Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,872, Abijah Bruce, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bruce, Abijah Hannah
NUMBER
W.16.872
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

13.787
New York
Abijah Bruce
of Providence in the state of New York who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Tappan of the Mass'ts line, for the term of 3 years 1781
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence the 10 th of April 1815.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th of Aug 1819 and sent to Oliver Starkweather Esq Galway, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of March '19 .. 86.63 Semi-ann. all'ce ending Sept 1819 48.10
10 mo 20/30
Dollars: 134.63
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued on ... under ... the ... Mar 1821
let to J.J. Shew. June 8. 1843
Application sent to John McCarthy, 6 July 1820. Troy, New York.

Abijah Bruce
Abijah Bruce. priv Suffey. Masts Aug 1781 to 1783
Further Proof of Service wanted "

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. SARATOGA COUNTY.
ON this 10th day of April 181 8 , before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and state of New-York, personally appears Abijah Bruce aged seventy years, resident in the town of Providence in the County of Saratoga in the said state, who
being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision 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 the said Abijah Bruce in the year 177 9 enlisted in the Town of Rocksbury in the state of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Peter Harradine a Regiment commanded by Col Larnad for the term of one year of the line of Massachusetts that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until the expiration of the term of enlistment - - - - - when he was discharged from service in the Town of Bedford - - - - - and state of New York 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 evidence now in his power of his said services and further Declares that he enlisted again in the month of April in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in the Town of Pelham in the State of Massachusetts for the term of three years in the company commanded by Capt John Kelly Smith in the Sixth Regiment in the Massachusetts line commanded by Col Smith the Regiment afterward commanded by Col Tepper and further Declares that he continued in service until the close of the war when he was honorable discharged at Westpoint in the State of New York which Discharge he has since lost
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid. } Signed Abijah Bruce Avery Stathwaether judg } of common pleas Saratoga Co } ss
I Avery Stathwaether Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Abijah Bruce - - - - - did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the War Department, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of congress. and Do further certify that from my own personal knowledge the aforesaid Abijah Bruce is poor and indigent and needs the assistance of his country for support Given under my hand this 10th Day of April 181 8
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss : In testimony that the above named SARATOGA COUNTY, } Avery Stathwaether is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Saratoga and state of New-York, and that the above is his signature, I subscribe my name and affix the county seal, this 10th - day of April 181 8
Wm Stillwell } Clerk of the County of Saratoga.

State of New York Saratoga County ss David Fenton of the Town of Edinburg State and County aforesaid being by me Duly Sworn Deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Abijah Bruce  named in the annexed Declaration and knows that the said Abijah Bruce served as a private in a Regiment commanded by Col. Tupper of the Massachusetts Line from the Spring of Eighty one untill the close of the war the Month of December Seventeen hundred Eighty three and was honorably Discharged and further says that he the Deponent also belonged to a Regiment commanded by Col. Jackson of the Massachusetts Line at the same time and further Deponent saith not - David Fenton Taken & Subscribed this 20th Day of June 1819 Avery Starksweather Jdg De
I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the Moral Character of the above named David Fenton and know him to be a Credible and Disinteres- ted witness - June 20th 1819 Avery Starksweather De

State of New York Saratoga County ss Before me came Alexander Oliver of the Town of Broadalbin County of Montgomery and State aforesaid and being by me Duly Sworn according to the Law Doth on his Oath Depose and Say That he the Deponent was and Ensign in Putnam Massachusetts Regiment untill the close of the war and further Declares that he is personally acquai- nted with Abijah Bruce named in the annexed Declaration and knows that the said Abijah Bruce Did serve in a Regiment commanded by Col. Tupper of the Massachusetts Line from the Spring of Eighty one untill the close of the war and that he was honorable Discharged and further Saith not Alexander Oliver Taken and subscribed this 12 th
Day of June 1819
Before me Avery Starksweather Judge
I Do hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with the Moral Character of the above named Deponent Alexander Oliver and know him to be a credible and Disinterested witness given under my hand this 12 th of June 1819
Avery Starksweather

To the Honorable Secretary of the Department of war Sir please Direct the pension certificate to the post office in Galway State of New York
Avery Parkweather Esq
by Request of applicant

Abijah Bruce
Continue
13,787
5 th Aug. 1819.

State of New York Montgomery County
On the sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in open court in Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County (being a Court of record) Abijah Bruce aged about Seventy five years resident in the Town of Broadalbin in the said County Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows viz, served in the year 1775 & 1776 one year in a company Commanded by Captain Peter Naird in Colo:nel Laineas Regiment in the Massachusetts line, that he again enlisted as a private soldier for three years he thinks in the month of April in the year 1781 in the 6th Regiment of Massachusetts in the Continental line then Commanded by Colonel Smith, afterward by Colonel Tupper, and in Captain John Kilby Smiths Company where he continued doing duty till the close of the war, when he was regularly discharged, which discharge the deponent says he lost, - That he drew no pension till he drew it under the law of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the said 18 th 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 to diminish it so as to bring myself within the provisions of the 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 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, con- tracts or debts due to me, nor have have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto an- nexed and by me subscribed, viz - One Cow hitherto worth about $15.00 One Hog or Sow. $2.00 a few young hill fowls $0.75, Iron ware $3.87 Pails & tub old $0.75. Basket & broom 00.50, 2 old chairs 25 c Pewter & Earthenware $1.54. Tin ware & Chest $1.50, meat tub, Churn, Cup- board & table $2.25, leather. 30 c pitch fork and Rake 62 c ax. 1 hoe & Iron wedge $2. On hand yet of my last received pension $15. - total $46.35, I have not received any pension till I obtained it under the act aforesaid by certificate No. 13,787 - I have been bred at the farming business, which I continued while I could work, am now not able to do much - My family consists of a Wife - Hannah aged Seventy four years in firm two Daughters, Patience about thirty years & Patty aged about twenty seven One of whom generally works out the other is necessary to take care of us, and a grandson Hiram Bruce about five years old
 to and declare in open court on this 18 th day of June 1820
State of New York Montgomery County } ss Clerk's Office -
I John McCarthy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office this 16 th day of June 1820 John McCarthy Clerk

do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule thereunto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court - And I further certify that it is proved to the satisfaction of the said Court by the oaths of credible wit- nesses and that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is forty six dollars and thirty five cents,
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court on the 16 th day of June 1820
M c M c Carthy

Report No 28 th 1843. See
Letter to Pension Agent.
Pension payable to Patience & Moses Bruce & Martha Hodams
New York 3944
Hannah Bruce, dec d , widow of Elijah Bruce
who died on the 3 rd June 1833 of Fulton Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Col. Jasper Mass the Massachusetts line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 1 st day of March, 1834 6 th June 1833 and terminating on 30 th October 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Novem- ber 1843. and sent to John J Shaw, Broadalbin, New York
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending
Whole Amount. $ 272.21
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd . }
Recorded by G. C. Jones Clerk Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 107

5924
Hannah Bruce du NY.
act 4 July '36 -
adm'd 2 yrs pri
884
Husband died 5 June '33 pen: Com: 6 June 33 d terminale 30 oct r 36 the day of her death To Patience Moore Bruce & Martha Hoddard only surviving children
Albany John J. Sheehan Esq Broad albin NY

I hereby certify that I find Records on the Town Records of the Town of Brookfield, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts the following Record of Marriage.
1768. Aug t 3. Abijah Bruce & Hannah Barnes, were married by Rev d Eli Forbes
A true copy of Record.
Attest Jacob Dupree.
Town Clerk of Brookfield. Mass.
West Brookfield Aug 1 st 1843 —

State of New York } County of Fulton } ss:
On this 7 th day of August 1843, personally appeared in open Court, in and for the said County of Fulton, before the judges to wit: Donald McIntyre First Judge, Joseph Blair, Duncan Robertson, Henry Gail & John Schram... etc. now sitting. Patience Bruce, aged fifty-five years, Moses Bruce aged fifty-two years, Martha Stodard aged forty-nine years, who, being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on their oaths 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 they are the children, and the only surviving children of Abijah Bruce who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served as particularly set forth in the matter of his application for a Pension under the Act of 18 th March 1818, and for which he received a Pension until the day of his death, at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum.
They further declare that their mothers name, prior to her marriage to their father the above mentioned Abijah Bruce was Hannah Barnes.
And they further declare that, while their father and mother were yet in active life, and at a time too when there was no idea of Pension, they often heard them say that they had been married several years before the commencement of the Revolutionary War: Therefore they further declare that the above mentioned Abijah Bruce was married to Hannah Barnes on the 3 rd day of August 1768 by the Rev. Mr. Forbes in the town of Brookfield, State of Massachusetts, and that for proof of the same, they hereby most respectfully refer the Commissioner of Pensions to the annexed certificate of Jacob Dupa.
They further declare that their father, the above mentioned Abijah Bruce died at his residence in Broadalbin, County of Fulton and State of New York on the 5 th day of June 1833, and that our mother above referred to, died in the said town of Broadalbin on the 30 th day of October 1836. And that by virtue of the services of their father for the United States as a private soldier as

stated in his original declaration within referred to, and by reason of their mother having lived until after the passage of the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836, they hereby claim the proportionate amount of Pension which was due from the 5 th day of June 1833, to the 30 th day of October 1836, the first being the day of their fathers death, and the last the day of their mothers death. That from the said 4 th July 1836 until the day of their mothers death, she was very aged and very infirm, and as there was very little, or no pension business done in the vicinity where she then resided and died, that she did not apply for a pension under the said Act.
They further declare that there is no record of the family either in their Bible or otherwise, yet they remember of having had a brother whose name was Charles, and that their parents told them that he was the eldest of their children, and that he died in the year 1825 aged 55 years.
That their parents also told them that they had a daughter born about two years after Charles, and that her name was Martha, and that she died when about four years of age, and that another son named Joel, born about two years after Martha, and that he died when about two years old, and at about the same time of the death of Martha, and that they were both buried under one funeral service. Therefore, they again declare that they three are the children, and the only surviving children of the said Abijah and Hannah Bruce, as to their knowledge.
And they further declare that the within named Martha Stodard was married to Davis Stodard on the 1 st day of March 1836 thereby changing her name.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 7 th day of August 1843.
S. Wait Clerk of Hulbert County
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said County this 7 th day of August 1843.
Patience Bruce
M rs B. Bruce Martha Stodard
S. Wait Clerk

State of New York } County of Fulton }
On this 7 th day of August 1843, personally appeared before me Elisha Alvord a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Fulton, Deleg Soule, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with Abijah Bruce late a Pensioner of the United States, and that he the said Abijah Bruce died at his residence in Broadalbin, State and County aforesaid, on the 5 th day of June 1833, and on an examination of books of debt and credit kept by this deponent it appears that the coffin for the said Abijah Bruce was made on the 7 th day of June 1833; and further this deponent on his oath aforesaid, saith that he was also well acquainted with Hannah, the woman who then resided with the said Abijah Bruce as his wife, and that she died on the 30 th day of October 1836, and that by reference to the books aforesaid it appears that the coffin for her was made on the 1 st day of November 1836; and that the said Abijah and Hannah above mentioned resided together in the capacity of husband and wife, no person ever doubting the legality of their marriage. And further this deponent saith not.
Sworn and subscribed this 7 th
day of August 1843
before me
Deleg Soule
Elisha Alvord Justice Peace
I, certify that I am well acquainted with Deleg Soule above named, and that his statements are entitled to credit. I also certify that I have examined his books of debt and credit and find his records to agree with the above affidavit.
Elisha Alvord Justice Peace

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after a due examination of the claim, and that the foregoing named persons to wit: Patience Bruce, Moses Bruce and Martha Stodard, are the children, and only surviving children of the aforementioned Abijah & Hannah Bruce.
D.W. Rutledge } Judges Duncan Robertson of Henry Guile } Fulton John Schoonmaker } County } courts.
State of New York } County of Fulton } Clerks Office }
I, Stephen Wait, clerk of the court, in and for the said county of Fulton, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Patience Bruce, Moses Bruce and Martha Stodard for the arrearages of Pension which was due their mother at the time of her death. And I further certify that Elidice Alward the person before whom the foregoing and annexed affidavit of Peter Poole purports to have been taken was at the date and time of taking the same a justice of the peace in and for the said County of Fulton dwelling in the said County, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said justice and verily believe that his signature to the said jurat of said affidavit, and certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 7th day of August 1843.  Stephen Wait Clerk

I hereby certify that I find Recorded on the Town Records of the Town of Brookfield, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts the following Record of Marriage.
1768. Aug t 3. Abijah Bruce & Hannah Barnes, were married by Rev d Eli Forbes
A true copy of Record.
Attest Jacob Dufree.
Town Clerk of Brookfield. Mass.
West Brookfield Aug 1 st 1843

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EEL
July 5, 1929 Am
Mrs. W.H. Bayles 947 Wisconsin Avenue, S.W. Huron, South Dakota
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.16872 , it appears that Abijah Bruce enlisted in 1775, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and served one year as a private in Captain Peter Harrad's(?) Company, Colonel Learned's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in April, 1781, at Pelham, Massachusetts, and served until the close of the war as a private in Captain John Kelly Smith's Company, Colonels Smith and Tupper's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Providence, Saratoga County, New York, and was aged about seventy years.
He married August 3, 1768, in Brookfield, Massachusetts, Hannah Barnes. They were married by the Reverend Eli Forbes. He died June 5, 1833, at Broadalbin, Fulton

County, New York, and she died at the same place October 30, 1836, aged about ninety years.
The following children are referred to:
Charles, their eldest child, who died in 1825, aged fifty-five years; Martha, born two years after Charles, who died when she was four years of age; Joel, born two years after Martha, both dying at the same time; Patience Bruce, aged fifty-five years in 1843; Moses Bruce, aged fifty-two years in 1843, and Martha Stodard, aged forty-nine years in 1843; she married March 1, 1836, David Stodard. In 1820, a grandson, Hiram Bruce, aged five, is named.
In 1843, Patience Bruce, Moses Bruce and Martha Stodard were allowed the pension due their mother.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

1929 July 3. Hist to Mrs H. H. Bayles, Ed
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16872
Hannah Bruce wid. of Abijah Bruce Priv. Rev. War
Act July 4. 1836
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870.]

5924 Revolutionary Row
Aug 16 43
Manassas Va Aug 10-44
N.Y. July 4. 1836.
Han. Brue Dec.
Miss Frances J. Edwards
Abijah
Commissaire of Prisons Washington City D.C.

Broadalbin, Fulton County, N.Y. August 12 th 1843—
Sir,
Enclosed you find the claim of the children of Abijah and Hannah Bruce for the arrears of Pension, due their mother at the time of her death. Please examine the claim and communicate to me your decision thereon. As there is not many claims of this kind, I would request that it be examined by the Commissioner of Pensions himself, and the result communicated to me without delay; provided that it is not too much inconsistent with the rules of the department.
With sentiments of much respect &c, John S. Shew
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commr. of Pensions
N.B. I hereby tender the department my sincerest thanks for former favors.

Barnesville June 5 -
June 7 18 Ny
Elijah Bruce
Esq.
Rev. James J. Edwards
Home of Friends Washington Valley P.D. Cook

Broadalbin, Fulton County, State of New York May 30. '43.
Dr. Sir,
A man by the name of Abijah Bruce was a Pensioner under the Act of 1818, and died June 5 th 1833. He was married before the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and at his death left the same woman to whom he was then married a widow. She died October 30 th 1836 without availing herself of the benefit of the Act which had been passed in June previous. They left three children, all over the age of twenty one years. Are they, or are they not entitled to the amount of Pension from the day of their fathers death to the day of their mothers death. An answer will be most thankfully received.
I admit that I have heretofore made the same enquiry, but at that time could not give dates as particular as I now have done.
Very respectfully &c. John J. Shaw
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions.

Payment to be made at Albany N.Y. by T. W. O'Leary Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of Albany, New York
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Vol= ume Page by
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4 th July 1836 Hannah Brner, deceased, who was the widow of Abijah Bruce, who was entitled to a pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars per Annum, Commencing on the 6 th June 1833. and terminating on the 20 th October 1836, the day of her death. The Amount due will be paid, upon the production of the proper Vouchers, to Patience Bruce Moses Bruce and Martha Stoddard, Only surviving children of Hannah Brner, deceased.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty eighth day of November — one thousand eight hundred and forty-three
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.

Mrs. W. H. Dayles address
947 WISCONSIN AVE., S. W.
Huron, S. D.
Mar 8. 1929.
Pension Dept
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs: Would it be possible for you to give me the Revolutionary record of Joseph  Joseph Bruce of only Suffolk Co., Mass; Abijah Bruce of Pelham, Mass; John Bruce of Lint Winslow Co., of Mass. Anything you have about them Thank you kindly.
Mrs. W. H. Dayles.