Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,661, Levi Bryant, Mass. Mass. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass Mass Sea Service
Bryant, Levi Lydia or Lyda
W 23,661
CONTENTS

Maine.
Lydia Bryant. widow of Levi Bryant, decd. Mass who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the 31 August, 1823. - of Oxford in the State of Maine who was a drummer in the Comp y - commanded by Captain Bradford of the Regt - commanded by Col: Cotton - in the Mass: _____ line for 2 years, -
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 88 - Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of May 1839 and sent to Job - Prince, Treasurer, Co. of Oxford, Me:
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $264.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 114.00 $308.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M c Stewart Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 2

Voyage
Lydia Bryant of Saco Maine
with the will Capt J. Bradbury on vol 29 page 11 for 8 mo. 22 Sep 1776 - 4 mo. 14 days on vol 30 page 12 done for 22 Sep 1776 to 1 Jan 1777 3 mo 8 days vol 30 page 8 from 1 Jan 1777 to 5 Feb 1777 6 mo 5 days page 7 all for Annals
State of Maine in the Court of Probate
Job Prince of Turner County of Oxford - Maine - Agent

State of Maine } ss County of Oxford }
On this twenty eighth day of August A.D 1838, personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the County of Oxford, Lydia Bryant, a resident of Sumner in said County aged eighty one 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, 1836; That she is the widow of Levi Bryant who was a Revolutionary Soldier; That she has good reason to believe; and does verily believe, that her said husband, who then resided in Plympton State of Massachusetts, in the year 1775, served as a drummer eight months, in at Roxbury Capt John Bradfords company, in Col Cotts Regiment. - That in the winter of 1776 he served as a drummer in an other Regiment Three months at Dorchester. - That in the Spring of 1776 he enlisted as a drummer on board the Brig Independence, a States vessel, commanded by Capt Simson Sampson. and after serving on board said Brig four or five months was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax and retained a prisoner until the summer of 1777, That in the Spring of 1778 he was elected Captain of the company of Militia in the town of Plympton and served as Capt fourteen years - That in the Summer of 1778 he was called out with his company to go to Danbury in consequence of a British vessel coming into that place, but was out only three or four days at that time - That in the year 1779 during the Summer and fall he was called out

a number of times, sometimes with all, & sometimes with a part of his company - one of those times he went to Rhode Island and was gone three or four weeks - once at Taunton and was gone about one week - other times he was called out I do not recollect when he went.
She further declares that she was married to the said Levi Bryant on the twenty fourth, or twenty fifth day of December 1777 - that her husband the aforesaid Levi Bryant died on the thirty first day of August A.D. 1823 at summer aforesaid, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herunto annexed - And she further declares that before her marriage with the said Bryant her maiden name was Bradford, and that the Revd Ezra Sampson of Plympton solemnized the marriage
Lydia Bryant
Sworn to & subscribed by the above named Lydia Bryant the day & year first above written in open Court Before Stephen Emery, Judge

State of Maine
Oxford ss I the subscriber Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County hereby certify that Stephen Emery before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid. I also certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the Application of Lydia Bryant for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty eighth day of August in the year eighteen hundred & X, thirty eight
Levi Stowell, Register.

I, Lewis Bradford of the Town of Plympton in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts, do hereby testify upon Oath, that I am the Town Clerk of the said Town of Plympton, and that the Town Records of said Town are in my custody, and that upon examination of said Records I find, that Levi Bryant and Lydia Bradford, both of Plympton, were joined in Marriage, December 24. 1777, by the Rev. Ezra Sampson, who was at that time the Minister of the First Parish of Plympton. — I further testify, that I was well acquainted with the said Levi Bryant and Lydia his wife before they moved from Plympton into the then District of Maine, and was knowing to their dwelling together as husband and wife.
Lewis Bradford { Town Clerk of Plympton, Ms. Plympton, June 7. 1838.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. June 7. 1838.
Then personally appeared the above named Lewis Bradford (before the subscriber) who is Clerk of the Town of Plympton, and made oath, that the above deposition by him subscribed, is true. I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Lewis Bradford, and that I believe him to be a man of truth and a credible witness.
Wm. H. Soule { Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Mass. aduncle Plymouth County ss
I John B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that William H Soule before whom the within deposition was sworn, was on the day of taking the same a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Plymouth, duly commissioned & qualified under the authority of said Commonwealth to administer oaths & take depositions — And that the signature subscribed to the Jurat of the same deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Courts this thirtieth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight
M c W th Thomas

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
aw aw
December 31, 1928.
Major J. McClintock, Assistant Office of the Quartermaster General Cemeterial Branch, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 23661 , it appears that Levi Bryant , while residing at Plympton, Massachusetts, enlisted in the spring of 1775 and served eight months as a drummer in Captain John Bradford's Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's Massachusetts Regiment; soon after this, he served three months as drummer, no officers stated; May 1, 1776 he went on board the Brig "Independence", Captain Simeon Samson and served as drummer four or five months, when he was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax, and held a prisoner of war until the summer of 1777.
Doubtless Data
In the spring of 1778 he was elected Captain of a company of Militia in the town of Plympton, was called out on several alarms, and served as a captain of militia for about fourteen years.
He died August 31, 1823, at Sumner, Oxford County,

Maine. The date of his birth is not shown.
His widow, Lydia or Lyda, was allowed pension on account of his services, on her application executed August 28, 1838, at which time she was residing at said Sumner.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
June 16. 1923 Mrs. Mary P. Hopkins Randolph M
File No. 23661
1928. Dec. 31 - Tombstone Data & Cemetery Branch aug.
Lydia Bryant wid of Levi Bryant Drummer Mass Line
Act July 7 th 88
Index: Vol A, Page 91
[Arrangement of 1870.]

3995
Sydia Bryant of Levi. (Maine)
admitted Bureau No. #88.- Rolls
Capt Bradford 75 vol 14 died 31 Aug. 1833
Act 7 July 1838
Job Prindle Turner County of Oxford State of Maine Agent
That the day of my marriage to the said Levi Bryant and that she was not married to the said Levi Bryant until

State of Maine
Oxford County ss. On this twenty seventh day of October A.D. 1838, personally appeared before me, Stephen Emery, Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Oxford, Lydia Bryant a resident of Sumner in said County of Oxford aged eighty one years, who being first 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 7 th 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" - That she is the widow of Levi Bryant, late of Sumner aforesaid, deceased, who was a soldier of the United States in the Revolutionary war - that said Levi, at Plympton, Mass. in the Spring of the year seventeen hundred & seventy five enlisted as a drummer - and the thirty, it was in Capt. John Bradfield's Company - Col. Hall's Regiment - the said service might have been performed in the Hingham Company - and she may have mistaken the Colonel's name - perhaps it was Colonel Cotton - that he the said Levi served said eight months out, and without returning home, enlisted again for the term of three months, but in what company he served she cannot recollect - At the end of said three months, said Levi returned home, but at, or near the first of May A.D. seventeen hundred & seventy six, he enlisted as a drummer on board the Brig, Independence, a States vessel, and served as such, and while on duty in said vessel, the said Brig was captured by the enemy - and said Levi, with the rest of the crew, was carried to Halifax, and he there remained a prisoner of war, until into the Summer of Seventeen hundred & seventy seven, when he returned home.
She further declares that she was married to the said Levi Bryant on the twenty fourth or twenty fifth day of December seventeen hundred & seventy seven, that her husband the said Levi Bryant died on the thirty first day of August A.D. eighteen hundred & twenty three - that she was not married to the said Levi Bryant
6.177-8

prior to his leaving the service, according to the construction of the War Department - for altho' said Levi served several times after said marriage, she understands that said subsequent services are not deemed such as can be considered, under the laws of the U States - But the marriage of said Levi took place before the first of January, sixteen hundred & thirty four - to wit, at the time above stated - & that she has remained a widow & remained even since the death of her said husband, the said Levi Bryant, as aforesaid. She refers to her former declaration of the evidence therein, in proof of the said Levi's services & marriage as above stated.
Lydia Bryant
Known to, & subscribed by the said Lydia Bryant the day & year first written & above written Before Stephen Emerys Judge
State of Maine
Oxford ss. I Levi Stowell Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Oxford hereby certify that Stephen Emery before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid. I also certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the application of Lydia Bryant for a Pension. I also further certify that Job Prince before whom the two annexed Depositions were taken is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that full faith and credit are due to his acts as a magistrate, & that his signature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said at this thirteenth day of December A.D. 1838
Levi Stowell

I, John Bridgham of Minot, in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine, aged eighty four years, testify & say, that I served eight months as a sergeant, during the Revolutionary war, at Roxbury, in the year 1775, in Capt John Bridghams Company & Col Cottons Regiment. Levi Bryant late of Sumner in the County of Oxford, deceased, who then resided in Plympton, State of Massachusetts & in the same town in which I resided, served as a Drummer in the same Regiment during the same time. I think said Bryant served in Capt John Bradfords Company, but am not positive, but I well recollect that he served in the same Regiment with me during said eight months.
Job Prince
his John J. Bridgham Mark
State of Maine
Before me ss December 12 th 1838 Then personally appeared John Bridgham a credible witness, and made oath to the Truth of the above Affidavit, by him subscribed -
Before me Job Prince Justice of the Peace

I John Bartlett of Hartford in the County of Oxford & State of Maine, in my eighty seventh year, testify & say, that I served as a private Soldier eight months in the Revolu- tionary - war at Roxbury, in the year 1775, in Capt John Bradfords Company and Col Cottons Regiment, Levi Bryant late of Summer in said County deceased who then resided in Plympton, Massachusetts served as a drummer in the same Regiment during the same time, I think that said Bryant served in the same Company with me, for I well recollect that said Bryant slept with me during the whole of said eight months, of this I cannot be mis- taken, for we were near neighbours before we went into the service & I have ever since been acquainted with him to the time of his death. It may be possible that he served in some other Company in the same Regiment - as the whole Regiment except about one half of one Company quartered in a House, belonging to Judge Hutchinson of Roxbury, Col Cotton & other Officers slept in the Southeast Room in the lower story and I slept in a Room adjoining - and said Bryant slept in the same Bunk with me during

The whole of said eight months. At the expiration of said eight months I enlisted for one year, in Capt Earl Clapps Company, 2 Col Woods Regiment & was stationed at Dorchester during the winter of 1776. And during said winter I frequently saw said Levi Bryant drumming for another Regiment - that was stationed near Dorchester Meetinghouse. In the Spring of 1776 I with others, moved for New York & saw no more of said Bryant until after I left the Army. I know that said Bryant served the first named eight months & have no doubt that he served the greater part, if not all of the winter following as before stated.
John Bartlett
State of Maine
On this 22 nd November 13 th 1838, I then personally appeared John Bartlett a creditable witness & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed Before me Job Prince Justice of Peace

I George Bryant of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, aged fifty four years, on oath, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Levi Bryant late of Sumner in this County deceased; that more than thirty years ago, I often heard him recount many of the incidents of his life while in the Revolutionary War, - particularly while he was on board the prison-ship at Halifax, and when he was called out with his Company of Militia at Rhode Island. - I further testify that he the said Levi Bryant died at Sumner in this County on the thirty first day of August 1823 leaving a widow by the name of Lydia Bryant who has remained his widow ever since, and now resides in Sumner aforesaid.
George Bryant
Oxford ss. August 24 th 1838. Then personally appeared George Bryant a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed -
Before me Job Prindle Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
Oxford County ss I Thomas Clark, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify that Job Prince Esq. whose genuine signature is annexed to the annexed depositions of George Bryant, John Bartlett, John Gardner, & Lucy Bridgham, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Oxford.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto annexed my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 28 th day of August. A. D. 1830.
Thomas Clark, Clerk of Oxford County Courts.

I John Gardner of Oxford in the County of Oxford and State of Maine, aged seventy seven years, on oath testify and say, that I enlisted as a private on board of the Brig Independence commanded by Captain Simeon Sampson in the year 1775 or 1776. Levi Bryant late of Sumner in this County deceased, who then resided in Plympton State of Massachusetts and within one half mile of my place of residence, enlisted as a drummer at the same time. We both served on board said Brig four or five months, according to my best recollection, when the Brig was taken by the British Brig Hope Captain Dawson, and the said Bryant and myself with others were sent to Halifax as prisoners of war. Some months after our arrival at Halifax I was sent to the Hospital at which time he the said Bryant was on board the prison Ship, how long the said Bryant remained a prisoner after that time I cannot say as I never saw him again until I saw him in this Country. Witness Job Prince
his John X Gardner mark
State of Maine Oxford ss. April 27th 1838 Then personally appeared John Gardner a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed, Before Me Job Prince Justice of the Peace

I John Bartlett of Hartford in the County of Oxford and State of Maine aged Eighty five years, on oath testify and say, that I served in the Army of the Revolution as a private Soldier, eight months in the year 1775 in a Company commanded by Captain John Bradford, in Col Theophilus Cottons Regiment at Roxbury. Levi Bryant late of Sumner in this County deceased, who then resided in Plympton State of Massachusetts and within one quarter of a mile of my place of residence, served as a Drummer in the same Company during the same period of time. We were both honorably discharged at the expiration of said eight months, which was about the first of January 1776. I then enlisted for one year in Captain Clapp's Company and was stationed during the winter of 1776 near Dorchester Neck, and know that the said Bryant served as a Drummer considerable part, if not all of said winter, in an other Regiment that was stationed on the hill near Dorchester Meeting-house as I frequently saw him during said winter. According to my best recollection in the Spring of 1776 he the said Bryant enlisted on board of an Armed Vessel commanded by Capt Simeon Sampson, and it was reported at that time that he was taken prisoner and I know that he did not return till the Spring of 1777 and I have no doubt that he was taken prisoner and was absent from home one year or more.
John Bartlett
State of Maine, Oxford ss. April 26 th 1838 Then personally appeared John Bartlett a credible witness & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him signed. Before Me — Job Prince Justice of the Peace

I Lucy Bridgham of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine aged seventy seven two years testify and say, that during the Revolutionary war I resided in the Town of Plympton, State of Massachusetts, and that in the year 1778 or 1779 think in the latter year, the Militia of said Town of Plympton were all called out to go to Rhode Island the circumstance I well recollect because the women had to harvest the Corn, the men all being absent three or four weeks at that time. I know it was as late as the year 1778 because it was while I lived with Doct Bridgham of said Plympton, and I did not go to live with him until that year
Lucy Bridgham
Oxford ss August 27 th 1838 Then personally appeared Lucy Bridgham a credible witness and made oath to the foregoing affidavit by her subscribe.
Before me Job Prinner Justice of the Peace

I Enoch Hall of Shermer in the County of Oxford & State of Maine, of Eighty four years of age, testify and say, that I am knowing to Levi Bryant's being out in the revolutionary war, at Boston, Roxbury & Dorchester, and after that Campaign was out, the said Levi Bryant enlisted on board of a Privateer and was taken and carried to Halifax, and upon his the said Levi Bryant's return he was married to Lydia Bradford of Plympton Massachusetts, and immediately after his the Levi Bryant's marriage with the said Lydia Bradford he the said Levi Bryant, were elected captain of the Company in town of Plympton and I am knowing to his the said Levi Bryant being called out with his Company on alarms to Mansfield, Duxbury, and Bristol Rhode- island - both Levi Bryant was very active and useful man in the Revolutionary war, and was always ready to turn out on any emergency and must necessarily have spent a great deal of time in the service of his country - the said Levi Bryant resided in the town of Plympton Mas- -achusetts - his
Enoch Hall mark
Oxford ss. April 5th 1838 Personally the above named Enoch Hall and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing disposition by him subscribed this day before me Simon Barrett Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the said deponent is a man of truth and veracity. Simon Barrett Justice of the Peace

Oxford County ss - State of Maine
I, Thomas Clarke, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Oxford, hereby certify, that Simeon Barrett Esq. whose genuine signature is annexed to the within deposition of Enoch Hall is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Oxford. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 20th day of August A. D. 1830.
Thomas Clarke, Clerk of Oxford County Courts --

This certifies that I Howard Chandler of the Town of Duxbury in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts being in my Eightyeth year deposeth and saith that I served as as a private Eight months in the revolutionary war at Roxbury and as near as I can recollct about in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six, and in the Spring after the eight months service above named, I listed on board the Brig Independence, a states vessel, as near as I can recollct of a hundred and Sixteen tons Burthen, Capt Simeon Sampson our Commander - and that I further testify that I knew and was well acquainted with Luci Bryant (who was from Plymouth) who served as drummer on board said Brig and that I knew him to serve as such during the two trips or cruises which we went in sd. vessel and after sd. Brig was taken by the British said Bryant was a prisoner with me about fifteen months at Halifax - Given under my hand this eight day of June in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight Howard his Chandler mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss June 8, 1858.
Then personally appeared the within named Thomas Chandler and made oath that the within deposition is true before me Wm. H. Sibley Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss Clerk's Office July 20 1858
I William Clerk of the Judicial Court for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that William H. Sibley Justice before whom the foregoing deposition was sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Plymouth duly commissioned & qualified according to the authority of the said Commonwealth - And that the signature subscribed to the first of the foregoing deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial for said County of Plymouth in the day & year aforesaid
William Clerk

Turner Dec 14 1838
Sir -
Herenith you will receive the application of Lydia Bryant for a Pension - the same individual who made an application under the act of '36 & whose claim is suspended. I was notified by the Department that unless she could prove the service performed after the marriage, as by order of the State, it could not be allowed which she probably cannot do. She therefore has made application under the five years act, & referred to the papers accompanying her former declaration for the evidence to substantiate her claim. I have, at her request, taken the affidavit of John Brattett again, wherein he states why he recollects the eight months service which I was informed was not corroborated by the rolls - also the affidavit of John Bridgman. When you have any communication to make please address Job Prince Turner - Maine. Yours &c Job Prince J L Edwards Comr of Pensions

Wimmer 30/11/13 1/10/13
Lydia Bryant Naphen the 20 of the R.H. 66
Free
Elizabeth Gog Borning of Braving Woburn - City 26

State of Maine Oxford County
Turner September 12-1838
Sir -
I recently transmitted to the Pension Office, the declaration of Lydia Bryant, with affidavits accompanying the same, in order to obtain a Pension for the services of her late husband, Levi Bryant, in the Revolutionary War. And according to my best recollection, there was no letter transmitted with those papers, to show by whom they were sent.
When you have any communication to make in relation to those papers - please address - Job Prince - Turner - Maine
I am Sir respectfully Your Obed Servt
Job Prince
J L Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions

23661
Bureau of Pensions.
Levi Bryant
Aug 28. 1838. Sumner Me - 81
75 Plympton Mass Apt for Bradford Cal Cutton Brunner 8 m
76 Apt - Cal - Dre 3 m
Sps 76 Bng "Independence" Apt Swinern Sampson serv 5 mo. at the Apt left till June 77 Brunner
Sps 78 Apt Mrs Lydia Bradford
Dec 25. 1772 D - Aug 31. 1823
No Bkt

Lydia Bryant Heir
Suspended
See let. 16 Oct. 1838 Job Priner
Act 4 July 1838

Full name of soldier, _____
Levi Bryant
Where did he enter service? _____
Plympton (Greenoughston) Plymouth Co Mass (Town, county, and State.)
Under what officers did he serve? _____
Place of residence after service, _____
Bucksfield Oxford Co Maine (Town, county, and State.)
Approximate date of death, _____
Lost at sea
Given name of widow, _____
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? _____
Additional information, _____
Served as drummer on the alarm of April 19-1775 & with the 8 months army at Boston in 1775 - and served as drummer in the Brigade Independence in 1776 - 1777.
Signature, _____
Mrs Mary P Hopkins
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, } _____
Randolph Wisconsin

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
IN REPLY REFER TO OH 293.7 A-C (Pension Office)
November 20, 1928.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In order that headstones properly inscribed may be furnished for the graves of the decedents named on the enclosed applications, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct spelling of the names and complete designation of the organizations be furnished this office from the records of the Pension Office, with the return of the applications as soon as practicable.
Very truly yours,
J. McClintock
J. MCCLINTOCK, Major, Q.M. Corps, Assistant.
5 Encls:
Applications:
 Perry, James H. OK  Swift, London OK  Smith, Elisha Rev. Sec.  Doty, Zebulon Rev. Sec.  Bryant, Levi Rev. Sec. 
These two sent to Rec. Div. to be answered Dec. 31-1928
Rev. Smith - who served in N.H. Troops & died March 12-1811 at Saratoga - N.H.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Gryant, Matthew GRADE Private LINE Rhode Island
WARRANT NUMBER 2979 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Mar. 5, 1793 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.