Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,669, Benjamin Brown, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Brown, Benjamin Browns, or
N 24,669
Hannah
CONTENTS
[Faint handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Repaid.
Letter to Pension Agent 5 April 1847.
Col. Peter G. Smith April 7 th 1847.
6828
6828
Maine
Mannah Thorne widow of Maj. Thorne who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of April, 1845 and sent to
Geo. J. Emery Esq. Paris, Maine
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A June 17. 1844 Vol. 2 Page 1.

7165
Hannah Brown widow of Benj n
Act of July 1838. Maine
H. J. A. Eastman H. R.

State of Maine
Oxford County ss. On this nineteenth day of October AD. 1838 - personally appeared before the Court of Probate now sitting specially at Bethel within & for said county, to Hannah Brown, a resident of said Bethel aged Seventy Six 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 provision made by the Act of Congress passed July, 7, 1838 - entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" - That she is the widow of Benjamin Brown, late of said Bethel, deceased, who was a soldier of the United States in the Revolutionary War. That the said Benjamin Brown, at the time of his services resided in Lynn, in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - that he served as a "minute man" first, & was at the battle of Bunker Hill - that he then served five weeks thereafter - and then enlisted for one year - in what was called "the year's service" & served during the said term of one year - that after said year's service, he enlisted again, & thus he continued to serve from one period of enlistment to another, until he served either four or five years in all. She cannot now, from loss of memory, recollect the name of any one officer, under whom said Benjamin served - and she does not know of any person living by whom she can prove said service - she supposes, that his services were in the Massachusetts line, throughout, but she is not certain. After he, the said Benjamin left the army, he went "a privateering" & was out nine months & was out at the close of the war. - She thinks she may be able to prove by some old persons, the names of some of the officers, as related by the said Benjamin in his lifetime, and she prays that reference may be had to the rally of the army, to show the particulars of his said service

and in proof of the same.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Benjamin Brown on the eighteenth day of May A.D. Seventeen hundred & eighty four - that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Brown died on the last day of June A.D. eighteen hundred & nineteen - that she was not married to him before he left the service - but the marriage took place before the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four viz - at the time above stated. Pretty soon after the passage of the Act of Congress of the 18 March 1818 - the said Benjamin her said husband, was struck with the numb palsy, and was ever afterwards unable to make application for a pension under that Act, & this is the reason, why he did not apply.
Witness S. Emery
Hannah her  X Brown mark
Sealed & subscribed by the said Hannah Brown the day & year first above written
Before Stephen Emery, Judge
State of Maine
Oxford ss. I the subscriber, Register of the Courts of Probate in & for the County of Oxford do hereby certify that Stephen Emery before whom the foregoing proceedings were had was at the time they were had Judge of the Court aforesaid - I also certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the application of Hannah Brown for a Pension - I also certify that Elias M. Carter & Lyman Rawson before whom the two annexed Depositions were taken & whose genuine signatures are affixed there to are Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly Qualified & are allowed to act as such and full faith are due to their acts as magistrates -
In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Court this sixth day of May A.D. 1840
Levi Stowell, Register,

I Chandler Russell of Bethel in the County of Oxford State of Maine of lawful age do testify and say I have heard Mr Benjamin Brown family of Lynn in Massachusetts say that he enlisted in the service was at the Battle of Bunker Hill when Gen Warren fell & also that he was in the service at West Point at the time of Arnold's desertion I have also heard him say that he was at the battle of Manmouth also that he was at the battle when Bergoin was taken I have frequently heard him say that he was out through the whole service during the whole Revolutionary War & I have frequently heard him say that he was paid off in continental money & suffered much from the depreciation of said money
Chandler Russell
Oxford So May 6 th 1840
Personally appeared the above named Chandler Russell & made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed to the above named Chandler Russell is a man of truth and veracity Before me Elias M c Carter Justice of the Peace

I Benjamin Brown of Bethel in the County of Oxford State of Maine of lawful age do certify & say that, I have known my father Benjamin Brown formerly of Lynn in Massachusetts say that he was in the Service at the Battle at Bunker Hill when Gen - Warren fell & also that he was in the Service at West Point at the time of Arnold's desertion & I have often heard him say he was in the Service during the Revolutionary War & I have frequently heard him speak of being paid off in Continental money & suffered much from the depreciation of said money - Benjamin Brown
Oxford 33 May 4 1810
Personally appeared the above named Benjamin  Benjamin Brown & known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing statement to the truth of the foregoing statement -ment by him subscribed Before me John Hanson Justice of the Peace

Benjamin Brown and Hannah Russel both of Packersfield, were joined in wedlock May eighteenth, seventeen hundred and eighty four, by the Rev Jacob Foster.
I Oliver P Sewell Town Clerk of Nelson do certify that the above is truly copied from the Records in my office, with the exception of the dates, which are on the Record in fair legible figures as follows; Benjamin Brown and Hannah Russel both of Packersfield were joined in wedlock May 18 th 1784 by the Rev Jacob Foster.
I Oliver P Sewell depose and say that the above is a true copy of Record with the exception above named, and that I am
now Town Clerk of the town of Nelson, formerly called Packersfield.
June 17 th 1839.
Oliver P Sewell Town Clerk of Nelson.
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss.
June 17 1839 The above named Oliver P Sewell personally appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is just & true
Before me
Reuel Nims Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
Clerk's office, Superior Court of Indictment Reen June 17. A.D. 1839.
Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Superior Court of Indictment in and for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify - that Russel Dins is a true copy of the Record in and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid. duly commissioned and qualified, and that his name within written is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year aforesaid.
H. Coolidge Clerk

March 28, 1939
Miss Charlotte E. Hobbs Lovell Maine
Am BA-J/ATF Benjamin Brown W.24669
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W. 24669, based upon the military service of Benjamin Brown in the War of the Revolution. The name is shown, also, Browne.
The date and place of birth of Benjamin Brown, and names of his parents are not given.
While a resident of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, Benjamin Brown, enlisted in 1775, served as private in Captain Ezra Newhall's Massachusetts company, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and in the expedition to Quebec, under Colonel Arnold, length of this service about one year. It was stated that he was in the battle when Burgoyne was taken, was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island, was in the battle of Monmouth, and in the service at West Point, when Arnold deserted, and the length of all his service was four or five years. At the expiration of his service, he went "privateering", and was out about nine months.
Benjamin Brown married May 18, 1784, Hannah Russel; they were both then of Packersfield (which was later Nelson), New Hampshire.
He died June 30, 1819, in Bethel, Oxford County, Maine.
The widow, Hannah Brown, was allowed pension

on her application executed October 19, 1838, at which time she was living in Bethel, Maine, aged seventy-six years. The date and place of birth of Hannah Russel, and names of her parents were not stated. She was still living in Bethel, Maine, in 1845.
Benjamin Brown, son of Benjamin Brown, and wife, Hannah, was living in 1840, in Bethel, Maine.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this widow, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data-
Hannah Browne, widow of Benjamin Browne, as pensioned Certificate #6828 Issued April 25, 1845 Rate $26.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1843 Act of March 3, 1843 and June 17, 1844 State of Maine.
Maine
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Eber S.S.
Saugus Mass. Oct 30 1840
The following is the deposition of Mr William Parker of Saugus. pertaining to the case of Benjamin Brown of Lynn enlisting in the Revolutionary Service in the year 1775.
question where you acquainted with Mr Benj. Brown of Lynn in the year 1775 -
answer - I was.
question Who did he enlist under and Capt. Ezra Newhall of Lynn.
I knew Mr Benj. Brown of Lynn that he served eight months in the Revolutionary War - after which time I knew him in Malden - and knew he enlisted again in that town - and that is the last I knew of him -
question Mr. Parker how old are you - answer - I am Seventy Seven years old the sixth Day of November next
The above is a true Deposition of Mr William Parker of Saugus - as testified to before me -
Wm. W. Bondman
Justin of Peabody

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ss.
I JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Essex, do certify that Hon. is Judge of the Court of  within and for said County; that
Wm. W. Boardman Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County; that his commission is dated  A.D., 18  and will expire in seven years from that date; and that his signature hereon is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said Court, at Salem, October thirtieth A.D., 1840.
John Prince Clerk.

Hannah Browne
Act 3 d March, 1843.
17 June, 1844. Act 1843 No. 7142 " 44 94
Adm d : of 26.66 per cent.
Geo: F. Emery Esq. Paris, Maine
Deferreum of French Brewer

Declaration -
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the third of March A.D. 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain officers, who have received pensions under the Act of July 7 th 1838 -
State of Maine County of Washington ss.
On this twenty first day of March A.D. 1843, personally appeared before Simon Riggs, Judge of the Court of Probate for said County after fore- Simon Riggs  Simon Riggs a resident of Bethel in said County aged eighty two years, who being first 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 on the third day of March A.D. 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war - That she is the widow of Benjamin Brown of said Bethel who was a private in Capt. Ezra Gannell's company of the Revolutionary war - & for further evidence would refer to papers at file in the Pension Office in her case -
And the annual amount of pension she received under the Act of July 7 th 1838 was twenty six dollars & sixty cents - and she further declares she is still a widow -
Attest - Peter Smith - her Simon Riggs Given to and subscribed by the said Declarant the day and year above written who is personally known to me - Simon Riggs Judge -

The reason of taking this Declaration out of Court was, the said Deponent. on account of old age & infirmities was unable to attend Court.
Yours Respectfully -

State of Maine
Oxford County ss: I the subscriber Register of the Court of Probate, within & for said County, hereby certify, that Lyman Ransom, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, is Judge of the Court aforesaid - I also certify that his signature to the foregoing Declaration of Hannah Brown is genuine, & that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Judge, in the matter of the application of Hannah Brown for a Pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & forty five.
Geo. F. Emery Register

I Peter G Smith of Bethel in the County of Oxford & State of Maine- aged forty-eight years, testify and say that, I was well acquainted with Benjamin Brown both of said Bethel, deceased, that he was a Reformation Preacher of the United States, that he died on the thirtieth day of June 1819 and that he left a will even by the name of Benjamin Brown, which is still remaining a will even and now resides in said Bethel - Peter G Smith
Oxford ss March 21 1845-
Personally appeared Peter G Smith a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me. Simon A. Dyer Justice of the Peace

I Polly Smith of Bethel in the County of Oxford State of Maine aged forty-nine years, testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Brown late of said Bethel, deceased, that he was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, that he died on the twentieth day of June 1819 and that he left a widow the name of Deborah Brown, who still remains a widow and now resides in said Bethel. Attest Peter Smith Polly her X Smith mark.
Oxford ss March 21 1875- Personally appeared Polly Smith a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed -
Before me Francis H. Austin Justice of the Peace

54 e. p. c. 1845
State of Maine
County of Oxford ss. I Joseph G. Cole Clerk of the Judicial Court within & for the County of Oxford hereby certify that Lyman Rawson whose genuine signature is affixed to the certificate on the within deposition of Peter G. Smith aq Polly Smith is a justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this twenty eighth day of March 1845
Joseph G. Cole Clerk as aforesaid

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
State of Maine County of Weymouth Town of Bethel
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my husband's service in the war of the Revolution.
He enlisted from the town of Lynn in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Newhall in Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
This enlistment was for the eight months' service, which he served out, and during its continuance went to Canada in the expedition against Quebec. I think he belonged to the Army, which went up the Kennebec, under the command of the then Col: Arnold; and while in Canada I think he enlisted for three months or more or a greater length of time.
I have also a very strong impression on my mind, that he was at the taking of Gen: Burgoyne & his Army, at Saratoga: was with Gen: Sullivan, in his expedition against the British on Rhode Island—and was at West Point, when Gen: Arnold attempted to betray the American Army to the English.
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the soldier, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I think that he performed all his services, in the capacity of a Private.
The name of my said husband was Benjamin Brown.
25/78
I am now eighty four years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this twenty sixth day of July -
A. D. 1846.
Hannah her + Brown mark
Signed by said Hannah Brown in my presence,
William Lye JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Hannah Brown 7165 Mtd of Poy's the Aa July 1838
Marmed 1784
died 1819
Allan 8 mo pr $26.66
pr am
Mrs. Miller — C E Newhall —
on roll.
Hon. A. S. Littlefield A. Ray

House of Representatives
February 7. 1842.
Sir I herewith return you the papers relating to Mrs Brown's application for a pension. You will perceive that Mr Dyer her Attorney desires that a certificate should be issued for the 8 months service of her husband. The acceptance of this will I presume be equivalent to the relinquishment of any further claim. Send the certificate to me if you please.
Respectfully Yours N. S. Littlefield
W. S. Edwards, Esq. Com. pensions.

Bethel Me Jan 7
Free-
Hon: Nathaniel S. Littlefield U. S. Washington City, D. C.

Bethel Jan: 1. 1842.
Hon: N. S. Littlefield,
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 21. ult: accompanying Mrs Rowe's pension certificate, was duly re d per mail. She resides in Kennebec and is in very reduced circumstances, depending upon her children, who are themselves poor, for her support.
A Mrs Hannah Brown of Bethel, widow of Benjamin Brown, deceased, has made application for a pension for revolutionary services of her husband. The papers in the case are now on file in the Pension Office at Washington. She wishes you to make some enquiry at the Office and ascertain, and communicate to her, what state her application is now in. She considers that she has established eight months' service of her husband. and wishes you to make

some exertions to have justice done to her, so far as the testimony furnished goes.
Yours Respectfully,
Wm Lloyd

Augusta Feb. 1. 1842.
Hon: N. S. Littlefield,
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 27 th ult. is received, and I am highly gratified at the prospect of obtaining the sum, of which you speak, from Mrs Brown - For, although I am thoroughly satisfied that her late husband performed revolutionary services for a much longer time than 8 months, yet I am in doubt as to her ability to obtain sufficient evidence to fully prove the fact. I shall therefore say to you, that I think it best to get a decision in the case.
I have nothing new, of importance, to write. The daily routine of legislative labors you are well acquainted with, such is the monotonous business in which I am now engaged. To be sure some variety is given to the business occasionally, when a debatable subject comes along. Otherwise the employment would be tedious and irksome.
Yours truly,
Wm Luce

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
December 30 1846.
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 Benjamin Brown is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Ezra Newhall's Company, in Col John Mansfield's regt, in the Eight Months Service as a private of Lynn, from May 6 1775, 3 Months and 2 days. Upon a Return of said Company, in said Regt, as a private of Lynn the Service named said return is dated October 6 1775. Upon an order of same for Coats, dated November 4, 1775. - Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Tadock Buffington's Company in Col Samuel Johnson's regt, for Service at the North, as a private from August 14 to November 30 1777, 3 Months & 17 days.

Many of the names borne upon said roll of Capt Buffington's Company are common to Lynn. Said Capt Buffington belonged to Salem as appears from the Military Records in the Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Perry;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

STATE OF MAINE.
Oxford County, ss :
I, the subscriber, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, within and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that William Fife whose proper signature is affixed to the foregoing Declaration of Hannah Brown is a Justice of the Peace within said County of Oxford, duly appointed and qualified, and that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and set the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, this tenth day of March A. D. 1847
Charles Andrews
CLERK.

VOL 157/81
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, April 27 th 1870.
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 Benjamin Brown is borne on a Return of Capt. Ezra Newhall's Company in the 19 th Regiment of foot October 6 th 1773, as a Private from Lynn.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Betsy Brown b. 1819 Hannah M. 84 S.
75
71 12mo. (as continued from a previous
Resided in Lynn — and enlisted station in Malden.

Pension Office, Jan. 25. 1842
Sir,
I return herewith the letter of Mr. Farge on the subject of the claim of Mrs. Hannah Brown of Maine, and in reply have the honor to state that the proof offered in support of her late husband, Benj. Brown's service in the year 1776, is not satisfactory.
The alleged service of eight months in 1775, is fully established from the Mass. rolls. A certificate of pension may be issued for that service at any time Mrs. Brown may think proper to signify her wishes on the subject.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully Your Obed. Serv. J. L. Edwards
Hon. N. S. Littlefield House of Representatives.

Paris March 29 1845
Job L. Saunders Esq
Dr Sir,
I have been requested to forward the enclosed papers to you, & when a certificate is granted, or should there be required any further correspondence, please write to Peter L. Smith East Bethel Oxford Co. Me.
Respectfully Yours,
Geo. F. Emery

6543
Agent notified Feb 9. '42
Maine
Hannah Broone, widow of
Benjamin Broone, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died in the year 1819 of Oxford in the State of Maine who was a private in the Corp commanded by Captain Seubald of the regt commanded by in the Maine line for 8 months,
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 20. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9. day of Feby 1842. and sent to Hon. S. Littlefield, H. Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March '41 133.30 Semestral allowance ending
$133.30
{ Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by Theo Smoot Clerk, Book A, Vol. 1 Page 3

Mayne (Y165. Me. Hannah Brown widow of Benjamin let to Hon: Ira A. Eastman July 1. 1840. to Ira A. Eastman June 15, 1841 "Hamp. S. Littlefield Jan 25, 42 July 7. 1838. A.M.

March 27, 1939
BA-J/AWT James Allen-R.12085 Benjamin Brown-W.24669
Miss Charlotte E. Hobbs Lovell Maine
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to the following soldiers of the Revolutionary War-
James Allen, born in 1782 in New London, Connecticut, died in Canton, Maine, in 1867;
Benjamin Brown, died June 30, 1819, in Bethel, Maine, married Hannah Russell.
You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of James Allen of New London, Connecticut, and Canton, Maine, and of Benjamin Brown who died June 30, 1819, leaving widow, Hannah.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
See her letter re
this claim
Benjamin Brown W. 24669

Lovell, Oxford Co., Maine
Feb. 15, 1939
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
Can you send me any information concerning the following Revolutionary soldiers?
James Allen, Jr. b. New London, Conn. 1762 d. Canton, Maine 1867, m. (1) at Scarboro, Maine Abigail Berry (2) Sarah Carver (3) Salome Carver. He was living Portland, Maine 1811. May have lived also Littleton, VT.
Benjamin Brown d. Bethel, Maine June 30, 1819 m. Hannah Russell, said to have come to Maine from some place in New Hampshire Massachusetts and to have served for all five years of the war. His children were Benjamin, Lydia, Hannah, Polly b. Merrimack N.H., Nancy, Simeon, Dolly, Haskell, and others which I do not know. His wife was Hannah Russell. He was living in Bethel by 1800.
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Charlotte E. Hobbs

Rev
1939. mch 28 - list to Charlotte E. Hobbs ans
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21669
Hannah Browne Widow of Benj. Browne Rev Rev War
Act: March 3 rd 4. 84 June 1 st 44
Index: -- Vol. A , Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]