Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 19569, Thomas Brown, Mass. Mass. Sea Service Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Brown, Thomas
S19569
Mass. Sea Service
Privateer
CONTENTS
b. at Marblehead, Essex Co. Mass. there at enl. + d. there Mar. 11, 1833 aged 85 yrs. wife Mary

State of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead County of Essex }
On this third day of April, A. D. 1839, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within & for the said County of Essex Mary Brown, a resident of said Marblehead, aged Eighty Years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on her oath, & from the best of her knowledge & belief, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit which enures & accrued to her late husband through & by the Act of Congress which passed June 7th, 1832, for services performed in the War of the Revolution — by which said Act he was entitled to its benefits, from the fourth day of March, 1831, up to the time of his death, & yet never received the same .
That She is the widow of Thomas Brown, who was a Private in the Company of Capt. Nicholson Broughton of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by Colonel John Glover in the War of the Revolution; that her said late husband resided in said Marblehead — where he was born & brought up — at the time of his enlistment, enlisted in said Corps & in said town — in the eight months service as a Private & volunteer on the twenty fourth day of Mar. A. D. 1775; that her said husband continued in said Corps, doing his duty, about said March, until the twenty second day of June following when he marched with Regiment to Cambridge, near Boston & joined the American Army there, then under the command of General Ward; that General Washington arrived soon after & took the command; that her said husband continued with said Regiment doing his duty at said Cambridge & around said Boston, until the thirty first day of December following, when the term of enlistment having expired said Regiment was discharged & he returned home.
She further declares that her said husband shortly after his said discharge, again entered the service of the State of Massachusetts, & enlisted in the said town of Marblehead as a Private & volunteer in a Company of Infantry Sea Vencibles, commanded by Capt. William Hooper — on the twelveth day of January, A. D. 1776 — for the term of one year unless sooner discharged by order of the Provincial Congress of said State — for the defence & protection of said town & its coasts adjacent, & that he continued doing his duty in said Hooper's Company, until the last day of February following; that said Provincial Congress then ordered twenty-five men to be taken from said Hooper's Company, & also twenty-five more from one other Company of the same description, commanded by Capt. Francis Weston — to be united into a new company of Artillery under Capt. Edward Fettiglan for the purpose of

Doing Garrison Duty in the Port of said town: That her said husband was one of the twenty-five that were so taken from Hooke's Company, & united to the new Company commanded by the said Capt. Pettipiece, & that he continued to do Garrison Duty under the said Captain in the said Port, as a private of Artillery until the thirty-first day of December, 1775, when said Company was disbanded.
She further Declares from the best of her knowledge & belief that her said husband afterwards entered the Naval Service of the said State of Massachusetts, & served thereon as a first Master's Mate on board the State Brig Syracuse , Jonathan Harraden Esq. Commander - one cruise, & sailed from Salem on said Cruise sometime in the month of October 1777, arrived back to Boston sometime in the month of May 1778, after an absence of about seven months - during which time captured several prizes - one of which they carried into the Port of Martinique in the West Indies & sold; that several others - a "Snow" among the number - arrived safe home to Marblehead & Boston: That she has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony she can procure to prove this last period of her said husband's service, & she bears to refer to the Roll of said Brig Syracuse for the said cruise - understood to be now in the War Office, Washington for the requisite proof of the same.
She further Declares that after this last mentioned period of her said late husband's service, he was a Lieutenant on board the Private armed Brig Oliver Cromwell , & in various other Prizes & in prison off "on" during the whole War, but that she has no present knowledge of any other Public Service performed by him than that which she has heretofore stated & declared: that her said husband had taken measures to present his claim to the Department for the benefit of the said law of June 7th, 1832, but that his death occurred & prevented it soon afterwards.
She further Declares that she was married to the said Thomas Brown on the thirteenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred & three: that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Brown died of age & infirmity at his home in said Marblehead on the eleventh day of March in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three, & that she has remained his widow ever since his death, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Attesteth by J. G. [?] Robert Phillips
her Mary X Brown mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written
Before me, D. H. Merrill
Judge of said Court of Probate
(Further service afterwards sworn to on the last page.)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, ss. Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that the Honorable Daniel A. White, before whom the foregoing declaration of Mary Brown purports to have been taken, is the judge of probate for said county; and that his name, subscribed to the certificate thereon, is his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and seal of office this third day of April, A.D. 1839.
Nathaniel Lord Jr.
Subscribed from the Court of Sessions in the Town of Marblehead county of Essex & State of Massachusetts.
Eighteen hundred and thirty nine March Thirteenth
Thomas Brown Mary Martin
in his last will and testament
the undersigned
made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me, James Gregory, J. of the Peace.
I am Bros Allen, of Marblehead in the County of Essex do on my oath testify & declare that I am in the seventy-ninth year of my age; that I was in which privating service in the War of the Revolution & was also one ensue in the State Brig Tyrannicide in said War, for which last mentioned service I have been Rewarded under the Act of June 7th 1832. And I do further declare that I was well acquainted with Thomas Brown, late of said Marblehead deceased, & the late husband of Mary Brown who is understood to have signed the declaration herein. And I do well know that said Thomas Brown was in much service of various kinds in the War of the Revolution, according to my best recollection, & the best of my knowledge & belief, said Thomas Brown was in the War of the Revolution the same service I was myself in, not from October 1777 to May 1778 - but to this I cannot swear, positivist - nor can I swear to the particulars of his other services in the said War, although I have no doubt he served as his predecessor hereon declared. Said Thomas Brown died in this town several years ago, & I have no doubt it was at the time his widow has been declared, I do further well know that said Mary Brown is now a widow & has remained a widow ever since the death of her late husband the said Thomas Brown.
State of Massachusetts } ss Marblehead, August 2th, 1839. Essex County
Then Bros Allen, above named, who is personally well known to me as a credible witness, personally appeared, & made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit by him in my presence subscribed.
Before me, James Gregory, J. of the Peace.

I, Mary Brown within named, do in my oath testify & declare that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory, I omitted to state at the time I executed the within declaration, that immediately after my within said late husband was discharged from the Garrison at Marblehead, & before he served in the Brig Francide , he entered the Naval service of the State of Massachusetts, & served on board the Brig Freedom , Capt. Clouston , one cruise, as a Subordinate Officer on board, & sailed in said Brig from Marblehead about the beginning of the year 1777. That he was soon after placed on board a prize or other Prize Master or Prize Master's Mate - was taken in the month of April & conveyed to New Prison in England, & there remained until the month of August or September when she was exchanged & arrived home soon after. That she has no knowledge of a single person living who served on board said Brig Freedom at the time her said late husband served there, & begs to refer to the Roll of said vessel understood to be among the Massachusetts Documents, in Washington for proof of the same.
Witness my hand Mary X Brown
her mark
Massachusetts, Essex ss. Marblehead, Aug 7th, 1859.
Then Mary Brown, above named, the widow of Thomas Brown late of said Marblehead, deceased, personally appeared & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above declaration, by her in my presence subscribed.
Before me as Gregory, J. of the Peace.
BROWN, THOMAS (MASS.) S-19569

Massachusetts 31,697.
Thomas Brown, decd. of Essex co. in the State of Mass. U.S. who was a pri. & seaman in the ————— commanded by Captain ————— of the ————— commanded by ————— in the Mass. Service & Privateers time for 11 mos. 26 dys. Private 12 mos. 4 dys Seaman
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 88 Dollars 07 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834, & continuing to 11 th March, 1833 time of death to be paid to Mary Brown, his widow.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of January 1840 and sent to James Gregory, a Marked head, Mass
Advised to the 4th of March Semi-annual allowance ending 1833, time of his death $177.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S. S. Elliot Clerk F. M. L., Vol. 2 Page 43.

NAME Brown, Thomas
SERVICE
Soldier's widow states that he volunteered at Marblehead, Essex Co., Mass., May 24, 1775; Private, Capt. Nicholson Broughton's co., Col. John Glover's 21 st Mass. regt. of foot; discharged Dec. 31, 1775.
Volunteered at Marblehead, Mass., Jan. 12, 1776; Private, Capt. William Hooper's Infantry co. Sea Fencibles; served to last day of Feb. following, when transferred to Capt. Edward Pettyplace's co. of matrosses; discharged Dec. 31, 1776.
Immediately; subordinate officer Mass. Brig. Freedom, Capt. Clouston; early in May 1777 sailed from Marblehead, and soon after placed on prize over
ALLOWED FOR 11 months 26 days, Private  12 months 4 days, Seaman SOLDIER Jan. 13, 1840 WIDOW none
✓ DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH Aged 85 years in 1833; Marblehead, Mass. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH Mch. 11, 1833; Marblehead, Mass.
PLACES OF RESIDENCE Raised in birthplace; there at enlistment and in 1833.
✓ DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE Mch. 13, 1803; Marblehead, Mass. NAME OF WIFE Mrs. Mary Martin NAMES AND AGES OF CHILDREN
✓ DATE OF SOLDIER'S APPLICATION By widow, April 3, 1839 DATE OF WIDOW'S APPLICATION none WIDOW'S AGE AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Aged 80 years and a resident of Marblehead, Mass., in 1839.
✓ CERTIFICATE 31697 ✓ ACT June 7, 1832 AGENCY Massachusetts FILE NO. P. 195-69

Service,
as Prize Master or Prize Master's Mate; captured in April and confined in Mill Prison, England, until exchanged in August.
Oct. 1777; First Master's Mate, Mass. Brig Tyrannicide, Commander Jonathan Barraden; sailed from Salem; captured several prizes, one a Snow; arrived in Boston May 1778; 7 months.
Also served as Lieut. on Private armed Brig Oliver Cromwell and various other Privateers, and was in prison "off and on" during the whole war.
The Secretary of Massachusetts reports the name Thomas Brown on roll of Captain Nicholson Broughton's co. Col. John Glover's regt. to Aug. 1, 1775; 2 mos 13 days.
S. A. A. June 2, 1910 M. E. H.

P 19569 INVALID. Own
File No. 11,567
Thomas Brown
Pre Rev War
Act: James Y o 82
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]

75. Broughton. Lucy .
see Tmo 13.
76. Vol 39. p 90 - Seaman ship 1000 77 - 7. 800 Seaman 93 " 4 March 35-268 on Bono 72 Kelly place — not on Felson or Hoopers

34.914 Thomas Brown die died 11 march '33 Mass
Acc V. June 32
75. Secy - pri 7 mo 13 76 - 31. 268 - Matrop 3:70 39. 90 Seaman 7.80 36. 57 pri X 1.20 See letter oct 26 -
36.66
2.88
49.85
88.07
admD
12 mo 26 pri
11 mo. 26 pri
12. 40 seaman
$88.07
certificate to Mary Brown widow of Thos Brown died from 4 march 31 to 11 march 33 the day of his death.
Jas. Gregory Marblehead

Marblehead, October 3 d 1839.
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor herewith to forward to you the Declaration & accompanying papers of Mary Brown, widow of Thomas Brown late of this place, who died March 11 th , 1833.
Brown is understood to have been in a great deal of service, both Public & Private in the War of the Revolution, & his widow claims the amount which accrued to him under the Law of June 7 th , '32, which he died entitled to, but never received.
I have the Honor to be, very respectfully, Your Honor's ob t . serv t . James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, (D.C.)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 3 d 1839
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 the name of Thomas Brown is borne on a Muster Roll of the Company under the Command of Captain Nicholson Broughton in Col. Jno. Glover's Regiment to the 1 st of August 1775 - " , and that he served 2. Months 13 days.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John C. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, ss. Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that Thomas Brown, late of Marblehead in said county, fisherman, deceased, intestate, died on the eleventh day of March, A.D. 1833, at the age of eighty five years; and that he left a widow, viz. Mary Brown, of said Marblehead; and that she is still living; —
as appears by the records in said office.
Given under my hand and seal of office this second day of October, A.D. 1839.
Nath. Lord Jr.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that
James Gregory Esdaile is a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, and that his signature hereon is genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,
September 24, A. D. 1839
John Prince Clerk.

Nov 13 NEW BEDFORD
miss add proof Mary Brown Thomas Brown
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D.C.

Marblehead Nov. 8 th , 1839.
Honored Sir:
I duly received your favor of the 26 th  ult relative to the claim of Mary Brown, widow of Thomas Brown dead. Since the receipt of your said favor the son of Samuel R. Gerry - who was Commissary of the Sea Coast Forces & a brother of the late Vice President Gerry - has put into my hands the books & papers of his late father, which contain the names of all those who served in & about this town in the year 1776. Upon examination I find, that although Capt. Fitch's Company appears to date from February 14 th 1776 - that is - February 14 th appears to be the first date of its organization, yet many of the men did not enlist therein until the first day of March , & among these last is the name of Thomas Brown.
This last fact, viz: that Brown did not enter Fitch's Company until the first day of March completely relieves Mrs. Brown's Declaration from any conflicting terms of service, & it is furthermore exactly in unison with the narrative of Brown's service, as described to me by William Hooper, who was pensioned for service in his father's Company - Capt of the same name - & who died on the 29 th of April last in this town, & before I succeeded in getting his affidavit in proof of the same.
With regard to the statement of your Honor's favor that Brown's name is not found on any other Roll of Fitch's Company than that from Feb. 14 th , to

to June 1 st 1776, I beg to observe that it is found on the Commissary's throughout the summer of that year, & the precise day after that, of his leaving the service, does not appear.
With regard to the service of Brown on board the Brig Freedom in part of 1777, I will observe, that I have before me a Journal which was kept by a young man in Mill Prison, England, during the greater part of the Revolutionary War, which sets forth the main facts of the service of Brown on board that vessel as his widow has declared. "Thomas Brown of Marblehead" is the person alluded to in each of the periods of service for which his widow claims, & there is evidence that it could have been none other than him - in proof of the fact that it could have been none other the affidavit of Ambrose Allen - one of Brown's Revolutionary acquaintances - is forwarded herewith. No person is known to be living in this quarter who actually served on board said Brig. E c Homer Esq r of our State Department says the Rolls of the Brig are among the Massachusetts Documents in Washington.
Your Honor's favor "again" requires that the Court should certify the day of his (Brown's) death & the name of his widow". In my letter of the 19 th U lt . I had the Honor of stating that such a Certificate was forwarded with the Declaration. Will your Honor have the goodness to inform me whether you wish for a duplicate of the one already sent - or - if that is not a correct & legal one - favor me with the particulars of such an one as is necessary? The one forwarded is under the Seal of the Probate Court, & sets forth the day of Brown's death, his age & the name of his widow, & the fact that she is still living.
James L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
I have the Honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
James Gregory

In at map.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Marblehead, October 19 th , 1889.
Honored Sir:
I have duly received Your Honor's favor of the 15 th inst. relative to the case of Thomas Brown, in which you state that "it will be necessary for the Court to certify the day of his death & the name of the widow."
In answer I would observe, that precisely such a Certificate as your Honor directs was forwarded with the Declaration , & was attached to the State Certificate - on the inner side if I rightly recollect.
Your Honor's favor also states, that, among other service established by the evidence is (but) "3 months & 7 days in Feltpaces" Company in 1776, & that his name is not found in Fellows or Houson's rolls, &c.
I wish to observe respecting this, that the widow does not declare for any service whatever in Felton's Company , but that it declares for service in Hooper's Company to the amount of one month & twenty days, from January 12 th to the last day of February, '76. I send Brown's name credited with this service on the same Roll of Hooper's Company which was forwarded at your Honor's request in the case of widow of Joseph Selman, on the 22 d of May last, which was afterward returned to Hooper's heirs, but which you undoubtedly have a copy of.
I also have before me a letter sent from
X 741 Zengyuan 36-52-96 1 Jan 76 X 742 Zengyuan 36-52-96 1 Jan 76

from Secretary's Office, Boston, dated but a few months before Brown's death, & while the Massachusetts Documents were there, which states "we find the name of Thomas Brown on an account for wages due to the Company of Capt Hooper from January 12th to the last day of February 1776, where he is credited allowed one month & twenty days." This last letter was written to a friend of Brown about the time he was taking measures, at the request of the old veteran, to establish his claim under the Act of June 7th, '82, which the death of Brown prevented soon after.
One B9434 Your Honor will, I believe, concur with me, that, if the above respecting the service of Brown in Hooper's Company is true, it is very singular if the Massachusetts Documents in the War Department do not confirm it.
The widow of Brown declares for service in Fletchplace's Company for the whole of '76 - while Your Honor's favor recognizes but "3 months & 8 days." It is much to be hoped if the Rolls of said Company are perfect for but part of said year, & that part corroborates the widow's statement, that she will not lose the benefit of the remainder for want of a living witness - as I have ascertained that barely one of Fletchplace's Company is now living, to wit, William Peach, of Newburg, Vermont, & in a letter from his friend now before me in reply to one seeking evidence from him,

him, he is represented to be "so old & decaged that he does not know his own children ".
There is one other period of service which Brown's widow declares for - in an affidavit on the back of her Declaration - setting forth that by reason of old age &c. she had omitted at the time she made her Declaration to state the fact that her said husband, Thomas Brown, went on a cruise in the Massachusetts State Brig Freedom Capt. Cliston - as some kind of a subordinate officer - immediately after his service in Pettipaces Company, & before his service in the Brig Fannyide - from about the commencement of the year 77 to the month of August or September of same year.
Your Honor's favor does not state anything whatever of this period of Brown's service; & as I have no doubt the Rolls of said Brig will show the truth of the widow's statement, it is hoped she will be allowed the benefit of it.
I am with great respect,
Your Honor's obl. servt.
James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

I, Ambrose Allen of Marblehead in the County of Essex, do on my oath testify & declare, that I am in the Seventy-ninth year of my age; that I took an active part in the War of the Revolution, & am a Pensioner under the law of June 7th. 1832, for part of the service I then performed: that I was born & brought up in said Marblehead, & was well acquainted with most of my fellow townsmen who performed service in said War. And I do on my oath further declare that I was well acquainted with Thomas Brown, late of said Marblehead deceased - the same person who, according to the best of my recollection, was in the Brig Francine at the time I was, from October 1777 to May 1778. Said Thomas Brown, was the late husband of Mary Brown, & I do further declare that he was the only person of that name that I ever knew in said Marblehead during the said War of the Revolution.
Witness my
Ambrose Allen
Ambrose Allen
Sally H. Rice
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Essex . . . . . } ss. Marblehead, Nov. 7th. 1839.
Then Ambrose Allen, above named, who is personally well known to me as a credible witness, personally appeared & subscribed the above affidavit, & made solemn oath to the same in due form of law before me the subscriber.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, the day & year above written.
James Gregory, Notary Public.

Marblehead, (Dec. 30th 1839.
Honored Sir;
On the eighth Ult. I had the Honor of addressing you a letter in answer to your favor of the 26th of the previous month - in which last as well as one of the 15th of the same month previously received by me, you ask for the certificate of the Court relative to the fact & date of the death of Thomas Brown's death.
In my said letter of the eighth of November, as well as that of the 19th of October, I observed in answer to your enquiries & your request for said Certificate, that one was duly forwarded with the documents appertaining to the claim of Brown's widow, & requested also in the last paragraph of my letter of the 8th Ult. if that certificate was not the correct one, I should be greatly obliged if your Honor would inform me of the particulars of such an one as will conform to your views & regulations.
The affidavit of Ambrose Allen, a Revolutionary Pensioner, & one of Brown's colleagues, in proof of the Identity of Brown , accompanied my said last letter.
I now, very respectfully, beg an answer to my said enquiries relative to the kind of Court Certificate wanted, if the one already forwarded is not amply sufficient. The one forwarded is under the seal of the Court & sets forth the day of Brown's death, his age, the name of his widow, & the fact that she is still living. James L. Edwards Esq. I am, very respectfully & truly C. of Pensions, Your Honor's obt. servt. Washington, D.C. James Gregory

Mass.
Lt. to James Gregory
October 15, 1839.
To same - October 26, 1839.
Act J. June 32