Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16662, Joseph Bryant, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bryant, Joseph
NUMBER
S. 16662
carded
CONTENTS

Letter to Rev. Mr. Loring 1839 Letter to Rev. Mr. Loring 1839 Cited to Letter to Rev. Mr. Loring 1839
STATE OF MAINE D. S. 20 Joseph Bryant of Cumberland in the State of Maine who was a Master in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col. Ginner in the Maine Mass line for Genl. Ormsby - 1st Regt 15th Inf'ty
Inscribed on the Roll of MAINE at the rate of $____ Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Sept 1830 and sent to Mr. C. Anderson Portland Maine Arrears to the 1st of Sept 1833 $237.50 Semi-annual allowance ending March 1st 1834 - 47.50 $285.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by McCosker Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1st Page 4

21.524. Maine
Joseph Bryant, dec d .
in the State of Maine who was a private in the Master commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the line for 2 years Mass.
One from $95.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 170 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Ending 20 March 1847,
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Feby 1857. and sent to Y. C. Ames Parent Arrears to the 4th of Semiannual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by H. C. Robinson Clerk, Book 1. Vol. 2, Page 6

United States of America.
Maine District ss.
At a special District Court of the United States begun and held at Portland, within and for said district on the seventeenth day of October, A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty-two before the Honorable Abner Ware , Judge of said Court.
On this seventeenth day of October, aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court before said District Judge Joseph Bryant , a resident of Baldwin in the county of Cumberland, in said Maine District, aged seventythree 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 was born in Stoneham, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, on the twelfth day of October, A.D. seventeen hundred and fifty-nine that he entered the service, in the revolutionary war, a volunteer, on the nineteenth day of April, A.D. seventeen hundred, and seventy five, a private soldier, in the company of which his father was ensign, (Joseph Bryant, of Stoneham) John Gerry, lieutenant & Samuel Sprague, captain, commissioned under the colonial British government, - that on the morning of leaving home, the officers burned their commissions, and declared themselves free of said British government, - that he marched, and was in the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker hill, - that the night previous to the battle of Bunker hill, he was on guard duty at Craig's point, and marched on to the hill before sunrise, in the morning, and was on the left during the action under the command of Col. Gardner, continued there more than six months in service at Charlestown, Malden and Cambridge, and was then dismissed - In October A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy-five, I volunteered, as a private soldier and was sent under the direction of Thomas Green, of Charlestown, to cut wood for the army stationed at Cambridge, at Medford, which I continued until the evacuation of Boston, by the British, when in company with Joseph Blochard, and Benjamin Blochard, I went on to Fort castle William, in Boston harbor, which had been blown up, to assist in repairing, and continued there until the twentysecond day of April, A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy six, when I was dismissed

I continued at home a few days - the latter part of April. A. D. 1776. I volunteered as one of the guards, under Col. Brown of Reading, to carry money for supplies to the prisoners, at Quebec, who were captained with Ar- nold - the money was carried on horseback in bags - went to Springfield, from Watertown, - then to Albany, - then to Fort George, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, where we deposited the money, and returned to Fort George, - and was exchanged into the regiment of Col. Reed of Lit- leton, stationed at said Fort, and served as Quar- ter Master in said regiment, four months, - was then dismissed, and returned to Stoneham, having been absent six months. On the first of December A. D. 1776. I volunteered into the company of Capt. Abraham Goodd of Stoneham, - Col. Thacher, of Cambridge, commanding the regiment, - as a substitute for Joseph Emerson, and served as Quarters Master, - my father Joseph Bryant, of Stoneham served as Major. we marched to Springfield, then to Danbury, and then to Newark, New Jersey, where we spent a few weeks, and went from thence to Spangtown, New Jersey, where we continued until relieved by a regiment under Col. Lockhart, from the south, when we were dismissed after a ser- vice of three months, - the night before we were dismissed, just as day light, we were attacked by a party of British, - the regiment retreated about half a mile, and formed, advanced upon the British, who retreated after receiving twenty fires, - in this action a number were killed and wounded on our part. Pipho Howe, of Marlborough, served as Lieut. Colonel of this regiment. I arrived at home in March or April, A. D. 1777. In September A. D. 1777. I again volunteered.

ed in the company of Capt Abraham Foster, of Reading, - regiment of Col. Brown, my father Jos- eph Bryant, of Stoneham, a Major, and served as a Quarters Master, - we marched and arrived at Springfield, the day the battle of Bannington was fought - thence to Albany, and then joined the main army under Gen. Gates - our regiment was stationed at Stillwater, and was in that battle, and in the pursuit to Bemis' Heights. our Col. did not join his regiment, and the regiment was under the command of Lieut. Col. Benjamin Brown, of Reading. After the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, we returned to Boston about the last of December, A. D. 1777, and was quartered at Fort No 2. Cambridge, until my time of service expired, of three months. In December, A. D. 1777, I volunteered as a substitute of Jacob Putnam, in the company under the command of Col. Wallace Lord, of Wilmington, - Elazar Brooks Col. and was stationed at Fort No 2. Cambridge as a private soldier. - and then On the first day of January, A. D. 1782, I volunteered as Quarters Master, in the regiment of Col. Benjamin Brown, and joined said regiment at Watertown, marched thence, and joined the army under Washington at Kingsbridge, near New York, - where we continued, one month, and then march- ed to Claverack, where we were stationed until the expiration of our term of service of three months, when we were dismissed. I received a warrant from Col. Brown, which is attached to this declaration. - I was a volunteer, never received a discharge. I was living in Stone- ham, when called into service, and continued so to live until the year 1790, when I removed to Westmoreland in the state of New Hampshire where I lived six years, in the family of Joseph Benton, a physician, whose affidavit is attached.

then removed to Hartford, in the state of Connecticut and continued there until the year, A.D. seventeen hundred and ninety nine, and returned to Stoneham, and resided in Stoneham until the year A.D. eighteen hundred and twenty, and then removed to Baldwin in the state of Maine, where I have since continued to reside. I further certify that my age is seventy three years as certified by the town clerk of Stoneham, Massachusetts, attached - that I know of no individual now living, who was with me in either the terms of service afore mentioned, and that my whole term of service is twenty seven months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any state, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the state of Maine.
Joseph Bryan
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before
Asahel Ware
{ U.S. Survey for the District of Columbia.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And that John B. Megquier Esquire who took the annexed depositions is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified as such for the County of Cumberland.
In testimony whereof, I Isaac Mussey Clerk of said District Court, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, on this twenty fourth day of October, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Isaac Mussey Clerk U.S. Courts

27078
Joseph Bryant, Cumberland co. Maine
x Dr Master 9 Mths Prnts 15 " 24
e.f.
x Allow him to pay by order of Mr E.
$95 00 190 00 147 50 237 50
Hon J. Anderson esq; Portland Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjóined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Bryant
   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.     April 1775 3 Private Col. Gardner 73   Octbr —X 6 — no officers Stonham Tradition   April 1776X 6 — Col. Brown / Col. Dyer Massa. 2 witnesses testify to part of service - credibility not certified.   — 3 2. Master Col. Thacher   — 3 2. M. Col. Lockwood   Sept. 1777 3 2. M. Col. Brown   3 Private Col. Brooks   3 2. M. warrant  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
X Officers not returned. X An indefinite part of this term of service employed as a guard.
50 215 95

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record..
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers ; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ; ) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service ; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, 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.
[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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the years, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served ; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.

Rev d James Osgood departed this life the 2 nd day of March A D 1745
Wid w Sarah Hunt departed this life the 11 th day of August A D 1801 Aged 83 years
Col l Joseph Bryant departed this life the 14 th day of April A D 1810
Wid w Abigail Bryant departed this life the 26 th day of October A D 1826
Joseph Bryant j r son of Joseph Bryant & Sarah Bryant his wife was born in Stoneham the 8 th day of March A D 1729
Joseph Bryant j r & Miss Abigail Osgood Daughter of the Rev d James Osgood & Sarah Osgood his wife was joined in marriage the 3 rd day of October A D 1752
Joseph Bryant 3 rd son of Joseph Bryant j r & Abigail Bryant his wife was born in Stoneham the 12 th day of October A D 1759
True Copy from the Town record Attest Joseph Bruck Town Clerk
Stoneham Februy 11 th 1832

Freeman Bradford Portland Maine

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss. On this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty per- sonally appeared before the subscriber William Bryant now in Boston in the county aforesaid, but a resident of Stoneham in the county of Middlesex aged fifty six years of age who upon oath makes the following declan- ation in order to obtain the arrears of Pension and an increased rate of Pension due his father Joseph Bryant late of Baldwin County of Cumberland and State of Maine And this declarant states that he is one of the children of the said Joseph Bryant. He states that his father was a resident of Stoneham Mass- achusetts in the time of the Revolu- tion, that he was a soldier of the revolution and a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 7th June 1832 and he believes that he was placed on the list of Pensioners at the rate of ninety five dollars

Her annuity for service as private and Quartermaster in the Revolution. This declarant believes that the service of his father as quartermaster was not com- puted according to his grade and class in an increase of pension therefor. He further states that his father the late Joseph Bryant died at Baldwin Main on the 20 of March 1847 and left no widow and that Joseph Bryant Betsy Brooks and William Bryant your de- clarant are the only surviving children He therefore claims an increase of Pension and refers to the original declaration of his father for proof of service. William Bryant
Suffolk, ss. November 27. 1850. Personally appeared the said William Bryant and made oath that the above declaration, by him subscribed, is true.
Before me, H. M. Wells Jas. Pease

To L. M. Genl. U. S. Army substation. J. W.
16. 662 INVALID.  own
Oct. 4, 1909. For L.
16, 662
Joseph Bryant
Pre Civil War
June 7 th 82
Vol. 1 , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To Joseph Bryant Jun r of Stoneham — Greeting. Being Acquainted with your Abilities and Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Courage and Good Conduct do by these Presents constitute and appoint you the said Joseph Bryant Jun r Quartermaster of the second Regiment of Militia in the County of Middlesex.
You are therefore carefully and Diligently to Discharge the Duty of Quartermaster in Said Regiment in all things Appertaining thereto observing from time to time such orders and Instructions as you Shall Receive from your Superior Officers according to the Militia Rules and Discipline established by the Law of this Common Wealth for which This Shall be your Sufficient Warrant
Given under my Hand and Seal the first Day of January 1782
Benj a Brown Atty

We John Briggs a clergyman residing in the town of Baldwin and Joseph Richardson residing in the same hereby certify, that we have known Joseph Bryant, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, for the period of five years; that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in the opinion, and believe him to be a man of truth.
Sworn and subscribed this sixteenth day of October, A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty-two.
Before
John Briggs
Cumberland J. October 16. 1832.
Joseph Richardson
Then the above named John Briggs and Joseph Richardson made oath to the truth of the above statement by them subscribed before me,
John L. Megquier, Just. of the Peace.
We Joseph Richardson, and Samuel Ingalls, both of Baldwin, certify that we have been acquainted with Joseph Bryant, of Baldwin, several years, and have frequently heard him narrate, the leading facts embraced in the above declaration, some years previous to the passing of the pension law of June 7. 1832.
Sworn and subscribed, this sixteenth day of October, A.D. 1832.
Before me.
Joseph Richardson Samuel Ingalls
Cumberland J. October 16. 1832.
Then Joseph Richardson and Samuel Ingalls made oath to the truth of the above statement by them subscribed, before me.
John L. Megquier, Just. of the Peace.
Cumberland J. June 20. 1833. I certify that Joseph Richardson & Samuel Ingalls, whose names are above subscribed, are credible witnesses.
John L. Megquier, Just. of the Peace.

I Joseph Benton of Baldwin, state of Maine, do certify, that I am sixty nine years of age, that I resided in Westmoreland, state of New Hampshire, from the year 1789 to the year 1797. that Joseph Bryant named in the above declaration, personally known to me, lived in my family, in said Westmoreland, and during said period related to me, the leading facts embraced in his declaration that I have personally known the said Bryant since the year of our Lord one hundred and ninety, and I believe him to be a man of veracity. I further state that I am a practising medicine in Baldwin aforesaid. Joseph Benton Sworn and subscribed this nineteenth day of October A. D. 1832 before me.
{ Cumberland ss. June 20. 1833. I certify that the above named Joseph Benton is a credible witness in my opinion. John L. Megquier Justice of the Peace
Joseph Richardson Justice Peace.
State of Maine - Cumberland county ss. I W m T. Vaughan clerk of the courts of Cumberland county do certify that Joseph Richardson Justice is a magistrate as above - and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine as I believe. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this twenty seventh day of October A. D. 1832.
W m T. Vaughan
{ Clerk of the courts of Cumberland county.

Burlington June 23 rd 1833
Sir. I again request your attention to the claim of Jos Bryant, having supplied the certificate of credibility of witnesses as required by the enclosing letter . The credibility of Bladger was certified to by the Magistrate at the time his deposition was taken as will be seen by reference thereto - Mr. Mcguire, who is a highly respectable Magistrate of this City has certified to the credibility of the others which was undoubtedly omitted by him when he took their affidavits -
The second & third terms of service are objected to - the 1 st for want of officers names. & second for want of specific time in guard service - It will be seen in looking at his declaration that he commenced the 2 d period in Oct 1775 & served under the orders of Col. Green in cutting wood for the Army at Cambridge until the British evacuated Boston. The British evacuated Boston in March 1776. This would make 5 mo. under Green. even if the balance of his time employed in repairing Fort William is rejected for want of his officers names. The second objection is to the 3 d term & for not stating definitely how long he served as guard & how long in Col. Fields Reg't as Quarter Master - On looking at his declaration it appears he served at this time 6 months & 5 months he says was in Col. Fields Reg't. which leaves the time of service as guard at one month . Of therefore his guard service in

carrying money to the prisoners at Rebel is rejected & also his service in Fort Union, there will be two months to be deducted from his whole time & the residue is I believe, substantiated agreeable to your rules by the best evidence that can now be procured. Mr Bryant character is as fair as that of any man in the country, of which fact I have made a certificate in my former letter, which will I presume have weight in your decision in his case. If I rightly understand your objectives, they are two all services, save as to one month in each of the 6 months services, which two months I will undertake to relinquish for Mr Bryant rather than incur the delay necessary for further evidence if indeed any further can be had.
I am Sir, very respectfully yours John Bracken
Asst. Q.M. Edm. Rags Commission of Reserves
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

STATE OF MAINE.
PROBATE COURT, }
Cumberland County, ss. }
Be it Known, That on this third day of December 18 50 it has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That Joseph Bryant late of Baldwin was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, and that he died at Said Baldwin on the twentieth day of March 184 7 . And that Joseph Bryant, Betsey Sweetser and William Bryant, are
the Children and the only surviving children of the said Joseph Bryant deceased, and that he left no widow.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this third day of December , in the year 18 50
Freeman Bradford } Register of Probate for Cumberland County.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 29 th 1880.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Horatio M. Willis was a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
H. Callan
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Phinehas Bloget of Stoneham in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts Yeoman upwards of sixty nine years old do depose and say that, in the year A.D. 1775 on the nineteenth day of April I volunteered into the Company commanded by Capt. Samuel Sprague of said Stoneham and went on said nineteenth day of April, on an alarm that the British troops were marching from Boston to Concord to Lexington and met the said British troops in Lincoln Between Lexington and Concord and had a skirmish with them and then followed them to Cambridge and there encamped, and soon after in the last of April I enlisted into the Company commanded by said Samuel Sprague for the term of eight months, and remained under said Spragues command about three months, when I in consequence of Spragues leaving if I now remember correctly, I was transferred into a company commanded by a Capt Glower, if I remember right, of New Hampshire, and there in said Cambridge did military duty for the whole term of eight months, and was then discharged. During which time I was well acquainted with Joseph Bryant who was then called Joseph Bryant 3 d his father Joseph and grandfather Joseph being then living at in said Stoneham, and said Joseph Bryant 3 d now lives in Baldwin in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine, and I well remember that he was went with me in said Company to Lexington and Cambridge and there performed military duty for the term of three months, and left when his Capt. Samuel Sprague left if I remember correctly, and I further depose and say that I remember that in October A.D. 1775 while I was on fatigue of said Joseph Bryant 3 d being employed in cutting wood for

supply the Army at Cambridge, at the Barracks and at Medford, where he was employed in cutting as aforesaid till the British troops left Boston.
I further remember of its being reported that at that time, in April or in the spring of the year 1776. That said Bryant went was employed to carry money to help the prisoners who were captured in Canada but do not know any further except I know he was then absent, and returned, I believe, some time in the fall, 1776. I further remember that said Bryant after his return in the fall of 1776, volunteered into the Company commanded by Capt. Abraham Gould of Stoneham, and went away from said Stoneham and returned some time in the spring of 1777 in the month of March or April I believe.
I further depose and say that I remember that late in the fall of 1777 or early in the winter of 1778 of said Bryant going to Cambridge to guard at Cambridge the troops as a substitute for Jacob Butler. Where he remained as near as I can recollect not for from three months. The reason why I remember the foregoing services of said Bryant was that I considerably of the time worked at and for his father Joseph Bryant and well remember when he went away and where it was then said he was going, and he that was then called Joseph Bryant 3 d is the very identical Joseph Bryant who now lives in Baldwin aforesaid. and I have frequently heard his services reported in the neighborhood where in said Stoneham where he then lived, I further say that Joseph Bryant the Grandfather of said Joseph Bryant 3 d died between the year AD 1775 and the year 1780. but I do not know precisely the year in which he died I am satisfied however that the period of his death was between those years.

and
and I further say not
Reading May 23 d A.D. 1833.
his Phinehas Blagett mother
State of Massachusetts } County of Middlesex }
On this twenty third day of May A.D. 1833
Phinehas Blagett who personally appeared is a credible witness and made oath that the facts contained in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed are true according to his best knowledge and belief
Before me Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Elias Thurney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of record in said County, do certify that Joshua Prescott Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, & that his name set to the foregoing Certificate is his true & proper signature —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the twenty fourth day of May 1833
E. Thurney

Joseph Bryant, &c
Me
9 mo 2 nd Master $120 15 " Pri 50
Due to $170
Bedg former payts at $95, Fridg 20 March 1847 Payable to
Joseph Bryant, William Bryant & Betsey Sweetser only surviving children
G. G. Ames, Present

House of Reps Dec 10 '50
In Sir
I enclose the papers of William Bryant for an in- pension - now ask your attention to the same at your earliest convenience
Yours truly J. S. Heath Jr Sec of Army Comm of Pensions

Sir
Washington, Decem. 7. 1858
Enclosed you will please find a Communication from Freeman Bradford Esq. of Portland Me. Authorizing me to attend to the Application of the Claim for Increase forwarded by him, through the Hon. E. Gerry, in the Case of Joseph Bryant decd.
You will be pleased to cause the Case to be reported to me as directed by Mr. Bradford
Very respectfully Yours O bed Servt
Geo. L. Ames
P.S. In this Case I understand that 9 Mo as a Quarters Master and 13 Mo as a private has been allowed. The Service, Quarters Master was Computed as Sergeants pay only. In the Case of Ashbel P. Baldwin the Secretary of the Interior decided that the pension of an Assistant Q u . Master should be Computed at Captains pay or $4.80 p ann for 2 years Service.
G. L. A.

Portland Dec 4. 1850
Dear Sir
I have to request that you will take charge of the case of Joseph Bryant whose application for an increase of Pension made by his children under the Act of 1832 I have sent to the Hon Elbridge Gerry. He will present the same to the commissioner of Pensions forthwith.
I am respectfully your Oblt Servt F d Bradford
George L. Ames Esq Washington D.C.