Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,635, Morgan Cryer, S.C.
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(8-1776)


SERVICE                                                              NUMBER

S.C.                           Cryer, Morgan                 S  31.635



CONTENTS
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United States of America
Territory of Arkansas
County of Hempstead

Be it remembered that on the fifteenth
day of October A D 1832 personally
appeared in open court, before the
worshipful the Justices of the
County Court of the County of
Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas
now sitting and presiding Morgan
Cryer (?) of the county of Lafayette
and Territory of Arkansas, about seventy
six years old who being first duly 
sworn according to the law.
Doth on his oath make the following 
declaration in order to  obtain the 
benefit of the Act of Congress of 
June the 7th 1832 to wit.
That from the best information in
his possession he was born on or about
twenty Second day of February
one thousand Seven hundred and
fifty six in the State of South
Staff a where he resided until he
was about thirty years old he then
removed to the State of Georgia where
the resided upwards of twenty years
from thence he removed to West
Flordia where he resided about nine
years, from thence he removed to Appalona
State of Louisiana, where he stayed a few weeks from thence he
removed to the Territory of 
Mossouri now the Territory of Arkansas
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where he has resided about seventeen years , and being now his present place of residence. That from the effects of old age and a bad memory he finds it impossible to state all the particulars of his life  that occurred during the revolutionary war , but that he entered the service of the United States as a regular soldier about the year 1778  in the State of South Carolina and that he was attached and belonged to a company of infantry  commanded by Capt. Samuel Taylor who was commander and  by Col. Thomas Sumpter that they went out against the Cherokee Indians  up into the mountains where  they have a severe skirmish with the  Cherokee Indians, he recollects that there was  nine  Americans killed in this skirmish, that he received a severe wound with a gun that in his left ankle , that after he was wounded he obtained a furlough and was absent from his company  three or four months, he recollects of care under the surgeon several weeks  at a place called Ninety Six  when he recovered so that he could walk he  again joined his company  and continued in the service  until his time expired when he was discharged, that he returned home where he remained  a few months, he was then drafted and served two or three months against the British and Tories who were then in the State of Georgia, he recollects that one object of the Americans was to prevent  the  British from crossing  the Savannah river. He states that he does not recollect all the particular times
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and terms that he served, but he continued in the militia and served as a militia man until Lord Cornwallis was taken from the year of 1779 or  the year of 1780 , that he was some times permitted to return home and see his family, he once marched to  the town of Savannah where it was  expected the British  would be, where he remained a month or two . He also states that he frequently  marched against the British  and Tories, but was never in any serious engagement . That he served from  first to last during the revolutionary war at least three years.  The following interrogatories were propounded  by the Court to the said Morgan Cryer to wit . Where and in what year were you born ? Answer. I was born in the State of South Carolina on the 22nd day of   February 1756 . Have you any record of your age if so where is it ? Answer. I have a record of my age set down in a Bible, which I have now with me. 3rd. Where were you living  when called into the service, and where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live ? Answer. I was living in the State of
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South Carolina when called into service. I have before stated where I resided since the revolutionary war. I now reside in Lafayette County Arkansas Territory . 4th. How were you called into the service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute , and if a substitute for whom ? Answer. At first I enlisted and served twelve months, afterwards I was drafted, but I more frequently served as a volunteer ,that he never served as a substitute. 5th. State the names of the general officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Answer . I was acquainted with General Williamson, Col or General Sumpter he was acquainted with Captains Rushaboy , George Robinson , and others. 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service , if so  by whom  was it given, and what has become of it ? Answer. I did receive a discharge , but at the time forgot who gave them to me, they are now lost or mislaid. 8 . State the names of persons with whom you are acquainted in your present neighborhood  who can testify as to character for veracity  and
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good behavior  your services as a soldier inthe revolution. Answer. I am acquainted with  the  Reverend Lemuel Wakley of the County of Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas.  and also  Absolam Mading and  William McDonald who can testify as to my character for veracity.  This deponent  further states  that he never received a pension from the United States government or any State, he also states that he never applied for a pension  and that his name is not on any pension roll. And I  the said Morgan Cryer  Senr.  do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of and State.  and the said Morgan Cryer   Senr.  further states that he knows of no living person that he can prove is services by. That he has no papers that will prove his services.  Morgan Cryer ( signed )
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We Lemuel Wakley a clergyman  residing in the County of Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas and Absolam Mading and  William McDonald  also residing in the County  and Territory aforesaid hereby certify that  we are well acquainted with Morgan Cryer Senior  of the  County of Lafayette and Territory aforesaid who has subscribed  and sworn to the foregoing declaration  that we believe him  to be seventy six years old, That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides  to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn  to and subscribed in open Court  this 15th day of October  A.D.  1832. Lemuel Wakley ( signed ) Absolam Mading ( signed ) William Mc Donald ( signed ) [ Territory of Arkansas County of Hempstead] SS Unites States of America . Be it  remembered that at a County Court held before the  Honorable  the Justices of the County aforesaid at the  Court House in the town of Washington  in the County of Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas the fifteenth day of October  A.D. 1832  the following proceedings  were  had relative to the application of Morgan Cryer  for his pension,  which proceedings were  entered  of record, and  are in the words of  allowing  to wit. Morgan Cryer Senior a resident in the County of Lafayette and Territory of Arkansas
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this day personally came into  open Court  and being first duly sworn  made  and subscribed his declaration  in order to obtain the benefits  of the Act of Congress of the seventh  of June  A.D. 1832  " entitled  an act  supplementary  to the act for the relief of certain  surviving  officers and soldiers of the revolution . " Lemuel Wakley  a clergy man  of the County of Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas  and William Mc Donald  and Absolam Mading of the County and Territory aforesaid  this day came personally into open Court  , and being duly sworn  state on oath and declare that they are well acquainted with  Morgan Cryer  Senior of the County of Lafayette  and Territory of Arkansas , and that they  believe  him to be seventy six years old , that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have  been a soldier of the revolution , and that they concur in that opinion, and believe the declaration  made by him in this Court on this day  and time. And that the County Court  continued and held at the Court House  as aforesaid  until Wednesday  the 9th day of January  1833 , the following proceedings  wee had relative to the application of Morgan Cryer  for his pension which were entered on the records of said Court and are in the following words to  wit . Absolam Block and Preston Kitchen
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of the County of Hempstead and Territory of Arkansas this day came into open Court  and being duly sworn , state that they are well acquainted with  Morgan Cryer of the County of Lafayette and Territory of Arkansas and believe him to be at least seventy six years old, that he is reputed  and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution,  and that they concur in that opinion and believe the declaration made by him  in the Court on the the 15th day of October  1832 to be true.  United States of America [ Territory of Arkansas County of Hempstead ] I, Allen M. Oakley  clerk of the County Court  in and for the County and Territory aforesaid  do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of Morgan Cryer for a pension . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  as clerk and affixed the seal of said Court  at Washington  this 10th day of January 1833 , and the Independence of the United States  the 27th .  Allen M. Oakley  ( signed / sealed ) clerk  County Court [ Territory of Arkansas County of Hempstead ]  Set  United States of America  I , Willis Dillard  presiding Judge of the County Court  in and for the  County and  Territory aforesaid , do hereby certify that Allen M. Oakley  is and was at the date thereof clerk of the Hempstead County Court  and that  due faith and credit is and ought to be  given to all his official acts , and that said certificate is in due form of law.  Witness my hand and seal  this 12th day of January 1833.  Willis Dillard ( signed / sealed )
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November 10, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Morgan Cryer,         S.31635
Thomas Cryer,     W.C. 26762
BA-J/MLB

Lorsan Cryer,

Mr. William H. Cryer
819 West Franklin
Richmond, Virginia 

Dear Sir: 

Reference in made to your letter in which you request the Revolu-
tionary War records of soldiers of any state with surname Cryer, the
War of 1812 record of Thomas Cryer, of Louisiana, whose widow received a pension, and the Confederate Civil War records of soldiers with that
surname, one designated as Allen Cryer, of Texas.

This office has no record of soldiers who served in the Confederate 
Army.  It is suggested that information in regard to those soldiers might be obtained from the Capital of the State from which they served,
or from the Adjutant General, War Department, this city,
who is custodian of such Confederate military records as are on file in the
United States Government.

Only one Revolutionary War pension record has been found under the exact spelling of the surname Cryer; it is that of Morgan Cryer. His record and that of Thomas Cryer, War of 1812 soldier, are furniahed
you herein 

MORGAN CRYER
S.31635 

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in 
pension claim, S. 31635, based upon service in the Revolutionary War
of Morgan Cryer.
Morgan Cryer was born February 22, 1756, in the State of South
Carolina; the exact location of birth and names of his parents are
not given. 

While residing in South Carolina, he volunteered about the year 
1778 and served as private in Captain Samuel Taylor's company, Colonel
Thomas Sumter's South Carolina regiment went on an expedition against
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the Cherokee Indians in the mountains, was in several engagements with
in one of which he was wounded in the ankle by a gun which
disabled him for duty for three or four months being confined at 
Ninety Six, South Carolina, but after recovering, rejoined his company
and served until the expiration of his term of twelve months.  He
continued to serve at different times against the British and Tories 
until after the surrender of Cornwallis, amounting in all to at least
three years. 

The soldier resided in South Carolina until thirty years of age, 
then moved to Georgia where he lived "upwards of twenty years", thence to West Florida where he remained about nine years, then moved to Opelousas (?), Louisiana, where he lived a few weeks, and from there 
he moved to that part of the Territory of Missouri which was later
the Territory of Arkansas.

Morgan Cryer was allowed pension on his application executed
October 15, 1832, at which time he was residing in Lafayette County,
Territory of Arkansas, and was referred to as Morgan Cryer, Senior.

There are no family data shown in the claim.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of 
person paid and possibly the date of death of Morgan Cryer, you should
to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records 
Division, this city, and cite the following: - Morgan Cryer, Senior,
certificate No. 6313, issued February 27, 1833, rate, $80 per annum,
commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Arkansas Agency.

                               **************************************
THOMAS CRYER
W. C. 26762 

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in 
pension claim, W. C. 26762, based upon service in the War of 1812 of
Thomas Cryer.

The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Thomas
Cryer are not shown.

While residing In the State of Louisiana, Thomas Gryer enlisted
at Covington, or near New Orleans, Louisiana, and served from December
23, 1814, to February 1, 1815, as private in Captain Thomas Bickham's


                                                  -2-
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company of Louisiana militia.

In June, 1855, the soldier was residing in that part of Tyler
County which was later Hardin County, Texas. He died there August 10, 1855.

Thomas Cryer married February 10, 1825, in Saint Tammany Parish,
Louisiana, Ailcy (lso reforred to as Alcy) Franklin.  The date and
place of her birth and names of parents are not stated.  In 1873, she 
was a resident of Grimes County, Texas, with post office at Anderson
in that county.

Soldier's widow, Alcy Cryer, was allowed pension on her application 
executed May 28, 1879, at which time she was aged seventy-two
years and residing about four miles from Floresville, Wilson County,
Техаs.  She was still living there in 1887.

No names in the claim were designated as those of children. 

Thomas Cryer's brother, William Cryer, also, served in the War of 
1812 at the same time Thomas served, and one Honor Cryer, relationship
not stated, served from December 23, 1814, to February 21, 1815, as
private in Captain Thomas Bickham's company of Louisiana militia. 

In 1873, Ralph Cryer and J. B. Franklin, witnessed the signature 
by mark of soldier's widow, Ailcy Cryer, in Grimes County, Texas. Their relationship to the soldier and his wife, or to each other was not shown.

In 1879, soldier's widow, Ailcy Cryer, had a brother residing in
Floresville, Texas, but his name was not designated.  In the same year, one J. G. Sims and Allen Franklin both residents of Wilson County,
Texas,  witnessed the signature by mark of Ailcy Cryer, but no relation-
ship was shown to her or to each other.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

                                                     -3-
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[Left side of page]
1936, Nov 10 Hist to Wm. H. Cryer
MLB
[Right side of page]

31635

Revy INVALID.
______

File No. 31635
Morgan Cryer
Pri        Rev    War
______

Act: June 7th 32

Index: - Vol. 2.      , Page 87

[Arrangement of 1870]
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Morgan Cryer

2 years _

Relative to this
Application

Address:

Allen M. Oakley
Hempstead [illegible]
Arkansas Territory.
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I certify that I know this to be the (illegible)
had in court of the proceedings before
Judge
Estes
July 27th 1833
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Relative to this application
address

Allen M. Oakley
Hempstead Cty
Arkansas Territory
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819 W. Franklin
Richmond, Va.
October 27, 1936

[Stamped Received but date is not legible]

The Revolutionary and War of 1812 Pension Office,
Constitution Avenue,
Washington, D.C.

Attention; Miss Finch
Dear Madam
It is my understanding that my Great
Great Grandfather, Thomas Cryer (whose
wife was Miss Elsie Franklin) fought
in the Battle of New Orleana in 1814. His
home was in Mississippi of Louisiana
and his widow received a pension for
his services in this war,
For S. A. R. purposes, I would greatly
appreciate any information which you
can give me concerning his service, and
any genealogical data which might be
with the case.
Very sincerely yours,
William H. Cryer
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819 W. Franklin
Richmond, Virginia
October 3, 1936

[Stamped: Received 3:15 pm Oct 5 1926
Mail Sub-Div
Vets Adm Reader #23]

The Chief Clerk
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir
I am writing you for information
on any records you have of pensions
of Cryer men. I know there is a
record of a pension for service in
the war of 1812 for Thomas Cryer of
Mississippi, or Louisiana, for his
wife received his pension after his
death, until she died. I am interested
in Revolutionary Pensions or
Records of service of any men of
the Cryer name, of any State you
have record of. There should also
be a record of civil war, Confederate
service for Allen Cryer, and three
others from Texas, who were killed
in 1863 in the Battle of Chickamauga.
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I shall appreciate very much any
information on this name, you can
give, and how I can secure records
or copies of pension, or war service
of Cryer men. I am a bit vague about
the pension records kept in Washington
, but I shall certainly be 
glad to hear from you regarding
this subject.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Very Sincerely yours,
William H. Cryer ( signed )