Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8076, Jacob White, Va.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
 Va

White, Jacob
 Lafoy, Mary
or Lafa

NUMBER
W. 8076.

CONTENTS
   or Lafong
(Former widow)

See R. 6269, John Lefoe, (French)
Page 2

[Left hand side]

4906
Virginia
Mary Lafoy, dec'd formerly
widow of Jacob White
who died on the
......day of...... 1802
of Bedford C in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Terry of the Regt commanded
by  .................in the Virgin Mil
line for 7 ½ months

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day
March, 1831. & end 14 Decem 1840
when she died

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of
Novem 1849 and sent to
R. H. Gray Esq. Lynchburgh Va

Arrears to the 4th of ........
Semi-annual allowance ending .....
Payable to  ----
only child, viz -----
Lavina Nichols

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section  the.....
J P Chase

Recorded by
Book  C  Vol  1  Page 170

[Right hand side]
1889     Reported
April 3     to F.S. Nash History    Proof
Page 3

State of Virginia, Bedford County to wit
on this 26 day of January 1846, before me Reaves S
Scruggs, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Hendrick Nichols who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, and the explanatory act
of March 3rd 1837, for the benefit of the heirs of Jacob White and
his widow Mary White (whose maiden name was Allen)
whose 2nd husband was named Jno. Lafo or Lafouy
That declarant is the administrator of Mary Lafoy, whose
first husband, was Jacob White decd of said County, who was a
private soldier in the Revolutionary war in the Virginia Malitia and
served three tours as such from said County, if not more. One
town which the said White served, was in about the year 1777 or 8 out on
the Western Frontiers either at the Lead Mines or on the Holston, or
both for the purpose of guarding the mines, and the settlers against
the Indians.  Jno Pratt his brother in law, and Richd Roberts was with
said White during the performance of said tour of at least
3 months duration if not more, under the command of Cap
Wm Leftwitch. The said White served another tour of duty
in the Winter, and spring of 1781, and was at the Battle of Guilford
in March 1781 - under Cap. ---Terry, as he is informed, of 3
months duration. And another tour, at the Seige, or Battle of 96, in
S. Carolina, under Cap..... Clements of three months duration if not more; 
White was gone a long time from home on this occasion - so much so - as to fail making a crop and when he returned home had to buy corn and other provision for his family. All this service was after said White was married.
Declarant further says that the said Mary Lafoy, whose maiden name was Allen -was married to said Jacob White her first husband during and in the early part of the Revo' war, say in the year 1775. that he husband the said Jacob White died in said County in or about the year 1802. That she was afterwards married to Jno Lafoy or Lafo, in the year 1804 or 5. who died on the .... day of July 1824 - and that the aforesaid Mary Lafoy, died in said County on the 14th day of Dec' 1840. and declarant now claims the pension due said Mary Lafoy under the act of July 1836, and March 3, 1837, in consideration of the Revolutionary services of her first husband Jacob White aforesaid, for the benefit of the heirs of said Jacob White and Mary Lafoy- whose maiden
Page 4

name was Allen. All of which will more fully
appear by reference to the proof annexed

 his
Henrick    x   Nichols
mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written

Before me -  Reaves S Scruggs   JP

 the presence of
Lafayette W Gray
Page 5

State of Virginia [scratched out: Bedford] Franklin County to wit

On this 9th day of April 1845, before me
Patrick A Bassett a Justice of the peace in and for
said County, personally appeared William Arthur
a respectable resident of the County of Henry, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath say - that he is 83 years old, and was well acquainted with Jacob White decd
 of [scratched out: said] Bedford County during the
Revolutionary war - the same person who married
Mary Allen in [scratched out twice:  said  said]  Bedford County in the early part
of the Revo' war, say in the year 1775. Deponent
is satisfied that said White performed at least three tours
of duty in the Revo' war. The first to be served was
out at the lead mines in the year 1778 under
Cap Wm Leftwitch of 6 months duration, it being while
be lived on Otter River for the purpose of guarding the
frontier against the Indians. The next tour that
said White served was at the Siege of 96 in S. Carolina
in the spring and Summer of 1781 - under Cap -
Clements and served 3 months at least if not more
before he returned home. Said White also performed
a tour of duty in the spring of 1781, (and was at the Battle of Guilford 
in March 1781-) in the militia from Bedford also, under the command 
of Cap Wm Teny, and Col Lynch, He left home in February, and returned the
month of May - .    said White told deponent, that Cap. Terry told him to go 
out and kill hogs, or any thing else he could get to eat for the troops that he
went out and killed a fine hog himself, and brought it in to camp. 
From what he knows himself, and heard, and from general reputation, the said White
must have performed in all at least 12 months service in the Revol War all of 
which service was from Bedford, in the militia, and after said White was married
Page 6

the said White living near neighbor to deponent
when he [scratched out:  served the]  served the two last named tours
of duty  -and that he was well acquainted with his family. Said White died about 43 years
ago in Bedford and about three years after, his widow married John Lafong (or Lafo, so pronounced) now pronounced La Foy, being a Frenchman, who was a regular soldier in
the Cavalry during the Revol War  - and died in said County about 20 years ago and that his widow, died about 2 or 3 years ago in the County of Bedford. Dep. further says that his brother in law Jno Pratt was in the service out at the lead mines, against the Indians
at the same time that said Jacob White was under the said W. Leftwitch.  Dep. also says that said White performed the tour at 96 in South Carolina, directly after he returned from the battle of Guilford and returned the latter part of the Summer, or any part of the fall of 1781 - that he was gone so long from home that he made no crop, and when he returned home, he
had to buy corn, and other provisions for his family - he being a married man at the time, and
had 2 or 3 children
                                        William Arthur
Franklin, Bedford Bedford, Lafoy, also Bedford
interlined before signed. ..    Patrick A. Bassett J P.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written -
Before me -   Patrick A. Bassett J.P.

In presence of
John H Ferguson
Page 7

State of Virginia [scratched out: Bedford] Franklin County to wit

On this 9th day of April 1845, before me
Patrick A Bassett a Justice of the peace in and for
said County, personally appeared Ja's Masey who being
a respectable resident of the County of Franklin, 
and being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath say - that he is 77 years old, and was well acquainted with Jacob White decd
of [scratched out: said] Bedford County during the
Revolutionary war - the same person who married
Mary Allen in [scratched out : said] Bedford County in the early part
of the Revo' war, say in the year 1775; and had 3 children before he went in to service as he believes.  That the deponent recollects distinctly that the  said White 
went in to service in the Rev.' War in the militia of then Bedford - 
from the neighbourhood where dep lived in Bedford - 
 in company with Thos Allen and others. 
One tour that he, the said White served was out at the Lead
Mines in the early part of the war, say in the year 1777 or 8
in company with Jno Pratt under Cap Wm Leftwitch and
was of 3 or 6 months duration -  this tour was against
the Indians, and to guard the frontier. He, the said
White served a tour also at 96 in S. Carolina in the spring and Summer 
of 1781, and returned in fall or latter part of the summer; he was also at the Battle of
Guilford in March 1781 and was under Cap. Terry when he served this tour,
or the tour at 96. Said White was a long time from home while in said service and
probably went into service at 96, directly he returned from Guilford - he was from home
so long, that he made no crop that year, and when he come back, had
to buy corn and other provisions for his family -he being a married man at the time, 
and had 3 children. Said White died at least 40 years ago and a few years after, his widow married Jno Lafo or Lafoy - a Frenchman by birth who died about 20 years
Page 8

ago and his widow Mary Lafoy, - Maiden Name Allen died in the County of Bedford about 3 years ago

his
James x  Masey
mark

Bedford Bedford, Franklin, that
interlined before signed Patrick A Basset JP.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above
written - Before me     Patrick A Bassett J.P.

In presence of
John H Ferguson
Page 9

6680    ...  1.
Rec'd Feb 4, 1846
Mary Lafoy
dec'd   Va
Act 4 July 36

adm
7 [illegible]  mo  priv
husband died 1802
Page 10

State of Virginia Bedford County to wit

On this 11th day of April 1845, before me Alexander
Irvine - a Justice of the peace in and for said
County, personally appeared Mr Thomas Roberts, a
respectable resident of said County, who being,
first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath say-- That he is 62 years old, and is the
son of Richd Roberts a Rev soldier, and Alice
Roberts his widow, who is now a U.S.  pensioner
That while obtaining evidence to get a pension
for his mother, he recollects distinctly of hearing
Joe White, the brother of Jacob White say, that
Jacob White his brother, served a tour of duty of
Three months duration, out at the lead mines on
the Virginia Frontier, in company with deponents
father Richard Roberts, and others, and that
the dep has also heard his father Rich'd Roberts
say, frequently, that Jacob White and himself
was together at the lead mines, and served out his
tour faithfully with him, which was at least 3 if
not 6 months tour. Said Jacob White married a Miss
Allen, as he dep understood.   Dep was a boy when Jacob

White died, and his widow Married Lafoy as he understood
Thomas Roberts
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above
written   Before me  Alexander Irvine
in presence of
David Witt
Page 11

State of Virginia Bedford County Sct

At a Court holden in and for said County
on the 26th day of January 1846, Hendrick
Nichols administrator of Mary Lafoy deceased
produced in Court a declaration claiming the
pension due the heirs of Mary Lefoy or Laford
in consideration of the Revolutionary services
of Jacob White deceased of said County her first
husband, together with the certificate of Patrick
A. Bassett, Alexander Irvine and Reaves S. Scruggs
Esqr.s and the affidavits of William Arthur,
James Masey and Thomas Roberts, and the
Court having examined the same, do certify
to the War Department that the said Mary
Lafory (so called) is the widow of Jacob White
her first husband, who was by reputation
a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died
in said County about the year 1802 and
that his widow married John Lafoy or
Laford a Revolutionary soldier in 1804 or 5
who died in or about the year 1824, and
that his widow the aforesaid Mary Lafoy
died on the 14th day of December 1840
and that Hendrick Nichols was appointed
administrator of her estate to obtain said
pension by said Court on the 26 day of
January 1846. That Alexander Irvine &
Reaves S. Scruggs Esq.s are acting Justices of
the peace in and for said County duly
commissioned and qualified as such, and
the signatures purporting to be theirs, affixed
the several certificates in this case are
genuine, and that Thomas Roberts
Page 12

is a respectable resident of said County
and that his Oath is entitled to credit.

In testimony whereof I John
R. Steptoe Clerk of the said
Court have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 26th day
of January 1846

Jno R. Steptoe Clk
Page 13

Mary Lafoy dec'd
former widow of Jacob
White
Virginia

admitted

P. 7½ mo.  $25.-
Com . 4 March 1831
to 14th Dec. 1840, when
she died. payable
to Lavina Nichols
only child
husband died in 1802
Act 4 July 1836

R. H. Gray E
Lynchburg
Va
Page 14

Virginia
At a Court held for Bedford County at the Court
house the 27th day of August 1849
Satisfactory evidence was this day exhibited in Court
to shew that Mrs. Lavina Nichols is the legitimate
daughter of Mrs Mary Lafoy deceased of said County
the widow of John Lafoy deceased of said County, and
that she the said Mary Lafoy deceased in or about
the 14 day of December 1840 as was certified by said
on the 26 day of January 1846. and the Court doth
further certify that the said Mary Lavoy was the widow
of Jacob White deceased of said County at the time she
was married to said Lafoy, and was the mother
of the said Lavina Nichols of said County, who is
still alive and about forty two years old, and the
only child of the said John and Mary Lefoy above
named both of whom are now dead, and that the
said Jacob White is the identical person who held
the reputation of having been a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and for whose services the said
Mrs. Lavina Nichols is claiming the pension due
her mother Mary Lafoy deceased at the time of
her death as aforesaid and as the former widow of
the aforesaid Jacob White deceased. And that
William W. Reese before whom John Payne was qualified
the 22nd of August 1849 is an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly commissioned and
qualified as such, and that the signature purporting
to be his affixed to the affidavit of said John Payne
is genuine.

In testimony whereof I John R. Steptoe
Clerk of said Court have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court this 27 day of August
1849.
Jno R. Steptoe C BC
Page 15

3 - 871
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by L. H. Sept 28. 1911

Claim No.

Certificate No.

Claimant.

Soldier    John Lafoy,  Lafo
Lafong   Lefoe  Lefae or Leface

Service 

Additional Service     Rev
 
No.......... claim, State records .....191

No claim, combination records .......191

REMARKS:
No claim as above except
Rej 6 269. John Lefoe or
 Leface  Act 1818   NC
.
and there are no
papers on file in
said case

Chief Division.
Page 16


Papers   in the
Case of 6880
Mary Lafoy
who was widow
of Jacob White.
Virginia
Suspended 

let 7 June 1849 to
Hon T. Ewing   R.W.
let 4 Aug  +49  to R W
Gray
(envelope missing)
Act 4 July 1836.
Page 17

Washington City Febr 3.

Sir
Enclosed are the papers-- containing the declaration of Hendrick Nichols of Bed. Co Va claiming the benefit of the act of July 4, 1836 for the children of said Mary Lafoy

Other evidence can be obtained both as
to service, (and marriage) if necessary which I think is good for 9 mo Service at least.
should  other evidence be required
please let me know while in the City
yours Respectfully
Ro H Gray att
-
Page 18

Mary Lafoy    Va

Letter  R H Gray  4th Sept 1849

Act  4th  July  1836
Page 19

Revolution
Virginia
WIDOW, & c.
File No. 8076
Mary Lafoy for'
Wid of
Jacob White
P. Rev, Mila,

Act: July 4th '36

Index: -- Vol. A, Page 417

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20


Aff of Jno  Payne
Page 21

The affidavit of John Payne being first
sworn deposeth and saith he was acquainted with Levina Nichols the wife of Hendrick
Nichols when she was a child and has been
ever since, and that she was the daughter
of Mrs Polly Lafoy whose first husband was Jacob
White, and that she now resides in the
County of Bedford

John Payne

Bedford County to Wit
This day John Payne
personally came before me and was
duly sworn before me to the above
affidavit Given under my hand
this 22nd of August 1849
Wm W Reese
Page 22


Lynch'b.  Oct 4th 1849
Sir
some 6 weeks ago I forwarded to you the
Certificate of Bedford Court, shewing that Mrs
Lavina Nichols daughter of Mary Lafoy
was still alive, and, as is your custom in such
cases to open early have expected the certificate of pension before this-- but as there have been much Robbery of the mail, from this place North - I am fearful that it has miscarried -- please let me hear from you on the subject
-yours
Ro H. Gray
PS  The pension is allowed
in this case as your letter
States at $30 pr Mo under the
act of 1836.
Page 23

(Copy)
Department of the Interior
Washington, August, 1847.

Sir
I have examined the papers in the case of Mary
Lafoy, decd, the widow of Jacob White and am of the opinion that the evidence of her marriage is sufficient.

In many instances a very strict compliance
with the rules of the Department should not be
required, and it seems to me that a "respectable resident" of Virginia should be considered a "credible witness" in the absence of conflicting testimony

Of course before a certificate can be issued
evidence must be adduced shewing the number and names of the children of the deceased.
 
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
(Signed) T. Ewing
Secretary

The Commissioner
of Pensions
Page 24

[sideways]

Oct 26 1846
Recon  of  Mary Lafoy




To  Jas L Edwards Esq
Com  of Pensions 
 Washington City
D.C.
Page 25

Lynch Octr 21st 1846

Sir, yours of the 18th is at hand,
in relation to the claim of Mary Lafoy
As regards the Guilford tour, I respectfully
ask that you would review the History of the
Revo'l War in regard to that service and you
will be satisfied that all of the malitia was not
discharged immediately after the Battle but
pursued the enemy as far as Deep River (which
I believe is in S.C. ) under Gen Green before
they retraced their steps, and those that served,
or was drafted for 3 mo, was disbanded about
the 1st of May at (perhaps) the old Iron works
in N.C.

It is true there were 6 weeks more at the
Battle of Guil'd detailed for that special
emergency to fight the battle and return
home. I recollect that Jno Hally of Bed
(detailed from Bottetourt at the time was
of that class but if you will examine
the papers Henry Adams did of Bedford Co
you will find that he was allowed 3 
Mo. for this time on attaining his pension
under the Act of 1832, and the evidence
of Capt Wm Adam, his son lately sent you
shews that Jacob White and Henry Adams
belonged to the same company to his discharge
for 3 mo, (on Cap. A testimony, and of course should
Page 26

receive the same pension on it. Please review
Henry Adams papers, and satisfy yourself
more fully on the subject.
As regard the marriage, I did
not understand you, in your letter of the
28th of Apl last, as affecting to the fact
or time of marriage (say 1775 proven but the
want of Record proof on which I will inform you that it is a rare case for the county
records to contain any evidence of so early
a date all marriages rites being performed at that date by a minister of the church of England (all others being illegal you know) who kept the Marriage Register, none of which have never been able to obtain for pension 

But under the last act of Congress on the subject, I do not concur that we are confine to or even required to produce record proof marriage so [illegible] (at least). and independant of that if you will review the evidence Wm Arthur and others, you will see that it is in proof positive that Jacob White and the claimant Mrs Lefoy -  had 2 or 3 children, when he was called into said service, and all that the act of 1836 requires is that the husband was in service in the Rev war after marriage. I think I am fairly and clearly entitled to a certifi-
Page 27


[certifi-] cate in this case for 9 mo. at least, and that upon a review of the evidence in this case and Henry Adams papers also you will think so too
So far as regard the service. I submit to your 
final decision, and will also should you
still require it, obtain additional evidence
of the marriage, as being before said service
 
Yours respectfully
Ro Gray att

N,B. Wm Arthur says in his aff'd
that White must have been
married as early as 1775

R. H G


The husband of Mary Lafoy (Jno Lafoy I think) put in a claim for a pension in his life time
(Act 1818 I believe) please say what ever the
obstacles to his obtaining it. N. H G.

As for Family record of Marriage in this case
will say, that in 3 /4 of cases, the parties were
not able to read or write and kept no record of
course  - and in many cases, where there was
an original record, it has either been destroyed
or taken from the old people by some of the
1st children that was married and carried to the West, or distant countries  -
Page 28

Lynch Octr 14th 1848

Sir

Enclosed I forward you the Aff't of Elizabeth Hughes of Bedford Co.  Va  corroboration
of other evidences I have sent you in the case of Mary Lafoy,[inserted] former widow of
Jacob White. claiming a pension in consideration of said Jacob Whites services
[inserted] Act July 4, 1836
in the Rev. War.  You have agreed to allow 7½ mo to services but wished further proof, 
that said White was a married man at the time he was in service, as provided by the
act of 1836. I think the aff't of Mr Hughes alone, clearly shews that fact.

This case, if you recollect is on an appeal to the Sec of War from your decision. requiring 
more evidence as to marriage of parties, but which I then, and now considered as ample 
under the law rules and regulations of your dept.

I wish this case. Hendrick Nichols Admin. to be withdrawn from its appeal portion, and to be reheard and re-acted on, with the benefits of the additional Afft enclosed

yours respectfully-
Ro. H. Gray Att.
Page 29

Lynchb    .....  May 14, 1847
Sir
   Since my letter to you on the 12th in regard to the case
of Mary LaFoy in which I appealed from the commissioner
of Pensions' decision to you-- I have had - finally, a letter from him In
reply to mine enclosing the Aff't of Jno P. Nichols of which
delay (ever since last winter) I complained to you in mine of
above date of the 12th - which last letter of Mr Edward and my
reply to him of to day you will also have before you!  In which
letter he Mr E. not only misrepresents the purport of Nichols
Aff't but also impeaches his character implication and
in substance states that Nichols character must
be cleared up before his Aff't can carry any weight with it. and this too by corresponds with his general opinion
of persons giving testimony in such cases, - that there is no dependence
to be placed in the correctness of their evidence, and Dr Crump
the Chief Clerk presumes that every man is a villain
both the claimant Witness, and Agent is he says that with the
use of spiritual Liquers- witnesses can be obtained to swear
to any thing the agent pleases.  now surely no man 
is worthy, or fit then to hold such officers who entertain such
odious opinions of his fellow species, as that they are all corrupt
without an exception and can be bribed with a little spirit
to swear to any thing to Agent chose to dictate, and becomes
my duty as agent to vindicate both my own, and the character
of Nichols, against such vile aspersions-- and if you will only
examine the Afft of Nichol's you will see that it bears so such
construction as is put upon it by Mr. Edwards  And further sir
what right has he to impeach the character of a witness, or require
Page 30

additional evidence of his being a man of standing and veracity as in this,
and many other cases, after I have complied fully with his own rules, 
which requires that the Justice of the peace before whom the deponent qualifies,
shall certify to his credibility  - which has been done in this case by a Justice
who has known Nichols from his youth up.  I protest sir against
any Such power being placed in the hands of the Com of Pensions
by which he can and does make whatever vexations illegal or
actions of Agents that he dislikes, with a purpose no doubt to drive
them from the business, because they will not become his Fawning
sycophants I suppose. I have heard from a disinterested source, that
cases under my superintendance had been hardly dealt with
and rejected, which should be allowed. And I say with all of my confidence
and candor that there are at least 10, or a doz., of my cases rejected
in his hands which are well established and ought to be allowed, 
better established than many that have been allowed. I dislike extremely to have
to trouble the Sec of War with any appeals, or complaints of this sort, but
there is a point, beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue
and that I have arrived at my own - my own dignity and character and the rights
of the parties and character of the witnesses, all require that we
should stand before you vindicated against sude foul charges as
are made by Edward & Crump, against the characters of parties
concerned in the prosecutions of pension claims, for if all parties
are so corrupt, as they profess to believe of course claimants can
expect but little and slow justice at their hands - and for the few
claims allowed to the number of claimants, this dept - as far as the Govt
is concerned - these offices are as a sinecure to it and ought to be abolished-- 
for in 100's of case they seem to take a delight in keeping up a [illegible] 
correspondence with the Agent of parties - after the claim is as well established
Page 31

as it can now be, and that according to the rules too - for no other reason
that we can imagine than to injure certain Agents, without regard
to the rights of parties - or to protract business, and to take
a long time, and a great deal of labour, in allowing a few
claims - and thereby keep themselves in power.

And finally I protest against Mr Edwards right to violate the late
law of Congress, which dispenses with the requirement of record proof
of Marriage alone - and to take such as would be admitted in a Court
of Justice in proof of the marriage of the parties - all we ask
is shew justice at your hands in behalf of a poor and needy claimant

yours respectfully
---
Ro H Gray att
Page 32

Lynchb,     Nov. 16, 1846

Sir
I confess my disappointment at the contents
of your letter of the 13th both in regard to the Service
and marriage of Jacob White to Mary Allen now
Mary Lafoy. As to the service tho, others who belonged
to the same company, as well as the Afft of Cap Adams
shews that White Served 3 Mo-- or to his discharge for
3 Mo. Service yet. I Surrender to your decision, and
accept the pension for 7½ mo in Mr Lafoy's case.
As to the Marriage if you will [illegible]to Aff'ts of
Wm Authur and Jos Mosey filed in her case - you will see that the
requisition of the last clause of your letter has already been
complied with - that is, to prove that he was a married man
when called into service, by Shewing that he had children by
claimant at the time and regarded as man and wife, and in fact, knew
where they were married. The pension of Mrs. Clarke, Mrs Stewart, 
Mrs Boules, Mrs Story and others were allowed on the same kind of evidence. 
It is the evidence contemplated by the act of 1836 - and it was all that you
required in Mrs Clarkes case in order to bring her under the Act of 1836-
that -was to prove the fact of service after marriage!
And last, Mrs Donell's Case Just allowed on the the Afft of Mrs Sale--
but not so strong, as either Aff't of Author, or Payne the last Aff'ts I sent on
The last Afft contains the kind of evidence so highly
Page 33

prized by your dept and Doct Crump - that is to
prove the time of marriage by the age of the children.
And Arthur and Marcey, proves that he had
at least 2 or 3 children when he, Jacob White,
went into service. Upon a review of Marcey
and Arthur's Aff'ts  you will see, that I have
complied with your demand or suggestions
and still hope, that you will issue the certificate 
for 7½ mod nor without multiplying evidence
for if I was to take the affts of 20 persons who
would swear that they saw Jacob White and
Mary Allen Married in the year 1775, it could
not be more conclusive than what I have proven
as to that fact. As to record evidence there is no
returns of Ministers that far back  - it being illegal to
be married except by the established Church; whose minister 
kept the marriage Registry. And as to family
registers 3/4 of the privates that were in the service
could neither read or write and where they had a
register it is either destroyed, or carried away by
some of the children to the west or back countries
where they emmigrated to. I think this case
is sufficiently  proven
yours    Ro  H Gray att
Page 34


 Lynch'b  May 28, 1847

Sir
I write to inform you that I went to Bedford for
the purpose of taking Affidavits to prove the character
and Standing of Jno P Nicholes (as required by you) who
testified in the case of Mary Lafoy, as to the probable
time of her marriage to Jacob White by the ages of
their children, when he first get acquainted with
them in 1779. 80. When I got to Bedford Court I found
myself anticipated, and there the Affts of Thos Payne
Mr - Casey and others, had been taken and forwarded to
you some time since in the case of Patrick
Lynch - in which case it seems a like difficulty
occurred in your mind as to the integrity of Nichols in supposing
that he had made fale absurd and contradictory
statements as to his own services in the war.

In a conversation with Mr Casey, he stated the
difficulty to be this - that Nichols stated that he
was in the service with Lynch which, his statement
of his age, only made him 13 years old at the time and
there for false! as you suppose - but when
he Nichols explained that he was a waggon boy
at the time, his statement is made quite reasonable.
And further if there is any apparant contradiction in Nichols
Afft it was not wilful for I am authorized to use the name of Pleasant 
Preston of Bed'f - a Merchant - who says that he drew up the
Aff't of Nichols in Lynch's case, and that, if there
was any contradiction as to service, the error was in
Page 35

himself, and not in Nichols for he says that he never
saw a man seem to manifest such a sincere
desire to adhere to the truth of Nichols did;
and that he believes him to be strictly a man
of truth, indeed this is the general character of
all who knows him. Payne, Casey, and others
whose affts are sent you in Lynch's case to
substantiate his [illegible] character are his near neighbors
so far as I know myself, and have heard from
others.  But why was it necessary to take any
other aff'ts as to the Marriage in Mrs Lafoys case
that that of Wm Arthur, who stated most positively
that White was a married at the time he went into
service and had at last 3 children - and that
his evidence as to marriage was at least as positive
as it was as to Whites service, if not more so, and
2 of the 3 tours allowed, was mainly, if not entirely
on Arthurs evidence!  then why is his evidence, I
would ask, good as to service and not as to marriage
and then too where the main consideration of the pension 
is on the service of the husband. I am in hopes
that all difficulty is now removed, and that
you will issue the certificate.
yours respectfully
-
Ro H Gray Att
Page 36

Lynchb       Nov 4, 1844.
Sir -   Enclosed I forward you the Afft of the Thos. Payne
of Bedford in corroboration of the proof already filed as to
the Marriage of Jacob White to Mary Allen - now  Mary
Lafoy as early as 1775, if not earlier.  Indeed White
was married so far back that it is impossible to prove his marriage
by any one living, except by the ages of the children, as is
done by Payne -- being the kind of evidence most to be
appreciated by your department, after the record. If you
will examine the Aff of Wm Arthur in this case also you
will see, that he fully sustains Payne, as to the Marriage of
White as early as 1775 - if not earlier -, and that he White
had by Mary Allen when he went into service at least
3 children - which I think is all that the law of 1836
requires us to prove.  As to the tour at Guilford, you
will find that Henry Adams was allowed 3 mos pension for the same
service, belonging the same company (Jacob Morris!)
with Jacob White, Thos Pullen, Rich Roberts and others from the
same Neighbourhood, and in that Rice was the Lieut.
I could obtain other Aff, of the same import of Paynes- but I
think you ought to be satisfied with what I have furnished
I expect a certificate for 9 mo. at least

your -- Ro H Gray att
NB.  Unless your rules are like the law of the Meedes and
Persians  if you will examine the papers of Henry Adams, Tho. Pullen
Rich'd Roberts, Henry Brown and others, you can not help being satisfied
that Morris was a captain, and like 9/10 of cases without a Court
appointment, or paper commission. There being no regular rolls
Page 37

or Registry of the Va Malitia preserved as in the Northern States
Hampshire Massachusetts that by adopting the rule
you have to exclude oral testimony in establishing
the service and Grade of Malitia officer, you see that
you must do the Va Service great injustices by giving 
the Northern Malitia greatly the advantage over them
for it is very evident, the County Court appointments of Malitia
officers scarcely show 1 in 10 of the officers in service
There being frequent calls on the malitia en masse on
such emergencies (as Guilford) there was no time to wait for
the slow process, and return of a County Court [scratched out: day] to get
a commission or appointment, before a Va Mal officer can go
into service. Hence under such restrictions
the [illegible] of pensions to Va Mal officers and their
widows - and seeing the custom that prevailed in the
Va.  Mal as you will I am sure relax a little of the
rigidity of the rule of your dept so as to allow the
rank and service of Va Mal officers to be established
by mai testimony in the absence of the Record
and under such relaxed rule give Moons heirs
the benefit of a cap Rank for his services at
Guilford
  yours   -  R H Gray att
Page 38

Washington Jany 18, 1849

Sir
In the case of Mary Lafoy, under the
act of July 1836 [scratched out:  rejected]. in which 7½ Mo. Service is
admitted-- but disallowed because the date of Marriage
is not specifically proven, the it is in proof by 2, or 3
witnesses that her 1st Husband Jacob White under
whom she claims had at least 2 or 3 children by
her (as his reputed legal wife) at the time he was called
into service in 1780, 81.  and during the last
summer I procured the additional Afft of Mr Hughes
of Bedford Co. Va and forwarded the same to you to be filed
with the papers which were on appeal to the Sec of War
but which last winter while here, I left a memorandum
with Dr Crump the Chief Clerk, to withdraw, and
place under your immediate adjudication.

I now respectfully request, that under your rules
in regard to the filing of additional testimony, that
you will give the case of Mary Lafoy, former widow
of Jacob White as early service as is practicable
and by so doing, greatly oblige me 
Ro H Gray
att
for Mary Lafoy
Page 39

Lynch'b     decd 26th 1846

Sir
Presuming that my letter enclosing the Aff
of Jno P Nichols in Mrs Lafoy's case as respects the
time of marriage was in hand, at the date of your
communication of decd 22 - I was some what
Surprised at its contents - the tour at Guilford - inasmuch
as I am very certain that there is nothing
contained in my last-- say 3 weeks ago  - or any other
communication of mine on the subject of Jacob
White's services which protracted or prevented a
close of the subject on this point - but have
always distinctly stated that altho I was satisfied
both from History, and the evidence in the case that
White had served 3 Mo. at Guilford, or as long as
others in the same corps who had rec'ed 3 mos 
pension on said service after having read Cap Adams aff't
yet that you were obiliged to close the pension at whatever
you thought proper -  and now presuming from
your silence on that branch of the subject in
your last-- that the fact, and time of marriage is now
made satisfactory, you will please issue the
Certificate for 7½ mo the pension as you proposed
 yours rightfully Ro H Gray

P.S.   I could also say, with a clear conscience that both from History
and Wm Arthur's Aff't in this case, that White's tour at 96, was
of more than 3 Mo. duration if not 6 mo and the Lead mines tour
the same; but this expressed opinion, is not intended to protract
Page 40

the correspondence on this point, or delay the issue of the certificate of Mrs Lafoy

In my last, or before, I requested that you would
forward me a copy of the Act of the last Session of Congress, as regards the proof of Marriage of Revo'y soldiers -  for, as I do not recollect distinctly of having read the act in full, since it was passed - yet from the Epitome of it (I presume) which I had in the news papers - I inferred that it greatly relaxed the Rigor
of the rules of your department on the subject
of the proof of Marriage, and having always
rec'd the Act of Congress and rules of your department on the subject of  pension from you I am in hopes I am not or for this case
[scratched out: requiring] requesting [scratched out: too much] more courtesy at your hands
than your time will permit attention
 
Yours respectfully
R. H G
Page 41

Lynch'b   decd 11th 1846

Sir
Enclosed I forward you the aff't of John P
Nichols, sustaining the affts of Wm Arthur and Thos
Payne as to the fact, that Jacob White was a married
man when he went in service at the Lead mines
Campden, and Guilford and as early as 1774, -
75, which I am in hopes will prove entirely satisfactory 
as to the proof of his marriage with Mary Allen -
afterwards Mary Lafoy, according to the
Spirit, and design of the act of July 4, 1836.

I must again refer you to the history of the
Revo. war, as to the time that the great body of
the malitia under Genl Green, who fought at
Guilford was discharged; for is evident that they
were not discharged immediately after the battle
from the fact, that one troops pursued the British
as far as Deep River in N.C. before they continuously
marched - and the aff'ts of Wm Arthur in Mrs Lafoy's
case shews that Jacob White did not return home
until May from said tour of Service at least my
memo is to that effect. But that the tour of the services
of White, should be governed by what pension was allowed Henry
Adams (and others) in whom possession White's discharge
for 3 mo's service, is proven to have been seen by his son Cap Wm
Adams. But the case is with you. I think I have a right to 
expect a certificate in Mrs Lafoy's case in a short time. 

yours respectfully-
Ro H Gray att
Page 42

P.S.  The Com of P. will be so good as to forward me a copy of the Act of Congress' last session - as this kind of proof that is required in regard to marriages in order to obtain pensions for widows of Revo. Soldiers

R.H.G.
Page 43

Jas L Edwards, Esq

Com of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 44

Lynchb     Aug.    1846

Sir
Enclosed is the Clerks certificate of Bedford that
there was no return of the marriage of Jacob White to
Mary Allen about the year 1775 - The oral testimony in this
case herein shews the said White had by the
said Mary Allen 2 or 3 children before he was called in
to service at the lead mines Guilford - and in the
lower part of the state- not less than 7 mo in all.

I also enclose you the Aff't of Wm Adams
of Bedford, showing that the discharge of the said
Jacob White for service of a 3 mo tour at Gilford
was in his fathers possession and that he saw it not
back than a few years ago around his papers
This is corroborative of the Aff't of Author, and Marcey, on the subject.

The procuring of this Aff't, and the preparation of this
case generally, has been delayed from unavoidable
causes much longer than I could have wished.

Please be as liberal for the benefit of the Daughter of
Mrs. White afterwards Mary Lefoy as the
evidence will admit of which I think is satisfactory to
allow at least 9 mo pension on the Tour at the Lead mines
I am disposed to believe was of 6 mo duration

yours - Ro H Gray att
Page 45

Pension offices     Jany 30, 1847.
In the case of Mary Glover - tho the roll on which Sam'l
Glovers name is to be found -  may be difficult fined, or trace -
yet, in the absence of them if Dr Cramp will read the
parole evidence in the case, he will be satisfied that he
Sam'l Glover did serve at least 2 years in the Govt-line

Perhaps by further investigation and seaarching rolls to which
Glover belonged - traced, either from Cap't. Tho  Pattison of Buckingham
enlistment, or Lieut. Jas Morton of P. Edward. The witnesses in this case are
all highly respectable, and 2 of them members of Churches.

In Mary Lafoys case - 7½ mo pension as proposed to be allowed
is accepted - and the only difficulty being as to the fact of
marriage previous to the expiration of the last tour of service. The
Affit's of Wm Arthur, Thos Payne and Jno P Nichols, all persons
of irreproachable characters prove the marriage to have
taken place as early as 1774 or 75 and services being admitted
to have been ren'd as late March 1781, brings this
carefully within the law of July 1836
Ro H Gray
Page 46

Lynch'b     May 12, 1847

Sir
 I very reluctantly I take my pen in hand to
appeal to you as the Head of the War department
in order to obtain the just rights of a poor old dead
Widow for the benefit of her needy living daughter
whose claim for the pension due her dead mother
Mrs Mary Lafoy - as the widow also of Jacob White dec'd.
her 1st husband for whose services in the Rev War
her claim is based - which has been refused payment
as yet on the sole ground that the marriage has not
been made satisfactory to Mr Edwards the Commissioner
or to the Examining clerk, as it may be. The length
of service rendered by White has been agreed on by Mr.
Edward and myself--7½ mo - tho it is only the ½ of
what he actually rendered - as I think the evidence will
fully show - but owing to the distressed condition of the
claiimant, Mrs Nichols, the daughter of Mrs Lafoy, I did
agree to accept a certificate for 7½ mo. Services, and
from the strong, and positive character of the proof
of marriage, I was justified in believing that it would
be immediately issued - but as to which I have been
baffled from time to time for (now) 12 mo or more.

In this case we claim under the act of Congress of July
1836 - which requires that in order to entitle the widow
to a life pension, it must be shown that the parties were
married previous to the expiration of the husband soldier's last
term of service - which fact in this case is fully shown
by the evidence of at least 3 respectable witnesses, and
Page 47

all I require of you, or your immediate dept is that
the evidence in this case - to wit - the Affts of Wm Arthur
Thos Payne, Jno P. Nichols filed in the case, shall have
a fair and impartial examination by your direction
and decide in its intrinsic merits - and not take Mr Edward's
naked assertion, that the evidence as to marriage is not
satisfactory - nor his sophistication of it - and I will abide
the result. But before I close, it will be proper to direct
your attention more particularly the evidence itself, as
well as to the correspondence between Mr. Edwards and
myself on the subject.

Owing to the very early date of this marriage - say
in 1774 or 75, there is no returns of it to be found in
either of the County offices, Franklin, of Bedford - the latter
being the county the parties were married in and
therefore we had to resort to parole evidence to prove the same
the parties being illiterate, and kept no family
record of marriage.  But Wm Arthur who proves White's
Service also testifies that at the time White went into
Service. say in 78 or 9, 80 and 811829, 80 - 81 that he was a married
man having married  Miss [illegible]  afterwards Mary Lafoy and
that he had at least 3 children at the time! Thos
Payne and Jno P. Nichols Testifies to the same in court
and yet Mr. Edward cannot be satisfied that White was
married before he went into service, which is all we
are required by the law to prove in order to entitle 
to a pension. Mr E. has not even condescended to An....
Page 48

[an..] * swer our letter enclosing Jno P Nichols Affts * obtained
after the repulsion of the claim. saying whether it
was satisfactory  or not, as to the marriage.

Then we assert that the evidence of Wm Arthur and
others will shew that Jacob White rendered service at
the Lead mines in 1778, or 9, and at Guilford - 1781-
after  was married which they are satisfied took
place as early as 1774 or 75. and that he had 3 children
or more at the time he first went into service!
And yet Mr E will not issue the certificate of pension.

If M. E. is of the opinion or [illegible] to Dr Crump
in his office that witnesses can be made to swear to any
thing the agents choose by the Aid and comfort of a
little spirit-then indeed is "the time come to dispense
with the pension dept altogether -as its officers will
for the future mere sinecures to the the Gov't setting
the laws, rules, and evidence, all at defiance and acting
according to their own whims and caprices in Judging
of the honesty of witnesses and the Justice of the claim.

I shall perhaps have reason to communicate further
with you as regards the indiscriminate rejection
by Mr E. of all parole Testimony in [illegible] as to services
of Revo. Officers both in the malitia and Gov't line of
service, which I consider an [illegible] hardship considering
 the tattered, and imperfect condition of the Record
proof of service of the Revo: Officers, and soldiers
Page 49

you will confer a great favour on the needy party in
 this case by taking up this appeal as soon as practicable 
and communicate to the undersigned the
result of your investigation, which I trust may be
favorable as indeed it ought to be, from the
intrinsic merits of the case alone

yours respectfully 
Ro H Gray att

Not.: . It is my wish also, that you should have the correspondence
between Mr. E and myself in regard to this claim, laid before
you, that you may see its temper.  and also inasmuch as 
I have had to appeal to Ceasar - that I shall
receive the benefit of his accord, both on the score
of service, as well as marriage, and I am satisfied
that instead of 7½ mo - as agreed to be allowed by Mr E.
you will award nearer 15 months service as having been
proved to have been rendered by White
R. H .

The act, or resolution of Session before last dispenses with the positive
production of record evidence of Marriage - only such being now
required as would be taken in a court of Justice. all I
suppose is necessary, is that the Sec. of War instruct E. that the
evidence of Marriage in this case is satisfactory under the act of
1836, and months services allowed R.H.G
Page 50

Copy
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Claim for Military Service

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States,
of the 4th July 1836, Mary Lafoy dec'd late of Viriginia, formerly 
widow of Jacob While who was a private in the Revolution, and on 
the ..... day of.....1802, is inscribed on the roll of pensions at the rate
of Twenty five Dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March
1831 and ending on the 14th December 1840, when she died

The amount is due + payable to her only surviving child, viz Lavina
Nichols

Given at the Department of the Interior
this  6th day of November  
one thousand eight hundred and forty nine

Secretary of the Interior

Examined and
Countersigned

Commissioner of Pensions
Page 51

Lynchburg    May 30th 1849
Sir

I have to appeal to you again, from the decision of the
Com of Pensions in the case of Mary Lafoy of Bedford
Co Va under the act of July 4, 1836, whose first husband
(whom we claim under) Jacob White served several tours
in the Malitia, after she was married to him, and from
the evidence of  4 or 5 witnesses in the case, had 2 or 3 children
at the time he was in service, which was from 1779, to
1781 - and that White must have been married to claimant as
early as 1774 or 75. The service is admitted in this case, and 7½
months allowed, but because there is no record proof of the
marriage-- I presume-- The claim is rejected. Here again the
Comm of pensions has used power, which neither the law
nor the rules justify him in doing; in the rejection of this
case, for the act itself, requires that the husband must
have been in service after his marriage to claimant, which
we have shown by the affidavits of 4 or 5 witnesses or in
the language of the act itself, that the marriage took place before
the expiration of the last term of service. This we have shown
above, by 4 or 5 witnesses.

The sec'y of war will bear in mind, that under this act,
there is no positive necessity of proving the precise day of the
marriage, either by record or oral proof, and for the Com of pensions to require it is an assumption of power, and might by
a rigorous exactions of things impossible, amount to an abrogation
of the law. This act requires us only to shew by the
best proof we can, that the parties have always been living
together as man and wife, and regarded as being legally Married 
by their neighbours, and by common fame! This is always
 a true criterion to go by  - an illegitimate connection can
not go long without being known by the community. So Jacob
White, and claimant, who married  Lafoy after his, White's. death were
always regarded as having been legally married, from about the
year 1774 or 75 -- and that at the time he went into service
in 79.80, 81 - he had by claimaint 2 or 3 children. The witnesses
in this case, are all highly respectable. to the last witness, Mrs
Page 52

Elizabeth Hughes - Mr Edwards objects because she can not write
her name, therefore ! her memory as to dates can not be relied
on!  Here is another item of usurpation of power on the
part of the Com of Pensions in rejecting evidence, because
the witness could not write! the rules requires that where
the declarant, or deponant has to make a mark, that there
must be a subscribing witness! but does not reject the
evidence, but on the contrary allows it. Mrs. Hughes, may have
wrote, when younger, but like other old persons, when
they get old, their hands tremble-- and decline attempting
to write at all.

But as regards the memory, I find from experience
that those who can neither read or write, have a better recollection
of dates, than those who depend on old manuscripts to
revive it. I find also that Females have a more acute
distinct, and lasting memory; as regards minor, family,
and neighbourhood matters, (than the men) of 50, 60 or 70,
years standing - it is because, their minds have not been so
march directed absorbed wrecked, and torn to pieces by the cares
and business concerns of life, as those of men

Mrs Hughes is highly respectable, and her evidence as well as that
of Wm Arthur in this case, is entirely conclusive in this case
as to the fact, and time of the above marriage.

White and wife were poor, and illiterate, as was the
case with 3/4 or 9/10 of those who fought the battles of their
country, in the revolutionary war and kept no family
Register nor is there any returns of Marriages by the Ministers
of the Gospel to the clerks offices as early as 1774 or 75 - there
being no statute of Virginia previous to 1785 for previous to that
time the laws of England prevailed, which required marriage to be
solemnized by the clergy of her church, and kept by them! The counties
too have been so often divided that should there have been returns made
to any of the clerks offices, it is impossible to find which it is in
and in many cases, destroyed, or the papers kept in such disorder
that it would be in possible to find a marriage return.
Page 53

the only difficulty I apprehend in getting Mr. Edwards decision
reversed by you, and the pension allowed, is the great repugnance 
of the sec'y of war to overrule him-- or to doubt the correctness 
of his decision-- amounting almost to an admission
of his infallibility of Judgment. These sentiments have been
expressed in substance, by members of Committees, in Congress
to which body, I have had (and successfully too) to appeal from
the decisions of the Count of pension - and however disagreeable 
it may be will have have to do so again, unless by your
intervention the commissioner of pensions is made to confine 
himself, in the adjudication of claims, to the letter and
spirit of the pension laws themselves, and the rules laid down
by the war dept for him to go by; or the heads of Beaureaus
who have the examination of the papers, and report thereon to
Mr Edwards, the result favourable, or adverse - and upon whose
report the fate of the claim depends!!

Should the claim be rejected, for any cause, a letter is
written to the attorney conducting the case, giving objections
which is signed by the Commissioner of pensions (as I as satisfied
of from facts in my possession), without ever reading, which in
amount, makes it the decision of the examining clerk instead 
of the Com himself, and altho' I do not charge it positively
(as to myself), yet from the fact of the Com and Examining
clerk (of this kind of pension) having been so long in office.
it may be possible, that personal prejudices, and dislikes, may have
been unconsciously imbibed against certain successful attorneys to
the great injury of the claimants themselves  - where the attorney
have thought it his duty independently to disprove  and appeal from some
of the decisions of the Com of pensions, and for which an attorney! has been
warned by fellows; that it did not make for the interest of the claimant -
and a further expedient is resorted to by the Heads of this Beaureau as
admitted by himself, to me in person, is, to cease correponding! with
obnoxious attorney, when he wishes to get shut of him, and drive
him out of the business and this to the great of claimants themselves
without letting them know the cause of their silence, or giving
Page 54

them, (the claimants) an opportunity to employ a new attorney-- who might
not prove so obnoxious to the chief clerk or commissioner. As
the present Adm has gone in for Reform, more than removal
I trust these abuses will be attended to and corrected for the pension office, 
had better be closed, and thereby the expense of employing so many clerk 
[illegible] to the Gov't that to keep up a shew of munificence, to Revo sold.'
and widows which is promised by the law itself, but withheld from them 
by the steward, appointed to administer it to their necessities! I am in hopes
this case will receive your earliest attention, as the claimant is poor, and
very needy    yours respectfully-
Ro H Gray

NB. I have an appeal prepared also, in the case of Sarah Teas
of Nelson which I will forward from Rich'd Va. so soon as
see Col Chas Denan her son in law in the Va Leg. sitting at that place.
R. H G


I have further objections to the official course of conduct of pension dept
in regard to agents or attorneys conducting the prosecution of
pension claims. An undoubted good claim of Mrs Elizabeth
Williamson has been rejected because, say, the Examining
Clerk in the case-- the 1st husbands name Joseph Johnson
under whom she claims is sustained by the rolls of Capt Arthur
White as affected by the widow, upon her memory, as to what
her husband had told  over 50 years before, as to his services-- yet,
because, he the clerk! being aware or believed, that some
agents had some private rolls of Company; therefore all
agent had copies of all the company rolls of the Revo war!
Here's Logic for you! Now I am willing to qualify on oath
that I have not now, nor never had in my life, a company
roll of any kind, either in the malitia or regular line
I expect also, to forward you an appeal on this case of
Mr Williamson, if not shortly allowed.
R.H. G.
Page 55

Lynchb ...  Feb 9. 1847
Sir
On arriving home, I find your letter
of the 19th Jan, purporting to be in answer to mine
of the 26th dec Ultimo in regard to the further proof of Marriage 
of Mary Lafoy to Jacob White her 1st husband
contained in the Afft of Jno P. Nichols of Bedford
Co Va which was forwarded to you by mail
about the last of Nov. or 1st of dec past - and
which I am convinced from the tenor of yours 
of the 19th Ult you have never rec'd
or read: For in your last you refer to your letter to me
of the 28th Ap'l last, and also of the 17th Oct last containing
your objections to the "evidence of Thos Payne
as not yet satisfactory-- but does not refer to the
Aff't of Jno P Nichols forwarded to you since
your letter of the 17th of Oct -  but says that I
have furnished no additional evidence whatever
since Octr 17. 1846!!
Now this is to disabuse your mind as to that
fact, and to inform you that I forwarded to you
about the 1st of Dec. Ult the Aff of Jno P. Nichols
shewing conclusively, that Jacob White was Married
to Mary Allen, afterward Mary Lafoy the claimant
as early as 1774 or 75, and of which Aff't. I have had 
no notice from you whatever.

Be so good as to inform me whether the
Aff. of Nichols ever came to hand and whether
it is satisfactory as to the marriage of Mary Lafoy.
to Jacb White prior to the expiration of the last
term of her husband services.

yours respectfully
Ro H.  Gray
att
Page 56

[sideways]  Oct 5, 46

g

[illegible]
Mary White
Va


---
White
J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 57

Lynchb  Sept 30th 1846

Sir
Enclosed I forward you the Afft of Wm L
Adams in proof of the performance of a tour
of Service in the Malitia by Jacob White, at the
Battle of Guilford in March 1781. His discharge
as you will see by the Aff't of Adams was in existance
only a few years ago and perhaps may be
yet. Wm .A. is a person who is very indifferent
about putting himself to any trouble to accomodate 
another hence the great delay in getting his aff't- 
he would not put himself to the inconvenience of
riding a few miles to qualify to it-- but I luckily met
him at Bedford Court and got him qualify
to it, he, A.  was in hopes tho, that he could
have found Whites discharge. His sister
and brother will qualify to the same one
that he has done as regard the existence
of White discharge. -  In your letter on
the subject you admitted 2  Tours to be satisfactorily 
proven - the Portsmouth and Lead mine tours -
and the Guilford tour being now made satisfactory, will make 
9 mo if not 12 - for I am disposed to believe that the
tour at the Lead mines was for 6 mo. The
widow of Joe White heard her husband
say, that Jacob White was at the L Mines
Hers can be obtained if necessary. Please
issue the certificate as soon as possible as Mrs
Nichols, the daughter of Mrs Lafoy is very
Needy   Ro. H Gray

NB. Lafory in his life time, put in a claim for a pension
act of 1832, Please say what was the impediment to his
procuring his pensions
Yours
R H Gray att
Page 58

[sideways]   Feb 1 1847

Recon. of
Mrs  Lafoy  [illegible]

===

2
Jas L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
 Washington City
D.C.
Page 59

Washington City Jan 30th 1847

Sir

Since arriving in this place, for the purpose in part of looking in to the claims vs Govt, for which I am agent I have been both surprised and mortified to learn, from Mr Leake himself,
that the letter I wrote him in regard to the claims in your hands as com. of P. (and also some rejected by you) was sent to you, accompanying his own letter instead of making the enquiry himself as to  Mrs Lafoys case as I requested him to do of you in person- the impropriety of which you would at once see upon the reading of my letter to him-- for while it only made a solitary request of him to be communicated to you,
he sent the letter (written to himself) to you which not only contained irrelevant matters from my business request-- but which alone was intended for his own perusal, and of a more confidential nature -  and  which was well calculated to produce unfriendly
feelings in your breast towards to me- already I have been induced to believe of a prejudiced, and embittered cast. But your own good sense I am sure will tell you, that letters written a supposed friend containing complaints or animadversion as to the harsh or stringent Acts, and decisions of a public officer should not be considered in a personal light by him as the acts of all public officers are proper
subjects of Animadversion; tho our own opinions as to their conduct, or decisions may be erroneous themselves. Therefore what has come to your eye through mr Leake you will let it pass as tho it was never written, inasmuch as it was not intended for your own eye, or intended in a personal sense.

The papers in your possession which I requested him to withdraw. may remain with you, until I make further efforts to make those acceptable to you.  And, As to the cases that I have appealed in, (most of which
Page 60

have not yet been acted on in committee) I shall obtain
leave from congress to have them withdrawn-- so that, should
you wish the papers returned to your can or possession for any purpose
-- you can obtain them on application

I close this communication by requesting
as I have before (but have recd no direct answer)
that you will say whether Saml Glovers name
(in Mary Glovers case) is to be found on Jas or John
Morton's roll of the Gov't line and on whose service
the issue of her certificate depends-- and also
whether the Afft of Jno P Nichols in Mrs Mary
Lafoys case is satisfactory when added to the
rest as to the Marriage of Jacob White to said Mary
Lafoy  - Maiden Name Allen

As I shall leave Washington for Lynch'b, by the
Sunday morning's boat, you will please direct 
any communication you have to make
to m to that place, which is my place of residence

your respectfully-
Ro H Gray
att for 
---
NB. This act of Mr Leakes, is not the 1st breach of propriety on
the part of the Hon Mem. of Congress toward me in sending
my private letters written to them, [illegible] for you to inspect without
my wish or consent  - done to save, I suppose, the trouble
of writing to you themselves. Col. Hubard, and the
Ex Hon. Wm L Goggins also served me about the same
trick. But for the future what I have to say to you
I will do it directly, either by written or verbal communication, 
without any circulation whatever
yours R.H. G
Page 61


P.S. I have been informed since I arrived here
that pensions have been allowed on the service of both express rider and public waggoners and which principle of decisions, would of course embrace the cases of Elizabeth Martin of Bed. Va and Lucy
Wright of Nelson do - which two cases I would
respectfully request that you would review on
these questions, - but in Mrs. Martins case if
you will examine the papers again, you will find
that 6 mo. services as a dep. 2d Martin
are also proven, but perhaps overlooked

In Sarah Victors case, asking an increase of
8 additional Mo. pension, on the score of her husband Services in 1776 prior to the
time of his services as Adj't of Caval. from March
1777 to Aug. 1778 which the presumption and the rules of service are in his favour as having served as Lieut before he was Adj't. for I have been will informed that by a resolution of Congress, it was required that Staff officers, should be taken from the line of the Army, instead of from the ranks of private life which
was nothing but strict justice to them
in offices, in order to to prevent their being thrown out of service by the consolidation of the ranks. Please reconsider this case also. yours respectfully
R H Gray att

The papers in all these cases
will be return to you
R. H G.
Page 62

Lynch'b   May 14, 1847
Sir
 
yours of the 10th Past is at hand on the subject of Mary
Lafoy's claim impeaching, by implication the veracity of
Jno P Nichols in regard to the character of his evidence,
proving that when he first visited Jacob White's Family
about the close of the Revo. War, he then had 2 or 3 children
and you also make Nichols contradict the
declaration of the widow in saying that he proved the
service to have been rendered previous to 1779, when he
came to the County of Bedford.

There must certainly be a mistake in the reading
of the Afft of Jno P. Nichols-- or the error is in my drafting
of it-- for I am very positive that Nichols did not profess
to know of his own person knowledge, any thing of
services of White, but stated what he understood of it, as well
as I now recollect - not having any notes before me. nor was it
necessary to obtain any further evidence as to service, that
having been agreed on us. Nichols went in to say, if
my memory serves me right-- that he came to Bedford in
1779 - and some short time after saw White at a public
gathering, being pointed out, or introduced to him - and that
in 1780 or 81; be happened at White's house on Staunton
when on a fishing expedition. -- and that then he had
2 or 3 children - and in explination why he knew
nothing personally of White's Services in the latter part of
the war, at Guil'd - and the south - he accounted for it
as you will see by reference to his Aff't very reasonably
too - by stating that he was at that period of the service engaged
as a waggoner, to and fro, in carrying produce provisions
to New London and elsewhere in a different direction and was exempt
of having service if I recollect right - in consequence of an injury he had
rec'd perhaps as a  public waggoner -before he came from Maryland 
or Pensylvania, to Bedford.

you will please examine his aff't again and
you will see that I am correct, and that Nichols disproves
nothing as to service contained in the declaration. I am
Page 63

in hopes that this is a sufficient explanation as regard
any apparant contradiction - for if the aff't  reads as you
represent it the error is in the drafting  -  by me and
not Nichols-- for I am satisfied he did not pretend to know
anything of White Services personally, and should you still
insist on having the character of Nichols proven by
some one or more of the leading men of the County - I can
easily do so - indeed it has already been done and that too according
to your own rules by Mr Wingfield the Justice
of the peace who qual'd him to his aff't and who is a
close neighbour to Nichols and has known him from
his childhood up-- and who is one of the 1st Familys in
Bedford - being a brother to Lawyer Wingfield of Liberty
Bed Co - and son of Col. Wingfield-- both of whom has represented
the County in the Va Legislature. But if you impugn
the evidence of Nichols, it is my duty to have the stain
wiped from his character. I should like to have
re visual of his afft by you-- and as early as practicable an
answer as to the result, before you put me to the additional labor
and expense of proving Nichols character - which then
will be no difficulty in doing more than the time labour and 
expense involved in it. And also in your
communication you will please state whether, the
Sustaining of Nichols character is the only obstacle to the issuing of
the certificate.
yours respectfully-
Ro H Gray att
Page 64

State of Virginia   Bedford County  to witt

On this 29 day of October 1846, before me Chris Morgan
a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally
appeared Thomas Payne, a respectable resident of said
County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath say- That he is 82 years old; and became
acquainted with Jacob White who married Mary Allen, just
after the close of the Revolutionary war, say in the year
83 or 84, and he recollects distinctly that said Jacob White
was then a married man and had at least 5 children - the oldest of 
which Byrd White, must have been at the time he became acquainted
with him, (Jacob White) at least 8 or 9 years old-- and judging from 
his children, deponant is satisfied in his mind, that said Jacob White
must have been married to his their wife, whose maiden name was Allen 
at least as early as the year 1775.  Deponant knows nothing of the Rev. Services 
of said White of his own knowledge. That after his death
which was about 40 years ago - his widow Mary -
married John Lafoy, who died also, about the year 1823, to 5
and that his widow died about the year 1841 or 42
or 4 or 5 years ago - and that the widow Mary Lafoy, left one child living
by the said Jno Lafoy, whose name he believes is Lavina or
some such name,
attest                          his
        ..  Thomas    x Payne
                  mark
after Jacob White, interlined before signed Chris Morgan J. P.

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year
above written-
Before me - Christopher Morgan  J P
In presence of-
Matil Owenby
Ro H Gray
Page 65

I, John R Steptoe, clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Christopher Morgan is a magistrate as within stated, and that  the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 2nd day of
November 1846
Jno. R. Steptoe C.BC.
Page 66

State of Virginia,   Bedford County to witt

On this the 8th day of December 1846, before me James L Wingfield
a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally
appeared Mr John P Nichols a respectable resident of
said County, who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath say * that he is 85 years
old - and came to the said County of Bedford from the
State of Maryland, in the year 1779, and in some
short time after saw him Jacob White, who married
Mary Allen in said County during, or before the Revolutionary war
at some public place or muster, and knew him sight only - being shown 
or pointed out to deponent to whose knowledge it there was first
brought, that he, White, was a married man-- but
that in the course of some 12 months after he deponant 
stayed all night at said Jacob White's house
being on a fishing his on Staunton River, where
said White lived, and that he recollects distinctly that the
said White, and wife (maiden name Allen) had
at least two or three children of whom Tom or
Byrd was the oldest, being at that time six or eight
years old and from the ages of said Whites children
he deponant is satisfied in his own mind that he was
married to said Mary Allen before the Rev. War.

That as regard the Rev. Services of said White, he
dep't. knows nothing personally, only by information
his services being rendered before depo't came to said
County or to the south. he dep't being employed as a
public waggoner hauling provisions, Whiskey
for the troups at N London as elsewhere.  Said White died
some 40 years ago, and his widow married Jno Lafoy, who was a
regular soldier and died some 20 years ago and his widow
about 6 or 7 years ago.       John R Nichols

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written 
In presence of                .......Before me James L Wingfield JP
Ro. H Gray

"and elsewhere" , interlined  before signed  James L Wingfield  J P
Page 67

I John R. Steptoe Clerk of the County Court of Bedford 
in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that James S Wingfield
is and was at the time of signing the within certificate an acting
Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Bedford, duly 
commissioned and qualified as such according to law, 
and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine


In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 10 day of December
1846.
Jno R. Steptoe Clk
Page 68

On this 28 day of Sept  1846 before me Tho R. Clayton
a Justice of the peace in and for said Court
personally appeared William L Adams a respectable resident
of said County who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath say- that he is the Admin'. in the 
estate of his decd father Henry Adams decd of said County, who
was a U. States pensioner at the time of his death at $ 20 pr mth
in 1834, or 35 - That in looking over the papers of his father
the said Henry Adams, he the deponent recollects distinctly
seeing, and reading a discharge given to Jacob White
for the performance of a tour of service of three months duration
embracing the time he was at the Battle of Guilford in
March 1781. Deponent understood from his father, that when 
the Bedford Malitia was discharged on said occasion that
said Jacob White gave his discharge to dep.'s father Henry Adam
to keep for him (as with others) to deliver to him when called for.
Deponent thinks it was not more than 2 or 3 years ago, that he saw 
said discharge - but can not say positively who it was signed by. 
He does not recollect ever seeing said White, he may have died before
deponant was born.  Said discharge may still be among his father's papers
he has searched diligently for it, but as yet have not been able to find it.
William L Adams

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written
Before me-      Tho R. Clayton   J P
in presence of -
W [illegible]
Ro H Gray
-
I John R Steptoe Clerk of the County Court
of Bedford County, certify that Thomas R Clayton is a magistrate
as above duly commissioned and
qualified, and that the foregoing signatures
Page 69

purporting to be his are genuine

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal
of office and subscribed my name this 28th day of September
1846
Jno R Steptoe   clerk
of the Court of Bedford county