Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15765, Elias Brewster, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Brewster, Elias
NUMBER
S. 15765
CONTENTS
Carded

Connecticut N o 22,818
Elias Brewster
of N. London Co. in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Seldon in the Cont. Troops here for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14. day of Nov. 1833 and sent to J. B. Morgan Jewett City Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 50.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 1834 10.00
$60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 3 Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Connecticut New London County } ss.
On this First day of Septem r 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within and for the district of Norwich in New London County in the State of Connecticut, it being a Court of record having by law a seal and a Clerk, Elias Brewster of the town of Griswold in the County of New London County and State of Connecticut aged seventy Two (2) 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 as served as herein stated. That he enlisted on the 23 rd day of June 1776 in the company of State Troops of the State of Connecticut commanded by Capt. Joshua Huntington of Norwich to go to New York. That Isaac D. Watts was his 1 st John Wheatley was his 2 nd Lieut s and Charles Fanning was his Ensign attached to the regiment commanded by Col. Selden of Lyndon. He enlisted for a six months' tour, and recollects that he went to New York by water and was a long time on his passage but was in New York about the time of the Declaration

of Independence. That he was in the Orchard fight or called near New York in which battle Lieutenant Wheatley was killed. He was with the army on its retreat to Harlem Heights. Thence over Kings Bridge to White Plains. but was not in the engagement, having been detached on a short tour of duty. After the battle at White Plains he was with the army on its re- treach up the North River. and was discharged at a place called Courtlands Manor about the 25 th day of December having served six mon- ths. He recollects that it was good sleeping when he returned home. He well recollects of receiving his pay for six months which was the time for which he enlisted. As proof of the time of his enlistment he refers to the affidavit of Henry Strong Esquire hereto annexed who as administrator on the estate of Col. Joshua Hun- tington late of Norwich dec d . has possession of the papers of the s d Huntington dec d . He has been unable to find the his original enlistment but his name in his own hand writing appears on the original muster roll. He also refers to the affidavit of Charles Fanning Esq of said Grissold who was his Ensign during this cam- paign hereto annexed — He has no other doc- umentary evidence to show the time of his enlistment or discharge. That he is well known to the s d Charles Fanning and to John Johnson Post master in s d Grissold also to the Rev d

George Perkins of said Griswold who came state as to his veracity and their belief of his having been a Revolutionary soldier. In answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment he can say that he was born on the 11 th day of Sept r A.D. 1759 — in the town of Sturtevant in that part of said town which is now within the limits of the town of Griswold, where his age is recorded. That when he enlisted into the service he lived where he does now and has ever lived but it was then Preston —
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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me John Hyde Judge of the Court of Probate
Elias Brewster
We George Perkins a clergyman residing in the town of Griswold and John Johnson Postmaster in resident in said Griswold in the village of Jewett City hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Brewster who has subscribed the above declaration That we believe him to be seventy two years of age That he is respected and believed in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
George Perkins
John Johnson

State of Connecticut New London County ss. Griswold Sept. 1 st 1832
Then personally appeared the Rev. George Perkins & John Johnson Esq. P.D. before credible persons and to me well known, and made oath to the truth of the certificate by them above subscribed in my presence -
Before me - Samuel C. Morgan - Justice of Peace For New London County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the inves- tigation 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 George Perkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing out in the town of Griswold and that John Johnson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court does further certify that Charles Jennings and Henry Strong Esqrs. whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons, and their affidavits are entitled to credit -
I Burrel Lathrop
Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the district of Norwich in New London County do hereby certi- fy that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Miss Brewster for a Pension. And I do further certify that Samuel C. Morgan Esq. of the town of Griswold is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that his name to the affidavits hereto annexed & to the fore- going certificate is his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of Office of this court this first day of September Anno Domini 1832.
Daniel Lathrop Clerk

con
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Ebenezer Brewster Sur. File 15-765
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 23 1776 6 mos. Pvt. Joshua Huntington Selden Conn.                                     
Battles engaged in, in the "Orchard Fight" during retreat from N.Y.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Weston Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 1. 1832 His ch. was al.
Residence at date of application, Griswold New London Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, born Sept. 11 1759 in that part of Weston which was
Remarks: died Mch. 12. 1834 *
* from Agency book -

M. "mel, pens'd
av Deer
P 15765 INVALID.
File No. 15765
Elias Brewster
Pre Civil War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 437
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Sept. 7/95 Hist. to Robert Brewster, Hartford, Conn.
Mar 23/96 sold,
Mrs W H Frink.
6450 Stewart
Chicago
1910 May 2 Hist. to Robert N. Brewster V.I.M.

One hundred 20
H. C. Morgan Lemito City O.P.

Comt. Nov 1860
Revolutionary Glirno -
Thos. J. G. Coburn Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C.
1860 2 87

Southbury Connecticut, Nov. 4 th 1833
Sir,
I forward the papers of Miles Brewster for a pension for six months service. These papers are returned, but I have not been able to discover wherein they are defective except as to the certificate of the Clerk of the Court which is now erroneous. The documentary evidence referred to in the affidavit of H. Strong Esq. he is unwilling to let go out of his hands, and the applicant cannot therefore attach them to his papers. If more testimony is required as to the service it can be obtained as there are those living who were with him the whole time.
I also forward the affidavit of Dimes Lethrop whose papers are now on file in the pension office. This affidavit was taken for the purpose of showing that the applicant was in actual and continual service during the whole time for which he claims a pension and that he was not engaged in any other business or civil pursuits. His claim is for one year and eight months service as he says, his declaration I have not seen. Hope that the papers will be found correct and the applicant will receive their certificates.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
Very respectfully, Yours obedt. Servt. Sam. C. Morgan.

Elias Brewster
Miss Hyde Morris

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isaac Brewster New London 6 th Gen l which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? no 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? 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? 247 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? 247 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? 247 Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 247 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? 247 XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 247 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 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.

H. Thoms Ly. bekrefte

About ten or twelve years since the papers of Col: Joshua Huntington del. came to my hands as the admr of his estate - among said papers I have not found the original indentment of Eliza Brewster but there is an original master roll containing the name of said Brewster as having enrolled June 23. 1776 and as having been viewed & approved July 10. 1776 by G. Sattenstall Master Master, by whom said roll is signed. Said Brewster's name (in her own hand writing) is also to a rec d dated New York Aug t 7. 1776 acknowledging to have rec d of said Huntington £1. 8. 7 "it being money given by the inhabitants of the town of Norwich for the encouragement of able bodied men to enlist in Huntington's company" Dated at Norwich July 23. 1832 Henry Strong
State of Connecticut New London County ss. Norwich July 23 d 1832 - Then personally appeared Henry Strong Esq. barrister at law a credible witness & to me well known and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed in my presence. Before me - Samuel C Morgan Justice of Peace For New London County.

I Charles Fanning of the town of Griswold in New London County State of Connecticut aged eighty three years depone and say that I was well acquainted with Elias Brewster in the war of the Revolution and have been known him ever since, having always resi- ded within two miles of him. I well re- member that in the year 1776 in the month of June the said Brewster enlisted as a private soldier in the company of state troops com- manded by Capt. Joshua Huntington to go to New York for it was through my instrumen- tality that he enlisted. Jacob D. Wit was Cpt. by John Wheatly was 2 d Lieut. and I was Ensign in said company. The said Brewster was enlisted for six months as the most of the men in the company were. He went on to New York with the company in the month of June and con- tinued with the company through the whole campaign and was discharged the last of December at a place on the North River called Count- lands morrow. And this deponent concludes the state, that the said Brewster is a credible person and his statement entitled to credi- and further this deponent says not.
Griswold September 1 st 1832 - Charles Fanning
New London County ss. Griswold Sept. 1 st 1832. Then personally appeared Charles Fanning Ensign resident of said Griswold a credible person and

to me well known and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my pres- ence. Before me Samuel C. Morgan Justice of Peace for New London County -
State of Connecticut } County of New London } ss.
I John D'Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Samuel C. Morgan esq before whom the within and forego- ing depositions of Henry Strong and Charles Fanning esq were taken was at the time of taking said depositions and still is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of New London and that his signature thereto affixed are in his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 19 th day of Octo- ber A.D. 1853
John D'Witt Clerk
8666

O. W. & N. Div. L. W. P. I. 15735, W. 17227.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 23, 1896.
Madam: -
Replying to your request for the military record of Elias Brewster and Ozias Backus, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, you are advised as follows:-
Elias Brewster made an application for pension on September 1st, 1832, at which time he was residing at Griswold, Conn., and 73 years of age, and his pension was allowed for six months' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Joshua Huntington and Col. Selden.

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
P. S.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
September 7, 1895.
Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of EDWARD BREWER a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. He enlisted on June 25, 1775, and served as a private in Capt. Joshua Huntington's Co., Col. Selden's Connecticut Regt., until Dec. 25, 1775, a period of about six months. He was engaged in the Brandywine fight, so called, near New York City, and was with the army on its retreat to White Plains, thence over King's Bridge to White Plains, but was not in the engagement at White Plains, having been detailed on a short tour of duty; was also with the army in its retreat up the North river and was discharged at Cortland Manor.
Battles engaged in,
as above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Preston, Conn.
Date of application for pension,
Sept. 1, 1882.
Residence at date of application,
Grimsfield, Conn.
Age at date of application,
born at Preston, Conn., Sept. 11, 1759.
Remarks:
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

O. W. & N. Division,
P.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
September 7, 1895.
Sir:
In response to the personal request of Capt. Charles H. Wiler, of this Bureau, you will find enclosed an official statement of the military services of Elias Brewster, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
Very respectfully,
Mr. Robert M. Brewster, Hartford, Conn.
Commissioner.

ROBERT M. BREWSTER, PRESIDENT & TREASURER.
S. N. HORSFALL, JAMES F. TAYLOR , VICE PRESIDENT.
CHARLES E. ARNOLD, SECRETARY.
ESTABLISHED 1882. INCORPORATED 1908.
ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMPANY.
The Luke Horsfall Company
OUTFITTERS.
Hartford, Conn. Apr. 22, 1910.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:-
As late as 1832, I understand that Elias Brewster of Preston, Griswold or Norwich was in receipt of a pension. He was in the war of the Revolution with the army around New York City, and I would be greatly obliged if you would have forwarded to me a copy of the record in relation to his service as a soldier in that army.
Very truly yours,
Robert M. Brewster
APR 25 1910

107
3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by W.T.G.
Claim No. 4/28/1910
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Elias Brewster
Service N.Y. Com. Rev.
Additional Service. _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim as above except O.W.I.F. 15765.