Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6589, Absalom Wright, Md.
Page 1

Service|Number Md
Md|Wright, Absalom|W6589
Mary[in name column] | Number BLWt 148-60-55
BLWt 11808-100-12-18-1794 [handwritten]
Page 2

2430
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh
Mary Wright
Widow of Absalom Wright
Md
Who served in the Revolutionary War, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 2d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Octo. 1853 and sent to
Arad Joy Ovid NY
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 1/2 Vol (1)
Page 3

13.58-2
Pennsylvania
Absalom Wright
Of Washington Co. in the state of pa
Who was a private in the regiment commanded by colonel of the Maryland
For the term of three years War
Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania 
At the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
The 4th of June 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st of July 1819
And send to James Allison Esq.
Washington
Washington Co PA
Arrears to the 4th of March 1819 72.23
Semi-anl. All’ce ending 4 Sep 1819 48
8 mo 27/30 4/31 $120.23
Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.
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Act Mar [hidden]
108685   Apl 3 [hidden]
Mary Wright
Absalom Wright [crossed out]

Mary Wright widow of Absalom

Md. Contl. line,
Rev. War

Rev. Pen -
certif. no. 2430, dated Oct. 13th/63

C/D: =60 Acre, Dec. 28th 1855
Boyton

Arad Joy
Ovid, N.Y.
Page 5

Revolutionary Widows

State of Pennsylvania
County of Washington

On this 23 day of March personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, within and for the said County and State, Mary Wright, aged 70 years a resident of said County and State, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Absalom Wright deceased, who was a Soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States and that she is in the receipt of a Revolutionary pension under the Act of February 1853, her pension certificate is No. 2430, and is dated, Oct. 18th, 1853. She further declares that she was married to the said Absalom Wright in the County of Franklin, and the State of Pennsylvania, on the 5th day of March 1811, by Rev Mr Wymer, and that her name before her marriage was Mary Honn, that her said husband died at on the State of Pennsylvania, County, Allegany, on the - day of February 1837 and that she is now a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitle under the Act, approved March 3, 1855. She also declared that she has never applied for nor received under this or any other Act of Congress, any bounty land warrant.  

Mary Wright

Sworn and subscribed before me
this 23 day of April 1855
James Pollock Justice of the Peace

We Sam McFarland and William McFarland residents of Robinson Township in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mary Wright in our presence, and that we believe, from what we know of, and from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. These deponents further upon their oaths say that the above named Mary Wright is now a widow.

Samuel McFarland
William McFarland

Sworn and subscribed before me this 23 day of April 1855
James Pollock Justice of the Peace

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
James Pollock Justice of the Peace
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State of Pennsylvania
Washington County

I Uno S. Moore, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that James Pollock Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made was at the time and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified, that his signature thereto is genuine and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to all his official acts.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court at Washington this 24th day of April A. D. 1886
[signed] Uno S. Moore Pro.

{the number 108685 is handwritten on the left side by the seal}
Page 7

Widows Revolutionary Claim
Law of 1853 State of Pa

Ovid Augt. 18. 1853
Sir
I inclose [enclose] declaration of Mary Wright, with proof, and her power of attorney to me
I refer you to the proof on file in [illeg.] Audit office, filed there when they recd. the balance of pension due at her husbands death

Most Respectfully
Your Obt. Serv.
Arad Joy

Hon. L P Waldo
Comm. of Pa
Page 8

STATE OF Pennsylvania} 
County of Washington} vs.

Mrs. Mary Wright being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that she is the widow of Absalom Wright deceased, to whom a pension was probably due and, that this deponent is directly interested in said claim.

Sworn and subscribed before me this 19 day April 1853 and (I do hereby certify that the said Mary Wright is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by her as being directly interested in said claim.)
[signed] James M. Clark Justice of Peace

Know all Men by these Presents, That I Mary Wright (widow of A. Wright) of ["Washington" crossed out] Alleghany County deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N.Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested in the claim or application for a pension
Witness my hand and seal, this 19 day of April 1853
Sealed and delivered in the presence of} [signed] James W. Clark
Justice of Peace}
[signed] Mary Wright her mark

STATE OF Pennsylvania
County of Washington} Be it known that on the 19 day of April 1853 before the subscriber Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Mrs. Mary Wright above named, and duly acknowledged the above power of attorney and affiadvit (affidavit) to be her act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my  hand the day and date above mentioned.
[signed] James M. Clark Justice of Peace
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the 2nd section of the act of 3rd Feb'y. 1853
State of Pennsylvania in County of Washington}
On this 30th day of July 1853 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the court in aforesaid county Mary Wright a resident of said county and state aged seventy seven year; who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3rd February 1853, granting to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that this is the widow of Absalom Wright who was a pensioner of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Absalom Wright on the 5th day March 1811, married near Chambersburgh Pa by Rev. McWyen (or nearly such named) that her said husband died on the 18th day of February 1837 that she has recd. the balance of pension at his death, and she refers to that proof now supposed to be on file, that she is still a widow 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and date above mentioned before me}
[signed] A Wotring 
Associate Judge
[signed] Mary Wright X her mark

I certify that the above named Mary Wright is a respectable person, that she is the identical person that she represents herself to be, and that  she made this application in person, and [illeg.] the same in person by her own mark. I certify that the above named Mary Wright from bodily infirmity cannot attend the court to make her declaration
[signed] A Wotring
Associated Judge
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The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Washington County
I James Brown Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for same County do hereby testify that A Wotring Esq before whom the witness and forgoing affidavit was made was at the time [several words illegible] ... of the County of Washington in the district conference of Washington [several words illegible] ... his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of the [illegible] Court at Washington this 1st day of August AD 1853
[signed] James Brown
Prothonotary
Page 11

State of Pennsylvania
County of Washington} ss James Peebles & William McEllheny being duly sworn according to law, depose and say, that they were personally acquainted with Absalom Wright late a pensioner of the United States, & the late husband of Mary Wright whose declaration is on the first page of this sheet; these deponents further depose and say that the said Mary Wright who executed in the presence of these deponents the declaration on the first page of this sheet, is the identical person, and widow of the said Absalom Wright late a pensioner & that the executed the said declaration in the presence of these deponents & of her own free will & choices, & that the said Mary Wright is a widow, & that the said Absalom Wright her said late husband died prior to 1840 that the said parties had lived together as husband and wife ever since the war of 1812, no person to the knowledge of these deponents ever questioned the truth of their being husband & wife in 1812 and ever after that date till the death of the said Absalom Wright, that these deponents reside in the township of Mt. Pleasant in the county and state above mentioned
Sworn and subscribed before me this 30th day of July 1853
[signed] A Wotring Associate Judge
[signed] Wm. McElhany
[signed] James Peoples

I certify the above named James Peebles & William McEllheny are respectable persons, worthy & relyable (reliable) witnesses
[signed] A Wotring
Page 12

[Left side of document]
1060
James Allison Esqr
Judge  -- Washg Cty
Pennsva --
Absalom Wright
case 
Received 2 July 1878
(Wshg)

[written upside down]:
Honobl J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City

[other words crossed off]

[Right side of document]

[three lines crossed off]

Adm.

[stamped]: WASH 25 JUN

James Allison Esq
Washington Pa.
Page 13

I, Absalom Wright of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, do swear by Almighty God the searcher of hearts that I served in the revolutionary war against the common enemy from monday after Easter in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and eighty till the end of the war. I enlisted on the above day in Captain Hinds' company in the Sixth regiment of the Maryland line, to serve during the war and joined the regiment at that time after at Petersburg in Virginia, and marched from there to South Carolina under General Gates. I was reverent and engaged in the battle of Camden (Gates' defeat) when I received three wounds and was taken prisoner. In the course of the descending winter I made my escape from the enemy but was obliged to act with great caution, that I should be taken up by the Tories and delivered to the enemy, until I had an opportunity of joining a company of militia under the command of Captain Pickens. With Captain Pickens I marched to ninety six, which place was besieged by Gen. Greene, where I found my regiment which I joined and continued to serve in the same till the end of the war. I was also present & engaged in the Battle of Eutaw Springs. At the close of the war we returned to Annapolis where I was honorably discharged at the same time that the army was disbanded.
Page 14

I gave my discharge to the Lieutenant of our company shortly after I obtained it, who undertook to settle my account for me at Annapolis, which he did and left my discharge on file in the office at that plan. I am now an old man, in very reduced circumstances and need the assistance of my country for support. I therefore make this declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the late 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." In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of June in the year of our LORD, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen --
[signed] Absalom Wright X his mark & seal

Washington County
Pennsylvania 
Personally before me one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Washington aforesaid, came Absalom Wright, who being duly sworn according to law doth declare that the facts stated in the aforegoing declaration are true and signed the same in my presence. And I do further certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Absalom Wright did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as stated in the preceding declaration. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fourth day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
[signed] James Allison [his seal]
Page 15

State of Pennsylvania
I Alexander Murdock Prothonotary Washington County & of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, Do certify that James Allison Esquire before whom the within depositions was made is and was at the time one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly commissioned as such, to be given to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at Washington the seventeenth day of June eighteen hundred and eighteen.
[signed] A Murdock Prothy

The secretary of war is respectfully requested to cause information to be given to William Baird of Washington Pennsylvania of his determination in this case --

Washington County
Pennsylvania
I, James Allison, Judge as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the aforesaid Absalom Wright did serve as stated in his declaration, against the common enemy, for the time of nine months, on the continental establishment and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of July A. D. 1819.
[signed] James Allison [his seal]
Page 16

Exemplifications of the proceedings in the case of Absalom Wright Revolutionary Soldier.
No Surcharge
Con
19582
Washington City
July 19
Sep '19
Page 17

SCHEDULE.

PENNSYLVANIA.
Washington County, ss.

On this twenty eighth day of June, 1820, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for the said county, Absalom Wright, aged fifty eight years, resident in [blank] Township in said county, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:  in Captain Hinds company of the 6th Regiment of the Maryland line, commanded by Col. Chs Williams, and that he made application on the fourth day of June 1818, and that he received a pension, the number of the pension on certificate being 13582.

And 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. 

[Handwritten] one horse value $15, one mare value $15. One colt, value $15. Three cows, value $30. One lot of hogs value $12. One lot of sheep $3.00 two calves $4.00. And that he is indebted to several persons in the sum of $68.20. That he is by occupation a cropper, and that from age and increasing infirmities; with the aid of his pension (which he now receives) he is barely able to support his family, which consists of a wife aged thirty five years, unhealthy, One son aged seventeen years, about to leave his father for the purpose of learning a trade, One step daughter fourteen years, healthy, One daughter aged eight years, healthy, and One Son aged four years healthy.
Sworn to, and declared, on the twenty eighth day of June in Open Court, before the Honbl. Thomas H. Baird Esq. President, and his associates, Judges of the court of common Pleas for Said County.
[signed] W. Sample, Prothy.
[signed] Absalom Wright X his mark

Washington County JS
I, William Sample Prothy. of the court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Affidavit and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record 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 twenty five dollars and eighty cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this twenty fourth day of July 1820.

[signed] W. Sample
Prothonotary
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Wright, Absalom 
GRADE Private 
LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11808 
ACREAGE 100 
ISSUED December 18, 1794
to Henry Purdy, assignee

also, B. L. Wt. 148-60-55

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 19

Revy WIDOW, &c.
No. 6589
Mary Wright
Widow
Absalom Wright
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Feby. 3, 1853
Index: Vol. M, Page 361
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 20

Aug. 20, 1853
No. 3107
Appl. of Mary Wright, widow of Absalom, Washington Co., Penna. 
D.19
Act 3d Feb., 1853.

Rev.
admd $96 per annum
Commencing 3d Feby. 1853.
(illegible )
N.Y.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 21

Mary Wright
Penn. of Pa law '53
wid of Absalom he was a war (illegible) a case of mine from Arad Joy
Page 22

148 (check mark)

(illegible)
Page 23

Pension Office
Oct 7. 1853
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was last paid; and /if in your power, the date of his death  Very respectfully your Obt Servt
LP. Waldo
Commissr.
F Burt Esqr 3d Auditor, Present}
Absalom Wright act 1818.
$8.00 p. m. --Died 17h Feb. 1837.
Paid to death.

F Burt
Auditor
Page 24

Pru act/53.  Pa.
Boynton
Page 25

FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr. of Pens.
Washington DC

10.8683--
(circular stamp)
OVID N.Y.
APR 28
Page 26

FREE
Hon L P. Waldo
Comr. of Pensions
Washington DC

(circular stamp)
OVID N.Y.
AUG18

(illegible script)
Mr. Cole
Page 27

Brief in the case of Mary Wright, widow of Absalom Wright
Washington County and State of Pennsylvania act 3d February 1853.

Claim, ("original,")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or suf0pported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 18th March 1818--
Marriage, ,(averred in Declaration to have taken place 5th March 1811.) inferred from the parties having lived together as man and wife from 1812 to 1837 (the time of husband's death), as shown by the affidavits of James Peebles and William McElhenny, duly certified to be credible witnesses. The present claim not shown to have received arrears of pension due the pensioner at the time of his death.
Arad Joy  Esqr
Ovid, New York
Name and residence of Agent

R Geddes  Examining Clerk.
Page 28

Auditor's Office, Annapolis, July 28th 1819
I hereby certify, that it appears from the pay-rolls remaining in the Auditor's Office, that Absolam Wright received from John Hamilton, agent of the Maryland line, the sum of $80.00 for arrears of pay from the 1st. Augt. 1780 to the 1st Jany 1782   Also, the sum of $80 for pay from the 1st Jany 1782 to the 1st Jany 1783 and also the sum of 43.30 from the 1st Jany 1783 to the 15th Nov. 1783 when his time expired.
Thos. Harney, A. S. chd.

N.B. Wright was a private and arranged to the 6th Md. Rgt.  T. H.
Page 29

Mary Wright (absalom) by Washington
Married in Chambersburg 5 March 1811 received arrears
Did 18 Feb. 1837
James Peebles& Wm. McEllkeney Knew them from 1812
Good case.

35
33
__
68
Page 30

Ovid N.Y. April 28. 1855
Sir
I inclose application for bounty law for Mary Wright a revolutionary pensioner
Most respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Arad Joy

Hon L P Waldo
Com.
Page 31

Fayette County Ss Pennsylvania Personally appeared Before James Blaine a Justice of the peace in and for Said County Michael Sawers, and Being Sworn according to Law from his Solemn oath deposeth and Saith that he well knew Absalom Wright in the Service of the united States to his certain knowledge upwards of two years this deponand him self gave the boundey to said Absalom Wright in the Spring in the year one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty  Absalom Wright and this deponed belonged to the (illegible) Redgemant of the Maryland line Commanded by (illegible) Williams Sworn and Subscribed before me the 17 day of June 1819
James Blaine   Michael Sawers

I do certify that Michael Sawers Esquire, the above deponent, is a man of respectable standing, a Justice of the peace and a credible witness--
James Allison
Page 32

Fayette County Ss the State of Pennsylvania} I John St. Clair, prothonotary of the Court of common pleas in and for said County do certify that the within named James Blaine Esquire before whom the within deposition was taken was at the time of so doing and still is an acting justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified in and for said county and that as such full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his Official acts

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
John StClair  prothonotary
Page 33

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name  Wright, Alexander
Grade  Private in the Artillery Artificers
Line  Pennsylvania

Warrant Number  N 10556 and 13922
Acreage  100
Issued June 27, 1796
to ---not shown---

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form if found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.