Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41,462, Reuben Bryan, Va.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
VA
CONTENTS

Bryan, Reuben
N, 

Number
S41,462
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19.881
North Carolina

Reuben Bryan
of Surry Co in the State of N. Carolina
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Ashby of the regiment commanded
by Colonel Mercer in the Virginia
line, for the term of two years,
from March 1776 to (illegible) 1778

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 15 day of February 1826

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 of March 1828
and sent to Hon. L. Williams
House of Representatives

Arrears to 4th of March 1828 $197.31 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 16 Sep. 1828 48.00
$245.31 

Revolutionary Claim
Acts March, 18, 1818
and May 1, 1820.
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State of N Carolina
Surry County ⎬ Superior Court of Law September term 1822
On this 6th day of September 1822 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record so known and declared to be by the Laws of the State of N Carolina and opened and held as such this day for the County of Surry Rhewben Bryan a resident citizen of the County aforesaid aged about 66 years who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the
18th of March 1818 & 1st May 1820 that he the said Reuben Bryan enlisted for the term of two years some time in the year 1776 but the day and month he does not now recollect
in the County of Fauquier in the State of Virginia in the  company commanded by Capt John Ashby of the 3rd regiment commanded by Col Mercer in the line of the State of Virginia on the continental establishment that he continued in said 3rd Regiment for about twelve months to the best of his remembrance, that he was then selected to serve in Daniel
Morgan Rifle corps in which he continued for about twelve months in the Rifle company first commanded by Capt Gabriel Long and afterwards by Capt William Knox under
whom he continued untill he was discharged at the expiration of his term by Genl Woodford that he was at the Capture of Burgoynes army and fought in the two General engagements
that proceeded that event near Still water camp that he was likewise in the Battle fought at New York and that he was in several skirmishes, that he has seen much hard
service from disease and the privations to which the Northern army was subjected at Valley forge and other places, that he is
now in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the
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the assistance of his country for support and that he has now no other evidence of his services and that he is not
now able to account for the loss of his discharge-
And in pursuance of the act of 1st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since
that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the "provisions of an act of
Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed (to wit)
150 of land worth about 150 dollars three head of cattle worth together about 15 dollars about 8 hogs worth about 12½ dollars two sheep worth $1.75 two ploughs worth together one dollar 2 hoes worth together 50 cents two old axes worth together about $1.50 one bed worth about $15 one pot and a bake oven worth about 2 dollars. That I am verry much afflicted with the Rheumatism and have been ever since I left the army which has disabled
me in my arms and shoulders so that I can do but very little work and that of the lightest kind that my wife is very old and infirm so as nearly half her time to be confined to bed.
I have one grown son and two daughters nearly grown upon whose labour I am dependent now for subsistence. I have also in family one small grand child whose mother is dead and whose father is left it disolate on my hands I have in addition to the above statement a

[side margin]
Rejected-not proven
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a growing crop of corn which may yield about fifteen barrels but not more and a crop of fruit which may yield about one hundred gallons Brandy and that I have one old still worth about $15 dollars if these last be taken in
estimate it will amount to sixty dollars more. That I am justly indebted to Col Francis Yong about $250 dollars and that some other debts to the amount of about $12 dollars.
Sworn to in open Court
September 6th 1822
Rhewben Bryan
Test Joseph Williams JunCSC


State of North Carolina ⎬ 
Surry County

I Joseph Williams Junr. Clerk of Surry 
Superior Court of laws, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is two hundred fifty nine dollars, twenty five cents.
(seal)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 5th day of October AD 1822
to Jo Williams Jun CSC
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Schedule of the property belonging to Reuben Bryan of the County of Surrey
150 acres of lands 1 dol per acre...$150"
3 head of cattle together ... 15"
8 head of hogs together 12.50
2 Dills of Sheep . . 1.75
2 Ploughs... 1."
2 hoes... ".50
2 old axes...1.50
1 Bed worth ,,,15"
1 Pot and oven ...2."
1 old Still ... 15"
$214.25
a growing crop & a crop of fruit which is estimated
as worth together about ... 45"
$259.25
Reuben  Bryan

Sworn to in open Court
September 6th 1822
Test Jo Williams Junr CSC
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James L Edwards Esq
Washington
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Washington March 4th 1826
Sir
I forward to you the papers in the case
of Reuben Bryan for a pension. I know
this old man and he is very poor
I know that Ephraim Hough is a justice of
the Peace for the County of Surry.

Permit me to express the hope that
at last the old poor man may
succeed in obtaining the bounty of his
country.

The original deed alluded to by
Mr Cowley in his letter to me I wish
returned as (be desires) to me, or forwarded
to him at Hamptonwich North Carolina

I am sir very respectfully
your obt Hole Lot
Lewes Williams

J L Edwards Esq.
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State of North Carolina
Surry County  February Session AD 1826
I Joseph Williams Clerk of the Court of pleas & quarter Sessions for the County of Surry do hereby certify that R Bryan acknowledged the within in open court & ordered to be registered
Test Jo Williams CC

Surry County Ss
Registered in the Registers Office in Book S. page 329
Test [illegible] Hughes P. Riggs

For the date in February see declaration herewith which appears to have been made on the 15th February 1826, which date must be considered as the completion of testimony.

R Bryan
Decd
to J Young
200 acres

Ackd. 6/[illegible]
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This Indenture made the Seventeenth day of April in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred and Seventeen Between Reuben Bryan of Surry County of the one part and Francis Young of the County of [illegible] of the other part    Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the Sum of five hundred dollars in hand paid by the said Francis Young at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth acknowledg he the said Reuben Bryan hath granted bargained sold aleined and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien and confirm unto the said Francis Young and his heirs a certain peice or parcell of land situate lying and being the in the County of Surry and State aforesaid - and on the waters of Hunting creed bounded as followeth - Begining at a maple in a Swamp thence runing south 48 1/2 chains to a black Jack on the old Wilks Road thence N 58da W 9 chains to a post oak & Hicory thence N 67d 6 chains to a post oak bush thence N. 30d W. 6 chains to a post oak thence N 43 W. 4 1/2 chains to a pine thence N. 55 W 5 1/2 chains to a post oak thence South 56 W. 44 chains to a Sourwood on the old line then a north on said line 46 chains to a pine on a branch thence East on the old line to the Begining containing 200 acres more or less and all and every the appurtenances to the said premises in any wise belonging to have and to hold the lands hereby conveyed and and Singular other premises hereby bargained and sold and every part and parcell thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Francis Young heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use and benefit of him the said Frances Young and of his heirs and assigns forever.  And the said Reubin Bryan for his heirs and assigns Executors and Administrators doth covenant promise and grant to and with the said Francis Young heirs and assigns by these presents that the said Francis Young and his heirs all and singular the premises hereby bargained and sold with appurtinances unto the said Francis Young heirs and assigns against hi, the said Reubin Bryan and his heirs and all and every person and persons whatsoever shall warrant and forever defend by these presents in witness whereof the said Reubin Byran hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written
Reuben Bryan  [handwritten seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered in presents of 
Edward Carlton
John Wood
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North Carolina
Surry County
This is to shew that I Reuben Bryan of the County and State aforesd have bargained sold and delivered to Francis Young of Iredell County & State aforesaid all and every article of my property cosisting of one hundred & fifty acres of land more or less - five feather beds and furniture togather with all my house hold & kitchen furniture  Also eight hed of sheep five head of jogs three head of catle one horse beast - all the above mentioned articles including all and every part of my farming tools - I sell & deliver the same to the sd. Francis Young for his use Benefitt & profit.  For and in consideration of the sum of Five hundred Dollars the Receipt is hereby acknowledged
The condition of the above bond is such that when the said Bryan pays to the sd Young his lafull demands then this article to be null and void   in testamony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal April 17th 1817
Test
A Lindsey
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Hamptonville NoCa  Feb 20th 1826

Dear Sir
I have enclosed to you some papers in behalf of Reubin Bryan and beg of you to assist him in obtaining the bounty of his country of which he stands in absolute need  he has been long kept out of it having made the 1st application in 1819.  he enclosed[?] a schedule of his property and in that schedule he included his land and sundry stock which was at that time under a mortgage to Col Young for considerably over its balance  this has been the principal reason of his not being allowed a pention  as you will see by the enclosed certificates all his property was sold under execution in 1822 except his land and that he made a deed to to Col. Young as he was bound to do in fulfilment of his contract.  The deed you will discern being date 17 April 1817 when by Col Youngs certifficate it was made in March 1825  this anti dating has been purely the result of ignorance  it was (eroneously) that it should bear date at the time the first contract was made  this in a [illegible] of Col Youngs information [illegible] singular and I should feel sorry if the circumstance should still stand in the way of the old man's getting his pention allowed   he is very needs and in very infirm health  I have thought it proper to send these papers to you that you
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explain to the War Department what to them might appear suspicious  I have also trust[?] the original deed thinking it would be better than a coppy  I wish it returned.  I have also procured and forwarded the certifficate of Leonard Lindsay as to the sale of Bryans property to him exder Execution.  Col Young was at the time the property was sold at Charles town or he would have forbid the sale of the whole  I think that there is ground to [illegible] our friend or attempt at it.  The old man is nearly unable to do any worke and he has one daughter in very infirm health whom he has to maintain  On the whole he is wretchedly poor  I hope you will be able to get his claim allowed by the Department or get a special act passed in his favor.  he has had his papers a long time in hands ([illegible]) who did not attend to it.  if any thing else should be wanting you will please notify me and I will try to procure it.  he ought to be allowed for some years back in justice
You will please attend to it as soon as your convenience will allow
Yours with Respect
L Cowles
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State of North Carolina
Surry County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
Novr Term 1824
Reuben Bryan maketh oath that between the time of filing his first declaration and that of filing his second declaration he disposed of his property to his creditors to pay and satisfy to them debts due them for money actually borrowed to support him and that he did not dispose of the same with an intent to bring himself within the provisions of the act of Congress for obtaining a pension;  and that he is not worth more than the amount mentioned in his last filed declaration;  nor was he at that time
Sworn Reuben Bryan

I Joseph Williams clerk of the said court on the 12th day of November 1824 do hereby certify that Reuben Bryan made oath to the above affidavit in open court and subscribed the same and the court being satisfied with the truth thereof ordered the same to be certified under the seal of said court
Jo Williams CC
by Jo Williams Jun DC
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State of No Ca
Surry County
Personally appeared before me E Hough one of the acting Justices of sd County Leonard Lindsay and made oath in due form of Law that he was presant at a public sale held by Hiram Cook (late constable) at the Home of Reubin Brion in the year 1822 and that there was sold by virtue of Execution at the [illegible] of Thomas Albion of Iredell County some cattle embracing all the stock sd Brion had in his posesion as this deponent doth believe and this Deponent further saith that in consequence thereof sd Brion was reduced to complete Indigence and is verry poor and in bad health and further this deponant saith 
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th Feb 1826 before me
Leonard Lindsay

B Hough JP
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State of North Carolina
Surry County
Francis Young (merchant of Iredell County and state afforesaid) maketh oath in due form of law that Reubin Brion of Surry County in sd state from 1813 to the year of our Lord 1817 inclusive was in the habit and did at sundry times contract with him the sd Young for goods and request the sd Young to pay other debts of his contracting for the support of his the Briants family and that he the sd Young did frequently pay such debts in goods and cash on the application of sd Brian untill his claim on the same amounted to upwards of three hundred dollars  that on the 17 April 1817 he took of sd Brion a mortgage bill of sale for his the sd Brion's property consisting of his land and personal property deicribed in that instrument that he left Brion in posesion of the property and that during his absence in the year1821 or 1822 the personal property included in sd sale was sold by Hiram Cook late constable (now deceased) on an execution that he the sd Young became thereby disposed of all the sd personal property  that in consequence in the first of the year 1825 he tookof the sd Brian a Deed in feel simple for the sd Land in discharge of sd debt and the sd Young also saith that he is not indebted to the sd Brion for any part of the sd land and also that he considers the land not worth the debt and also that he know of no property the sd Brian has nor does he believe that the sd Brian has put any property out of his hands for the purpose of bringing himself within the pension roll  he further saith not
Francis Young  [handwritten seal]
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The within affidavit being had and subscribed under Oath in due form before me Ephraim Hough one of the Acting Justices for the county of Surry & State of North Carolina I have hereunto placed my hand & seal in Testamony whereof on this 13th day of February 1826
Ephraim House J.Co

I Reubin Brian do solemnly swear that the contents of the above or within Affidavit of Col F Young is true in all its details  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th dayof Feb 1826
Reuben Bryan
E Hough J Co.

Col F. Youngs 
Affidavits

State of N Carolina
Surry County
I Joseph Williams Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Ephraim Hough who has signed the above certificate is a sworn & acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Surry & that all due faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts
In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand & have affixed the seal of office to the same this 17th day of Feby AD 1826
Jo Williams Clk
by Jo Williams Jun DC
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State of North Carolina
Surry County

Feb Sessions AD 1824

At this term personally appeared before us the justices of the county court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the county aforesaid in the state aforesaid (it being a court of record) Reuben Bryan aged about sixty-eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the first of May 1820, that the said Reuben Bryan enlisted for the term of two years in the State of Virginia in the county of Fauquier by Nathaniel Ashby ensign in Capt. John Ashbey's company - in the third regiment of the Virginia troops and continued in that regiment until he was taken out and put into Col. Morgan's rifle regiment under Capt. Long and continued in that company until he was taken out and put into Capt. Pnose in said regiment and continued in said company until he was discharged from said service at the Valley Forge in the state of Pennsylvania, that he obtained an honorable discharge from General Woodford but that he has lost his discharge or so mislaid it that he cannot find it - that he was in the battle of New York and in two general engagements against Gen Burgoyne and in several other battles of smaller note - And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner deposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress
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entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary passed on the 18th of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or contracts or depts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed to wit - 

Reuben Bryan

One hundred acres of land - $100
One small sow and 2 pigs - $2
one old pot - $1
one oven cracked - $1
one pole axe old - $1
one old shovel/plough - $1
one old bale tongues plough - $0.50
one old mattock - $0.50
File chairs - $2
One old drawing knife - $0.25
one old handsaw - $0.25
Four barrels of corn - $5
one old iron wedge - $0.50
Total $115.00

Reuben Bryan

That his family consists of himself, his wife and son, two daughters and a grandchild, that he himself has been unable for a long time on account of the rheumatism that his wife is unable to do any kind of work even to sit up one half of her time, his son is of age and can leave him at any time, he may choose and so many his daughters, the grandchild is an infant of tender years (about six years old) he has no trade or income.

Reuben Bryan

Sworn to and declared in open court on the 11th day of Feb AD 1824.

I Joseph Williams clerk of Surry Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and scheduled thereto annexed are truly copied from record, of said court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one hundred and fifteen dollars. In testimony whereof I have
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hereunto affixed my hand and the seal of the said county this 11th day of Feb 1824.

Jo Williams - Clerk
By Jo Willians Jr - D.C.
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ORIGINAL CLAIM

Declaration in order to be placed on the Pension List under the Act of the 18th March 1818

County of Surry State of N. Carolina
On this 15th day of February 1825 personally appeared in open court (a) being a court of record (b) for the district, circuit, county, or corporation as the case may be for the county of Surry Reuben Pryan resident in said county aged seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of congress of the 18th march 1818 and the 1st May 1820; that he the said Reuben Bryan enlisted for the term of two years on the twentieth day of March in the year 1776 in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain John Ashby in the regiment commanded by Colonel Keper in the line of the state of Virginia on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until 1778 when he was discharged from the service in the state of Pennsylvania that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any state except Virginia; and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension: that he has been ever since 1821 making money though [illegible] certificate application in consequence of his will he was obliged line on account of property not his own or shall be so.

And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That since the 18th of March 1818 the following changes have been made in my property: My land has been mortgaged to Col L Young and have since made him a deed. My other property which also belonged to Col Young was sold by H Cookson and taken and my pension and his in 1821, or 22 for a debt due Allison who does not live in the county.

Sworn and declared on the 15th day of February before 

I Joseph Williams Clerk of Surry County Court do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said Reuben Bryan did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months under one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is $20 dollars and no cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 15th day of February 1826.

Joseph Williams Clerk of the Court of the County of Surry

Jo Williams - Clerk
by Jo Williams Jun - D.C.

SEAL
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Schedule of Property of Reubin Bryan

1 Bed & Furniture
1 Table, 6 Chairs, some [illegible] old working tools.

Children & Ages - My daughter Margeret 32 years feeble
My wife Margeret Bryan 62 years old weakly
My wife and myself [illegible] a grandson dependent comprise my family.

Reubin Bryan

Sworn to in open court Feb 15th 1826

Test: Jo Williams June - D.C.
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41462
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 41,462
Reuben Bryan
Pri Rev War
Act: 18 March 18th
Index: -- Vol. 8 Page 60
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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18.608.
Reuben Bryan

Joseph Williams
Rockford, N.C.

Recd 11 May 1824

Suspd see letter 24 June
1824-
See letter 30 March
1825
and 23 March 1826
to
Hon L. Williams
Page 25

Admitted
pension to commence
15 February 1826
and to be sent to Hon
L. William H R
Page 26

Rec'd May 11, 1824

Free

Rockford NC
May 3rd

The Hon. John C Calhoun Secretary of War
Washington City

Mail:

Wm Edwards
Page 27

War Department
Pension Office
March 30, 1825

Sir

The claim of Reuben Bryan to a pension on account of revolutionary services has again been examined and I have to state that before a decision can be had in his case, he must make a declaration agreeably to the enclosed blank form and the instructions thereto attached. I would particularly direct his attention to the reference marked g: the papers in his case will remain on the files of the office until he shall have complied with the instructions herein contained.

I am respectfully
your obt serv

J L Edwards

Joseph Williams Esq
Rockford
North Carolina
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The National Archives

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name: Bryan, Richard
Grade: Corporal
Line: Massachusetts
Warrant Number: 3760
Acreage: 100
Issued: Jan 26, 1790
to John May assignee