Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,623, for Lawrence Raynes, Virginia
Page 1

VA
Raynes , Lawrence or Raines
Mary
R. 8623
Page 2

Virginia 12.469
Lawrence Raynes
of Rockingham in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the Company command
by Captain L. Willis of the Regt command
Col. Barbour in the Virginia
line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
as the rate of 40 Dollars   per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of May
and sent H. J. Gambill

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833-               80
Semiannl. allowance ending 4th Sept.         20
$100-
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by William Miller Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 24

Letter to A C Bryan April 1833
Dead
---
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of the 6 April 1838
from 4 March 1837 to the 18
July 1837 the day of his death
Agent notified 26 Aug 1838
Page 3

State of Virginia
Rockingham County} ss
Be it Known that on this 4th day of July 1840 personally
appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid
James Meadows aged Seventy eight years and made oath in due form
of law, that he was well acquainted with Laurence Raynes and with
Mary Raynes, (whose maiden name was Mary Knight, and does know that they
were married in a very short period after the ending of the revolutionary war;
deponent cannot now name the day or year when they were married at
he is well acquainted with their children and believe their oldest son to be
fifty six or fifty seven years of age, deponent has been married himself fully
fifty five years and at the time of his own marriage, the oldest child of Laure
and Mary Raynes was about one year old, he further states that he was well
acquainted with Lawrence Raynes and Mary Raynes his wife from the period
of their marriage to the death of Lawrence Raynes, that he lived twenty odd or
thirty years near neighbors to them, he further sayeth not
James Meadows
Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year last above mentioned
before me. I certify that I am well acquainted with James Meadows
and he is entitled to full confidence
Jacob Miller J.P.
I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the said County of Rockingham
do hereby certify that Jacob M. as a Magistrate as above, and that the
foregoing signature per
is genuine
Testimony whereof, I have affixed the seal
said office and subscribed my name this
day of July 1840. H. Gambill Clerk of
Rockingham County
Page 4

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 11. 1839
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States, The widower of Lawrence Raynes deceased Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, VA. Agency, at
the rate of forty Dollars and ""- cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1837 to the 18th July 1837, the day of his death -
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Million S. Paris ┃
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 5

Att Sidney Dec 7th 1852

Hon. A H H Stuart

Dr Sir

I hand been applied to by the
heirs of Mrs Mary Raynes, widow of Lawrence Raynes
of Rockingham County to procure for their pension monies due to the aforesaid Lawrence Raynes and widow
not being well acquainted with the pension
laws and not being able to procure a copy of them here
I had presumed to apply to you for some information
in regard to the premises
I would like to know for
whether there is any such pension money deed said heirs of said Raynes, and if any near about the amount, and the proper mode of proceeding to obtain
said money. The Pensioner and his widow and
both dead and it has been suggested that
a power of attorney from one of the children
would be sufficient authority for the attorney
to draw the whole of it-- I have thought not and
would like to have your opinion on it. Will it be
necessary for me to come to Washington to procure the claim - Please give me all the information
necessary in this matter and you will confer
a very great favor on
Your Obt Servt
J. W. Myers
Page 6

State of Virginia}
Rockingham County Set

On this 30th day of May in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty three, personally
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County &
State aforesaid Doctor George W Kemper of the said County
to me well known, and Peter Fitch of the same County also well
known to me, who being duly sworn according to Law declare
that they were personally acquainted with Mary Raynes, who
was the acknowledged wife of Lawrence Raines a revolutionary
pensioner, & the identical person whose him we now claiming
arrearages of Pension from the Government of the United States
That the said Mary and Lawrence lived together as man & wife
for many years, that the said Lawrence always acknowledged
her as his lawfully married wife, and that their children
are now regarded as the legitimate heir of said Lawrence
the said Mary survived her said husband several years, was
member of the Methodist Church at the time & for many
years previous to her death, that she was always regarded
as a pious woman during her connection with the Church, &
that she was never married after the death of the said Lawrence
Reynes died about the year  1835 was, as well as despondent remembers
though they are not positive as to the date
Geo W. Kemper
Peter Fitch
Rockingham County S.
I certify that the said affidavit was
subscribed & sworn to before the subscribed
Page 7

disinterested
affiants are highly respectable and in witnesses
and I further certify that I personally knew for many
years both Lawrence Rains & Mary Rains, and I am
fully persuaded that the foregoing statement signed 
by Dr Kemper & Peter Fitch is true. Given under
my hand this 20 May 1853
S. H. Lewis

State of Virginia Rockingham County To wit
I Littleton M Gambill Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby
Certify that Samuel H Lewis Esquire before whom the foregoing Despont appears to
have been taken was at the time thereof and now is an acting Magistrate in and
for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that due forth
and  credits ought to all his official acts done as such as will without a within
Court
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed the seal of my said Court the
30 day of May 1853
Littleton W Gambell C Rol

State of Virginia Rockingham County
On this 31 day of May 1853 personally appeared before me a
Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid George W. Entzler of the sd
County to me and known, who being duly sworn according to law, says
that according to the best of knowledge & belief Mary Rains the
widow of Lawrence Raines died in the spring of the year 1843
book of that year
his recollection is strengthened by finding in his account [book of that year] an entry of an 
account by George Ragan of a debt due him by May Raynes, which sd
deponent says was shortly after the death of said Mary Raynes and I certify
that said deponent is a credible & disinterested witness. Given under my
hand this date above written
S H Lewis,
Page 8

now all men, by these presents, that I John F. Lewis of the
County of Rockingham County & State of Virginia, administrator of Mary Rayner decd do hereby constitute and
appoint Ch. H Lewis of Rockingham and H. C. Spalding
Washington City my true & lawful attornies, for me and
in my name to prosecute a certain claim of my said
decedent for arrears of Pension due her as the widow of Lawrence Rayner decd hereby empowering them to do, for me, all things

which may be necessary & proper to secure the allowance
of the said claim by the Government of the United States
Given under my hand & seal this 30th day of May 1853
John F. Lewis seal

State of Virginia
Rockingham County Set

This day Jno F Lewis personally
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the said
County and acknowledged the within Power of Attorney to be his act

& deed. Given under my hand this 20th day of May 1853
S. H. Lewis
Page 9

No. 153
Lawrence Raynes Rockingham
County Virginia

Admis as a private
12 months $4000

N. J. Gambill Clk of
Rockingham Cots Virginia
Page 10

No. 153
Lawrence Raynes Rockingham
County Virginia
Admis as a private
12 months $4000
N. J.
Gambill Clk of
Rockingham Cots Virginia
Page 11

Brief in the case of Lawrence Raynes County
of Rockingham in the State of Virginia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. 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. "yes"
3. How old is he? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Draft In 1778 | 3 months |  As a private |  Gen. Mullenburgh, Wasington, Cap Geo. Wash, Col Thos. Barour

Draft in 1778 | 3 months |  As a private | Cap. John Rush, Col Jno Shelley

Draft in 1781 | 3 months |  As a private | Cap. Geo. Huston, Marquis Lafayette

Draft in 1781 | 3 months |  As a private | Cap.  Richd. Ragan

Draft in 1781 | 3 months |  As a private | Cap.  Wm Smith

5. In what battles was he engaged? Hotwater, James Town, York.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Orange County Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? witness & traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Court

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richd Key Watts Examing Clerk
Page 12

State of Virginia
Rockingham County SS

Be it known on this day of August
1839 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace
in and for the County aforesaid Mary Raynes a resident of
the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia aged
Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act
Congress passed July 1838 entitled An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows That she is the widow of Lawrence Raynes who she believes served in the
Virginia Militia in the revolutionary  war, and who was a revolutionary
pensioner upon the Virginia agency for the proof
of his services in the revolutionary war, she refers to testimony
now on file in the pension office, proving his service as a forsaid
she further declares that she was married to the said Lawrence
Raynes in the month of September in the year of 1782 the
following September after the surrender of Genl. Cornwallis that
her husband the aforesaid Lawrence Raynes died on the 18th day
of July 1837; that she was not married to him prior to his
leaving of the service, but the marriage took place previous
to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four
at the time above stated, and she further declares that
her maiden name before her marriage was Mary Knight
her X Mary Raynes

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written
before me
S. H. Lewis J.P.

I certify that I am well acquainted with Mary Raynes and
that she is unable to appear in court in consequence of bodily immunity. I further certify that I do know that Mary Raynes is the widow of Lawrence Payne and that the said Lawrence Raines was a pensioner of the United States, and that he served [illegible] Capt. of [illegible] on the 18th or 19th the
Page 13

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the County of Rockingham
in the State of Virginia, do hereby Certify, that Samuel W. Lewis is a
Magistrate, as within Certified, and that the signature purporting to his are Genuine

In Testimony whereof, I have hereto
affixed the seal of my office, and
subscribed my name this 17th day of
August 1839
H. J. Gambill

Virginia to wit
At a Court held for the County of Rockingham the 19th day
of August 1839. The foregoing declaration of Mary Raynes made
under the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act granting
half pay and pensions to certain Widows passed July 7th 1838 bearing date the 16th of August 1839. Together with the certificate of Samuel H. Lewis a Magistrate in and for the County of Rockingham in the state of Virginia, was produced in Open Court, upon examined
of said Declaration and certificate, the Court doth order that
as certified to the war department at Washington City, that the
said declaration and certificate, and other proceeding are approved
Page 14

State of Virginia and County of Rockingham to wit:
On this 15th day of October 1832 personally appeared in
open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Rockingham
County now sitting Lawrence Raynes
a resident of the County of
Augusta and State of Virginia aged about 72 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
I Lawrence Raynes of Augusta County do
make the following declaration, I was born
Page 15

It was a very serve and laborious duty, as we were
for most of the time, almost constantly marching 
generally in the neighborhood of the enemy. In this tour
I was in two actions with the British, he first at
Hotwater, and the other at James Town. In the
first action our Brigade was commanded Colo John
Willis, and in the second the Marquis La Fayette
was our commander in chief.-- In this tour
Thomas Lewis was one of the officers in our company. I think one William Davis was Lieutenant,
Lewis often acted as such. Immediately after
I returned home after the above service, I volunteered again, and went back under Capt. Richard Ragan & served at the siege of York and was there at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. I do not remember
how long I was in service this tour though I went
for three months and staid until I was discharged
and in addition to the four regular tours. I served
one under Capt. Baxter of Rockingham, as a
member of company to guard a number of Hessian
Prisoners from Harrisonburg to Winchester and
in the summer after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis I served another tour of three months under Captain William Smith who commanded the
company as for as Tyrants Valley when becoming
likely he returned home & the company was commanded by Neil Cain. This expedition was to the
West Fork of the Monongahela against the Indians.
I served this tour in the place of my brother
Richard Raynes who was drafted, but being in bad
health & the captain refusing to admit that he
was unfit for duty, & be being unable to hire a
substitute I voluntarily
& without any compensation
from
him, took his place & served his tour. This is
to the best of my recollection a faithful statement
of my services, but being no scholar, not able to write
and only able to read a little in print, I cannot
remember dates I was drafted the time, to the
towns & to guard the Hessian prisoners volunteered
Page 16

ed once when Cornwallis was taken, and once took
the place of my brother who was drafted-- I think I
served between 15 & 18 months in all, though I can
not say positively how long it was. I do not remember
how long I was under Baxter and perhaps I may
have been discharged before my three months
expired after Cornwallis was taken, but I am certain
that in service five times for three months
each and that I served every time until the
company I belonged to was regularly discharged
of the Continental officers who acted with the
I served with. I remember Col Dark-- Col Willis
Genl. Muhlenberg, Marquis La Fayette & Genl. Washington
,-- I do not remember
that I ever saw any
written discharge-- I remember
several persons
now living that I served with, or Christopher Ammon, James Meadows, John Taylor, John Pence, Col Rush, & others who are now living
but I have not been able to see any of them except Mr. Thos. Lewis (whose testimony is hereto amended) as I am
too old & infirm (being scarcely able to walk from the very bad ruptine) to walk in order to get their
testimony, and too poor to procure any mode of
conveyance
I 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 any state-
Signed
his X
Lawrence Raynes
mark
I Thomas Lewis Senr. of Rockingham
County 
in Virginia as hereby certify that I distinctly
he that Lawrence Raynes did serve
militia duty as he states, under Captain John
the service was performed in the year 1778 I think
and also, a tour as he states under Captain George
Page 17

Huston, (in 1787-) These facts I do know as I served with him in both these tours.-- and I remember that Capt. Ragan did go into the service at the time Raynes speaks of.  I also remember of a company from
this county being ordered out to the Monongalia
& believe under the command of Capt. Smith
about the time Raynes Speaks of-- Given under
my hand this 5 Oct 1832
Thos. Lewis
Rockingham County SS
This day came Thos Lewis
before me a Justice of the peace for the county
aforesaid, and made oath that the foregoing
certificate by him signed is true to the best
of recollection & belief, and he further desire
me to certify that he cannot without income
attend at Harrisburg in adm. to visit the same
open Court Given under my hand this 5th
October 1832
S. H. Lewis
And the said Court do hereby declare their operation of
the matter, and all the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the 
aforesaid Lawrance Raynes (the applicant) was a revolutionary soldier, and served 
as he states, and the Court doth further certify that Thomas Lewis who has signed the annexed signed the annexed Certificate (and to which he makes oath) is a resident in the County of Rockingham, and is a credible person, and that statement is entitled to credit. 

I Henry Gambell Clerk of the
Court of the County of Rockingham so hereby certify that the foregoing ceintures the original 
proceedings of the Court, in the matter of the applicant of Lawrence Raynes of suspicion and I further certify that Samuel H. Lewis before whom the said Thomas Lewis were qualified to his certificate aforesaid is an acting Magistrate
in aforesaid county, duly commission and qualified and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to his official said  [illegible] as such as well without or within county.

In Testimony whereof I have here unto given my hand and seal of my
office this  28th day of
1832 year and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
H. J. Gambell Clerk of
Rockingham County, VA
Page 18

Rejected
8623
P.O. 
Mary Raynes
Service:
1
rejected & Suspended Pensions
Page 261, suspended under list of July 7 - 1838
Enlisted, of July 1838
Reason "proof of marriage
Discharged: wanting and desire
of widow's decease, and names
of living children."
Application filed:____18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
_____Recognized.____ Contract.
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for ____18
Page 19

Virginia

Mary Raynes
widow of Lawerance

See let to Thos Monroe, Oct.
25. 1839
11. April 1840 to same -
23 July 1840 to same -
24 Oct 1841 to same
rejected
see Lett: to J. N. Myers
12 May 1853
Act 7. July, 1838
1838.

papers of Mary Raines, widow of
Lawrence Raines, revolutionary, sus act 1838
H. C. S. Va sul
Page 20

Woodstock Va. August 29th 1839

Sir,
I have enclosed to you at the request
of Mrs. Mary Raynes her declaration and the accompanying testimony, she asks that you will please
examine her papers, and place her upon the pension
roll of the United States
am Sir Yours Very
respectfully
Tho. Monroe
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 21

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia as her certify that I have
the Records of my office, and can find no record of Marriage
between Lawrence Raines and Mary Knight, nor can I find on
file in my office any bond that should have been given by the said
Lawrence Raines when he obtained a sum for his marriage aforesaid
this examination and search was made for the in this County
was established, which was in the year 1778 up to the year 1787
Given under my hand this 7th day of September 1840
J. Gambill Clerk of
Rockingham County Virginia
Page 22

Washington 15th June 1833
Hon L P Waldo
Com of Pensions
Sir

I have the honor to resubmit
the enclosed power of Attorney from John F. 
Lewis of Rockingham County, State of Va.
administrator of Mary Raines decd the widow of Lawrence Raines or Raynes
Mrs Mary Raynes or Raines, was an applicant
under act of 7th July 1838 and he claim
is suspended. I beg your pardon sir, but in my colleague Mr. Charles H. Lewis, of VA. is now in the City &
can stay but a short time it will be and remediation of the papers could be got out by
tomorrow to enable unto examine them
before he must leave, if it will not to
much interest the regular course of biasness. 
Very respectfully
your obt Servt
H. C. Spalding
Ally
Page 23

State of Virginia
Rockingham County} ss

Be it Known, That on this 21st day of
August 1839 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid Mary Hammer aged Seventy
two years (to the best of her recollection and belief, and made oath
in due form of law, that she is well acquainted with Mary
Raynes, the widow of Lawrence Raynes decd and she was acquainted with her before her marriage with the said Lawrence Raynes,
and she does will recollect that the went with the said
Mary Raynes (whose maiden name was Mary Knight, to the
persons to get married, and was present when the said Lawrence
Raynes and Mary Raynes was married; and the said
Lawrence Raynes and the said Mary Raynes has been married at
least fifty years or upwards, her recollection will not permit
her to state the day or year they were married in, but he does
know they were married in one or two years after the revolutionary war
, and she further testifies that she has heard and believes that the
said Lawrence Raynes is now dead, leaving the said Mary Raynes
his widow. Given under his hand the day and year written above.

her
Mary Hammer 
Mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year last above
mentioned before me
Jacob Miller J. P.
I certify that I am well acquainted with Mary Hammer who
has sworn and subscribed the above deposition and she is entitled
to full confidence the word said intended before qualified to
Jacob Miller J.P
Page 24

State of Virginia
Rockingham County) to wit 

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of
the Court of the County do hereby
Certify that Jacob Miller before whom the within
affidavit was sworn to is one of the acting Magistrates
in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified
and that due faith and credit is and ought to be
Given to all his official acts done as such as will
without as within Court & that the foregoing signatures
signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
my said County this 25th day of August
1839 and in the 64th year of the Commonwealth
H. J. Gambill Clerk of the Court
of Rockingham County VA
Page 25

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Lawrence Haynes 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? Yes

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? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

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 distinguished
from any other seal? Yes
Page 26

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? Witness

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
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? Yes

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes

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? Yes
 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated 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? 7

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.
Page 27

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 person in 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 entertain. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objective able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under when witness the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called to me by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during when his service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 request in set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his 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, in the final character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, until a set of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers:
In every instance where the certificate of the morning 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 three 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court after qualifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 28

The deposition of Absalom Reach aged Eighty years testifies that he was well acquainted with Lawrence Raynes and Mary Raynes his wife, whose maiden name Knight, he does very well recollect that the said Raynes and Mary Raynes his wife was married in the latter part of
the summer of 1782 in the County of Rockingham in the State of Virginia, that he lived near to them at the time of the
marriage and has known them ever since to the death of the 
that they have always lived to said Lawrence Raynes, and that they have always lived together as man and wife and acknowledge each other as such he did not be the marriage ceremony performed but he has no hesitation in saying that he believes that they were married according to law Given under his hand this 26th day of November 1837
Abraham Roach
 His Mark
---
State of Virginia
Green  County} ss

Be it known that on this 26th day of November
the
for the County aforesaid Roach and made
oath in due form of law that the facts set forth in the description above and by him subscribed are true. I certify that I am well acquainted with Absalom Reach and he is entitled to full confidence, the day and year as above mentioned
James Simms
Page 29

State of Virginia
Green County } ss
Be it known that on this 26th day of November
personally appeared [illegible]
in and for the County aforesaid Roach and made
oath in due form of law that the facts set forth in the deposition above and by him subscribed are true certify that I am well acquainted with Absalom Roach and he is entitled to full confidence, the day and year
last above mentioned
James Simms J

State of Virginia
Greene County to Wit
I Robert Pritchett [illegible]  the Court of Green County
do hereby certify that James Simms Gentleman, is a
Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the
Seal of my Office and subscribed
my name, the 21st day of December 1839
in the 64th year of the Commonwealth
Ro Pritchett Clk
Green County
Page 30

State of Virginia
Green County to wit
Robert Pritchett clerk of the
country court of Green County do
hereby certify that James Simms
is a Magistrate as above
and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his is genuine. 
[illegible]
hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name the30 day of May 1840 in
the 64th year of the Commonwealth
Ro. Pritchett clk
Green County