Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1250, Joel Brooks, Mass.

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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                          NUMBER
Mass.                Brooks, Joel            R. 1250
BLH 34,579-160-55
CONTENTS

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63.698  Mar. 3/33
June 9th

Joel Brooks Priv

Capt. E. Lyon
Col. Wade

[illegible] Mil.
Private
Col Wade

Revolutionary War
Uniformed application


LH.S. Taylor, Apl. 8/56

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Declaration
Joel Brooks.

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Declaration of Joel Brooks.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester

On this Third day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four, personally appeared in the Court of Probate within and for the County of Worcester, Joel Brooks, a resident of Petersham in the County of Worcester a fores aid and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty four years, who being  duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832:
That he enlisted in the army of the United States April 1, 1778, in Capt John Holmes' company in Col. Reed's regiment, and served as a private soldier for three months and three days.
And that he enlisted in Capt Abraham Andrews' company in Col. How's Regiment of Infantry July 27. 1780, and served as a private three months and seven days.
And that he enlisted in Capt. Ephraim Lyon's company of Infantry in Col. Wade's Regiment June 24, 1778, and served as a private twenty six days. He resided in Gafton when said services were performed.
The said Joel Brooks deposes and says that by reason of old age, and the consequent

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loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the times or length of the terms of his services, as above stated; nor has he a distinct recollection about them, or of the officers under whom he served, except Capt Lyon, who was a near neighbor. And he refers to the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, as containing the evidence of his services. He has a general recollection that he was out in the service something like seven and a half months in the whole.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Joel Brooks

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me
Benj F Thomas
Judge of Probate.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester SS.

I Charles G Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the said county of Worcester, do certify that Benjamin F Thomas is the Judge of said court, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature on the [illegible] preceding page of this sheet is genuine.

In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the soul of law & order, this third day of December, one thousand, eight hundred and forty-four.
Chas G. Prentiss, Register

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston;
Nov 13 1844

I hereby certify, that, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Joel Brooks

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And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John G. [illegible]

Secretary of the Commonwealth

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APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE

State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester
Town of Petersham

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my service in the war of the Revolution.

I enlisted from the town of [illegible] in the County of [illegible] and State of Massachusetts in the year 1777 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ephraim Lyon in not recollected Regiment and I served as follows,* viz : 
I enlisted for thirty days after arriving in camp. I marched to Providence, where the company staid three days. From there to Warren in Rhode Island and I was gone in the whole six weeks before I got home.

I also was drafted from said Town of Grafton in the year 1776 for several months; the length of time between I cannot recollect nor can I now recollect the names of any Company or Regimented Officer. They were mustered under the Continental Officers

*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

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when they arrived in camp. I can recollect but one man who went with us, from Grafton. That is Thomas Davidson. I am an old man and my memory is very much impaired. Whom I performed the services I was known as Joel Brooks Jr - my father being then living.

I am now 83 last February 19 years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my services more full than above stated.
And I do hereby constitute William A. Williams of Petersham my Attorney in the premises.

WITNESS my hand, this second day of November A.D. 1843.

Joel Brooks

Signed by said Joel Brooks in my presence,
Jared Weed, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

The figure "7" being first inserted in the [illegible] and the [illegible]. "Was changed' to "February 19" first [illegible]

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Aaron Brooks
32.946
Affidavit
Declaration of Joel brooks
Mass.

Act 7 June 39
rejected.

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I Aaron Brooks, of Petersham in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of eighty two years, depose and say that I resided in my father's family during the whole of the revolutionary war. My father's name was Joel, and he then resided in Grafton in this county.
I further depose and say, that at the time the British went out from Boston to Lexington in 1775, my father, with others went as far as Framingham, when he arrived counter orders and returned home; and that my father was out as a soldier at no other time during the revolutionary war. He never belonged to the train band on account of his deafness. These facts I know and well remember.
I further depose and say that my brother Joel Brooks was in the army during the revolutionary war. But the number and length of times he served, I do not remember and cannot state. I recollect however that my father went to Rhode Island after my brother Joel, who was then sick in the army, and brought him home. I cannot recollect distinctly any other services he performed.
Aaron Brooks
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County Js
Won this twenty second day of November

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A.D. 1844, personally appeared before me Aaron Brooks and made oath according to Law, that the affidavit aforesaid by him subscribed is true. And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Aaron Brooks for more than thirty years, and that he is respected and believed to be a person of truth and veracity.

Jared Weed Jus. Peace.

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I Jared Weed, of Petersham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say, that I have been personally acquainted with Joel Brooks, of this town for more than thirty years: that his is an old man; that his mental faculties are greatly impaired , and that his memory in particular is almost entirely gone.
I further depose and say that I prepared for him his statement of his revolutionary service, as preliminary to the examination of the muster rolls of revolutionary services; and that I met with no little difficulty in preparing it by reason of his loss of memory, and which, as appears from the Certificate of the Secretary, was very erroneous.
I further depose and say that he has heretofore held important town offices, the duties of which he has discharged faithfully and understandingly, but by reason of the prostration of his mental faculties, he has become very imbicile. And his declaration has been made under these embarrasing circumstances.
Jared Weed

Worcester js December 3 1844 Personally appeared Jared Weed and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is thus; and I certify that the said Jared Weed is regarded to be a person of truth and veracity, he being previously known to me.
Chas G Prentiss, Justice of the Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, SS.
I, Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Jared Weed and Charles G. Prentiss, Esqrs are Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that their signatures to the certificates on the depositions of Aaron Brooks and Jared Weed, respectively, hereunto annexed, are genuine.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County, this third day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Joseph G Kendall Clerk

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163.698

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State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester  SS

On this fourth day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Joel Brooks aged ninety five years, a resident of Petersham in the state of Massachusetts, who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Joel Brooks who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Ephraim Lyon in the regiment of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Col. Wade (or Ward) in the Revolutionary War: -- That he volunteered at Grafton in the state of Massachusetts on or about the first day of June A.D. 1778 with eleven of his townsmen under Captain Ephraim Lyon who was also his townsman; -- that he marched directly to Providence in the state of Rhode Island and was there stationed or quartered in what was then called the Brick Workhouse for about three days, and then (at the expiration of three days) marched to Warren in the State of Rhode Island and after remaining at the latter place for more than twenty days was discharged, or released from service and returned to his home in Grafton in the state of Massachusetts. He believes that he volunteered for one month, but that he was retained on the pay roll for only twenty six

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or twenty seven days during this tour. For the proof of the said service he refers to the Massachusetts muster roll which he supposes to be in the Department of the Interior or at the War Office of the United States at Washington where the said service will be found credited to him, the said Joel Brooks.
He also declares that he [illegible] after military service in the Revolutionary War, which he believes that the muster roll will show; -- but by reason of age and loss of memory he is unable to state the particulars of such other service; and he rests his claim for bounty land when the service rendered under Captain Lyon as above stated: And he further declares that from all the said service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War he was honorably discharged.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty level to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3rd 1855. He also declares that he has not received a [illegible] for bounty level under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application thereafter; And he prays that his certificate or warrant for the same may be sent for him to Dr. Samuel Taylor of Petersham in the State of Massachusetts.
Joel Brooks

We George B. Gallond and Thomas S. Howe

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residents of Petersham in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Joel Brooks in our presence; and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that we have no interest in this claim
George B. Gallond
Thomas S. Howe

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written in the


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
WORCESTER COUNTY, SS.
I, Joseph Mason Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Jared Weed, on the fourth day of June, was and still is, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of the several affidavits hereunto annexed is genuine
ven under my hand, and the seal of said Court, this fifth day of June, in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five
J. Mason Clerk

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residents of Petersham in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Joel Brooks in our presence; and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that we have no interest in this claim
George B. Gallond
Thomas S. Howe

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written in the declaration. And I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons. That the claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that I have o interest in this claim.
Jared Weed Justice of the Peace.

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I James W White a resident of Grafton in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Grafton in the County and State aforesaid and have the keeping of the Books of Record of the said Town and I find by the said Records that "Joel, son of Joel and Sarah Brooks was born Feb 19th 1760. I do not find on the Records of the Town any record of the Death of Joel Brooks. The husband of Sarah Brooks and father of the abovenamed Joel Brooks son of Joel and Sarah Brooks. But I have examined a "family record" of the family of Joel & Sarah Brooks and which I have no doubt is correct by which it appears that "Joel Brooks, the Husband of the said Sarah Brooks died at Grafton May the Eleventh day in the year of out Lord Eighteen hundred and Eleven aged Ninety years the July previous"--
It therefore appears from the aforesaid Records that this said son of Joel and Sarah was in the year 1778 Joel Brooks Jr. and after having searched diligently the Records of the said town I do not find mention thereon of any other Joel Brooks Jr. Nor do I find on the said Records but one other Person than those named above bearing the name of Joel Brooks, and that is Joel son of Elijah and Mary Brooks, Born July twenty first Seventeen hundred Eighty nine. I also find upon the records of said town the name of "Capt Ephm Lyon" as holding several Town Offices, but do not find any Record of his service in the continental army, and from the manner in which the Records of the said town have been kept, and from common reference amongst the oldest inhabitants of Grafton I believe there can be no doubt that the aforementioned Joel Brooks Jr. was he identical Joel Brooks Jr who served under Capt. Ephraim Lyon in the Rhode Island Service in the Revolutionary War. And I have no interest in any claim for Bounty Land the said soldier Brooks may have. James W White

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State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS

On this twenty fourth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty six before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and state aforesaid. personally came James W While and swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit. and I certify that I know the affiant to be a good and credible witness. that he is the Town Clerk of the Town of Grafton in the County and state aforesaid and that the keeping of the Books and Records of the said Town. And that I have no interest n any claim for Bounty land the said Joel Brooks, formerly Joel Brooks Jr. mentioned in the foregoing affidavit may have.
Rufus E Warren Justice of the Peace

I Joseph Merriam a Resident of Grafton in the county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts, having been duly sworn depose and say that I was Eighty four years old on the seventh day of June One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five. and that I well know Joel Brooks formerly of Grafton and now of Petersham in the county and state aforesaid. I knew him when he lived in Grafton and have seen him at his Residence in Petersham and I know from common retort that he is still living in Petersham. I recollect when the said Joel Brooks removed from Grafton to Petersham and it was according to the best of my recollection about sixty five or sixty six years ago. I have always lived in Grafton aforesaid and from personal acquaintance with the parties know that the said Joel Brooks now of Petersham was acknowledgely and unquestionably a son of Joel and Sarah Brooks of Grafton deceased -- I well Recollect that said Joel Brooks now of Petersham worked for my Father in July One thousand seven hundred and Eighty One (1781). And at that time his father was still living.

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and I recollect of hearing the said Brooks at that time speak of having performed military service in the Revolutionary War he was reputed to be the identical Joel Brooks Jr. who served under Capt Ephraim Lyon in 1778 in the Rhode Island service. And I never knew of any other or heard of any other Joel Brooks Jr who ever lived in Grafton.
I also knew Capt. Ephraim Lyon of Grafton and that he was reputed to have served in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid. And I have no fiduciary interest in any Claim for Bounty Land the said Soldier Brooks may have.
Joesph Merriam

State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS
On this twenty fourth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty six before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid personally came Joseph Merriam and swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and I certify that I know the affidavit to be a good and credible witness and that I have no interest in any claim for Bounty Land the said Soldier Brooks mentioned in the foregoing affidavit may have.
Rufus E. Warren Justice of the Peace

I Lucy Willard, a Resident of Grafton in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts having been duly sworn depose and say that I am now Eighty five years old (85) and have always lived in said Grafton. I well know Joel Brooks formerly of said Graton and now of Petersham in the county and state aforesaid..

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and according to the best of my recollection he removed from Grafton to Petersham about sixty five or sixty six years ago. and I know from common Report of the fact that he is now living in Petersham and from Person at acquaintance with the parties. and from the fact that I am a Niece of the said Joel Brooks. I know him to be a son of Joel and Sarah Brooks of said Grafton deceased, that in the year 1778 he was Joel Brooks Jr his Father having died some years subsequently to that time and I never knew or heard of any other Joel Brooks Jr. in the Town of Grafton and I have no interest in any claim for any Bounty Land the said Soldier Brooks may have.

her
X
mark
Lucy Willard


State of Massachusetts
Counter of Worcester SS
On this twenty fourth day of May in the year one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid personally came Lucy Willard and swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and I certify that I know the affiant to be a good and credible witness, and that I have no Interest in any claim for Bounty Land the said Soldier Brooks mentioned in the foregoing affidavit my have.
Rufus E Warren, Justice of the Peace

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I Lydia Fisk a resident of Worcester in the county of Worcester and state of Massachusetts having been duly sworn depose and say that I am ninety one years old. I am a daughter of Joel and Sarah Brooks, deceased, of Grafton in the county and state aforesaid and a sister of Joel Brooks formerly of Grafton and now of Petersham in the County and State aforesaid, and the said Joel Brooks, now of Petersham [illegible] to our family reckoning is ninety six years old.
I well recollect that my said brother Joel Brooks now of Petersham aforesaid was about from home, engaged in military service in the Revolutionary Was for a period of three or four weeks in the months of June and July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety eight
I am able to fix the date by my own age and by the fact that a Mrs. Thomas was hung at Worcester which adjoins Grafton for the crime of murdering her husband, and her three accomplices in that murder were hung with her, which executions took place during the absence of my said said brother in the Revolutionary Service as aforesaid; and my said brother Joel returned here about one week after the said executions. And I have no [illegible] interest in any claim for bounty land hat my said brother Joel Brooks may have [illegible].
W.A. Williams
Lydia Fisk
Elijah Stow
State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS
On this fourth day of

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June in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty six, before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid personally came Lydia Fisk and swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit. And I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible witness and that I have no interest in any claim for bounty land which Joel Brooks of Petersham, mentioned in her affidavit, may have.

W. A. Williams Jus Peace

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, SS.
I, Joseph Mason Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, which is a court of record for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify that W. A. Williams and Jared Weed Equires whose signatures are affixed to the Certificates on the paper hereto annexed, were at the date thereof Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth to take the acknowledgement of deeds and administer oaths, that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to their acts and attestations done in that capacity, and that their SIGNATURES to said CERTIFICATES are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, this fourth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

Jos Mason Clerk

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I Welcome Wadsworth a resident of Petersham in the County of Worcester and state of Massachusetts having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am sixty two years old, and during the last thirty six or thirty seven years I have resided in Grafton in the County and State aforesaid the entire previous past of my life.
I well know Joel Brooks of said Petersham and the said Joel Brooks is reputed to be, and I have no doubt he is, ninety six years old.
I also well know Joel and Sarah Brooks deceased of said Grafton, who were the father and mother of the said Joel Brooks of Petersham. I was intimately acquainted with the said parents and the said son. That the said parties bore the said relationship to each other no one to my knowledge ever presumed to call in question.
Welcome Wadsworth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County SS. On this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid personally came Welcome Wadsworth and swore to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit. And I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible witness and that I have no interest in the claim for bounty land which Joel Brooks of Petersham mentioned on his affidavit may have. The word mentioned being first underlined
Jared Weed Justice of the Peace

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May 20, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mailed writ[illegible] received
JOEL BROOKS
R. 1250
RA-J/MLB

Mrs. R. W. Van Valin
Newberg
Oregon

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Peter Reasoner, of Pennsylvania; Nathaniel Lampson or Lamson or Massachusetts; Joel Brooks who served in Captain John Homes' company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Massachusetts regiment, and Eliakim Brooks, also of Massachusetts.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claims for pension or bounty land found based upon service in that war of Peter Reasoner, Nathaniel Lampson or Eliakim Brook, under any spelling of their names. Such claims are the source of data furnished by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolutionary War. The record has been found of Joel Brooks which is furnished herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1250, based upon his service in the Revolution.

Joel Brooks was born February 19, 1760; his date of birth was recorded in the Town Clerk's Office of Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Joel Brooks who was born in July 1720 and died May 11, 1811, in Grafton Massachusetts, and his wife, Sarah, both parents of Grafton. Joel Brooks, Jr. moved from Grafton about 1791 or 1792 to Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

December 3, 1844, Joel Brooks, a resident of Petersham, Massachusetts, applied for pension and stated that while residing in Grafton, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served a tour of several months in 1776, date of enlistment, length of service and names of officers not shown; that he volunteered in 1777, or 1778 and served three months three days as private in Captain John Kemes' company, Colonel Reed's Massachusetts regiment; that he volunteered June 24, 1778, and served twenty-six days as rivate in Captain Ephraim Lyon's company, Colonel Wade's Massachusetts regiment, at Rhode Island, also enlisted July 27, 1980, and served three months seven days as private in

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Captain Abraham Andrews' company, Colonel How's Massachusetts regiment.

His claim for pension was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of six months' actual military service which was the requirement of the pension law.

Joel Brooks applied for bounty land June 4, 1855, on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, at which time he was living in Petersham, Massachusetts, and his claim was allowed in full satisfaction, as the length of service required to entitle him to bounty land was less than that required to entitle him to pension.

No reference was made in the claims to wife or children.

In 1844, soldier's brother, Aaron Brooks, aged eighty-two years, was living in Petersham, Massachusetts, and stated that his father, Joel Brooks, went out on the Lexington Alarm but got no further than Framingham when their orders were changed and he returned home, thus ending his service in the Revolution.

In 1856, soldier's sister, Lydia Fisk, sister of Joel Brooks, the younger, aged ninety-one years, was a resident of Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and in the same year, his niece, Lucy Willard, aged eighty-five years, was residing in Grafton, Massachusetts, where she stated she had always lived. The names of her parents were not shown.

In 1851, one Henry Brooks witnessed the signature of Joel Brooks, the soldier, his age, post office address and relationship to the family not given.

In 1856, one joseph Merriam, a resident of Grafton, Massachusetts, who was born June 7, 1771, stated that Joel Brooks worked for his father in 1781 but he did not give any further details or state any relationship between them.

A granddaughter of Joel Brooks, Senior, and his wife, Sarah (parents of the soldier), was referred to, but the surname or names of parents were not stated.

For information in regard to location of the land granted to Joel Brooks, you should address the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and cite the following data: County Land Warrant 34579-160-55

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

-2-

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Newberg, Oregon,
April 30, 1936.

May 9 1936
17

Veterans Administration.
Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:-

Will you kindly give me such records as you may have in your department regarding the following men.

1. Peter Reasoner of Pennsylvania, born 1735, marries Mollie Spears. Was in the employ of the State of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary war as a Forest Ranger of Indian Scour, it being his duty to keep eye on Indians and warn settlements on the Frontier if there was danger.

2. Nathaniel Lampson-(Lamson), Private Capt. William Bird's Company, Col. Webb's regiment, in Massachusetts; enlisted August 17, 1781, discharged December 1, 1781, near West Point; regiment raised in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties to reinforce the Continental Army for three months.
Again - -Nathaniel Lamson-Lampson of Beverly, Massachusetts, Private Capt. Larkin Thorndike's (1st Beverly) Regiment or Company, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Concord.
Massachusetts soldier's and Sailors record men by this same name as having served in Col. Francis' Regiment, in 1776, and also in Capt. Brigham's Company (date not given
Were these all one and the same man. The Nathaniel Lamson I am looking for was born March 12, 1748 and died at Boylston Massachusetts in 1822. Married (1) Mindwell Brigham, and (2) Elizabeth Miller. Children were Nathaniel (born in 1777; Silas, born in 1778 and Eli born in 1780.

3. Joel Brooks - Private Capt. John Home's Co., Col. Johnathan Reed's First Regement of Guards, enlisted April 1, 1778 at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

4. Eliakim Brooks, Montague, Massachusetts, in Capt. Moses Harvey's Company, Col. Jonathan Brewer's Regt; also Sergeant, muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; also in Lieut Caleb Benjamin's 9th Company 6th Hampshire regiment and probable other service.

And information you can furnish regarding their service, names of wives of Children, etc. will be greatly appreciated as descendants wish the data for membership in the D.A.R.

Yours truly,
(Mrs. R.W. Van Valin) Minnie Van Valin
Regent, Champoeg Chapter D.A.R.

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H.C. BROOKS, 1828 LINCOLN AVENUE
DENVER, COLO, March 28th 1902

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,
About the year 1855 a bounty of 160 acres of Gov't land was granted to Joel Brooks Jr. (or perhaps the "Jr" was omitted) on account of service as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. He lived at or near Grafton Mass and enlisted there. Will you kindly favor me with a transcript of the Pension Bureau record of this grant and also inform me if the name of Joel Brooks, the father of the man to whom the above mentioned grant was made appears, and if so, what is said about him. Joel Brooks Jr and possibly his father also afterward lived at Petersham Mass. Please let me know if there is any expense incurred in this.
Yours truly
H.C. Brooks Jr.

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1250

P.O. Joel Brooks

Service:

[En]listed: ,18
[Dis]charged: ,18
[Ap]plication flied: ,18


eges: List of rejected (or suspended) claims printed in 1852, shows cause of rejection as follows: "He did not serve six months."
Re-enlisted:
Attonrney:
P.O.
Recognized.     Contract.   Cert. of Dis.    Searched for ,18


1936, May 20   [illegible] to Mrs. R.W. Van Valin  - ML

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163.698. Pid6
Petersham Jun 7 Mass.
L P Waldo Esq.
Commissional Pensions
Washington D.C

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Oct 20 J Brooks

James E Heath, Esq.

To Examine papers

[illegible]

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Apl-11-1902
H.C. Brooks Jr
Denver, Colo

Department BUREAU OFFICIAL Penalty for

34,579
160-55




n 15 days, return to
[COMMISSIO]NER OF PENSIONS,
[WASHIN]GTON, D. C.

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163698 Joel Brooks
Boyntons
Minot Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

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No 95966
Joel Brooks

Act Jun 4th 1832

Req Sm 55-163968

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To the Commissioner of Pensions
Explanatory Note

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Petersham, Mass. June 13, 1856
To the Commissioner of Pensions;
Sir; I send herewith affidavits proving the identity of Joel Brooks now of Petersham with the Joel Brooks Jr. of Grafton who served under Capt Ephraim Lyon in 1778
[No. of Application 163.698]

The attention of the Commissioner is called to the affidavits of James W White the Town Clerk of Grafton, and Deac. Joseph Merriam and Lydia Fisk.

The affidavits of Welcome Wadsworth and Lucy Millard are corroboration.
I trust the identity is proved beyond all question.

Very respectfully yours
Samuel Taylor

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston.
June 11th 1856.

I hereby certify, that from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Joel Brooks Jr. is found on my roll of Capt. Ephraim Lyon's Comp. Col. Wade's Rect. Rhode Island service from June 24 to July 13, 1778. 26 days travel included, as private.
Roll dated Grafton June 5, 1779.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

F.D Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
WORCESTER COUNTY, SS.
I, Joseph Mason Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, which is a court of record for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify that Rufus E. Warren Esquire, whose signature is 
affixed to the Certificates on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth to take the acknowledgement of deeds and administer oaths, that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity, and that his SIGNATURES to said CERTIFICATES are genuine.

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, this fourth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Jos Mason Clerk

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163698

Pension Office
April 5 1856,

Sir,
The bounty land claim of Joel Brooks has been examined and suspended.
We have no evidence that will certify the applicant as the soldier whose services are described in the Certification of the Secty. of State of Massachusetts files and support of his application for a pension. No "record evidence", therefore, of the applicants service, is when file in this officer to its knowledge.

Yours Respectfully,
C.H. Rhett.

Dr. Samuel Taylor, for Commissioner,
Petersham, Mass.

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189

Pension Office,
July 18, 1832

Sir:
In the case of Joel Brooks of Mass, who in 1844 aperted a claim for a pension under the Act of 7 June 1832, I enclose you a copy of a letter from this office to James Weed dated 31 January 1845, which will disclose to you the condition of the case at that time, since when no additional evidence had been rec?

Geo C. Ames, Esq Present,

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Washington Oct 20 1837
James E Heath Esq

Sir,
Enclosed you will please find declaration of Joel Brown of Mass an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832, also a power of attorney authorizing me to act as his aput
I wish to have the [illegible] of [illegible] now and fill in support of his claim

Nay Respectfully
Now out sent
Geo C. Ames

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office, Boston, October 15th, 1851

I Hereby Certify That at the date of the annexed attestation Isaac Stevens was a Justice of the Peace to the County of Worcester in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestation, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

Amasa Waller
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS. On the 12th day of September in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of Peace in and for said County, Joel Brooks a resident of Petersham in the Court, aforesaid aged 91 years, whose oath states that several years ago he made application for a pension under the act of 1832 and proved as he believes that he served between three and four months under Capt Holmes in the Regiment of Col Reed in 1778. About one month in Capt. Lyon's Company in Col. Wade's Regiment in 1778. And between three and four months in Capt Andrews Company Col. Howes Regiment in 1780. Your claimant claims a pension for the service above recorded and refers the Commissioner to the testimony on file in support of his claims and believes that the decisions that have heretofore been made rejecting his claims are erroneous.
Witness Z H Hannon           Joel Brooks

There personally appeared the above named Joel Brooks and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by here signed before me
Isaac Stevens Justice of Peace

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Know all men by these presents that I Joel Brooks of Petersham in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby constitute and appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland State of Maine and George C. Ames of Washington D. C. my true and lawful Attorneys for me and my name & for my use to present my claim for a pension due me under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1832, and for the purposes aforesaid my said Attorneys or either of them are authorized and required by me to obtain whatever proof may be necessary relative thereto, and they or either of them are authorized to exercise any papers relative to said claim now in the pension office or any other department at Washington and generally to do and perform any other act or thing in the same manner that I might do were I personally present. Hereby satisfying and conferring whatsoever my Attorneys or either of them may lawfully do in the premises.
In readiness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of September A.D. 1851.
Joel Brooks

Witnesses
Isaac Stevens
Henry Brooks

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester SS: September 12th A.D. 1851
The personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths take acknowledgements of deeds Powers of Attorney and other instruments the above named Joel Brooks and acknowledged the above power of Attorney by him subscribed to be his free act and deed.
Isaac Stevens Justice of the Peace

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163.698

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To the Commissioner of Pensions
The applicant Joel Brooks was perhaps redated on the muster roll as Joel Brooks Jr. as his father had the name of Joel Brooks. This circumstance did not occur to the applicant when he made his declaration. But as he has personally made application for a pension and failed because the duration of the service was not satisfactorily proved to the Commissioner to extend for the time of six months. From these facts it was thought unnecessary for him to make a new declaration especially as the service under Lyon is given in much detail as to identify the man.
Most respectfully
Samuel Taylor

P.S. He believes the applications for Pension was made in 1845 and 1852.
S.J.

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163.698

Joel Brooks

Page 53

Pension Office,
January 31st, 1845.

Sir,
The claim of Joel Brooks has been examined and disallowed. The only service in the Secretary's certificate which was rendered by him according to his own showing, was twenty six days under Capt. Lyon. The only other service set forth by him in his application to the Secretary was under a draft in 1776 & a several months from the Town of Grafton. If he had rendered the service credited to Joel Brooks (not "Jr" as he says he was designated during the war) in Recon Regiment in 1778 and in How's in 1780, in the State of New York, it could may have escaped a memory which had retained a tour of twenty six days. What is clear from his original statement that he was in service but twice, one of his tours was twenty six days and the addition of either of the other tour would only make up five months.
His father also bore the same name, and there is no proof that he rendered the particular service credited to that name.
I am very respectfully,
Your Ob. Servant,
J. L. Edwards

Jared Weed, Esq
Petersham, Mass.

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Sir  Perr Jany 31  45

The claim of Joel Brooks has been examined & disallowed. The only service in the Secy's certificate which was rendered by him according to his own showing was 26 days under Capt Lyon. The only other service set forth by him in his application to the Secy was under a draft in 76 several months from the town of Grafton. If he had rendered the service credited to Joel Brooks (not "Jr" as he says he was designated during the war) in Reeds Regt. in 18 and in Haw's in 80 in the State of New York it could not have escaped a memory which had retained a tour of 26 days. It is clear from his original statement that he was in service but twice. One of his tours was 26 days & the addition of either of the other tours would not make up 6 months

Page 55

His father also bore the same name and there is no proof that he rendered the particular service credited to that name.

Jared Weed Esq
Petersham Mass.



Jared Weed
July 31 41

Page 56

Memorandum

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Petersham Mass. Dec. 9, 1844

Honorable Jas L Edwards
Sir. I endorse the Declaration of Capt. Joel Brooks, and the documentary evidence in its support. You oblige by transmitting the Certificate, when issued, to me.

Very Respectfully
Jared Weed.