Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,061, Zephaniah Bryan, Va.
Page 1

Service VA Number W2061
Bryan, Zephaniah (or Seth)
Jane
Page 2

Penn Pittsburgh Agency
Zephaniah Bryan, Allegany Co. in the State of Penn who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stevenson of the regiment commanded by Col. Muhlenberg . . .
Page 3

Penna Pittsburg

Jane Bryan, widow of Zephaniah Bryan, who served in the Revolutionary War, as a private, Va State troops, inscribed on the Roll at 40 Dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of November 1853 and sent to Joseph Stokely, West Newton, Penna.

Recorded on the Roll pf Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 102, Vol A
Page 4

30,610

Hon. H Denny, HR
Page 5

State of Pennsylvania
County of Allegheny

On this fifteenth day of April, in the yeara one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, Zephaniah Bryan, a resident of Plumb Township, in the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, aged about eighty-two 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 7, 1832:

That he enlisted in the service of the United States in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-six, with Captain John Stevenson, and served in the Eighth Regiment of the Virginia State troops, under the following named officers, to-wit:  General Charles Lee, Colonel Muhlenberg, Captain John Stevenson, First Lieutenant Robert Bell [Beall], and Second Lieutenant Edward Rice:

That he left the service in one year from the time he enlisted, which time, to the best of his memory (which is very frail and much impaired) was the year 1776, as above stated:

That at the time he entered the service he resided near what is now the village of Connelstown in Fayette County, then Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania:

That from said place he marched to Winchester in Virginia -- thence to Williamsburg in the same state -- thence to the Great Bridge in the same state -- thence through North Carolina to Charleston in South Carolinia --
Page 6

thence to Sunbury in the State of Georgia -- thence to Savannah in the same state -- and thence back again to Winchester in Virginia:

That he was on Sullivan's Island at the time when the engagement took place there, and participated in said engagement:

That, his memory, as before stated, being very frail and much impaired, he may not have stated with accuracy the details of his service in the war of the Revolution, and may have been incorrect in saying that the Regiment to which he belonged, commanded by Colonel Muhlenburg, formed a part of the Virginia State troops, although such is his recollection:

That he now is, and, at the time of his service and enlistment was, commonly called Seth Bryan, and that under this name he may have been enlisted and entered upon the muster rolls of his company:

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or war 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 State of Pennsylvania.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Zephaniah X Bryan
Page 7

Court of Common Pleas of the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Zephaniah Bryan for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

Hervey H. Peterson
Page 8

30,610

Zephaniah Bryan

Penna

Adm 1 year

Hon. H. Denny
House of Reps
Page 9

21 April 1834

Sir:

     The evidence in support of your claim, 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 tabular 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 the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department and this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Page 10

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 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 officers, 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, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of
 [blank] in the county of  [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c)[blank] 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)[blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] 
(e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; 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,
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he the Agency in the State of
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 State of [blank]
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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of
[blank] & 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.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
[blank] 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & 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 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 will 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 his
Page 11

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 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 one 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 of other persons giving such certificates,
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry 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 required, 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 of 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 prevented from doing so by reason of bodily 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 declarant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of 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 claimant 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> B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively  as to the precise length of his service; but, accordingly to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  -- For ____year ____ months, and ____ days I served as a _______. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim  a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrases 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, names of officers, and other particulars respecting  their service.  This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps
called into to service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service
was performed; he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[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 certification 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 thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j]  In 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.
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 in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must in all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania 
County of Westmoreland

On the fourth day of October 1853, personally appeared before me a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and State aforesaid Jane Bryan, widow of Zephaniah Bryan resident of Allegheny County, Penna, being aged 85 years who being sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 29th July 1848. That she is the widow of Zephaniah Bryan a private in the Virginia Continental troops who was placed on the Pension Roll Penna agency April 28th 1834 at forty dollars per annum which he drew until he died in 1838 the evidence of his services will be found in the archives of the Government of the United States referenced thereunto being had. She further declares that she was married to the said Zephaniah Bryan on the 16th or 17th of August 1799 and that her eldest child was born on the 21st day of June eight hundred --  that her husband the aforesaid Zephaniah Bryan died on the ninth day of May 1838, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the services but the marriage took place previous to the second of January eighteen hundred viz the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension and further that she has not any record or documentary of evidence in her power to produce. Her husband was not a scholar and further that she is old and inform and living only on quarter of a mile of the County line between Allegheny County and Westmoreland and not being able to get to a judge to come from Pittsburg through necessity applies to the judge  of Westmoreland County.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
        her
Jane X Bryan
         mark

James Bell
Page 13

I do hereby certify that the within Declarant from old age and bodily infirmities are unfit to appear in Court that she is too feeble to be taken there at this time.

James Bell

I do hereby certify I was present when the said Jane Bryant make the within Declaration and was duly sworn according to law. Given under y hand 4th day of October 1858. 
/ss Wm Millikin. J.P.
Page 14

Westmorland County
State Pennsylvania.
 Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in aforesaid County James Murry Esq who being duly affirmed. According to law sayeth that he was well acquainted with Zephania Bryan as a Revolutionary Pensioner of Allegheny County Penna. and Jane his wife what was the second wife he had by each wife several children. Jane his second wife has remained his widow ever since her husband's death who died in 1838. The family I am well acquainted with and I have read the deposition of Christiana Dice the near neighbor of the said Jane Bryan aforesaid I know her to be a woman of truth and veracity whos Evidence is intitled to full Credence. the time by her stated to the time that the said Zephania Bryan and Jane his wife was married on the 16th or 17th August 1799 when Mature Reflection of the time I myself went to [?] and the Erection Meeting Lords in the immediate neighborhood and the further Circumstances of the Eldest Child being a young man at the time the said second mariage took place there fore I do say to the best of my Knowledge and Belief the Marige took place at the time above stated the 16- or 17th August 1799 and at least before the January 1800 and further sayeth not.
 Sworn and subscribed Before me the 14th day of October 1859.
J Jas. Murry

Wm. Millikin, J. P.

I do hereby certify that the above witness I am well acquainted with and know him to be a man of truth and veracity his evidence entitled to full credit. Wm. Millikin
Page 15

I certify that General James Murry & Christina Dies whose affidavit are hereto annexed in persons of truth & veracity & whose testimony
is entitled to full faith & credit
Jos. H Kuhns
Oct 7. 1853
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, SS
I [ILLEGIBLE] PROTHONOTARYof the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that [ILLEGIBLE] before whom the foregoing [ILLEGIBLE] and whose name in his own proper handwriting is to the foregoing certificate appended, was then and now is an acting [ILLEGIBLE]in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit are of right due.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court
at Greensburgh, the [ILLEGIBLE] day of [ILLEGIBLE] one thousand eight hundred and fifty- [ILLEGIBLE]
Prothonotary.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, SS.
[ILLEGIBLE] Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that
[ILLEGIBLE] before whom the foregoing
[ILLEGIBLE]
and whose name, in his own proper handwriting, is to the foregoing certificate
appended, was then and now is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit are of right due
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of Greensburgh, the [ILLEGIBLE] day of Oct in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-[ILLEGIBLE]
Prothonotary
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.

3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _______, 19
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] received [blank]  for a statement of the military history of Zephaniah or Seth Bryan a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR  you will find below the desired formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
W. 2061

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
1776
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
1 years
RANK.
Pvt. [Private]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. John Stevenson
COLONEL. Muhlenberg
STATE. Va.
Battles engaged in, Sullivan's Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Connelstown Westmoreland Co. Penn
Date of application for pension, Apr. 15, 1834 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Plumb Township, Allegheny Co Penn
Age at date of application, 82 years he  died May 9, 1838

Remarks: He married and had a family (name of wife & children not stated) : he married a second time Aug. 16 or 17, 1799 Jane - and she was allowed pension on an application executed Oct 4, 1853 while a resident of
Allegheny Co. aged 85 years. They had children, oldest born June 21 1780, 
names not Stated
Respectfully,

Commissioner 

6-2856
Page 18

Rev War
2061
WIDOW &c.
File No. 2061
Jane Bryan
Widow
Zephaniah Bryan
Pri. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848.
Index:-- Vol. A Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 18 - 1903- Hist. [History] 
Geo. P. Wilson, Pittsburgh Pa
1914 Apr. 17. Hist to Mr
Henry R. Bradford MMB
1929, June 10- Mrs. C. B. Smith
cost of photos MMB
Page 19


Pension Office
Nov 14, 1853
Sir please state the date
of death of the within named
Zephaniah Bryan and to
whom his arrears were paid.
Very Respectfully
B. Hooe

For Burt Esq
3d [illegible] &c.
Zephaniah Bryan Act 7th June 1832. $40.00 per an. Paid to 4th March 1838 no date of death on our Books, arrears to death unpaid
Saml L. Ruid
[illegible] Auditor
Page 20

Nov. 4, 1853
Let. [Letters] in case of Jane Bryan & Wrightman, & requesting Mrs Dice's record

L Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City Dc

FREE
[postmark] WEST NEWTON 
NOV 2
Page 21

Nov. 3, 1853
advt [Affidavits] w. in case of Jane Bryan widow of Zephaniah

L Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City DC

Joseph Stokely
West Newton 
Westmoreland Co.
Pa.

FREE

[postmark] NEWTON Pa. 
NOV. 1
Page 22

No. 1293

Jane Bryan
Widow of Zephaniah
Pa

Joseph Stokely Oct 15 1853
Page 23

Oct 10, 1853
Appl. of Jane Bryan, widow of Zephaniah
Alleghany Co., Pa.
Not 29th July /48


Joseph Stokely
West Newton, Pa.

L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC

FREE
[postmark] WEST NEWTON PA
OCT
Page 24

Hon. Harmar Denny
Washington City
Page 25


Pittsburgh April 15th 1834
Sir
I take the liberty of transmitting you the enclosed Declaration of Zephaniah Bryan, an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7, 1832.- I also send the Deposition of Capt Samuel Murphy of Armstrong County, and of the Revd Frances Laird of this County which papers were obtained by the friends of the applicant under an impression that they were required under the Act. But such proof is dispensed with in case of soldiers who belonged to the Virginia State Troops.
Will you be good enough to submit the matter
to the Pension Offices and to give to the case the attention to which you think it is entitled.
I believe there is not the least doubt of the validity of the applicant's claim.
An answer, in due time, will much oblige.
Yours with much esteem.
Benjn [Benjamin] Patton Junr

Hon. Harmar Denny
Page 26

Allegheny County S.S
Personally appeared before me one of the
Justices of the peace for Allegheny County the Revd [Reverend] Francis Laird and being duly sworn according to law deposeth that he has been personally acquainted with Zephaniah Brian [Bryan] for about thirty four years. that deponent believes him to be a man of strict honesty and veracity, that it has been currently reported for a series of years that the said Zephaniah Brian [Bryan] served as a soldier in the revolutionary war for American independence and that deponent never heard the report contradicted
Francis Laird
Subscribed this 8th of Apr. 1834
David Boggs JP [Justice of the Peace]

I do certify that I am well acquainted with
the Real Francis Laird and know him to be a credible witness & a most respectable and worthy man
P Coulter
Apl 24th 1834
Page 27

We are acquainted personally with Rev. Francis Laird and certify that
Page 28

Dr [Dear] Sir
I return the papers of Zephaniah Bryan with certificate as to the credibility of the witnesses Captn Murphy & Rev. Mr. Laird.
Yours respectfully
H Denny


J L Edwards Esq. 
Pension Office
Page 29

Revolutionary Claim
under act 1848
Jane Bryan widow
of Zephaniah
Additional Evidence
and Requested that
this claim be immediately taken up
as promised and
that Record of
Mrs Rice be
Returned as she
Requested which
Will confer a favor
Nov 1853

Joseph Stokely
Atty for
Claimant
West Newton
Westmoreland Co
Penna
Page 30

State of Pennsylvania,
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, SS.
I Jos Gross PROTHONOTARY of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westmoreland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Do hereby certify that William Millikin before whom the foregoing affidavit were made and whose name, in his own proper handwriting is to the forgoing it appended, was then and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Westmoreland, duly elected and commissioned, and to all whose official acts and deeds full faith and credit and of right 

In Testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Greensburgh, the thirty first day of October
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three

Jos. Gross Prothonotary
Page 31

certify that Andrew Wall and Jacob Stemets who have given the affidavit hereto annexed are men of good repull for integrity &  think that the statements in lieu of affidavits are entitled to full credit.
[illegible]

I concur in the above certificate of Hon H D H. D. H. D. Foote
Jos. H. Kuhns
Oct 31. 1853
Page 32

widow of Zephaniah Bryan under act 1848 Revolutionary claim
Page 33

West Newton 2nd  Novr 1853

L  P Waldo Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions

My &  Sir I yesterday sent on the Additional Evidence in the Claim of Mrs Jane Bryan claim under act 1848 which I had supposed was sufficient and hope it will be so considered but the answer I this day Recd [received] Relative to the
Wightman [illegible] I am rather[illegible] a doubt in my mind whether I will be able to do any they So many New Rules that I never knew any thing about before I therefore hope that they will not be applied to me in all my cases. the old way I still think is the best and I think I have sent the best evidence the Nature of the case will admit of I therefore hope the two cases may be allowed please send me the Record of Mrs. Dice which I promise to bring to her and an answers  agreeable to promis which will confer a favour
Respectfully your
Joseph Stokely
West Newton Pa
Page 34

Jane Bryan, widow
of Zephaniah Bryan
Pa
Act July 29, 1848
Admitted
Private, for
one years service
from Mar 4, 1848.
at $40. per annum
Certificate to Claimant
Agent
Joseph Stokely
West Newton
Pa
Page 35


Brief in the case of Jane Bryan, widow of Zephaniah 
Allegheny County and State of Pennsylvania
July 29, 1848
Claim, "original" 
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Zephaniah was pensioned under the act
of June 7, 1832, at $40 per annum
Died in 1838.
Marriage & date by parol
widowhood
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [blank]
Name and residence of Agent
S. G. Dodge
Examining Clerk.

Jos Stokely
West Newton
Pa
Page 36

Application a
Jane Bryan widow
of Zephaniah
Bryan for a Pension
her husband was a
Revolutionary
Pensioner of the
United States under
Act 1848 by her
agent
Joseph Stokely
West Newton
Penna
Record shows one
Marnage of Mrs. Dice in 
June 79 instead
of August
Act July 29 /48
Page 37

Armstrong County SS
Before me a Just of the peace for
the aforesaid County personally came Capt. 
Saml. [Samuel] Murphy of the aforesaid  County, after being first duly sworn Saith that he was acquainted at Zephaniah Bryan in the year 1776- when he was an enlisted soldier in the Service of the United States - (then Colonies), that he was enlisted for one year - and was attached to Capt Stevenson's Company the 8th Virginia Regiment Commanded by Col Meulenberg and was enlisted to Westmoreland County (now Fayette) marched to Winchester
Virginia - from thence to Williamsburgh and
from thence to the Suffolk- then to the
Great Bridge. And finally marched to Charlestown in South Carolina - and from thence to Savannah in George. and to the best
of this deponents recollection, the said Bryan
served the whole year for which he was
enlisted and to the best of this deponants
Recollection, the said Bryan was not in any
engagement Except On Sullivans Island near
Charlestown and that during his Service
Page 38

to the best of this deponents recollection the
Said Bryan was a faithful Soldier and that no unsoldierly conduct could be imputed to him--
the said Zephaniah Bryan when
in service was generally called by the name of
Seth Bryan -
Saml [Samuel] Murphey
Sworn & Subscribed the 26th day of Mar 1834
W. W. Gibson
The undersigned is personally acquainted with
Capt Samuel Murphy of Armstrong County and
do certify that he is a credible witness and fully
entitled to belief-
Harman Denny
Sam S Harrison

State of Pennsylvania
Armstrong County, Sct
I, Frederick Rohrer, Rothonotary of the Court of Common as in and for said County, do hereby certify that W. W. Gibson Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, is an acting Justice of the Peace on said County, duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, to where acts full faith and confidence should
be given and that his signature to the same
genuine, and in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Kettering this 27th day of March A.D. 1834.
Fredk [Frederick] Rohrer Roty [Rothonotary]
Page 39

Westmoreland County
State of Penna

personally appeared before me a Justice
of the peace in and for said County and
State aforesaid Mr Andrew Walp who
being duly sworn according to law says
that he is well acquainted with Zephaniah
Bryan and Jane his wife and family and
further that he this deponant was raised
together with the children of the said Bryan
and wife that the oldest child and him
was School mates that they are the same
age fifty three years of age last June
past that the said Bryan drew a pension
for his Revolutionary services and that
Jane his wife is still a widow and further
that he has no interest whatever in the
said Janes application for a pension
Andrew Walp
Sworn and Subscribed before me 27th October
1853
Wm [William] Millikin
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted
with Andrew Walt and know him to be a
man of truth and veracity and that his
Evidence is entitled to full credit and
that I have no Interest in the above claim
Wm [William] Millikin
Page 40

Westmoreland County
State of Penna
SS

Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County Christina Dice who being sworn according to law sayeth
that she was well acquainted with Zephaniah Bryan and Jane his wife and family &  lived a near neighbour to them knew of Bryan drawing forty Dollars of a Pension for Annum of the United States I have a Personal knowledge of the Marriage of the said Zephaniah Bryan and Jane his wife who is now a widow they were Married the 16 or 17th of August Seventeen hundred and Ninety nine and from that time untill the death of the
said Zephaniah lived together as man and wife Raised a family and always acknowledged themselves to be man and wife and was so reputed to be man and wife in ways expected to be man and wife and the reason why my recollection is so good is because the
said Jane Bryan was only Married Eight or nine days Before me to said Zephaniah Bryan and having the Registry of my own Marriage which took place on the 24th August 1799 the record of which herewith send to the Department
But her  particularly request it to Be Returned to me which further strengthens My Recollection is the Birth of My oldest Child Samuel Dice who was born on the 10th day of May 1800 and the oldest child of the said Jane and her husband Zephaniah Bryan was Born a few days after him and having ever since lived within one mile of the said Zephaniah Bryan and Jane his wife do believe there is no record or Documentary Evidence of Marriage to be had and further that I am now Eighty five years of age but my recollection is good and further that I have no Interest indirectly or directly in the issue above.
[illegible] [Christina] Dice

Sworn and Subscribed
Before me this 4 day of October
1853 
Wm Millikin J.P. [Justice of the Peace]
Page 41

Sworn and subscribed before me this [blank] day of [blank] 1853

I do hereby certify that the above witness I am well acquainted with and know her to be a lady of good Character for truth and varacity her evidence is entitled to full credit
Wm Millikin
Page 42

Westmoreland County 
State of Pennsylvania

personally appeared me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Jacob Stemets who being sworn according to Law sayeth that Jane Bryan widow of  Zephaniah Bryan Decd [Deceased] a pensioner of the United States a Revolutionary Soldier of Allegheny County Penna and from his personal knowledge the said Zephaniah and Jane his wife was Married in the Month of August Seventeen hundred and Ninety Nine that he well recollects that the year Seventeen hundred and Ninety Eight he this Deponant was at that time 98 a Lieutenant of the Militia in Westmoreland County Penna that he was drafted in the Month of May or June and was out Seventeen days and at times previous I was out in the year 91 two months and thirteen days and well Recollect that John Young who afterwards was the president Judge of the Court for said County and well recollect of Mains Treaty with the Indians and well recollect that I myself was married in the year Eighteen hundred and one and then circumstances all being first in my recollection therefore the date of the aforesaid Marriage I am not mistaken in they lived together afterwards as man and wife and raised a family and that the said Jane is now a widow and further from ages of their and my children have lived as Neighbour to the said Zephaniah and Jane his wife and further that I am a disinterested witness. [illegible]
Sworn and subscribed before me 26th october 1853
Wm. [William] Millikin J. P. Justice of the Peace
Page 43

I do hereby certify that the within named
Jacob Stemets the within witness he is well
acquainted with and know him to be a man
of truth and veracity his evidence is entitled
to full credit
Oct 26th 1843
Wm Millikin
and further I do hereby certify that I have no
Interest in the within claim to a pension

Wm Millikin
Page 44

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
FMHF

June 10, 1929.

Mrs. Charles Brooks Smith,
Hotel Roosevelt,
Washington, D. C.

Madam:

I advise you that photostatic copies of original
papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claims of Zephaniah or Seth Bryan and his widow Jane, 2061,will be furnished you, under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that
is desired.
The number of pages to be copied is fourteen.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH,

Commissioner.
Page 45



FRANK B. BANKS
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Hotel Roosevelt
SIXTEENTH STATE AND W
WASHINGTON, D. C.

June 2nd, 1929

Mr. Earl D. Church, Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-I am very anxious to secure a copy of the papers filed by Zephaniah (or Seth ) Bryan with his application for pension for services in the Revolution with the 8th Virginia regiment. Your department, I am told, will furnish such certified copies when request is filed in writing.
The file number that has been given me is
Service : Va.
Bryan, Zephaniah (or Seth )
Bryan, Jane
W 2061
Thanking you in advance for your attention to this matter, I am,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Charles Brooks Smith
Page 46

LAW OFFICES,
JOHN A. WILSON.
GEORGE P. WILSON,
ATTORNEY AND NOTARY PUBLIC.
Telephones Bell, Grant
P. & A. Main
321

ROOMS 1421 AND 1422 PARK BUILDING.
PITTSBURGH, PA. May 13th 1903
IN
Gentlemen,
Whom shall I address and what will it cost
me to learn the amount of, and reason for, the pension of Zephaniah Bryan, who served in the Revolutionary War (in a Maryland or Virginia Company, I think) and died April 20" 1838 aged eighty -eight years. At the time of his death he lived in Allegheny County, Penna.
Please reply at your earliest convenience and oblige.

Yours respectfully
George P. Wilson
Page 47

Youngstown Ohio April 15th 1914
E. C. Tieman
Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Rev War Section
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Would now kindly give me the record of Zephaniah Bryan, a Pensioner of Virginia, residing in Pennsylvania in 1835 I
wish his record to enable me to write the
application of a descendant of his to join the
D.A.R
Yours truly
Henry R Baldwin
Past Nat'l [National] Trustee S.A.R. [Sons of the American Revolution]
Box 192