Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3084, William Brewster, New York.

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Brewster, William
S 3084
Carded.
CONTENTS

1888 July 19 - S. H. Cary - History - Prior
Ohio. $2.320.-
Wm Brewster
of Hamilton in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the C.C. commanded by Captain Goodwin of the Regt. commanded by Col. Woodruff in the New York line for two years.
April 19-1834 A B
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of Oct. 1833. and sent to Mrs. J. Henderson, Cincinnati Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Nov 34.
$
Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Wm H. Palmer Clerk,
Recorded by Book 8.
Vol. 8
Page 3.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832
The State of Ohio
County of Hamilton
on this seventeenth day of June A D 1833 personally appeared before the Honorable judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County now sitting. William Brewster a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy 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 provisions 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 Captain Godwin Lieutenant Benjamin Benscourter his field officers were General Heath Col Swartout the name of his Major he does not recollect at Fishkill New York in the year 1776 and from there took water and landed at Pickskill and marched from there to Kings bridge and from there to the White Plains and was there during the Battle but was not brought in to the engagement and some days after the battle was over marched back to the North River to a place called Tyre town and there embarked on board of a Sloop and sailed up the North River to Fort Constitution and there remained until dischar- ged having served "Five months" AND again entered the service at Pickskill New York two or three weeks afterwards under the following named officers viz Capt Crawford a place called Continental Village near Pickskill New York in the year 1777 under the follow- ing named officers viz Capt Crawford Major Campbell and Genl Putnam the name of his Lieut and Ensign

judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County now sitting. William Brewster a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy 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 provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz Captain Godwin Lieutenant Benjamin Benscoter his field officers were General Heath Col Swartout the name of his Major he does not recollect at Fishkill New York in the year 1776 and from there took water and landed at Pickskill and marched from there to Kings bridge and from there to the White Plains and was there during the battle but was not brought in to the engagement and some days after the battle was over marched back to the North River to a place called Tyre town and there embarked on board of a sloop and sailed up the North River to Fort Constitution and there remained until dischar- ged having served "Five months" AND again entered the service at Pickskill New York two or three weeks afterwards under the following named officers viz Capt Crawford a place called Continental Village near Pickskill New York in the year 1777 under the follow- ing named officers viz Capt Crawford Major Campbell and Genl Putnam the name of his Lieut and Ensign he does not recollect and remained there and in that neighborhood guarding the lines and performing military duty " one " year when he was honourably discharged - AND again in the yr following entered the service at the place last above named and under the last named officers. and remained

there and in that neighborhood guarding the lines standing centre and performing other military duty " seven " months and was again discharged: and again soon after that is to say in the same year entered the service as a substitute for one William Langdon at Pictou and was stationed at and remained near Continent- =l village aforesaid until discharged having served "three" months his officers were Capt Post, and Genl Putnam has the names of his other officers he does not recollect. his time was occupied during this tour in guarding the lines and performing other military duty as aforesaid - His whole term of service for which he claims a pension amounts to "two years and three months" that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service 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
William his Brewster mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Note the words in the 10 th 11 th and 12 th lines from the bottom first page done before signing
Dan. Farn C. H. P. H. C. P. O. H. O.
We Daniel Hayden a clergyman residing in the County aforesaid and Ebenezer Harrison also a resident of said County Sincerely certify that we are well acquainted with William Brewster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution

That inasmuch as during the time I have recollected, his time was occupied during this tour in guarding the lines and performing other military duty as aforesaid - His whole term of service for which he claims a pension amounts to "two years and three months" that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service 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
William his Brewster mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
After the words in the 10th 11th and 12th lines from the bottom first page done before signing
Dan. Gano Chas. H. C. P. Ohio
We Daniel Hayden a clergyman residing in the county aforesaid and Ebenezer Harrison also a resident of said county, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Brewster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolu- tion and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & yr aforesaid
Dan. Gano Chas. H. C. P. Ohio
Daniel Hayden Ebenezer Harrison

Interrogatories Propounded by the Court to the applicant
1 Where and in what year were you born Ans in the year 1762 In West Chester County New York 2nd Have you any record of your age if so where is it
Ans None that I know of
3rd where were you living when called in to service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans at Poughkeepsie New York and remained in that State until seventeen years since when I removed to this County where I have resided since -
4 How were you called in to service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Ans Always volunteered except the last three months tour when I was a substitute for one William Langdon
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of yr service Ans Genl Mc Dougall Genl Clinton Genl Putnam the general circumstances of my service is detailed in the body of this my declaration
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
Ans None other than a verbal one from my Officers
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 the beliefs of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans John Hayden Nathaniel Whittaker William Schuermaker Captain James Root

and where do you now live Ans at Pickskill New York and remained in that State until seventeen years since when I removed to this County where I have resided since -
4 How were you called in to service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom Ans Always volunteered except the last three months tour when I was a substitute for one William Langdon
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of yr service Ans Genl Mc Dougall Genl Clinton Genl Putnam the general circumstances of my service is detailed in the body of this my declaration
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
Ans None other than a verbal one from my Officers 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 the beliefs of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans John Hayden Nathaniel Whittaker William Miller Schoonmaker Captain James Robb John Hopper Richard Potkin Jacob Felter John Snyder
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid William his Brewster mark I am a true copy

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 that Court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel Gaden who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County aforesaid and that Ebenezer Harrison who has also signed the same is a resident of said County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Cincinnati this 17 th of June 1833.
Danl. Gano Clerk
I Daniel Gano clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Hamilton aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Brewster for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17 th day of June 1833
Danl. Gano Clerk
No. 524

H. 524. 22. 320
William Breasted Ohio
Adm 2 years $80
Thomas J. Henderson Cincinnati Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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 William Barrister
   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.     1776. 5 private Capt. Goodwin 7th years   1777. 4. " Col. Smartout Reskilled Traditionary.   " Capt. Conarford N.Y.   " Major. Campbell   1778. 7. " Same Officers   3 " Capt. Post  
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 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, (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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about 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.
¶ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

April 29, 1938
William Brewster S. 3084 BA-J/AWF Q
Mrs. Ellis Evans Newark, R.R. 3 Ohio
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Jacob Eades of Maryland, John Robinson of Virginia, and William Brewster of New York and Hamilton County, Ohio.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request for Revolutionary War data.
The record of William Brewster follows as found in papers on file in pension claim, S. 3084, based on his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Brewster was born in the year 1762 in Westchester County, New York. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in Peekskill, New York, William Brewster served in 1778, five months as private in Captain Godwin's company, Colonel Swartwout's New York regiment, was at the battle of White Plains, but not in the engagement. He enlisted in 1777, served one year in Captain Crawford's company, under Major Campbell. He served the following year, seven months in Captain Crawford's company, under Major Campbell, and served three months in Captain Post's company, no

dates of this service given.
The soldier, William Brewster, was allowed pension on his application executed June 17, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he had lived about seventeen years.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to the family of William Brewster. He died April 19, 1834. A.P.-
In order to obtain the names of the person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:
William Brewster Certificate # 22320 Issued October 12, 1833 Rate $80.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Revahan
3084. INVALID.
1938- April 29- list. For Mrs. Ellis Evans aug
File No. 3084
Wm Brewster
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 43
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Cincinnati June 19 th 1833 Sir Herewith enclosed I send for yr examination the application of William Brewster for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Very Respectfully
J. G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Thomas J. Henderson

Newark, Ohio March 8, 1938.
The Office of Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
May I request data concerning the Revolutionary soldiers listed if on pension?
Wm Brewster
Born 1762 - New York State
Not known definitely where enlisted - thought to be Mass.
Died 1834 - Ohio - Hamilton Co -
Listed in "Official Roster of Rev. soldiers buried in Ohio" - Hamilton Co -
John Robinson (or Robeson)
Born 1756 - Virginia
Served in Virginia lines -
Died 1842 - Hamilton Co Ohio -
Listed same as above.
Jacob Eades (or Eads)
Enlisted from Calvert Co. Maryland
Capt Graham's Co -
Listed - Brumbaugh Cart I Sincerely yours
Wm Ellis Evans, Newark, Ohio, R.R.3.
Helen Evans.

John Brearley in June 1833 of Hamilton Co Ohio Born 1762 in West Chester Co NY Enlisted at Poughkeepsie NY & served in the State until about 1816 then removed to Hamilton Co Ohio joined Colo. Serjeant's regt at Fishkill (for a term of 5 mos) in 1776 March 2 to White Plains & was there but not in the Battle (Oct 28, 1776) thence to Tarrytown by water to Fort Constitution In 1777 he was stationed on the lines in guard near Poughkeepsie for one year 1778 repeated the duty also 3 mos more