Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 3931, Joseph Brown, N.C.

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(8 - 1776)
N.C
SERVICE
Brown, Joseph
Mary
Number
W 3931
B. L. Wt. 2327-100
Iss'd Jan. 22, 1844
Contents
Res. at Enl. Halifax Co. N. C. 
In 1843 aged 87 and res. of Johnston Co. N.C.
D. Nov. 9, 1843

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(32.097 )
North Carolina
Joseph Brown
of Johnston in the State of N. Carolina
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Gee's of the commanded
by
---
in the North Carolina
line for Two Years.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents
per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Dec 1843 and sent to Richard Randolph
Esquire, Present-
---
---
Arrears to the 4th of September 1843 $1000.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 1844
40. 00
$1040.00
---
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by F L Swann Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 1/2 Page 47.
Hon. W. H. Haywood Jr, Feb 24 1844,
Rep 28
Dec. 1843

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2380
North Carolina
Mary Brown
widow of Joseph Brown
N. C. 
who served in the Revolutionary
private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80
Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
14 day of Dec 1848
and sent to Geo. Little
Raleigh N. C,
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2 1848, Page 196 Vol. 1.
Let Hon. J. L. Orr
 Sept. 2/50
1857 Dec 12. Dropt from roll
Reported
Dec. 16/48

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress of the 7th June 1832-
State of North Carolina
Johnston County
On this 22 day of April 1843 personally
appeared before the Subscriber one of the Justices
of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and
for Johnston County, Joseph Brown, a resident of
Johnston County aged 87 years, who being first
duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress of the 7th June 1832. That he enlisted
in the Army of the United States in the year 1776
with Capt James Gee at Halifax No. Carolina
and Served in the Regiment of the Continental line commanded by Col. Alexander Martin, for 3 years- that he served under
Capt Gee until he died which was about
a year after he enlisted under him that
after his death, he was placed in Capt John
Ingles Company and served out the remainder of his tour, and returned home at the
[illegible] of the year 1779. That he remained
at home [illegible] number of months, and then
reenlisted for the war, joined his regiment
and served to the end of the war under

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Capt John Ingles - In this last tour of duty
he acted as Corporal and served as such
to the end of the war, the time he received
his discharge from Capt John Ingles. This
discharge he retained and preserved
for a number of years, but not considering
it of any value of importance, it has been
lost or destroyed. At the time he entered
the army he resided in the County of Halifax
North Carolina and continued to reside there
until about fifty years or upward since he removed
to the County of Johnston, that on account of his
old age and infirmity, he has been unable
to seek for persons with whom he served in
the part of the country where he lived at the time
he entered the army to prove his services, and
consequently has been able to establish his
right to a pension. That he has made all several
ineffectual effects to establish his claim but
his application has been generally made to
persons who were too ignorant or unwilling
to aid him. That it is well known to all his
neighbors his health and bodily infirmity
for the last ten a twelve years, has prevented
him from using any efforts at all, to go and
see those persons with whom he was known
at the time he served, to establish his rights
to a pension - Some of whom he has recently
learnt are alive. He hereby relinquishes

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any claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present, and declares his name
is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency
in any State
Joseph
Brown
his mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above
written before me J. G. Gulley 

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I hereby Certify I am personally acquainted and have been
for upwards of forty years with Joseph Brown who
is now applying for a pension that he came from
Halifax County as I have heard him repeatedly
declare many years since and has been living in this
County for the
last fifty years Joseph Brown has
made repeated applications to several persons of my
acquaintance to get his pension for him for the
last six or seven years and is now and always
believed was and Reputed to have been a soldier
of the Revolutionary War his statement above 
I am fully persuaded is correct in every particular for
he has made the same to me years ago before
he knew he was entitled to any claim and he is a
man of truth and respectability
I further certify that he is entirely unable
from his great age and bodily infirmity

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from
attending the Court of this County
Given under my hand
this 22nd April 1843
J. G. Gulley JP
17
I Joel B Clifton a Clergyman residing
in Johnson County do hereby certify I am
well acquainted in the Joseph Brown who hath
subscribed and sworn to the foregoing
Declaration, that I believe him to be between
80 and 90 years of age; that
he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and that I concur in that opinion
Joel B. Clifton
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above Written before me
J.G. Gully JP

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay
and pensions to certain Widows.
State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬
on this the 17th of February 1844 personally
appeared before the Subscriber an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County Mrs. Mary Brown
formerly of Johnston County now resident of Wake County
widow of Joseph Brown deceased formerly of Johnston
County, aged 73 years who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress of the 7th of July 1838.
That she is the widow of Joseph
Brown deceased who was an applicant for a pension as a
soldier of the Revolutionary War and the proofs of his
services whereby his right to a pension was established
and now on file in the Department, and to these she
would refer as positive and conclusive proof and evidence
of her right
she further declares she was legally
married to the aforesaid Joseph Brown in the County of
Johnston by Robert Gully Esquire in the month of May
1791. that her maiden name was Mary Snipes that

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she had three children
by Joseph Brown the oldest of
whom was born in the year 1793 who intermarried with
Green Price and removed to Tennessee about Thirty
years ago. That her husband Joseph Brown had by his first
wife three children the only one of whom now living to her
knowledge is Elizabeth Fowler wife of William Fowler
who was about two years old at the time of her intermarriage with Joseph Brown and that her husband the
aforesaid Joseph Brown died on the 9th of November
1843 in the 87th year of his age, all which will more
fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto appended,
Mary Brown


Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Wm D. Haywood JP
State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify that Mrs. Mary Brown
as above is personally known to me that she is the widow
of Joseph Brown De'd. late of Johnston County and a pension
as above mentioned that she is from bodily infirmity and
unable to attend Court of this County. Given under
my hand and seal this the 17th day of February 1844
W D Haywood JP

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State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify
that I am
personally acquainted with Mrs. Mary
Brown as above widow of Joseph Brown
deceased late of Johnston County that she is
unable from bodily infirmity to attend at
the Court of the County and have examined her foregoing statement and
believe it is true and correct
Given under my hand and seal
this 23 February 1844
Will R. Poole, JP

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10767 April 8 1844

N C 
Mary Brown
7 July 1838
Jo. Brown wife a pension under act Jun 7 1832

husband died Nov. 9th '43

Hon. R. M. Saunders H R
H. H. Sylvester
Rec'd Feb 7 '45

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State of North Carolina
Wake County

On this 21 day of
February 1844, personally appeared
before the subscriber one of the acting Justices of
the Peace in and for said County Mrs. Elizabeth
Fowler resident of Wake County aged fifty
five years, who being first duly sworn
according to law; deposeth and saith:
That she is the daughter of Joseph
Brown deceased late of Johnston County,
a soldier of the Revolutionary War; that he
was an applicant for a pension and obtained
and furnished proof of his services, as such
That Mrs. Mary Brown his widow now applying
for a pension is the identical person to
whom the affiant understood her father
the aforesaid Joseph Brown was legally married
in the County of Johnston County when she
was about two years old, which may in the
year 1791; that her step mothers maiden
name was Mary Snipes, born and raised
in Johnston County, and there intermarriage

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with Joseph Brown the deponents father
at the time above stated - from the time
of her earliest recollection they lived together
as husband & wife up to the time of his
death which was on the 9th of November 1843
The deponent further states, that she is
the daughter of her father the said Joseph Brown by his first wife, who died when
this deponent was very young, and that
her father intermarried in a very short time with
Mary Snipes, now Mrs.
Mary Brown, applying for a pension as
above stated. And that her step mother's
Statement as to the time of her marriage
is no doubt correct in any part
Elizabeth Fowler
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written before me
Wm D. Haywood J.P.
State of North Carolina
Wake County

I hereby certify that Mrs. Elizabeth Fowler
is personally known to me and full faith

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and credit may be given to her statement as above
Given under my hand and seal the day and date above written
Wm D Haywood JP Seal
State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬ I James T Marriott Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of
Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that William D. Haywood
and William R. Poole whose names appear signed to the foregoing proceedings are acting Justices of the peace in for
said County, and that the signatures purporting
to be theirs are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said Court and
subscribed my name at office in
Raleigh this 3rd day of April AD 1844
Jas. J. Marriott CC

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Proof of Marriage &
be [illegible] in death of
Mary Brown and of
Jos H. July 7 1838
[illegible] April 7 1844 at
[illegible] office
H. H. Sylvester
.

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State of North Carolina
Johnston County
1
⎬
On this 13th day of April 1844 personally appeared
before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace
in and for said County Tildy Simson, resident of
said County aged 80 years who being first  duly sworn
according to Law doth upon her oath make the
following affidavit. This affiant Testifies and
says she was well acquainted with Joseph Brown,
dec'd, and with his wife Mary who is now applying
for a pension. She is my sister. Joseph Brown
was married to my sister Mary Snipes in the
month of May 1791. they were married by
Robert Gully, Esqr and laid together as man
and wife up to the year 1843 when Joseph
Brown died,
This affiant has a perfect
knowledge of the said Joseph Brown's marriage
to Mary Snipes and knows they were married
in the year 1791 as above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
above written before me

J. G. Gully JP
Tildy Simson her mark
State of North Carolina Johnston County
I
hereby certify I am personally acquainted with Mrs. Tildy Simson and that she is a very aged and respectable lady
Given under my hand this 29th Apl 1844
J. G. Gully JP
State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I Thomas Bagley Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarters Sessions
for said County do herby certify that John G. Gully whose
name
appears as above is an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for said County
Given under my hand & seal
April 29 1844
Thos. Bagley CCC

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Joseph Brown
No 2.327
Mr. R. Randolph
Washington
A.C.

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State of North Carolina
County of Johnston
I Joseph Brown of the County and State
aforesaid aged 87 years do hereby testify and declare
upon my oath that I entered the service of the
United States in the Revolutionary War as a soldier
in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six
(1776) in Capt James Gee's Company, to which
John Ingles was 1 Lieutenant and Solomon
Berry was Sargent, and served throughout
the whole war in the 2d Regiment commanded
by Col Alexander Martin of the North Carolina
line. And that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, in Capt John
Ingles' Company, That I received from the State of North Carolina the Bounty Land to which I was entitled, for having served throughout the war
of 640 acres, and it was drawn for me by,
William Richards, and that the gratuity
due me I received though my agent
Nathaniel Williams who was himself an
officer in the Revolutionary Army
I further declare that I have never received.
a Warrant for the Bounty Land promised
to these officers and Soldiers who served throughout the whole war, and to the close thereof on the
part of the United States, nor have I ever
transferred my claim to it in any manner
whatsoever: Therefore Know all men by
these presents, That I, Joseph Brown aforesaid
do hereby constitute and appoint R. Randolph
to be my true and lawful attorney for me and
in my name to demand and receive from
the Secretary of War of the United States

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a warrant for the quantity of land due to me
as aforesaid. and my said Attorney is hereby
fully authorized to constitute and appoint
one or more attorneys or substitutes under him
for the special purposes above expressed-
In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand
and seal this 23 June 1843 -
Attested by
J G Gully
Nathan Gulley
his
Joseph Brown
mark ℗

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
Personally appeared
before me Joseph Brown
Subscriber to the foregoing declaration and made
oath to the same in due form of Law and in my presence, acknowledged the power of attorney
[illegible]
subjoined to be his free act and deed
for the purposes therein
mentioned
Given under my hand and seal this
23rd day of June 1843
J. G. gully JP   [seal]

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State of North Carolina
County of Johnston
I, William Henry Guy Clerk of the Court
of pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for the County aforesaid do hereby
certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited at the Office
of said Court, to prove that Joseph Brown above mentioned was
a soldier of the Revolutionary War and served as therein stated
in his declaration. I further certify that Jno. G. Gully whose name 
appears as above is now and was at the time of assigning
the same a magistrate of said Court and duly authorized
to take acknowledgments &c in the County and State aforesaid
and the signatures purporting to his an genuine testimony
of all which I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of Office the 3d day of
July 1843.
Wm. H Guy Clerk

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9332
North Carolina
Mary Brown
widow of Joseph Brown
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 9 November 1843
of Wake Co in the State of NC
who was a Pri in the Com
commanded by Captain Gee
of the
commanded by       in
the N C line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N Carolina
at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of
May '45 and sent to 
Hon. R. M. Saunders
Raleigh
Total amount,

$71
& Jr.  Reso
Act July 7, 1838

Recorded by J. L. Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 285
No 279. Jr. Res
23 Jany 1845.

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10.767
Mary Brown
NC.
Rejected
Sent to H.H. Sylvester
Sep. 21 1844
Sent to Hon. R. M. Saunders Feb 17. '45
Sent to H. H. [illegible] March 27, '4
Act 7 July '38

Joseph Brown
Private or corporal
N. Carolina
Did he receive land
or was he entitled for
Revo. [illegible]
The name of
John Brown, is not returned on the 
Records of the N. Carolina line among those
entitled to, or who have rec'd. County Lands
from the U.S.

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6917
North Carolina
Mary Brown
widow of Joseph Brown
who was a Private
in the N. Carolina Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
21 day of May 1848
and sent to
Hon R M Saunders
Raleigh
N C
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 17. 1844

Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 page 152
2 Certificate
act 1838
" 1843 & 1844
Reported
sent to to Nathan Leake
Augt 26 '46
1846

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North Carolina 2166
Joseph Brown, decd
of Wake Co. in the State of N. County
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Gee of the  commanded 
by Colone
in the N. Carolina
line, for the term of 2 years
from 17     to 17    
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of
80 Dollars per month, to 
of the 3d day of March 1826,
[illegible] 4th March 1831, when he was
pensioned under the act of June 7, 1832
-
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of October
1846, and sent to Nathan
Leake, Present.
Arrears to 4th of
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
Payable to Mary Brown his widow.
Act 15th May, 1828

Revolutionary Claim,
Act March 18, 1848.
May 1, 1820.
March 1, 1826.
Recorded Book     Vol.    page
by         clerk

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of
Congress of February 2d 1848 entitled an "Act
making further provisions for surviving
widows and soldiers of the Revolution
State of North Carolina
Wake County
On this 7th day of October 1848
personally appeared before the Subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said
County Mary Brown resident of said County
aged 77 years who having been duly
sworn according to law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefits of the provision made by
the act of Congress passed 2d February 1848
granting pensions to widows of persons who
served during the Revolutionary War. That she
is the widow of Joseph Brown who was a private
and that she received a pension of Eighty
dollars per annum under act of 17th June
1844 - She further declares that she is still
a widow.
her mark
Mary X Brown
Sworn to and subscribed on the 
day and year above written
before me-
Will R. Poole JP
I certify that the Mary Brown above named
is personally known to me and that she
is the identical person as represented by
her in the foregoing declaration-- Given
under my hand & seal
Will R Poole JP ℗

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State of North Carolina
Wake County
I, James T. Marriot Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County
of Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that Wm R. Poole
is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said
County and that the signature purporting to be
his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereto
affixed the seal of said Court and
Subscribed my name at office in
Raleigh this 18th October 1848

James T. Marriott. C.C.

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made
by the Act of Congress
of the 15th of May 1828.-
State of North Carolina
Wake County
On this 1st day of February 1844 personally
appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County Mary
Brown
Widow of Joseph Brown deceased
who being first duly sworn, doth on her oath
make the following Declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
of the
15th May 1828.
That she is the widow
of Joseph Brown deceased, who as a
Soldier of the Revolutionary War has
been allowed a pension under the act
of the
7th June 1832, that her husband the
said
Joseph Brown deceased, enlisted as a
Soldier for the War
and served to
the end of the War of the Revolution
that evidence now on file is sufficient

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of his application for a pension, will fully
substantiate this declaration, and the
therefore deems any further evidence in
relation to or support of, this statement
[illegible]The history of his services as a
soldier of the Revolution has been fully
set forth; and the proof of his service of a
War soldier. She believes is clearly established
this application is therefore made for that
to which she believes her late husband was
fully entitled, under the Act above named
Mary Brown
her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written before me
Wm D. Haywood J.P.
State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify that Mrs. Mary Brown
is personally known to me and is the Widow of Joseph Brown Dec'd. late of Johnston County who was a Pensioner
of the United States as a soldier of the Revolutionary

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War. her foregoing statement I believe is entitled
to full faith and credit Given under my hand
and seal this the first day of February 1844 -
Wm D. Haywood JP [seal]
State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬ I James T. Marriott Clerk of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake
aforesaid do certify that satisfactory evidence has been
exhibited before me at the office of said Court that Joseph Brown
a pensioner of the United States died on the 9th day of
November 1843 and left a widow whose name is Mary
Brown as above. I further certify that William D
Haywood is a magistrate as above and that the signature
purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name at office in Raleigh
this 1st day of February 1844
Jas. T. Marriot C.C.

Page 30

2166
Joseph Brown
decd
N.C
Act 15 May 1828
adm
[illegible] pri
-
$80 from 3rd
March 26th to 4 March
31 when he was
pensioned under
act of 7 June 32
To Mary Brown
his widow
-
Nathan Leake
Present

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the
provision of the act of Congress of
the 15th of May 1828.
State of North Carolina
Wake County
Be it remembered that on this 1st
day of October 1846 before the Subscriber
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for
said County, personally appeared Mary
Brown [illegible] resident of said county and
formerly of Johnston County NoCa, and
having been duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision of the act of Congress
of 15th of May 1828; that she is the 
widow of Joseph Brown de'd. late a
pensioner of the United States as a soldier
of the Revolutionary War that her
husband the said Joseph Brown was allowed a
pension under the act of June 7 1832
that in consequence of the service of her
husband the said Joseph Brown in to the end
of the Revolutionary Was he was
entitled to a pension under act of

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15th day of May 1828.  She Therefore makes
this application in the name of
her late husband Joseph Brown dec'd.
for the arrears of pension due him
under said act of 15th May 1828
and in support of her claim refers to
the services performed by him in the war the
Carolina Continental  line to the close of the war after the Revolution.

Mary  Brown
her mark
Sworn to and subcribed on the day and year above written before me.

Wm D. Haywood, J.P.

I certify that Mrs. Mary Brown as above is personally
on to me and that she is the widow of Joseph Brown late a Pensioner
of the United States and that she herself is
a Pensioner as the widow of the said Joseph Brown Dec'd.
Given under my hand and seal this the 1st day of October 1846
Wm D Haywood. JP [seal]

Page 33

State of North Carolina
Wake County James J. Marriott Clerk of the
Court of Pleas of Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake
do hereby certify that W. D. Haywood is an acting
Justice of the peace in & for said County and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the Seal of said Court & Subscribed my name at Office this 3rd day of October A.D. 1846.
James I Marriot, Clerk

Page 34

Jan13. 1845
Nathan Byers,
Mary Brown
June 7, 1832
Add'l [illegible] case
Mary Brown

H. H. Sylvester

Page 35

North Carolina
Johnston County
⎬
Know all men by these presents that we
Joseph Brown and John Griffin are held and firmly bound
unto Alexander Martin Esq Governor &c in the sum
of Two Hundred pounds current money for the true
payment whereof we bind ourselves our heirs be
Sealed with our seals and dated this the Tenth day
of January Seventeen Hundred and ninety one
(10th of January 1791)
The condition of the above obligation is such that if
there does hereafter appear any lawful cause to obstruct
a marriage to be celebrated between the said Joseph Brown
and Mary Snipes then this obligation to be void otherwise
to remain in full force and effect.
Test
Joseph Brown ℗
Wm Ward
John Griffin
his mark

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I Thomas Bagley Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions for the County of Johnston do hearby certify
that the above is a true copy from the original except
the date which is written out in words as well as figures
Given under my hand and seal of Office
December 13th 1844
Thos. Bagley CCC

Page 36

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed the 13th May 1828
State of North Carolina
Johnston County
On this 17th day of July 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
Joseph Brown resident of Johnston County
aged 87 years who first duly sworn
according to law doth upon his oath
make the following Declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed the 15th of May 1828 -
that he
enlisted in the army of the United States
in the year 1776 at Halifax North Carolina
with Capt James Gee, and served
in Col Alexander Martins Regiment of
the North Carolina Line for 3 years
that he served under Capt Gee until
he died, which was about one year
after he entered the army and
that John Ingles was the lieutenant
and Solomon Berry Sergeant of the
Company that after the death of Capt
Gee, John Ingles was made Captain

Page 37

of the Company and he served out with
him the remainder of his tour as before
Stated, that as he before stated he
Subsequently reenlisted for the War
with Capt. John Ingles, and served
with him until the close of it that in
the last tour of service he was made
a corporal and acted as such to the
end of the war, when he received his
discharge from Capt Ingles and the
Col of his regiment, which discharge
as he before stated he kept a number
of us being considered of no
value, he has lost or mislaid it that
his age and infirmity as before
Stated, has prevented him from going to
Halifax to seek for persons with whom
he served to prove his services and
establish his right to a pension; that he
has received from the State of North Carolina
the Bounty land due him for having served
thought the whole war and that it was
drawn for him by William Richards that
his pay he received himself [illegible]
his gratuity pay which was received for
him by Nathaniel Williams, to whom
he was well known, both in the Revolutionary War.

Page 38

as an Officer, and since that time, that
he hopes that statements of the persons, which
were appended to his former declaration
will satisfactorily establish his claims
to what he knows he is justly entitled and
which his own ignorance and [illegible]
have prevented from sooner [illegible]. He
hereby relinquishes any claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present
and declares his name is not on the
pension roll of any agency in any
State.-
Joseph 
Brown
his mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written before me
J. C. Culley JP
State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I hereby certify that Joseph Brown as above is personally
[illegible] to me and has been for more than forty years
that his age and Infirmity prevent him from going to
the Court House of this County to make his
declaration that his
Statement above I believe
to be true and correct as I have heard him make
Similar Statements
in Regard to his Service years ago
when he had no expectation of getting any pension
that he is a man of truth and respectability
and his statement may at all times

Page 39

the relied upon
-
Given under my hand this 21st day of July 1843
J. G. Gulley JP

State of North Carolina
Johnston County ⎬
I William Henry Guy clerk of the Court of Pleas
&
Quarter Sessions for the County of Johnston do hereby certify not John G. Gully whose signature appears above was an acting Justice of the Peace
for said County at the time of signing the same and that said
signature are genuine. Witness William Henry Guy Clerk of our said
Court at
office the 21st July 1843.
Wm. Hen. Guy Clerk

July 28, 1843.
Jos Brown
May 15, 1828.
R Randolph
⎬

Page 40

8347

Page 41

To the Hon
James M Porter Secretary of War U.S.
The undersigned a soldier of the Revolutionary War, of the State of
North Carolina, would beg leave respectfully to present to the
consideration of the Hon Secretary a statement of his application
for a pension, which was submitted some months ago to the
Commissioner of Pensions and rejected by him for reasons
hereinafter to be mentioned

The undersigned submitted his application to the Commissioner
and the evidence exhibited by him in support of his claim
was of so indubitable a character as was deemed by himself
and others who were
acquainted with his history and services
sufficient to have convinced the most sceptical mind, but
unfortunately for himself he happens to have a name which the
Commissioner says "is a common one" and this is made a pretext
for withholding
the hard earned pittance which the tardy beneficence
of his country has provided for the declining years of those who
battled for and served the blessings of free government
The
undersigned would briefly recapitulate to the Hon Secretary
what he has stated
in his declaration filed with the commissioner
of Pensions. That be
entered the service of his Country at Halifax
in the year 1776 as a
private under Capt James Gee. that about
twelve months after and his captain died (in which statement
be is borne out by the records of the time) and he was placed
in Captain John Ingle's Company who previous to that time had been
first Lieutenant, that he served under him for the number of
years he had enlisted and afterwards enlisted for the war
in Capt Ingles Company and was made a corporal and
served in that capacity to the end of the war, few of his
comrades have survived to corroborate this statement, or even
to identify him as
the identical person by whom they had
stood in those days
which tried the moral as well as the

Page 42

physical powers of men. For this reason he has neglected making
application and for the reason that the place of his residence
for the last half Century has been far distant from Halifax
where he enlisted and lived during the Revolution, and his
ignorance generally of the persons and sources where he might
divine aid in the prosecution of his rights, together with his
enfeebled and crippled condition all combined to discourage
him from presenting what seemed a hopeless task. But
recently he has found that one of his comrades is living
and has recognized him and by his testimony he hopes
to satisfy the mind of the Hon Secretary that he is no imposter
that he did render the service for which he claims a pension
and that injustice is done him by the Commissioner by raising
objections to his identity which is made as clear as human
testimony can make it. John Williams the individual
alluded to enlisted at Halifax about the same time the
undersigned entered the service, they were well acquainted
both before and after the Revolution, they lived in adjoining
Counties, Williams in Bute and the undersigned in Halifax
that Williams well recollect the time the undersigned
enlisted at Halifax and has so stated in his affadavit now
on file with the papers of the undersigned and that they
were together on several occasions during the war of the
Revolution, his acquaintance with
John Williams was
received and continued for many years until they emigrated
to their present respective places of above, Williams in the
County of Wake and the undersigned in the County of Johnson
that for fifty years past they had been ignorant of the
locality of each other and it is only recently they have had
the opportunity of recounting together the service  of 
early trial both in peace and was. The one receiving from his
Country the well earned reward of the toil and sufferings
endorsed by him in achieving its independence, the other,

Page 43

mourning over his laid fate in failing to satisfy the scruples of
the person entrusted with the power of distributing the bounty of that
Country in whose behalf his blood has been shed and the vigor of
his manhood exhausted, The undersigned would confidently refer
the Hon Secretary to the testimony of John Williams whose veracity and
good character and unquestioned to satisfy his mind that the
undersigned is the identical Joseph Brown who enlisted at Halifax
in 1776 and who served to his knowledge to the end of the war
The undersigned would refer him further to the testimony of those of
of his neighbors who had known him for half a century past
as emigrating from Halifax County, as recounting, years ago
(when he had no hope of any reward and could have as
motive is talking of his services), the very services for which
he now claims his pension.-- The undersigned would combat the objection of the Commissioner that his name is a common one
with the answer that it is the first time he has over heard that a man was to be cruelly deprived
of his just rights because his name was
a common one the undersigned could have no 
control over the
distinctive appellation to which he became accidentally entitled
and he denies that he "at a loss" to establish his identity to the satisfaction of impartial men [illegible] and found can be perpetrated under any appellation and why that of Joseph Brown
should be more
obnoxious  to suspicion, than any other he is "at a loss" to imagine. If the commissioner is incredulous of the  the testimony of honorable individuals and will shut his reason to recorded facts, if the persons in attaching creditability 
to a particular appellation and that and should be Joseph Brown
the undersigned only he has that 
no Hon Secretary will not be
influenced by such motives or considerations. The undersigned
hopes that the Hon Secretary
will be influenced in his determination
by noble impulses, that his patriotism, his sense of the obligation
conferred by that noble
army of martyrs whose blood was fully
shed to achieve the blessings we now enjoy, will induce him to

Page 44

take a different view of this case and give an impartial
consideration to this his humble petition, that his generation
for that band of Patriots who first came to their country's aid
and who in every [illegible] of that period were the last
to retire from the field, will not be appealed to in vain
by and of the survivor of that gallant band, by one who
already numbers nearly fourscore years and ten and can
only for a very short period burden the charity of his Country
The undersigned relies upon the magnanimity of the Hon.
Secretary and rests contented in the hope that he will direct
the Commissioner to issue his certificate for a Corporal
Pension to which he feels that he is justly entitled
And your petitioner as in duly bound will ever pray &c .
Joseph Brown
 his mark

Signed and acknowledged
in presence of J. G. Gully JP

State of North Carolina
Johnston County 
I hereby certify I am personally
⎬ acquainted and have been
for Fifty years with Joseph Brown as above the Statement of
his
services now given by him is identical with what ┃
he has always related of them for years past. That he [illegible]
from Halifax County and served to the end of the war
I am fully convinced; and this is the prevailing opinion
with all his neighbours. Indeed it was never questioned
that he served as he states and the Reason mentioned by him 
for failing to establish his claim, I know have been the
Cause of his long delay in making application
Given under my hand & seal this
20th
October 1843
J G Gully JP

Page 45

We the the undersigned neighbours and acquaintances
of Joseph Brown as above do Certify we had been
personally acquainted with him for a great many
years, and knew that he is an extremely aged & Reputable
man; we have always understood and believe he
came from Halifax County upwards of fifty years
since  The statement now given by him of his services
in the War of the Revolution is precisely similar to what
he has often times before related when he had no hope ┃
or prospect of relief. And we further certify we believe
Joseph Brown incapable of inventing a story of his services
and maintaining for to long a time a belief of it (until
it has became a matter of tradition) without the facts being true in the Main - we feel therefore we are
only doing an act of Justice to the said Joseph Brown in recommending his 
Claim to the favourable Consideration [illegible] of the Secretary of War

Given under my hand 21stday of October 1843
Elias Barnes Caleb Penny
Jese Ellington John H Bryan
Jonathan Gully
James M. Thomas James Tomlinson Senator J.C. N.C.
N.G. Gulley Will H. Hinton
Naham Bryan J P. Jesse Broughton
Alvin Johnson J.P Elijah Lankisten
Joseph Clifton JP James Pool
Augustus Parish John Broughton
Benjamin Honn

Page 46

Peniville Johnston County 1st Nov. 1843
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with old Joseph Brown at least I Think fifty years. whose
foregoing memorial I have carefully examined 
He has always retained the character of a soldier of the
revolutionary war & is now a very aged man & 
always believed by those who knew him, to have emigrated from Halifax County at the time he has stated. His
statement corresponds with his former statements
made
years aft in my presence.
I further certify
I am acquainted those 
persons whose signatures appear to the foregoing
certificate, they being most neighbors of mine
they are person of respectability & truth I cheerfully given therefore my testimony to theirs in favor of
Joseph Brown claim for a pension &
recommend his application to the Sectr'y of War

given under my hand and seal. J. O. Watson, JP

Page 47

35.574
Joseph Brown
N.C.
Act
7 June 32
Richard
Randolph
May 6. 1843

Page 48

State of North Carolina
Wake County
On this the 24th of April 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber One of the Justices
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and
for said County, John Williams resident of said

County and a pensioner of the United States
as a soldier of the Revolution War
who having duly sworn, deposeth and sayeth
That he is personally acquainted with
Joseph Brown a soldier of the Revolutionary
War now residing in Johnston County
and applying for a pension - that he well
recollects the time the said Joseph Brown
enlisted at Halifax with Capt Gee in the
fall of the year 1776; that he enlisted
himself in the Calvary about the same time
At that time this deponent resided in Bate
County adjoining Halifax, not so far from
where Brown lived in that County-That
he will recollects he served a number of
years in the army, and served in Capt
Ingles company, when this deponent
quitted the serve; and he always
understood that Joseph Brown served
to the close of the War. That he frequently

Page 49

went with him in the service, but he belonging
to the Calvary and Brown to the infantry
they never served together long at any one
period this deponent [illegible] to Wake County
upwards of forty years ago. That Brown had
removed from Halifax prior to that time
to some County remote from that but he
did not know where until recently he has
recognized him living in Johnston County
That his statement as to his services he believes
to be true and correct. And that Joseph
Brown of Johnston County who is now applying
for a pension is the identical person whom
he recollects to have enlisted in Halifax
with Capt Gee and served subsequently
as he has stated above with Capt Ingles
to the close of the war. that he is now aged
and by infirm-- his age must be nearly
ninety years, from the time the were together
in Halifax and from the respective age
of each of them at that time-
John Williams
his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and
year above written
Wm D Haywood J.P.

Page 50

State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify I am personally
acquainted with John Williams as above that he
is one of the oldest persons in this County but a man
of great activity for his age, and that he is a
pensioner as a soldier of the Revolutionary War
as he states above
Given under my hand the day and
year before written
Wm D Haywood J.P.

State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬ I James T. Marriott Clerk of the
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid
do certify William D Haywood is a magistrate as above
and that the Signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my seal of office & Subscribed my name
at Office in Raleigh this 22nd May 1843
Jas. T. Marriott C. C.

Page 51

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3951
Mary Brown
Wid,
Joseph Brown
Prt. Rev. War
---
Act: Feby, 2nd/48
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 82
Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 52

R. Randolph
Pres t
30 May 1843

Page 53

[handwritten:]

[left upper corner:]
State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
[/left upper corner]

I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears from the muster-roles of the continental line of this State in the Revolutionary War, that Joseph Brown a Private Soldier in Cap. Gees Company of the 2nd Regiment enlisted on the 9th day of November 1776 for three years, and was mustered as a Corporal for the War in September 1782. I do further certify, that it appears from an account of settlements of the Army accounts of said live, by Commissioners at Halifax in 1783 & 1784, that the said Joseph Brown was allowed Two hundred eleven pounds eighteen shillings and three pens (£ 22.11.18.3.)

[right side:]
Given under my-hand this 26th day of May 1843.
[signature] Wm. Hill
[/right side]
[/handwritten]

Page 54

State of North Carolina
Wake County
having been requested to state
what I know of John Williams an old Pensioner of
the County and State aforesaid, take pleasure in
saying
that he stand very fair as an honest man ┃
and a man of truth I have known him for several
years past, and have not know any harm of him
or heard any thing against his character
Given under my hand
at Raleigh this 21st day
of June 1843
Wm. Hill

State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬
I hereby certify that John Williams as
above a pensioner as a soldier of the Revolutionary
is personally known to me that some months ago
gave his affidavit before me as a Justice of the Peace proving the services and identity of Joseph Brown of
Johnston County as a soldier of the war of
Revolution. that although he signed his

Page 55


name by making a cross yet the affidavit was
carefully read to him and his knowledge of the
facts therein, was clear and district, and he gave his testimony accordingly-
Given under my hand &c this the 13th day
of July 1843
Wm D. Haywood J.P.

State of North Carolina
Wake County I James T. Marriot clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that William D. Haywood who signed the foregoing certificate is an
acting Justice of the peace in in and for the said county 
and that full faith and credit is due & should be
given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I have here
unto
affixed the seal of said Court and
subscribed my name at office an
Raleigh this 13 July 1841
Jas. T. Marriott CC

Page 56

State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina
, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster
rolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that Joseph Brown enlisted as a private soldier in Capt Gee's Company of the 2nd Regiment on the
9th November 1776 for the term of three years, and that he ┃
was mustered as a corporal for the war in September
1782, that a warrant for bounty land was issued for
his services as a Soldier for the war on the 27th June
1788, No 3595, drawn by William Richards Esqr the
2nd Regiment was commanded by Colo. Alex. Martin
Given under my hand this
5th day of July 1843
W Hill

Page 57

32097)
35,514
Joseph Brown
Private, Gee's compy
2d N.C. Continental
regt
-
Act 7 June 1832
$80 per an
place him on the
North Carolina roll
Send cert to Rich'd
Randolph, Eq
Present
War
by

Page 58

State of North Carolina
Warren County ⎬ On this 22nd day of September
1843 personally appeared before the subscribers two
of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County
Francis Riggan, a soldier of the Revolution & a Pensioner
of said County, who, being called on to state his
Knowledge of and acquaintance with Joseph Brown
formerly of Halifax County, but now of the County of
Johnston, State of No Carolina - Testifies and says
that he was personally acquainted with the said
Joseph Brown from the commencing of the Revolutionary
War - that he lived in the County of Bute (now
Warren County) adjacent to the County of Halifax where Brown resided, and had good opportunity
of knowing him, as they resided but a few miles
apart,
that he frequently saw Brown at the
Town of Halifax, where the men enlisted for
the War at various periods of it.
That he recollects well that the
said Joseph Brown enlisted in the early
part of the War, but at what time this affiant 
is not now able to state-
That said Brown was absent from
home for several years before he returned and
that when he did return that he reenlisted for
the War, and was in service, or was absent from
home to the end of the War
This affiant cannot state that he
knew of his own personal knowledge anything
of the services as a soldier of the said Joseph
Brown; but he is fully convinced & does verily
believe that he did serve to the end of the
War of the Revolution, from various facts which
he has heard Brown relate as to his services
and

Page 59


sufferings as a soldier in the Army of the revolution
which he could not have done unless he performed
the services mentioned by him-
He has on many
Occasions heard him speak of having under Captain
Gee at Halifax of his second enlistment under Capt Ingles, & his having been a corporal in the army
when he left it-- Browns services were a matter
of Notoriety to all those who knew him at that
time, & was never doubted by any Person -
That some where about the year 1788 or 1790-
Joseph Brown removed from Halifax County and
went to the County of Johnston, N.C. where he
has recently understood he now resides, he left
the County of Halifax Not many years after William
Jackson, in whose company he verry frequently
saw Brown - That William Jackson, Brown
and himself have on many occasions met in
the Town of Halifax and recounted over their
services as soldiers of the Revolution, and never
heard it questioned of Browns services as he now
States-
And he is fully convinced from various
facts and circumstances of which Brown
seems now to be acquainted with, that Joseph
Brown of Johnson County N.C. is the Identical
man who left Halifax at the time he states
above; & who is now applying for a Pension for his
Services performed in Capt. Ingles Company in the
continental army --
Sworn to & subscribed in due form of Law on the
day & year above written before
H. J. Macon JP
T. J. Judkins JP
Francis Riggan

Page 60

State of N. Carolina
Warren County
We Certify that we are well
acquainted with Francis Riggan who hath this
day sworn to & subscribed the foregoing-
Certificate, concerning Joseph Brown and that
he is a Revolutionary Pensioner, and a man
of unexceptionable good Character, is worthy to be believed on Oath -
Given under our hands & seal
this 25th day of Sept A.D. 1843 
H.. J. Macon jp
T. J. Judkins JP

State of North Carolina
Warren County

I Marcellus J. Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for ┃
said County in said State, certify that Henry J. Macon
and Thomas J Judkins whose signatures appear to
the foregoing affidavit and certificate are Magistrates
of our said County duly commissioned & qualified
and the signatures purporting to be theirs are their
genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my
seal of office at office in Warrenton
this 28th day of Sept AD 1843-
W. J. Montgomery Clk
By Jno. W. White D.C

Page 61

State of North Carolina
Halifax County
On the 11th day of October 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber one of the
Justices of the Peace in and for said county
Col Joseph [illegible] resident of Halifax
County aged 82 years, who being first duly
sworn according to law, doth upon his
oath make the following affidavit
to identify, and [illegible] the services of
Joseph Brown formerly of Halifax but
now residing in Johnson County North Carolina, and applying for a pension
as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
This affiant testifies and says that
he has been personally acquainted with
Joseph Brown above mentioned ever since
the commencement of the Revolutionary War
that he well recollects, when Brown
enlisted at Halifax in the year 1776
under Capt James Gee, that shortly
thereafter Capt. Gee and a number of
Officers came to Bute Court House
to a general rendezvous, and thence
was held an election for officers-
The Hon Nathaniel Macon the uncle of
this affiant, was one of the candidates

Page 62

for an office place, and was defeated, Joseph
Brown was there present, and manifested
a great joy at his defeat, he was then with
Capt Gee, shortly after this time, he
left Halifax with Gee to join the army
with Capt James Gee this affiant was
intimately and perfectly well acquainted
and remembers all these facts, as though
they took place, yesterday. That the said
Brown was absent from home for several
years, returned home & subsequently reenlisted for the war, and served in Capt
John Ingles Company to the close of the War
This affiant was also well acquainted with
Browns last Captain, Ingles. He further
recollects the character of the said Joseph
Brown, and how he was a cooper and
Shingle getter; he worked at the house of
his father before the war, and he therefore
had the [illegible] opportunity of knowing him
and he could not possibly be mistaken
in the identity of the man - That about
fifty years or more, since, he removed
from Halifax County, and went to Johnston
County where he understand he now
resides. He is as full convinced as he
is of any fact whatever, that Joseph
Brown of Johnston County, who is applying
for a pension, is the identical man who

Page 63

who served to the close of the war in Capt John Ingles Company - that Browns character
as a [illegible] man was well known
and [illegible] esteemed as such
in Halifax County, this affiant
further testifies and says he served
in the Revolutionary for himself at
same times, but having no need for
a pension has declined asking for
J J Alston
Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above
written before me
James S. Reed JP
Ⓧ
State of N. Carolina)
Halifax County 
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Col Joseph J. Alston
nearly all my life and that he is consider
one of the older Citizen of the County I further
certify that he is a man of as high standing
and any in Halifax County & that his statements,
may by [illegible] as true and correct
---
given under my hand and seal this
11th day October 1843 Jas. S.  Reid J.P.

Page 64

State of North Carolina
I James Simmons Clerk of the Court of pleas
and quarter sessions for the County
of Halifax do hereby certify that James S. Reid
whose name appears to the within certificate is and
was when he signed the same an acting Justice
in and for our said County duly commissioned
and qualified and that his said certificate is in due form
---
In testimony whereof I hereto set my
hand and affix the seal
of my
office this 24th day of October 1843
Ja Simmons Clk

State of North Carolina
Halifax County
I John R J Daniel
do hereby certify that
Col Jos: I Alston whose signature
appears to the foregoing certificate
is a highly respectable & worthy man & his
statement entitled to the fullest
confidence
this 24 Oct 1843J R J Daniel

Page 65

To the Hon
the Sects of War.
Archd C. Peachey
appeals from the Com i
decision in the case of
Joseph Browne of N.C.
November 25th 1843
8347 Rec Nov 28/43
Pension Office

Js. Brown
No 1832
Sup
8 papers

Page 66

To the Hon. James Madison Porter Sec. of War. U.S.
The memorial of Joseph Browne of North Carolina
is herewith preferred to your honor. A memorial was not less
since presented to the Commissioner of Pensions by the said
Browne, praying for the pension due him, in consideration of
his services in the Revolutionary war, and his claim was
rejected on the ground that the name of Joseph Brown is a
common one, and there for great circumspection must
be used in identifying the claimant with the person who
actually performed the services at the time and in the capacity which the claimant alleges of himself. The Com. of
pens. agrees, that there is a Joseph Browne entitled to
a pension, for the service of a man of that name an
clearly proved, but that, that Joseph Browne is identical
with the claimant the com. thinks not sufficiently demonstrated, for Joseph Brown is [illegible]  general[illegible]: were it any name not so common, we may infer
from precedent, and even prove the Com reasoning in this
case, that the claimants identity would be sufficiently
established by the evidence before him. Then the services of
a Joseph Brown being acknowledged by the Comr, the
point now in open is the identity of Joseph Brown the
claimant with the person who performed them. This Joseph
Brown has recovered a bounty from his state (No. Car.) and
his name was presented to Congress by the Com. of Bounties as
one of the Rev. Soldiers of No. Carolina, entitled to a land bounty under the law of Congress
The memorial addressed to your honor by the said
Browne, contain evidence of his identity with the soldier
of that name stronger than what was accompanied his
memorial to the Com. For at that time he was ignorant
that his unfortunate name would subject his identity to
so close a scrutiny, and require a greater amount of evidence in his case, than what is usually offered to

Page 67

obtain a pension. It was a rigid, severe, and harsh Justice
that which subjected this old man to the necessity of adding
new evidence, and to the delay it of course gave rise to
delay of a few months is a considerable matter to a man
who in the natural cause of human events, has but a few
months to live. Upon the evidence furnished the Com. he
might well have granted the pension, and granted it with
full justice to the duties of his office. But so he has not done
for the Claimants name is Joseph Browne and Joseph
Browne is a very common name
It will clearly appear to your honor that all the evidence
of which the nature of a soldier services, and the great
length of time that has elapsed since the Rev. War, will in
general admit, is now furnished. The testimony of these
respectable witnesses who affirm the plaintiffs honest
character, coupled with the fact of his having frequently
spoken, as is the want of all old soldiers, of the days of the
Rev. Struggle, and of the part he bore therein of the names
of the officers under whom he served of the events of the
war of which only an eye witness or an actor would have
been cognizant, and most eye witnesses in those days were
actor - and this before he had any expectation of reward
for his services establishes beyond all rational double, that
this Joseph Brown the claimant was a soldier of the revolution. your honor is too well acquainted with the
manner and way of life of country people not to know
that the reputation of the revolutionary soldier is impressed
upon the minds of his neighbors by a stamp to peculiar
to be mistaken and to indelible to be forgotten a [illegible] which grows with their age, and surround them
with the heroism of tradition when all the witnesses of their
achievements have passed from among the living, a soldier
of the revolution is an unmistakable man, his history may
have dwindled into tradition, but even where tradition alone

Page 68

supports the Justice of his claims, who doubt the truth of
his character. Your honor has doubtly lived among them,
and will [illegible] in the opinion, that before pensions and
bounties were held out as temptations to assume a false
character, no man ever enjoyed for a number of years, even
on the strength of his own statements alone, the character of a
revolutionary soldier who was not justly and truly entitled to it
But the claimant is far from resting his demand on this
ground only. He states in his memorial to your honor, that in
the papers now on file in the com'r. office will be found
the testimony of John Williams who makes oath that he was
acquainted with the claimant before the war - that the claimant
enlisted at Halifax in 1776 that he and the claimant were
several times together during the war - that their acquaintance continued for many years after the war and ceased
only when they removed to their present respective places of
abode, the affiant to Wate Co. & the claimant to Johnston Co
that it was only of late that they have had an opportunity of
recounting together the scenes of their early trials both in
peace and war. No man who had this can doubt that this
Joseph Browne the claimant was a soldier in the Rev. War
and his identity is established beyond doubt. A most powerful
and at the same time unfortunate name it must be that can [illegible]
such direct testimony powerful in the mind of the Com, unfortunate to the claims of the old soldier. To this affidavit of
John Williams on file as aforesaid, I would respectfully &
earnestly ask the personal attention of the Secretary. That
paper in spite of the com samples your honor will feel is a
very strong testimony in the claimants behalf, and of itself sufficient to prove his services & establish his identity. Again the
affidavits of J. P. Alston & Francis Riggan accompanying
the claimant memorial to your honor, contain strong evidence 
of his identity, sufficient to satisfy any mind that the claimant

Page 69

was a soldier of the revolution and served to the end of the
war Your honor on perusing them will find them strong circumstantial and truthful. Indeed upon the examination
of the whole call, it is difficult to imagine, how
any mind susceptible of conviction, can entertain any doubt
of the services & identity of Joseph Browne the claimant
Mr. Brown is an old man, he is proved to have been a
soldier of the revolution, to served to the end of the war &
he now prefers his claim to the bounty of his country. For
but a short time can be possibly burden its charity with the
small pittance he now asks for. It would indeed be hard
if his name should be a perpetual ban to the bounty, he
has well deserved, and which his necessities may strenuously
require. This harsh & rigid severity concerning the strength
and directness of testimony to establish his identity, works
injustice, with what good intentions so ever it may have
been required. It is unphilosophical, for more evidence 
tha the claimant has addressed would be superfluous
It is opposed to the reason of the pension law, for the services
for which this law proposes to give compensation, were
rendered long ago, and few are the living witnesses to prove 
each other labours. Did this law require the exact direct
evidence of many witnesses, to prove every act of service and
each identity concerning which there might be the probability
at a doubt, it would hold out to the actors in the old drama
of the revolution, a bounty for their past labour-- and at
the same time place it far beyond the reach of those for whom
it was intended. But I repeat, apart from the the liberal
interpretation required by the reason of the pension law as to
the nature of the evidence upon which pension claims
must rest their validity- the claimants identity is fully
established. It is established up to the requisition of
the sternest and most circumspect justice. It is supported
evidence that force a debt from an unwilling pay master

Page 70

then how strongly should it appeal to the justice and the
gratitude of a country, who delights in surrounding
the last days of her old patriots with the comforts of her
Country and the testimonies of her love. Hoping that
your honor may feel your justified by the evidence before you, and that contained in the claimants papers on
file in the Com'r. Office, in awarding a corporal pension
to Joseph Browne of North Carolina, I have the honor
to be your honor
very obt. Lot
Archd C. Peachy

Page 71

22 Feb 1844
The Hon Comm of Pensions will do me
a favour by giving early attention to this
enclosed application and inform me what
I must do in the premises.
Yesterday I
called at the Depart for the purpose of presenting this paper in person but other engagements in another Bureau [illegible] me until it
was too late to attend to this
very respectfully.
yours
Will D. Haywood
-
Senate Chamber

Page 72

No 10.767
Mary Brown
widow of Joseph
NC.
act 7 July 1838, and
Joint Resolution of the
23d January 1845.
Adm
2 years private
$80.00 per annum
Adm. act 3 March 1843
and 17 June 1844
$80.00 per annum
no act 1843 7826
"    "  1844-590
of
Hon R. M. Saunders
Raleigh
N C

Page 73


Washington May 13.44
Sir Yesterday enclosed the proof of the
Marriage of Manning Davis
of NC whose
paper we filed in your offer some time last
fall by me. I do not like to be impatient
but I have past be admonished by the party
that the old Lady is still living upon the hope
of receiving her pension
[illegible] Respectfully
H. H. Sylvester

P. S.
Bender same proof the support of the
claim of Mary Brown
Hon. J. L. Edwards

Page 74

May 13. 1844
Add proof
Mary Brown N.C.
rest care mourning [illegible]
S
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions

Page 75

Mary Brown
NC

Page 76


Washington Febb. 6-/45
Sir -as this is an application
the widow of a Pensioner in
which proof of marriage and
identity claim is required, and
as the date of the marriage is
copied by her hand  - No Court being
same [illegible] off. I have been [illegible]
to return it with my
own certificate
I hear both W.D. Haywood
Will R. Poole. They are to my
personally knowledge be a [illegible]
of Wake & highly respectable & I
should give as much credit to
their certificate at Court as [illegible]
-
I should think, there
could be no [illegible] for sending
the declaration back [illegible]
before this Court-
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm 
respectfully
R. M. Saunders

Page 77

Raleigh April 4.45 
Sir,
I now enclose the declaration 
of W Brown certified to
by these Justices all respectable [illegible]
the quarterly Court [illegible] and 
but every the [illegible] & say [illegible]
Court is held by these [illegible]
I subscribe this [illegible] as it is some time before the
County Court again [illegible]
That the claim be allowed. I
suppose you can allow the
Pensioner the under the act
1843- withstand  a further
declaration.
 Respectfully

R. M. Saunders
J. L. Edwards Esq

Page 78

Joseph Brown, N.C. Act 1832, admitted
Mary wid 2nd Feb 48
Mr. Cole C.C. Sep 4 '56

Page 79

Sir
Washington City
Augt ?1846
Having been employed
by Mrs. Mary Brown of North
Carolina
to present her
claim for a pension which
has been allowed under act
of 1838, and having filed
he declaration under act of
1828 for arrears due her husband
Jos. Brown died under that act
thereon though I make
to ack for her behalf in
the matter
Very Respectfully
[illegible] Leake
J. L. Edwards  Esqr.
Geo. Little

Page 80

Aug 12  46
om
Add.l to Case
Mary Brown

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Present

Page 81

Washington Augt 12 1846
Sir
I enclose a note from Mr Geo Little
of Raleigh N. C. requesting that the case
of Mrs. Mary Brown of N. C. may be reported
to me, her husband due a pension under the
act of 1832 - & she under act of 1838
some months since the application was
made under the law of 18th May 1828,
in lieu of the act of 1832, as I am informed
by Mr. little, and although at least
6 months have elapsed nothing has been
heard from the case, proof of
Identity
with the said soldier Joseph Brown who served
to the close of the & for whose service
bounty land has been given, is said
to be complete & it is believed. that nothing further is wanted to complete the
case but the action of the Office
which is most respectfully requested,
Very Respectfully yours
Nathan Leake
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Present

Page 82

Raleigh Oct 18th 1848
Dear Sir
Enclosed you  will receive
the declaration of Mrs. Mary Brown
to renew her pension under the act of
2d February 1848-
I am very Respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
Geo. Little.
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Washington City

Page 83

Washington Oct 6th 1846
Sir Herewith I enclose the declaration
of Mrs. Mary Brown widow of Joseph Brown
of N. C. under the act of 15th May 1828, agreeably to your instructions to me in her case
last month, the case being now perfectly
made out, it is hoped the certificate will
issue immediately, as there has already
been great delay in the matter
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Nathan Leake
Hon J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions

Page 84

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
, of the 15 May 1828. Joseph Brown decd late of N.
Carolina, who was a Private in the Revolution, was
entitled to a pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars
per annum, and having died on the 9th November 1843,
the amount due is payable to Mary Brown, his widow
from the 3d of March, 1826, to the 4th of March 1831
when he was pensioned under the act of June 7, 1832
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this 12th day of Oct
one thousand eight hundred and forty-six
Examined and
Countersigned. }
Secretary of War.
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 85

11797
Mary Brown
[ illegible] April 8, 1845
Widow of Joseph
N C
Act 7 July 1838
M91.043

Page 86

State of North Carolina
Wake County
We hereby certify
that we are personally acquainted with Mrs. Mary
Brown widow of Joseph Brown deceased late a
pensioner of the United States whose foregoing statement we have examined and which we believe to
be entitled to full faith and credit, we further
certify that she is from bodily infirmity and
poverty unable to attend the Court of the County
Given under our hands and seals this the
first day of April 1845-
Wm D. Haywood [seal]
Will R Poole [seal]

I hereby certify I have examined the foregoing
papers and believe them to be correct
and entitled to full faith and credit
given under my hand and seal this
5th April 1843
Jordan Womble JP

Page 87

State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬ I James T Marriott
Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for
the County of Wake & State aforesaid do hereby
certify that William R Poole Wm D Haywood and
Jordan Womble whose names appear to the foregoing certificate of approval are now & were at
the time of signing the same acting Justices
of the Peace in & for the County of Wake & that the
signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine
In testimony of all which I hereunto
affix the seal of said Court and
subscribe my name at office
in Raleigh the 5th day of April
AD 1845
James T. Marriott Clk.

Page 88

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
On this 24th of April 1843 penally append
before the subscriber one of the Justice of the
Peace in and for said County Jesse Ellington
aged 66 years, who being first duly sworn
according doth upon his oath make the
following affidavit. This affiant testifies
and says he has been personally acquainted
with Joseph Brown a soldier of the Revolutionary
War for upwards of fifty years. That he
knew him soon after he removed from
Halifax, when he always understood he came
from to Johnston County. He has lived near
neighbor to him almost the whole of that time
and he has repeatedly heard him speak of his
services in the Revolutionary War, and he is fully
convinced from various circumstances that
he did serve as he declares in his testament
that it was always believed by [illegible] who
knew him he lived as he states that in
consequence of his great age, infirmity said
ignorance, (and with all being [illegible],
he has never been able to [illegible] and previous
who lived in the remote part of the County
when he came from, to prove his services
and he has therefore been unable to

Page 89

establish his right to a pension. to which
I am clearly of opinion, he is fully entitled
that his age must be nearly ninnty, and
firm bodily infirmity he is unable to
attend at the Court House of this County
Jesse Ellington
Sworn to and subscribed before me the
day & year above written
J. G. Gulley
State of North Carolina
Johnston County ⎬
I hereby certify I am personally acquainted with
Jesse Ellington as above that he is a man of
the Highest Respectability and truth

Given under my hand and seal
this 24th April 1843
J. G. Gulley

Page 90

State of No Ca
Johnston County
I hereby certify. I am personally
acquainted & have been about fifty years
with Joseph Brown resident of this County
who is now applying for a pension. That
he was always believed & reputed to have been
a soldier of the revolutionary war, & said
to have removed from Halifax County
He is an aged & from bodily infirmity unable to attend to much business - I further certify that I have examined his declaration & believe
his statements there to be correct. I have
often heard him speak of his services
& has to my knowledge made efforts to procure a pension by requesting me to write
to our representative in Congress to that effect
but being very poor & ignorant I suppose
he was unable to have it attested To
Given under my hand & seal
this 29th Apl 1843
J. O. Watson JP
Download

Page 91

35514
Joseph Brown
N.C.

Act 7 June 1832

Page 92

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
On this the 22d day of April 1843, before
the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace
in and for said County, personally
appeared Mrs. Ann Gulley aged 80 years
and Mrs. Matilda Simpkins aged 84
years, who being duly sworn according to
law doth upon their oath make the following statement.
These affiants hung called
upon to state their knowedge of Joseph
Brown a Solder of the Revolutionary War, who is now applying for a pension
testify and say this in the personally
acquainted with the aforesaid Brown
for upwards of fifty year, indeed ever
since he came into Johnston County from
Halifax County, from whence, they have
always understood and believed he
removed. They have frequently many years
heard him speak of his being in the
Revolutionary War, and of having served
nearly the whole war. Mrs. Ann Gully states
she has heard him may times years ago
relate his services in the war to her late
husband John Gully who is himself in

Page 93

the service for some years   that he has made
several efforts to obtain a pension, he was
unable to proceed because he was too
poor infirm and ignorant to look out
for persons to go to Halifax where he
came to find those with he served or
with whom he was acquainted at that
time-- Mrs. Matilda Simpkins States
that Joseph Brown married her sister,
that she has consequently known him and
lived near her in him ever since he has been in
Johnston County that she has repeatedly heard
him an since she knew him speak often
[illegible] in the Revolutionary War that he has
made and several efforts to get a pension
but could not find [illegible] person in this
part of the County with whom he served
or was acquainted at that time and
he was too ignorant and poor to go
to Halifax where he came from to
Seek for persons to prove his services-
Ann [sideways capital A] Gully
her mark
Matilda  * Simpkins
her mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day
Mark
above written before me
and year
J.G Gulley  JP

Page 94

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I certify I am well acquainted with Mrs. Ann Gully
and Mrs. Matilda Simpkins as above that they
are both persons of the most respectable Character
and standing and full faith and credit may be
given to their statement
Given under my hand and
Seal 22nd April 1843
J.G. Gulley JP

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
I, William H. Guy Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County Certify that John G. Gulley and Josiah O. Watson whose signatures
appear above were acting Justices of the
Peace for said County at the time of signing
the same and the signatures are genuine
and further that satisfactory evidence has
been exhibited at the office of said Court
that Joseph Brown was a soldier of the
Revolutionary war and the opinion that
he served as stated in his foregoing
Declaration is therefore concurred in, and
that Joel B. Clifton is a minister of the Gospel
Witness William H. Guy Clerk of our said Court at
office the 1st day of May 1843
Wm. Hen. Guy CCl