Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44,684, Reuben Brookins, Mass.

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Service:  Mass

Brookins, Reuben

S.44684

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12980

R

New York

Reuben Brookins

of Johnstown in the State of New York
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel C. Smith of the Massachusetts line for  the term of 2 years


Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 29th of July 1818.


Certificate of Pension issued the 29th of July 1819 and sent to Aaron Haring
Johnstown, Montgomery Co.

Arrears to 4th of March 1819  $57.80
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1819 $48.00

7 7/31

$105.80

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}

New York

Continued

R side

Continued on the Roll under the Law of the 1 May 1820. Notification sent to John L. Lobdell Esq. 6 July 1820 Johnstown NY

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State of New York

On this twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord 1818 before me Aaron Haring one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County in said State personally appeared Reuben Brookins of Johnstown in said County aged fifty five years on the tenth day of May now last past, resident in Johnstown who being by me the said Judge duly sworn makes under oath the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," That the said Reuben served as a private in Captain Warners Company in Colonel Browns Regiment of Massachusetts Militia commencing about the 21st day of July 1780 & ending about the 21st of October in that year; that this deponent enlisted in the month of February or March in the year of our Lord 1781 for three years in Capt Ebenezer Smiths company in the sixth Regiment of Massachusetts line in the Continental establishment commanded by Colonel Smith. As near as this deponent can recollect his christian name was Calvin. at New Marlborough in Berkshire County Massachusetts in the month of May in that year was drafted into Col Scammels Regiment of Infantry in Captain Bates's Company in which Company and Regiment this deponent remained until Col. Scammel was killed before Yorktown in Virginia on the attack upon Lord Cornwallis, at which this deponent was aiding & assisting in taking Lord Cornwallis & his army & after the capture of the last mentioned army this deponent returned to & was left of Annapolis in the State of Maryland sick with the small pox & did not join the said Sixth Regiment until in the Spring of 1782 near Peekskill in the State of New york where I remained until those enlisted for and during war were discharged & the said sixth Regiment broke up & as near as I am able to state those of the sixth were transferred to the second Regiment of the line of said State and in particular myself was transferred into Captain Ebenezer Smiths Company at West Point in the State of New york. I was on or about the 24th day of December in the year 1783 honorably discharged from the service of the United States by Major General Henry Knox and which discharge I have lost in the following manner sometime in summer or fall of 1785 at tyringham, County of Berkshire in Massachusetts. I gave it to a man

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Claudius Wheeler of Great Barrington in the County of (whose name I have forgotten) together with an order to draw my arrearages of pay and clothing since which I have never heard or seen of the person or my discharge.  that this deponent has been engaged in an attack made by the British near Kingsbridge in the State of New york upon that part of the American forces of which this deponent formed one in the month of July 1781. and at the battle siege and capture of Lord Cornwallis & his army at York town in the State of Virginia during the whole of that siege & Captured in the fall of the year 1781. that he has no other evidence in his power of his said enlistment or service, that this deponent has no personal property whatever excepting such
as is exempted by the laws of New york from execution allowing for the benefit of householders for clothing &c and that this deponent owns no real estate whatever, and that this deponent has not sold disposed or made over any part of his estate, real or personal, for the future benefit of himself or family excepting what has been sold for a bona fide price & consideration for the payment of the honest debts of this deponent and further that this deponent is in reduced circumstances of life & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for his support.

Reuben Brookins

Sworn to & declared to the day of year aforesaid

Aaron Haring the Judge aforesaid

I Aaron Haring Judge aforesaid Do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the aforesaid named Reuben Brookins did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy; and I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Reuben for fifteen years and upwards and lives in the same town with me.  I have had quite intimate knowledge of his pecuniary standing. & hei s also fully credited by those I have frequently heard speak of him for many months before the passing of the aforesaid act of Congress & ever since that he had not sufficient to answer his debts. I do not doubt in the least but his relation of his property is in all respects fair & correct, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the forementioned act of Congress. 

Given under my hand this 14th day of July 1819
Aaron Haring

since the annexed papers have come to hand I have altered the date of my certificate above. I certify as above July 14th 1818 Aaron Haring

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i David Crane of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age depose and say that I was in the Company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Smith in the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment a part of the year 1781 and all the year 1782 and the fore part of 1783 that according to my best recollection Reuben Brookins served as private soldier in said Company and Regiment during the above said time excepting when on Commands - and further the deponent saith not.

David Crane

Berkshire Sandisfield July 9th AD 1819
then personally appeared before me, David Crane the deponent and after being duly examined and cautioned as to the truth made solemn oath to the same according to his best recollection before Drake Mills Justice of the Peace 

I hereby certify that David Crane is a man of truth attest
Drake Mills Justice of the Peace

I Samuel Coveh of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify under oath that the above said David Crane is a man of truth and veracity

Samuel Coveh

Sworn to the day and year above written 
Before Drake Mills Justice of the Peace


Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Berkshire ss.  I Joseph Woodbridge Clerk of the Judicial Courts, within and for the county of Berkshire, do certify and attest, that Drake Mills, Moses Hopkins, and Benjamin Wheeler are Justices of the Peace, within and for the same county, duly commissioned and acting under the authority  of the Commonwealth and that the foregoing are their signatures - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this twelfth day of July AD 1819.

Joseph Woodbridge Clerk

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I Josiah Hulet of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire of and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age depose and say taht sometime in the month of April or May in the year 1781 I the deponent moved into the town of New Marlborough in the County of Commonwealth abovesaid on a farm joining Cyrus Brookins Father of Reuben Brookins and soon after my residing in that neighborhood I was informed by said Cyrus Brookins that his eldest son was in the Continental Army and that Reuben Brookins above mentioned was at home during my stay in said New Marlborough and in the Spring of the year 1783 and that the said Reuben was then in his military dress and I the deponent was informed that said Brookins was at home on furlough and staid but at what time, and further that said Reuben returned home to New Marlborough some time in the forepart of the year 1784 and further the deponent saith not.

Josiah Hulet

Berkshire Sandisfield July 12th 1819
then personally appeared Josiah Hulet and made oath to the truth of the same
Before  Drake Mills Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above Josiah Hulet is a man of truth

Drake Mills 
Justice of the Peace

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I Claudius Wheeler of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, testify that I have in my possession the Records of my late Father Freeman Wheeler Esquire deceased Mustermaster, I find on said Record in the handwriting of my late Father, the records and figures following, to wit, "1781, March 29, Reuben Brookins for 3 years returned" and further the deponent say not.

Claudius Wheeler


Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Berkshire Great Barrington July 10th 1819
Personally appeared Claudius Wheeler made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - and I further certify the abovenamed Claudius Wheeler is a man of good moral character, and is unimpeachable for truth and veracity. 

Att. Moses Hopkins Justice of the Peace

I David Birchard of New Marlborough in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify and say that about the year 1780 myself and a number of others associated as a class for the purpose in said town hired Rebuen Brookins then of said New Marlborough a private soldier in the Continental Army for three years or during the war and this deponent has no dispute but that said Reuben served the term of three years as he returned to this place and it was said he was regularly discharged and further the deponent saith not.

David Birchard

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire New Marlborough July 10 1819
Personally appeared David Birchard made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed And further certify the above named David Birchard is a man of Good moral character and is unimpeachable for truth and veracity.

Att. Benjamin Wheeler Justice of the Peace

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State of New York
Montgomery County

I John McCarthy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County do Certify that Aaron Haring whose name appears signed to the annexed Certificate, and before whom the annexed declaration appears to have been made and sworn to is one of the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County.
In witness  whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the 29th day of July 1818.


John McCarthy


Reuben Brookins
private
Col. Smith's Regiment
Massachusetts line
1781 - 2 years

Further evidence of service wanting

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Reuben Brookins

12980
29 July 1819

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State of New York
County of Montgomery

On this 16th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the said County of Montgomery, called the Court of Common Pleas, proceeding according to the principals of the common law having the power of fine and imprisonment, and unlimited  jurisdiction as to amount, Reuben Brookins aged fifty seven years resident in Johnstown in said State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows; in Captain Ebenezer Smith's Company Colonel Calvin Smith's Regiment being the 6th Massachusetts and afterwards in the 2nd Massachusetts regiment, but continued in Capt. Ebenezer Smith's Company in the Massachusetts line, as is more particularly mentioned in my original declaration was made on the 29th day of July 1818 and the number of my pension certificate which I have received is 12980 - And I solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled; an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than

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what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed  and by me subscribed - 

Reuben Brookins

Real property I have none either in possession reversion, Remainder or expectancy - Personal property - 2 Cows, 5 Sheep, 2 Hogs, 1 Ax, 1 Hoe, 1 drawing knife, 1 pair of compasses, 1 broken hand saw, 1 Broken square 1 hammer, 1 Razor and Lather Bowl, 1 Bible, 1 Books of Sermons, 1 Psalm and Hymn Book, 1 Woolen Spinning Wheel, 1 linen wheel, 1 Table, 1 Teapot. 6 earthen  plates 6 Tea cups and saucers, 6 knives and forks, 2 Earthen bowls, 1 Tin basin, 4 tin milk pans, 1 Tea canister 4 Table spoons 4 Tea spoons 1 Sugar Bowl, 1 Earthen Milk Cup, 6 chairs, 1 Bread trough, 1 iron pot, 1 iron tea kettle 1 Iron Spider, 1 Churn, 1 pail, 1 Funnel, 1 Chest, 1 fire shovel - I have owing to me debts to the amount of $30. and owe debts to the amount of $425.00 - I am a farmer by occupation but am feeble and not able to attend to it constantly - sometimes in the winter seasons I make half bushels for a livelihood when in health - I have two in family living with me who I support - my wife sixty years of age sickly and a son sixteen years of age so much afflicted with rheumatism as to lay him up frequently and that I have no other means of subsistence that what is above mentioned except the pension I receive from the United States

Reuben Brookins

Along side - Sworn to and declared in open court the 16th day of June 1820

John McCarthy Clerk

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Montgomery County
Clerk's Office

I John McCarthy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereunto annexed are truly copied from the Record of the said Court - and I further certify that it is proved to the Satisfaction of the said Court by the oaths of credible witnesses and that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is forty seven dollars and thirty three cents - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the 16th day of June 1820.

John McCarthy

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Dr. R.M.Palmer
25 Elm Street Gloversville, New York.
BA-J/CC
Reuben Brookins
S.44684
Dear Sir:
Reference made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Shaw who died December 15, 1881, in New York, and that of Reuben Brookins of Johnstown, New York.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of John Shaw cited above. You are furnished herein the Revolutionary War record of Reuben Brookins as found in pension clain S.44684.
Reuben Brookins was born May 10, 1765, and was the son of Cyrus Brookins. Place of his birth and name of his mother are not shown.
While living with his father in New Marlboro, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Reuben Brookins enlisted about July 21, 1780, served as private in Captain Warner's company, Colonel Brown's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged about October 21, 1780; enlisted in February or March, 1781 for three years in Captain Ebenezer Smith's comapny, Colonel Calvin Smith's 6th Massachusetts Regiment, was in the battle of Kings Bridge, and at New Marlboro, Berkshire County, Massachusetts was transferred to Captain Bate's Company, Colonel Scammells's regiment, in the entire seige of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis after which he returned and was left at Annapolis with small pox and unable to rejoin the 6th Massachusetts Regiment until the spring of 1782 near Peekskill, New York in which he served until he was transferred in Captain Ebenezer Smith's company to the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged at West Point, New York December 24, 1783.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application dated July 29, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Johnstown, Montgomery County, New York.

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In 1820, Reuben Brookins was still living in Johnstown, New York and stated that his wife aged sixty years and a son aged sixteen years were living with him, their names not shown. It was stated he had an older brother in the Revolutionary War , his name not shown. No further family data are shown. In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Reuben Brookins, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Reuben Brookins Certificate #12980 Issued July 29, 1819 Rate $8.00 per month Commenced July 29, 1818 Act of March 18, 1818 New York Agency. Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

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[stamp]
Received October 7 1939
&lt;|Mail Subdivision
Reader number 8 Veterans administration

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R. M. PALMER, M. D. 
25 Elm Street 
Gloversville, N. Y. 
October 6, 1939 
Will you please furnish me with Revolutinary War records so for as you can find of: 
1-John Shaw who died December 15, 1821, aged 66 years in that part of Montgomery County which is and a part of Fulton County . New York. post office address would probably have been Johnstown, New York 
2- REUBEN Brookins a resident of the same place. I believe his pension claim is S. 44684 Yours truly 
Robert M. Palmer

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[Left side:]
44684
INVALID. - 
Revolutionary 
File - Number 44684
Reuben Brookins 
Private Revolutionary War
Act: 18 March 1818 Index: - Volume 3 , Page 61 Arrangement of 1870.} 1939 - Oct 24 Hist to Dr. 

[Right side:]
1939-October 24 history to Dr. R.M. Palmer