Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18846, Robert Gray, Mass.
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3-1776 Service Mass. Gray, Robert 
Number S. 18846
Contents
carded
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10076 Massachusetts
Robert Gray
of Williamson in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain ~
of the Regt commanded
Col Brewer in the Mass
line for 11 months 00 days
Mili
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
the rate of 37 Dollars 78 Cents per annum to
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of March
1833 and Sent Hon
Bates Wenham Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $75.56
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 35 $18.89 =
$94.45
{Revolutionary Claim, }
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk
Book C Vol. 2 Page 28
Page 3

Robert Grey [Gray] was born July 14, 1757 Son to Jonathan Grey and Margret Grey The above is a true copy of Record of the town Book of Pelham ~ Pelham July 13, 1832
Attst Daniel Thompson { Town Clerk of Pelham
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No 2673 Robert Gray [illegible]
Page 5

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE TTH OF JUNE, 1832
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS,
COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE.} ss.
On this Eighth
day of Aug. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before
Samuel Hinkley Judge of the Court of Probate
Now sitting, Robert Gray, resident of Williamsburgh in the county of Hampshire, and  
State of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and
served as herein stated, he enlisted the last of August or the first of
September 1774 at Pelham he entered the service & marched from Pelham
Massachusetts to Hardwick Mass through Greenwich & then
returned to Pelham & there continued till the 20th of the
ensuing April ready to obey the call of his country and
occasionally drilling & holding himself ready & bound to
March at a minutes warning, Capt. Isaac Gray being
the Captain, 1st Lieutenant Thomas Willington, 2 Lieutenant
Wilson,
the 20th of said April he marched under the same
Captain
& 2d Lieutenant through Greenwich, Hardwick, Rutland
Holden Shrewsbury
Sudbury Waltham, & Watertown to Cambridge thence
 at Watertown to guard the stores about one month, then to
Cambridge & there stationed till the battle of Bunker hill then
stationed on Prospect Hill till dismissed in January 1776. He was in the 4th 
Regiment (as he thinks) commanded by Col. Jonathan Brewer, Buck
master was Lieut Col, & one Lidworth Major. Lee was Major General &
Green Brig General The said Gray was engaged in the battle of Bunker hill & in
some small skirmishes. He thinks the names of the Captains of some of the other companies in his regiment were Black, Stebbins, Harvey, Prescott & Blake. 
The second term of service he went as a volunteer from Deerfield Mass in Aug after the battle of 1777
[isertned-] The day after the battle of Bennington 
.
Through Shelburn in Charlemont over Hoosie [unsure] Mountain, through Bennington to
[spelled as Pegghticoke] on North River, thence back to [unsure Tafts] Mills, thence to Batten Kills, thence to Saratoga thence to Fort Miller thence to Fort Edward, thence on the East side of North
River opposite Saratoga, there dismissed in November having been out 3 months, under
Stebbins in Col. Wells Regiment, David Stebbins was Major, Abner Sheldon Adjutant
engaged in scouting parties most of the time, in a small engagement at Moses Creek but
in the battle of Stillwater. Said Gray was born 1757 July 14th at Pelham aforesaid, the record
which is on the Town records of Pelham
he has lived in Ashfield Mass since [unsure date 1790] & in 1825 moved to 
Williamsburgh aforesaid & has since lived there. He has never received a [illegible inserted word] discharge.
He has not lived in Williamsburg long & knows of no one there to testify to their belief of his services. 
In Pelham there are James Abercrombie & Alexander Conkey. & Elliot Gray who can testify - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that  his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State, [following sentence crossed out] or (if any,) only on that of the agency in the State of
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Samuel Hinkley judge of Probate Robert Gray residing in Williamsburg Mr. Cornelius Tileston residing in Williamsburg hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Gray 
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration;
that we believe him to be 75
years of age; that he reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur  that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Cornelius Tileston  Elias Root And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and
served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Cornelius Tileston,
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a respectable man & resident in Williamsburg
and that Elias Root who has also signed the same, is a resident in Williamsburgh
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Buckley Judge of Probate
Samuel F Lyman Register Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Gray for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Sam’l  F Lyman Register
sworn
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampshire] ss.
Personally appeared in open Court before Samuel Hinckley
Judge of Probate on the 4th day
of December 1832 Robert Gray above named who being duly
sworn deposeth & saith that his service [illegible]  named was
from April 20th 1775 & served till the [illegibe[ of January 1776
8 months & ten days -
Robert Gray
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[from previous page] hood 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.
has been a soldier of the revolution, and the one in that opinion.
Cornelius Tileston   Elias Root
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and
served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Cornelius Tileston 
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a respectable man x resident in Williamsburgh
and that Elias Root
who has also signed the same, is a resident in Williamsburgh
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Hinkley Judge of Probate
I, Samuel F. Lyman Register Clerk of the Court of Probate
do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Gray
for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth
day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two
Sam'l F  Lyman Register
---
Sworn
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampshire ss.}
Personally appeared in open
Court before Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate on the 4th day
of December 1832 Robert Gray above named who being duly
sworn deposeth & saith that his since just named was
on April 20th 1775 & served till the of January 1776
8 months & ten days
Robert Gray
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid Before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate

I, Henry Lord Clergyman residing in the town of Williamsburgh am well aquainited with Robert Gray who has subscribed and sword to the above declaration; that I believe him to be Seventy five 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. Henry Lord

Hampshire ss Dec 3d 1832 Then Personally appeared the
above named Henry Lord & made oath to the truth of
the foregoing certificate by him subscribed I further certify
that said Henry is a Clergyman of said Williamsburg
& a credible person
Joseph Bodman Justice of the Peace

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the
Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Henry Lord
certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Williamsburgh
who has also signed the same
and that they [corssed out] he cannot be
produced in open Court without too much
expense & inconvenience to the applicant
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
Register.

I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Gray
for a pension.
and that Joseph Bodman [illegible] aforesaid of one of the justices of the peace for said county duly qualified & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighteenth
day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two
Sam'l F. Lyman Register
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2673
Robert Gray
Williamsbough
Mass
His service as a a minute
man from Sept 1774 to
20 April 1775 not provided
for has not mentioned and
.[precision] the length of service from 20 April 1775 - 
no Clergyman Certified [illegible]
& no reason assigned why one
[illegible] cannot be obtained
Letter 30 Oct 1832
Private Adm 11. mo 10 days
Hon J C Bates
Northampton
Charles P Huntington
Northampton Mass [crossed out]
Mass

36.66
1.12=
3778
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Brief in the case of Robt Gray
of Williamsbourgh in the State of
Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 .Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy five years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[chart headings]   Period.  l Duration of Service l. Rank l Names  of general and Field Officers under whom he served.

not provided for (In 1774  /  7 mo 20 days  /  minute man / Capt. Isaac Gray /
20 Apl 75 July  76 / 8 mo. 10 days  l/  private l /Col. Jonathan Brewer /
77  /  3 mo.  l /Private  / Col. Wells / 
5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pelham Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionally evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses, but not stated s credible 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective witnesses  not stated as credible
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
D. D. Addison examining  Clerk.
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O. W. and N. Division,
C-525. [illegible]
 18846
Rev. War
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
Robert Gray,
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow ) [crossed out) - 
application for pension on file in this Bureau
[headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  /  
LENGTH OF
SERVICE. / RANK. / OFFFICER  UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. / STATE /
Pelham, Mass  Aug Sept 1724/ Captain Isaac Gray
Apl 7 1775 8 mo 10 days days/ Captain Isaac Gray / Colonel Jonathan Brewer / Mass
CAPTAIN.
[not?] from Deerfield Mass / - / - /
Aug 77  3 mo. / Captain Stebbins /  Colonel Wells / Mass 
---
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill & [illegible] Creek
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pelham and Deerfield, Mass [two illegible town names]H
Date of application for pension claim Aug 8, 1832, his claim wa
Residence at date of application, Williamsburg Hampshire Co - Mass
Age at date of application, Son of oh=nathan and Margaret Grey 
Born July 8th, 1757 at Pelham 
Remarks: Wife's name  not mentioned Sol was son of Jonathan & Margaret Grey there is no “firm” date
Date as to [illegible- fam?]
Very respectfully, [illegible name] Oh. 
X 20581b3m-05
Corrected Jan. 19, 1921 [illegible]
.
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I James Abercrombie of Ortham and Alexander
Conkey of Prescott in the County of Hampshire
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of [illegible] age
certify upon oath that Robert Gray of Williamsburg
in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid enlisted
as a minute men in the service of the United States
and entered said service the twentieth day of April
AD seventeen hundred and seventy five and served
eight months in said service from the ten
entering July 13th 1832
Alexander Conkey
James Abercrombie
[illegible name possibly Aaron Johnson of Ortham] July 13th 1832
This day personally appeared Alexander Conkey and
James Abercrombie and made Oath to the truth
of the foregoing afficiant
Before me Cyrus Kingman Justice Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE SS. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate
in and for said County, do hereby certify that Cyrus
Kingman Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition
taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County
, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with
his hand writing, and have no doubt that the signature annexed
to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court this tenth day of August
A. D. 1832 Saml F. Lyman
Register of Probate.
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Conkey & Abercrombie
for Gray
Hampshire Dec 7, 1832
I hereby further certify that the
within deponents who made oath to the truth
of the written affidavit are both men of truth
& veracity & that they made oath before me
Cyrus Kingman}
Justice of the
Peace
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Robt Gray 
Williamsburg Mass
No2673.

[name crossed out] Samuel F Lyman
Charles P Huntington Esq
Northampton Mass
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Robert Gray
which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III.
If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No his service from 20 April 1773
does not state precisely how many month he served.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes in his favor
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguish
from any other seal? it is affixed and has
an inscription whereby it can be distinguished.
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it? -- No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least
one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV.
If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has
the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No [sentence following has been crossed out]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an
age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? It does so appear
XVI. Are the papers authentic
as the regulations direct? Yes - 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? They are all answered
in the declaration satisfactory
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For - year - 
-- months, and - days
, I served as a - 
For -  months
and - - 
days, I served as a - and
for such service I claim a pension."
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3 It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
Page 17

APPLETON D. CLARK, JR., Architect,
605 F STREET N.W.,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Nov. 10 1902..
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
of
Dear Sir:-
---
Please inform
me of the records of the Revolutionary War
show the names of Aaron
Perry and Robert Gray
from
Massachusetts - and if so
what was their record, oblige
Very [illegible]
Appleton P. Clark Jr. 
[ink stamp]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
M Nov 10 1902
Page 18

18846
3 - 068.
old No. 3 -- 649.)

6 -- 20
Bureau of Pensions,
Robt Gray
Aug 1832 -75
Williamsburg Mass
Apl 20 75 Pelham Mass
Capt Isaac Gray 
Col. Brewer
Pvt- 8 m
Aug 77 Cpt Stebbins
Col Wells
Pvt- 3 mo
Born July 14, 1757 Pelham Mass
Bat Bunker Hill
Page 19

[written across address] already [authorized ?] Rev [illegible date of letters] 
 [ink stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A JUL 23 1920
830 E. University Ave.  Ann Arbor, Mich
July 21 1920
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C
Gentlemen:
Sometime ago I wrote a
letter asking that you send me
certified copies of Revolutionary [service- crossed out]
pension record of Robert Gray whose [illegible] ]inserted] (Pelham Mass.)
service file was 18,846. And 
also
of Samuel Guilford of Spencer and
Bookfield Mass served in the War in
of April 19
1775 also as Private till
1777- last officer was Capt R. Earl's Co
Col. De Keyes's regt. It is believe that the
latter drew a pension.
self addressed stamped envelope
was enclosed and a request that
if a fee is charged that you notify me
Page 20

that I  may forward the money  at once. I enclose  [underlined-] another  self-addressed stamped envelope in case the first was lost. An early reply will be appreciated
Yours respectfully, 
(Mrs. W. P.) Mildred Guiflord Staebler
Page 21

O. W. & M  C
Department of the Interior Washington D.C.

Dear Sir-
Will you kindly
furnish me with the
Pension record of one
Robert Gray who
served in the war of the
American Revolution
and who enlisted with
Mass. Soldiers from
Ashfield
Franklin Co.
as wifes name
Kesiah
Soster
Cordially yours
Clara H. Newcomer
Registrar
Wauseon Chapter
Wauseon Ohio 
May 14" 1906
Page 22


[two pages] [left hand side] File No.
P18846
INVALID.
Robert Gray
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: -- Vol. Page 443
Arrangement of 1870. 
[right hand page]
Nov. 28-1902
Appleton P. Clark Jr
City
1906 May 21 - History to
Clara H. Newcomer
1920, July 20 Hist to Mrs
W.P. Staebler. -En. Letter in ev
.14833 Sam'l Guilford
1921, Jan. 20 Hist. to Mrs. C. O.
Lampland Letter in 14833 Sam'l
Guilford - -En