Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6866, John Fryer, Va.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE					NUMBER
Va.		Fryer, John.			S. 6866
[left blank]
						carded
CONTENTS
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to Pension Agent & (illegible) - 30 July 1839.

Let. Mar. 9 1835 Richd Anderson pay. ret.
1- 1- 1C 1-  Co:  Clerk

Virginia 12.595
John Fryer
Greenbrier in the State of Virginia who was a pri. in the company commanded by Captain Wallace of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bluford in the Virginia line for 2 years

Inscribed on the roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1931.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May '33 and sent to H Erskine Lewisburgh C.H. Greenbrier Co. Va.

Arrears to the 4th of March '33      160
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.  40

                                                     $200

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,
Book E.    Vol. 6    Page 8
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9580
John Fryer
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State of Virginia  SS.
Greenbrier County 
    On this 29 day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the justice of the County Court of Greenbrier County now sitting John Fryer a resident of said County and state of Virginia aged 73 years, or their abouts who being first duly sworn according Law doth on his oath make the following decleration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7 1832. First that he entered under Capt. McKee for 2 years in the year 1777 in the County of Greenbrier and was stationed on the fronttiers at Point Pleasant, on the Ohio River, to guard against the attack of the Indians. And served at Point Pleasant a considerable part of his time, at any rate upwards of Eight or Nine months or more. during this time, he was stationed at Point Pleasant he entered for 3 years, to go to the grand camp, and left Point Pleasant and returned as far as Lewisburg Greenbrier County, and there got a substitute, 2nd that he entered in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 in the month of Sept. for the term of Eighteen months in the Virginia Line of the regular army on Continental establishment in the County of Greenbrier with Capt Andrew Wallice and was marched from Staunton Virginia to
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to Hilsborough North Carolina where he was attached to the Regiment commanded by Bluford, the Company & regiment was then marched from Hilsborough Charlotte where he joined Gen’l. Gates, after the arrival of Gen’l Green who took the commandment of the
 army he was marched to cheraw Hills. he was then marched to the border of Virginia to avoid an engagement with Cornwallis, where he remained until the army was reinforced. he was then marched to Gilfred Court House where the memoriable Battle of that Place was Fought, in which he participated  in that Battle he lost Capt. and was transfered to Capt. Oldham of the Va line from Guilford Court House Gen’l. Green returned to the Iron Works & continued there for some time and recruted his Troops & then marched to Rock River  There he was attached to Col Campbell’s Regiment  he was attached to Col Campbell’s Regiment  he was then marched to Camden when a Sortie from the Town in possession of Lord Rawden in which Gen’l Green was
compelled to retreat to Rughes Hill in the affair of Camden he lost all his mis mates [sic] except
one and he was severely wounded  Gen’l Green afterwards returned to Camden where the British army was still Lying and after some skimishing was copelled to leave the Place That is the Brits after this the army marched to 96 & besieged the Town  In the whole of that long seige from first to last day, he bore a part. That he also was in the Battle of the Eutow Spring when
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when he lost his Capt Oldham and Col. Campbell from thence he was marched to the High Hills of Santee and from thence to the Round O, from thence to Pon Pon where he staide until his time of service expired, and then marched to Salsbury when he was Honorably discharged. That during the whole of his Enlistment and Service he was not two weeks from under arms his discharge was
Signed by Lieut Hewit  his Capt heveing been killed and by a Major whose name he does not now recollect. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the prison [sic] Roll of any agency of any State. He further states that he made a decleration the 26 May 1829 which he presumes is on file in the War department accompaned by affidavids of his service while he begs leave to refer to as part of his Evidence and that he wherein submits the affidavit of Richard Williams as further proof of his services
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
                    John X Fryer
                      (X his mark)

Teste
John Matthews CGC

and the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states
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I John Mathews Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding in the matter of the application of John Fryer for a pension.
(seal)
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my Office this 8th day of September 1832.
                   John Mathews CGC
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 Virginia  To wit
 Greenbrier County Court
                  May Term 1829
     On the 26 day of May 1829 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the County of Greenbrier John Fryer aged 70 years or thereabouts of said County of Greenbrier & who has been a resident of said County for many years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress of the 18 of March 1818 the 1 of May 1820 and of the first of March 1823  That the said John Fryer enlisted in the first place under Captain McKee for two years in the year 1777 in the said County of Greenbrier and was stationed at
Point Pleasant for the most of the said Tour of Two years and then returned to Greenbrier and in the year 1780 some time in September enlisted for Eighteen months in the Virginia line of the Regular Army on Continental establishment  that he belonged to Captain Andrew Wallace’s Company & in that Company he was marched from Staunton to Helsborough  North Carolina where he was attached to Colo. Bluford’s Regm’t.  The
 Company was then ordered from Helsborough to Charlotte were he joined Gen. Gates – After the arival of Gen. Green who took command of the army & marched to Cheraw Hills thence he was marched to the borders of Virginia to avoid an engagement with Cornwallace where he remained until the
army was reinforced  he then was marched to Gilford Court house where the memorable battle of that place was fought in which he
participated. In that battle he lost his Captain & was transfered to Capt. Oldham of the Virginia Line. From Gilford Court House Gen’l. Green returned to the Iron works & continued there some time and recruited his Troops & then moved to Rock river  That he was there attached to Col. Campbell; That he was afterwards marched to Camden where a Sortie from the Town in Possession of Lord Rawdon and which Gen’l Green was wounded & compelled to retreat to Rugeles Mill in the affair of Camden he lost all his messmates except one & that one was severely wounded  Gen’l Green afterwards returned to Camden where the British army was stil Lying and after some skirmishing the enemy was compelled
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compelled to leave the place After this the Army marched to 96 & besieged the Town In the whole of that long Siege from the first to the last day he bore a part That he was
also in the Battle of the Eutaw Springs where he lost his Capt Oldham and Col. Campbell 
From thence he was marched to the High hills of Santee from thence to the Round O from
 thence to PonPon where he staid till his Term of service Expired & then marched to Salisbury
 where he was Honourably discharged  That during the whole time of his enlistment and service he was not two weeks from under arms  that his discharge was signed by his Lieu’t Hout his Capt having been killed, and by a Major whose name he does not now recollect  That he has since lost his discharge & cannot now produce it  that he has the evidence of John Williams & Eli Perkins taken before a Justice of the Peace for the County of Greenbrier to prove his haveing been a Revolutionary Soldier which evidence he
 submits to prove as well that he was a Revolutionary Soldier as the both of the foregoing declaration & in pursuance of the Act of may 1820 he doth solemnly swear that he was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 of March 1818 and that he has not since that time by Gift Sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed the 18 day of March 1818 and that he has not nor has  any person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due him nor have I any income other than that which is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed
 One Horse Valued by John Cassell at . ............................................... $40.00
 Two Cows by same........................................................................................ 18.00
 16 Sheep & 4 Lambs by same. .................................................................... 14.00
 1 Cupboard by same $8. – 1 Loom by same $6.. .................................... 14.00
 2 Hoggs & 6 pigs $3 – 3 Old chairs by same 25 cents..............................3.25
 2 potts & 1 oven $3.  Sundry old farming utensils $7........................... 10.00
 Sundry old vessles & Tubs by same. ............................................................2.00
 1 Tract of land containing 184 acres Valued by Francis Luding
 Sen. & Jno. Cassell said Land not much improved }.......... 500.00
 602.25
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The yearly rent of said property would not exceed in Value more than $25  This is not his own Opinion but that of others 
                 John X. Fryer
                   (X his mark)
I the said John Fryer have two children living with me the oldest about 16 and the youngest
about 10 years of age and have no assistance but them my wife being dead some time past. The said Children are my grand children whose Father & Mother are dead & they have no person to take care of & protect them but me. They are both helpless girls & can contribute but Little assistance I am a poor man & in such reduced circumstances as to stand in need of the assistance of my Country for support  I am too far advanced in years & too infirm to labour for my support
       Sworn to and declared on Oath this 26 day of May 1829 before the County Court of Greenbrier aforesaid now in session the same being a court of Record
                        John X Fryer
                           (X his mark)
John Correll being Sworn in Open Court deposeth of South that he is acquainted with the Property of the above mentioned John Fryer & that he is of an opinion and believes that the yearly rent of the same real and personal would not amount or be worth more than $25.
     The following are the affidavits mentioned in the foregoing declaration & filed in the same Court.
                 Greenbrier County April 18th 1829

I John Williams state that in or about the year 1780 I was a Lieutenant of the Militia of this
County and that I went from this County to Staunton Augusta County & delivered John Fryer and others to Cap Andrew Wallace a Regular officer of the Army  I new John Fryer before he went to the Army & I have known him ever since and have good reason to believe that he served Time  I do not recollect of seeing his discharge but I saw his Tobacco Note which he got as his bounty & I have always understood that he was a brave soldier  John Fryer lives near me & has for many years and he is a man in Low Circumstances 
Given under my hand
                             John Williams

Virginia
Greenbrier County Court
     This day John Williams appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & made Oath that the above Statements Concerning John Fryer are true.
Given under my hand & seal this 18th April 1929.
              David Bright
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Greenbrier County   April 18 1829 
     I Elias Perkins do state that I was in the army in the year 1780 and 1781 as a soldier & that I there & saw John Fryer frequently doing duty as a Soldier and we were of the Virginia Line and under the command of Bluford but were afterwards seperated  Fryer was put in Campbells Regm’t and me in Haws Regm’t  I know John Fryer before he Enlisted and after
he had served his time and always understood he behaved himself well and was a good Soldier  I have a discharge signed at Salisbury the 17 of January 1782 by S Stribling  Capt. & S Snead Major (illegible)
Given under my hand the day & year
 above written                     Eli Perkins

Virginia
Greenbrier County Court
     This day personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Elias Perkins and made Oath that the above Statements Respecting John Fryer are true.  Given under my hand & seal this 18th day of April 1829.
              David Bright (seal)

Virginia
Greenbrier County Court
I Lewis Stuart Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a True Copy of the Declaration made by John Fryer in Open Court at the May Term 1829 as well as a True Copy of the Affidavits therein filed.
(seal)
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of my Office this 4th day of July 1829 and in the 54th year of the Commonwealth
             Lewis Stuart CGC
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BRIEF in the case of John Fryer County of Greenbrier in the State of Va
{Act 7th June, 1932.}
1. Was the declaration made before a court or a Judge?  Open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he?  72 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1777 until SEpt. 1780.
The claimant refers to his papers presented to the War Dept. in May 1829.

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
8 or 9 -
1 - 6

Rank.
As a 
Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. McKea
Capt. Wallace
Col Bluford
Capt. Oldham

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Guilford, Camden, Eutaw Springs

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Greenbrier Co. Va

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  His own declaration

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
            Richard Cutts
                Examining Clerk.
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Rev War
6866
INVALID
AWN

File No. 6866
John Fryer
Priv Rev War

Act:  June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page 132

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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State of Virginia
Greenbrier County SS
This day Richard Williams Came before me Charles Hyde a Justice of the Peace for s’d County & made Oath that he was on a tour of Duty at Point Pleasant  that he saw John Fryer there then belonging to the Regular service & that he left that under the Command of Andrew Wallace Capt & he understood that he was a good soldier given under my hand & seal this 2[?]th day August 1832
                                    Charles Hyde
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JL Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington

Mr. Evans
pen. at.
July 25
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D Sir
     The enclosed pension is out of  date.  The agent cannot pay it without your consent.  Will you be pleased to let it be paid to save the poor man the expense of drawing off another & the postage.
                (illegible)
J.T. Fry
Received 24 July
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John Fryer Pension
Greenbrier County

(illegible)
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This page is badly faded.
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John Fryer

Admit as a private
for 2 years $80
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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
John Fryer Greenbrier Co NC which require further proof or explanation

I. 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 amout 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
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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? 

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? no

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? yes
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? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

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? 

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? 

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 ___ yes ___ 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers 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 into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the 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 just 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 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, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying 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.
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(stamp)
GREENBRIER CH VA
JUL 7

Free
To the Secretary of War
Pension Office
Washington City


13 July 
Pension Office
30.000
John Fryer
15 May 1831
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Lewisburg Greenbrier County Va
July 4 1829

Sir
     As soon as the enclosed declaration is acted on you will please inform Mr. Jn Fryer direct the same to my case and oblige.
                 Your Hbl Sevt
                 Henry Erskine