Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16061, William Brenton, Penn. Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn. Va.
Drenton, William
S. 16061
CONTENTS
carded

Order to Pay 27. Sept 1837. Letter to Mr. G. T. L. 83 Auditor 17. Aug 1839.
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1837 to the 21. Nov 1838 the day of his death. Agent Notified 30. Aug 1839
3603 Indiana
William Brenton
of Clark Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain J. B. Brexton of the Regt. commanded by Col. Morgan in the Pennsylvania line for militia, for fourteen months from 1777.
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of forty six Dollars sixty six Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Dec r 1832 and sent Hon. John Wart H. B.
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 49.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 14 th March 1832 23.33
Doll s 73.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Henry K. Sylvester Clerk Book D Vol. 9 Page 179

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Indiana
Clark County ss
On this 24 th day of October personally appeared in open Court before me F. Ross President Judge of the circuit Court of Clark County in the State aforesaid, and John Carr and Samuel Preston his associates now sitting, William Preston a resident of Clark County aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth on his oath make the following decla- ration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1777 in Monongahela County in the State of Pennsylvania under the command of Captain James Preston as a substitute for David Preston who was drafted as a militia man for the term of four months for the purpose of guarding the frontier habitually in the neighborhood of a fort called Logstown on the Ohio river twenty miles below Pittsburgh

where
His lieutenant's name was Hill. His Ensign's name not now recollected. After serving four months in this Company he was regularly discharged. In the year 1848 he served as a substitute for the term of one month for one Hensley who was drafted as a militia man in the Company of Captain Fred Poinsett for the purpose of guarding the habitations in the neighborhood of the same Fort. The names of his lieutenant and Ensign not now recollected. After serving for the term of one month in this Company - he was regularly discharged. In the same year he served as a drafted militia man for the term of one month under the command of Captain Andrews for the purpose of guarding the habitations in the neigh- borhood of the same Fort. His Lieutenant's name was John Thomas. His Ensign's name not recollected. In the same year he served as a sub- stitute for one Jacob Springle under the command of Captain St Leonard. The names of his lieutenant and Ensign not recollected. After serving for one month under the command of this officer, he was regularly discharged. In each of the before mentioned Com-

That he never received any written discharge from the officers or any of them, under whom he served.
Of duty he served as a Vols. In the year 1781 he again entered the service of the United States under the command of General George Rogers Clark in Col. Morgan's Regiment as a substitute for one Isaac Powell who was drafted as a militia man for the term of six months. His Captain's name was Benjamin Johnson. His Major's name was Locke who deserted from the service. Captain Johnson was killed by the Indians at the Falls of Ohio. This Regiment encamped at Pittsburgh  Washington and descended the Ohio River in boats to the Falls. After serving six months in this Regiment he was regularly discharged at the Falls of Ohio.
In the year 1782, He again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under the command of George Rogers Clark as a General and Benjamin Logan as a Colonel and Captain Hickman. The name of his Major not ascertained, nor the Lieutenant and Ensign's names.
He marched under these officers on a campaign against the Indians about eighty miles north of Cincinnati, to a town called New Britain which the troops under the command of these officers destroyed together with several other towns in its vicinity. After having been engaged for one month he was regularly discharged. He removed from the State

That he has no documentary evidence, and that by reason of no person whose testimony he can testify to his service.
of Pennsylvania in the year 1781- and served in the State of Kentucky until the year 1799 and then came to the County of Clark in the State of Indiana (then the Northwest Territory ) where he now resides.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that he would not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. \oplus
Given to me subscribed the day and year aforesaid William Preston
The undersigned a clergyman residing in the said County of Clark of Clark in the State of Indiana do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Preston who has subscribed to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is a valued and related in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a holder of the resolution; and that we concur in that opinion. Given to me subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Mordecai Cole Samuel H. Campbell
William Preston application pension State of Ind 1832
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion.

That he has no testimony in his case
William Brenton application for a pension for services 1832
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories presented by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated And the Court further testifies that it appears to them that Mordica Boole who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Clark County, State of Indiana And that Samuel Campbell who has also signed the same is a resident of the County and State aforesaid And that they are credible persons and that they state- ment is entitled to credit
I Henry Howard Clerk of the circuit Court of Clark County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said Court in the matter of the application of said William Brenton for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26 day of Octo 1832 Henry Howard Clerk

April 20, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
William Brenton-S.16061 BA-J/AWF
Mr. Horace F. Brenton Red Oak, Box 94 Iowa
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William Brenton, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named William Brenton, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office; and the data given below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16061, based upon his service in that war.
The date, place of birth and the names of his parents are not given.
William Brenton enlisted in Monongahela County, Pennsylvania in 1777 and served four months under Captain James Brenton, as substitute for Davis Brenton (no relationship to either shown), was stationed as guard at a fort on the Ohio River about twenty miles below Pittsburgh, also was an Indian Spy. He served in 1778, one month each under Captains Jacob Bowman, Andrews, and Lot Leonard, rendered the same service as above. In 1781 he moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and in that year served six months as private in Captain Jeremiah Johnson's company in Colonel Morgan's Virginia regiment, was in General George Rogers Clark's expedition to the falls of the Ohio; and in 1782 served one month in Captain Kirkham's company in Colonel Benjamin Logan's regiment in a campaign against the Indians under General

George Rogers Clark and destroyed several towns .
William Brenton moved from Kentucky in 1799 to Clark County, Indiana, and was living there when allowed pension on his application executed October 24, 1832, then aged seventy-two years.
He died November 21, 1838, leaving a widow, whose name is not stated, no children referred to.
In order to obtain the name and address to whom his last payment of pension was sent, you should address to Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
William Brenton Certificate No. 3603 Issued December 28, 1832 Rate $46.66 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Indiana Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Declaration for Pension William Brenton the applicant I know for the last 26 years his Character is fair I am well acquainted with the clergy men and of the other witn- ess who have testified and their lives to be very respectable men I was present at the taking of the within decla- -ration heard the applicant sworn and examined heard the witnesses sworn and exam- -ined heard the court declare that they concurred in opinion and also anoth the clerk to certify the proceedings - The annex is mine yet I believe it to be genuine I appointed the clerk at court at which the within declaration was made
John Carr
Mr. Dimes

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 20 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Wm Brenton, a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Albany, Ind. Agency, at the rate of Forty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837, to the 21 st Nov r , 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Edward E. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Brenton , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes. II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes. V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes. IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes. device not perceptible.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
yes.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
yes.
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? _____
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? _____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? _____
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
1, 2, 7.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the paper written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

State Bank of Iowa 137 Main Albany Sept. 16. 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Sir
I herewith enclose for your examination the following Pension Vouchers viz Alexander Gilmore William Branton William Wells John McPherson all of which were paid last up to 4. September 1836
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Yours
M. Shields Esq

Red Oak, Iowa. Aug. 22, 1933.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans Bureau. Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:
About April 20th, 1933, your file S.16061 BA-J/AWF you gave me a report on William Brenton, enlisting in the War of the Revolution, from Monongahela county, Penn. According to the Historical society, of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, there was no such county and that Monongahela, is a name of a town either in Washington county, Pa; or Green county, Pa, can you enlighten me anymore as I am desirous of learning more of these Brentons, and thought perhaps you office omitted the name of the county. Monongahela is the name of a town.
Your early reply will be appreciated as will also my inquiries to you on July 24th.
Very truly yours,
H. F. Brenton,
Box 94 - Red Oak, Iowa.

Red Oak, Iowa. May 15, 1933.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Your file:-William Fuller W. 17933 BA-J/MLB
My dear Mr. Hiller:
Replying to your letter of May 4th which was received here the 13t this information was splendid and want to thank you very much as this means so much when one is working on a family history.
I am wondering if it is possible to give me as much information regarding William Brenton : Your file S.16061 BA-J/AWF
as you did William Fuller. I mean relative to who applied for pension after his death and who the witness was. The names of his children as you did in the Fuller line up. This will help us to find his wifes name and possibly his children. In your letter of April 20th. 1933 you gave me William Brenton's war record but not his wifes name said he left a wife but in the Fuller file as above you were able to give me wife and children.
Trusting that you can favor me with this desired information I thank you many times.
Very truly yours,
Horace F. Brenton
Horace F. Brenton, Box 94, Red Oak, Iowa.

Red Oak, Iowa.
April 8, 1933.
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Chief Clerk,
Dear Sir:
I am desirous of having the war record of my great great grandfather,
Confidential William Brenton
He was a native of Virginia, born on the South branch of the Potomac river. He served in the American Revolution. If it is possible on your records, please give me the date of his birth, what county, if married who. If it is xxx impossible to give me this data of the Revolution, can you refer me to any one who might be able to favor me. Thanking you for any information, I remain
Very truly yours,
signature ? Horace F. Brenton,
Box 94, Red Oak, Iowa.

✓ ink 2 ct stamped envelope enclosed returned
Frontville, Va.
Dec. 16, 1922.
Rev. mk
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen: As I am a direct descendant of W m Brenton I wish very much to join the D. A. R. Was W m Brenton of Va. later of Ky and Ind. ever granted a pension? Would appreciate very much any information you might be able to furnish me. Thanking you in advance.
Yours truly Mrs. W. C. Dier.

1923 Jan. 3 Hist to Mrs. H. C. Diersen 1933 Apr. 20 - " " Horace F. Brenton aug 1933 June 20 - Horace F. Brenton add. no further data 1933 Sep. 18 - Ad. H. F. Brenton in re to sol's residence. E. L.
16061 INVALID.
File No. 16,061
William Brenton
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. / , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ques S. 16061
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Brenton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1777 4 mos Spy James Brenton ✓ Pa   1778 1 mo " Jacob Bowman ✓ "   1778 1 mo " Andrews ✓ "   1778 1 mo " Lot Leonard ✓ "   1781 6 mos Pvt. Jeremiah Johnson Morgan Va.   1782 1 mo " Rickham Benjamin Logan "  
Battles engaged in, none stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Monongahela Co. Pa. Date of application for pension, Oct. 24, 1832. His claim was allowed Residence at date of application, Clark Co. Indiana Age at date of application, 72 years Remarks: He died Nov. 21, 1838, leaving a widow, name not stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

September 18, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. H.F. Branton Box 94 Red Oak, Iowa
RA-57887/col.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request verification of the statement in regard to place of enlistment of William Branton , S.16061, Revolutionary War soldier, whose record was furnished you on April 20, 1933.
William Branton stated in his application for pension that he "entered the service of the United States in the year 1777 in Monongahela County in the State of Pennsylvania".
As the line between Pennsylvania and Virginia was then somewhat undetermined, it may be that this soldier was a resident of Monongahela County in what is now West Virginia. This office is unable to aid you definitely in the matter of the old boundary lines during that period.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator.

June 20, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
William Brenton S. 16061 BA-J/XXXX:MLB
Mr. Horace F. Brenton Box 94 Red Oak, Iowa
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request that further data relative to William Brenton, S. 16061, Revolutionary War soldier, be furnished you, as in the record of William Fuller, W. 17938.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land based upon service in that war, and only such data as are shown in original papers submitted when those claims were adjudicated.
In the case of William Fuller, the soldier himself applied for pension and after his death his widow applied, which is the reason that additional family data were shown in that file. In the case of William Brenton, no claim for pension was ever made by his widow, therefore, less family data in the record furnished you of that soldier. It was stated in that report to you that the name of his widow was not shown and no reference to children, and in the last paragraph you were referred to the Comptroller General as a possible source of the name of the widow, in the event she received the last payment of his pension.
It is regretted that this office has no further information in regard to that soldier and his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator