Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1359, Ashbel Brownson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Brownson, Ashbel
R. 1359
CONTENTS

State of New York 3 On this 29th day of September 1832 County of Essex 3 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex now sitting Ashbel Brown a resident of the Town of Elizabethton County of Essex and State of New York aged Twenty nine Years last past now in New York who being first duly sworn according to Law doth in his oath make the following de- = Claration in order to obtain the Benefit of the act 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 he Entered the service by enlistment as a fife at Torrington in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut in the Year (as he thought) 1777. That he lived in Torrington County and State aforesaid at the time of his en- listment that he enlisted under Lieutenant Watson Charles Trull was the only sergeant says he Enlisted for the space of six months (the time in the Spring of the Year of 1777) Started off immediately from New York for Quebec in Lower Canada and acted as a fife to Lieutenant Watson's Company. That he went to Point Au Chambeau in Lower Canada about sixty or seventy miles up the River from Quebec That he passed through Lake George State of New York Lake Champlain to St Johns Lower Canada and from St Johns to Chambly and from there to Lake St Peters to Point Au Chambeau in Lower Canada. says they remained at Point Au Chambeau one night and was intending to go to Quebec but when it came in the morning that the Americans was defeated and that they retreated back to St Johns together with the troops which were with Genl Montgomery at Quebec and that he then saw the whole army together at St Johns

That he don't Recollect any of the other Officers of the American Army he only being a driver to General Watts Company and that being merely a recruiting officer and Company and that he understood he has to join Captain Stantons Company when he reached Quebec and did join him and his Company at Fort Au Chabo when Captain Stantons Company reached there to retreat from Quebec and that they then came on to St Johns and from there to Secondogon and remained there with some of the Troops for the space of three weeks and then from there to his place of residence having been dis- missed had been out at the time of his dismission the length of his time for which he enlisted to wit six months was never out again excepting in returning to Grand in a two weeks and some few other times never was in any engagement has no documen- tary evidence of his service and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and refers to the following persons for the Documentary evidence to wit David Brownson Esq. Daniel Brownson after this applicant got home from Secondogon he lay sick and on the point of death for one month this being after he was discharged and that said sickness was in consequence of fatigue & privation undergone while out in the service of his country and refers to John McLeod Esq. of Millbrook, William Nicholson and Theodore Root
We 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 I wish to add the subscribers the day and year aforesaid A. Skill Brown Edward How clerk
Where and in what State was your Father was Born in the Town of Kenten State of Connec- ticut (does not now exist in the county) in the Month of November 1753 as he was informed by his Parents Have you any record of your age and if so What is it?
Yes he has a record in a little book kept by him for the purpose and is at his House with whom he lives
Where were you living when called into the Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, also where do you now live at the time he entered the Service he lived in Farmington County of Litchfield State of Connecticut moved from there to Panton cannot tell the County or State from there he moved to New Canaan State of New York (don't recollect the County from there he moved to Elizabethtown State County and State of New York something like thirty years ago and resides there now and has resided there ever since

How were you called into the service were you drafted did you volunteer or where you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Says he Enlisted into the Service for the space of Six months to go to Quebec
State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with the troops here you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can Recollect and the general circumstances of your Service
don't Recollect any of the General Officers nor the names of the other Continental or Militia Regiments says he remembers going to Point Au Chabo in Lower Canada and being obliged to Retreat back to St Johns and Lower Canada and from there to Tremont in the State of New York and there he was dismissed and went home to Stonestown and there he was out several times on alarm but he acted while going and coming from Canada in the Capacity of Sifer
Did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom the Service was of so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Received no written discharge but was dismissed verbally when his Six months expired he being out of health and sick at the time and is certain he was out six months and is certain that he done duty six months having been late in the fall when they returned returned to Niagara

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.
Theodorus Ross, Alexander Mase, Norman Nicholson, Sam Canund, J. Williams & Samuel Brownson
That there is no minister or clergyman residing in his immediate neighborhood.
We Edmund J. Williams John H. Leonard, Theodorus Ross, Samuel Brownson, and Samuel Brownson Residing in the Town of Elizabethton, County of Carter and State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above Brownson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be the same nine 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 Jan. 1. 1818
Samuel Brownson John H. Leonard Theodorus Ross
... in the ...

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as such States (and the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Theodore Root John McLeod and Samuel Brownson who has signed the preceding Certificate are Residents in the Town of Elizabethton County of Carter and State of New York and are credible Persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit
I Leonard Hoss Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Archibald Brownson for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 29th day of September 1837
Leonard Hoss clerk
Archibald Brownson

22229
Askill Brennan
U.
sup o —
Edmunda. J. Williams
Elizabethtown Essex County
New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 Askill Broanson Elizabeth = town Essex County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      int 1777 he thinks { 11 6 11 Tipper St Matson Capt Slantin None St Johns Lowland Point Au. Chambo  Town of Litchfield County Connecticut  age 79 years  Dea Actions  
None out again except on alarm
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) 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 day 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.  G. { 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 he 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 claimant, 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 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.
[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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of New York Sum 3. Asaph Brownson, of the Town County of Otsego of Lewis Assen County and State of New York being duly sworn testified and said that his Father Asaph Brownson of the Town of Elizabethton County of Essex and State of New York was that he is a man of about seventy years of age as this deponent has been informed and firmly believes and that he has heard him a great many years ago relate the circumstances set forth in his declaration respecting his going into the service of the United States during the revolutionary war and of his going to Point au Barre and then having to retreat from that place to St. Johns and from there to Ticonderoga and has no doubt from what he has always un- derstood but that his Father was a Revolutionary Soldier and done duty as a private as by him stated
Sworn to in presence in Open Court the
29th day of September 1832
Deponent's Clerk Asaph Brownson

State of New York } I Edward J. Williams one of the County of Erie } 3 Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Erie and State of New York do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Abraham James Woodhull of the Town of Lewis County of Erie and State of New York who has signed and duly sworn to the within affidavit and that this is a man in whom the utmost confidence can be placed in point of credibility and is a man who has always sustained a char- -acter good as to truth and integrity and further saith not. Dated at Elizabethtown this 29th day of September 1832
Edward J. Williams Justice Peace I Edward J. Williams one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Erie do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within Proven in the Petitioner
I Leonard Stow Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and of the County of Erie do certify that I am well acquainted with Edward J. Williams who signed the above certificate and who was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace of in and for the said County properly Elected and sworn and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said "Edward J. Williams" and believe the signature to be genuine
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 29th day of Sep- tember 1832
with 1833 added by me } Leonard Stow clerk to 1832 in my absence
Leonard Stow clerk
Abraham Woodhull 222229

State of New York County of Ulster
Abel Brumner being duly sworn deposeth and saith that from reason of Old age and loss of memory he cannot at this time recollect the names of the said Officers and especially his Colonel and also that he is certain he enlisted in the Year 1777 and that he was out for the space of six months and that for the said service rendered by claiming a Pension
Subscribed and sworn this 9th day of August 1835
Abel Brumner
Alexander Moore Justice Peace
State of New York County of Ulster
I do hereby certify that the annexed true copy of the complaint of Abel Brumner against the said John ... containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of the said Abel Brumner for a pension and that the annexed papers in full as certified by me under my seal of office the twenty ninth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two as above contained which I do further certify that the same were read before me the above additional affidavits prepared to have been taken were at the state of the same a justice of the peace of the said county duly elected sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe the same subscribed to the first of the affidavits hereunto annexed to be in the proper hand writing of the said justice In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this ninth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Samuel Stone Clerk

l
Ashbel Brown Jr.
Rev.
New York
Suspended Oct 7 p 32
letter 5 Nov. '33 not found
To
E. T. Williams
1559

1359
RECEIVED
P. O. Ashe Brouson
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: List of rejected claims printed in 1852, shows cause
Re-enlisted: of rejection as follows: "Cannot state the officers' names. Not six months service established in this case."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.