Display Patriot - P-119942 - Simon BRAINARD/BRAINERD
Simon BRAINARD/BRAINERD
SAR Patriot #:
P-119942
The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Author: James Edward Mitchell
Simon (Brainerd) Brainard was recorded born 9 Nov 1752/3 at Haddam, Middlesex County, Connecticut (CT); source, Revolutionary War Records – typed, “statement of military history of Simon Brainard,” Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, WDC, Pension File S.17296. His father was named Simon Brainerd/Brainard (1730-1806) and his mother was Hepzibah Spencer (1730-1825) born in Haddam, Middlesex, CT, a dau, of Nathaniel Spencer and wife, Hannah.
Simon’s father, Simon [(Brainerd) Ancestor # Surname P-119968] appeared published in CT Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) for Simon Brainerd, Haddam Vital Records 1668-1852, pg 25 as, “ Simon, son. [Abijah (1705-1782) & Esther (1706-1743)], b. 7 Oct 1730, Vol LR2, pg 18. The father’s burial place is recorded as The Ancient Burial Yard of Thirty Mile Island Plantation established 1667. 1
At age 24, Simon married Abigail Hurlburt (1757-1824) on 10 May 1777 at Haddam, Middlesex, CT. She was a daughter of William Hurlburt b. c1718 and Elizabeth Rogers both residents of Haddam, CT. Simon and his wife, Abigail raised 4 daughters, Sally b. 1779; Talitha b. 1786 married 1806 at Chatham, Middlesex, CT a cousin, Alfred Brainard; Drusilla b. 1796 married 1817 at Middle Haddam, CT Danforth Turner; and, Alice (1797-1834), and 4 sons, Warren (1781-1858); Newel (1783-1853); Harris (1788-1804) and Selah (1791-1841).
Revolutionary War service: At age 23, Simon Brainard enlisted for a month and a half as a Private in a company raised during Mar 1776 for Chatham led by Captain Riley attached to the 23rd (CT) Militia Rgt, commanded by Colonel Matthew Talcott. Simon was discharged approximately 15 Apr 1776 after marching to defend New York City from British invasion. During Aug (1776) Private Simon Brainard re-enlisted in the 23rd (CT) Militia Rgt of Colonel Matthew Talcott for 2 months and 7 days, in Captain Daniel Brainard’s company raised for Middlesex County. British forces landed on Long Island led by LieutGen William Howe on 27 Aug 1776. Notes: Order of battle of the Battle of Long Island was influenced by a substantial number of American forces stationed in the New York area, not only those involved in the battle. The 23rd (CT) Rgt was discharged before mid Oct, after bolstering defenses north of New York City. By late Oct, 1776 Simon Brainard re-enlisted for 2 months in the 23rd (CT) Rgt, of Captain Joseph Dart’s company and discharged above, New York City; source, typed, Xeroxed “statement of the military history of Simon Brainard”, furnished by the Revolutionary War Records Section, Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Commissioner at WDC for the Approved Pension File S.17296.
This statement of military history was recorded with a line, left blank, indicating --no battles engaged during enlistment and service. His initial enlistment was listed as Chatham, Middlesex County, CT. Date of Application for Pension, “Aug 16, 1832…” Residence at date of application, “Haddam, Middlesex County, Conn.” Age at date of application, “b. Nov 9, 1753 at Haddam, Conn (age) 79 yrs.” Remarks: There is no data on file as to his (CT) family. Respectfully, _ Commissioner. Searching, www.Fold3 determined that Simon Brainard was identified by name in a deposition given at Court in Chatham, Middlesex, CT by Benjamin Hurd, age 72 on 16 Aug, 1832. Simon Brainard and deponent, Hurd were both musicians with a rank of privates in the same militia company during Aug 1776 for 2 months at Fishkill on the Hudson River.
Simon’s final discharge from enlistment as a Private occurred after 2 months service during Sept and Oct, 1777 in Lieut David Smith’s company, Colonel Comfort Sage’s 3rd [(CT) State Levies] Rgt, of BrigGen’l James Wadsworth’s Bgde, MajGen’l Joseph Spencer’s Division, See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_of_the_Battle_of_Long_Island
See: Find A Grave Memorial# 10849762 with a (2005) color photograph of an upright, family headstone bearing inscription: Simon Brainard died May 18, 1843…, age 91. Buried at Selden Yard Cem., East Haddam, Middlesex, CT at Latitude: 41.52860 and Longitude -72.53390
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