Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1135, Othniel Brown, Navy R. I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Navy
R.I.
Brown Othniel
Nancy
NUMBER 
W1135
B.L.[W.?] 27620-160-55
CONTENTS
b. Apr.20, 1759 at Gloucester, Providence Co R.I. &
res. there at  [illegible]
res. in 1832, Stafford, Tolland Co. Conn.
d. Sept. 28, 1843 at Marion, Tolland Co. Conn.
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2810
Connecticut 
 Nancy Brown
widow of Othniel
who served in the Revolutionary as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
30. Dollars-
cents per annum, to commence on the 
3rd of February 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 
8th day of November 1853
Abram J. Hyde
Lolland CH

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853,  page 57 Vol. a
[right side]
Let: to Jno. Smith. 28"Apl. 1854
Page 3

[left page]
98.799 - Act March 3/55
April 26/55
Nancy Brown wid [widow] of Othniel Brown
[word crossed through] Marine
[illegible] May 20/56
[apparent initials illegible]
Revolutionary War
Conn [Connecticut] Feby [February?] 53-2810
[Initial M?]
Asa Willey
Stafford
Ct [Connecticut]
[written diagonally across upper half of page] 27620 iss. [issued?] May 24/56
[right page]
[Civ?] A. Willey Dec 7"/55
Set: A Willey Apr 1"/56
Vol B2-70.
Page 4

[left page]
17.96
Connecticut
[double line]
Othniel Brown
of Stafford in the State of Conn who was a Pri of Inf in the Conn commanded by Captain _ of the _ commanded by Hellman in the R.I. troops ["line" crossed through] for 8 mo 21 days -
Maint 9 mo [illegible] Days
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 60 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Octo^r 33 and Init. - R Woodworth, Stafford
[double line]
Arrears to the 4^th of Sep^r 33 $ 131.35
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 4 - 30.27
[line]
$161.62 [total]
Revolutionary Claim,
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 32
[right page]
Order to pay 9 Oct 1837
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Certificate of Marriage
Between
Othniel Brown
Nancy Lyon
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I Marcus Howland Town Clerk of the Town of Stafford County of Tolland and State of Connecticut and having the custody of the records of said town do hereby certify that the following is a true copy from the records of said town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows, to wit:
"Were married by H Smith Nov. 3 (third) 1829 (Eighteen hundred & twenty nine) Othniel Brown & Nancy Lyon of Stafford
Stafford Nov 1829 (Eighteen Hundred & twenty nine) (Rec^d [recorded] Dec 3^rd 1829) Harvey Smith"
I Marcus Howland above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the County town & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Stafford with the exception above named as certified by me
Dated at Stafford September 19^th 1853
Marcus Howland Town Clerk of the Town of Stafford
Sworn before me Mahlon [B?] West
Justice of the Peace
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Connecticut
Tolland County,
County Clerk's Office  }ss.
I {Joseph Bishop} Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Tolland, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of the Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify, that {Mahlon R. West} Esquire, was on the {19^th} day of {September} 185{3}, ever since has been, and now is, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgement of DEEDS and other Instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and that the signature, to the instrument, hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine, official signature.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, at {Tolland} this {2^nd} day of {November} 185{3}.
[signature] Joseph Bishop Clerk
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State of Connecticut
Tolland County} Probate Court September 7th 1832
On this 7th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Rodolphus Woodward Esq. Judge of Probate for the District of Stafford, holding the Court of Probate for sd. [said] District now sitting the same being a Court of record, Othniel Brown of Stafford in the County of Tolland in the State of Connecticut aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he enlisted into the service of the United States and into a Company of Minute men so called under the following named Officers and circumstances and served as herein stated. That according to the best of my recollection I enlisted in the Town of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island sometime in the month of Septr, 1775 as a minute man (I then lived and resided in sd. Town of Gloucester[)] under Capt Andrew Waterman of Smithfield in [Capt crossed through] County of Providence (who is now dead and who then commanded sd. Company of Minute men which belonged to the State troops[)]. James Aldrich of sd. Smithfield who is now dead was the Lieut. of sd. Watermans sd. Company and Esek Saunders of Johnstown in the sd. State of Rhode Island (who is now dead[)] was the ensign of sd. Company. I joined the sd. Capt Watermans sd. Company at Newport in sd. State of Rhode Island within two or three days after I enlisted as aforesaid and I served in sd. Company at sd. Newport, Bristol, Warwick and Providence in the State of Rhode Island aforesaid and along the shores of the bay in sd. State in guarding and defending said Towns, until some time in the month of February 1776 when sd. Company was discharged by order of the General ^Assembly of the^ State of Rhode Island. I then returned to sd. Town of Gloucester and there remained until some time in the month of September 1776 when I enlisted at sd. Gloucester for the term of three months under Capt. Samuel Mays of sd. Town of Gloucester (who is now dead) who commanded a Company which I think then belonged to the State troops so called. The names of the Lieut., and Ensign of sd. Capt Mays sd. Company I have forgotten. I joined the Company of the sd. Capt. Mays at sd. Cloucester and was marched in sd. Company and under his command from sd. Gloucester to the Town of Bristol in sd. State of Rhode Island where I remained quartered with the sd. Capt Mays sd. Company at sd. Bristol until the expiration of sd. three months, the term for which sd. Company enlisted, when I with the rest of the Company were discharged. During sd. three months I with the rest of sd. Company were employed on duty as a guard to protect the sd. Town of Bristol and guard the Military stores at sd. place and to watch the movements of the British shipping which then lay near sd. Newport in sd. State of Rhode Island. I was not in any battle while stationed at sd. Bristol. And after having served as a soldier for sd. term of three months sd. Bristol and having been discharged as aforesaid I returned again to sd. Town of Gloucester where I remained until some time in the month of August 1778 when I went from sd. Town of Gloucester to sd. Town of Newport, and performed as I now think about three weeks service as a substitute for my brother Esek Brown (of sd. Gloucester) in Col. Slacks troop of light horse, Rhode Island troops and I joined the expedition against the enemy at sd. Rhode Island under Genl. Sulivan [Sullivan] and after serving in sd. Col. Slacks troop of light horse about three weeks at sd. Newport I was [word "again" crossed through] dismissed and returned again to sd. Town of Gloucester where I remained as I think until the latter part of September 1779 when I left sd. Town of Gloucester and went to the Town of Boston in the State of Massachusetts and there at sd. Boston enlisted into the Naval Service of the
[continued]
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[continued]
United States as a marine, under Capt. Jones [Jones also written above the line] then of Providence in the State of Rhode Island (who is now dead) The sd. [said] Jones was a Capt. of the marines on board the ship Providence commanded by Commodore Abraham Whipple, who then commanded the squadron which was then stationed at sd. Boston, which consisted of four ships including the sd. Ship Providence. The names of the other three ships and the names of the officers that belonged to him at that time I do not at this time recollect. Immediately after my sd. enlistment as a marine I went on board the Ship Providence which was the sd. Commodore Whipple's ship, after which the sd. Commodore Whipple with the squadron under his command remained at sd. Town of Boston two or three weeks for the purpose of enlisting more men. I then  sailed in the sd. Ship Providence with the sd. Commodore Whipple on board of the same and in company with the sd. three other ships on a cruise at sea. I remember the sd. squadron took prizes after we sailed on sd. cruise from sd. Boston and they were sent into port. And the sd. four ships having become much damaged in consequence of a severe gale which we experienced at sea and which lasted four days the said Commodore Whipple ordered all sd. four ships to sail immediately to Charlestown in South Carolina for the purpose of repairing sd. ships and accordingly sd. squadron consisting of sd. four ships sailed immediately to sd. Charlestown, Within two or three days as I think after sd. squadron arrived at sd. Charlestown, sd. Charlestown as well as ^sd.^ Com^m^odore Whipple[s] squadron were completely blockaded by twelve British ships of the line, if I rightly recollect For this perilous situation the Officers marines and sailors that belonged to Commodore Whipples squadron left the same (except for a few who remained on board as sentinels) and were stationed in a Fort at sd. Charlestown until said Fort surrendered to the British forces which I think took place on the 12th day of May 1780. While we were quartered at sd. Fort myself and many other marines which belonged to the sd. Commodore Whipples squadron frequently went on the lines and fought the British forces at sd. Charlestown on land. And after sd. Fort had surrendered the sd. Commodore Whipple and the other Officers that belonged to his squadron went home on parole and the marines and sailors that belonged to his sd. squadron were left at sd. Charlestown to be exchanged, but instead of being exchanged as was agreed we were on the 12th day of sd. May put on board of ^British^ prison ships. I was myself with the rest of the marines and sailors that belonged to the said Commodore Whipples said ship Providence put on board of one of said British prison ships where we were kept confined about six weeks on board of the same and during sd. six weeks we were reduced almost to a state of starvation as we had nothing furnished us fit to eat and many times it seemed to me that I should die for the want of food. I will not attempt further to delineate my sufferings for the want of food while on board of sd. prison ship. Suffice it to say that my sufferings were great as well [well as repeated] those of my fellow prisoners on board sd. prison ship and when we solicited the British Officers for food we were told by them that if we would enlist into their service and go on board their ships we should fare well, if not we should suffer the consequences. At one time we were taken from sd. prison ship and put on board of a British 74 gun ship and there kept two days and had during sd. two days a plenty [word crossed through] of good wholesome food to eat and grog to drink. We were then remanded back to sd. prison ship and told that if we would enlist into the British service we should live as well as we had during sd. two days that we were on board said British 74 gun ship. The British Officers used all the means in their power to induce us to enlist and go on board of their ships, but we had previously determined that we would not enlist into the British Service if we died for the want of food, and we remain
[continued]
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[continued]
[Top left corner of the page is torn off]
[missing] in that resolution and the British Officers finding that they could [missing] enlist into their service by pernicious threats and starvation at length [missing] us in a vessel called a cartel to Chester about sixteen miles below Philadelphia in [missing] Pennsylvania where we were landed and exchanged.  I staid [stayed] myself at Chester [missing] weeks to take care of those who came in sd. [said] cartel, who were taken sick with the sm[missing] during the pasage [passage] from sd. Charleston to sd. Chester, and after staying at sd. Chester [missing] or three weeks I received a written or printed discharge (which I have lost) and als [also] a pass [missing] draw provisions from the com^missaries of the American Army on my return home [missing] then with several others left sd. Chester and traveled by land to Philadelphia and [missing: possibly "from"] sd. Philadelphia to the State of New York where I found Col. Israel Angel of Sm[missing]field [Smithfield] in sd. State of Rhode Island (who is now dead) and who then was a Col. in the Continental Army in sd. State of New York who kindly loaned me a small sum of money to bear my expenses home. I gave my note for sd. money to the sd. Col. Angel and my father paid sd. note to the sd. Col. Angel when he returned home, as will appear by the Deposition of my brother Esek Brown which will be transmitted herewith. We could not get much provision from the Commissaries on our return home. And after I had procured from sd. Col. Angel sd. money I travelled by land from sd. State of New York to Hartford in the State of Connecticut and from sd. Hartford to sd. ^town of^ Gloucester in sd. State of Rhode Island. I was absent ten months from the time that I enlisted as a marine at sd. Boston before I returned to sd. Gloucester I know that I returned home the last of July 1780. I have not as ^yet^ been able to procure the testimony of any person to prove my said ten months naval service as a marine in ^sd,^ Commodore Whipples sd. squadron of course I must rely on my own declaration and the circumstances mentioned in the depositions which will be transmitted herewith. And in answer to the interrogatories put by the Court as prescribed by the War Department I declare and say that I was born in sd. Town of Gloucester in sd. County of Providence in sd. State of Rhode Island where I lived and resided until I was about twenty three years of age, when I removed from sd. Town of Gloucester to the town of Smithfield in [word crossed through] ^sd.^ County of Providence where I lived and resided in sd. Smithfield one year and then removed with my family from sd. Town of Smithfield to the Town of Killingly in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut where I lived and resided with my family about eight years and then removed with my family from sd. Killingly to the Town of Wales in the County of Hampdon and State of of Massachusetts where I lived and resided with my family one year and then removed from sd. Town of Wales with my family to the Town of Stafford in the County of Tolland in sd. State of Connecticut where I have ever since lived and resided. The time of my birth is recorded in a family Bible now in my house by which by which it appears that I was born on the 20th day of April 1759. I had a written or printed discharge when I left the Naval service as aforesaid but have lost the same. I never had any other written discharge while I was in the American army that I served under enlistment and as a substitute as above stated as all times when actually out in service I do not now remember any more of the Officers or Regts [Regiments?] or circumstances of my service than what I have before stated in this my declaration. I am known to Deacon Samuel C. Lyon and Mr John Y Adams of sd. Town of Stafford who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier in the revolution, and that I now know of no evidence that I can procure other than what I have obtained or shall obtain and transmit to the War Departm^ent^
[continued]
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[continued]
[paper torn upper right of document]
and I hereby relinquish every claim [to] whatever to a pension [missing] the present. I have no documentary evidence and that my name is [not on the pen]sion roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and [missing]
[signature] Othniel Brown
We Samuel C. Lyon and John Y. Adams both residing in the Town of Sat[fford] the County of Tolland in the State of Connecticut, hereby certify that we are [missing] acquainted with Othniel Brown of sd. Town of Stafford who has subscribed and [sworn] to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, he is a man of veracity and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur [in] that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[signatures] Samuel C. Lyon John Y. Adams
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Deacon Samuel C. Lyon and Mr John Y. Adams are residents in the Town of Stafford in the County of Tolland in the State of Connecticut and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the clergyman in sd. Town of of Stafford have been so recently settled that they are not particularly acquainted with the sd. Othniel Brown and know nothing of his reputed services as a soldier in the revolution And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jesse Armstrong, Esek Brown, Asa Steer and Benjamin Evans who have severally subscribed and sworn to the Depositions which will be transmitted herewith to the War Department are credible persons and that their ^several^ testimonies are entitled to credit - 
Passed by the Court [signature] Calvin Fiske Clerk
I Calvin Fiske Clerk of ^the Court of^ Probate for the District of Stafford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Othniel Brown for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of sd. office this 7th day of September AD 1832.
[signature] Calvin Fiske, Clerk
[seal affixed to the right of signature]
A true copy, written from record By Calvin Fiske Clerk of Probate for the District of Stafford
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Calvin Fiske, & with his handwriting - that he is Clerk of the [word crossed through] ^Court^ of Probate for the District of Stafford - and that his signature & the seal of the Court appended to the foregoing certificate are believed to be genuine.
[signed]  J. W. Crawford, Collector of the Customs, New London, Ct.
June 4, 1833.
Page 12

Nancy Brown
Declaration
for 
Pension

Abram P. Hyde.
Tolland
Tolland Co.
Ct.
Page 13

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland } Stafford Probate Court
On the [Tenth crossed through] ^first^ day of [October crossed through] ^November^ AD 1853 personally appeared before the Probate Court of the District of Stafford in the County and State aforesaid Nancy Brown a resident of Union in the County of Tolland & State aforesaid aged Sixty two (62) 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 on the 3rd of February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Othniel Brown who was a private in the war of the revolution ^in the revolutionary army^ and who served [illegible] as set forth in the application of the said Othniel Brown for a pension, now on file in the Pension Office at Washington - That the said Othniel Brown was pensioned by the United States for his said services under the pension act of 1832 at the rate of Sixty & 54/100 Dollars per annum during his life and that his said Pension was granted on or about the 17th of October 1833.
She further declares that she was married to the said Othniel Brown on the 3rd day of November AD 1829. (third day of November eighteen hundred and twenty nine) at Said Stafford by one Harvey Smith a minister of the Gospel then settled in the ministry and that her maiden name before the said marriage was Nancy Lyon. That her husband the Said Othniel Brown died on the twenty eighth
[continued]
Page 14

day of September Eighteen Hundred and Forty three - that she was not married to him prior to the Second of February, Eighteen Hundred, but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.
[signature] Nancy Brown
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written. Before the Court of Probate for the District of Stafford in open Court. 
[signature] Ingoldsby W. Crawford, Judge
Page 15

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Connecticut
District of {Stafford} ss {Stafford November 1st 1853}
{I, Mahlon N Nist} Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of {Stafford} in said State, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do certify that  {the foregoing is the original declaration made subscribed & sworn to by the Said Nancy Brown in open Court on the day & year above written}
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my name at {Stafford} this {First} day of {November} 1853
[signature] Mahlon N Nist - Clerk
State of Connecticut, ss. {Stafford November 1st, AD 1853}
I, {Ingolsby W  Crawford} sole Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of {Stafford} in said State, do hereby certify that {Mahlon N Nist} whose name is subscribed to the above attestation was, at the time of signing the same, and still is, Clerk of said Court and that said attestation is in due form of law.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name at {Stafford} this {first} day of {November} [October crossed through] AD 185{3}
[signature] Ingoldsby [this signature includes a "d" in the name] W Crawford, Judge
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State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss Tolland April 20th AD 1855
On this 20th day of April AD One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Nancy Brown aged Sixty four years, a resident of the Town of Tolland in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Othniel Brown late of the town of Union in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut deceased who was a private & marine in the Revolutionary War. That her said husband was out in actual service in the said War for the period of Two years and more as will appear by the Records in the War Department at Washington. She further states that [application crossed through] she heretofore  made application for a pension under the ^second section of the^ Act of Congress passed February 3rd AD 1853, ^as the widow of said Othniel Brown^ and obtained a pension for the sum of Sixty Dollars & fifty four cents per annum commencing on the 3rd day of February AD 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry. That her name is inscribed on the pension list at the above rate. That she holds a certificate of Pension dated at Washington the 3rd day of March AD 1855 signed by R McClelland Secretary of the Interior examined and Countersigned by L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions
Which said certificate is in the words and figures following (viz)
Department of the Interior
[continued]
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[continued]
Widows pension. I certify that in conformity with the 2nd section of the Act of February 3rd 1853 Nancy Brown Widow of Othniel Brown who was a private & marine in the revolutionary war is inscribed in the Pension List at the rate of Sixty Dollars and fifty four cents per annum commencing on the 3rd day of February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry, in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage, deducting former payments at $30. per annum.
Given at the Department of the Interior this second day of March One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five
R McClelland Secretary of the Interior
examined and countersigned
L P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions and is Recorded in the pension office on the Roll of Pensioners under Act February 3rd 1853 Page 67 1/2 Vol A
By G. T. [Getty?] Clerk
She further states that her said husband died at Union in Tolland County and State of ^Connecticut^ on the 28 day of September AD 1843 and that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3rd 1855. She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefor and I hereby constitute and appoint [Zina?] Winter of Stafford Tolland County Connecticut my true and lawful attorney to prosecute my claim & procure my Warrant
[signature] Nancy Brown
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We Charles C Smith and Nancy Smith both residents of the town of Tolland in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut upon our Oath declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Nancy Brown in our presence, that we are personally acquainted with her and know her to be the identical person that she represents herself to be.. and we know her to be the widow of the said Othniel Brown as stated in her said application and that she is now his widow never having married since his decease. We further swear that we have this day examined the original certificate of pension in her possession and know that the one stated in her sd [said] declaration is an exact copy of the original and that we are disinterested in this claim
[signatures] Charles C Smith 
Nancy Smith
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the 20th day of April One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, that I have this day examined the original certificate of Pension, in the possession of the [appl crossed through] claimant and know that the one set out in the aforesaid declaration is a true copy of the original in her possession and that I have no interest in this claim
[signature] Asa Willey Justice of the Peace
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
State of Connecticut
TOLLAND COUNTY}ss.
County Clerk's Office,
[seal impressed below]
I {Wm Sumner} Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Tolland, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of the Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify that {Asa Willey} Esquire, was on the {20th} day of {April} 185{5}, ever since has been, and now is, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgement of DEEDS and other Instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine, official signature.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, at {Tolland} this {21st} day of {April} 185{5}.
[signature] Wm. Sumner Clerk.
[Attached horizontally at bottom of the page]
98.799
Bounty Land Claim
Act of March 3rd 1855
Original claim for land warrant
Zino [?] Winter
Stafford Ct
Atty for claimant
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January 13, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/CC OWN
Othniel Brown
W. 1135
Mrs. Ellsworth L Kelley
25 Seward Street,
Putnam, Connecticut.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Othniel Brown, born in Rhode Island,
April 20, 1759, and in receipt of pension in 1832, while residing
in Tolland County, Connecticut.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed
in pension claim, W. 1135, based upon the military service in the
Revolutionary War of Othniel Brown.
Othniel Brown was born April 20, 1759, at Gloucester, Providence
County, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not stated.
While residing in said Gloucester, Othniel Brown enlisted
in September, 1775, and served until February 1776, as a private
in Captain Andrew Waterman's Rhode Island Company, this service
was as guard for the coast and towns of Rhode Island; he enlisted
in September, 1776, served three months in Captain Samuel May's
Rhode Island Company and was stationed at Bristol, Rhode Island,
as a guard to the military stores at that place; in August, 1778,
he served three weeks as a substitute for his brother, Esek Brown,
in Colonel Slack's Troop of Horse, Rhode Island troops, and was
in General Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition.
Late in September, 1779, Othniel Brown went to Boston and
enlisted there as a marine in Captain Jones' Company of Marines,
went on board the ship " Providence”, Commodore Abraham Whipple,
Commodore Whipple commanded a squadron of four vessels, which
squadron sailed from Boston for a cruise; during this cruise some
of the vessels became disabled, and the squadron went into the
harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, for repairs to the ships.
While in said harbor, the British blockade became effective
and the men left the ships and went on shore, Othniel Brown stated
that he with the others, went to a fort and that he fought on land
during the seige. When the city fell, May 12, 1780, he was taken,
Page 21

prisoner and held on board a British prison ship, where he suffered
greatly for want of food. Othniel Brown stated that once during
his confinement, the prisoners were taken off the prison ship and
put on board a British gun ship, where, for two days, they were
given plenty of good, wholesome food. "We were then remanded
back to the prison ship and told that if we would enlist into the
British service we should live we well as we had during the two
days that we were on board said British gun ship” but, he stated,
"we had previously determined that we would not enlist into the
British service if we died for want of food and we remained
steadfast in that resolution", after which the British officers,
finding that they would not enlist,"by persuasions, threats,
and starvation, placed them on board a vessel, called a cartel
and sent them to Chester, near Philadelphia, where they were
exchanged and Othniel Brown went home, reaching there the latter
part of July, 1780.
After the Revolution, Othniel Brown resided in Gloucester,
Rhode Island, until he was about twenty-three years of age, then
moved to Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island, and lived
one year; then moved to Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut
and lived about eight years, then moved to Wales, Hampden County,
Massachusetts, and lived one year; then moved to Stafford, Tolland
County, Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September
7, 1832, while residing in Stafford, Connecticut. In 1833, he was
living in Union, Tolland County, Connecticut.
He died at said Union, September 28, 1843.
Othniel Brown married November 3, 1829, at Stafford, Connecticut, Nancy Lyon, date and place of her birth and names of her parents not shown. They were married by the Reverend Harvey
Smith, a minister of the Gospel and their marriage was recorded
on the town records of said Stafford. No reference was made to
a former marriage of the soldier.
Nancy, widow of Othniel Brown, was allowed pension on her
application executed November 1, 1853, at which time she was aged
sixty-two years and resided in Union, Connecticut.
Page 22

April 20, 1855, Nancy Brown, then a resident of Tolland,
Tolland County, Connecticut, made application for the bounty land
which was due on account of the service of her husband, Othniel
Brown, in the Revolutionary War. She was granted one hundred
sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No.27620, under the Act
of March 3, 1855.
In order to obtain information in regard to the location
of the land cited above, you should address the Commissioner of
the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and
furnish the warrant number, the acreage, and the act under which
said warrant was issued.
No reference was made to children.
In 1832, Enek Brown, brother to Othniel, was living in
Gloucester, Rhode Island, his age was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death
of Nancy Brown, widow of Othniel Brown, you should address the
Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division,
this city, and cite the following:
Nancy Brown, widow of Othniel Brown
Certificate No. 2810
Issued March 2, 1855
Rate $60.54 per annum
Commenced February 3, 1853
Act of February 3, 1853
Connecticut Agency.
---
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
-3-
Page 23

[center of document]
Revy Widow, &c.
File No. 1135
Nancy Brown
Widow
Othniel Brown
Priv. and Mariner Rev. War
Act: Feb. 3, 1853.
Index: - Vol A, Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870]

[On left page]
Apl - 14 - 1900
Freeman M. Brown
Hartford Conn.
[line]
1938 - Mar. 11 - Hist to [illegible]
C. Dormin - E L
[line]
1939 - Jan 13 - Hist to Mrs. E L Kel[ly?]
C[illegible]

[on right page]
Histy to [not visible]
Page 24

[Seal of the Daughters of the American Revolution]
Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter
Putnam, Connecticut

Nov. 27, 1938
Veteran's Administration
Washington D.C.
Will you please send me copies of the two pensions of Mr. Othniel Brown. He appears in Conn. Men p.656 & 665 He was a pensioner in 1832 residing in Tolland Co., also a pensioner of 1840  as of Union Conn. and I think he was later of Killingly Conn. He was born in 1759.
Thanking you - 
Mrs. Ellsworth L. Kelley
25 Seward St.
Putnam Conn.

[Time and date stamped RECEIVED 3pm November 29 1938. The rest blurred.]
Page 25

152 West 14th St.
New York City

The Veteran's Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen - 
I am desirous of obtaining the Revolutionary War service of a certain OTHNIEL BROWN who was born in Smithfield, R.I. Apr. 20, 1759 and died in Union, Conn Sept 28, 1843. I assume that he served in the Conn. line, but in what regiment, I do not know. He served also on the shop "Providence". His pension dates from Sept. 7, 1832
Respectfully
William C. Dornin
[printed] (William C. Dornin)
Feb. 19, 1938

[Time and date stamped RECEIVED 3:15PM FEB 21, 1938. The rest blurred.]
Page 26

[Date stamped US Pension Office K MAR 17 1900]
[Date stamped over text O W & N. Division MAR 20 1900
RECEIVED]
Hartford Mch [March] 16 1900
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in this State wish information in regard to my Grandfather Othniel Brown who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from the State of Rhode Island where he was born in Smithfield April 20 1759 and died in Union in Tolland County Connecticut Sept 28, 1843, a Pensioner. The information wanted from your office is the Company and Regiment to which he belonged. I am the oldest Grandchild living ^of his^. My 83d anniversary was the 26th last month
Respectfully your
Freeman M. Brown
Page 27

Wales March 27th 1854
Dear Sir, At the request of the Widow of Othniel Brown I write you again respecting her pension, in your answer to my first you informed me that if her husband died a Revolutionary Pensioner, she would be entitled to the same as her husband and she says he received $60, 53/100 ^per annum^ and that her certificate allows her but 30 dollars per annum. I made out papers in the case of the Widow James Walker who applied for a Pension last fall which Franklin Hall of Boston attended to and obtained a certificate allowing Mrs. Walker the same as her husband. As these two cases are alike I do not understand why one should draw the same as her husband and the other only half or not quite half, as she is sure if there is a mistake about it (which there is in one or the other of these cases) that you will cause it to be corrected and give her the necessary information soon as convenient
Your Friend & Humble Servt [Servant]
Jno. [John] Smith
L. P. Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 28

Othniel Brown
26.66
2.33
[line]
28.99
8 [mo?] 21 [days?] private infy [Infantry?]
9 [mo?] 16 [days?] mariner in navy
[faint writing]
18 [illegible]
20-
155
[line]
31.55

Direct to
Rodolphus Woodworth Esquire
Stafford, Connecticut

[noted in pencil]
286
28.99
31.55
[line]
60.54
[on page to the right]
121 08
30.27
[line]
$151.35
Page 29

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Othniel Brown 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 declarant 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 [sic] of pension he is entitled? No See quere 5
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
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? No
Page 30

2
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? No Clergyman other respectable witnesses
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it? 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?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
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 ____ year ____ 
months, and ____ days, I served as a ____ For ____ months and ____ days, I served as a ____ ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 31

[preprinted form]
3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each 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 free or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
[handwritten]
No pension can be allowed except for actual
Service. Any claim for service after being discharged or while on parole is inadmissable
Page 32

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]
Brief in the case of, {Nancy Brown, widow of Othniel, Tolland} County and State of {Connecticut} act {3d February, 1853.}
Claim, ("original" [or "for increase" crossed out])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
{Husband was a Pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832. Record evidence of Marriage.}
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
{Abram L. Hyde Esq^r
Tolland,
Tolland Co:
Ct.}
Examining Clerk.
[I. L. Boynton?]
Page 33

[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

Brief in the case of {Nancy Brown Tolland} County and State of {Connecticut}
act {3 Feb 1853 & 28 Feb 1855}
[line]
Claim, ("[original" or crossed out] "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
{Originally allowed at $30 per annum as private of infantry - is entitled to husband's service as a marine, which service was not provided for prior to the passage of the Act of 28 Feb 1855}
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
{ A. P. Hyde of Tolland, Ct.}
Name and residence of Agent:
{now [Present?]}
{[S?] Cole}
Examining Clerk.
Page 34

Stafford March 26^th 1856
Dr Sir
I have rec [received] a circular from the pension Office stating that the application of Nancy Brown No 98.799 was suspended for want of Record evidence. If you will be kind enough to inform me from the papers in your Office what service was claimed in the original application for a pension by the Wid [Widow] performed by Othniel Brown her husband, the year, and names of the Officers & where the service can be found if at all you will confer a favor on the Wid & greatly oblige Me
Yours very Respectfully
Asa Willey
Stafford Tolland County
Conn
Hon J Minot
Commissioner
Page 35

27.620
No lines
Page 36

[Appears to be an envelope with the original address as:]
Stafford Ct
Mar 26
[illegible] [A?] Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.
[upper right as postage] Free

[envelope turned 90 degrees and overwritten]
98799
Nancy Brown 
wid
Othniel
[line]
14505[0?]
Boynton
Ly[illegible] [?]alcott
[illegible]
[illegible]
Page 37

[typed letter]
March 11, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Othniel Brown-W.1135
Mr. William C. Dornin
152 West 14 " Street
New York, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Othniel Brown, born in Rhode Island,
April 20, 1759, died in Union, Connecticut, September 28, 1843,
and received pension from September 7, 1832 on account of his
services.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed
in pension claim, W.1135, based upon the military service in the
Revolutionary War of Othniel Brown.
Othniel Brown was born April 20, 1759, at Gloucester, Providence
County, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not stated.
While residing in said Gloucester, Othniel Brown enlisted 
in September, 1775, and served until February, 1776, as a private in Captain Andrew Waterman's Rhode Island Company; this service was as guard for the coast and towns of Rhode Island: 
he enlisted in September, 1776, served three months in Captain
Samuel May's Rhode Island Company and was stationed at Bristol,
Rhode Island, as a guard to the military stores at that place;
in August, 1778, he served three weeks as a substitute for his
brother, Esek Brown, in Colonel Slack's Troop of Horse, Rhode
Island troops, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition.
Late in September, 1779, Othniel Brown went to Boston and
enlisted there as a marine in Captain Jones' Company of Marines, 
went on board the ship Providence, Commodore Abraham Whipple.  
Commodore Whipple commanded a squadron of four vessels, which 
squadron sailed from Boston for a cruise during this cruise
some of the vessels became disabled, and the squadron went into
the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, for repairs to the ships. 
While in said Harbor, the British blockade became effective and
the men left the ships and went on shore. Othniel Brown stated 
that he with the others, went to a fort and that he fought on land
during the siege. When the city fell, May 12, 1780, he was taken
[handwritten in right margin next to 4th paragraph]
Identified Capt Waterman but not Capt May or Col Slack
[handwritten in right margin next to 5th paragraph] 
Found Capt Wm Jones. Capt
of Marines in R. I. book
Found ship "Providence" Com. Whipple
& that ship was captured at Charleston
in Navy book
Page 38

prisoner and held on board a British prison ship, where he suffered
greatly for want of food. Othniel Brown stated that once
during his confinement, the prisoners were taken off the prison
ship and put on board a British gun ship, where for two days,
they were given plenty of good, wholesome food. "We were then
remanded back to the prison ship and told that if we would enlist into the British service we should live as well as we had
during the two days that we were on board said British gun ship
but he stated, "we had previously determined that we would not
enlist into the British service if we died for want of food and
we remained steadfast in that resolution”, after which the British
officers, finding that they would not enlist, “by persuasions,
threats and starvation" placed them on board a vessel, called
a cartel and sent them to Chester, near Philadelphia, where they
were exchanged and Othniel Brown went home, reaching there the
latter part of July, 1780.
After the Revolution, Othniel Brown resided in Gloucester,
Rhode Island, until he was about twenty-three years of age, then
moved to Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island, and lived
one year; then moved to Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut,
and lived about eight years; then moved to Wales, Hampden County,
Massachusetts, and lived one year; then moved to Stafford, Tel
land County, Connecticut.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September
7, 1832, while residing in Stafford, Connecticut. In 1833,
he was living in Union, Tolland County, Connecticut.
He died at said Union, September 28, 1843.
Othniel Brown married November 3, 1829, at Stafford, Connecticut, Nancy Lyon, date and place of her birth and names of her parents not shown. They were married by the Reverend
Harvey Smith, a minister of the Gospel and their marriage was
recorded on the town records of said Stafford. No reference
was made to a former marriage of the soldier.
Nancy, widow of Othniel Brown, was allowed pension on her
application executed November 1, 1853, at which time she was aged
sixty-two years and resided in Union, Connecticut.
April 20, 1855, Nancy Brown, then a resident of Tolland,
Tolland County, Connecticut, made application for the bounty land
-2-
Page 39

which was due on account of the service of her husband, Othniel Brown, in the Revolutionary War. She was granted one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 27620, under the Act of March 3, 1855.

In order to obtain information in regard to the location of the land cited above, you should address The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage and the act under which said warrant was issued.

No reference was made to children.

In 1832, Esek Brown, brother to Othniel, was living in Gloucester, Rhode Island, his age was not show.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Nancy Brown, widow of Othniel Brown (W.1135), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Nancy Brown, widow of Othniel Brown
Certificate No. 2810
Issued March 2, 1855
Rate, $60.54 per annum
Commenced February 3, 1853
Act of February 3, 1953
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

-3-
Page 40

8243
Page 41

I Jesse Armstrong of Glocester in the County of
Providence State of Rhode Island being duly sworn
on oath testify & say that I was a soldier in the
revolutionary war.  I further say that I well knew
Othaniel Brown formerly of said Glocester he was a
soldier with me in Capt Sam' Shays Company of 3
months men.  We enlisted in September 1776 & were
stationed at Bristol R. I. three months, & were discharged
a few days after the British took possession oof Newport
R. I. Said Brown served as a soldier in said company
during said 3 months.
Jesse Armstrong

State of Rhode Island
Providence ss
In Glocester this seventh day of
August 1832 before me personally appeared Jesse
Armstrong who is well known to me & who being
first duly sowrn on oath says that the above deposition
by him signed is just & true in all its parts & I
further certify that the said Jesse is a credible
person & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Attent Ira P. Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 42

I Esek Brown of Glocester in the County of Providence
State of Rhode Island being duly sworn on oath
testify & say that I am the brother of Othaniel
Brown formerly of said Glocester & now of Stafford
in Connecticutt.  I remember that in the fall of 1775
he enlisted as a minute man in Capt. Andrew
Watermans Company R. I. troops, he continued a minute
man until February 1776.  He afterwards enlisted in
Capt. Samuel Shays Company of minute men R I
troops in September 1776 & was as I understood
stationed at Bristol R. I. for 3 months.  In the fall of 1779 he went
to Barton [illegible] & enlisted as I understood as a mariner
on board of the ship Providence under Commodore Whipple.  
He returned home in about 10 months &
stated that he had been taken prisoner at Charleston
S. C. & had suffered severly while prisoner & on his
route home.  I knew that my Father paid a note
given by my said brother to Col Israel Angell for
money to aid and assist him to to home.
In August 1778 the said Othaniel went as a substitute
for me in Col. Stark troop of light horse
R. I. troops & joined the expedition against the enemy
on Rhode Island under Gen Sullivan.
Eseck Brown
Page 43

State of Rhode island 
Providence ss
In Glocester this 11th day of August
1832 before me personally appeared Esek Brown
who is well known to me & who being first duly
sworn on oath says that the before written deposition
by him signed is just & true in all its parts & I further
certify that the said Esek is a credible person & that
his statement is entitled to credit. 
Atten Ira P. Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 44

I Asa Steine of Glocester in the County of Providence
State of Rhode Island being duly sworn on oath do
testify & say that I was a soldier in the revolutionary
war.  I futher say that I was well acquainted with
Othaniel Brown formerly of said Glocester now of Stafford
in the state of Connecticutt.  He was a soldier with
me in Capt Andrew Watermans Company of minute
men, R. I. miitia.  We both enlisted at the same
time in September 1775 & were discharged in February 1776
by order of the General Assembly of the State.  We 
bound by the terms of our enlistment to do military
duty at all times & we were stationed during said
time at Providence Bristol Newport & Warwick R. I.
& along the shores of the bay.  In or about September
1776 I was present when said Brown enlisted in Capt
Sam' Grays Company of minutemen R. I. State troops.
I marched with his company as I understood to Bristol R. I.
In the year 1779 I understood he enlisted as a marine
in Commodore Whipples Squadron & he was gone from
home a long time.
Asa Steine

State of Rhode Island 
Providence ss  In Glocester this 11th day of August 1832 before
me personally appeared Asa Steine who is wlll known to me
& who being first duly sworn on oath says that the above
deposition by him signed is just & true in all its parts & I
further certify that the said Asa is a credible person & that
his statement is entitled to credit
Attent  Ira P. Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 45

I Benjamin Evans of Smithfield in the County of
Providence State of Rhode Island being duly sworn
do testify & say that I was a soldier in the revolutionary
war.  I further say that I well knew Othniel
Browns family of Glocester in said county now of
Stafford Connecticutt. In the year of 1779 I understood
that the said Brown, with Benjamin Henry & Elisha
Aldrich enlisted as marines on board of Commodore
Whipples squadron at Barton [illegible].  In July I think
1780.  They returned & told of their sufferings after 
they were taken prisoners at Charleston S.C.  I lived
in the immediate vicinity of said Brown at that
time
Benjamin Evans

State of Rhode Island &
Providence ss. 
In Glocester this 11 day of August 1832
personally appeared before me, Benjamin Evans, who is
well known to me, & who being first duly sworn on oath
says that the above deposition by him signed is just [?]
& true in all its parts & I further certify that the said
Benjamin is a credible person & that his statement
is entitled to credit.
[illegible]  Ira P. Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 46

Ira o
Evans is a Judge
signature to the annexed
Evans
Evans
11th
day of August 
1832
Wm R. Watson
Page 47

State of Connecticut, Tolland County ss Stafford Sseptember
30th 1833
J. L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir-
The Pension papers pf Mr. Othniel Brown late of Staf-
ford (but who now resides in the town of Union is said
county of Tolland) which you transmitted back to me from
the War Department for some amendment be some time
since I now have the pleasure to return to you with
some attention and further evidence for the further
consideration of the Department.  I cannot but hope
the evidence will be satisfactory and that you will
be able very soon to transmit to me a pension
Certifcate for the  said Othniel Brown as I am fully
convinced that he suffered much while in the land &
naval service as stated in his Declaration.
The said Mr. Brown removed last spring from said
town of Stafford to said town of Union, should the
application of Mr. Brown be granted you will please
to transmit his Certificate to me with the following
address (to wit) "Rodolphus Woodworth Esquire"
"Stafford""Connecticut"
and also any further communication relating to the
said Mr. Othniel Browns application for a pension
you will please to direct as above mentioned as
I am the known agent of the said Brown.  It appears
from a communication which I have lately received from
you that the pension Certficate of Wiliam Cattten &
Silas Dean of said Stafford are not in your office.  I shall send to
you an application for Duplicate Certificates as soon as I can
obtain from I. W. Crawford Esq. at New London a statement of
J. L. Edwards Esquire.
Rodolphus Woodworth
Page 48

State of Connecticut, Tolland County, Ss, Stafford Sept. 30th 1833

Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War

I Rodolphus Woodworth of sd Stafford, Judge of Probate for the District of Stafford in sd County, and Justice of the Peace within & for sd. County of Tolland, do hereby certify with much pleasure, that I have been well acquainted with Mr. Othniel Brown late of sd. Stafford, now of Union in sd. County of Tolland, for more than twenty years, that he sustains a far character and is a man of truth & veracity, and entitled to the fullest confidence, he is reputed to have been a soldier in the revolution, and from my long acquaintance with the sd. Othniel Brown I have no doubt he served as he states, and in my opinion he is worthy and well deserving a pension, and I should be much pleased should the evidence of his service be satisfactory to the Department as it is to me, you will see that I. W. Crawford Esq Collector of Customs for the Port of New London has certified on the original Declaration that he is well acquainted with Calvin Fishke Clerk of Probate for the district of Stafford & the seal used at sd Probate office by sd Fishke and also with the hand writing of sd Calvin Fiske &c The Certificate of the Hon Calvin Willey which will be transmitted herewith will prove the above statement of facts and also the fair character of the sd. Othniel Brown, with which I know that the sd. Mr. Willey is well acquainted. The members of Congress in the State of Connecticut live so remote from the said Calvin Fiske Clerk of Probate, that they are not personally acquainted with him, not with his hand writing, I cannot but hope you will attend to Mr. Brown's claim for pension soon, and that you will in a short time transmit to me his pension Certificate. I wish you would address all communications concerning Mr. Browns application for a pension to Rodolphus Woodworth Esquire Stafford Connecticut. From my long acquaintance with the sd. Mr. Brown I have have no doubt he us a meritorious applicant for a pension. I am Dear Sir with sentiments of esteem your humble Servt. Hon. Lewis Cass.
Rodolphus Woodworth

NB - the sd. I.W. Crawford Esquire is well acquainted with the sd. Mr. Brown and will certify to his good character &c if necessary but I hope you will be satisfied with what I have transmitted to you
R. Woodworth
Page 49

Tolland August 20 1833

Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of war.

Dear Sir,

I write you at the request of Mr. Othniel Brown of Union Connecticut, and with great pleasure state, that I have been well acquainted as with Mr. Brown for more than twenty years that he sustains a fair character and entitled to the fullest confidence he is reputed to have been a soldier in the revolution and I have no doubt he served as he states, and is worthy and well deserving a pension, and I should by much pleased should the evidence of his service be satisfactory to the Department as it is to me,
Very respectfully. Calvin Willey.

State of Connecticut, Tolland County, Ss, Stafford Septr. 30th 1833
I would add that the said Othniel Brown is an aged man very lame & infirm and has been for two or three years past confined to his house the greatest part of the time, he is almost worn out. I cannot but hope you will cheer the remnant of his days.
Hon Lewis Cass Secy. of War
Rodolphus Woodworth
Page 50

State of Connecticut Tolland County Ss
Tolland August 20th 1833

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of Peace for said Tolland County Othniel Brown the aforesaid Declarant 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 to wit eight months and twenty one days as a private soldier in the land service and nine months and fourteen days as a private marine in the naval and land service and for such service I claim a pension. And the Declarant further deposeth and says that he now will remembers that a man by the name of Waterman was a Lieutenant of the company of marines in which he served as stated in his aforesaid Declaration and that it is now utterly out of his power to name any more of the officers under whom he served than he has already done or to prove any more testimony.

Othniel Brown

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me Rodolphus Woodworth Justice of Peace
Page 51

State of Connecticut}
County of Tolland} S. S. Tolland

I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court do certify that Rodolphus Woodworth was executed and sworn is a Justice of Peace in and for sd Tolland County legally appointed, Commissioned & authorized to administer oaths and take depositions & that the signature to the within certificate purporting to be sd Justice Woodworth's signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Tolland this 20th day of August AD 1833
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

State of Connecticut Tolland County Ss. Tolland
August 20th 1833 I Calvin Willey late a Senator of the United States, Certify that I am well acquainted with Calvin Fisk whose certificate as Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stafford is affixed to the foregoing proceedings and with his hand writing and that he was on the 7th day of September 1832 and still is Clerk of said Court and that the signature to sd Certificate purporting to be the signature of sd Calvin Frisk is his own proper hand writing and that the seal purporting to be the official seal of sd Fisk is the genuine deal of sd Court and the only one used to authenticate the records thereof 
Calvin Willey
Page 52

Nancy Brown
Power of Attorney
Page 53

I, Nancy Brown of the town of Union in the county of Tolland
and State of Connecticut, widow of Ortiniel Brown Late of said
town of Union deceased who was a Revolutionery Pensions of the United States
do hereby constitute and appoint Alosen P.. Uqae of Tolland
in Said County my true and lawful attorney irrevocable for me
and in my name to prosecute any claims for a pension from the
United States on account of the revolutionary service of said
Ortmiel Brown, and the Said Fbylls is hereby authorized to later
testimony for me and do and perform all things
necessare
to be done and performed in my name and Cutlaef to obtain
the allowance of said pension in as full and ample a manner
as I myself could do if pwersonally present - and the Said
Hyire is mainly authorized to examine the  files and records connected
with the case of my late husband the said Othniel Brown
now in the pension office in the city of Washington if necessary
to establish my claim, and I hereby ratify and confirm
whatever my said attorney Shall lawfully do in the
premises nicley nooking all former powers of attorney by
me granted or given. In witness whereof I have 
hereunto 
set my hand and seal this 19th day of September AD 1853
In presences of
Mahlon R. Nest

Nancy Brown
Page 54

Pugolsley W. Crawford
Deposition
Page 55

I Pugolsley W. Crawford of Union being duly sworn do depose and Say that I am a resident of Union in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut. That I was well acquainted with Orthaniel Brown late of said Union decease who was a revolutionary pensioner. I am also acquainted with his widow Nancy Brown 
Orthaniel Brown died at said Union
AD  He left a widow whose name is Nancy Brown. She still survives and remains his widow.
I am Judge of Probate for the District of Stafford
And I find on examination of the records of said
office that administration was granted on the
Estate of said Orthaniel Brown the 25 day of 
October Ad 1843 by Phaldo, acting Indue for said
District-
Dated at Stafford the 1st day of November AD 1853
Ingoldsby W Crawford

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before me the Subscriber, and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Ingolesby W. Crawford and that he is entitle to full credit and belief
Mahlon R. Nist  Justice of the Peace
Page 56

Pension Office
4 Nov. 1853
Sir,
Please Certify [illegible]
to which the within name of
pensioner ever paid or the date
of his death.
Very Respectfully
SP Waldo
Commissioner

Othniel Brown
Act 7th June 1832 $60.54
p. an. -Died 28th Sept. 1843
Paid to his death
Saml L. Rinds
Actg. Auditor
Francis Burt Esqr.
Page 57

Date of death
not on K.B.
Recd 9am 55-98799

2810
Connecticut
Nancy Brown
widow of Othniel Brown
RI
private & Marine
Increased from $30
of 60 dollars 54
2nd day of March '53
A. P. hyde
Tolland Ct.
Page 67 1/2 Vol. A
Page 58

Private & Mariner
[illegible] to $60.54 per annum
[illegible] pasyts at
$30 per annum, [illegible]
3 Feb 1833
A P. Hyde
of Tolland
Ct
now present

Hartford
Seth Belden
Connecticut
Page 37 Vol. A
G. T. Getty
Page 59

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Nancy Brown widow of Othniel Brown who was a Private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Thirty dollars and cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again
marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the Department of the Interior, this Eighth day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty three

R McClelland
Secretary of the Interior.

Examined and Countersigned.
L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.
Secretary of the Interior.