Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt 47968-160-55, John Brown, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Brown, John Sarah
B-L-WE 47968-160-55
CONTENTS
born at Bath, Lincoln Co. Me. there at eul. died at Litchfield Me. Feb. 22, 1838.

End P Sub J. H. Kimball Sept 11/56 Same Nov 18/56
44736 - 100 39107 : " 30702 " 28686 " 28599 - " 26845 " 26364 - " 12514 " 8720 " 2927 - "
5559 - 120 85873 - 420 68859 - 410
218979 At Mar 3 } 51 On 19 }
Sarah Brown (wid)
John Brown (Pr.)
Capt Benj Simon Maj Wm Lithgou
Enl 15 Sept 1779 } Dis 1 Nov 1779 }
Private Major mile Per War
One No Papers at 160 a/c Nov 18/56 Dodge
Vol B2 page 85.
Ino. H. Kimball Bath Me

APPLICATION FOR BOUNTY LAND.
(By the Widow of a deceased person who has not had a Land Warrant.)
STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF Sagadahoc }
On this Sixth day of October A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sarah Brown aged eighty one years, a resident of Bath in the State of Maine who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the Widow of John Brown deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Lemont who was under the command of Major William Litchgow , in the Regiment of Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June, 1812, in the war of the Revolution.
that her said husband was ordered out at Bath on or about the 15th day of September A. D. 1779 for the term of an indefinite time and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least fourteen days and was honorably discharged at Bath on the 1st day of November A. D. 1779 - as will appear by the accompanying Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts.
She further states that she was married to the said John Brown in Bath, Maine on the Twelfth day of February A. D. 1818 by one John W. Ellingswood a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Young and that her said husband died at Litchfield on the 27th day of February A. D. 1838 , and that she is now a Widow. She requests that her Certificate of Bounty Land may be sent for her to John N. Kimball, Bath, Maine .
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3d, 1855.
Sarah Brown
State of Maine County of Sagadahoc
We John R. Lemont and Susannah Lemont having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew John Brown who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War whose widow now applies for bounty land, - that we knew him for more than three years before his death, which occurred at Litchfield, Maine about seventeen years ago, - that we know that he died about that time because* we attended his funeral that we are residents of Bath, Maine . that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried, - that her declaration was signed and acknowledged by her in our presence , - that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, - and that we are disinterested.
John R. Lemont Susannah Lemont Eighth day of October
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this A.D. 1855
John N. Kimball Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of John R. Lemont and Susannah Lemont of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that Sarah Brown is the widow, remaining unmarried of the late John Brown who was a private in the Revolutionary War and that the said John Brown died at Litchfield on or about the Twenty second day of February A. D. 1838 .
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of February 1855 I have no interest in this case.
John N. Kimball Justice of the Peace.
* "We attended his funeral," or "were in the neighborhood at the time," or some equally good reason.

State of Maine County of Sagadahoc City  Town of Bath Married by Rev. John W. Ellingerwood February twelfth, eighteen hundred and eighteen, Dea. John Brown of Litchfield to Mrs. Sarah Young of Bath -
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows: — (b) " Feb. 12. 1818 "
Ammi R. Mitchell  City Clerk.
I, Ammi R. Mitchell above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of City  Town Clerk in the City  Town , county and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said City  Town , with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Ammi R. Mitchell Clerk of said City  Town .
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this Ninth day of October A.D. 1855 John W. Kimball Justice of the Peace.
(a) Here fill in an exact transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full.
(b) Here give the date exactly as it is in the record.

STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF Sagadahoc }
We, John R. Lemont and Phileena D. Wakefield residents of Bath in the State of Maine upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Brown in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
John R. Lemont Phileena D. Wakefield
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
John H. Kimball Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF Sagadahoc }
I, Andrew G. Hovey Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court do certify that John H. Kimball whose genuine signature appears above, is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission is dated on the _____ day of _____ A. D. 185____ that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court this 15th day of October A. D. 185____
A. G. Hovey Clerk.

State of Maine - County of Sagadahoc ss.
On this twenty ninth day of September A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty six personally appeared James Brown of Litchfield Kennebec county State of Maine who having been duly sworn deposes and says he is sixty three years of age that Sarah Brown of Bath is his step mother - that his father name was John Brown and that the said John Brown was known and reputed as a soldier in the Revolutionary War - that he has frequently heard his said father during his lifetime speak of serving as a soldier in said war in Capt. Litchgow's Company at the mouth of the Kennebec river and in that vicinity - that he recollects particularly that he the said Brown stated that he was taken sick while he was on duty in said Litchgow's Company at the mouth of the Kennebec river and also that he stated that he officiated as Cook to the officers on a certain occasion when there were ladies present who had come to the camp on an excursion. That the said John Brown was the husband of the said Sarah Brown who has applied for Bounty Land under the act of 1855. and that he is disinterested in this case - James Brown
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiant to a credible person and that I have no interest in this case.
John N. Kimball Justice of the Peace.

November 10, 1939
XXXX-XXXXXXX
Mr. G. W. Rice West Southport Maine
BA-J/MLB our JOHN BROWN B.L. Wt. 47968-160-55
Dear Sir:
neg. made Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Samuel Brown who lived at Boothbay, Maine, during the Revolutionary War, later lived at Edgescomb and Damariscotta or Bristol in Lincoln County, District of Maine, wife Margaret or Mary, also of John Brown of Freetown (which was later Edgescomb) in Lincoln County, Maine.
A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty found based upon service of a Samuel Brown as described by you. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by the Veterans Administration. The record follows of the only John Brown found in those records who was of Lincoln County, Maine. The data therein were obtained from the papers in the claim for bounty land based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. No claim for pension was made by anyone on account of that service.
John Brown was born in Bath, Lincoln County, Massachusetts (Maine). The date of his birth and names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Bath, Maine, John Brown enlisted September 15, 1779, served as private in Captain Benjamin Lemont's company, under Major William Lithgow, in the Massachusetts troops, and was discharged November 1, 1779.
The soldier died in Litchfield, Kennebec County, Maine, February 22, 1838.
John Brown married February 12, 1818, in Bath, Lincoln County, Maine, Mrs. Sarah Young, a resident of that place. The date and place of her birth, maiden name, names of parents and given name of her former husband were not given. The soldier, also, had been previously married but the name of his former wife and date of that marriage were not stated.

Sarah Brown, while living in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine, applied October 6, 1855, at the age of eighty-one years, for bounty land which was due on account of the service of her husband, John, in the Revolution, and was granted Warrant No. 47968, for one hundred sixty acres of bounty land, under the Act of March 3, 1855.
In 1856, James Brown, son of John Brown by a former wife, was aged sixty-three years and a resident of Litchfield, Kennebec County, Maine. No reference was made to any other children of the soldier or of his wife, Sarah.
If you desire information in regard to the location of the bounty land granted soldier's widow, Sarah Brown, you should apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage and date of the act under which issued.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

THE SHIPPING DAYS OF OLD BOOTHBAY
1775-1917
GEORGE WHARTON RICE
West Southport, Maine
August 23 1939
The Administrator, Veterans Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
One of my great-great-grandfathers was Samuel Brown , a sea captain who was more or less prominent at Boothbay during the Revolution. Later he lived at Edgecomb and was said to have moved to Damariscotta or Bristol. These towns are in Lincoln County, Maine; their location during the Revolution was the District of Maine, Massachusetts. His wife's name was Margaret, perhaps called "Mary." If perchance he had a pension record, information relating to his family or military record will be much appreciated.
only one found of Lucas Co Me Also of John Brown , if any. The record states he was a resident of Freetown (the old name of Edgecomb), and that he "enlisted June 6 1781; occupation, seaman; height, 5 feet, 9 1/2 inches; complexion, dark."
Very respectfully,
G. W. Rice

Bath, Maine Sept. 30. 1856.
C. W. Rhetts esq.
Pension Office, Washington.
Sir;
Your favor of 11 th inst. was duly rec d and contents noted.
According to the tenor of your letter there seems to be two reasons for suspending the claim of Sarah Brown for Bounty Land, under the Act of 1855, No. 218.979. First a want of identity, and Second , an imputation of fraud in the application.
Indeed I find two affidavits of credible persons to establish the fact that Sarah Brown's husband, John Brown was in the Revolutionary War and in Capt. Litchgows Co. as she has stated, which I trust may remove the first objection. As to the second reason for suspending the claim, whatever the correspondence to which you allude may indicate, I deny in toto the least fraud or attempt at fraud in this matter and repel any such insinuation.
The whole matter has been under my

Supervision and I vouch for its correctness and truth in every particular, in general and in detail. Before any application was made for a certificate of the Sec. of State of Mass. it was known that John Brown's name was on the rolls in accordance with his statements while living and nothing is more common than for persons to do business here and in Boston on the same day. That may account for the similarity of dates - but does it prove fraud? In regard to my character and the credibility to be attached to my statements, I am fortunate in being able to refer you to the Commissioner himself. Nowrich Minot and if you wish higher official reference, to President Pierce - both of them former townsmen of mine with whom I am personally acquainted. I think they will answer all inquiries in a manner to satisfy you of the correctness of my statements, and of the respectability of any transaction in which I may be engaged. Please inform me if anything more is wanted to establish the claim.
Respectfully yours John N. Kimball.

47.968
25
Sto. Luis

Faith Maine Oct. 16. 1855.
Hon. Frick Minot, Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Dear Sir:
Incl'd I send you the app. of Sarah Brown wid. of John Brown, private in Rev. War, for Bounty Land. Please acknowledge receipt -
Yours respectfully,
John N. Kimball

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Oct. 10 th 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Brown is borne on my roll of Capt. Benjamin Simonds Comp. Commanded by Maj William Lithgow from Sept 15. to Nov. 1. 1779. 1 month 18 days as private.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
Made by the
Widow
of the party who rendered the service.
County of Sagadahoc
State of Maine Town of  City of Bath.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of John Brown in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Bath in the County of Lincoln (then) and State of Massachusetts (then)
He enlisted from the Town aforsaid in the County of Lincoln and State aforsaid in the year 1779 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Leavitt in Major William Lithgow's Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
As a private as above for some time, how long unknown, during the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine —
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now eighty one years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
Witness my hand, this Sixth day of October A. D. 18 55
Signed by said Sarah Brown in my presence, John W. Winbael , JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

State of Maine, County of Sagadahoc ss.
On this twenty ninth day of September A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty six personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, Levi P. Lemont of Bath in said County & State and fifty five years who being duly sworn according to law, declares and says that he well knew John Brown who was the husband of Sarah Brown of said Bath who has applied for Bounty Land under the act of 1855, for the service of her said husband in the Revolutionary war; that he knew him for twenty years previous to his death; that the said Brown had often stated to him that he was out in the "Revolution" and was stationed at or near the mouth of the Kennebec river but in whom Company he does not now remember; that he particularly recollects the said Brown stating that while he was in the service he was taken sick and was sick a long time; that the said Brown was always reputed and spoken of as a Revolutionary soldier in the neighborhood where he lived; and that he (the said Lemont) has heard old people who were living at the time of the Revolution and knew the said Brown, speak of the said Brown in coming home sick from the Company in which he was a soldier; and that he has no interest in this case.
L. P. Lemont
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person and that I have no interest in this case.
John N. Kimball, Justice of the Peace.

Mass.
John Brown
Bk Reg. 281 329-1855
Revolutionary War
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
BOUNTY LAND FILES
ACT OF 1855-Rejected 281 329
VETERAN John Brown 1876
GRADE Lt
SERVICE Col. Jackson Mass. Mil.
CAN NO. 1808 BUNDLE NO. 168

281.329
Act March 3/55 Sept 16/57
Abigail Brown widow of John Brown lieut
Col. H. Jackson - { Maf Mil
Revolution
original Ans Feb 53 - map
Saml Stetson - Duxbury - Mass
S. G. Stetson Sept. 26/57 " " " Jan'y 22/58

Application of Abigail Widow of John Brown a Revolutionary Officer for Bounty Land Act of Mar. 3 d 1838

1 st State of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth
On this fifth day of August 1857 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & State, Abigail Brown, aged 108 years the 13 th of last month resident of Duxbury in the state aforesaid, who being duly sworn, declares that she is the widow of John Brown, deceased, who was a private and Lieutenant in the revolutionary war, that he enlisted from Cambridge or some town near Boston, soon after the war commenced that he had a brother Silas Brown who served with him, does not know as he was in the same company. and that Silas died during the war, that the said John Brown served a number of years and was honorably discharged by the mass. General that cannot recollect under what officers, or where he served, but that he was in some action, as he had a bad scar on his head, but do not know the particular name and that he died in the town of Jay, in the state of Maine in 1825 or 1826, as nearly as she can now state, that she was present at the time he died.
She further states that she was married to the said John Brown, in Augusta, Maine, on the 20 th of May 1802 by Egrine North, that her name before her said marriage was Abigail Peterson & that he died as above stated, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3 rd 1853. That neither she, nor her husband, to her
which she is now a widow

2 Allert.
Rufus Sampson Sylvanus Prior
Her Abigail X Brown Mark
I sworn to, and subscribed, by making her X, and acknowledged before me, the day & year first above written on the first page, and on the same day personally came before me Rufus Sampson and Sylvanus Prior residents of Duxbury in said County & State, to me known as credible witnesses, who being duly sworn, declare that they were present, the said Abigail Brown I saw her make her X & acknowledge it as her signature, that they have been acquainted with the said Abigail for twenty  and more years & knew her husband, John Brown in his lifetime, & know them always to have been reputed to be husband & wife and lived together as such and that said Abigail Brown is now, & has been for many years, a Widow, That they have lived twenty and upwards years in the same neighborhood, & never heard it disputed, that the said John Brown, her husband, was an officer and soldier in the revolutionary war, & that they have no interest in this case. They further state they have no doubt she is more than one hundred years of age, from her appearance, & that she is entirely blind.
Rufus Sampson Sylvanus Prior
Subscribed and sworn to before me this fifth day of August A.D. 1857 And I certify that I have no interest in this claim, and that the affiants are credible persons. Samuel G. Gleton, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss.
I certify that Samuel Stetson Keggin, before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit was made and sworn to, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and qualified & authorized to administer oaths and to take acknowledgments, &c. and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said County & Commonwealth this twelfth day of August A.D. 1857.
Wm. H. Waterman } Clerk of said Court

State of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth
On this twenty sixth day of August A D 1857 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within & for said County & State Charlott M Pratt of Kingston in said County & State Aged fifty five years who being duly sworn declares that she is a daughter of John Brown, whose Widow Abigail Brown, now applies for Bounty Lands; that her mother Abigail Brown is a very aged person; that her memory is considerably impaired, altho' her mind is otherwise sound; that she is quite deaf, & entirely blind, and is not far from one hundred years of age as nearly as she can state, as there is no record of her birth to be found; that she has many times heard her father say that he was in the revolutionary war; and was Lieutenant, that he was from some town near Boston, either Cambridge or Charleston, that he enlisted in 1776 or 1777. She believes he belonged to Col Jacksons Regiment but is not certain, & served in the neighborhood of Boston; that he had a brother Silas Brown who was in the war at the same time, & Silas died during the war. And that her father, the said John Brown, died in the summer of 1825 or 1826 in the Town of Jay in the State of Maine, as nearly as she can now state, as there is no record of his death; & no person living there, that can be found, who is able to fix the time. & that she remembers that her mother went to Maine & was there at the time he died; and that the said Abigail Brown has been a widow ever since that she has no interest in this claim.
Charlotte M. Pratt
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year first above written, & I certify

State of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth
On this twenty sixth day of August 1857 personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace within & for said County James Pratt, a resident of Kingston in said County & State aged fifty seven years who being duly sworn declares that he is the lawful husband of Charlotte N. Pratt whose her made Affidavit on the other page of this paper, and that all the facts that the said Charlotte has testified to, are correct according to his best knowledge & belief; that there is no record of the said John Brown's death; but that he married the said Charlotte in 1823, & that the said John Brown, his wife's father, died about three years after, in the Town of Jay in Maine, and that his (John Brown's) widow, is still a widow & that he has no interest in this claim.
James Pratt
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above written & I certify, from personal acquaintance with the said James Pratt & Charlotte N. Pratt they are credible & respectable persons, and that I have no interest in the claim for which these affidavits were taken.
Before me Samuel Stetson Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I certify that Samuel Stetson Esquire, before whom the foregoing declarations and affidavits were made and sworn to, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized to administer oaths and to take acknowledgments, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County & Commonwealth, this first day of September A.D. 1857.
Wm. D. Whittier and
Charles H. Smith said Justices

Certificate of John Brown's Mar to Abigail Nelson.
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Marryed in Augusta Maine By Joseph North Esquire, May 20 th 1802
Mr. John Brown to Miss Abigail Peterson
Attest; Sam l Colman
Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the Records of the City (then town of Augusta)
Attest James A. Bicknell City of Clerk for the City of Augusta
State of Maine } 3
County of Kennebec } S.S. On this eleventh day of February A.D. 1856. Personally appeared James A. Bicknell, well known to me as Clerk of the City of Augusta & made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement before me, and I certify that I have no interest in the claim to which the above attests
Asaph R. Nichols Justice of the Peace
State of Maine } Kennebec County } ss
I hereby certify that Asaph R. Nichols Esq before whom the above certificate was made and sworn to, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, duly authorized to administer oaths, &c. and that his signature thereto is genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of our Supreme Judicial Court for said County this eleventh day of February A.D. 1856
Wm M c Grath Clerk of said Court.

John Brown Jr
Rev. Dr. Boynton
Whiting Cong. Com. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

281,329
Geo. B. Whiting Esq.
FREE
Com # of Pensions Washington D.C.

卷二
1844
Vertical text in the right margin, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.
Handwritten text in Arabic script, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.
281.329

Duxbury Mass. Sept. 12 1857 Geo. C. Whiting Esq. Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir.
Herewith I forward the Application of Abigail, widow of John Brown, for Bounty Land under the Act of 1855. There is no record of his death, as I learn from the Town Clerk of the Town of Jay, in the state of Maine. Neither is there any persons there who can fix the time, but the Town Clerk referred me to Elijah Stone, whose letter is attached to her papers, who sold a lot to the Town of Jay for a burying ground & said John Brown was the first person buried there. If not inconsistent with your regulations, I would ask an early examination of her papers; because of her great age, and very indigent circumstances; having been supported many years by this Town, & if she could obtain lawfully a Warrant it would enable her to have many little conveniences which the Town does not furnish. She is very deaf, entirely blind, & on account of her age, & infirmities is liable to die suddenly, & she leaves no Minors, to take after her death. Her memory is not entirely reliable, as to dates, persons & places; otherwise her mind is apparently sound, I give her age, as she gives it to me; I think she must be upwards of 100 yrs from the best information I have obtained, from others, & personal acquaintance. Respectfully Yours Gardner Stetson

Durbury Mass Jan'y 6 th 1858 Geo C Whiting Esq. Com d of Pensions Washington D.C. Dear Sir
Since the receipt of yours of Sept 16 th 1857, suspending the Application of Abigail, Wid. of John Brown (No 281,329) for Bounty land, for his services in the Revolutionary War; I have made constant and unwearied efforts, have written and received about fifty letters to, & from every town in this Commonwealth, and the State of Maine, where I could learn said Brown had lived; and have expended about $50; all of which I should not have done, had I not a strong conviction, that this was a just & meritorious claim. After all, the evidence may be thought insufficient, altho' I doubt not, due weight will be given to it, under the circumstances, as it is the best that, at this late day, I have been able to obtain. I have traced the said John Brown from his cradle to his grave; but am not sure I have found all the towns in which he has lived.
He was born in Wattham Ms. April 30 1743. In 1761, he removed with his father to Weston Ms. Dec 12 th 1765. he married Hepzibah Wesson of Lincoln Ms. who soon died. He married 2 d Abigail Bemis of Watertown Ms. I find no record of the time of this marriage. Nov 14 th 1777. he bought 12 acres of land in Newton Ms. of Oakes Angier, and sold it Sept 4 th 1781 to William Brown of Boston, and at the date of these deeds he lived in Newton, & his wife Abigail signed the last deed. Soon after he removed with his family to Hallowell Ms. About 1797 he lived in Winthrop Ms.

died. Their children were Charles, & John who died in Dixfield Me. Hepsey, Abigail, Sally & William. I have no knowledge of these, except William who is dead, & who probably was the same person to whom John Brown he sold his land in Newton.
The said John Brown m. his 3 d Wife, Abigail Peterson, the claimant, May 20 th 1802 in Augusta Me. as you will see by the Certificate of the Town Clerk of Augusta. He then removed to Winthrop Me. & was there till about 1807-8; from there he removed to Wayne Me., and from there to Jay Me. where he became poor, & about 1815-16 were sent, she to Duxbury, & he to Weston; he followed her to Duxbury, & they lived together here, being helped by the Town until 1819-20, when he went back to Jay and, on the 24 th of Dec 1822, was m. to his 4 th wife Sarah, widow of Moses Covidge, by Cornelius Holland Esq. of Canton Me. & he died in Jay April 23 d 1828. His children by his 3 d (Peterson) Wife, now supposed to be living, are David P. Brown. Mexico Me. Phineas, Dixfield, Me. and Charlotte (Mrs Pratt) Kingston Me. I am not aware that he had any children by his first & last Wife.
The reason why they (she) was sent to this Town was, that her maiden name was Abigail Kinney, and about the year 1786-7 she married in Mt Vernon Me., one Abraham Peterson Jr of this Town (Duxbury) who lived with her till about 1793-4, then he went to Ohio, & probably in 1815-16 when she was sent here, it was not known whether he was dead or not; She says he died at the West five years before she married Brown, & I have no doubt she is correct. Besides
The overseers of the Poor of Jay, could not find that he had any residence any where, unless it was in Weston Me. Had they investigated the case, they would have sent both of them to Newton where he lived & owned real estate from 1777 to 1786. Further it is certain that Peterson never lived with her

after the year 1793-4 or returned from the west as I have able to learn.
I learn that Brown had no brother Silas, as the widow of Mrs. Pratt State; but he had a brother Phineas, & prob- ably they misremembered, & said Silas , instead of Phineas, besides, it is probable John Brown's son Phineas, was named for his uncle Phineas. Neither have I been able to find that Phineas was in the war at all. It said Brown had a son Silas, Dr Henry Bonds' History of Waltham & Watertown, published I believe in 1852 and from which I have gathered many of the foregoing facts, does not shew it. The said History is a book of 1094 pages and on the 139 page he gives the following account of said John Brown, "That he was an ardent whig and uncompromising persecutor of the Tories, even before the Revolution broke out; was one of the Boston Tea Party & it is said he was engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill . His stature was 6 ft 2, and his proportions admirable for masculine beauty & power, in which he was almost unequalled; but his violent and irregular temper, and his wayward habits, greatly impaired his usefulness in after life."
Dr Bonds History does not mention his 3 d (Peterson) wife at all: but mentions his 4 th M to Sarah Coolidge Dec 24 1822; but you have the evidence of his M. to Abigail Peterson from the city Clerk of Augusta; besides Capt. Ezekiel Treat of Livermore Falls Me. in his letter to me of June 7 th 1887. says, "That said Brown lived in Jay in 1814-15 & that he knew him, that he (Brown) lived near my cottage, with his family wife & 4 children, two I believe he had by the woman in your Poorhouse in Duxbury. named Phineas & Melvina (Lavinia it should be) the former lives in Dixfield. He had two sons by his first (former it should be) wife, who lived in Dixfield & they are both dead." (These sons were Charles & John) He further says, "That said Brown came back to Jay from the west about 1820 & was married to the widow of Moses

Coolidge by Cornelius Holland Esq of Canton" F. M. Stone, Town Clerk of Waltham, Mr. in his letter to me of Oct 8 th 1857 says "That said Brown M. Abigail Peterson in Augusta Jail May 20 th 1802 by Joseph North; and on the 24 th of Dec 1822 he was M. (thinking his 3 d wife dead probably) to wid. Sarah Coolidge, by Dr Holland of Canton Point, & that Brown died in Jay in 1823" I have other evidence of the same kind; all of which it seems to me establishes the fact that Dr Bond's History is imperfect with respect to Brown's 3 d M. to his Peterson wife. The evidence in your possession, together with the foregoing, I think establishes the legality of the Marriage of Abigail Peterson to John Brown
With respect to his Revolutionary services , I can find nothing positive, but much presumptive evidence. 1 st Dr Bond's Hist. says "He was one of the Boston Tea Party, & it is said he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill." 2 d Capt Treat's letter before alluded to says, "That Brown's oldest son Charles, (who has been dead eight years) used to work for him a good deal, when he lived in Canton, told him that his father (John Brown) was an officer in the Revolution. And in the same letter he says "That James Harr Esq of Jay, now 80 years old, told him that said Brown was in the revolutionary war, & was a Lieutenant." Also That Edw d Richardson of Jay, (now dead) formerly from Watertown Mr said "That he knew Brown when he lived in Watertown, and that Brown was in the revolutionary war."
Capt Treat was formerly a shipmaster & married into one of the first families of Duxbury, & I knew him to be a man of good character & standing, & he made much enquiry & research in Maine, about D r Brown at my request.
3 d Thomas G Farnsworth of Watertown Mr, was one of the selectmen of that Town, went into Maine a few years ago to look up evidence in relation to the settlement of some of said Brown's children. J. M. Benjamin Esq of Winthrop in his letter to me of Nov 9 th 1857 says "Mr Farnsworth of Watertown

two or three years ago spent several days in this vicinity spending neither time nor money in taking full notes in relation to said John Brown & I assisted him,
Mr Farnsworth in answer to my letter says, "That P Brown, in the early part of his residence in Maine say from 1786 to 1791-2 went by the title of Captain; and that the widow of his son William, told me that the Commander of his Company was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill, & that said Brown after this was called Captain, because the command of the Company devolved upon him. I understood her to say that he (Brown) was the next in command, of course was Lieutenant."
Peter Lawrence of Jay in his letter of May 13 th 1857 says.
"My father was a soldier of the revolution, & was in Boston, and saw there a John Brown , who had charge of a Company; but was not acquainted with him, & did not belong to his company, after Brown removed to Waterville, my father became ac- -quainted with him, I have heard Mr Brown relate some incidents relating to the war, he said he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, & took an active part in it. "
John Alden , a Trader of Duxbury, says "he knew Brown when he lived in this Town, say between 1816 & 1820, & that Brown used to call into his store, & he has seen him take a bushel of potatoes on a stick, resting on his shoulder, & walk off with it easily; that he has seen him go there with military order & exercises with a gun; & was expert at it. That he was all of six feet high, & was a vigorous man of his years; & he has heard Brown say, that he was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. Benj n Alden Esqr , also of Duxbury, & many years an Observer of the Poor, & Selectman. He says Brown between 1816 & 1820 used to live in Duxbury not far from where now lives, & he has heard Brown say he was Lieutenant in the Rev y war. The last two witnesses are personally known to me & are unimpeachable witnesses.
The foregoing, with the evidence you have, seem to raise

In respect to the identity of the claimants husband with the Lieut John Brown from Cambridge, who served from Jan 1. 1777 to Jan 14. 1778 I have not been able to find a particle of direct proof.
Dr Bond says "I can give you no information who Lieut John Brown of Cambridge was"
Rev Lucius R Page, for a Town Clerk of Cambridge for a number of years; and Rev C. Francis Professor of Cambridge College, can neither of them give me any information on this point. And neither have I succeeded from any sources of information to which they have referred me. And the Secretary of State's office can throw no light upon this point. I am therefore constrained to believe, from the character that Dr Bond gives of said Brown, that he is the identical John Brown of Cambridge who was Lieut. It is clear that he was a wild, roving, unsteady, headstrong & reckless man, having no regular business. His family did not know, nor did Dr Bond, by his History, know; nor the overseers of the poor of the various towns in which he lived, know, that Brown lived in Newton; yet Caleb Hayden Reg. of Deeds for Middlesex Co by his letter to me of Dec 28 th 1857, says "That Brown was styled Gentleman, & lived in Newton, when he bought & sold those 12 acres of land."
I believe the evidence in your possession; Dr Bonds History, together with the original letters now in my possession & from which I have extracted portions above, relating to the case, will sustain all of the foregoing statements, and, if admitted, what will they prove?
1 st That the Plaintiff is the lawful widow of said John Brown. 2 d That said John Brown was Lieut in the Battle of Bunker Hill, & also in the Rev y war. 3 That all the presumptions are in favor of his being the Lieut from Cambridge & served from Jan 1. 1777 to Jan 14. 1778.

If the evidence to sustain these points is not conclusive , yet it is strongly presumptive & I hope the policy of the Pension & Bounty land laws will not exclude the claimant, as, it is believed, this is the best evidence that can, at this late day, be obtained, & at this; the claimant's advanced age, the allowance to her cannot long be enjoyed  enjoyed to her, by her.
1 st The claimant married Abraham Peterson for about the year 1786, & he left her about 1794 & never lived with her afterwards & it does not appear that he ever returned from the west. She married John Brown May 20 th 1802 as appears by the Certificate in the case. Where was Peterson, if living, these eight years, & since? No one knows. His widow says he died at the west five years before she married Brown, & I think she is correct.
2 d  Dr Bond , M.D. says "that said Brown was one of the Boston Tea Party, & it is said he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill" this, with the description he gives of Brown, make it strongly presumptive, that he (Brown) was in that Battle. Thos. C. Farnsworth says "Brown was called Captain while in Maine from 1786 to 1791-2. & further says "That the widow of William, said Brown's son, told him that said John Brown was the next officer to the Captain, who was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill, & that the command devolved upon him".
Peter Lawrence says "Brown told him, that he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill & took an active part there".
Chas Brown , son of John, by 2 d wife, told Capt. Trcool "that his father was an officer in the revolution".
James Starr says "Brown was in the Revolutionary war & was a Lieutenant".
Edw d Richardson says "that Brown was a Lieutenant in Rev y war".
John & Benj d Olden heard Brown say he was Lieut in Rev y war".

The Claimant, & Mrs Pratt make the same statement. Would it be probable, if Brown was not a Lieutenant in the war, that all these witnesses, at different places, & times, would so state? If Brown was disposed to impose upon others, it is hardly to be presumed that he would misrepresent the facts to his wife & children.
3 d Where was Brown from the time he m. his second wife, Bessie, until Nov 14 th 1777? (He probably m. his 2 d wife as early as 1770. - to 1773) I can find no evidence, except Edw d Richardson who knows him in Watertown; but does not say when. Where was he Jan 1 st 1777, when Lieut Brown of Cambridge commenced his service? If he was that Lieut, he was probably about changing his residence, & removed to Cambridge until he had decided where to go, & after purchasing land in Newton, he removed his family there. Besides, as an officer, he would have been more likely to have been in funds in Nov 1777 than in the beginning of that year, to purchase a home for his family. I have not learned that he even before, or afterwards was the owner of real estate. Neither Dr Bond, nor Rev L. R. Page or Prof Francis the two last of Cambridge, Nor the Secy of State can inform me who Lieut Brown of Cambridge was . May it not then be fairly presumed, that the Lieut of Cambridge was a transient person, & almost certain, that he was the identical person, who afterwards, married the Claimant in this case.
For the reasons, and presumptions founded on the foregoing facts, considering the great length of time that has elapsed, & loss of evidence by death, and the indistinct recollection on the part of witnesses; I hope Abigail Brown's application for Bounty land, & her claim for a Pension under the act of Feb 3 d 1853 will be favorably considered & allowed.
Respectfully Yours,
Samuel Stetson
Atty for Claimant.

P. S. I am aware that the evidence in this case is not verified by Affidavit; and that you are left to take my statements, & extracts from sundry original letters now in my possession, as substantially correct. I have not attached these letters to these sheets, as it might subject you to the trouble of reading over much irrelevant matter; but I will forward them if you deem them material. As much expense has already been incurred by me, I did not like to incur the expense of going all over the ground again, & taking Affidavits, & having them authenticated, if this kind, & quality of evidence should be thought inadmissible. The Claimant is still living, but at her great age, is liable to die any day. And if the evidence is not sufficient to obtain her pension, it seems to me Dr Bond's History is sufficient to entitle her to her Bounty land Warrant.
Respectfully Yours
J. Sedro

Newton Sept 3 d 1857 to Samuel Stetson Esq
Dear Sir I received yours this day and should be pleased to give you all the information I can I know John Brown before he lived in you but know nothing about his Revolution- ary services he died in you April 23. 1855 said to be 85 years old
I am 80 years old and hope you will excuse my writing for my hand is very clumsy yours, with respect
As he had been Elijah Stone in you but a short time before his death
Newton Massachusetts.

281,329

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Sept. 11 th 1857
I Hereby  Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Brown is borne on Continental Army Books in Col. Henry Jackson's Regt. from January 1. 1777 to February 14 th 1778 12 mos. 14 days, as Lieutenant from Cambridge.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis De Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.