Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,297, Brainard Hooker, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Hooker, Brainard
N 16297
Molly
CONTENTS

1885 April Adjt Genl N.Y. that pension increased 1852 for all that could be allowed & sent printed circular of law April 4. 1862.
1.918 New York .c4
Molly Hooker decd. Widow of Brainerd who died on the in the State of who was a Serjeant in the commanded. by Captain of the commanded by in the Conn. time for Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 192 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 day of March, 1831 - ending 9. June 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1852 and sent to Hon. J. H. S. H. S. Bears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
Increased from $80 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by R. M. Hale Clerk, Book Vol. 2 Page 362

State of New York Cayuga County
ss I Jacob R. How
Surrogate in and for said County do hereby certify that at a Surrogates Court held before me at Auburn — in said County this seventh day of May — 1852, evidence satisfactory to said Court was adduced to show that Molly Hooker (widow of Barnard Hooker) who was Winter State a pensioner from the state of Vermont the said Molly Hooker died on the eighth day of June eighteen hundred and forty three and left the following named children surviving, and who are the only living children, Charles Hooker of the state of Michigan, John Hooker and Calvin Hooker reside in the state of New York, and all of whom, are of the age of twenty one years and upwards,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be impressed the seal of said Court this seventh day of May — 1852. Jacob R. How Surrogate,

Prof of theology Molly Hooker
Pres Act 36
Vermont,
dec d - 9 June 1848. -
Living children -
John Hooker } Roxbury Calvin Hooker } New York
Charles Hooker } Michigan

State of Connecticut, City and County of Hartford, May 15, 1852.
I Charles Hosmer, Recording Secretary of the Connecticut Historical Society, do hereby certify, that among the Manuscript Account Books formerly belonging to the late Jeremiah Wadsworth, Deputy Commissary General in the War of the Revolution, and presented by his son, the late Daniel Wadsworth, Esq. to said Society, is one which purports to be a Ledger, kept by Col. Wadsworth, in which accounts are charged to Thomas Mifflin, Quarter Master General of the Army, in which I find the following entry, viz:—
"1777. June 24. To Cash paid Sam t Tibbals, Com d fr. Recpt. To Second Month's Wages for Bruinere Hooker Teamster in the Com t Service, £4. 10."
Cha s Hosmer, Rec. Secy Connecticut Historical Society
State of Connecticut S.S.
Hartford 20 th May 1852
Then before me a Notary Public in and for the County of Hartford, personally appeared Charles Hosmer signer of the foregoing and to me personally known and made oath to the truth of the same
E. Dodd Jr. Notary Public

State of Vermont, On this nineteenth day of April 1837 personally District of Addison, appeared before the Probate Court for the said District of Addison, Molly Hooker, a resident of Middlebury in said District aged Eighty five years last February, 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 Brainerd Hooker, who was a teamster in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war; - That he enlisted in the service as a teamster, in Canaan in the County of Litchfield, Connecticut, where we then resided in the Spring of the year 1779, for the term of three years; That he first went to Hartford to enter upon his service and served, as I learned from him a considerable part of the time in New Jersey, was at Monmouth at the time of the battle, was absent about one whole year without returning, when he returned home he made only a short visit, and returned again into the service, and he continued in the service for the term of two years; We resided at the time in Sheffield, County of Berkshire, Massachusetts near the line between that town & Canaan, Connecticut & the line between the two States: - And as I was then alone with two small children, I persuaded him to leave the army, and accordingly he hired his brother to take his place in the Spring of the year 1779, who served in his place during his last year. I am not now able to recollect the names of any officers, with whom he served: - And she further deposes, that she was married to the said Brainerd Hooker, at Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire, Massachusetts on the 19 th day of September in the year 1779; - That I had before that resided in Stockbridge in that County with an uncle, my father having died when I was a child, before our marriage, I went to visit another uncle in Pittsfield, and my friends wishing me to remain with them, I stayed there until I was married: - The said Brainerd Hooker also resided with his parents in Stockbridge; but we were married in Pittsfield by William Ely a magistrate, there being then no settled clergy- man in the place: - That the said Brainerd Hooker, my said husband died at Middlebury aforesaid in October 1808; and that I have remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. - On account of the loss of my eyesight & the infirm- ties of old age, I am not able to write my name, therefore make my mark herein to all intents and purposes on the day & year above written, before said Court Saml. Crafts Judge. Molly Hooker

State of Vermont } On this 19 th day of April 1837, before the said Probate District of Addison Co. Court, personally appeared Charles Hooker of Middlebury in said District, and being duly sworn testifies & says, - That I have been, as I have always understood, in December 1776, - that I resided with or near my father Brainerd Hooker, & my mother Molly Hooker who has made the foregoing declaration, or they with me, until the time of my said father's death, which took place in October 1808; - that since that time the said Molly has resided in my family: - That, as I have always understood, or known the history of the family, my said mother as we call her was Molly Deming, that she was married to my said father, on the 19 th September 1776, that soon after they resided in Sheffield Massa- chusetts - that about the Spring of 1786, they removed to Poultney Vermont, & then removed to New Haven & remained there some years I remained there about seven years then removed to this place where my father died & my mother still lives: - That my eldest brother, John Hooker, as he now resides in Cats, State of New York, & the eldest child of my said parents, was born in January 1774; - that in the Spring after my birth, my said father, the said Brainerd Hooker, enlisted into the service of the United States, as a teamster, and served two years: - I have often heard my father speak of his service, and mention the places where he served, - that he was at Monmouth at the time of the battle, lying two or three miles in the rear of the army; that he was at Valley Forge, and, as I think, that he wintered there one winter: That during the summer previous to his enlistment, he was hired as a teamster and found his own team, two yoke of oxen, & was employed in teaming from Albany to Fort George - And at the close of the season sold his team for Continental money, - which before the next Spring had so depreciated, that he would not purchase another team, & therefore enlisted as above mentioned. - And I further say, that I am not able to recollect the names of any officers, with whom he served: And I further say, that the said Molly Hooker has remained a widow & unmarried since the death of her said husband, and still remains a widow. - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above mentioned before the said Court,
Charles Hooker.
Samuel Swift, Judge.

I Thomas Hooker of Castleton in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont, aged eighty two years, being duly sworn do depose, testify & say that Brainerd Hooker, who lived in Sheffield in the State of Massachusetts before, and at the time, of Revolutionary war, was a cousin of mine & I was well acquainted with him, being brought up in the same neighborhood together; He the said Brainerd was married to Molly Denny before the commencement of the war of the Revolution. In 1778 & 1779 I taught a school in said Sheffield, during which time, according to my best recollection, he was in the army - The last time I saw his widow, the said Molly, she was living in Middlebury in the County of Addison & State of Vermont & I am informed that she is still living at said Middlebury - and further say not
Thomas Hooker
State of Vermont } Castleton April 10 th 1837 Rutland County ss }
Personally appeared Thomas Hooker and made follow oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth Before me Vinson Howe Justice Peace
This certifies that I have been well acquainted with Thomas Hooker, the above deponent, for more than forty years & that he is a man of undoubted integrity Vinson Howe Justice Peace

State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the county of Rutland certify that Limri Howe is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and that his signatures within are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Rutland this 11 th day of April A.D. 1837
R. Pierpoint

November 2, 1935.
Miss Myrtle A. Hooker 116 West Avenue Fairport, New York.
BA-J/ILL Brainerd Hooker W. 16397
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Brainerd Hooker, pension claim, W. 16397.
The data furnished herein regarding Brainerd Hooker are found in the papers on file in that pension claim.
Brainerd Hooker resided with his parents in Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in 1771, and moved soon after to Sheffield, in that same county, where he resided during the period of the Revolutionary War. The names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in the spring of 1777, in Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut (near the line of Berkshire County, Massachusetts), served as a teamster in the quartermaster department, Jeremiah Wadsworth, Deputy Commissary General, and Thomas Mifflin, Quartermaster General, wintered at Valley Forge, was close to the army during the battle of Monmouth, and served until the spring of 1779. It was stated that he then procured the service of his brother as a substitute to complete the three years for which he had enlisted, name of said brother not stated.
Brainerd Hooker moved about the spring of 1786 to Stittney, Rutland County, Vermont, remained there about five years, then moved to New Haven and remained four or five years, from there moved to Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont. He died there in October 1808.
Brainerd Hooker married September 19, 1771, in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Molly Deming, who was born in February

1752; the place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown. Her father died when she was a child and she lived previous to her marriage with her uncle in Stockbridge, Massachusetts; at the time of her marriage, she was visiting another uncle in Pittsfield, where she was married. The name of said uncles are not shown.
Molly Hooker, the widow of Brainerd Hooker, was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on her application executed April 19, 1837. She resided then in Middlebury, Vermont. She died there June 9, 1843.
John Hooker, the oldest child of Brainerd Hooker and his wife, Molly, was born in January 1774; in 1837, he resided in Cato, New York, and in 1852, he resided in Cayuga County, New York. Charles Hooker, another son, was born in December 1776; in 1837, he stated that his mother, Molly Hooker, lived "in my family" where she had made her home since his father's death, but he did not give any names of members of his family. In 1852, said Charles Hooker resided in Michigan. Calvin Hooker, another son of the soldier, was living in New York state in 1852; the date of his birth was not shown. There are no further data regarding these children.
In 1837, Thomas Hooker, a resident of Castleton, Rutland County, New York, aged eighty-two years, stated that he was a cousin of the soldier, Brainerd Hooker, and that he taught school in Sheffield, Massachusetts, at the time said Brainerd Hooker served in the war. James Hooker, another cousin of Brainerd Hooker, was a resident of Poultney, Vermont, in 1837. One William P. Hooker was a resident of Middlebury, Vermont, in 1837; no relationship to the soldier's family was stated.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Nov 25 '98 To Estmapwell OED.
1916 Aug 14 - History to Della Hooker Johnson Letter N.F. 19819. Philip Hooker ] J.M.B.H.
1917 June 16. Hist. to Mrs. Gertrude E. Downer. f
1921, Jan. 13 Hist. to Mrs. Glenn S. Thompson End 1935 - Nov. 2. Hist. to Miss Myrtle G. Hooker - J.R.R.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16297
Molly Hooker
Wid. of
Brainard Hooper
Priv Rev War
Act July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. 9 , Page. 347
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No. 225 1910
Vermont
Molly Hooker widow of Brainerd Hooker.
who died on the 2 nd October 1808. of _____ in the State of Vermont. who was a Teamster in the _____ commands by Captain _____ of the _____ commands by _____ in the line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80. Dollars _____ Cents, per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of April 1838 and sent to Hon William Hade
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1838 - $560.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sep 1838 40.00 $600.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the
Recorded by Dyer Custot. Clerk Book A Vol. 2 Page 37.

Brief in the case of Molly Hooker, late of Addison County and State of Vermont act 4 July 1831
Claim, ( "original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Found on our rolls as enlisted Leamster for three years in Wadsworths Regt, of Connecticut Continental teamers, entitled to $16 per month.
Name and residence of Agent
Mrs L. Worsford, 15 of
S. Cole Examining Clerk.

Rose, Wayne Co. N.H. May 22 d 1852.
Sir,
I respectfully request that you will do me the favour of forwarding the enclosed papers in the claim of Molly Harker, to the com y of Pensions, and report to me the result,
I am respectfully Your obed Servt, W. G. Wade
Genl J. Horsford House of Reps Washington D.C.

State of New York } ss Cayuga County } I the undersigned John Hooker of said County being first duly sworn according to law as hereinafter certified, depose and say that he is interested in the prosecution and investigation of the claim for income or means of pension due the late Molly Hooker deceased Sworn to and subscribed before me { John Hooker this 23 day of Ap r 1852, { George Hoskins Justice of the peace
Know all men by these presents, That we 2 John Hooker and Calvin Hooker above named, do hereby constitute and appoint Willis G Wade of Washington D.C., my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, to prosecute and investigation for me of a claim against the United States for income or means of pension due our late Mother Molly Hooker, and Witness my hands and seals { Widow of Brainard Hooker. this 23 day of Ap r 1852, { John Hooker In presence of.

5006 Molly Hooker
Primrose Hooker
2 yrs Learners
See M. Schakals
Cost of 3 years Learners - in 78-
Adm?
2 years Learners
80/
no deduction
H.
Mr Stude
7/2

State of Vermont, On this 18 th day of October 1837, before the Probate Court Addison District , aforesaid personally appeared William P. Hooker of Middlebury in said District of Addison, and being duly sworn deposes & says as follows - That in the month of October last I passed through the County of Berkshire Massachusetts, and was requested by Molly Hooker, who has made the foregoing declaration, to call at the office of the Town Clerk in Pittsfield in that County & ascertain whether there was in that office a record of her marriage with Brainard Hooker her late husband. I accordingly called at the Town Clerk's office in Pittsfield & examined the records, and learned from the Town clerk, as well as from an examina- tion of the records, that no marriages had been recorded in that office previous to the year 1786, except one, & that purported to be the marriage of two servants: - there was however a record of the publication of the intention of marriage: - Understanding that they were married by a Justice of the peace by the name of Williams, and learning that the said Williams was dead, & that his widow was then living with a second husband, by the name of had been married to Joseph Sherman Esq., I called upon him, at his house and learned from him, that the books of records of the said Williams had been left in the hands of his wife; but that they had not been considered of any importance, and had been gradually torn up by the children & otherwise, and there was nothing remaining of them. The widow of the said Williams former wife of said Sherman, was not living. - I also called at the Town Clerk's office in Stockbridge, where I understood the intention of marriage between the said Brainard Hooker & Molly Hooker was published, and there examined the records & learned from that examination, as well as from the Town Clerk that there were no records of the publications previous to the year 1790. That there was no record of marriages, except those solemn- ized by the Clergymen of the parish & those were very irregular. Subscribed & sworn before the said Court, the day & year above written.
Wm P Hooker
Sam d L. Swift, Judge. -

And the said Court hereby certifies, that it appears to them that Charles Hooker & William R. Hooker, who have signed their oaths to the foregoing affidavits are credible witnesses.
Saml. Swift Judge I, Samuel Swift Judge of the Probate Court aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Molly Hooker for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said Court This Eighteenth day of November 1837.
Saml. Swift Judge

I James Hooker of Pouitney in the county of Rutland & State of Vermont of lawful age do hereby testify & say that in the years of 1777 & 1778 I was in the war of the revolution belonging to the Connecticut line. During both these years I knew that Brainerd Hooker was in the service of his country as a teamster. He drove a baggage waggon from Valley Forge in Pennsylvania to Monmouth & through New Jersey in the year 1778. One reason why I rec- lect, that said Brainerd Hooker was in the service as above stated, is that he was a cousin of this deponent & he frequently carried this deponent's pack when he was sick or unwell. This deponent belonged to Col. Chandler's Regiment & lay at Valley Forge in 1778 and I think the said Brainerd was attached to the same Regiment or Brigade, I also knew the said Braine- rd, before he went into the war & also knew him to be married to Molly Dunning, who is now his widow she was married to the said Molly some years before he went into the service as above stated. The said Molly now lives in Middlebury in the County of Addison & State of Vermont and must be between eighty and ninety years of age
James Hooker
State of Vermont } Rutland County } Castleton April 10 th 1837
Personally appeared James Hooker and made solemn oath that the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth Before me
Timothy Howe Justice of the Peace
This may certify that I have for thirty years been well acquainted with James Hooker the above deponent & know him to be a man of strict integrity
Timothy Howe Justice Peace

State of Vermont } Rutland County ss }
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that Rimmer's House is a true of the Pease for said County duly commissioned and that his signatures within are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Rutland this 11 th day of April A.D. 1837
R. Pierpoint

No
Molly Wooker, decd NJ
Act 4 July 1836.
Adm o 2 yrs term increased to $192 per annum. Coing 4 th March 1831 & ending 7 th June 1843, the dy former pay at $80 per annum. Coing Payable to
Charles Hooker, John Hooker, & Calvin Hooker, only sureg children (whose transfer from St. J.) Mary Roll Rev. J. Mansford No 9 R

EB 272.
Adjutant-General's Office,
Albany, April 8 th 1885
Respectfully referred to the Hon; John L. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, with the request that this office may be furnished with such information as the records of his office affords in relation to the within claim for pension
J. G. Baumann Adjutant General

116 West Ave., Fairport, N.Y.
10-29-1938
Pension Office Washington, D. C.
I am seeking authen- tic information con- cerning the Revolution- ary Service of Brainard Hooker of Conn.
The State Library of Hartford sends this: "Hooker, Brainard, widow Molly - - - Pension No. H 16297 (Application on file under this number in the Pension Office.

Washington, D. C.)--- Mrs. Draper's Index of Conn. Pensioners."
It is possible he en- listed at Woodbury or Hethersfield as he was born in one and, after marriage to Mary Dunning, lived in the other. He died in 1808.
I thank you in advance for any in- formation you may be able to send me.
Very truly yours Myrtle A. Hooker

EASTERN MICHIGAN POWER COMPANY
Rev. Sir Just
Battle Creek, Michigan.
June 7, 1917.
Department of the Interior Washington, D.C.
Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War Department.
Gentlemen:-
Please furnish me with a certified copy of the record of service of Brainard Hooker who enlisted at Canaan Conn. and served two years with the Connecticut troops during the Revolutionary War.
Your prompt attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated, and if there are any charges connected with this, advise me of same and they will be forwarded at once.
Yours very truly,
Gertrude E. Downer
Mrs. Gertrude E. Downer #103 Central Street Battle Creek, Michigan.

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
BOULDER, COLORADO
CHARLES A. ROWAND, D. D., MINISTER
LINDSAY B. LONGACRE, B. D., PH. D. DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
GLENN S. THOMPSON, B. A. SECRETARY STUDENT WORK
Rev Sec 1/20
Dec. 4, 1920.
United States Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am informed that the widow of one Brainerd Hooker, a soldier in the Revolutionary War from Middlebury, Vermont, drew a pension thru the Pension Department for some years after the husband's death.
As a relative of this Hooker, I am writing to ask if you can furnish me with his war record. Any assistance you may be able to give me in the matter will be highly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Glenn S. Thompson.

Old War Div. MS Ex't No. Co. Reg't
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Washington, D.C. April 16 th , 1885
Return this letter with your reply.
Sir,
In answer to the enquiry made on the 1 st inst by E. D. Dutton Esq of Cats N. Y. addressed to the Governor of that State, by you referred by you to this office on the 8 th inst, relative to a supposed increase of the pension which was granted to Molly, widow of Brainard Hooker for his services in the war of the Revolution, I have to state that her pension was increased in 1852 for all that could be allowed.
Your attention is invited to the enclosed printed circular which refers to the law that prevents the favorable consideration of a claim to a pension or increase of a pension when presented after the death of a Revolutionary soldier and his widow.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Brainard Hooker , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W. 16.297.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Summer 1776 ✓ Teamster Employed with his team for a period of time during the war in Albany & Fort George Conn.   Spring 1777 to Spring 1779 Teamster Commissary Dept. Col. Jeremiah Madsworth      
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Sheffield, Berkshire Co. Mass near the line separating Conn. and N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Apl. 19. 1837. Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Middlebury, Addison Dist. Vt.
Age at date of application, 6 Feb 1752.
Remarks: He married at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co. Mass. Sept. 19. 1771 Molly Simons, he died in Oct 1808 at Middlebury Vt where she died June 9. 1843. 3 children: John, first child, born in Jany. 1774, & Calum date of birth not stated and Charles born in Dec. 1776, in 1774 cal. died at Stockbridge with parents names not stated, & wife was visiting uncle at Pittsfield but had resided the father being dead - no names stated
Respectfully,
X In 1852 John & Calum res. in N.Y. State & Charles in Mich - EW
Commissioner.