Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1307, James Brown, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 76.
Brown, James
R. 1307
CONTENTS
sub. at Cornish, N. 76.
In 1834 aged about 70 yrs a res. of Vinango La. Pa.

31.923 James Brown Pa.
suspended
Hon. Lewis
3 m 1 day Col
Nichols next N 16
March 1980
There is a copy of letter dated in 1981 to some Mrs. discharge in act. in the Sylvan museum
Washington
Secretary of War
Prof
RECEIVED
City Hall
1507
6th & 10th

James Brown's
Declaration in order to obtain the - benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of Pennsylvania County of Venango
On this twenty-seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Henry Shippen President and the Honorable John Irwin and Thomas Witter associates of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Venango County, James Brown, a resident of said county, aged about seventy (the exact age not now recollected) and 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:
In the month of May 1780, I enlisted for six months in the service under Captain Shell Stevens and Adjutant Daniel Hinckle, in the township of Cornish, State of New Hampshire for six months - from whence I proceeded with

a considerable company all made up in that Township to aid Springfield in the state of Massachu- setts where we remained about three weeks guarding some baggage, and from thence we proceeded to West Point, then commanded by General Arnold, and engaged in building the fort. Some three or four months after, (the time not exactly remembered) we went out with a company of about sixty men, who were sent down the Hudson river towards New York about ten miles below Stony Point, where we met General Washington whom we were sent out to guard up to West Point. I was glad to get on this expedition as we were almost wholly destitute of provisions at the camp, and hoped to find more plenty as we passed through the country. We proceeded with General Washington about half way to West Point, when he turned off to go to Hartford and we proceeded on to our quarters at Robinson Farms two miles below West Point. General Washington, had, as I understood, appointed to meet General Arnold a few days after at West Point, and I saw Arnold ride up and shake hands with General Washington as he started for Hartford. But before the time when I understood that General Washington was to have arrived, Andre was detected as a spy, and Arnold made his escape. I heard ten guns fired, which was the first intimation we had that any thing was wrong. Major Nicholson immediately jumped on his horse and rode from our encampment at Robinson's farms down to the point, and the alarm was soon spread that Arnold had escaped. There was an uproar immediately

sent to Stony Point to try to intercept him there, but before that express arrived Arnold had passed, and was so far off that they could not fire upon him without killing the horse man also, which they did not wish to do. Soon after this, (the precise time not now recollected) the Continentals came on, and my six months having expired, I was discharged.
On the February following 1781, I again enlisted under Captain Lall of the company of "Rangers," for one year. The name of the Lieutenant in this company was Church. I enlisted at this time in the town of Windsor, and proceeded to Bethel, on White River, now in the state of Vermont, where we were stationed in a fort and remained there, being engaged in scouting parties over the country the whole year, until the time for which I enlisted had expired, when I was regularly discharged. While there, some time about the middle of the summer, we had a skirmish with the Indians and took eight or ten of them prisoners. We had several other skirmishes with the Indians, but never succeeded in taking any other prisoners, and nothing else is recollected to have transpired worthy of particular notice. I took a written discharge in both instances, but not then supposing they would be of any use to me, I took no care of them, and lost them soon after. I have no documentary evi-

dence nor proper prooffs whatever to prove my service, nor do I know of a person now living who could testify to it. My whole time of service was eighteen months, and for the time, I received the pay of a common soldier, in Continental money which however was of no value to me, as I could not have bought a meal of victuals with a hundred dollars of it at the time. My name is not on the pension roll of the United States nor of any state , nor have I since that time ever received any thing in consideration of my services.
After the revolution, I removed to old Lancaster near Boston where I lived a year or two, from thence I removed to the village of Green New Hampshire, where I remained about two years - from thence I removed to Woneach in Connecticut where I remained one year, when I went into the state of New-York, where I lived in various places for about ten years, having lost my wife, and broke up house keeping. After this I lived in the town of Milford in the state of New-York twelve or thirteen years. - from thence I removed to a place near Auburn, N.Y. where I lived two years, from thence I removed to Chemung Co. N.Y. where I remained about two years. From thence I removed to Tioga county in the state of Pennsylvania, where I remained about two years - From thence I removed to Potter County Pa. where I lived about

one year, and from thence I removed to the Borough of Franklin Venango Co. Pa., where I lived in the borough and Venango County about four years. From whence I went to Canajoharie in New York where I staid about two years, and in different parts of New York state for about eight years, when I returned a few months since to the
County of Venango where I now reside in Plum Township - was born in Rhode Island about year 1764 or 1765 -
Sworn & subscribed
in open court Aug 27 1834 Henry Shippen
James T Brown mark
Edward Gardner, being duly sworn in open court, doth depose and say that he is acquainted with the applicant, Mr. James Brown and has been for thirteen or fourteen years - that about thirteen years since, he heard Major Lyman of Potter County Pennsylvania an officer of the revolution who is since dead, say that for various reasons he was confident the said applicant Mr. Brown was a soldier of the revolution, and further saith that it is generally believed, as far as he knows that Mr. Brown was a revolutionary soldier, and further, that he is a man of good moral character, and entitled to the fullest credit on his oath.
Sworn & subscribed before me The 27 th day of August 1834 A. S. Hume Notary
Edward Gardner

William Connely Esq. a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Kennebec, being duly sworn in open court, doth depose and say that he became acquainted with the appli- cant James Brown about eleven years ago, that he was then considerably engaged in his employ and that he was frequently conversant with him upon the subject of his being a revolutionary soldier, and that he at that time understood from him that he was at West Point at the time the traitor Benedict Arnold attempted to deliver up that post to the British army; and further saith that he never heard it doubted that he was a soldier of the revolution, and further, that he is an honest man of good reputation and moral character, whose statement ought to be credited.
Sworn & subscribed before me the 27 th day of August 1834 A. Plumer Justice.
W. Connely

Venango County ss-
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that James Brown the before named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certifies that William Connelly who has signed the preceding affidavit is a Magistrate of this County & was an officiating Clergyman that Edward Gardner is a resident citizen of Paint Township in this County to whom affidavits reliance may be placed -
Certified August 28 th 1834
Henry Sheppren Pres't of Dist. Ct.
State of Pennsylvania Venango County ss
I Arnoea Plumer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Brown for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Franklin the 28 th day of Aug. A.D. 1834
A Plumer Protho

State of Pennsylvania } ss. Venango County - }
Personally appeared be-
fore the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County James Brown, who being duly sworn, deponeth 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. in the year 1780 he served six months in the company commanded by Captain Able Stevens, he served as a private. and in the year 1781 he served in a company of "Rangers" commanded by Capt. Lull, for six months, as a private: he entered in said last mentioned company for one year, some time in February or March of the last mentioned year to wit 1781, but was not called into actual service, till in the summer of said year, from which time he served for said period of six months, and for which several periods of six months each he claims a pension.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 26. th day of April 1834.
H. Bonacy
his James Brown mark

Pennsylvania Venango County. J.P.
I Alexander McDowell Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Venango County Certify that William Connelly Esq. is an acting Justice of the peace, in and for said County duly commissioned, and sworn, and the within signature purporting to be his are genuine. Witness my hand and seal of office at Franklin this twenty seventh day of April eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
A. McDowell Pro of Ven. Co.

Suspended R1307
See letter to
S. W. Randall
Franklin, Pa
18 March 1835
let A. Plummer - sep 34 let 1835 1835 S. W. Randall let 2nd Nov 36 A. Brown Hon. J. Galbraith, Jan 30 1837 (copy) let Sept 37 S. R. Irwin do. 2 June 37

J N Snowden
Pa
2 June 1837
Cl
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

War Dept. Pensions Office June 21/1837
Sir,
The amended declaration of James Brown has been up & filed. Before a pension can be allowed some proof of his services  direct in support of his claim for services in 1780 should be exhibited, as Restofor required.
James R. Snowden Esq. Franklin, Pa

Hon J Galbraith, H. R.
Jan 30, '37,
G. C.
Record V36 Page 493

M. D. P. O.
Jan. 30, 1837.
Sir,
Agreeably to your request I herewith enclose an authentica- ted copy of the papers of James Brown. I have
[Faint mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
Hon J. Galbraith, N. R.,

J. W. Randall
18. March 1835
O. C.
Record. Vol. 26 p. 449

War Dept Pen Offin March 18. 1835
Sir
A more particular investigation of the case in the case of James Brown has been made and it has been ascertained from the rolls in the offin that he served only a little over three months as a militia nonfrier Hampshire under his first engagement. It has also been ascertained that there was no enlistments to serve for so long a term as one year as a ranger, in Vermont, in 1780 as alleged. In order to a proper investigation of his claim for services as a ranger, he should give the names of the field officers of the regt to which he belonged. The papers will remain on file in this offin with proper cases.
J. W. Randall Esq Franklin Pa

A. Brown
Nov 24. 1836
Record Vol 41, P 166,

War Dept. Pen. Office Nov 24, 1836
Sir
In answer to your letter respecting the case of James Brown I have to inform you that on the 18 th Sept. 1834 a letter was addressed from this office to A. Plummer Esq r informing him that the claim could be allowed for six months service upon the testimony then exhibited. In March 1835 a re-examination of the claim was made and his name found on the rolls in this office showing that he served only about three months instead of six. D. W. Randall Esq r  was who transmitted the papers to this office the second time was informed that a pension could not be allowed without further proof. A copy of the letter to Mr Randall is herewith enclosed.
A. Brown Esq r - Mercer. Pa.

J. R. Snowden Apr 17, 1837
Record Vol 41. P 388.

War Dept. Pen. Office April 17. 1837
Sir
In answer to your inquiry respecting the case of James Brown I have to inform you that he alleges to have served six months in 1780, under the New Hampshire militia; and for one year as a in Capt. Sulliv's corps.  Rangers Rangers. No name is found on the roll in this office of the N. Hampshire militia, for three months and eighteen days only, and there is no proof here of his service in Vermont. The service commenced
There was a company of Rangers raised in Vermont in 1781, but they did entered the service in was May and did not serve more than six months. Proof of the last alleged service in 1781, should be exhibited.
James R. Snowden Esq Franklin. Pa.

War Department Pension Office September 10 th 1834
Sir,
The declaration of James Brown has been examined, and it is, herewith returned, The proof in support of his claim is not satisfactory, Unless such proof of his service for one year be exhibited as is required in note 1 st , in the enclosed printed sheet, an allowance can only be made for his first tour of six months,
I am Respectfully Your O bt Servant J L Edwards
A. Plummer Esq r Franklin, Pa

I hereby agree to accept a pension for the first six months service, being unable at this day to find any better evidence of my service than that attached to my application.
Witness present.
James his x Brown mark
Joh. W. H. Cunn

Franklin Nov. 18 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq. Dear Sir - I sometime since recd yours, and also the papers of Mr. Brown which were returned for amendment. In Sunderland your letter you propose to give Mr. Brown a pension for six months service, and after making considerable exertion to find several old soldiers whom he mentions as having been in the army with him, and being unable to hear from any of them he has concluded to accept the pension for six months service. He is a frail old man who cannot write, and has not heard from any of those who were with him in the army for more than twenty years, and cannot at this late day furnish any proof more satisfactory than what has already been produced. I therefore inclose his papers and his consent to accept the pension for the six months service.
Very respectfully &c
A. H. Randal

Apr 15
In- at- Mr. Al.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Peace Washington D.C. —
[Handwritten signature or mark]

Franklin Venango County Pa April 6. 1837.
Dear Sir,
In the year 1834 an application was made by James Brown, a revolutionary soldier to be placed on the pension roll pursuant to the act of the 7th of June 1832. The application was drawn up and attended to, by a Mr. S. W. Randall who removed from this county not long afterwards. Mr. Brown wishes to know what was done in the matter, and recently spoke to me to address you on the subject. If it is not too much, please tell me of the decision of the Department? The matter would have been attended to, ere this by Mr. Brown, but he is a very frail old man and lives a considerable distance from here, and thought Mr. Randall was attending to it, and was ignorant of his removal.
Very Respectfully yours &c
James R. Snowden
J. L. Edwards Esq Com. 2 of Pensions

Plan a Oct 1832.
maybe
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissr of Pensions Washington D. C.
FREE

Franklin Pa. April 28. 1837.
J. L. Edwards,
Sir,
I had the honor to recd your favor of the 17. th inst. I have since seen James Brown, he knew of no witness who can prove his service in Capt. Lill's Com- pany. you say that capt Lill's company of rangers served for six months only Mr. Brown mentioned to me he had stated he served about six months to Mr. Randall who drew up his application but he had enlisted for one year, and Mr. R. it seems allays that applicant served 12 months, I send you an amended declaration which I hope will be satisfactory.
Very Respectfully
Yours J. R. Snowman

1307
ELECTED
P. O. James Brown A.H.
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: List of suspended claims printed in 1852, shows cause
Re-enlisted: of suspension as follows:
Service for over three months established by the rolls — the wagon service must be specified as to officers & regiment to which he belonged.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18