Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 28,659, Sampson Bray, Conn.
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Service: Conn. Bray, Sampson  Number S28,659
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Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sep 1839 to 17 March 1840. Agt notified 17 June 1841.

Albany 31, 591
_________________

Sampson Bray of Schenectady in the State of N York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Thew of the Regt commanded by Col. Swift in the Conn. line for 2 years
____________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars  ---- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
_______________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Feb 1839 and G.F. Yated, Esq., Schenectady
______________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '38                  600.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '39   40.00
                                                             $ 640,00
                                         {Revolutionary Claim,}
                                         {Act June 7, 1832.      }   
     Recorded by D Brown        Clerk,
 Book 2, Vol. 4     Page 7
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State of New York
County of Schenectady

On this ninth Day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for sadi Court, of Schenectady now sitting Samson Bray a resident of the town of Glenville in said county, aged seventy-three years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
     He was born in the town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York on Long Island on or about the second day of May in the year 1759, according to the best of his information and belief. He does not know that there is any record of his age.
  When called into the service of the United State in the army of the revolution, he the declarant was living in the town of Kent in the State of Connecticut. Since the revolutionary war he has lived at nine
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Partners in the State of New York, at Clifton Park in Saratoga County, at Saratoga, at Galway also is said County of Saratoga in said State of New York - also at Ballstown in the last named County, and he now resides in the town of Glenville aforesaid.
   He the declarant enlisted in the town of New Milford, Litchfield County in said State of Connecticut on the first day of April 1777 in Lieutenant Commandant, afterwards Captain Barnum's Company, in the second Regiment of the Connecticut line (in the Continental Army) commanded by Colonel Heman Swift. His other Company & Field officers whom he recollects were Lieutenant Colonel Bronson, Lieutenant Barnum, & Sergeant Major Jonathan Deming 
    The term of his enlistment as aforesaid was three years which term of three years he faithfully served out in said Company and Regiment, at the places herein after set forth, and received a regular discharge from service at the expiration of said term. His said discharge was given if this declarant's memory serves him right at Reading in said State of Connecticut by Col. Heman Swift aforesaid. He has not seen said discharge since said war, and does not know what
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has become of it.
    The place of said Regiment's Rendezvous was at New Milford aforesaid, where the Declarant joined his Company at the time of his enlistment. News, about the latter part of said month of April, came that Danbury had been burnt by the enemy. His Regiment was accordingly ordered there, but before they arrived the army was retreating. His Regiment pursued them to Ridgefield & from thence to a place called "Comssopoint" [?] whence the enemy embarking for New York. The declarant took part in the continued skirmishing which took place while the enemy was retreating as aforesaid. During the greater part of the year 1777, after the encounter at Ridgefield aforesaid, his Regiment was employed in guarding the lines about Horseneck, Riram's bridge & the other military posts and passes in that quarter - so also during the years 1778 & 1779. The winter quarters of his Regiment were at Reading in said State of Connecticut, but during the remainder of those years they shifted their quarters from place to place along the lines between the States of Connecticut & New York as the ex__________ of
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the times requested. It never fell to the lot of the declarant during his three year service as aforesaid to engage in any regular battle, but in skirmishes he engaged very frequently. The Declarant believes his name will be found on the muster rolls as as a file in the War Department, yet in the event of his name being omitted he has produced testimony of his services which is hereunto annexed.  The Declarant has no education and is not certain how his ship name was spelt when entered on the rolls at the time of his enlistment, whether Bry, Brey, or Bray
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The Following are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regements or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, in addition to those before named, viz  General Arnold - Gen___ Huntington's Brigade, Brigader Major Richard Platt - Gen Poor, Gen Wooster, Gen McDougall, Colonel Meigs, Generals Maxwell, Sullivan & many others
    He never received any written discharge from the service, except the one herein before referred to, which is lost 
     He has no ------ documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except his Sergeant Major Jonathan Deming, whose deposition is hereto annexed
    The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit Barzilla  Millard & Isaac Cutler
    He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State,
Subscribed and sworn to the }
day and year first aforesaid    }
John L. _____man   Clerk                  his
                                         Sampson  X   Bray
                                                       Mark
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No 21896
Sampson Bray
Saratoga Co
N.Y.
12%

Col Swift
To Mr. De Fourt
Ballston, N.Y.



Admitted 
       Private 2 years


Giles F. Yates
Schenectady
     New York
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War Department 
Pension Office
183
Sir: The evidence in support of your clam, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabulra form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margins with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them ; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
__________________________________________________

A Statement, showing the Service of Sampson Bray Saratoga Co, N.Y.
Period when the service was rendered: first of April _____ 1777 until 1780
Duration of claimant's service: Years: 3,  Months: - , Days: - 
Rank of claimant: Private
Names and rank of Field offercers under whom he served: Capt. Thew, Col. Swift, Col. Bronson
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service: 72 years, Litchfield, Connecticut
Proof by which the declaration is supported: One witness but not stated credible no traditional evidence stated.
I am respectfully, 
your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and **volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops,
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as offers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION, 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1852.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of __ aced (c) _ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _, with _ and served in the _ (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named offers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Offers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service: the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched _ This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the milita, volunteers, navy, &c.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever in a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the States of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named application was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I, _ of the Court of _ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A.V., a Clergyman, residing in the  And C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the  and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said, Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he wilt also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of hi-
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one can be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To 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?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of 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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declarations of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before requried, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of state or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the Act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevent4ed from doing so by reason of 
body infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period of periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claim must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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.D. 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 recollective, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: _ For _ year
months, I served as a . For _ months and days, I served and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with prevision 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 about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is 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 ia garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] the Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached therein 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. 

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[i] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declaration must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. 
I N Arkton
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Feb 14, 

at NY. 
Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington D.C.
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In the matter of the appreciation of Sampson Bray, for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832

The above named applicant being duly sworn, saith, that he served during the war of the revolution in the company of Captain Barnum, in the Regiment of Col. Swift, Connecticut line, as particularly specified in the original papers now on file in the office of the Commissioner of pensions - that he was previous to his enlistment the slave of one Adriance, as also set forth in said papers, and on becoming a soldier he was liberated by his master from bondage, and became a freeman [underlined]. That he was seldom called by his true name "Bray", but went by many nicknames, being however usually called "Sampson" - and further saith not
Sworn this 21st Janr                       his
1839, before me             Sampson   X   Bray
                                                       Mark
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28659
Rev Y INVALID
File No. 28659
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Castleton A
Jan 2d 1834   127
Giles F. Yates Esqr
Schenectada, N. Y.

Sampson Bray
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Sam'l Deforrest, Bal[illegible]

Castleton Dec 27th 1833
Dear Sir
Your letter of 14th Dec &  Postmarked 17th
I received two days since: but the state of my health was such I could not comply with your wishes; nor the duty I owe my poor old brother Soldier. I am slowly rising from a long, and severe fit of sickness. I have not yet left my room; sit up but part of the day; but am on a steady gain. As soon as my health will
permit me to go and see Deacon Barns of Pittsford, who is one of the two old soldier referred to in former communications, I shall attend to the matter; and if do not attain to that degree of health that I can go, I intend
to send for him to come and see me; he lives 23 miles from me, I lately was informed he was pretty smart for his age. The other (viz) John Rumsey, I heard from yesterday, he is yet a breathing substance, but has lost every other faculty of body and mind, sets in his chair, or lies in his bed the whole time; does not know his nearest neighbours nor his own family, nor does he belong to the temperance Society. (O'how my writing looks, I must stop).
Jany 1st 1834. I resume. Expecting you would wish to know as early as possible why your request is not immediately attended to induces me to make this communication: it will be the first business I attend to as soon as my health will permit. Yours with respect
Jonathan Deming
Giles F. Yates Esqr
Schenectady N.Y.
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N. It is not impossible but that Sampson
may have been returned under the name of his
Master Sampson Onderance or Anderance; it was
commonly the case in the New England states that staves
took the Sir name of their Master
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NY Sept 6
Sampson Bray
Sep 3 [illegible]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
D.C.
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Schenectady Sep 2nd 1834

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

The claim of Sampson Bray for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832, has been for a long time pending, for the reason that only one witness had been produced to prove the services of the applicant. He has now succeeded in procuring another, whose affidavit duly authenticated is enclosed. I hope it will prove satisfactory.

I am with much respect your mo obt servt,

Giles F Yates
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Hon J L Edwards
Pension Commissioner
Washington  D. C.
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Amsterdam Sept 10. 1838
Dear Sir
In your letter to me of the 23d July
last past - you forward me a copy of a Report
made in the case of Sampson Bray as
Sampson Adrience a colored  man. It
appears from your letter dated September 20 1834
that Zebulon Ames declares positively that he
did not see claimant after the fall of 1779
consequently before and if so he must have
served two years before that period and If so
he is undoubtedly entitled to his pension
within for full time or otherwise-- you can tell
the time he entered the service and from that find untill 1779 late in the fall-

I am respectfully
Mathias J. Ball
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New York
Revol
Sampson Bray
Suspended
Let to Hon J. Cramer
June 18. 1834
---
Let A G F Yates, 8 Sept 34
"       "      20  "     "
"     "  M.J. Booce, 23 July 18381
11
" M. J. Bovee, 21 July 1838
to same 18. Sep. 1838
to G. F. Yates 19. Jan. 1839
Act 7 June 32
Page 23

Know all men by these presents that I Sampson Bray of the town of Glenville in the county of Schenectady and state of New York hereby make and authorize and appoint Giles F. Yates  may true and lawful attorney from me and in my name and for my own proper use and benefit to to act and apply for and to prosecute my choice to a pension from the government of the United States under any act of Congress passed [illegible] to pensions and to have use and take all lawful ways to procure the same for me and in my name to make seal and deliver and to do all other lawful acts and things whatsoever concerning the said pension as fully and in every respect as I myself might or could do were I personally present at the doing there of and by there presents do allow whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name lawfully do or cause to be done about or concerning said pension by virtue of these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of Dec [December] in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Sampson Bray by his mark
Witness
Henry Hamilton
The word Schenectada was [illegible] by me before it was signed.
D. Henry Hamilton
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[faded seal]
8 June  Giles F. Yates Esqr
Schenectada NY
Page 25

Castleton May 30th 1834
I Jonathan Deming of Castleton Rutland County Vermont seventy seven years of age late a Sergt [Sergeant] Major in Col [Colonel] Heman Swifts regt [regiment] of Conne't [Connecticut] line of the army of the revolution war and now on the compensation list as such having been called on to testify what I knew relative to the services of one Sampson Bray in the said regiment in 1777 '78 & '79 did make my affidavit to what was then (nearly two years ago) fresh in my mind and in that affidavit I am informed I refered [referred] to two other old soldiers of the s'd [said] reg't [regiment] (viz) Rumsey and Barns who also recollected to have known him by his given name corresponding to my discription [description] of the man
Some time in last Dec [December] I was called on by Sampsons ageant [agent] to obtain from Rumsey and Barns what light they could give relative to the man or the conversation they have had with me on the subject. I was then confined to  my bed with a severe fit of sickness nor have yet recovered so as to be able to attend to the matter untill [until] this week I went to see them. Rumsey about eight miles from my home who I found but the sad remnant of what he was he informed me he had not set this foot [strike out "of of"] out of his door in six months past. His reason and recollect are so far gone that no Civil Magistrate could be justified to administer an oath to him. 
I then went to see Deacon Barns about 20 miles my home by the rout [route], his faculties of mind memory and recollection are so impared [impaired] and his scrupulous regard to our saviors injunction "swear not at all." that he declined giving a formal affidavit. I then told him I would make a statement to the Pension department of what he could recollect relative to the case of Sampson and he directed me to state that in 1777 he went from New Fairfield his native town to Kent Pesthouse to have the small pox preparatory to joining the Reg't and that Lien and Barnum was there recruiting soldiers and that he inlisted [enlisted] nearly all the coloured men in the town say 5 or 6 or more and that they were generally mustered after their masters sir names if not at all which I also knew to be generally the case in the regiment though many of them did assume other sir names agreeably to their own fancy. He wished me to state that he does now destinctly [distinctly] recollect that some 8 or 10 or more years ago in conversation with me I mentioned to him of meeting with one Sampson a coloured man that did belong to our reg't [regiment] and that he did tell me he remembered him well but were are both of opinion he might be mustered by his masters sir name who was a refugee from New York. If a name can be found on the rolls of the reg't [regiment] "Sampson Bray or Bry or Sampson Onderonce, or Anderonce I have no doubt but the man I described in my affidavit is the man and further I cannot say.
Jonathan Deming
State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
Castleton May 31 1834
Sworn to me before Josiah G Harris justice of peace  I likewise certify that the above deponent is a man of truth and veracity and full credit may be given to his testimony in all cases.
Josiah G Harris Justice of Peace
Page 26

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
Rutland June 7 1833
I Robert Pierpoint clerk of said county do hereby certify that Josiah G Harris before whom the foregoing deposition of Jonathan Deming purports to have been sworn and by whom the foregoing certificate is signed was on the day of the oath thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that his signature to the Jurat of said deposition and to said certificate are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 7th day of June 1834
R. Pierpoint
Page 27

Castleton May 30th 1834
Dear sir
I rec'd [received] your letter of the 12th instant, on the 19th with the contents decribed in which you request me to [illegible] immediately on the receipt of yours. It was then monday and I could not perform the necessary tour that week and being on the mending hand in point of health I calculated to make the attempt the next week if able and if not then to write. On tuesday of the present week I went to see Rumsey at Hubbardston the nearest of the two about eight miles I formed no more than the shape of what he had been his faculties nearly all gone but the power of breathing so little of rational faculties remaining that no Civil Magistrate could be justified in administring [administering] an oath to him. He professed to remember that formerly he and I had talked about a coloured man that I had seen but could tell no particulars for his memory was gone to that degree that he seldom knew his nigh neighbors.
The next day I went to see Deacon Barns, found him something better tolerably inteligent [intelligent] but very deficient in his memory or recollection I had written to him on the subject last winter to endeavor to recollect the conversation we formerly had relative to Sampson Bray but untill [until] I saw him he could not recollect having seen me since the law of 7th June 1832 was passed here was the mistake the conversation between us on the subject had been ten or twelve years ago soon after I had seen Sampson and he was trying to recollect it within less than two years. You will now see I have done all I can for the poor fellow and if the man I saw as described in my former affidavit is now living I do know he is intitled [entitled] to the benefits of the law of 7th June 1832.  And that he is living [illegible] Deforrest has informed me in a letter dated the 13th instant that the day before he took Sampson Bray to Schene[illegible] to see a Mr. Schuyler who Esq'r Deforrest informed me had "sent two dollars to me to procure Deacon Barns's testimony." I have received no such communication from any one though I have sent or called at the Post Office everyday since. (sabbaths excepted) nor have I any knowledge of such  man
I do not wish to tax any mans purse for what they may do to favour the unfortunate man and if he does not obtain his object shall consider myself bound to return all but what I have to pay out in prossecuting [prosecuting] the business but if he does obtain I trust he will be willing to allow me a little for the [illegible] exertion I have made for him. I intend to make oath to the statement I have made before the same magistrate before whom I have made my declaration the 4th day of March last, so that I suppose there will be no need of the trouble and expence [expense] of the county clerks seal to it 
I am sir with sentiments of respect your humble servant.
Jonathan Deming
Gile F Yates Esq
Schenectada
[Following text crossed out] To the Clerk of the Co. of Rutland Please sign and seal the annexed certificate and return this who sheet to me.
Giles F Yates  Schenectady 
By using the old folds of the letter no new direction will be [illegible] and postage will be saved I enclose 25 cents to pay for certificate
Page 28

In the matter of the application of Sampson Bray for a pension
Declaration &c
Giles F Yates agent
Schenectady NY
Page 29

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
On the 26th day of August 1834 personally came before the undersigned [illegible] Zebulon Amos of Ira in said county aged 73 years to me well known and a credible witness who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he knew Sampson Bray a black man who is now present and who resides in Glenville in the county of Schenectady and state of New York that said Sampson Bray was a soldier in Capt [Captain] Stevens company in Col [Colonel] Swift's 2d Con. [Connecticut] Reg't [regiment] the deponent further says that said Sampson was a soldier enlisted for three years he thinks in the spring of 1777 the deponent was a soldier in the same Reg't and knows said Sampson served until the fall of 1779 when the Reg't lay at Nelson; point opposite West Point but does not recollect seeing him after that time when the deponent was taken by Capt [Captain] Converse as leader & of course did not see much of the soldiers after that time but he has no doubt said Sampson served out his timer of three years. The deponent has not seen said Sampson since the war  until yesterday but he has no doubt of his being the same Sampson Bray who served as afores'd [aforesaid]
Zebulon Amos

Subscribed and sworn this 26 Aug [August] 1834 before me
R Temple Jus. Peace [Justice of the Peace]
Page 30

State of Vermont
I Robert Peirpoint clerk of Rutland county court do certify that Robert Temple before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of Peace for said county duly commissioned and that his name thereto is in his own hand writing
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Rutland this 26 day of Aug [August] 1834.
R Peirpoint

Giles F Yates Esq
Schenectady NY
Page 31

Sep 6 Vt

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department Washington DC

Sampson Bray
that a [illegible]
Page 32

Schenectady Sept 13th 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
viz
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 8th inst.  In this you state in relation to the claim of Sampson Bray (you spell it Brady) for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832 that the affidavits of his witnesses are not in compliance with the rules of evidence established in your department. That inasmuch as neither the name of himself  now former master can be found or the rolls of Col Swift's regiment as literal compliance with these rules is indispensible. I perceive that in a former time when you gave out his master you spell the name Odriance the true name is Adriance.  Cannot this name be found in the rolls? In the last affidavit the fact of Bray's service for at least two years is distinctly sworn to so also with the affidavit of Bray's other or first witness Deming But is seems these affidavits must set forth the time
Page 33

and manner of entering and leaving the service the company - regiment and line to which the applicant belonged I may [strike out "be able"] by writing to the witnesses be able to get more full affidavits from them which will contain all that is required. I do not understand what is meant by "the manner" of entering the service unless it refers to the grade. If this term relates to or is designed to embrace any other fact please inform me that the next affidavits may not require amendment. As both witnesses are aged and labouring [laboring] under infirmity it is not improbable that before they receive my letter they will have "passed that bournd whence no traveller returns" I deem it a sacred duty to try to do my utmost to serve Bray in this matter because he is extremely poor and very deserving and I am convinced that he is entitled to a pension under the act of 1832. I ask the favor to have sent to me [strike out "be informed"] if you think you can consistently do so the affidavit of the witness last sworn or his name and address and what he has already sworn to. I have no memorandum of either. Bray went in person to Vermont with a man hired to take him there (at my expense) to procure the testimony
Page 34

of his last witness and the affidavit was forwarded to me the Clerk of the County in which the witness lives. To save the expense of sending a messenger there again, I purpose [propose] to procure the new affidavits through the mail.
I am respectfully your obt servt [obedient servant]
Giles F. Yates
Page 35

Mab July 19
N. Y.
Hon J. L. Edwards
Pension comm.
Washington
D.C.
Page 36


Amsterdam July 16. 1838
Dear Sir
you will do me the favor
to send be copy of the report in the
case of Sampson Bray a black man
who says that he has served his country
faithfully in the War of the Revolution

I am yours respectfully
Matthias J. Bouel
Hon J. L. Edwards
[illegible] under the Act of June 7, 1832
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of
Pensions
War Department
Page 38

Schenectady Febr [February] 9th 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension 
Sir
In the matter of the application of Sampson Bray for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 19th [illegible - ulto?] in the above matter.  You state there is not sufficient proof in your office to support the claim and that the rolls of Swift's regiment Connt [Connecticut] line in which Sampson alleges he served furnish no evidence of such service. I have therefore found it necessary to resort for documentary evidence to the rolls on file in the office of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut. A certificate of the proof found in said Comptroller's office relative to Sampson's services is enclosed. By reference to the original papers it will be found that more than two years service was distinct by sworn to that Sampson was a colored man and that on or previous to enlisting he became a free man. The inference therefore that the name of "Sampson Freeman" is the one intended for the applicant is I think irresistible particularly when
Page 39

taken in connection with the fact (also shown in said certificate) that the sir name "Freeman" was an usual one for persons of color. 
Cuff Freeman and other names which occur on the Connecticut rolls and which cannot by possibility be applied to any but colored persons.
I am very respectfully 
G. F. Yates
P.S. As I handed in the claim at least five years ago, I request the favor of any early decision if convenient.
Page 40

Comptrollers Office 
Hartford Febr [February] 5 1839
I certify that on examining the rolls of Col. [Colonel] Herman Swift Regiment the following names appear - Sampson Freeman, Guy Freeman, Call Freeman, Cuff Freeman, Prince Cimbo, Sampson commenced service July 1778 served two years eight months and 5 days.  Cuff Freeman, Call Freeman about three years each Guy Freeman, Cuff [illegible] about the same
The name of Lieut [Lieutenant] Samuel Barnum with that of other officers appears at the head of this list of names.
Henry Kilbourne  Comptroller
Page 41

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
June 9th 1841
Sir
Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States" Executors of Sampson Bray dec'd [deceased] a Pensioner on the roll of the Albany NY [New York] agency at the rate of eighty dollars [strike out "and [blank] cents"] per annum under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this department from the 4th of Sept. [September] 1839 to the 17th March 1860
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present
Page 42

To
J. L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of
Pensions
Page 43

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I take the liberty to forward you again the papers in the matter of the application of Sampson Bray for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832. I have kept them on hand several months under the impression that I might be able to furnish the testimony required but have been successful only in part. What has been done has been done with difficulty and I do not think it possible to do any thing more.
The main if not only objection to his papers appeared to be that inasmuch as his name was not found on the records of the department he should have produced two credible witnesses. He has produced only one. Jonathan Deming the only witness who testified for the applicant states at the foot of his original affidavit that there are other who could testify for the applicant. Efforts have been made to procure the affidavits of these other witnesses but without success. The reason of the failure is detailed in the affidavit of Mr. Deming. In fact they are not competent to testify. Mr. Deming himself is very aged and infirm and I almost despaired of obtaining a new affidavit from him but I have after a lapse of more than six months succeeded. Mr. Jonathan Deming must have been known at your department as a pensioner and as naught can be alleged against his character at home I trust it is established at your department. By reference to his affidavit it will be seen that of one Rumsey one of the witnesses referred to "his reason and intellect are so far
Page 44

"gone that no civil magistrate would be justified in administrating an oath to him" The faculties of mind and memory of the other witness referred to viz one Barnes is so impaired that no affidavit can be obtained from him. A fact has been elected by Mr. Deming's affidavit which may serve to explain the reason why Sampson Bray's name is not or does not appear to be on the rolls of the Department. Mr. Bray was the servant of a man by the name of Adriance or Onderonce and was offered his freedom if he would enlist which he did. It was customary it seems to enroll all colored men by the name of their masters. In like manner it was common with us at the North until very late day to call servants by the name of their masters.
I trust the circumstances of the case in the matter of Sampson Bray's application are such as will induce a relaxation of the rigidity of where the names of applicants cannot be found on the records of the department.
I am with much respect your obt servt [obedient servant]
G. F. Yates
Schenectady June 10 1834
Page 45

We Barilla Millard residing in the town of Ballston in the county of Saratoga aforesaid, and Isaac Cutler residing in the Town of Ballston County of Saratoga do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samson Bray
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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.
Barzillai Millard
Isaac Cutler
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid
John S. Vrooman Clerk.
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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Mr. Harris the clergyman residing in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of said applicant is not at home and is not expected to
return for several weeks and that Barzillai Millard & Isaac Cutler who have signed the above certificate are both credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
to credit.
I John S Vrooman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of
Schenectady do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samson Bray for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
John S. Vrooman Clerk
Page 46

Castleton Nov [November] 27th 1832
I Jonathan Deming of Castleton in Rutland County and State of Vert [Vermont] seventy six years of age late as Sergt Majr [Sergeant Major] in the 2d Connecticut Regt [regiment] of the army of the revolution war commanded by Col [Colonel] Heman Swift do testify and say that Sampson Bry or Bary or Bray a coloured man was a soldier in 2d regt [regiment] and that he served three years in sd [said] regt [regiment] that he joined it in the spring of 1777 I think while we lay at and rendezvous at New Milford with Lieut. [lieutenant] Barnum of Thent who was afterward a Capt. [Captain]. I do not now recollect where our regt [regiment] lay when his term expire and he was discharged. I remember him distinctly from the circumstance of his uncommon sprightliness activity and agility. He was then called "Sam Bry" but Sampson was his given name and I cannot say how his surname was spelt on the rolls. I never saw him since he was discharged until about ten years ago I overtook him on the road from Balls to Schenectada [Schenectady] miles from my home and took him into my sleigh when I soon recognized his features to be my old brother soldier Sampson  Bray. I asked him if he had not served in the revolution war he answered in the affirmative I asked in what Regt [regiment] he said Col [Colonel] Swifts I then knew I was not mistaken  and called him by name. He said "he did not know Master" but when I told him my name was Deming he exclaimed "Sergt Majr" [Sergeant Major] I do know there was then no mistake. I am now called on by Esq Deforest to give testimony relative to the said Sampson Brey's [Bray's] services in the Regt [regiment] to which I belonged and I do know that if the same man is now living that I then saw he is intitled [entitled] to all the benefits of the law of Congress of 7th of June 1832. And further say not.
Witness my hand
Jonathan Deming
[illegible] There are two others living in this county who were of our regt [regiment] to whom I told the story of my interview with Sampson after I returned home and they both remember him will [well].
Rutland County ss Castleton 3 Dec [December] 1832.
Personally appeared Jonathan Deming signer of the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true. Before me S.H. Merrill Just Peace [Justice of the Peace]
State of Vermont
Rutland County
And I further certify that I have long been acquainted with the said Jonathan Deming and that he is a credible person
S.H. Merrill
I Robert Pierpoint clerk of the county court for the county of Rutland do certify that Selah H Merrill is a Justice of the Peace for said county and that the above signature is his hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and affixed the seal of sd [said] court at Rutland.
Dec [December] 23 1832
R. Pierpoint
Page 47

State of New York
County of Saratoga ss
On this twenty fifth day of December one
the eight hundred and thirty two personally
appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of common pleas of the county of Saratoga now sitting Sampson Bray a resident of the town of Ballston in the County of Saratoga and State of New York aged
seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act Congress passed June 7, 1832. That on or about the
first of April in the year one thousand seven hundred seventy seven he enlisted for three years in the army of the United States with Capt [Captain] (then lieutenant) Barnum and  served in the second [strike out "Connecticut"] Regiment of the Connecticut line under the following named officers Colonel Heman Swift Lieutenant Colonel Barnum Capt [illegible] Lieutenant Barnum Sergeant Major Jonathan Deming

that he left the service in the [illegible] of the year 1780 having served out the time his enlistment and [illegible] his discharge  He resided at [illegible - Kent?] in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut at the time he entered the service. He joined his
regiment at New Milford in the State of Connecticut soon after joining the regiment news came that Danbury was burnt by the British. The regiment immediately marched to Danbury when the regiment had arrived at [illegible] the British had retracted the regiment [illegible] them on to Ridgefield and from there to [illegible] point 
when they got on board [illegible] then
Page 48

was some skirmishing while pursuing the British during the summer of 1777 the regiment to which he belonged was [illegible] in guarding the [illegible] about Horse neck Byrons Bridge and the region in that quarter. The [illegible] regiment mustered in 1777- 78 in Reading, in the State of Connecticut
in the Regiment was stationed in the State of 
Connecticut during the whole time he was in
the service and was employed in guarding the
[illegible] about Horse neck Hysons Ridge Reading and the adjacent country. He does not know how his name was spelt on the roll of the company whether Bay Bry Bray or Bery. He cannot read or write. He has not seen his discharge since he left the service in 1780. He saw Sergeant Major Deming about two years ago at [illegible] were he resides. Sergeant Major Deming now [illegible] at Castleton in the state of Vermont [illegible] He hereby relinquishes his every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present
he declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of any agency in any State.
Sampson Bray by his mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year
aforesaid in open court.
Wm J Goodrich 
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
Page 49

In the matter of
Sampson Bray
a pensioner

2.1876
Page 50

I William S. Goodrich Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Saratoga do hereby  certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samson Bray for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my [illegible] & seal of office this 25th day of December 1832.
W.L. Goodrich dep. of clerk