Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,357, John Brown, Mass R.I.

SERVICE
Mass R.I.
Brown, John Betsey
NUMBER
W. 14.357
CONTENTS
St. Jan. 30, 1831

Rhode Island - 1607.
Betsey Brown widow of John Brown, Dec?
who died on the 30 th of January, 1831; of Bristol Co. in the State of R. Island, who was a private in the comp y commanded by Captain J. Childs of the reg t . commanded by Col. N. Martin in the R. Island time for 19 mos. private
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island - at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of De- cember, 1837 and sent to Mr. Bullough, Bristol, R. Island -
Arrears to the 4 th of Sep r . 1837 = $411:64 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 M ch 38 = 31:66
$443:30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2, Page 82.

V 2237
Betsey Brown
Tobacco Rhode Island
Allan 19 mo pr
Bristol Co
adm R I 19 mo pr
$63.33/100
no deduction
N. Bullock Bristol N. Bullock R.I.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July A.D. 1836.
State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Bristol ss.
Court of Common Pleas
June Term A.D. 1837.
On this 10 th day of June A.D. 1837, being the 6 th day of the said term of said Court, now in session at Bristol, within and for said County, personally appeared before said Court, Betsey Brown, a resident of Warren, in said County aged seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836; That she is the widow of John Brown, who was a private soldier, in a militia company belonging to said Warren, in the year 1775, then commanded by Captain John Childs and served in that company as a private soldier and in actual service from late in December 1775, to the last of March 1776, a period of three months. This service followed on the occupation of Newport by the enemy; That afterwards but in the course of the year 1776, her said husband further served in the same company, then under the command of Captain Onsbet another period of three months; That in the year 1777, her said husband further served as a private soldier, doing duty for half the time by alternate service taking turns like the rest of the company for a period equal to not less than five nor more than six months; during all which periods of service said Brown was occupied in standing guard at different stations in Bristol and Warren and in building or repairing fortifications and breastworks; That in the year 1778 said Brown served in the same company from the 25 th day of May to the end of Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island in which expedition he was engaged and after that expedition took his turn in the guard service half the time as before that expedi-

tion; That he continued in the guard service through that year and through the following year untill the enemy evacuated Rhode Island, standing guard in his turn which was half the time - He was stationed sometimes in Bristol at a place called the Narrows; sometimes on the Neck, sometimes on Mason's Neck and sometimes across the harbor on Barrington Shore according to the directions or orders of the Officers of the company or Regiment to which he belonged; And the affiant further declares, that in the year 1780, her said husband enlisted into a company of State Troops then raising in Tiverton, in Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Iabez Barney, for three months, which he served out mostly if not wholly on Rhode Island; She thinks in this last service, that he enlisted as a subordinate officer, a clerk or sergeant, but she is not certain but it was as a private soldier merely. And she further declares that she was married to the said John Brown, on the sixth day of January, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, that her husband, the aforesaid John Brown died on the 30 th day of January A.D. 1831; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Betsey Brown
State of Rhode Island & Colony Bristol ss } Court of Common Pleas June term A.D. 1837
Personally came the afore named Betsey Brown subscriber to the foregoing declaration and duly swore to the same in open court;
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this tenth day of June A.D. 1837
Green Reynolds Clerk

I Nancy Little of Warren in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island aged eighty two years, on solemn oath depose and say that my sister Betsey Readden was married to John Brown on the sixth day of January 1778. I was present at the marriage. They were married by the Rev. Russell Mason, then a Baptist Elder and Preacher in Swansey, Massachusetts. He then lived in Swansey - said Brown lived in said Warren. Elder Mason has been dead a great many years - said Brown has been dead a number of years and my said sister still remains his widow - Nancy Little
Bristol ss. At Warren this twelfth day of June 1837 Then personally came Nancy Little above named and made oath to the truth of foregoing deposition before me, and I also certify that said Deponent is personally known to me and is a woman of truth and veracity
For M. Blake Just. Peace

Cynthia daughter of John Brown and Betsey his wife born January 26 th 1795
John Stafford Brown son of John Brown and Betsey his wife, was born August 25 th A. 1782.
Charles Frederick Brown son of John Brown & Betsey his wife, born Oct. 18 th A 1796.
Henry son of John Brown and Betsey his wife, born January 7 th A. 1800.
A true copy of the Records
Samuel Randall Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island &c Bristol County ss. Town Clerk's office Warren Oct. 7. 1832.
I Samuel Randall town clerk of said town of Warren, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of from the Records of births in this office.
Samuel Randall Town Clerk

State of Rhode Island & Clerk's Office Supreme
Bristol County ss
Inuendo Court Oct 10. 1887
I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Samuel Ponderall is Town Clerk of the Town of Warren in said County, and that the signature of of his name at the bottom of the certificate of the Births of Cynthia, John Stafford, Charles Frederick and Henry Brown in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year above written.
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk
Betney Brown

Information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Brown Wid. File 1435-7
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1775 3 mos. Pvt. John Childs R.I.   1776 3 mos. Ezra Ormsbee Nathaniel Marten   1777 5 mos. " as a guard at different stations in R.I.   May 25. 1778 4 mos. Miller   1779 3 mos. curfew Gole   1780 3 mos. Jabez Barney Hitchcock Mass  
Battles engaged in, Sullivan's Expedition
Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____
Date of application for pension, June 10, 1837. Her d. was al.
Residence at date of application, Warren, Bristol Co., R.I.
Age at date of application, She was 77 years old
Remarks: Soldier married Jan'y 6. 1778 in Swansea Mass. Betsy Rearden. He died Jan'y 30. 1831
Children: Cynthia born Jan'y 26. 1779: John Stafford b. Aug. 25. 1782: Charles Frederick b. Oct 18. 1796: Henry b. Jan'y 7. 1800.
Very respectfully,
not sent not accepted J.L.M.
1565b3m10-08
Commissioner.

J. A. Brown. + Dec 75. Bm. (Child) J. Mason. 2 76. 3. (Ameslea) NW 3m. 77. 5. alt. ser. monthly Pm. 5 May 78. half the time guard + 4. 80. 3m. (Davy splithe) 3 + Married Jan 1/18. 2m. died 1897. + 79. 5m. Pm.
  4    16.20    3    19.20  
26.11 12/87

R. S.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14 35-4
Abetsey Brown Widow of John Brown Pris Rev War
Act: July 4 th 56
Index:—Vol. a , Page 84
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sydia Atwood of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, aged seventy six years, on oath depose, that I used to be well acquainted with John Brown late of Warren deceased and I also knew his wife and am still acquainted with her. I remember very well when they were married. It was early in the year 1778 nearly a year after I was married myself which was in April 1777. I know it was within a year after. I was not at the wedding but remember the marriage well. I lived a near neighbor to said Brown, before my marriage.
Sydia Atwood
Bristol /o At Bristol this 17 th day of June A.D. 1837 Then personally came Sydia Atwood above named and signed and made oath to the truth of the aforewritten deposition before me. And I certify that said deponent is personally known to me and is a woman of truth and veracity
Jos. M. Blake Just. Peace

State of Rhode Island ss Clerk, Office Supreme Judicial Court Bristol County ss June 17. 1837
I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Joseph M. Blake before whom the depositions of James Mason, Nancy Little and Lydia Atwood purport to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace for said County, and has been such for several years last past, and that the signature of his name at the bottom of the certificates to said depositions is in his own hand writing, and is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this day and year above written
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk

Suspended
me Col. to A. Bullock
Aug 29, 1857.

James Mason of Warren in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, aged eighty one years, testify that John Brown late of said Warren, deceased, was a private soldier in capt. John Child's militia company of said Warren being enrolled therein with myself, and as such was called out in the defence of the country  country and guarding the shores about this County in the Revolutionary War at the time Wallace's fleet lay in this Bay in the latter part of the 1775 and for part of the 1776 - said company were in active service three months at the least. They were marched to Bristol immediately upon Wallace's firing upon that place and were kept employed there to prevent the enemy from landing and were stationed there during the whole of said three months.
In the summer and fall of the latter year that company was again on duty in Bristol and elsewhere about the shores of Narragansett Bay for three months more. This last service was under the command of capt. Ezra Omsbee. Said Brown and I were both in that service also through the whole three months - Said Omsbee had succeeded capt. Child in the command of said company. Col. Nathaniel Martin was of Barrington in said County, was Colonel of the regiment in said service - Afterwards early in 1777 Col. Nathan Miller had command of the Bristol County Regiment.
In year 1777 The British having taken possession of Newport - said company was turned out from time to time for different periods of service by drafts and detachments half at a time for nearly the whole year. Said Brown and I served in this way at least five months in that year, stationed around the shores in Bristol and quartered in that town.
In the spring and summer of 1778 said

company were frequently turned out for the purpose of guarding the shores and we both served this year and  as much as four months. In the month of May of this year a detachment of the British under Col. Campbell landed on the Neck between Bristol and Warren, destroyed the church, magazine, and several the other buildings in Warren, and nearly all the main street in Bristol. This was in the latter part of May. The said company were all turned out at this time and kept in service the whole time until after Sullivan's expedition which terminated on about the first of September. Said Brown and I was served in said company through the whole of said four months. In Sullivan's expedition however the company was divided into two drafts and but half of them were in the expedition on the Island at the time, the other half remaining in Bristol but were kept in the service until Sullivan's retreat. Said Mr.  Col.  Sturtevant was Capt. of said Company in this year - Said Miller continued Col. of the regiment.
In the 1779 Curtis Col. was Capt. of said Company and under him we were turned out for the like service of guarding the shores by detachments of half the company at a time while Newport was evacuated - Said Brown served in one or the other of these detachments as did all the rest of the company for five months this year.
After the Enemy left Newport we were turned out on occasional services, though not so frequently nor long at a time, but I am under the impression that said Brown toward the close of the war entered another service, but I cannot say what.
James Mason
Bristol sc. At Warren this twelfth day of May 1857 Then personally came James Mason above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, before me, A. D. [unclear] the said deposition is personally known to me and is

I Stephen Lether of Swanzy in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, in the seventy seventh year of my age on oath depose, That I was acquainted with John Brown of Warren Rhode Island from the time I was fifteen years of age till his death, he living in Warren and I in Swanzy near the Warren line.
I was a member of Capt. Sawyer's Artillery company in Sullivan's expedition in the year 1778 and John Brown aforesaid was there in the service in the Warren Militia company. How long he was in that service I cannot say - After the enemy had left Newport and I think in the year 1780 I was again on Block Island as a member of Capt. Barney's company for three months and said Brown was an enlisted soldier in said company during all that time. I further testify that on occasion of alarms in Bristol R.I. express used to be sent out to all the towns in the vicinity. I was frequently called there myself when at home and was marched there a number of times, and have seen the said Brown there in the Warren company engaged in the same service.
Stephen Lether
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss June 5. 1837 Then the above named Stephen Lether personally appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed I further certify that said Stephen Lether is to be believed John Mason Justice of the Peace

I Aaron Luther of Swaney in the County of Bristol and State of Mass a churth aged twenty four years, on oath depose and say. That in the month of September 1780 I enlisted as a private soldier in capt. Ikey Barney's company of Massachusett State Troops raised for three months - Col. Mitchell had command of the regiment. The company was raised by enlistment. John Brown of Warren Rhode Island also enlisted into said company and served therein three months. I was acquainted with said Brown before the Revolution and until his death. Warren & Swaney are adjoining towns and said Brown and I were always neighbors - This service was performed on Rhode Island and our station was at Butts Hill where we repaired the fort. The company were all discharged in December of the same year having served out the period of enlistment. Mr Brown died seven or eight years ago. He married Betsey Bearden during the revolutionary war and before his said service on the Island. She lived in said Swaney before her marriage and I was well acquainted with her. She still remains his widow.
Aaron his Luther mark
Witness N. Bullock Just J. H. H.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. June 5 th 1837 Then the above named Aaron Luther personally appeared before me the subscriber and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed and I certify that said Aaron Luther is a man of truth to be believed
John Mason Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. — Bristol ss. I Asahel Barrett Register of the Court of Sessions for said County, do hereby certify that John Mason is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the signatures to two certificates on this half sheet, purporting to his are genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this tenth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty seven — A. Barrett