Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,006, Joel Brownson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Brownson Joel Bronson or
815,006
carded
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]

Dead Letter to Hon. D. D. Root Jp 24 th June 1841.
9823
Connecticut.
Joel Bronson
of Farmington in the State of Conn. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Meigs. of the Reg t commanded by Col o Ward. in the Conn t line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn t at the rate of 80. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of June. 1833. and sent to Hon ble Whitman, Farmington, Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 1833. 160. Semi-ann l . allowance ending 4 Sept r 33. 40.
$200.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Palmer Clerk Book E. Vol. 3. Page four,

9/55 Joel Bronson Claim for Pension -

State of Connecticut - Hartford County } S Farmington September 1 st 1832 -
On this 1 st day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for Farmington District, in Hartford County, now sitting, Joel Bronson a resident of Burlington in the County and State aforesaid, aged 73 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - (viz)
1 st On the 15 th day of July 1776 he enlisted into a company of State troops commanded by Capt. Meigs of Col. Ward's regiment for the term of one year, he immediately proceeded to New York and joined the regiment; after the capture of New York he retreated with the army, and continued with it at Fort Lee, White Plains and other places above New York, till the month of May 1777, when, on his engaging in the continental service, he was discharged -
2 d On or about the 9 th day of May 1777, he enlisted for 3 years as a private into a company on the continental establishment, attached to the 8 th Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Col. Isaac Sherman, and served in that regiment until the 7 th day of May 1780 - During this time his regiment was principally employed at West Point and on the Hudson river, sometimes in New Jersey; and he was regularly discharged at the end of the term -
In the year 1778, his regiment was attached to the command of Gen Sullivan - (on account of the applicant's being totally deaf, and of the extreme difficulty of communicating with him, further particulars of his service are omitted, and not deemed necessary) -
In answer to the interrogatories propounded, he says - 1 st He was born in that part of Farmington, now Southington on the 9 th day of March 1759 -
2 d He knows of no record of his age -
3 d When called in service he was living in Southington, and has lived there and in Bristol and Burlington ever since
4 th already answered -
5 th He had a worthy discharge, but it is lost -
6 th He is generally known in the town where he resides and in the neighboring towns -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state —
Joel B. Brandon
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid —
Samuel Whitman Judge of Probate Farmington District —
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 I do further certify that Elisha Phelps is comptroller of the public accounts of this State, and that the accompanying certificate, signed by him, is in his proper hand writing, and with his proper signature, which is well known to me —
Samuel Whitman Judge of Probate Farmington District —
J. Henry Nash, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Farmington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joel Brandon for a Pension — And I also certify that Samuel Whitman, who has affixed his name, in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate of the District of Farmington —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 3 d day of September 1832 —
Henry Nash Clerk

9155 Joel Bronson Connecticut
lost on boat Adm for 2 years $80 Adm for 2 years
Samuel Whitinaw Farmington Connecticut

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 subjjoined 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 Isaac Bronson Wartford Ct Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1770 1 7 " Knit Capt Meigs Col Ward New York 73 Years Documentary   ~ 1777 3 - - do " Genl Sullivan White Plains West Point New Jersey Southington Inardition Evidence + 1 Witness No Clergyman  
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 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 _____
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 _____ of the Court of _____ 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) _____ 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 day 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 (l) 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 he 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 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 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. & 1812 Wars Section.
AW Am April 20, 1927.
Mr. E. S. Brownson, Sr. Norman Farms, Clinton, N. J.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that you are herewith furnished the history of the only Joel Brownson, or Bronson found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 15006, it appears that Joel Brownson was born March 9, 1759, in that part of Farmington, Connecticut, which was later Southington and resided at said Southington, when he enlisted July 6, 1776. He served as a private, in Captain Meigs' Company, Colonel Ward's Connecticut Regiment and was in the retreat from New York, at the battle of White Plains and was discharged in May 1777.
He re-enlisted May 9, 1777, name of captain not stated. served as private in Colonel Isaac Sherman's Eight Connecticut Regiment and was discharged May 7, 1780.
He was allowed pension at the rate of $80 per annum on his application executed September 1, 1832, at which time he resided at Burlington, Hartford County, Connecticut.

The date of his death is not on record and there is no information on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Elisha Wells Catharine a Jarl Bronson —

Comptrollers Office Aug 29 th 1832
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify, that it appears from the books of the Pay Table remaining in this Office, that in the settlement with the 8 th Connecticut Regiment, Isaac Sherman Colo; before January 1780, that Joel Bronson, was allowed and paid for service from the 9 th day of May 1777 to the first day of January 1780, as a private, being two years seven months & twenty two days; and that in the settlement with the same Regiment for the year 1780, he was allowed for serving as a private therein, from the first day of January 1780 to the 7 th day of May being four months and seven days.
Elisha Phelps

Thomas Days Catharine do Joel Bromon -

I, THOMAS DAY , Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That David Frisbie , Esquire, is, and for more than one year last past, has been, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New-Haven in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Justice in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 22 nd day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty thirty-two.
Thomas Day

Stephen Cushing Certificate on Juel Brownson

State of Connecticut New Haven County ss Wolcott August 14 th D 1832 -- Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before me David Grisbie Justice of the Peace within and for sd County duly commissioned & sworn Stephen Carter of Wolcott in New Haven County State of Connecticut to me personally known & who is a credible witness who being first duly sworn on oath declares & says that he is well acquainted with Joel Bronson of Burlington Hartford County State of Connecticut knew him previous to the war of the revolution & have known him ever since -- In the year 1776 in the month of July 6th day he enlisted for one year as it was called & joined the army at New York under the command of Genl Sullivan of Connecticut state troops under Capt. Weiss of East Guilford Col. Ward's Regt. & served at New York & at Fort Lee at the White Plains & in the Battle there & served in the Army untill the expiration of the time for which he enlisted & was regularly discharged from his service in the troops belonging to the Army of the then United States of America in 1777 on the 14 th day of May Stephen Carter
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
Wolcott August 14 th 1832. David Grisbie Justice of the peace

04 June 1841
Dear Dr. Minnoch
G. L.
141
141

379 Pension Office 24 th June 1841.
Sir.
I herewith return the papers in the case of Joel Broomson dec d . The regulations of the Department require, that the Clerk of the Court should certify under his seal of Office that the Magistrate who acts Officially in the case is a Justice of the peace and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
To obviate the necessity of returning the papers, if either of the members of Congress from Connecticut will certify that Simon Woodruff and Salmon Gridley are justices of the peace, and if one of the Pennsylvania delegation will certify that J. D. Humphrey is a Magistrate, the arrears of Pension will be paid. — When this shall have been done, you will please forward the papers to P. Hagner, Joint Auditor of the Treasury that the pension may be paid in conformity to the Act of the 6 th April 1838.
I have the
Hon D. Dimock Jr House of Representatives.

P
15006 INVALID.
File No. 15 006
Joel Bronson Rev. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Oct. 4. 1918. History to Edw. S. Bronson. p. 338 Henry St. Brooklyn, N.Y. also advised of cost of photo copies. New correspondence re: Bronson letter 1927 apr 27. Must be E.S. Brownson & advised the only one. and

Rev. War Section.
October 4, 1918.
Mr. Edward S. Brownson, Sr.
258 Henry Street,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Sir:
In reply to your personal inquiry of the twenty-third ultimo, you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor's File No. 15,006, it appears that Joel Brownson was born March 9, 1759, in that part of Farmington, Connecticut, which was later Southington and resided at said Southington when he enlisted July 6, 1776. He served as private in Captain Meig's company, Colonel Ward's Connecticut regiment, was in the retreat from New York, at the battle of White Plains and was discharged in May 1777.
He re-enlisted May 9, 1777, name of captain not stated, served as private in Colonel Isaac Sherman's Eighth Connecticut regiment and was discharged May 7, 1780.
He was allowed pension at the rate of $80 per annum on his application executed September 1, 1832, at which time he resided at Burlington, Hartford County, Connecticut.
The date of his death is not on record, nor is there any data on file as to his family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
See Mr. Brownson's card and letter relative to cost of photostat copies in Thompson Stelle W 72 21-