Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,807, David Bryant, Continental (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass.) Bryant, David
N. 22,807
Briant
Cook, Elizabeth (Former Widow)
{ B.L.W. 2691-300-leaf. Issued July 10, 1797 to Elizabeth Bryant, only child and heir No papers.
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 769
Increased from $208.83
Elizabeth Cook, who was widow of David Bryant
who died on the 11 th September 1777 of Suffolk Co. in the State of Mass.
who was a Capt. & Lieut. in the
by Captain of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Crane in the Mass.
time for 8 mos. & 11 days, Capt. Rtil. 209.13
15 " 19 " Lieut. do. 260.07
$469.20
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 469 Dollars 20 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30. day of May 1837 and sent to John Knapp (Boston)
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-ann. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Act July Section the
D. Brown Vol. 1. Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts: County of Suffolk: City of Boston:
Ps. On this twenty ninth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before me, Samuel Shaw, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Eliza beth Cook a resident of said Boston, Widow, personally known to me, aged seventy nine 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 14: 1836, and by the Act of Congress approved the third of March instant, explanatory of the aforesaid Act.
That she was the widow of David Briant of said Boston, who was a Captain of Artillery in the army of the War of the Revolution, and served in said War as follows:
Immediately after the battles of Concord & Lexington, which happened on the 19 th of April 1775, said David Briant went from said Boston to join the American forces then beginning to be formed into an army at Cambridge, and en listed in the company of Artillery under Captain Foster: From that period until the Evacuation of the town of Boston by the British Troops in March 1776, said company and its said officers continued with the army encamped at said Cambridge and in its vicinity, subject to the orders of the Commanders in Chief; and directly or shortly afterwards marched with the rest of said army, (being then as she thinks annexed to Colonel Crane's Regiment of Artillery) into New York, New

Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and took an active part in various actions against the enemy, particularly in the battles on Long Island and in Delaware: Said Foster did not continue in the command of said company all that time; but after leaving Boston, she cannot declare how long after, he was removed, as she was informed, and the said Briant was promoted to the captaincy in his stead. In the month of February 1777 her said husband came to said Boston, on furlough, and remained with her several weeks; and in the Spring he went back to the army taking with him a number of recruits to his company. To the best of her memory and belief he then bore a Captain's commission. On the eleventh day of September in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, he received a mortal wound from the enemy, while in action with his company on the field of the Battle of Brandywine in Delaware, of which he died in a few hours after.
She is not possessed of any official papers or documents relative to his military service, or appointments: Whatever she had, if any, were burnt at the time of the great fire at the south east part of said Boston in 1787, when her father's house, where she then resided, was consumed: But she is assured, that sufficient proof of the facts here stated and further particulars, would be found by recourse to the records and papers in the possession of the General and State Governments; to which she prays leave to refer for confirmation and a more full & accurate narration.
Said Elizabeth further declares, that she was married to the said David Briant on the 27 th of February in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, at Dunstable

in New Hampshire by a Clergyman of that town; - that they became the parents of only a son and a daughter who are both deceased; - That she remained the widow of said David Bryant from the period of his death above stated until the fifteenth day of October in the year seventeen hundred ninety five, when she was married to Mr Israel Cook of said Boston; - that said Israel died on the twenty third day of December in the year eighteen hundred and twenty two, and that she has remained a widow ever since.
Elizabeth Cook
Sworn to, and subscribed by the above named Elizabeth Cook in my presence, on the day and year first above written, the said Elizabeth being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in Court further than herein;
Before me
Samuel Shaw Chief Justice, Ex. Jud. Court of Massachusetts.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. I George C. Wilde, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth within the County of Suffolk - being a Court of Record and having a Seal, Do certify, that Samuel Shaw Esquire, before whom the above affidavit was taken, was at the date thereof, Chief Justice of the said Supreme Judicial Court - and the above signature is in his proper hand writing.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court this first day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

Resp
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,807
Elizabeth Cash Widow of David Bryant Capt New Mar
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol A , Page 451
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts 769
Elizabeth Cook R., who was widow of David Bryant
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 208 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of April 1837 and sent to John Knapp Boston, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March '77. 1209.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 6. Sept. ... 104.41
$1318.39
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown Book A. — Vol. 1. —
Clerk
Page 47
See letter to J. Knapp, 5 May 1837— to A. Bradford, May 16. 1837.

Payment to be made at Boston by J. K. Simpson, Esq. Agent for paying Pen- sions, in the Agency of Mass.
Increase —
Issue a new certificate in lieu of this (which is hereby can- celled) and send it to John Knapp, Esq. Boston, Mass.
Allow mo. days Captain of Artillery 8 8 : 11 Lieutenant of do. 15 19
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 47 by D. Brown
Clerk.

W A R
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Elizabeth Cook of the State of Massachusetts, who was widow of David Bryant ————— who was a Captain in the War of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Two hundred & eight dollars and eighty three cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this nineteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.

James L. Edwards, Esq e Commissioner of Pensions Washington —

J. L. Edwards Esq. Dear Sir,
Boston May 25: 1837.
Since my last respects to you I became informed that General Henry Burbeck was living at New London, and that he being a native of Boston and having been an Artillery Officer in the Massachusetts Line in the War of the Revolution might probably furnish the requisite testimony to prove the military rank and services of the late David Briant in the two first as well as in the third year of that war; and I accordingly in behalf of Mrs Cook wrote to him requesting information of what he knew and remembered. He thereupon very obligingly furnished the enclosed deposition, which, I conceive will be considered to afford ample evidence, that said Briant served in the office of Lieutenant of Artillery from the beginning of the War in 1775 until the last of December 1776, and in that of Captain afterwards until the 11 September 1777, when he was killed in battle. His rank during the year 1776 Gen l Burbeck defines as that of a second first Lieutenant. Major General Heath in his Memoirs page 70 under date of 12 Octob. 1776 calls him Captain; and Mrs Cook is confident he held that rank part of that year. Accordingly you now have proof, which, I cannot but persuade myself, will be received as fully satisfactory to you and the War Department, that her said husband served as an officer of artillery in the Revolutionary War more than two years, to wit of 8 months, in the year 1775, as a Lieutenant, twelve months in the year 1776 as a second first Lieutenant, (or part of that time as

first lieutenant, and part as Captain,) and eight months & 11 days, in the year 1777, as Captain. When I first wrote to you enclosing Mrs Cook's declaration accompanied with the testimonials of Major Daniel Jackson and Mr Josiah Knapp, I had no idea but that the military Rolls in your possession would be easily found to contain the record of the services and rank of an officer of the name of her first husband, in the Massachusetts Line for the period alleged, and that all that was necessary to add by testimony and documents from this quarter was that the claimant, Mrs Cook, was the identical person who had been his wife in the time of that war and that she was a widow on the 4 th of July 1836 forever since.
In conformity to your suggestion in your letter to Alden Bradford Esq e , shewn me, I have obtained the original Certificate from Mrs Cook, and return it to you enclosed, in order that a new one may be issued for such increased pension and arrears, or allowance, as you shall find her entitled to receive, which I trust will certainly not be less than at a rate conforming to the rank and situation of services proved by the testimony of General Burhark and Major Jackson.
On the day I received your favour of the 5 th inst which mentioned that Mrs C. might take the amount allowed by the Certificate sent her, without prejudice to any future claim, she received that amount to the 4 th of March last.
With great respect your obed t Serv t John Knapp

Revolutionary Claims.
April 29
J. L. Edwards, Esq re Commissioner of Pensions.
Eliz Cook adm. 2-36.
Washington - District of Columbia.

J. L. Edmunds, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Boston, April 25: 1837.
Sir
A certificate from the War Department dated there- instant, and countersigned by you, in favour of Mrs Elizabeth Cook, a claimant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 11 th of July 1836, as Widow of Daniel Bryant, who was a Captain in the War of the Revolution, was duly received, and handed to that lady, who, upon observing the amount, (viz t 208 dollars & 83 cents, per annum) to which it stated she was entitled, expressed her surprise and dis- appointment at the smallness of the sum, as her husband had served in that war from April 1775 to September 11: 1777, the fore part of that time as a Lieutenant and the latter part as a Captain of Artillery. She has therefore desired me, in her behalf most respectfully, to desire you to have the goodness to review the evidence of her title to the pay of an Officer who has so served that full period, and if there be any deficiencies in it, to acquaint me with the same, in order that they may be supplied. Being uninformed of the particu- lar facts and circumstances, or grounds on which the computation was made that resulted in the sum contained in the Certificate, it would afford me no little aid & facility, if you could, consistently with your convenience, furnish me with those particulars. It was hoped that the deposition of the late Major Daniel Jackson would have been re- ceived as proof of most of the facts necessary to entitle Mrs Cook to an allowance greatly exceeding the pension granted; and that the other testimony sent you with it would suffice for whatever more was requi- site, especially if, as requested, recourse should have been had by you to the Army Rolls, &c. transferred to Washington from the Office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth. No copies of those public papers having been taken, and it being therefore impossible here to refer to them by page or number, or to give any abstracts, is it asking too much to desire you to make a further search into them for the entry or record of Capt n Bryant's commission and services, as well in the years 1775 and 1776 as in 1777? At the same time I do not despair of finding some living witnesses to the facts of his having acted in the military offices and served the period alleged, and will transmit their testimony, if it will be accepted for the purpose intended. - I will also look

for further documentary evidence in the archives of the Commonwealth. Mrs. Cook is in doubt whether it is expedient to present the Certificate sent her, at the Pension Office to secure the money, lest the delay might prejudice her claim to the larger amount, to which she hopes to prove herself entitled; Will you be so obliging as to inform her, by writing to me, what would be the effect of her taking it; and also acquaint me with any further matters interesting to her in this concern, as early as convenient, and so greatly oblige her, and I remain obedient Servant &c John Knapp
The Certificate sent is indorsed, "Recorded in the Pension Office in Book A Vol 1 Page 47 by D Brown Clerk."

Boston, May 10th '37
Dr Sir
John Knapp Esq. Counselor of Law has lately called on me, respecting the case of a Capt Bryant, who was a Capt. of artillery in the war of the revolution, & was killed at Germantown or Brandywine in Sept 1777. He was of Boston - and the late Major Daniel Jackson of Watertown, or Newton. Mass. who was a Capt. of artillery most of the war, has testified that
J. Bryant was early in 1775 a lieut. of artillery in a company commanded by Capt. Foster - & that he knew Bryant continued in the military service thro' 1775, during 1776 & in 1777 till he was killed - But you know there are here no records of military service for 1776 & it never was here, while I was Secy of State - but I think it was at Washington - & the records of papers for 1775, are also lately loaned to your office -
Major Daniel Jackson was a man of high character for truth & honor, high in the confidence of everyone who

Know him, & was in fullin life till near his death -
What ever he has said in his affidavit may be fully relied on as true -
There is no question here, but Bryant was more than two years in the continental military service, as Capt. and Lieut, including part of year 1775, viz from May of that year till he was killed in Sept 1777 -
Mr Knapp has requested me to write a line -
I am willing to make a note to the high character of the late Major Daniel Jackson, whose deposition you have in the case of Mrs Cook's application
I can get ten of the first men in this city vicinity to give testimony of the perfectly good character of s d Major Jackson.
I hope you will receive this Nor deem it too officious very respectfully
Alden Bradford

J. L. Edwards, Esq. e
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington.

J. S. Edwards, Esquire, Pension Agent.
Boston April 1 st 1837.
Sir
By request of Mrs Elizabeth Cook of this city, I send you the accompanying papers, for the purpose of establishing her claim to the pension or annuity granted by the Act of Congress, approved the 11 th of July 1836, and the act explanatory thereof approved the 3 rd of March 1837.
Will you be so good as to examine them as soon as it will be convenient to you, and if found satisfactory, take the measures that will enable her to receive the benefits to which she is entitled. Should there be required any further proof, or observance of legal forms, she must ask of you the favour to acquaint her with the same, either in writing to me, or to her, directed to my care.
The Hon. Abball Lawrence, to whose charge a representation of her claim had been transmitted, while at Washington, has since his return to this city, authorised me to refer you to him in relation to it as joining in her desire that her case may receive your attention as early as convenient to you.
It may be unnecessary, but you will allow me, to add, that, although Mrs Cook's first husband, as she says, used to write his name Briant , yet other persons most frequently spelt & wrote it Bryant , as you will probably find in referring to the public documents or records, where he is mentioned.
Most respectfully your obed t Serv t : John Knapp Jr.
P.S. over

P.S. Colonel Goudner, mentioned in Major Jackson's deposition, was, I suppose, the Colonel Thomas Goudner, who received a mortal wound in the battle of Bunker's Hill, and died of it shortly after. See Bradford's History of Massachusetts, page 257.
The occasion of taking Major Jackson's depositions - in December 1827, was an expectation - then - from Mr. Cook and her friends, at that time , that Congress, in all probability, would make some provision for the benefit of the widows of officers & soldiers who were killed in the Revolutionary war.
I apprehend Mrs. Cook may be mistaken in giving the late General Crane the rank of Colonel at the time. The army marched from Cambridge to New York in March 1776. I have since been informed, that he held the command of a Major of Artillery on that occasion; and that he was made Colonel afterwards in the same year.
You will please consider, that the books & documents relating to the services of the officers & soldiers of the Revolutionary War, that belonged to this Commonwealth, were sent the last year to Washington to the Secretary of War.

Cont. 4/20/18 Prof. from the Cook family J. L. Schwenk, Esquire Commissioner of Pensions.
Elizabeth Cook who was widow of Capt. Asa Bryant $208:83 3/4/18 Washington

J. L. Edwards, Esq re
Boston April 13: 1837.
Sir,
In the beginning of this month, by request of Mrs Elizabeth Cook, I wrote to you enclosing an application by her for a pension or annuity, as granted by the Acts of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836 and the 3 rd of March last, on account of the services of her first husband, Captain David Bryant, in the war of the Revolution. Having met with a book in the Land Office of this Commonwealth, containing accounts with certain military officers commencing with the first day of the year 1777 and ending with the year 1779, among which was one with Captain Bryant, I thought a reference to it might be of use as confirmatory of the other evidence sent you, of his services and rank in the army during a part of that war; and I accordingly take the liberty of sending you a certified copy of that account. There is no book of the kind in this office of an earlier date, and therefore I must again ask you to examine the military Rolls & sent from here to Washington for further evidence, if requisite, of the date & duration of his commission & service. Allow me again to request you, in behalf of Mrs Cook, if there is any deficiency in the documents transmitted to acquaint me with it, and inform me what is further necessary to be done on her part, as soon as convenient. With great respect, I remain your obed Serv t John Knapp.

Newton May 13. 1837
Dear Sir
S. Knapp Esq. of Boston has recently requested me to address you in behalf of the Widow of David Bryant who was a Lieut & Captain of Artillery in the Revolutionary War. I understand that a Pension has been allowed Mrs. Bryant now Mrs. Cobb upon the basis of only eight  8 months & 11 days service — altho' a longer term was proved by the Affidavit of Maj. Daniel Jackson, who was in the same Company with Bryant from the time the latter entered the service until the day of his death. This evidence, as I am informed, is by you considered insufficient in as much as the justice before whom it was taken failed to do all that the Law or rules of the department require to be done, & both he & Jackson being now dead the defect cannot be supplied.
I am now solicited to address you for the purpose of confirming the truth of Maj. Jackson's affidavit, and for that purpose by leave to say that the Maj. was a neighbor and intimate acquaintance of mine for 40 Years — a relation, and for 10 years previous to his decease I was a Trustee for property, belonging to him & his wife amounting to 16,000$ and am still acting in the same capacity in behalf of his widow in the management of the same property. With the best possible opportunity therefore for knowing him and his handwriting I have no hesitation in saying that he was a gentleman of great worth & respectability through life.
A statement of Capt. Bryant's service drawn up by him and from which the deposition already transmitted you was taken is now before me — the following being a Copy. —
"Capt David Bryant was a Lieut in Capt. Foster's Comp y "

of Artillery in 1775 — burned a Sloop of War at Chelsea, It was the first Artillery used at the commencement of the Revolutionary war. — afterwards the Company was annexed to Col. Gardner's Regiment who was going on as a reinforcement to Bunker Hill. — Then the company was ordered to Dorchester heights.
When the British left Boston the Company was ordered to New York and stationed at the Grand Battery — after that to Long Island and then to Stone Point — after the action the Company was ordered to New York — part of the Company was stationed at the ship yard until the troops left the City — as the Company was marching on the road opposite to two of the enemies' Brigades, when we had almost passed through them Spring they were ordered back and suffered considerable loss.
We knew not the reason why we were ordered back under the Capt. Foster was afraid to pass it himself. After this Capt. Foster was broken and sent home. — Bryant was appointed Captain — The Company marched to Harlem heights and to Fort Washington, to the White Plains, and White Point and remained there until we marched to to Philadelphia and Brandywine. — In that action half the Company was killed — Capt. Bryant mortally wounded. When he was shot through the body, he came to me with the blood gushing out, saying Sackman fight them to the last moment. — Sept. 11. 1777 — After this Henry Burbank was appointed Captain."
I feel perfectly certain that this paper is in Sackman's hand writing. — Most of the same particulars he while alive communicated to me verbally and in relation to Bryant's death with much more.

minutemen — Substantially the same account I have had from Ebenezer Ayer who was Sargeant in the same Company and for whose widow still living I obtained a pension last winter.
That Bryant entered the Army prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17. 1775 and remained in it as Lieut in Col. until the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11. 1777 I have no doubt whatever.
What there may be to sustain or contradict this informed evidence at your department I of course know not, or whether you can constantly permit this statement to pass for any thing for substantiating the widow's claim to an increased Pension.
I believe however she is entitled to it under the act of 1836 — that would so appear if all the truth could be shown and she therefore be very happy if I can contribute to such a result.
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient Servt —
William Jackson
Samuel L. Edwards Esq —

May 24
Conk
Con Mrs Cook, ind of Bryant adm?
Rev. J. E. Church Esq.
Community of Patten
Washington

Boston, May, 20 th
Dr-Sir,
I have rec d your note of 15 th I thank you for your kind notice of it -
I have handed it to Mr Knapf & I suppose he will do what he thinks proper -
Allow me barely to remark, that there are no records here & no records were of the troops, Capt &c of American Army for 1776, in this State office -
The men were raised for 1776, one year, by Col l . Cushing, & paid by their agents & no records muster rolls, or pay rolls for that year were ever here - & yet I am sure, as I am that there was an army in 1776, that David Bryant was

in that army in 1776- but whether Capt. or Lt. I cannot say.
Majr Daniel Jackson's deposition can be found in my part of the war in Mass. artillery from May 1775, to close of war & knew Bryant. Yrs A. Bradford

City of Boston, March 28. 1837.
This certifies, that it appears by the Registry of marriages in the town (now city) of Boston, that Israel Cook and Elizabeth Bryant, were married on the fifteenth day of October, A. seventeen hundred & ninety five, by the Rev. John T. Kirkland.
Samuel M c Cleary, City Clerk.

26
Mr. John Knapp— Boston — Massachusetts
18

D. Sir
New London
22 May 1837
I received your letter of the 11 inst. And with pleasure. I will give you every in- formation in my power to obtain the objects you wish to claim - And I believe the enclosed certificate will answer fully your wishes -
I was well acquainted with Captain Bryant, for we belonged and served in the same Regiment together. And his Death, on the 11 th September 1777. Gave me very promotion of Captain in the Regiment - Your letter is the only information I have heard from Mr. Bryant for this 50 years. And it will give me the greate- st pleasure if my certificate should answer the purpose required -
I am with great respect Your &c H. Burbeck
John Knapp -
The attorney Fees for the whole business is Two Dollars. which if you obtain the pension you may forward to me - HB -

Dr David Bryant a Captain in Col Granes Regiment of Artillery Cr
  To Cash paid by the State agreeable to a Resolve of May 1 st 1778 in Current Money £ 56 (value) 0 0 0 By his Service from 1 st January 1777 to 11 th September 1777 is 8 Months, 11 days at 15 £ per Month for which the nominal Sum has been paid him by the Continent. 125 10   To his Proportion of small Stores delivered in Camp, at regulated Price, deducting the value of what he paid towards them, - - - - - 1 17 6   To Cash or Notes advanced by the State at two different times, agreeable to the Resolve of Court of the 6 th of Feb 1779. - - - - - 0 0 0   First Moiety £ value £ Healed   Second Moiety £ value £   To 8 Months 11 Days wages paid him by the Continent at 15 £ per Month £ 125, 10 (value) 81 19   To the Amount of two Notes advanced by the State towards the Depreciation of his wages, agreeable to a Resolve of the 14 th of March 1780 £ (value) 0 0 0   £ 83 16 6   To Balance - - - - - £ 41 13 6   1779 £ 125 10 0   Dec r 31 st 
The above Balance £ 41. 13. 6 multiplied by 32 1/2 to make good the Depreciation, is in Current Money £ 1354. 8. 9 Ex o J. W.
Certified 10 th July 1780
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Land Office Boston 25 April 1877
This Certifies that the above account is a true copy from the original Army Books now in this Office. Attest. Geo. W. Cushing - Land Agent of Mass ts .

I Josiah Sprague of Boston in the county of Suffolk and state of Massachusetts, Merchant testify and say that I became acquainted with Mr David Bryant in said Boston several years before the year seven hundred and seventyfive, and also with Miss Elizabeth Fawcett the daughter of Mr John Fawcett; and I well remember that in the month of February in that year, they set off together to go to Dunstable in New Hampshire to be married, accompanied by a few friends; that in a few days they returned together to Boston, and he was received and treated by her parents as their son in law, and the couple from that time lived together in the united state. About a year after their marriage they had a son whom they named Thomas, and in a few weeks after the news of his death a daughter whom they named Elizabeth, both of whom have died. Before the commencement of the Revolutionary war Mr Bryant was a member of the Artillery Company in said Boston under the command of Major Adino Paddock, to which the late Colonels Prescott & Stevens & Prince and Crafts & Perkins and several others, who afterwards distinguished themselves in that war likewise belonged. Immediately after Lexington & Concord battles Mr Bryant went out of the town, and joined

a new company of Artillery under Captain Foster, and he was made first Lieutenant of it. On the 17 th of June 1775, she had the battle of Bunker Hill so called. This company was at Lechmere's Point opposite to Charlestown, for the purpose of watching a British armed vessel and of preventing her landing men there, as she lay in the channel between that place and Charlestown Neck, and threatened our Troops that were proceeding to Bunker and Breed's Hill. Not many days after Lexington Battle I went out of the Town, then occupied by the British Royal Army, as also did Mr. Bryant, and resided in the neighbouring Town of West-Cambridge. I frequently visited the Camp at Cambridge, where our army was commanded by General Ward, and afterwards, when it was under General Washington, and saw there Captain Foster's Artillery Company, and the said Bryant acting as Lieutenant. I also on several occasions accompanied the the said Elizabeth to the Camp to visit her said husband. Being married to her Sister, and having been connected in business with him, Mr. Grant I was requested by him to take charge of his family and concerns during his absence with the Army. At the time our army was making preparations to march to New York, directly after the British Troops had evacuated the Town of Boston, in March 1776, I again saw Captain Foster's Company and Lieutenant Bryant with it. Colonel Crane commanded the Regiment to which it belonged. I afterwards had letters from him dated at different places where the Army was stationed or on its march, in New York & New Jersey and other States, all which expressed a solicitude for his Wife's situation. I likewise knew of her receiving letters from him, and writing to him during the same period.

Sometime after he left this quarter of the country for New York &c. I cannot recollect how long, I heard of his being promoted to the Captaincy of the Company, Captain Foster having been removed from the command. When the news of the Battle of Brandy Wine, which happened on the 11 th of September 1777, reached this place, I received the melancholy intelligence of Captain Bryant, being mortally wounded while actively engaged in it, and of his consequent death, and witnessed the extreme distress it inflicted on his Wife. From that period Mrs Bryant remained a Widow about 18 years, i.e. until the year seventeen hundred & ninety five, when she was married to Mr Israel Cook, at which marriage I was present. Mr Cook died in the year eighteen hundred & twenty two, and I attended his funeral in said Boston. Mr Cook has remained a Widow ever since his death, and is yet living in this City in the near vicinity of my own residence.
Josiah Knapp
28 March                      Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 25. County of Suffolk, ss. On this twenty eighth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before me, Samuel Shaw, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judi- cial Court of Massachusetts, at Boston in said county, the above named Josiah Knapp, he being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in Court, and being first duly sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the fore- going deposition by him subscribed, he the said Josiah Knapp being personally well known to me to be the person full & entire credit.                      Samuel Shaw, Chief Just. S. C.

Suffolk Is.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I George C. Wilde, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth within the County of Suffolk - being a court of Record and having a Seal, Do certify that Samuel Shaw, Esquire before whom the within affidavit was taken, was at the date thereof, Chief Justice of the said Supreme Judicial Court, - and the within signature is in his proper hand writing.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court, this first day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

I, Daniel Jackson of Watertown in the county of Middlesex and state of Massachusetts, Esquire, testify and say, that I was well acquaint- ed with Captain David Bryant and his wife Elizabeth: He was a Lieutenant in Captain Fas- ter's company of Artillery in the year 1775, and burnt a British Ship of war at Chelsea: It was the first artillery used at the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War. Afterward the company was annexed to Colonel Gardiner's Regiment, which was proceeding as a rein- forcement of our troops to Bunker's Hill: Then the company was ordered to Dorchester Heights. When the British left Boston it was ordered to New York, and stationed at the Grand Battery; - after that to Long Island, and then to Stoney Point. After the action on Long Island, the company was ordered back to New York, and part of it was stationed at the Ship Yard, until the troops left the city. in our retreat As the company was

marching on the road opposite to two of the Enemy's Frigates, when we had almost passed through their firing, we were ordered back and suffered considerable loss: We knew no reason why we were ordered back, unless that Capt. Foster was afraid to pass the firing himself: He was afterwards broken and sent home. Said Briant was appointed Cap- tain, and marched his company to Har- lem's heights, and to Fort Washington, and to the White Plains, where we remained until we moved to Philadelphia and Bordentown. In the action at Brandy- wine one half of the company was killed, and Captain Briant was mortally wounded, and he died the next morning. When he was shot through the body, he came to me with the blood gushing out, and said Jackson fight them to the last moment: This was on the eleventh of September 1777. I was in the same company the whole time from 1775 till the end of the Revolutionary war.

Capt. Bryant partook largely of the patriotic feelings of the times, and was highly influ- ential both in what then concerned his country's cause. He was known to be in action when Capt. Foster was absent: Indeed he was the life of the company: The last words he said after he was shot his wound was mortal where he should have liked to live to see his country free. The lady who was his wife is now living in the city of Boston in said State
Daniel Jackson
Massachusetts - Suffolk ss. Boston December 13 th 1827. Subscribed and sworn to before me
Elijah Morse Jus. Peace
∞

I, John Knapp of Boston in the county of Suffolk and state of Massachusetts, Enquire, testify and say, that having been requested by Mrs. Elizabeth Cook of said Boston, Widow, to obtain of the late Major Daniel Jackson a deposition declaring what he knew and remembered relative to the military services of her first husband, the late Captain Daniel Briant, in the War of the Revolution, I applied to the said Jackson for that purpose on the thirteenth day of December in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven; and he thereupon readily proceeded with me to the Office of the late Elijah Morse, a Justice of the Peace in for said county, and made and subscribed the written declaration or deposition contained in the instrument hereunto annexed, and made oath to the truth of the same before the said Justice, who thereupon certified the same under his hand upon said instrument in my presence. Said Jackson died about three years since and the said Morse about six years since, as I am credibly informed and believe.
Being a Nephew of the said Elizabeth I have been intimately acquainted with her from my childhood, and well remember, that then and until her marriage with the late Mr. Israel Cook, I was accustomed to address her as my aunt Briant, and she was called Mrs. Briant by her relations and all persons whom I heard speak to or of her. And I further say, that in my early youth I was told, as I have frequently since heard, that she was the widow of Captain Daniel Briant,

who was killed in the War of the Revolution at the battle of Brandywine. Her only child living within my memory was my cousin Elizabeth Bryant, who was never married, and died in the year 1821. Her last husband, the late Mr Israel Cook, died in the year 1822 in this city.
John Knapp
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. In the Supreme Judicial Court being a Court of Record, on this first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared the said John Knapp and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - and I certify that the said John Knapp is personally known to me and that he is entitled to full and entire credit.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Boston the day and year above written
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

Extract from the "Memoirs of Major General Heath. containing Anecdotes, Details of Skirmishes, Battles, and other Military Events, during the American War. Written by himself." printed at Boston Aug. 1798.
Page 70 - October 12 - 1776. Early in the morning, 80 or 90 British boats, full of men, stood up the sound from Montressor's Island, Long Island, &c. We troops landed at Frog's Neck, and their advance pushed towards the causeway and bridge at West Chester mill. Col. Hand's riflemen took up the planks of the bridge, as had been directed, and commenced a firing with their rifles. The British moved towards the head of the creek, but found here also the Americans in possession of the pass. Our General immediately (as he had assured Col. Hand he would do) ordered Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with his regiment, and Capt. Leient.  Bryant of the artillery, with a 3 pounder, to reinforce the riflemen at West Chester Causeway; and Col. Graham of the New York line, with his regiment, and Leient.  Jackson of the artil- lery, with a 6 pounder to reinforce at the head of the creek; which was promptly done to the shock & disappoint- ment of the enemy.     * * *
*     * Capt. Bryant , now at them, when there was an ob- ject, saluted the British with a field-piece.

State of Connecticut
County of New London
On this Eighteenth day of May A D 1837 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for said County personally appeared General Henry Burbeck of the town of New London in said County, personally known to me, who having been by me the said justice duly sworn according to law on his oath aforesaid deposes testifies & says -
That he personally knew Captain David Bryant formerly of the United States Revolutionary Army. That said Bryant was a Lieutenant in Foster's Company in Colonel Richard Gridley's Regiment in the year 1775. Deponent himself at that time a Lieutenant in Capt: Edward Burbeck's Company in the same Regiment. That Bryant served from early in 1775 to the Eleventh of September 1777 when he was killed at the battle of Brandywine. That Bryant must have entered the service as early as the month of June 1775. he Bryant was at the Battle of Red Bank as deponent understood at the time & has no doubt but that he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Deponent on his oath aforesaid further says - That upon the re-organization of the Regiment at the time when it was placed under the command of Col. Henry Knox in January 1776. in the assignment of rank of the officers then in that Regiment

The said Bryant was arranged as Second, first Lieutenant & Deponent arranged as Third first Lieutenant & that from this & other circumstances not necessary now to detail the recollection of the services of the said Bryant are perfectly fresh in the recollection of Deponent. That he well remembers that the said Bryant served as Lieutenant in the campaigns of New York & New Jersey & that he was made a Captain in the Regi- ment of Artillery in the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army commanded by Colonel John Brune in January 1778 & that it was in the capacity of Captain that he served till he was killed at the time aforesaid viz 11 th September 1779. When Deponent succeeded him in the command of his company. De- ponent was present in the action but was posted on the left of the field. Bryant was near the centre & Deponent did not see him till at the time he fell but soon after the action ended at his burse.
From the circumstances above mentioned the acquaintance of the Deponent with the said Bryant was intimate & the Deponent in his oath aforesaid further says that as early as March 1777 Deponent visited the residence of the said Bryant in Boston & took tea with him & his, Bryant's wife. Deponent well knows that Captain Bryant was married at the time when he visited them & Deponent thinks that Mr Bryant had a child at the time but of this he is not certain. Deponent is certain that the visit above mentioned was in the spring of 1777 having both Bryant & Deponent marched with the

Regiment from Boston about the 28 th of Jan 1777 & the visit was some months before they left - That the Regiment was marched in companies & on the day above mentioned the residue of the Reg t was moved. and from the circumstances above mentioned Spence & Bryant were intimate, were frequently together & it is not possible for difference to be mistaken as to the fact of the said Bryant's service or as to the period of its continuance.
And further deponent saith not except that he verily believes that there is no other person now living who was in the Regiment at the time of said service.
Henry Burbeck Late Genl. By Brevet United States Army.
Attest Thos I Perkins justice of the peace
State of Connecticut } ss I John D'Witt Clerk of New London County } the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Thomas I Perkins Esq r before whom the above deposition of Henry Burbeck late General Glennt in U S Army was taken was on said eighteenth day of May 1837 and still is a justice of the peace in and for said New London County and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such and that his signature above written is genuine Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of said County the 20 th day of May A D 1837
John D'Witt Clerk