Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41,461, Jeffery Brace, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Brace, Jeffery Stiles, Jeff
NUMBER
S 41,461
CONTENTS

10. 204.
Vermont.
See letter to W. White, late Pen. Ag. Oct. 7. 1831.
Jeffery Brace alias Jeff: State of St. Albans in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Meigs of the Connecticut line, for the term of the war — 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th of July 1820 and sent to Seth Wetmore, Esq. St. Albans, Vermont.
Arrears to 4th of March 1821. $ 200.23 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Sept. 1821. 40.00
2 yr. 10 mo. \frac{27}{30} \frac{4}{31} $: 320.23
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
21 st May 1820.
Franklin County.

State of Vermont Franklin County ss
On this fourth day of April 1818. Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of Franklin County Court personally appears Jeffery Brace aged, about Seventy eight-years resident in Georgia in said County of Franklin who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the late act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War. That he the said Jeffery Brace enlisted in Ulsterburg in the State of Connecticut in the fall of the year - but the year does not recollect but thinks it was in the year 1777 in the Company commanded by Lt. Farnbridge afterwards Commanded by Capt Granger in Col. Mige's Regiment in the Connecticut Line afterwards was transferred to Capt. Baker's Company he enlisted for three years, but was returned for during the War. That he continued in said Corps and in the service of the United States until the summer 1783 when he was discharged from said service in West Point. by receiving an honorable discharge with a badge of Merit which discharge is lost - That he was in the battles of White Plains at Stamford, West-chester at Red-Post in New Jersey and received a Wound in his leg at the Capture of Red-post and retreated with the American Army to Red Bank. and he says, although he supposed he enlisted for three years yet as he was returned for during the War he cheerfully served five years & nine months - and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - and that he has no other residence in his house of his said service. He knows his
Sworn to and declared before me the day & year aforesaid -
Jeffery L. Brace Mark
Frederick Bliss asst. Judge of Franklin County Court

I Frederick Bliss Judge of Franklin County Court in & for the County of Franklin & State of Vermont do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jeffrey Brown did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in his said declaration against the Common enemy for the full term of nine Months and more & that the said service was continued nine Months & more in the Continental establishment - and also am personally acquainted with the said Jeffrey Brown & am knowing to his being blind having lost the sight of both of his Eyes. and destitute of property and dependant on the public for a support. That he is in reduced Circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support - that the said Jeffrey Brown reputation for truth & veracity stands unimpaired & will gain Credit wherever he is known - I further Certify the Court over which I preside is a Court of Record and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of the department of War pursuant to the Act of Congress described in the within declaration. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of June - A.D. 1818. at St. Albans -
Frederick Bliss Apts. Judge of Franklin County Court

Jeffery Brice or similar Declaration Supreme Court July Special Term 1821 — copy of Record

Revolutionary Claim, under Act of Congress, May 1, 1820.
STATE OF VERMONT, } Franklin County Supreme Court July Special Term 1821 Franklin COUNTY, ss. } ON this Third day of July
1821 personally appeared in open Court, being the Supreme Court for the County of Franklin & State of Vermont and a Court of Record for said County, and State  Jeffery Brace alias  Jeffery States as to my age I am not certain being born in Africa but I believe I am aged about 85 years, resident late of Georgia now in  Sullivan said County, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, declare that he served in the revolutionary war, as follows:—
I cannot recollect the precise time that I entered the revolutionary war but am sure it was about five years before the close of the war I enlisted in Capt. Parkers Company in Col. Meigs Regiment afterwards commanded by Col. Butler in the Connecticut line but I was frequently transferred and did duty in other regiments but served principally in said Meigs & Butlers Regt. & I continued in the Continental Army until the close of the war in 1783 and was discharged at West Point but have lost my discharge
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me: nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
I have no property of any kind and have been supported for a number of years by Public & private Charity I have no family I am by occupation a farmer or labourer but have been totally blind for about seven years and unable to do any thing for my support Witness my hand his  Jeffery X Brace or States mark
Sworn to and declared on the 3rd day of July 1821
Before the Court Attest Horace Jones Clerk
STATE OF VERMONT, } COUNTY, ss. } I
Horace Jones Clerk of the Supreme
Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Nothing dollars and — cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this 3rd day of July 1821
Horace Jones CLERK.

BRACE JEFFERY (CONN.) S. 41461

Mr. Frederick Bliss releasing from Office. Jeffrey has requested me to take such measures as I shall consider advisable relating to his pension according to what I wrote to the Hon. Samuel C. Crafts, member of the House of Representatives on the subject. in Feb y 1841. I received the papers of Jeffrey together with his Letter addressed to Mr. Crafts. In consequence of Jeffrey being blind & destitute of property, he has been unable to make that search for evidence which otherwise might have been done - he has made his affidavit to the truth  substance of the evidence which he has found after considerable lapse of time.
If consent consentent with the duties of your Office, it would be desirable that re-examination of his papers be made as soon as possible - as should he be entitled to his pension he might have the benefit of as nearly more than two years less capital since he made his application: owing to his forfeiture of being poor - Yours respect ly etc,

41461 INVALID.
Rev
File No. 41461
Jeffrey Brace Rev. Rev. Rev.
Act: 18 March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 60
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Inform the claimant that if he will send a schedule to the Dept. that his case will have a final decision - the objections as to his service & the alteration of his name having been removed.
100
See letter H. 19th Dec 1871
This case is referred to Mr. E. because he has rejected it under the name of "Brace", but there  there appears on the Connecticut roll Meigs' Regiment the name of Jeff Sill enlisted May 26. 1877 in Capt. Humphrey's Company

Amid Datterm Affidavit can Jeffery Stiles -

State of Vermont } On this 3 day of March 1821 Franklin County } before me Seth Washburn one of the Executive Council & Justice for the whole State of Vermont, personally appearing Ansel Patterson, late of Barre in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  State now residing in Georgia in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont. aged fifty six years of age, who being by me first duly sworn according to law etc. depose & say that he was a Soldier in Col. Butler's regiment of Infantry & of the fifth Company in the Connate -cut line for three years, commencing about the year 1780 in the revolutionary army - and that the deponent has this day seen & conversed with a Colored man calling his name Jeffery Brown who says he was in Col. May's May's Regiment afterwards Col. Butler's Regiment of Infantry The deponent cannot at this length of time identify this person as Capt. Barker's Company in said Regiment was composed of Colored persons & this deponent had but little intercourse with said Company this deponent does not recollect the name of the Captain who was commanded the Colored men - the deponent had the impression it was Capt. Barker of this the deponent may be mistaken - the deponent says that the Company of Negroes was generally paraded forwarded on the right of the fifth Company - this deponent thinks he has a clear recollection of the name of Jeffery as belonging to the Negro Company - this deponent in conversing with Jeffery is well persuaded

that Jeffery he was in the a Soldier of Col. Butler's Regiment & belonged to the Negro Company from his narrating so many transactions which took place in the service which he could not have not done had he not been in the service - he narrates the transactions of a mutiny in the Regiment the place where the Regiment lay of the young ladies and especially of one Gaylee being hung. for as supposed to be one of the leaders - the place of her execution - he also narrates the circumstances of many tricks performed by a Negro boy nicknamed the but cat - he also states many circumstances of the Negro boxing - which the deponent recollects - also the different movements of the regiment. that I have no doubt in my mind but what he was a Soldier in said Regiment. - After conversing with him. I a great impression on my mind. as to the name of Stiles I think he may then go by the name of Jeffery Stiles - I trust Patterson
Subscribed & sworn before me the day & year above said - and I further certify that the deponent is a credible witness
Seth Wilkinson Jr. Deem
The deponent further states in addition to the above that Jeffery is now blind and aged which may be

that for the reason of the deponent not being able to and identify him as at this time length of time. He also shows me a wound, which he received which I have a clear recollection of some one Negro having such a wound - Ansel Patten
Sworn & subscribed the day 2 years above said before me Seth Wetmore Justice
State of Vermont Franklin County ss } Franklin County Clerk's office March 22 1821. I Horace Jones Clerk of the County Court aforesaid do hereby certify that Seth Wetmore Esq. of St. Albans in said County is one of the Executive Council and by virtue of said office Ex officio Justice of Peace for the whole State and that the foregoing certificate is signed by him in his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Public Seal of said Court Horace Jones Clerk

Pittsburgh March 22 d
Lee
Hon. Secretary for the Department of War City of Washington

St Albans. (Vermont) 22 March 1821 Hon. the Secretary for the Department of War
Enclosed is the deposition of Amos Patterson to be used in as an additional evidence in the declaration of Jeffery Brant. Also Jeffery Stiles. It is requested that the deposition may be annexed to said declaration.
Jeffery is aged & totally destitute of property & is dependent on his children for a support. and they are all poor. - therefore as soon as the official duties of the Hon. Secretary will permit it is requested that the papers of Jeffery may be examined respectfully. ... for Jeffery
Seth Wetmore

S t Albans. Vt. July 3. 1821
Hon. S t L. Edwards. Your Letter of 11 th Ap r . 21 st 1821. duly recd, in which you observe "the objection to the summing of Jeffrey Brown and the allocation of the name having been removed, a final decision in his case will be made when a schedule of his property shall be recd" - The Supreme Court now in session is the first Court since the reception of your Letter - he has complied with the Act of Congress 5 May 1820. accompanying this - As it appears from his schedule which is the part. that he has for years been dependent on the public & his Children. for a support - that he is blind & unable to perform any labor - It is requested if consistent with the various other duties of your Office. that a decision may be made in his case before the 4 th of Sept next - as soon as or as soon as consistently can be made
Respectfully
Your Ob d Serv t
Seth Wetmore

War Department Pension Office,
February 11 th 1820.
Sir,
Your letter of the 26 th ult o has been received. It was not meant by the observation "the papers of Jeffrey Brace are retained there being a strong belief that they are not founded on truth" to insinuate in the slightest manner that the Judge before whom the declaration of this applicant was made would knowingly sanction any act of fraud, but as the roll of the regiment in which the party stated to have served is considered correct and his name "Jeffry Brace" not having been found thereon, there was strong reason to believe that the statement of this man was erroneous. — His papers with the letter from Seth Wolmore, Esq. in relation to the case are herewith enclosed to your care. — It is stated that this man had another name at, or previous to, the date of his enlistment; if he will make an affidavit stating in it, all the circumstances relating to his change of name and the time & etc having been done & procure the evidence of two persons to whose credibility the Judge can certify, to prove that he served as stated in his declaration, and have the same transmitted to this Department, a re-examination of his papers will be made.
I am, Very respectfully, (Your obed t serv t ) J. L. Edwards
Hon: Sam l C. Crafts, House of Representatives

State of Vermont } Franklin County }
On this 30 day of Dec 1820 before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate, for the District of Georgia personally appears
Silas Strong aged Sixty seven years resident in St. Armand. Province of Lower Canada. who being by him first sworn according to law deposes & saith that he in the year 1778 & 1779. resided in South- bury in the State of Connecticut. was well acquainted with then name cannot recollect States Esq r that he was the owner
of a Negro slave called Jeffery Stites, was well acquainted with Jeffery - that then well understood that Jeffery had enlisted in the army to obtain his freedom - but what Regiment Jeffery belonged to does not now recollect. but remembers that
he saw Jeffery a number of times after his enlistment in a soldiers Uniform with a Leather Cap.
he further recollects that, that same time in the War. but the year does not recollect but thinks it must be in the year 1780. he
was in the State of New York. near West Point. met a Sergeants Guard. all in Uniform. among the Guard saw Jeffery & conversed with him. - I am now an acquainted with a Colonel
Man calling himself Jeffery Brann & know him to be the same person then calling himself Jeffery Stites - Jeffery sometimes was naked named by Pomp London -
Silas Strong
I further Certify that the foregoing is true before whom Jeffery in the presence of the undersigned was sworn to and acknowledged before me this 30 day of Dec 1820 Silas Strong
sworn, acknowledged & subscribed before me this day & year above said & further Certify that the deponent is a Credible Witness
Isaac Williams Judge of Probate

Jeffrey Brant Columbian

State of Vermont Franklin County ss
I Horace James Clerk of the County Court in & for said County do hereby certify that Frederic Otis Clegg before whom the annexed declaration of Jeffrey Brown and affidavit of Samuel C. Brown was made was at the respective dates thereof and now is Judge of Franklin County Court in the State of Vermont and duly qualified for that purpose acting under the authority of this State and his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature and also the Court over which he presides is a Court of Record - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said County Court this 18 th day of July 1878
Horace James Clerk

S. Boozes Deposition base of Jeffry Brace
Jeffry Brace
Syr to B3 - war - Meigs Connecticut
Aug 4 - Apr 1810 -
Admiral of the fleet Admiral of the fleet
May 1812 (Widow letter to Hon: Sam l C. Crafts, House of Reps s U.S. H. Feb. 4. 1820)
S t Albans. Vt. Dec 30. 1820
additional evidence annexed as per Letter to Sam l C. Crafts Esq. Seth Willson
Admitted - See the various papers within -

I Samuel C. Booge. of Fairbank in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont aged Sixty three years being duly sworn depose & say - that Jeffery Boan. native of Georgia in the County of Camden was in the American Service in the years 1777 & 1778. was known to him at belonging to Capt. Brakers Company of Col. Mays Regiment - also was known that he was attached to attached to Capt. Grangers Company This deponent saith that he was in the American Service in the Capacity of Lt. in Col. Chandlers Col Dungers & Col. Webbs Regiment. that the deponent was knowing that the said Jeffery Boan. was a faithful Soldier. and can say there was no better Soldier in the Army - this deponent has resided in the same Town of the said Boan for several years and now resides in an adjoining Town - and can say that he is a man of Truth. that he is poor & blind and has depended on the Town of Georgia for his support for about two years last past - and without the assistance of the Bible & friends he must suffer - Samuel C Booge
Sworn & subscribed before me this 4 th day April 1818. L P
further saith that the said C. Booge is a Credible Witness
Frederick Bliss Asst Judge of Franklin County Court

State of Vermont } Franklin County } ss
On this 9 day of May 1820 before me the subscriber Judge of Probate, who being by me personally
appears Jonathan Brooks of the Swanton in the County of Franklin, & State of Vermont, aged Seventy four years, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, state, that, at the time of the commencement of the American Revolution, he resided in South-Carolina in Connecticut, he was knew a slave, by the name of Jeffery, his master name was Benjamin Stiles Esq. the slave was was called Jeffery Stiles - he is now present & known by the name of Jeffery Brann - he has been the depo deponent saith that a short period before the commencement of the revolution, he removed from South-Carolina - in the year 1776, he was at South- Carolina in a Unit, & then understood from several persons at South-Carolina that Jeffery was was there in the service, for his freedom - I have known Jeffery about ten years in this County - and was informed by Jeffery that he had altered his name to Jeffery Brann, and assumed the name by stating that after he was obtained his freedom took the name of his Father Brann - Jeffery was at Connecticut & some my knowledge of him in this County sustained the Character of an honest man - Jonathan Brooks
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Jonathan Brooks and that he is a Creditable & Truthful man
John D. Sleeper Esq. Clerk
sworn subscribed before me the 9th day of May 1820 J. D. Sleeper Esq. Judge of Probate

State of Vermont Franklin county ss
Franklin county Clerks Office December 30th, 1820
Horace Janes of St Albans clerk of the county court in and for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Seth and was Whitmore Esq r of St Albans, a Judge of Probate within and for the district of Georgia duly appoin- ted by the Legislature of this State to that Office and that the foregoing certificates are signed by him in his own proper hand & writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Public Seal of said court -
Horace Janes Clerk
L

State of Vermont } On this 9 day of May 1820 personally Franklin County } before me Seth Wihman Judge of Probate for the district of Georgia. In the State of Vermont, personally appears Jeffrey Brown of the town of Georgia, in said County - aged between seventy & eighty years of age - a Man of Color, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, I carefully examined and interrogated making the following declaration in addition to his declaration made before the Hon. Frederick Bliss Esq., on the 14 day of April 1818, and says that at the time he entered agreedly to his said declaration he was a slave to Benjamin Stites Esq. of Southbury in Connecticut that he went by the name of Jeffrey Stites - afterward he altered his name to Jeffrey Brown he had the impression that he altered his name at the time of his enlistment, but upon more mature reflection he thinks that he must have altered his name at the time of his discharge the reasons for altering his name was that he was impressed from Coffee when a lad. that his Father's name was Brown after he consid- -ered himself discharged from his master he concluded to take the name of his Father - Brown - was the reasons of his altering his name
sworn, signed, & declared before me the day & year above said. I further certify that the Hon. Frederick Bliss, the Judge before whom, the above declaration was made is not now in office -
Seth Wihman Judge of Probate Clerk
Seth Wihman Judge of Probate
Commissioner of Probate