Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,780, Joseph T Brown, R.I.

Page 1

R.I.
Brown, Joseph T.
W.20.780
Mary
res of [unknown) Greenwich, Kent lev. R.I.
lost at [unknown] in Apr. 1786

Page 2

Reported
[indecipherable],
Rhode Islande
Mary Brown
widow of Joseph J. Brown R.I.  who served in the Revolutionary war as a sergeant.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
120 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued 1. the
day of Sept. 1848.
and sent to 
B. Cowell
Providence
R.I
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 2 Vol. 3,

Page 3

I Hereby testify that Mrs [quotation mark under the "rs" in "Mrs"] Joseph Brown of East Greenwich / and of Mrs [part of the word "Mrs" is lost in the black on the edge of the page] William Brown of Honingtown in the state of. Connecticut. / and Mrs [quotation mark under the "rs" in "Mrs"] Mary Clarke of said East Greenwich and Daughter of Capt[quotation mark under the "t" in "Capt"] Benjamin Clarke of Exeter was Lawfully Joined Together in the Honorable State of Marriage in Said East Greenwich on the 19th  [quotation mark under the "th" in "19th"] Day of June Anno. Domini 1785 by me the [indecipherable,
H,, Cooke [indecipherable] [symbol meaning "and" with quotation mark below] Just(ice) (of the) Peace

Page 4

Recorded on the register of Marriages
belonging to East Greenwich No 2 [Illegible] 65 June 21st AD 1785 by H Cooke [Illegible]
Joseph Brown
[illegible]

Page 5

State of Rhode Island & 
County of Kent ss 
On this Tenth day of June AD 1845 personally appeared before me George ^A Brayton associate Justice of the Supreme Court of sd State Mary Brown now resident in Coventry in said County aged 82 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay pensions to certain widow, viz. that she is the widow of Joseph Brown late of East Greenwich in said County deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, that he enlisted & served as a Sergeant over six years in Capt John Holdens Company & Col Greens Regiment & Col Olneys Regiment of Rhode Island Continental Troops, and she further declares that she was married to the said Joseph T. Brown on the 19 day of June AD 1785 as will appear by the original certificate of Marriage hereto annexed the letter I having been left out of the certificate by the Magistrate who married them by mistake-- not deeming the mistake of any consequence or she never had it

Page 6

corrected, the certificate has been in her possession ever since the marriage. And she further declares that her husband the said Joseph T Brown departed this life in April 1786. He was lost at sea about ten months after their marriage, and since that period she has remained a widow & unmarried, she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four to meet at the time above mentioned 
Mary Brown 
Kent ss. In Coventry June 10th 1845
Personally appeared before me the above named Mary Brown & made ^affirmations to the truth of the above declaration by her signed & I further certify that the from old age & infirmity she is unable to attend Court I also certify that her statements are entitled to full credit

Geo A Brayton associate justice of the
Supreme Court

Page 7

I Joanna Peck of Coventry in the County of Kent aged 59 years do Testify & say That Mary Brown who has subscribed & sworn to The preceding declaration is my mother & the said Joseph T Brown was my father, I have always been told that I was about three weeks old when my father was drowned coming in from sea, My mother has always remained unmarried since his death & is now my fathers widow
Joanna Peck
Kent & The Coventry June 10th 1845
Personally appeared before me The named Joanna Peck & made affirmation to the Truth of the above affidavit by The signed I further certify she is a credible witness
Geo A Brayton associate justice of the Supreme Court
[Illegible] taken out and filed.
n.
Jul 29. 1845.

Page 8

Letter of
Attorney
Jos Brown
to
Saml Smith

Page 9

[illegible] by those present that I Joseph T Brown of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and Rhode Island. Mariner, for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving(?)  have made ordained, authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint Samuel Smith of said East Greenwich Yeoman my true and lawful attorney for me and in my Name, and to my use to ask demand, sue for recover and receive of Colonel Jeremiah Olney of Providence in the County of Providence all such  sum or sums of money as he is now possessed of or may hereafter be possessed ^of, as wages due me for my services in the Continental Army Rhode Island Regiment, And to have use and take all lawful ways and means in my name for the Recovery thereof, and acquittances or other Sufficient discharges for me and in my Name to make seals and deliver and to do all other acts in the premises as fully as I myself might or could do if personally present and attorneys one or more under him to appoint for the purposes aforesaid hereby Ratifying all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall do in the premises in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal this 13th day of December AD 1783 and Eighth year of American Independence 
Joseph T Brown
Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of 
Andrew Boyd 
Jonathan Salisbury

Page 10


[left upper corner]Rev. War Section.

[right side]August 9, 1912.

Mrs. Lida Harkness,
Sargentville, Maine.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 5" and received the 8" instant, you are advised that the papers in the pension claim of Mary Brown, Wid. File No. 20,780. Rev. War, show that her husband "Joseph T. Brown, was lost at sea in April, 1786."

[center]Very respectfully,

[signature]

[right]Commissioner.

Page 11

[left upper corner]Record Division.

[right side]April 7, 1908.

Miss Lida Harkness,
#1529 Q Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 4" and received the 6" instant, relative to the claim Wid. File 20,780. of Mary Brown, you are furnished the following copy of the marriage certificate on file in the case:

"I Hereby Certify That Mr. Joseph Brown of East Greenwich (son of Mr. William Brown of Stoningtown in the State of Connecticut) and Mrs. Mary Clarke of said East Greenwich and Daughter of Captain Benjamin Clarke of Exeter, was Lawfully Joined Together in the Honorable State of Marriage in said East Greenwich on the 19th. Day of June Anno: Domini 1785 by me the Subscriber

[center](signed) H. Cook Just Peace ".

The reverse bears the following endorsement:

"Recorded in the Register of Marriages belonging to last Greenwich,
No, 2. Folio 65, June 21st. A.D. 1785.

[center]By H. Cooke Tn. Clk."

You are further advised that one Ardelissa Updyke of East Greenwich testified to the marriage and stated, "The maiden name of Mary Brawn was

Page 12

[left upper corner]Wid. File 20,780.

Clark, and she used to visit our house before their marriage, we used to call her Polly Clark".

[center]Very respectfully,

[right]Commissioner.

Page 13


Sargentville, Maine, 
Aug. 5, 1912.
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D.C.
Will you kindly consult J.S.C. Wid. File 20780 Rev. War & tell me the date of the death of Sergeant Joseph T. Brown said date of appear in the “Remarks”
Your truly,
Lida Harkness
[stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D
AUG 8 1912

Page 14

1529 Q Lt. N.W.
Washington April 4th, '08
[indecipherable] Vespasian Warner
Comm. of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Thank you very much for The record of the military history of Joseph T. Brown just received.
Under [Remarks or Rewards] the record says that on "June 19, 1785 he married Mary daughter ["daughter" is underlined] of Cap't. Benj. Clarke of Exeter." The Clarke geneaology shows that Mary widow ["widow" is underlined] of Capt. Benj. Clarke of Exeter married Joseph Brown on June 19, 1785. The geneaology also shows that Capt. Benj. Clarke had a daughter ["daughter" is underlined] Mary who would have been 82 years old
[rectangular stamp under greeting says "To Chief m Div. action APR 6, 1908 COMMISSIONER"]

Page 15

in June 1845 [caret inserting "(date of application)"], a daughter by his first wife. What I wish [indecipherable] find out is which of them. Mary's is my ancestor The widow ["widow" is underlined] or the daughter ["daughter" is underlined]  of Cap't Benj. Clarke. It is a most curious coincidence at any rate. If you are sure that the record you have reads "daughter," that should settle it, though how it could [the word "if" is crossed out above the word "have"] have happened that her step mother (then a widow) should have married a man by the same name, on the same day, [symbol meaning "and"] whose father was William Brown of Stonington I can't imagine. I shall be grateful if you can assist [indecipherable] and solve the puzzle.
Very truly yours,
(miss) Lida Harkness

F.["I." or"J."]C.
[indecipherable] 20980
Rev. War.

[stamp that says "RECORD DIVISION APR 6 1908 CHIEF'S DESK"]

Page 16

1529 Q L.I. .N.W.
Washington, Mar. 26. '08.
Hon. Vespasian Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly lend me The record of the Revolutionary services of Joseph T. Brown, a resident I Think of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He is supposed to have served in The navy for seven years or more, & his window Mary(?) Clark Brown applied for and received a pension. She was a resident of Ken Co. R.I. They

Page 17

had two daughters - Harriet - who married a Lewis x afterwards. Job Harkness, and the other married Perez Peck.

[Stamp] PENSION U. OFFICE A MAR 27 1908

Yours truly yours,
(Miss) Leda Harkness

[Stamp] RECORD DIVISION MAR 30 1908

Page 18

[left side]
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20780
Mary Brown
Widow of 
Joseph T Brown
Sergt Rev War
Act: Feb 20th 48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 90
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right side]
1908 Apl. 2. Hist to Miss Lida Harkness – C
1908 Apl. 7 – to above copy of mar cert.
1912 Aug. 9. Soldier’s death to above.

Page 19

[left side]
Returned
Certf Act 38
“ 432844
Let to B Cowell Augs 11 1845
Certificate sent to Hon J Gilbraith by mistake and returned by him, enclosed to B. Cowell August 15. 1845

[right side]
Rhode Island 7195
Mary Brown widow of Joseph T Brown who was a Sergeant in the Rhode Island Line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars – Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
Cerfificate of Pension issued the second day of August 1845 and sent to Benjamin Cowell
Providence
R.I.
[Act of March 3, 1843.] & 17 June 1844
Recorded in Book A 
Vol. 2 Page 42

Page 20

Rhode Island 9522
Mary Brown widow of Joseph T Brown who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the - april 1786 of Kent Co in the State of Rhode Island who was a sergeant in the company commanded by Captain - of the [illegible] commanded by Col Olney in the Rhode Island line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued on the 21st day of August 1845 and sent to Benja Cowell. [illegible]

Total amount, $1100.00
[Act July 7, 1838]

Recorded by Geo C Ames Clerk, Book [illegible] Vol. 1 Page 100

Page 21

Aug 16 45
Mr Ames

[stamp] ERIE AUG [illegible]

[vertical]
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 22

Erie Aug. 10. 1845 
Dear Sir
The enclosed was sent to me, I have in doubt by persistable & most probably one intended for me directed to the further to whom this should have been directed to immediately on receipt with that indication 

Very Respectfully 
your Obt. Sevt.
 John Galbraith 

J. L. Edwards Esq

Page 23

Providence Aug 8 1845 
Sir
I presume the enclosed certificates were sent to me by mistake. I am not the Attorney of Mrs Wescoat, I think it probable that the certificates for Mary Brown widow of Joseph T Brown whose attorney I am have been sent to the agent in Penn.a to whom the enclosed belong, what makes me so conclude is that the agent for paying pension here has recently served the name of Mary Brown with orders to pay her and I am her agent & attorney 
I am Respectfully 
yours 
Benja Cowell 
J L Edwards Esq

Page 24

Mary Brown
widow of
Joseph T. Brown,
Sergeant
2 years service
$120 per annum
[indecipherable] July 7. 1838
March [indecipherable] 1843
June 17. 1844 8 [indecipherable] 774
R. Jolanel Roll
To
Benj Cowell,
Providence
R.I.

Page 25

Providence June 17 1845
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs
Mary Brown widow of Joseph J Brown for a
pension under the act of July 7 1838
It will be seen that the middle letter in the
name of her husband was left out by mistake
or ignorance by the Magistrate who married them
but the evidence enclosed proves his identity
beyond doubt. Her husband himself wrote
his name with the letter "J" as will appear
[illegible] the Power of Attorney given by him to
draw his wages herself which 
has been in his [illegible] ever since the
war
Her same mistake occurs in the Muster Rolls
but in the list of those who enlisted to serve
during the war, in the hand writing of the
[illegible] , CapT Daniel S Dexter, the only officer
[symbol meaning "and"] almost the only person now living who belonged
to the regiment, the name is properly written
The Muster Rolls [symbol meaning "and"] the "List" were [illegible] by him
I am respectfully
your [illegible]
Benja Cowell
J. L. Edwards

Page 26

Mary Brown
aa
7195
aa

Page 27

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent
[next to those two lines is a "}" with "ss." written beside it]
On this Twenty First day of August 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Kent a resident of Coventry [Mary Brown is written in cursive above this, between this line and the above line] in the county of Kent aged Eighty Five years, who being first duly sworn according to the law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d of February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war:-That she is the widow of Joseph T. Brown who was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of one hundred [symbol meaning "and"] twenty dollars per annum, under the act of 17th of June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow. 

Sworn and subscribed on the day and
year above written, before me, 
[next to those two lines is a "}" with "ss." written beside it]
Benjamin H. Horton ["Justice of the Peace" is printed next to his name]
Mary [cross out symbol with "her" written above it, and "mark" written below it] Brown
[indecipherable] at [indecipherable]

I certify that the above name affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the forgoing affidavit.
Benjamin H. Horton Justice of the Peace

State of Rhose Island,
County of Kent 
[next to those two lines is a "}" with "ss." written beside it]
I Jos J Tillinghast Clerk of the Supreme Court in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify, that Benjamin H Horton is a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, and is fully authorized so act is said capacity, and that his signatures above are genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at East Greenwich on this Twenty Second day of August 1848.
[signature] Jos J. Tillinghast

Page 28

I Daniel L Dexter of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island aged 88 years do testify & say that I was an officer in Col Greenes Regiment of Rhode Island Continental Troops in the war of the Revolution. I was first, Adjutant & Lieutenant & then Captain, the old paper hereto annexed purporting to be return of men enlisted for during the war in the regiment commanded by Col Greene is in my hand writing and it appears by said List that Joseph J Brown was a Sergeant in Capt Holdens Company & enlisted for during the war. I have some recollection of said Brown and it is my impression he served until the end of the war. as it appears he was present at the mustering of the troops in November 1779 & January 1781 as appears by the Muster Rolls hereto annexed. It appears I mustered the troops myself in November 1779. I presume Joseph J Brown Joseph Brown and one the same person 
Danl S. Dexter
Providence sc in the City of Providence on this 30th day of May AD 1845. Then personally appeared Daniel S. Dexter Subscriber to the above and foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the Same And I further certify that the said Daniel S. Dexter is a credable [sic] Witness, 
Before me, Josiah Westcott Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Page 29

Mary Brown
aa
7195
admitted
Benja Cowell
Providence
R.I.

Page 30

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, }SS.
County of Kent
On this Eighteenth day of July 1848,
personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Kent
Mary Brown a resident of Coventry in the county of Kent [illegible] aged Eighty five 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d of February, 1848, granting pensions to windows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war:-- That she is the Widow of Joseph T Brown who was a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of one hundred & Twenty per annum, under the act of 17th of June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.

Mary X Brown
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me}ss.
James Warner Jr Justice of the Peace.

I certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
James Warner Jr Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF Kent }SS.
I Jeremiah S Slocum Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that James Warner Jr is a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and that his signatures above written are genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at East Greenwich on this Twenty fifth day of July [illegible] 1848

Jeremiah S Slocum, Clerk

Page 31

I Jonathan Andrews of East Greenwich in the County of Kent aged 84 years on the 29th of this June on oath do testify and say that during the war of the Revolution I enlisted and served in Colonel Greenes Regiment of Rhode Island Continental Troops as a private and am now a pensioner for said service, I entered for three years and was at the battle of Red Bank in 1777. Joseph T Brown was a Sargent in said Regiment during the time I was in it his widow Mary Brown now lives in Coventry
Jonathan [Illegible]
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Kent Jc. East Greenwich June 6th 1845 Personally appeared Jonathan Andrews and subscribed his name to the foregoing Deposition and was sworn thereto at the same time and I further clarify that he is personally known to me, that he is a very respectable man & credible witness
Before  me Jer S Slocum Just. Peace

Page 32

I Ardelissa Updike of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island aged 77 years, shall be 78 on the 20th of June 1845 on oath do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Mary Brown of Coventry widow of Joseph T. Brown. I have a distinct recollection when they were married. They were married in This town (East Greenwich) some after The war of the Revolution, said Joseph T. Brown had been a soldier in Colonel Greens Regiment of Rhode Island Continental Troops, I well remember this and I think he entered and served during the war. He has been dead a great many years how many I do not [crossed out] remember. The maiden name of Mary Brown was Clark and she used to visit our house before their marriage, we used to call her Polly Clark.
her
Ardelissa X Updike
[ineligible]
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Kent Sc. East Greenwich June 6th AD1845
Personally appeared the subscriber Ardelissa Updike and subscribed her name to the foregoing deposition by making her mark, and at the same time was sworn to said Deposition and I further certify that that I am well acquainted with her. That she is a woman of Respectibility and a credible witness
Before me Jer. S. Slocum Just. Peace

Page 33

11996
Mary Brown
Ro June 19. 1845.

Page 34

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office
June 16 A.D. 1845
I Henry Brown
Secretary of said State; Keeper of the Records and Seal thereof;
DO CERTIFY that on the tenth day of June A.D. 1845. George A Brayton was an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of said State: on the 30th day of May 1845 the said Josiah Westcotts was an associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas Co. of Providence: and Jeremiah S. Slocum was a Justice of the Peace within the town of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, severally duly elected and commissioned, as appears of record: and as such by law authorized to take Depositions, the Acknowledgment of Deeds and other Instruments, and administer all necessary oaths.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Providence, the day and year above written.
Henry Brown