Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4878, for William Spry, Maryland
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Service
MD

Name
Spry, William

Number
S.4878

Carded
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Left Side Page

Hon C. Delano June 3, '46

Right Side Page

Ohio 13.315

William Spry
of Knox Co in the state of Ohio who was a private in the Co commanded by Captain Deane of the Reg commanded by Col. Richeson in the Maryland line for twelve months

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 40 dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of June 1833 and sent to Alexr Elliott Mt. Vernon Ohio

Arrears to 4th of March 1833 $80.00
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept '33 $20.00
Total $100.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk
Book E Vol 8 Page 25
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Page First

Declaration of Wm Spry in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th, 1832.

State of Ohio Knox County

On this 29 day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting in said county Knox and state of Ohio William Spry a resident of Pike township in said Knox County aged seventy-six years on the first day of January 1833 who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and served wherein Stated that he entered the US Army in the month of Jan 1776 under Col Richesson(or Richardson) and Capt. John Dean, Lieutenant John Hawkins and Samuell Earll Ensign.

That he resided at the time entering the army in Queen Anne County State of Maryland in Chester Hundred (as then called). That the company in which he served was principally raised in the neighborhood of Chester Hundred in said county - that he was a volunteer that he with many of the men that volunteered under Capt. John Dean first met at John Newels Tavern in a hundred adjoining Chester hundred. That he marched with the company immediately from thence to a place then called Kent Island near the east shore of the Chesapeake Bay that he remained at Kent Island one month and
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thereabouts that this time spent at Kents island was in disciplining, exercising so  that in the latter part of July as sometime in July he with the company of Capt. Dean took water in three small vessels (shallops) to the mouth of Elk River, thence up the river to a small town or village known by the name of the head of Elk River at that village they stayed but a few hours where they immediately took up march for Wilmington State of Delaware that they stayed at Wilmington but a day or two and proceeded forthwith to Philadelphia City that they stayed in Philadelphia City about two days that they marched from thence in a northern direction and crossed the Delaware River at Trenton into the State of New Jersey from thence to Princetown (Princeton) where the company lodged in the college edifice - does not recollect that the college was at that time in operation, that from thence they marched to Brunswick and Elizabethtown, from Elizabeth town they marched direct for New York City they crossed the Hudson River opposite the city of New York and entered the city immediately after the Battle of Long Island that he thinks they arrived in New York about the 1st of Sept 1776. That they remained in the city of New York three days during which time every soldier kept in his arms. That they left New York and marched in a northerly about fifteen miles to a place called Kings Bridge that they encamped at the red barns general Washington with the largest portion of his army were encamped near there - that skirmishes almost every day between small detachments of the two hostile armies
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occurred that General Lee, Smallwood, that he knew a Capt. by the name of Perkins also Capt. Burke, that the adjutant under Col Richardson was  - Cawell or Campbell that whilst the men encamped at the red home the british hereto met up the Hudson River passed the forts also Fort Washington when [illegible] went south to prevent vessels from passing except a small narrow or gap near the bank on which the fort was the vessels passed the fort going so near the south that the guns could not reach the hulls of the vessels, but the rigging and masts were very much shattered and destroyed by the firing from the fort that Col. Morgan had the command of Fort Washington - that they left the red barn & march up the river to "White Plains" the army had gone principally before he, with Capt. Dean, marched from Kings Bridge it was a day or two after they arrived at White Plains before the British advanced and the subsequent battle occurred, the battle was as follows, the British came up to the right of Washington's army and commenced an attack upon Col. Smallwood's regiment when Col. Richardson with several others were ordered to [illegible] Smallwood with their regiments a very short time after they arrived at the scene of action, they were ordered to retreat, the British took the ground. The evening after the battle Washington with his army commenced a retreat this was the last of Sept 1776. that General Washington was encamped at several places sometime in the woods with his army that they continued in an unsettled state several weeks.
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avoiding any engagement (opportunity) that sometime in the first part of November Fort Washington being threatened with an attack from the British a reinforcement was called for by Col. Magow upon which Gen. Washington ordered a certain number to repair to the fort to assist Magow  volunteers were called for Capt. Dean at that time volunteered to command a company to go and parted with his company. The fort very soon after was surrendered to the British & Capt. Dean was a prisoner with the rest of the unfortunate soldiers that defended that fort. About this time to wit the first of Nov 1776 the affiant was on furlow (furlough) being sick and did not join the army till after they crossed the Hudson River, that immediately after the army crossed the Hudson River, he joined the army and continued in poor health that he was made a guard to the baggage waggons (wagons) that went in the advance of the main army, that a great part of the company that turned out under Capt. Dean went with him to defend Fort Washington and were with him taken prisoners, that the time of his service having about expired having volunteered only for six months the remnant of the company returned by the route he went to Philadelphia and a few days before Christmas received a discharge from some person who he does not remember having put but little value upon it he very soon lost or destroyed.

The next several men in the Spring of 1778 in Queen Annes County State of Maryland, a large body of
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Tories having assembled in what was called "Queen Anne Forests" and they were constantly committing depredations upon the citizens of that county, the militia men were called upon to defend and disperse the Tories in the Month of April 1778 [illegible]. They was called upon to go against them under Capt. Thomas Harris affiant went out with Capt. Harris in his company several times, they were out from one to three weeks at a time, they were [illegible] encamped in Queen Annes Co. That during the summer of 1778 Capt. Harris was wounded by the Tory soldiers, that prior to the Cold weather in the Fall of the year the Tories were dispersed in as much of the Militia were discharged between the spring of 1779 they were assisted by British Spies as {illegible] commenced more violent measures than ever in returning and surrendering the inhabitants that in the Spring of 1779 he was called out by William Folker who was authorized to enlist men for a month at a time to serve as "minute men" or do constant duty that he entered one month under Folkner and often serving that time his service under Capt. Folkner as a minutemen that he served during the whole season either by being in actual service or subject to be called upon any minute. He thinks that he was in service at least six months during the summer of 1778-9
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The said William Spry hereby relinquishes ever claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Wm Spry

Alex Elliott - Clerk

We Frances Popham a clergyman residing in the township of Knox Co  & John Durbin residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Wm Spry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be seventy-six years old and 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. Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year above written.

Thomas Popham
John Durbin

Alex Elliott - Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Francis Popham who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Pile {illegible] Knox Co Ohio & that the said John Durbin who has also signed the same is a resident in the same township Knox Co Ohio and is a credible person and that their statement is to be credited
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Statement & proof of Saml. Spry one of the children (and the eldest thereof) and one of the heirs at law of William Spry decd late a U.S. Pensioners, (Executor or administrator living, made to obtain his proportion of pay as one of the heirs.

William Spry dec of the state of Ohio of the County of Knox therein has drawn a pension from the Government for a number of years previous to his death, he died on or about the 10th June 1836 he drew his pension as a private in the regular army in the old revolutionary war of the United States against Great Britain.

Willam Spry aforesaid regularly drew his pension up to the time of his death with the exception of a short period of time prior to his death, for which Ruth Spry his widow applied and drew as the balance due her said husband but as a widow she never made application for any pay learning at that time that by the then existing law any application on her part would have been unavailing, She died some time in the month of October, Anno Domini 1845. She 
had no children living at the time of her death, she was the second wife of the aforesaid William Spry. Mr. Spry's first wife died previous to his applying for a pension. Mr. William Spry left a will and left his said wife (Ruth Spry) his execution of the same and as far as it respected his affairs, connected therewith, as to all & every claim against him, all is settled and nothing on that score remains to be done. (There being therefore at the present time no executor nor administrator of his or her) The following is submitted as to the children of the said William Spry, by now living viz Samuel Spry, Mary Downs, & Nathan Spry all of whom are now
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of lawful ages - It is also herein further stated (as to the children) who are deceased and left children to wit Elizabeth Herrington decd left (who are now living) not less than seven children. she died same year after the death of her said father. Perry his son (that is the son of the said William Spry) left six children who are still living - Catharine Bixby his daughter has left four children, who are still living, Perry and Catharine aforesaid died some years before their said father William applied for a pension.

Samuel Spry the eldest child of the aforesaid William Spry that is the oldest now living is one of the children and heirs at law of the said William thereby makes application to the proper department for his proportion of that pension money to which he may be entitled by law.

Samuel Spry

State of Ohio
Knox County

On this eighteenth day of May AD 1846 before me a legally acting Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid personally came Samuel Spry whose signature is herein above made and who being by me first duly sworn deposes and swears that he subscribed the above & foregoing statements that ( to the best of his knowledge and as he verily believes) the foregoing statement is all correct and true - that he is the eldest living child and heir of the before described William Spry decd that he is in his fifty ninth year of age (was fifty eight years of age on the twenty fifth day of December last (viz 1845) that his father's papers or evidence of the previous & foregoing facts (he this deponent has [illegible] has never seen and does not believe any
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of the family possess then but he has often heard his said father say that by virtue of papers & evidences his said father received his pension as after particularly set forth and further this deponent saith not.

Samuel Spry

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year first above written.

Joseph Coleman - SEAL
Justice of the Peace

State of Ohio
Knox Co

Before the aforesaid Justice of the Peace on this 18th day of May AD 1846 in the aforesaid court of Knox State of Ohio, personally came James Coleman, John Reed, William McCraner, Thomas Fields, Thomas Lewis all of whom are residents of the county aforesaid and living in the immediate vicinity of Samuel Spry (who has subscribed the foregoing statement & made the foregoing affidavit) and who having been first duly sworn by me, depose and say that they have for many years last past been personally well acquainted with the said Samuel Spry and know & believe him to be a respectable man, and of strict integrity and undoubted veracity whose statements and affidavits full credit and reliance may be placed, and we have perused the foregoing statements made & signed by him and we say that the facts therein set forth come and will with what we have always heard and believed generally in our settlement. & further they say not.

James Coleman
John Reed
William McCraner
Thomas Fields
Thomas Lewis

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and & year first above written.

Joseph Coleman -SEAL
Justice of the Peace
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State of Ohio
Knox Co

I the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in the county aforesaid and the justice before whom the within affidavits were made do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mr. Samuel Spry and the others who have made the within statements & affidavits & know them to be respectable persons & in whose statements & affidavits full reliance may be placed.

Subscribed by me this 18th day of May 1846. 

Joseph Coleman

The state of Ohio Knox County
I S W Farguhar Clerk of the court of commons and pleas in the aforesaid county of Knox do hereby certify that Joseph Coleman Esq before whom the foregoing acknowledgements was taken was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn as such and I do further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court in the clerks office at Mt. Vernon, Ohio this 18th day of May, AD 1846.

S W Farguhar - Clerk of Knox County Court
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William Spry Appl
for Pension
Deposition of Thos Spry 1822
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State of Ohio Knox County

Thomas Spry being duly sworn according to law to state the truth in relation to the application of William Spry for the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 deposeth and saith that he is the brother of said William. That this deponents age is seventy-two and one-half years, that himself and brother William were as he believes both born in Chester (Hundred, Queen Annes County and state of Maryland) that they both *** in their fathers family for several years witness thinks that he was sixteen years old, witness thinks that his brother is seventy six years old January first 1833, tis witness judges from his own personal knowledge and reputation in his fathers' family as to his brother William's age, witness believes that said William enlisted to serve in the state troops of Maryland in June 1776. Witness knows that said William joined the state troops about that time and that said William joined the company of Capt. Jon Dean, that he understood that said Dean marched with his company to Kent Island on the Chesapeake that he heard from his brother whilst he was at Kent Island that he afterwards understood that Capt. Dean & his brother William were stationed at New York a short time previous to its being captured by the royal army. That his brother returned home after an absence of something more than six months that he returned with a dress usually work by soldiers
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Witness thinks that said William had a discharge from the army, that his brother received his pay in continental papers & that witness was well knowing to his having his pay an his return. Witness has no doubt but his brother served at least six months in the state troops of Maryland, and as he always supposed in the company of Capt. Dean. Witness states that Capt. Dean lived prior to the enlistment of his brother in Queen Annes County Maryland.

Witness further states that this applicant several times was called out in the militia in Queen Annes County MD under the following circumstances - that a large company of Tories (or persons unfavorable to American Independence) had collected in the forest near the line of Maryland who were committing great depredations upon the Whigs (republicans) in that neighborhood. That the militia were called upon to protect the whigs, that his brother (this applicant) went out under the command of Capt. Thomas Harris, several weeks say six or seven weeks in an expedition that during this expedition Capt. Harris was wounded having been shot in his arm - that subsequent the applicant was out under the command of Capt. Wm Falconeer in several expeditions, witness thinks that this applicant was under Capt. Falconeer all together several months, that his brother served in a portion of the militia known at that time as Minute Men (being liable to be called upon any minute.)
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for a time witness thinks of two years that the time of actual service was not more than six months which was done under the command of the before mentioned officers Captains Harris & Falconeer, and further this deponent saith not, subscribed and sworn this 13th day of August AD 1832 before me as Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Knox & state of Ohio.

Thomas Spry

S W Hildrith

The State of Ohio
Knox County

I Alex Elliott clerk of the court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that Samuel W Hildrith Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit and deposition was taken was at the time of taking the same and yet is an acting Justice of the Peace for said county duly commissioned and sworn and full faith and credit is due to his official acts as such as well in courts of Justice as thereout. And I further certify that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court at Mount Vernon this 11th day of October AD 1832.

Alexr Elliott Clerk

State of Ohio Knox County

I Francis Popham a Justice of the Peace for [illegible ) Pike County Ohio do certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Spry and I personally know him to be a man of truth & veracity & from my knowledge of that I have every confidence in the facts stated in the above deposition & believe them to be true. Given under my hand this 5th day of April 1833

T P Sprouel - JP SEAL
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The State of Ohio
Knox County

I Alexr Elliott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that Francis Popham Esqr who has given and signed the within certificate was at the time of so doing & yet is an acting Justice of the Peace for said county duly commissioned & sworn and full faith and credit is due to his official acts as such as well in courts of record as elsewhere. And I further certify that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said court at Mt Vernon this 22nd day of April AD 1833.

Alex Elliott - Clerk
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15.083
13.315
William Spry
Knox County
Ohio

Admitted 12 months
$40.00

Alex Elliott Esqr
Mount Vernon
Ohio
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War Department
Pension Office
17th June 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A: Statement showing the service of William Spry, Knox Co. Ohio

Period When the Service was rendered:
June 1776
plus different tours as a minute man 1778 and 1779

Duration of the Claimant's service
6 Months
6 Months

Rank - BLANK

Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served:

Col. Richeson or Richardson
Cap. Deans
Capt. T. Harris

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
76 Years and Queen Annes County, MD

I am respectfully
your obedient servant

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years
 of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
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 services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:
For year months, and days, I served as a ; For mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 22

State of Ohio Knox County

Further Declaration of Wm Spry of Pike Township Knox County Ohio in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 and the said William personally appeared before the Hon James McGibeny one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for said county and makes solemn oath that the answers and statements herein after written are true.

Q1 - Where and when were you born.
Ans - In the year 1756 Jan 1st in Queen Annes County State of Maryland in Chester Hundred

Q2 - Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Ans - I have not at this time my age was recorded in my father's bible which has been (as I think) destroyed within a few years.

Q3 - State the name of some of the officers (regulars) who were in the troops when you served - such continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Page 23

Ans - Col Richardson commanded the regiment that I served in. John Dean was Captain. John Hawkins Lieutenant Saml Will ensign - there was Capt. Perkins - Capt. Burke, Gen Sullivan, Col Smallwood, afterwards, Genl Lee - Gen Bell I believe commanded the detachment in which I served. The length of time that I served makes it impossible for me to state whether the above officers were regular or militia or whether a part belonged to both - I do not recollect the name of any portion [illegible] except by the name of the states from where they came to wit, N York [illegible]Maryland troops & the particulars of my service I have fully stated in my former declaration.

Q4 - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood (neighborhood) & who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a solder in the revolution.
Ans - Francis Popham, John Durbin, Hugh Hardesty, Benj Prott, Aaron Vernon, Isaac Vernon, Joel Martin, Aaron Bixby, John Arnold residing in Pike Township in said county. Levi Chadock & Levi Johin in the adjoining township of Mount all of whom have long known me.
Page 24

and will if necessary, testify as to my character and good standing in community and their belief that I was a soldier in the revolution and served as stated in my declaration.

William Spry

Subscribed & sworn this the ninth day of April 1833 before me.

James McGibeny - JP

State of Ohio Knox County

I James McGibeny a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for said county certify that I have been personally acquainted with William Spry (who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration) for fifteen years and I believe him to be a man of strict truth & veracity & that his statements are to be credited & believed. I also certify that I am acquainted with three of the persons referred to by him to prove his character & the belief and I know them to be men of respectability & standing. Given under my hand & seal this ninth day of April 1833.

James McGibeny - SEAL
Acting Judge
Page 25

The State of Ohio
Knox County

I Alex Elliott clerk of the court of common pleas for said county do hereby certify that James McGibeny Esq before whom this additional declaration of William Spry was subscribed and sworn to and who hath also given and signed the within certificate was at the time of so doing and yet is no associate Judge of said court duly commissioned and qualified & full faith and credit is due to his official acts as such and I further certify that the foregoing signature purporting to be his signature is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said court at Mt. Vernon this 22nd day of April AD 1833.

Alexr Elliott - Clerk
Page 26

Revolutionary War Records Section
3-525
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Form is filled out for William Spry but the entries are too light to read and transcribe.

In reply to your request of for a statement of the military history of a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Page 27

Left Side Page

March 10, '96 Miss Helen C Castle Piqua, Ohio

1914 Jan 14 0 Mrs. Maud Myers furnished history
1914 May 26 - Hist to Mrs. F.W. Stuart

Right Side Page

4878
Rev War
INVALID

File No. 4878
William Spry
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7, 1932

Index: Vol M Page 353

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

US PENSION OFFICE Stamp - Feb 24, 1898
Page 29

DATE STAMP Feb 28, 1898

Piqua, Ohio Feb 23, '98

Hon. Comm Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir

Kindly furnish me with information concerning William Spry, a revolutionary soldier supposed to have enlisted from Pennsylvania but there is a remote possibility that he enlisted from Maryland and is supposed to have died in Knox County, Ohio and oblige.

Very truly

Miss Helen C Castle

#429 N. Downing St
Page 30

Myers, Black & Haley
Real Estate and Industrial
Investments

Boulder, Colo Jan 19

Sec Pen Bureau

Dear Sir

Will you please send me the record of Wm Spry who was a soldier of the revolutionary war who rec'd a pension for a years' service in the colonial troops from Maryland. I am a descendant of this said soldier and want to become a D.A.R.  I am his gr-gr-granddaughter of Wm Spry a cousin from the same relation to Wm Spry that I am [illegible] become a member of D.A.R. his name is Wm Downs Castle, his national No 24063 & state No 438 in the Ind society [illegible] Wm Downs Castle in Indianapolis Ind Colonial Hotel.

Yours very truly

Mrs. Mand Myers
348 Maple Leaf Ave
Boulder, Colo.
Page 31

US Pension Office STAMP Jan 12 1914
Page 32

May 15, 1917 Des Moines, Iowa

Pension Dept
Wahington, D.C.

Gentlemen,

I am desirous of obtaining some information of Spry ancestry and said one William Spry born 1756 - 1836 was placed on the pension roll of Ohio 1832. He had one year's actual service as private with the Maryland troops. He was born in Queen Annes Co., MD

I am told my ancestor's name is William Henry Spry and born on the eastern shore of MD. My great grandfather was Henry Spry.
Page 33

and lived in Champaign Co Ohio where he raised his family but was born in MD and at present, I do not know the county. I wondered if his pension application or enlistment paper in the war dept would give anything of his parents or wife or his children or who was dependent on him and cause of death.

Will there be any expense to get this or any other such information I might desire of other ancestors as I would like to get my lines completed.

Respectfully

Mrs. F.W. Stuart
1158 20th St Des Moines IA
Page 34

15083
Wm Spry
application to
obtain a pension

Revolution
Page 35

The state of Ohio
Knox County

I Alexander Elliott Clerk of the court of common pleas for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Wm Spry for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said county at Mount Vernon this 8th day of October AD 1832.

Alexr Elliott - Clerk

SEAL
Page 36

Washington City
D.C.  May 26/46

Dear Sir

I am requested to hand you the enclosed papers relating to a pension claim and shall be pleased to receive your answer.

Truly your obd servant
C. Delano

Hon J.L. Edwards
Com Pensions
Page 37

A. Elliott
Page 38

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William Spry, of Knox Co. Ohio which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten] Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [handwritten] Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? [handwritten] Yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? [handwritten] yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
[handwritten] yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? [handwritten] Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [handwritten] yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his fate? [handwritten] yes, but not connected as required
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? [handwritten] Yes
Page 39

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? [handwritten] Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  [handwritten] yes
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [handwritten] No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten] No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten] 1. 2. 5. 7

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
--Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, 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 ----------
year ---------- months, and ---------- days, I served as a -----------. For ----------- months
and ---------- days, I served as a ----------; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 40

3
It is important in all cases to determin with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia etc., without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was eight in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV, Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the office character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI, Mode of Authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authnticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass duner the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

In every case where the clerk of the court or other certifying officer has no public seal of office, the certificate of a memeber of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer should accompany the papers.

We wherewith return the original papers with such additional statement as to (pointed out by the within instrcutions to be) necessary the record statement ins taken before the Hon James McGibeny Judge of common court of Law . The deposition of Thos Spry taken before S W Hildreth is returned with the certified of Francis Popham Esqr - [illegible] Hildreth being and[illegible] with said Thomas.

April 22, 1833
J.C. Hall
Attorney at Law
Thos Spry