Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1223, John Britton, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Britton, John Jerusha
R, 1223
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
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1135 New Hampshire
1
John Britton of Cheshire for the State of NH who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Hayward of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the Mass Militia for 6 mo. and 5 days from 1775
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 20 Dollars 55 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Feb 1833 and sent Tho. W. Exonerated
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 30 87 Pemi=ant. allowance ending 4 March 1833 10 27
$ 41. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. H. Sylvester Clerk. Book 20. Vol. 1 Page 144

9208
Mr. Britton
Private
6 Mos. & 5 days
advised $20.00
W.C.E.
Has not produced the Receipt of a clergy- man.
Nov 23 1832
Hon. A. Hubbard
W.R.
W.M. Edwards
Second Cheshire Co.
N.H.

9208
BRIEF in the case of  Geo. Britton of Westmoreland  or Chesne  by  in the State of  Nathaniel  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —
3. How old is he? 83
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     1775- As a Gen.   " Oct. 1775 5 Soldier Capt. William   " Nov. 3 Private   1776 3 15 " Capt. Hayward Col. Ward & B. Tapp   " Nov. 4 4 " Gen. David Keith   1777 Augt. 1 15 " Capt. Keith - Col. Foan   21 " Capt. Keith    was drafted & hired a substitute for 1 year
5. In what battles was he engaged?  None mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
No living Witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
No Clergyman's Certificate
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Vol 2 p. 135 on roll 24 ds
W. G. Easton Examining Clerk.

State of New Hampshire, Cheshire County ss. Be it known That on this second day of May 1854. Before me George F. Starkweather a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. personally appeared Ebenzer Britton a resident of Westmoreland in said County & State & made oath according to law that he is a son and heir of John Britton a Revolutionary pensioner of the U.S. dec d and of his wife Persha Britton also deceased. That he is credibly informed and has reason to believe that his Mother Persha was entitled before her decease to pension & that he is directly interested in the claim for arrears of pension due her, and that he does hereby constitute and appoint Ebenzer of Washington City D.C. his Attorney to examine all and any papers relating to his said father's service & relative to his Mother's claim, on file in the Pension Office & in the Archives of any State & do any other and all acts needful to ascertain the facts relative to said claim.
Ebenzer Britton
Sworn to and subscribed Before me this second day of May 1854. And I certify that said Britton is a credible & respectable citizen of this County. George F. Starkweather Justice of the Peace

Several pieces of evidence of masonry

Certificate of Marriage
September the Thirtieth Seventeen hundred Eighty nine. joined in Marriage Mr. John Britton and Miss. Jerusha Thompson both of Easton in the County of Bristol by William Reed Pastor . Recorded by Elijah Howard Town Clerk
I certify that the above & foregoing is a true copy from the records of the town of Easton in the County of Bristol, with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows— viz, September 30 th 1789. Easton August 16 th 1838 Tisdale Harlow, Clerk of the town of Easton—
I Tisdale Harlow above named, depose & say, that I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Easton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Easton with the exception above named as certified by me. Easton August 16 th 1838 Tisdale Harlow Clerk of the town of Easton.
Bristol S.S. Easton August 16 th 1838— Then personally appeared the above named Tisdale Harlow the present town Clerk of Easton and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is a true copy as above stated from the Town records in his possession—
Before me Joshua Britton Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. Daniel Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County do hereby certify that Joshua Britton whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twentieth day of August Eighteen hundred thirty eight —
D. Barrett

X 137 1/2 Lorusha Britton Wid. of John N.H.
Ad 7 July 1838 Ref. sec 6 than 6 mi. se. roll.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } CHESHIRE COUNTY ss.
On this Fourth day of September A. D. 1838 personally appeared before me Frederick Vose Esq. Judge of Probate in and for said County - in open Court. Jerusha Britton a resident of Westmoreland in the County of Cheshire aforesaid aged Twenty Seven years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of John Britton who was a private in the war of the Revolution - and lived according to the best of her knowledge and belief as stated by him in his declaration to obtain a pension under the act of 1832. - That her said husband was a pensioner under said act - made his declaration in said County of Cheshire - and was placed on the Pension Roll of the New Hampshire agency and recd a pension of $20.55 per annum - lived at the time at said Westmoreland . -
She further declares that she was married to the said John Britton on the thirteenth day of September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty nine; that her husband, the aforesaid John Britton died on the thirteenth thirty first day of May A D 1836 - ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated. That she has never been married to any other person - her maiden name was Jerusha Thompson . - Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before Jerusha X Britton Mark Frederick Vose Judge of Probate

I Elijah Sawyer Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Cheshire aforesaid do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the Court aforesaid in the matter of the application of Jerusha Britton for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & seal of office this sixth day of September A.D. 1838— Elijah Sawyer Reg.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.
On this twenty fifth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, Before the Hon Aaron Mealson Judge of Probate for said County
now sitting, John Britton a resident of Westmoreland in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged eighty three years last June 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1 st - In the year 1775 - the day before the Battle of Bunker hill was at Dorchester took the place of Clement Drake in Capt Asa Williams Comp y stationed there, while he returned home and remained in said Company five days. - 2 d In October of the same year turned out on an alarm - it was said the British had landed at Marshfield Mass - was under Captain Landon - was out five days. - 3 d In the same year in Nov r enlisted in Captain Nathan Waywards Comp y , Lieut. Burr - in Col Ward Hol t Tappes Regiment - was stationed at Dorchester and kept guard nights round the Co st . - remained through the term and at the request of officers, stayed over until some troops arrived that were expected from Barrington, which was the first or second day of March - served over his term about two weeks - the last two weeks under Lieut Burr - the Captain left at the end of the three months - making in this service three months & a half. - 4 th In 1776 - turned out on an alarm under Lieut David Keith & marched to Freetown - it was said that the Tories were doing damage - was out four days. - 5 th In same year - in Nov r was drafted to go to Warren Rhode Island in Capt Josiah Keiths Comp y - in Col Hase Joans Lieut Col Saggets Regt. - Stayed at Warren about one month - then marched to Swanton and stayed at Howlands ferry two weeks. - while we were at Howlands learned that the British entered Warren after we left there & plundered - was in this service one month & a half. - 6 th In 1777 - In August marched under Capt Josiah Keith towards Fogland near Bedford - before he arrived learned that the British had burned Bedford - then was marched back and stationed at Howlands ferry & remained there three weeks & was dismissed. - was one of three who were drafted and hired a man in 1780 - for during the war. - was drafted at another time than the above for he thinks one year & hired a substitute. - was born in Easttown in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts. - in 1749 - June 30 - His name & birth are on the records of Easttown - lived there when he went into all the said service - has lived

since the War at Easttown until he moved to Westmoreland aforesaid about ten years since - was a volunteer in the above service except the fifth Regiments in his service at Rochester in 1775-76 - The 3 Service aforesaid may put Washington once - Col Ward's Regt lay near his.
Does not know of any proof of his said service, unless there may be some at Easttown - which is about ninety miles distant & he does not know that any one is living there that was with him. - never in any written discharge.
Mr Levi Hancock & Mr Noah Fuller my neighbors - said Hancock of Westmoreland said Fuller of Surrey living but a half a mile from me are acquainted with me and can testify to my character & their belief of my service in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Bretton
before me Aaron Morton Judge of Probate
We, Levi Hancock of Surrey and Noah Fuller of Westmoreland both in said County of Cheshire
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with John Bretton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three 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.
Levi Hancock Noah Fuller
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me Aaron Morton Judge of Probate
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 certi- fies, that it appears to them that Levi Hancock who has signed the preceding certificate is a President in the Town of Surrey aforesaid and that Noah Fuller who has also signed the same is also a resident of Westmoreland aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Aaron Morton Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of John Bretton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of August A.D. 1832 -
Asa Parker Regt of Probate

Declaration of John Britton Westmorland Chsh Co N.H.
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. -
I Allen Pratt, Clergyman resident in Westmorland in the County of Cheshire aforesaid hereby certify that I am acquainted with John Britton who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration, that I believe him to be eighty three years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution - and that I concur in that opinion. - Allen Pratt
Cheshire ss. Dec 28. 1832 - subscribed and sworn to by said Allen Pratt known to me as a Clergyman of Westmorland aforesaid
Before me
Nathan G. Babbitt
Justice of the Peace.
Cheshire ss. Dec 31. 1832
I Salma Hale, clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature in sd County certify that Nathan G. Babbitt is a Justice of the Peace in and for sd County, and believe that the foregoing is his signature. In testimony whereof the undersigned affixed the Seal of our Superior Court of Judicature S. Hale, Clerk.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1223
RECEIVED
1871
P. O. Emm. Britton Heir of John
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Wages: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Jerusha Britton
Wid of John d. July 7th 1838
Rejected. served less than 1 mo. See bl.
The M Edwards Nov 28 1835

6 9208 no Britton
W. M. Edwards Keene Cheshire Co N.H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of No. Britton which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
Yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
_____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
_____
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“ Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades : For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Jemima Britton, Wid. of John
Claim for Pension filed from New Hamp- shire - Act 1838 susp.
P. of Atty enclosed - ask to see papers
1223
S. Brown Present Atty

Washington City, D.C. May 5, 1854
Sir,
Enclosed you will find Power of At- torney from Ebenezer Britton, Heir of John & Jerusha Britton whose claim for Pension under Act 1838 filed from New Hampshire has been suspended.
Be pleased to permit me to ex- amine papers on file in this case
Yours truly S. Bowers per M c Garvey
Hon. J. P. Waldo } Com r of Pensions }

We Eleanor Britton and Betsey Britton of lawful age depose and say that we were acquainted with John Britton late of Mortimerland deceased —
That he was a Revolutionary Deacon under the act of 1832. —
That he died on the thirty first tenth day of May A D 1836. —
That he left a widow Grusha Britton with whom we are also well acquainted who still survives and has never since been married to any other person. —
Eleanor Britton Betsey Britton
State of New Hampshire
On this p —
Sept 4. 1838. Subscribed and sworn to
Before me Thomas M c Edwards
Jus Peace
I certify that the above deponents are credible persons —
Thomas M c Edwards Jus Peace

Jeremiah Britton Residence of Slavery
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
I Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Cheshire, certify, that Thomas H. Edwards, was on the fourth day of September instant - (and still is, a Justice of the Peace in (and for the said County of Cheshire duly commissioned and sworn - and that his name within written is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand (and affixed the seal of said Court at Keene this tenth day of September anno Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty eight
H. Coolidge Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Britton, John GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8106 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 27, 1790 To Jeptha Arrison, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.