Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,670, David Briant, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Briant, David Abigail
NUMBER
W.23,670
CONTENTS

2341.
Massachusetts
David Bryant
of Leicester in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain of the regt commanded by Col Denny in the Mass line for 8 Mos 11 Days
8 mo 24 d - see within
$29.30 -
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 27 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Nov 1832 and put Waldo Flint Leicester Mass
  to 4th of Sept 1832  $41.80    emi=ant. allowance ending Mar 33  13.93     $55.73  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Bliss Clerk, Book D Vol. 24 Page 95

1320 Massachusetts Abigail Bryant, widow of David Bryant, Mass who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 29 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of August 1848 and sent to
James Draper Spencer Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 6 Vol. 2

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this fourth — day of October in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Paine Esquire, Judge of Probate of Mills & Fourscounty , now sitting, David Briant — a resident of Leicester — in the County of Worcester aforesaid , and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In September, in the year 1777, he enlisted into the Company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Capt. David Rooty in the Regiment under the command of Col. Samuel Denny. The said Company marched first to Bennington, Vermont, arrived there a short time after the battle at that place - thence marched to Fort Edward - & thence to Saratoga, where it arrived just as General Burgoyne surrendered. He served at that time, as a private soldier in said Company, one month, and was discharged at Saratoga about the last of October 1777. He recollects, that about 50 Indians were brought in, & that Gen. Stark went among them to see, as he said, if he could not pick him out a wife.
In June 1778, he again entered the service of the U.S. as a private in the Company of Mass. Militia commanded by Capt. John Cutler in Col. Wadsworth's Regiment, & marched immediately to Rhode Island - was stationed for a time at East Greenwich - went over on to the Island, as he thinks, on the 9th of August or thereabouts, & remained there, as near as he can now remember about 3 weeks, & then ordered by Gen. Sullivan to retreat from the Island: after leaving the Island, came back again to East Greenwich & was there in tents until cold weather, & was discharged there in December or Jany having served at the last mentioned time six months & a half or thereabouts.
Col. Green's Regiment of Blacks were in the same quarters a part of the time. He once more entered the service, as a private in Capt. Francis Wilson's company, Col. Saml. Denny's Regiment of Mass. Militia, in October 1778; - marched to Albany, and was stationed in that neighbourhood on the North River (most of the time, as he thinks, at a place then called Claverick) until discharged there, which was about the first day of December. He served at the last mentioned time one month & eleven days. He enlisted for 3 months, but the company was dismissed before the time expired, there being no further need of them. He never received a written discharge in any case, & he thinks no written discharge was given to the Militia of Massachusetts. The common course was for the Capt. to call the Company together & inform them, that they were discharged from any further duty.
And this Declarant further says, that he was born, at Leicester aforesaid, July 10, 1761, where he has ever since resided. The only record he has of his age is contained in a Family Bible was made by his late Father deceased. He lived at said Leicester when he entered the service & before that time. He here annexes a certificate of the Secretary of State as the best evidence of the exact terms of his service. He has no documentary evidence in his own possession.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before NATHANIEL PAINE Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
DAVID BRIANT

We John Nelson — a Clergyman residing in the said town of Leicester and Austin Flint — residing in the same Leicester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Bryant — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid .
October 19th. 1832
Before me, Waldo Flint Justice of the Peace —
John Nelson Austin Flint
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Nelson who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Leicester and that Austin
Flint Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. D. Merrill Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Shephardus Wheeler Regdon , Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Bryant for a pension. That Waldo Flint above named is a justice of the Peace in the County of Worcester and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court — 31st day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty
Shephardus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester S.S.
On this twentieth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and fortyfour, personally appeared before me the subscriber Judge of Probate in and for the said County of Worcester Abigail Briant a resident of Leicester in said County of Worcester aged seventy nine 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 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," or rather to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third of March 1843. That she is the widow of David Briant, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, whose services are detailed, as she supposes, in the declaration of the said David Briant, now in the Pension Office, for which he received a pension for twenty seven Dollars and eighty seven cents per annum, the certificate for which pension is dated November 23, 1832, which certificate was returned to the Pension Office at Washington, October 12, 1844. She further declares that she was married to the said David Briant on the fifteenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, by the Rev. Isaac Dreads, minister of the Gospel Society in said Leicester the record of which marriage is however, unfortunately lost, although said record was in her possession, until a very recent period, that her husband, the aforesaid David Briant, died on the seventh day of October 1841; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninetyfour, viz, at the time above stated. Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written.
Before me
Wm. J. Thomas Abigail Briant mark Judge of Probate for said county.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Charles J. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester do certify, that Benjamin H. Thomas is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature on the preceding page of this sheet is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Worcester this twentieth day of December, one thousand, eight hundred and forty four.
Chas. J. Prentiss, Register

I Moses Harrington of Leicester in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, do depose and say, that I am an ordained Minister of the Baptist Church and Society in said Leicester, that I have the custody of the records of said Church, and I find by those records that the Rev. Isaac Pease was the regularly ordained Minister of said Church and Society from the first day of December 1784 to the twenty fifth day of September 1788, and that he the said Isaac Pease, was legally authorized to marry persons agreeable to the laws of Massachusetts, in such cases made and provided. And I further depose and say that David Bryant of said Leicester, now deceased, as appears also by said records was a worthy member of said church and for many years, sustained the office of Deacon in said Church.
Moses Harrington Pastor of the Baptist Church in Leicester
Worcester ss. December 11. 1844.
Then the above named Moses Harrington was sworn to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent and he is a person of truth and veracity Before me
James Dyer Justice of the Peace

I John Sargeant of Leicester in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, do depose and say that I am Town Clerk of said town of Leicester, and the following are extracts from the records of said town, to wit.
"the intention of Marriage between David Priest and Abigail Eddy, both of Leicester Entered, October twentyfirst one Thousand seven hundred and eighty four," October 21 st 1784."
"David Priest died October seventh one Thousand eight hundred and forty one," October 7, 1841."
That the above are true copies of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows. October 21. 1784. — October 7, 1841.
I John Sargeant above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk of the Town, County and State aforesaid, and that the above are true extracts from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me. John Sargeant Town Clerk
Worcester Jp. December 11. 1844.
Then the above named John Sargeant was sworn to the truth of the above deposition, and I further certify the aforesaid deponent is a person of truth and veracity
Before me James Drape Justice of the Peace

Anna Warren of Boston in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years do depone and say that, my original name before I was married was Anna Eddy, and sister to Abigail Bryant, the widow of David Bryant late of Leicester, deceased, and I well remember the time when my said sister was married to said David Bryant, although I was not present at the marriage, yet I was at home when she went to the Rev. Mr. Peabody, to be married and at home when she returned, and although I am not positive as to the day of the month, yet I know it was on Sunday morning, and I think on or about the fifteenth day of May 1785. Soon after she was married she removed home with the said Bryant, where she remained until he died and where she still lives. During this period they lived together as husband and wife having had two children one of whom is now living with his mother and takes care of her agreeable to the will of his father. I was thirteen years old when my said sister was married as aforesaid.
Anna Warren
Worcester ss. December 12, 1844.
Then the said Anna Warren was sworn to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed and I certify that said Deponent is a woman of truth and veracity.
Before me
James D. Dyer Justice of the Peace

I Braddyll Livermore of Paxton in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Esquire, aged eighty one years, do depose and say, that I have known personally David Bryant late of Leicester a revolutionary pensioner, deceased, for more than seventy years and also, his wife Abigail the said David Bryant was born on the farm where he always lived until the day of his death, and I also, now live on the farm where I was born and have lived to this day, our places of residence being only about one mile distance from each other. Although I was not personally present at their marriage, yet the fact that they were married is as notorious a fact as of any other marriage in the neighbourhood. I have personally known them living together as husband and wife for more than fifty years, having had two children, a daughter and son, the latter being still living, I have always understood that they were married by the Rev. Isaac Meek, a Baptist minister of Leicester, he being the minister, whose ministry he attended.
Braddyll Livermore
Worcester ss. December 12. 1844
Then the above named Braddyll Livermore was sworn to the truth of the above deposition and I certify that the said deponent is a person of truth and veracity.
before me
James Draper Justice of the Peace

Spencer (Mass) Decm. 23. 1844.
Sir, Having on the 12th. of October last transmitted to your office the Declaration of Abigail Bryant for a pension under the act of March 3, 1843, which was denied in part, I now forward a second Declaration, for the same purpose, agreeable to the instructions from your office which I hope may now prove to be correct. It will be perceived that there is no record to be found of the marriage of Mrs. Bryant, with her late husband, David Bryant, although there is no more doubt of that fact when she is known than of the marriage of any other persons whatever. You will perceive by the enclosed documents, and by her Declaration, that she was married May 15 1785, by the Rev. Isaac Beals. The Rev. Moses Harrington deposes that Isaac Beals was a clergyman at that period, legally authorized to marry persons. John Sargent, the town clerk of Leicester deposes that the intention of their marriage was duly entered in the town records, agreeable to the laws of Massachusetts, and that David Bryant died October 7. 1841. Amy Warren deposes that she is a sister of Mrs. Bryant and was at home at the time the marriage took place, and she as well as Braddylight Simmons Esquire say that they have long known them as living and being, known as husband and wife. Many others, if necessary, can state the same thing. I myself have known them as living together as husband and wife for more than twenty years, and more both pious and exemplary christians. Please to transmit the certificate to my son when it shall be made, Yours obedt Servt. James W. Foster Post P.S.
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23670
Abigail Bryant Wid of David Bryant Brin New-har
Act Feb 2nd 1848
Index: Vol. A , Page 91
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rep?
6688
Massachusetts
Abigail Briant
widow of David Briant
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
29 Dollars 30
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
26 th day of February 1845
and sent to James Draper
Spencer, Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4, June 17-1844.
Vol. 2. Page 26.

Dec. 26, 1849
(See no 6588)
Olda Dec.
Alayne Brant, March 3, 1843,
Commissioner
Edward G. G.
of Pines
Washington
28

16,665
Darius Bryant
Private
Massachusetts
Col. A. Baldwin's
Regt Mass. Mils.
8 Months & 14 days
8 — " — 24
admitted
$ 27.87
Waldo Flint Esq.
Leicester
Mass

oking over State, Inc. paper of mean doc, should be able ndson, is well known gentlemen, in the full the country of his all be much our.
Lucius Asa Nov 10
For the Pension Office Washington
care of Henry H. Sylvester Esq. Clerk in said office
J. C.
26.66 2/3 2.64 20.31  26.66 2/3 1.21 17.87  333 3/8
24 3/4 2.64
12 1/2
27.87 1.43 20.30
13 11 14 3/4

Leicester Nov. 9th. 1832
My dear Sir
I take the liberty to address to your care some Pension papers, & shall be much obliged by your giving your attention to them, when your convenience will allow.
Deacon Briant's Declaration was put into shape by me, & conforms, in all particulars, I believe, to the directions of the War Department.
The evidence, which he sends to make out his claim, is the Certificate of our Sec. of State, which I take to be the best evidence which can be offered.
Richardson's Declaration was not shaped by me, but from looking over it, it appears to me to be substantially correct. He does not state, I see, with exact precision, the term of his service - nor after the lapse of near sixty years, can it be expected, that he, or any body else, should be able to state to a day or two the exact term of service.
Mr. Braga, who has given his affidavit for Richardson, is well known by me as an honest, as well as a very intelligent old gentleman, in the full possession of his mental powers, & I have no doubt of the correctness of his recollections.
Should any questions arise, which I do not now anticipate, I shall be much obliged by your informing me whenever your leisure will allow.
The Certificates, when made out, may be enclosed to me.
I am very truly Yours &c
Waldo, Flint
To Henry W. Sylvester Esq. in the Pension Office Washington.
A letter from Mr. Hubbard informs us, that all are well in No 4.

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the Pres ee of B o Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded by J H S o Blain Clerk, on Book D - Vol. 2 nd page 95.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, David Bryant of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Twenty Seven ————— dollars and Eighty Seven cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Third day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two,
Lawson Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J L Edwards

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, ss.
I, Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That James Draper, Ebenezer, — is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature to the certificate, on the deposition of Abigail Bryant, — hereunto annexed, is genuine.
GIVEN under my hand, and the Seal of said County, this eleventh day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty- four.
Jos. G. Kendall

6688 Mount
admitted
James Draper Spencer Mass

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 2 d . February 1848 entitled an act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County
On this twentyseventh day of July 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Abigail Bryant a resident of Leicester in said County of Worcester aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 2 d . February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of David Bryant, who was a resident of Leicester aforesaid and who was a private in the army of the Revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension under the act of 17 th . June 1844, on account of the Revolutionary services of her late husband aforesaid at the rate of twenty nine Dollars and thirty cents per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Her Abigail X Bryant mark
Before me
In presence of Sophia A. White
James Draper Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me a widow and a Pensioner as she declares. James Draper Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County
I, Charles W. Hartshorn, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that James Draper, on the twenty seventh day of July last was & is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature above written is genuine. Given under my hand, and the Seal of this Court, this first day of August, 1848.
Chas. W. Hartshorn Clerk

6682
N o 6588.
Abigail Brant, widow of David Brant - Act July 7. 1838 - rejected - her husband died 7 Oct. 1841
And: acts 3 rd March 1843 & 17 June, 1844 8 mos: & 24 days private $29.30 per annum.
N o 432
6588
James L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
James Draper Esq r Spencer, Massachusetts

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester } ss
On this eleventh day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and fortyfour personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Worcester Abigail Bryant a resident of Leicester in the County of Worcester aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of David Bryant who was a private in the army of the Revolution for which he received a pension from the United States of twenty seven Dollars and Eighty seven cents per annum, the said David Bryant having deceased October 7, 1841. She further declares that she is still a widow.
her Abigail X Bryant mark
Suborn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before, and I further testify that the said Abigail Bryant is personally well known to me and that she is a person of truth and veracity
James Draper Justice of the Peace

Spencer (Mass) October 12, 1844
James L. Edwards Esq.
(Dear Sir, I send enclosed the Declaration of the Widow Abigail Bryant for a pension under the act of March 3, 1843. She has not received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, for the reason that her husband was then living, and drew a pension himself. I also enclose the original certificate of her husband, David Bryant, although I do not know that it is necessary. When the certificate shall have been made out please to transmit the same to me.
Yours respectfully
James D. Dyer
P.S. I transmitted to your office the Declaration of Elizabeth Clark August 1, 1844 for a pension under the same act of March 3, 1843, but have received no return yet. Please let me know if it has been received at your office or lost.
James D. Dyer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, Joseph G. Kendall , Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That James Draper, Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature to the certificates on the depositions of N. Harrington, J. Sargent, A. Warren, B. Livermore , hereunto annexed, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County, this thirteenth day of December , in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four .
Jos. G. Kendall Clerk

David Bryant
16885
Diana Bryant
Powah
Mop
Admitted
8 Months & 11 day
Waldo Flint Eng
Leicester
Mop

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sep r 12 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that David Bryant served as a private in Capt David Rootes' Company in Major Asa Baldwin's division of the Massachusetts Militia from Col. Samuel Denny's Regiment, that marched to reinforce the Northern army by order of the Council of Massachusetts for one month ending in October 1777. the time of enlistment bears date Sep r 27. 1777.
Also that the said Bryant enlisted in Capt John Cutter's Company & Col Nath l Wade's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, as a private June 23. 1778, and served therein in said capacity six months and thirteen days, -
Also that the said Bryant enlisted in Capt Francis Wilson's company and Col Sam l Denny's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, October 21. 1779 and served therein in said capacity

one month and eleven days. As a private
Edward D. Bangs, Secy