Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1246, Samuel Brooks, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
 Conn.

Brooks, Samuel 
Elizabeth 

NUMBER 
R. 1246

CONTENTS
Page 2

3237
New York
Samuel Brooks

Oswego in the State of New York 
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Elliott of the ----- commanded
by ------ in the Connecticut 
time for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 30 dollars per annum
to commence of the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th days of December, 1832 and sent to A.Z. McCarty Richland

Arrears to 4th of September, 1832 $45
Semi annual allowance ending 4 March 1833 $15
$60

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by George C Stiles, Clerk
Book D Vol. 5 Page 146
Page 3

2267
Samuel Brooks
Pension papers

Admitted
9 mo private
30$

A.Z. McCarty
Richland
Oswego Co
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

State of New York
County of Oswego

On this fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before me John Reynolds one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Oswego (being a Court of Record) Samuel Brooks a resident of the Town of Orwell in the County of Oswego and State of New York aged 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 act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he enlisted in the month of April (the fifteenth day of the month according to his best recollection & belief) in the year 1775 in the Company commanded by Captain Joseph Ellet or Elliot in the Connecticut State troops (as he supposes) but cannot be positive as it is so long since and his memory much impaired he may be mistaken. That he enlisted for the term of six months; and immediately marched for Boston: That he enlisted in the Town of Killingsly [Killingly] 6 months in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut. That the name of his lieutenant he believes was Cather; that the company of Capt Elliot when it first arrived before Boston, was Stationed at Cambridge and under the command of General Putnam, as he believes. That he does not remember the name of the Colonel of the Regiment to which he belonged, nor of the Major. That he served as a drummer in the said
Page 5

Company: That he remembers General Lee & General Putnam but is unable to recollect the name of his Colonel. That the Company of Captain Elliot after laying at Cambridge a short time was afterwards stationed near Bunker Hill where they remained until the period of service expired.  That the British were then in possession of Boston and that after the period of service of said Company expired they were detained nearly one month. and that it was seven months from the time of his enlistment until his return to his place of residence--that he returned to his said place of residence immediately after being discharged: That the distance from Killingsly [Killingly](the then place of residence of this deponent) was between seventy and eighty miles; That during the time this desponent served in said Company, before Boston, General Washington arrived and took command of the Army. That this deponent may be mistaken as to his being in the State troop, and it may that he served the aforesaid period in the militia and that if in the militia he was a volunteer as he does not remember being drafted --That in the fall of the year seventeen hundred & seventy six,  this desponent volunteered as a militiaman in the Company of Captain Joseph Cady, from Killingsly [Killingly] aforesaid where he then resided; and went as was then said to the defense of New York. That they marched by lands from Killingsly [Killingly] to or near New York and were after a few days stationed at Fort Washington on the North River: and after remaining at this place a short time, were removed or ordered to Fort Lee on the opposite side of the river where they were stationed at the time Fort Washington was taken by the British.  That they were frequently what was called the English neighborhood near Fort Lee and were there when the British crossed the river.  That they were at Newark, in the Jerseys at one time.  That he does not remember the name of his Colonel or any field officers except for General Greene who he remembers having seen and as he thinks at Fort Lee.  That he remembers
Page 6

the name of his Lieutenant in this company  which was Jonathan Cady (cousin to the Captain as he believes) 3 months. That he was absent on this service about three months, and was discharged or released, either at Newark or near that place or between that place and Fort Lee. That in relation to the first period of service in this deposition mentioned he is unable to state the day of his discharge; and in relation to the second period he is unable to state the day of the commencement of his service or that of his discharge. That he has no documentary evidence of his service that he never received a written discharge from the service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except John Brooks the brother of this desponent. 
That he was born in the Town of Killingsly [Killingly]aforesaid (as he has been informed) on the twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and forty nine. That he has no Record of his age made by his father; he has a memorandum of his age set down in his family bible (taken from his fathers family record as he believes) That since the Revolutionary war he has resided in the Town of Killingsly [Killingly] in Connecticut, where he removed to the Town of Schuyler in Herkimer County, New York. and then to the Town of Deerfield in Oneida County N.Y. and then to the Town of Floyd in said County and then to the Town of Redfield in Oswego County New York, and from thence to the Town of Orwell in the County of Oswego where he now resides; That he is known to Perley Wayman William Withington & John Reynolds in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity: and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution  That the memory of this deponent is not very distinct and that his bodily infirmity is such that he thinks he is unable to appear in court; and that he has not been as far from his place of residence as it would be necessary
Page 7

for him to go in order to attend Court for the last ten years. That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
 his mark, Samuel Brooks 
John Reynolds Judge of Oswego Common Please 
We Perley Wyman and William Withington residing in the Town of Orwell in the County of Oswego New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Brooks who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn, and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
 Perley Wyman 
William Withington

John Reynolds, Judge of Oswego Common Please 
And, I, the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I do hereby further certify that there is no clergyman of any denomination residing in the said Town of Orwell, and or within nine miles of the said applicant. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Perley Wyman and William Withington who have signed the preceding
Page 8

certificate are credible persons: That the said Perley Wyman is a Magistrate of the said Town of Orwell and that their statement is entitled to credit.
 And I further certify that the said Samuel Brooks from bodily infirmity is entirely unable to write his name and that he therefore subscribed the foregoing by making his mark in my presence - and I further certify that the said Samuel Brooks (the above named applicant) is entirely unable from bodily infirmity to attend Court 
John Reynolds Judge of Oswego Common Pleas 

State of New York
Oswego County
I, Eric Poor, Clerk of the County of Oswego and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County  Do hereby certify: That John Reynolds whose name is subscribed to the foregoing  certificates is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of County (being a Court of Record) duly commissioned and sworn 
And I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and that the signatures to the aforesaid certificates are genuine.
 In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 9th day of August A.D. 1832 
Eric Poor Clerk 
By Donald McPherson,  Dep. Clk. [Deputy Clerk]
Page 9

State of New York 
County of Oswego 
County Court 

on this 13th day of April 1854 in open court before me R.H. Tyler --- Judge of the said County of Oswego in and for said County the same being a court of record, personally appeared Samuel Brooks of Orwell in said county who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension which he is informed and believes was due Elizabeth Brooks widow of Samuel Brooks Deceased under the Act of Congress passed July 29th 1848 that he is one of the children of Samuel and Elizabeth Brooks deceased declarants further the said Samuel Brooks was a pensioner of the United States and died in said County of Oswego on the sixth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred thirty four that his Mother the said Elizabeth Brooks was married to this declarants father aforesaid on the Tenth day of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, and her maiden name was Elizabeth Chaplain a Record of which marriage is made in the family Bible and has been written upwards of thirty years and the leaf containing said record is herewith forwarded to Wm Valentine of Albany N.Y. as evidence of the marriage of this declarants mother as aforesaid in the application for the pension due her at the time her death as aforesaid that this declarants mother aforesaid died in said County of Oswego and state of New York on the ninth day of November
Page 10

in the year one thousand Eight hundred and fifty one, and at the time of her death left her servicing the following children by Samuel Brooks (this Declarement) Charles J Brooks and Electer Cable that they are the only surviving children of the said Elizabeth Brooks and each of them are are over twenty one years of age Subscribed and sworn to in 
Open Court before me this ..

State of New-York
Oswego County Clerk's Office }SS
I, Geo. A. Stevens Dept. [Deputy] Clerk of Oswego County, do hereby certify, That R. H. Tyler Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the Proof or Acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was, at the date of said Certificate, County Judge in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, That I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said County Judge and verily believe the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgement to be genuine. And I further certify, That the said Instrument is acknowledged and in all respects executed according to the Laws of this State. 
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 21 day of May 1852 Geo. A. Stevens Dep [Deputy] Clerk
Page 11

in the year one thousand Eight hundred and fifty one, and at the time of her death left her surviving the following children by Samuel Brooks (this Declarent) Charles J Brooks and Electa Cable that they are the only surviving children of the said Elizabeth Brooks and each of them are over twenty one years of age Subscribed and Sworn to in 
Open Court before me this 
13th day of April 1854 } Samuel Brooks 

R. H. Tyler 
Co Judge of Oswego Co [County]

[rest of the page is bleed through]
Page 12

State of New York 
Oswego County 
On this fourth day of August in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before me. John Brooks who being by me duly sworn according to law doth depose and say. That he is a brother of Samuel Brooks of the Town of Orwell Oswego County New York. That he is a number of years younger than his said brother That the said Samuel served as this deponent well remembers, as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five That he enlisted in the State troop or volunteered in the militia and served in the company under the command of Captain Ellet and marched for Boston That he (the said Samuel) at the time of entering the service resided in the Town of Killingsly [Killingly] in Windham County in Connecticut: That he remember his brothers leaving home (his fathers residence) in the month of April 1775 with the said Company-- That this deponent afterwards visited his brother while the troops were lying before Boston: and saw him in the Company of Capt Ellet; the said company was stationed at the time his deponent so visited his brother near Cambridge That this deponent remained with his brother one or two days and slept with him during his visit That this deponent remembers the return of his brother Samuel to Killingsly, his fathers residence. That it was late in the fall of the year. That this deponent resided with his father at the time (as did his brother Samuel both before and after the period of his said service in Capt Ellets company; That this deponent will be seventy five years of age on the thirteenth day of April next- And this deponent further saith that he remembers that his brother was absent the
Page 13

succeeding year about three months in the service as he then understood:  and that he volunteered in the Militia to go to New York. That he remembers the Militia being called upon and that Captain Cady went and his brother went at the same time and in this company that they started to go to the defence of New York as was then understood; That this deponent also served in the war of the Revolution but at a later period --And further this deponent saith not 
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this fourth day of August 1832 John Reynolds Judge of Oswego Common } John Brooks
Please  
State of New York
Oswego County
I, Eric Poor, Clerk of the said County of Oswego and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Do hereby certify That John Reynolds whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County (being a Court of Record) duly commissioned and sworn 
And I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and that the signature of the said Judge to the foregoing certificate is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 9th day of August A.D. 1832 
Eric Poor Clerk
By Donald McPherson Dep. Clk. [Deputy Clerk]

John Brooks
Deposition as to Samuel Brooks service
Page 14

We Asa C Horton and Perley Wyman residing in the Town of Orwell in the County of Oswego New York , Do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Brooks of the said Town of Orwell who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition. 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 - That he is a credible person and that any statement made by him is entitled to full credence
          A C Horton
           Perley Wyman
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 15th day of November 1832 
 John Reynolds a
Judge of Osego Penley Women John Reynolds of Judge of Oswego County }
Please 
And I the said Judge do hereby certify that I am personally well acquainted with & to C Horton & Rely Wyman who have signed and made oath to the preceding certificate, that they are credible and respectable persons and are now acting Magistrates of the Town of Orwell.  I  further certify that that there is no Clergyman residing in the said Town of Orwell. I do also further certify that I am personally acquainted with John Brooks of the said Town of Orwell who made oath to the annexed deposition before me on the fourth day of August last- That he is a credible person fully entitled to belief in any statement he may make 
Given under my hand this fifteenth day of November 1832
John Reynolds Judge of 
Oswego Common Please
Page 15

State of New York 
Oswego County Clerks office 
I,  Eric Poor, Clerks of the said County do certify that John Reynolds Esquire before whom the within Deposition Dated the 15th day of November 1832 purports to have been taken was at the date thereof one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Said County (which is a Court of Record); and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe his name Subscribed to the Said Deposition to be his proper handwriting and Signature
Witness my hand and Seal of office this 1st day of December A.D. 1832 
Eric Poor Clerk 
By D McPherson Dep. Clerk
Page 16

Letter

In family record in
letter, book case
Page 17

Albany N.Y. May 6th 1854

Sir

Enclosed are the papers in the case of Elizabeth Brooks widow of Samuel Brooks deceased for the benefits of the Act of July 29th 1848. 
I am Yours very respectfully 
Wm Valentine 

L.P. Waldo Esq 
Court of Pensions 
Washington
Page 18

Letter
Page 19

Albany, NY, Nov 6th 1854
Sir
In accordance with the requisition of your letter to me of the 8th of September last in the case of Elizabeth Brook Dec I herewith enclose additional evidence, in connection with the family bible and the certificate of the Surrogate, as to the appointment of Samuel Brooks Administrator.  The Surrogate artificate [certificate] being written on the same sheet with my letter to Mr Saml Brooks, I herewith enclose it also. It is requested, that if it is consistant and agreeable to the Department, the family bible be returned to the address of Samuel Brooks Esq Molina, N.Y. 

I am Yours very respectfully
Wm Valentine 

L.P. Waldo Esq 
Comm of Pensions 
Washington City
Page 20

Letter
Page 21

Albany NY August 25th 1856

Sir,

In compliance with your letter of 13th of May last I herewith enclose additional evidence in the case of Elizabeth Brooks the widow of Samuel Brooks under the Act of July 29th 1848

I am yours very respectfully

Wm Valentine


SP Waldo Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington
Page 22

Albany N.Y. Novr 15th 1854

Sir
In reply to your letter to me of the 10th [illegible] in the case of Elizabeth Brooks dec I must frankly confess that I am at a loss to know what further is or may hereafter be
required.
If that portion of the record which relates to
the marriage was made imperfect by erasure, or interlimination, there wont be some propriety in the requisition for the fragments
as you are truly pleased to term them, but the justice having certified of his own knowledge that they contain nothing which relate to this family. I can not conceive what possible use
the Department can have for extraneous matter, unless it be merely to gratify curiosity or it is supposed the Justice has certified
to a willful falshood; However I will cheerfully procure them if attainable with any other old record, bibles or fragments, that may be deemed necessary, if the Department are pleased to require it.
Under these circumstances, and from
the present practice of the Department, I am compelled most respectfully, to solicit definate instructions in this case, as well as general rules and regulations, in regard to other cases, founded substantially upon the present practice of the Department.
I once supposed I had something like correct information in matters of this kind, but of late the practice of the Department appears to
me (& perhaps to me personally) so variable and mysteries that I am [illegible] to the absolute necessity of making the foregoing request

I am yours by respectfully
Wm Valentine

L. P. Waldo Esqr
Comm of Pensions Washington
Page 23

Wm Valentine
May 13/54
Page 24

24
Pension Office
13th May 1854

Sir, 
The application of Elizabeth Brooks Dec. Widow of Samuel of New York, has been received and filed und Act 29th July 1848.

The date of the death of Elizabeth has not been proved. If a record of that event exists it should be produced. Her identity as the widow of Samuel, and the names and number of her surviving children have not been established.

Wm Valentine Esq.
Albany N.Y.
Page 25

W. Valentine
Sep 8/52
Page 26

Pension Office
September 8, 1854

Sir,

In the case of Elizabeth Brooks, deceased, widow of Samuel, an administrator is required to be appointed with adequate bond, the amount of the penalty be duly certified = 

I inadvertently neglected to state in my letter of the 15th May last that the marriage of the claimants' parents was not satisfactorily proved to have taken place before the year 1800. The private record purporting to have been cut from the family bible is not duly verified - the only person who testifies to its authenticity being one of the claimants - the bible itself proved by disinterested testimony to have been in the possession of the father of claimants must be transmitted to this office. This is rendered the more necessary as there is no paral testimony whatever of the marriage among the papers in the case.

Very respectfully
LC

W. Valentine Esq
Albany
New York
Page 27

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D.C.

June 13th 1877

Dear Sir

Please furnish this office with the present P.O. address fo the following named persons. viz. Samuel Brooks, Chas J Brooks and Ms. Electa Cables, children of Elizabeth Brooks dec'd who was the widow of Saml Brooks late a private in the Rev War. There children, thru their agent Wm Valentine Esq of Albany NY made application for pension 1854 and filed in evidence, a Bible containing a family record. It is now desired to return this Bible to the family. 
Please return this letter with your reply. 

Very respectfully
JA Bentley
Commissioner pensions

To the PostMaster Orwell
Oswego Co.
Page 28

Chas. J Brooks is dead as is also Mrs Electa Cables Sam'l Brooks' address is Molino, Oswego Co. N.Y. Hoping this will give the desired information. [illegible]

Yours
DB Woodbury

Department of the Interior July 23 1877 Pension Office
Page 29

File No. 1356
Suspended case

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D.C.

August 3rd 1877

Dear Sir

I herewith transmit to your address the family Bible belonging to your parents. It was sent to this office in 1854 to be filed in evidence when application for pension was made in behalf of the heirs of Saml Brooks late a private in the Rev War.

Please acknowledge the receipt of hte Bible on the back of this letter and return it to this Office in the enclosed envelope.

Very Respectfully
OPG Black
Acting Commissioner

Saml Brooks
Molino L.O.
Oswego Co. NY
Page 30

Molene August 13, 1877
we rec'ved the Bible all right here,
Rev S Brooks

File No 1356
Suspended case
Elizabeth Brooks dec'd
Wid of Saml
Receipt for family Bible enclosed

Department of the Interior August 16 1877
Pension Office
Page 31

Apl - 11- 1901
EP Simpson Chicago Ills

1246
REJECTED

P.O. Elizabeth Brooks
widow of Samuel
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
ledges: 1854
re-enlisted:

torney:
O.:
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for
Page 32

Receipt for Bible filed this 17 Aug 77
No 1356
Suspended case
Elizabeth Brooks decd
Widow of Saml
N. York
application for pension
was made in 1854 by Wm Valentine agt in
behalf Saml Brooks et al.

POA Orwell
Oswego Co
NY

August 13 1877
we received and gathered old family Bible we are vary thankful to you for your kindness in sending it to us
Yours respectfully
Rev S. Brooks
Page 33

No 1356
Elizabeth Brooks d
widow of Samuel
N.Y.

W. Valentine 13th May 18[illegible]
to same Sept 8, 1854
W. Valentine 10th Nov 1854

1246

Act 29 July 1848
Page 34

Albany May 8
NY

Samuel Brooks
NY 32

LP Waldo Esq
Coms of Pensions
Washington City
Page 35

State of New York
County of Oswego

Samuel Brooks being duly sworn according to
law Deposeth that the record hereunto attached is a record kept by
himself and mad as the deaths have occured in the family the Record being a part of a leaf of a family Bible on which a Record of the Births Marages and deaths of the family of Samuel
Brooks deceased a pensioner of the United State has been kept and that it a time Record of the death of Elisabeth Brooks and taken about the time of her death and that she
was the identical widow of Samuel Brooks deceased for whom application
for a pension is made

Samuel Brooks
Sworn to and [illegible] 
before me this 14th day of
August 1854
Charles Lewis Justice of the Peace
Page 36

I certify that Samuel Brooks is a credable [credible] and competent witness and verily believe his statement is entitled to full faith and credit I further state that I have no interest whatsoever in the matter aforesaid.
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
Page 37

County of Oswego
Ansil F. Simmons and Eli Strong being duely [duly] sworn deposeth that Elisebeth Brooks who was the widow of Samuel Brooks a United States pensioner died in said county on the 9th day of Nov 1851 and at the time of his death left her surviving the following children viz Samuel Brooks, Charles J Brooks and Electra Cable that they are the only surviving children and that each of them are over twenty one years of age. Deponents further saith Elisebeth Brooks is the identical widow of Samuel Brooks who was a pensioner of the United States and died in the county and state aforesaid.
A F Simmons
Eli Strong
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 14th dy of August 1854
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
I certify that A F Simons and Eli Strong are reliable [illegible competent person [persons and witnesses and verily believe the statement is [illegible] in faith and credit I further state that I have no interest whatso [whatsoever] in the matter [illegible]
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
Page 38

State of New York
Oswego County Clerk's Office ss.
I Geo A Stevents Dept Clerk of Oswego County, certify that Charles M Lewis Esq before whom the annexed affidavits of witnesses were taken was at the time of the taking such affidavits a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature thereto is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county this 17th day of August 1854
Geo A Stevens Dep. Clerk
Page 39

State of New York
County of Oswego ss
Michael Cable and Daniel S Pratt residents of Orwell in said county being each duly sworn according to law deposeth that Samuel Brooks a pensioner of the United States died in said county on the sixth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four [1834] and at the time of his death left a widow viz Elizabeth Brooks and that she remains a widow and died in said county of Oswego on the ninth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one (1851) and that at the time of her death she left the following children viz Samuel Brooks, Charles J Brooks and Electa Cables that they are her only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age.
Michael Cable
Daniel S Pratt
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of April 1854
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
I certify that Michael Cable and Samuel S Pratt are credible and competent witnesses and I verily believe their statement as above set forth is entitled to full faith and credit
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Oswego County Clerk's Office ss
I Geo A Stevens Dept Clerk of Oswego County certify that Charles M Lewis Esq before whom the annexed affidavit was taken was at the time of the taking such affidavit Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county this 13 day of April 1854
Geo A Lewis Dep Clerk
Page 40

State of New York
County of Oswego ss
Michael Cables and Daniel S Pratt residents of Orwell in said county being each duly sworn according to law deposeth that Samuel Brooks a pensioner of the United States died in said county on the sixth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four and at the time of his death left a widow viz Elizabeth Brooks and that she remained a widow and died in the said county of Oswego on the ninth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one (1851) and that at the time of her death she left the following children viz Samuel Brooks, Charles J Brooks and Electa Cables that they are her only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age.
Michael Cable
Daniel S Pratt
Subscribed and sworn before me this 11th day of April 1854
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
I certify that Michael Cable and Daniel S Pratt are credible and competent witnesses and I verily believe their statement as above set forth is entitled to full faith and credit
Charles M. Lewis Justice of the Peace
the word nine erased in the eight line and the word four inserted
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
Page 41

[Entire page has an "X" drawn across it]
Albany NY [New York] Sept [September] 23 1854
Dear Sir
I herewith send you a copy of a letter I have rec'd [received] in the case of your mother. Although I am almost daily in the habit of corresponding with the pension department and have been for the fourteen years and others at Washington I was not aware that they have altered their rules and now require an administrator in order to obtain the arrears due children of pensioners it is a late rule of the office [illegible strikeout sentence] You will perceive by the letter from the commissioner of pensions what is now required.
(copy) Pension office Sept [September] 8th 1854
Sir
In the case of Elizabeth Brooks deceased widow of Samuel an administrator is required to be appointed with adequate bond in the amount of the [illegible] to be duly certified I inadvertently neglected to state in my letter to you of the 13th of May last that the marriage of the claimants parents was not satisfactorily proved to have taken place before 1800. The private record purporting to have been cut from the family bible is not duly verified. The only person who testifies to its authenticity being one of the claimants. The bible itself proved by disinterested testimony to have been in the population of the father of claimant must be transmitted to this office. This is rendered
[interlineated in left margin] the present commissioner of pensions this new rule is not only very [illegible] but absolutely [illegible] to me and no doubt will so appear to you but the way is to bear with us and all will come out right.
Page 42

[Entire page has an "X" drawn through it]
the more necessary as there is no parole testimony whatever of the marriage among the papers in the case.
Very respectfully your obt servt [obedient servant]
S P Walso Commissioner of Pensions
Wm Valentine Esq.
Albany NY [New York]
I suppose there is no difficulty at all in complying with this requisition and I suppose there is no other way than to do so. All you will have to so is to get yourself appointed administrator and procure a certificate from him as required by the foregoing letter and [illegible] the testimony of one or two disinterested witnesses that the bible was originally in the possession of your father the Justice certifying that the bible is the same one from which the leaf was taken containing the record of marriage of your parents viz Samuel and Elizabeth Brooks said send it to me with this proof also the article of the Surogate [surrogate] and a form for which I [illegible] papers on the next page. By showing this letter to the Surogate [surrogate] and also to the Justice they will know what to do and prepare the papers according to the facts in the case. When this is done I can see no possible doubt that the claim will be allowed. I regret that they have thus far put us to so much trouble but we have only to bear out if we [illegible] in getting it allowed (and then can be no doubt of it.) our trouble
Page 43

and expense will not be lost. The charge of the Surogate [surrogate] may be postponed until the records of the money which may not be a month if it is not now  convenient for you to adjust them. You will perceive that bonds will be required [strike out "you can get"] any two persons worth double the amount exepectd [expected] to be rec'd [received] will answer the purpose. By calling on the surogate [surrogate] he will direct you what is to be to done &c. J[illegble] Brooks Esq
I am yours truly Wm Valentine
[above text has 2 "x's" drawn through]
State of New York
County of Oswego ss
Surrogate Court
On this 18th day of October 1854 it was [illegible] proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to said court that Elizabeth Brooks, widow of Samuel Brooks died in said county on the ninth day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty one and at the time of her death left her surviving the following named children viz Samuel Brooks Charles J Brooks and Electa Cables. That they are her only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age. And I further certify and Samuel Brooks has been duly appointed administrator to the estate of said deceased and has given satisfactory bonds in the sum of four hundred dollars for the faithful performance of said trust. And that [strike out "tenantively"] letters of administration thereof has been duly executed and delivered to said administrator which are now in full force and effect.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said court the day and year first above written
J. Brown Surrogate
Page 44

State of New York
County of Oswego ss
Sarah Horton and Martha Lewis residents of the town of Orwell in said county being duly sworn according to law depose and say that they were personaly [personally] acquainted with Samuel Brooks deceased late of said county and a pensioner of the United States and also with his widow Elisabeth Brooks now deceased that the family bible herewith forwarded to W Valentine of Albany NY  [New York] and from which a [illegible] a few weeks since containing a record of the marriage of said Samuel and Elisabeth is the original family bible of said Samuel and Elisabeth and was in the possession at the time of those deaths where it has been to our knowledge for the last twenty five years or upwards and we verily believe to be correct and genuine 
Sarah Horton
Martha Lewis
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20th day of October 1854
Charles M. Lewis Justice of the Peace
I certify that Sarah Horton and Martha Lewis are credible and competent witnesses need the statement is entitled to full faith and credit and that I have no interest whatever in the matter above referred to
Charles M Lewis Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the other portions of the leaf other than that forwarded to the pension office contained the names of other relatives of the family and not belonging to the family of Samuel
Page 45

and Elisabeth Brooks and to my certain knowledge [illegible] taken out for other purposes and that it contained the names of a brother of the late Samuel Brooks and when a sister and that it was not taken out to [illegible]
State of New York
Oswego County Clerk's Office ss
I Geo A Stevens Dep Clerk of Oswego County certify that Charles M Lewis Esq before whom the annexed affidavit was taken was at the time of the taking such affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature thereto is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County this the 26th day of October 1854
Geo A Stevens Dep Clerk
Page 46

and Elisabeth Brooks and to my certain [illegible] taken out for other papers and that it contains the names of a brother of the late Samuel Brooks and also a sister and that it was not taken out to [illegible] any matter [illegible] to the said Samuel and Elisabeth Brooks
Charles M. Lewis Justice of the Peace