Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6739, John Brown, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Brown, John
S. 6739
CONTENTS
Carded
A. Nov 8 1763
In 1822 res. of Madison, Madison Co. N.Y.
d. Sept. 19, 1829.

List J.H.G. McCutcheon. 3 Sept 1851
14182
14962
New York
John Brown
of Madison in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Howley of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sproule in the N.Y. time for 24 mrs.
✓
★ Mass. Line. Records corrected.
June 25, 1844.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1834 and sent to Edward Rogers Madison N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. — 40.00
$200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk, Book e Vol. 4 Page 44

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of New York
Madison County ss: On the eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Madison in the State of New York in open court John Brown a resident of the town of Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York aged sixty eight years on the eighth day of November last 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 7. 1832. That he enlisted as a private in the army of the United States in the month of January 1781. with Captain Rowley for three years and served in the second regiment of the Massachusetts line under the following named officers. Colonel Ebenezer Sproat Major Mansfield and Major Gibbs James Maines Captain the lieutenant and Ensigns names were Abbott and Whiting but the particular rank of either he does not now recollect. Brigadier General John Patterson. He served two years and nine months and was honorably discharged in October 1783 at West Point. He was bound to service in the town of New Canaan in New York previous to his enlistment and went from there to Richmond a town adjacent in the State of Massachusetts and enlisted. He was near tho not in the main battle of Voluntine's Hill below White Plains in New York where General Putnam commanded. He was Marched from Richmond to Great Barrington where he was stationed until March 1781. from there to West Point, from West Point he marched to White Plains and then back to West Point and during one winter went to Newburgh where he was quartered and during the time of his service he was marched through the places adjacent to the river on the west and east side as far up as Newburgh and was finally discharged at West

No point as above stated. His discharge was burnt in the case of a friend the house where it was kept is now accidentally took fire and was consumed every thing in it. He has no documentary evidence now in his possession of his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Sworn and subscribed
The day and year aforesaid
in Open Court. A. S. Sloan Clk.
John Brown
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison in the State of New York do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Brown who has subscribed the foregoing declaration for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8 th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty three A. S. Sloan Clk.

State of New York
Madison County ss: I Asker Brown of Madison
in the County of Madison & State of New York being first duly sworn on the holy evangelists do depose & declare that I am a son of John Brown late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States - That as informed the said John Brown he enlisted in the town of Boston in 1798 or 9. for three years. That he served as he is also informed by said John Brown his father until the close of the war. When he was discharged three months before the the term end of his enlistment - That he was placed on the roll of pensioners of the State of New York on the 13 th day of May 1833. That he continued on said pension roll until the day of his death September the nineteen th 1849. He enlisted when he was sixteen years of age & was discharged at or near West Point in the State of New York. That he received not more than eight dollars a year - and that he drew not amount up to the 4 th of September 1849. That from information of obtained from said John Brown he believes he was stationed at or near West Point on the banks of the Hudson River during the war - That he is the heir of the said John Brown & believes that the said John Brown was entitled as a pensioner to ninety six dollars a year & that he as heir has a claim for the balance due him at the day of his death of sixteen dollars per year from the fourth day of March 1831. to the fourth day

of September 1849. and that from the four the day of September 1849. the pension is all due, to which which this deponent verily believes he has a legal claim as heir & child of the said John Brown. And further this deponent saith not.
Isaac Brown
State of New York
18 August 1851
me on oath p. In this 16. day, came before me Isaac Brown and subscribed & made oath to the foregoing affidavit and I further certify that full faith & credit is due to the said Brown as a witness.
B. F. Cleveland Justin F & the Peace
State of New York
Madison County Clerk's Office ss. Lorenzo D. Dana Clerk of said County hereby certify that B. F. Cleveland Esq. whose genuine signature appears above, is now at the time the same bears date a justice of the Peace in for said County, duly elected & qualified & authorized by laws to administer oaths for general purposes. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal this 19 th day of August 1851
Lorenzo D. Dana Clerk Lucius B. Clark Dep Clerk

14962 John Brown Madison Co N.Y. Final settlement certificate page 182.
admitted 24 mos. Private
Edward Rogers Madison Co Edward Rogers N.Y. County N.Y.
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.
mentioned.
X Griffith that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Witnessing Clerk
John ...

BRIEF in the case of John Brown County of Madison in the State of N. York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Army In 1781 enlisted disch'd Oct 1783 32 9 Private Gen. Patterson Captm Howley  Col Sprague Major Gibbs  Captm Rains  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? N.Y. New Canaan Town  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living & Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John H. Atkinson
Examining Clerk.

awz awz
September 13, 1928.
Edith B. Small, Park Hotel, Winsted, Connecticut.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6739 , it appears that John Brown was born November 8, 1763, place not stated.
He was living in New Canaan, New York and went to Richmond, Massachusetts and enlisted in January 1781 and served as a private in Captain James Maines' Company, Colonel Ebenezer Sprout's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in October 1783 at West Point.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832, at which time he was living in Madison, Madison County, New York. He died September 19, 1849.
His son, Asher Brown, was living in Madison, New York in 1851.
There are no further family data.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

State of New York,
Madison County ss: Minchas Ruff being duly sworn depose to & say that that he knows John Brown of Madison in the county of Madison & State of New York and knew him while in the Revolutionary army & served with him more than two years. That this deponent & the said John Brown served in the seventh company of Infantry commanded by James Mones in the second Regiment commanded by Col. Ebenezer Sprout in the second Brigade commanded by General John Patterson of the Massachusetts line. And further this deponent saith not.
Minchas Ruff Sworn & subscribed this fourth day of May 1829. before me
Edward Rogers Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Clerks office Madison County ss I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Madison do hereby certify that Edward Rogers who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit was a Justice of the Peace, was at the date of the great an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Madison duly qualified and I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature genuine and in his hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto

At my hand and official seal this thirteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
A. S. Sloan Clk.
14362 John Brown

Know all men by these presents that Asker Brown of Madison in the county of Madison and State of New York son of John Brown late of Madison & late a pensioner of the United States under the act of 7. June 1832. who resided in Madison from the winter 1797. until the 19. day of September 1849. the day of his death, and are his of the said John Brown do constitute & appoint J. H. McIntire my true & lawful attorney to transact any business with the commissioners of pensions or secretary of war in relation to the balance now due to the heirs of the said John Brown or for any lands which said heirs have a claim to from the government of the United States - and to transact any & all business necessary in relation to the balance of the pension now due to the children of the said John Brown & any lands which may be the right of his heirs at the pension office and bounty land office in the city of Washington & do any & all acts there & elsewhere in relation to the said pension & to receive & pay over such an amount as may be due to said heirs or to the said Asker Brown a surviving child of the said John Brown. Witness my hand & seal this 16 th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one. - sealed & delivered. Asker Brown In presence of Edward Rogers

State of New York Madison County ss.
Be it known that on the 16. day of August 1851 before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in & for said County personally appeared Asher Brown within who personally appeared to me known and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act & deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year last above mentioned
B. F. Cleveland Justice of the Peace
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

STATE OF NEW-YORK, Clerk's Office, Madison County, } ss
Lorenzo D. Dana
Justice of the Peace
I, ZADOCK T. BENTLEY , Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that T. B. H. Cleave land Esquire whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected or appointed, and qualified, and authorized by the laws of said State to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, the 19 th day of August 18 5 1
L. D. Dana Clerk for Lucius P. Clark Dep Clerk.
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

John Brown BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Citizens only
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? living witness stated
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
‡ QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Washington Aug 25 th 1857
Sir:
In closed are papers in the case of John Brown a pensioner under Act June 1832. who has been drawing but $80. per annum when his service entitles him to $96. being over two years service performed. I request the claim may be examined in order that the increase may be obtained if due.
Very Respectfully J. W. McEntire
Rev Jas E. Pratt Comm of Pensions.

Park Hotel, Winsted, Conn. Sept. 10 - 1928.
Gentlemen;
In reply to your letter of Sept. 8 I will give you what I can concerning the John Brown I am interested in. He was born in 1762, possibly July 31 or Aug. 1. He married Mary Osborne, I think. He died Sept. 19, 1849. I have a letter which was sent to him notifying him that he was to receive a pension of $80. per year - it was sent to him at Eaton, N.Y. but forwarded to Madison, N.Y. He lived in Madison, N.Y. from about 1800 - until the time of his death. I do not know his place of residence at time of enlistment, that is one of the things I want to know.
On the back of the notification of his pension it said - recorded in the pension office Book E, vol. 4, page 44. He lived in Pownal, Vermont directly after the war of the Revolution before going to Madison, N.Y.

I am also interested in another Revolutionary Ancestor - Jonas Fairbanks! he was born in Dudley, Mass - baptized in 1747 - He was twice married, first to Mary Carter and second to Freelon Stanley. He died in Morrisville, N. Y. May 5, 1825. I have understood he was a minute man - and afterward enlisted in New Hampshire as a private in Francis Townes Co. in Col. David Gilman's Regt.
I am particularly interested in the John Brown referred to at the beginning of this letter, but would appreciate information concerning both of these men.
Sincerely Yours
Edith B. Small.

Re-Stray
6739 INVALID.
File No. 6739
John Brown Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th /32
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1928 Sept 13 - Hish & Edith B. Small wj.