Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16656, Obadiah Brown, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey.
Brown, Obadiah
NUMBER
S. 16656
carded
CONTENTS
A June 2, 1756 at Roxbury, Morris Co. N.J. res. at m. k. Hamilton, Sussex Co. N.J. res. in 1823. Southport Linn Co. N.Y. d Feb 23, 1836

Died Feb. 23, 1836 (AB)
24.956 61114 New York
Obadiah Brown
Tompkins Co in the State of New York who was a Sgt. Lt. Colonel in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Thompson in the N.Y. Mil. line for 4 Mos 5 dts. 4 " 28 dts Ensign 10 " Lt.
New Jersey
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 149 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of March 1834 and sent to Jas Robinson Esq. Elmira
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 - $448.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 1834 - 74.66 $522.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 116

28. 144
Obediah Brown
Suspended act 7 Jan 32 Susp 2
Rep d Secretary of the State of New Jersey for proof Nov 16 33
adm d
letter 18 Nov. 1833
to
James Robinson Esq r Elmira New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov. 16 1833
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 subjoined 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 Obadiah Brown
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Voluntarily 1 st Apr 1776 — 2 — Lt Col Col Wm Thompson Lt Col B and Col Bishman Col Seward 77 Years Superior off   October Nov 15 to 1 st Jan 1777 — 1 18 Ensign 6 L 4 28 Ensign 4 for   1 st July " — 2 — "   10 July " — 2 — Lt Col Capt Lovishun Col West   1778 1 st May — 1 — " Sam officers   Summer of — 1 — " do   1779 Apr — 2 — "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga in the State of New York commencing on the Thursday 4 th of September 1833 - Present the Honorable John R. Decker Esquire First Judge Joseph L. Darling Elijah Shoemaker George Fisher and Esquires Judges Darius Bentley James M. Tutill Clerk
State of New York } Tioga County } On this third day of September 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges aforesaid being a Court of Record having by Law a Clerk and Seal and now sitting Theodiah Brown a Resident of the Town of Southport in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Seven years and upwards 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 th 1832; That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
On the first of April 1798 the Militia of the first Regiment in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey under Col. Mark Thompson & Lieut. Col. William Bond were mustered and called for inspection and to be in readiness. This declarant belonged to the Company of Capt. Abraham Beskannen in the Regiment aforesaid and by a vote of said Company was chosen second Sergeant and

Received a Sergeant's Warrent from Capt. Besharrer before named.
2 After this and as nigh as he can remember as to time on the first of May (1776) he volunteered for two months and, pursuant to orders from Col. Thompson before named was march'd to Elizabeth Town and stationed there till the expiration of the two months when they were relieved by other Troops from the same Regiment and this deponent was dismissed and returned home on the first of July having served two months in the rank of Sergeant.
2 And he further declares that according to his best recollection as to time, on the 18th of August same year (1776) he volunteered and turned out for another term of two months as second Sergeant in the company in the Company at this time commanded by Capt. Benjamin McCulloch and under the orders and command of Col. Seward and Gen. Seward and was march'd to Poughkeepsie Plains and were halted there for some days the object of which was to reconnoiter the Forces; we were then march'd to Piamus on the Hudson River where we were stationed for the remainder of this tour - I was dismissed and reach'd home about the 20th of October having served two months in the rank of Sergeant. On coming home I was informed that I had been chosen an Ensign and my Brother Walter Lieutenant and that our Commissions were ready for us at the Sussex County Court then in session to which we both repaired and the Clerk of the Court gave me my Commission. It was signed by his Excellency William Livingston Esquire then Governor of the State of New Jersey and at this period Capt. Abraham Swisher

Commanded the company.
And he further declares that soon after he received his Commission as aforesaid, in pursuance of orders from Gen. Durd to that effect our Company was mustered and a call made for Volunteers to intercept the Enemy provided he should attempt attempt a tour through the State. I volunteered with the other Troops under Col. West and Capt. McCree and was march'd to Elizabeth Town and from there about two miles to Bean's Point where I was stationed for six weeks with the Command of a Picket Guard. This tour as well as he can remember was from the 15th of November in the year last aforesaid to the first of January 1777, having served six weeks in the rank of Ensign.
Ensign 1.15
And I further declare that as near as I can recollect as to time on the 15th of January 1777, in pursuance of orders from Col. William Bond I volunteered as an Ensign under Capt. McCree aforesaid on a Scout against the Tories; we were march'd to Sussex Court House where we remained a few days; we were then march'd to Elizabeth Town where we had our head quarters and kept up a guard and Scout took a number of Tories - on the last of February or the first of March was dismissed and returned home having served six weeks at least in the expedition in the rank of Ensign.
1.12
And I further declare that from the first of March to the first of July 1777 I served at least two months as an Ensign against the Tories in the interior of the State.

and against the Indians on the Schuylkill River under Capt. Switzer and Col. Jacob West. During the time aforesaid I was one tour up the Minisink and one tour into the State but cannot give the precise length of each or which was first but am certain it could not have been less than two months as before stated from the first of March to the first of July.
And I further declare that about the time last aforesaid to wit July 1 st 1777, I was elected a Lieutenant in Capt. Switzer's Company aforesaid and immediately received his commission as such officer signed by Governor Livingston before named; Col. Jacob West at this time commanded the Regiment. In the month of July and I think the 10 th a call was made upon the Regiment for Volunteers to go up the River against the Indians a Detachment Volunteers and this Detachment having received his commission as such Volunteers as a Lieutenant under the Command of Col. William Pond. We were marched up the River to Capt. Hoover's where we crossed over to the Pennsylvania side in pursuit of the Indians who had taken the wife and infant child of Major Mcker and murdered them. We were then stationed alternately at three different block houses situated near the residence of Capt. Hoover, Isaac Van Campen and the said Major Mcker and were occasionally employed in scouts and reconnoitering parties.

In this Campaign of Service I continued two months in the rank of Lieutenants was dismissed and reach'd home about the middle of September.
And I further declare that in the spring of 1778, say the first of May as high as I can remember I again turned out as a volunteer on a tour for one month having the rank and command of a Lieutenants in the Company of Capt. Fincher and under the Command of Col. Bond. We were march'd up into the Minisink Country scouring the Country for Tories and Indians. We were march'd home and dismissed having been out a few days over the month for which we turned out.
And I further declare that in the same summer of 1778 and it is my best impression it was the month of August our Company was call'd out by Col. Bond and the greater part of them volunteers for one month on an expedition against the Tories. This declarant volunteered as a Lieutenants in the same Company and were march'd to the Court House in Sussex County where we had our head quarters and scour'd the adjacent Country and took some Prisoners - We served out the month and were dismissed.
And I further declare that early in the spring of 1779 as soon as the first

of April a call was made by Col. Bond for Volunteers to join Gen. Sullivan in his expedition against the Northern Indians commonly called the Six Nations. I vol- unteered as a Lieutenant in the said Ex- pedition and we were ordered to rendezvous at Easton on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware where we there quartered for some weeks - We were then Marched on to Wyoming where the final arrangement of the Corps was completed for the expedition and there appearing more than a proportion of Officers some were required to abandon their rank or be dismissed; I chose the latter was dismissed and returned home having been two months in this service as a Lieutenant and was promised pay for that time but never received any. This Campaign pretty much closed the service of this declarant in the Revolutionary war making in the whole one year and three months service only which he can remember with sufficient certainty to describe what he was about though he feels confident that he served much more than that length of time - That he has no documentary evidence of his said services but believes he can prove them by the testimony of two or three witnesses whose testimony he thinks he will be able to procure

And in answer to the several Interrogatories put to him by the Court he says that he was born in the Town of Roxbury in the County of Morris in the State of New Jersey on the second day of June 1756.
That he has a record of his age which was made by his father in his family Bible which was delivered to him by his father and now in his possession and which he believes to be correct.
That when he first entered the service he lived in the Town of Knoxboro in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey. After the close of the Revolutionary War he continued to live at the same place 14 years - he then lived 14 years at Pen- the Megin County of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania - then lived one year in the Town of Condor County of Tioga and State of New York - then lived 3 years in the Town of Lansing County of Tompkins and State last aforesaid - then lived 12 years in the Town of Hutton County and State last aforesaid - then lived six years at his present residence in Southport.
That in all his service he was a Volunteer. That he was acquainted while in the service with Gen. Washington, Gen. Lee, Gen. Putnam, Gen. Sterling and Gen. Sullivan and some of the troops under their command.
That he received two Commissions one as an Ensign and one as a Lieutenant - they were both signed by his Excellency Governor Livingston of the State of New Jersey - Thinking those Commissions of but little or no use to

to him he was careless of them and they have long since been lost or destroyed - in fact he knows not what has become of them and he never received any discharge as a Sergeant.
That he would refer to William Wells, Solomon L. Smith and Caleb Baker Citizens of Southport well acquainted with his reputation for truth and veracity and who can testify to their belief in the truth of the foregoing declaration -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his pension is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed this 2nd day of September 1833 before me Obediah Brown Green M Tuthill Cth
We Henry Wells and Shreham Miller both residing in the Town of Southport County of Tioga and State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obediah Brown who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty seven years of age and upwards; 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 & subscribed this 4th day of September 1833 before me Henry Wells Shreham Miller Green M Tuthill Cth of Tioga County

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatory prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Officer and served as he states. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them there is no discrepancy residing in the immediate vicinity of the said applicant and that Henry Wells and Abraham Miller who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the said Town of Southport and are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to Credit—
I Green M Luthill Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Obediah Brown for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24 th day of October 1833— And I further Certify that William Dunn before whom the affidavit of John Kline hereto annexed was taken was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for this County and that his signature is genuine.
Green M Luthill

State of New York - 3 Tompkins County } Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Daniel Brown a resident of the Town of Dryden in said County and State aged Sixtythree years who being duly sworn According to Law doth on his oath depose and say that he this deponent is a Brother to Obediah Brown and both lived at the Commencement of the Revolutionary war in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey that the said Obediah belonged to the first Regiment in the said County and was a Volunteer in the service of the United States more or less from the Spring of 1776 to the year 1780; that he first entered the service as a Sergeant in the Company of Capt Abraham Besharer - that he was afterwards chosen an Ensign in Capt Lewis's Company and sometime after that Lieutenant of the same Company - that he served at different times under Col. Thompson, Col. West and Col. Bond - that the memory of this deponent will not enable him to state with any degree of certainty the length of time the said Obediah was in the service aforesaid or the different expeditions in which he was engaged
Subscribed } this 16 th day of October 1833 } Daniel Brown before me —
David Trumble Justice of the Peace

State of New York } Tompkins County ss }
personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Conrad Feter aged Seventy Seven Years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Obediah Brown in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey during the Revolutionary war. That he this deponent well remembers the said Brown's being in the service as a Sergeant as an Ensign and as a Lieutenant during the said war. That the said Brown first belonged to the Company of Capt. Besherrer and then in the Company of Capt. Swisher. That the said Brown was under Col. Thompson, Col. West, and Col. Bond at different times and was out in the service a number of times. This deponent served as a Private in Capt. Swisher's Company when the said Brown was Lieutenant of the same Company and were out together at different times in the detachments of Militia Volunteers.
And this deponent further says that he cannot recollect with any degree of certainty the entire amount of the service of the said Brown in his various campaigns nor of any one in particular; but from his faint recollection of those times he should think he served nearer two years than one; nor can he remember distinctly the periods of the war when the several services were performed but it was between the year 1776 and 1780.
Sworn and subscribed this 15 th day of October 1833 before me — David Trimble Justice of the Peace
Conrad Feter Mark

State of New York } Tompkins County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Conrad Seter who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit before me and that he is a credible witness — That the said Witness is a resident of the County of said
David Kimble Justice of the Peace
October 13 th 1833
State of New York
Tompkins County ss. I Samuel Love Clerk of said County do certify that David Kimble before whom the within and annexed instruments in writing purport to have been executed, was at the time of the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County — and that his signature to the execution of said instruments are genuine — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Ithaca October 16. 1833. Saml. Love Clerk

June 13, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Miss Stella Steadman 105 West Fourth Street Junction City, Kansas
OBADIAH BROWN S. 16656 em BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you requested the record of Obadiah Brown who was born in New Jersey, served in the Revolution, married Penlope Swazey, by whom he had children named Daniel who, you state was killed at New Orleans in the War of 1812; James, also killed at New Orleans in the War of 1812; Rachel, born 1784, married John Minier, died 1867; Sarah (Sally) who married February 2, 1792, George Brown, also three other children whose names you did not give. You state the soldier died either in Southport, New Jersey, or Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
The record follows of Obadiah Brown as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16656, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Obadiah Brown was born June 2, 1756, in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1776, he belonged to the New Jersey militia and volunteered April 1, 1776, and served at various times until about June 1, 1779, amounting in all to one year three months, as sergeant, ensign and lieutenant in Captain Abraham Bescherer's company, Colonel Mark Thompson's regiment; in Captain Benjamin McCullough's company, Colonel Seward's regiment; in Captain Abraham Swisher's company, and in Captain McKee's company, Colonels Jacob West's and William Bond's regiments, all in the New Jersey troops. He was in General Sullivan's Indian Expedition in 1779.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier continued to live in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, fourteen years; then in Sheshequin,

Bradford County, Pennsylvania, fourteen years, after which he lived one year in Candor, Tioga County, New York; three years in Lansing, Tompkins County, New York; twelve years in Hector, same county and state, then moved to Southport, Tioga County, New York.
Obadiah Brown was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1833, at which time he was living in said Southport, New York, where he had lived six years.
In 1833, the soldier stated that his brother, Walter Brown, was commissioned lieutenant in October, 1776, at the same time he (Obadiah) received his commission as ensign. In 1833, their brother, Daniel Brown, aged sixty-nine years, was a resident of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York.
Obadiah Brown died February 23, 1836, place of death not stated. No reference was made to wife or children of this soldier.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Obadiah Brown Certificate #24956 Issued March 26, 1834 Rate, $149.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

June 13, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. L. R. King 224 North Adams Street Junction City, Kansas
OBADIAH BROWN S. 16656 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you requested the Revolutionary War record of Obediah Brown, your great-great-grandfather, who served in that war as sergeant in the New Jersey troops. You state that he had a daughter Sally (Sarah) who married one George Brown (no relation).
You are furnished herein the record of Obadiah Brown (as he signed), the data of which were obtained from pension claim, S. 16656, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Obadiah Brown was born June 2, 1756, in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not shown in the claim.
While residing in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1776, he belonged to the New Jersey militia and volunteered April 1, 1776, and served at various times until about June 1, 1779, amounting in all to one year three months, as sergeant, ensign and lieutenant in Captain Abraham Bescherer's company, Colonel Mark Thompson's regiment; in Captain Benjamin McCullough's company, Colonel Seward's regiment; in Captain Abraham Swisher's company, and in Captain McKee's company, Colonels Jacob West's and William Bond's regiments, all in the New Jersey troops. He was in General Sullivan's Indian Expedition in 1779.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier continued to live in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, fourteen years; then in Sheshequin, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, fourteen years, after which he lived one year in Candor, Tioga County, New York; three years in Lansing, Tompkins County, New York; twelve years in Hector, same county and state, then moved to Southport, Tioga County, New York.

Obadiah Brown was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1833, at which time he was living in said Southport, New York, where he had lived six years.
In 1833, the soldier stated that his brother, Walter Brown, was commissioned lieutenant in October, 1776, at the same time he (Obadiah) received his commission as ensign. In 1833, their brother, Daniel Brown, aged sixty-nine years, was a resident of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York.
Obadiah Brown died February 23, 1836, place of death not stated. No reference was made to wife or children of this soldier.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Obadiah Brown Certificate #24956 Issued March 26, 1834 Rate, $149.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

December 22, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Charles Challis 715 Congress Street Ypsilanti, Michigan
OBADIAH BROWN S. 16656 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Obediah Brown, who served in the Revolutionary War from Sussex County, New Jersey, and applied for pension while residing in Southport, New York.
You are furnished below the record of Obadiah Brown (as he signed); the data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16656, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Obadiah Brown was born June 2, 1756, in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not shown in the claim.
While residing in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1776, he belonged to the New Jersey militia, and on April 1, 1776, volunteered and served at various times until about June 1, 1779, amounting in all to one year three months, as sergeant, ensign and lieutenant in Captain Abraham Bescherer's company, Colonel Mark Thompson's regiment, in Captain Benjamin McCullough's company, and Colonel Seward's regiment, in Captain Abraham Swisher's company, and in Captain McKee's company, Colonels Jacob West's and William Bond's regiments, all in the New Jersey troops. He was in General Sullivan's Indian Expedition in 1779.
After the Revolutionary War the soldier continued to live in Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, for fourteen years, then in New Sheshequin, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, for fourteen years, after which he lived one year in Candor, Tioga County, New York, three years in Lansing, Tompkins County, New York, for twelve years in Hector, same county and state, then moved to Southport, Tioga County, New York.

Obadiah Brown was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1833, while residing in said Southport, New York, where he had lived six years.
He died February 23, 1836.
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.
next time In 1833, Daniel Brown, soldier's brother, aged sixty-nine years, was a resident of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York.
In 1833, the soldier stated that his brother, Walter Brown, was commissioned lieutenant in October, 1776, at the same time he received his commission as ensign.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S. F. 16656
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Obadiah Brown 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1. 1776 Served at various times 1 yr. and 3 mos. Sgt. Zouave Infant. Abraham Bescherer Benjamin McCulloough Abraham Smither McRae Mark Thompson Seward Jacob West William Bond N.Y.  
Battles engaged in, Genl Sullivan's Indian Expedition Residence of soldier at enlistment, Roseville, Sussex Co. N.J. Date of application for pension, Sept. 3. 1833 His d. was at Residence at date of application, Southport, Tioga Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, born at Roxbury, Morris Co. N.J. June 2. 1756 Remarks: {died Feb. 23. 1836 (from A.B.)
(He states that he also lived in Bradford Co. Pa and Tompkins Co., N.Y. - Ev. Aug. 8, 1920)
Very respectfully,
brother Lt. Walter Brown Daniel Brown
Commissioner.

MISS STELLA STEADMAN 105 WEST FOURTH STREET JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS
Bureau of Pensions Rev. War Section Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me the Revolutionary War Pension record of Obadiah Brown , who was born in New Jersey 1757 and died Feb. 23, 1837 either in Southport N.J., or Bradford Co., Pa. (both places were given to us). He married Penelope Swazey and had 7 children, among whom were:-
Daniel, killed at New Orleans in War 1812.
James " " " " " " " " " "
Rachel born 1784; died 1867; married John Minier.
Sarah (Sally) married Feb. 2, 1792, George Brown.

Please give any family history you may have.
Sincerely
(Miss) Stella Steadman.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : FROM : SUBJECT : DATE : April 22, 1939
1. [Faint text describing the subject of the memorandum]
2. [Faint text providing further details or recommendations] 3. [Faint text] 4. [Faint text] 5. [Faint text] 6. [Faint text] 7. [Faint text] 8. [Faint text] 9. [Faint text] 10. [Faint text] 11. [Faint text] 12. [Faint text] 13. [Faint text] 14. [Faint text] 15. [Faint text] 16. [Faint text] 17. [Faint text] 18. [Faint text] 19. [Faint text] 20. [Faint text] 21. [Faint text] 22. [Faint text] 23. [Faint text] 24. [Faint text] 25. [Faint text] 26. [Faint text] 27. [Faint text] 28. [Faint text] 29. [Faint text] 30. [Faint text] 31. [Faint text] 32. [Faint text] 33. [Faint text] 34. [Faint text] 35. [Faint text] 36. [Faint text] 37. [Faint text] 38. [Faint text] 39. [Faint text] 40. [Faint text] 41. [Faint text] 42. [Faint text] 43. [Faint text] 44. [Faint text] 45. [Faint text] 46. [Faint text] 47. [Faint text] 48. [Faint text] 49. [Faint text] 50. [Faint text] 51. [Faint text] 52. [Faint text] 53. [Faint text] 54. [Faint text] 55. [Faint text] 56. [Faint text] 57. [Faint text] 58. [Faint text] 59. [Faint text] 60. [Faint text] 61. [Faint text] 62. [Faint text] 63. [Faint text] 64. [Faint text] 65. [Faint text] 66. [Faint text] 67. [Faint text] 68. [Faint text] 69. [Faint text] 70. [Faint text] 71. [Faint text] 72. [Faint text] 73. [Faint text] 74. [Faint text] 75. [Faint text] 76. [Faint text] 77. [Faint text] 78. [Faint text] 79. [Faint text] 80. [Faint text] 81. [Faint text] 82. [Faint text] 83. [Faint text] 84. [Faint text] 85. [Faint text] 86. [Faint text] 87. [Faint text] 88. [Faint text] 89. [Faint text] 90. [Faint text] 91. [Faint text] 92. [Faint text] 93. [Faint text] 94. [Faint text] 95. [Faint text] 96. [Faint text] 97. [Faint text] 98. [Faint text] 99. [Faint text] 100. [Faint text]

MRS. L. R. KING 224 NORTH ADAMS STREET JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS
April 20, 1939.
The Revolutionary War Records, Section of Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
This letter is asking you kindly for information. I have been told to write you, so I may become a member of the D.A.R. Chapter of our City, & will appreciate your sending me the necessary papers. If there is expense in this research, please let me know.
I, Ella Callen King, (wife of Dr. L. R. King) am the daughter of Anson Williber Callen, whose mother was Polly (Martha) Brown-Callen (wife of David R. Callen) & she was the daughter of Sally (Sarah) Brown (wife of George Brown--same name, but no relation, but he also was a Revolutionary soldier) & she (Sally) was the daughter of Obediah Brown, a Revolutionary Soldier.
Copying from a letter from my cousin: "On page 422 of Wm. Stryker's Volume, Jerseymen in Revolutionary War, we find Obediah Brown, Sergeant, Capt. Swisher's Co., 1st. Regiment, State Troops, Sussex, Ensign (ditto) Lieutenant (ditto) & he served under Captains Belscherer, McCullough, Swisher & McKee; Colonels Mark Thompson, Stewart, Jacob West, William Bond."
Obediah Brown is my great-great-grandfather. Thank you for the assistance you give me,
Cordially yours,
Ella Callen King Ella Callen King. (Mrs. L. R. King.)

Mrs. C. Challis 715 Congress Street Ypsilanti, Michigan
Dec. 4 - 1933
Dear Sir -
Will you please send me the war records of Obediah Brown : enlistment at Knowlton, Sussex Co. N. Jersey. on April 1. 1776 His application for a pension, was made from Elmer N.Y. then living in South Port N.Y. now South Elmer.
Very Respectfully Yours
Mrs Charles Challis
715 Congress St.
Ypsilanti Michigan.

1711.2 Pere
July 18th 1921.
Please give me any information you can as to the War Service of Lieutenant Obadiah Brown a native of New Jersey, served in American Revolution, afterwards lived in Bradford Co Penn.
Mrs Alice Gillett. St Edward. Route 3. Nebr.

16.656 INVALID.
File No. 16.656
Obediah Brown
Gr Ensign Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓
1913 Sept. 19 Hist. to Sarah Ellinor Sanborne.
1921 Aug. 8 - hist to Mrs. Alice Gillett - En.
1933 Dec. 22 Hist to Mrs. C. Charles
1939 Jan. 13- " " Mrs. R. King
" " " " " Miss Stella Steadman (MRB)

2.8 144p Judiah Brown's Declaration Case of James Robinson Elmira N.Y.
20 40 9.33  80 149.33
30 1000 3.33
158 9.33
abund
4 mo Length 4 mo 280 Length 6 mo Length

State of New York } Tioga County } Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said County John Kline a resident of the Town of Elmina in said County aged seventy three years and upwards who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he this deponent was well acquainted with Obediah Brown during the Revolutionary War - that we both resided in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey - That the said Brown was in the service of the United States in different Companies during the period of the Revolution - that he first knew him in the service in the Company of Capt. Beshauer who was soon advanced to the rank of Major and Capt. Leitcher commanded the Company that the said Brown served at different times and bore the rank of Ensign and Lieutenant. Early in the Spring of 1779 the said Brown volunteered as a Lieutenant in the expedition of Gen Sullivan - this deponent joined in the same Corps under Col. Bond but neither of us finally went because we would not consent to abandon our camps Sworn & subscribed this 18th day of October 1833
John Kline ✓
before me - Wm Dunn J.P.

State of New York } Fiona County } I hereby certify that I well acquainted with John Kline who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration or affidavit and that he is a credible witness
Wm Durnel P.

Statement of the Case of Otheliah Brown
Faint handwritten text on the left page, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side. It includes various characters and symbols such as 'a', '3', '2', '1', 'P', 'B', 'T', 'C', 'E', 'G', 'H', 'S', 'Q', 'Y', 'X', 'V', 'Z', 'R', 'W', 'K', 'M', 'N', 'L', 'J', 'I', 'U', 'O', 'A', 'D', 'F', 'C', 'E', 'G', 'I', 'K', 'M', 'O', 'Q', 'S', 'U', 'W', 'Y'.
Faint handwritten text on the right page, continuing from the title. It includes various characters and symbols such as 'a', '3', '2', '1', 'P', 'B', 'T', 'C', 'E', 'G', 'H', 'S', 'Q', 'Y', 'X', 'V', 'Z', 'R', 'W', 'K', 'M', 'N', 'L', 'J', 'I', 'U', 'O', 'A', 'D', 'F', 'C', 'E', 'G', 'I', 'K', 'M', 'O', 'Q', 'S', 'U', 'W', 'Y'.

1 st tour from 1 May to 1 July '76 two months under Capt Behaner as 2 sergeant
2 nd tour from 15 August to 20 October under Capt Benjamin McCulloch as 2 nd sergeant two months
3 rd tour from 15 Nov '76 to 1 Jan '77 six weeks as Ensign under Capt McCree
4 th tour from 15 January '77 to the first of March six weeks as Ensign under Capt McCree.
5 th tour from March 1 st to July 1 st '77 two months as Ensign under Capt Swisher
6 th tour from July 1 to 15 Sept '77 two months as Lieut. Capt Swisher
7 th tour from May 1 st '78 one month as Lieut. Capt Swisher
8 th tour from August 1 st '78 one month as Lieut. Capt Swisher
9 th tour from April 1 st '79 two months as Lieut. Col Bond Making in the whole 15 months - 4 months as sergeant 5 months as Ensign and six months as Lieutenant which will give him a pension of about $143. dollars per annum

Abadiah Brown
1333 1339 1343 1347 1351 1355 1359 1363 1367 1371 1375 1379 1383 1387 1391 1395 1399 1403 1407 1411 1415 1419 1423 1427 1431 1435 1439 1443 1447 1451 1455 1459 1463 1467 1471 1475 1479 1483 1487 1491 1495 1499 1503 1507 1511 1515 1519 1523 1527 1531 1535 1539 1543 1547 1551 1555 1559 1563 1567 1571 1575 1579 1583 1587 1591 1595 1599 1603 1607 1611 1615 1619 1623 1627 1631 1635 1639 1643 1647 1651 1655 1659 1663 1667 1671 1675 1679 1683 1687 1691 1695 1699 1703 1707 1711 1715 1719 1723 1727 1731 1735 1739 1743 1747 1751 1755 1759 1763 1767 1771 1775 1779 1783 1787 1791 1795 1799 1803 1807 1811 1815 1819 1823 1827 1831 1835 1839 1843 1847 1851 1855 1859 1863 1867 1871 1875 1879 1883 1887 1891 1895 1899 1903 1907 1911 1915 1919 1923 1927 1931 1935 1939 1943 1947 1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999

Elmira Feby, 21, 1834
Sir,
I received a letter from the Pension Office under date of the 18th November last in the case of Obediah Brown informing me that — "By applying to J. S. Westcott Esquire Secretary of the State of New Jersey evidence (which is necessary in this case) may be obtained of the Claimants having been commissioned an Ensign & Lieutenant"
In compliance with this suggestion I have made application to the Secretary General to but cannot obtain any evidence of Commissions having been issued in this case. — I now have before me the copy of an Official Certificate of Mr. Secretary Westcott, the Original of which is on file in the Pension Office with the papers of Capt. Coykendall of this County, from which the following is an extract;
"And I further certify that there is no regular Record Book of Military Commissions issued during the Revolutionary war in my office and that there are not twenty of such Commissions recorded in any Book therein."
From this it would appear that no documentary evidence can be obtained of such Commissions, and it is therefore respectfully submitted upon the testimony of the claimant himself and that of his three witnesses, whether he has not satisfactorily made out his claim — A decision is desired as soon as may be that if anything still be wanting further endeavours may be used to procure it.
I am, Sir, very respectfully Your obedt. Servant
Geo. Wm. Crump Esqr. J. Robinson Pension Office