Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,347, for William Ray, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Ray, William
NUMBER
S.7347
Born in Pa-
CONTENTS
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23,536
North Carolina
William Ray Sr
[County of] Orange in the State of N. Car who was a Capt. in the ____ commanded by Captain ___ of the Rgt [Regiment] commanded by Col Moore in the N. C. line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 180 Dollars -Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Feb:34 and Sent P H Mangum Hillsboro N. C.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 390-
Semi-anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Mar '34 90-
480-

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N Rice. Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 1/2 Page 71
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26.496
William Ray Senior
North Carolina
Refer to commissioner
Suspended -December
Letter 31st October 1833
P H Mangum 
Hillsboro
North Carolina
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1833.
State of North Carolina Orange County} Ss.
On this the 29th day of June A D 1833.
Personally appeared before me William H. Hall one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid. William Ray senior resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 90 years on the 11th day of June 1833 who after having first been 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 the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the year 1776 declarant was duly appointed Captain of a Company of Militia in the County of Orange and state aforesaid which company consisted of drafted men for three months; and he marched his said Company from the Town of Hillsboro North Carolina to Fayetteville North Carolina Then called Cross Creek. Declarants company was attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel Moore. General Caswell was the commanding General.- Declarant served out the term
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of three months as Captain for which his said Company was drafted. He did not receive a written commission as Captain.-
The declarant was a Militia Captain in the County of Orange aforesaid, during the whole of the revolutionary war, and was generally engaged in pursuance of instructions given by superior Officers in drafting men and delivering them at the Town of Hillsboro North Carolina  - In addition to the tour of three months for which he served in the capacity of Captain as aforesaid, he performed two other tours of three months each commanding militia companies as Captain, and was on each occasion duly appointed to the Captaincy, but did not receive in this case a written commission- One of the said Tours he performed in the year 1781, which commenced as soon as the Capture of Hillsboro North Carolina by the Tories took place. The declarant marched his Company from Hillsboro to Lindley's Mills in Orange County.  the day after the battle with the Tories at that place, he was in pursuit of the Tories. In this tour General Butler and Colonel Mebane were his Superior officers.- In the same year of 1781 before the capture of Hillsboro as aforesaid, the
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declarant as Captian as aforesaid, marched a Company of drafted Militia from Hillsboro on a tour of three months duty, to the Yadkin River in North Carolina and then joined General Butler's Brigade. This it is believed was when Lord Cornwallis was pursuing General Green's Army from South Carolina into North Carolina. 
The declarant performed a great deal of other military duty during the revolutionary war- but on account of his advanced age and want of memory, he cannot pretend to specify the details of his service. He re-members the three tours of three months each above set forth, but he cannot remember the circumstances and details of them farther than he has stated. He is very de-ficient in memory and is not enabled to give a more precise account than the above of his service- The general result of his having performed three tours of duty as a Catain of the Militia and having served under the officers aforsad and of his having been engaged in that duty and the additional etc. of drafting and delivering soldiers as above set forth. is distinctly impressed in his memory but most of the accompanying circumstances have passed entirely from his recollection. He was born on the Susquehanna in the state of Pennsylvania on the 11th June 1743. He hath no written account or record of his age. He was removed to the County of Orange in the State of North Carolina, when he was about eighteen
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months old: and he hath resided in said County and State ever since. He knew Captain William Lytle, Major Tatum and Colonel Archibald Lyth who were continental or regular officers. 
The declarant always volunteered his service. He knows of no person by whom he can prove his service except William Cummins of Hillsboro. He hath no documentation of his service.He hereby relinquishes every claim 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. He is known to John Hanks a Clergyman, Rankin McKee and Alexander Hall residents of his County. 
William Ray Senior X his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me. 
William. H. Hall Justice of the peace

We John Hanks, a Clergyman, Rankin McKee and Alexander Hall, residents of the County of Orange and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Ray senior who hath subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Captain in the Militia in the War of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion; that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Wiilim H. Hall Justice of the Peace
John Hanks
Rankin McKee
A Hall
I William H Hall, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Orange aforesaid do hereby certify my opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed
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by the War Department, that the above named applicant, who hath subscribed + sworn to the above declaration before me, was a revolutionary soldier + served as he states; that he is a credible person. and that John Hanks, who hath subscribed + sworn to the above certificate before me is a clergyman, resident in Orange aforesd + is a credible person- and that Rankin McKee and Alexander Hall who have likewise subscribed + sworn to the above certificate before me, are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that the above named declarant is unable from bodily infirmity to attend Court to make his declaration. Witness my hand this 29th day of June. A.D. 1833
Wm H Hall JP
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Rev. War Section.
October 3, 1919.
Mrs. J. T. Robertson,
Monroe,
Georgia.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the sixteenth ultimo, you are advised that in the papers in the claim of William Ray Sr. S. File No. 7,347 Rev. War, it is state that he was born June 11, 1743, on the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, and that when eighteen months old he was removed to Orange County, North Car-olina where he continued to reside.
He was a Captain of Orange County Militia during the whole of the Revolution, generally engaged in drafting men and delivering them at Hillsboro, North Carolina, and he also served several specific tours, as follows.
Appointed in 1776, Captain in the regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Moore, marched from Hillsboro to Cross Creek, and served three months.
From about some time in May, 1780, as Captain, he served three months, and was in the battle of Camden.
Before the capture of Hillsboro, in 1761, as Captain, marched to the Yadkin, and joined General Butler's brigade; three months.
After the capture of Hillsboro, in 1781, as Captain, under Colonel Mebane, he marched to Lindley's Mill, the day after the battle; served three months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 29, 1833, at which time he was still a resident of Orange County, North Carolina.
The date of the soldier's death is not shown, and there is no family data whatever on file.
Very respectfully,
E. C. [illegible]
Acting Commissioner.
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William Ray Sr. (N.C.) S. 7,347
(Captain N.C. Militia)
An order to him dated at Hillsboro June 5, 1780 signed by Thos. Taylor

Copied from slip of C. H. Jones June 29, 1904.
Retrieved by V. L. M. 

An order to him, to impress fire arms, dated Aug. 8, 1776 signed by Wm. Johnson & Thos. Burke  

An order for him to seize property etc. dated Dec. 27, 1780 signed by James Mebane.

The above orders (3) were for-warded to the War Dept. under Acts {July 27, 1892, Aug. 18, 1894, on Nov. 8, 1905 and receipted for on Nov. 13, 1905. 
Copied by J.S.C. Oct. 4, 1919.
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1919 Oct. 3. History to Mrs. J.T. Robertson letter in S.3695 John Wise, N.C. c.
Rev War 7347
INVALID.
File No.7347
William Ray
Capt. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. [illegible], Page 309
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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To Capt. William Rea
S. pile 7347
William Ray Sr.
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[illegible] [illegible] Thursday [illegible]
Muster but [illegible] that join me and of their [illegible] turn out ten and come prepared with all necessary [illegible] ready to march on Friday 
the non-volunteers you are to draught. that
also further you are to send Two men
the Troops stationed at cross corner 
then Two men to meet me in [illegible]
of the most you can and [illegible]
of the [illegible].
I have the [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible]
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S. pile 7347
William Ray Sr.
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Captain Rea 
1 pot and 1 pan
1 pair shoes
2 shirts 
1 hunting shirt
1 waste [waist] coat
1 pair Breeches and trousers
1 hatt
1 blankett 
5 yards Linen cloth
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William Ray Sr.
S pile 7347
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By Stephen Moore commanding the second Regimt. of North Carolina Militia whereof Ambrose Ramsey Esquire is Colonel-The bearer Captain William Wray has leave of absence from the Regiment that he may assist in apprehending Delinquents in the County of Orange; or wherever else he may have information of their concealing themselves from their Duty
Stephen Moore Lieutenant. Colonel
C.
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William Ray Sr.
S.P. 7347
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Captain William Ray has leave of absence for ten days then to join his company
September 24th 1780 John Butler
B.
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Revolutionary Section
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: Please send me at your earliest convenience, the records of Revolutionary pensioner, "John Wise, of Wayne County North Carolina in 1823" and, of, "Captain William 7347 Ray, sr of Orange County North Carolina in 1833", and greatly oblige
Yours Very Truly,
Mrs J.T. Robertson
Monroe, Georgia
September 16, 1919.

[stamp]
Pension
D
SEPTEMBER 
U 19 S. 
1919
OFFICE.
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On this the 30th day of November 1833
[illegible] [illegible] appeared before me Thomas Clancy Esquire a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Stephen Moore merchant of the town of Hillsborough and after [illegible] being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is the grandson of Stephen Moore late of Mount Terza North Carolina who was an officer of different grades in the war of the revolution and fought for American independence; that he had become well acquainted with the handwriting of his said
grandfather by frequently inspecting and examination [illegible] and that from his knowledge of the handwriting of his said grandfather thus acquired he has no doubt but
the paper writing marked C accompanying 
the affidavit of
Captain William Ray to which
This is appended-with paper writing purports to be a permit to the said Ray by [illegible]
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Stephen Moore Lieutenant Colonel-is in the proper handwriting of his said Grand Father and every part of it -
Stephen Moore
Sworn to and subscribed this [illegible] day of November 1833 before me 
LP
Thomas Clancy one of the justices of the peace for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that Stephen Moore who hath subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me, is a person of credible character and that his affidavit above is entitled to full credit 
Thomas Clancy Justice of the Peace
North Carolina Orange County Ss
I, John Taylor Clerk of the county court of said county, do hereby certify that Thomas Clancy who hath witnessed the above affidavit, and signed the preceding
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Certificate that was and a duly qualified Justice of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid. In testimony whereof, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the 30th day of November AD 1833 
Thomas Clancy
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North Carolina 
Orange County 
On this the 25th day of November 1833 personally appeared before me William Horner one of the justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid William Ray sent resident of the said county, and an applicant for pension to the Government of the United States, in consideration of military service under by him to the United States in the war of the Revolution, and after having first has sworn according to Law doth on his oath, say, that he is conscious that the infirmity of his memory is  great, as he hath before stated in his declaration made for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, which declaration , he is informed is now in the Pension office at Washington City that  he hath a recollection of important or striking events, of the service he rendered in the Revolutionary War but he recollection of minor or unimpressive details of his said service, is vague and and confused: that when he made his declaration, he did not remember that he had received a commission of a Captain in the Revolution, and
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Therefore he stated the fact of his not received one, as he now thinks- which fact this affiant supposes was incorrectly stated for two reasons viz: first, This affiant believes, that he stated in his said declaration, that he also has  documentary evidence of his service, except the affidavit of one or more persons which accompanied by said declaration, and he knows that the allegation was made in fact good faith, and yet he a now certain that it was not correct for since that time, he hath found a file of old papers of the time which he had no knowledge at the time he that said declaration, which this affiant considers proof, above suspicion of his service in the War of the Revolution, to which he now begs leave to present to the inspection of the pension office, his papers marked A and G hereunto affixed this affiant having in this particular committed an obvious error in a matter of evidence of no light impor. he thinks it equally probable that he might in like good faith, have given an incorrect statement in regard to his commission of Captaincy. Secondly, this affiant now thinks, but he recollection of the fact is indistinct and confused, that in the Revolutionary War he did receive from  or through the hand of the Colonel of his regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Moore a printed paper conferring on him some authority which he now supposes
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And indeed from what he hath understood he doubts not, was a commission of a captaincy, to this affiant -and that it was by virtue of that commission, that he performed the service of a captain, in the war of the Revolution, as he hath stated in his aforesaid declaration but this affiant wishes it to be distinctly understood, that he does not and cannot conscientiously swear positively, that he did receive a commission of a captain but only that he does not doubt the fact and believes to be true to the reasons above stated, in that he recognized as such performed the duties enjoyed the privileges of that grade.
William Ray X his mark
Before me this the 25th day November 1833 William Horner
North Carolina Orange County Ss.
William Horner one of the justices of the peace in for the county aforesaid hereby certify that William Ray of Little Run in the County and State aforesaid who hath sworn to and subscribed the above affidavit before me, is so infirm in body as not to be able to travel to Court for the purpose of furnishing proofs in support of his declaration made to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, with a reasonable and that the said William Ray an imbecile in memory from his advanced age, and that his character that of an honest man and a credible person and that any statement made by the said affiant is entitled to as much credit as that of any man [illegible] and subject to like frailties and
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Infirmities of old age. Witness my hand the day and year above written 
William Horner 
North Carolina Orange County Ss.
I, John Taylor Clerk of the court of pleas and quarter [illegible] of the said County, do hereby certify that William Horner, who hath witnessed the above affidavit and signed the preceding certificate was at that time a duly qualified Justice of the Peace in for the county aforesaid–in testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand and affixed the seal of my office this the 30th day of November 1833
J. Taylor 
Clerk
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Admit as captain
9 months $180

PH Mangum
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Hillsboro NC Nov 10th 1835
Sir
I send you herewith an additional statement of Captain William Ray and such additional
proof as I hope will conclude all rational doubts
of the part of Government of the justice of
Captain Ray's claim to a Pension
The proof will shew the feeble state of
the applicants memory- which satisfactorily  accounts for the obvious error in his original 
declaration touching his commission.
probably that error is in some
degree imputable to me, for had I penned his 
account of that matter without particulary
calling the old mans attention to the fact,
so as to consign to reflect or refresh his memory-
But I submit whether the progress for an 
enlarged and liberal view of the whole
case as it is made out-- do not include
all ideas of fraud or of an attempt at
imposition on the part of the applicant
and whether they do not show to a
reasonable certainty, the justice the
claim proferred.-- You will, please
direct to me 
Yours respectfully
PH Mangum
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North Carolina
Orange County ⎬
William Cumming, of the County and
State aforesaid, on this the 10th day of
August 1833 personally appeared
before me one of the Justices of the
Peace in & for the County aforesaid, and
after first been duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath state that he
is now a pensioner of the United States
for military service performed by
him in the war the revolution; that he
well knew during the war of the revolution
William Ray snr a resident of the County
State aforesd who hath sworn to & subscribe
the declaration, to which this is appended.
made for the purpose of obtaining the
benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832; that this affiant remem
bers well that the said William Ray was
actively engaged during the revolutionary war
, as a Captain of the militia in Orange
aforesd in drafting men for the service
& delivering them at Hillsboro N.C. to other
Officers that he remembers to have
heard of the said William Ray having
performed three month tour as a Captain
in said war; and he knows of the said
William Ray having been in a tour of duty
in the war of the revolution, as a Captain of ┃
militia, which the said Ray hath not
inserted in his said declaration [illegible] in
the summer of 1780, the said Ray was in
the battle of Gates defeat with this
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affiant, who was under the command
Captain Thomas Farmer, that he understood
& believes that the said Captain Ray was
engaged at that time in a tour of three
months service. whether he served out the
tour he does not absolutely know, but he
believes he did-- for he remember that the
said Captain Ray & himself entered
on said tour of duty on the first or
second week of May, preceding the said
Battle of Gates defeat
Sworn to & subscribed
Wm Cumming
Thos Clancy J.P.
I Thomas Clancy a Justice of the peace in the
the County aforesd do hereby certify, that
William Cumming, who hath subscribed
& sworn to the above affidavit before me
is a credible person & that his state
ment is entitled to credit
Thos Clancy J.P.
State of North Carolina
John Taylor Clerk of ORange County Court of pleas & quarter Sessions to certify that Thomas Clancy
who signed the foregoing certificate was at that
time a duly qualified Justice of the Peace
Witness my hand & seal of office
10th August 1833.
J. Taylor CC
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North Carolina
Orange Court

Be it known That I John Taylor,
Clerk of the County Court of Pleas & Quarters
for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify
and declare, that I have become well ac
quainted with the character of the hand
writing of the late John Butler of Orange
aforesaid who was a General of the Militia
of North Carolina in the war of the Revo
lution, that I have become acquainted with
the hand writing of the said Butler by
frequently inspecting the Book kept by
him, as Entry Taker of the lands of Orange
County aforesd during the years 1778-1779
and part of the year 1780, which Books
and in my custody as clerk as aforesaid,
and have been for about twenty five
years; and that from my knowledge
of the hand writing of the said General
Butler, thus acquired, I do believe, and
entertain no doubt of the fact, that the
paper marked B. accompanying the 
amended Declaration of Capt. William
Ray, of Little River in Orange aforsd to 
which the affidavit is affixed and
dated "Sept 24th 1780" and signed "John Butler" is, and every part through, in the
proper handwriting of General John
Butler aforesaid. and I further
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State, that I was born in the Town of Hillsboro
N.C. in time of the war of the Revolution and
have resided in and now said Town ever since;
that I have personally known the declarant
Capt William Ray who is now a claimant
of a pension from the United States, for
services as a Captain of Militia in the
war of the revolution rendered by him ever
since my boyhood; and that I have
always understood from my earliest
recollection, that the said Capt William
day was a captain of Militia in the revolu
tionary war, and was distinguished as an
active efficient whig, and a bold and
daring officer; and I further declare
that the said Captain William Ray hath
always maintained the character of an
honest and credible man, in the community
in which he resides and is known
J. Taylor
Sworn to & subscribed by
the 30th day of November
A.D. 1833, before me
Tho. W Holden

I, Thomas W. Holden, a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid, hereby certify that John Taylor
who hath sworn to & subscribed the preceding af
fidavit before me, is a credible person, and
that his statement entitled to credit
Tho W. Holden JP
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North Carolina
Orange County

I, John Taylor, Clerk of the
County Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions
for the County aforesd certify that Thomas
W. Holden who witnessed the above affi
davit and made the presiding certifi
cate was at the time a duly qualified
Justice of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal of Office this
the 30th day of November 1833
J. Taylor CC