Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1177, William Brett, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Brett, William
NUMBER
R. 1177
CONTENTS

Mem Bratt -
21521
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Also signed the same is a resident in the town of ... and is a credible
person, and that the foregoing certificate is a true and correct copy of the
same, and that the person who has subscribed the same is a credible
person, and that the foregoing certificate is a true and correct copy of the
same, and that the person who has subscribed the same is a credible
person, and that the foregoing certificate is a true and correct copy of the
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
the resolution, and we concur in that opinion
repeated and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of
declaration; that we believe him to be ... years of age; that he is
residing in the ... town of ...
W. ...

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this second day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at East Bridgewater within and for said County of Plymouth, William Pratt a resident of North Bridgewater said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. I was born in Bridgewater, in the County of Plymouth aforesaid, on the sixth day of April 1758 and here from my birth lived in the same house, my birth is recorded in the family Bible, and I am known to most of the good citizens of North Bridgewater. In the month of December 1777 I enlisted into the service of the United States in the war of the revolution for three months in North Kingston in Rhode Island in a company commanded by Joseph Keith and regiment by Col. Slocum. I passed through Middleborough, Taunton, Attleborough, Rehoboth, Providence, Greenwich &c to North Kingston aforesaid, where I did duty for three full months, I was in no engagement and had no written discharge.

In the Month of September 1776 I enlisted again into the service of the United States for two Months to do duty in Newport Rhode Island in a Company company commanded by Calvin Partridge and Regiment by Col. Cushing.
I served accordingly in Newport  the aforesaid two months and was discharged. In this service I was in no engagement and had no written discharge.
I also did alarm service in Rhode Island in a Company commanded by David Packard, and Regiment by Col. Bary for 11 days from July 22 d 1780.
Before the year 1780 I did alarm service for four days in Rhode Island in a Company commanded I believe, by David Packard. Of this service I have no documentary evidence, and know of no person whose testimony I can procure, that I did this service.
In the year 1777 - under a contract with Capt. Buttrick an officer in the State of Massachusetts or of United States, I cannot tell which, I did wagon service for three weeks in the neighborhood of Boston and Providence. For which, I received no compensation whatever.
William P. Smith
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Love
Register

We, Eliphalet Crafts — a clergyman, residing in the town of East Bridgewater and Jesse Perkins Esq. a magistrate residing in the Town of North Bridgewater hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Butts who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Eliphalet P. Crafts Jesse Perkins
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest J. H. Lord Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Eliphalet P. Crafts who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of East Bridgewater and that Jesse Perkins Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of North Bridgewater and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Butts for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

POWER OF ATTORNEY
I do hereby certify that the within copy is a true copy of the original
William Bello Massachusetts Suspended on October 7 June 1832
J. R. Wise Present

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Maryland } 88: CITY OF Baltimore }
Be it known that before the Subscriber,
a justice of the Peace personally appeared Cyrus Brett aged Sixty three years, who, being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states, that he is the son _____ of William Brett *who was an applicant for a Pension from Massachusetts and that he believes that he is entitled to whatever is due, and that the United States are still indebted to him, under the laws of Congress, for the pension that was due his father Mr Brett and that for the purpose of investigating and establishing his claims-as aforesaid, he appoints TULLY R. WISE , of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful attorney with irrevocable powers, to examine all papers on file, and to do whatever he might do were he personally present to establish his claim.
In witness whereof, I have on this Sixth day of Decr. 1852, hereunto signed my name, and affixed my seal.
Cyrus Brett
SEAL
SEAL
SEAL
Witness :
Witness :
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Cyrus Brett has always by the community been known as the son of William Brett .
Dated on this Sixth day of December 1852
Wm H Baynard J. P.
STATE OF Maryland } to wit: CITY OF Baltimore }
I hereby certify, That William N Baynard Esq., before whom the foregoing power of attorney was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the City  County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Superior Court of Baltimore City this 6th day of December one thousand eight hundred and 52
Edw. Dowling Clerk.
* State whether an applicant or a pensioner.

218 21
M rs Brett Mass
1177
Rept to 26 June 1833. See letter See letter 16 December 1833 to Hon W Baylies do do April 23, 1834 to Hon W Baylies
J. H. Lord Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of
of
Plymouth
William Brett in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlist In 1777 — 3 — private Capt Keith & Col Shrock   1776 — 2 — — " Patridge — Cushing   1780 — — 11 — " Pacard & Cary   — — — 21 Ulyoner Butterfield  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Plymouth Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & 1 living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Hv Cagett
Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Brett a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
B. 1177
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Sept. 1776 2 mos. Pri. Calvin Partridge John Cushing Mass.   1777 3 weeks Negro Butterfield ✓   Dec. 1777 3 mos. Pri. Joseph Keith Sprent   July 22 1780 11 days. " David Packard Cary   1780 4 days " " " ✓  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bridgewater Mass.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 2, 1832.
Residence at date of application, North Bridgewater, Mass.
Age at date of application, born Apl. 6, 1758 Bridgewater Mass.
Remarks: The date of his death is not known. In 1852 his son Cyrus Brett was 63 yrs of age + a res. of Baltimore, Md. There is no other family data. This claim was never allowed for the reason that claimant did not serve six mos. as a Pri. soldier, service as "Negro" not being provided for by the act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied. 
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

RECEIVED
11/11/11
P. O.
Wm Brett
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
143 Feb. 12, 1912, Visit to Frank L. Miller

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug t 24, 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Brett is borne on a roll of Capt. Calvin Partridge's Company, in Col. John Cushing's Regiment; and is therein stated to have served sixty days from Sept. 23. 1776 — Also on a Roll of Capt. David Packard's Company in Col. Cary's Regiment — and is therein stated to have served six eleven days from July 22. 1780 — on an alarm at Snodland Edward D. Bangs, Secy

I (Daniel Field of North Bridge water in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say - that from my youth I have been acquainted with William Pratt of North Bridge water aforesaid - In the Month of December 1777 I enlisted into the service of the United States in the war of the revolution for three months in North Kingston in Rhode Island in a Company commanded by Joseph Keith and regiment by Col. Sproat - and did service there accordingly for the term aforesaid. William Pratt above named, enlisted into this service with me at the same time, and in the same Company, and did service therein for three full months.
Daniel Field
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss Oct. 15 th 1832. Personally appeared the aforesaid Deponent, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations by him subscribed. And I certify that I am personally acquainted with said Deponent, and he is considered and reported to be a person of truth and veracity Elias Whitman Sec. of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Sessions for said County do certify that Eliab Whitman Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the signature within purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this thirty first day of December A.D. 1832
Jacob H Lord

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Brett 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? no 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

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? documentary
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? —
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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

War Department Pension Office June 26. 1833
Sir
The documents in support of the claim of William Brette have been examined and placed on our files. It appears from his statement that he served as a private five months and fifteen days and twentyone days as a wagoner under a contract with Capt. Buttenfield. His service as a wagoner is not provided for under the act of June 7 th 1832, and that act provides for none who did not serve at least six months as a private. His claim cannot therefore be allowed.
I am very respectfully Your ob t Serv t J L Edwards
J. H. Lorde Esq r Plymouth Mass

War Department Pension Office Dec. 16. 1839
Sir
In reply to the enclosed letter respecting the case of William Butt I have to state that if Mr. Butt can prove by the testimony of at least one credible witness that he was drawn from the line of the army to perform the duties of a Teamster without his consent, he will in that case be entitled to the benefits of the act of June 7. 1832
I am, Very Respectfully Sir Mr. W. H. S. J. L. Edwards
Wm M. Paylies House of Representatives W. City

I William Brett of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts, a Revolutionary soldier, of the age of seventy six years, and the same William Brett who subscribed my declaration before the Court of Probate of said Plymouth County in October 1832. relative to services rendered in the Army of the Revolution:
do further testify and say that I was ordered from the line of the Army to perform the duties of a Teamster without my consent, but I know of no one now living who was then with me; and after making diligent enquiry, I am led to believe that I am the only one now living who was in the service at that time with me.
Furthermore I testify and say that for all the service I rendered, both in the line of the Army & in the team service, I never received compensation to the amount of so much as ten Dollars.
In the time of the Revolutionary War, I belonged to Captain David Packard's Company of minute men - I was called out several times at alarms, beside the service to which I testified in my declaration of October 1832 - But I could not then, neither can I now say, how many days' service I rendered on such occasions, nor the precise times of being called out on duty.
William Brett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss.
April 5 th 1834. Then personally
appeared William Brett, and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and made oath to the truth thereof - and I further certify that said William Brett, is a man of the most undoubted truth & veracity.
Jesse Perkins Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth Y s . I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Jesse Perkins Esq r is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fifteenth day of April A.D. 1834
Jacob H. Lord

DIRECTORS GEORGE BIRKHOFF CHARLES L. BARTLETT OTTO C. BUTZ IRA M. COBE J. LEWIS COCHRAN E. A. CUMMINGS BERNARD A. ECKHART JAMES B. FORGAN
CAPITAL $5,000,000 SURPLUS 1,500,000
Chicago Title and Trust Company
DIRECTORS MARVIN A. FARR DAVID B. LYMAN A. R. MARRIOTT NATHAN G. MOORE WM. C. NIBLACK GEORGE E. RICKCORDS HARRISON B. RILEY EDWARD A. SHEDD
TITLE AND TRUST BUILDING
HARRISON B. RILEY, PRESIDENT A. R. MARRIOTT, VICE-PRESIDENT WM. C. NIBLACK, VICE-PRES. & TRUST OFFICER JOHN A. RICHARDSON, THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT WM. R. FOLSOM, TREASURER E. L. FITZ-RANDOLPH, ASST. TREASURER JUSTIN M. DALL, SECRETARY JOHN L. DAY, ASST. SECRETARY ERNST M. SCHULTZ, ASST. SECRETARY CHARLES R. DALRYMPLE, ASST. SECRETARY HERMAN C. MAEHLER, ASST. SECRETARY CHARLES L. BARTLETT, GENERAL SOLICITOR SHERMAN C. SPITZER, ASST. GEN'L SOLICITOR FRANK G. GARDNER, ASST. TRUST OFFICER WM. ARNOLD, REAL ESTATE OFFICER EUGENE C. JENKINS, ESCROW OFFICER ALVA J. SHAW, CREDIT MAN RALPH ADAMS, ASST. MNOR. ABSTRACT DEPT.
TELEGRAPHIC AND CABLE ADDRESS "TITLE CHICAGO"
CHICAGO
WHEN REPLYING TO THIS COMMUNICATION REFER TO GUARANTEE DEPARTMENT
Chicago Ill. Feby 4 th 1913-
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly furnish me data concerning my great grandfather William Brett born April 7, 1758 at North Bridgewater Mass: married Mollie Allen 1782 and died in Feby 1840 whose reference I am advised will be found on page 462 (No Vol given me) Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors of American Revolution - that I may make application for membership in the "Sons of the Revolution"
Respectfully &c Frank A. Brett 69 N. Washington St Chicago Ill C/o C.T. & T. Co
To the Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.