Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17295, Jonathan Brown, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Brown, Jonathan
S. 17295
CONTENTS
carded
b Dec. 18, 1762 in Stamford, Fairfield Co. Conn. res during Rev. War (New Canaan) lev. In 1832 res. of Stamford Conn.

17.594 Connecticut
Nathan Brown
Stamford in the State of Conn
was a Private in the Conn commanded
by Colonel Beebe of the First commanded
by Colonel Beebe in the Conn
Militia - 18 mo. 29-
mo. 5 days - Drummer
ed on the Roll of Conn
rate of 67 Dollars 35 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augst
1833 and Rent - S. No
Minor Stamford let
Arrears to the 4th of March 32. $134.70
Post-ant. allowance ending Sept 33 67
$168.37
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. D. Dutton Clerk,
Bo U. Vol. 3 Page 6

etc 5058
Stephen Hally Jonathan Brown
PO

State of Connecticut, } ss. Stamford Probate District County of Fairfield, }
On this 1 st day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before Court of Probate for Stamford District
now sitting, Jonathan Brown a resident of Stamford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Sixty nine years, who being first 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, viz, That in 1778 he became liable to do Military duty in the Militia & served as a Drummer for two Months in a Com- pany of State Troops commanded by Capt. Ruben Sedgfield, it was at the time when they were cutting Farenes in the Village of Stamford & its neighbourhood under a French engineer, whose name he does not remember. In the Spring of the year 1780 he enlisted into a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Capt. David Alnsted, for nine Months, Lieut. Ezra Benedict & Ensign Jesse Hayt in Col. Beebe's Regt. Major Shepman was of the same Regt. under this enlistment, as declared understood at the time, & now surely believes, the Regt. was ordered by Genl. Arnold to March for West Point & marched as far as Bedford new Purchase as it was then called & lay there encamped for about two weeks, when orders came from Genl. Arnold to March immediately to West Point in the morning news came that Andries was taken & the Regiment immediately returned to Housatonic on the lines & there remained until discharged on the 1 st of Jany 1781.
In the Spring of 1781 he believes the last of March or first of April he be enlisted into a Company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Nathan Hanson - James Wood Lieut. & Jesse Hayt Ensign (the two latter being dead) Nathan Waring orderly sergeant - he enlisted for nine Months & served at his time. The Company for most of this year was kept as a guard at Five Mile River between Stamford & Norwalk - in this year Rev. Doctor Marthas Congregation was taken on Sunday at the when assembled for worship at the Meeting house & carried to New York as Prisoners.
He also says that he served in the Militia for more than six Months over & above the service above specified although he cannot specify the number of days or weeks at each time he was called out - Mother was born in Stamford on the 18 th day of Decr. 1762. That his birth as he

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the within copy of foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Brown for a Pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 18 day of June 1838
Samuel Lockwood Clerk

Believes is recorded on the Town Records, of the Town of Stamford, that when called into service he was living in what was then Norwalk, now New Canaan — He never received a written discharge — he has all ways resided in Stamford except from his sixteenth year until he was twenty one years of age when his home was at New Canaan when not in the service.
He refers to Rev. Daniel Smith of Stamford & Jonathan Brown Simson H. Minor Esq. of said Stamford —
The said Jonathan Brown 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm. Hawley Judge
Jonathan Brown
We, Daniel Smith a clergyman, residing in the town of Stamford and Simson H. Minor residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Brown who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Wm. Hawley Judge
Daniel Smith Simson H. Minor
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 the Rev. Daniel Smith — who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Stamford in Connecticut and that Simson H. Minor Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stamford aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Wm. Hawley Judge
I, Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Brown — for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of _____ Office, this 10 th day of August 1832.
Sam Lockwood Clk

State of Connecticut ss. Stone for Probate District on the 11 th day of June 1833 Personally appeared Jonathan Brown the foregoing Declarant, before the Court of Probate for said District in open Court & on his oath says in addition to what he has heretofore stated in his original Declaration. That he was in actual service in Capt Nubbin Sedgfield's Company on the 26 th & 27 th Feb y 1779 which will appear from the original pay roll of Capt. R. Sedgfield, returned by him to the Pension Office, annexed to his Declaration, & marked No 2. — That he served in the same Company from the 3 rd June 1779 to the 10 th of the same month which will be seen on Capt. R. Sedgfield's pay roll marked No 3. That he served in the same Company from the 18 th June to the 17 th July 1779 as will appear from the pay roll of Capt. Sedgfield marked No 9. That he served in the same Company from the 17 th of Jan y 1781 to the 20 th Feb y of the same year & this will appear from the pay abstract of said Sedgfield's Compa- -ny as returned to the Pension Office, with his Decla- -ration marked No 7. The particular dates of these services he gets from the pay rolls as of the said Capt. R. Sedgfield which, as he is informed, have been returned to the Pension Office, annexed to said Sedgfield's Decla- -ration, (marked & numbered as above stated). He will remember the services but without the aid of Capt. Sedgfield's Pay rolls could not have told them dates Jonathan Brown
Subscribed to the above & sworn to above mentioned
Chas. H. Austin Judge

5058
Jonathan Brown 60
18 in 24 days pin 1 in 5 days drawn
6321 366 48
$67,35
J. No. Abner Port Hamford Newford bow

Point tenu q 2 ni o ut proovd ni o adu o
8 d o J o 1779
21 d o J o 1779
1 ni o 5 d o J o 1781 Leu o

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jonathan Brown. C.T.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     State troops 1778. Mar. 2 Drummers of Schuyler 69. born in N Haven enlisted There were no surviving witnesses   Spring 1780 9 11 6th Pensylvania Vol. Battery Three surviving witnesses prove the service   April 1781 9 11 6th Henson They are not sworn credible Certificate of a clergyman and citizen  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the (e) _____ regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claim, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev 17. 295 INVALID.
1934 Aug. 7. L. B. Brown adv. no rec. of resi. in Tolland Co. Conn. see Jonathan Brown, L 3058, 2 m.m.H.2
File No. 17295
Jonathan Brown
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington City.

Stanford June 19. 1833
H. Edwards Esq r Com r of Pensions &c
Dr Sir I forward with this the Declaration se of Jonathan Brown claiming a Pension under the law of the 4 th of June 1832. These papers have been sent back for correction - They have been corrected, & I believe agreeably to the requirements of the Pension Office - Mr Brown has specified in his supplement certain services, in Capt. Scofield Company which he could not state with certainty in his original Declaration, not knowing their dates, at that time, but on during the pay rolls of Capt. Scofield, he readily recognizes each tour of duty - I observe on the right hand margin of the printed letter (which is herewith returned) on the first page the following entry, viz "Born in N. Haven entered there & now lives there"
In this there must have been some mistake for in looking over his original Declaration I find he states that he was born in Stamford - That he entered the service in that part of Nor- walk which is now New Canaan, (which is an adjoining town to Stamford as may be seen from any the map of this state published within the last thirty years) - That he has always lived in Stamford except from six to twentyone years of age - I believe "N. Haven" does not appear on his original Declaration or any of the accompanying documents - N Haven is forty miles to the East of us & in a different County - In his supplemental
over

Declaration he specifies two & a half months services in Capt. Ledfield's Company, which were not named in his original & refers to the original pay rolls etc of Capt. Ledfield as returned to the Pension Office annexed to his (Ledfield) Declaration
I also send again the Papers of John Brown, Ebene- zer & Ebenezer Dean - which have been sent back for correction - I hope they may now meet the approbation of the Department, as there is no doubt each of these applicants served as he has stated
With much respect I am Sir
Yours obedt Servt J. H.
A. H. Minor

Jonathan Brown

State of Connecticut / Stamford Probate District Fairfield County - August 17 1832
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District in open Court Nathan Warren of Norwalk in Fairfield County who first being duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Jonathan Brown of Stamford the foregoing Deponent & that he knows that the said Brown enlisted & served as a drummer in a company of State Troops commanded by Capt. Nathl. Clason, for the term of nine months & served out his time & was discharged about Christmas in the same year he enlisted the latter part of March or first part of April 1781 He speaks with confidence on this point as he was a sergeant in the same company for the same term & the said Brown was billeted at his house the house of Deponents Father for the whole term
Nathan Warren
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid
Ch. H. Wolcott Judge
State of Connecticut / June 1833 Stamford Probate District
I certify that Nathan Warren the above deponent is a credible witness being known to me personally
Ch. H. Wolcott Judge

State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } p. Probate District of Stamford.
On this 6 th day of August A.D. 1832 before the Court of Probate in said District personally appeared Abraham Bell of Stamford in said District who being first duly sworn, deposes on his oath in the Court upon oath that he well knew Jonathan Brown of said Stamford - that in the year 1780 a regiment was drafted out of the State of Connecticut against the enemy of said City for their service in the Company of Capt. Jesse Bell in Col. Beecher's Regiment duty in Greenwich, northwest of Red Bank - knew well that said Jonathan was there on duty in the same Regiment the during that time as a drummer in Capt. Ostrander's Company - Abraham Bell
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Rufus Newman of said Stamford who being first duly sworn, deposes on his oath upon oath that he well knew said Jonathan Brown - in which well that - that during the Revolutionary war (the year he was not a combatant - but he believes in the fall of 1779) said Jonathan was in the Town Guards in said Stamford, being engaged in certain business under the direction of a Frenchman - that Jonathan was engaged at the business, but about two months - he is now sixty four years old -
Rufus Newman
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above said by the said Abraham Bell & Rufus Newman respectively.
Ch. Hawley Judge -
State of Connecticut } County of Fairfield } p. Probate District of Stamford I certify that, Abraham Bell & Rufus Newman the above deponents are credible witnesses
Ch. Hawley Judge.