Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8613, for John Ray, Georgia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Ga.
Ray, John
Mary
NUMBER
R. 8613
CONTENTS
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.
State of Georgia
Wilkes County
August 12th 1846

On this the twelfth day of August
One thousand Eight-hundred and forty six, personally appeared before me William A.
Anderson a Justice of the Inferior Court in and for said County, Mary Ray a resident of said County and State aged Eighty three years past, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the third section of the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836. That she is the widow of John Ray who was a private Soldier and served in the Revolutionary War in the Georgia Malitia, that the said John Ray was a resident of Columbia County Georgia untill the year 1779. When he removed to Wilkes County Georgia after her marriage with him. That she knows nothing
of the services of her said husband prior to the year 1779. of her own knowledge, but always understood that he was on the Florida Expedition under the command
of Col. Raker; that in the year 1779 the said John Ray was frequently in service to her own knowledge, as a Malitiaman from Wilkes County, his Captain's name
was Richard Heard, his Lieutenant David Phelps, his Superior Officers not recollected. In the year 1780 he served a tour of three months as a drafted Soldier
and another tour of three months as a volunteer soldier. Officers and services not recollected. In the year 1781
he was at the siege of Augusta under the command of Col Clark, the length of service performed there not known; he was there taken sick with the Small Pox, and was sent home, and was never afterwards in the service of his Country.
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That the service, of the said John Ray, to her
own knowledge, was the rise of six months
that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim the discharges and papers of her said husband having been destroyed or lost after his death.
She further declared that she was married to the said John Ray on the 12th day of January
Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine, in Wilkes County State of Georgia, that she has no documentary evidence of her marriage other than her family record hereto annexed, which is in the hand writting of her said husband John Ray and her son J.W. Ray; that her husband the aforesaid John Ray died on the 21st day of November Eighteen hundred and twenty Eight in Wilkes County State aforesaid and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above written before me a Justice of the
Inferior Court in and for the County and State first above written. 
her mark X Mary Ray
I do further certify that the declarant, Mary Ray
from bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court;
and that the leaf hereto annexed, purporting to be family Registry of the said John and Mary Ray was taken from Bible in her possession, and which she affirms has undergone in alteration since the death of her husband. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this the twelfth day of
August One thousand eight hundred and forty six.
[signature illegible]
677
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[ 677 ]
FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.
John Ray & Mary his wife was Married in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & twenty nine Janry 12th 

John L Ray and his wife Cynthia was Married in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eleven
December 19th

Emily Ray and Elbert Harris was married august the 11 day in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five


MARRIAGES.
Amanda Ray and Ephraim Bailey was Married July 13th in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six


Charles was born October 5 
1809
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FAMILY RECORD.

BIRTHS.
J.W. Ray, son of John & Mary his wife was born on the 27 Feby. in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & eighty six.
Sarah Ray was born the 21 June 1788
John Ray Junr. was born 27 April 1790
Eliza Ray was born 13 April 1792
Sanders W. Ray was born the 11 Septr 1798
Joseph Ray was born 4 May 1801
Emilla Ray was born 20 Janry 1805
Jamie Ray was born fourth of March 1811

BIRTHS.
John Ray was born August the 17th 1757
Mary his wife born June the 9th 1763
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State of Georgia 
Jackson County
Be it known that on this 18th day of September 1896 Before me Abner Wills  a justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Henry Anglin a pensioner of the United States is a resident of the county and state aforementioned who being duly sworn according to law saith  that during the War of the Revolution he claimed his residence in Wilkes County Georgia that he done service as a minute man until the year 1777 after which time he was in constant service in the Malitia until Peace was made. a malitia of his services he begs leave to have a refference made to his original Declaration now on file, That John Ray about the time or before his entering on malitia service above named came into the neighborhood and married the Revrnd Sanders Walkers Daughter, Mary, and settled down a neighbor to deponent that in the latter part of 1777 the said John Ray entered the service of the United States a minuteman in Captain MIcajah Williamson's Company which deponent and they deponent and the said Ray, were in constant service together always in the same company from the time of of the said Ray, entering the service aforesaid until the last siege of Augusta Ga after which time the said Ray did no regular Malitia service of deponents knowledge that the deponent and the said Ray did as much as nine months service together and entered service for a term of 3 months when Ray was discharged at Augusta as he was informed on account of being unable to do duty That he has not see the said John Ray or his wife Mary Ray for the span of forty years But has heard from them at diferent times since moving from Wilkes County Ga and now has before him a Declaration purporting to have been made by the said Mary Ray and from the family record annexed & creditable information he is satisfied as to the identity of the said Mary Ray and her deceased husband John Ray the  [?] person whose services are above discribed sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before
in presence of 
John H Kilgore
Abner Wills J. P.
Henry Anglin
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I further certify that Henry Anglin dictated and subscribed the foregoing Declarations on oath has ben personally known to me for the space of twenty years or more past during all of which time a Neighbour and has been an [illegible] member of the Baptist Church and is a man of undoubted truth his general health by means of age has become very much impaired But retains his mind and memory and is now a very intelligent person of his age was a member of state convention that revered the present Constitution of the State of Georgia and during my acquaintance with him has been a verry Respectable and worthy citizen and now in the receipt of a pension form the United States in listing whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of September 1846
Abner Wills J. P. 

The sentence that Henry Anglin was a member of state convention he erased out in the above certificate. Because the fact did not come personally within knowledge the portion of the certificate I can knowingly subscribe
Abner Wills J. S.
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Georgia Jackson County
I, John J. McCulloch clerk of the Inferior Court in and for said county certify that - Abner Willis whose name appears to the above and foregoing affidavit and certificate is a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid and the [illegible] signatures on the foregoing pages purporting where of I have hereto set my private seal having no seal of office and subscribed my name, this 25th Day of September 1846
John J. McCulloch [illegible]

[hand down seal(?) on middle left side of page]

Athens Georgia
October 5th 1846
State of Georgia
It is hereby certified that John J. McCulloch,
clerk as above stated and that the above is his genuine signature given under my hand at residence the day last mentioned
Nowell Cobb
M. C.
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March 18, 1932
BA-J/MCS
G.E. Wood
387 Copenhill AVenue, N.E.
Atlanta
Georgia

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of February 15th, requesting information in regard to John Ray, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 8613, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Ray.
He was born August 17, 1757, place not stated.
He married January 12, 1779, in Wilkes County, Georgia, Mary Walker who was born June 9, 1763, and was the daughter of Reverend Sanders Walker.
John Ray died November 21, 1828, In Wilkes County, Georgia.
While living in Wilkes Couty, Georgia, his widow, Mary, applied for pension August 12, 1846, and the following service as private with the Georgia troops was alleged: that while living in Columbia County, Georgia, John Ray enlisted and went on an expedition to Florida under Colonel Baker; that he moved to Wilkes County, Georgia after his marriage and enlisted late in 1779 and served in the Wilkes County Militia under Captain Richard Heard, length of service not given; that he served two tours of three months each, in 1780, officers not given; that in 1781 he was in the siege of Augusta and was under Colonel Clark, length of this service not given.
The claim was not allowed as the widow failed to furnish proof of the alleged service in accordance with the requirement of the pension law. 
[illegible script]
Page 10

John and Mary Ray had the following children:
J.W. born February 27, 1786
Sarrah " June 21, 1788 or 1789
John or John L. " April 27, 1790, married Cynthia ---December 19, 1811
Eliza " April 13 1792
Sanders W. " September 11, 1798
Joseph " May 4, 1801
Amanda " November 11, 1804, married Ephriam Bailey July 13, 1826
Emilla or Emily " January 20, 180- (illegible) married Elbert Harriss August 11, 1825
James : March 1811

The following also appears on the family record: Charls was born October 5, 1807.

Very truly yours, A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

[illegible script]
Page 11

6844
Mary Ray
Ga
Set to J. H. Kilgore [crossed out]
Nov 4th 1846 [crossed out]
Set to Hon. Toombs [crossed out]
Feb. 25th '47 [crossed out]
8613
Act 4th July 1836
Page 12

1832 Mar. 18 hist
to G. E. Wood
wcd
REJECTED
8613
P.O.
Mary Ray
Service:
Enlisted  , 18
Discharged:  , 18
Application filed:  , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Set 1852 gives fol. reason for suspension. "Further proof and specification of service required and proof of marriage."
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.          Contrac
Cert. of Dis.    Searched for   , 18
Page 13

Washington D.C.
Feb 17 17847
Sir,
I herewith enclose you some additional evidence in the application of Mrs
Mary Wray of Wilk, County Georgia for a
pension I was born brought up within
five miles of Mr. Wray & his wife Mary, the
applicant. He was always reputed and
and a revolutionary soldier. She and the
applicant (his widow) were persons of
quiet respectability & excellent characters
Mr E. G. Harris the witness where testimony
I here endure, is also well known one
& is a man of undoubted probely [?] & good
character. The enclosed is the only paper
in the case [?] I have seen [?] & I then [?] to be
God who informed what are the difficulties, if any are yet remaining in the way of obtaining the pension-
Mr. J.L. Edwards Comm of Pension
of am by repectfully yours
R. Toombs
Page 14

Hon. R. Toombs
Feb 23rd [?]
Page 15


Pension Office
February 25th 1847
Sir,
I have the honor to endue hereunto a
Copy of My Allen to J H Kilgore dated 4 Nov
last in the case of Mary Ray widow of
John Ray from which you will learn the object
tion to the admission of her claim. One of
these objections have been removed by the
testimony of E. G. Harris now presented by you.
Hon R. Toombs
[inteligible] of reply
Page 16

[illegible]
off
Nov. 4th 46
Sir,
In the case of Mary Ray the papers purporting to be a family Registers is not a record of the events at or near the date of this occurrence and is therefore not sufficient in itself to establish the date of the marriage - The testimony of Henry Anglin who states that her husband moved into Wilkes Co. & married claimant before he entered the militia service in
the later part of 79, is impared by the discrepances between his
declaration & his present [illegible] deposition in respect to the service - Further proof upon this point is required-
The only account of the service is furnished by the witness in general terms as a comrade in Williamson [?] company exettlitia [illegile] and refering to the witnesses own declaration it is altogether too indefinite to form and
opinion of the amount or even
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the character of his service - It is believed from the ^present & better information than when his claim was adjusted that a large portion of the service of the Witness was the ordinary militia duties of vigilance rendered necessary to suppress the disaffected. The witness has been required to restate the essential features of
each term of his own services - 
John H Kilgore Esqr
Monroe
Walton Co
Ga
Page 18

6844 
Oct 17 1846
Mary Ray
[illegible] 4, 1836

30
J L Edwards Esqr
Comm Pens
Washington D.C
Page 19

Monroe Walton County Ga
October 15th 1845
Dear Sir
It is hard to determine what ammount under the insisting laws should be allowed widows per Annum in claims founded upon Militia Services performed in the State of Georgia during the Revolutionary War where their is no words to define the length of service consequently claims of established, must be done by paral [?] evidence and at this late period (after a lapse of more than 60 years.) it is utterly impossible for a witness to State from memory, the precise length of each town - the day and month of entering, and leaving service & Mary Ray widow of John Ray during the present year ascertained that Henry Anglin and James Swords was living by whom she supposed the services of her husband could be proven. She therefore made her Declaration Stateing her identity and what she knew of her husbands Services and forwarded the papers to me at this place with a request that I should see Mr Anglen & Swords obtain their evidence and present her claim
James Sword of this County reason of his Superanuated. I have Seen Mr Anglin and enclose you his statements with the papers of Mrs Ray for your
consideration hopeing they will meet a favorably reply-
Yours Verry Respectfully
John H Kilgore
J L Edwards Esq.
Common Pens.
Washington City D.C
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Rev. Pension Claim
Act of July 4 1836
Heirs of Mary Ray
widow of John Ray
(Ga.)
Power of Attorney
Chas.C. Tucker
Atty
Present
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Power of Attorney
Know all men by these presents, that I John A Ray of Stewart County & state of Georgia do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Chas. C. Tucker, of Washington City, D.C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Mary Ray widow of John Ray for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of July 4. 1836. or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and do hereby authorize his said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all the my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 31st day of December 1852. 
John A Ray [signautre]
In presence of [?]
[?]
State of Georgia Wilkes County - $$
On this 31st day of December 1852, before me a Justice of the Inferior Court in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared John A Ray and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. 
Lewis S Brown JJC

State of Georgia Wilkes County,
On this 31st day of December 1852, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Inferior Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared John A Ray a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical John A Ray who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said claim. 
John A Ray

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written,
Lewis S. Brown JJC

State of Georgia
County of Wilkes
I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County do hereby certify that Lewis S. Brown Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Inferior Court, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 1st day of January 1853
Royland Beasley clk JG
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I Elbert G Harris a resident of Wilkes County state of Georgia certify that I was personally acquainted with John Ray of said county several years previous to his death that the said Ray was reputed and generally believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a faithful soldier in the american cause in the [illegible] of during the Revolutionary war - That he died in the County aforesaid on the 21st day of November 1828 Leaving Mary Ray his widow. That the said Mary Ray hath lately made application for a pension under an act of Congress passed on the 4th day of July 1836 That I was present when she made her declaration and saw the family record that was annexed in support of the date of her marriage with John Ray her deceased husband in 1779 That I have been intimate with the family and the aforesaid family record & know that the registry made there on was made several years previous to her husbands death and I verrily believe it to be a true & genuine record unbrassed sworn to and subscribed on this the 10th November 1846
E.G. Harris
Lewis S Brown J.J.C
I further certify that EG Harris is a credible witness
Lewis S Brown J.J.C
Georgia
Wilkes County
I Ryland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court of said county do hereby certify that Lewis S Brown whose official signature appears to the above certificate is one of the Justices of this Inferior Court of said County of Wilkes and that [illegible] should be given to all his official acts as such. Given under my hand and seal of Office this 30th day of November 1846
Royland Beasley Clk. 26
Page 23

State of Georgia I John H Dyson clerk Wilkes County of the Court of ordinary in and for said County, do certify, that I have made diligent search in my office for public evidence of the marriage of John Ray with Mary Walker, which marriage it is said was consummated in the year 1779, in said County of Mary - That my office is proper office where evidence of marriage in said County should be found, - if any record of said marriage has been made I am unable to find it and cannot find any evidence of said marriage of file in my office.
in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at my office in Washington Geo. this 30th day of Nov 1846
John H Dyson [Ci?]
C. O. WC
Page 24

Dr Sir I have tried in the main to comply with you request it has not all been done [correctly?] by direction, Tho I hope it will answer the object. If not return the  whole leaving room for the deferment officers to wright these deferment certificates & I will attend to if my absence has  caused the delay. Should you wright again say how Mrs Neinelly  can come on as she is very needy.
Witness to you & Mr. Ransom
E. G Harris
Page 25

6844
Mary Ray
Ga.
Act of July 38 [each word underlined]
Page 26

State of Georgia 
Wilkes County
Be it known that on this the twelfth day of August One thousand eight hundred and forty Sir, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Inferior Court of said County Elbert Ga. Harris a resident of said County and State, who being first duly sworn according to law saith that he was well acquainted with the afore said John Ray and his wife Mary Ray; that he was present and witnessed the death of the said John Ray, on 21st day of November 1828, leaving Mary Ray his widow and that she has remained a widow ever since the period of her husband's death.
E. G. Harris
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, I do further certify that the affiant Mr. Elbert G. Harris is an intelligent and creditable witness.
William Q. Anderson J. I. C.
N.C. Georgia
State of Georgia 
Wilkes County
The Declaration of Mrs. Mary Ray widow of John Ray applicant for a pension under the third section of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, duly certified by William Q. Anderson a justice of the Inferior Court of the County aforesaid on the 12th day of August 1846, having been submitted to the Court in session. I doth hereby approve the acts and proceedings of the Justice William Q. Anderson in the whole matter, given under our hands this the 12th day of August 1846, in open court
William Q. Anderson J.J.C.
Lewis S Brown J.J.C.
A. S. Wingfield J.J.C.
Attest,
Roylund Beasley
Page 27

State of Georgia
Wilkes County
I Royland Beasley clerk of Inferior Court in and for said County do hereby certify that William Q Anderson is an acting Justice of said Court, duly confirmed and legally qualified as such, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine, and that the above is the original Order of said Court approving his acts  and proceedings in the whole matter. In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal of Office this 12th day of August 1846
Royland Beasley
[?] H M
Page 28

387 Copenhil Ave, N. E., 
Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 15, 1932.
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.,
Veterans Administration.,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly give me the data in connection with the application for pension of John Ray, (Rae or Rea), of Wilkes County, Ga., including what family data your file happens to include.
This man, who is supposed to have been born in Virginia, is shown in Georgia records as having participated in Land Lotteries as a Revolutionary Soldier, from both Wilkes County - date not given; and Warren County in the Cherokee land lottery of 1838.
On July 20, 1784, John Ray requested 287 1-2 acres of land in Washington Co., (Ga.) upon certificate of Benjamin Few, Colonel, and certificate of Captain Darnley, according to the Georgia Roster of the Revolution, by Knight.
Yours truly,
G. E. Wood.