Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,731, for Griffith John Mc Rey, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

McRey, Griffith John
or McRee
or McCrea
or McKree
or McRie
McRea. Ann

NUMBER
W. 4,731
{B.L.Wt. 1529-400-Major
{Issued Feb. 21, 1791 to
{Abishai Thomas, assignee
{name spelled McRea.
No papers.
Page 2

1.62.9
North Carolina
Ann McRey
widow of Griffith G. McRey dec'd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of [line crossed out]
and who died on the 3d. October 1801
of Hanover co. in the State of N.C.
who was a Major in the _____ commanded
by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded
by _____ in the No. Ca.
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of No. Ca.
at the rate of 600 Dollar __ Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Jany. 1839 and sent Hon R. Strange Senate N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838             $1.500.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '39  300.00
$1.800.00

{Act July 7, }
{ 1838. )

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book A   Vol. 2d.    Page 188

Let to Page Jan 26, 1839
Letter to J. F. McRey 20, May, 1843.
    "      "     L B Hardin Sept 26, 1844
Let. to Hon. Wm. L. Ashe
Jany 26: 1850.
Let to Wct. [illegible]
Oct 4, 1850
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838
entitled ""An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows".

State of North Carolina }
County of New Hanover }

On this 5th day of December 1838 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the county above written Mrs Ann McRee a resident of the Town of Wilmington in the county of New Hanover aged ___  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 of Congress passed July 7th 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"- That she is the widow of Griffith John McRee who was a Major
of the North Carolina Line in the War of the Revolution who entered the service at the period specified by the commission accompanying this declaration and
continued to serve to the close of the War.

She further declairs [declares] that she was married to the said Majr. Griffith John McRee on the 21st: of July 1785; that her husband, the aforesaid Majr. Griffith J. McRee died on the 3 day of October 1801:; That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninty [ninety] four viz at the time above stated -

Sworn to and subscribed The
day and year above written
before me
Wm. B. Meares J.P.
Ann McRey

JESUS CHRIST.
Page 4

State of North Carolina }
County of New Hanover }
This day personally appeared before me
one of the Justices of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions Mrs Ann McRee of the Town
of Wilmington and subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration in due form of Law. I also certify that Mrs McRee is a very old lady and from her advanced age and necessarily infeebled [enfeebled] state of strength, her
attendence [attendance] at a court would be highly improper if not indanger [endanger] her health.
Given under my hand & seal this 5th day of Decr. 1838
also certify that Mrs Ann
Wm. B. Meares J. P.    Seal [encircled in cloud shape]


I also certify that Mrs Ann McRee has this day produced to me her family Bible from which I have cut the annexed record of the birth, marriage, and death of the late Mr Griffith John McRee and the age of his wife, and I have affixed the same to this certificate by three seals. To the Truth, of the enteries [entries] contained in the annexed record and of their being in the proper hand writing of Majr. Griffith J. McRee the said Mrs Ann McRee has deposed in due form of Law.
Given under my hand & seal this 6th day of Decr. 1838.
Wm B. Meares J.P.     Seal [encircled in cloud shape]

Griffith John McRee was Born the 1st day
of Feby. 1758 - & died 3d of Oct: 1801. aged 48. 8.
Ann Fergus was born the 9th day
of March 1765 - They were married
on the 21 July 1785 -
t
Page 5

State of North Carolina }
New Hanover County }
Be it known that on the
5th day of August 1850 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said county Doctor James F McRee the only living heir at Law of Mrs Ann McRee Decd. & widow of the late Major Griffith J McRee a resident of the county of New Hanover
and State aforesaid who after being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following "Declaration" in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the seventh of July 1838, and the Court resolution of
the 23d of January 1845. That the declarant the
aforesaid Doctor James F McRee in behalf of himself the only heir now surviving of the said Ann McRee and that she was the widow of Major Griffith McRee a Revolutionary
officer of New Hanover County North Carolina. That she applied for and received a Pension under the Act of the 7th of July 1838 at the rate of Six hundred dollars per annum
and by the act of the 30th of April 1844 she was prohibited from drawing a pension for the same time which her husband was a pensioner (or ought to have been) - that her declaration
was under the Act of the 7th of July 1838, was made and filed in the Pension Office before the 30th of April 1844 -  that she drew a pension from the 4th September 1839 to
the 4th day of March 1841. And that this declaration is made for the purpose of drawing the pension under the joint resolution above mentioned viz. from the 4th day of March 1836 it being the time her said pension commenced. This declarant further states on his oath
that the said Ann McRee died at her late residence in the county of New Hanover & state of North Carolina on the Eigth [eighth] day of August 1842 leaving surviving
Doctor James F McRee who is now the only living heir
Page 6

and child surviving and of lawful age
Sworn & subscribed the day & year
above written before me }
M C Bettencourt J Peace }
James F. McRee   Seal [encircled in cloud shape]

Witness
H. Rickson
State of North Carolina }
New Hanover County }
Be it known that on the
5th day of August 1850 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Doctor James F McRee above named and acknowledged the
foregoing Declaration to be his act and deed. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last abovementioned
M. C Bettencourt J Peace [encircled in cloud shape]

State of North Carolina }
New Hanover County }
I L. H. Marstetter Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in & for the county of New Hanover holden at Wilmington do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the said Court that Mrs Ann McRee was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of six hundred dollars per annum was a resident of the county of New Hanover in the State of North Carolina and died on the 8th day of August in the state of North Carolina in the year 1842, and that doctor James F McRee is her only surviving child now living and that he is a Physician of eminence and has been for many years a successful practitioner of
Medicine in the Town of Wilmington and is a gentleman of high respectability and character and that full
Page 7

faith & credit should be given to all his acts & declarations. I further certify that W.C. Bettencourt is a magistrate for the County of New Hanover and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this
the fifth day of August 1850
L. H. Marsteller clerk
for J. E. Pierce dep. clk

State of North Carolina }
New Hanover County }
Know all men by these presents
that I James McRee of New Hanover County North Carolina, do hereby constitute and appoint Walter A Huske my true and lawful
Attorney for me and in my name to ask and received from the proper accounting officer of the United States, at Washington City the arrears of pension due me as the heir of Mrs Ann McRee Decd., under the act of 7" of July 1838 and joint resolution of the 23d of January 1845.
Witness my hand & Seal this the 5th day of
August 1850
Sealed & delivered in the presence of
J Peace [encircled in cloud shape]
W.C. Bettencourt J. P   Seal [encircled in cloud shape]
James F McRee    Seal [encircled in cloud shape]
Page 8

August 10, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/EEL
Griffith John McRey-W-4731

Mrs. Hattie C. Jenson
5169 Ellenwood Drive
Eagle Rock, California

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Griffith John McRee, who served as major and colonel in the North Carolina Line, War of the Revolution.

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 4731, based upon the military
service in that war of Griffith John McRey (the name appears, also, as McRee, McCrea, McKrie, McRie and McRea).

Griffith John McRey was born February 1, 1758. The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

Griffith John McRey entered the service in the Revolutionary War and was commissioned April 16, 1776, captain in the 6" North Carolina
Regiment, March 10, 1779, was commissioned captain in the 1" North Carolina Regiment, to rank as such from April 16, 1776: he served as major of the brigade to General Hogun from April 11, 1779 to August 1, and then did duty as such in the 1" Brigade, North Carolina
Line, to January 12, 1780: was commissioned major, North Carolina Line, February 23, 1784, to rank from September 11, 1781.
He served until the end of the war and was taken prisoner during his service, place where captured and length of time held in captivity, not shown.

He died October 3, 1801 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The soldier married July 21, 1785, place not shown, Ann Fergus, who was born March 9, 1765. The place of her birth and names of
her parents are not shown. In 1788, they were living in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Soldier's widow, Ann, was allowed pension on her application executed December 5, 1838, while residing in Wilmington, North Carolina. She signed Ann McRey.
Page 9

Ann McRay died August 8, 1842, at her residence in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

In 1843, Mr. James F. McRee (as he signed) was the only surviving child of the soldier and his wife, Ann. Dr. McRee then resided in Wilmington, North Carolina, and was a practicing physician.
No names of any other children are shown.

The above is the history of the only soldier named Griffith John McRey (under any spelling of the surname) that is found on the Revolutionary War record of this office.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 10

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 4731
Ann McKey [McRey]
Wid.
Griffith J. McKey [McRey]
Griffith J. McRey
Major N. C. line

Act: July 7" of 38
Index:--Vol. M, Page 19
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

1936 - Aug 10 - Hist to Mrs
Hattie C. Jensen. EL
Page 11

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN
Congress ASSEMBLED

To Griffith McCrea [? Esquire]
Greeting,
By Order of Congress
We Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, [illegible] Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you, to be a Major in the North Carolina line
---
Tho. [illegible]
in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such - from the Eleventh day of Septemr. 1781. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Major -- by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your order as
Major --
And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress for 
purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War in pursuance
of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until [ ? revoked] by this, or a future Congress the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
[illegible] McKey
Witness His Excellency Thomas [illegible] Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America Annapolis - the twenty third day of February - A.D.17[?] and in the Eighth
Year of our Independence.
By Order of Congress
[illegible signature]
Secretary in [illegible] War Office.
Page 12

IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New -York, New -Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, TO Griffith Jno. McKree [McRey] 
Gentleman Greeting -
WE,reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a Company
in the Sixth North Carolina Battalion.
n the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every [h]ostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Captain by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Captain
And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress,
for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
Dated at Halifax the 16th Day of April Anno Dom 1776 ~
By Order of the Congress,
John Hancock PRESIDENT
Cha. Thomson[illegible]
Page 13

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To Griffith John [? McRie] [illegible]

Greeting.

[Seal]

We Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, [illegible], Conduct and Fidelity, DO by their presents constitute and approved you to be a Captain in the first North Carolina Regiment [illegible] in the Army of the United States, to take rank as [illegible] from the 16 day of April [illegible] 1796. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Capt. [illegible] by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders as
Captain [illegible]. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this and future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed [illegible] Committee of the United States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer: according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned or a Committee of the States.

Witness his Excellence John Jay Esquire, President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the [illegible] day of March, 177[?] and in the third [illegible] year of our Independence.
John Jay

Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
Attest
P Scull Secretary of the Board of War
Page 14

Griffith John McRea
N.C. W4731
Page 15

I Certify that Major Griffith John McRee Serv'd as
Major of Brigade to Genl. Hogun, then commanding at Philadelphia from the 11th of April 1779 to the [illegible] Aug: & then
did duty as such in the first Brigade of N. Carolina troops from the first of August to the 12th of Jany. 1780.
1780.
T. Clark Col. [? 1st] N.C. R
Septr. 9th 1783
Page 16

Ann McRey N. Carolina 7 July 1838. $600.00
To what time last paid?
Paid in full to 4th March 1841.
B.B.
Pension Office }
20 May 1843 }
Page 17

Mrs. - McRee widow of
Griffith McRee
send a copy of his
commission to Hon. Mr.
Ashe H. R.

N. Carolina [illegible]
Page 18

STATE OF NORTH-CAROLINA, }
New-Hanover County. }
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That the signature of 
William B Mearis appears to the foregoing Declaration & certificate & also
the affidavit of Christopher Dudley
is the proper handwriting of the said William Mearis and that the said William B Mearis
was, at the time of affixing his signature, an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of New-Hanover, duly commissioned and
sworn; and that due faith and credit should be given to his signature therein, as well as thereto.

WITNESS, Thomas F. Davis, Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of New-Hanover, under Seal of Office, this 6th day pf December A. D. 1838
Thos. F Davis Clk
day of December
Page 19

Harriet Laspeyre
daughter of Gen. John
Ashe -
N. C. send Papers
to Hon. Mr. Ashe
H R
Page 20

Jany 25/50

N. Car.

[illegible]
Page 21

James L Edwards Esqr.
Commission of Pensions
Washington ;

Jan 25
Ann McRee
N.C. roll
not [? drafted?]
1629
Page 22

Pension Office
Fayetteville. Jany. 21 1839

James L Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

The [illegible] of Mrs  Ann McRee, widow of Griffith J McCree a Major
at [illegible] of Ann, has applied to this office
for payment of the [illegible]
No instructions having been received in
request to the pension. I have of [? declined?]
[illegible] to make payment.
Sincerely
your most Obv Svt.
JM Huske
[illegible]
Page 23

38 [illegible]
Ann McRee
wid of Griffith Jno.
NC
Act July 7 1838
Married 1785
died 1801.
Allow as Major 2 [illegible]
[illegible] pr am
N.C. Conl. line

Rept to
Hn. R. Strange
Senate U.S.
Page 24

State of North Carolina }
County of New Hanover } This day personally appeared before me
a Justice of the Peace for the county above written Mr. Christopher Dudley
who is now in Sixty fifth year of his age - who being first duly sworn according to Law, Testifies and says, that he first knew Majr.
Griffith John McRee at the Town of Halifax in this state in the year 1780 - he was then attached to the army and had but lately
been exchanged as a prisoner of war at Charleston. In the month of Decr: 1788 this affiant came to reside in the Town of 
Wilmington and on doing so he found Majr. Griffith J. McRee residing in the place and then married to Mrs. Ann McRee the identical 
person now applying for a pension. What impresses the fact on the recollection of this affiant is that he was invited by Majr. McRee to
dine with him a few days after getting to Wilmington in 1788.
He was at that time certainly married to the Lady now applying for a pension. This affiant has resided from the year 1788 to the present
time in Wilmington and knew Majr. McRee up to the period of his death in 1801, and his widow now applying for a pension up to
the present time. This affiant has examined a lot cut from the family Bible containg [containing] a record of the birth, & marriage of Majr. Griffith J. McRee which he is fully convinced from his recollection is in the proper hand writing of Majr. Griffith J. McRee -
Given under my hand & seal this 6th day of Decr: 1838.
C. Dudley     LS [encircled]
Page 25

State of North Carolina }
New Hanover County }
This day personally appeared before
me a Justice of the Peace for the county above written Mr. Christopher Dudley who subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit
in due form of Law. I also certify that Mr. Dudley is a man of high respectability and his testimony is intitled [entitled] to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and seal this 6th day
of Decr: 1838.
Wm. B Meares J.P.    Seal [encircled in cloud shape]
Page 26

FREE

To The Honl. Jas. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington City

[circular stamp]
FAYET[illegible]
N. C
O[illegible] 1

Mr. [? Cates]
immediate
attention
arrears
for [illegible]
Page 27

Fayetteville Sept. 30th 1852

To the Honl. James L Edwards
Dear James L Edwards
Sir

About the 10th of August last, the Declaration of Dr. Jas. F McRee the only heir of Mrs. Ann McRee was forwarded to your office in order to obtain the pay from the 4th March - 31 to 4 Sept. 1839, that was due at that time to Mrs. McRee [? &] to which she was entitled under the joint resolution of the 23d Jany. 1845 & perhaps some other act
As nothing has been heard from you it is supposed the matter may in the [illegible] of business been overlooked.
I beg leave to call your attention to it again
and if anything has been done with it will be much obliged to you to let me know as soon as possible what it is. It is [illegible] importance to the applicant that it should be attended to immediately & we shall be much pleased to have the information as soon as you can furnish it with convenience.
Very Respectfully Yours
Walter A Huske
Page 28

FREE

12 May 1843
Evans

FREE

James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[circular stamp]
[? Wilmington] MAY 10
N.C.
Page 29


Wilmington N  May 9. 1843

J L Edwards Esqr }
Commissioner of pensions }

Dr Sir
Mr Jno Huske pension agent at Fayetteville N.C. informs one that he has recently seen a list of ballances [balances] due the
pensioners in this state - among whom was my
Mother Mrs Ann McRee the widow of Majr. Griffith Jno. McRee of the Revolutionary Army- Her claim under some of the act of Congress passed years ago was only made known to her three years ago at which time she commenced drawn her pension and was paid I think from 1836 to 1840 - I cannot be certain as to the time - Will you be good Sir to inform me as to the state of her acconut at the pension office & if any ballance [balance] be due
please state the amount, and indicate the (uses) means to be taken by me - the requesth vouchers &c &c which will enable me to settle the account - my mother died in Augt. 1842.
Your reply to this will much oblige
Your obt. st.
James F McRee
Page 30

Fayetteville Augst.10th 1852

To the Honl,
James L Edwards

Sir
You will find enclosed the
Declaration of James T McRee & the only heir of
Mrs Ann McRee Decd. to draw the arrears of pension from the 4th March 1836 to the 4th Septr. 1839. And by the Court Resolution of the 23d January 1845 she was entitled to a pension from the 4th March 1836.
Please give this Declaration your earnest attention and in the mean time I am Dear Sir:
Your obedient Servant
M A Huske
Page 31

5169 Ellenwood Drive Eagle Rock. Calif.
22 July 36

[circular stamp] numbered 1-12
RECEIVED
JUL 27 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM
[illegible] 17

Veterans Dept.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs -
I would like to get some information about Griffith John McRee, who is variously called
Major, Major General, and Colonel McRee, of
the Revolutionary army.
According to North Carolina State records, he was a very prominent and distinguished officer.
I find so many discrepencies [discrepancies] in the records published by different historians that I'd like to find out definitely from the Rev. 
war records, concerning his birth and his heirs,
if you have this information or any part of it.
One record I have, is that he was born 1st Jan.
1723 - Bladen Co. No. Car. died 1 April 1801 - 3 - and his wife's name was Helen Rudy or Purdy. This information was obtained from a
D.A.R. certificate.
Also that he remained with the army until the close of the war.
Both of these records contain names of descendents [descendants].
Could it be possible that there were two Griffith John McRee [sometimes spelled McCree] and that they were both Major General's etc. - in Rev. War; and both died the same year. Your records would, probably




other records states that he was born 17 Feb. 1758
married 1785- Ann Fergus-- and died 1801
that he remained with the army until the close
war
of these records contain names of descendents
it be possible that there were two Griffith
McRee sometimes spelled M Cree and that they
both Major General's etc in Rev. War, and both
died the same year
your records would probably
Veterans Dept.
Page 32

clear up this point.
In all other respects except birth dates I can harmonize the data I have, as he could have been married twice.
I will greatly appreciate any information you can
give me upon this matter.
Among Griffith John McRee's descendents [descendants] there are at least four named after him ,sometimes named John Griffith, but they could not have been in the Revolutionary war.

Hoping to hear from you at your earliest
convenience.
I am
Sincerely yours
Mrs. Hattie C. Jensen.