Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,878, for Bennet Shirley, Maryland
Page 1

SERVICE
Md
Shirley, Bennet
Shirley, Susanna

NUMBER
W3878
B.L.Wt 11706-100-issued 1791
Reissued May 27,1839
under Spl. Act
Page 2

25th CONGRESS, 2d Session.
H. R. 508
(Rep. No. 511. )
January 31, 1838
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. J. L. Williams, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, reported the following bill:
A BILL
Authorizing a grant of bounty land to the heirs of Bennett Shurley.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative 
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
3 the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, authorized and re-
4 quired to issue to the heirs of Bennett Shurley, deceased, who
5 was a private in the Maryland continental line of the army in
6 the war of the Revolution, a duplicate of land warrant num-
7 ber eleven thousand seven hundred and six, for one hundred
8 acres, dated eleventh March, one thousand seven hundred and 
9 nenety-one.
Page 3

356.
Marland
Susanna Shirley
widow of Bennet Shirley
who was a Private
in the Maryland Line
for two years.
---
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
Eighty Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the
16th day of June, 1843
and sent to
Alex. Mearley
Baltimore, Md 
---
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. A Page 144.

Rep [illegible]
Page 4

Bennette Shurley
Duplicate of W.11.706
Issued for the heirs in pursuance of a Special Act of Congress approved the 2nd March 1839

Issued 27th, May 1839
Page 5

[Hand written]

Baltimore May 23. 1839
Wm Gordon Esq

Sir
Herewith I transmit you the official proof who are the legal heirs and only legal heirs in fee of Bennet Shurley who was a soldier of the Revolution in the Maryland continental line for whose benefit Congress passed an act at their last session granting renewal of certificate for land bounty which had been lost - Also embraced in the same paper herewith sent you is a power of Attorney from said heirs to apply for and receive said land warrant  - to exchange  the same for scrip and to sell the scrip.

Will you be so good as to endorse the land Warrant in such manner that I may exchange it for scrip  & sell the scrip.

Respectfully

Your obt Servt
Alex Yearley
Attorney in fact for
Ann Sophia Bennet &
Anne Maria Gunby
only legal heirs of Bennet Shurley
Page 6

[Handwritten]

We Ann Sophia Bennet, and Ann Maria Gunby of the city of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, do upon oath Testify and declare that to the best of our knowledge and belief we are the only surviving children, and sole heirs at law, in fee, of Bennet Shurley, who was a private in the maryland [sic] continental line, in the war of the Revolution, to whom bounty land warrant No. 11706, was issued the 11th of March 1791, and which said Warrant was lost or destroyed  and, for the renewal of which, an act was passed by congress, at their last session, which land warrant has not been renewed, or received by us, nor have have [sic] we transfered [sic] our claim to it in any manner whatsoever--Therefore, We the said Anne Sophia Bennet and Ann Maria Gundy [sic], do hereby constitute, and appoint Alexr. Yearley, of the City of Baltimore aforesaid our true and lawful attorney, to apply and receive from the Secty. of War, or other proper officer of the U.S a warrant for the Land Bounty aforesaid, and he is further authorised to exchange the said warrant for Scrip and to sell and assign said scrip: All of which acts of our said Attorney shall be valid and obligatory on us, As Witness our & seals this 23d day of may [sic] 1839.

Witness
Leml. G Taylor  [signed]   
Ann Sophia  Bennet [signed] [hand drawn curlicue circle  with "Seal" written in the center]
 Ann Maria Gunby [signed] [same type of seal]

State of Maryland
On Baltimore City Court
February  Term 1839
I do hereby certify that satisfactory Testimony has been produced in open Court, the same being a Court of law and of Record, That Ann Sophia Bennet and Ann Maria Gunby the only surviving children and (heirs)
Page 7

[Continued from previous page]

heirs at law in fee of Bennet Shurley who was a private in the maryland [sic[ continental line in the war of the Revolution.  And I further certify that the said Anne Sophia Bennet & Ann Maria Gunby made oath to the aforegoing Declaration and acknowledges the foregoing Power of Attorney to be their act and Deed.

In Testimony where I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of Baltimore City Court on this twentythird [sic] of may in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty nine.

[signed] Wm M Medcalfe celz [clerk]
Baltimore City Cot
Page 8

207
Susanna Shirly
Maryland

Admitted
Pri 2 yrs $80
Page 9

[handwritten

State of Maryland
Baltimore City Court
June Term 1835

On this 11th day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight Personally appeared in Open Court Susana [sic] Shirley a resident of this city, age 64 years who being duly sworn according to law did on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows That she is the widow of the Bennet Shirley who was a soldier of the Revolution of the Maryland line, She further declares that She was married to the Said Bennet Shirley on the fifteenth day of May  seventeen hundred and ninety three. That her Husband the aforesaid Bennet Shirley died in this City in the year eighteen hundred and ten. That She was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service but that the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above Stated

             her
Susanna  X  Shirley
             mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above Written, before

N Brice Chief Judge
Baltimore City Court
Page 10

[handwritten]

State of Maryland Baltimore City gez [or jez]
I hereby certify that the Honble Nicholas Brice before whom the [two illegible words] was taken and whose name is thus subscribed was at the time of so doing Chief Judge of Baltimore City Court duly Commissioned and Sworn and that to all acts by him come in that capacity full faith and credit are due and ought to be given as well in courts of Justice as thereof.

In testimony where of I have  set my hand [illegible] the seal of Baltimore City Court this 11th day of August A.D. 1838

Wm. M. Medcalf Clk [clerk]
Balto City Cor
Page 11

June 4,1913 [typed]
W. 3878  [handwritten]

[remainder of document is typed]

Hon. W. Kern,
United States Senate
My Dear Senator:

In response to your letter dated the third and received the fourth instant, I have the honor to advise that a careful search of the records of this Bureau  fails to show that claim for bounty land were filed on account of the Revolutionary War services of any of any soldiers named Agen or Fried or any other soldiers named Lockhart or Shirley, other than those so noted below.

Bounty Land Warrant 12.310 for 100 acres issued May 29,1792, on account of the service of William Lockhart, private Virginia troops, Revolutionary War.

Bounty Land Warrant 11.706, for 100 acres was issued May 27, 1839, on account of the service of  Bennet Shirley or Shurley, private, Maryland troops, Revolutionary War.

For location of said land warrants you should apply to the Commissioner or the General Land Office.

It is proper to add that the records of land grants are incomplete owing to the burning of Washington by the British in 1814, and the destruction of the War Office by fire in 1800.

Very Respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber signed]
Comissioner
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[Printed form with handwritten entries]

Maryland    119

Susanna Shirley widow of Bennet Shirley decd.

who was a [following words crossed out] a pensioner under the Act of
and who died in the Year 1810
of Baltimore in the State of Md
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain [no entry] of the [no entry] commanded by [no entry] in the Md line for 2 years.

Subscribed on the Roll of Md at the rate of 80 Dollars [no entry] Cents per annum, to commence the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate issued the 31st day of Augt. 1838 and sent A Yearly Baltimore Md.

Arrears to the 4th of March of March 1838 $160.00.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 
40.00
$200.00

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by H. H. Addison clerk,
Book A,  Vol. 2d Page 175
Page 13

[Left hand page] [Hand written]

1913 June 4. Hon John W. Kern given data as to bounty land. aw

[Right hand page] [Printed and written form]

Revy Widow, &c.

File No. 3878
Susanna Shirley
Wid.
Bennet Shirley
Pvt. Md. line
Act: Mach 3rd of 83
Index: - Vol. JN, Page 204
Page 14

[Printed and hand written form]

Land Office
Annapolis,   18th July, 1888
I certify, that it appears by a Pay Roll remaining in the Office, that Bennet Shirley  - a private - received of John Hamilton, Agent of the Maryland Line $80.00 arrears pay from 1st August, 1780, to the 1st January, 1782- Also $80.00 pay from 1st January, 1782, to the 1st January, 1788 - also $45.30 from the 1st January, 1788, to the 15th of November, 1788.

Gratuity, $80.00. Total received $283.30

George G. Brewer [signed]
Register Land Office, W. S. Md
Page 15

[Hand written]

Wm. Gordon Esq    Baltimore May 29 1839

Sir
Yours of yesterdays date with a duplicate Land Warrant No. 11,706 issued to the heirs of Bennet Shirley dcd in virtue of the Act of Congress passed March 2. 1839 - was this day rcvd. together with the certified copy of the Power of Attorney under which I am acting for the Heirs of said Shirley.

With great Respect

Your obt. Servt.

Alex Yearley
Page 16

Baltimore, May 5th 1843

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

Herewith I send you my application and declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress of 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have obtained pensions under the act of July 1838.

Be pleased to direct to me o the care of Alexr Yearley Baltimore

Very Respectfully

I am your obt Servant
Susanna Shirley
Her X Mark

Witness
Jno H Browning
Page 17

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore

On this fifth day of May eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the city aforesaid Susanna Shirley a resident of this city aged 68 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Bennet Shirly who was a private in the regular Maryland State line in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution. That she received a pension of eighty dollars per annum for five years under the act of July 7th, 1838.

She further declares that she is still a widow.

Susanna Shirley
Her X Mark

Witness
Who C Yearley

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I do hereby certify that the above declarant Susanna Shirley is personally known to me.

Sworn before
Jno H Browning
justice of the peace
Page 18

State of Maryland Baltimore County

I hereby certify that John H Browning Esquire before whom the within depositions were made and who hath thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court on this 13th day of May 1843.

Thos Kell - Clerk

1163

Susanna Shirley
$80 per ann
Send cert to
Alex Yearley
Baltimore
Page 19

Baltimore Aug 11, 1838

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

I herewith enclose you my application for pension under the provision of the Act of 7 July 1838. y husband Bennet Shirley was a private in the regular services in the war of the revolution in the Maryland line. Referring you to the enclosed vouchers & proofs I remain

Your most obt Servt

Susanna Shirley
Her X Mark

Witness

Plese direct for me to the care of Alex Yearley
Page 20

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore

On this 7th day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland personally appeared Catharine Hollins a resident of this city aged 67 years and known to me as a person entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath declare that she was personally acquainted with Bennet Shirley & Susanna Shirley his wife from the time of their marriage in the spring of the year seventeen hundred & ninety three until the death of said Bennet Shirley which took place in this city in the year eighteen hundred & ten that she has been acquainted with the said Susanna Shirley from the death of her said husband until the time that she the said Susanna Shirley has not intermarried since the death of her said husband but still remains his widow and is now a resident of the city of Baltimore and she further deposeth and saith that she always understood that said Bennet Shirley was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.

Catharine Hollins
Her X Mark

Witness
Nathl Knight

Sworn to and subscribed before

Nathl Knight
Page 21

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore

On this 7th day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the city of Baltimore in the state of Maryland personally appeared Elizabeth Horn a resident of said city aged 62 years and known to me as a person entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath declare that Bennet Shirley and Susanna Peak were lawfully married on the fifteenth day of May in the year seventeen hundred and ninety three in St. Mary's County, State of Maryland by the Rev Mr. Walker the then pastor or rector in said county of the Glebe Church (so called) and that she the said Elizabeth Horn was present at said marriage; that she was acquainted with them the said Bennet Shirley and his wife the said Elizabeth from the time of their marriage aforesaid until the death of the said Bennet Shirley which took place in this city in the year eighteen hundred and ten; that she has been acquainted with his widow the said Susanna Shirley ever since his death until this time and that she has not since intermarried but still remains the widow of him the said Bennet Shirley and is now a resident of this city and she further deposeth and saith she has often heard the said Bennet Shirley tell of his exploits and sufferings as a soldier in the war of the revolution.

Elizabeth Horn
Her X Mark

Witness
Nathl Knight

Sworn to and subscribed before
Nathl Knight
Page 22

State of Maryland Baltimore County

I hereby certify that Nathaniel Knight Gentleman whom the aforegoing depositions were made and who has thereto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned & sworn.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court this 10th day of August 1838

Thos Kell - Clerk

SEAL
Page 23

United States Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections

Washington, D.C.
June 3d, 1913

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Can you inform me as to whether or not there was a Revolutionary war land warrant issued to any one by the name of Fried, Shirley, Lockhart or Agen? These grants will be found in Pennsylvania, Indiana, North or South Carolina.

Yours very truly,

Jno W. Kern
Page 24

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Jun 4 1913

US PENSION OFFICE STAMP: Jun 4 1913