Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14392, Timothy Brainerd, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
NUMBER
Brainerd, Timothy Sarah
N. 14392.
CONTENTS

10.929.
Massachusetts
Timothy Brainerd
of Hampden in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Huntington in the _____ Co line for 11 Mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of May 1833 and sent to claimant Palmer Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 73.32 Semest. allowance ending 4 Sep " 118.33 $91.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 2. Page 6.
80 Hampden

2852
+
2
Massachusetts
Sarah Brainerd
widow of Timothy Brainerd dec d .
Con n
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 28 th September 1834
of Hampshire in the State of M.W.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Huntington in the Ct.
line for W. Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of M.W.
at the rate of 36 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of May 1839, and sent to Mrs. Harris Springfield M.W.
Arrears to the 4th of March 39 $110.01
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept r 1833
$128.34
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Adams Clerk, Book 2 P Vol. 1 st Page 72

State of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss.
On this eighth day of August A.D. 1832
personally appeared in open Court before Oliver Bellows Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Hampden now sitting at Springfield within and for said County of Hampden Samuel Brainerd a resident of Palmer in the County of Hampden aforesaid aged seventy eight 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 the undersigned the undersigned of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the year 1775 about the last of June or first of July in the same year I enlisted into the Connecticut Militia in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Jewell of Lyme in the County of New London and state of Connecticut in the Regiment commanded by Col. Kirtland. — of Norwich in the state last named — I was a Lieutenant of the same company. I entered the service as a soldier about the last of June or first of July aforesaid and in a few days we marched by the most direct route to Roxbury in Massachu- setts and continued some months in said service and left the same on account of my ill health & was discharged therefrom by Major General Artemas Ward upon certificate of discharge accompanying this declaration. I was in no engagement in said service. When I entered said service I resided in Lyme aforesaid & was a volunteer in the service. I was not engaged in any battles. I recollect that Captains Holmes and Captain Bullock with their companies served

with me at Roxbury aforesaid, I do not recollect the Continental Regiments that served with me. nor the names of any other regular officers, at the same time, than those before mentioned. I have no other documentary evidence than the certificate of Genl Ward aforesaid and that I know of no other person whose testimony I can produce who can testify to said service - - -
Also about the last of June or first of July in the year 1776 I enlisted into the Connecticut Militia in the company Captain Brigham of (his Christian name was I- believe Eliph) in Col. Sheldon's Regiment - Lieutenant Bills was a Lieut in the same company. I entered the service as a soldier about the last of June or first of July 1776 and went immediately to New York and joined the Brigade commanded by Genl Mordsworth and continued seven months certainly and I believe eight months in my last service. At the expiration of my term of enlistment I was dismissed from the service with others whose time had expired none of us receiving written discharges that I know of. I do not recollect any other field or company officers. When enlisted I resided at Lyme aforesaid. When New York was surrendered to the British I was stationed at New York. Genl Putnam undertook to march us out of New York as the surrender but before we fought our way out and marched to Kings bridge and Fort Washington & from thence to White Plains. The enemy followed us we erected a breast- work & defended ourselves we had a considerable skirmish. I was a volunteer - engaged in no regular battle - I do not recollect any other regular officer in the last service than those named above except General Washington. I do not remember the other Connecticut Regiments in service with us. I have no documentary evidence that I know of no person whose testimony I can produce who testimony I can produce who can testify to the last service. It is about fifty four years since I removed from Lyme aforesaid to Palmer aforesaid and have not been in said Lyme for more than forty years and know not whether

As to former acquaintances there are dead or alive. Most probably none of them are now living. If any are now living who were in the service with my health & strength would not enable me to go in search of them to procure additional testimony to my rendering the services aforesaid I was born in Old Haddam as I have been informed. I have no record of my age and know of existing record of my age When called into into service service I was in Lyme in the State of Connecticut. About the close of the war in 1781 I removed to Palmer in the County of Hampshire of Mass and where I have resided from that time to the present time. Was a volunteer in all my services. The Revd Samuel Bachus & James Stubbs are the names of the persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He 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.
Timothy Brainerd Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We Samuel Bachus a Presbyterian residing in the Town of Palmer in the County of Hampshire and James Stubbs residing in the same town of Palmer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Timothy Brainerd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Saml Bachus James Stubbs Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid

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 Timothy Breinead the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Backus who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Palmer and that James Stebbins who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Palmer and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Breinead for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Justin Willard Register

3105. Sarah Brainard Massachusetts
admitted Pr 11. m. p 36. \frac{66}{100}
Henry Morris Springfield. Mass

State of Massachusetts Hampden County ss
On this twentieth day of October A.D. 1830 personally appeared before Oliver B. Morris Esq. Judge of the Probate Court for the County of Hampden, Sarah Brainerd a resident of Palmer in said County aged seventy three 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 Timothy Brainerd who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army and served as such in the declaration of said Timothy on the files of the Commonwealth, by which he obtained a pension under the Act of June 7. 1832.
She further declares that she was married to the said Timothy on or about the twenty seventh day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty three; that her husband the aforesaid Timothy, died on the twenty ninth day of September eighteen hundred & thirty four; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four; viz. at the time above stated.
Sarah Brainerd
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first above written before me, and I certify that the said Sarah Brainerd by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend the court.
Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Hampden

and now I the said Judge after investigating the matter do declare my opinion that the said Timothy Mainard was a soldier in the army of the Revolution as stated in the foregoing declaration, that on the twenty fourth day of March seventeen hundred and eighty three he was married to the said Sarah, that he died on the twenty ninth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty four leaving the said Sarah his widow and that she has not again been married.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name and cause the seal of the court of Probate for the county of Hampshire to be affixed this fifth day of November AD 1838
Oliver D. Morris Judge of said court
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss.
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County of Hampshire do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver D. Morris, before whom the foregoing declaration of Sarah Mainard was made & sworn to is the dield of said court and that his signature above subscribed to the certificates of said declaration is also to the certificates of the annexed deposition of Wilson Mainard or genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Springfield this fourth day of November AD 1838
Justin Willard

I Wilson Brainerd of Palmer in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged thirty two years, depose and say that I am the son of Timothy Brainerd, late of said Palmer dec d and Sarah Brainerd. That I have in my custody a family record, which was in my father's possession from my earliest remembrance to the time of his death in which is the following entry, viz.
"Timothy Brainerd. Born Second April A.D. Seventeen hundred and fifty four. Married Sarah Wilson March twenty seventh A.D. Seventeen hundred and eighty three. She was Born nineteenth October Seventeen hundred and fifty five."
The above is a true extract from said family record, with the exception of the several dates, which are expressed in the original record in far legible figures as follows.
"2 d April A.D. 1754." "March 27 th 1783" "19 th October 1755."
I further depose and say, that my said father died on the twenty ninth day of September, eighteen hundred and thirty four and that since his decease my said mother has remained unmarried.
Wilson Brainerd
Hampden, October 30 1830 I subscribed and sworn to before me, and I certify that the said Wilson Brainerd is a credible witness
Nathan Morrill Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Hampshire —
and I further certify that the family record of which the above is a true extract then shown was this day produced and exhibited to me Nathan Morrill Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Hampshire

"Timothy Brainerd and Sarah Wilson was published February Seventeen Hundred & eighty three"
The above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date , which is expressed on the record in far legible figures as follows. "Feb: 1783."
Amos Hamilton Town Clerk of Palmer
I Amos Hamilton above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in Palmer in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachu- setts and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Amos Hamilton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. November 1 st 1858. I the undersigned Amos Hamilton who is a credible witness personally appearing made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by me subscribed
Before me James Steblins Justice of the Peace

9581
Timothy Brainerd
Phila. 11/11/80
$36.66
Claimant
Palmer
Messrs

BRIEF in the case of Timothy Brainerd County of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open 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.     Enlisted as a volunteer In 1775 last June on 1 st July last June or 1 st July 1776 4 As a Private Gen. Capt. Sewell Col. Huntington Col. Sheldon. Capt. Brigham  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Syme County.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & traditional evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Ino. Watson 21 st Feby 1833
Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Timothy Brainerd a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. N. F. 14392.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June or July 1775. 4 mos. Pri. Joseph Jewett Huntington Conn.   June or July 1776. 7 or 8 mos. Elijah Brigham Sheldon  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lyme, New London Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 8, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Palmer, Hampden Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, B. Apr. 2, 1754. at Haddam, ✓
Remarks: at Palmer, Mass. He mar. Mch. 27, 1783, Sarah Wilson, born Oct 19, 1765. He died Sept. 29, 1834 and she was al. pec. on her ap. Oct 30, 1836 , while a resident of Palmer, Mass. A son, Wilson , was 32 yrs. of age in 1836.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

This may certify that Timothy Brainerd of Captain Jewitt's Company in Col. Huntington's Regt. being ren- dered unfit for Service by Reason of Sickness is Discharg- ed from the Continental Army. Artemas Ward Maj. Genl.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1915; Dept. 23. History to W. H. Brainerd. F.W.
File No. 14392 Sarah Brainerd Widow of Timothy Brainerd Pre War
Act: July 1 st 88
Index:—Vol. a , Page 87
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Timothy Brainard Bap. art 7 June 1832 to what time paid? Per Offici
Dec 29 th Sep 1824 p er that period May 16. 1839 SH

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Timothy Brainerd 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? 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? yes 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? yes 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? 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? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 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 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.

Stearns. B vol 7
Ponderi papers
free
Dear Lewis Life
Secretary at War
Apr 25
1881
Wash.
Washington City (D.C.)

Palmer Sept 10 32
Hon. Lewis Cass
Sir Enclosed are the papers which relate to my application for a pension under the recent act of Congress. Be pleased to give immediate attention to my application & should any there defect in the papers give me early notice. My advantage & information is such that I should long subsist on the liberality of our Government but tho' late, the sum which may be given me will be most gratefully received.
Drafts payable at the Boston branch of the United States bank will accommodate me.
Yours Respectfully
Timothy B. Bordin

Elizabeth Hitchcock of Palmer in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy two years do hereby say that I was present at the marriage of Timothy Brimble and Sarah Nelson (now the widow of said Timothy) which was solemnized by Rev. Moses Baldwin at Palmer on or about the twenty seventh day of March seventeen hundred & eighty three - Elizabeth X Hitchcock
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. Nov. 1 st 1888. Mrs. Elizabeth Hitchcock personally appeared who being known to me to be the person described in and who proved to me to be the person who acknowledged to me that she subscribed to the foregoing deposition.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampden ss. I Justin Willard Clerk of the Probate Court within & for said County do hereby certify that James Stebbins Esq. before whom the foregoing depositions of Sarah Hamilton and Elizabeth Hitchcock were duly taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Notary of the Peace within & for said County and that his signature subscribed to the several certificates of said Captions above-written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield the seventh day of Nov. A. 1888
Justin Willard

yr. 14392
W. H. BRAINERD. CIVIL ENGINEER PALMER, MASS.
Resent D
Sept. 18 1915
The Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sarah Brainerd my grandmother received a pension from the U.S. Government in about 1836 as the widow of Timothy Brainerd a soldier in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut I would be very glad to pay for any information regarding this matter preferably a copy of the pension certificate or any other information regarding Timothy Brainerd's service in the war
Yours Very truly W H Brainerd Palmer Mass.