Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2517, William Bragg, Va.
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va.

Bragg, William
            Cecely

W.2517
NUMBER

CONTENTS
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Virginia 23.944

William Bragg
of Lunenburg [County] in the State of Va.
who was a pr [private] in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the Rgt [Regiment] commanded by Col. Richardson in the Va. line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Ap.l [April] 34 and sent [to] Wm. H Taylor, Lunenburg C H Va.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34    120
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. “ [1834]  20
$140

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by A. Rice, Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 ½ Page 4
Page 3

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

182
Virginia Richmond

Cecely Bragg
widow of William Bragg
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private Va. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 40 Dollars – 
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848

Certificate of Pension issued 
25 day of May 1849
and sent to Mr. J. B. Bedford Charlotte C. H. Va.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
[crossed out - February 2] July 29th 1848, Page 263 Vol. 1 Book D
Page 4

State of Virginia Lunenburg County SS Be it known that on this 14th day of March 1834 personally appeared before me James Wilson one of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace in and for said County William Bragg Resident of said County aged 73 years who from Old age and Bodily infirmity cannot travel to Court, who being 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 June 7th 1832. 
That he was drafted in the United States service for seven months on the 1st May 1780 and marched in a Company commanded by Capt’n. [Captain] Sylvanus Walker from the County of Lunenburg to Hillsborough State of North Carolina where he was attached to the 1st Virginia Regiment Commanded by Col. Holt Richardson [Holt Richeson] and after remaining there some time we were marched to deep River where we remained some time and from thence to Rugeleys Mills South Carolina ten miles from Camden where we joined the main armey [army] commanded by Gen’l. [General Horatio] Gates and on the 16th of August we had an Engagement and were defeated in what is called Gates defeat and after the battle we collected togeather [together] at a place called New Guarden [sic: New Garden NC] and were marched from thence to Hoganses Creek [Hogans Creek] to suppress some tories [Tories] that had collected at that place and from thence to Guilford Courthouse where we were discharged on the 30th November by Major Boid [sic: William Boyce] 
And in the month of February 1781 he Volunteered and marched from the County of Lunenburg under Capt’n. [Captain] William Dawson in to North Carolina and was attached to the 2d Va. Regement [Regiment] Commanded by Col. [Nathaniel] Cocke and were marched and stationed at different Places and on the 15th of March 1781 we were in the battle at Guilford Courthouse North Carolina after which we Retreated to the Troublesome Iron Works where we remained a short time thence we pursued the British as far as Ramseys Mills where Col. Cocks Regiment was discharged on the 30th of March 1781 having served two months the time that he Volunteered And on the 15th day of June 1781 he again Volunteered for three months and marched under Lieutenant Tomlinson from the County of Lunenburg to the Morban Hills [Malvern Hills] and was attached to a Company commanded by Cap’n. [Captain] Mike Mackey of the 3d Virginia
Page 5

Regement [Regiment] commanded by Col. Beverley Randolph and we were marched from that to Johnson’s old field and several other places and lastly to York during the siege at that place untill [until] the first of October when we were discharged by [blank] 
And that in his first and second tower he served as fifer and in the third tower as fife Major 
And in Answer to the different interrogatories prescribed by the War department he Answers thus 
Quest’n [Question] 1 Where and in what year were you born 
Ans’r [Answer] Agreeable to a Register kept by my parents I was born in the County of Lunenburg Va in the year 1760 
Quest’n 2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it 
Ans’r I have no record of my age at this time 
Quest’n 3 Where were you liveing [living] when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live 
Ans’r When called into service I lived in Lunenburg and since the Revolutionary War I have lived 7 years in the County of Mecklenburg and now live in the County of Lunenburg 
Quest’n 4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you Volunteer or were you a substitute 
Ans’r. In my first tower I were [was] drafted and my two last towers I Volunteered
Quest’n 5 State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service 
Ans’r. I can only say that in my first tower we were commanded by Col. Richardson Gen’l. [General] Stephens and Gen’l. Gates as Commander in Chief and that in the battle we were defeated; and in my second tower we were Commanded at Gilford by Gen’l. Stephens [General Robert] Lawson and Gen’l. Green [General Nathanael Greene] and on my third tower we were Commanded by Col Randolph Gen’l. Lawson and LaFayette and as to the different Regiments it has been solong [so long] that from Old Age & Concequent [consequent] loss of memory he cannot say mutch [much] about them
Page 6

Quest. 6 did you ever receive a discharge from service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it 
Ans’r. [Answer] In my first tower I recev’d [received] a discharge which was signed by Maj’r. [Major] Boid and in my second tower I receiv’d [received] a discharge which was signed by Col. Nathaniel Cocke and in my third tower I receiv’d [received] a discharge which was signed by Col Holt Richardson which discharges have since been lost 
Quest’n 7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your Carrector [character] for Veracity and their belief of your Servises [services]as a Soldier of the Revolution 
Ans’r. I am known in my present neighbourhood by the Rev’d. [Reverand] Sylas Shelburne Col Levi Clay 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the Agency of any state Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
[signed] Wm Bragg
James Wilson, J. P.

We Silas Shelburne a Clergyman Residing in the County of Lunenburg and Levi Clay Residing in the same County do hereby certify that we are acquainted with William Bragg who has 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 
Silas Shelburne 
Levi Clay
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
James Wilson J.P.
Page 7

And the said James Wilson a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting [putting] the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named William Bragg was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and he further certifies that it appears to him that the Revd [Reverend] Sylas Shelburne who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman Resident in the County of Lunenburg and that Col. Levi Clay who has also signed the same are residents in the County of Lunenburg and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit 
James Wilson J.P.

Virginia Lunenburg County Sct 
I William H Taylor Clerk of the county Court of the said county, certify that James Wilson is a magistrate as above, and the signature purporting to be is genuine - In Testimony where I have here affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 20 day of March 1834
Wm Taylor Clk [Clerk] 

[written sideways] Wm Bragg 30,688
Admt [Admitted] as private 
12 mo. $40.
Page 8

No 252. 
Cecely Bragg 
widow of William
Va. 
Act 29 July 1848, 
Married 7 Jan 1794 
Husband died 1834 
Admd [Admitted] one year 
private $40 per ann [annum]
4 March 1848 

Wm. J. B. Bedford 
Charlette Court House 
Va.
Page 9

Declaration of
Cecelia Bragg,
for a Pension
under Act July 29th 1848
Page 10

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 29th July 1848- 
State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit: 
On this 5 day of April 1849, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Cecelia Bragg a resident of said County and State, aged 77 years who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 29th of July, 1848, entitled “An act for the relief of certain surviving widows of officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary army.” 
That she is the widow of William Bragg, late of the County of Lunenburg, who was a private in the Revolutionary army, and a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7th 1832, at the rate of $40.00 per annum; all of which will duly appear by reference to the original papers filed by him in the Pension Office at Washington City. 
She further declares that she was married to the said William Bragg, on the 7th day of January 1794; that her husband the aforesaid William Bragg, died on the 22d day of April 1834. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January, Eighteen hundred to wit; at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension- 
Teste
Wm A Stone
Cecely [her X mark] Bragg
Page 11

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before me - I further certify that the said applicant, in consiguence [consequence] of age and bodily infirmity, and other causes, is unable to attend the County Court, for the purpose of making the foregoing declaration - Given under my hand this 5 day of Apr 1849 
Wm. A. Stone J P. 

State of Virginia Lunenburg County to wit: 
I do hereby certify, that William Bragg late of Lunenburg County, State of Virginia, and formerly a pensioner of the United States departed this life on the 22 day of April 1834 as coming within my own personal knowledge; and that his widow Cecelia Bragg is still alive, resident in the County of Lunenburg.
Wm. A. Stone J P. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid this 21 day of Apl [April] 1849. I further certify that he is a credible person and statement entitled to full confidence. Given under my hand the date above written.
Wm. A. Stone J.P.
Page 12

Virginia. At a Court held for Lunenburg County the 14th day of May 1849.
On motion, the Declaration of Cecely Bragg widow of William Bragg deceased, with accompanying documents &c for a Pension under the act of Congress passed July 29th 1848, was presented in open Court, and the whole explained to the entire satisfaction of the Court, they confirming the proceedings of the two Justice before whom the Declaration was made ordered that the above be certified on the said Declaration. 
I Thomas W Winn Clerk of the Court of this County of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia do certify that the above is a true transcript of an order taken from the records of the said Court. I further certify that William A Stone and John Orgain jr [Jr.] are acting Justices of the peace in and for the said County and that the signature attached to the foregoing Declaration purporting to be made by them are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 15th day of May A.D. 1849 and in the 73d year of the Commonwealth
T W Winn Clerk
Page 13

Know all men by these presents, that we William Bragg of the County of Mecklenburg and William Cunningham of the County of Lunenburg are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of £50. Current money to which payment will and truly to be made. We bind ourselves and each of us our heirs Executors and admrs [administrators], jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our Seals, and dated the 7th day of Jany [January] 1794. 
The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas, there is a marriage suddenly intended to be solemnized between the above bound William Bragg and Secely [Cecelia] Wilson If therefore there be no lawfull [lawful] cause to obstruct the said Marriage, then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and Virtue 
Witness Tho: Taylor
Wm. Bragg {Seal} 
Wm. Cunningham {Seal} 

At a Court held for Lunenburg County the 10th day of November 1834. 
Be it remembered, that at a Court held for the said County, at the Courthouse, on the 10th day of November 1834, before the Justices of the said Court, it being a Court of record, Whereupon it was proved by the oath of Levi Clay, that William Bragg decd [deceased] late of the said County was a pensioner of the United States, and it was also proven by James Wilson and Matthew A Wilson, that the deceased died on 22nd day of April 1834, leaving his widow Cecily - and it is further proved by the said Levi Clay, that the deceased is the
Page 14

identical Wm Bragg, named in the Certificate for a pension issued from the War Department of the United States which is ordered to be certified to the war Department. 

State of Virginia 
Clerk’s Office of Lunenburg County Court to wit: 
I Thomas W Winn Clerk of the Court of the said County, in the State of Virginia do certify that the foregoing are true transcripts from the records of said Court and contains a Copy of the bond given by William Bragg upon obtaining license to Marry Secely [Cecelia] Wilson and of an order respecting his death and identity. 
In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of the said Court and subscribed my name this 17th day of March, 1849, in the 73d year of the Commonwealth. 
T. W. Winn Clerk of the 
Court of Lunenburg County.
Page 15

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 1928 – Apr. 4 – See letter to Hon. Robert G. Simmons in Corres. [Corresponding] Files [Illegible initials] This letter in behalf of Mrs. Geo. E. Mark

[right side] Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 2517 Own
Cecely Bragg
Widow
William Bragg
Pri. [Private] Rev. War

Act: July 29, 1848
Index: - Vol. A, Page 81

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Richmond, Va. Roll Act 7 June 1832, Wm Bragg, pri. [private] $40 per annum 
To what time last paid? Died 22d April 1834 pd. to his death [Illegible Initials] 
Pension Office 
May 24/49

3d Auditor's Office
Page 17

State of Virginia 
Charlotte Ct: House 
May 19th 1849. 

Sir,
I enclose you the Declaration with accompanying evidence of Mrs. Cecily Bragg, widow of William Bragg, decd [deceased], for a Pension under the act of July 29th 1848. 
You will please forward to me the Certificate of Pension, when issued – 
I am Sir very respectfully,
your Obt [obedient] servant &c
Wm J. B. Bedford 

J. L. Edwards esqr [Esquire]
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions 
Washington City D. C.
Page 18

I John Brown [pension application S1748] of the County of Lunenburg and State of Virginia do hereby certify that William Bragg of the County of Lunenburg and State of Virginia (now applicant) was drafted in the United States Service on the first of May 1780 for seven months and marched in a Company with me commanded by Capt. Sylvanus Walker from the County of Lunenburg to Hillsborough North Carolina when we were attached to the first Virginia Regiment commanded by Col Holt Richardson and were marched and stationed at different places until we joined the main army commanded by General Gates and on the 16th August 1780 we were in the battle called Gates defeat and after the battle the troops collected at a place called New Garden and were marched from that to Hogans Creek to Purpress [surpress] some tories [Tories] that had called at that place and from thence to Gildford [Guilford] Court House North Carolina where we were discharged on the 30th day of November 1780 by Major Boyd and on the 15th day of June 1781 William Bragg and myself marched in a company together in a detachment commanded by Lieutenant Tomlinson in a Tower of three months from the County of Lunenburg to the Morban Hills on James River when we were attached to a company commanded by Capt. Matt Mackay of the Third Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. Beverly Randolph and were stationed at several other peace and were discharged on the first day October 1781 by Col Beverly Randolph having served three months and two weeks given under my hand this 15th day of March 1834
John Brown
Page 19

State of Virginia Lunenburg County Ss.
This day John Brown a credible Witness whose statement, is entitled to Credit came before me one of the Commonwealth Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath to the above Certificate given under my hand this 15th day of March 1834
Robert Saunders {JP}

Virginia Lunenburg County Sct 
I Wm H Taylor Clerk of the County Court of the said County, certify that Robt Saunder is a magistrate as above and the signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and Subscribed my name this 20th day of March 1834
Wm H Taylor clk [Clerk]