Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 18,658, Jacob Brown, Continental New York

SERVICE
Continental New York
Brown, Jacob Mercy
NUMBER
W 18,658
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
[Empty lined area for additional entries]

24861 New York
Jacob Brown of Orange Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Hunt of the Reg t commanded by Col Wiepenfeet in the N York line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Mar 1834 and sent to Hon. J. W. Brown Ho. Rep t
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 34 — $90.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 34 15.00 $105.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 111

3789
New York City
Mercy Brown widow of Jacob Brown who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Feby 1849 and sent to
Resident Goshen Orange Co NY
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2. 1848, Page 12 Vol. 4
Reported Feby 7/49

27.547 1.47 Jacob Brown
Water base rent — Red Bush
com d 9 mo-pri 30 $

State of New York Orange County } ss
Of the term of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four -
On the tenth twelfth day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange (it being a Court of Record) now sitting at the Academy in the village of Newburgh Jacob Brown who swears to and subscribed the annexed affidavit a President of the Town of Wallkill Lates President of the Town of Newburgh Wallkill in the County aforesaid aged seventy two years who having been first duly sworn in open court doth depose and say that the facts set forth in the annexed affidavit to which his name is subscribed are true and that at the time when said affidavit was by him sworn to and subscribed he was sick and infirm and wholly unable to attend court and did then believe that he should not at any future time be able to attend a Court of Record in said County -
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Secretary of War that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court also certifies that it satisfactorily appears to them that the said Jacob Brown on the day of the date of said affidavit was sick and infirm and unable by reason thereof to appear in open court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12 th day of February 1834 -
Ala Dunning Clerk

said Certificate nor have I seen said Certificate vid by Continental Troops which was something more than nine months. That Deponent and a lieutenant Finch and Samuel Young Esquire whose affidavit is annexed and Samuel Lawrence are the on- ly persons living who belonged to said Regi- ment within the knowledge of this deponent - and that Deponent the said Samuel Young are the only persons living who belonged to said Company to the best of deponent's knowledge Thus in answer to the Interrogatories required to be put to the applicant by the Secretary of War deponent also saith that he was born in the Town of Bedford in the County of Worcester in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty two at the Town of Bedford aforesaid. Has no record of his age lived at Bedford aforesaid when called into service and continued to live there until within the last year then moved to Orange County and has lived there ever since there were Continental Troops on the lines with whom we served and to which we were annexed until Colonel Sheldon arrived with his Regiment of Dragoons with whom we afterwards served. Stacy Beaks Esquire late Sheriff of Orange County lives in the same Neighborhood with deponent and is acquainted with deponent's character for veracity and deponent also saith that he is sick and in- firm and wholly unable to attend the next Court of Common Pleas or any other Court of Records to be held in the County of Orange Deponent relinquishes every claim to whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pen- sion Roll of the agency of any State
+
Sworn to and subscribed - the day and year aforesaid Gilbert Aden (seal) (mark) Deputy Clerk of Orange County
Jacob his Brown mark Same in Open Court this 12 th day of February 1834 before me the Deponent Clerk of a Court of Sessions

State of New York - 3
West Chester County ss 3
Personally appeared before me Gilbert Oakley a justice of the Peace of and for the Town of White Plains in said County Samuel Young Esquire of the said Town of White Plains in said County to me personally known to be a credible Witness who having been duly sworn according to Law hath doth depose and say that he is acquainted with Jacob Brown an applicant for a Pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832 who during the Revolutionary War resided in the County of West Chester and who now resides in the County of Orange in the said State as the deponent has been informed and believes to be true and that he is the identical Jacob Brown described in a Certificate dated July 18 th 1833 and signed by this deponent. That the deponent well remembers that the said Jacob Brown in the year 1782 was a Soldier in Capt Thomas Hunts Company in Col d Frederick Wuerfils Regiment of New York Levies. That the deponent was a Lieutenant in said Company and believes that the said Jacob Brown enlisted in said Company in the early part of April in the said year 1782. That he served in said Company as a private Soldier until some time in the first part of January 1783 when the said Company was discharged at the Town of Bedford in the said County after having the full term for which the Men were enlisted. That Azariah Tutill (now deceased) was the first Lieut in said Company and the deponent was Second Lieut. That the said Regiment was raised by virtue of an Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, in compliance with a requisition from the Congress of the United States, requiring the State of New York to complete the quota of the said State in the Army of the United States and for the further defence of the frontiers of the said State. That the said Company was during the greater part of the Summer and fall of that year annexed to and did duty with Col d Sheltons Regiment of Dragoons or Light Horse. That from the first part of April (at which time the said Company was formed) until they were discharged the said Company was Stationed on the American lines in the said County. And that the said Company continued in Service more than Nine months as at the time for which the men enlisted expired there were no Continental Troops on those lines and the men were induced to continue in Service until some

Continental Troops arrived on those lines which happened in a few days after the expiration of the Term for which the Men of the said Company were enlisted. That the Deponent and a Lieut. Finch are the only surviving officers of the said Regiment That Samuel Lawrence Jacob Brown and one other are the only only surviving Soldiers of Capt. Hunt's Company in said Reg. That the Deponent was seventy three years of age on the 14 th day of May last past as he has been informed by his Parents and believes to be true
Sam l Youngs
Sworn and subscribed this 28 th day of August 1833
Before me Gilbert Oakley Justice of the peace
I Nathaniel Boiles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of West Chester do hereby certify that Gilbert Oakley before whom the preceding affidavit of Samuel Youngs Esq. was sworn and subscribed was on the day of the date of the said affidavit a justice of the peace in and for the said County of West Chester. That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said justice and truly believe that his Name subscribed to the said affidavit is his signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 28 th day of August 1833
N th Boyles CLK
Brown

Personally appeared before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid Walter Case Coun- sellor of Law of the Village of Newburgh who having been duly sworn doth depose and say that the certifi- cate described in the preceding affidavit of Samuel Young dated July 10th 1833 was placed in the hands of the deponent by Jacob Brown who swore to and subscribed the preceding affidavit about the time it bore date for the purpose of being sent to Washington as con- clusive evidence of the service of the said Jacob in the Revolutionary War and that as near as deponent can recollect that the said Jacob Brown served as a private in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Hunt of Warrenville Regiment in which company he the said Samuel Young was a lieutenant) in the year 1782 since from the the beginning of April 1782 until the beginning of Janu- ary 1783" that the facts stated in said Certificate were not sworn to by the said Samuel Young deponent therefore informed the said Jacob Brown that it would be necessary to procure an affidavit of the facts stated in said certifi- cate from the said Samuel Young - at that time thereafter a young man by the name of Brown who stated that he was grandson of the said Jacob Brown called at my office and stated that he was going to Poughkeepsie in Westchester County to procure an affidavit the said Samuel Young for his grandfather the said Jacob Brown - I thereupon gave him up the said Certificate to take with him and in a few days thereafter received the affirmed affidavit of the said Samuel Young by Mail. Since then I have not seen the young man to whom I delivered

said Certificate nor have I seen said Certificate nor have I been able to ascertain the residence of the said Jacob where his said Grandson resides he being a labour and working about from place to place - and moreover also saith that the above are the reasons why the said certificate is not annexed to these Papers -
Sworn to and subscribed & this 24 th day of September 1833 before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler (First Judge of Orange County)
Walter Case
And the said Gilbert Ogden Fowler do hereby declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states dated September 24 th 1833 -
Gilbert Ogden Fowler First Judge of Orange County
I also I do hereby certify that the foregoing Pleadings in and for the County of Orange do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit purporting to have been signed by Jacob Brown by his mark and to have been sworn to and subscribed before Gilbert Ogden Fowler and the preceding affidavit of Walter Case were respectively sworn to and subscribed before the said Gilbert Ogden Fowler that his name subscribed to said affidavits and the above certificate hereto is his genuine signature and that on the respective days when said affidavits and certificate bear date he was for the time being of said County in testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 27 th day of September 1833
Isaac D. Dunning Clerk
Brown
Walter

7578
Mercy Brown N.Y.
Act. 7 July 38
added 9 mos pri 30/
No deduction
J.W. Martin of Finchville Orange Co N.Y.

14m. 92 Jones AttR
No 7578
State of New York On this tenth day of December Eighteen hundred and Forty personally appeared before the Court of common pleas being a court of record in and for the county of Orange Mary Brown a resident of the town of Goshen in the county of Orange and State of New York age seventy four 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 th 1838 entitled An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows; That she is the widow of Jacob Brown who was a private in the New York State Troops and served at least nine months in the said Troops but she is unable to state what year he served in or the officers that he served under that she relies on the proof given in her said husband Jacob Browns case who at his death was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 and was placed on the pension roll March 17 th 1834 at the rate of thirty dollars per year That she was married to the said Jacob Brown on the ninth day of June Seventeen Hundred and Eighty four in the town of Bedford in the county of Westchester and State of New York by James McDaniels then an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and who was duly authorized to perform the marriage ceremony That her name before marriage was Mary Ambler That she has no documentary evidence in her possession of her marriage nor does she believe there is any in existence That she relies on the affidavit of Samuel Brown which has been transmitted to the pension office sometime since by John McMartin for the proof of her said marriage to the said Jacob Brown That the said Jacob Brown died on the first day of December 1834 and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband Jacob Brown
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but was married to him previous to the

first day of January Anthon Hermonia and guilty four By at the time above stated The words of her marriage intended before signing
deed and subscribed in open court by making her mark the day and year above written
A. S. Norton
Clerk
Mercy X Brown Mark
And the court do certify that Mercy Brown who made and subscribed the foregoing declaration is a woman of truth and her statements before made are entitled to full credit and belief. In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court the day and year first above written
A. S. Norton
Clerk of said court

State of New York } On this Eighteenth day of May Orange County } Eighteen hundred Forty one person - ally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of The Peace in and for the said County Samuel Brown a creditable Inhabitant of the town of Mount Hope age Eighty four years and made oath to the following facts that he is a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 That he was the brother of Jacob Brown who also was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1832 and was enrolled on the pension agency of the State of New York He further deponeth and saith that he was present at the marriage of his brother Jacob Brown and Mercy Smbler That he saw the said Jacob Brown married to Mercy Smbler on the ninth day of June nineteen hundred and Eighty four at the house of the father of the said Mercy Smbler in the town of Deceford in Westchester County and State of New York by James McDaniel a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County This deponent in a former declaration set the time at 1783 or 1784 but on considering the same and from circumstances now in the recollections of the deponent he is satisfied that the marriage took place on the 9 day of June 1784 and that the deponent saw them married as before stated and that the said Mercy Brown is now the widow of Jacob Brown Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me and I certify that Samuel Brown is a creditable Witness Samuel Brown Joseph Finch } Justice of the peace

STATE OF NEW YORK, } SS. 1, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County ORANGE COUNTY, {
of Orange, Do HEREBY CERTIFY, That Jipie Hurich before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the peace in, and for said county : and further,
that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavit & Certificate is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 31 st day of May 1841
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18658
Mercy Brown widow of Jacob Brown Pris New War
Act: Feb 24 H.C.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York Mary Brown widow of Jacob Brown decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 1 st December 1834 of Orange Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Hunt of the Reg t commanded by Col o M c Kenzie in the New York line for 4 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars and 62 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of June 1841 and Seal of J. M c Martin Lynchville Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $150:00 Semi-annual allowance ending
$150:00 { Act July 7, } 1838 }
Recorded by Alb Addison Clerk, Book A Vol. 24 Page 70

Report
4978.
New York City
Mercy Brown widow of Jacob Brown who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feb. 1844 and sent to Wm Dickerson West Town P.O. Orange Co New York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 8 Vol. 1 Page 259.

✓ my. 75.78. Mercy Brown
see let to Hon. C. V. Jones, July 15. 1841.
Accts July 1838.

Goshen N.Y. Sept 22 nd 1848
Sir At the request of Mercy Brown , I enclosed these papers to the Agent in New York City, for paying pensions he returned them to me stating that they must be sent on to the Pension Office at Washington for a new certificate under the late Act of Congress. Please send to this Office the necessary papers for her to draw her pension
And Oblige You sent
H. A. Hays for Mercy Brown
Direct to this Post Office to H. A. Hays P.M. for Mercy Brown
{ She is Blind, and cannot see to write,

State of New York } Asa B Hutchins of the town of Orange County } Minisink in said County aged thirty four years deponeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Jacob Brown who at the time of his death was was a resident of the town of Wallkill in the said county and was at the time of his death a prisoner of the United States He further deponeth that the said Jacob Brown died at the house of this deponent on the first day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty four and that his wife Mercy Brown has ever since remained a widow and this deponent thinks that the certificate of the said Jacob Brown has been returned to the Pension office and further he saith not sworn and subscribed before me the 25 th day of January 1841 and I certify that he is a creditable and all the above truth Gabriel D. D. Justice
State of New York } John W. Martin of the town of Mount Orange County } Hope aged forty three years deponeth & saith that he has made diligent search in the town of Bedford in the county of Westchester in the state of New York for the docket and record of marriages that might have been kept by Squire McDaniel and has made diligent search for the marriage of Jacob Brown and Mercy Amble who were were married by the said Squire McDaniel but cannot find any record of the said marriage and verily believes there is none in existence sworn and subscribed John W. Martin

before me this 25 day of January 1841 and I certify that he is a creditable witness
Gabriel Horton Justice
STATE OF NEW YORK, { ss. 1, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County ORANGE COUNTY, { of Orange, Do HEREBY CERTIFY, That Gabriel Horton before whom the foregoing affidavits was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in, and for said county : and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavits and certificates is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 4 th day of February
1841
Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk

State of New York } On this (3) day of October Orange County } 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Mary Brown a resident of the town of Middletown in the County of Orange and State of New York aged Seventy six years who being first duly sworn also being law sworn on her oaths makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d of March 1831 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Jacob Brown who was a private in the war of the Revolution and served in the Militia in Orange County State of New York under Col Thomas Mendenhall I do hereby declare and other facts in said County that she was a pensioner under the act of 1831 at the rate of thirty dollars per year since she has declared that she remains the widow of the said Jacob Brown and has not sworn to and subscribed to making her mark the day and year above written
R. M. Tuttle Jr. Justice of the peace
Orange County } I certify that Mary Brown who made and subscribed the above declaration By making her mark is to be believed and I believe her to be the widow of Jacob Brown Proven who was a pensioner under the act of July 7 th 1831 of thirty dollars per year
R. M. Tuttle Jr. Justice of the peace The word Pension in the above certificate interlined before Execution R. M. Tuttle Jr.
to blank

STATE OF NEW YORK, } SS. 1, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County ORANGE COUNTY, }
of Orange, Do HEREBY CERTIFY, That Richard M. Southill Jr. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in, and for said county : and further,
that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavit & Certificate is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 4 th day of October
184 3
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk By H. Vail Dept. Clerk in the absence of the Clerk
5361

United States of America State of New York } Orange County } ss.
Be it known that before me F. A. Hoyt, A justice of the peace in and for the County of Orange, personally appeared Mercy Brown and made oath in due form of Law, that she is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of the 3 rd of March 1843 on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband, the late Jacob Brown, at the rate of thirty Dollars per Annum. that she now makes this Affidavit for the purpose of drawing a pension under the Act of Congress passed on the 17 th June 1844, and on the 2 nd of February 1848, an Act to continue the pension of certain widows. that she has not intermarried but continues to be a Widow that she now resides in Goshen and County of Orange & State of New York, and has resided there for the space of 30 years and that previous thereto she resided in Blooming Grove in said County & State aforesaid.
Sworn to & subscribed this her Mercy X Brown 15 th day of September 1848 month before me F. A. Hoyt justice of the peace
in presence of Witnesses Thomas Gery.
I certify that the above named Affiant is personally known to me and that she is the same Individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing Affidavit. F. A. Hoyt Justice peace

Know all Men be these presence that I, Mercy Brown of the Town of Goshen County of Orange & State of New York a Revo- lutionary pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Henry J. Hoyt of the City of New York, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in the City of New York my Pension from the Fourth of March 1848 to the Fourth of September 1848
Witness my hand and Seal this 15 th day of September 1848
Sealed & delivered in presence of
H. J. Hoyt Justice Peace Thomas George, Witness { Mercy Brown her mark
State of New York Orange County ss.
Be it known that on the 15 th day of September in the year 1848 before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County, personally appeared Mercy Brown above named to me well known and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed
In testimony whereof I have set my hand the day and H. J. Hoyt justice of the peace year above mentioned
I certify that she is blind & cannot see to write H. J. Hoyt justice of the peace

STATE OF NEW YORK, ORANGE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, { ss.
I, ALBERT S. BENTON, Clerk of the County Court in and for said County of Orange, do hereby certify, That
Frederick A. Hoyt before whom the foregoing Declaration & Power of Atty. was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and further, that I am well ac- quainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Declaration & Power of Atty. are genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said -County, this 22 day of September 184 8
A. S. Benton
Clerk.

State of New York /s. Samuel Brown of the town of Orange County) Mount Hope being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is eighty six years of age and that he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that he was well acqu- ainted with Jacob Brown who lived in the town of Scarsdale County of Westchester and State of New York and that the said Jacob Brown was married to Mercy Stunkler on the ninth day of June August Nineteen Hundred and Eighty three or four by James M c Daniels then an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Westchester that he was present at the wedding and knows that the said Jacob Brown lived with the said Mercy until his death and that she still rem- ains a widow the wedding took place before signing before me by making his mark mark this 10 th day of August 1840 and I certify that Samuel Brown is a credible witness
John Osborn Commissioner of Deeds State of New York /s. I Albert S. Britton Clerk of the court of Orange County) Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange, do certify that John Osborn is a Commissioner of Deeds as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 11 th day of August 1840
A. S. Britton Clerk

Aug 14. 1840
Rev. Addams Mercy Brown.
Ames
Colburn
RECEIVED
Correspondence of Penarong keeping the City
20. 6

Hannibal Brainerd County New York August 10/40
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Respected Sir I understand that the declaration of Mercy Brown widow of Jacob Brown for a pension was presented at your some time since Bureau by Joseph Ellis acting as her Attorney and that the claim has not yet been allowed for want of proof of marriage I now send for your examination the affidavit of Samuel Brown who was at the wedding and ask your most favourable consideration on the same Please answer to your Obt servant
John W Martin

Tineville. Orange County New York May 31 1861
Respected Sir,
With this letter I send the affidavit of Samuel Brown in proof of the marriage of Jacob Brown and Mary Amblee. The declaration of Mary Brown widow of Jacob Brown was presented at your office in December or January last by Nathaniel Jones Member of Congress from the State of New York and was placed on file for further proof of marriage you will please when convenient examine the accompanying affidavit and report to your Obed Servant John W Martin
Hon James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Payment to be made at
New York City by
John A Stevens, Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 1 Page 259
Thos Cumplian,
Clerk.

War Department.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of March 3, 1843, Mercy Brown, widow of Jacob Brown , who was a Private in the Revolution, and died on the 18th — day of December, 1834, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Thirty — dollars and — cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1843, and terminating on the 4th of March, 1844, unless the Pensioner shall marry or die before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States; this 19th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
Wm Wilkins
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned
G. W. Humphreys for the Commissioner of Pensions.

27. 547 Jacob Brum
u
adm d
Hon J. W. Brown
Walter Con E. 1862 Newburgh New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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. These 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 Jacob 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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed as follows:
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, 1852.
 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 (if) 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.
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ of the Court of _____
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) _____, who has 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. then will follow the certificate of the
[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, (1) 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  here  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 fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

W. Brown
Wm. Dickerson West Tenn Port office Orange County N. York
W. Brown
30 per an
50 per an
50
16 1/4 1851
17 1/4

James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir I herewith transmit application of Mr. Nirey Brown for a pension under act 3 rd of March 1843
being respectfully Your obedient Servant William Dickerson
Please direct your letter William Dickerson West Town Post Office Orange County New York
PS if any thing should be wrong with the application I herewith transmit Please write me stating wherein it is wrong Your most obedt Servt Wm Dickerson

Washington February 8. 1841
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
I herewith present the Application of Mercy Brown, widow of Jacob Brown a late pensioner, for a pension under the provisions of the Act of July 7. 1838
I am instructed to state that the proof of the marriage of said ambler Mercy with Brown was sent to your Office some time in October last. It was the Affidavit of Jacob Brown, brother to the dec d Soldier, who was present at the marriage and witnessed the ceremony. The said affidavit of Jacob Brown was forwarded by John W. Martin and is doubtless on file
I Am with great respect Your Ob t Servant Nathaniel Jones