Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,188, John Conrey, New York
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE 
New York 
Conrey, John 
NUMBER S. 32,188
CONTENTS
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Illinois 19681
John Conrey
of Edgar Co in the State of Ills who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Jackett of the Reg commanded by Col Gray in the New York line for two years—

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Augt 1833 and sent to Wm J Mayo, Paris E. C. Ills  

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33 40.00 $200.00 

[handwritten “R. Sept 12, 1834”]

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 8 Page 55
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State of Illinois 
Edgar County SS.
On this Twenty ninth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record to with “The Circuit Court in and for the said County of Edgar John Conrey a resident of the County of Edgar and  State of Illinois aforesaid aged 72 years last April who being duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. He states that in the year 1776 in the City of New York in the State of New York he was drafted into the state service for six month and served in Captain James Meeks company in Colonel Malcoms Regiment in General Scotts Brigade and in the month of June the year aforesaid retreated before the British to Fort Washington and in a few days marched over Kings bridge and from thence to the White plains where we had a general engagement in a few days the British took Fort Washington and Fort Lee and crossed the North River into the Jerseys. Our Brigade was ordered up the North River to a place called Peakeskill and remained there for several weeks. in which time my Term of
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Six months in said state service expired for which he does not recollect that he received a written discharge. In the month of May 1777 he voluntered as a Rainger in Captain Benjamin Steven’s’ Company Right Carpenter 1st Lieutenant [illegible] and Frederick Stevens 2nd Lieutenant and Waring Ensign - Served out his said Term of six months service as Rainger as aforesaid in the State of New York in and about the white plains but does not recollect to have received any written discharge during the said last six months service We had a skermish with a company of Tory Light horse killed one man and 3 horses the mans name was Jotham Purdy That in February 1778 he substituted for a person whose name to him is now forgotten. and entered the state service for the state of New York in Captain Richard Sacketts company in Colonel Grahams Regiment and served his full term of twelve months, as aforesaid within the limits of the state of New York being mostly of said Term he was in and about the white plains.
The state that he was born in the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey on the 24th day of April 1760 he has no Register of his age. That he resided in the City of New York when drafted into the he state service. That he resided in the state of
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of New York about 10 miles from the white plains at the time he volunteered into service and at the time he substituted for *He states that he has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service 
that Gideon Minor and Oliver Minor are persons known to him in his neighbourhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State 

State of Illinois 
Edgar County SS.   }   John Conrey
On this 29th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court for the County of Edgar Gideon Minor and Oliver Minor who being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith that from their acquaintance with the aforesaid applicant John Conrey for upwards of Twenty years that they believe he is of the age he represents and that he is reputed and believed in the Neighbourhood to have been a revolutionary Soldier and that they concur in this opinion. Sworn to and subscribed in open court 
Gideon Minor 
Oliver Minor 
*States that at the close of the revolutionary war he returned to the City of New York In about 5 years after removed to Mason County in the State of Kentucky resided there about 12 years then moved into Claremont County State of Ohio resided there 26 years then removed to Edgar County State of Illinois where he now resides John Conrey
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the said court further certifies that Gideon Minor and Oliver Minor who has also signed the same are residents in said County of Edgar and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit 
Wm Wilson 

I Jonathan Mayo Clerk of the circuit court for Edgar County in the State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John Conrey for a pension 

[handwritten “seal” inside a circle at left]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my of hand and private seal (no judicial seal being yet provided) this 29th day of September A.D. 1832 J Mayo Clk 

The above named Jonathan Mayo is by me known to be Clerk of said Edgar Circuit Court now and at the date of above certife by him made & attested and the same is in due form according to the laws of this State Carmi Ill June 18, 1833 
John M Robinson

[handwritten upside down bottom left “John Conrey 17983”]
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State of Illinois 
Edgar County ⎬ On this Third day of June 1833 Personally appeared in open court being a court of record to wit “The County Commissioners Court for the said County of Edgar & State [illegible] John Conrey a resident of the State of Illinois aforesaid aged seventy three years last April. Who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 He states that in the year 1776 in the city of New York in the State of New York he was drafted into the State service for six months, and served in Captain Edward Meeks company in Colonel Malcoms Regiment in General Scotts Brigade and in the month of June in the year aforesaid retreated before the Brittish to fort Washington, and in a few days marched ever Kings bridge, and from thence to the white plains, where we had a general engagement, in a few days the Brittish look for Washington, and fort Lee, and crossed the North river into the Jerseys. Our Brigade was ordered up the North river to a place called Peakskill, and remained there for for several weeks, in which time my term of six months in said State service expired: for which he does not recollect to have received a written discharge — In the year 1777 he volunteered as a Ranger in Captain Benjamin Stevens’ company, Right Carpenter 1st Lieutenant therein, and Frederick Stevens 2d Lieutenant and Waring Ensign served out his said term of six months service as Ranger as aforesaid in the State of New York in and about the white plains, but does not recollect to have received any written discharge. During the said last six months service we had a skirmish with a company of Tory light horse kill one man and three horses, the mans name was Jotham Purdy. He states that in February 1778 he substituted for a person whose name to him is now forgotten and entered into the State service for the State of New York, in Captain Richard Sacketts company in Colonel Grahams Regiment, and served his full term of twelve months as a substitute as aforesaid within the limits of the State of New York being
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being mostly of the said term in and about the White Plains He states that he was born in the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey on the 22nd day of April 1760. He has no register of his age that he resided in the City of New York when drafted into the State service. That he resided in the state of New York about 10 miles from the White Plains at the time he volunteered into the service and at the time he substituted for — that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. That at the close of the revolutionary war he returned to the city of New York; in about five years after removed to Mason County in the State of Kentucky resided there about twelve years, then moved into Claremont County State of Ohio resided there twenty six years then removed to Edgar County State of Illinois where he now resides. He states that John W. Riley Clergyman of the Baptist Church, & Benjamin Dill labourer of Edgar County & State of Illinois are persons to whom he is known and who can testify to his veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier in the revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State

State of Illinois 
Edgar County ⎬ John Conrey

We John W Riley a Clergyman of the Baptist church residing in the County and State last named and Benjamin Dill of the same county and State do hereby certify that we are and have been for a number of years well acquainted with John Conrey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John W Riley 
Benjamin Dill 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
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The investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John W. Riley who signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Edgar and State of Illinois. That Benjamin Dill who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County and State, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit 

Henry G Smith
Joseph Matkins
Hall Sims 

I Milton K. Alexander Clerk of the County Commissioners Court for Edgar County in the State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Conrey for a pension 

[handwritten “seal” inside circle at left]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (no judicial seal being yet provided) this third day of June Anno Domini 1833 
M. K. Alexander Clerk 

The above named Milton K. Alexander is known by me to be clerk of the Commissioners Court of said Edgar Cty now and at the date of the above certificate and the same is in due form according to the laws of this State —
John M Robinson
Carmi Ill 
June 18 - 1877
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No 17983 [handwitten “checkmark”] 19.687
Conrey
John Conry [crossed out “Edgar”]
Edgar County Illinois


[crossed out “Return 10-16”]
Adm 2 years 
$80 


Will J. Mayo. Paris Edgar 
County Illinois
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BRIEF in the case of John Conry 
County of Edgar in the State of Illinois 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 

3. How old is he? 72 years 

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. Rank As a. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

Drafted In 1776  - 6 - private Gen. Edw. Scott, Meeks, Col. Malcolm

Vol 1777 - 6 - Ranger Capt. Ben Stevens

Sub 1778 1 -  - private Capt. Richd Sacketts, Col. Grayham 

5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains,

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? City of New York 

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary 

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective in the Seal 

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above Richd Hey Watts Examining Clerk.
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March 19, 1938 

John Conrey 
S. 32188 
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. J. W. Smith 
Second and Gay Streets 
Williamsburg, Ohio 

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Conrey, soldier of the War of the Revolution, from New York City , later lived in Kentucky and Illinois, 

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 32188 based upon the service of John Conrey in the Revolutionary War. 

John Conrey was born April 22, 1760 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not stated. 

While residing in New York City, John Conrey served in 1776, six months as private in Captain Edward Meeks' company, Colonel Malcolm's New York regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains. He enlisted sometime in May, 1777, served six months in Captain Benjamin Stevens' company of rangers, and was in a skirmish with the Tories. He enlisted some time in February, 1778, served twelve months in Captain Richard Sackett's company, Colonel Graham's New York regiment. 

About five years after the Revolution, John Conrey moved from New York City to Mason County, Kentucky, where he lived twelve years, then moved to
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Clermont County, Ohio, and in about twenty-six years moved to Edgar County, Illinois.

The soldier, John Conrey, was allowed pension on his application executed September 29, 1832, then living in Edgar County, Illinois. He died September 12, 1834. 

The papers on file in this claim contain no data in regard to the family of John Conrey.

In order to obtain the name and address of the person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data- 
John Conrey 
Certificate #19681 
Issued August 14, 1833 
Rate $80.00 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Illinois Agency. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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April 2, 1934 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

John Conrey-S.32188 
BA-J/AWF 

The Quartermaster General 
Memorial Branch 
War Department 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of John Conrey. 

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.32188, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Conrey. 

John Conrey was born April 22, 1760 in Monmouth County, New Jersey; the names of his parents were not given. 

While residing in New York City, John Conrey served in 1776, six months as private in Captain Edward Meeks' company, Colonel Malcolm's New York regiment and was in the battle of White Plains. He enlisted in May, 1777, served six months in Captain Benjamin Stevens' company of rangers, was in a skirmish with the Tories. He enlisted in February, 1778, served twelve months in Captain Richard Sackett's company, Colonel Graham's regiment. 

John Conrey was allowed pension on his application executed, September 29, 1832, then a resident of Edgar County, Illinois. About five years after the Revolution he moved from New York city to Mason County Kentucky, where he lived twelve years, then moved to Clermont County, Ohio and in about twenty-six years moved to Edgar County, Illinois. He died September 12, 1834. 

There are no data in this claim concerning the
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family of John Conrey. 

The application for headstone for John Conrey and copy of the record of John Conrey as given by the Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., May 22, 1920, are returned herewith. 

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER A .  
Assistant to Administrator
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3-525 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C. 19–
[handwritten “32188”]

In reply to your request of [left blank], received [left blank] for a statement of the military history of John Conrey a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

[column headings : DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.

1776. 6 mos. Pvt. Edward Meeks. Malcolm. N.Y.

May 1777 6 mos. —. Benjamin Stevens

Feby 1778 12 mos. Richard Sacketts. Graham.

Battles engaged in, White Plains

Residence of soldier at enlistment, 10 miles from White Plains, N.Y.

Date of application for pension, Sept. 29, 1832

Residence at date of application, Edgar Co. Ill 

Age at date of application, born April 22 1760 in Monmouth Co. N.J.

Remarks: No data as to family Died Sept 12, 1834 *

Respectfully, 
*from A.B. 
Commissioner.

6-2856
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Williamsburg, O 
Mar. 5, 1938.

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: A revolutionary soldier, named John Conrey was wounded in the leg during battle of Long Island. He moved from Virginia to Kentucky in 1790 and ten years later to Franklin Twp in Clermont Co, Ohio. Then in 1830 he removed to Ill. 

Did he ever get a pension? And can you tell me the
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dates of his birth and death? Also places if you have that data!

Thanking you for your service in this matter. I am —

Most respectfully,
Mabel Curry Smith
(Mrs. J. W. Smith) 
2nd and Gay Sts
Williamsburg, O.



[stamp in lower left corner “RECEIVED MAR 8 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV [illegible] 37”]
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Request for Rev -
We record John
Conrey - N.Y. service
 died Sept 12 - 1834 
Edgar Co. Ill -
appli -  for head -
stone & all slips 
returned —
[illegible]
April 2-34

[stamped “RECEIVED 
MAR 26 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV
[illegible] 2”]
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON 

3/24/34 [crossed out “1933”]

Memorandum for The Surgeon General, 
Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W. 

1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations. 

2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.
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April 30, 1920 

[handwritten on right “Rev War army]

To the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: - It is necessary that I establish the date of my grandfather, John Conrey's death, date of wound or discharge, and perhaps he may have received a pension, being a Revolutionary Soldier. 

This John Conrey, served in the Revolutionary War from the State of New York, any data you may have on your records will be of benefit to me and greatly appreciated. 

Thanking you in advance for any data whatever concerning this John Conrey, of New York as a Revolutionary Soldier, I am, 
Very respectfully yours, 
James A Conrey, 
c/o Adjutant General's Office, 
Columbus, Ohio. (State House.)

P.S. I wrote a similar letter to this to your office before but it must have gone astray, as I have not received any answer.

[stamped “U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D MAY 3 1920”]
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32 188 
Revy INVALID. 
File No. 32,188 
John Coney 
[illegible] Rev War 
Act. June 7 32
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 83 
Arrangement of 1870.]

1914 June 1 Hist. to Geo. W. Brown Letter in S. 32259 William Gannon. V.L.M.
1920 May 22 Hist. to Jas. A. Conrey 
1934- Apr 2 “ “ [illegible]
all slips returned [illegible] 
1938 - Mch 19 - Hist to Mrs. J. W. Smith [illegible]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Conry which require further proof or explanation. 

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes 

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?  yes 

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No
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[page] 2 

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no clergimans certificate Witness 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No 

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 

If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? X

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making making an affidavit in the following words:

“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
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[page] 3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 

[dagger footnote] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 

[double dagger footnote] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

[finger-pointing dingbat] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.