Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,991, Benjamin Brotherwell, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Brothwell, Benjamin
S 14,991
CONTENTS
carded

Connecticut 4555.
order to pay 5 th April 1837
Benjamin Brothwell
Fairfield in the State of Conn.
who was a priv. & corp in the Company
by Captain Thorp of the ————— commanded
by ————— in the Cont. troops
time for
one year Corporal
one year private
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 84. Dollars — Cents per annum
to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Jan'y
1833. and sent to Hon. S. Tomlinson, U.S. Senate
arrears to 14th of Sept r 1832 — $126.
Pension allowance ending 4 Mar: 33- 42
$ 168-00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Francis J. Francioni Clerk Book A. Vol. 3 rd Page 33.

No 1025
Benjamin Brothwell's
application for a Pension
July 30, 1852 Pension Office

State of Connecticut } S. Fairfield Fairfield County }
On this 10 th day of November A D 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in s d County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut and now sitting, at s d Fairfield, Benjamin Brotherwell a resident of Fairfield aged seventy two years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in addition to the Declaration heretofore by him made before the County Court holden at Fairfield in s d County on the 23 d day of July A D 1832, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he has made much enquiry and cannot find any living witness by whom he can prove his service as a substitute for Hoyt, as stated in his original Declaration made before s d County Court. He is unable to find any one now living who was with him at West Point during the four & a half months he served there as a substitute for James Rogers & afterwards for Hoyt. Captain Nichols is dead. I was the only man in the Regiment from Fairfield. Zachariah Sherwood whose Deposition is annexed to the original Declaration is the only living witness I can find who has any personal knowledge of my having served at West Point.
Declarant further says, that the Guard which was stationed at the House of Gen. Silliman in the 1780's in which he served eight months as stated in his s d Declaration before the County Court, was enlisted under Lieutenant Silliman by authority from an authority from the State of Connecticut as Declarant always understood. Lieutenant Silliman had

a Commission and enlisting orders. Declarant well recollects that the enlisting orders were to enlist the Company as State Troops. Lieutenant Silliman told me when I was discharged that he would pay when he received the money from the State and the next Spring he paid me forty shillings a month in forty & twenty shilling bills Connecticut money. General Silliman had the command of all the guards from Stratford to Norwalk and frequently reviewed them. When he reviewed the Guards he generally took three from the Guard at his House, who went with him when he reviewed a Guard at any distant station. His House was about half a mile from the water.
Benjamin Brothers sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - Yours David Hill Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid -
I David Hill Jun Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original additional Declaration made & sworn to before said Court. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 10 th day of November A D 1832
David Hill Jr Clerk.

State of Connecticut, } ss. County of Fairfield, }
On this 23 rd day of July A D 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the County Court holden at Fairfield within and for the County of Fairfield on the 23 rd day of July A D 1832 and now sitting, Benjamin Brothwell a resident of Fairfield in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged in his seventy second year, 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.
That in the latter part of February 1777 he was drafted for one month from the militia & ordered to said Fairfield in the Town under Sergeant Stephen Sterling who had the command of the guard there consisting of about fifteen men. Declarant served in said guard at Fairfield for one month when his term expired having expired he left & went home.
In April 1777 he enlisted for eight months, at said Fairfield as a private in the Company of Connecticut State Troops under the command of Captain Eliphalet Tharp, Nathan Seeley was Lieutenant & one Booth Ensign & was ordered to Fairfield in the Town. He served in said Company which was stationed at Fairfield for the term of eight months when his term of enlistment having expired he left some time in December 1777 the particular day he does not recollect. Said Company was stationed at Fairfield as a guard to protect the Town from attacks from Long Island & the Sound.
In April 1780 Declarant again enlisted at Fairfield for eight months as a private in the guard that was raised by order of the State of Connecticut under Lieutenant Samuel Silliman & stationed at the house of General Gould S. Silliman of the militia who lived in Fairfield. This guard consisted of twenty four men under Lieutenant Silliman & was allowed by the State to Gen. Silliman who had been before that surprised at his house by a party from Long Island & taken prisoner. The Declarant served in this guard from the time of his enlistment till sometime in December 1780 when his term expired & he left.
In the latter part of June 1781 James Rogers of Redding was drafted as a private for three months in the Company of Connecticut militia commanded by Captain Stiles Nichols. Declarant took his place as a substitute & joined said Company at Danbury where the Company rendezvoused & where he was appointed a Corporal. From there we marched to West Point where we joined the Regiment under the command of Col. Fairfield. Three Regiments of Militia were at this time ordered to West Point to take the place of the continentals who were ordered south to the siege of York Town. Declarant served three months & then took the place of one Hoyst of Danbury as a substitute & served in the same Company one & a half months longer when he left West Point & came home to Fairfield. He received a written discharge which he has lost. Then he took the place of Hoyst he was appointed a Sergeant & during the latter part of the time was attached to a Massachusetts Battery under Col. Putnam. He received a warrant which he has lost. Gen. M c Intosh the commanding officer at West Point while he was
In April 1782 he enlisted at Fairfield, for the term of eight months in the Company of Connecticut State Troops under the command of Captain [blank]. This Company was distributed at different stations along the Town of Fairfield, a part at Stratfield Beach, a part at the upper wharf, at Fairfield Town, & at Mill River. Declarant was a Corporal & was in that part of the Company which was ordered to the beach where he served as Corporal of the guard there till some time in December 1782 when his term of enlistment expired & he left having served eight months.

Declarant has no documentary evidence having lost the discharge & Sergeant's warrant above mentioned. He was born at Fairfield on the 3 rd day of November 1760 - His Father had a family Record which he has frequently seen but which is now mutilated & pretty much destroyed. He has always resided in Fairfield & is well known there & in Bridgeport to most of his fellow Citizens. He is well known to Samuel Rowland Esquire, Abraham D. Baldwin Esquire and to Governor Tomlinson.
The said Benjamin Brothwell 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. in open Court Benjamin Brothwell Test Thomas B. Babbine Clerk
We, Samuel Rowland Esquire residing in the town of Fairfield and Samuel O. Seelye residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Brothwell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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. in open Court
Test Thos. B. Babbine Clerk
Sam. Rowland Sam. O. Seelye
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 Samuel Rowland Esquire who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident resident in the town of Fairfield in the County and that Samuel O Seelye who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Fairfield that they are  credible credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Q. Wilson Chief Judge
I, Thomas B. Babbine Clerk of the County Court for Fairfield County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Brothwell for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 23 rd day of July 1832.
Office,
I further certify that Thomas Babbine before whom the annexed Depositions of Nathan Banks, Thomas Brothwell, Wadsworth Hubbell, Abraham Morehouse, Samuel Wilson & Zachariah Sherwood, were sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned & sworn & for more than one year last past has been such Justice of the Peace & that the official signatures to the Certificates on said Depositions are all genuine & in the proper handwriting of the said Thomas Babbine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 23 rd day of July 1832. Thomas Babbine Clerk of said County Court for Fairfield County

I Nathan Banks of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut being duly sworn do testify and say that I was acquainted with Benjamin Brothwell of Fairfield in the Revolutionary war. In the month of April 1777 I enlisted for eight months as a private in the Company of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Capt. Elphalet Root & was stationed at Fairfield in the Town, . The said Benjamin Brothwell was a private in said Company & did duty in said Company for the term of eight months. We joined the Company at the same time I did & we both served out the whole eight months & were discharged at Fairfield.
Sworn to & subscribed this 17 th day of July 1832 before me
Nathan Banks
Thomas B. Borne Justice of Peace
We Thomas Brothwell and Madderus Hubbell both of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut being duly sworn do testify & say that in April 1782 we enlisted in the Company of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Capt. Daniel Lacey for the term of eight months. That Benjamin Brothwell now of said Fairfield was a Corporal in said Company & as such served in said Company for the term of eight months. The Company was

divided up & stationed at different places along the Coast of the Town of Fairfield, a part at Stratfield Beach, a part at Black Rock Upper Wharf, a part at Fairfield Town & a part farther west. He said Thomas Brothwell & the sd Benjamin Brothwell were in that part of said Company stationed at Stratfield Beach & the sd Benjamin acted as a Corporal in the guard stationed at the Stratfield Beach during the whole time. He said Thaddeus Hubbell served in the guard at Black Rock but saw the said Benjamin frequently. Said Company was raised by the State of Connecticut for the purpose of guarding the Coast & was not attached, so far as Deponent knows, to any particular Regiment but was under the orders of Capt. Lacey. Thomas Brothwell Thaddeus Hubbell Sworn to & subscribed this 17 th day of July A.D. 1832 before me Wm. B. Osborne Justice of Peace
We Abraham Morehouse & Samuel Wilson both of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut being duly sworn do testify & say that we belonged to the guard which was raised in April 1780 by the State of Connecticut & stationed at the House of General Silliman in sd Fairfield. We enlisted for the

term of eight months & were put under the command of Lieutenant Samuel Silliman forming a Guard of about twenty four men & stationed at the House of Gen. Silliman. That Benjamin Brothwell now of said Fairfield enlisted at the same time we did & for the same term & did duty in said Guard with us for the whole eight months. Gen. Silliman was a Brigadier General in the Connecticut Militia living in said Fairfield & before that time had been taken prisoner by the British & carried to Long Island & upon his being exchanged was allowed by the State of Connecticut to have a Guard which was raised & stationed at his house as above stated.
Wadsworth Monehou
sworn to & subscribed this 17 th day of July 1832 before me
Samuel Wilson
Thomas Bloome Justice of Peace
I Zachariah Sherwood of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, being duly sworn do testify & say that I was a Soldier of the Revolution & now receive a pension for the same. In the Summer of 1781 the Regiment to which I belonged then under the command of General Moses Haren were ordered from the northward to go south to York Town. On our way, our Regiment stopped at West Point a short time, where I saw Benjamin Brothwell now of said Fairfield. I understood said Brothwell then acted as a Corporal in a Company of Connecticut Militia. I once saw said Brothwell in command of a Corporals guard while there. I should think it was in August 1781. How long said Brothwell served at that time I do not know, but being old neighbours we saw each other frequently & I left him there when our Regiment went south to York Town. sworn to & subscribed this 18 th day of July 1832. before me Zachariah Sherwood Thomas Bloome Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Nathan Banks, Thomas Brothwell Thaddeus Hubbard, Abraham Morehouse, Samuel Wilson & Zachariah Sherwood, who have subscribed, sworn to the foregoing Depositions before me, are credible witnesses. Thomas Blossome Justice of Peace

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Prothwells of Fairfield in the State of Conn (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 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.     Feb? In 1777 1 Gen. Washington  Mil 2   April 8 th 8 Private Serg. S. Sterling  drafted   April 1780 8 do Capt. B. Morris Co? enlisted   June 1781 3 Corporal H. S. Silliman - do - do   not stated 1 1/2 Col. Canfield Reg. Substitute for James Rogers   April 1782 8 Corporal do - Substitute for John Hoyt   Capt. D. Lacy Co? State troops enrolled  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by Witnesses & the traditional evidence of others - Certificate to be credible person  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.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Proothwell a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 14991
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Letter part Feb. '77 1 mo - Pri. Sgt. Stephen Sterling ✓ Conn.   Apl. 77 8 mos - " Capt Eliphalet Shryps ✓   Apl. 80 8 mos - " Lt. Genl. Silliman ✓   June 81 { 3 mos - Coplt. Capt Giles Nichols Canfield   { 1 1/2 mos. Sergt.   Apl. 82 8 mos. Coplt. Daniel Lacey  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fairfield Conn.
Date of application for pension, July 23, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Fairfield Conn.
Age at date of application, born Nov 3, 1760 at Fairfield Conn.
Remarks: allowed - No data as to family.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Prothavill — 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? — no 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? — grades not all stated VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 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? — no device attached to the last declaration

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? — no Clergyman — but others XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none stated 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?
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 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.

How Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C. Bridgeport Conn Apl 8 th 1908
Dear Sir:
In my application for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, I am advised by the Connecticut Society that you will furnish me with the pension office records of the services of
Joseph Brothwell and Benjamin Brothwell,
Thanking you in anticipation of the courtesy, I beg to remain,
Yours very truly
Orlando H. Brothwell per B
P.O. Box 571

East Norwalk
May 11, 1904.
Sir -,
Please send me the records of Mosaic Weeks and Benjamin Brathwell Revolutionary soldiers both of Connecticut and oblige.
Reef.
Mrs. H. B. Bradley. #5 Fifth St. East Norwalk. Fairfield Co. Conn.

May 20, 1904. No. 6 Mrs. H. B. Bradley E. Simms Conn 1908 Ap. 16. Hist. to Orlando H. Brothwell c
Rev War
14991 INVALID.
File No. 14,991
Benjamin Brothwell Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 48
[Arrangement of 1870.]