Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8612, for John Ray, Maryland
Page 1

Service
MD

Name
Ray, John
Margaret

Number
R.8612
Page 2

1509
Kentucky
John Ray
of Union Co in the state of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Brisco of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Burgess in the MD
line for 13 months

Inscribed on the roll of Kentucky at the rate of 43 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of April 1833 and sent to James R Hughs Morganfield

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $86.66
Semi-anl. allowance end 4 Sept $21.66
$108.32

{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol 7 Page 25
Page 3

John Ray
Page 4

State of Kentucky
County of Union

On this 21st day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before the county court of the county of Union aforesaid now sitting John Ray a resident of said county who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following amendment to his declaration made on the 20th of August 1832 for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed on 7th June 1832.

That he was born on the 3rd day of September 1756 in Ann Arundel County Maryland - he has a record of his age in the bible at home taken from the record kept by his father - at the time he first entered the service of the United States he lived in Ann Arundel County - when in 1780 & in 1780 he entered the service - he lived in Bullitt County Kentucky - since the close of the Revolution he has lived in Bullitt County Washington County, Henderson County and Union County Kentucky and in the last county has lived fourteen years & yet lives in the same
Page 5

he always voluntarily entered the service as a private - in his original declaration he has named his officers.

And he doth further depose and say 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 eight months I served as a private in the year 1776 - and in the year 1780 under Genl. Clark he served two and a half months and in 1782 he also served two and a half months under Genl. Clark - he doth verily believe he was three months absent on each of those expeditions but for greater certainty and to be within less than his service he has put them two at two a half months each.

And for such service I claim a pension

John Ray
Page 6

I James R Hughes Clerk of the court of Union County in the state of Kentucky do certify that the annexed and the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Ray for a pension as ordered to be secured by said court.

In testimony where of have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 21st day of January 1833 in the 41st year of its commonwealth.

James R Hughes
Clerk

SEAL
Page 7

7550
John Ray
Union Co
from 1776 private
13 months
$43.33
Brisco Burges MD

See letter Oct 27, 1832 to James R Hughs Esqr
Morganfield
Ky
Page 8

7556 Brief in the case of John Ray
County of Union in the state of Kentucky
(Act 7 June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a court or a Judge? - OPEN COURT
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? - 76
4. Sate his service, as directed in the form annexed.

PERIOD and DURATION of SERVICE: 
Spring in 1776 enlisted and was dismissed Dec '76
1780 volunteered 3 months
1782 Volunteered to do 3 months

RANK - PRIVATE
Names of General and Field Offices under whom he served:
CAPT Edw Burgess
St. Edmonson (Flying Camp of Maryland)
Capt. Briscoe
Capt. Vanmeters

5. In what battles was he engaged? FOUGHT THE HESSIANS.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? - Ann Arrundell Maryland (Anne Arundel)
7. Is his statement support 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? - THEY ARE CORRECT

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

T Waugh - Examining Clerk
Page 9

7556
Page 10

State of Kentucky
County of Union

On the 20th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before Daniel H Kinny, Lewis Greenwell, John L Deckey, Joseph Ray, George Johnson and John G Fennie - justices of the county court for the county of Union now setting John Ray a resident in the said county of Union and state of Kentucky aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

In the Spring 1776 he was a resident of Ann Arundel County Maryland and enlisted for six months in the company of Capt. Edward Burgess Thomas Edmonson First Lieutenant Alexander Estep 2nd Lieutenant Jerimiah Bell Ensign and belonged to that class of troops called "The Flying Camp" of Maryland - he was marched to Annapolis was shipped to the head of the Elk crossed by land to New Castle on the Delaware went on board vessels to Philadelphia then marched to German Town, Princeton, New Castle and Elizabeth crossed the North river to New York and there joined the army under Gen'l Washington before Long Island was taken - Marched up to Fort Washington near which they had an engagement
Page 11

the Hessions then marched to the white plains where
there were some skirmishes, crossed into New Jersey to
Hackensack marched to forts opposite Fort Washington
them back to Hackensack marched to Fort Lee opposite Fort Marburg then
back to Philadelphia where he was discharged in
December 1776 being such at the time he was sent on
to Baltimore - he moved to Kentucky in 1777.

In 1780 he resided in Bullitt County Kentucky
and volunteer in Capt Parmenas Bryson company
and in June or July rendezvous at Louisville where
Genl George Rodgers Clark took command of the troops
marched to where (illegible) now stand where they
erected a block house then marched took & destroyed
Chillicothe then took and destroyed the Requeway
Town where they had a battle with the Indians
and returned home the last of September having been
absent about three months in the service having 
been regularly discharged

In 1782 he again volunteered in Capt Jacob
Vanmeters company again met at Louisville in
August where Gen Clark again took the
command, pursued the same route as in 1780
to the old Chillicothe Town, then marched to
the New Chillicothe Town on the Big Miami
took and destroyed the Town, destroyed two other
Indian towns and some stores returned to Kentucky
and was regularly discharged having been in
the service their near three months. He has neither 
of his discharges -- he has no documentary evidence and
he knows of no person whose testimony he can prove who
can testify to his service
Page 12

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present and declares that his name
not of the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Ray

We Clabourne Duval a clergyman residing in
Anson County Kentucky and Lewis Richards residing in
said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted 
with John Ray who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration; and we believe him to be seventy
six years of age that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been
a soldier of the revolution and we concur in
that opinion
Claibourne Duval
Lewis Richards

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
D.H. Waring

And the said Court do hereby declare the
opinion of the matter, and after putting the 
interrogators 
presented by the war department
that the above applicant was a revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states. And the
Court further certifies that it appears
to them that Claibourne Duval who has signed
the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident 
in non county and that sum Richard
who has also signed the same is a resident in Anson
County and is a credible person and that the
statement is entitled to credit.
I James R Hughes Clerk Clerk afe
Page 13

the Court of Anion County in the State of
Kentucky do certify that the testimony fore
going contains the original proceeding of the
Court in the matter of the application of John
Ray for pension as recorded to be certified 
by said Court
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
seal of Office this 20th day
of August AD 1832 in 
the 41st year of the Common
wealth
James Hughes
Page 14

March 28, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

John Ray - R.8812
BA-J/AWF awd

Mr. H. H. West
24 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California

Dear Sir:
The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, R. 8612, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of John Ray.

John Ray was born September 3, 1756 in Anne
Arundel County, Maryland, names of his parents not
given.

While a resident of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 
he enlisted in the spring of 1776, served as a
private in Captain Edward Burgess' company of the
"Flying Camp", was at the taking of Fort Washington
and in skirmishes at White Plains, was discharged in
December, 1776, having served about eight months.

He moved in 1779 to Kentucky. While residing in
Bullitt County, Kentucky, he volunteered and served
about three months in Captain Parmenas Briscoe's company
under General George Rogers Clark, in this expedition
destroyed Chillicothe, had a battle with the
Indians and destroyed the Pickaway Towns. He volunteered
in August, 1782, served about three months in
Captain Jacob Vanmeter's company under General George
Rogers Clark, took and destroyed New Chillicothe on
the Big Miami and two other towns.

John Ray lived in Bullitt, Washington, and Henderson
Counties, Kentucky, after the Revolution. He
was allowed pension on his application executed August
Page 15

20, 1832, at which time he was living in Union County,
Kentucky, where he had lived about fourteen years.

Reference was made in 1845 to Margaret, widow of
the soldier, John Ray; her maiden name is not given
and there are no details as to their marriage. There
is no reference to children.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 16

1881 Nov 29 T B Stringheld military
4 personal history

1909 Oct 7 Hist to Mrs J.D. Young Lajolla
1725 July 22 Hist to Mrs. J.C. Brittan
1925 Jaly 22 Hist to Mrs G.C. Brittain mm HE
1925 Sept 21. Hist to J. W. Menifee MM HH
1935 March 28. Hist to J. H. West


REJECTED
8612
P. O.
Margaret May
Service: widow of John Ray
pensioned by CALIF W 7509 The letter
to Lynn Boyd, M.C Shay the
Enlisted: See both last 18
Discharged: the same (illegible)
Application filed:____, 18

Printed list of 1852 gives at
cause of suspension
of the claim of Margaret the
widow of John Ray
Service must be proved by
the records at Annapolis"
Attorney: ____
P. O. ______
_____Recognized.  _____Contra
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for ____, 18
Page 17

1861
Margaret Ray
John  K V
He was allowed a pension
Suspended

See let to Hon Lyon Boyd
July 18, 1845
Page 18

Hy Rosser
Jany 13th 1845

Sir
Enclosed you have
the papers of Mrs John Ray
claiming a person to which
I solicit your early attention.

Respectly
yr Obt Sevt
Lynn Boyd

L. Edwards Esqr



No widow's papers where opened by me.
Q Wllison, Dec. 4 1909
Page 19

Revil Ky.
May 21- 1925

Pension Department.
Washington

Dear Sir:
Have you any
Revolutionary War record
of John Ray - also
Nicholas Ray?
One story in the family
has it they came from
Maryland - another says
Pennsylvania - and settled
in Marion and Washington
Page 20

Counties Kentucky in lands given by government for
services as American soldiers

The first wife of Nicholas Ray was Susannah Hukels
second - Prudence Taylor. Some of the children were: Samuel
Taylor - Nicholas and Joseph Hukels
John Ray was born about 1756-Died 1844
wife was Margaret-- Children: John Curran - James
Goodlet. Arthur and William. Please send also any
family data you may have on file
Yours Very Truly
Mrs. G. C. Brittain
Kevil Ky.
Page 21

1959 P sd
Washington
D.C.

Dept of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Can you find any
information among
your Revolutionary
Records, concerning John
Ray from Va. (& or KY
Page 22

Thanking you in 
advance for any
kindness.  I am
Very Truly yours
W. W. Young,
(Mrs J.D. Young)

November the 
twenty third

(stamp)
Pension Office
USA
Nov 24 1909
Page 23

Sullivan, Ill. Nov 14, 1881
Col. W.W. Dudley
Pension Commissioner
Washington DC

Dear Sir 
I have been referred to
your department by the Hon. Secr of war
for the war record of John Ray who
served under Washington in the 
Revolutionary war.  He was from VA or Md.  I desire
to be informed of his Co. Regt, & his
Capt. Col and Brigade-Commander.
You will confer a great favor on me
by giving me the information asked
for I also understand he served under
Washington in the Indian wars
prior to Revolutionary times
Very Respectfully
Thos V Stringfield
Page 24

4778 Esther Ray NY 
John Ray
John Ray of Ky born Sept 3 1756 after the Rev War Henderson & Union Co Ky go 1818-
3977 Agnes F  and

John Ray of NC County Mm Agnes Trout dale
Ec in SC tin Lee's Legion - 
County Ga 1784 he
served in to Lee's Legion-- 2 in other Freeland 
died 1843

John Ray in Hugh 1832 State, his age as 76 years, residing in Union Co Ky. In the Spring of 1776 while residing in Ann Arnadale Co.
he enlisted for me in the Co of Capt Edward Burgess belonged to that class of Troops called "Flying Crowe" marched to Annapoles where shipped to the head of the Elk, crossed by land
to New Castle on the Delaware & went on board of and for the them to Germantown, Princeton, Elizabeth Confed the North River to NY City and joined the Army under Gen Washington before Long Island was taken.  Marched to Fort Washington near which had an engagement with the H   then marched to White Plains where were some out to NJ Hackensack, then to Fort Lee opposite Fort
Washington then back to Hackensack to New Brunswick & Phil. when discharged in Dec 1776, being sick at the time & sent on to Baltimore. He moved to Ky in 1779
he resided in Bullett Co & volunteered in Capt P. Briscoe from June or July rendezvous at hereby under the com of Gen. Geo. Rogers Clarke.
The troops marched to where Conconnate all of & created a block house after which marched to & destroyed Chillicothe & the Piskaway town where they had a battle with the Indians & returned home the last of Sept after 3 mons. 
In 1782 again volunteered in Captain Jacob Vanmeter's Co joining General George Rogers Clarke at Louisville Ky in August pursuing the same route as in 1782 the old Chillicothe towns then to New Chillicothe on the Big Miami destroying the Indian town and stayed 3 months.
Page 25

THE ONLY NATIONAL BANK IN UNION COUNTY
MORGANFIELD NATIONAL BANK
NO 7400
CAPITAL, SURPIUS AND PROFITS, $125,000.00
UNITED STATES DEPOSITARY
MORGANFIELD, KY.

7/14/25
Pension Bureau
Washington DC

Dear Sirs
I am desirous of obtaining data
relative to John Ray who served 7 yrs
He enlisted in a Maryland company
and was afterward with Gen George
Rogers Clark in Ky. I understand he
was living in Union Co Ky when he
was pensioned.  I am writing this
at the request of Mrs W.C. Bland of
Uniontown Ky (Union Co) who is anxious
to become a member of the D.A.R.
Any information you can furnish
will be highly appreciated. Thanking 
you advance for any favor and (illegible)

Your very Truly
J. W. Menifee
His wife has named Margaret.
We are trying to find who she was
ere she became Mrs Ray, and all
other information relating to the case.

(stamp)
Pension Office
USA
Jul 16 1925
Page 26

Western Representative
MOTOR OILS, GREASES
and SPECIALTIES

WEST - CARLETON SALES CO.
214 South Hill Street
Phone, VAndike 1818
Los Angeles,

H.H. West
Jack Carleton

February 28, 1935.

The Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me full information contained in the
pension application of:
JOHN RAY
a private in the Maryland Militia during the Revolutionary War, who was
paid a pension while residing in Union County, Kentucky. Thanking you,
I am,
Yours very truly,
H.H. West.

HHW - W


(stamp)
Received
Feb 23 1935
Mal Suw-WiW
Reader 15
Page 27

MMH
Rev.&1812 Wars Section

July 22, 1925

Mrs. G. C. Brittain
Kevil, Kentucky,

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim R. 8612 it appears
that John Ray was born September 3, 1756 in Anne Arundel
County, Maryland.

While a resident of his native county he enlisted
in the spring of 1776, served as private in Captain Edward
Burgess' Company of the "Flying Corps",  was at the
taking of Fort Washington and in skirmishes at White
Plains and was discharged in December 1776, having
served about eight months.

In 1779 he moved to Kentucky and in June or July
1780, while a resident of Bullitt County in said state,
he volunteered and served about three months as a private
in Captain Parmenas Briscoe's Company under General
George Rogers Clarke in which expedition they took and
destroyed Chillicothe and the Pickaway Towns where they
Page 28

were in a battle with the Indians,

In August 1782 he volunteered and served about
three months as private in Captain Jacob Vanmeter's
Company under General George Rogers Clarke and took
and destroyed New Chillicothe of the Big Miami and
two other towns.

After the Revolution he lived in Bullitt, Washington, 
Henderson and Union Counties, Kentucky. He was
allowed pension on his application executed August 30,
1832 while a resident of the last named county,

His widow's name was Margaret, her maiden name not
stated and no details of marriage given.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Date of death
not on AB
Page 29

John ray
R8612

March 28, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/AWF

Mr. H. H. West
214 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California

Dear Sir:  

Reference is made to your letters in which you
request information in regard to the following Revolutionary
War soldiers: Isaac Gore, private in the
Virginia militia and pensioned, while living in Grayson
County, Kentucky, and John Ray, private in the
Maryland militia and pensioned, while living in Union
County, Kentucky.

The records of these soldiers are furnished you
herewith, as found in pension claims, based upon their
service in the War of the Revolution.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 30

Rev.&1812 Wars Section
MMH4

September 21, 1925

J. U. Menifee
Morganfield, Ky.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim R. 8612 it appears
that John Ray was born September 3, 1756 in Anne Arundel
County, Maryland.

While a resident of his native county he enlisted
in the spring of 1776, served as private in Captain Edward
Burgess' Company of the Flying Camp, was at the
taking of Fort Washington and in skirmishes at White
Plains and was discharged in December 1776, having served
about eight months.

In 1779 he moved to Kentucky and in June or July
1780, while a resident of Bullitt County in said State,
he volunteered and served about three months as a private
in Captain Parmenas Briscoe's Company under General
George Rogers Clarke in which expedition they took and
destroyed Chillicothe and the Pickaway Towns where they
Page 31

were in a battle with the Indians.

In August 1782 he volunteered and served about
three months as a private in Captain Jacob Vanmeter's
Company under General George Rogers Clarke and took
and destroyed New Chillicothe on the Big Miami and
two other towns.

After the Revolution he lived in Bullitt, Washington, 
Henderson and Union Counties, Kentucky. He was
allowed pension on his application executed August 20,
1838 while a resident of the last named county.

His widow's name was Margaret, her maiden name not
stated and no details of marriage given.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 32

Copy

Pension Office,
January 18, 1845.

Sir
The papers in the case of Margaret Ray claiming a pension
under the Act of July 7, 1838, have been examined and are herewith
returned with a copy of the Act above named and the regulations
annexed that the claim may be asserted in the form thereby
designated. You will observe that the declaration should be made
before a Court of Record in open Court, except in case of disability
of body when a Judge may act out of Court he certifying
the fact of disability. There should be public or private record
or documentary proof of the date of the marriage if any such exists.
The service should be shown by the Certificate of the Register
of the Land Office at Annapolis, Maryland. John Ray, the
claimant's husband says he served 6 months in 1776, under Capt.
Burgess, Lieut. Alex. Estep & Jeremiah Bell in the "flying Camp"
of Maryland. He further says he served in 1780, in Kentucky under
Capt. Parmenas Briscoe & General G. R. Clark, & in 1782,
under Captain Vanmeter.
Hon. Lynn Boyd
H. of R.
Act July 7, 1838.