Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41,460, Elijah Branch, Continental (Vt.)
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Continental (Vt.)
Branch, Elijah
NUMBER
S 41,460|
CONTENTS
Page 2


17.385
Elijah Branch of Monkton in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hopkins of the regt commanded by Colonel Warner in the N. Hamp'r line, for the term of three years, from [blank] 1777 to [blank] 1780
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 24 day of April 1818 and [blank]
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 of June 1820 and sent to E. Hoyt Vergennes.
______
Continued on the Roll on 13 day of August 1831 and notification sent to S. Haight at Monkton, Pension commencing on the 13 of August 1831
Amount due to 4th of Sept 1831} $5.96
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Acts March 18, 1818,} 
{May 1, 1820.}
Sep. 20

[recto]
See let to Hon: Wm Slade Dec: 26. 1840.
same Dec 30. 1840
31-12=19 4.90-1.16=96
Page 3

Elijah Branch New Hampshire
Col Warners Rmt.
March 1777 - 3 yrs
The certificate of the Judge that the applicant is a Citizen of the U. States, is inscribed.
Further evidence of service required - The magistrate who administered the oath, should certify to the credibility of the witness.
one Witness will be found within regularly certified. - 
Adm'd 5 June 1820
Page 4

State of Vermont
Addison County ss} On this 24. day of April AD 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the County Court within and for said County of Addison personally appears Elijah Branch aged fifty eight - years resident in Monkton in said County of Addison who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the last act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed March 18, 1818 - That the said Elijah Branch ['aged fifty eight years' crossed out] came inn the month of February or March 1777 at Bennington in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont, enlisted as a ['private soldier' crossed out] fifer into Capt. Wait Hopkins Company, Colo Seth Warner's Regt called the Green Mountain boys, for the term of three years, that he continued to serve in said corps in the service of the United States faithfully against the common enemy during the  whole term of his engagement, when he was honorably discharged at Bennington Co whether he rec'd a written discharge or not he does not now remember but if he did he has lost it - that he was in the battles of Ticonderoga, Hubbarton, Bennington & Saratoga, and that he  is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance from his Country for support and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the testimony of Josiah Lawrence hereto annexed - Sworn and declared before me the day & year aforesaid - 
/s/E. Hoyt Judge
I, Ezra Hoyt Esqr Judge of the County Court within and for the County of Addison aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Elijah Branch did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony [illegible] and had before me to the Secretary for the
Page 5

department of war pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of our said County Court to be hereunto affixed this 24th day of April AD 1818.
/s/E. Hoyt Judge
And I further certify that the applicant is in reduced circumstances & stand in need of assistance applied for - 
/s/E. Hoyt Judge
And I further certify that the within named Elijah Branch is a Citizen of the United States
/s/E. Hoyt Judge
Page 6

I Josiah Lawrence of Monkton in said County of Addison being duly sworn depose and says that he is well acquainted with the said Elijah Branch and well know that he was a fifer in Colo Warner Regt called the Green Mountain boys for more than nine months in the Revolutionary war
/s/Josiah Lawrence
State of Vermont
Addison County ss} Sworn & subscribed before me this 24 day of April AD 1818 & I further certify that the above deponent is in my opinion a credible witness
/s/E. Hoyt Judge
State of Vermont
Addison County ss } I Samuel Swift Clerk of the County Court for said County of Addison do hereby certify that above named Ezra Hoyt, was, on the 24th day of April A.D. 1818, a Judge of said Court, and that his name above written is his own proper signature.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court.
/s/Sam'l Swift Clerk
Page 7

Elijah Branch's Declaration & Schedule
Page 8

State of Vermont
District of Addison ss} On this 18th day of June 1830, personally approved in open Court, before the Probate Court for the District of Addison aforesaid (being declared to be a Court of record by a statute of this State) Elijah Branch resident in Monkton in the County of Addison aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818, and the 1st May 1820, that he the said Elijah Branch enlisted for the term of three years in the month of March in the year 1777 at Bennington, Vermont, in the company commanded by Capt. Wait Hopkins, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Seth Warner, on the Continental establishment; that he continued to service in the said corps, as a fifer until the month of March 1780, when he was discharged from the said service, at Bennington in the State of Vermont; - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present; that his name has been placed on the pension list; that the number of his pension certificate is 17,385, and the never before exhibited a schedule of his property, because until lately, he has had some  property, which he understood would prevent his being restored to the pension list. - 
And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, no straits or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed: -
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1 Cow 16.00
2 Old ploughs broken 2.00
1 Old Scythe 1.00
1 Old Ox waggon (wheels broken) 8.00
1 Ax, 1 hoe & 1 shovel 2.00
1 Old one-horse waggon (broken) 8.00
1 Old Saddle & bridle 4.00
Past sett of old tools for repairing guns. - made principally by myself} 5.00
[total] 46.00
2 Old Tables 2.00
7 or 8 old chairs 1.75
1 Pot 1.00
1 Five-pail kettle 2.00
1 Dish kettle .75
1 Broken Tea kettle .25
Old Crockery 1.00
About half doz. knives & forks .25
[total] 9.00 + 46.00=$55.00
Elijah Branch. - 
That I am, by occupation a gun-smith; but, on account of age and infirmities, am able to work  but little, and that in repairing old guns: That I have been for several years so much afflicted with the rheumatism, as nearly to lose the use of my limbs: That I have in my family a wife aged about 65 years, in very feeble health & in some degree deranged. That in the year 1818, and for some years after, I owned in the town of Monkton a tract of land of about three hundred acres; - about 100 acres of which was under improvement; that not having health to labour my farm, I worked at my trade; and having but little personal estate, I did not carry on my farm so as to derive but little income from it that farm the year 1818 to 1820, I had generally, but do not recollect particularly as to dates, - one or two horses, a yoke of oxen, and four or five cows, and perhaps a few young cattle, and from 12 to 20 sheep: that in March 1820, [illegible] commenced a suit against me on a pretended contract to make him a gun, which was continued though many trials, and with various success, until it was finally submitted to a arbitration, and the claim was decided against me; and not being able to pay the award, a suit was commenced upon it, and a final judgment was obtained against me at the term of the County Court for the County of Addison, at their term holden in September 1826; the amount of which was 191 dollars 50 Cents - besides a former judgment, which I paid of about 100 dollars: That I was committed to jail in said judgment and the genl. bond given on that occasion was susd, and was
Page 10

paid by me before final judgment in 1827, with the addition of about thirty dollars interest & cost: That the whole experience of said law suit was not less than 1500 dollar for Attorney and
Counsel for witnesses &c. That the experience of that lawsuit had embarrassed me to some extent, and reduced my personal estate
and I had in the meantime, through age and the perplexities of the lawsuit, being disabled for any active employment. and about the same time, undertook to assist Tarah Porter, a son in law, and been one holden for him to a large amount, by signing notes for him, on which I have paid considerable sums among other, I signed a note with said Porter to Jonathan Hoyt Jun. dated 25 November 1828, for $101.25, on which a Judgment was rendered at the term of the County Court for the County of Addison
in December 1829 for $107.80 damages, & for $14.66 cost, and an execution was to be out & levied on four Cows, being all the cows found, except one, which the laws of this State exempt from execution. I also signed a note with said Porter, & one Chauncey Porter dated 1 May 1824, for 33 dollars to Ira Stewart, on which
judgment was rendered, at the April Term of Addison County Court in 1826, for $347.45 damages & 13 dollars & 93 cents Costs,
which being stayed by injunction in Chancery, an alias execution was taken out on the 8th day of February 1830, and levied upon
yoke of oxen and three tons of hay, which were sold at auction for 65 dollars & 10 cents, and I was committed to jail for the balance: That for the purpose of paying debts, for which was
holden for the said Porter, he borrowed money of William Nash, for which I gave to said Nash two notes of hand dated 12 April 1827, for $249.00 each, to secure which I gave a mortgage of my home farm above mentioned containing three hundred sum.
That said Mortgage was said and a dense for the foreclosure of the same was had in said County Court, in June 1829, allowing until
the first Monday of April 1830, for the redemption of the same, and
that the time has expired, and I was unable by any means to raise the money to redeem the land, and it passed from me
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under said decree: That the above mentioned cattle were all the possessed except an old mare & colt, and three yearlings when
sold to Joshua Stone, on the____ day of____ and took his note for the same; and the said note turned out to John Howe a deputy Sheriff to secure the balance of the said execution in favor of Jonathan Hoyt Jun.-
Elijah Branch.-

Sworn & declared on the 18th day of
June 1830. Before the Court aforesaid,
Saml Swift Judge of said Probate Court.
Samuel Swift- Judge of said Probate Court f

I Samuel Swift Judge of the Probate Court for the Justice of Addison in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed are truly
copied from the records of said Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is fifty five dollars.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
on this 12th day of April 1831.-
---
Samuel Swift Judge
Page 12

41460
INVALID.
REV-----

File No. 41460

Elijah Branch
Priv. Rev. War
-------------

Act: 18 Marc h 1800
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 60

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 13

Ltr. to J. Gregory, Nov. 20, 1846
Page 14

Feb or March 1777- filer - Capt Wait Hopkins
Co. Col Seth Warner Sgt for 3 years

Elijah Branch May 18 77. filer
3 years
May & June 79.
Page 15

Vermont
17.385
---------------
Elijah Branch
of Monfeton in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Warner of the N Hampshire
line, for the term of Three years
----------------------------------
Subscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 24 of April 1818.
-------------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 of June 1820
and sent to Ezra Hoyt Esquire
Vergennes- Vermont-
---------------------------------------
Arrears to 4th of March 1820 -          178.89
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1820.    Ⓧ48
                                                              226:89                                                          
                                                           ----------
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}


See letter to Hon. J. Meech, August 25. 1828. Respecting act May 15, 1828, &c.
Certificate sent to Stephen Haight date same
July 21. 1831 date same. July 25, 1831
Page 16

Dec 21. 1840
In at Vermont
H. Branch
Elijah Branch
L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington
Am W. Slado Hon.
Page 17

Marblehead, October 28th, 1846.

Honored Sir:
Mrs. Hannah Branch,  of
Middleburg, in the County of Addison and State of Vermont, widow of Elijah Branch, late
a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of 1818
deceased, recently called upon a son of the
undersigned residing in said Middleburg, with the two affidavits herewith enclosed, with a request that I should forward them to your Honor in support of her claim to a Pension under the Act of 1838?

As the affidavits are not authenticated, they
are forwarded merely informally to indicate that it is the desire of Mrs. B. for me to make the
enquires herein contained, and if returned, with any answer that may be given, they will be duly
authenticated if advisable.

Mrs. Branch states that a gentleman of the
name of Bach forwarded her Declaration to the
to Pension Office "some 5 or 6 years ago", and she understand that the reason for the new allowance of her claim was, because the proof of her marriage was not satisfactory; but of the truth of this she-
Page 18

seems to have nothing more at best then
mere vague information, & she earnestly requests the undersigned to ascertain exactly how the claim is situated
Under these circumstances, it will much
oblige the party interested if your Honor will
from the undersigned with a copy of any answer
on answers which may have been communicated by the Department to her former agent, touching the additional proof demanded on the objections to the allowance of her claim.

I am, with very great respect
your Honn humble servant
James Gregory


James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension
Washington, D.C.
Page 19

I John Chipman of Middlebury County of Addison & State of Vermont, on oath say that I was well acquainted in the year 1776, 1777. 1778 & 1779, with Elijah Branch now residing in Markton, County of Addison & State of
Vermont. & recollect that the said Branch enlisted, in Bennington in this State, sometimes in the letter part of the year 1776, or the fore part of the year 1777 into a company commanded by Capt. Wait Hopkins, for the time of three years, and was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Seth Warner of this State. -that the said Branch serve under said enlistment, in said Regiment for the
sum of three years, at the expiration of which
time he was discharged- & that I was a Captain
commanding a company in said Regiment during said time & further say not.
John Chapman


State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
On this 22 day of March A.D. 1820, personally appeared the above named John Chipman, who is well known by me as a credible witness & made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth
Before me-William Slack I'm Judge of Addison County Court-
Page 20

State of Vermont, I Samuel Swift Clerk of the County Court for said Addison County ⎬ County of Addison do hereby certify that the within named William Sladern is a Judge of
said Court and his name written within
is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this 2nd day of March A.D. 1820
Samuel Swift
Page 21

Copy
-------
Williams Dash Mort
and from Elijah Branch-
Page 22

WM Nash}
Sgt and Pri Elijah Branch} 

A copy know all men by these presents that I Elijah Branch of Markton in the County of Addison and State of Vermont for and in communication of the sum of one thousand Dollars current money of the Center State and  in full to my satisfaction of William Nash of Newhaven in said County & State he might
when of I do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained and sold & by there presents do give grant bargain sell alien convey and confirm unto the said William Nash- his heirs and assigns for ever a certain part or
parcel of land situate lying and being in Markton aforesaid containing about their hundred and more or less bounded and described as follows (Riz)bounded Northerly by the South line of sd Town of Markton Eastwardly by lands now are, by Dyer Lawrence Southerly of  Launnis  &
land owned by Robinson Munnford & Westerly by land lately owned by Isaac Stearn disarm and land of Nathaniel Stearns being the whole offspring home in which I now live in Markton.- To have and to hold the above granted
and bargained premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof & thereto
belonging to him the sd William Nash his heir and assigns to his & their own proper
use benefit & behoof forever and I . The said Elijah Branch do for my self my heirs executors and administrators covenant to and with the Sr. William Nash his heirs executors administrators  and assigns that at and until the unsealing
of these presents. I am well seized of the premises per simpler that I have good
right and lawful authority to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written that they are free and clear of all incumbrance &
that I warrant and defend the same against all lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whatever I'm witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 12th day of April AD 1827-       

Signed Sealed & Deliver}          Elijah Branch
in presence of}
Charles Linsley}
Calvin C. Waller}
State of Vermont Addison County ss,}
Middleburg April 12-1827
Personally appeared Elijah Branch the signer & Sealer of the above Instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free voluntary
act and Deed before me-
Charles Linsley Justice Peace

Provided nevertheless and the within Deed is delivered upon this express condition
(Riz) that if the Sr. Elijah Branch his heirs executors or administrators shall will &
truly pay a cause to be paid to the said William Nash his heirs or assigns two promissory Note bearing even date herewith signed by the said Elijah Branch Sr. and made payable to said William Nash or his order each for the term of
two hundred forty nine Dollars & five cents one payable by the first day January next and the other payable in one year from the first day of
July next both on Interest then the within and shall be utterly void and of no effect otherwise to be & remain in full force & virtue to convey the premises Witness our hand & Seal at Middlebury the 12th day of April AD. 1827-In
presence of Calvin C. Waller

William Nash {LP}
Elijah Branch {LP}

Wm js. Pensions
Page 23

this may certify that the within & foregoing is a true Copy of the original Deed as appears on record in my office-

Minth
West Raddam Hollis Town Clerk
Month on June 30 -1830-
Page 24

Case of Elijah Branch
Addison County Clerk's
Certificate of Judgment &c.
Page 25

State of Vermont
Addison County, J. Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify, that at the time of said Court holden on the Second Monday of December 1821, in a suit in favor of Gavin Collomer against Elijah Branch, on a
contract for making a gun for $17, 44 Cents damages and a judgment was rendered for the plaintiff for $60.03 Costs, on which execution was issued of the debtor committed. Said Suit was appealed from the judgment of a Justice of the peace, & entered in said Court, at their December Term 1820: - That a judgment was rendered in said Court
on the jail bond given by said Branch on said execution at the December Term 1822, for $86.14 debt and $13.10 costs: on which  execution was issued: - That at the term of said Court holden on the Second Monday of December A.D. 1822, the said Branch applied for a new trust in said suit, and at the term of said Court in June 1823 a new trial was
granted; and said cause was continued in said Court, with one trial, in which the Jury did not agree on a verdict and were discharged, until the December Term of said Court 1824, when
the same was discontinued having been submitted to arbitration: That a judgment was rendered in said Court at their term holden
in September 1826, on the bond executed by said Branch to abide the word of said Arbitration for $144.24 damage and
for $46.96, Cost: That execution was issued on the last mentioned judgment & the said Branch committed to jail; and at the time
of said Court holden in April 1827, a suit was commenced on the jail bond given on the last mentioned execution, and at the same
term was discontinued, having been settled:-
And I further certify, that at the term of said Court holden on the second Tuesday of December 1829, a judgement was rendered in favor of Jonathan
Page 26

Hoyt June against said Branch and one Sarah Porter, on a
note executed by them, dated 25 November 1818 for $101, 25, for the
Sum of $187.50 damages for $1466 lost: on which execution may
issued 24 December 1829.
And further certify, that at the term of said Court holden on
the fourth Monday of April 1826, a judgment was rendered by said Court
in favor of Isa Stewart, against said Branch, and Sarah Porter and
Chauncey R. Porter, for $ 347, 15 do wages $13.93 Cost and execution
of said judgment having been stayed by injunction in Chancery, an Alas
executed was to her out for the amount of said judgment, with the addition
 of interest to the amount of $35,33, making in the whole,
said execution being dated 8th February 1836 and was returned
April 1836, satisfied for $54.93, and the committed to jail
for the balance. The return of the officer on said execution is
as follows- Addison County ss Monkton February 16. 1830
By virtue of this execution the direction of the plaintiff, I laid the same
on one yoke of oxen, one yoke & three tons of hay, and on the
19th day of Feby 1830, advertised the same to be sold at public
Vendie at the dwelling house of Leeman B. Smith in Monkton
on the 8th day of March 1830, and adjourned from time to time
until the 30th day of March 1830, when I proceeded to sell the same
as the law directs, and sold one yoke of oxen & yoke to John Bacon
for $39, one Mow of hay to M. W. Kinsley for two dollars & one to
a hay to L. Scott for $1.50, they being the best bidders, amounting in
the whole to $65, 10, which after deducting my fees, as stated in the
Bele hereunto annexed, leaves fifty-four dollars & ninety-three cents to apply
on this execution, Att. Alson Collins, Constable. And the said
Constable makes further return, that he committed the said Branch
& Sarah Porter to jail, but could not find the said Channey
And I further certify, that at the term of said Court holden on
the second Tuesday of June 1829, a decree was made for the
fore dower of a certain mortgage, executed by the said Branch
William Rash, for a tract of land in Monkton
Page 27

described as follows to wit, bounded Northwardly by the north line of
said Monkton, eastwardly by lands owned by Gen Lawrence, death
only by lands owned by said Lawrence lands owned by Robinson
Mumford westwardly by lands lately owned by Irael Sears deceased
and lands of Nathaniel Stearns, it being the whole of what is called
the defendants home farm, and containing about three hundred
acres more or less: and said mortgage was executed to secure
the payment of two promissory note for $249, 5 each, dated
April 12th, 1821, payable with interest. The amount found
due on said Mortgagee, at the time of said decree was $17.03
and the cost $17.70, amounting to $34.73, which, according to
said decree was made payable by the first Monday of May 1830
with interest, or in default thereof said mortgage to be foreclosed
And I further certify that the amount of said deced was not
paid according to its tenor,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court at Middlebury
this 12th day of July A.D. 1831
Saml Swift Clerk
Page 28

Aug 13. 1831
The Hon Sec. of War
pen to com
Washington
Page 29

Monkton 6 August 1831
Sir
I have provided the
Hanl Horatio Seymour to
give certificate which I
really hope will be satisfactory
to the County Clerk has
put in the tape agreeable
to your direction and I can
azure you that there is
no cheat attempted I will
know the applicant and
know him to be
poor
yours Respectfully
S Haight
Page 30

Sir
House of Reps Dec. 29. 1840
I am inclined to think that Hannah
Branch, in regard to whom I wrote you a
few days ago, and have your reply of the
26th now before me, has now made
application to you for a pension, by reason
of he having been divorced from her husband
in 1811. my opinion was that she had
made application, and that you had decided
against her on that ground, but I was
probably mistaken
for the purpose of presenting her
case to Congress, it is of course meaning that
I should show from the records in your
office that her late husband, Elijah Branch,
was a pensioner under the act of 1818, and
the length of time, and the capacity in
which, he served.
I suppose a certificate
from you will be sufficient. Let it State
the commencement & termination of each time
of his service as proved, and the capacity in
Page 31

which, and the officers under whom, he
served. The latter I want to show the commence
between his declaration and proof, and her
statement in her petition.
I desire to present her petition as
soon as possible, and have therefore to
request that you will send me your
certificate at your earliest convenience
Very respectfully
our obedient servant
William Slade
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 32

Hannah Branch
VT
Page 33

House of Reps
December 19. 1840
Sir
Hannah Branch of Monkton in the State of
Vermont has applied for a pension, claiming
to be the widow of Elijah Branch late of said
Monkton, a pensioner under the act of 1818.
her claim has been rejected on the ground
that she was divorced from her husband,
Mr Branch, and is not therefore his
widow, within the meaning
of the law
I have in charge her petition to Congress
praying for a pension, notwithstanding the
divorce; and for the purpose of making
out her case desire his declaration
other papers in your office, or copies of
them, together with a copy of your 
communication to her or his agent, assigning
the same for routing her claim; and
also copies of the papers in the case of
her late husband Elijah Branch uponwhich

was granted his pension under the
act of 1818, together with a copy
Page 34

of his certificate of pension under that act.
As I very much desire to get the action
of Congres upon the case of Mrs Branch
early in the present I should feel much obliged
if you would send me the papers requested
as soon as possible.
Respectfully
Your obedient servant
William Slade
J L Edwards Esq
Page 35

State of Vermont
Addison County
Monkton October 8th 1846
I Roberson Mumford of Monkton
County and State aforesaid Aged Eighty seven years
Testify and say that Elijah Branch lived with me
at Bennington Vermont and went from my house to be
Mared and returned and said he was Mary
Hannah Beeman and they and to gether as
Husband and wife for thirty years or more and
Had ten or eleven children and Elijah Branch
signed a Neighbor to me untill his death
and further I say not
Roberson Mumford
I
Diah Branch of Monkton County of Addison
State of Vermont aged
fifty one testafy and
day that Elijah Branch Reid the sixtenth Day
of December A.D. 1834 and
further I say not
Diah
Branch
State of Vermont
Addison County Monkton October 8th 1846
personally appeared Roberson
Mumford and diah Branch the signs of the
whom affidavit and made oath to the Smith
of the same and I am well aquanted with the
said Robison Mumford and diah Branhand
---
there are men of truth and vanity
William Alton
Justice of the said
Before Me
Page 36

STATE OF VERMONT, To the Sherie of Addison County, his Deputy other of
Addison
County the Constable of bury in said County, GREETING
WHEREAS Elijah Branch of Monkton
in the County of Addison and State of Vermont hath represented to the
Commissioners of Jail delivery, within and for said County of Addison
that
he the said Elijah
is now confined a prisoner in the common
Jail in Middlebury in the County of Addison by virtue of an execution
in favor of a Stewart of Middlebury
and State of Vermont for the sum of
in the County of Addison
and
50 Cents Damage and for the sum of
29 Dollars
Dollars and
50 cents, costs of suit, and 25 cents more for said writ of
execution
and officer's fees endorsed thereon, to the amount
of
3 dollars and 24 cents, issued on a Judgment
rendered in proper action on contract by the consideration of Nathan Smith
Justice peace, on the 18 day of May 1830
and dated the 26th December 1830
-
of
of
and signed by Nathan Smith Just. peace within and for said County.
whereas the said
Commissioners that
hath further represented to the said
Elijah the said Elijah
hath not
real or personal estate to the value of Twenty Dollars, except such articles of property as
are exempted from mesne process and final execution; nor has he sufficient to
pay the debt, damages and costs aforesaid, for which he by said execution hath been
committed; and that he has not disposed of the same since his said commit
ment, except for the necessary subsistence of himself and family; and that he has
not sufficient to support himself in prison. And therefore prays that he may
be admitted to the oath by law provided, for the relief of poor prisoners, and thereupon
liberated from his
said commitment, agreeably to the Statutes in such case made
and provided,
These are therefore by the authority of the State of Vermont, to command
you, that you make known according to law to the said Ira Stewart
28th
he be and appear before the said Commissioners of ail delivery, on the
day of Feby in the year of our Lord 1831 at 9 o'clock forenoon,
at my dwelling house in Middlebury them and there
to shew cause why the said
Elijah
from
should not be liberated
his said confinement on
his oath as aforesaid
Hereof fail not, but of this precept, with your doings thereon endorsed, make due return
according to law.
Given under my hand at Middlebury this
1831
22d
P
day of February
Joel Doolittle
Comr
Page 37

Addison County ss. February 22d 1831
I then served this citation by having a true and attested copy of the same in the hands of the within named Ira Stewart, with this my return here or thereon endorsed.
Attest. /s/S. Sillick Sheriff

Elijah Branch vs Ira Stewart Citation
Feby 23 1831. parties appear pursuant to notice., and on motion, adjourned to the 3d March 1831 - at 1 oclock P.M. same - 
Petitioner admitted to the oath 3d March 1831
Creditor present - 
J. Doolittle }
S. Swift }
C. Linsley } Com'rs present
A true copy of the original now in my office 
attest /s/J. Doolittle Com'r 
July 13 1831

Middlebury August 1st 1831 I certify that I have called at the office of Joel Doolittle & examined the original record of which this is a copy & that proceeding is in one form agreeable to the laws of this state & that the board of Commissioners have no Clerk, & that record of the proceedings in each case is kept in the office of the Commissioners who signs the original summons and that the certificates numbered 1 & 2 signed by the three commissioners & are likewise in due form and by the laws of this State when given by the Commissioners entitled the Debtor to his discharge from prison - 
I further certify that this copy & also the copies of the certificates are in the hand writing of Joel Doolittle the commissioner in whose office the originals are
/s/Horatio Seymour
Page 38

Addison County, ss.
STATE OF VERMONT, To Seymour Sellick Keeper of the Goal
in Middlebury, in the County of Addison
GREETING.
WHEREAS, Elijah Branch of Monkton
a prisoner in your custody on an Execution at the suit of Ira Stewart of
Middlebury
for the sum of
29 dollars and 50 cents
damages and for the sum of
dollar and
25 cents
costs of suit, signed by Nathan Smith Justice peace
and dated at Monkton the 26th
day of December A.D. 1830 has this day taken the oath
prescribed in an act, entitled, an act relating to levying execution, and to poor debtors,
passed November 11, 1818, and the acts in addition thereto
The said Ira Stewart
having been
duly notified, did
ought to be discharged.
attend; and in our opinion the said Elijah Branch
Witness our hands, at Middlebury this
30
day of March
A. D. 1831,
Joel Doolittle
Samuel Swift
Commissioners.
Chas Linsky
Page 39

I certify that this is a true copy of the
certificate made out and delivered by the
the Commissioners to the keeper of the
common Jail in Middlebury, and by viz
ten of which said keeper, discharged the
within named Elijah Branch, from in
prisonment, on the within named debt.
August 1831
Joel Doolittle Comm
Ira Stewart
Elijah Branch
Certificate
Page 40

STATE OF VERMONT 
Addison County, ss.
GREETING.
WHEREAS Elijah Branch of Monkton
a prisoner in the common Goal in Middlebury, in the county of Addison aforesaid, on an
Execution at the suit of Ira Stewart of Middlebury
for the sum of
29 dollars and 50 cents
damages and for the sum of 
dollar and
25 cents
costs of suit, signed by Nathan Smith Justice peace
and dated at Monkton the 26th
day of December A. D. 1830 has this day taken the oath
prescribed in an act entitled, an act relating to levying execution, and to poor debtors,
passed November 11, 1818 & the act in addition thereto
The said Iva Stewart
having been
duly notified, did
attend; and in our opinion the said Elijah Branch
ought to be discharged.
Witness our hands, at Middlebury this
3d day of March
A. D. 1831.
Joel Doolittle
Saml Swift
Chas Linsley
Commissioners
Page 41

I certify that this is a true copy of the
certificate made out and delivered to Elijah
Branch, by the Commissioners, on his taking
 the poor debtor's oath, by which he was
discharged from his imprisonment on
the within named debt
Aug. 1831
Joel Doolittle Comr
No 2
Certificate
Debtor
Elijah Branch
Ira Stewart
Page 42

Robinson Mumford
Affidavit
Page 43

State of Vermont Manton
Addison County
July 19th 1830
I Francis Haney of Monkton
of Lawful age to testify and say
that I well
acquainted with Elijah
Branch of Monkton
and know that
he has lost
 all his property and that
unaccordable and is sold and informed
and poor and is under
necessity of
Support and further the Depart Sayeth not
Truman Hardy
State of Vermont
Monkton 17th July 1830
Addison County 
they personally appeared
Simon of the above affidavit
and south to the truth of the same
four and on Elliot
Page 44

I, Stoddard Hollis, Register of the Town of Monkton in the County of Addison State of Vermont being of lawful age do testify and say that in the year 1827 the 12th April Elijah Branch gave a mortgage deed of his farm to a M. Nash of Newhaven County State [aforesaid?] that in March 1830 
I view a deed from Sach for [illegible] conveying the same land having foreclosed [illegible] mortgage & thus obtained the land and further the defendant saith not
Stoddard Hollis
Page 45

I Alson Collins Constable of Monkton in the County of Addison and State of Vermont of lawful age do testify and say that in the month of February last I had an execution in my hands for collection in favor of Ira Stewart against Elijah Branch of Monkton to the amount of between three and four hundred dollars said plaintiff [illegible] one yoke of oxen and all the hay said Branch had which I sold at auction in hand to satisfy said execution and committed him to jail on the balance. Said oxen was all the team said Branch had. Said property was sold at public [illegible] in the month of March last further the deponent [?] saith not

Addison County
Monkton June 23, 1830

Alson Collins

Then personally appeared Alson Collins the signer of the above affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same

Before me

Daniel Collins blank June
Page 46

State of Vermont I Zerah Porter of Monkton being of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Elijah Branch of Monkton that he has become feeble with old age and rheumatism that he has lost his property by this fortune, his oxen the only team he had likewise his cows and hay excepting what the law would allow him to keep has been sold to partly satisfy execution against him.
Monkton June 25th 1830
Zerah Porter
Page 47


Samuel Fuller of Monkton
 in the County
of Addison and State of Vermont
being of lawful age do testify and say
that I am acquainted with Elijah Branch and
that he has become feble with old age and infirm
and that he has lost his property by the
misfortune of being bail for others further
the deponent Sith not
Samuel Fuller
Personally appeared Samuel Fuller the
Signer of the above
affidavit and made Solemn oath to the same
Before me Nathan Smith Justice
Page 48

State of Vermont
Monkton
Addison County
July 19th 1832
of Simon Brant of
Monkton Addison County being of lawful age 
do testify and say that of the landed property
of Elijah Branch of Monkton Addison County
was Mortgage to Wm Nash of Newham
Addison County to raise money to pay
the expense
me of a lawsuit in which he was at an
they said
Elijah Branch has neither property on
means to redeem said property and that the day
of redemption has expired and
is taken from him by the law
the property
deponent saith not
further the
Simon Branch
Mankton Addison County personly appeared
Simon Branch the same and sealer of the
above written instrument and made sale
oath to the sum
Before me
Nathan Smith Junior
Page 49

State of Vermont
Addison County

I Robinson Mumford of Monkton being of lawful age do testify and say that all the property of Elijah Branch consisting of four [illegible] one yoke of oxen and all his hay excepting enough to keep what property the law allows him was [illegible] and disposed of according to law to satisfy demands against him

Robinson [his mark] Mumford

Monkton June 25th 1830
Page 50

Case of Elijah Branch

Affidavit HC
Page 51

State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison do hereby certify that William Elliott, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Truman Hardy was made, Daniel Collins before whom the foregoing affidavits of Stoddard Hollis and Alson Collins were made, and Nathan Smith, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Zerah Porter, Samuel Fuller, Simon Branch and Robinson Mumford were made, were at the time said affidavits were respectively made, justices of the peace of said County, fully authorized to administer oaths. 
And I further certify that Jack Doolittle, Samuel Swift and Charles Linsley, were, on the 28th day of February A.D. 1831, Commissioners of Jail delivery for the said County of Addison and that [illegible] Sellick on the 22 day of February A. D. 1831, was Sheriff of said county. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Middlebury this first day of August A. D. 1831.
Samuel Swift, Clerk &c.