Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7742, Brewster Higley, Conn. Vt.
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SERVICE                                        NUMBER

Conn.       |    Higley, Brewster     W.7742
Vt.                             Naomi
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5122
Ohio
Naomi Higley Downing  Aug 28/54
widow of Brewster Higley
Connecticut (illegible)
who serviced in the Revolutionary War as a Private
______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
______________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Oct 1847 and sent to M. Bonworth
Pomeroy
Meigs Co.
Ohio
_______________________________________
Recorded on Roll of Pennsioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 343 Vol. 4
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4516
Ohio
Brewster Higley- of Meigs in the State of Ohio who was a pri. in the compy commanded by Captain ______of the Regt commanded by Col._______in the Comp line for 2 years from 1776-
______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 80 Dollars__Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______________________________________
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                   120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33      40.00
                                                              ________
                                                              $160.00
                                                             __________
                                       { Revolutionary Claim, 
                                        Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Nathan Rice, Clerk, Book D Vol. 10 Page 55
(Page 2)

Sister to J.B. Boston, 18 June 1839.
______
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of the 6th April 1838 from the 4th March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838. Agt notified 1 Oct 1839.
______________________
Paid as above from 4th March to 4th Sept 1841.  Agt notified June 10th 1842.
________________________
(Illeg.) E.A. Bosworth
August 1 '48
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Brewster Higley
Ohio
No 4995.

Return
5.11.14.15.
______
Return, with T. Everton certificate
P 105;
27 Nov-1832-
M. Bosworth
Chester Ohio
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BRIEF in the case of Brewster Highly
of Muskingum County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832)

Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court [handwritten]

If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

How old is he? 73 years [handwritten]

State his service as directed in the form annexed.

[Table begins – column headers are typewritten]
Period ["In 17.."]. Duration of Service ["Years, Months, Days."]. Rank ["As a"]. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served ["Gen."].

Entered August 1776. [blank for years],9,30. Private. Wadsworth, Col. Comfort Sage, Lieut. Col. Jonathan Latimore, Lieut. Cornelius Lattimore.

1776. | 5 months [handwritten]. | Private [handwritten]. | Col. Hubbell, Maj. McClellan, Lieut. McCall, Vermont Militia [handwritten].

1778 1779. Mention two terms each 2 months. [blank]. | Col. Wells.
[End of table]

In what battles was he engaged? White Plains, Winter Skirmishes [handwritten].

Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hartford County, Connecticut [handwritten].

Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary [handwritten].

Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective (caps for time mostly in regard to periods of service) [handwritten].

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Cotts [signature] Examining Clerk

[handwritten notation at bottom left: illegible]
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Brewster Higley
4995
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County Meigs Common Pleas
July Term A.D. 1832

On this first day of August AD 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Brewster Higley by resident of Rutland in the County of Meigs & State of Ohio aged seventy three years who being duly by sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following
named Officers & served as herein stated. He enlisted about the middle of August AD 1776 for the term of nine months at Simsbury Hartford County, Connecticut, (that being the place of his residence at that time) under Capt. Ozias Pettibone in Col. Ward's Regiment in the Brigade commanded by Genl Sullivan in the Connecticut State line on the Continental establishment & soon after marched to the City of New York the British being then in the Harbor & soon after marched to Fort Lee & was there when N. York city was taken possession of by the British, soon after that event marched to a place called Valentine's hill near Kingsbridge from thence to White Plains & was in an engagement there with the British, from thence marched across N Jersey under the command of Genls Sullivan & Lee into Pa. during this march Genl Lee was taken prisoner about 2 miles from where the army lay - marched first to Easton & then nearer to Philadelphia - (name of place not recollected) on the night of 25th of December crossed the Delaware above Trenton at ____ Ferry & was in that engagement & also in the subsequent attack on Princeton & soon after proceed to Winter quarters at Morristown where (except during a portion of the time he was employed as a guard upon the lines he continued till about the middle of May following & was there discharged.

In the Winter of 1779 probably in January this deponent was drafted at
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A
Simsbury aforesaid as a Militia man in a Company commanded by Capt Job Case to go to Albany as a guard to bring the Artillery ammunition & surrendered by Genl Burgoyne, from Albany N. York to Farmington Connecticut. This deponent does not recollect the precise time he was employed at this time but believes it was about one month. In the Autumn of this year 1778 this deponent was again drafted at Simsbury ask to go 
to Peekskill (as this deponent believes) on the North river under Capt Rice but before his arrival the Company was discharged he believes he was under arms at this time about 10 days,  immediately following (date not recollected) this deponent visiting Rutland Vermont there was a call for men to
go to  farms where the enemy were expected
this deponent went as a volunteer under
Capt Wright about 10 days. In the spring
year AD 1779 this deponent moved to as
Castleton Vermont where the deponent was in al most constant service as a volunteer.  Castleton was at this time a frontier post exposed to almost constant alarms that he was a volunteer Ranger frequently employed in scouting parties till the close of the War  This service was peculiarly severe & almost constant & performed under Capt Buell Lieut Hurlbut & Ensign Lake & frequently in small parties under non commissioned officers-- some of
which towards the latter part of the time were
entrusted to his (deponent's) command. This deponent is confident that during the time he resided in Castleton Vt he was more than two years in active service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.  He was born at Simsbury for ^ Heartford certify^  Connecticut on the 14th
day of March A.D. 1759. His birth was recorded in
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the family bible of his father thy deponent transcribed into a book in which the rumor of his own family are kept where it now remains, he also supposes his birth is recorded for the records for that purpose of the Town Clerk of Simsbury Heartford Co. Connecticut he resided in Castleton Vermont tile A.D. 1797 when he moved to this Country & after a year or more to writ in May 1799 he settled where he now resides (then in Washington County Ohio) but now Rutland Township, Meigs County Ohio. He has no documentary evidence that he has no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except Betsy Hubbell & Lucinda Archer of Rutland Township Ucip Co Ohio who can probably testify to a part of his services but not the whole.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
M Bosworth  Brewster Higley  [signatures]

We Abel Chase & Thomas Everton residing in Rutland in the County of Meigs afs. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Brewster Higley who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Abel Chase
Thomas Everton

Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesaid
M Bosworth Clk

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Abel Chase & Thomas Everton who have signed the same are residents in Rutland Township Meigs County this
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& are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit & also that the said Brewster could not trouble & expense procure the attendance of a Clergyman from his vicinity.
Attest
M Bosworth Clerk

The State of Ohio
Meigs County f
I Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in said Court in the matter of the application of the Brewster 
a pension. In testimony whereof
here unto set my hand & seal of Office 
this second day of August AD one thousand eight hundred & thirty two to four.
State the thirtieth
M. Bosworth Clerk
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County fs
On this 9th day of February A.D. 1849 personally appeared before the subscribed a Justic of the Peace in and for said County of Meigs Naomi Higley a resident of Rutland in the County of Meigs & State of Ohio, aged eighty-eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision mad3e by the acts of Congress passed July. A.D. 1848 granting pensions to widow of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, that she is the widow of Brewster Higley who was a private & non-commissioned Officer, from age & want of recollection she cannot state in detail the services which her late husband performed, with any degree of accuracy but refers to the statement made in detail by her late husband Brewster Higley, in order to obtain pension under the law of Congress passed
and which declaration is now on file in the pension Office, she also declared that she was married to the said Brewster Higley on the 25th day of February A.D. 1783, and that as part of said service was performed after the date of said marriage, that her husband, the aforesaid Brewster Higley died on the 20th day of June A.D. 1847 & that she remains the widow of the said Brewster Higley.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
John C. Hysell, J.Peace

Naomi Higley
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No. 686
Naomi Higley
Wid of Brewster

Act 17 June 44
married  [illegible] 1794
husband died 20 June '47

In his declaration Brewer Higley refers to the book containing his family records
What is deemed sufficient [illegible] it ten months before the passage of the act of July 1838
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County fs
Before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid personally appeared Lucinda Archer of the said County of Meigs & State of Ohio, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes & says that if she should live until the 17th day of May 1849, she will be eighty years old, and that ever since her infance or first recollection of any thing she was personally & intimately acquainted with Brewster Higley died and Naomi Higley his wife, that the s Brewster Higley is now dead, that he died on the 20th day June A.D. 1847, and that his widow Naomi now resides at the late residence of her deceased husband in Rutland Meigs County & State of Ohio, that her first acquaintance with the said Brewster & Naomi was in Hartford in the State of Connecticut, previous to their marriage that this deponent then resided there with her father Joel Higley late of Meigs Co. Ohio deceased & that the said Naomi previous to her marriage resided with her parents some 8 or 9 miles distant from deponents father. deponent says that the said Brewster & Naomi were married as she understood at the time from common report in the winter of 1783, deponent was not present, when the said Brewster & Naomi were married, but remembers of hearing her father, Joel Higley died say that he at the request of the said Brewster, asked the consent of the parents of the said Naomi to the marriage deponent knows that shortly after they were married (as she understood) that the said Brewster & Naomi came to her fathers on a visit that they were married at the residence of the parents of said Naomi in Hartford in Connecticut & that shortly after removed to Castleton in Vermont where they lived for some fifteen years that then they moved with their family to the Sate Ohio, where they lived together until the decease of the said Brewster deponent says she also moved from Conn. to Ohio some thirty years ago, and that she has for thirty years last past lived within two miles of the said Brewster &
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and Naomi. knows that both in Vermont and in Ohio, they lived together as man & wife, and were recognized as such by all who knew the.
Sworn to 7 subscribed before me
this 10th day of February A.D. 1849
John C. Hysell J.Peace

Lucinda Archer
X (her mark)
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County fs
Personally appeared before me John C. Hysell a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Lucius Hugley who being duly sworn deposeth and swith that the samll book containing an Almanac fitted to the meriean of Boston by Edward Holy Oke for the year 1709 contiaining among other things a family Register is prove before their deponent that this deponent has heard his father the late Brewster Higley say that the entries of his marriage & to the births of his children bon before his removal from Vermont were made principally before his removal to Ohion that in early life all the entries except the entry of the death of his son Brewster Heigley fr. & were already made and that this last entry was made many years since he does not recollect precisely when, but thinks it was soon after his decease that this is the only Family register of the Family that deponent knows of except that some six years ago that this was copied by Esq JC Hysell at the request of my father into his Family Bible that Deponents father moved with his family to Ohio from Vermont in 1797.
Sworn to & subscribed this 9th day of February A.D. 1849 before me
John C. Hysell J. Peace

Lucinda Higley

The State of Ohio 
Meigs Count fs

Be it known that some six years ago, at the request of Brewster Higley late of Rutland Meigs County & State of Ohio, ded'd
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I transcribed or copyed from an Almanac (fitted to the meridian of Boston for the year 1709) the family record of the said Brewster Higley into the family Bible of the said Brewster Higley and as well as I can recollect the said Brewster Higley stated at the time that his family record had always been kept in said almanac, but that he then had a family Bible into which he wished to have said family record transcribed or copied, and the reason he assigned for requ3esting me to do it, was, that in consequence of old age in family &c he was unable to write.
Witness my Hand & Office Feb. 9th 1849
John C. Hysell J Peace

The State of Ohio
Meigs County f
I Andrew Donnally Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Meigs do hereby certify that John C. Hysell Esq is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 20th day of February A.D. 1847 and will expire on that 20th day of February A.D. (1850) one thousand eight hundred & fifty and that his several signatures above written are genuine. In testimony whereof I herewith set my hand and office the seal of said Court at Pomeroy this 10th day of February AD 1849.
A.Donnally Clerk
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County |
Personally appeared before
me Samuel S. Paine a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Marcus Bosworth who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was informed by the children of Brewster Higley dec'd that their parents were married in Simsbury (I think Hartford County) Connecticut, that at the request of Lucius Higley with whom the widow of said Brewster Higley now resides this deponent wrote to the Township Clerk of said Simsbury for a certified copy of the record of their marriage - that deponent several months since again wrote to the Township Clerk for the same purpose enclosing a $1 bill to pay fees but has heard nothing from either of said letters - no receipt of them has been acknowledged nor has deponent been informed whether there is or is not such record and has been entirely unable to ascertain whether there is or is not record evidence of their marriage. 
(signature) M. Bosworth

Sworn to and Subscribed before me on this 10th day of February, AD 1849
(signature) S. S. Paine, J. Peace

The State of Ohio, Meigs County, ss
I Andrew Donnally Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Samuel S. Paine Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that his commission was
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dated on the (22d) twenty second day of April A.D. 1848 and will expire on the 22nd of April A.D. 1857 and that his signature where written is genuine. In testimony whereof hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Pomeroy, this 11th day of February A.D. 1849 and of the Sate of Ohio, the 17th
A Donnally Clerk
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Pomeroy, Meigs Co. Feb 11th AD 1849
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I have taken considerable pains to get an authenticated copy of the record, if there is such a copy, of Judge Higley's marriage but for some reason the town clerk will answer no letter. I have learned incidentally that what was many years ago Simbury has been cut up and divided into several townships and it is possible my letters may have rec'd a wrong direction but the one enclosing the $1.00 if not taken from the Post Office has been gone long enough to be returned from the general post office if not take out. I mention this to show that we have not been remiss in seeking to procure positive or the highest evidence of marriage. The almanac I sent you is kept as a sort of relic in the family & after examining the register Mr. Lucius Higley wishes it returned to him [illegible] in Meigs County Ohio. I hope the evidence may prove satisfactory. Judge Higley was allowed a pension under the first law passed for soldiers who had served less than two years. I think the law was passed in 1828 but not being positive it is not inserted in her application.

Respectfully, 
M. Bosworth
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Brewster Higley Wid File 7742

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Aug. 1776
Jany 1778
Autumn 1778
Immediately After
March 1779

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
May 1777
1 mo
10 days
10 days
2 years

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Oneas Pettibone
Job Case
Rice
Wright
Buell Rangers  Hurlbut  Ebenezer Allen

COLONEL.
Ward

STATE,
Conn

Part of last service he was a sgt

Battles engaged in, White Plains Trenton and Princeton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Simsbury Hartford Co. Con
Date of application for pension, Aug 1832 His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Rutland Meigs Co Ohio
Age at date of application, Born at Simsbury Conn Mar 14. 1759 died June 20, 1847

Remarks: soldier was a son of Brewster Higley He married Feby 25, 1783 at Hartford or Simsbury Com Naomi She was allowed pension on an application executed Feby 9 1849 while a resident of Rutland Ohio aged 88 yrs & Children referred to but no names stated other that Lucius who was living in 1855 in is Meigs co Ohio
Very respectfully. The above noted is the only
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618
Ohio
Naomi Higley
Widow of Brewster Higley
who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 20th day of June 1847.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Oct. 1849 and sent to
M. Bosworth
Pomeroy
Meigs Co.
Ohio
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 204
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(note: document appears to have been completed at one time and overwritten at a later date.)

Department of the Interior 
Bureau of Pensions
Respectfully returned to the writer, who is requested to furnish, for purposes of identification, as much as possible of the information called for below.
Wm. Lockress
Commissioner

Full name of soldier: Brewster Higley
Place of residence before service:
Caselton, Rutland County Vermont
Place of residence after service:
Rutland, Meigs County, Ohio
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Yes

Overwritten on document:
W
7742
July 22, 91
Prentice
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No 686
Maomi Higley
O[?]
Lr. to M. Bosworth
June 14 '49[?]
for record of marriage record[?] Book int[?] Bibles-
Act 17 June '44
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Brewster Higley, Pr. Ohio, Act 32 480
Pen. Office.
Oct. 2, 1849
W.S.A.

died 1847
ins. on roll '33

What is wanted in this case? If his death, he died 20th June '47 and pd. to his death. BVB
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The State of Ohio
Meigs County ss

Personally appeared before me Lucinda Archer of Rutland Township in said County and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that during the revolutionary war she resided in the Town of Simsbury in the State of Connecticut that she was acquainted with Brewster Higley the present applicant for a pension that at the commencement of the war he lived in the aforesaid Town of Simsbury in said Connecticut. and Although She was not personally knowing to the fact of his
enlistment or of his actually bearing arms in the presence such were undoubtedly the facts, deponent states that she distinctly remembers hearing Brewster Higley the Father of Brewster Higley the said applicant converse with her father respecting the absence of the said applicant he being as she believes at that time in the revolutionary service that she well recollects that
Brewster Higley so expressed much solicitude for the welfare of his son apprehending the dangers of the camp, and deponent further states that it was the universal opinion of the
inhabitants where said applicant lived not only during the time of his services but for a considerable length of time subsequently that he was a soldier in the American Army
Deponent saith further that she remembers seeing the said Applicant Soon after he returned from the said Army on the expiration of the term of his and that he soon removed to the
State of Vermont where the supposes he resided some years, from which place he ultimately removed to the State of Ohio Rutland Township Meigs County the place of his present residence and that she the said Deponent not long after the war removed to the State of New York from whence in the year Eighteen hundred thirteen the removed to this State in said Rutland in which place she has resided ever since. And further this Deponent saith not
Lucinda X Archer her mark [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this [illegible] day of August 1832
Ely Sigler Associate Judge M.C.C.P.
the interlineation was made before signing  E.Sigler
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State of Ohio
Meigs County ss

I, Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Ely Sigler Esq. before the foregoing affidavit was made & who subscribed his name thereto, was at that time & now is an acting Associate Judge of the Common Pleas for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that full faith & credit it to be given to his official acts as such. also that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 22d day of August AD 1832 & of our State the 30th
M. Bosworth  Clerk

The State of Ohio Meigs County

I, Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that Lucinda Archer who made the within affidavit is a credible person & that her statement is entitled to credit
Ely Sigler Associate Judge

State of Ohio 
Meigs County

I,  Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Ely Sigler Esq. who signed the foregoing certificate was at the time the within affidavit was taken as well as the time of making the foregoing certificate an acting Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County duly  commissioned & qualified & that full faith are and ought to be given to his official acts as such & further that the foregoing signature purporting to be his genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set and affix the seal of said Court this 22d day of
Dec AD 1832 & of our State the 31st
M Bosworth Clerk

[sideways]

Lucinda Archer's affidavit in relation to Brewster Higley's application
Page 27

Hon Lewis Cass
Rutland Decr 21st 1832
 
Sir, In addition to what is stated in my affidavit I will state in relation to the service at Castleton Vt at one time the British & some tories who had fled from the vicinity of Johnstown & that region of country came from Canada landed at Crown point from them they proceeded through the wilderness West of Lake George to Johnstown N.Y. & did considerable damage a request came from Genl Schuyler & others to the Green mountain boys to endeavor to intercept them on their return to their shipping. I went under Capt Hurlbut & Col. Ebenezer Allen to Ticonderoga the British had passed we met there Gen Schuyler with a considerable force & proceed with Gen Schuyler to Crown Point. At another time in the winter & snow deep we heard a large party
of the enemy had crossed the Lake in sleighs on the ice. Gen Ethan Allen being in the neighborhood. I with the whole settlement turned out under him & marched to Ticonderoga after staying there a few days designing to intercept the party of their return we learned that it was a flag sent for the exchange of prisoners & we returned. at this time the snow was very deep & we marched on snow shoes-

At another time I went under Capt Hurlbut to Mount Independence to reconnoiter at another time for the same purpose to what was called the narrows where we staid two or three weeks it being a suitable place to watch the Lake as well as reconnoiter the country, at another time I was ordered by Genl Enos who then commanded
Page 28

at Castleton to take two men & go to the narrows now reconnoiter the Country & the Lake. I
was at this time a Sergeant. I probably were under various commands 15 or 20 times
to Ticonderoga & Mount Independence, indeed if I were to give more services in detail even what I can remember it would take considerable time & paper & would I suppose not avail any thing because I am not able to recollect the various dates.

I have been careful not to exaggerate or make my service appear to be more the in my affidavit than it really was I believe I have stated some months less Indeed there were few young men or men in the prime of life that lived there or in that vicinity who were not engaged a considerable portion of the time
I am
Brewster Higley [signature]

I have written the above by request & direction of Judge Higley not myself supposing the letter would be of any avail. he would have written to the Secy of War with whom he was formerly acquainted but for a defect in his right hand his statements wherever he is known whether under oath or not are read with implied credence he was formerly known to Mr Cass
& altho he thinks there can be no doubt as to his receiving in a full pension he wishes, if there should be any details missing for my letter & this as well as the rest of his papers laid before
the Secretary of War
I am 
M. Bosworth

[sideways]
Additional Dec of Brewster Higley
Page 29

The State of Ohio
Meigs County ss

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Benjamin Stout a Justice of the Peace in said County Brewster Higley who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that from the nature of the service in which he was employed & the lapse of time that has intervened he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service except as to the first period of nine months as set forth in his declaration to which this is an amendment but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below (In addition to the 9 months), I served as a private for thirty days, or one month
under Capt John Case as set forth in my original declaration.-- I served as a private ten days under Capt. Rice as is set forth in said declaration & as is therein set forth served
ten days under Capt Wright And as set forth at sundry times between the Spring of the
year of the thirtieth day of March 1779 & the first day of January 1783 I served two years and in making this statement of my services I have not taken into the account any  services except when under arms. the exposure was constant. I might probably detail
these service more at length but should be un able to connect therewith the particular dates
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I was probably called out more than fifty different times & to give of precise detail of the services & connect therewith the date of each period is beyond my power to do, but of one thing I am confident that I have served my country as is set forth in my original declaration & in this amendment. At least two years ten months & twenty days & for such service I claim a pension 
Brewster Higley [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 21st of Oct 1832
Benj Stout
Justice Peace

The State of Ohio
Meigs County ss
I Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Benjamin Stout Esquire before whom the foregoing amended declaration was made & who has subscribed his name thereto was at that time & now is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that full faith & credit are ought to be given to his official acts as such & that the  foregoing signature purporting to be is genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 22 day of December A.D. 1832 & of our State the 31st
M. Bosworth Clerk
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Middleport Meigs County
Ohio Aug 17th 1854

Sir,
Brewster Higley of Rutland Meigs Co Ohio was a Pensioner at 80 per Annum, who died in 1847 after which his widow, Naomi Higley, obtained a pension for 40 per Annum. who died in 1849, was the not entitled to the same amt paid to her Husband & if so are not the children of the said Brewster & Naomi Higley entitled to the amt of Arrears yet due. and if they are thus entitled can it drawn by application of the children to the Pension department.

Your reply with instructions will oblige
I am Respectfully
your Obt Sert
R Downing
Agt for Heirs

P Waldo
Comr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

I Lucius Higley a child of Brewster & Naomi Higley Deceased hereby authorise R Downing of Middleport Ohio to make application for or enquiry in reference to arrears of Pension in which I am interested as set forth in the Statements by the Downing as above
Lucius Higley
Page 32

Admitted
Pr $80 per annum
Com 20 June 1847
M. Bosworth
Pomeroy
Meigs Co., Ohio
Page 33

The State of Ohio
Meigs County

One thousand eight hundred and forty nine A.D.  personally appeared before the subscriber, an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Meigs Ohio, the said Court being a Court of record Naomi Higley a resident of Rutland in the County of Meigs, Ohio aged eighty eight years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 1838, entitled
"An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the widow of Brewster Higley who was a private & also a Sergeant in the Army of the revolution a portion of the time in the Connecticut line and a portion of the time in the Militia of Vermont but this deponent cannot state more particularly his services. The respectfully refers to the declaration of her late husband Brewster Higley
Page 34

Higley for a full statement of his services. She further declares that she was married to the said Brewster Higley on the 25th day of Feb 1783 that her husband the aforesaid Brewster Higley died on the 20th day of June A.D. 1847. That she was married to him after his performing service with the Connecticut troops and prior to his service with the Vermont troops viz at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Naomi Higley [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written
L. Bradbury Associate Judge of the Court
of Com Pleas Meigs Co.

I do hereby certify that the said Naomi Higley resides some six miles from the County seat, is aged every infirm and in my opinion is too infirm and feeble to attend before the Court
June 28th 1849  L. Bradbury Associate Judge
Page 35

The State of Ohio
Meigs County 

I, Andrew Donnally Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Samuel Bradbury Esqr before whom the within affidavit was taken was at the time of Signing his name thereto, and still is an Associate of said Court duly commissioned and qualified as such
 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Pomeroy this 5th day July AD 1849
A Donnally Clerk
Page 36

The State of Ohio,
Meigs County.

Personally appeared before me Betsy Hubbell of lawful age who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that she was born at Castleton in Vermont in May 1776 that although quite young
she recollects distinctly before the close of the war that there were frequent alarms at that place from Indians + British that the inhabitants kept their best household furniture hid in
the words & buried &c. that her father lived 14 miles from the centre settlement & the inhabitants came to his house she recollects in time of alarms as it was out of the settlement & more retired. she was not at that time acquainted with Brewster Higley but knows that
he lived at that place of her own knowledge she does not know that he was in the service but distinctly recollects hearing her mother & the mother of sd. Brewster Higley talk of their trials during that period & relate various particulars respecting the frequent & almost constant alarm & dangers to which they were exposed after she had arrived at mature years distinctly
recollects hearing that said Brewster was in the army & the fear of his mother in his behalf when they were conversing on the trials & dangers of that period how long time he was engaged she does not know. Deponents father was taken prisoner during that period & she recollects hearing them tell the particulars of their privations & dangers & further this deponent saith not
Betsey Hubbell [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed before me this Eighth day of August 1832
Benj Stout Justice Peace

I do hereby certify that Betsey Hubbell who made the above affidavit is a credible person that her statement is Entitled to credit. Dec 21st 1832 Benj Stout Just Peace
Page 37

The State of Ohio
Meigs County ss

I, Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Benjamin Stout Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace in
for said County duly commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit are ought to be given to
his official acts as such & also that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony
whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 22d day of August A.D 1832 & of our State the 30th
Marcus Boswell Clerk

The State of Ohio
Meigs County

I Marcus Bosworth Clerk of he Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Benjamin Stout Esquire who signed the within certificate date Decr 21st 1832 annexed to the within affidavit was at the time the affidavit was made and the time sd certificate purports to have been made a was a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & that full faith & credit are and ought to be given to his official acts such & further that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I here unto set my hand & affix the seal of said county this 22d day of Decr A.D. 1832 our State the 31st
M. Bosworth Clerk

[sideways at bottom]
Betsy Hubbell's affidavit

Brewster Higley Application
Page 38

Chester Mcoo   Free
June 8 1839

J.L.. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 39

The State of Ohio of
Meigs County ss

Personally appeared before me Brewster Higley, who being duly sworn deposeth of saith that he is a pensioner of the United States on the Pension list of the Ohio Agency that in order to save expense he did not make application for his pension after 4th day of October A.D. 1838 so that his pension is due from the 4th day of March AD 1838 to the 4th March AD 1839- that since the 4th March last he made application to the Agent for paying pensions at Cincinnati for his pension for the year then completed but owing to some informality in making out his papers his pension was not paid. Then he is informed that more than one year having elapsed since he has drawn his pension, it will not be paid without application at the pension Office, he therefore respectfully requests that the Pension
Agent at Cincinnati may be instructed to pay his pension on his proper application therefore
Brewster Higley [signature]

Sworn to subscribed before me this 8th day of June AD 1839
JC Bristow J.Peace
Page 40

The State of Ohio Meigs County ss
I Marcus Bosworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Meigs do hereby certify that John C. Bestow is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official acts as such & further that signature above written purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand & the seal of said Court, at Chester, this 8th day of June AD 1839 & or our State the 37th.

(signature) M. Bosworth, Clerk

note: document contains a faint impression of a seal.
Page 41


note: document is an envelope sent from: 

Middlefork O
August 17

and sent to:
L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

upper right corner says:
Free

written across the envelope in a different hand: 
Naomi Higley
Ohio 2 Feb. '48 

written across in another hand is:
Cole
Page 42

  left side of document:

1908  Hist. to Mrs. F. A. Apr. 7 Hist. to Hoyt
G. Post V. I. [illegible]
1919 Jan'y 22 Hist. to Mrs. F. A. [illegible]
Letter in W. F. 19504 Simeon Gilbert

right side of document:

Revolutionary War Widow &etc.
File No. 7742
Naomi Higley
Widow
Brewster Higley
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Feby. 2nd '48
Index:--Vol A Page 334
[arrangement of 1870]
Page 43

free

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Ded't Naomi Higley
July 4/49

postmark illegible
Page 44

Pension Office
June 14th, 1849
Sir,
In the case of Naomi Higley, widow of Brewster Higley, the evidence of their marriage prior to 1794, and of her husband's service for two years is satisfactory; but she is required in order to authorize the Department to issue a certificate to her, for the same amount that her husband received, she must file a declaration made before a court of record in conformity with the enclosed printed instructions.

I am, very respectfully
your obedient servant
J. L. Edwards

M. Bosworth, Esq.
Pomeroy,
Meigs Co., Ohio
Page 45

[illegible] Papers for JLE
June 14/49

free

J.L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

M. Bosworth
Page 46

Pomeroy, June 8th 48

J.L. Edwards
Sir,
In March last the papers of the widow of Brewster Higley of this (Meigs Co., O) County were forwarded by mail to your office for the allowance of a pension. I have heard nothing from your office respecting her claim altho more time has elapsed than usual. The bundle of papers contained among other things an old Almanac published near 150 years since in Boston. The family are anxious to know if a pension has been allowed & to receive back the old Almanac which has been kept as a sort of heirloom in the family.

M. Bosworth
Page 47

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
May 31st, 1842
Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain pensions, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Brewster Higley, a pensioner on the rolls of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Eighty dollars and  no cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this department from the 4th of March to the 4 of September 1841.

Respectfuilly yours,
Albion K. Parris, Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present
Page 48

March 13/48
Wid. of Brewster Higley


 Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

postmark illegible
Page 49

Commissioner of Pensions,
January [6th, 1848]
Sir. Some months (say since 3[rd] month) I sent the
papers of the Widow of Brewster Higley,
to your Office agent [indiscernible] to stop
the balance of pension due him at his
decease (since intended to supersede). I had enclosed
his pension certificate. Last day before
yesterday, when on examination of a
drawer in the Clerk's Office when I had
heretofore kept pension papers, I found his pension cer-
tificate which I did not find two others which
I expected to find. The papers made out
by the Widow I learned verbally from
the Agent were forwarded (for some
reason not learned) to your Office. Hence
not having the certificate is all that is wanting. I con-
clude it — but what I now
wish is that the papers remain in
your Office that they may be
examined to see if the pension
certificate of Mr. Houch or
Mrs. Stevens is not enclosed, instead of
that of Brewster Higley's if so that such
[illegible word] may be returned.
Page 50

be enclosed to me.

M. Bosworth
Page 51

B. Higley
Page 52

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Brewster Higley which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes
II. did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declared mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes
V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  No.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes
Page 53

2 [page number, centered]

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
[Handwritten Response]
No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
[Handwritten Response]
Yes

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
[Handwritten Response]
Yes

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
[Handwritten Response]
No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
[Handwritten Response, crossed out]
No

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
[Handwritten Response]
Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

[horizontal line]

EXPLANATORY NOTES [centered]
QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] years [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for each service I claim a pension."
Page 54

3 [page number, centered]

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service [italicized].
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers [italicized].
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 55

TREASURY DEPARTMENT [heading, typed],
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 16, 1839.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," Brewster Higley,  --
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Chio -- Agency, at
the rate of Eighty -- Dollars [words "and [blank] Cents" crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1838,
to the 4th Sept. 1838.

Respectfully, yours,
[Signature]
Elisha K. Kane
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 56

Here is the diplomatic transcription of the text for archival purposes:

History to
Mrs. F. A. Skilton,
* #84 Hamilton Ave.,
Auburn, New York

Her letter
dated Jan'y. 14. 1919
rec'd [received]   "  15.  "
[curly brace pointed right]
in claim of Simeon Gilbert
W.File 19,504
Page 57

HOYT G. POST
Attorney-At-Law
85 West Eighth Street


HOLLAND, MICH. March 26, 1908.


Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
Kindly furnish me with the war records of Brewster Higley the 3rd, and Brewster Higley, the 2nd, during the revolutionary period. Both served as ensign and their commissions were dated September 25, 1777, residence at dates of enlistment Simsbury, Conn. These men were grandfathers of mine and I desire their war records to complete my application to membership in the Sons of the Revolution.

Very truly yours,
Hoyd G. Post

HGP/JH.