Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,794, Stephen Brainard, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Brainerd, Stephen Rachel
NUMBER
V 20,794
CONTENTS

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st June 1838 from 4 March to 14 July 1839, the day of his death to 7 of the 8 Children a genl. notice 7 th July 1840
Paid as above No. 1. of 8 Children Age Notified 25 Oct. 1841
1318 Connecticut. . . . . 12,
Rachel Brainard widow of Stephen Brainard, D r Conn. who died on the 9 th Dec r 1820; of Middlesex co. in the State of Connecticut, who was a Sgt. & Capt. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. D. Froot in the Conn t . M ea . time for 3 Mos. Sgt. = $16 6 months Capt. = $120 $135
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 135 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of August, 1837 and sent to S. H. Parsons, East Haddam, Conn t .
Arrears to the 4 th of March, 1837 = $810:00 Pens ant . allowance ending 4 Sept r 67:50
$877:50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd . }
Recorded by S. L. Elliott Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 Page 65.

Declaration of Mrs Rachel Brainard in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 rd Section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1830.
State of Connecticut, County of Middlesex ss
On this 26 th day of June 1837, before the Probate Court for the District of Chatham —
personally appeared Mrs Rachel Brainard a resident of Chatham in said State of Connecticut aged Ninety years, who being 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 4 th 1830. That she is the widow of Stephen Brainard who was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and according to her best knowledge and belief, died died under the following named officers and in the encampment hereinafter mentioned.
In the fall of the year 1776. He was drafted at said Chatham & served at New York not less than 3 months as a sergeant in a company of militia commanded by Captain Timothy Dutton

in Colonel Dyer Throop's regiment and hired one Anna Brown (now dec d ) to manage the Farm during her husband's absence. Amasa Dutton can swear to this Service. he is a pensioner on the roll of the Connecticut Agency.
2nd. He also served at New London in the Fall of the year 1777 not less than two months , as a Captain of a Company of Militia. David Shattuck a pensioner of the U d States can swear to this Service.
3rd. Also in the year 1778. he again served at New London as Captain of a Company of Militia for a period of two months . Asa Day of Colchester served as a private in the company & can swear to this Service.
4th. Also in the year 1781 he served two months , at New London as Captain of a Company of Militia and can prove this Service by one Charles Ackley of East Haddam who served in the same company under her husband - is now a pensioner of the U d States. also by James Mitchell of the State of New York who served under said Brown at that time.
He also performed other tours of duty which the deponent does not distinctly remember. Having been frequently absent from home & evidence of which Service may possibly be found in the public records at Washington or in the Comptroller's Office at Hartford Conn.

She further declares that she was married to the said Stephen Brainard on the 30 th day of October 1765, by the Rev d . Robert Robbins of Westchester as may further appear by the Certificate of Mr. Joseph Day in whose possession are lodged the records of the Church containing a memorandum of said marriage.
That she has remained unmarried ever since the period of her husband the said Stephen Brainard's decease, which occurred on the ninth day of December A.D. 1820.
Sworn to & subscribed } Rachel Brainard This 26 th day of June 1837.
Before me. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Robert and and subscribed my name this 26 th day of June 1837. Also certify that the statements contained in the preceding declara- tion have been proved to my satisfaction.
Philip Sage Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Chatham

Joseph Day the marriage.
See p. 120

Joseph Day of Colchester in New London County and State of Connecticut. Do depose and say. That upon an examination of the Church Records in said Town of Colchester (Witchester Society), I find the following memorandum - viz
"Married October 30 th 1765 Stephen Bramard & Rachel Day both of of Colchester"
The above record was kept by the Revd Robert Robbins then a Clergyman in said Parish of Witchester who died several years ago - the said records are now in my possession as Deacon of the Church, there being no settled Clergyman at this time.
I am well acquainted with Mrs Rachel Bramard who now lives in Shatham, Conn and has remained a widow ever since the said Stephen Bramard's decease. I knew her before her said husband, the said Stephen Bramard deceas- ed sworn to Hubsondia } Joseph Day this 24 th day of June 1837 }
Before me, and I certify that said Joseph Day is a credible person. Giles Shattuck Justice of the Peace

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MMHF/eel
December 16, 1929
Mr. Nathaniel Foote 903 Union Trust Building Rochester, New York
Dear Sir:
I advise you that there is no claim for pension on file made by Stephen Brainard , husband of Rachel Brainard (W.20794). He died December 9, 1820.
Her application for pension was made June 26, 1837. Her claim was allowed. She died July 14, 1839.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. NMHF
October 18, 1929.
Nathaniel Foote, 803 Union Trust Building, Rochester, New York.
Dear Sir:
I advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Rachel Brainard, widow of Stephen Brainard, Connecticut soldier (W.20794) there are no papers relating to Nathaniel Foote.
It is suggested that information relative to the military service of Nathaniel Foote might be obtained from The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.
It is true that papers in many of the very early applications for pension were destroyed when the War Office was burned in 1800 and in 1814.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH, Commissioner.
Nathaniel Foote's name may be on the order book of Col. Dyer's Troops which was sent to War Dept., therefore I said in this claim his name is not shown & that is why it referred him to War Dept.

Stephen Brannard Conn. W. 20794
An order book of Col. Dyer Throop's regt. from Sept. 23, 1876 to Nov. 13, 1876.
has been removed from this claim to be forwarded to the War Dept.
AW. Oct. 4, 1912.
Sent to War Dept. Jan 16, 1913

2211.
Rachel Brainerd widow of Stephen Conner.
Aged 1820
March 1765
Adm as
Sergt 3 mo 157
Capt. 6 mo 120
per am 135-
coming 4 March 1821
Coat Militia
Jan H. Parsons Esq Dan Haddam 1176 Cent.

Comptroller's Office Hartford Ct Feb. 21 st 1831
On application for evidence of the service of Stephen Brainard, I have examined the Books and papers remaining in this Office relating to the Revolutionary War, & find & certify as follows; viz:—
Haskells Receipts. "The United States Dr To the State of Connecticut for sundry expenditures, wages &c of troops from the State who served with the main Army in New York & places Adjacent in 1776". Among the names of Officers I find, "Lt Col o Dyer Throop, his Reg t " — Haskells Receipts. "The United States Dr to the State of Connecticut for the service of troops stationed at New London". "April 22 d 1777 Col o Dyer Throop, his Reg t ". Same Book. "Service at New London August 27 th 1782, Capt t Stephen Brainard".
The above is the only evidence I can find on the Books & records of the service of Stephen Brainard.
In the absence of the Comptroller certified By Royal W. Mannan Secretary of State

Comptroller's Office
Hartford Ct.
August 1 st 1837
On further examination of Harkells Receipts at page 107 the name of Captain Stephen Brannard appears to be entered against the date Oct. 4 th 1779 for service at New London and the amount paid him is £509 11 8 11 11 11 - Specie value £24 11 15 11 9
J. H. Merreman In the absence of the Comptroller

1751
State of New York
Madison County
I, James Williams of the County of Hamilton, State of New York, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Captain Stephen Brainard of the State of Connecticut in the County of New London and Town of Chatham and that in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in the month of September on or about the fifteenth of the said month this deponent together with the said Capt. Stephen Brainard were drafted into the service of the United States and that the said Capt. Stephen Brainard actually served in the Army of the Revolution as Captain of the Company to which this deponent was attached to this deponent's knowledge for three weeks when this deponent was wounded and left the service having the said Captain Stephen Brainard still in the actual service in the Army. The draft aforesaid was for two months and the said Captain Brainard was stationed at New London in the State of Connecticut aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 11 th day of May 1839
James Williams
Hiram H. Green Justice of the Peace

1791 I Isaac C. Ackley of East Haddam in Middlesex County and State of Connecticut aged 77 years do hereby say that I am a pensioner of the United States for services in the revolutionary war and that during said war I was well acquainted with Captain Stephen Brimsmere late of Chatham accused who was an officer in the army several months In the year 1781 about the month of September I was drafted to go to New Haven and and saw Capt Stephen Brimsmere and was ex- cused from service by him by presenting a substitute I so testified and subscribing Isaac C. Ackley this 20 th Day of June 1837
Before me and I do certify that said Isaac C. Ackley is a credible person Russell D. Davis Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut Office of the Secretary of said State August 1 st A D 1837 -
I hereby certify that Russell Davison is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex, and that Giles Shattuck and Thomas Balcomb are Justices of the Peace within and for the County of New London as appears upon the Record in this Office and I further certify that the signatures of said Shattuck and Davison attached hereto are genuine -
In testimony of which I have affixed the seal of this State & signed the same
Royal H. Kimball Secretary

1778
I, Asa Day of Colchester in New Lond. County and State of Connecticut aged 75 years do depose and say that I was called on an alarm, in the year 1778 to serve as a private soldier at New Lond. and served in that capacity under Captain Stephen Brimfield, late of Chatham then who commanded the company, & was released after serving about two weeks, and left on half of the company at New London.
Sworn to & subscribed this 22 nd day of June 1887 }
Asa Day
Before me
And I certify that said Asa Day is a credible person Giles Shattuck Justice of Peace

David G. Hattin

1777
I David Shattuck of Colchester in New London County and State of Connecticut aged 78 years and a pensioner of the United States under act of March 1818, do depose and say, that I was well acquainted during the revolutionary war, with Captain Stephen Brainard late of that ham d and that said Brainard commanded a company of militia at New London in the year 1777.
I served as a private at that time at New London in Captain Olmsted's company and know that said Brainard was in service as captain of a company in the Fall of that year for a period of not less than two months at said New London.
I was also well acquainted with Mrs Rachel Brainard the widow of said Captain Stephen Brainard, who is a resident of Chatham & has remained unmarried since her said husband's decease. I knew her as the wife of said Brainard before he left the service. } David Shattuck Sworn to before me this 22 nd day of June 1837.
Before me. I certify that said David Shattuck is a credible person. Giles Shattuck justice of the Peace.

Alma Litterae

1770
I Amasa Dutton of Schenectady in New London County and State of Connecticut aged 88 years and a pensioner of the United States, do depose and say that I served in the revolutionary war at New York as a soldier of the United States in the fall of the year 1776 - at that time and place I was and was well acquainted with Stephen Brannan late of Chatham dec'd who served as a sergeant in a company for the period of three months commanded by Captain Timothy Dutton in Colonel Dyer Throop's regiment The Captain of the Company was my Uncle and lived in Westchester New London Co. I lived in East Haddam at that time within a few miles of the residence of Colonel Dyer Throop who commanded the regiment.
I was then and subscribed } Amasa Dutton this 23 rd day of June 1837 }
Before me. Thomas Badcock Justice of the Peace And I certify that the above named Amasa Dutton is a person of veracity.
Thomas Badcock. Justice of the Peace

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 3 d , 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Seven of eight child n of Rachel Brainerd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of One hundred & 35 Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 14 th July 1839, the day of her death.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson B. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Aug. 18 th 1841
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," David Brainerd, 1 of the 4 children of Rachel Brainerd a Pensioner on the Roll of the Hartford Agency, at the rate of 135 Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836 — has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March to the 12 th July 1839 —
Respectfully yours,
Wilson B. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

East Hadlam, Conn t . Hartford August 7. 1837.
Sir:
I return the papers of Mrs. Rachel Brainard corrected. Be good enough to address your reply to me at this place - Yours Sir:
Very respectfully Yours oft serv t .
Daniel K. Parsons
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Mch. 11. 1897-History to Mr. N. Foote Rochester - N. Y.
1929 Oct 18 - Math. Foote adv. no papers in this claim rel. to Mathaniel Foote - MMVF 1929. Dec. 16 - Mathaniel adv. rel. to date of pen. appl. - MMVF
Rev 20,794 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20794 Rachel Brumard wid Stephen Brumard abt 1800-1880
Act July 4th 1861
Index: Vol. 14 , Page 90
[Arrangement of 1870.]

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER AUG 23 1912 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

NATHANIEL FOOTE COUNSELOR AT LAW AND OFFICIAL REFEREE 903 UNION TRUST BUILDING ROCHESTER, N. Y.
October 22nd, 1929.
Earl D. Church, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MMHF
My dear Sir:-
Since writing you yesterday in this matter it has occurred to me that I would like to know whether Stephen Brainard filed a claim for pension in his life time, for Revolutionary War service, and if so I would like to be furnished with a copy of his application.
Very truly yours,
Nathaniel Foote

NATHANIEL FOOTE COUNSELOR AT LAW AND OFFICIAL REFEREE 903 UNION TRUST BUILDING ROCHESTER, N. Y.
October 21st, 1929.
Earl D. Church, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MMHF
My dear Sir:-
Thanks for your letter of October 18th in reference to the supposed military service of Nathaniel Foote, in the war of the Revolution. I shall follow your suggestion and write to the Adjutant General, War Department, on the subject.
In the meantime I would like to be informed as to the date of the filing of the claim for pension of Rachel Brainard, widow of Stephen Brainard, Connecticut soldier (W 20,794), and as to whether a pension was granted to her.
Very truly yours
Nathaniel Foote

NATHANIEL FOOTE COUNSELOR AT LAW AND OFFICIAL REFEREE 903 UNION TRUST BUILDING ROCHESTER, N. Y.
September 3rd, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
There is a tradition in the Foote family that Nathaniel Foote of Colechester, Connecticut, Westchester Society, served in the Revolutionary war at the Battle of White Plains and in defense of New London, Connecticut, when attacked by British forces. On the strength of an affidavit of these services, made by his daughter, Abigail Foote Loomis, she was admitted to the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolutionary War as a real daughter. There appears to be no record or document or proof of this Revolutionary service. Abigail Foote Loomis who lived to be a hundred years old, is said to have explained that her father's discharge papers and perhaps other documents relating to his war service were loaned to his relative Stephen Brainard of Colchester, Conn., to assist him, Brainard in securing a pension and that these papers were believed to have been sent to Washington by Mr. Brainard and that they were never returned. Another story is that they were burned at the time the British occupied Washington in 1814.
I have had some former correspondence with your office in reference to this matter, but so far as I can recall now it did not occur to me to suggest that perhaps the Foote papers were to be found in the file of the Stephen Brainard papers in your department. I am now writing to ask if you would kindly advise me whether Stephen

September 3rd, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Brainard did make any application for a pension and what action was taken thereon and whether any papers showing the service of Nathaniel Foote were filed with Brainard's application. I would also like to know whether any of the pension papers were destroyed by fire at the time the British occupied Washington in 1814.
Very truly yours,
Nathaniel Foote