Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1379, John Bryan, New York

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B-1776
Service New York
Bryan, John
Number R 1379
Contents

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

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY of Albany } n

On the Sixth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Justices Court of the City of Albany now sitting, John Bryan a resident of the City of Albany in the county of Albany and state of New York aged on 4 July last sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, pass June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: That he has annexed hereto, his declaration which he has deposed unto, and which he herby submits to the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States, declaring as he hereby does, that his revolutionary Services as a Soldier, have amounted to a period exceeding twenty four months.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

J.G. Wasson Clk John Bryan

We John B. Stratten a Clergyman, residing in the City of Albany and James Van Ingen residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Bryan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
J.G. Wasson JB Stratten Ja Van Ingen

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Solder, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that John B. Stratten who hath signed the proceeding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the City of Albany; and that James Van Ingen who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Same City and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.

John G Wasson Cleark of the Justice Court of the City of Albany DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of John Bryan for a pension.

IN TESTIMONY, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the sixth day of September A.D.. 1832

John G Wasson Clk

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City of Albany
Justice Court

In open court & on the day and year within written, before the Justice Court of the City of Albany, in open court, personally appearing Isaac Lawson of the Town of Watervliet, to this court satisfactorily known as a man of undoubted truth and veracity, who being duly sworn, deposed and said, that he has heard the within and assigned declaration of John Bryan which he has subscribed and sworn to, and that he well knows the material facts therein states, respecting his place of {illegible} and his serving as a Revolutionary soldier to be true and correct. 

[illegible signature]

Subscribed and sworn to 
this 6 Sept. 1832
John G. Wasson, Clerk

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58
John Bryans 
Declaration
No. 1

Albany Sept 1832
Subscribed and sworn to this day
John G Wasson Clk

1379

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I was born in the City of New York, on the 4th of July 1765; I 
lost my Father when I was about 4 years old; In the fall of 1774
I went to live with Alsop & James Hunt, brothers, Leather Dressers,
then living in Queen Street (now Pearl) in the City of New York; they 
were good whigs: When Gen. Washington left Long Island, they left
New York, and took me with them, and went to West Farms; but the
British landing on Throgs Neck, and likely to cut us off, we retired to
White Plains; the enemy close on our rear, we moved to North Castle &
from thence to Pound Ridge, when in 1778 the enemy followed us and
burn't and destroyed every thing we had left; the brothers dissolve
partnership and James Hunt was appointed on of the commissioners
of sequestration for the county of Westchester & entered on the duties
of his office and took me with him; we were sometimes in one place
and sometimes in another, till the Spring of 1780 when he took a
Tory farm in a place then called Amewalk, about 9 miles east of 
Peekskill; that one Griffin Corey had left and gone to the enemy; the
winter of 1779 -80 was very severe and the enemy had been locked
up in New York; and as soon as the spring opened they began to make
incursions into the country with Delancey's Light Horse and rob &
murder every one that came in their way, the lines being unguarded 
the last of March or beginning of April, the Militia was ordered 
out to guard the lines, I was then not 15 years old till the
coming 4th of July: I was enrolled in Col. Samuel Drakes Regiment 
and took my tour of duty on the lines under the command of Lieut.
Elisha Scott a very brave and useful officer, we were on the lines
about 20 days during which time I suffered the greatest hardships of hunger
fatigue and cold and not being more than 6 hours in one place
during the whole time; being on the march, patrolling the country
continually, Lieut Scotts command consisted of about 20 men
among whom I remember well was my friend Isaac Lawson we
were relieved by another detachment and returned home for a few
days, but was continually on the alarm and had to watch our 
horses and cattle every night, so that it may be said we were 
continually on duty; things continued in this way till some time 
in July, when it was ordered that the Militia should be classed and
a company of 100 men raised to guard the lines the company was
raised and the command given to Capt. Benjamin Stevens and

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Lieut Peacock a Virginian, a very fine soldier and a gentleman
I was one of this company and my friend Isaac Lawson was also
one of the company, and the only one of the officers or men I believe no
alive, as soon as we were mustered we were marched on to the lines
were were stationed nowhere and every where we were continually on 
the Reconnoitre for nearly 4 months till the weather became so cold
we could not keep the field any longer without shelter.  I was
with the company the whole time.  I was on the quarter guard 
at Col. Jamieson's Head quarters at Doct. Flemings house a
little below Bedford when Maj. Andre was taken and brought
to Head quarters.  Col Jamieson was not in his quarters, but
I saw Capt. Hoogland receive Maj. Andre and saw his first 
salutation and sign of distress.  During the remainder of the war
I was continually on the alert under arms almost every day
till the peace of 1783 since which time to the present day
I have been a uniform Republican and a sincere friend to
Republican men and measures.  In the late war with England
I was one of six or seven who projected and raised at
private expense a volunteer Regiment chose the officers and
had them Brevetted by Governor Tompkins.  Col John Mills
commanded the Regiment and fell nobly fighting in his
countrys cause at Sacketts Harbor.  I with others contri-
buted to the relief of the Niagara sufferers.  I never was 
one of those that thought it was "unbecoming a moral &
religious people to rejoice at our victories." I am an old
man 67 on 4th July last.  I want but little for myself and
shall not want that little long. 
                                                                      J W Bryan
Albany []th Sept. 1832
Subscribed & Sworn to this day
John G. Watson Clk

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Albany Feby 10. 1837

Dear Sir

Two or three years ago some of my old friends advised me to apply to the Government of the United States for a pension for my services: Mr James Van Ingen of this city undertook the business for me but he did not succeed, the papers were returned to me with the objections as you will see on the printed paper I herewith send you: I am induced through the persuasion of my friends to renew the application and send the papers to your care, which I have taken the liberty to do, not doubting but you will do all in your power to serve me, I have added to my first declaration as supplement, also a word or two from the Governor, and the Mayor of the City and copy of an order on Capt. Stevenson for my pay [illegible] I served under him, which will go to show I am not an imposter: My family join me in sentiments of respect to you: my daughters say they shall long remember your polite attention to them, when they had the pleasure to see you in Washington.

I am with much respect
Your very humble Sev.
J Bryan

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1379 (stamped) Rejected

John Bryan

List of rejected claims, printed in 1852, shows cause of rejection as follows: All that the claimant has been enabled to establish is three month service in the levies of 1780

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W. S. Allison
Jany 6, 66

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Pension Office
January 6th 1846

Sir,

 The certificate of the Comptroller of New York filed by you in the case of John Bryan, shows that he served 3 months in the Servis of 1780. This Service has heretofore been admitted and is all that has been established by the claimant.

WS Allison Esq
Present

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New York
Rev
John Bryan
Suspended
Let to Hon A Ward
Feb. 15. 1837 Same
17 Feb " do. to Sec. War
Oct. 25. 1845. (not found)
Let to W. S Allisen, Esq
Jan 6, '46
Letter to Hon. BR Wood
5 Feb 1846

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Hon. A. Ward
Feb. 17, 1837
CH
Rec. Vol. 40 pa. 109

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War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 17, 1837
Sir
The affidavit of Mr. John Bryan with the
Certificate thereon of the Hon Mr Lansing is received 
All that Mr Bryan can be allowed upon the proof 
 for produced is this months which is not sufficient to entitle
him to a pension under the act. It is probable that he will as required in my letter of the 15th instead be able to furnish such particulars of the town [Service] in the "Sargents Ground" [for that justification of] of the
Defeat of Provisions
[Military Story] as to [justify the Def] justify its allowance
Hon A. Ward
House Rep
US

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War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 15, 1837

Sir:

The papers of Mr. John Bryan, an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 1832, here again being examined.  Since the previous examination, the original jury notes of Cap. Stevenson have been obtained from Albany.  All the evidence to be formed of the persons of Capt. Bryans' Company is contained in two jury notes; the first of a tour of three months, ending the 19th of October, 1780; the second of a tour thirty-seven days, the same year ending the 10th December.  Mr. Bryans' name is found on the first when he is credited for three months service according to the rule applicable to [illegible].  He must, in order to obtain his claim, he must prove it by two credible witnesses

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The claim to service in the Sargent's General, in 1782, mentioned in the supplemental affidavit.  Should in order to a satisfactory investigation or particularly described, the name of the Company office should be specified, as well in the names of the place or post when the affidavit was returned. 

The supplemental affidavit is herewith returned.  Thus the official character of the Commissioner of Deeds may be duly certified.  

Hon. A. Ward
February 15, 1837

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In addition to the above brief sketch of my life and my military services in the Revolutionary War, I can only add I was in Col. Samuel Drakes' Regiment of Militia in the County of Westchester and State of New York from April 1780 to March 1783 and that I was in actual service under his command two years of that time as a private, it must be observed I was an apprentice and whatever vouchers there might have been , they were all in my masters' hands as will be seen by a certified copy of an order given him in New York after peace, it was found by accident in the Comptrollers' Office of this State.  I think it very probable Mr. Hunt had in his hands many papers that would fully demonstrate my services in the Revolution, but he has been long dead and his papers gone or lost, so that it is impossible at this length of time to tell anything about them as to the true periods of the war in which I served, it was in the years one thousand seven hundred and eighty, eight-one and eighty-two, as to the nature of my services, we were what was called minute men and as we lived on the lines we were called on every few days for some services or other, we were sometimes commanded by one officer and sometimes by another, very often by the guides, as they were called, they were men under the pay of the Continental Congress in whom great confidence was placed, we were ordered on secret expeditions their command for six, ten and fifteen days at a time and when the party returned another took its place in the year eight two, I was detached with others to join small detachment of continental troops to guard a depot of provisions we were under the command of a sergeant for six months before the provisions were all removed and a very important service it was to my country for had it not been for our vigilance the provisions would have all be destroyed by the Tories.

John Bryan

State of New York
County of Albany )  ss

On this 10th day of February, 1877, formally appeared before me John Byran, and is known to me and made oath that the statement annexed to which he has subscribed his name, was true according to the best of his recollection. knowledge and belief.  

T.M. Burt
Commissioner of Deeds

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I know T.M. Burt within named and believe the handwriting to be his signature.  From the knowledge I have of Mr. Burt, I have every reason to believe that he is a Commissioner of Deeds as he subscribed himself to be.

Washington 16 February 1837

G Lansing

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State of New York )
Comptrollers Office }

I certify that the following is a copy of an order found amongst the papers vouchers of Capt. Benjamin Stevenson's Company in Col. Samuel Drakes' Regiment of levies of Militia of the State of New York which served in the Revolutionary War remaining in this office.

Sir

Please to pay the Bearer, Mr. James Hunt or his order the amount of my wages for three months service as a soldier in the levies raised by the authority of the State of New York under the command of Capt. Benjamin Stevenson in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty.  I having received value of him for the same and his receipt shall be a discharge from your humble servant.

John Bryan

New York, May 28, 1784
To Capt. Benjamin Stevenson
or whom it may concern
Witness Present
Alsop Hunt
James Hunt 

Received the within mentioned wages of Capt. Benjamin Stevenson
James Hunt

October 14, 1784

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this third day of March one thousand and hundred and thirty-four

Philip Phelps
Dep. Comptroller

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Oct. 25, 1845

No. 8

[illegible document]

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State of New York )
Albany City and County }  ss:

John Bryan, now of the City of Albany deposeth and saith that he was born in the City of New York  on the 4th day of July 1765 as his family record showeth now in his possession that he left New York City in 1776 and returned with Gen. Washington in 1783; that he was enrolled in Col. Samuel Drakes' regiment of Militia in the County of Westchester of that he served a tour of duty in the month of April 1780 under Captain Boyd commanding a company in said regiment of about twenty days and that he suffered incredible hardships, being about 15 years of age; the same summer he served upwards of three months under Capt. Benjamin Stevenson on the lines in Westchester County; in the next year he served six months under one Sargeant Veal of the regular Army as a volunteer to guard a Depot of provisions belonging to the U.S. near a place then called Amawalk in said County, about ten miles from Peekskill, all the Whigs were minute men, and often called upon to turn out for weeks at a time, to repel the enemy who were making inroads into the County every few days.  And further this deponent saith not.

John Bryan

Subscribed by the above named John
Bryan in my presence who is personally
known to be me and sworn to this
14th October 1845 before me 

Lansing Van White,
Commissioner of Deeds

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State of New York)
Albany County }  ss.

I William Mix, clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Lansing Van Wie before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the Lord thereto a Commissioner of Deeds in said County and that his name subscribed to said jurot is his proper hand mailing signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County this 29th day of  Oct. 1845

Wm. Mix, Clerk

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Nov. 28, 1848

John Bryant
N. York
City
June 1832

add. witnesses

W.S. Allison, Pres.

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In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum, viz:
19th Oct, 1780 John Bryan priv 800
z
STATE OF NEW - YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany Nov. 5th 1845.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 4, now remaining in this
office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First -- under Capt. Benj Stevenson in Levies
Regt.
Second " " " " " "
Third " " " " " "
Fourth " " " " " "
Fifth " " " " " "
Sixth " " " " " "
Seventh " " " " " "
Eighth " " " " " "
Ninth " " " " " "
Tenth " " " " " "
Eleventh " " " " " "
Twelfth " " " " " "
for 50 Philip Phelps
Dep Comp

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To the Secretary of War. I am acquainted
with John Bryan Esquire of Albany
& understand that he is an applicant
for a pension. I certify that he
is a reputable citizen and
his statement as to his services may
be confided in as correct
Albany 26. March 1824
W. L. Marcy

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To the Hon Secretary of War
Washington
No. 2.

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Albany June 4th 1834
To the Hon Secretary of War
In
I have
been for many years acquainted with
Mr John Bryan of this City,
It gives me pleasure to state
that he is one of our most
respectable inhabitants, a
good citizen. I have every
reason to believe he served
his country in the revolutionary
war, and is entitled to a
pension any representation
he may make you may rely
on a correct Mr Bryan
is advanced in life and a
pension would be of great
service to him. I am 
with much respect
You of Serv
Erastus Corning

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Sir

I have this day and the ordered as you will procure by the letter of Mr. Bryan.  I am in hopes note the pay rolls now in your office will enable you to ascertain the number of months he was in actual service

I am with great respect
your Obt. Sevent
A. Ward

H of R February 14th 1837

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5820

John Bryant

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Bryan which require further proof of explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is th4ere any reason assigned for his not doing so? ---

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of war where he served?  no

V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his services, and the different grades in which he served, in language do definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  no, no.  A detailed statement from the witness of the facts he verifies of his own knowledge is required.

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  yes.

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes.

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes.

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if any, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes.

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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another responsible citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary services?  yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.   If the applicant has no documentary evidenced, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  no

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  no

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not answered?  2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For _____ year _____ months and ______.  days.  I served as a _____ for ____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and length of his service.  The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.

In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company , and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.