Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,747, for Matthew Pryor, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C
Pryor, Matthew
S. 3.747
carded
Page 2

25129
East Tennessee
Matthew Pryor Senr
Marion in the State of Tennessee
Who was a private in the (illegible) commanded 
by captain Douglas of the first commanded  by Bob Williams in the Moravian
line for 7 months

Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee 
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per Annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Nov. 1833 and Hon. J. Standifer Present

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 
Semi-anl. (annual) allowance ending 4 March 

      5833
(+) 1167
(=)  7000
{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk 
Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 56
Page 3

12,387
Matthew Pryor
Declaration
Pension
2 from  1781 private
7 month
$23.33/100

Hon. J. Standefor
Present.
Page 4

State of Tennessee
Marion County } SS.
On this twenty first day of August 1832. personally appeared in the open court before the worshipful justices of the Court of Pleasant and Quarter sessions for said county now sitting.
Matthew Pryor a resident of said County of Marion, and State of Tennessee aged Seventy Three 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1833. That he entered to the service of the United States, under  the following named Officers and served as have in stated that is to say as a volunteer under the immediate command of Captain John Douglas Lieut: Thomas Neeley and Ensign Harriet, who belonged to Col: James William's Regiment who as this applicant undersigned got a permit from the Governor of North Carolina to raise two companies of volunteers in Caswell County N.C. This applicant was immediately after entering the service marched under  the before named officers to King's Mountain  and was in  the battle called King's Mountain Battle where Col: James Williams was mortally wounded of which wound he died tho
Page 5

succeeding day. this applicant was then marched to Moravian Town Stokes County N.C. as one of the guard that has change of the prisoners taken at the above mentioned battle from hence he returned home and was  regularly discharged by Capt John Douglas under whom this applicant served the whole tour, which discharge is here with exhibited to company this declaration. This was a three month tour. This declarant further states that some time after the service again and in the command of Captain Charles Yancey of Granville, North Carolina and was marched to the high hills of Sautee when General Green was stationed with his army. This applicant after remaining a few days with Gen: Green's army was marched back to Guilford Court house and discharged by the above  named Capt. Yansey having served from months this tour, which just mentioned discharge was left with Lieut: Thomas Neeley of Caswell County N.C. by this applicant to lay before the auditors and this applicant knows not what has become of it. On what was done with it. This Declarant further
Page 6

states that he served both the above mentioned tours of duty as a volunteer horseman and lost his horse in Kings mountain gate for which he has never been in any manner compensated. This applicant does not recollect the dates when he entered the service or left it except as shown in the accompanying discharge. This Declarant Statesthat he was born in Granville County State ofNorth Carolina on the 15th day of March 1759. He has a record of his age at hometaken from the record of his father, but does not bring it into court not knowing when he left home that it was necessary to do so.
He entered the service in Caswell County N.C.
where he resided at the time, and for about
two years after the Revolutionary war ended
when he removed to Richmond County State of Georgia, where he remained till he made
two crops, and then removed to 
Granville County N. Carolina where he remained about four years, when he removed to Washington County Virginia, where he resided about six months, whence he removed back to Granville County in N.C. where he resided two or three
Page 7

years, whence he removed to Roane County Tennessee where he resided about fourteen years whence he removed to This Marion County where he has resided over since and still resides.
 He entered the service as stated in the body of this declaration, and served and was discharges as herein ^(before) stated.
He also states that he is (illegible) to David Nelms a clergy man in his neighborhood and John Townsend an acting Justice of the Peace, Honorable(shorthand) David Griffith and David Griffith Jr.
*crossed out*
residing in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution, he is also known to Col. James Strandfor of Bledsoe County a member in congress.
He has no documentary evidence of his service, but the before mentioned discharge nor can he produce and living evidence or witness without a great deal of trouble and expense if at all,
Page 8

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 David Nelms who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County aforesaid and that John Townsend, Dvid M. Griffith and David Griffith who had also signed the same are residents in the County aforesaid, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Mitchell 
Amos Griffith
Samuel H. Gatt
Justice of the Said Court

I John Helly Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for said county of Marion and state aforesaid so here by certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Matthew Pryor for pension. 
the testimony whereof  I have hereunto set my hand and private seal not having a seal of office  at office Jasper this 22nd day of August 1832
Jn. Helly,Clk
By Hon. J. Standifer 
(seal)
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he herby relinquishes every clain whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the United states sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
Matthew Pryor Senor

We David Nalms a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid, and John Townsend, David Griffith snr and David Griffith Jr residing in the same herby certify that we are well acquainted with Matthew Pryor, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy tree 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. 
[Signatures]
David Nalms
 John Townsend
David  M. Griffith
David Griffith Junior

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the (illegible) of the matter and after (illegible) the interrogations prescribed by the soar Department.
Page 10

I certify that John kelly is Clerk of Marion County Court and that (illegible) J. Slandefer is his (illegible) and that I know his signature to be (illegible) that he is no (illegible) office for said Court
[Signature] 20th 1833
James Slandifer MC
Page 11

September 23, 1924.
Mrs. CharlesP Walsh,
808½ Filmore St.
Amarillo, Tex.

Madam;
 I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary was Pension claim, S. 3747, it appear that Matthew Pryor, Sr., was born March 15, 1759 in Granville County North Carolina.
While residing in Caswell County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served tree months as a private in Captain  John Douglas' Company, Colonel James Williams' North Carolina regiment and was in the Battle of King's Mountain. 
Sometime after the above mentioned battle, he enlisted and served four months as a private in Captain Charles Yancey's North Carolina Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1833, while a resident of Marion County Tennessee.
There is not data on file relative to his family.
The above noted soldier is the only Matthew Pryor, under and spelling of that name, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 12

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C

Dear Sir: Have you any military history of Mr. Matthew Pryor, who enlisted in the Rev. War from N.C. Think from Caswell or EvanvilleCo.
Thanking you in advance, I am Cordially yours.
Mrs. M. L. Harris
Cleveland, Tenn.
 11/13/15

√
Page 13

[SEAL]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 15 1915
Page 14

1914 Dec. 4. Hist to Hon. Joseph
W. Byrns.
1915, Aug. 23. History to
Mrs. S. B. Stewart,
1915 Nov. 20 To Mrs. M. L. Harris
1915 Dec. 1 To Mrs. S. B. Stewart
1924. Sept. 22 To Mrs. Chas. P. Walsh 
3747
INVALID.
File No. 3747
Matthew Pryor Senr
Pvt. N.C. line
Act: June 1732
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

Rev.
In reply to your request of ......., received.....,
for a statement of the military history of Matthew Pryor Senior
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S.3,747
=======================
[TABLE]

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
check 
check

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
3 mos.
4 mos.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
John Douglass
Charles Yancy

COLONEL.
James Williams
check

STATE.
N. C.

========================
Battles engaged in, Kings Mountain
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Caswell Co., N. C.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 21, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Marion Co., Tenn.
Age at date of application, born March 15, 1759 Granville Co. N.C.
Remarks: There is no data rel to family
For date of soldier's death and name of person to whom the last payment of his pension was made, you should address the Auditor
the Int. Dept. U.S. Treas. Dept. citing the following data:
Matthew Pryor, Cert No. 25129, issued Nov. 28, 1833, for $23.33
per annum from Mch. 4, 1831 under Act June 7, 1832, [illegible] Agency
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 16

December 4, 1914.

Hon. Joseph W. Byrns,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr Byrns:

In response to your letter of the
third instant, I have the honor to advise you that Matthew Pryor, Senior, Sur. File No. 3, 747, Rev. War, was allowed pension on his application executed August
21, 1832, while a resident of Marion County, Tennessee.
He stated that he was born March 15, 1759, in
Granville County, North Carolina, and afterwards resided in Caswell County, North Carolina, where he volunteered
(date not stated) under Captain John Douglass
in Colonel James Williams' regiment, marched to Kings Mountain, and was in that battle, in which Colonel Williams was mortally wounded; he was one of the guard who conducted the prisoners to Moravian Town, Stokes
County, North Carolina, and then returned home, having served three months.
some time afterwards, he again entered the service under Captain Charles Yancy, joined General Greene's
Page 17

army at the high hills of Santee, and then returned to Guilford Court House, and was discharged after four
months' service,
In both of these tours he served as a horseman
and lost a horse at the battle of Kings Mountain.
After the War he resided in Caswell County, North Carolina; Richmond County, Georgia; Granville County, North Carolina; Washington County, Virginia; and Roane County, Tennessee.
There is no family data on file.
The above is the only Matthew Pryor ( Prier, Prior
or Pryer) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,
G. M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 18

December 1, 1915.

Mrs. S. B. Stewart,
c/o American Clothing Co.
813 Market Street,
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Madam;

In response to your letter of the 22" ultimo, you are advised that Matthew Pryor, Senior, Sur. File No. 3,747, Rev. War, was allowed pension on his application
executed August 21, 1832, while a resident of Marion County, Tennessee.
He stated that he was born March 15, 1759, in Granville County, North Carolina, and afterwards resided in Caswell County, North Carolina, where he volunteered
(date not stated) under Captain John Douglass in Colonel James Williams' regiment, marched to Kings Mountain, and was in that battle, in which Colonel Williams was mortally wounded; he was one of the guard who conducted the
prisoners to Moravian Town, Stokes County, North Carolina, and then returned home, having served three months.
Some time afterwards, he again entered the service under Captain Charles Yancy, joined General Greene's army at the high hills of Santee, and then returned
Page 19

to Guilford Court House, and was discharged after four months' service.
In both of these tours he served as a horseman, and lost a horse at the battle of Kings Mountain.
After the war he resided in Caswell County, North Carolina; Richmond County, Georgia, Granville County, North Carolina; Washington County, Virginia; and Roane County, Tennessee.
For the date of soldier's death and name of the person to whom the arrears of his pension were paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, giving him all of
the following data:
"Matthew Pryor, Certificate No. 25, 129, issued
November 28, 1833, for $23.33 per annum from
March 4, 1831, under the Act of June 7, 1832,
at the East Tennessee Agency."

Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber

Commissioner.

Pryor - 2 -
Page 20

War Section.

November 20, 1915.
Mrs. M. L. Harris,
Cleveland, Tenn.
Madam:

In response to your letter of the 13" instant,
you are advised that Matthew Pryor, Senior, Sur. File No. 3,747, Rev. War, was allowed pension on his application executed August 31, 1832, while a resident of Marion
County, Tennessee.
He stated that he was born March 15, 1759, in
Granville County, North Carolina, and afterwards resided in Caswell County, North Carolina, where he volunteered
date not stated) under Captain John Douglass in Colonel James Williams' regiment, marched to Kings Mountain, and
was in that battle, in which Colonel Williams was mortally wounded; he was one of the guard who conducted the
prisoners to Moravian Town, Stokes County, North Carolina, and then returned home, having served three months.
Some time afterwards, he again entered the service
under Captain Charles Yancy, joined General Greene's army at the high hills of Santee, and then returned to Guilford Court House, and was discharged after four
months' service.
Page 21

In both of these tours he served as a horseman
and lost a horse at the battle of Kings Mountain.
After the war he resided in Caswell County, North Carolina; Richmond County, Georgia, Granville County, North Carolina; Washington County, Virginia; and Roane County, Tennessee.
There is no family data on file.
The above is the only Matthew Pryor (Prior, Prier
or Pryer) found on the Revolutionary War Records of this Bureau.

Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Pryor -- 2 -
Page 22

Amarillo Tex, Aug. 25.24
---
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C

[stamp]
PENSION E
US
AUG 28 1924
OFFICE

Dear Sir,-
I am seeking for information
concerning my ancestor
Mathew Pryor who was my
great great grandfather
I wish to enter the D.A.R. and
believe I am eligible if I
can trace the lineage according to
my relatives the above mentioned
Mathew Pryor fought in the
Revolutionary War. My uncle
tells me under Col. Shelby at
Kings Mountain I have already written to the
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Adjutant General's office but
they had no record of him
but advised me to write
to you.
I am very sorry I cannot
give you more information
I am not sure just what
State he came from, but
my grandfather said long
ago that our ancestors
came from Tenn. He may
not have enlisted from
that state. I was told by
the Adjutant General they
had no record of a Colonel
Shelby.

My own father was
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named Mathew F Pryor and he
was a civil war soldier-
Will you kindly send
me any information you may have?

Thanking you for same
I Am
Respectfully
Mrs Chas. P. Walsh
808 1/2 Filmore St
Amarillo Tex

(My own name was
Mary Elizabeth Pryor)
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[stamp]
PENSION
O
US 
NOV 
24 
1915
OFFICE
Page 26

Rev. War All

American Clothing Company

Wearing Apparel for Men, Women and Children
Charge Accounts Solicited

10 Per Cent. Discount
on All Bills Paid in 60 days

813 MARKET STREET
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Nov 22-1915-
the Commission of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Sir,-
You wrote me in Aug. past
giving me some information regarding
Matthew Pryor, Senior, Army of the Revolution
and asked me to write the Treasury Department which I did in order to get before him what I wanted to know. I enclosed your letter to the Auditor and asked him to please return your letter and he has never returned it
yet-- so I have decided he has destroyed it.
Will you be so kind as to send me again
what information your department has and can get regarding Matthew Pryor Sr's war record Army of the Rev.  I will greatly appreciate
this favor 
Respectfully S. B. Stewart
813 Market St.
c/o American Clo, Co. Chatta, Tenn.
Page 27

[stamp]
PENSION
A
US 
AUG
17
1915
OFFICE
Page 28

One 2 cent stamped envelope received 
stamped env. retd                           Rev Sec

American Clothing Company
Wearing Apparel for Men, Women and Children
Charge Accounts Solicited

10 Per Cent. Discount
on All Bills Paid in 60 days

813 MARKET STREET
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Aug. 15 - 1915

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: - 

In regard to my great
great Grandfather, Mathew
Pryor who was a Rev soldier would like for
you to please give me the following
information. He was granted a
pension on Aug. 21 - 1832 in Marion
Co. Tenn, I want to know in particular
the date of his death, his wifes maiden
name and their childrens names
if your record is that complete.
at any rate would greatly appreciate it if
you will write me completely what
you have recorded and oblige.
Address,
Mrs S. B. Stewart,
353 McCallie Are
Chattanooga, Tenn

Dora Pryor Stewart
Page 29

[stamp] PENSION OFFICE U.S. C DEC 4 1914
Page 30

[handwritten} AV
SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
JOHN J. FITZGERALD, N.  Y., CHAIRMAN.
SWAGAR SHERLEY, KY.
CHARLES L. BARTLETT, GA.
JOSEPH T. JOHNSON, S. C.
NOBERT N. PAGE, N. C.
GEORGE W. RAUCH, IND.
JOSEPH W. BYRNS, TENN.
FREDERICK H. GILLETT, MASS.
JAMES W GOOD, IOWA.
FRANK V. MONDELL WYO.
CHARLES R. DAVIS, MINN.
WILLIAM M. CALDER, N. Y.
WILLIAM S. VARE, PA.
THOMAS UPTON SISSON, MISS, 
WILLIAM H. HINEBAUGH, ILL.
EUGENE F. KINKEAD, N. J.
WILLIAM P. BORLAND, MO.
GEORGE WHITE, OHIO.
JAMES MCANDREWS, ILL.
BRYAN F. MAHAN, CONN.
WOODA N. CARR, PA.

JAMES C. COURTS, CLERK.
MARCELLUS C. SHEILD ASSISTANT CLERKS.
WILLIAM A. RYAN,

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
December 3, 1914.

Pension Commissioner,
Department of Interior.

My ear sir:

I have an inquiry concerning the military record
of Matthew Pryor, who served during the revolutionary war under
Generals Green and Hill. If your records disclose any information
concerning his military record, I will appreciate it if you will let me have it.

Yours very truly,
Joseph W Byrns
No M. Prier
Prior
Pryer