Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21,698, Gilbert Bradley, Vt.

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SERVICE
Vt.
Bradley, Gilbert
Number R.21,698

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Declaration in order to obtain one benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of New York
County of Clinton ss} On this twenty fifth day of July 1832 personally appeared before John Warford Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton being a Court of record Gilbert Bradley a resident of Plattsburg in the said County aged seventy six 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 passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. 
I was born at Guilford New Haven County Connecticut September 9, 1757. I have a record of my age in my Father's Bible which is now in my possession and which I have referred to. I resided in Sunderland Bennington Co. Vermont and enlisted at that place in June 1775 into Capt Daniel Comstock's Co. Col. Timothy Bronson's Regt. (Lt. Eli Bronson ['I don't recollect the other Lt.' crossed out] the other Lt. Samuel Short as a volunteer Sergeant and served at that place and at Arlington Vt. Shaftsburg Vt. + Salem N.Y. until about the first of October 1776, when I marched to Mount Independence opposite Ticonderoga N. Y. I said Genl Gates Genl Poor, Col Sumner + Benedict Arnold at Mount Independence and Ticonderoga. I served at those places about forty days and then marched to Skenesborough and was there discharged by + under Col Bronson with others. I had no written discharge I was discharged in November 1776 and served from time I entered in the same Company as a Sergeant sixteen months (16 mos.) I then returned home to Sunderland Vt. and remained there until the first of June 1777 when I again volunteered at that place as a Sergeant in the same Company and Regiment as before mentioned and marched through Dorset, Vt Manchester Vt. Pawlet Vt. Fairhaven Vt. to Ticonderoga NY. where I served in the month of June 1777. Genl. St. Clair then commanded

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the Regular forces, I saw him there and Genl Pattison of Lenox. Major Col. Sumner was there and had the charge of making Piquets. I served there eight or nine days and there I + the whole army retreated to Hubbardton Vermont the day before Hubbardton battle. Then I marched to Castleton Vt and I commanded a guard of five men and we captured the west flank British guard consisting of six men. We took them to Castleton Vt. and made a [illegible] jail of Gen Cogsdells old Blacksmith shop. I remained at Castleton Vt. twelve hours when I started to go to Hubbardton Vt. went about two miles and learning that the battle was over and that the Americans were defeated we retreated to Paulet Vt Rutland Co. Vt and remained there about two or three weeks by which time Burgoyne was Skenesborough. then we marched to Manchester Vt. and there we met Genl Sinclair retreating with his army. then I remained at Manchester, Sunderland, Arlington, Shaftsburg and Bennington till the middle of August 1777 when I marched to Bennington Vt. and was in two battles at that place fought in one day. Col. Baum of the British Army was killed in the first battle. I saw him dead on the field. He was a hessian. I was a sergeant in said Battle after the Battle of Bennington I marched to Arlington Vt. from thence to Sunderland then to Manchester Vt. and remained in service at these places until October 1777 when I left the service at Manchester Vt. (I then went to take care of my Brother who was a Captain in Col. Herrick's Regt.) and then went to Manchester and in July 1778 I volunteered again as a Sergeant in Captain Clark's Co, Col. Herrick Regt.  I then went to Albany with about twenty five British prisoners including some tories which were taken at Shelburn Vt. We delivered them up to General Starke

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at Albany in August 1778. I actually served as a Sergeant during the Revolutionary war in the service of the United States for two years.
After the Revolution I returned to Sunderland Vt. and resided there until 1828 when I moved to Williston Vt. where I resided till May 25, 1832 when I moved to Plattsburg NY where I have since resided and now reside. I never had any written discharge or Sergeant's warrant. I have no documentary evidence and know of no person who can testify to my services. I never was Drafted or was a Substitute. The names of persons in my present neighborhood who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the revolution are Robert Pierpont, David Robinson, Rev Joseph Bradley, Martin Winchel, John Roberts, Simon Newcom, & Benjamin F. Fisko + others.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity up to the present and declare that my name is on the Pension Roll of any agency of any State.
/s/Gilbert Bradley
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 25th day of July 1832 + I certify that Deponent is a credible person and that he is unable to and cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
/s/John Warford Judge of Clinton Common Pleas Counsellor at Law

We Joseph Bradley a Clergyman residing in the town of Plattsburg in the County of Clinton and State of New York and Daniel Robinson - residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gilbert Bradley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in

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the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
/s/Joseph Bradley
/s/Daniel Robinson
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 25th day of July 1832 and I do thereby declare my opinion after investigating of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Joseph Bradley who has signed the proceeding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Plattsburg Clinton Co. New York and that Daniel Robinson - who has also signed the same is a resident  in the said town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit;
/s/John Warford - Judge of Clinton Common Pleas Counsellor at Law
State of New York County of Clinton ss. I George M. Beckwith Deputy Clerk of the court of Common Please + of said County (the Clerk being sick + unable to attend to business). I hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of Hon. John Warford Judge &c in the matter of the application of Gilbert Bradley for a Pension and I further Certify that John Warford before whom the above proceedings were taken + who has subscribed his name to the Jurat of the affidavits of Gilbert Bradley. Rev. Joseph Bradley + Daniel Robinson was at the time a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton Counsellor at law of the Supreme Court of this State and that the signatures of the said Judge are in his genuine hand writing I being acquainted with it. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office the 25th day of July 1832.
/s/Geo M. Beckwith Dept Clerk

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Additional declaration of Gilbert Bradley made before Hon. John Warford Judge of Clinton County Court August 17, 1832.
In addition to my former declaration here to annexed made by me on the twenty-five day of July 1832 before Hon. John Warford a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said county of Clinton. I do hereby declare that I know of no persons whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my services in the revolutionary war. I have made frequent inquiries for the purpose but  without being able to ascertain that there i any person and living by whom I can prove my services. I have made all the efforts in my power to obtain the necessary testimony. Col. Eli Bronson, Amos Chipman, Robert Avery, David Fay, Daniel Comstock, Benjamin Griffin, John Cobin, Thomas Comstock, James Hill, Lemuel Bradley + John Stark. all served with me during the Revolutionary war more or less and are all dead, as I have been informed and believe to be true. I was a Justice of the Peace in Sunderland Vt. for fourteen successive years + for six years a representative of that town in the Vermont Legislature. My word or oath was never doubted by any person to my knowledge. I have been for six years [illegible] now severely afflicted with rheumatism and consumption. I have had during that time and now have a bad cough ['during that time' crossed out] and for a few months past I have had the asthma. I raise daily more than a gill of corrupted matter. I am very feeble, and was not able to attend Court on the twenty-fifth July last, and was not more able to attend Court. I have great difficulty in getting about my own room with a staff owing to the general debility and weakness of my old frame. -  The words "during that time" interlined before signing + swearing.
/s/Gilbert Bradley
State of New York ss. I the Subscriber as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton in said State do hereby certify that on this seventeenth day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Gilbert Bradley who signed the foregoing

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declaration and to me made solemn oath to the truth of the same; and I further certify that I took his original declaration here to annexed on the twenty-fifth day of July last at his house i the village of Plattsburg and that at that time said Bradley was unable to attend court by reason of bodily infirmity being afflicted with consumption, asthma, bad cough, and general debility of his whole system. I further certify that he [illegible] unable to attend court for the reasons above stated. I am informed by this family that the old gentleman is obliged to keep his bed a great part of his time. He appears bowed down with age and disease. I have taken this above declaration of said Bradley this day at this house in said village.
/s/John Warford
Judge of Clinton Common Pleas Counsellor at Law
State of New York
County of Clinton ss. I the subscribed Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton in said State do hereby certify that John Warford before whom the within a declaration of Gilbert Bradley was taken on the 25th day of July 1832 and before whom the within amendatory declaration of said Gilbert Bradley was this day under was at the said times respectively a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County a Counsellor at law of the Supreme Court of this state and that the signature of the said Judge to the above Certificate (and to the other certificates attached to the foregoing papers) is the genuine and proper hand writing of the said Judge being well acquainted with it. and further that the said foregoing papers contain the original proceedings of the said Judge in the matter of the application of Gilbert Bradley for a Pension - I further certify that Roswell Wilson is the Clerk of said County is sick + unable to attend to business - 
In witness whereof I have fastened the said declaration + amendatory declaration together with a piece of red tape passing under my official seal [illegible] on this seventeenth day of August 1832. - 
/s/Geo M. Beckwith Dept Clerk
['Judge of Clinton Common Pleas' crossed out]

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Gilbert Bradley of NY
Sergt 2 years in Revolution
Original declaration recd at Pension Office July 30, 1832 - Sgt
Pension Certificate to be sent to J. Douglas Woodward of Plattsburg New York by mail.

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Amended Declaration i order to obtain the benefit of the act passed June 7, 1932.
State of New York
County of Clinton ss.
On this fifteenth day of February in the year 1833, personally appeared before John Warford Esq one of the Judges of Clinton County Court being Courts of record, Gilbert Bradley a resident of Plattsburg in the said County aged Seventy sic years, who being first duly sworn according to law makes his oath the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following names officers and served as herein stated - 
I was born at Guilford New Haven County Connecticut September 9, 1757. I have a record of my age in my father's Bible which is now in my profession and which I have recently referred to. 
I resided at Sunderland Vt and enlisted at that place in June 1775 as a volunteer sergeant into   Capt Daniel Comstock's Company, Col. Timothy Brownson's Regt. Vermont (or then New Hampshire Grants) militia - our company was formed by voluntary enlistments and we chose our officers and placed ourselves under the direction of the committee of safety consisting of Governor Chittenden, Jonas Fay, Nathan Clark, Ira Allen, Felix Powell, Captain Bull and others. The Committee of safety and delegates from several towns near Manchester Vermont, met and chose Timothy Brownson Colonel. My Father was one of the Committee of Safety for Sunderland. I was in actual service in said company during the season at Arlington Vt, Shaftsburg Vt., Salem N.Y., and about there until November 1775, when I [marginal notation: 5. mo] returned home to Sunderland Vt. - I made Sunderland Vt my stopping place from November 1775 to May 1776, during part of which time I took charge of a small company store at Sunderland Vt. and dealt out provisions and ammunition

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to various Scouting parties + to our company, and during part of said time I went to Salem NY Manchester Vt + Bennington Vt. on [illegible] - I also went with detachments from our Company during that winter on various Scouting parties to Bennington Vt. Salem Ms. Arlington Vt. Pawlet Vt. and other places. I was in actual service in my said company from November 1775 to May 1776 six months and engaged in no [marginal note: 6. mo] other business.
I was engaged and served one month and until June 1776 with part of our Company in transporting flour across the green mountains to Charleston N. H. for the use of Genl Arnold's Troops and in impressing teams. Isaac Tichenor [marginal note: 1. mo] then acted as Commissary at Charleston NH. I served from June 1776 to October 1776 with our Company upon various scouting parties to Bennington Vt. Manchester Vt. Arlington Vt. Salem NH. and about there and keeping up a communication between those places and in taking up and disarming persons suspected of being unfriendly to the American cause. I was in actual service as aforesaid from June 1776 to Oct. 1776 three months [marginal note: 3 mos] + performed us other business.
About the first of October 1776 I marched with our Company to Mount Independence opposite Ticonderoga and served there and about there one month + two weeks, I think, and until some time in November 1776 when I was dismissed by Col Brownson or Col Wayne at Skenesborough N.Y. [marginal note: 1m+2w.]without any written discharge in November 1776.
I returned to Sunderland Vt. after my discharge and remained there labouring under sickness until the first of June 1777 by which time I recovered my health. I then again volunteered at that place as a Sergeant in the same Company and Regiment as before

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mentioned and served as such Sergeant in said Company [marginal note: 4 mos.] until October 1777 four months, during which time I marched through various places, some of them were Dorset, Manchester, Pawlet, Fairhaven, Ticonderoga, Hubbarton, Castleton, Rutland, Arlington + Bennington Vt. I was in Bennington Battle + took some pompous proclamations out of Col. Baum's pocket as he lay on the field of battle. He was a Hessian + col of Cavalry. I also during said time captured a British Guard at Castleton Vt. I then (in October 1777) left the service by provision of my officers and went to Dorset Vt to take charge of my Brother (who was a Captain in Col. Herrick's Regt) and remained there till July 1778 when I volunteered again at that place as a Sergeant in Capt Clark's Company. Col Herrick, Vermont Regt of militia and served in that company about one [marginal note: 1 m.] month during which time I marched to Albany with about twenty five British prisoners which were taken at Shelburn Vt. We delivered them up to General Stark at Albany NY in August 1778. I then returned to Sunderland Vt. and continued to serve in that company till after [marginal note: 5 m.] the first of January 1779 during which time I was engaged in collecting arms, military stoves [marginal note: 26m.+2w.] and ammunition. I also during said time had the charge of a Company Store at Sunderland Vt. and had deposited with me several thousand pounds of powder, ten thousand balls, several thousand pounds of  ['powder' crossed out] lead, two boxes of flints and a quantity of muskets. I was engaged in dealing out ammunition and arms to our company and to the Vermont Troops. I served two years + more of actual service in the Revolutionary war in the capacity of Sergeant -  I have endeavoured to give the details of my service but my mind is so impaired and broken that I cannot state them with more

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accuracy. I stated in my former Declarations made before Judge Warford and have to annexed that I knew of no person whose testimony I could provide who could testify to y services. When (I made those declarations I had been informed and believed that Samuel Bradley had been killed by a fall from a Bridge and that Joel Bronson if living was not able to make any statement of my services which would be of any use in any application - Esq Brownell was here a few days ago and told me that said Samuel Bradley and Joel Brownson were both living + that he would procure their depositions + He has accordingly procured their affidavits which are her to annexed. The disability and infirmity under which I laboured when I made my former declarations still continues.
After the Revolution I resided in Sunderland Vt. till 1828 when I moved to Williston Vt. and resided there till May 25, 1832 when I moved to Plattsburg NY where I have since resided and now reside. I never had any written discharge or Sergeant's warrant. I have no documentary evidence and know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service as capt. Joel Brownson + Samuel Bradley whose Depositions are hereto annexed - The names of persons in my present neighborhood who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution are Robert Pierpont, Daniel Robinson, Joseph Bradley (His affidavit is annexed) Martin Winchel, John Warford, Simon Newcomb, Benjamin F. Fisk and others -  I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension

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or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - I served in the Revolutionary war after 1779. - 
/s/Gilbert Bradley
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 15th day of February 1833 and I certify that Deponant is a credible person and that he is unable to attend Court by reason of bodily infirmity. That the reasons why said Gilbert Bradley cannot attend Court are stated in my Certificate to his 2d amended declaration hereto annexed made August 17, 1832, + I further  certify that the same reasons still exist + that he cannot for said reasons attend Court. I further Certify and declare my opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting in interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states - and I further Certify that the said Joseph Bradley whose Deposition is annexed as a Clergyman and that his statement is entitled to full credit - Given under my hand the fifteenth day of February 1833.
/s/John Warford Judge of Clinton Com Pleas

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State of New York
County of Clinton ss. I the Subscriber Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that John Warford before whom the annexed affidavit of Rev. Joseph Bradley was taken and sworn on the fifteenth day of February 1833. and before whom the annexed declaration of Gilbert Bradley was sworn on the same day was at the said times a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County. + that the Certificate of said Judge to the Jurat of said affidavit and certificate following the said declaration of said Gilbert Bradley was signed by the said Judges and are his genuine signatures and hand writing I being well acquainted with it. I have attached the first declaration of said Gilbert Bradley. his second declaration, this his 3d declaration - an affidavit of Danl Robinson + Rev Joseph Bradley + a 2d affidavit of Rev Joseph Bradley + the affidavits of Joel Bronson + Samuel Bradley together with a piece of red tape + passing under my official seal. I further Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge Warford in the matter of the application of the said Gilbert Bradley for a Pension. - Witness my hand and official seal at Plattsburg in said County this fifteenth day of February 1833. - 
/s/Nathan Taylor Clerk

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Petition of Gilbert Bradley a Sergt in the Revolution for a Pension. - 
Com. on Rev. Pensions.
For Hon R. Whallon
Ho. Reps. US.
Dec. 31 1833
Refd. to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Sgt Col. Bronson 2nd mil
Agreement
R. Wardwell i.g. dis [illegible]
Whallon 13. Rev. Pens

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To the Senate + House of Representatives of the US.
The Petition of Gilbert Bradley of the State of New York respectfully showeth.
That he served two years during the Revolutionary war in the capacity of a sergeant.
That he made an application to the Commissioner of Pensions to be placed on the Pension Roll under the act of June 7, 1832 But Petitioner was and still is unable to comply with the rules prescribed by that officer.
Your Petitioner further showeth that in consequence of his loss of memory and the debility of his old frame, he is unable to give a more particular statement of his services, than are contained in the Papers (to which refers) accompanying this Petition. He has no means of subsistence whatever but is entirely dependent upon his son's charity for support. 
He prays that Congress will ass a law for his relief authorising him to be placed on the Pension Roll at the rate of Eight dollars per month to commence on the 4th March 1831, or for such other relief as to your Honorable bodies shall deem proper. - 
Decr. 2, 1833. Respectfully submitted 
/s/Gilbert Bradley

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Affidavit of Lorin Larkin + John Roberts in support of Gilbert Bradley's application for a Pension.
(additional

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State of New York 
County of Clinton ss. Lorin Larkin aged seventy seven years being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Gilbert Bradley applicant for a Penson and saw him in actual service of the United States at Mount Independence in the summer of 1777. - Deponant believes that said Bradley was a faithful man to his County. + that he actually served two years + more as he has stated. + this belief is founded upon the declarations of said Bradley to that effect + Deponant's knowledge of said Bradley during the Revolution and of the events of that period that said Bradley is very poor and in actual need of the assistance of his country for support. and deponant believes his application for a pension is a meritorious one. And further says not. 
/s/Lorin Larkin
Sworn and subscribed to before this 22d day of August 1833 and I certify that Deponant is a resident of Beekmantown + a credible person + witness -
/s/Caleb Nichols
Supreme Court Commissioner

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State of New York 
County of Clinton ss. John Roberts a resident of Plattsburg in said County aged seventy three years ['old' crossed out] being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Gilbert Bradley applicant for a Pension during most of the Revolutionary war + saw him in the year 1777 in actual Service at Castleton Vt. + know that he was frequently out in service but Deponant cannot state particulars. Deponant further says that Manchester Vt. was a General rendezvous four our Troops. + said Bradley as Deponant understood at the time was engaged in actual service at that place about there during most of the war. Deponant verily believes that he served two years and more during the Revolution in the service of his country and this belief is founded on the statements of said Bradley + Deponant's own knowledge of said Bradley's service, and of the events of that period. - That said Bradley has always sustained and now sustains a good character for truth and further says not. (service interlined)
/s/John Roberts
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 22d day of August 1833, and I certify that Deponant is a credible person + witness.
/s/Caleb Nichols 
Supreme Court Commissioner

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. State of New York County of Clinton ss I the Subscriber a public Notary in + for the said County do hereby certify + make known that Caleb Nichols before whom the annexed affidavit of Lorin Larkin + the within affidavit of John Roberts were respectively taken + sworn on the twenty second day of August 1833. was at the time a Supreme Court Commissioner residing in said County, + that his signature to the jurats of said affidavits are in his genuine hand writing I being well acquainted with it. Witness my hand + official Seal at Plattsburg this 23d day of August 1833.
/s/J Douglas Woodward Notary Public 
[seal affixed]

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Bradley G
State of Vermont 
County of Chittenden ss. Joel Bronson a resident of Richmond is said county aged Seventy years being duly sworn says that his well acquainted with Gilbert Bradley of Plattsburg New York an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress passed Jun 7, 1832 and has been acquainted with said Bradley more than fifty six years past - That deponant is a nephew of Timothy Bronson a Colonel in the Revolutionary war - That said Col Bronson was in service according to Deponant's recollection from June 1795. to November 1776. That deponant has frequently during the last fifty years conversed with said Gilbert Bradley relative to his services in the revolution, and that said Gilbert has always told Deponant that he served two years in the Revolutionary war at different times, and that his statements were always consistent and true, as Deponant believes that Deponant has has many opportunities of testing the truth of said Gilbert Bradley's statements for Deponant served with him at sundry times from the year 1779. to the close of the War being in the same company and was with him at Castleton + other places and Deponant verily believes that said Gilbert Bradley did serve two years,, as he states during the revolutionary war. Deponant has understood and believes the service to be true, that said Gilbert Bradley is so infirm in body and his mind and so impaired by age and disease that he is unable to make a clear and satisfactory statement of his service.
/s/Joel Bronson
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 1st day of February 1833 and I certify that Deponant is a credible person + witness - 
/s/Chauncey Brownell Jus. Peace

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State of New York 
County of Clinton ss. Joseph Bradley a Clergyman residing in Plattsburgh in said County being duly sworn says that he is a son of Gilbert Bradley, applicant for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, and was present when he made his amended declaration this day, which is hereto annexed. That said Gilbert is so infirm in body, and his mind so impaired that he is not capable of making a satisfactory statement of his specific services. Deponant has frequently for and during the last Twenty years heard the said Gilbert related his services in the Revolutionary war, and from his previous statements before he ever made any application for a pension as proposed to make an application, and at this time, Deponant verily believes, that said Gilbert Bradley did serve as a sergeant in the army of the Revolution two years as he states. That said Gilbert has always told Deponant that he served more than two years in the Revolutionary war. Deponant has read over the amended declaration of said Gilbert this day made by him and hereto annexed and the same agrees substantially with the statements heretofore made by him to Deponant although the circumstances of his service are not as clearly set forth as they have been verbally related by his said Father - but he is now so infirm and broken that Deponant does not believe it possible for him to make a more correct statement. The belief of Deponant that his said Father served two years as a sergeant in the Revolutionary war is founded on the frequent declaration of the Said Gilbert to that effect, + upon what Deponant has heard at different times from Joel Brownson. And further saith not.
/s/Joseph Bradley
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 10th day of February 1833 and I certify that the said Joseph Bradley is a clergyman existing in the town of Plattsburgh and a gentleman of respectability and truth and his statement is entitled to full credit - 
/s/John Warford Judge of Clinton Common Pleas

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State of Vermont 
County of Chittenden ss. Samuel Bradley a resident of Essex in said county aged seventy seven years, being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Gilbert Bradley of Plattsurgh New York an applicant for a Pension under the at of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and has been acquainted with said Gilbert Bradley more than sixty years past - That Deponant was well knowing to the said Gilbert Bradley serving as a Militia man, at different times, in the Revolutionary was and Deponant served with him at sundry places was with him in the action at Bennington August 1777 and likewise served with him at Ticonderoga or Mount Independence at the time Gen. Arnold was defeated on Lake Champlain - Afterwards served with him at Castleton and were with him and others as a guard, from Bennington to Albany under the command of Capt. Isaac Clark - (Deponant has understood and believes the same to be true that said Gilbert Bradley is so infirm in body and his mind so impaired by age and disease that is unable to make a clear and satisfactory [illegible] pensions - 
/s/Gilbert Bradley
STATE OF VERMONT, 
Chittenden County, ss.} I Nathan [illegible] Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify that, Chauncey Bronnall Esqr. before whom the annexes Depositions were taken, was at the time thereof, a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe his name thereto subscribed, to be his own proper signature. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 5th day of February A.D. 1832
/s/Nathan [illegible]

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State of Vermont 
County of Chittenden ss. Samuel Bradley a resident of Essex in said county aged seventy seven years, being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Gilbert Bradley of Plattsburgh New York and applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 and has been acquainted with said Gilbert Bradley more than sixty years past - That Deponant was well knowing to the said Gilbert Bradley serving as a Militia man, at different times, in the Revolutionary war and Deponant served with him at sundry places, was with him in the action at Bennington August 1777 and likewise served with him at Ticonderoga or Mount Independence at the time Gen. Arnold was defeated on Lake Champlain - Afterwards served with him at Castleton and went with him and others as a guard, from Bennington to Albany under the command of Capt. Isaac Clark - (Deponant has understood and believes the same to be true that said Gilbert Bradley is so inform in body and his mind so impaired by age and disease that he is unable to make a clear and satisfactory statement of his services - 
/s/Samuel Bradley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2d day of February 1833 and I certify that Deponant is a credible person + witness}
/s/Chauncey Brownell Justice Peace

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Gilbert Bradley
Served two years as a Sergt in the Revolutionary war - 
Address J. Douglas Woodward
Plattsburg. Clinton Co. N.Y.
July 30 1832
Pension Office}

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Gilbert Bradley
two years as a Sergeant in the Revolution - 
address J Douglas Woodward
Plattsburg N.Y.

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(3-223.) Revy
No. 21,698
____, Ex'r. REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
Gilbert Bradley of N.Y.
P.O. Sgt. Col. Bronson Vt Mil.
Service: Revy
Enlisted: ____, 18. 
Discharged: ____, 18.
Application filed: ____, 18.
Alleges: ____
Re-enlisted: ____
Attorney: ____
P. O. ____
Recognized. ____Contract. ____
355

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DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
PENSION OFFICE, June 27, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, entitled an "Act for the reliet of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution."
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, to include under the terms Continental Line," State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries  and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exists in this Department, all person claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. 
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of} ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared before the [blank] of the [blank] 
A. B. a resident of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District [blank]
aged [blank] 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.]
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, or (if any,) only on that of the Agency in the State
of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court:
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank]&c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will receive detailed instructions, respecting the nature and form of the testimony, they must produce, to secure their being placed on the Pension Roll. As the presumption will, in such cases, be against the applicants, in consequence of the omission of their names in the muster rolls, they will be required to furnish, as near as may be, the same evidence as has heretofore been required by the Regulations and practice adopted for carrying into effect the act of Congress, of March 18, 1818, and the acts supplementary thereto; with such relaxations as have been from time to time, sanctioned by the Department, on account of the rapid decrease of the survivors of the Revolutionary Army, and the consequent difficulty of procuring direct positive testimony in every case.
Wherever an officer or non-commissioned officer is now in the receipt of a pension, he should make application, if entitled to the benefits of this act, by letter merely, setting forth his rank, and the regiment, corps or vessels, in which he served, and his present place of residence. His pension certificate must accompany his letter.
In those cases where the applicants have once been on the pension roll, under the act of March 18, 1818, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property, or for any other reason, or where application

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2
has been made under the act of May 15th, 1828, and the evidence of service is in the Departments, or having made application and proof of service, and having been rejected, instead of the above declaration they will make a statement, setting forth, under oath, their having been previously on the pension roll, and their having been struck from the same, shewing their rank, the regiment, corps or vessel in which they served, their present place of residence, and their place of residence when the first application was made, or of their application under the act of 15th May, 1828.
In a case where a claimant may make personal application at this Department, and can produce satisfactory proof of service, and of his identity also, at the seat of government, he may make his declaration before a justice of the peace.
2. The case of the State troops volunteers and militia is different. There are in the Department no rolls of the State troops, except those of Virginia; and no rolls of the militia, except those of New Hampshire.
Applicants, who served in the State troops of Virginia, and applicants, who served in the militia of New Hampshire, will be required to produce the same proof, as is prescribed for those, who served upon the Continental Establishment. But, with respect to the other State troops and militia, there is no record
to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted. The nature of the case, therefore, demands a different rule of proceeding.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except as is above provided, will make and subscribe the following declaration:
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State, Territory or District of
County of}ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of [blank]now sitting, A. B. a resident of [blank]
in the County of [blank] State, Territory or District of [blank] aged [blank] 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, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the day (if possible) and the month and year when the claimant entered the service, and the time when he left the same; (and if under more than one engagement, he must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of his officers;) the town, and County or State, in which he resided, when he entered the service; whether he was drafted, was a volunteer or a substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he
marched; the continental regiments or companies with which he served: and the names of some of the Regular Officers whom he knew, together with such farther particulars as may be useful in the investigation of his claim; and also, if the facts be so, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.]
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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the State of [blank] Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
C. D.
And then will be annexed the following certificate:
We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] 
and C. D. residing
in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
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 Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the [blank] that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] - &c.

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8
The form of the proceedings and of the certificates will be so varied, as to meet the case, when the declaration is made out of Court, before a Judge, as hereafter provided for.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia :
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it ?
3. Where were you living when called into service? where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
How were you called into service ; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom, was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the of opinion of the
Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. To require from the
applicants positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the Militia by the existence of Rolls in the Department, there is no good reason why this requisition should be
extended to them. On the other hand, to receive the declaration of the parties, as a sufficient ground for placing them upon the Pension Roll, without corroborating circumstances, would be to open the Treasury to great frauds. A just medium seem to present the best rule for carrying into effect the objects of Congress.
If the two persons, whose certificate is required, cannot be produced in Court, without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, then the statement of the facts and opinions, above mentioned, will be made under oath before some Judge or Justice of the Peace, and the certificate of the Court to the situation and credibility of the persons making the statement will be given.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and
will also certify, that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
3. Persons serving in the marine forces.
4. Indian Spies.
Each of these two latter classes of cases will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832 ; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the
Court upon the whole matter.

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War Department 
Pension Officer
24 April 1833.
Sir, 
I regret to be  under the necessity of returning the papers in support of the claim of Gilbert Bradley a third time. Without remarking upon the palpable discrepancies - between his several statements of service, and taking the last one to be perfectly correct, it is found to be impossible to make a decision upon it, from the want of the requisite specification of periods of his actual service. This Department has no  authority to allow pensions upon conjecture. The Law gives a rate of pension proportionate to the duration of

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of actual service in a military capacity, if above six months, and less than two years. Unless the several periods of actual service are distinctly given, no computation can be made. The character of the service must also be clearly set forth, or it cannot be determined whether it comes within the Law. Where the memory of the claimant has become so broken as to afford no data, and no other definite evidence can be produced, the claim must fail upon the same ground that other individuals are obliged to forego their rights for want of the necessary proof to enable them to assert them.
By his last declaration it appears that the claimant served in

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in the militia at various terms. The terms of actual service must be set forth clearly and distinctly. The states that he was in actual service during the season of 1775 - but, when he went into actual service and the particulars of each term are not given in a manner that their accuracy can be tested. As to his service from November 1775, to May 1776 - during a part of which period he states he kept a Commissary store, it is very obvious he was not in actual service in a military capacity during the whole of that time, Commissaries and their agents, not being military men within the act. 
This employment in the transportation of flour across the Green  Mountains cannot be regarded as military service, unless

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unless further details of that service shall be given. This employment in 1779, in collecting arms, military stores, and ammunition; while in charge of a Commissary store, was not military service.
In short, without going into further details, it is requisite that Mr. Bradley specify each term of service performed by him, which he claims to be included in the computation of his pension.
As he never held a sergeant's warrant, that rank cannot be allowed him. He will be admitted as a private for such period of service as was actually spent in the field, camp, or garrison, in a military capacity only. As the regulations appear to have been altogether lost sight in preparing this case, a copy is herewith enclosed for your guidance. 
Very respectfully your obt. svt.
/s/J. L. Edwards
I. Douglas Woodward, Esq.
Plattsburg N. York

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Gilbert Bradley

Page 36

War Department
Pension Office
September 1st 1832

Sir
Your letter accompanying the returned declaration of Gilbert Bradley, with the additional evidence respecting his bodily inability to attend a Court of Record, and his exertions in procuring other testimony of his service, has been received.
The formal requisites of the regulations which were pointed out in the former letter from this office having been disposed of by this testimony which would have been more satisfactory had the evidence of the ill health of the claimant come from his attending physician, the substance of the declaration has been examined.
Mr. Bradley states that enlisted in June 1775 into Capt Daniel Comstock's Company in Col. Timothy Bronson's regiment, and that he was discharged by Col Bronson in November 1776, after serving as Sergeant Sixteen months. an

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an obvious objection to the accuracy of this statement is that at as early a period of the war as June 1775 no troops were called into service for so long a period. Besides, no such person as Col. Bronson is known to this Department as Commander of a Regiment in actual service in June 1775. Before this term of service under one engagement at so early a period after war can be recognized, proof must be adduced that Col Bronson was in command of a Regiment in actual service from June 1775 to November 1776. If the service into which Mr. Bradley enlisted in June 1775 was the entering a Regiment of minute men, and the belonging to such Regiment is the service which he performed during the period of sixteen months, no claim to a pension arises from such service, excepting for the forty days when the regiment is stated to have marched to Mount Independence in 1776.
Before a decision can be made upon the merits of this claim Mr. Bradley must show the particular circumstances of his service in such a manner

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ner as to meet the foregoing objections. Others might be stated, but there are so fundamental as to require a new declaration in which all the facts relative to his entering and discharging from the service must be stated with precision and minuteness.  When a claim rests entirely upon the testimony of the claimant the utmost accuracy should be requires. The papers are herewith returned.
I am respectfully your obedient Servt.
/s/J. L. Edwards
I. Douglas Woodward Esq.
Plattsburg New York