Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1267, William Brough, Va.
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VA. 
Brough, William 
R. 1267
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J. L. Edwards Esquire
Pension Office
War Department
Washington
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Hampton 25. Feby. 1826
Sir
Your very kind fav. of the 26. Jany I recd. the 1st. Feby the Papers inclosed to me I would not have them finished before our Court day which was the 4 Thursday in this month, and If latter myself with a hope will be satisfactory - I assure you my good sir! I never was in such a distress'd situation for the comforts, of this life to live on, I have hardly a boot to wear, my situation before the Revolution was very independent and I kept the first Company, but Misfortunes since has reduced me to what I now am I am now nearly 76 years old, my petitions and other papers Commissioned, has been sent to Congress at least 12 years ago - I now flatter myself with a hope you will grant me such relief as in your power, I am the oldest Officer in this State I believe and have been a faithful Soldier from September 1775 to the end of the War and now have the pleasure to see there happy states independent as soon as I was exchanged, I was appointed Captain and entered in the States Regiment and continued during the War was over - with all due Respect 
I am
Sir
your Mo. Ob. St.
Wm. Brough
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No 37.688
William Brough
Virginia
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United States of America.
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk - to wit On this 7th day of May 1847 personally appeared Joseph N. Brough of the City of Norfolk, but formerly of Elizabeth City County in the State aforesaid, aged forty 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 act of Congress passed July 7th 1832. That he has often heard his father William Brough decd. say that he entered the service of the United States in the Militia service as an officer in the time of the revolutionary war, according to the Laws of the State of Virginia, and that Col: Francis Mallory commanded at that time, this he has heard from several respectable persons; that he has has heard John Bushell decd. a very respectable old gentleman say that he served under his father William Brough and that he spent a great deal of money for his Company; that he has heard his father say that he was taken prisoner by the British and put on parole, which parole has been lost or mislaid; that he heard his father William Brough say that he was at the battle of York Town. That his father William Brough died in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two sometime in the month of September. That his father in his life time delivered his papers to Mr. Thomas Newton while in Congress, and that he thinks the parole was among them, for the purpose of obtaining what might be coming to him, but the papers have been mislaid or lost, therefore your petitioner humbly prays that you will allow him what his father ought to have been entitled to from that time while Mr. Newton was in Congress, as the papers ought to have been presented, and his pay allowed. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present,
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and declares that his father William Brough is not on the pension roll of any State, or if any only on that of the agency of the State of Virginia.
Jos N. Brough Seal

I Jeremiah Hendren a Clergyman residing in the City of Norfolk, State of Virginia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph N Brough who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be forty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the City of Norfolk generally where he resides, and I believe from his statements that his Father William Brough was an officer in the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of May 1847.
Jeremiah Hendren Seal

I, Richard H. Baker judge of the superior court of Law and Chancery for the Norfolk District do hereby declare my Opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the necessary interrogatories to Joseph N. Brough the above named applicant that his father William Brough was an officer in the time of the Revolution, and I further certify that on this day, to wit. the day of the date hereof personally appeared before me the said Joseph N. Brough whose name is subscribed to the above deposition and after being duly sworn according to law declared that the several statements therein contained are true to the best of his knowledge and belief: to which deposition therefore full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given, the said Joseph N Brough being well known to me as a man of respectability. I also certify
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that Jeremiah Hendren who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the City of Norfolk, and is a credible person, and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit - Given my hand and seal this 7th day of May A. D. 1849
Richd. H. Baker

State of Virginia City of Norfolk towit:
I John Williams Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of Norfolk aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Richard H. Baker Esquire who hath given the proceeding certificate, is now and was on the day of the date thereof, the Judge of the said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such - that he is authorized to administer oaths and that the signature "Richd: H. Baker" thereto subscribed is in his proper hand writing as I do verily believe.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine, and of the Commonwealth the seventy third.
Jno: Williams C.C.
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Hampton 12 Free
Nov. 2
J. L Edwards Esquire
at the Pension Office
Washington City
1267
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Dear Sir, Hampton 1st Novemr. 1830
I have just Recd. a letter from one of the Counselors in Richmond who says he can't do any thing with my business before he receives my Commissions, now will you be so kind as to send my Captain & the other Commissions first opportunity in so doing you will greatly Oblige-
Dear Sir
with great esteem
Your Mot. Obt. Servant
Wm. Brough
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Washington
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Wm Brough
Rd Mar - 18 - 1826

J. L. Edwards Esquire
War Department
Pension Office
Washington
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Virga. Hampton 15th March 1826
Sir
With all due respect I have the pleasure to write to you the 25th February after our Court day and had my papers recorded and sealed agreeable to your direction and my Attorneys in Court & sent them four and to you, I flatter myself with hope they will be satisfactory, and did drive safe, Will you be so good as to let me hear from you as early as you conceive proper, I hope my non happy Country will give me some support while I am living in this world and my poor infirm Companion - I left nothing undone in my power to support the cause of liberty and Obtain the Independence of my Country, and now I have the pleasure (nearly 76 years old) to see there United States free and happy If my Papers are not arrived at Washington, be pleased to let me know, and I can Obtain a Copy from the Clerks Office and send them upon I gave Mr. Alexander Marr when he was in Hampton a letter from the Governor & Council here inviting me to see our must esteem'd friend the Marquis Lafayette at York, be so good as to [illegible] him for it, if you see him, perhaps it may be of me to mean I am in a very distressed situation, and in no way to get the least support in 
With all due Respect
I am Sir
your Mot. Servant
Wm. Brough
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At a Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Elizabeth City County, continued and held at the Court house on Tuesday the 23d. day of April 1850-
The Court doth order it to be certified that from satisfactory evidence adduced to the Court that William Brough was an officer in the Militia Service in the revolutionary war, that he served more than one year, that he was taken prisoner and was a prisoner for nine months, That he was in the battle at New Ports news, and York Town, that he was in service at different times until the war was closed, That the said William Brough died in the fall of 1832 in Hampton, that Joseph N. Brough, his son and Helen and Robert Repiton, his grand children, and children of Eliza D. Repiton, now deceased, who was a daughter of William Brough are the only heirs of the said William Brough, and the Court further certifies that the facts aforesaid were satisfactorily proved to the Court
A. Copy
Teste
S. S. Howard clk

Virginia, Elizabeth City County, to wit:
I, Samuel S. Howard, Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of my office-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 25th day of April in the year 1850
S. S. Howard Clk
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Lt. Wm. Brough
Va Militia
pension Claim
act of 1832
V Ellis Atty
present
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The deposition of Ann Payne taken before me Thomas C. Peek a notary public within and for the County of Elizabeth City in the State of Virginia this 11th day of December AD 1851.
Ann Payne a very old and respectable lady of the Town of Hampton County of Elizabeth City aforesaid being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith by way of questions and answers as follows.
Question - Was or was it not the County of Elizabeth City much exposed and frequently invaded by parties of the enemy during all the war of the Revolution?
Answer - Yes, this County was troubled a great deal by parties of the enemy who frequently came from their vessels laying in the roads, and used to bother us a great deal. In the latter part of the war we were more frequently troubled with them than in the first, and the militia were obliged to hold themselves in readiness to look out for attacks that might come on them unexpectedly-
Question. Were or were not the militia of this County frequently called out to defend the County and keep guard to defend depredations?
Answer. As I said before, towards the last the Militia were called out whenever they were needed which was very often, both to defend the County from the attacks of the enemy, and also in times of alarm to keep guard, in fact they were almost always out. In the early part of the war when the people were not so much alarmed the militia were very seldom called out, but always ready to turn out when they were called.
Question - For what proportion of each year during the war from 1776 to 1783 do you think each officer and private who was liable to do military services, was in service in this County?
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Answer - I am unable to answer that question. For the last two or three years they were almost all the time engaged in some way, keeping guard or trying to keep the enemy off. before that time they were not called so often, only when alarms were given, sometimes they would keep guard then too, but not so often as towards the last.
Question - Do you or do you not think from your knowledge of Lieut. Wm. Brough, that he was in service at different times during the war as much as any other officer or soldier of the militia in Elizabeth City County?
Answer - I am almost certain that there was not an officer or soldier in This County who did more service in the Militia than William Brough. I knew him very well, and I know he was always ready and willing to turn out - he was one of them daring fellows that was always ready to meet the enemy, and would go any where, and do any thing that any of them would 
and further the deponent saith not-
Test Ann Payne x her mark

State of Virginia Elizabeth City County towit.
On this 11th day of Decr. Ann Payne personally appeared before and being duly sworn made oath that the facts contained in her answers to the foregoing questions are true, and subscribed to the same.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and 
affixed my notarial seal the
day & year last above mentioned
Thomas C. Peek not pub
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Recd 1 Sept 1830

Hampton Va
August 28th Free
12 1/2 
J. L. Edwards Esquire-
Pension Office-
City of
Washington
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Dear Sir Virginia Hampton 28 Augt. 1830
your kind letter of the 29. of July I received sometime ago for which I Am very thankful to you for, the message to me from the President, I am very thankful to him for his good will to me, as you have my Papers I will take it in a great favour if you will be pleased to inclose them to me, as I expect something will be done for me in Virginia, when it is I shan't fail to let you know, your goodness to me Will ever be remembered by me
I am 
Dear Sir
with great esteem
Your Most Obt. Servant
Wm. Brough
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deposition of Susan
Rudd in Wm Broughs
Case for Pension
Act June 1832

presented by
Rd. Burgess
Decr 12. 1849
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I hereby certify that I was well and intimately acquainted with William Brough of Elizabeth City County in State of Virginia where I was born and raised at, That I know he was an officer in the Malitia Service in the time of the Revolutionary War. That I have often heard him speak of his being in service and believe he was in service at various times to the end of the war, That he was a faithful man to his Countrymen and County that he allways kept medicine on hand for most every body. Given under my hand and seal 1st day of December in year Eighteen hundred forty nine
Susan Rudd Seal

State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County To wit
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Susan Rudd and made oath to the truth of the above statement and I hereby certify that the said Susan Rudd is an old Lady well known to me and that she is worthy of full faith and credit given under my hand this 1st day of December in year Eighteen hundred forty nine
John Willis J.P.

Virginia, Elizabeth City County to wit:
I, Samuel S. Howard, Clerk of the Court for the County and State aforesaid, do herby certify that John M. Willis whose name is signed to the foregoing affidavit is a Justice of the
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peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified according to law, that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this first day of December in the year 1849-
S. S. Howard Clk
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Wm Brough
Va. line
Suspended
Oct 21
Ex by V. Ellis.
Oct - 30- 52
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Know all men by these presents, That I, Joseph N Brough a party interested in the claim herein mentioned, do hereby constitute and appoint VESPASIAN ELLIS of Washington City, my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the claim of William Brough my father, for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said agent and attorney to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 18th day of Oct. A. D., 1851.
Joseph N. Brough SEAL.
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
R. J. McCandlish

STATE OF Virginia
City OF Norfolk SS.
On this 18th day of Oct A. D. 1851 before me, the subscriber, personally appeared Joseph N. Brough and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be - act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned, and also made oath that he is a party directly interested in the claim above mentioned, as claimant.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,
the day and year aforesaid. Chas H Shield J.P.

State of Virginia City of Norfolk Sc
I, John Williams Clerk of the Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Charles H. Shield Esquire before whom the foregoing paper was executed, was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said City, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and that the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this Eighteenth day of October A.D. 1851
Jno. Williams Clerk.
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NORFOLK Va. 15 MAR
Col. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

May 2d/50
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Norfolk March 15, 1850
Hon. Sir: 
I have just received a letter from R. Burgess Stating that you had rejected my father Wm Broughs claim and you required more testimony in the case, but Sir if that is the law that excludes living testimony, I think Congress has as well not passed the act.  for I feel confident there has not been one militia claim allowed if that be the case.  Honr. Sir the Doctor that attened my father was Doct. Samuel Colton his nepew Sir who has been dead seven or eight years, and I called on the undertaker before you had the case before you to see if he could tell me what time my father died but he informed me he had lost his books and did not know exactly, but some time in the fall of 1832.  he said you have my recipt for his coffin but I had lost that recipt, when my father died he left two children myself & sister but since that time my sister is dead leaving two children and I have not heard from those children for six or seven years  whether they are dead of not I cannot tell.  Hon Sir if you will inform me what other evidence you require in the case I will endevor to procure it
If you should happen to see Commodore Warrington he was well acqainted with my father
I am Dear Sir
Your Obt. Serv.   Joseph M Brough
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War Dept. Pension Office
July 29, 1830
Capt. William Brough,
Hampton, Va.
Sir:
Your letter to the President of the U. States has been referred to this office for reply. It would afford the President great pleasure to do anything in his power for your relief; but as there is no general or particular act of Congress which would authorize him or this Department to grant you a pension, he has only to regret that his disability to afford you help is not commensurate with his disposition. Your papers are on the files of this office.
J.L.E.
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War Dept. 
Pension Office
May 2, 1826

Hon. Thomas Newton
Pension Office
House of Reps.
Sir:
In answer to the enclosed letter from Mr. William Brough, I have to inform you that his claim to a pension was examined on the 28th of las month and rejected. On the same day a letter was addressed to him, assigning the reason for rejection. The act under which he claims, provides for those only who served in the Continental Establishment. You will perceive from the papers which you handed to me this morning, and which are herewith returned, that he was not a Continental but a Militia Officer. The objection to his claim is therefore irreparable.

J.L.E.
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To whom it may concern, be it known
That I James Barron of the United States Navy do certify that I know Mr. William Brough of Hampton Virginia from my earliest youth to the Period of his death, about eighteen years ago.  Mr. Brough was considered a patriot all the war of the revolution, and did perform militia duty as a Lieutenant and Captain occasionally during said war.  Mr. Brough was also a useful member of society in those days, of great necessity, in, as much, as he did cause to be built vessels for the West India Trade, which were of great value in introducing the necessaries of life, and munitions of War into our State whenever the absence of the enemy from our Waters rendered trace practicable.
Respectfully I am
James Barron
Norfolk Virginia
February the 12th 1850.
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The deposition of Ann Pane who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath say that she was well and intimately acquainted with William Brough who was a officer in the land service in the time of the Revolutionary war and that the said William Brough served to the end of the said war which was some time in the year 1783 and that he never did resign his commission to the best of my knowledge and belief,  That this deponant is not interest directly or indirectly and farther this deponant sayeth not,
Sworn and subscribed to this 30th day of July 1849
Ann Pane  x her mark

State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County  To Wit
This day personally appeared Ann Pane before me a Justice of the peace in and for said county and made oath to the truth of the above deposition and I hereby certify that the said Ann Pane is an old lady worthy of full faith and credit.  Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of July 1849
JM Willis J.P.  [handwritten seal]
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Virginia, Elizabeth City County to wit:
I, Samuel S. Howard Clerk of the Court for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that John M. Willis whose name is is signed to the foregoing, was at the time of the execution thereof and still is a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to law, that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 31st day of July 1849
S.S. Howard Clk

[SEAL]

presented by R Brough
Dec 12 49
Page 30

I will state in addition to what I have already stated, in a former affidavit, that William Brough, Esquire of Hampton Virginia - served throughout the Revolutionary War, as an officer of Militia, as his services were required - which from the exposed situation of the Sea board were frequent.  My impression is decided, that his actual, and active services, as a Captain, commanding a Militia Company, in said War, far exceeded six months.
James Barron
December the 24th 1850.
Page 31

Pension Office,
November 19th 1850.

Sir:
The additional evidence in the case of William Brough, deceased, has been received.
The names of his Children are proved, but not the day of his death.  This will no unnecessary, however, unless the duration of his service can be more definitely established.  Commodore Barron certifies that he served occasionally, but there is nothing to show that he was 6 months in service.
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
JL Edwards
Page 32

At a Court held for Elizabeth City County July 28th 1778
William Brough took the oath of a second Lieutenant in the Militia of this County.  Frances Mallery Esqr. took the oath as Colo. of the Militia for this County.

At a Court held for Elizabeth City County March 27th 1783
The Court doth recommend to his Excellency the Governor the following persons as proper for officers to serve in the Militia of this County Virginia.  William Brough first Lieutenant Wm. Parson second Lieutenant.  John Seymour Ensign

A Copy 
Teste
S.S. Howard Clk

Virginia, Elizabeth City County to wit:
I, Samuel S. Howard, Clerk of the Court for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing are true transcripts from the records of my office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal of office this 27th day of April 1849.
S.S. Howard Clk

[SEAL]
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Norfolk  May 3 1850

Dear Sir
I sent Mr. More a certificate in case of my father which he told me you had filed  I now ask it as a favour of you will urge a decision in that case.  As I shall leave home in the course of a few days and remain absent about two months or more I should like to know the result of it before I leave.  If Col. Edwards won't allow it can you take it before Mr. Ewing.  As I think I have come up to what Col. Edwards said must be done before it was allowed  you promised me sometime ago in one of your letters if I would get the nesasry evidence you would have the case acted on ammeadtily   I should of sent the certificate to you instead of Mr. More but I did not think it make any difference as I exspected he would hand it to you to file.  I you should be glad to hear from you as soon you can write with [illegible] to yourself and give me all the news that is [illegible] in your City
That certificate was given in open court according to law
I am Dear Sir
Your Obt Sevt.
Joseph N. Brough

Shemuel Godwin Eqr.
Washington City
DC
Page 34

Washington  Jan 3, 1851

Sir
At the request of Mr. Jos. N. Brough of Norfolk, I send you the enclosed certificate of Commodore Jas. Barron, as additional evidence in support of the case of William Brough deceased, now on file in the Pension Office.
Hoping that this will meet the requirements of the Department, & that the case will receive your early consideration.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully  Your most obed st.
John S. Miller

Jas. E. Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

Col. James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
March 1, 1850
Sir
I enclose a certificate of Commodore James Barron relative to the application of Capt. Wm. Brough for a pension for his military services in the Ware of the Revolution other testimony in the case is now in the files of your office and I am request to ask an early decision therein.
Respectfully, 
Sir
Robbert R Burgess
Page 36

Washington City
April 27, 1850

Col Edwards, 
I herewith enclose the additional evidence required by you sometime past in the case of William Broughs' heirs, who was an officer in the war of revolution.
With much respect, 
Your off. Lieut.
Shime Goodwin
Page 37

Feb. 11 - 1852
Sr. Wm. Brough
addl. evidence.
pension cleaim.
on 7 June 1832
Virginia Militia
Ellis Atty
present
Triplett
Febry 11th 1832
Page 38

To the Com. of Pensions
Washinton 11, Feby 52
Sir
I herewith file an explanatory deposition of Mrs. Ann Payne in relation to the services of Lieut. Wm. Brough of the Va Militia. It will be seen by the original papers that Wm. Brough was appointed 2 St. of the militia in 1778 and 1st in 1783. The affidavit now submitted shows that the County of Eliz. City Va was much exposure being on the Chesapeak Bay that the militia was frequently on duty that Mr. Brough did as much duty as any other man of his day. Full pensions have been allowed for militia service to persons in the adjoining counties of Mathews York Accomack and Northampton. Full pension was give to the widow
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of Capt Gibson Cluverus during last year, who served in an adjoining county. I claim that the militia of Elizabeth City were as much in service, the County was as much exposed, as Accomack County, to whose militia full pensions have been given. Per the Secretary's opinion in the case of Custer's Bill of Accomack.
Wm. Brough died in the fall of 1832 there is debt to his children owed about one and a half years pension, but that amount this claim is being justly due at $320 per annum. 
Respectfully submitted
Mrs.  Ellis
for the children 
of Wm. Brough
Page 40

No 37.088
William Brough, dec.
Act 7 June 1832
Virginia
See letter to T. Moore, 
Sept. 19 1849
Let. to Richard Burgess
March 4 50
S. Godwin 19 Nov. 1851
Hon. Milton 18
Page 41

J E Buchannan
12 Feb 44
Page 42

Francis Shoan pa
Wm Brough
Page 43

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1879
12/18
P.O. William Brough
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted. ,18
Discharged: ,18
Application Filed: ,18
Alleges:
enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized
Contract
Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for , 18
Page 44

Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3
Page 45

Wm. Brough
Revo. Virginia.
1267
Rejected.  See letters to Claimant.  April. 28 1826 - and Hon Thos. Newton, H.R. 2d. May 1826
14 June 1828 to the claimant
do. 17 July 1828:  also June 23d 1829.  do. to W. Brough July 29 1830.  do 2 Sep 1830 & 13d Sep 1830.  do  5 Nov 1830
Page 46

Va

Let V Ellis May 31, 1852

1268

Act 7 July 52
Page 47

[STAMP]
Norfolk
[illegible date]

[STAMP]
Paid

Shimuel Godwin Eqr.
Washington City D.C.
Page 48

Jany 7 57

Addl Evidence in case of Wm Brough decd

free
JS Miller
[illegible]

Jas E. Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Triplett
Va
Hon J.S. Miller HR