his age as sixty-seven years and his residence, Westmoreland, New Hampshire. 

(Scribbled note: Found a Capt Stephen Parker will time at this in N. H. records Vol 2 —Did not find sol in Parker's Co)
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Sons of the soldier, Nehemiah Brown, were referred to but their names are not shown nor is the name of his wife given.

 In 1827, two brothers  of Nehemiah Brown, Ephraim Brown, aged sixty-two years and Amos Brown, aged sixty years, resided in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Nehemiah Brown (S.20648), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city and cite the following data: 

Nehemiah Brown
Certificate N. 1285
Issued May 8, 1828
Rate, $4.00 per month
Commenced April 27, 1828
Act of February 4, 1822
New Hampshire Agency

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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July 7, 1938

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nehemiah Brown S.  20648 
Hosea Brown.   S.C. 24580
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Mr. Harry J. Brown
Room 715 Transportation Building
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

The enclosed letter is to be used in place of the one dated July 2, 1938, which accompanied photostatic copies, because the name of the Revolutionary War soldier was inadvertently written Jeremiah, instead of Nehemiah.

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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July 2, 1938
    
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   
Mr. Harry J. Brown
Room 713 Transportation Building
Washington, D. C. 

Nehemia Brown, S. 20648
Hosea Brown,      S. G. 24580
BA-J/ MMHF: MLB

Dear Sir:

You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies,
negative and positive of six pages of the originals thereof on
file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 20648, of
Nehemiah Brown, and seven pages of the originals thereof on file
in the War of 1812 claim for pension, S. C. 24580, of Hosea Brown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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July 2, 1938  

XXXXXXXXXXXXX  

Jeremiah Brown, S. 20648 
(Hand note-This should have been Nehemiah)
Hosea Brown, S.C. 24580  

Mr. Harry J. Brown 
Room 715 Transportation Building 
Washington, D.C.   

Dear Sir:   

You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies, negative and positive of six pages of the originals thereof on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 20648, of Jeremiah Brown, (hand note, This should have been Nehemiah) and seven pages of the original thereof on file in the War of 1812 claim for pension, S. C. 24580, of Hosea Brown.   

Very truly yours   

A. D. HILLER  
Executive Assistant  
to the Administrator
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Rev. & 1812 Wars 
BA-J/AWF
No. 423

June 30, 1938

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

War & Navy 970

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Rev. War pension claim, S. 20648

Nehemiah Brown

actual negative and positive copies of each

$3.00.  6 pages

xxxxx

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

(Handwritten note - For description see either Mr. Harry J. Brown attached to memo from [illegible] dated June 29, 1938 Mr. Brown cause got the photos July 2, 1938)
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Form 3229 
15 -- 465 

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 

MEMORANDUM 
Date June 29, 1938
BA 
From…Chief Clerk… 
To…. Mrs. Finch, Chief, Revolutionary and 1812 Wars Section… 
Subject… Letter from Mr. Brown requesting copies of certain records 

Attention is invited to the attached letter from Mr. Harry J. Brown, 713 Transportation Building, who desires negative and positive copies of certain papers in the files of Mehemiah Brown, Revolutionary War , and Hosea Brown, War of 1812. 

Mr. Hiller says that Mr. Brown is reliable; that we should make the copies ready and (handwritten insert, “we did”) telephone Mr. Brown, who will call and pay for the copies. As certain of these papers must be photostated on both sides, so I am informed, it is suggested that you estimate the total cost, then telephone Mr. Brown, advising him, and if he confirms (handwritten insert, “he did”) the order, please go ahead and make the copies, even though he has not deposited the funds and proceed as directed by Mr. Hiller. 

W. C. Black (signature) 
W.C. BLACK
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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR 

ROUTE SLIP

TO
Bailey 
Moore 
Sweet 
Ellis 
Jared 
*Black 
Pollock 
Rose 
Richardson, Maj. J. S. 
Major, Miss Ruth 
Landis, Miss A. W
Frothingham Miss A. L. 
Busby, Mrs. [*] G.
For attention 
For correction 
For report 
For your inf’m’n 
Note and return 
Note and file 
Rewrite

REMARKS. Please see me 
DATE: 6/27   FROM: ASH

Vet. Adm. Form 3700
Rev. Nov. 1934
Page 16

25 (cents) per 100 words
25 a sheet photostat
25 for cert.

Reg # 11
Page 17

(Office stamp)

Received
Jun 23 1938 AM

Received 
Chief Clerk

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 *9 10 11 12
Page 18

Papers on file with Mrs. Finch, Room 1851, Navy Bldg. ( Veterans Bureau ) 

Nehemiah Brown (Revolutionary War)
Copies desired of:
Pension application dated April 26, 1827. =2pp

Affadavits  of Ephriam and Amos Brown. Apr. 20, 1827 = 2pp in order to get the date 

Affidavit  of Simeon Cobb, Feb. 20, 1828 = 1p

Paper by Justice Joseph Story, U. S. Sup Ct. = 1p. 

6pp-

Hosea Brown, veteran of War of 1812 

Application for land bounty Sept. 16, 1852 = 2pp 

Application for pension, Oct. 15, 1878 and statement of Lafayette Allen. = 2pp

Letter of Orr Brown of Grants Pass to S. F. Pension Agency. Nov. 23, 1897 = 1p

Undated pension check for $150. = 1p
(handwritten note- not a check, but an unsigned receipt for check MHP)

Pension Bureau letter to some Congressman.    (in fancy longhand.) 1p (handwritten note-not a Pen.Bur. Let. But a 3rd Auditor’s letter MHP)

7pp

Harry J Brown 
713 Transportation Bldg. 

Neg & positive of each
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CORRESPONDENT 
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE 
SPOKANE SPOKESMAN REVIEW 
BOISE STATESMAN 

HARRY J. BROWN 
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. C.  

Mar. 15, 1938

Gen. Frank T. Hines, 
Administrator of Veterans Affairs 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear General:  

I am anxious to get from the Revolutionary War records of the old Pension Office anything regarding the date and place of birth, and the parentage of Nehemiah Brown (or Browne ) who served as a private in the 2nd Company commanded by Capt. Waitstill Scott, Col. Ashley's regiment, N. H. Militia; later as private in Capt. Kimball Carlton's company, Col. Moses Nichols' regiment, N.H. Militia, in Gen. Stark's brigade. During this latter service, on August 16, 1777, in an engagement near Bennington, private Brown was wounded in the leg, and because of this wound he asked for “relief for the loss of his time, for hir nursing, and for other expenses." 

The foregoing information was given me by the War Department, but their records did not disclose the particular information I am now requesting. Will you be kind enough to have this record looked up, as the War Department indicates this probably was a case that found its way to the Pension office. 

Very truly yours, 
Harry J Brown

(Office stamp - Received Mar 16, 1938
Mail Bur-Div)
Page 20

20648 

INVALID.  

Revolution

No. 20 ,648 
Nehemiah Brown Pri Rev War 
NH Regt 

Act: February 22. 

Index:--Vol. 2, Page 49 

Arrangement of 1870.] 

1938, Mar. 21 - Hist to Harry & Brown 
1938 July 2 Photo of 6 pages EL
Mr. Harry J Brown See the signature or check  in his letter of request MHP
1938 July 7- Harry J. Brown first  corrected statement to with his photos MHP
Page 21

Keene Feb 26 1828 

Sir,

I now return to you the papers in the case of Nehemiah Brown  who applies for a pension as an Invalid soldier of the Revolution. In addition to those before sent you will find the affidavits of Wm Haseltine and Simeon Cobb 

Respectfully 
S. Hale 

Department of War
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David Winchester 
in case of 
Nehemiah Brown
Page 23

I David Winchester, of lawful age, who reside in Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire and have resided there ever since the year 1776 say, that in May 1777. I went with Nehemiah Brown then and now of Westmoreland, on a tour of duty in the militia to Ticonderoga or Mount Independence-- that we returned about the last of June - that soon after we returned, the said Brown was drafted as I understood to go to the North River - that he went on that service- that he returned in the month of August following - having been wounded as I then understood and believed, still believe - tho  I do not recollect to have seen him until after he had been to Keene, and returned from that town to Westmoreland.—After he returned from Keene, I saw him and saw the wound which did not heal for some months 

I do not know for how long a period he was drafted nor whether for any particular time, as the draft was a sudden one, & for a particular occasion, but I have no doubt that his return was occasioned by his wound 

The said Brown has resided in Westmorland ever since I have resided there, and has constantly pursued the occupation of farming.-- He is now infirm and has not labored much for several years. He has but little of any property 

I do not myself doubt, nor do I think that any of his neighbors doubt, that he received his wound in the excursion to the North River above mentioned in the service of his country
David  Winchester 

District of New Hampshire 
Cheshire ss April 26, 1827 
Then the said David Winchester personally appearing solemnly affirmed that the foregoing contains the truth and nothing but the truth. 

I certify that the said David Winchester is a credible witness
S. Hale, 
Commissioner
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D. Adams Certificate 
in case of 
Nehemiah Brown
Page 25

 I the subscribed practising physician and surgeon of the town at Keene in the County of Cheshire and State of Newhampshire do hereby certify that by satisfactory evidence and careful examination in the case of Nehemiah Brown of Westmorland in said County it appears that said Brown while in the service of his country was wounded by or marked ball which passed through the call of the left leg and between the bones —
In the opinion of the undersigned the degree of disability under which he labours at present in consequence of said wound is one half —
Charles G. Adams 

Cheshire Ss April 27th 1827 
Then the said Charles G. Adams personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing certificate by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth 
And I certify that that the said Adams is a physician and Surgeon & reputable in his profession 
S. Hale Commissioner
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Nehemiah Brown
Page 27

Hon. Joseph Healey H. R. 
8 May 1828
Page 28

Keene N.H. April 29. 1828 

Dear Sir:

I transmit to you certain papers returned to me from the pension office, in relation to the application of Nehemiah Brown, a revolutionary soldier. The objection, you will perceive, is, that the affidavit of the Surgeon is not made in strict conformity with the blank form prescribed by the Secretary. The surgeon says that he cannot make an affidavit according to the form prescribed unless Brown again comes before him and proves by witnesses the day when and place where he received his wound. As he lives in Westmorland and is poor and as the principal witnesses live in Vermont, I send the papers to you and wish you to lay them before the Secretary of War, as he may possibly dispense with an exact observance of the form he has prescribed, when every fact required by law has been distinctly proved 

The affidavit of the Surgeon was founded on an examination of Brown and on the testimony of the witnesses first sworn, which convinced him of the facts therein stated. The application was rejected — and Brown afterwards procured the affidavits of two witnesses which supply what was before wanting distinctly proving that he was wounded in the service of his country near Bennington. The certificate of the surgeon, as it is, describes the wound and states the degree of disability. The requisites of the law, if I have seen all the law in
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force on the subject, have therefore been complied with and if the Secretary, in any case, grants pensions when the forms he has prescribed have not been strictly perused, he would, it appears to me, be willing to do it in this case. Having laid the papers before him if he also reject the application. I wish them returned to me as soon as possible, and I will apprise Brown that he must procure from Vermont such testimony as will satisfy the surgeon

I am sorry to trouble you, but could not refuse my assistance to the poor old soldier- and have no doubt you are as benevolent as I am. I fully believe he served and was wounded as he has stated 
Respectfully & Truly 
Yours
S.Hale


Hon -Joseph Healey
Page 30

Simeon Cobb
Page 31

I Simeon Cobb of St Johnsbury, County of Caledonia  State of Vermont depose and say, that I was a soldier in Gen Starks Brigade, & was in the vicinity of Bennington on the 16th of August 1777 when the battle of Bennington took place. I had been sent with a detachment, to guard a number of cattle from Bennington to Lansenburgh, on our return, we were attacked by a party of the enemy in or near Bennington; there were two soldiers with us by the name of Brown, both belonging to Westmoreland in the State of N. Hampshire & were both wounded; the given name of one was Daniel, he was wounded through the arm & shoulder; the given name of the other I have forgotten, the wound was between the knee ankle and I think the bone not broken;  I knew the last mentioned Brown perfectly well, & though I do not now recollect when I last saw him, yet, am satisfied he now lives in Westmorland as I very frequently hear from him, — one of his sons having lived in this town, & near to me, for years past 

When I joined the army in the year 1777, I resided in the aforesaid town of Westmoreland; we were detached to serve two months; I have no doubt the Brown last mentioned served out his time, & more; including the time he must have been confined with his wound, at the time he received the ball in his leg, myself & Ephraim Sawyer, took him from the ground & carried him an our backs, until a horse was procured, on which he was carried to Bennington, from whence he was sent to Westmoreland 
Simeon Cobb 

Vermont District} 
County of Caledonia} St Johnsbury February 20, 1828 
Then the said Simeon Cobb personally appeared before me & made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit contains the truth & nothing but the truth. And I justify that the said Simion Cobb is a credible witness 
Ephraim Paddock Commissioner
Page 32

United States 
New Hampshire District ss. 

I Joseph Story Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and performing the Duties of District Judge for the District of New Hampshire, by authority of an act of Congress passed the fourth of February 1822, entitled "An act to receive and continue in force An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes. Do hereby especially authorize and commission Salma Hale of Keene in the County of Cheshire and District of New Hampshire to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said Act for substantiating the claim of Nehemiah Brown of the town of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire and District of New Hampshire to be placed on the pension list of the United States by reason of known wounds received in said war or since (as prescribed in the fourth section of "An act concerning invalid pensioners" passed the 25th of April 1808) while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And when the same shall be completed to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates, and proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission to the Secretary for the Department of War - 

Given under my hand seal at Salem the fourteenth day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven 

Joseph Story 
one of the Justices of the Supreme 
Court of the U States
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To the Department of War 

I herewith return to the department the affidavits of Nehemiah Brown, Ephraim Brown Amos Brown and David Winchester, and the certificate of Dr Charles G Adams taken to substantiate the claim of Nehemiah Brown to a pension the testimony having been closed on the 27th April 1827 my 
S.Hale commissioner 


Return to Thomas M. Edwards Esq.  Keene, N.H.

Return to S. Hale
Page 34

Commission to E. Paddock 
in case of 
Nehemiah Brown
Page 35

United States 
Vermont District ss. 

I Elijah Paine, Judge of the District Court of the United States for the District of Vermont , by authority of an Act of Congress passed the fourth of February 1822 entitled "an Act to receive and continue in force "An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes”, do hereby especially authorise and commission Ephraim Paddock of St Johnsbury in said District to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said Act for substantiating the claim of Nehemiah Brown of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire and  District of Newhampshire to be placed on the pension list of the United States, by reason of known wounds received in said War or since (as prescribed in the fourth section of "An act concerning invalid pensioners”, passed the 25th of April 1808) while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence affidavits, certificates, and proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission to the Secretary of the Department of War 

Given under my hand and seal at Williamstown, the second day of February in the year of our Lord 1828 
Elijah Paine
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30 
26
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4.    ——53 
4——-
4——
4———
- 51
——————
17.04
Page 37

William Hazeltine 
in the case of 
Nehemiah Brown
Page 38

I William Hazeltine of Rockingham, Vermont depose that in the year 1777, I was a solder in Gen Starks Brigade, and was in the vicinity of Bennington at the time of the battle there on the 16th of August I was met with a detachment to guard a number of cattle to Albany. Nehemiah Brown of Westmoreland, went with me and was my messmate.  On our return, we were attacked by a party of the enemy,  — the said Brown & I were in the same platoon The said Brown was wounded in the leg - and I was wounded in the arm, and am now on the pension list. When wounded, I went aside from the detachment and distinctly recollect that I saw the said Brown one or two days afterwards at Bennington suffering from the wound aforesaid 

Soon after he was wounded, he obtained a parole and went to Keene N.H. where he remained some time under the care of a surgeon 

I further say that I served as a substitute for a man from Westmoreland-- that our time of service was two months- and that the skirmish in which we were wounded was on the same day as the battle of Bennington 
Wm Hazeltine 

District of New Hampshire 
January 30. 1828 

Then the said William Hazeltine personally appearing made oath before me that the foregoing by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth - And I certify that the said Hazeltine is a credible witness 
S. Hale Commissioner