Almon Brainard collection of American Revolutionary War documents

Collection

Identifier: MRBC-MS-00450

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of documents related to John Banister and his military company during the American Revolutionary War. The earliest document are a few pages from a diary of 1775. The other documents relate to John Banister’s commissions in the Massachusetts Militia and the muster rolls and pay rosters of his company stationed in Brookfield.

Additionally there is a document from 1820 related to Charles Handy’s service in the Revolutionary Army.

Also in this collection is a deed transfer between Horatio Gates of Worcester, Massachusetts and Samuel H. Flagg and William J. Clemmets from 1835.

There is also a document related to Rebecca and Robert Merrifield from approximately 1844.

Dates of Materials

1775 - 1844

Creator

Brainard, Almon (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use without restriction beyond the standard terms and conditions of Smith College Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection are in the public domain due to the expiration of the term of copyright. Researchers need not seek or secure permission to re-use or reproduce materials in the public domain.

Historic References to John Banister

No references were found as to our Capt. John Banister’s birth or death dates. The following entries do refer to a John Banister in reference to Col. Converse’s regiment and the town of Brookfield and probably are applicable to these documents.

The following is from Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. Boston : Wright & Potter, 1896, vol. 1, p. 575:

Banister, John, Brookfield. 1st Lietuenant, Capt. Ezekiel Knowlton’s co., Brig. Gen. Jonathan Warner’s brigade; list of nominations submitted in a letter signed by Brig. Warner, dated July 29, 1776; also, letter dated Brookfield, Aug. 17, 1776, signed by Col. James Converse, stating that said Banister complies with order to march but declines taking his commission until further orders; also, Capt. Knowlton’s co., Col. Dike’s regt.; return of men dated Dorchester, marched to camp Aug. 18, 1776; company raised for defence of Boston; also, pay abstract for travel allowance from Dorchester home to Brookfield, dated Dorchester, Nov. 26, 1776.

Banister, John. Captain, Brookfield Artillery co., Col. Convers’s (11th Worcester Co.) regt., Brig. Warner’s brigade; list of officers of Mass. Militia; commissioned June 28, 1776; also, Col. John Cushing’s regt.; pay abstract for service in Northern department from Aug. 26 to Oct. 12, 1777; also, pay abstract for rations from Oct. 13 to Dec. 8, 1777; service in North department; also, pay abstract dated Scarsdeal, Nov. 30, 1777.

The following entry is from History of North Brookfield, Mass., Preceded by an Account of Old Quabaug, Indian and English Occupation, 1657-1676: Brookfield Records, 1686-1783 by J. H. Temple. North Brookfield, Mass. : Town of North Brookfield, 1887, p. 234.

June 24, 1776, an order was issued from head-quarters, establishing a company of Matrosses in the Town of Brookfield, in Col. James Converse’s Regiment. The officers were as follows: john Banister, captain, James Hathaway, first lieut., Gideon Walker, second lieut.

Biographical / Historical

Almon Brainard was a citizen of Greenfield, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Hamilton College, studied law in Greenfield with George Grinnell, and married Margaret Langsworth in 1848. Her brother was principal of the Young Ladies School and later became minister of the Second Church. The school was attached to the so called "Hollister house," now the McCarthy funeral home. Mr. Brainard bought the house from his brother-in-law.

Mr. Brainard was County Treasurer of Franklin County 1856-62, Register of Deeds 1856 to 72. He was admitted to Franklin County Bar in 1829.

[Biographical note written by donor, October 18, 1961]

Extent

13 items

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Almon Brainard was a citizen of Greenfield, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Hamilton College, studied law in Greenfield with George Grinnell, and married Margaret Langsworth in 1848. This collection consists primarily of documents related to John Banister and his military company during the American Revolutionary War.

Custodial History

The documents of the American Revolutionary War in this collection were found in a desk belonging to Almon Brainard.

The desk is a so-called Franklin type desk and was acquired by Frederick L. Greene who came to Greenfield in 1876 to read law in the office of Mr. Lamb, who had been a partner of Judge Grinnell.

The above notes were supplied by and the documents were a gift to the Mortimer Rare Book Room, Smith College by Elizabeth Greene (Smith College Class of 1913), daughter of Frederick L. Greene in October 1961.