Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,272, James Bratton, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Bratton, James
S. 4272
CONTENTS
carded

Order to pay 29. March 1838. Order to pay 22 March 1839. Order to pay 31. March 1840 Order to pay 27. March 1841. Order to pay 29. March 1843.. Order to pay. ~ 30 th March 1843 & H.H. Isaac Order to pay 13 th March 1844.
Death not in Ohio
7.803. Ohio. Pittsburgh.
James Bratton.
Bratton of Guernsey in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Holliday of the Reg t commanded by Col. Buchanan in the Penn a time for Six months = $20. 00 1.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh at the rate of 20. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6. th day of April, 1833 and sent to John Dewey. Cambridge. Mass.
Arrears to the 14th of March 33. 40. Semi-annual allowance ending Sept r 33, 10. $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Palmer, Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8, Page 106.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7 th 1832 } State of Ohio Guernsey County }
On this eighteenth day of October A.D. 1852 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio now sitting in the County of Guernsey James Bratton a resident of Centre Township in the County of Guernsey and State of Ohio aged 75 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 xxx under the following named Officers and
Ans 4 th served as herein stated That he was drafted into the service under General Lacey Arthur Buchanan Colonel of the Regiment 5 th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia Captain of the Company Samuel Holliday Lieutenant
Robert Means entered the service in January 1777 at Carlisle From Carlisle he was marched to Doylestown where he was stationed on the frontiers during the whole term for which he was drafted which was three months at which
time he was discharged by his Captain without any written evidence thereof That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service for
that term That he was again drafted into the service of the United States in August 1779 entered the service in Penn Valley was stationed at Potter's Fort where he served during two months when he was again
discharged by Captain Robert Means without receiving the same in writing That he can procure the testimony of Thomas Holt who can testify to his service during the last mentioned term But that he has no documentary evidence thereof That he was (he thinks) in the following
Year a volunteer in a Company of Rangers in which he served between one and two months (the precise time he does not recollect) Principally in Huntingdon County That he was born in Butler Township Chester
County Pennsylvania in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven That he has a record of his age that it is kept in his family Bible That he resided at the time he first entered the ser
vice of the United States on Juniata River Cumberland County Pennsylvania That since the Revolutionary War he resided for a time in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania and for a time in Belmont County Ohio and now
lives in Guernsey County Ohio the particular period of his removal he does not recollect That he is in his present neighbourhood known

to Lemuel H. Wallock President Judge of the court of Common pleas in this Circuit William Skinner Associate Judge of said Court in Guern County General L. Beymer Reverend J. Finley Genl. L. H. Bell George H. Calhoun and Thomas Holt who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid James Bratton
And also came into Court on the same day Thomas Holt who being first duly sworn according to Law saith that he was personally acquainted with James Bratton who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration and that he the said James did serve in the service of the United States at Potters fort as stated in the foregoing declaration J. Finley
We the undersigned a clergyman residing in the County of Guernsey and Lachar & Beatty residing in the County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Bratton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 75 Years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbor- hood to have been a Soldier of Revolution and that we concur in the opinion Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Samuel Finley L. & Beatty
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the rules of evidence prescribed by the war depart- ment 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 Samuel Finley who signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman Residing in the County of Guernsey — and that Lachar & Beatty who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
J. Mason Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio for the county of Guernsey, in and

9 1 st Where and in what year were you born
Ans 1 st I was in Chester County Pennsylvania in the year 1757
9 2 nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
Ans 2 nd I have a record of my age at home in my family Bible
9 3 rd Where were you living at the time you were called into the service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans 3 rd I lived at the time I was called into the service in Cumberland County Pennsylvania Since the revolutionary war I lived for a time Huntingdon County Pennsylvania from which place I removed to Belmont County Ohio from Belmont County I removed to Guernsey County Ohio where I now live
9 4 th How were you called into the service were you drafted or a volunteer or were you a substitute if a substitute for whom
Ans 4 th I was twice drafted and once I volunteered
9 5 th 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 service
Ans 5 th General Lacey was with the troops in my first tour I was in the 8 th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia under Colonel Arthur Buchanan it was marched from Carlisle to Doylestown where I was stationed during the whole of this first term the second term I was stationed at Potters fort and the third term I was a volunteer in a scouting party
9 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans 6 th I never did receive a written discharge from the service
9 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans 7 th I am known to Jeremiah H. Hollock President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in this County William Skinner Esq General J. Beynon Rev. D. Finley Esq J. M. Bell George McCleary Esq and Thomas Holt

State, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Bratton for a pension.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the eighteenth day of October Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Thirty-Two.
Moses Darchet Clerk

John Mitchell 17138
The proceedings on the within application will Be directed to Nathan Evans at Cambridge Ohio If there should be any deficiency in the papers I would be thankful for information Yours N. Evans

James Pratten  BRIEF in the case of  James Pratten  Ohio County of Guernsey in the State of Ohio (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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. As a Genl.     Drafted In 1779. 3 Private Capt Holliday Col Buchanan   " 1779. 2 " " Meads-   Vol 1780 Between 182 - "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland Co Penn  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct. 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Austin
Examining Clerk.

No 17136 - 7.803, James Pratten - Guernsey Coun- ty - Ohio
Adm for 6 months from 1777 - 6/20
Nathan Evans Cambridge Ohio

December 19, 1939
Mrs. Emma O. Ickes 19 N. Wayne Street Lewistown, Pennsylvania
BA-J/MCS James Bratton, S.4272
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to James Bratton who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.4272, based on the military service of James Bratton.
James Bratton was born in 1757 in Butler Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown.
While living on the Juniata River in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in January, 1777, and served three months as private in Captain Samuel Holliday's company in Colonel Arthur Buchanan's 5th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia. He enlisted in August, 1779, and served two months as private with the Pennsylvania troops and was discharged by Captain Robert Means. The next year he volunteered and served between one and two months in a company of Pennsylvania rangers.
After the Revolution, he lived in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, from there he moved to Belmont County, Ohio, and from there to Guernsey County, Ohio.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to this soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of James Bratton, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, it is suggested that you

address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
James Bratton, Certificate #7803, issued April 6, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev. Wm
4292 INVALID.
File No. 4272
James Brannon Pr. P. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: —Vol. A , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1923 June 29 Hist. to Mrs. Chas. French awr 1927—Mrs. Hist. to Mrs. E. Ellis Moore Imm.
1938 July 23 Hist. to Miss Laura E. Britton
1939 June 23 Hist. to Gladys Craig - M.C. copy - had
1939 Dec. 19 Hist. to Emma O. Decker
M.C.
M.C.

Mar 28 1883
W Ivery
FRITH
Anna L. Farnsworth Comptroller of Customs Washington D.C.

Cambriage Ohio March 24 th 1843.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Clerk of Pensions
Sir
I enclose herewith the bond bond for the purpose of drawing James M c Millon's Pension, the enclosure has been forwarded to the Pension Agent at Wheeling & by him returned to me for the purpose of getting the Justice's certificate that the 'interlineations' in his certificate of identity were made before signing. The Justice's certificate of that fact has since been added. If you find the bond now correct you will please return it direct to the Pension Agent at Wheeling.
I am Most Respectfully
Yours
W. W. Tracy
P

Pension Agency Wheeling March 9 th 1844
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner
Dear Sir
I enclose Pension Vouchers of James Bratton for examination, your early attention will oblige
Yours respectfully I Steen Brown Pension Agent per W Thompson

Pension Agency Mr Dan Hoff Va Wheeling March 23 rd 1844
Sir
I enclose for examination voucher, of James Pratten, act of June 1822, respectfully Yours &c A. Wood Pension agt P. Stanton ne
J. L. Edwards Esq Com of Pensions Washington D.C.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Bratten which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? 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? 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? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 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, deposeeth 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.

Lewistown Pa.
Nov. 29-1939
Veterans Adm. Washington, D.C.
Will you please give me all names, wife, children and their residence mentioned on the papers of Revolutionary Soldier James Bratton whose pension no. was S. 4272. also the his age at death and place of residence
Sincerely
Mrs. Emma A. Dicks 19 N. Wayne St Lewistown, Pa.

1251 Waverly Avenue San Antonio, Texas April 29, 1939
The Veteran's Administration Washington, D.C.
If it is possible I would like to get what information you have concerning
James Bratton of Chester Co. Pa. who served as a private the Penn. militia in the Revolutionary War. His wife was Bathsheba Riley Bratton.
Robert Warnick , who enlisted in the War of 1812 as a member of Simon Beyme's Co. which was raised in Guernsey Co. Ohio. His wife was Elizabeth Bratton Warnick.
Gladys Craig

# 1 Juniata Street Lewistown, Penn'a June 28th, 1938
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: I shall appreciate very much if you will send me the military record of James Bratton who served in the War of the Revolution as it may be given in his pension application, especially with regard to any mention made of names of relatives, - brother, sisters, parents, wife or children, or grandchildren; also anything interesting concerning his service, when and where, under what officers etc. ; where born and when.
James Bratton served in both 5th and 8th Battalions , Cumberland County , Penn'a. He resided in the part of Cumberland County which is now Mifflin County, at time of service.
Very sincerely yours,
Laura E. Bratton
(Miss) Laura E. Bratton

C. ELLIS MOORE 15TH DIST. OHIO
E. A. DRAKE SECRETARY
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
Jan. 12, 1924.
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Commissioner Gardner:
Will you kindly advise me what your records show concerning the Revolutionary War service of James Bratton from Chester County, Pennsylvania? I understand Mr. Bratton made application for a pension while living in Ohio.
Thanking you for this information, I am,
Very truly yours,
C. Ellis Moore

United States Pension Office
Washington, D.C. Kind Sirs:- May 14-1923
Will you please give me the record of James Bratton (Bratten) (who was born in 1757 in Ireland) served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia and died at Center, Guernsey County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1844, giving reference to volume and page where same is recorded.
Should there be any charge for this information if you will please advise me the amount, I will forward same to you at once.

Thanking you. I am Very Truly Mrs Charles French Cambridge. Ohio 507 Oakland Blvd

June 25, 1939.
Gladys Craig 1251 Waverly Avenue San Antonio, Texas.
Copy BA-J/MCS/ILL James Bratton S. 4272
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Bratton of Chester County, Pennsylvania, whose wife was Bachsheba Riley Bratton, also, the War of 1812 record of Robert Warrick who served from Guernsey County, Ohio, and whose wife was Elizabeth Bratton Warrick.
A search of the War of 1812 records of this office has been made and no claim for pension found based upon service of the Robert Warrick cited by you. The record of James Bratton is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S.  pension, S. 4272, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
James Bratton was born in the year 1757 in Butler Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
While living on the Juniata River in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in January, 1777, and served three months as private in Captain Samuel Holliday's company in Colonel Arthur Buchanan's 5th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia. He enlisted in August, 1779, and served two months as private with the Pennsylvania troops and was discharged by Captain Robert Means. The next year he volunteered and served between one and two months in a company of Pennsylvania rangers.
After the Revolutionary War, he lived in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, from there moved to Belmont County, Ohio, and from there to Guernsey County, Ohio.
James Bratton was allowed pension on his application executed October 18, 1832, at which time he was living in Centre Township, Guernsey County, Ohio.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to this

soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
James Bratton Certificate #7803 Issued April 6, 1833 Rate $20 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

July 23, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS James Bratton, S.4272
Miss Laura E. Bratton 41 Juniata Street Lewistown, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to James Bratton, a Revolutionary War soldier who lived in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.4272, based on the military service of the only James Bratton that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
James Bratton was born in 1757 in Butler Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given.
While living on the Juniatta River in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in January, 1777, and served three months as private in Captain Samuel Holliday's company in Colonel Arthur Buchanan's 5th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia. He enlisted in August, 1779, and served two months as private with the Pennsylvania troops and was discharged by Captain Robert Means. The next year he volunteered and served between one and two months in a company of Pennsylvania rangers.
After the Revolution he lived in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, from there he moved to Belmont County, Ohio, and from there to Guernsey County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 18, 1832, at which time he was living in Centre Township, Guernsey County, Ohio.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

January 15, 1924
Honorable C. Ellis Moore House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Moore:
I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 4272 it appears that James Bratton was born in 1757 in Butler Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the Revolution he resided on the Juniata River in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was allowed pension, for the service of six months as a private in the Pennsylvania Troops, on his application executed October 18, 1832 while living in Center Township, Guernsey County, Ohio.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Sincerely,
Commissioner.

mmst
AWF S. 4272
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 192
S. 4272
In reply to your request of _____, for the history of James Bratton, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the soldier's claim for pension.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan. 1777 2 yrs. Pvt. Samuel Holliday Arthur Buchanan Pa.   Aug. 1777 2 yrs.   2 yrs.   near Yorktown 1 yr. dis. by Capt. Nott  
Battles engaged in, none stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Juniata River, Cumberland Co. Pa. Date of application for pension, Oct. 18-1832. H. et al. Residence at date of application, Centre Twp., Guernsey Co. Ohio Age at date of application, Born in But. Twp., Centre Co. Pa. in 1757.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Respectfully,
Commissioner.