Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34908, Lynch Gray, Conti. (Md)
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE
Conti (Md)

Gray, Lynch

NUMBER
S.34908

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Two columns]
[Left column]

18,494
Maryland
====================
Lynch Gray
of Baltimore Co. in the State of Maryland
who was a dragoon in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Moylan of the Maryd.
line, for the term of 3 years ending in
1779.
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 13th of May 1818.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 of Feby. 1822
and sent to Hon: Saml. Smith,
H. Reps
====================
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1821 $317.96
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar. '22 $48.00
3 years  $365.96
3 months ======
19/31 & 4/30
{ Revolutionary claim, }
{ Act 18th March, 1818. }
& 
1 May 1820.

[Right column]

[Written vertically in right margin]

He d. Sept 27-1826 A.B.
Page 3

James Houston, Esqr.
Judge,
Baltimore, Maryland
======

Lynch Gray,
Maryland line,
Revolutionary claim.
=======

The rolls of Maryland
have not yet been recd.
at the pension office.
The certificate of general
Saml. Smith, and of any
officer of the Maryland
line, on oath, stating their
knowledge of the applicant's
service for 9 months in
continuance, in continental
establishment, would be
deemed sufficient evidence.
The Judge is desired to certify,
under the seal of the Court
that he is satisfied the
claimant is in indigent
circumstances, and needs
the support of his country.
Page 4

The undersigned Judge of the United States
for Maryland District certifies to the Secretary
of the Department of War that "Lynch Gray"
of Baltimore County In Maryland hath this day
appeared before the undersigned and being first
duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Allmigh
ty God hath declared and swore that he is
a native citizen of the State of Maryland and
now resides in Baltimore County aforesaid and
is about sixty one years of age.  The he en
listed some time in the year 1775 in Balti
more in a company of horse commanded by Captain David
Plunket and attached to Maryland Corps.  That
he served until 14 July 1776 having been
in the Battles of German Town and Mon
mouth and was discharged in writing but has worn it out.  He further  states
that by reason of his infirmities he is in reduced
circumstances and is in need of the assis
tance of his Country for support and
that he has no other evidence of his ser
vices now in his power than a
Page 5

Certificate from General Samuel Smith
of Baltimore now pursuant to the under
signed in which that officer declares his
personal knowledge of the applicant and
states that he is satisfied the man served
in Maryland Regiment
James Houston
Baltimore May 13th 1818
Page 6

[I struck out] District of Maryland

I Philip Moore Clerk of the District
Court of the United States for Maryland
District, hereby certify that the Honourable
James Houston Esquire who appears
to have taken and signed the above
Certificate was at the time of
taking and signing the same
ever since hath been, and now
is Judge of the United States for
Maryland District, duly commissioned
and qualified, and to all his acts
as such full faith and credit
is and ought to be given as well
in Courts of Justice as thereout

In witness whereof I have hereto set
my hand and affixed the seal of my
said office this 14th day of May in
the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighteen
Philip Moore Clk
Distr. Ct.
Page 7

Declaration of
Lynch Gray of Baltr.
County, as a Revolutionary
solider, praying pension.

Hon S. Smith
HR

on roll-enlisted 5 April 1777: discharged
June 2, 1779.

Admd. & Com
J. L. E
mmm

com. of pensn. May 13, 1818
_______

Hon S. Smith, H.R.
[following note crossed out]
[right index finger pointing] Please make return to
Thomas Bailey No. 10 Hanover
Street Baltimore
Page 8

[begin bold]SCHEDULE.[end bold]
========

United State of America
(A.) State of Maryland, Balto. City -- SS.

[begin bold]ON[end bold] this third day of December 1821, personally
appeared in open court (*) being a court of record, (+) (B.) that is to say the Baltimore
City Court, holden ---- for the said (C.) City of Baltimore
and now in session
Lynch Gray ---- aged sixty one years, or thereabout
resident in Baltimore County ---- in said (D.) State ----
who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare, that he served
in the Revolutionary War, as follows : (E.) That he enlisted at Baltimore aforesaid some
time in the early part of the Revolutionary War [being entirely illiterate knows not the precise time, ex
cept it was in the Spring of the year] under Captain David Plunket who was then raising a Troop
of Light Dragoons for the service of the United States for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged.  Was present
with Captain Plunket when he was captured by the Hessians on the Ridge road, but deponent made
his escape after his horse receiving five balls in his body.  That he afterward came under command
of [word backed out] Nicholas Ruxton Moore, who suceeded to the command died [word blacked out] finally commanded by
Cap: John Brown from whom he received at Lancaster a furlough and afterward a final
discharge at Barry's Tavern in Baltimore his three years having expired.  That he was present
at and sometimes engaged in battle with the enemy viz. German Town, Monmouth
Court House & but generally engaged on scouting parties.  That he was fully three
years to best of his knowledge in actual service of the United States on the Continental establishment
during the Revolutionary War.  That he heretofore made application to General
Samuel Smith who in August 1818 had his papers prepared and directed him to go
before the Court then in session.  That he subscribed and swore to his Declaration and left
if with the Judge or Clerk for the purpose of being forwarded to Washington which appears
by the note herewith from J. L. Edwards Esq: to the Hon Gen. S. Smith were never recd at the Pension Office
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th
March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, dis
posed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring
myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for
certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revo
lutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has
any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me;
nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and 
by me subscribed.
Page 9

Schedule referred to within. viz

(F.) Property except bedding and clothing, None.
Family none __________________
That he was originally brought up to the carpenter
business, but never worked at the trade from the
time he deserted his master to enlist into the
service of the United States.  That since he left
the Army he has employed himself at farming until
now so reduced in circumstances and afflicted by
palsy, that he is under the necessity of depending
on the benevolence of his friends for a home, and without public
or private assistance as charity, would not be able
to support himself.
Lynch X his mark Gray
[number of blank lines]

[begin bold]SWORN[end bold] to and declared on the third day of December 1821 in
Open Court, BEFORE, W. McMechen Associate Judge of
Baltimore City Court ---
[begin bold]I,[end bold] Thomas Harwood Clerk of Baltimore City Court
do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly
copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the
said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Sche
dule is [blank] Dollars and [blank] Cents.

[Blurred seal of Court]
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, [begin italics]I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed
the Seal of the said court, on this 15th day of January 1822.[end italics]
Th Harwood Clk
Baltimore City Court
[following lined through Clerk of the court for the [blank] of]
Page 10

*The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify the amount of property of the applicant, the
oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court is in session.

+All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the Act of Congress:

1st, Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which create them;

2d, Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record;

3d, Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of
amount;

4th, Which have the power of fine and imprisonment; 

And courts which proceed according to the civil and canon law, having neither of those attributes, are
not courts of record, although they make keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal.
The court should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of re
cord, and state why it is such.--[begin italics](Opinion of the Attorney General of the United States.) [end italics]

========

[begin bold and italics]DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING UP THE BLANKS.[end bold and italics]

A. District,--circuit,--county, or corporation, as the case may be.

B. State why a court of record.

C. After repeating the district, circuit, county, or corporation, insert the declarant's name.

D. District, circuit, county, or corporation.

E. Here set forth the regiment, company and line; or ship, corps or vessel, and the date of the original de
claration; and if he has received a pension, the number of his pension-certificate should be inserted.

F. Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary bedding and clothing excepted, and
subscribe the same.  The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the num
ber and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their sup
port, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent
circumstances as to be entitled to the pension.  It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words
of the third section of the Act of the 1st May, 1820, "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to
support himself without the assistance of his county," comprehend those only, who are incapable of
supporting themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.

[begin bold and italics]Extract of a[end italics] CIRCULAR LETTER [begin italics]from the War Department, to the several Agents for
paying pensions, enclosing the foregoing Form.[end bold and italics]

"For the guidance of persons already on the pension list, or who may hereafter make application for that
purpose, it may be proper to state, explicitly, that, as experience has proved the necessity of a rigid adherence
to particular forms in such cases, no instrument of writing drawn up contrary to this form can be admitted as
a proper voucher."

[State of Maryland lined through]  Washington, Jan. 19. 1822

I, Samuel Smith, a member of the House of Representatives, of the
United States, and formerly Lt. Colonel of the 4th Maryland Regt.
in the Continental Army, do hereby certify that Lynch Gray
who has made the foregoing declaration for the purpose of obtaining
a pension, served to my knowledge as a soldier of Plunket's troop
in Col. Moylan's regt. Dragoons, for at least nine months.
S. Smith
Page 11

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF:MLB

July 11, 1930

Mrs. Eugene H. Ray
The Weissenger-Gaulbert
Louisville, Kentucky

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim,
S. 34908, it appears that Lynch Gray, a native of the State of Maryland,
enlisted in Baltimore, Maryland and served in Captains David Plunket's
and Nicholas Ruxton Moore's Company, Colonel Moylan's Regiment
of Light Dragoons, and was in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth
and served three years.

It is stated that he rode a dun or cream colored horse that he
called "Quaker".

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 13, 1818,
at which time he was living in Baltimore County, Maryland, aged about
sixty-one years.

He died September 27, 1826; the date of his birth is not given.

It also appears in the claim that his father, whose name is not given,
was killed in a battle and that his son Lynch Gray rode into the British
Lines, under fire of the picket, and brought out his body.  The name of
the battle is not designated.

There are no further family data.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 12

[Seal Daughters of the American Revolution]
[begin italics and bold]National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution[end italics]
MRS. LOWELL FLETCHER HOBART, PRESIDENT GENERAL

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE[end bold]

[Left side of lettherhead]
MRS. EUGENE H. RAY, CHAIRMAN
THE WEISSENGER-GAULBERT
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

July 6- 1930.

[Right side of letterhead]
MRS. GERALD L. SCHUYLER, VICE-CHAIRMAN
1244 DETROIT STREET
DENVER, COLORADO

Revolutionary War Dept.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:--

Some weeks ago I wrote your office for information of one
Lynch Gray who fought in the Penn. Line but drew a pension from Balti
more county Maryland.  I have had no reply and am writing again.

From State Documents, Pension Roll, Vol. 11 page 514, I find
that Lynch Gray was granted a pension Feb. 12-1822- that he applied for
it on May 13-1818 and that he was 67 years of age at the time-that he
died Sept. 27-1826-  I am very anxious to know if this man give any in
formation about his family in the application and if the name of his wife
is not to be had.  I will so much appreciate a reply to this.

Thanking you in advance I am

Most sincerely

Mrs. Eugene H. Ray
(Mrs. Eugene H. Ray.)
Page 13

[Seal Daughters of the American Revolution]
[begin bold and italics]National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution [end italics]
MRS. LOWEL FLETCHER HOBART, PRESIDENT GENERAL

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE[end bold]

[Left side of letterhead]
MRS. EUGENE H. RAY, CHAIRMAN
THE WEISSENGER-GAULBERT
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

[Oval stamp]
REVOLUTIONARY AND 1812 WARS
SECTION
JUNE 2 - 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

May 29-1930.

[Right side of letterhead]
MRS. GERALD L. SCHUYLER, VICE-CHAIRMAN
1244 DETROIT STREET
DENVER, COLORADO

Revolutionary War Dept.
Bureau of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.  

My dear Sir:-

Will you kindly give me information concerning
one Lynch Gray who was placed on the Pension Roll Feb. 12-1822-
and died Sept. 17-1826-he was of the Penn. line-but lived in
Baltimore county, Md. at the time of the pension

I get the above information from State Documents,
Pension Roll, Vol 2. Page 544-

If it is possible to give the place of LYNCH GRAY's
birth, and place of death-with names of wife and children, or
any family data I shall appreciate it very much indeed.

Thanking you in advance, I am

Most sincerely,

Mrs. Eugene H. Ray

Mrs. Eugene H. Ray
306 Weissinger-Gaulbert Apts.
Louisville, Ky.
Page 14

34908
Revy INVALID.

File No. 34,908
Lynch Gray
Dragoon Rev War

Act: 18" March 18"

Index :-Vol. 2, Page 493

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

[Written vertically on right side]
1930-July 11-Hist to Mrs. Eugene H. Ray awf
Page 15

State of Maryland Baltimore County Ss.

On this twenty-seventh day of September eighteen hundred and twenty one, personally appeared before me the undersigned justice of the peace in and for said County Benjamin Green of Patapsco lower hundred in said County and made oath he hath been well acquainted with Lynch Gray from the time
they were both boys, well remembers his having enlisted into a troop of regular light dragoons in the early part of the Revolutionary war, with troop was commanded by Captain
David Plunket as he understood and very believes was on the Continental establishment.  That he hath often heard of particular acts of bravery performed by said Gray while in the service, and particularly of his having, in an undaunted manner [word struck out] entered the British lines under the fire of the pickets & [word struck out] brought out the body of his father who was killed in battle.  That he has reason to believe and is well assured said Lynch Gray served as a regularly enlisted soldier the greater part if not the whole of the Revolutionary war & never had returned home to reside until after the close of the war.
 Benjamin Green [Signed]
Subscribed and sworn} 
to before me the twenty seventh}
day of September 1821}
Tho Bailey Jus: peace} [signed]
for Balto County}
Page 16

State of Maryland, Baltimore County Ss:

On this twenty seventh day of September 1821 personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for said County Samuel Smith of Patapsco lower hundred in said County, farmer, aged eighty one years or thereabout, who being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that Lynch Gray was brought up in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] in which deponent lives, knew him from the time he was a small boy, perfectly recollects his having enlisted into Captain Plunkets Troop of Light Horse in the regular service of the United States, raised at Baltimore in the beginning of the  Revolutionary war.  That he recollects
to have seen said Gray in the uniform of said company [word blacked out] mounted and acting in the line of his duty as a regular enlisted soldier.  That after some years absence said Lynch Gray returned from the Army and for about thirty years resided either in his former neighbourhood [neighborhood] or in the City of Baltimore and still resides in Baltimore County.  Deponent further saith that he hath often heard from those who served with him that Gray was a very active [word blacked out] and valiant soldier.
Subscribed and sworn to before} 
his 
Samuel X Smith [signature]
mark
me this twenty seventh day of September}
1821.  Tho Bailey Jus: peace for} [signature]
Balto. County}

State of Maryland, Baltimore County Ss:
On this twenty seventh day of September 1821 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County Abraham Bowen aged seventy years or thereabout who being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he hath known Lynch Gray from his youth being partly brought up together, has perfect
recollection of his having enlisted into Corp: David Plunkets Troop of Light horse raised at Baltimore for the United States service, has
often seen said Lynch Gray in his uniform performing duty as
Page 17

a regularly enlisted soldier of the United States on the Continental establishment, recollects he rode a dunn or cream colored horse with white legs, which he called "Quaker" said Gray was always spoken of as an undaunted active & brave soldier.  That he recollects his once being at home on furlough [words struck out] after being several years absent & in the United Stated service.  That after the close of the war said Lynch returned to Patapsco lower hundred and remained there & at Fells point in the City of Baltimore until about six or seven years ago, when he removed to the upper
part of Baltimore County where he now resides dependent on a friend for support.
his
Abraham X Bowen [signature]
mark
Subscribed and sworn to before} 
Tho Bailey J.P. } [signature]

State of Maryland, Baltimore County Ss.

On this twenty seventh day of November 1821 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Elijah Smith of the City of Baltimore aged sixty one years or thereabout, who after being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that
during the revolutionary war he the said Smith enlisted at Balto. in a company raised by Cap. Saml. Godman but afterward commanded
by Cap. Edward Oldham in the 4th Regt. Maryland Line.  That he had a brother named Daniel Smith who enlisted into Cap. David
Plunkets Troop of Horse.  When at camp he got intimately acquainted with Lynch Gray who was a regularly enlisted soldier in said Troop.  Often heard of acts of bravery & daring performed by said Gray who was generally selected for dangerous enterprises and severe duty.  That he certainly knew him in the service upwards of two years [words struck out] on
the Continental establishment.
his
Elijah X Smith [signature]
mark
Subscribed and sworn to}  
before me the subscriber a }
Justice of the peace for Balto. County }
this 27. Nov. 1821 Tho Bailey J.P. for } 
Balto County } [signature]
Page 18

State of Maryland, Baltimore County Ss:

On this fourth day of December eighteen hundred and twenty one, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Patrick Bennet
Esquire of the City of Baltimore, aged seventy four years or thereabout who deposeth on oath by me [word blacked out] administered that when in the service of the United States as Quarter Master of the Fourth Regiment
of Horse commanded by Stephen Moylan he knew Lynch Gray now present to have been a regularly enlisted soldier in a Troop of Horse commanded by Captain David Plunkett.  That he is well [illegible] that the said Gray served more than twelve months in the regular
service of the United States during the Revolutionary war, [illegible] the [words blacked out] aforesaid Regiment.
Patrick Bennet [signed]
Subscribed and sworn to before}  
me a Justice of the peace for Balto.}
County this 4 December 1821}
Tho Bailey} [signed]

State of Maryland Baltimore County Ss.

I Thomas Bailey one of the Justices of the peace in and for Baltimore County aforesaid do certify that I am personally and well
acquainted with Samuel Smith, farmer, Benjamin Green, Abraham Bowen
Elijah Smith and Patrick Bennet, some of whom are highly respectable characters and all of them credible witness.  Given
under my hand at Baltimore this fourth day of December in the year eighteen hundred & twenty one. 
 Tho Bailey Jus: peace for } [signed]
B C}

State of Maryland Baltimore County Let

I hereby certify that Thomas Bailey
Gentleman before whom the aforegoing depositions were made and who hath thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn.  In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this fourteenth day of January eighteen hundred
& twenty two. 
 Wm. Gibson Clk Balto [signed]
[illegible]
Page 19

J. L. Edwards note
to Genl Smith 2d Apl. 1821.
Page 20

War Department,
Pension Office
April 2nd 1821

Sir,

I have to inform you, that it does not appear from our records that any person of the name of Lynch Gray, residing in the State of Maryland, has ever exhibited to this Department, a claim to pension. I herewith enclose, for his guidance, the form of an original application, and one of a schedule,
either of which he can use, according to the nature of his claim.

I am, respectfully,
Yr. Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Genl. Samuel Smith,
Baltimore, 
Md.