Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,280, John Bryan, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bryan John
S 12280
CONTENTS
Carded

9156
Connecticut
John Bryan
of Orange in the State of Conn who was a Pri — in the Conn commanded by Captain Seart of the Reg commanded by Col. Thompson in the Conn line for State Troops 12 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of April 1833 and sent D. S. Waldwin. Milford. Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March '33. $ 83 32 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 33 20 83 $104 15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock, Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 — Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, } ss. County of New-Haven, } ss.
On this 9 th day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Milford District now sitting, John Bryan a resident of Orange, late part of Milford in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 78 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:—That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:—
He went as a private in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel Great of Milford in said State and served in said Company for three months in about New York and at Brooklyn heights since three months commenced some time in July 1776 said Company belonged to Col Thompson's Regt.
Late in December 1776 he entered for three months in a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt Benjamin Hurd, then of Milford, and said Company was employed 3 months at New Hornsbrook & the Saw pits: said Company belonged to Col. Cook's Regiment.
In the summer of 1777 he was drafted for three months in a militia Company commanded by Capt Samuel Root. He served 3 months in said Company which was employed as a guard at Burnham's farm in Milford.
In October 1777 he went in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt John Bryan and served in said Company for six weeks in about Red Hook in the State of New York. said Company belonged to Col. B. Linn's Regiment.
In the summer of 1778 he was drafted into a Company of horse commanded by Capt Milford of New Haven said Company served in for the term of six two months at near Hornsbrook.
He was born in Milford (now Orange)

February 23, 1754: Has lived in Milford and in Orange to the present time - This age is recorded on the Town records.
His first tour in 1776 can be proved by Ebenezer Sanford & Daniel Bryan; who can also prove his service commencing in Dec r 1775: Also his tour in the sum- mer of 1777; and also his tour in the fall of 1777.
His tour in the summer of 1778 can be proved by Benjamin Gillet.
He is acquainted with the Rev d B. Pierce and Cha s H. Pond who, as his believe, can testify to his veracity, & also their belief in his services in the war of the Revolution as aforesaid. He received no written discharge - but always served his time out. I was present at the day he was afore- said.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, except that of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Bryan
We, Bezalel Pinnock a Clergyman, residing in Milford and Chas. H. Pond residing in said Milford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bryan who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Bezalel Pinnock
Chas. H. Pond
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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Rev. Bezalel Pinnock who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said Milford and that Chas. H. Pond Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Milford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, D. L. Baldwin Clerk of the Probate Court of Milford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Bryan for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 9 th day of August 18 32
Attest David L. Baldwin Clerk
State of Connecticut, Probate District Milford August 9 th 1832. J. William (Gray) Judge of the Probate Court for

Said District, do Certify that David L. Baldwin whose signature is to the above certificates is Clerk of said Court has the keeping of the records of said Court, that full faith should be due to his official acts that the foregoing is the seal of said Court, that the foregoing attestations are in due form
John Bryan the declarant; and the deponents Capt. Abiel Bryan, Celina Sanford and Benjamin Gilett are severally known to me to be men of truth and their statements are entitled to full faith should be due to the request of the War Department, the Court hereby annex an opinion that the statements of the affiant are true, and fully proved -
William Strong Judge of Probate
No 4050 John Bryan Claim - Milford Ct

N o 4050
John Bayard

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford S- At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for the Probate District of Mil- ford on the 14 th day of January 1833- Barnet William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court John Bryan of lately part of Milford Orange, in said County and State, who being duly sworn deposes and says in this his sup- plemental declaration, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot state the precise date of his services, but acc- ording to the best of his recollection, he served as follows: (viz),
For three months, from the fore part of July 1776 I served in Capt. Sargeant's Great Falls Company.
For three months from the last of December 1776 I served in Capt. Benjamin Sizing Company
For three months from the latter part of May a part of June 1777 I served in Capt. Beck Company
For two months from the middle of June 1778 I served in a Company commanded by Capt. Mansfield. The details of the above terms of mine are par- ticularly stated in my original declaration which is prefixed.
For six weeks from the fore part of October 1777 I served in Capt. Abial Bryan's Company - as is

more particularly stated in my original declaration.
I am certain that I served at least twelve and half months in the Revolution, as stated for which I claim a pension -
Answer to 4 th Interrog. for the first term in 1776 I was drafted; for second term in 1776 I enlisted, and for my term in 1777 and 1778 I was drafted. Answer to 5 th Interrog. I do not remember any other officers, than those I have before stated.
Answer to 6 th Interrog. I never read any written discharge but always served out my whole term of duty -
Answer to 7 th Interrog. In addition to the persons named in my original declaration David Smith and Miles Mallett, of Orange, late part of Milford in said County and State, can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution, which deposition are prefixed -
John Bryan
I David L. Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Sessions for the District of Milford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Bryan for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of January 1833
David L. Baldwin Clerk

State of Connecticut. Probate District of Milford January 14 th 1833
I William Strong Judge of the Probate Court for said District do hereby certify that David L. Baldwin whose signature is to the above certif- icate is Clerk of said Court, and has the keeping of the records of said Court, that full faith and credit are due to his official acts. that the foregoing is the seal of the said Court, and that the foregoing attestations are in due form —
John Dyer the declarant and the several deponents are personally known to me to be men of truth, and their statements are entitled to full faith and credit —
According to the request of the War Depart- ment the Court assigns an opinion that the applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution that his statements and those of the deponents are true —
For proof of the applicant's in 62nd Pelsibomb, Barnes Farms, and the authority on which he stands, reference may be had to the Certificate of the Hon. Pelsa Phelps comptroller of this State attached to the papers of Samuel Lusk — numbered 3477 —
William Strong Judge of Probate

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
July 20, 1931
Mr. F. Clarence Bissell 1009 West Boulevard Hartford, Connecticut
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MCS C
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12280, that John Bryan was born February 23, 1754, in that part of Milford which was later called Orange, Connecticut.
While a resident of Milford, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from July, 1776, three months in Captain Samuel Treat's company in Colonel Thompson's regiment; from late in December, 1776, three months in Captain Benjamin Hine's company in Colonel Cook's regiment; from May, 1777, three months in Captain Samuel Peck's company and served as guard at Burwell's Farm in Milford; from October, 1777, six weeks in Captain Jehiel Bryan's company in Colonel B. Wenn's regiment; in the summer of 1778, two months in Captain Mulford's company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Orange, Connecticut.
The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to wife and children of the soldier.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

24-1903 Mrs Salerock M c Intosh Co.
Refr
12,280 ✓ INVALID.
Aug.
1931 July 20. hist to Mr. F. Clarence Bissell V.C.
File No. 12,280
John Bryan Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a, Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Bryan
6.17
private 22 m o
sergeant 2 m o
32.75
private 12½ m o
$41.55
J. L. Baldwin
Milford
120.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Bryan which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

 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?  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?  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?  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
4 Isabeque
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 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 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.

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss At a Court of Probate held in and for said District on the 14 th day of January 1833 - Present William Strong Judge personally appeared in open Court David Smith aged 76 - of Milford and Miles Mallett aged 70 years of Orange (late part of Milford) who being duly sworn depose and say that they have always been acquaint- ed with John Bryan of Orange (late part of Milford) and that said Bryan's character for truth is good: that it has always been reported in the neighborhood and elsewhere and more particularly that said John Bryan performed several times service in the Revolution. From Bryan's character deponents believe that the services as set forth by him are truly stated.
David Smith Miles Mallett
Attest David G. Saltonstall Clerk

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford ss—
At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for the Probate District of Milford on the 9 th day of August 1832—
Present William Strong Judge—
Personally appeared in open Court Abiah Bryan and Eliza Sanford both of said Town, County, and State, and being duly sworn, do depose and say that, in the Summer of 1776 in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Samuel Root they served three months, and for said time they were employed on the West end of Long Island, at Brooklyn Heights; said Company belonged to Col. Thompson's Regiment — who was killed in retreating from New York; — and deponents further depose and say that John Bryan of the Town of Orange, in said County, and State, served in said Company during said term of three months as above stated against the common enemy — (Deponents further depose and say that in December 1776 they enlisted into and served three months in a Company of State Troops Commanded by Capt. Benjamin Hine and were employed at and about Hornbrook, said Company belonged to Col. Cook's Regiment — and they further say that John Bryan of the Town of Orange in said County and State served in said Company during said term of three months as above stated against the common enemy — and Deponents further depose and say that in the Summer of 1777 they were drafted into a Militia Company commanded by Capt. Hine.

Take for three months and served 3 d three months in said Company as a guard at Barnes Farms a village in the East part of said Milford lying on the Sea Coast. and they further depose and say that John Bryan of the Town of Orange in said County and State, served in said Company during said Term of three months as above stated, against the common enemy —
and said Dependants further depose and say that in the fall of the year 1777 they went in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Nicholas Bryan and served Six Weeks in 1 st Company which was employed at Fishkill and its vicinity and continued in service until after the capture of Genl. Burgoyne — 8 th Company belonged to Col. B. Fenn's Regiment —
and they further depose and say that John Bryan of the Town of Orange in said County and State served in said Company during said Term of Six Weeks as above stated against the common enemy — in the War of the Revolution — and further the Dependants say not
Nicholas Bryan Elisha Sanford
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid —
Attest David L. Parsons clerk

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford J s —
At a Court of Probate held at Milford within and for the Probate District of Milford on the 9 th day of August 1832—
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Benjamin Gillet of said Milford and being duly sworn— depts depon and say, that, in the Summer of 1778 he was drafted into a Company of Horse comman- =ded by Cap t Milford of New Haven and served in s d Company for the term of two months at and near Hornsbrook— and he further depon and says that John Bryan of the Town of Orange in said County and State, served in s d Company during said term of two months as above stated, against the Common enemy in the War of the Revolution— and further the deponent saith not—
Benjamin Gillet
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
Attest David L. Buelin Hk

9134
R
New Haven. Conn
Aug. 14. 1903
To the Comm'r of Pensions: -
Dear Sir: -
John Bryan of Orange, New Haven Co. Conn., is recorded as a pensioner of the Rev. War. in 1832 also in act of 1840. Can you give me a record of his service. Under whom he served. time & place of service.
Yours truly.
Mrs J. A. Crocker. 12 University-Pl. New Haven. Conn.

THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION
 President  DENNIS A. BLAKESLEE 58 Waverly St., New Haven  Vice-Presidents  Maj. CHARLES H. SPRAGUE Bridgeport  WILBUR F. TOMLINSON Danbury  FRANK E. SANDS Meriden  Secretary  ROBERT F. BRADLEY 306 Meigs Bldg., Bridgeport  Treasurer  HARRY H. PRITCHARD 886 Main St., Bridgeport
 Registrar  F. CLARENCE BISSELL 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford  Historian  PAUL B. GODARD 18 Asylum St., Hartford  Chaplain  Rev. ANTHON T. GESNER Waterbury  Necrologist  LEVERETT BELKNAP P. O. Box 734, Hartford  Trustee to National Society  GEORGE S. GODARD State Library, Hartford
 F. CLARENCE BISSELL, Registrar 1009 West Boulevard, Hartford
June 2 nd 1931
DELEGATES
COL. TRACY B. WARREN (at large) WILLIAM G. BAXTER CLARENCE BLAKESLEE WILLIAM H. BURR ARTHUR W. CHAMBERS JOHN A. COE FRANK A. CORBIN EDMUND E. FREEMAN WILLIAM H. HART ARTHUR R. KIMBALL ARTHUR C. KLOCK ARTHUR S. LANE A. MCCLELLAN MATHEWSON FREDERIC T. MURLLESS, JR. REV. ORVILLE A. PETTY ARTHUR V. PILLSBURY EDGAR L. POND SEYMOUR N. ROBINSON ERNEST E. ROGERS CHARLES E. P. SANFORD WILLIAM A. SCHENCK ROBERT SCOVILLE ALFRED SPENCER, JR. MARTIN WELLES HERBERT H. WHITE CLARENCE H. WICKHAM J. ALLEN WILEY ARTHUR E. WOODRUFF
OTHER MANAGERS
WILLIAM H. ALLEN JOHN C. BRINSMAD ORLANDO H. BROTHWELL MORRIS L. BURR ALBERT F. CORBIN WILLIAM H. CORBIN FRANK B. GAY WILSON H. LEE ROBERT W. LOVELL EDWARD J. MORGAN JOHN M. PARKER, JR. CHARLES PHELPS EARNEST C. SIMPSON DR. GEORGE C. F. WILLIAMS HARRY R. WILLIAMS
Secretaries of Local Branches, ex-officio
F. JOSEPH CHATTERTON, New Haven WILLIS N. BARBER, Meriden SAMUEL F. BEARDSLEY, Bridgeport EARLE M. WOOD, Norwich CHARLES A. QUINTARD, Norwalk ELMER H. SPAULDING, New London HARRY L. HILTON, Hartford MALCOLM D. RUDD, Salisbury HARRY E. TARGETT, Danbury RUSSELL H. POPE, Waterbury EARLE F. SCHOFIELD, Greenwich
U. S. Pension Bureau
Please send me copy of
 Pension Record of John Bryan,  of Orange, Conn. aged 80 in 1833.  (Our St. Library gives his number  S 12280) 
 Respectfully  F. C. Bissell Pres