Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5943, Aaron Brink, Continental New Jersey
Page 1

Continental
New Jersey


Brink, Aaron
Lena

W. 5943
B.L. Wt. 970-100
Issued Feb. 26, 1821


W. 4903
Mary, alleged widow of this soldier also
received pension, see papers within W. 4903.
NUMBER
Page 2

32,413
Michigan | (57)

Aaron Brink, deceased, of Ingham Co. in the State of Michigan, who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bull of the reg(iment) commanded by Col. Spencer in the N. Jersey line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Detroit at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 & end(in)g 19 July 1833, the day of his death.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of January 1846  and sent to Hon. Jas. B. Hunt, H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of (blank).
Semi-annual allowance ending (blank).

$190.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Uell Stuart, Clerk.
Book E.2; Vol. 9; Page 91.

[crossed out: Jan. 10, 1846 reported to Pen(sion) Ag(en)t.
Page 3

19651

New Jersey
Lena Brink, widow of Aaron Brink, N.J. (62) who served in the Revolutionary War as a Private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Sep. 1848 and sent to Claimant, Montague, N. Jersey.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act January 2, 1848, Page 282; Vol. 4.
Page 4

4396

Michigan
Mary Brink, widow of Aaron Brink, N.J., who was a Private in the New Jersey line.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of January 1844 and sent to John Brewer, Superior, Mich.

{Act of March 3, 1843.}

Recorded in Book A.; Vol. 1; Page 183.

See letter Feb. 12, 1844 to Hon I.G. Farlee, H. Rep., Jan. 10, 1846.
See letter to Pen(sion) Ag(en)t. Dropped from the roll. 
See letter to P(ension) Ag(en)t & Hon. J.B. Hunt Jan. 12, 1846. 

(59)
Page 5

(64)

Aaron Brink
B.L.Wt.970-100.

Jacket is with claim of Joseph Johnston, B.L.Wt.969-100.

Jan. 27, 1912.
[illegible]
Page 6

State of Michigan
County of Washtenaw//

On this Tenth day of October A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty nine, personally appeared before the undersigned Henry Compton, one of the Associate Judges of the Circuit Court of the County of Washtenaw in the State aforesaid, Mary Brink, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County of Washtenaw aforesaid, aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

That she is the widow of Aron Brink, who was a Private Soldier in the Revolutionary War and who at the time of his decease was a pensioner and decease on the Nineteenth day of July A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three. She further declares that she was married to the said Aaron Brink in the month of July A.D. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty seven, according to the best of her recollection and belief. That she was not married to him prior to his having the service. That the marriage took a previous to the First of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four (Viz.: At the time above stated.)
Page 7

...and she further declares that she has never, since to decease of her said husband, been married.
s/ Mary Brink

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
s/ H. Compton, Associate Judge

I do hereby certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
s/ H. Compton, Associate Judge

Declaration
Page 8

John Brewer, Esq., P.M.
Superior P.O.
Wash. Co., Mich.
Page 9

(21)

Ann Arbor, Oct. 31, 1843.

Dear Sir,

Enclosed you have the instrument with the certificate . I have never charged any fees for pensioners and shall not begin with this.

Respectfully yours,
s/ E.P. Gardiner

J. Brewer, Esq.

Post Office, Superior, Washtenaw Co., Mich.

Dear Sir,

Enclosed I send you the papers necessary to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 3rd March 1843.

Mary Brink is my grandmother & you will please to inform me of this course to be pursued in the matter.

Nov. 3rd 1843.

Very respectfully, Sir, your obed(ient) serv(ant),
s/ John Brewer

Hon J.L. Edwards
Page 10

John Brewer, P.M
[illegible]

J.L. Edwards
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

4772. Nov. 9/'43.
Mary Brink
March 10/'43.

$80 per an.

John Brewer, P.M
Superior, Michigan
Page 11

Mary Brink
Michigan
Page 12

(34)

Declaration No. One.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832.

Whereas my husband, Aaron Brink, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution and who died July 19th 1833, never drew a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, never during his lifetime in any respect obtained the benefit of said act, I now make the following statement under oath in
order to obtain those benefits which he was entitled to under said act.

I am the widow of Aron Brink, who was a Private in the War of Revolution. I have drawn a pension at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum from Fourth day of March 1836. I now ask for the amount due my husband from 4th of March 1831 to July 19th 1833 under Act of 7th June 1832. My husband having drawn an invalid pension only during said period till his death under Act of April 24th 1816.
s/ Mary Brink

Sworn to and subscribed before men this Eighth day of August in the year 1845 at [illegible].
s/ Henry Lee, Justice of Peace

I certify that the declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she declares herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
s/ Henry Lee, Justice of Peace

I, Jno. Coatsworth, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ingham County, do hereby certify that Henry Lee, who has signed the foregoing, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Ingham in the State of Michigan and that the above is his signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office on this Eighth day of August at Mason in said County in the State of Michigan.
s/ Jno. Coatsworth, Clerk
Page 13

(17)

Declaration.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

On this 25th day of February 1841. Sarah Hataten, a resident of the Township of Montague in the County of Sussex, aged 78 years, appeared before me, James Stoll, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County. Who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Aaron Brink, a Solder of the Revolutionary War and pensioner. His place of residence and the time of his death will more fully appear by the affidavit of Archiabal Brink, here unto annexed.

That they were married on the 11th day of May 1785 by James Bennett, Esq., and at his house in the Township of Montague. That she has no record of their marriage nor knows of none except it must be that the Justice must have made one and if so it will be found in his docket. And that is said to be in the Pension Office at the City of Washington.

That she has remained a widow ever since and still is the widow of the said Aaron Brink. And she further sayeth that her husband left her said years ago and went west and never returned. And she never knew where he was for a sertenty [certainty] until she heard of his death. And she further sayeth that the reason why she has not maid [maid] this [duplicate: this]...
Page 14

...application before is because she did not know of his death nor where he maid [made] his place of residence and then she maid [made] it as soon as she could get it done.
s/ Sarah Brink (X - her mark)

Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid.
s/ James Stoll

I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Sarah Brink and full faith and credit may be given to what she says. And I further certify that the above named applicant cannot attend Court on the account of old age and bodily infirmity.
s/ James Stoll
Page 15

Certificate & Affidavit
of the Baptism of
Caty Brink
daughter of Aaron and --
Lena Brick
Page 16

(25)

State of New York
Orange County//

I, Charles Hardenburgh, of the town of Deerpark in the County and State aforesaid, aged Forty one years, being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is the Family Physician of the late Rev. C.C. Etting, late Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Deerpark, now deceased. That since the death of the said Elting, he has searched the records of baptisms of the said church and finds on an old record, supposed to be kept by the Rev. Mr. Van Benschoeten, formerly Pastor of said Church, in fair legible words and characters as follows.:

Art Brink, Lena Hooteling: Caty, Seventeen Hundred and Eighty six (1786).

Ge(tuigen) [German abbreviation for 'Witness'] Sept. third (3) Getuigen [German word for 'Witness'] Petrus Hogteling. Bapt(ised) April first (1) Seventeen Hundred Eighty seven (1787).

I, Charles Hardenburgh, do certify that the above is a true copy of the Record of the Baptism of Caty Brink, above mentioned, as found on the Record of Baptism found in the family of the late Rev. C.C. Etting, lately deceased, with the exceptions of the words instead of the figures, which are plain and legible as above.
s/ Charles Hardenburgh, Family Physician to the late Rev. C.C. Etting

Sworn to and subscribed this 14th of December 1843 before me. And I certify that Dr. Charles Hardenburgh is a credible witness.
Cornelius Gray, Justice

STATE OF NEW YORK
ORANGE COUNTY//

I, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Cornelius Gray, before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in, and for said county: and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 18th day of [duplicate: day of] Dec. 1813.
s/ Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk
Page 17

(25)

State of New York
Orange County//

I, Charles Hardenburgh, of the town of Deerpark in the County and State aforesaid, aged Forty one years, being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is the Family Physician of the late Rev. C.C. Etting, late Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Deerpark, now deceased. That since the death of the said Elting, he has searched the records of baptisms of the said church and finds on an old record, supposed to be kept by the Rev. Mr. Van Benschoeten, formerly Pastor of said Church, in fair legible words and characters as follows.:

Art Brink, Lena Hooteling: Caty, Seventeen Hundred and Eighty six (1786).

Ge(tuigen) [German abbreviation for 'Witness'] Sept. third (3) Getuigen [German word for 'Witness'] Petrus Hogteling. Bapt(ised) April first (1) Seventeen Hundred Eighty seven (1787).

I, Charles Hardenburgh, do certify that the above is a true copy of the Record of the Baptism of Caty Brink, above mentioned, as found on the Record of Baptism found in the family of the late Rev. C.C. Etting, lately deceased, with the exceptions of the words instead of the figures, which are plain and legible as above.
s/ Charles Hardenburgh, Family Physician to the late Rev. C.C. Etting

Sworn to and subscribed this 14th of December 1843 before me. And I certify that Dr. Charles Hardenburgh is a credible witness.
Cornelius Gray, Justice
Page 18

6630
Mary Brink, [widow] of Aaron.
Michigan

On Roll N.J.
Cap. [illegible], Col. Shreeve from June 1777 for the [illegible] no remark.

Hon. Jno. Norvell
Senate, U.S.
Page 19

State of Michigan
County of Washtenaw//

On this Twenty third day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, personally appeared before the undersigned, Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Charity Brewer, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, aged Sixty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that she was acquainted with Aaron Brink, an invalid pensioner of the revolution, late of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, deceased, and also with Mary Brink, widow of the said deceased, in the Township of Fulton, County of Schoharrie and State of New York, about Fifty two or three years since, according to the best of her recollection and belief. And that on or about that time, the said Aaron and Mary Brink were reported to have been married and which report she verily believes to be true.

That said deponent lived in the family with said Mary Brink at the time said marriage took place. Saw them when they went to the Priest's residence to be married. Saw them return with the wedding party. Saw them partake of a wedding dinner {so called} after their return. Knows they commenced living together as man and wife at that time and continued so to live until the time of said Aaron Brink's decease. That said deponent was about nine years old at the time said marriage took place. That she continued to live in the family of said deceased about nine years and knows that they continued so to live as man and wife until said Aaron Brink's decease, which occurred in July A.D. 1833.
s/ Charity Brewer (X - her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I believe the above named deponent worthy of full credit and belief.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, J.P.
Page 20

State of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

On this Twenty third day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, personally came before the undersigned, Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elizabeth Bouck, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, aged Sixty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that she was acquainted with Aaron Brink, an invalid pensioner of the Revolutionary War, late of the Township and County aforesaid, deceased, and also with Mary Brink, widow of the said Aaron Brink, deceased, in the Township of Fulton, County of Schoharie and State of New York, about fifty three or four years ago, according to the best of her recollection and belief. And that on or about that time, the said Aaron & Mary Brink were reported to have been married and which report said deponent verily believes to be true. And that said deponent was in the neighborhood at the time said marriage took place and thinks she cannot be mistaken for said deponent was married soon after and in the year Seventeen
Hundred and Ninety. And that said deponent attended the funeral of said deceased at his residence in said Township of Superior in the month of July A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three. And further this deponent saith not.
s/ Elizabeth Bouck (X - her mark)

Sworn and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I believe the above named deponent to be entitled to full credit and belief.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, J.P.
Page 21

State of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

On this Twenty third day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, personally appeared before the undersigned, Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Adam Bouck, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, aged Sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with Aaron Brink, an invalid pensioner of the Revolutionary War, late of the Township and County aforesaid, deceased, and also with Mary Brink, widow of the said Aaron Brink, deceased, in the Township of Fulton, County of Schoharie and State of New York, about fifty three years ago, according to the best of his recollection and belief. And that on or about [crossed out: that on or about that] time, the said Aaron and Mary Brink were reported to have been married and which report he verily believes to be true. That said deponent was married in the year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety {1790} and that said Aaron & Mary Brink was said to have been married two or three years before said deponent was married. And that said deponent was present at the residence of said Aaron Brink at the time of his decease in the month of July A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three. And further this deponent saith not.
s/ Adam Bouck (X - his mark)

Sworn and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid

I certify [crossed out: that] the above named deponent to be entitled to credit and belief.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, J.P.
Page 22

State of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

On this Twenty third day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, personally appeared before the undersigned, Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elias Brewer, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, aged Fifth none years, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he became acquainted with Aaron Brink, an invalid pensioner of the revolution, late of the Township of Superior in the County & State aforesaid, deceased, and also with Mary Brink, widow of said deceased, in the year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four. And that they were living together as man and wife, which he verily believes to be the fact. That he has been acquainted with them ever since the first acquaintance.

That he was present at the residence of said deceased at the time of his death. That he [crossed out: died] expired on the Nineteenth day of July A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three. And further this deponent saith not.
s/ Elias Brewer

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace

[illegible]

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County//

I, Leonard C. Goodale, Clerk of the county of Washtenaw and also Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Abel Parkhurst, before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been made, was at the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified to act as such, and by law authorized to take the same, and that I verily believe the signature of said Parkhurst thereunto subscribed is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county and court at Ann Arbor, this 24th day of January A.D. 1840.
s/ L.C. Goodale, CLERK.
Page 23

State of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

On this Twenty third day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, personally appeared before the undersigned, Abel Parkhurst, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elias Brewer, a resident of the Township of Superior in the County and State aforesaid, aged Fifth none years, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he became acquainted with Aaron Brink, an invalid pensioner of the revolution, late of the Township of Superior in the County & State aforesaid, deceased, and also with Mary Brink, widow of said deceased, in the year Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four. And that they were living together as man and wife, which he verily believes to be the fact. That he has been acquainted with them ever since the first acquaintance.

That he was present at the residence of said deceased at the time of his death. That he [crossed out: died] expired on the Nineteenth day of July A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three. And further this deponent saith not.
s/ Elias Brewer

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace

[illegible]

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County//

I, Leonard C. Goodale, Clerk of the county of Washtenaw and also Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Abel Parkhurst, before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been made, was at the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified to act as such, and by law authorized to take the same, and that I verily believe the signature of said Parkhurst thereunto subscribed is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county and court at Ann Arbor, this 24th day of January A.D. 1840.
s/ L.C. Goodale, CLERK.
Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE,
November 3rd 1830.

SIR,

In conformity with the regulations of this Department, you have this day been transferred from the Roll of New York to that of the Michigan Territory to take effect from and after the 4th September 1830.

I am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
s/ J.L. Edwards


Mr. Aaron Brink, U.S. Pensioner.
Care of A.H. Ballard, Esq., Ipsilante, Michigan
Page 25

State of New York
Schoharie County//

I, Samuel Robertson, Pastor of the High Dutch Reformed Church of the Town and County of Schoharie and State aforesaid, do certify that on an examination of the Ancient Register of Marriages of said church, written in the High Dutch language, I find therein recorded among the marriages that of Aaron Brink with Maria Chrisler as follows.:

Seventeen Hundred and Eighty nine, Twenty four Jul.
"Are Bring mit Maria Krysler"

And I further certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows.: 1789.24 Jul.

I, Samuel Robertson, aforesaid, do depose and of say that I am Pastor of the High Dutch Reformed Church aforesaid. And that the above is a true extract from the records of said church with the exception of the date above named as certified by me.
s/ Samuel Robertson

Subscribed and sworn this 16th day of January A.D. 1840.
s/ David Miles, Justice of the Peace

State of New York, County & Schoharie//

I, William M. Holton, Clerk of the said County, do certify that David Miles, below whom the preceding purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting & signature. Witness my Hand & Seal of Office this 16th day of January 1840.
s/ W.M. Holton, Clerk
Page 26

(65)

August 12, 1937

Aaron Brink, W.5943
BA-J/MCS [illegible]

Mr. George L. Hammell
The Porter
Lansing, Michigan

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Mary Brink who received pension as the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier and was living in Ingham County, Michigan, in 1840.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W.5943, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Aaron Brink and upon disability incurred during his service.

It was stated that he was a native of Sussex County, New Jersey. The date of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.

He enlisted in Sussex County, New Jersey, date not given, served as private in Captain William Bull's Company in Colonel Spencer's Continental Regiment and in Captain Holmes' Company in Colonel Ogden's First New Jersey Regiment; he was twice wounded having received a gunshot wound in the knee at the battle of Connecticut Farms, no details given relative to other wound, and he served until the close of the Revolution.

In 1801 he was living in Milford, Otsego County, New York.

On account of disability resulting from wounds received in service he was pensioned from January 26, 1809.

In 1820 he was living in Sparta, state not given.

In October, 1830, he was living in Washtenaw County, Michigan Territory, and stated that he had recently moved there from New York State in order to live with his children and grandchildren, all of whom had moved to Michigan, names not stated...
Page 27

...Aaron Brink died July 19, 1833, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, or July 3, 1833, in Bloomfield, Wayne County, Michigan.

This soldier married May 11, 1785, or May, 1786, in Montague Twonship [Township], Sussex County, New Jersey, Lena or Lanah Hootaling, the daughter of Peter Hootaling. He again married July 24, 1789, Mary or Maria Kryseler or Chryseler and this marriage was recorded in the High Dutch Reformed Church in Schoharie, Schoharie County, New York, and they then lived in Fulton, Schoharie County, New York.

On her application executed October 10, 1839, while a resident of Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, aged seventy-eight years, Mary or Maria Brink was allowed pension as the widow of Aaron Brink. Affidavits were then furnished stating that the soldier died July 19, 1833, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.

On her application executed February 25, 1841, Lena or Lanah Brink, a resident of Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, aged seventy-eight years, was allowed pension as the widow of Aaron Brink. Affidavits were furnished showing that she married Aaron Brink May 11, 1785, or May, 1786, in Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey She filed an affidavit made by Archibald Brink of Nankin, Wayne County, Michigan, in 1840, stating that Aaron Brink died July 3, 1833, in Bloomfield, Wayne County, Michigan. She also stated that Aaron Brink left home under the pretense of going to Esopus, New York, for some money which he said was due him for a horse he had sold to a man of that place and that he did not return, that he lived in western section of New York State, in Seneca or Ontario County, and later moved to Michigan.

Upon investigation it was found that Lena or Lanah Brink was the lawful widow of Aaron Brink and the pension of Mary Brink was suspended.

There is no statement in the papers on file, showing that Mary Brink, at the time of her marriage to the soldier, was aware of his previous marriage. In 1851 he was living in Ingham County, Michigan.

Aaron and Lenah or Lanah Brink had but one child, a daughter, Caty, who was born September 3, 1786.

In 1843 John Brower of Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, stated that Mary Brink was his grandmother...
Page 28

...In 1839 Henry J. or I. Brink, brother of the soldier, Aaron Brink, was living in Tyre, New York. He was the father of the above mentioned, Archibald Brink who was living in Nankin, Michigan, in 1840.

Very truly yours,
GEORGE H. SWEET, Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 29

WIDOW, &c.
Rev(olutionary War)
File No. 5943
Lena Brink, wid(ow) [of] Aaron Brink, Priv(ate), Rev(olutionary) War.
Act: Feb. 2nd '48.
Index: -; Vol. A; Page 84.
{Arrangement of 1870.}

1937 Aug. 12 - His(tory sent) to Mr. Geo. L. Hammell, Mi. C.S.
Page 30

WIDOW, &c.
Rev(olutionary War)
File No. 4903
Mary Brink, widow [of] Aaron Brink, Priv(ate), N. Jersey Line.
Act: Mar. 3rd '43.
Index: -; Vol. A; Page 82.
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 31

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Washtenaw County//

I, Leonard C. Goodale, Clerk of the county of Washtenaw and also Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Henry Compton, before whom the annexed declaration purports to have been made, was at the date of said declaration, an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court in and for said county duly elected and qualified to act as such, and by law authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits, and that I verily believe the signature of said Henry Compton thereunto subscribed is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and Court at Ann Arbor, this 24th day of January A.D. 1840.
s/ L.C. Goodale, CLERK.
Page 32

Aaron Brink, N.J.
$80, Act 15 May 1828.

Lena Brink, N.J. Paid to 47th Sep. 1847.
$80, Act 1843.

To what period last paid?

Aaron Brink died 19th July 1833. Paid to his death.

Pension Office
July 10, 1848.
s/ B.L.B.
Page 33

This woman is entitled.

The Mary Brink, who married Aaron Brink, is not entitled.

See her name on Michigan Roll.
Act '38 [crossed out: No.] also Act '43.

No. 4396.

(63)
Page 34

(4)

[illegible] 24,932 

Aaron Brink, Private, Jersey line.

Claim good.

Abrm. Bell, Assignee
[crossed out: E.B. (illegible), Substitute Atty.]
Page 35

Jas. B. Hunt, Mich.

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

No. 4396 | 3rd March '43.
Also I received papers finding gap.

Jan. 8, '46.
Mary Brink
March 3rd 1841.
Arrears & due.

(41)

Aaron Brink

G. Crump
H.
Page 36

(7)

Aaron [crossed out: Bring] Brink, New York, Invalid.

At what rate last paid.

s/ B.L. Brall

Paid at $8 to 4 March 1830.
s/ H. Whetcroft
Page 37

Michigan | 5040

(58)

Mary Brink, widow of Aaron Brink, who was a pensioner under the Act of 1810, Invalid, and who died on the 19th July 1833 [in] Washtenaw Co. in the State of Michigan, who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bull of the reg(iment) commanded by Col. Spencer in the N. Jersey line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Michigan at the rate of 80 Dollars [crossed out: (blank) Cents] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of February 1840 and sent to Hon. John Nowell, Senate U.S.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '39.............280.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40......40.00
                                          =======
                                          $320.00

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk.
Book A; Vol. 2; Page 227.

Let(ter sent to) 17 March 1840 [to] Hon. J. Nowell.
D(itt)o (sent) to P(ay) Ag(en)t; directed to enroll her name Apr. 4, 1840.
Let(ter sent to) Jno. Hull, Montague, N.J. May 4 1841.
Page 38

8337

(60)

New Jersey

Lena Brink, widow of Aaron Brink, who was a pensioner under the Act of (blank) and who died on the 3rd July 1833 of Sussex Co. in the State of N.J., who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain (blank) of the reg(iment) commanded by (blank) in the N. Jersey line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of Apr. 1844 and sent to Hon. J.G. Farlee, H. Rep.

Total amount, $(blank).

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by F.S. Swann, Clerk.
Book D; Vol. 1; Page 191

Refuse Apl. '44.
Page 39

(55)
To: Michigan
From: New York

Aaron Brink, a Private of Captain Bull's Company of the Army of the Revolution
Ratio of disability, Total
Date of discharge, (blank)
Time of closing the testimony, (blank)

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at Eight dollars per month, to commence on the (blank).

Certificate of pension issued on the 29 of Feb. 1820 and sent to Hon. N. Allen, House of Representatives.

Arrears to 4th (blank).
Semi-anl all'ce ending (blank).
$(blank)

Act of the 27 April 1810.

Dead.

Let(ter sent on) 3rd Sep. 1838 [to] A.H. Ballard 
Let(ter sent to) Jno. Brewer July 20, 1839.

Transferred to Michigan 3rd November 1830. Notification sent to A.H. Ballard, Aprilante, Michigan & Pension Certificate returned.
Page 40

(61)

6997
New Jersey
Lena Brink, widow of Aaron Brink who was a Private in the New Jersey Line.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June '43 and sent to John W. Martin, Mount Hope. [crossed out: N. Jersey] New York.

{Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844.}

Recorded in Book A; Vol. 2; Page 93.

Let(ter sent to) J.W. Martin, Oct. 10, '45'
Let(ter sent to) J.E. Edsall, Jan. 31, 1846.

Rep(eale)d.

It appears that the first certificate was sent to Jno. W. Martin at Mount Hope, New Jersey instead of Mount Hope, N. York, where & to whom a new one has been sent this 14th November 1845.

s/ S.
Page 41

(56)

No. 1141
New Jersey
Aaron Brink, deceased, of Washtenaw in the State of Michigan, who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bull of the reg(iment) commanded by Col. Spencer in the New Jersey line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars (blank) Cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd day of March 1826 & ending on the 19th July 1833, when he died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of January 1846 and sent to Hon. A.C. Niven, H.R.

Arrears to 4th (blank).
Semi-anl all'ce ending (blank).

$590.21

Act of the 27 April 1810.

{Revolutionary Claim, Act [crossed out: June 7, 1833] 15 May 1828.}

Recorded by Uell Stuart, Clerk.
Book last; Vol. last; Page 000.

Jan. 15, 1846 - Ref(erred) to Agent.
Letter [sent] to Hon. N.S. Bingham 10 July 1848.
Page 42

[illegible] 24,932

To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come.

KNOW YE, That I, Aaron Brink of the County of Otsego and town of Milford and State of New York and late soldier in the First New Jersey Line, Taylor by occupation and in the service of the United States of America, for and in consideration of the sum of ten Dollars to me in hand paid, at and before the ensealing and delivery of these Presents, by Abraham Bell of the town of Morris and State of New Jersey Have sold, remised, released, quit-claimed, transfered, and assigned, and by these Presents, do sell, remise, release, quit-claim, transfer, and assign, to the said Abraham Bell his heirs and assigns for ever, all the right, title, interest, claim and demand, which I now have, and all right and title, interest, claim and demand, which I, my heirs, executors, or administrators, at any time hereafter may have, to all the land which I am intitled to, and to all the land which I or either of them may at any time hereafter be intitle to, from Congress of the United 

States of America, for my services as a soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for during the War with Great Britain, and to every part and parcel thereof; And I the said Aaron Brink, do for myself, my Heirs, Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, hereby covenant and agree, to and with the said Abraham Bell his Heirs and Assigns, that I the said Aaron Brink my Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or Affigns, shall and will at any time or times hereafter, at the request, cost and charges of the said Abraham Bell, his heirs, or Asigns, do make, seal, and execute, or cause or procure to be made, done, sealed and executed, all and every such reasonable act and acts, thing and things, conveyance and conveyances, assurance and assurances in the law whatsoever, for the perfect granting, conveying, remising, releasing, transfering, and assigning, all and singular the right, title, interest, claim and demand, which I, the said Aaron Brink, my Heirs, Executors, or Administrators have or may at any time hereafter have, of, in and to the land aforesaid; and of, in and to every part and parcel thereof, unto the said Abraham Bell, his heirs and Assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of the said Abraham Bell, his Heirs and Assigns forever, as by his or their counsel, learned in the law, shall be reasonably advised or devised or required: And I, the said Aaron Brink, do hereby appoint the said Abraham Bell, my true and lawful Attorney, or otherwise one or more Attornies under him, irrevocably, to ask, demand, solicit, and obtain in my name, or otherwise; but for the sole use and behoof of the said Abraham Bell, his Heirs and Assigns, forever, from the War Office of the United States, a grant or grants, patent or patents, for the land aforesaid; hereby ratifying and confirming, all and whatsoever my said Attorney or his substitute or substitutes may do respecting the same. And I, the said Aaron Brink, for myself, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, do covenant, promise and agree with the said Abraham Bell, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns, that I will not revoke or annul the Power of Attorney herein contained; or do any act, which shall impede the said Abraham Bell, in soliciting or obtaining a grant of grants, patent or patents, for the land aforesaid.
s/ Aaron Brink (X - his mark)

IN WITNESS whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this Tenth day of August One Thousand [crossed out: Seven] Eight Hundred and One.
s/ (blank)

Sealed and delivered in the the presence of us.
s/ James Moore
s/ John Moore

Otsego County
State of New York//

Aaron Brink, The above named Soldier & Taylor by trade, personally appeared and acknowledged the above instrument by him subscribed, to be his true act and deed, before me, this 20 day of August 1801.
s/ James Moore, Justice of the Peace
Page 43

And I do moreover certify that I have been personally acquainted with the within named Aaron Brink, who subscribed name by making his mark, for this Twelve years past and have good reason to believe that he is the identical soldier that he has represented himself to be in the within Power of Attorney. Given under my Hand this 20 day of August 1801.
s/ James Moore, Justice of the Peace

Otsego County
State of New York//

I, the subscriber, Clerk of the County of Otsego, do hereby certify that James Moore, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Otsego and that due faith is due to his acts as such.

In testimony of which, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this 20th Aug. 1801.
s/ John Russell, Clk. of the County of Otsego
Page 44

New Jersey 
Sussex County//

Be it remembered that on the 30th Day of April 1814, personally appear before me, Joseph Emmett, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, Samuel C. Seely, Esq., and having been duly sworn according to law did depose and say that the within certificate is the truth according to the best of his memory so far as affects the said soldier.
s/ Samuel C. Seely

Sworn before me this day & date above written hereunto set my Hand and Seal.
s/ Joseph Ennes

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

I hereby certify that Joseph Ennes, before whom the foregoing deposition appears to have taken or made, and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the taking and signing thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, all to all his acts as such due faith and credit is and ought to be given as well the Court of Justice as thereunto. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of Sussex County Court this Nineteenth day August Eighteen Hundred and Fourteen.
s/ Jno. [illegible], Clk. of Sussex County
Page 45

I do hereby certify that Aaron Brink, late soldier in the First New Jersey Regiment, was enlisted in said regiment for and during the late Revolutionary War and was to serve during the same and, to the best of my recollection, did faithfully serve his time out.
s/ James Seely, Capt. late First New Jersey Regiment
Page 46

July 10, 1848
Hon. N.S. Bingham
Page 47

Pension Office
July 19th 1848.

Sir,

I have the honor to return the letter of Mr. J. H. Myers and to inform you that Aaron Brink, dec(ease)d, who was a pensioner under the Act of May 15th 1828, has been paid up to the 19th July 1838, the period of his decease.

Lena Brink, his widow, a pensioner under the Act of March 3rd 1843 and June 17th 1844 [crossed out: has been paid to the 4th] at $80 per annum has been paid to the 4th September 1847.

The vouchers upon which the payments were made and deposited in the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury and to that office you are respectfully referred to ascertain to whom the money was paid.

Hon. N.S. Bingham, House of Rep.
Page 48

(47)

Washington, 23 July 1846.

Sir,

The widow of Aaron Brink, of the Township of Montague in the County of Sussex and within my district, appears to be entitled to the pension due her husband under Act of the 7th June 1832 from the 4th March 1831 to his death 19th July 1833. The date of his death being known at & reported by the Pension Office, as he was an Invalid Pensioner, has not been placed in this application.

You will confer a favor by reporting upon this application before filing the papers to the undersigned.

I have the honor to be your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ J.E. Edsall

Hon. John M. McCalla, 2nd Auditor of Treasury Department
Page 49

(48)

Washington, 1 August 1846.

Sir,

Your letter of yesterday's date is re(ceived) informing me that [crossed out: Mrs.] on the 14th Jan. last a certificate was issued in the case of Aaron Brink, dec(eased), payable to his widow, Lena Brink.

How it should have happened that an application should have been at this time. For this, I'd critical many. The certificate of the 14th Jan. was issued for, I am apt to congestions. I am not personally acquainted with Mrs. Brink but am well acquainted with the Magistrate before whom the affidavits were taken. The papers came to my hand without any previous understanding or knowledge that such an application was about being made.

I have the honor to be very respectfully your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ J.E. Edsall

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 50

(46)

United States of America
State of New Jersey 
County of Sussex//

Be it known [crossed out: the] that before me. a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Lena Brink and made oath in due form of law. That [duplicate: that] she is the identical person who drew a pension under the Acts of Congress passed 3rd of March 1843 and 17 June 1844 on account of the Revolutionary Services of her husband, Aaron Brink, at the rate of $80 per annum. That she now makes this affidavit for the purpose of drawing a pension due her husband, said Aaron Brink, for said services under Act of Congress, passed 7th June 1832, granting half pay and pensions to certain officers and soldiers of the War of the...
Page 51

...Revolution. That she has not intermarried but continues to be a widow. That she now resides in Montague Township in the County of Sussex and State of  New Jersey and has resided there for the space of Thirty years past. And that previous thereto, she resided in the Township of Sadiston.
Signed:
s/ Lena Brink (X - her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed this Fifteenth day of July One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty six in presence of.
s/ Wallen Warright

Before me.
s/ Severyne L. Westbrook, Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me & that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing...
Page 52

...affidavit.
s/ Severyne L. Westbrook, Justice of the Peace
Page 53

6630
Mary Brink, [widow] of Aaron.
Michigan

Admitted
Pri(vate) Inf(antry), 2 yrs., $80.
Capt. Bull, Col. Spencer.
N.J.

Died 19 July 1833.

Act 7 July 1838.

Hon. John Norvell, Sen(ate) U. States

(14)
Page 54

(53)

Aaron Brink, d(ied) 1833.

Invalid pensioner, N.Y., 1820.
Trans(ferred) to Michigan 1830 May.
His widow pensioned Feb. 1840.
In July 1787, Charity Brewer saw then mar(ried) in Schoharie, N.Y. Eliz(abeth) Bouck, same.

Sarah, wid(ow) of Aaron.
In 1785, m(arried) by Jas. Bunnell in N.J. Husband was a Invalid Pensioner & out in the west land.

See ad(ditional) papers of Mary Brink, Michigan. Act July 7. Cert(ificate) No. 5040.
Page 55

(30)

Otisville, Orange County, New York, March 13, '44.

D(ea)r Sir,

Sometime since I wrote you that Judge Denniston of New York State Senate would send you a certificate from the Clerk of the Court of Chancery of New York and also a certificate from the Secretary of State showing that no divorce had ever been given to Aaron Brinck or his wife, Lena. Mr. Denniston has forwarded the enclosed to me, which I hasten to forward to you. I hope that the note at the bottom of the letter coming from the high source, that it does will satisfy Col. Edwards. That there has no divorce been granted to either party in the State of New York previous to the pretended marriage of the said Aaron Brink in that State.

The letter of Col. Edward says that Aaron Brink was married somewhere in the State of New York in 1789. If there had ever been a divorce granted to either party in New York, it would have been registered in the City of Albany, because the Office of Assistant Register in the City of New York has been created since the year 1790, one year after the marriage of Aaron Brink should have taken place in the State of New York, as stated in Col. Edwards' letter to you. Be so very kind as to present the certificate enclosed and get from the col(onel) an answer.

Yours truly,
s/ John W. Martin
Page 56

(28)

House of Reps., Washington City, Jan. 19, 1844.

Dr Sir,

I do not wish to be troublesome, but if you could without too much inconvenience explain the case of Mrs. Brink of Sussex Co., New Jersey. A memorandum of which left with you a short time since would confer a favor as the old lady is now supported by charity and if she is entitled to receive anything from the U. States would be very acceptable to her.

Respectfully yours &c.,
s/ Isaac G. Farlee

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 57

Washington, March 15, 1840.

Sir,

A letter from her son-in-law informs me that Mary Brick's name is not entered on the Pension Roll, as if of Michigan. If not, I request that it may be so done as she resides there.

He states also that, as he understands the law, a widow is entitled to the same pay as if her husband were alive as he would be entitled to receive. And that Mary Brink's husband would be entitled to 96 dollars per annum. How is this?

I am very respectfully your most obed(ient) ser(vant),
s/ John Norvell

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 58

Senate, Feb. 11, 1840.

Sir,

Enclosed I transmit the application for a pension for Mary Brink. No parties are known to me and are respectable in character.

I am very respectfully your most obed(ient) ser(vant),
s/ John Norvell

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 59

Hon. John Norvell, U.S. Senate
Washington City, D.C.

Superior, Mich.
Feb. 1st

Return this with Pension Certificate.
Page 60

(12)

Superior, Washtenaw Co., Michigan, Feb. 1st 1847.

Hon. Sir,

Enclosed I send you the declaration of Mary Brink and four affidavits in proof of her marriage. The testimony is merely circumstantial and perhaps is the best that can be found. I have written to Wm. C. Bouck of Schoharie Co.,  N.Y., but have had no answer and thought I would send the testimony we had. I was at Ann Arbor last week and Judge Fliteher and Gov. Mundy both gave the opinion that it would be sufficient. If I should get [crossed out: more] as answer from the east, I will forward the result of the inquiry without delay. I hope you will go in person and ascertain what can be done and if the pension is allowed and she is authorized to draw the money, have the papers sent to my care.

The Whigs are do great things and if they are not used-up how this surely will be before spring. There is no mistake for every act they do is condemned by their own party.

The Democratic party will be stronger next fall than it ever was in this State {rely upon it} for if our party has the privilege of planning the work for their destruction of the Whig party in this State, it could not be better so far.

Very respectfully, I am your obed(ient) ser(vant),
s/ John Roswell

[illegible]

P.S. On opening the mail this morning, I found the long expected papers found by Hon. Wm C. Bouck. I have opened the package & attached the same. We have used the English name Mary & they Maria. The Dutch name is Mareau, termed by the Dutch Mary.
s/ J. Brewer
Page 61

July 19.

Aaron Brink
New York Roll

Superior, Mich., July 10.
Revo(lution): For(ward).
Free, J. Brewer, P.M.

War Department
Pension Office
Washington City, D.C.
Page 62

(10)

Superior, Washtenaw Co., Mich., July 9th 1839.

Hon Sir,

The widow of Aaron Brink, an Invalid Pensioner of the Revolution, wishes to draw a pension provided she is entitled to do so by law,.

The above named pensioner belonged to the New York Roll up to Nov. 3rd A.D. 1830, at which time he was transferred to the Michigan Roll.

Mary Brink, the subject of this letter, is above Eighty years of age and in indigent circumstances, so much so that she was unable to employ counsel to look for the necessary information. And I hope you will forward me the means of ascertaining whether she is entitled to a pension or not. And if she is, whether she is entitled to back pay and what course has to be pursued to obtain it.

Very respectfully Sir, your obedient servant.
s/ John Brewer

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com(missioner) of Pensions
Page 63

(9)

Tyre, January 4th 1839.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 17th ultimo, I received yesterday. As it respects the information you wish to obtain, I can be of little service to you. For I am not [crossed out: to my] personally knowing to my brother's enlistment or service, but I am personally knowing to his drawing a pension as an invalid [crossed out: being], having as he informed me, received a wound in one of his knees from a musket ball at Connecticut Farms.

I am not personally knowing to his decease but report says that he is dead. I think that if you address a letter to my son, Archibald Brink, in the State of Michigan, Wayne County, Town of Nankin, he will be able to communicate to you whether he be living or dead.

My brother insured me that he served under a Capt. Bull, who lived near Goshen on the Wallkill.

Yours with respect,
s/ Henry J. Brink

John Hull

P.S. Please say to our friends, we are all well at present.
s/ H.J. Brink
Page 64

Aaron Brink, a sergeant of the Revolution War was at the.

Mr. John Hull
18 3/4 paid.
Montague, Sussex Co., New Jersey

Tyne, N.Y., Jan. 10.
18 3/4 paid.

Cornelius Brink
Aaron Brink
Page 65

Free.

Dexter, Mich., Aug. 24.

Hon. J.R. Poinsett
Sec(retary) of War
Washington

Pension claim.

Sep. 3
Imab, Mich.
Aaron Brink
Page 66

Dexter, Mich., Aug. 23rd 1838.

Sir,

I have in hand an application of the widow of a deceased Revolutionary Pensioner for a pension and wish to obtain from your department the information necessary to enable her to prosecute the claim. Her husband's name was Aaron Brink. He enlisted into Capt. Bull's company & afterwards belonged to Morgan's Corps of Riflemen and served during the war or during most of it. He was twice wounded and drew a pension from about the year 1812 to the time of his death in 1833. About the year 1820, there was an increase to his pension. I do not know under what Acts of Congress he drew but wish to ascertain. He was married to his present widow previous to the close of the war, I believe, and she has remained unmarried ever since his death. Is she entitled? If so, will any proof short of positive evidence of her marriage with the deceased be sufficient to...
Page 67

...establish that fact. She has no certificate & knows of no one living that was present at the marriage.

I have the pamphlet entitled, "Pension Laws now in force," (Doc. 118 of the Ho. of Reps.) By communicating to me the information asked for above & such other as you may think useful in the matter you will much oblige.

Your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ A.L. Millerd, Atty. at Law

Hon. Sec(retary) of War
Page 68

Aaron Brink
Certificate
Iss(ued) Feb. 29, 1820
Page 69

(3)

Washington, 25th Feb. 1820

Hon. the Secretary of War

I find of the letters of Mr. George Reynolds relating to the Pension Certificate Aaron Brink of the request of the pension can be coupled with according to rules and regulations of your department. Have the goodness to notify me.

I am with great respect your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ N. Allen
Page 70

Payment to be made at Trenton, New Jersey by P. Dickinson, Esq., Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New Jersey.

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A; Vol. 2; Page 193.
s/ F.L. Swann, Clerk

Pen(sion) cut ult(imo) Dec. 18, 1845.
Cancelled
Page 71

(33)

War Department
Widow's Pension

I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844, Lena Brink, of New Jersey, widow of Aaron Brink, who was a Private and died on the 3rd day of July 1833, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars and (blank) cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1843, and terminating on the 4th of March, 1848, unless the Pensioner shall marry or die before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 12th day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
Geo. Bancroft, Acting Secretary of War

Examined and countersigned.
s/ J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
Page 72

(35)

Mt. Hope, Range Co., New York, Oct. 7, '45

D(ea)r Sir,

Some months since the case of Lena Brink of the town of Montague, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, widow of Aaron Brink, who was a solder in the War of the Revolution, was forwarded to your department for examination. Since then has nothing been heard of the claim. Will you do me the favor when it is convenient to examine the claim and report to me. The claim was under the Act 3 March 1843.

Your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ John W. Martin

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 73

5

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Oct. 31, 1845
Rec(eived) of Lena Brink.

[crossed out: N. Swann]

U.S. Congress
Oct. 29th

Brink
Page 74

(36)

State of New York
Orange County//

On this 28 day of October 1845, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, John W. Martin of the town of Mount Hope in the County and State aforesaid, aged forty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he has not at any time received from the Pension Department a Certificate for Pension granted to Lena Brink of the Township of Montague in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, widow of Aaron Brink, who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and belonged to the New Jersey Line under the Act of March 8th 1843 or any subsequent act.
s/ John W. Martin

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned and I certify that he is to be believed.
s/ B.M. Orwin, Justice
Page 75

Mt. Hope, New York
Oct. 28, '43

D(ea)r Sir,

According to the requirements of your letter received a full day since, I herewith send you an affidavit setting forth that the Certificate for Pension granted to Lena Brink on or about the 12th June last, has not been received about that time. There was several letters lost, or rather never reached, the Post Office in this place.

With the greatest respect I remain Your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ John W. Martin, Post Master

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Page 76

Hon. J.B. Hunt
12 Jan. 1846
Page 77

191 (44)

Pension Office
January 12, 1846

Sir,

On the 9th inst(ant), I issued a Pension Certificate on account of the revolutionary service of Aaron Brink, [crossed out: and] for the benefit of [crossed out: his widow] Mrs. Mary Brink, as his widow. I discover since the certificate was issued that Aaron Brink was lawfully married to another woman in 1785 in New Jersey. It is my duty therefore to stop the payment of the pension on that certificate. Lena Brink, his first wife, is still living and is drawing a pension on account of his service. She was never divorced from him. Mrs. Mary Brink was not therefore his lawful wife and is not entitled to the pension. She was married to Brink in 1789.

Hon. J.B. Hunt, House of Reps.
Page 78

Payment to be made (blank) at (blank) by (blank), Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of (blank).

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book (blank); Vol. (blank); Page (blank) by (blank), Clerk.
Page 79

(45)

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the [crossed out: 7th June, 1832] 15th May 1828, Aaron Brink, deceased, who was a Private in the Rev(olutionary) War, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $80 per annum commencing on the 3rd March 1826 and ending on the 19th July 1833, the day of his death, which [crossed out: who was] will be paid in the production of the proper voucher to Lena Brink, his widow.

[crossed out: is entitled to receive (blank) dollars and (blank) cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.]

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14th day of Jan. one thousand eight hundred and forty six.
s/ (blank), Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.}
s/ (blank), Commissioner of Pensions

Payment to be made at Trenton, New Jersey.
Page 80

(43) 185

Pension Office,
Jan. 10, 1846

Sir.

I have the honor to return you herewith the declaration of Mrs. Mary Brink, who asks for a pension under the Act of March 3rd 1843. And to inform you that a certificate was issued for her under that act, under date of Jan. 16, 1844 & sent to her grandson, John Brewer, P.M. of Superior, Michigan.

If Mrs. Brink has not received her pension under the Act of June 17, 1844, she can [crossed out: receive] obtain it from the agent at Detroit by presenting a declaration made out agreeably to the enclosed printed from.

Certificate of pension are not issued under this act where the widow has received one under the Act of March 3rd 1843.

I enclose a certificate for arrears of pension due at the time of the death of Aaron Brink, which will be paid to his widow upon her presenting the proper voucher to the Age(nt) at Detroit.

Hon. Jas. B. Hunt, H.R.
Page 81

Mary Brink, Pensioner of Michigan.
Law of 1838.
From Arad Joy, Ex.

[illegible]
Page 82

State of Michigan
County of Ingham//

I, Peter Low, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Joseph Whitcomb, the Magistrate before whom the annexed affidavit was sworn to & [crossed out: (illegible)] the also before whom the acknowledgements of the annexed Power of Attorney was, or purports to have been acknowledged, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly elected & qualified & fully authorized to administer oaths for general purposes & also to take acknowledgements of deeds & other instruments & further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Joseph Whitcomb & believe his signatures annexed are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the Circuit Court for said County this 31st Day of December A.D. 1851.
s/ P. Low, Clerk
Page 83

(54)

State of Michigan
COUNTY OF Ingham//

Mary Brink, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that she is the widow of Aaron Brink, late a pensioner, deceased, to [crossed out: whom] her a pension [crossed out: was] is probably due, she [crossed out: who] was an applicant for a pension from the State of Michigan, that this deponent is directly interested as one of the claimants in said claim. That she overdrew a pension in Michigan and her pension was suspended.
s/ Mary Brink

Sworn and subscribed before me this 30 day December 1851, and I do hereby certify that the said Mary Brink is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by her as being directly interested in said claim
s/ Joseph Whitcomb, Justice of the Peace

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Mary Brink of Ingham Co., Michigan [crossed out: deceased], to whom a pension [crossed out: was] is probably due, & who was a applicant for a pension from the State of Michigan, do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N.Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested, as also for and in behalf of all others interested in the claim or application for a pension as above mentioned. She once rec(eived) a pension.
s/ Mary Brink

Witness my hand and seal, this 30 day of December 1851. SEAL AND DELIVERED, THE PRESENCE OF.:
s/ Joseph Whitcomb
s/ Daniel Tobias

STATE OF Michigan
County of Ingham//

Be it known that on the 30 day of December 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Mary Brink, above named, and duly acknowledged the above Power of Attorney and affidavits to be her act and deed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and date above mentioned.
s/ Joseph Whitcomb, Justice of the Peace
Page 84

Payment to be made (blank) at (blank) by (blank), Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of (blank).

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book (blank); Vol. (blank); Page (blank) by (blank), Clerk.
Page 85

(42)

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Aaron Brink, dec(eased), who was a Private, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $80 per annum [crossed out: of] comm(encing) on the 4 March 1831 and ending on the 19th July [crossed out: who was a] 1833, the day of his death, which will be paid upon the production of the proper voucher to Mary Brink, his widow.

[crossed out: is entitled to receive (blank) dollars and (blank) cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.]

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 9th day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty six.
s/ (blank), Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.}
s/ (blank), Commissioner of Pensions

Payment to be made at Detroit, Michigan.
Page 86

(40)

House of Rep., Jan. 7, 1846.

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comm(issioner) of Pensions

D(ea)r Sir,

I have the honor of enclosing the application of Mrs. Mary Brink of Ingham Co., Mich., for the pension due to her late husband under the [Act] of 1832. She claims from March 4/'31 to July 19/'33 because her husband drew an Invalid Pension only instead of under the Act of 1832.

Also another claim for back pension under the Act of 1843 for one year, that is up to 1844.

Will you be good enough to examine these cases & send me the certificates as soon as your time will permit & much oblige.

Yours &c.,
s/ J.B. Hunt
Page 87

(37)

Mount Hope, Orange Co., New York, Dec. 30/'45

D(ea)r Sir,

I herewith send to your care the declaration of Lena Brink, widow of Aaron Brink, with the accompanying vouchers in order to obtain the arrears of pension due her said husband at the time of his death under the Act of Congress passed May the 15 1828.

Will you, my dear Sir, do me the very great favor to present the same to the Commissioner of Pensions and ask as early an action [crossed out: upon] in the case as may be and forward to me his decision.

With the greatest respect I remain your friend and obed(ient) ser(vant),
s/ John W. Martin

Hon. A.C. Niven, H.R.
Page 88

(20)

State of Michigan
County of Washtenaw//

On this Thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty three, personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace, Mary Brink, a resident of Superior in the County of Washtenaw, aged about Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed March 3rd A.D. 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution and that she received Eighty dollars per annum under the Act of Congress passed July 7th A.D. 1838.

She further declares that she is still a widow.
s/ Mary Brink (X - her mark)

Attest:
s/ John Brewer
s/ Abel Parkhurst

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, 
s/ Abel Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace

She assigns as a reason for making her mark that she could never write.
s/ Abel Parkhurst, J.P.
Page 89

State of Michigan
WASHTENAW COUNTY//

I, Earl P. Gardiner, Clerk of the County of Washtenaw and also Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Abel Parkhurst, before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been subscribed & sworn was at the date of said affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Washtenaw duly elected and qualified to act as such, and by law authorized to take the same, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said A. Parkhurst and verily believe his signature thereunto subscribed is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and Court at Ann Arbor, this Thirty first day of October A.D. 1843.
s/ E.P. Gardiner

4772
Page 90

The Porter,
Lansing, Mich.,
July 31, 1937.

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Mary Brink, aged 74, received a Revolutionary War pension in 1840 while a member of the household of Lewis S. Rouse in Leroy twp., Ingham Co., Michigan. She died 1859 in Leroy.

Will you kindly send me the pension record of this Mary Brink and also of the soldier on whose account the pension was granted.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,
s/ George L. Hammell
George L. Hammell.
Page 91

July 28/'48
Montague, N.J.

July 18/'48

Lena Brink, for a pension.
B326
July 27, '48.
Pension Office
Page 92

Paid 10

W.L. Mavey, Secretary of War
Washington City, D.C.

Montague, N.J.
July 24th
Page 93

(51)

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

On this 18th day of July 1848, personally appeared before me, Severyne L. Westbrook, a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County, Lena Brink, a resident of Montague Township in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, aged Eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2nd of February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a private in the Continental Line of the Army and belonged to the New Jersey Brigade, & she believes, in Col. Ogden's Regiment. That she was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 17th 1844 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum. That her Certificate has been returned to the proper department. She further declares that she is still a widow.
s/ Lena Brink (X - her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written by making her mark.
s/ Severyne L. Westbrook, Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

I, William J. Smith, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that Severyne L. Westbrook, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was on the date thereof and now to an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Sussex duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to take such affidavits and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature "Severyne L. Westbrook, Justice of the Peace" subscribed thereto is his...
Page 94

...proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have here hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Newton this Twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty eight.
s/ W.L. Smith, Clerk
Page 95

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

On this 25 day of February 1841, Sarah Cary, a resident of the Township of Montague in the County of Sussex, aged 77 years, appeared before me, James Stoll, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath says that she is acquainted with Sarah Hotaten, widow of Aaron Brink. That she was present and saw them married. That they were married by James Bunnell, Esq., on the 11th day of May 1785. That they were marred in the Township of Montague and at the house of the Justice and she further sayeth that she recollects the time of their marriage from the circumstance of her having a child born on the night or in the evening of the same day. That they were married, but of which there is no record as she knows of, and she further says that she knew Aaron Brink to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and was colonel or sergeant and further sayeth not.
s/ Sarah Cary (X - her mark)

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written
s/ James Stoll

I do hereby certify that I have been long acquaint Sarah Cary and full faith and [duplicate: and] credit to her evidence.
s/ James Stoll
Page 96

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

I, John H. Hull, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Sussex, do hereby certify that James Stoll, Esquire, before whom the foregoing depositions appears to have been taken, was at the times respectively of taking the same, and now is, one of the Judges of the of Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, commissioned and sworn into office pursuant to law and to whose official acts, as Judge as aforesaid, full faith and credit are due. And further that I am well acquainted in the handwriting of the said James Stoll, Esquire, and pronounce his signature above as written genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newton in said County this Twenty sixth day of February Eighteen Hundred and Forty one.
s/ John H. Hall

7738
Page 97

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Mount Hope, N.Y.
May 5th 1845.

May 8, 1845.
Allowed her case.

Lena Brink
N.Y.

6997.A.2.93
Page 98

(32)

Mount Hope, Orange County, New York, May 5, 1845.

D(ea)r Sir,

Inclosed is the declaration of Lena Brink, made under the Act of March 3rd 1843.

When convenient, please examine the same and answer to your obe(dient) serv(ant).
s/ John W. Martin

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Page 99

7895

Lena Brink
Act 3rd March 1843 & 17 June 1844.

Allowed $80 per annum.

Act '44. No. 666.

John W. Martin, Esq.
Mount Hope, New Jersey
Page 100

(31)

[crossed out: New York] 

New Jersey
Sussex County//

On this 14th day of April 1845, personally appeared Lena Brink of the town of Montague in the County and State aforesaid, aged Eighty two years, and on oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed March 3rd 1843 extending the benefits of the Act of July 7th 1838 granting half pay and pensions to certain widows of Soldiers of the Revolution for the term of five years. That she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution and belonged to the company commanded by Captain Holmes in the regiment under the command of Col. Ogden in the New Jersey Line. That the proof of her husband's service are already on file in the Pension Department. That she was a pensioner under the Act of July 7th 1838 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum. And that she has not married since the death of said Aaron Brink, but still remains his widow.
s/ Lena Brink (X - her mark)

Sworn and subscribed before me this 14th day of April 1845
s/ Zebulon Townsend, Justice of the Peace

Sussex County//

I certify that the statements above made by Lena Brink should be believed and that she is the same person who was pensioned under the Act of July 7th 1838 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum.

The interlining "two" & "on her oath" did before execution.
s/ Zebulon Townsend, J.P.
Page 101

STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Zebulon Townsend, Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was taken, crossed out: and power of attorney acknowledged] was, at the time of the doing thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Sussex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn; that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations, and that the signature thereto is in the proper handwriting of the said Zebulon Townsend.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this Twenty eighth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
s/ Charles G. McChesney, Sec(retary) of State
Page 102

(49)

State of New York
Secretary's Office//

I have examined the [duplicate: the] laws passed by the Legislature of this State from the first day of April in the year 1786 to the end of the year 1790 and do certify that I found no act granting a divorce to Aaron Brink and Lena, his wife, or either of them during the said period.
s/ Arch(ibald) Campbell, Dep(uty) Sec(retary) of State

Albany, March 2, 1844

Fees for the search & certificate; 75 cents.

Hon. John W. Martin

D(ea)r Sir,

I send you the above, which is all I can obtain her. The Register informs me that no records of the decrees in chancery are in his office as far back as 1790, and if any exist, they must be in the Assistant Register's office in New York. The 75 ce(nts) you can hand me when we meet.

Yours truly,
s/ Robert Denniston
Page 103

Certificate from the Chancery Office.
Page 104

(27)

State of New Jersey//

I, Samuel R. Gummere, Clerk of the Court of Chancery in and for said State, do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the files of my office, from the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty one to the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty five, and do not find therein any Decree of Divorce to Aaron Brink or Capt. Brink or to Sarah or Lena Brick or either of them.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed [crossed out: my] my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this Twenty first day of December A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty three (1843).
s/ Sam'l R. Gummere, Clk.
Page 105

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

Daniel Kortright, of the town of Sandyston in the County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy years and upwards, deposeth and saith that many years since he was acquainted with Aaron Brink, who was reputed to have been a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and who at the time this deponent knew him was a cripple. That he was also acquainted with Lena Hooleling when a girl and has a distinct recollection of the time of the marriage of the said Aaron Brink and Lena Hooleling. This deponent was not at the wedding but recollects that the father of said Lena had the said Aaron taken by the Civil Authority for elicit connection with the said Lena when the said Aaron Brink married her and lived with her for a short time when he left her. And this deponent thinks he never returned to live with the said Lena afterward. That the marriage of said Aaron Brink and Lena Hooteling took place more than Fifty five years since and the issue of the connection mentioned above was a daughter who they called Caty.

That he never knew any other man in this part of New Jersey by the name of Aaron Brink, but the one before mentioned. That he has never heard of any divorce having been granted to either party and he [duplicate: he] knows the said Lena has never since married, but remains the widow of said Aaron Brink.
s/ Daniel Kortright

Sworn to and subscribed this 13th of December 1843 before me.
s/ Joshua Shay, Justice of Peace

Sussex County//

I certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel Kortright and knows him to be a man of truth and veracity and believes that his statements should be entitled to full credit and belief.
Joshua Shay, J.P.
Page 106

Affidavit of Daniel Kartright in favor of Lena Brink.

Montague, December 13, 1843.

D(ea)r Sir,

You will do me a very great favor to certify and seal the accompanying affidavits and then forward them to Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State, Trenton, New Jersey, for his certif(ication).

I am with respect, Sir, your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ John W. Martin

John H Hall, Esq.

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

I, John H. Hall, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the signature of Joshua Shay, Esq., and verily believe that appended to the within affidavit of Daniel Cortright, to be his. And further that the said Joshua Shay was at the time of taking said affidavit and still is one of the Justices of the Peace of this County duly commissioned and sworn. And that full faith & credit are due to his official acts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newton in said County this Eighteenth day of December A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Forty three and of the Independence of the United States, the Sixty eighth.
s/ John H. Hall
Page 107

(26)

State of New Jersey

I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that there is not on the files of my office any act of the Legislature of said State to divorce Aaron Brink from his wife, Lena Brink, or to divorce Lena Brink from her husband, Aaron Brink, from the year 1786 to March 1833.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this Twenty first day of December A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty three.
s/ Charles M. Chesney, Sec(retary) of State
Page 108

Free

J.L. Edwards
Pension Agent
Washington, D.C.

Montague, N.J.
2 March

V 7738 | Mar. 8, 1841
N.J.
Act July 7, 1838
Sarah Brink
Page 109

(19)

Dear Sir,

I herewith enclose a declaration for the purpose of a pension by old lady of this place, who is justly entitled under the law which she applies and of the affidavits proving his death may not be in due form, not being certified by the Clerk of the Court. But the fact of the pensioner having ceased to draw his pension is prim facie evidence of his death. In case the evidence sufficient for a certificate for the same, you can enclose it and direct it to her in this place or to me, P.M. of Montague, Sussex Co., N.J. If not, return the paper with such instructions as you think proper.

This should have been attended to before as about this time changes in the different offices will take place without doubt. But necessary in hopes that you will be retained in office in the station which you have so ably filled.

I am with respects yours &c.,
s/ John Hill

J.L. Edwards, Esq.

N.B. There is a book in your office that belongs to the heirs of Capt. James Bunnell, which they say is of importance to them, which they requested to have returned to them. You would do them a favor by sending it by mail as it is not larger, directed to Isaac Bunnell, Esq., of the widow Bunnell.
s/ J. Hull
Page 110

7738
Mrs. Sarah Brink, widow of Aaron.
N.J.
Act 7 July 1838.
Page 111

(18)

State of Pennsylvania
Pike County//

On this 26th day of February 1841, Elizabeth Bunnel, aged 82 years, personally appeared before me, Frances A.L. Smith, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Pike, who being by me first duly sworn according to law on her oath saith that she resided in the Township of Montague, Sussex County & State of New Jersey, the greater part of her life and until within about two years since [crossed out: this] that time [crossed out: at at the present]. She has resided in the Town of Milford in Pike County and that she is well acquainted with Sarah Hooteling, wife of Aaron Brink, a Revolutionary Soldier. That they were married by my husband, James Bunnel, who then acted as a Justice of the Peace. That they came to their house and there was married in my presence, the date or time she does not recollect, but that it was in the spring of the year and soon after the war, but in what year she
cannot say. She further says that the widow Brink has always been a good cantor and full faith and credit ought to be given to what she says and further sayeth not.
s/ Elizabeth Bunnel (X - her mark)

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
s/ Francis A.L. Smith, J.P.
18" 2" '41

Pike County//

I, Henry S. Mott, Prothonotary in & for Pike County, certify that Francis A.L. Smith, before whom the above affidavit was made was at the time and still is an Acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts as such and further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of said Smith and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. Witness my Hand & Seal of Office February 24th 1841.
s. H.S. Mott, Proth(onotary)
Page 112

(16)

State of New York
Seneca County//

I, Archibald Brink, of the Town of Nankin in the County of Wayne & State of Michigan being duly sworn depose & say I am acquainted with Aaron Brink, deceased, & that he died in the town of Bloomfield, Wayne Co., in the State of Michigan, on the Third day of July in the year 1833. It is also known to me that the said Aaron Brink was at the time of his death a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States & further deponent says he is informed & believes the widow of said Aaron Brink is now living in town of Montague, Sussex County, New Jersey, & further deponent saith not. Dated Oct. 22, 1840.
s/ Archibald Brink

Sworn & subscribed before me the 22nd day of Feb. 1840.
s/ John G. Tubbs, Justice [of the] Peace

Mr. John Hull

Sir,

I received your letter 18 months since inquiring for Elias Brink, my father or brother, as I know of no such person. I have not answered your inquiry but suppose there is a mistake & that you must refer to Aaron Brink, my father or brother. This, I have learned from my father, as he tells me he had received a letter from you on the same subject & he believes it refers to his brother, Aaron. Consequently, while at my father's on a visit, I have made the above affidavit & forward the same to you.
s/ Archibald Brink
Page 113

[crossed out: paid]

Free

Nathaniel Allen, Esq., A member of Congress
Washington City
Page 114

Dansville, Feb. 8, 1820

N. Allen, Esq.

Sir,

Although I am unacquainted with you, yet at the request of Revolutionary Soldier of your County, I presume to address you. Aaron Brink, now of the Town of Sparta, a wounded Revolutionary Soldier, has regularly for 7 or 8 years drew a pension from the U. States, paid to him at N. York. I called at the office last fall with a request to receive 6 mos. pay. They informed me that they had received new instructions from the War Office & could not pay out money to any person unless they produced copy of a pension ticket. Mr. Brink has never had one and they said he had formerly drawed without one.

And that his name was recorded on their books as well as on those of the Secretary of War. And that under those circumstances, Mr. Brink could get a Pension Ticket by only visiting for one or by a friend's writing. I wrote to the Secretary of War some time since & enclosed a Power [of Attorney] from Brink to me to draw the money, which showed his oath to the fact &c.

No doubt but the society is much done with business. At this time, I have not heard from him. Since it may be that it was miscarried or that he is too busy to attend to it unless a friend should call & call his attention to it. 

Will you be so good as to call on him & see whether the ticket can be procured under present circumstances. If it can, you will please see it forwarded by mail to me for him...
Page 115

...If it cannot be, you will please inquire on what terms or under what circumstances he can get it.

The man, Brink, is in low circumstances & much in want of his pay. By your attention to this, you will much oblige a poor soldier & good friend.

Please drop me a line on the subject as soon as convenient & oblige your mo(st) obed(ient) ser(vant),  
s/ Geo. Reynolds

Dansville, Steuben County//

P.S. Mr. Brink says he served under Capt. Moore, who was sometime since a Member of Congress.
Page 116

Aaron Brink, dec(eased)
N.J.

Act 15 May 1828 & 31 May 1830.
Adm(itted), 2 years, Private.

($)80 from 3rd March 1826 to 3 July '33, when he died, to Lena Brink, his widow.

Hon A.C. [crossed out: Nevin] Niven, H.R.

Char(ged) ¢50.
Page 117

(38)

Declaration of Lena Brink.
Act of May 15, 1828.

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

Before me, John Q. Evrett, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey, personally appeared Lena Brink, of the Township of Montague in the County [of Sussex] in the State of New Jersey, known to me as person of good repute and entitled to credit, who first being duly sworn does on her oath say that she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a resident and native the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, in which place he enlisted in the Army of the United States for during the war (that was called the Revolutionary War). That he continued in the service until its close and, as the understands and believes, her husband, the said Aaron Brink, received a gratuity of Eighty dollars at the end of said war. Her said husband died on the Third day of July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three in Wayne County, Michigan. At the time of his death, he was in the receipt of [illegible] an invalid pension and that by, "An act to amend the act entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved May the 31st 1830, in which the Act of May 15th 1828 shall not be construed to embrace invalid pensioners and that the pensions of invalid soldiers shall not be deducted from the amount of pension received by them under the said act. Therefore, she claims...

(39)

Aaron Brink, Inv(alid) Michigan Roll.

Please say when he died.

Died 19 July 1833.

J.W. Randall, 3rd Auditor's Office

J.H.
Page 118

(38)

Declaration of Lena Brink.
Act of May 15, 1828.

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

Before me, John D. Evritt, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey, personally appeared Lena Brink, of the Township of Montague in the County [of Sussex] in the State of New Jersey, known to me as person of good repute and entitled to credit, who first being duly sworn does on her oath say that she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a resident and native the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, in which place he enlisted in the Army of the United States for during the war (that was called the Revolutionary War). That he continued in the service until its close and, as the understands and believes, her husband, the said Aaron Brink, received a gratuity of Eighty dollars at the end of said war. Her said husband died on the Third day of July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three in Wayne County, Michigan. At the time of his death, he was in the receipt of [illegible] an invalid pension and that by, "An act to amend the act entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved May the 31st 1830, in which the Act of May 15th 1828 shall not be construed to embrace invalid pensioners and that the pensions of invalid soldiers shall not be deducted from the amount of pension received by them under the said act. Therefore, she claims...
Page 119

...the amount of pension due her said husband under the said act from the Third day of March 1826 to the Third day of July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty three, being the day of his death, and refers respectfully the Commissioner of Pensions to her and her husband's declarations on file in his office to substantiate her present claim.

She further declares that she is in the receipt of a pension under the Act of June 17th 1844.

In testimony whereof she has hereunto annexed her signature by making her mark.
s/ Lena Brink (X - her mark)

Witness my hand this 27th day of December 1845 One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty five.
Witness:
s/ Josiah Rosecrantz

[crossed out: year] 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me.
s/ John D. Evritt, Judge
Page 120

STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that John D. Evritt, Esq., before whom the within declaration was taken, was at the time of the doing thereof, a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn. That full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations, and that the signature thereto is in the proper handwriting of the said John D. Evritt.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton this Second day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty six.

s/ Charles G. McChesney, Sec(retary) of State
Page 121

Ipsilante, M.T.
Oct. 19th

[crossed out: Free]

108 | $1

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Office
War Department
Washington City 

Transfer.

Pension Office

Pension Office
Nov. 20, 1830
Page 122

Ipsilante, Oct. 15th

Hon. J.L. Edwards

Pursuant to your directions of the 11 Sep., I have got the printed sheet file & return the same to have it transferred for payment to Michigan Roll. Please return the same as soon as convenient.

Very respectfully your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ A.H. Ballard
Page 123

(62)

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

On this 13 day of December 1843, personally appeared before Zebulon Townsend, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, Lena Brink, aged Seventy nine years, [crossed out: who] a resident of the Town of Montague in the County and State aforesaid, and made oath to the following declaration as an amendment to a former declaration made by her before James Stall, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex, under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838.

That she is the widow of Aaron Brink, who was a Private Soldier in the War of the Revolution and served in Capt. Holmes company in the New Jersey Line and was regularly discharged at the end of the war. That he, the said Aaron Brink, was a cripple from a wound or wounds received in the war, and while he was in the actual service of his country. That she was married in the month of May 1786 to the said Aaron Brink by James Bonnell, then an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, at the house of the said James Bonnell in the Town of Montague, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey. That her only child, whose name was called Caty, was born on the Third day of September 1786 and was baptized in the following spring by the Rev. Mr. Van Benschoten, then Pastor of the Dutch Church in Deerpark, Orange County, New York, and Peter Hooleling, the father of this declarant, stood as godfather.

That after living with the said Aaron Brink nearly two years, the said Aaron Brink left home under pretense of going to Esopus in the State of New York for some money, which he said was due to him there for a horse the had sold [crossed out: there] to a man in that place, saying when he went away that he
would be home in three week, but he did not return again until after their daughter, Caty, was married and there remained in the place...

(23)
Page 124

[crossed out: 8337 | 191]

Additional Declaration of Lena Brink*, widow of Aaron Brink, dec(eased)

Act of "July 7, 1838"

New Jersey

Married 1785 - Brink husband died 3 July 1833.

$80 per an(num).

[crossed out: John W. Martin, Otisville, Orange County, New York]

{ * - On Roll of Spencer's Reg(iment) for war. See N. Jersey Roll.}

Hon. I.G. Farlee, H. Rep.
Page 125

...but a few days when he left, and she has not seen him since. That after he left the neighborhood the second time, he went to the western part of the State of New York and was there seen living with another woman by a sister of this declarant, who was then living in either Seneca or Ontario Counties in the western section of the State of New York. And from other sources, she has likewise understood that he lived in the aforesaid section of country, and that she understood that previous to his death, he removed to Michigan. She further declares that she never was divorced from her said husband, Aaron Brink, nor has she ever married to any other man, but the aforementioned Aaron Brick, who was a wounded Soldier of the Revolution and who after his marriage left her and afterwards lived in either Seneca or Ontario County, New York, and from thence removed to Michigan where he died. That she still remains the widow of the said Aaron Brink.
s/ Lena Brink (X - her mark)

Sworn to and subscribed by making her mark her mark this 13 day of December 1843 before me.
s/ Zebulon Townsend, Justice of the Peace

Sussex County//

I certify that I am acquainted with Lena Brink, who made and subscribed the foregoing declaration and believe her to be a woman [illegible].
Page 126

[duplicate: Sworn to and subscribed by making her mark her mark this 13 day of December 1843 before me.
s/ Zebulon Townsend, Justice of the Peace

Sussex County//

I certify that I am acquainted with Lena Brink, who made and subscribed the foregoing declaration and believe her to be a woman] of truth and veracity and her statements made are entitled to full credit and belief.
s/ Zebulon Townsend, Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
Sussex County//

I, John H. Hall, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the signature of Zebulon Townsend, Esq., and verily believe that appended to the above affidavit of Lena Brink to be his. And further that the said Zebulon Townsend was at the date of the taking of the said affidavit, and still is, one of the Justices of the Peace of this County duly commissioned and sworn. And that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newton in said County this Eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Forty three and of the Independence of the United States the Sixty Eighth.
s/ John H. Hall
Page 127

(5)

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.

Territory of Michigan
County of Washtenaw//

On this Second day of October A.D. 1830, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Washtenaw, personally appeared, Aaron Brink, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain William Bull in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Spencer in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York, from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the [crossed out: (illegible)] Territory of Michigan, where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of New York to the Territory of Michigan. To wit: To live with his children and grandchildren, all of whom have removed to said territory.
s/ Aaron Brink (X - his mark)

Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the, day and year aforesaid.
s/ Elias M. Skinner, Justice of the Peace

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated. The county Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear, that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Page 128

Territory of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

John Brewer, being duly sworn maketh oath and saith that he was present at the taking of the foregoing affidavit before the said Elias M. Skinner and knows the person who took the same to be the same person described in said affidavit. And further this deponent saith not.
s/ John Brewer

Sworn and subscribed to before me on the Second day of October A.D. 1830.
s/ Elias M. Skinner, Justice of the Peace

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that I am acquainted with John Brewer, the person who took the foregoing affidavit, and know him to be a person of veracity. And that full faith and credit may be placed in his affidavit.
s/ Elias M. Skinner, Justice of the Peace
Page 129

Territory of Michigan
Washtenaw County//

I certify that Elias M. Skinner, the person before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, was at the time the said affidavits were by him subscribed, an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid. And further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of said Elias M. Skinner and verily believe the signatures to the foregoing affidavit to be his proper handwriting.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the County Court of the County of Washtenaw at Ann Arbor the Sixth day of Oct. A.D. 1830.
s/ James T. Alby, Co. Clerk M.T.