Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,285, Zenas Bryant, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bryant, Jenas
NUMBER
S 30,285
CONTENTS

Leonor Bryant Stymhurst Nashawtucket No 6570.
Whereas the within petition is entitled to grant also against the said ... is a resident in the and is a credible who has also has signed the foregoing certificate, is a clergyman residing in the town of the said ... to them that

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this fourteenth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Plymouth within and for said County of Plymouth, Levi Bryant a resident of Plympton in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Nine 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, 1832. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That I Enlisted in the Company commanded by Adam Fish and in Colo. Cotten's Regiment For Three Months as a Drummer For Said Company Served time in the Fall of 1775 and Served in Said Fisher's Company the term of Three Months Stationed at  Braintree Massachusetts
That I Entered Served time in the Month of March 1776 in the Company Commanded by Capt. Josiah Haskold  James Churchill Lieutenant Jeremiah Goodwin Ensign For the term of Nine Months Said Company was Stationed a short time in Plymouth then went on the Quincy about Nine miles from the Port of Plymouth . Building a Fort in Massachusetts I Served Nine Months in Said Haskold's Company as a Drummer Discharged from Said Company Served time in December 1776

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH ss ON this day personally appeared in open Court before me the said [faded name] resident of the town of [faded name] and County of [faded name] do hereby certify that the within is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office and of the whole thereof.
in Said Described Enlistments I Served Twelve Months Then Lived in the Town of Plympton where I have Resided to the present time My Birth was in Plympton in the year 1753 and Recorded in the Town Records in Plympton. I Never was Recalled of having any written Discharge From said Company I am known to Capt Martin Hawkeswood in Plympton Dea Ludw Broadad Plympton Massachusetts
Yours Respectfully
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid in the said Court of Common Pleas
Abel Root William C. Root

We, Elijah Dexter a clergyman, residing in the town of Plympton and Lewis Bradford  Lewis Bradford Clerk, residing in the Town of Plympton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Lucas Bryant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Elijah Dexter. Lewis Bradford.
in the Court of Common Pleas West Hampshire County 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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Elijah Dexter who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Plympton and that Lewis Bradford who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Plympton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court
Official  W. H. Munroe Clerk
I, W. H. Munroe Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lucas Bryant for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
W. H. Munroe

10354 Massachusetts
Jonas Bryant of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Seaman in the Cambridge commanded by Captain Fish of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cotton in the Mass time for 1 year
State
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 44 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of April 1835 and Sent  Thos B. Thomas  Steymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $88.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 22.00 $110.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Johnson Clerk Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 4
Sec. H. Thos D. Eliot.
Feb. 19. 1862.
SI Pay
June 28 - 1835 - C.B.

6.570 Zenas Bryant
Minimum 1 year
M. E. J W. M.
Geo B Thomas Plymouth Mass

6570  BRIEF in the case of  Lenas Bryant  of Plympton in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)  Co
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Fall of 45 to March 96 3 Guerrilla Gen. XX Capt. Fish - Col. Cotton   to Decr 96 9 do Col. Harlow  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plympton Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Right 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.  Jan. 33

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWP/eel
December 17, 1929
Mr. Augustus T. Swift 122 Rochambeau Avenue Providence, Rhode Island
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.30285, it appears that Zenas Bryant was born in 1753, in Plympton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While residing in said Plympton, he enlisted in the fall of 1775, and served three months as a drummer in Captain Adam Fisher's Company, Colonel Cotton's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in March, 1776, and served nine months as a drummer in Captain Jesse Harlow's Massachusetts Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Plympton, Massachusetts.
He died June 28, 1835.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

30285 Very INVALID.
File No. 30285
Zenas Bryant Drummer Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82"
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 53
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feb. 2-1900 Mil Hist. to Augusta T. Swift Portland Rd. 1929 Dec. 17- Hist. to Mr. Augustus T. Swift

Plymouth County ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
August 8th 1832 then personally appeared the within named John Sherman before the Subscriber and Made oath that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true said Deposition is a credible Witness
John Sherman v. John Sherman
John Sherman
Jonathan Parker
Farther of the law Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ss. The law of the Commonwealth being a court of record in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that Jonathan Parker known to me to be the above appointed was sworn in a justice of the peace for the County of Plymouth - here that his name thereto subscribed is his true and proper signature for testimony whereunto I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this twentieth day of August A.D. 1832
Jonathan Parker

I Afa Sherman of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts of the age of seventy six years testify and say that I was a Soldier in war of the American Revolution and was at Plymouth in the Spring of 1776 Fouse Mouth in Capt Jerry Harkness Company and spent the time on the gunnery building a Fort I further testify and say that I knew Lucas Bryant of Plymouth who was in said Company, when I joined said Company and left him there he was a Drummer for said Company
I always have known said Bryant and has resided in Plymouth
Afa Sherman

I James Bradford of Hinston in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts of the age of Eighty three do testify and say that I was in the War of the American Revolution and was Roxbury in the Fall of the Year 1775 in Capt Adam Fish's Comp Colo Cotts Regiment three Months;
I further testify and say I knew Lucas Bryant of Plympton in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts who was in the above described Company three Months as a drummer.
Said Bryant now and always has resided in Plympton.
James Bradford

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County S.S.
August 8th 1832 Then personally
appeared the within named James Bradford before the subscriber and made oath that the within Deposition by him Subscribed is true      Zenas Bryant Jr Justice of Peace
I further testify that said Deponent is a credible witness
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Witnesseth I Nathl Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said Court of Pleas in and for said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Zenas Bryant junior before whom the foregoing Affidavit was sworn to before me this day personally appeared to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing Affidavit and that his name subscribed to the same is his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1832.
[Signature]

6570
Zenos Bryant
John B. Thomas
Plymouth
Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Levy Bryant which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [Handwritten line] IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

122 Rochambeau Avenue, Providence, R. I., October 26, 1929
Pension Bureau Revolutionary Department Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please give me all data you have concerning pension awarded to
ZENAS BRYANT
PLYMPTON, MASS.
He was my great-great grandfather, and served as drummer in the Plympton Co. April 19, 1775, also later in 1776 in Plymouth from Feb. 29, 1776, to May 31, 1776, under Capt. Jesse Harlow.
See Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, by Secy. of Commonwealth, Boston, Wright & Potter, 1896.
Also first U. S. Census, 1790, under Mass., Plympton, ZENAS BRYANT, 3 sons, 4 daughters.
Family tradition clearly and definitely establishes by his grand-daughter, ABBY FREEMAN BRYANT, now 95, totally blind, but clear of mind, that at 79 he received a pension of $44. per annum, in 1831, and until his death five years later at 84, residing at Plympton, Mass.
Yesterday I looked up his pension record in the Revolutionary Pension list of 1841, but could not find it. Perhaps the fact that he died several years before the publication of the list withdrew his name from print. Possibly you have records that would clear up this question. Perhaps, also, he received a State or Town pension.
My cousin, ABBY FREEMAN BRYANT, is eligible for membership in the Fort Phoenix Chapter of the D. A. R., New Bedford, Mass., where she resides at 52 Tremont St., and at the suggestion of Mrs. C. M. Ashley, 2 Arch St., New Bedford, Mass., she being Secretary of the above Chapter, I am writing for information on the pension side.
Thanking you in advance for the above information, Very truly yours,
Augustus T. Swift

46 Rochambeau Ave., Providence, R. I., Jan. 15, 1900.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Some time ago I wrote you asking if the name of Zenas Bryant , of Lyndon , Mass., appeared upon your Revolutionary pension rolls.
I have received no answer to my communication, and after waiting a reasonable length of time, beg to renew my request for information on this subject.
If any expense is incurred in connection with securing this official information, I beg to know how much it will be.
As an American citizen, I shall be greatly obliged if your office will at least acknowledge receipt of my two

letters, and, if possible, assist me as requested.
Very respectfully yours,
Augustus Taber Swift, Ph.D., Instructor in the Providence English High School.

46 Rochambeau Ave., Providence, R. I. Commissioner of Pensions, Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me at your early convenience the following information?
Zenas Bryant of Plympton, Mass., served in the patriot cause during the Revolutionary War. I think he was a drummer. He received a pension for a number of years from the United States government.
Please inform me:
FIRST. Do you find his name upon your pension rolls for the Revolution?
SECOND. In what company of what regiment of what state was he enrolled?
THIRD. Was he enrolled as an officer or as a private?
FOURTH. What engagements did he serve in, if any?
FIFTH. How long did he receive a pension? Give dates.
SIXTH. How much did he receive per month, or year, during his enrollment? This question I desire answered in such a way that I can accurately reckon the total amount received as a pension by him.
SEVENTH. Any other information in regard to him shown by your records.

Zenas Bryant was my great-great-grandfather, and I am exceedingly anxious to secure all the accurate information about him possible to assist me in writing a sketch of his life and career.
Of course, if any expenses are incurred in securing the above desired information, I shall be willing to forward the amount needed to secure any of the information referred to.
Very respectfully,
Augustus T. Swift,
Instructor in the Providence English High School.
Please inform me:  FIRST. Do you find his name upon your pension rolls in the Revoluti...  SECOND. In what company of what regiment of what state was he enrolled?  THIRD. Was he enrolled as an officer or as a private?  FOURTH. What engagements did he serve in, if any?  FIFTH. How long did he receive a pension? Give dates.  SIXTH. How much did he receive per month, or year, during his enlistment? This question I desire answered in such a way that I can accurately reckon the total amount received as a pension by him.  SEVENTH. A further information in regard to him shown by your records.