Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8489, Brampton Hitchcock, Continental Virginia Residence Of Widow In 1846
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SERVICE  Continental [handwritten]
Number R8489 [handwritten]
Hitchcock, Brampton [handwritten]
Pritchard, Elizabeth [handwritten]
(Former widow)
---
CONTENTS
Virginia residence of widow in 1846
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Richmond Va. July 26 1847
Dear Sir
Since I received your last letter relative to Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard widow of Brampton Hitchcock I have written to a friend in New York to see if he could get in Brooklyn, a copy of the marriage bond of John Cowdery her second husband, and I learn that no license is required in order to marry in that state and at the suggestions of a Gentleman of this City I wrote to Mr. J. E. Welch of Burlington being informed that if the time of marriage could be ascertained by anyone, he would succeed. The enclosed letter of his Lady is what
I received in reply, which I enclosed to the Mayor of Burlington for proper authentication. I also send you the letter of the said Mayor - It may not be out of the way here to say that I assure you Mrs Pritchard has frequently told me in conversation that her husband Hitchcock was from the State of Connecticut, and that he had two Brothers Jothan & Elichius or Elittius the former of whom she thinks was in Col Lamb's regiment of Artillery with her husband & probably the other. I will also [?] that when I rec'd Mrs Welch's letter I visited Mrs Pritchard and asked her if her Father was married twice without telling her of this information I had recd. She answered me in the affirmative
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and said that he married Elizabeth Pearson.
Hoping that this enclosed will prove satisfactory and that I shall hear from you soon. 
I remain yours
Very Respectfully 
James T. Sutton Jr

PS
I think Mrs P. was not very positive about Campbell & Lawrence being Lieut in Lamb's Regiment
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July 28 47
Add [illegible]
Elizabeth Pritchard

[sideways]
Free
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

[stamp]
FREE
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[sideways]
July 28 47
Add. [illegible]
Elizabeth Pritchard

Free
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

[stamp]
FREE
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Burlington July 19th 1847

Dear Sir
I rec'd a letter from you address'd
to my husband Mr Welch, in regard to ascertaining certain facts relative to the marriage of Brampton Hitchcock & Elizabeth Parker.
As Mr Welch is from home & will not return for a month to come_I concluded in his absence to make some enquiries [inquiries]_ I have visited
several of our oldest inhabitants & learn'd from
Mrs Cordelia Smith that she knew Elizabeth Parker_& also her father & Mother_ that she married Brampton Hitchcock, but could not remember the year they were married.
On referring to an old private register of fathers kept by my father (James Craft Sen'r) from 2 mo 21st 1767 to 5 mo 23rd 1785. We acertain that on the "18th of the 8 mo. 1783
Brampton Htichcock & Elizabeth Parker were married;" but it does not give the name of the person who married them. The same record notices the death of E. Parkers Mother on the "15th of 10 mo. 1782". & on the "23rd of 2nd mo. 1783" her father, "Adam Parker married Elizabeth Pearson".
These last facts are given to show the Minuteness of the record, & if necessary I can testify that the record is in the hand writing of my father, & that it was his habit to keep an account of the births, marriages & deaths &c. &c. oc
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occurring in our City. My Sister, to whom this register belongs, had accounts extending to later years, but have been lost.
In the absence of Mr Welch, I consulted an
intimate friend of ours ( Wm. R. Allen Mayor of
Burlington) who says, that the law regarding the registry of Marriges was not passed 'till after the Revolution & as Mr Howe who married them, was only a Magistrate
of course there would not be a church record of it; and is of opinion that this account of my father is quite sufficient to substantiate the fact of her marriage.
But still if necessary Mr Allen will write to Trenton and inquire for you, if such documents as you refer to exist?
Respectfully Yours
 Mrs J.E. Welch

James T. Sutton Esq'r
P.S. I am very sorry Mr W
happen'd not to be at home
it would have been a pleasure
to try and serve the aged; he has
on some similar occasions been
successful.
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State of New Jersey}
City of Burlington   } ss
Be it known that on this 24th day of July 1847 before me Mayor of the City aforesaid personally appeared Mrs J E. Welch whose name appears to the foregoing communication and affirmed according to the law [marked out: to the] that the statements therein contained are strictly true. I also certify that the said Mrs Welch is a lady  of high standing and of unquestioned credibility, and that upon comparing the original register alluded to (by her) with her copy, find it to be correct.  Given under my hand * on this day & year last above written.
Wm R. Allen Mayor
* and corporate seal of said city
(Note I have not altered the writing above, but I have thought it best to attach the corporate seal of this
city, as above) W. R.A.  Mayor

I Elizabeth Pritchard now a resident of Richmond City Va, do hereby most solemnly certify that I am the identical person spoken of in the foregoing letter of Mrs JE Welch as Elizabeth Parker who married Brampton Hitchcock (a soldier of Col Lambs Regiment of artillery during the Revolutionary War) and as I have stated in my Declaration now on file in the pension office in Washington that I was married to the said Hitchcock in 1790 will state in addition the reason of this discrepancy towit, until saw the foregoing letter I had no data to govern me except that marked on the piece of canvas
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now filed as aforesaid containing these words viz "Peggy Hitchcock  brought here in the 7 year of her age 1791" and thinking that the 1791 was entered for the year she was born I made all my calculations as to my own age & my marriage accordingly knowing that it was about one year after I was married before the said Peggy was born. I also certify that my said Husband Brampton Hitchcock was from Connecticut, I think from
Cheshire, and believe he had a Brother by the name of Jotham who was also in Lamb's regiment with him
Elizabeth Pritchard

Mr James F Sutton Jr
Richmond 
Va.


State of VA          }
City of Richmond} ss

Be it know that on this the 26th day of July 1847 before me a justice of the peace in and for the said city personally appeared Mrs Elizabeth Pritchard above named and made oath in due form to the truth of her foregoing certificate, I also certify that [marked out: Mrs. Pritchard] I have no personal acquaintance with Mrs Pritchard but have no reason to doubt the whole truth of her statement above  Given under my hand this day and year last above written. Jos. C. Wingfield J.P.

State of Virginia, City of Richmond, towit:
I, Charles Howard, clerk of the court of Hustings for said city, hereby certify, that Joseph C. Wingfield, whose name is signed to the preceding certificate, is an alterman, & ex officio a justice of the peace in the said City, and a member of the Court of Hustings thereof
and I certify his said signature to be genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name & affixed the seal of the said court of
Hustings this 26th day of July in the year 1847.
Chs; Howard clk.
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Richmond, Va. May 27, 1847

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 24th inst has been rec'd and on inquiry of Mrs. Pritchard & others I find that there was one more husband Mrs. Pritchard has been married to (before she married Price) than Hitchcock (to wit John Cowdery) consequently I got her to make a further statement in relation to the Declaration taken by myself last year, as I did not recollect to have heard of the name of Cowdery as having been one of her husbands and thought it probably his name was entirely omitted in her declaration. It seems that she married Hitchcock in Burlington, New Jersey, then Cowdery in Brooklyn New York Price married her when she was on a visit to an acquaintance near Winchester VA and brought her to this place where Pritchard married her and left her a widow. I suppose the marriage license bond could be obtained in Cowdery's case at Brooklyn but as the canvass sent has the name of Peggy Hitchcock on it and has been exhibited to person before Mrs Pritchard had any knowledge [marked out: of its [?] ] that it would ever be offered as testimony but merely from the fact of its being in her estimation something extra for so young a child as hers. Seems not only with Mrs Nichols' statement to identify but with the certificate of Mrs Quicksall & be sufficient and which I hope will prove satisfactory. I called on Mrs. Nichols to write her affidavit after knowing what she could say, but she she remarked
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that she preferred "to do her own writing" which I afterward got her to make oath to. Hoping that the enclosed may be sufficient.
I remain Very Respectfully
yours
Jas T Sutton Jr
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May 29 /41
Addnl in Case
Of Elizabeth Pritchard
For Wid of B. Hitchcock

Free
Jas L Edwards Esqr.
Commis'r of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
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Jas S Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Addl in case
of Elizabeth Pritchard
wid. of B. Hitchcock
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If it is not asking too much of Mr. Edwards I will feel under many obligations to him if he will take up the care of Mrs Pritchard on Saturday the 29th so that I can hear from him by Monday night as Mrs P. is quite indisposed today & I have gone to considerable expense to say nothing of trouble and were she to die having no child,  I would loose much 
Very Respectfully
J T Sutton
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[left side]
Nov 9 1846

[right side]

[?] Williamson
Brampton Hitchcock of
Col  Sa[?] regiment was
a Connecticut man and
[?] [?] served in
the District of Ma[?]
[?] by his [?]
Samuel Russell in July
1790.  Bounty Land
warrant from Genl G[?]
issued W Bartholomew and [?]
May 1790
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State of Virginia City of Richmond
On this 9th day of November 1846 before me George P Crump - a justice of the peace in and for the city aforesaid personally appeared Elizabeth Pritchard a resident of the city aforesaid aged Seventy six years who first being 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. That she was the widow of Brampton Hitchcock deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and who served as she verily believes during the whole of said war, that he was in service from the commencement of the Revolutionary War to the close of it and although she is unable to set forth the different engagements he was in yet there is one that she remembers of hearing him speaking viz a place called Redbank or Red Hook having married her said husband several years after the close of the war she did not take that interest in the matter to make her fully acquainted with the [illegible] &c connected with his service. She knows however that at some time during the war he was in Colonel Lamb's Regiment of Artillery of New York for she has visited Col Lamb's house in company with the aforesaid Brampton Hitchcock after she was married to him and heard them converse of the difficulties and hardships they had to encounter during the Revolutionary struggle. She thinks also that she recollects the names of two of his Lieutenants- viz Campbell and Lawrence. That she was married to the said Brampton Hitchcock in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety in Burlington state of New Jersey by a magistrate named Horne that her Bible containing the family record has been stolen or lost , but she has in her possession a piece of canvass on which, the year is marked on which her oldest child was born, which was marked by the
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Said child in her seventieth year who died at the age 14 and she has kept it ever since that period. that the said Brampton Hitchcock died in the year 1799 and she came to the state of Virginia ( after residing a while in Philadelphia  & New Jersey) in 1802 and was married to John F Price who died in the year 1813 that she was again married in 1814 to Abraham Prichard who died in the month of December in the year 1831 whose widow she has been ever since that period as well more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
 Elizabeth Pritchard

Sworn to and subscribed on this the 9th day of November 1846 before me
Geo P Crump  J. Peace
I furthermore certify that I am credibly informed that Mrs. Pritchard above named is [marked out: entirely] dependent on the Baptist Church of which she is a member for a support and that although I do not know her as being the widow of Brampton Hitchcock with whom I had no acquaintance yet I have entire confidence in the fact that the statements set forth in her foregoing declaration relative to the services of said Hitchcock is true that from old ago and infinity it would be inconvenient for her to attend in court [marked out: Given under my hand this 9th day of November 1846] that I have seen the piece canvass alluded to in her Declaration and believe from its authentic appearance that it is correct in what is purported to be. Given under my hand this 9th day of November 1846 the year 1791 is marked as being the year in which the child was born
 Geo P Crump- J. Peace
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In Richmond Hustings Court, November 9th 1846.
The court having examined the proceeding of George P Crump, a member of its body, relative to Mrs. Mary Pritchard's declaration for a pension, approve of said proceeding by said George P Crump, and order the same to be certified to the War Department. 

State of Virginia, City of Richmond towit
I Charles Howard clerk of the court of Hustings for the said City, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of the said Courts of Hustings.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Hustings, this Ninth day of November, in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty six
Chs. Howard, Clk.
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Richmond Nov 4. 1847
Hon. Wm L Marcy
Secretary of War
Sir
On Sept'r last I visited Washington City with the enclosed letter, of Mr. Scott to you, tho had not the pleasure of seeing you, as you were absent at the North. My objective was to appeal to you in a claim now on file in the pension office . The case is that of Elizabeth Pritchard Who has been married four times and now claims a pension under the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 on account of the service of her first Husband Brampton Hitchcock- She has made two statements as to the period of her marriage with Hitchcock  which I conceive has so prejudiced Col. Edwards that this explanation will not satisfy him. Elizabeth states in her first declaration, that she married to Hitchcock in the year 1790 and in a subsequent statement says she was married to him in 1783. relative to which I beg leave to say that when Mrs Pritchard made her first declaration she had no family register of any kind, but knew she was married to Brampton Hitchcock of Lamb's Regiment in Burlington New Jersey after the Revolutionary War. She knew not her own age, though she had a sampler in her possession which was marked by her daughter which had on it the following words viz "Peggy Hitchcock wrought this in the 7th year of her age 1791" so this piece of canvass or sampler being her only guide she made her calculations by its date, knowing the she was married about one year prior to her daughter's birth. and thus
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fixed the date of her marriage in 1790. Since that declaration was made a private register has been found in Burlington showing that the marriage took place in 1783 and Mrs Pritchard knowing from circumstances that this is a correct register, sees that she must have been mislead by her sampler and finds upon examination that both the sampler & private register refered [sic] to are correct, but that she has mistaken the date 1791 on the sampler as being the year when her daughter was born. When in fact it is as the language conveys the year in which it was marked, and that her daughter was then in her 7th year, which shows that her daughter was born in 1784 and having been married about a year previous to her birth, having the time of marriage 1783 as the private register above mentioned shown corresponding with it precisely, and the discrepancy only resulted in consequence of a misconstruction of the words on the sampler.
Knowing that you have much business before you of more importance probably than any thing that I might bring to your notice: it is with much reluctance that I trouble you, but the nature of the case, I trust will be sufficient apology.
The old lady is very needy, sick and indeed bed ridden, has no child living and as I have gone to considerable expense in endeavoring to get her money. I fear she may die without being remunerated so have to ask the earliest attention you can (with convenience to yourself) give to this case.
With great respect, I have
the Honor to be
Yr obt svt 
Jas. T Sutton, Jr.
N.B
The services of Brampton Hitchcock
Mr Edwards admits is  fully established"
Sutton
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Mrs Pritchard who presents this is the Humble patitioner [sic] through the City papers (and the widdow [sic] of Brampton Hitchcock, who served in the Redgment [sic] of Artilery [sic] of New York during the war of the Revolution) for your generous Consideration, and patronage, For the loan of a small am't. of means to enable her to prosicute [sic] her claim for her portion of the Bounty Land Given to her Former Husband for his Services, and whose Certificate is signed by Gen'l. Washington in his own hand writing.  It is with feelings of no ordinary kind, that I present myself to any one (even the most charitable) on this Subject, But humbly hoping that my motives will be properly apreciated [sic], and the paculiarity [sic] of the case find for me, a charitable excuse with those who lend, as well as those who withhold.  I subscribe myself must respectfully yr. applicant.

Being called on to say whether I wrote the above I hereby Certify that some years since, I became satisfied from papers then in my hand, and among them several certificates and what I learned from others that Mrs Pritchard was what the application purports her to be, and not only intitled [sic] to a pension but greatly deserving and in need of what might be her due.  The papers went from my hand which I now regret, for the reasons, that I think they would put her claim beyond doubt--I am sure that there are none of her acquaintances who for a moment doubt her being the widdow [sic] of Mr Hitchcock, as above stated.
H. R. Montague
Richmond Oct'r. 12/47
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July 1790  Sam'l Russell
comm [?]

Some time during the year 1839 or perhaps /40 Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard through her friends employed me to attend to the recovery of a pension claim for her & also her dower in a lot in the town of Manlius Mondaga [sic] county New York. Which had been granted to her husband Brampton Hitchcock, for revolutionary services with regard to the claim for Pensions, it was disallowed because (I think) of her subsequent marriage, with one Cowdery. I am sure it was not because there was defect of proof of her being at one time wife of Brampton Hitchcock. I think the records of the dep't'nt will show a correspondence between myself & the Court of Pensions in the subject. It will certainly show a correspondence between Hon H Clay & HB Montegue on the subject of her claims. I had full proof of her right of dower to the land. Mentioned above, as the wife of Hitchcock, but I found the dower right so valueless that the claim was abandoned. The papers in my possession were afterward sent to Mrs. Pritchard, but in some way have been lost. I am not now in any way concerned in her claim. 
A Judson Crane 
Atty at Law &c
Richmond May 27, 1847
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[Left Page]
State of Va City of Richmond ss
Be it known that on this the 27 day of May 1847 before me a justice of the peace in and for the city aforesaid personally appeared A Judson Crane whose name appears to the within certificate and made oath to the correctness of the statements therein made I also certify that Mr. Crane is a  gentleman of high respectability &c.  Given under my hand this day and year above written.
Saml, T, Pulliam  J. Peace

State of Virginia
City of Richmond, Towit:
I, Charles Howard, Clerk of the court of Hustings, for the said city, hereby certify that Samuel T Pulliam whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is an alderman and ex officio a justice of the peace in & for the said city & a member of the court of Hustings thereof, and I certify his said signature to be genuine- In testimony  whereof, I have herewith set my hand, & affixed the seal of the said  court of Hustings, this 26th. day of May1847
Chs. Howard, Clk.

[Right Page]
Pension Office
December 1st 1847
Sir,
I have the honor to return Mrs Suttons letter of appeal in the case of Elizabeth Pritchard and to submit the papers from No. 1 to 10 inclusive.
This is the claim of a resident of Richmond, Virginia, where it is alleged that she had married three times but claims to have been the widow of Brampton Hitchcock prior to those marriages.  The original statement, if the explanation given as to the error in the alleged date of the marriage be correct, would shew such a looseness and needlessness in drawing it up as to inspire distrust of all exhibits from the same source.  The corrected date makes the marriage take place but one month after the soldiers discharge to a resident in the southern part of New Jersey.  The soldier was a Connecticut man, was discharged on the Hudson.  He received Bounty Land from New York and from the United States, which alienated after her alleged marriage without her relinquishment of dower.  She also alleges that she had a daughter by that soldier.  With such data upon which to obtain
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evidence I am of opinion that the proof adduced is not sufficient to show that she was ever the wife of that soldier and married to him before 1794, and this opinion is respectfully submitted upon the exhibits. 

The claim, if allowed, is considerable and may therefore justify the expense of establishing it satisfactorily. 

I have the honor to be
 Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
 J. L. Edwards

Hon. W L Marcy 
Secretary of War
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Mr. Sutton Richmond May 26, 1847

Sir,
In compliance with your request, it gives me pleasure to make the following statement, relative to my knowledge of Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard, which is simply this. Some time, I think in the year 1802 I became acquainted with the aforesaid, Elizabeth Pritchard, at that time the wife of John F Price, to whom she had recently been married, he being as she stated, her 3rd husband. The first Mr. Hitchcock, the second Mr. Cowdery, of the last mentioned, she was the widow, at the time she married Mr. Price. I have often heard her mention circumstances connected with her two first husbands, who were unknown to me, but most frequently has she spoken of the first, namely Mr. Hitchcock, who as she said served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and I have sometimes said to her "No doubt but you could obtain a pension if some gentleman would interest himself on your behalf". She has also not infrequently exhibited to me the piece of canvas which I saw in your possession this morning invariably reiterating the same fact that it was wrought by the hands of her child, the daughter of her first husband Mr. Hitchcock, dates & circumstances as appears on the canvases. I have known the said Mrs Pritchard for the last forty years, during which time she has been a resident of the city of Richmond, with an interval of one or two years during the life of her last husband, Mr. Pritchard. I have no hesitancy in saying that I have no cause to doubt, but her statement of the whole matter is essentially true. I presume it may not be improper for me to add, that the Cause of Justice and Humanity are my only incentives in making this communication. 
Respectfully, Lucy M. Nichols

State of VA City of Richmond
Be it known that on this 27th day of May 1847 before me a justice of the peace in and for the city aforesaid personally appeared Mrs. Lucy M. Nichols whose name appears to the above communication and acknowledged the same to be genuine and made oath according to law to the truth of the statements
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State of Virginia,
City of Richmond, towit:
I, Charles Howard, clerk of the Court of Hustings for the said City, hereby certify that Samuel T. Pulliam, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is an Alderman and ex officio a justice of the peace in & for said city and a member of the Court of Hustings thereof, and I certify his said signature to be genuine.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court of Hustings, this 26th day of May 1847.
Chs: Howard, clk.
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Burlington NJ Jul 24
James T. Sutton Esq.
Richmond, Va
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J T Sutton Esqr
Burlington July 24th 1847
Sir
Enclosed you will find the letter of Mr. Welch, with your writing annexed properly authenticated.
The register to which she refers is in the handwriting of Mr. Craft her father, and contains perhaps several thousand records of events occuring in Burlington & vicinity during his time.  It is a very curious document, characteristic of the man. I have a distinct recollection of the
old Gentleman, a worthy citizen of this place, as singularly curious and particular in all matters recorded in his register, and that from his character and the industry by which he sought to obtain correct information.  I am fully of the opinion his records of events are entitled to the same credence as those officially recorded.
By our people he is remembered as an oddity and singular genius, and whilst living as the chronicler of the times, in whose statements implicit confidence might be placed. That the document enclosed will accomplish your purpose is the wish of
yours very respectfully
Wm R Allen
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8 
May 10 '47
[illegible]
Elizabeth Pritchard
May 8.47
S

James T. Sutton Jr
Richmond Va

Elizabeth Pritchard
Richmond Va.
Page 30

be Sixty-nine years old the 8th day of June next . given under my hand this 8th day of May 1847
Sarah Quicksall

City of Burlington State of New Jersey
On this eighth day of May 1847 Personally appeared before the underwritten Mayor of said City, Samuel Stockton, Sarah Quicksall, and Mary Ann Carty, respectively the writers whose names are hereunto annexed, and who are respectively well known to me as [?], respectable and entitled to full credit for their statements, and the two former persons on their solemn affirmation respectively (being conscientious scrupulous of taking an oath) and the last named person on her solemn oath according  to law respectively, say that the statements to which they have respectively attached their names is the truth to the best of their knowledge and belief.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the corporate seal of the said City to be hereunto affixed the day and year above written


Wm R Allen Mayor
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8 May 10 [illegible]
[illegible] on
Elizabeth Pritchard
May 4 [illegible]
James T. Sutton Jr
Elizabeth Prichard
Richmond VA
Page 32

I Samuel Stockton of the city of Burlington and state of New Jersey aged Eighty four years and five months Being called on today what I know of Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard of Richmond City Virginia and her being the widow of Brampton Hitchcock who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, do hereby solemnly affirm that although I have no knowledge of said Elizabeth as Elizabeth Pritchard nor am I willing to say that she is the widow of said Hitchcock yet I know that Brampton Hitchcock who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution was married to Elizabeth Parker of this city sometime after the war but how long I  cannot say. being unable to call to mind any event which would allow me to fix upon any definite period but do not think it was many years after the close of the said war. and furthermore, that the individual who takes this affidavit stated to me that Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard above named alleged that she was Miss Parker daughter of Adam Parker of this place before I gave him any information on the subject and I have no doubt that said Elizabeth Pritchard is the identical widow of the said Brampton Hitchcock who was a soldier either in Lee's Company of horse o Lambs Regiment of artillery and further this affiant saith not.
Sam'l Stockton
I Sarah Quicksall of this city of Burlington & state of New Jersey do solemnly affirm that altho I cannot state at what period the above named Brampton Hitchcock & Elizabeth Parker were married yet I recollect that on one occasion when I was a little girl not fifteen years old I heard my father enquire of the said Brampton Hitchcock how his wife Betsy was. When he replied that "the least said the sooner (illegible)" this strange reply made an indelible impression on my mind and that I shall
Page 33

be Sixty nine years old the 8th day of June next given under my hand this 8th day of May 1847
Sarah Quicksall

City of Burlington State of New Jersey
On this eighth day of May 1847 personally appeared before me the underwritten Mayor of said City, Samuel Stockton, Sarah Quicksall, and Mary Ann Carty, respectively the writers whose names are hereunto annexed and who are respectively well known to me as aged, respectable and entitled to full credit for their statements and the two former persons on their solemn affirmation respectively (being conscientious scrupulous of taking an oath) and the last named person on her solemn oath according to law respectively, say that the statements to which they have respectively attached their names is the truth to the best of their knowledge and belief. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused  the corporate seal of the said city to be hereunto affixed the day and year above written
 Wm R Allen Mayor
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I Mary Ann Carty of the City of Burlington and State of New Jersey aged upwards of Eighty years do hereby certify that I knew Brampton Hitchcock spoken of in the foregoing affidavits of Mr. Stockton & Mrs Quicksall and know that he was a resident of Burlington at one time and believe that he originally came from some of the New England States
Given under my hand this 8th day of may 1847.
Mary Ann Carty
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Aug' 13 47 [Handwritten]
Asking reconsideration [Handwritten]
Care Mr Pritchard [Handwritten]
Jas L. Edwards Esgr [Handwritten]
Commissioner of Pension [Handwritten]
Washington City [Handwritten]
D.C. [Handwritten]
Page 36

Aug' 13 47
Asking Reconsideration
care Mr. Pritchard

FREE

Jas L EdwardsEsq'r]
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D.C.
Page 37

Amherst County Va.
August 11 1847

My dear Sir,
Yours of the 9th inst was rec'd the eve of my departure from Richmond for this County, in which you say that "it is not probable that Brampton Hitchcock who was a soldier of Connecticut and who was discharged in June 1783 would after leaving service remove to another state and marry a woman with whom he had no previous acquaintance within the period of one month, and you require some explanation of relations to this uncommon occurrence, and also that if her 2nd & 3rd marriages took place after her removal to Va. the record at Richmond should afford proof of the fact.  I have heard Mrs Pritchard state that she saw her Husband Hitchcock once whilst he was in service and if I mistake not it was at or near Burlington N. Jersey, and no matter where he was discharged he located himself for a time in Burlington [marked out: in that place] & was a Banker in that place
Page 38

and Mr. Stockton certifies that he was once in Lamb's Regiment of Artillery. In regard to her 2nd & 3rd marriage I have to say that she has a statement now on file in which she says that she was married to Cowdry her 2nd husband in Brooklyn New York to which place I have written and am informed that no license for marriage  is required in that State.  She was married to Price in Northwestern Va, but she cannot say positively what County.  Now although it is not very probable that you have overlooked any paper among the number filed in
her case, yet it may be possible that you have, and as I shall not be able to see Mrs. Pritchard for ten or more days I am induced to ask this favor of you to reconsider her claim. The cause of the discrepancies &c heretofore are owing to the following.  She was misled by the piece of canvass which with the explanation however corresponds with Mrs. Welsh's certificate.  2nd she is at times so very deaf as to render it extremely laborious to converse with her.  I admit that the whole history of her life so far as I have heard it is singular. I think and it is the impression among some of our citizens that she was brought as a servant
from the North to this state and her refraining to give a full account of herself about that time to me, I am unable to trace the 3d Marriage to its proper place.
When she first married in Va I am informed her husband's
Page 39

culations (who stand high in society) were very indignant at the match.  The old lady has moved in quite a different circle (I fancy) since that period to that she has been accustomed to.  With these facts before you, I trust a examination of her papers will result in the issuing of her Pension Certificate.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain yours
Very Respectfully
Jas T. Sutton Jr.
PS
Please excuse the hurried manner in which I have written, being on my way to New Glasgow of this county and have not the convenience to write more legibly.
Page 40

Richmond College
Jany 30 1847
Mr. Sutton
Dear Sir
In reply to yr questions concerning old Mrs. Pritchard I will state that I find on my books for the year 1835 the following entry. "Mrs Pritchard came to live with us June 11th at $2.00 per Month" she continued with us, except during a few months; until 1842, though much of that time she was too old to be of any service, and I was compelled to hire another house-keeper. Her salary did not, therefore, continue, though Mrs Ryland furnished her with clothes.- At the beginning of 1842 we: discontinued house-keeping & the old lady has been in need ever since. I have often heard her say that she was a widow Hitchcock-that she was born & raised at the North-perhaps in New York State-that her husband, Mr. Hitchcock, (whose given name I forget-if I ever heard) - had claim on some land in New York for revolutionary services, & that she could recover something handsome if she  could find a friend to prosecute the claim_ I urged her to put the case into the hands of some suitable agent, but I have not learned the result.
Yours truly & Faithfully
Ro. Ryland
Pris't Rich'd. Clk
Page 41

Mrs. Pritchard having by her late marriage, rendered null & void the contract which was entered into between herself and the
 Female Humane Association, during her union with Mr. Price, which contract was approved and signed by him; and the Directors of the school not wishing to enter into any engagement with her present Husband Mr. Pritchard, without whose concurrence she cannot now act; they, the Directors, do hereby close their accounts with the present Matron of the school, at the same time acknowledging the services [marked out: her services] rendered by her to the Institution since she became Preceptress & still soliciting her care of Polly Duryn if it is her intention to remove into the country this summer

Anna Tate E. A Reston 
Jean Wood K Ambler
M Nicholas
E. Copland
July 7th 1819
Page 42

We the President and Secretary of the Above Named Institution that is (to say)The Female Humane Association of the City of Richmond, VA. do hereby certify that the above statement signed by Anna Tala & A. Preston Jean Wood K Ambler M Nicholas E Copland is intirely correct they being at the time directors of the school and with a view to assist Mrs. Pritcard in her endeavors to recover lands in the State of New York to which she seems justly entitled.  We herewith subjoin our names.
E Fisher President FHA
Eliza I Covington Secy
K Ambler
Alies H Williams
Page 43

State of Virginia City of Richmond ss
It having been stated to me by Mr. J. T. Sutton Jr. of this City who wrote my declaration made before Geo P Crump Esq in 1840 that he is under the impression that my 2nd Husband Mr. Cowdery was not mentioned in said declaration (as he never understood me as saying, that I had been the widow of said Cowdery), this is to certify that I did certainly name him (John Cowdery) as being my 2nd husband and suppose that my not noticing that his name was omitted when the declaration was read to me, was owing to the fact that my mind was more particularly fixed on the marriage with my first husband, Brampton Hitchcock together with another fact that I am very deaf.
 I gave the time of marriage in the other cases as near as I could by the calculations I made by referring to the time of moving from place to place but in the time of marriage with Brampton Hitchcock there can be no mistake, for I know I was married to him just about eleven months before our daughter Peggy was born, and that the said daughter was born in 1791 l know full well, from the fact that I have a piece of Canvass which she marked with in the 7th year of her age and marked the year in which she was born (Viz(1791) and I have ever kept said canvas of in my possession having frequently exhibited it to persons as being something more than most children could do at the same age_
Given under my hand this 26th day of May 1847
Elizabeth Pritchard
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year last above mentioned-
 Geo P Crump J. Peace
for the City of Richmond
Page 44

Line 1: 13 155
Line 2: [Illegible]
Line 3: [Illegible]
Line 4: [Illegible]
Line 5: Elizabeth Pritchard
Line 6: July [Illegible]

Line 7: Jame L Edwards Esgr
Line 8: Comissioner of Pensions
Line 9: Washington City
Line 10: D.C.
Page 45

Richmond Dec. 15th 1846
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you the Declaration of Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard who was the widow of Brampton Hitchcock of the state of New York.  The old lady has insisted to me for some time that she was entitled to a pension, but thinking that she had been absent from New York so long a time I could do nothing toward proving the service of her husband, I declined having any thing to do with the case, until the 1st of Nov. she stated to me that her husband had drawn land in New York and she had been cheated out of her thirds, as she never relinquished her rights when this land was sold, which induced me to think she was entitled and taking her declaration, also wrote to the registrar of the land office in New York and rec'd the enclosed letter, which I presume will be received as sufficient evidence in the case as to service, since the name of Brampton Hitchcock is a very uncommon one, and proof of identity wd undoubtedly be difficult to obtain. 
Very Respectfully,
Yr Obt Serv't
James T. Sutton Jr.
Page 46

State of New York
Surveyor General's Office
Albany Nov. 14,1846

Mr. Jas T Sutton Jr.
Dr Sir:
Yours of the 9th inst. has been received.  I find by the Balloting Book of Military Bounty Lands that Brampton Hitchcock drew 500 Acres of land Known as lot No. 62 in the Military Township of Manling situate in the Co. of Onondaga.  The Patent therefore was issued July 9th 1790 & delivered to Samuel Russell.  The proper officer to certify to these facts is the Secretary of State.  I applied for the certificate requested by you but could not procure it without paying the legal fee which is $1.00.  If the facts in this case in from above stated do not answer your purposes, by forwarding one dollar to me, I will see that the proper certificate is made out and duly transmitted to you.
Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Jas. B. Jones
Clk.
Page 47

Richmond, September 4th 1847
Sir
Mr. James T. Sutton in having some business in your department to transact, has asked of me a letter of introduction to you, which I furnish with much pleasure--Mr. Sutton is a most respectable & worthy gentleman, & any aid that can be given him properly in the prompt transaction of his business will be bestowed on one every way entitled to it--I am with high respect
Your Obedient Servant,
Robert G. Scott
Page 48

September 11, 1847

Sir, 
The objection to the admission of the claim of Mrs E Pritchard as the widow of Brampton Hitchcock by you, seems to be that she is not satisfactorily identified as the widow of said Hitchcock.
As Mrs Pritchard left the section of Country where she was married many years ago and moved to Richmond Va having married twice prior to living in Richmond her name therefore being changed, you will at once see the difficulty of showing her to be the same individual, consequently I offer the best that can be obtained, most respectfully referring you to the price of canvas filed showing that the childs name thereon wrought, was Hitchcock then I refer you to Miss Lucy Nichols certificate of Richmond, who certifies that Mrs Pritchard has frequently exhibited said canvas as the handy work of her daughter when she could not have had any motive in view but that of showing this handwork of so young a Girl. In addition to this I would call your attention particularly to the Certificate of Mr. Stockton of Burlington New Jersey who states that [marked out: the] Mrs Pritchard through her Agt alleged that she was E Parker daughter of Adam Parker and that notwithstanding he knew her not as Pritchard he recognized her as the identical Elizabeth Parker, who married Brampton Hitchcock who...
Page 49


Was in Lambs Regiment of Artilery [sic] or Lees Horse shortly after the war all of which is most
Respectfully submitted by
Yrs. very Respectfully
James T. Sutton Jr.

Mr. Stocktons' affidavit is
Corroberated [sic] by Mr. Quicksall
& another, as also by the copy
of the Register which proves
the Marriage - The discrepancy
in the time of Marriage - Seems when
explained to strengthen the matter
rather than originating a difficulty, 
relative to this reference is here
made to Mrs Pritchard last statement
Fulton
Page 50

Sept 27. 1847
Page 51

New York Sept 27 1847
Dear Sir
In reply to your letter of the 17th insl. I regret that I can furnish you with no serviceable information. I recollect that 9 or 10 years ago, at the instance of my friend Crane I did devote considerable attention to the subject of your letter, and may have hunted up some documentary proof, but I do not positively remember, nor can I now find any.
I remember however that I found Mrs Pritchard's claim to be one third of the value of the tract at the time her husband aliened it.
From the best information I could obtain, that value was above fifty cents per acre, which, supposing the husband had owned the whole "mile square" would scarcely pay the expense of a suit. Moreover I conversed with some of the occupants of the tract, and they all said "Bring on your old woman - she can't live much longer, and we'll fight her till she dies". Such being the aspect of the matter, nothing further was ever done. The tract is now highly valuable - worth an average of sixty dollars per acre.
Very Respectfully Yours
Addison M. Burt
25 Nathan St.
Page 52

Richmond Va
October 2. 1848

Honl. W.L. Marcy

Dr Sir
The papers in the care of Elizabeth Pritchard who claims a pension under act of congress July 4, 1838 having been presented by me, and Mr. Alexander Ray of your City being my agent to attend to the matter for me. This is to ask you to be kind enough to let him have the Certificate of Pension should the case be allowed. 
I am with great respect
Your obt ser
James T. Sutton Jr
Page 53

Washington Oct 5.48
Sir

I enclose herewith a letter from James T Sutton Jr. Eq. of Richmond to the Hon W. L Marcy Secretary of War in the case of Mrs Elizabeth Pritchard an applicant for a pension under act 1838.
I understand the difficulty in the case to be the time of marriage.  and that question was submitted upon the testimony adduced on an appeal to the Secretary.
If such be the case, the difficulty in fixing the time of marriage will be very satisfactory established by the enclosed certificate.  It agrees with the time
and place stated by the widow in her declaration several years since, when the Marriage took place.
I indulge the hope, as this case has been before the Secretary for some time and not yet decided that you will oblige me so far as to recall the papers from the Secretary desk, and decide the question yourself upon the additional evidence now submitted
I remain Sir
your most ob Sr
Alex Ray

J. L. Edwards Eq.
commissioner of Pensions
Page 54

Richmond Va Octo\r 12. 1847
Dr sir,

Enclosed I send you some papers that Mrs. Pritchard had in her possession together with a certificate of H B Montague, also a letter to me from A M Burt of New York
All of the ladies whose names are signed to [?] of the papers are dead. Most of them are probably familiar names to you as I am informed you were originally from
the State and that they were persons of the highest respectability
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt Svt

James T. Sutton Jr
Page 55

House of Representatives
Feb 14 1849
I appeal to you from the
decision of the Commissioner of
Pensions rejecting the claim
of the heirs of Hopy Orr, deceased
widow of Wm
Orr deceased, a
revolutionary soldier.
I maintain that the proofs
are sufficient and that the
claim should be allowed
With great respect
Honble
Wm L Marcy
Secretary of War
W. Hunt
Page 56

13155
To J. F. Satton Dec. 28. 1846.
to same May 24 '47
to same June 16, '47
to same Aug 9 '47
to same Augt 28, '47
to same Sept 7, '47
to Ditto [illegible] '47
let to Ditto Nov. 2, 47
let to Hon. W. S. Marcy Dec. 1 '47
Let to J. F Sutton Jr.
[illegible} '48
Let to Hon. J. S.  Pendleton
Dec 29 48
Page 57

Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 9, 1872
REJECTED
8489
P.O. Elizabeth Kitchard
Service:
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed: , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18
Page 58

Know all men by these Presents that we
Brampton Hitchcock and Abraham Rand
both of the City and County of Burlington and
State of New Jersey are held and firmly bound
unto his Excellency William Livingston Esq
Governor and Commander in chief of New Jersey
& in the sum of Five hundred pounds
Current lawful money of New Jersey, to be
paid to the said William Livingston Esq Governor
& his successors or assigns, for which payment
well and truly to be made we bind ourselves
our heirs, Executors and Administrators and
Every of them, jointly and severally, firmly by
these presents. Sealed with our Seals, dated
the Twenty first day of August, Anno Domini
One thousand seven hundred and Eighty three
The Condition of this obligation is
such, That whereas there is a mutual contract
of Marriage between Brampton Hitchcock
of the one part, and Elizabeth Parker of the
other party. and the parties having complied
with the terms prescribed in an act of the
General Assembly of New Jersey, made in the
year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred
and nineteen intitled "An act to present-
Clandestine Marriages "now if it shall hereafter
appear that the Certificates produced, or
either of them have been fraudulent, or that
either the aforesaid Brampton Hitchcock
or the aforesaid Elizabeth Parker had not
the consent of their parents, Guardians or
persons under whose care they were signing
the said Certificates, or that the said
Page 59

Brampton Hitchcock or the said Elizabeth Parker, or either of them, had some lawful let or impediment of precontract affinity or consanguinity to hinder their being joined in the Holy bonds of Matrimony and afterwards of living together as man and wife: then this obligation to stand and remain in full force and Virtue, otherwise to be void and of none effect.
Sealed and delivered
in the presence of Herbert McElary Jur
Brampton Hitchcock
Abm Rand

State of New Jersey
I Charles G McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Marriage Bond as taken from and compared with the original now on file in my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this fifteenth day of September, Eighteen hundred and Forty Eight.
Charles G McChesney Secy of State
Page 60

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41 

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Hitchcock, Brampton GRADE Private LINE New York

WARRANT NUMBER 7298 ACRE AGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 28, 1790 to Bartholomew [?] Fisher, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the application for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.