Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12347, Joseph Bradley, Conn. Vt.
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[?]
Vt
Bradley Joseph
Number. 12347
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33.358
Vermont,
Joseph Bradley [illegible]
of [blank] in the State of [blank]
who was a private in the [blank] command
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] command
by [blank] in the Revolution
line for 7 mos and 20 days Connt [Connecticut] Vt [Vermont] Records completed Nov. 20 1905 [illegible initial]
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington at the rate of 25 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, and end 11 Ocotber 1847
Certicate of Pension issued the 29th day of July 1856 and sent to R. Bradley Burlington Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 1832
Recorded by G.S. Gelly Clerk
Book 26 Vol. 1 Page 53
[In margin] Let. [letter] S.S. Piko, Aug 20 1857
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No. 1
Vermont
No. 38032
Joseph Bradley ded [deceased]
Vt [Vermont]
Act 7 June 1832
Act June 7, 1832
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State of Vermont
District of Chittenden ss.
On this 27th day of May A.D. 1848, personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court within and for the District of Chittenden, at a session thereof held at Burlington, in said district, Rollin Bradley of Williston in the County and district of Chittenden aged forty five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to  obtain the pension which his father Joseph Bradley was entitled to receive, at the time of his death, under the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 - that as this declarant was informed by the said Joseph Bradley, in his lifetime, he the said Joseph Bradley, who was a naive of Connecticut, enlisted in the Connecticut troops, in the own of Ripton Ct [Connecticut] under Capt. Birdseye, in the spring of 1777, that he was at the burning of Danbury Ct and serving as a soldier and afterwards went to New Jersey in March 1781, and that his discharge was signed by Col. [Colonel] Johnson which discharge this declarant believes has long since been destroyed, that after his discharge at Morristown N.J. [New Jersey] he, the said Joseph Bradley removed to Sunderland, Vermont and enlisted in Col. Walbridge's regiment, and served more or less until the close of
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the revolutionary war, that this declarant believes that his said father served more than two years before his discharge at Morristown N.J. and more than four months in the Vermont troops, that the said Joseph Bradley died at said Williston on the eleventh day of October 1847, leaving no widow, but leaving five children who are all of full age, viz, this declarant and Brainerd Bradley of Berkshire, Vt [Vermont] and Cyrus Bradley of sai Berkshire, and Oran Bradley of Norfolk, New York and Rhetsa Crampton of Rowland, Hinsdale County, in the Sttae of Michigan, that the said Joseph Bradley never made application for, nor received, any pension from the U.States during his lifetime, and that the reason for his not making any application for a pension was that he had peculiar religious views and had conciencious scruples in relation thereto, and the undersigned asks that the balance of pension which the said Joseph Bradley was entitled to receive from the U.States may be allowed to his said surviving children, who are the only surviving children of the said deceased. The said Joseph Bradley, for four years previous to his death, was afflicted with palsy, and unable to transact any business and was unable to articulate words distinctly and consequently could not converse.
[signed] Rollin Bradley
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Sworn to and subscribed this 27 day of May 1848 (and I certify that the said Rollin Bradley is a man of truth and credibility) before me
The work Six in the fourth line from the top on the second page erased and the word four written over it before execution
[signed] Charles Adams
Judge of Probate Court for District at Chittenden
I Bradford Rixford Register of the Probate Court for the District of Chittenden do hereby certify that Charles Adams on the 27th day of May A.D. 1848 was the judge of said Court and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and that his signature above is in his hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name at Burlington in said District this 10th day of August A.D. 1850. Bradford Rixford Register
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Children of
Joseph Bradley 
VT
June 7, 1832
[??]
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State of New York County of Clinton  ss

On this nineteenth day of December 1854 before the subscriber of a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Diama Webster a resident of the town of Plattsburg in said County aged 41 years and  made oath according to law that she may have an interest in a claim against the United States for certain arrears or increase of pension, supposed to be due to the children of Joseph Bradley of Vermont, a soldier of the Revolution and one of [??] Grand children of said Joseph Bradley [??]

and she hereby appoints J. Douglas Woodward, Counsellor at Law, of Plattsburg, N.Y., Attorney to  prosecute said claim, and examine all papers and documents in relation thereto on file in any of the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere, and to receive from the officer authorised to issue the same, a certificate for any arrears or increase of pension to which Deponent may be entitled, and to do all other acts and things in and about obtaining such arrears or increase in pension as Deponent might or could do, were he personally present at the doing thereof; and she hereby revokes all former powers if any inconsistent with the above, and authorizes her said Attorney to appoint Attorneys, one or more, under him, for any or all the purposes aforesaid, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever Deponent's said Attorney or those appointed under him shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises. In witness whereof the said Deponent has hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year first above written.

In the presence of

C Halsey [?]
Brad Paterson [?]

Diema Webster          [L.S.]
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Administration of 
Joseph Bradley
of Vermont act of
June 7, 1832
Declaration ____________





J D Woodman Atty,
Plattsburg, N. York
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State of Vermont County of Chittenden ss. On this thirteenth day of October A.D. 1855 before the Court of Probate in and for said County personally appeared David French of Burlington in said County aged sixty three years who being duly sworn says that he is Administrator of Joseph Bradley deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he is informed and believes as follows. He was born in Strafford Conn. (Parish of Ripton) and moved to Harrinton Conn. and in 1775 served six months as a private in Capt or Major Elmore's company Col. Hi[illegible]'s Regiment, Conn. troops. That said Joseph Bradley also served four months and four days from Sept 12 1772 to January 15 1780 as a private in the 5th Connecticut Regiment under Col. P.R. Bradley, which services deponent is informed and believes are of record.
That after said Joseph Bradley returned to Sunderland Vt, he served in the Vermont troops as a private one hundred and six days as also appears of record.
Deponent verily believes that said Joseph Bradley  served more than two years as a private during the revolutionary war. Declarant further states that said Joseph Bradley died in Williston Vermont on the eleventh day of October eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving no widow, but the following children him surviving viz Rollin Bradley [strike out "Brainderd Bradley, Cyrus Bradley"], Oran Bradley, Rhetsa Cramptom, and they are the only surviving children of said Joseph Bradley him surviving. Declarant is the administrator of said Joseph Bradley, duly appointed and claims any arrears of pension to which said Joseph Bradley or to whicih declarant as his administrator is entitled under  Act of July 7 1838 and other acts of Congress and he hereby authorizes J. D. Woodward of [illegible] NY to act as attorney for declarant and receive  a certificate for the arrears of Pension due in this case and I hereby revoke all former powers, if any, inconsistent with the above. Certify my hand seal and oath the day and year first above written.
[signed] D. French Administrator
In witness of Geo. A. French
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Sworn and subscribed to and acknowledged before said in open court in the day and year first above written and I certify that Declarant is a credible person and is personally known to me to be the person described in the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
[signed] W. H. French Judge of Probate
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Know all men by these Presents, that I Rhetse Cramton of Ransom in the County of Hillsdale and State of Michigan, a daughter of Joseph Bradley, late of Williston in the State of Vermont, deceased, and who was a soldier in the Revolution, and Gurdon Cramton of said Ransom, husband of the said Rhetse, do hereby constitute and appoint Rollin Bradley of Burlington Vermont our true and lawful attorney for us and in our names to procure from the Government of the United State, the arrears or the amount of Pension due to the said Joseph Bradley, deceased, at the time of his death, on account of his revolutionary services, herby giving to our said attorney and such substitute or substitutes as he may appoint as full and ample power inthe premises as I could myself use and exercise were I personally present, hereby satisfying and confirming all that my said attorney may lawfully do in the premises And we hereby revoke any power of attorney which we or either of us may have heretofore given to any person whosoever for the above mentioned purpose.
Witness our hands and seals this 12th day of April 1856.
[signed] Rhetse Cramton
Gunden Cramton
In presence of
Joseph G. Howe
Roxy A. Howe
State of Michigan
County of Hillsdale Ransom April 12th 1856
Personally appeared Rhetse Cramton and Gurdon Cramton the signers and sealers of the forgoing Power of Attorney and acknowledged this same to be their free voluntary act and deed before me and I certify that I am not interested in said claim for arrears of Pension or concerned in the prosecution thereof.
Joseph G. Howe, Notary Public for Hillsdale County
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State of Michigan
Hillsdale County ss.
I J.B. Wheaton clerk of the District Court in and for the county aforesaid hereby certify that Joseph G. Howe whose genuine signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgment was, at the time of signing the same a Notary Public in and for said County duly authorized by law to take such acknowledgments, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such.
Witness my hand, and the seal of said Court of Hillsdale this Fifteenth day of April 1856.
[signed] J.B. Wheaton, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsdale Co. Michigan
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Know all men by these presents that I, Oral Bradley, of Norfolk, in the County of St. Lawrence and State of New York, a son of Joseph Bradley late of Williston in the State of Vermont, deceased, and who was a soldier of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint Rollin Bradley, of Burlington, Vermont, my true and lawful attorney with power of substitution, for me and in my name, to procure from the government of the United States the arrears, or amount of pension due to the said Joseph Bradley, deceased at the time of his death on account of his revolutionary services, hereby giving to my said attorney, and such substitute or  substitutes as he may appoint as full and ample power in the premises as I could myself use an exercise were I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney may lawfully do in the pr[illegible]. Witness my hand and seal this 29th day of December 1855.
[signed] Oral Bradley
In presence of Fordyce G. Bradley 
Sam'l P. Comstock
State of New York
St. Lawrence County 
Norfolk NY Dec 29 1855
Then Oral Bradley, the signer and sealer of the above instrument, personally appeared and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed, before me, and I certify that I am not interested in said claim for arrears of pension, nor am I concerned in the prosecution thereof.
C.C. Elms Justice Peace
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State of New York
St. Lawrence County ss.
I Benjamin G. Baldwin, Clerk of the County of St. Lawrence in the State of New York, do certify that Calvin C. Elms before whom the within power of attorney was acknowledged, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county, duly authorized by law to take such acknowledgement, that the signature thereto, purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine, (being acquainted with his hand writing) and that full faith and credit is and ought to be, given to such attestation.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal f said court this 4th day of January A.D. 1856
[signed] B. G. Baldwin Clerk
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4
Vermont
Joseph Bradley, dec [deceased]
Probate Certificate
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State of Vermont
District of Chittenden ss.
I Bradford Rixford, Register of the Probate Court in and for the District of Chittenden aforesaid, do certify that it had been satisfactorily proved to said Court that Joseph Bradley, late of Williston in said district, died in said Williston on the eleventh day of October A.D. 1847 (eighteen hundred and forty seven) leaving no widow, and the following named persons are his children, and only surviving children, and are all of full age viz,
Rolling Bradley, Brainerd Bradley, Cyrus Bradley, Oran Bradley and Rhetsa Crampton.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said court and subscribe my name at Burlington, in said district, the 19th day of August A.D. 1850.
[signed] Bradford Rixford Register
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Certificate the David French is Administrator of Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased]
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As a Court of Probate and in Burlington in and for the District of Chittenden and State of Vermont on the thirteenth day of November A.D. 1855.
[illegible] the Hon. Wm H. French Judge of Probate
It was proven to the satisfaction of said Court in open Court that Joseph Bradley a soldier of the revolution died in Williston in said county on the eleventh day of October eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving no but the following children him surviving [illegible] viz 1 Rollin Bradley 2d Oran Bradley 3 Ruta [Rhetsa] Bradley Crampton and the are his only children and are now living and of full age.
And that David French of Burlington in said County is Administrator of the said Joseph Bradley, deceased duly appointed and qualified and that a bond in a proper form duly executed by him and Horace Dudley as responsible surety in the sum of five thousand dollar for the faithful discharge of the duties of said David French as Administrator of the said Joseph Bradley is on file in the office of the register of the Court.
In evidence of all the facts above stated soas satisfaction to said Court witness my hand and official seal the day and year first above written.
[signed] W.H.  French Judge of Probate
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O. W. and N. Division  3-525
[illegible initials]
S. 12,347
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. [blank], 190[blank]
In reply to your request of [blank] , received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Joseph Bradley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [strike out "(or his widow's)"][interlineated "heirs"] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[Column Titles]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers under whom service was rendered - [subtitles] Captain | Colonel | State
Spring 1777 | [blank] | Pvt | [Capt] Birdseye | [blank] | Conn.
Sept 12 1779 | 4 mo 4 day | [blank] | [blank] | [Col] P. B. Bradley | 5th Conn Regt
Enlisted at Sunderland Vt. winter or spring 1781 and served whenever called upon to end of war | [Capt] Daniel Comstock, Eli Brownson, George Sexton | [Col] Fra Allen, Ebenezer Tratbridge | Vt
The above soldier is the only one of [illegible] found in the Rev War pension rolls
Battles engaged in, burning of Danbury
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ripton Parish, Stratford, Conn
Date of application [interlineated] by heirs for pension, May 27 1848 Children
Residence at date of application [blank]
Age at date of application, Soldier born in Ripton Parish, Conn. Was about 16 years of 
Remark.s: age at enlistment. Twice married - first wife Diadama Taylor of  Sunderland, Vt - name of second not stated. He died at Williston, Vt. Oct 11, 1847 having no widow. Children - Rollin aged 53 yrs in 1856; Brainard d. in Franklin Feb 28 1855; Cyrus d. St A[illegible], Conn. Feb 15, 1854; Oral residence Norfolk, NY 1855; Rhetse about 58 yrs wife of Gordon Cramton of [illegible] Mich in 1856. A grandchild Diana Webster aged 41 yrs lived in Plattsbury NY in 1854.Very respectfully,
[blank] Commissioner.
31793b5m1C-07
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Bradley, Joseph
S 1234-7
3
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State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier January 30th 1850
I hereby certify that there is a file in this office "A Pay Roll of Capt Eli B[illegible]'s Company in Col Ira Allen's Regiment of Militia, 16th December 1781, in an alarm to the Westward," in which Roll is the name of "Joseph Bradley", with an allowance for four days service as a private.
Also "A Pay Roll of Capt Eli Brownson's Company in Col Ira Allen's Regiment of Militia for service done in re taking of Lt. Wm Blanchard, taking of Lorias  &c. &c. May, 1782"; in which Roll is the name of "Joseph Bradley," with an allowance for one day's service as a private.
Also, "A Pay Roll of Capt George Sexto[portion of page missing] Company of Volunteers belonging to Col. Eben'r Walbridge's Regiment, raised for the defence of the Frontiers of the State of Vermont. Manchester Dec 20 1781;" on which Roll is the name of Joseph Bradley," wih an allowance
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for 101 days service as a private, commencing August 12th and ending November 20th
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of this Office this 30th day of Janary A.D. 1850
[signed] Ferrand F. Merritt
Secretary of State
[Circular seal] Secretary of State Vermont
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss.
I Hephzibah Bushnell of Williston in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged eighty three years on the third day of June 1849 testify and say that I was born in New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, where I resided in my father's family (whose name was James Bradley, until after the breaking out of the revolutionary war, and my brothers, Joseph Bradley and Elisha Bradley also resided at home while we lived in New Haven. Elisha and Joseph were both older than myself. In the spring or summer of 1776 my father removed with his family into the town of Stratford in the parish of Ripton, Connecticut. My said brothers Elisha and Joseph, removed with the family to Ripton, During the same summer (1776) the said Elisha and Joseph both enlisted into the United States army and entered the service but they did not serve together. 
Said Joseph was absent from home and in the service in the army, as was understood at the time by the family from the time of his enlistment until the year seventeen hundred and eighty, with the exception of his being at home twice during that period, once he cam home to attend the wedding of my sister Rhoda who was older than myself, and whose marriage took place on the third day of June in the year 1779. The
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remained at home a few days and returned again to the army. He returned home again in the fall of the the same year to spend Thanksgiving. It was said at the time, that thanksgiving was appointed at a later period than usual, to enable the soldiers to come home and spend thanksgiving with their families. He made a short stay at home at thanksgiving and went back to the army again. He then resided in the town of Harrington, Ct. , my father with his family, having removed from Ripton to Harrington after my said brothers' enlistment, and before the marriage of my sister Rhoda.
We removed from Harrington Ct to Sunderland in the winter of 1780 and at that tie my brother Joseph was absent, and as we then understood was in the service at the south. In the spring of 1781, my brother Joseph came to Sunderland, where he continued to reside through the war. When he came home he stated that he had just been discharged from the army. He wore his regimentals at that time. I do not remember the names of his officers, though I have frequently heard him relate his services and the names of his Captain and Colonel. I understood from him that at one time he was waiter to General Washington.
After he came to Sunderland, he served in the Vermont troops, but I am unable to state the period of his service in the Vermont troops.
My brother, Elisha enlisted some few weeks earlier than Joseph did, and Elisha had joined the army
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before Joseph enlisted. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, my brother Joseph removed to Williston, Vermont, where he continued to reside until he died in October 1847. He married a wife in Sunderland who died in Williston several years ago, and he afterwards married again, and his second wife died several years before he died.
From the lapse of time that has intervened since the revolution, I am unable to state my brother Joseph's services more particularly then I have stated them above. I am confident that he served more than two years, and my belief is that he served from the [strike out "spring"] [interlineated] summer of 1776 until March 1781, with the exception of being home in June 1779 and the fall afterwards as stated above, and that he subsequently served in the Vermont troops. He declined applying for a pension during his lifetime, on account of his religious scruples. During the last four years of his life, he thought that all wars were wrong, and that it was wrong to take pay for serving in a war, although he said he had served more than long enough to entitle him to a full pension. "Spring" erased and "summer" interlined before signing.
[signed] Hephzibah Bushnell by his mark
Witness
Martha Bradley
Affirmed to before me this 28th day of January A.D. 1800, and I certify that the affiant is a woman of intelligence and truth.
[signed] Wm Weston Justice Peace
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2
Vermont
Joseph Bradley, dec'd
affidavit proving service
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss
I Elisha Bradley of Williston in said County of Chittenden do affirm and say that I was ninety one years old in October last, that at the commencement of the revolutionary war my father with this family resided in New Haven in the State of Connecticut. My father's name was James Bradley. Soon after the breaking out of the  war my father removed into the town of Stratford, Connecticut, into the Parish of Ripton. He afterwards removed into the town of Harrington in the County of Litchfield Connecticut. My brother Joseph Bradley lived with my father until he enlisted into the service of the United States as a soldier. I enlisted into the service in 1776 and was attached to the n[illegible]ern army. I went home to my father in the year 1779, and learned that my brother was in the United States service as a soldier ser[illegible] in the southern army. At that time I [illegible] a yoke of cattle which my father said bel[illegible]d to my brother Joseph, and that Joseph recei[illegible] for enlisting. I took that cattle and disposed of them for land in Sunderland
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Vermont, to which place I removed in the year 1780. After my brother Joseph left the southern army he came to Sunderland and resided there until after the Revolutionary war where I also resided. I know that my brother the said Joseph served more or less in the Vermont troops while we lived in Sunderland. We both stood as minute men, and were frequently called out to serve and did serve as soldiers during the war after we removed to Sunderland.
Form the fact that I belonged to the northern army and my brother Joseph to the southern army prior to our removal to Vermont, I am unable to state the particulars of his service and the name of his officers.
My brother Joseph removed into the town of Williston soon after the revolutionary war where he continued to reside until he died. His death occured in October 1847 but I cannot remember the day of the month. I attended his funeral.
[signed] Elisha Bradley
Affirmed to before me this sixth day of June 1848 and I certify that I have lived a neighbor to and have been acquainted with the said Elisha Bradley from my earliest
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recollection and that he is a man of strong mind and memory and of undoubted truth and veracity.
[signed] Geo N. Wakefield Justice Peace
I certify that George N. Wakefield, before whom the above affidavit was taken and sworn to was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Chittenden in the State of Vermont, and that his signature above is genuine.
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Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased]
October 11 1847
Rollin Bradley 1
Oral Bradley 2
Rhetse Crampton 3
David French Adm
Rollin Bradley
Burlington Vt [Vermont]
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Burlington Vt [Vermont] April 25th 1856
Sir
I forward herewith powers of Attorney from my brother Oral Bradley and from my sister Rhetse Cramton and her husband Gurden Cramton (revoking all other powers [illegible] heretofore given) authorizing me to act for them in procuring their share of the pension due my deceased father Joseph Bradley [strike out "deceased'] under the act of June 7 1852
I also forward herewith the Certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut showing military service performed by said said Joseph Bradley during the revolution. Also a brief statement of the testimony filed in the pension office relating to his revolutionary service with such remarks relating thereto as the claimants deemed proper with reference to a full understanding of their claim.
I also enclose the affidavit of John Woodruff showing that my brothers Cyrus Bradley and Brainerd Bradley have died since the application was first made.
Please enclose to me the Pension Certificate when issued.
I am very respectfully your obedient servant
Rollin Bradley
Hon. J. Minot
Com's [Commissioner] of Pensions
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Vermont 4 + 5
Joseph Bradley dec'd
affidavits proving death [illegible]
Page 34

We, Alvah Bushnell and Gates Taylor both of Williston in the County of Chittenden an State of Vermont, of lawful age, testify and say that we were well acquainted with Joseph Bradley, late of said Williston, deceased, and with his family; The said Joseph was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died in said Williston, on the eleventh day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving no widow, his wife having died some years previously, but leaving five children, who are all of full age, viz Rollin Bradley, Brainerd Bradley, Cyrus Bradley, Oran Bradley and Rhetsa Crampton, who are the only surviving children of the said Joseph Bradley deceased. We each of us attended the funeral of the said Joseph Bradley, deceased, and we are confident that we are correct as to the time of his death as we have tested our recollection by examining a record made in the town clerk's office of the day of his death, which shows that he died on the day above stated, viz October 11th 1847 and further the affiants say not.
[signed] Alvah Bushnell
[signed] Gates Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed this fifth day of July A.D. 1850 before me, and I certify that the affiants are intelligent and credible witnesses
David French Justice of the Peace
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We Truman Chittenden, Harry Miller, Alexander Lee, John L. Corning, Timothy M. Bradley, J. Brown, Nathan Johnson all of Williston in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont testify and say that we were well acquainted with Joseph Bradley late of said Williston deceased for about fifty years, before his death. He was a man of peculiar views and on account of religious scruples declined making application for a pension in his lifetime. He always stated, after the passage of the pension laws that he was intitled to a full pension. He was reputed to have served as a soldier in the revolutionary war from our earliest acquaintance with him, and we have no doubt that he was a soldier and served in the revolution for a considerable time,
[signed] Truman Chillenden
Alexander Lee
John Brown
John L. Corning
Timothy M. Bradley
H. Miller
Nathan Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of Jany [January] 1850 before me and I certify that the affiants are men of truth and intelligence.
A.J. Fuller Justice Peace
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We David French, Chauncey Brown, John Brownell, William Brown, Otis Whitney, and Rockwell Morton all of Williston in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, testify and say that we were well acquainted with Joseph Bradley late of said Williston, deceased, for more than thirty years before his death. He was a man of peculiar views and on account of religious scruples declined making application for a pension in his lifetime. He always stated after the passage of the pension law that he was entitled to a full pension. He was reputed to have served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, from our earlies acquaintance with him, and we have no doubt that he was a soldier and served in the revolution for a considerable time.
[signed]
Wm Brown 
D. French
Chauncey Brownell
John Brown Jr
Otis Whitney
Rockwell Morton
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of Jany [January] 1850 before me and I certify that said affiants are men of truth and intelligence.
A.J. Fuller Justice Peace
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I certify that David French and Albert J. Fuller before whom the foregoing affidavit were taken and sworn to, were at the respective dates of taking the same, Justices of the Peace in the County of Chittenden in the State of Vermont and that the signatures above purporting to theirs, are genuine.
J. Meacham [illegible]

Vermont 4 + 5
Joseph Bradley dec'd
affidavits proving death
Page 38

Vermont 3
Joseph Bradley dec'd 
Affidavit proving service in Vt [Vermont] Troops
Page 39

State of Vermont
Franklin County ss
I Elisha Bartlett of Georgia, in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont, aged ninety five years in December last, testify and say that all the commencement of the Revolutionary War, I resided in Ashfield in the State of Massachusetts, and entered the service in the Massachusetts troops and served thirteen months in that line. In the summer of 1779 I removed into the town of Sunderland, Vermont, and boarded in the family of Capt. [Captain] David Comstock, who was then Captain of the Militia or Minute Men of said town of Sunderland and of whom I purchased a farm.  Soon afterwards or as early as eighty one Joseph Bradley, who afterwards lived and died in Williston, Vermont, came to Sunderland to reside and he as well as myself were both volunteers in said Comstock's Company which belonged to Col. [Colonel] Ira Allen's regiment. I think that he volunteered as early as the winter of 1781, or in the spring of that year and continued to serve whenever called out until the close of the war. Capt. Comstock resigned his office in 1780 or 1781 and Eli Brownson was elected Captain to fill the vacancy and Ensign Hoyt was elected Lieutenant in place of Eli Brownson promoted. Our head quarters were on Castleton in the County of Rutland. The town of Manchester adjoins the town of Sunderland, and men stationed at the different forts were enlisted from various towns. The minute men were frequently called out during the war and I remember to have been out repeatedly on scouts with said Bradley. He married Diadama Taylor of said Sunderland. It is impossible for me to state definitely the services performed by said Bradley or myself during the revolutionary war, from lapse of time. There were two Joseph Bradleys in Sunderland
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during the revolutionary war, one a very old man who from age and infirmity was unable to render any military service. The Joseph Bradley who removed to Williston and died there, was the one who rendered the military service. He was not related to the older Joseph Bradley there except distantly. I volunteered in Capt. Comstock's company in the summer or fall of 1779, Joseph Bradley volunteered at a later period. He did not move into Sunderland until after I did.
I have lived in Georgia for fifty three years past and previously I living in Charlotte, Vermont, to which latter place I removed from Sunderland.
Joseph Bradley and his brother Elisha, have in their lifetime, visited me at my present residence in Georgia. They removed from Sunderland to Williston before I removed from Sunderland to Charlotte Vermont. From my knowledge of said Joseph Bradley's services in the Vermont troops I feel confident that he must have served six months or more. I have no knowledge of the serves performed by him before he came to Sunderland.
The word "or minute men" on the first page, and "Charlotte" on the second, interlineated before signing.
[signed] Elisha Bartlett
Witness Wm Weston
Truman Williams
Sworn to and subscribed before me this second day of July 1850, and I certify that I have been acquainted with the affiant for twenty years past and that he is a man of intelligence and credibility and of strong memory of early events. I further certify that at his request his hand was steadied to enable him to write his name above.
Truman Williams Justice of the Peace
Page 41

I certify that Truman Williams, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and sworn to, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin in the State of Vermont, and his signature thereto is genuine.
J. Meachum M.D.
Page 42

I John Woodruff of Johnson in the County of Lamoille and State of Vermont, aged fifty years, being duly sworn, depose and say that I was intimately acquainted with Cyrus Bradley and Brainerd Bradley, deceased, late of Franklin in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont, brothers and children of Joseph Bradley, deceased, late of Williston in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont.
I further say that the said Joseph Bradley was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that since his death, an application was made to the pension office at Washington D.C., but the then surviving children of the said Joseph Bradley, to obtain the arrears of Pension claimed to be due to him at the time of his death.
I further say that since the date of said application for pension the said Cyrus Bradley and the said Brainerd Bradley have both died.
The said Cyrus Bradley died at St. Armands in the Province of Canada East on the 15th day of February 1854 and I attended his funeral.
I further say that the said Brainerd Bradley died at said Franklin on the 28th day of February 1855 and that I attended his funeral.
I further say that there now survives but three of the children of the said Joseph Bradley vis Rollin Bradley, Oral Bradley and Rhetse Crampton and that I know that these are only surviving children of the said Joseph Bradley.
I further say that I have no interest in the said claim for Pension nor am I concerned in the prosecution thereof.
[signed] John Woodruff
Page 43

State of Vermont
Lamoille County ss
The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to by John Woodruff on the third day of February 1856, before me and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person, and that I have no interest in the said claim for Pension
[signed] Geo W. Hill Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Office of the Secretary of State
Montpellier February 9th 1856
I certify that Geo W. Hill Esq. whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand-writing to the foregoing Certificate, is and was the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Lamoille duly elected and qualified, with full power and authority under and by virtue the laws of said State to administer Oaths and take Depositions, and Acknowledgments of Deeds, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are, and ought to be given.
Given under my hand and the Seal of this office, this ninth day of February A.D. 1856
[signed] Charles W. Willard Secretary of State
Page 44

Statement of the claim and testimony for arrears [strike out "balance"] of pension due to Joseph Bradley late of Williston, Vermont, deceased, under the act of June 7th 1832.
Claim
The services prior to March 1781 while said Bradley lived in Connecticut, of two years or more and subsequent service in the Vermont troops after said Bradley removed to Sunderland Vermont of six months. Joseph Bradley died October 11, 1847.
Proofs
Certificate of Secretary of State of Vermont showing 4 days in December 1781, in Capt. Eli Brownson's Company, as private in an alarm to the [illegible]dward - also
101 days service in Capt [Captain] George Saxton's Company raised for the defense of the Frontiers at Manchester Dec 20 1781. Manchester adjoins Sunderland Vt [Vermont] the latter town being then the residence of said Bradley. See map of Vermont)
1 day in May 1782 retaking Lte Wm Blanchard taking of Tories [illegible]
Certificate of Comptroller of Connecticut , showing a service in 1775 in Col. [Colonel] Benj. Herman's Reg. [Regiment] Maj. [Major] Elmer's Company discharged Nov [November] 20 duraction of service not stated. also
Service in Capt. Eben. Hills Co. Col Saml Whiting's Regt, Militia. Marched Oct 5. No time of service stated also
In the 8 Mos men in 5th Conn. [Connecticut] Regt commanded by Col. P.B. Bradley ent'd service Sept. [September]12 and left service Jany [January]15, 1780. Served 4 mos and 4 days, and entered upon the Roll as belonging
Page 45

to the town of Hamington (spelt Harrington on the roll). Comptroller's certificate dated June 24, 1851. Note the affidavit of Hepzibah Bushnell dated 18th June 1849, shows that his brother the said Joseph Bradley returned to Hamington where his father and family resided, while the said Joseph was in the service.
Affidavits
Hepzibah Bushnell's showing that the said Joseph was absent from home, in the Revolutionary service during the greater part of the time.
Elisha Bradley, brother of Joseph testifies that he and Joseph both entered the service that Joseph served in the southern army and Elisha in the northern army that they did not serve together, consequently Elisha could not state the particulars of Joseph's service.
(Note, Elisha Bradley received a pension and with the application sent to the Pension Office a Diary kept by him while in the service with a list of names of the Company to which he belonged.
J.S. Edwards Esq. Coms [Commissioner] in his note to Hon. J. Meacham, M.C. dated Augt [August] 31, 1850 in rejecting this claim says "We cannot find the name of Joseph Bradley on the Diary of Elisha Bradley with those with whom he alleged he served"
Now the claimants never pretended that Joseph Bradley's name was upon that Diary but, the contrary, the two brothers never served
Page 46

together, and so Elisha Bradley and Hepzibah Bushnell their sister, both state in these affidavits therefore the claimants infer that Elisha Bradley's affidavit was wholly misunderstood, as well as the grounds of the claim by Mr. Edwards.)
Truman A. Chittenden, Thomas A Webb, Lyman Craige and George B. Mauter all testify that they saw Bradley's discharge and other papers relating to his service in the Revolutionary war and also state conversations they had with Joseph Bradley, in his lifetime, relating to his revolutionary services from which with the testimony of Hepzibah Bushnell, it would seem conclusion that he served more than two years.
Truman Chittenden, Alexander Lee, John Brown, John S. Corning, Timothy M. Bradley, Harry Allelln and Nathan Johnson, in their affidavit show that Jos. Bradley, always stated after the passage of the pension laws that he was entitled to a full pension, but on account of religious scruples, declined making application for it #  The other affidavits, state substantially the same fact in addition to the statements concerning his revolutionary papers, which the witnesses saw.
[from the margin] #the testimony of Wm p[illegible] David French, Chauncey Brownell, John Brown Jr., [illegible] Whiting and Rockwell Martin is to the same effect.
Alvah Bushnell and Gates Taylor, testify as to the time of Joseph Bradley's death that he left no widow &c.
Philinda Griffin, state a conversation between
Page 47

herself and Joseph Bradley in his lifetime, showing the destruction of the papers which he had relative to his military services in the Revolution.
From the facts shown by the affidavits and certificate above enumerated, all of which, with the exception of the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut, are on file in the Pension Office. The claimants believe that satisfactory evidence has been produced to establish full two years service and more as the said Joseph Bradley during te Revolution. The certificate of service in Vermont shows 101 days
The certificate from Connecticut shows 4 mos and 4 days besides the other towns in which the duration of the service is not stated.
The claimants ask that a certificate of pension may issue to them for such amount as the Com's [Commissioner] shall deem that they are entitled to receive and that the same shall be made payable to the surviving children and not to the administrator of the deceased.
Col Johnson was an aid of Gen'l Washington from 1777. See back of "Rev. Claims" pages 224 and 225. Jos Bradley's discharge was signed by Col. Johnson as the witnesses testify.
[Signed] Rollin Bradley for self and atty for the other surviving children
Hon. J. Minot
Coms [Commissioner of Pensions]
Page 48

Record Proof of Joseph Bradley 13 mo 20 ds
Page 49

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Feb. [February] 8th 1855
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Joseph Bradley in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office and find the name of Joseph Bradley on a list of men discharged by Genl [General] Schuyler, from Col. [Colonel] Benjamin Hinmans Regiment of Connecticut Troops which Regiment was raised by Order of the General Assembly of Connecticut in May 1773, to serve for seven months. It appears from the Roll that Joseph Bradley was discharged Nov 20th 1775 and he is supposed to have served for six months. I also find the name of Joseph Bradley of Harwinton on a "Return of 8 months men in the 5th Connecticut Regiment commanded by P.B. Bradley Colonel" where he is credited with service from "Sept. [September] 12th 1779 to Jany [January] 13th 1780 4 months 4 days."
The service in 1775 was in a company commanded by Maj. [Major] Elenour.
John Dunham, Comptroller
by Geo. Robinson Clerk
[Notes made in margin 
6.
4.4
3.16 Vermont
13.20 days
Page 50

Rev War
12344
INVALID
File No. 12,347
Joseph Bradley Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index [blank] Vol. A Page 48
[Arrangement of 1870]
June 1 98
Mrs. J.L. Reynolds
Auburn, N
1911 Mar 30  
Hist 15 Miss Jennie Vickery
Page 51

No 38032
Joseph Bradley Ded [deceased]
Vt [Vermont]
Let [letter] Hon. J. Meacham Aug 31/50
Let [letter] E.W. Jones Jany [January] 10/51
Let [letter] Same Feb [February] 20/52
Rollin Bradley Nov [November] 5 1853
same [illegible] J.D. Woodward [illegible 21 1853
Act 7 June 1832
Page 52

Admt of Joseph Bradley of Vermont
Act June 7 1832
J.D. Woodward Atty [Attorney]
Page 53

Admt of Joseph Bradley of Vermont
Act June 7 1832
Page 54

Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased]
Vermont
Admd June 7 1832
7 mos and 20 days for $25.53 a year from 4 Mch [March] 1831 to 11 Oct 1847 when he died
Pay to Rollin Bradley 1, Oran Bradley 2 and Rhetse Crampton 3 or any others 4
Cert [Certificate] to Rollin Bradley Esq.
Burlington Vert [Vermont]
Page 55

Brief in the case of Joseph Bradley decd [deceased] County and State of Vermont act June 7 1832
Claim ("original," [strike out "or 'for increase')"]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls. If either, state the substance.
Record evidence of service with which he is identified by witnesses who know of his services of his reputation of services.
He died 11 October 1847 leaving no widow.
[strike out "(if for increase.)]
[strike out "Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what?"]
Proof of the date of his death and who are hi surviving children [illegible] agreeably to the Regulations
Name and residence of agent
Rollin Bradley Esq.
Burlington Vt [Vermont]
[signed] Thomson Triplett
Examining Clerk
Page 56

38032
Joseph Bradley decd [deceased] Vert [Vermont]
Hon. J. Meacham Aug [August] 31/50
Hon. G.W. Jones Jany [January] 10/51
Same Feby [February] 20 1852
Rollin Bradley Nov [November] 5 1855
Same & J.D. Woodward Nov [November] 21 1855
Rollin Bradley May 29 1836
June 7 1832
Page 57

David French Administrator
Joseph Bradley Died 11 October 1847
Rollin Bradley 1 Oran Bradley 2 Rhetsa Crampton 3
Page 58

Joseph Bradley service in CT
Page 59

fee $2.00 pd
State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford June 21st 1851
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Joseph Bradley in the war of the Revolution I have examined the Books and Documents remaining in this office relating to that war and find the name of Joseph Bradley in a list of soldiers discharged in 1775 in Col. [Colonel] Benjamin Hinman's Regiment, and Maj. [Major] Elmom's Company and opposite said name is entered when discharged Nov. [November 20 1  I find no  pay roll of his service in this office.
I find the name of Joseph Bradley also in a Roll under the following heading "A Pay Abstract of Capt. [Captain] Ebmera Hills, Co. in 'Col. [Colonel] Sam'l [Samuel] Whiting's Regt [Regiment] Militia in the State of Connecticut "for a short Campaign at the Fishkills in October 1777, commanded by Lt. Col. [Lieutenant Colonel] John Dimon" and opposite his name is entered "1 time of Marching Oct 5th 1"
I find the same name also in a Roll under heading as follows, "Return of the 8 months men in the 5th Connecticut Regt commanded by P.B. Bradley Colonel, in the year 1779" in which said Bradley is entered in having commenced service Sept. 12th and left service Jany [January]15th 1780, and as having served 4 months and 4 days and also as belonging to the town of Harwinton.#
R. G. Pinney Comptroller by Geo. Robinson, Clerk
#Harrington on the original Roll
Page 60

State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I, Thomas M. Webb, of Williston in said County of Chittenden aged fifty six years, testify and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Bradley, late of said Williston, deceased, in his lifetime, and knew him well for more than twenty years previous to his death. About twelve years ago I was, with others, present in the office of Geo. B. Manser Esq, at said Williston, and said Joseph Bradley was also present and had with him a Sergeants warrant, issued to him, a discharge from the service, and a paper containing some memoranda made by him while in the United States service during the revolutionary war. 
I read the discharge which was a discharge of the said Joseph Bradley from the United States Army and was dated in February or March 1781. The Sergeant's warrant to said Bradley was of prior date to the discharge but I do not remember the precise date. It was dated some two or three years prior to the date of the discharge. Gov. Martin Chittenden, since deceased, was also present and read the papers. The discharge was signed by a Col. [Colonel] Johnson. After the papers were read Gov. Chittenden remarked to Mr. Bradley as follows "Uncle Jo, if you will let me take these papers, and will
Page 61

make your declaration, I will get your a pension" Mr. Bradley replied "No, it is the price of blood". Mr. Bradley thought all wars and fightings were wrong, and contrary to the precepts of the gospel. The papers exhibited by Mr. Bradley on that occasion showed that he was in the service of the U.States about four years, and all Bradley stated at the time that he served four years and a part of the time belonged to "Washington's family" meaning that he was one of "Washington's guards". 
Said Bradley was always reputed among his neighbors to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
[signed] Thomas M. Webb
Sworn to and subscribed this 21st day of February A.D. 1850, before me, and I certify that the affiant is a man of intelligence and credibility.
Wm Weston, Justice Peace
Page 62

State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I, Philinda Griffen, of Williston in said County of Chittenden, aged 59 years, [strike out " depos"] affirm and say that I was intimately acquainted with Joseph Bradley, late of said Williston, deceased, for more than twenty years previous to his death, and frequently heard him converse about his services as a soldier in the revolutionary war. He stated that he enlisted when he was about sixteen years old and served most of the time during the war that he left the service after he become twenty one years of age. He stated that he was discharged from the army at Morristown, New Jersey, and state the hardships he underwent in getting home a he was scantily clothed and had no means of furnishing himself with clothing sufficient to guard against inclemency of the weather. I frequently talked with him about his getting a pension, after the passage of the pension law under Gen'l [General] Jackson's administration. He said he knew he was intitled to a full pension but he would not apply for it for he said "he was in the devil's service then, and served him faithfully, but he had a better master now who would take care of him" The conversation above related was at my house
Page 63

about seven years ago. I told him that if he did not get his pension in his lifetime, his children could get it after he was gone. He replied that he had guarded against that by burning up all the papers that related to his revolutionary services. He was even reputed among his neighbors as having been a revolutionary soldier and as having served the greater par of the war. Said Joseph Bradley died in October 1847. I attended his funeral. He was a conciencious and truthful man, and his statements relating to his revolutionary service, as well as other matters, were never doubted by those who knew him. He had peculiar views relating to war, and compensation for war services.
[signed {Philinda Griffin]
Affirmed to in due form of law this 21st day of Feby [February] 1850, before me and subscribed in my presence and I certify that the affiant is a woman of intelligence and truth.
[signed] Wm Weston Justice Peace
Page 64

[strike out "I certify that the five affidavits hereton annexed"]
I certify that W. Weston, before whom the five affidavits hereunto annexed were taken and sworn to, was at their respective dates, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Chittenden, in the State of Vermont and his several signatures to the certificate thereto are in his own hand writing.
[signed] J. Meacham [illegible]
Page 65

I Lyman Craige, of Charlotte, in the County of Chittenden, and State of Vermont, aged thirty four years, testify and say that I lived a near neighbor to Mr. Joseph Bradley, late of Williston, deceased, for twelve years and during that time, I was very often at his house. He had quite a library of books and was kind enough to lend me books as I wanted them. I have frequently heard him relate incidents of his services in the revolutionary war. He stated that he was at the battle of Monmouth and that he stood near General Washington at the time of an altercation between him and General Lee. He also stated that he served as one of Washington's guards and at one time, while standing sentry at Gen'l Washington's marque, while it rained, the General told him to come in out of the rain. I understood him to say that he served every year during the war. I have seen revolutionary papers of the said Bradley which he had in his possession in his lifetime and among them his discharge from the continental army.
I paid particular attention to the discharge as it excited my [strike out "attention"] curiosity. It was dated in New Jersey. I think at Morristown and I am confident it was signed by a Col. Johnson. I do not remember the month or year of the date of the discharge. Said Bradley also stated that he was at the
Page 66

battle of Guilford and related the particular of the battle and of its termination.
I remember in relation to the discharge, that it was printed in old fashioned type, was sealed and a blue ribbon passed under the seal.
[signed] Lyman Craig
Sworn  to and subscribed before me this 18th day of April A.D. 1850, and I certify that I am acquainted with the affiant and that he is a man of truth.
[signed] Wm Weston, Justice Peace
Page 67

make application for a pension, When W. Bradley left my father's house he went to the office of Geo. B. Manser Esq. a short distance from my father's residence.
Said Bradley was always reputed to have served in the army during the greater part of the Revolutionary War.
[Signed] Truman A. Chittenden
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of February A.D. 1850 and I certify that the affiant is a man of intelligence and credibility.
[signed] Wm Weston Justice Peace
Page 68

This is the letter referred to in the letter of Nov 5 1855 to Rollin Bradford
Page 69

Burlington Vt  [Vermont] Oct [October] 25 1855
Sir
In 1852 I made a declaration as one of the surviving children of Joseph Bradley late of Williston Vt [Vermont] deceased to obtain the pension due to said Joseph Bradley under the act of June 7th 1832 which with proof, I forwarded to the Commissioner of Pension through Wm Weston of Burlington Vt since then I have obtain further testimony, which I have not yet forwarded, but in time doing so
I learn that David French who is administrator of my father estate his made a contract with J.D. Woodward City of Plattsburgh NY to obtain the arrears of pension due and has given him a power of attorney to all in the matter. Now as the pension goes to the surviving children I think the administrator has no right to all for them against their wishes, and I have never consented that the Admr [administrator] should employ Mr. Woodward in the case and Mr French has employed him without the advise or consent of any of the surviving children (Brainard Bradley and Cyrus Bradley have died since the papers were filed in the pension office.) and my brother Oral Bradley and Rhitse Cramton and myself are the only surviving children of the deceased, my brother and sister reside at a distance from here but I will soon procure a power of attorney from them authorizing me to
Page 70

act for them and forward it to you. I ask that the action of Mr. French and his attorney may not be regarded by you as authorized by the surviving children of my father and that when a certificate is given if the claim shall be allowed I desire that it should not be made payable to the Administrator but to the surviving children and them only.
I am very respectfully your obt [obedient] servant
Rollin Bradley
J. Minot Esq.
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 71

Joseph Bradley
J.D. Woodward's letter Jany [January] 4, 1856
This may be with action for the pen [pension] as per within request
JM
Page 72

Washington D.C. Jany [January] 4, 1856
Sir
Will you have the goodness to delay action in the case of the administrator of Joseph Bradley deceased until I can correspond with some of his children or their former attorney on the subject
Respectfully yours
J.D. Woodward Atty [attorney] for Admr [Administrator]
Hon. [Honorable] Jas [James] Minot
Comr [Commissioner] of Pens. [Pensions]
Page 73

106 days
3 months & 16 days
4 " [months] & 4 " [days]
7 " [months] & 20 days = [equals] $25.53
Page 74

State of Vermont
Washington County
I George B. Manser of Montpelier in said County aged forty four years, testify and say that I became acquainted with Joseph Bradley late of Williston deceased, in the spring of the year 1829, and continued my acquaintance with him to the year 1837 when I removed from this town. I was in the practice of the law and kept the post office, and this Bradley was quite often in my office.
I was engaged some in procuring pensions and recollect of forwarding the necessary papers and procuring a pension for a neighbor of Mr. Bradley. I conversed with him the said Bradley upon the subject of procuring a pension and urged him to make the application but he declined owing to his peculiar views. I recollect that I once examined his papers but cannot now state particularly what they were and then told him that he was entitled to a pension. The papers  were such as to entitle him in my opinion to a pension and so advised him. 
Said Bradley was reputed to have served in the army during the Revolutionary war.
Geo. B. Manser
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of March A.D. 1850 and I certify that the affiant is a man of intelligence and credibility.
Homer W. Heaton, Justice of the Peace
Page 75

I certify that Homer W. Heaton before whom the within affidavit was sworn to was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Washington in the State of Vermont and the signature within purporting to be his is genuine.
J. Meachum
Vermont
Joseph Bradley
dec'd [deceased]
Affidavit showing he had papers
Page 76

Burlington December 30 1847
Sir
I have been very well acquainted with Elisha Bradley of Williston for more than thirty years and in frequent conversations with him some years since understood he was a Revolutionary soldier but he declined making and application to be placed on the Pension Roll from conscientious scruples. I have also had conversation with the late Solomon Miller who was a neighbor of Mr. Bradley, and understood from him that Mr. Bradley was in the Revolutionary service. Mr. Bradley has ever been esteemed a just and upright man and from my acquaintance with him should judge him incapable of making a wrong statement.
Very respectfully your obt. svt. [obedient servant] Nathan B. Harvell
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comsr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington
Page 77

Johnson, Lamoille County, Vermont August 5 1857
Sir
I wish you would do the favor to inform me whether there has been granted a money pension to any of the heirs of Joseph Bradley a soldier [strike out "[illegible] a surgeon] in the Revolutionary war. He was a surgeon and [illegible] no pension in his life time.
If a pension has ever been granted it has been done within the last 3 or 4 years to some one or more of the heirs
If a pension has been granted, when and to whom? In doing which you will confer a favor.
Your most obet [obedient] servant
S.S. Pike
Hon. G.C. Whiting
Comn. [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 78

To the Commsn [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 79

Dec. [December] 17 1850
Hon. J. E. Heath
Comsr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Sir,
The chr [chair] of the com.[commission] on Pensions will thank you for a certified copy of the testimony in the case referred to in the enclosed memorial of the children of Joseph Bradley Your views touching the nature of the testimony [illegible] will also be acceptable to the chr.
Respectfully your obt. [obedient] sevt [servant]
Jno P. Sheldon
Clk. com. Pens [Clerk, Commission of Pensions
Page 80

To Commiss. [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 81

February 19, 1852
Hon. Jas. E. Heath
Commsr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the Memo of the children of Joseph Bradley, with accompanying papers, among which you will find your letter of Jan. [January] 10, 1851 and that of your predecessor of Aug. [August] 31, 1850. Will you be so good as to say whether any additional fact or proof in the case has made any change in the views already expressed.
Very respectfully your obt [obedient] servt [servant]
Geo. M. Jones
Chr. Com. Pens [Chair Commission of Pensions]
Page 82

Plattsburg N.Y. Nov. [November] 6 1855
Sir
I enclosed additional evidence in the case of Joseph Bradley Vermont deceased. Act June 7 1832. We have concluded to receive a certificate for 13 months and 20 days service and leave reminder for further evidence.
Respectfully yours
J.D. Woodward
Atty for admin. [Attorney for Administrator]
Hon. Jas. Minot
Comr of Pens [Commissioner of Pensions]
Page 83

Rhesta Crampton
Power as one of the Children of Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased] Vermont
Act June 7 1832
Suspended case
Judge Minot says let this case go into the files and be examined
J.D. Woodward Atty
Present
Page 84

State of Michigan County of Hillsdale ss.
On this sixteenth day of February 1856 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county personally appeared Rhesta Crampton a resident of the town of Rawson in said County age fifty eight years and made oath according to law that he is directly interested in a claim against the United States for certain arrears of pension, [strike out "pay half pay for life, extra pay"] Bounty Lands or allowances, supposed to be due to [strike out "him"] as one of the heirs of Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased] and she hereby appoints J. Douglas Woodward, Counsellor at Law, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., his Attorney to prosecute said claim and examine all papers and documents in relation thereto, on file in any of the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere, and to receive from the officer authorized to issue the same, a certificate for any arrears or increase of pension, pay, half pay for life, extra pay, Bounty Lands, and allowances to which Deponent may be entitled, from the United States, and to do all other acts and things in and about obtaining such claims which Deponent might or could do, were he personally present at the doing thereof; and he hereby revokes all former powers if any inconsistent with the above, and authorizes his said Attorney to appoint Attorneys, one or more, under him, for any or all purposes aforesaid, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever Deponent's said Attorney or those appointed under him shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises. In witness whereof the said Deponent has hereunto set her hand and seal of the day and year first above written.
In the presence of R Alan J.B. Wheat
[signed] Rheste Cramton
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged, before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and I believe the Deponent to be directly interested in the claim above mentioned and the identical person therein alleged and described, and I have no interest in the result of said claim and am not concerned in its prosecution.
R. Alan Justice Peace
Hilldale Co. Michigan
State of Michigan County of Hillsdale ss, I, the subscriber, Clerk of said County certify that Robert Alan before whom the above affidavit and Power was sworn ad acknowledged on the sixteenth day of February 1856 was at said time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified, and that I verily believe his signature above written to be genuine; and I have no interest in the result of the claim to which the foregoing paper relates and am no concerned in it prosecution. Witness my hand and official seal at Hillsdale in said County this sixteenth day of February 1856.
J.B. Wheat Clerk
certificate may [illegible]mitted
Page 85

Burlington June 24th 1856
Sir
I have received your letter of the 28th of May last, relating to the claim of the surviving children of Joseph Bradley, deceased, for a pension, under the act of June 7th 1832, in which you say that you "could not depart from the uniform rule of the office, which is to recognize the administrator except upon the most urgent necessity" and that "this for you cannot perceive that necessity"
This letter somewhat surprised me as in your letter of Nov [November] 21, 55 you stated that you had that day informed J. P. Woodward Esq. that he would not be recognized as the agent in the case unless he should be duly authorized to prosecute the claim by the children themselves.
The rule of the Pension Office, permitting the administrator to obtain a certificate for a pension due to a deceased soldier, I suppose was adopted for the benefit of the surviving children, as in many cases where the children were numerous, and were widely separated, it would be more convenient and economical to present an administrator to procure the certificate and receive the pension, as their trustee, than it would be to procure vouchers for the payment from all the
Page 86

children, but I did not suppose that it was adopted to exclude the children to whom the arrears belong from transacting their own business and to compel them to submit to the action of an administrator, who has no interest whatsoever in the money which he may receive, cannot use it for the payment of duty against the estate, and would only hold it as the [illegible] trustee of the children.
By recurring to the papers on file you will see that the original declaration in this case was made by myself as one of the surviving children of the deceased, and, of course, as well for the benefit of the other surviving children as myself
Supposed that it was also the rule of the office that when the surviving children make the application their right to do so is recognized and that the certificate is made payable to them, and as I have originally made such application, it seems to me unjust that an administrator should, against the will of all the surviving children, and without consulting them, be permitted to interfere and prevent their prosecuting their own claim.
Mr. Woodward has never applied to me in person to be employed in the case. Instead of doing so he came to Burlington and applied to the Adm? whoes office is about seventy rods distance from
Page 87

any [illegible] place of business and the Admt, [Administrator] contrary to my express wishes to him, employed by Mr. W to prosecute the claim. As soon as I learned that he had done so I wrote to you requesting in substance that the children alone should be recognized by you in this matter, in reply to which, I received your letter of Nov. 21 55 above referenced
From the manner in which Mr. Woodward obtained an employment from the Administrator when he could and should as I conceive have applied to me, and from the fact that the adm [administrator] employed him without my knowledge or consent when he should as it seems to me have consulted me in the matter I am led to believe that there must be some understanding between them by which the Admtr [administrator] is to be in some way personally benefitted
As the testimony and papers which I have procured and forwarded to the pension offer were procured at my expense. I am unwilling that my money and labor should inure either to the benefit of the Agent or Mr. Woodward again I know not what commission the Administrator has agreed to give to Mr. Woodward for his services, but I am of the opinion that I can do the business at a cheaper rate than Mr. Woodward will charge.
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Last fall Mr. Weston informed me that he has seen Mr. Woodward at Troy and that the latter said he had some important testimony in the case, and he proposed that Mr. Woodward should be employed in the case. I declined wholly to have any thing to do with Mr. Woodward in the matter, for reasons satisfactory to myself, and chose to proceed in my own way.
Mr. Woodward wrote me under date of Jan [January] 23 saying that "I was firstly employee in the case of the case of the heirs of Joseph Bradley by Mrs. Webster, who supposed she had a claim to a share. Upon Examination it was ascertained that she has no interest in it. I never [illegible] obtained some important evidence in the case and I was afterwards employed by the Administrator of your Father and the certificate will of course issue in his name but he can have no interest in the money except to divide it among the surviving children" and he desired me to send him a Power of Attorney authorizing him to act in the case. Mrs. Webster of whom Mr. Woodward spoke in his letter to me is grand daughter of Joseph Bradley dec'd [deceased] and Mr. Woodward must have known from the beginning that she had no interest in the pension. I do not answer Mr. Woodward's letter. He also wrote to my brother and sister requesting a power of attorney from each
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My brother paid no attention to his letter. My sister, supposing that the execution of the power would be assisting me in the case executed the paper sent to er by Mr.Woodward and sent it to him but on learning the true state of the case she  revoked the power.
I do not know what evidence Mr.  Woodward has, if any, to establish the claim. If he had filed any, or has any, I am perfectly willing to pay him a reasonable compensation for his services in procuring it. I do not wish to be benefited by other peoples labor without paying for it. And neither am I willing that strangers should step in and procure an allowance of the claim upon testimony which I have procured at great labor and expense and by so doing reap the benefit of my labor. The extent that they will in commission charged for procuring the pension.
Your suggest that I apply to the Probate Court and have the Administrator power revoked. This [illegible] be attended with some considerable expense which I do not wish to incur and it might involve me in protracted suit on the application for such removal. In relation to the business apportaining to the Estate proper I as feel diss[illegible] both now and [illegible] who is a half brother [illegible] of the Administrator in procuring the pension
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which does not belong to the estate against the the wishes of the children as appertaining to his legitimate duties of Administrator is a question of some doubt.
Though this fully states my views of the case I respectfully submit that the certificate to the pension should issue to the surviving children.
I would further add that if Mr. Woodward has filed or does file additional [illegible] in this case upon which the amount that [illegible] may be greater than the testimony [illegible] I have filed would entitled the children to receive I will cheerfully pay him therefor if he will procure your certificate of the testimony filed by him and I presume we shall have no difficulty in settling the amount.
Respectfully your obedient servant
Rollin Bradley
Hon. J. Minot
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions
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Hon. J. Minot
Dear Sir,
I have been for many years well acquainted with Wm Bradley the writer of the foregoing letter. He is a gentlemen of strict integrity and of [illegible] respectibility. His statements nay be relied upon.
Respt [respectfully] yours
D.A. Smalley
Page 92

Record Division [stamp]
Mar 24 1911

March 25 1911
[illegible] Mch 28 1911 arr.
US Pension Office [stamp]
D
Mar [March] 24 1911
[page is otherwise blank]
Page 93

(Wolcott(?)), Wayne Co., N.Y.
March 23, 1911

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Will you please to ascertain for me of there be upon the Pension Rolls of the State of Vermont the name of Joseph Bradley (underlined) of Sunderland and (illegible) of whom I am a direct descendant, who is said to have served in Capt. Geo. Sexton's Co, Col. Walbridge's Regt. in the Revolutionary War.

Was this same Jos. Bradley, as "tradition" has it, ever a Lieut of Vt. Militia in this same War?

(Miss) Jennie Vickery.
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(stamp)
Pension U.S. Office
May 18 1898

(upside down stamp)
(illegible)
May 20 1898
(illegible)
Page 95

215 Genesee St.
Auburn, N. Y. 

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

Can you give me any information concerning one Joseph Bradley, who served in the Revolutionary War? He (illegible) from Vermont, and I think ranked as Capt. (may have been a private first). His son Rollin Bradley of Williston of Burlington Vt. got his pension about forty eight years ago I should think. 

I want to prove my lineage as his great-grand daughter that I may be able to join the Daughters of the Revolution, and as all the relatives I know of are dead have no other way.

Respectfully, 

Mrs. J. L. Reynolds

May 16th 1898.