Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4315, for Bennet Reiley, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776) [printed top left corner] SERVICE  | NUMBER [printed]
[following are written] Md.  | Reiley, Bennet   |W.4315
    | or Rieley    |B.L.Wt2236-100
    | or Riley

CONTENTS [printed]
     | Frances
Page 2

{following is written]
Baltimore Nov 2 1838

Wm Gorden Esqr
Bounty land office
Washington

Sir
Yours of 31st [illegible] covering
Land Warrant No 2236 issued to the Heir of
Bennet Riley decd, who was a private in the
Maryland line in the War of the Revolution, for one hundred acres of bounty land, was received on the 1st [illegible]
[unidentified symbol] Alex Yearley
Atty - for Ann Lawson
one of the children and
heirs of said Bennet Riley
Page 3

[following is written]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore SS
October 27 1838
I, Ann Lawson one of the children and an heir
at law of Bennet Riley do, upon oath Testify and
declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief that
the said Bennet Riley was a private in the Maryland
Artillery in the War of the Revolution that the remaining [last three letters inserted]
Records of the Revolution at Annapolis do not show
what Colonel commanded the Maryland Artillery
but it is believed they were transferred to the
Virginia line and served to the close of the War.
It is also believed that said Bennet Riley entered
the Service at an early period of the War and
Served for during the War; as Bounty land
was awarded him by the State of Maryland Viz Lot No 898 in Alleghany County: I further declare
that I have never received a Warrant for the Bounty
land promised to Said Bennet Riley on the part of the United States: nor do I believe that he even
received it, or transferred his claim to it in any [underlined]
manner whatsoever. Therefore know all men by these
presents that I, Ann Lawson aforesaid do hereby constitute
and appoint Alex Yearley of the City of Baltimore to be
my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name
to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, or other proper officer of the United States
a Warrant [underlined] for the quantity of land due to me as
aforesaid. And my Attorney is hereby fully authorized
and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more
Substitutes or Attorneys under him for the Special
purposes above stated
Attest   Ann Lawson [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name] [a seal drawing appears to the right of the name]
Baltimore Oct 27th 1838  
Simon Kemp [underlined]
Personally appeared the above named Ann Lawson
subscriber to the foregoing declaration and made oath to
the same, and in my presence acknowledged the Power of 
Attorney then to subjoined to be her free act and Deed
for the Purposes thereas mentioned. Baltimore Oct 27th 1838
Text   Simon Kemp [underlined]
Justice of the peace [underlined]
Page 4

[following is written]
State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sec [the above is contained in a right curly bracket]
I hereby certify that Simon Kemp, 
Gentleman, before whom the aforegoing acknowledgment
was made, and who has thereto signed his name, was at the time
of so doing, one of the Justices of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and
for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned person
In Testimony Where of I hereunto
subscribe My Name and affix the Seal
of Baltimore County Court, on this 27th day
of October 1838
Tho. Rell Clk of
Balt. City Co [underlined]
Page 5

[following is written]
Bennet Riley
No. 2236
Page 6

[following is handwritten]
State of Maryland
Baltimore City Court
June Term 1838

I do hereby certify that Satisfactory Testimony has
been produced in open Court, the same being a Court
of law and of Record; - That Bennet Riley, now of
the United States Army, And Ann Lawson of the
City of Baltimore, widow of Benjamin Lawson late of
the same city, are the children of Bennet Riley who
was a private in the Maryland Artillery in the War of
the Revolution; And that Ann Luke, Susanna Luke,
John Luke and William Bennet Johnson are grand
children of him the Said Bennet Riley of the Revolution
by his daughter Elizabeth, who married John Luke, and
who after his death married a certain William Johnson;
And that they the aforesaid Ann Luke, Susanna Luke,
John Luke, and William Bennet Johnson; minors now
residing in the City of Baltimore, Grand Children of him
the Said Bennet Riley of the Revolution; and the first
above mentioned Bennet Riley and Ann Lawson, children
of him the Said Bennet Riley of the Revolution, are the heirs
and only heirs at law, in fee, of him the Said Bennet
Riley who was a private in the Maryland Artillery
in the War of the Revolution.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto Set
my hand this eighth day of September eighteen
hundred and thirty eight.

N Brew Chief Judge
Balt City Court

State of Maryland City of Baltimore [illegible]
I Hereby Certify that the Honorable Nicholas Brew before
Whom the above proof was made and who hath thereto Subscribed his
Name was at the time of So doing Chief Judge of Baltimore City Court duly
Commissioned & Sworn, Said Court being a Court of Record
In Testimony Whereof I have herewith
Subscribed my Name and affixed the
Seal of Baltimore City Court this eighth 
day of September in the year of our Lord
Eighteen Hundred and thirtyeight
[illegible] Mcdonald [illegible]
BCityCrt
Page 7

[This is a 3 section page]
[Section 1 - upper left - handwritten]
Set. W.L.Marshall
29 aug 46. [illegible] to
Pension Agent -

[Section 2 - lower left - handwriten]
12046
Frances Reily
[illegible] ?
Set to T.L & Co T Smith Augt 13 '45
[ditto mark] to same Oct 14 '45

[Section 3 - right - printed & written]
[written]
7491
Maryland
Frances Reily,
widow of [printed] Bennet Reily, [written]
who was a [printed] Matross - [written]
in the [printed] Maryland line [written]

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of [printed]
100 [written] Dollars [printed]
Cents per annum, to commence on [printed]
the 4th day of March, 1843 [printed]

Certificate of Pension issued the [printed]
30. [written] day of [printed] Dec: 1845 [written]
and sent to [printed]
T.S & A. T. Smith [written] 
Present [written]

[Act of March 3, 1843] [printed - brackets incld]
& 17 June, 1844 [written]
Recorded in Book [printed] A [written]
Vol. [printed] 2 [written] Page [printed] 255. [written]
Page 8

[following is written - all words underlined]
The Declaration
of Mrs Frances Riley
for a Pension
Page 9

[part of multi-page doc; this page all written]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore [the above two lines enclosed in right curly bracket]
On this first
March Eighteen hundred and forty five
before the subscribers the judges of the
Orphans Court for the city and county of
Baltimore being a Court of Record
Personally appeared Frances Reiley [name underlined]
aged Seventy nine year formerly a
resident of Alexandria in the district
of Columbia now a resident of the
City of Baltimore State of Maryland
she being first duly sworn according
to Law doth on her Oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provisions made by
the Acts of Congress passed July 7th
1838 and the 23rd of August 1842
Granting pensions to widows of the soldiers
of the Revolutionary war, That she the
aforesaid Frances Rieley [name underlined] is the lawful
widow of Bennet Rieley [name underlined] who was a private
in the artillery Regiment of the Maryland
Continental line And the aforesaid
deponent Frances Rieley [name underlined] doth
further state that her maiden name
was Frances Frazier when she was married
Page 10

[page 2 of multi-page doc - all written]
to her deceased husband Bennet Reiley [name underlined]
in the month of March seventeen hundred
and ninety two at the City of
Alexandria in the district of Columbia
by the Revd Priest Eaton [name & title underlined] a catholic [underlined] 
Minister [underlined] The aforesaid Frances Rieley [name underlined] 
doth further state that she had two
lawful children by the deceased husband
Bennet Rieley [name underlined]at that she had 
a family prayer book that contained
a record of her marriage and the births
of her children which book was stolen
from her, and that she has no record
of her marriage, but she knows of living
persons, who can testify to her marriage
And this deponent further states that her
deceased husband Bennet Riely [name underlined] departed
this life in the month of December 1811
And she further states that she has
remained a widow from that time up
to the present
Sworn to and subscribed to
Before us in open court
judges of the Orphans
Court for the City & the County
of Baltimore  E D Kemp
Peter Leary
John D Readel [ the signatures and the preceding 5 lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket]
Frances Rieley [written to the right of the curly bracket; an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written
over the name]
Page 11

[final page of multi page doc; all written]
Maryland fo
I hereby Certify [inserted] that Edward D Kemp
Peter Leary and John D Readel Esquire who
have subscribed to the aforegoing paper were at the
time of so doing Judges of the Orphans Court for
Baltimore County duly commissioned and qualified
according to Law.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto
subscribe my name and affix the
Seal of said Court this first
Day of March 1845.
Lest
D. M. Perine Regr
Page 12

[following is written; all entries are underlined]
A Deposition
of

in Mrs Frs. Rieley
care & application
for a Pension
Page 13

{following is written]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore [these two lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket]
On this First day
March in the year of our Lord Eighteen
hundred and forty five personally appeared
before me Elizabeth Pascal [different handwriting] and made oath
on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that she [different handwriting] is personally acquainted with Frances [name underlined]
Rieley [name underlined] and know her to be the lawfull widow
of Bennet Rieley who is now making
application for a pension for Revolutionary
services of her deceased husband
Sworn to and subscribed to Before
me a justice of the Peace in & for
aforesaid State & City
Elizabeth Pascal [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
State of Maryland Balt City to 'wit' the above was
duly sworn to before me the subscriber
Robt Dutton
Justice of the Peace
Balt City
Page 14

[following is written]
State of Maryland Baltimore County Sct. I herby
certify that Robert Dutton Esquire, before whom the written
affidavit was made, and who has hereto signed his name was at
the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of
Maryland in & for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned
and sworn
In Testimony thereof I hereunto Set
my hand and office the Seal of Baltimore
County Court this 19th day of March 1848
A W Bradford Clk [name and title underlined]
Page 15

[following is written]
A Certificate
of James Oldham
Page 16

[following is written]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore [these two lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket]  To Wit
Be it remembered
that on this Seventh of March Eighteen hundred
and forty five Personally appeared
James Oldham Aged Eighty Seven years
and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of
Almighty God that he was personally acquainted
with Bennet Reiley who was a soldier of
the Revolutionary Army And this deponent
further States that Bennet Reiley was
in the Battle of Germantown and Princeton
together and belong to the same mess in active
service and knows Bennet Reiley to be the
Identical person that rendered the services
in the Artillery    Sworn to and subscribed
to before me a justice of the Peace in and
for the city & aforesaid State

James Oldham [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name] [drawing of seal seen to right of name]
J L Maquire
Justice of the Peace

I have some knowledge of Mr James Oldham and
believe him to be reliable to give credit under oath
JL Maquire
March 7 1848
Page 17

[following is written]
State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct. [preceding two lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket] I hereby certify that James
L Maquire Esquire before whom the aforegoing Affidavit
was made and accompanying Certificate given And
who has thereto Subscribed his name was at the time
of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland
in and for the City of Baltimore duly Commissioned
and Sworn
In Testimony whereof I hereunto Subscribe
my name and affix the Seal of
Baltimore County Court this 7th day
of March 1845
AW Bradford Clk
Page 18

[following is written]
1
12046 [underlined]

Recieved July 9. 1845 [underlined]
Frances Reily -
No.
Act. 7 July 38.
admd ['d' is underlined]
2 yrs Matrss [underlined]
100
also acts 43 & 44

T.S. & A. Tho. Smith
Present
Page 19

[following is written]
State of Maryland City of Baltimore to wi
Be it remembered that on
the Eighth day of March Eighteen
hundred and forty five personally
appeared before me a Justice of the
Peace in and for the City of Baltimore
in the aforesaid State Elizabeth Meekine
aged Seventy Six Years and made
oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty
God that She is and was personally
acquainted with Frances Frazier
and now-Frances Reiley and knew
her to be the lawfull wedded wife
of Bennet Reiley who was a Soldier
of the Revolutionary War, and knew
them living together as Man and
Wife for fifty three Years & upwards
and they had lawfull Children
and they were always reputed
and generally known to Alexandria
in the District of Columbia and in the City of Baltimore to be lawfully
married
Elizabeth Meekins [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
Sworn to and Subscribed
to before me a Justice
of the Peace in and
for the aforesaid city
and state
J L Maquire [preceding 6 lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket]
from information received I have no hesitation
in saying that the above named Elizabeth
Meekins is enteled to give credit under
oath    J L Maquire J.P.
Page 20

[following is written]
State of Maryland Baltimore County Sct. I hereby
certify that James L Maquire Gentleman before whom
the foregoing affidavit was made and who has thereto signed
his name was at the time of so Doing a Justice of the
Peace of the State of Maryland & for the City of Baltimore
Duly Commissioned & sworn
In Testimony whereby
I herewith subscribe my
name & affix the seal of
Baltimore County Court
2d Day of July
1845
A W Bradford Clk [underlined]
Page 21

[upper left corner of doc has been cut away, remaining doc is damaged and stained]
[partial post mark is visible in upper left corner of remaining doc]
[following is written]
No. 147 Light Street,
mail [underlined]    Baltimore
Md.
Page 22

[lower left corner of doc has been cut away; remaining doc is damaged and stained]
[following is written]
Land Office, Annapolis, 23rd Sept, 1844
Dear Sir,
Having been absent from town for several days past
I did not receive your letter postmarked the 20th Inst, until today
or I should have replied to it before. The name of Bennet
Reily, I find only upon the Bounty land Record in this office
as being entitled to bounty land from this State for his Revolutionary
services. It appears the Bennet Reily belonged to the Maryland
Artillery and there is no Muster roll to be found of
the Artillery troops. I am therefore unable to give you a certificate [these 2 words inserted] as to the
length of his service, all that I can furnish you [damage]ith, is a certificate
of the Bounty land awarded him for his services [damage]n the Revolution.
The services of the Maryland Artillery did not terminate
in Maryland, they were transferred before the close of the
War to the Virginia line and were regularly discharged with the
Virginia troops, and I presume [damage]vidence of their service could be
obtained from the rolls of that State at Richmond. A certi[damage]te
of the Bounty land I can furnish you with, if desired.
Very respectfully YPs
G.G. Brewer
Page 23

[following is written]
Frances Haley [underlined]  (Widow of Bennet Riley [underlined]
who was a private in the Maryland Artillery in the 
War of the Revolution)
She applied to me in 1841 to obtain
for her a Pension Stating without proof [two words underlined] that She was
Married to Bennet Riley in 1789. She having been
married twice Since the death of Riley, and the
amendment declaring that a marriage again Should
not be a bar not having at that time been passed, I told her that [last 4 words inserted]
She could not then get a Pension.
As Soon, however, as the barrier about
the second marriage was removed (in August 1842)
I informed her thereof; and was about to make
application for her under the Act of July 7.1838
and Aug 23 1842. When, on examination [underlined] as to the
date of her marriage [these 4 words underlined] to Bennet Riley, [name underlined] I found
that it took place on or after [these 3 words inserted] Sep' 18 1799 instead of 1789.
I then informed her that She could
not obtain a Pension until Congress Shall
extend the law to Widows whose Marriage
took place at or after the date of her's (1799)
She has, however, succeeded in obtaining
a Pension! without my knowledge, and as I do believe, fraudulently.

[following is faded and in different handwriting]
Frances Riley [faded words] at Fells Point
given to me by [faded word] Yearly
Page 24

[following is printed and written]
LAND OFFICE [printed]
ANNAPOLIS, [printed] 18th July, -183 [printed]8[written]
I Certify, that it appears by a Depreciation Pay Roll, remaining in my Office, that [printed]
Bennet Royley, (alias Reily) [written] a [printed] Matross, -[written] of the [printed]
Maryland Line, received [printed] [British pound symbol] 93"5"9--[written] Depreciation [printed]
Money, issued to the Maryland quota of troops on Continental Establishment, on the [printed]
29th [written] day of [printed] May, 1782 [written]
George G. Brewer [written]
Register Land Office, W.S. Md. [printed]
[following is written]
Memo.-- It also appears by the bounty Land Record in this office,
that Bennet Reily, had awarded him by this State, fifty acres of
land in Allegany County.-- G.G. Brewer, Regr
L. off W.S.Md.
Page 25

[following is printed and written]
9795 [written
Maryland [written]
Frances Reiley [written] 
Widow of [printed] Bennet Reiley [written]
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the [printed] December, 1811 [written]
of Baltimore, [written] in the State of [printed] Maryland, [written
who was a [printed] Matross [written] in the
commanded by Captain    of the
commanded by     in [printed]
the Maryland [written] line for [printed] 2 years [written]

Inscribed on the Roll of [printed] Baltimore [written]
at the rate of [printed] 100 [written] Dollars [printed]
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836 [printed]

Certificate of Pension issued the [printed] 30th [written] day of [printed]
Dec 1845 [written] and [printed] sent to the Mssrs
Smith, Present [written]

Total amount [printed]  [printed dollar symbol] 500.00 [written]
[Act July 7, 1838.] [brackets printed with text]
Recorded by [printed] Neutemrd [written] Clerk, [printed]
Book [printed] D [written] Vol [printed] 1 [written] Page [printed] 257 [written]
Page 26

[on-line version of this doc is very dark (limited contrast)]
[following is written]
Let to Wm L. Marshall
Sept 8. 1846
let to J.B.M. Letourman
Nov 6. 1846. J& [illegible letter] [illegible word] W.F.
Gily feb 24. 1847 to
& G.H. Hickman, Oct 30. 1849 Let to L. L. Langgun
V. Ellis Jun 25/51
Let T.J. Warrington A[illegible] 1852
Page 27

[following is written]
I have carefully examined the records
of St Mary's Catholic Church, and find no
mention made of Mr Reilly's marriage 
as the records do not date so far back.
and the old records could not be found.--
Igns. Combs Pastor
Alexandria
Sep 26./45
Page 28

[following is printed and written]
Rwy [written] Widow, &c [printed]
O[illegible letter; written diagonally on upper page]
File No. [printed] 4315 [written]
Frances Reiley [written]
Widow [written]
Bennet Reiley [written]
Matross Md line [written]
Act: [printed] Mch 3rd/43, June 17th/44
Index:--Vol. [printed] Jn, [different handwriting] Page [printed] 153 [different handwriting]

[Arrangement of 1870] [printed; brackets included in text]
Page 29

[following is written]
State of Maryland Baltimore City To Wit
I hereby certify, that on the 22d day of February
One thousand Eight hundred and forty two before
me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace
in and for the said city personally appeared Ann
Peters and made oath on the Holy Evangely
of Almighty God, that she was present and
at the wedding when Frances Riley whose
maiden name was Frazier was married
to Bennet Riley by Priest Eaton in the
City of Alexandria D.C.
    Ann Peters [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
Sworn to and subscribed by the said witness before
me this day and year aforesaid
Wm B Jones
Page 30

[following is written]
Sept 17 1848
Frances Reilly [written; tail of 's' underlines 'Reilly]
widow of Bennet Reilly
Maryland.

additional proofs

filed by
T L & A Tho Smith [underlined]
Page 31

{following is written]
District of Columbia
County of Alexandria [preceding 2 lines enclosed in right curly bracket] To Wit
Be it remembered that on this Twenty Sixth
day of September Eighteen hundred and
Forty five personally Appeared before me
the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and
for the aforesaid County and district, Lawrence
Hurdle now about ninety three years of age
and now a Pensioner of the united States for his
Revolutionary Service and made oath on the 
Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he was
personally acquainted [word inserted] with Bennet Rieley who was a 
Soldier of the Revolutionary war and was
Attached to the Maryland Artillery and knew
him in the united States Service and also knew
him the aforesaid Bennet Rieley to be that
Identical person who rendered the above Service in
the Continental Army in the Maryland line.
the end I [illegible]
[illegible]  Cs Scott [these 2 lines are enclosed in a right curly bracket] Lawrence Hurdle [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name]
Lawrence Hurdle personally was known to me appeared
before me a Justice of the peace for the county of Alexandria and
was to all the above Statements and Subscribed to the
above by making his mark and acknowledged the Same
Given under my hand and Seal this 26 day of September
1845.    Charles Scott [drawing of Seal]
Page 32

District of Columbia
County of Alexandria [preceding 2 lines enclosed in a right curly bracket] Sc:
I, Cassius F. Lee, Clerk of the U--
States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for
The County of Alexandria, hereby certify that Charles
Scott whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate
of acknowledgment was at the date then and is
now a Justice of the Peace for the said County of
Alexandria duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe
my name and affix the seal of said
Court this 26th day of September
A.D. 1845.
Cassius F. Lee, C.C. [name and title are underlined]
Page 33

[following is written]
And now, to wit, this twenty second day of December 1845 the
said Lawrence Hurdle to aforesaid affiant, appeared before me
the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the said county of
Alexandria, and made oath that he became acquainted with
the said Bennet Reily at the house of the said Riley's father
before his said service in the revolutionary war - that he was
intimately acquainted with the said Riley's family before the
war broke out, and in that way knew all about the said Bennet.
That he was not present at the marriage of the said Bennet
& Frances Reily and only knows them as man & wife from
their living together as such and being so reputed in their
neighborhood. That he has lately seen the said Frances, who
is now applying for a pension for the services of the said
Bennet and knows that she is the widow of Bennet Reily
who served as a Maryland Matross. That his recollection 
of the said Reily & his family is very distinct and he knows
that he cannot be mistaken in regard to them.
Sworn & subscribed before me     Lawrence Hurdle [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name]
this 22 December 1845
John Grubb J.P. [the previous 3 lines (except the signature) are enclosed in a right curly bracket]
Page 34

[following is written]
Certificate
in
Mrs F. Riley
application for
a Pension
Page 35

[Following is written; page 1 of 2 page doc]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore [preceding 2 lines are contained in a right curly bracket] To Wit
On this twenty first day of October Eighteen
hundred and forty five Personally
appeared John P Strabel [name in different handwriting and ink] an old gentleman
who is well known to me and who
sustains the strictest moral character and 
I would rely on any statement he would make
for veracity and truth and it is his general
character in his neighbourhood. And who
makes oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty
God That he was personally acquainted with
Bennet Riley and his wife Frances Riley
for this Forty Seven [these 2 words are in different handwriting and ink] years and knew them
to live together as man and wife and they
were reputed in general by the most respectable
citizens as lawfully married and my reasons
for knowing Bennet Riley so well is that
he had a Split Lip to which it was always
represented he received as a wound in and
during the War of the Revolution by a cut
of the sword. And I further state that
Bennet Riley was and is the identical
husband of Frances Riley who is at this
time applying for a Pension.
John P Strobel [name is in different handwriting and ink]
Page 36

[following is written; page 2 of 2]
Sworn to and subscribe
to before me a justice of
the Peace in and for the 
aforesaid City and State
Robt A McAllister [different handwriting and ink]
Page 37

[following is written; page 1 of 2 page doc]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore   To Wit
on this Eighteenth day of October Eighteen
hundred and forty five Personally
appeared Elizabeth Pascall an
old lady who is well known to me
to be a lady of the strictest moral
character and I would rely on any
statement she would make for veracity
and truth, and it is her general character
in the neighbourhood where she lives
And she makes Oath on the Holy Evangely
of Almighty God that she is well
acquainted with Frances Riley the
lawfull widow of Bennet Riley and
I knew the said Bennet Riley well
and my reason for recollecting him
well is that he had a split lip
which was done by a sword in the
war of the revolution and I have
often listened to him and my uncle
Solomon Harris speaking about their
services during the Revolutionary War
and was often entertained to hear
them speak of the many hardships they
had to encounter and I knew Frances
Riley and Bennet Riley well and living
Page 38

[following is written; page 2 of 2 page doc]
together as man and wife and they
had lawfull children And I well
know that Bennet Riley is the identical
person who was entitled to Land from
the United States as well the State of
Maryland and I have often heard
my uncle Solomon Harris and Bennet
Riley talking together about being
together at the battle of Germantown
Virginia   Sworn to and subscribed
to before me a justice
of the Peace in and for the aforesaid
city and state
Elizabeth Pascall [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name; different handwriting and ink]
Sworn before
Robt A McAllister [different handwriting]
Page 39

[following is written; page 1 of 2 page doc]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore    To Wit
On this Twenty Second [these 2 words are in a different handwriting & ink] day of October Eighteen
hundred and forty five Personally
appeared Jacob Myers [name in different handwriting and ink] an old gentleman
who is well known to me and who
sustains the strictest moral character
and I would rely on any statement he
would make for veracity and truth and
it is his general character in his neighbourhood
And who makes Oath on the Holy
Evangely of Almighty God [word inserted] that he was personally
acquainted with Bennett Riley and
his wife Frances Riley for this forty eight [these 2 words are in a different handwriting and ink]
years and knew them to live together as
man and wife and they were reputed in
general by the most respectable citizens as
lawfully married and my reasons for knowing
Bennett Riley so well is that he had a
split lip to which it was always represented
he received as a wound in and during the
war of the Revolution by a cut of the sword
And I further state that Bennett Riley
was and is the identical husband of 
Frances Riley who is at this time applying
for a Pension
Jacob Myers [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name; all are in a different handwriting and ink]
Page 40

[following is written; page 2 of 2 page doc]
Sworn to and subscribed
to before me a justice of
the Peace in and for the
aforesaid City and State 
Robt A McAllister [underlined; name in different handwriting and ink][drawing of seal]

State of Maryland Baltimore County Sct I
hereby certify that Robert A McAllister Gentleman 
before whom the above affidavits were made and
who has thereto signed his name and affixed his seal was
at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State aforesaid in and for the City of Baltimore duly
commissioned and Sworn, In Testimony whereof I hereto
set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court this 25th
 day of October 1845
A W Bradford Clk
Page 41

[following is written; page 1 of 2 page doc]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore   To Wit
On this twenty fourth [preceding 2 words different handwriting and ink] day of October
Eighteen hundred and forty five
Personally appeared James [different handwriting and ink] Oldham
who is now a pensioner of the State of
Pennsylvania for his Revolutionary
services And who makes Oath on the 
Holy Evangely of Almighty God That
his reasons for knowing Bennett Riley
at the battles of Princeton and Germantown
happened as follows he being invited to
dine several times with an old acquaintance
who belonged to the Maryland troops and
in the same Company with Bennett Riley
and the same mess and the particular reason
for my recollecting him personally so well
is that he Bennett Riley had a split Lip
which was cut with a sword And he often
mentioned the circumstances relating to his
cut lip during the several times I had
dined with the mess He as well as I can
recollect belonged to the Artillery during
the Revolutionary war   Sworn to [next word scratched out]
[next 2 words scratched out] before me a justice of the
Peace in and for the aforesaid City and State  Eli Duvall J.P for Baltimore City [name and title in different handwriting and ink]
Page 42

[following is written; page 2 of 2 page doc]
State of Maryland Baltimore County Sc
I hereby certify that Eli Duvall gentleman before
whom the within affidavit was made and who has
thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so
doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland
in and for the City of Baltimore duly Commissioned
and sworn.
In Testimony whereof I hereby
set my hand and affix the seal
of Baltimore County Court the 
25th day of October 1845
A. W. Bradford [name underlined]
Clk Blat City Crt
Page 43

[following is written]
Washington DC
8 July 1845
Sir
We have the honor to present herewith the
application of Mrs Frances Reily, widow of Bennett
Reily who was a private in the Artillery Regiment of the
Maryland Continental line, for a pension under the
acts of 7th July 1838 and 23d August 1842. The papers
filed are the Declaration of Mrs Reily, made on the 1st
of March 1845, the affidavits of Elizabeth Pascal, James  Oldham and Elizabeth Meekins, and the certificate
of G G Brown Esq of the Land office at Annapolis.
We are very respectfully,
Your Obt Servts,
TL & A Tho Smith [names underlined]
Page 44

[following is written]
J.L Edwards Esq     August 25th, 1846
Commr of pensions
Sir
Mr Alex Yearly of this place has
handed me the enclosd as an act of duty on
his part containing a representation of a fraud as is
supposed - I send it to you as the person most immediately
concerned on the part of Government with the [illegible]
and the best judge of what should be done in the [illegible]
Very respectfully your
obt sevt
WL Marshall
US Atty for Md
Page 45

[following is written]
Baltimore
Sept 2d 1846
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I read the papers relative to the
pension of Mrs Riely and have presented them to the
Grand jury who have the matter now under advisement.
I see nothing in the case so far to bring it
under the act of March 3d 1823. There has been
evidently a perjury committed in the matter and
I have [previously written word rubbed out and this word added] very little doubt the act of 3d March 1825 Sec 13 has been violated. I find that the act of Congress
of 7th July1838 "providing half pay and pensions to certain
widows" does not prescribe an oath or affirmation
as a form of evidence in applications under
it, but leaves it to the "Secretary of War" to adopt [underlined]
such form of evidence as the President of the United
States may prescribe." [preceding 7 words underlined] Be so kind as to let me have
the forms as prescribed by the President and
adopted by the Secretary of War at your earliest 
convenience.    Your obt Sevt
WLMarshall
US Atty--
Page 46

[following is written; page 1 of 2 page doc]
Baltimore
Sept 6th 1846
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I recd this morning your [crossed out] Mr Crump's letter [these 3 words inserted]
yesterday inclosing the mode of proof prescribed
by the president in the matter of provisions under
the act of 1838 July 7th The Grand Jury became quite
exhausted with the unavailing attempt to trace the
crime to its real authors and requested the Court
to discharge them yesterday which was done.
I regret that I did not know that Mr Crump had
any knowledge of the circumstances of this affair
earlier that I might have summoned him Since
he speaks in his letter of his design to attend the
Court. The only witness who speaks of time of the marriage
except the applicant herself is I believe a fictitious
person at least we have been unable to find her.
The fact is the crime of perjury may be committed
under this act of 1838 with perfect impunity, to any extent: Indeed I am doubtful whether a false oath
taken under the regulations by a witness especially
other than the applicant herself is punishable under
Page 47

[following is written; page 2 of 2 page doc]
the act of March 3d 1825 [numbers underlined] as perjury. I throw out
these hints that if it be worth while in view of
few remaining cases which may by propibility
be still outstanding of persons entitled to pensions
that [crossed out] the legislation and the mode of carrying
the laws into effect may be both [illegible].
By looking at the act of the 3d [underlined] of March 1823 [preceding 2 words underlined]
to which [previous words rubbed out] both your [2 words inserted] self and Mr Crump have
directed my attention you will find that it
relates to forgery [underlined] and that false swearing is
the only crime (if there be any legal guilt)
in the transaction under review. The act of
1823 has therefore no more relation to this
case than to homicide or petit treason.
Should it be deemed of sufficient importance I will with
great pleasure point out more in detail the defects of
the proceedings under the statute in question as also
of the statute itself, that the obvious difficulties of
detecting and punishing frauds under it maybe
reduced if not removed--
With great respect
Your obt sevt
W L Marshall
U S Atty for Md
Page 48

[following is written]
Washington Ofc 7/21
To the Com of Pensions
Sir
In behalf of Mrs Frances
Riley, widow of Bennett Riley,
Md line, allowed in 1845, No 7491,
& afterwards suspended, on the
representations evidently of persons
unfriendly to Mrs Riley, I have to
ask a reconsideration of the case,
& her restoration to the Pension
Roll, to take effect from the
time the case was originally
suspended.
very respectfully
your obt sevt
Vespasian Ellis
her attorney
Page 49

[following is written; ink faded in places; contrast enhanced version used to assist in transcription]
Baltimore October 26th 1846
Der Sir
At the earnest solicitation of Mrs Frances
Ryley or Riley, a widow of Bennet Riley a revolutionary soldier
I take the liberty of writing you on the Subject of her Pension
which she says has been stopped for some reason or other which
she is unable to account for. any information toutching the
matter would be thankfully received by her, and if by any means
her pension can be restored to her (provided she is entitled to it)
would be eleviating her distress as she now aged and infirmed.
she states that all her papers were furnished to the Department
and were at the time considered clear and sufficient, and has
been receiving the pension. she think some person unfriendly
to her must have made some misrepresentation which has
caused her being deprived the support which she expected in
her declining days. It will be serving the cause of Humanity
if you will give the matter some attention and inform me on the subject, that her mind may be satisfied. you will please direct No. 71 Thomas Street East Baltimore
[illegible] Oblige
Yours 
John B M Letournan
Page 50

[following is written]
Baltimore May 30th 1850
Hon J. L. Edwards,
Comr of Pensions, Sir
 I have been requested by
Mrs Frances Riley of this city the widow of
Bennett Riley, a soldier of the Revolution who
served in the Maryland Line, to ask whether
she is not entitled to receive a Pension:
Mrs Riley informs me that she has heretofore
received a pension from government, but that
some few years past [word scratched out] payment thereof
was suspended and that she has recently 
understood that [word scratched out] provision had again been
made for their payment. Bennett Riley above
named is, as I am informed, the father of Genl
Riley who is now engaged in the military
service
of the United States: the old lady is in exceedingly
straitened circumstances, and labouring under
infirmity and decripitude, and if entitled to it 
relief should at once be afforded her:
Very Repectfully Y Obt Ser
C. L. L. Leary
Page 51

[following is written]
Baltimore Oct. 25. 1849
To,
Honl J. L. Ewards
Comm. of Pensions
Sir
Please inform me, when [underlined] Isabella Riley
widow of Bennet Riley, a Revolutionary Soldier
was placed on the Pension Roll of this state.
Mrs Riley informs me that for the past 5
or 6 years she has drawn no [underlined] pension, [underlined] and you
will please inform me what course must be
pursued in order that she may obtain her arrears
and having her name placed again upon the
Roll.
Mrs Riley is the Step-mother of Brig. Gen.
Riley of the U. S. Army. An early reply is
respectfully requested.
Yours Respectfully
Geo. H. Hickman [signature underlined]
Page 52

[following is written]
F Riley
Widow
of Bennett Riley
wrote Washington
Mar 20 to know
in what Co.
he was first
pensioned [2 'X's have been written over the previous 5 lines]

Maryland
Mr Cole
March 31. 1851 [last 2 lines are in different handwriting and ink]
Page 53

[print too light to read]
[extracted text]
this
that the
2
within the name of the
---
and in the
hath put off without
House to my knowledged
paid by
B. Did you comation Six
Warrinton Justice of the
B.S.
by
Ellis I will sign paid
J G J. Navington
Page 54

[following is written]
District of Columbia [last word written over previously written word]
City of Alexandria [word scratched thru] Baltimore [inserted] S.S
I hereby certify that on this eighteenth [word in different handwriting]
day of March  word in different handwriting] in the year eighteen hundred
and forty five, before me the subscriber, one of the
Justices of the Peace in and for the city of
Alexandria, District of Columbia [4 words scratched thru] Baltimore [inserted] aforesaid personally appeared
Ann Peters a resident of Said City of Baltimore, [preceding 4 words in different handwriting]
aged seventy five [preceding 2 words in different handwriting] years, and made oath on the Holy
Evangely of Almighty God that she was present
at and saw the Marriage ceremony solemnised
between Frances Riley (whose maiden name
was Frances Frazier) and Bennet Riley who had been a Soldier of the Revolution
by the Revd. Priest Eaton in the city of
Alexandria, District of Columbia; [next 2 words scratched out]
in the fall of the year, the 18th day of September
1799.   Sworn before  
   Wm Pechin [signature underlined; preceding 8 words and signature in different handwriting]]
Page 55

[following is written]
District of Columbia
County of Alexandria    to wit:
I, Cassius F. Lee Clerk of the U.
States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the
County of Alexandria hereby certify that I have carefully
examined the Records of my office from the year 1801 (the time at which this court was established) to the
present year 1845. and cannot find therein recorded
the marriage of Bennett Reily to Frances Frazier.
In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe
my name & affix the seal of my
said office this 26th day of September AD 1845.
Cassius F Lee, C.C. [signature is underlined]
Page 56

[following is written]
Frances Frazier
In testimony whereof I hereto
subscribe my name & affix
the seal of my said Office
this 26th day of September
A.D. 1845
Cassius F. Lee C.C
[a drawing of a seal appears in the left margin followed by  a diagonal line extending from the drawing to the lower right corner]
Page 57

[following is written; part 1 of multi-page doc]
1 [upper right corner]
State of Maryland
City of Baltimore
On this first March Eighteen
hundred and forty five before the subscribing the
Judges of the Orphan Court for the City and County
of Baltimore being a Court of record Personally
appeared Frances Reiley aged seventy nine years
formerly a resident of Alexandria in the District
of Columbia, now a resident of the City of Baltimore
State of Maryland she being first duly sworn according
to the law doth on her oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the benefits of the provisioning made 
by the Acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838, and the 23rd August 1842 granting pensions to the widows of
the soldiers of the Revolutionary War. That she
the aforesaid Frances Rieley [name underlined] is the lawfull
widow of Bennet Rieley [name underlined] who was a private in the
Artillery Regiment of the Maryland Continental 
Line. And the aforesaid deponent Frances Rieley [name underlined]
doth further state that her maiden name was Frances
Frazier [name underlined] when she married to her deceased husband [word inserted] Bennet
Rieley in the month of March Seventeen hundred
and ninety two at the City of Alexandria
in the District of Columbia by the Revd Priest
Eaton [name underlined] a Catholic [underlined] Minister [underlined] The aforesaid Frances [underlined
Rieley [underlined] doth further state that she had two lawfull
Children by her deceased [word inserted diagonally] husband Bennet Rieley and
Page 58

[following is written; page 2 of multi-page doc]
2 [upper left corner]
that She had a family prayer book that contained
a record of her marriage and the births of her
Children which book was stolen from her and 
that she had no record of her marriage, but she
knows of living persons who can testify to her
marriage -- And this deponent further states that
her deceased husband Bennet Riely departed
this life in the Month of December, 1811. And
she further states that she has remained a 
widow from that time up to the present.

Frances Rieley [an 'X' and the words 'her mark'] are written over the name]
Sworn and subscribed to       
before us in Open Court
Judges of the Orphans Court for
the City and County of Baltimore
   E D Kemp
   Peter Leary
   John D. Readel

Maryland
I hereby certify that Edward D. Kemp
Peter Leary and John D. Readel, Esquire who have
subscribed to the aforegoing paper were at the time
of so doing Judges of the Orphans Court for Baltimore
County, duly Commissioned and qualified according
to law.
[drawing of a seal in left margin]
In testimony whereof I hereunto
subscribe my name and affix the
seal of said Court this 1st day of
March 1845 lesle  
D.M. Perine, Regr.
Page 59

[following is written; page 3 of multi page doc]
3 [in upper right corner]

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore
On this first day of March
in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and
forty five, personally appeared before me Elizabeth
Pascal and made oath on the Holy Evangely of
Almighty God that she is personally acquainted with
Frances Rieley [name underlined] and knowing her to be the lawfull
widow of Bennet Riely who is now making application
for a pension for Revolutionary services of her deceased
husband.
Sworn to and subscribed to before me a 
Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid State
and City.
Elizabeth Pascal [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]

State of Maryland
Baltimore City   to wit
The above was duly sworn to before
me the subscriber
Robert Dutton
Justice of the Peace
Balt. City

State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct
I hereby certify that Robert
Dutton, Esq before whom the within affidavit was
made, and who thereto signed his name was at
Page 60

[following is written; page 4 of multi page doc]
4 [upper left corner]
the time of so doing Justice of the Peace of the
State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore
duly Commissioned and sworn.
[drawing of a seal in the left margin]
In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand and affix
the Seal of Baltimore County
Court this 19th day of
March, 1845
A W Bradford Clk

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore
To Wit
Be it remembered that
on the seventh day of March, Eighteen
hundred and forty five Personally appeared
James  Oldham Aged Eighty seven years
and made oath on the Holy Evangely
of Almighty God that he was personally acquainted
with Bennett Reiley who was a Soldier of
the Revolutionary Army, and this deponent further
states that Bennett Reiley was in the battle of
Germantown and Princeton together and belong to the
same mess in active service and knowing Bennett
Reiley to be the identical person that rendered
this service in the Artillery.
Sworn to and subscribed to before me a Justice
of the Peace in and for the City & aforesaid state
J L Maquire     James Oldham [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name]
Justice of the Peace
Page 61

[following is written; page 5 of multi page doc]
5 [upper right corner]
I have some knowledge of Mr James Oldham and
believe him to be entitled to full credit
under Oath.
J L Maquire J.P.
March 7th 1845

State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct
I hereby certify that James L
Maquire Esq before whom the aforegoing affidavit
was made and accompanying certificate given
and who has thereto subscribed his name was
at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace
for the State of Maryland in and for the city
of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I hereunto
subscribe my name and affix
the seal of Baltimore County
Court this 7th day of March
18 45
A W Bradford Clk [drawing of a seal located in the left margin]

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore
Be it remembered that on
this eighth day of March Eighteen hundred and
forty five Personally appeared before me a Justice
of the Peace in and for the City of Baltimore
Page 62

[following is written; page 6 of multi page doc]
6 [upper left corner]

in the aforesaid State Elizabeth Meekins aged
seventy five years and made Oath on the Holy
Evangely of Almighty God that she is and was
personally acquainted with Frances Frazier [written over a previous word]
and now Frances Reiley and knew her to
be the lawfull wedded wife of Bennett
Reiley who was a Soldier of the Revolutionary
war and knew them living together as man and
wife for fifty three years and upwards and they
had lawfull children and they were Always
reputed and generally known in Alexandria
in the District of Columbia and in the City
of Baltimore to be lawfully married
Elizabeth Meekins [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
Sworn to and Subscribed to
before me a Justice of the
Peace in and for the aforesaid
City and State
J L Maquire

From information received I have no hesitation
in saying that the above named Elizabeth Meekins
is entitled to full credit under Oath
J.L. Maquire
J.P

State of Maryland
Baltimore County Sct
I hereby certify that James
L. Maquire, Gentleman, before whom the
Page 63

[following is written; page 7 of multi page doc]
7 [upper right corner]
foregoing affidavit was made and who has
thereto subscribed his name was at the time
of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the
State of Maryland and for the City of Baltimore
duly Commissioned & sworn
In Testimony whereof I hereunto
subscribe my name and
affix the seal of Baltimore
County Court this 2nd day
of July 1845
A.W. Bradford Clerk
[drawing of a seal located in the left margin]

Land Office
Annapolis 23rd Sept. 1844
Dear Sir,
Having been absent from town for several
days past I did not receive your letter postmarked
the 20th ist until to day, or I should have replied
to it before! The name of Bennett Reily, I find
only upon the Bounty Land Record in my office
as being entitled to Bounty Land from this State
for his Revolutionary services. It appears that Bennett
Reily, belonged to the Maryland Artillery
and there is no Muster rolls to be found of the
Artillery Troops. I am therefore, unable to give you
a certificate as to the length of his service. All
that I can furnish you with is a certificate
of the Bounty Land awarded him for his services
Page 64

[following is written; page 8 of multi page doc]
8 [upper left corner]

in the Revolution. The services of the Maryland
Artillery did not terminate in Maryland.
They were transferred before the close of the
war to the Virginia Line, and were regularly
discharged with the Virginia Troops and
I presume evidence of their service, could be
obtained from the rolls of that State at
Richmond. A certificate of the Bounty
Land I can furnish you with, if desired.
Very respectfully,
 Lnd ofc
G.G. Brewer

District of Columbia
County of Alexandria   To Wit
Be it remembered that on this
26th day of September, Eighteen hundred and
forty five personally appeared before me the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the
aforesaid County and District, Lawrence
Hurdle now about Ninety three years of age
and now a pentioner of the United States for
his Revolutionary services, and made Oath on the
Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he was personally
acquainted with Bennett Reily who was a soldier
of the Revolutionary War and was attached
to the Maryland Artillery and knew him in
the United States service and also knows him the 
aforesaid Bennett Reily to be the identical
Page 65

[following is written; page 9 of multi page doc]
9 [upper right corner]
person who rendered the above services in the Continental
Army in the Maryland Line.
Lawrence Hurdle [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written above the name]
Lawrence Hurdle personally well known to me
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Alexandria and swore to all the
above statements and subscribed to the above by
making his mark and acknowledged the same.
Given under my hand and seal this 26th day of
September, 1845
Charles Scott [drawing of a seal]

District of Columbia
County of Alexandria Sc
I Cassius F Lee, Clerk
of the U States Circuit Court of the District
of Columbia for the County of Alexandria hereby
Certify that Charles Scott whose name is
signed to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement
was at the date thereof and is now
a Justice of the Peace for the said County of
Alexandria duly commissioned and sworn
In testimony whereof I hereunto
subscribe my name and affix
the seal of said County this 26
day of September A.D. 1845  Cassius F. Lee C.C.
Page 66

[following is written; page 10 of multi page doc]
10 [upper left corner]

The subscriber Citizens of County of Alexandria D.C.
are personally & well acquainted with Lawrence
Hurdle the within affiant and know him
to be a person of respectability whose statements
are entitled to the highest credit
James P. Middleton
John Grubb J.P.
Tomas Kinsey
And now, to wit, this twenty second day of December
1845, the said Lawrence Hurdle, the aforesaid
affiant, appeared before me the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in & for the said
County of Alexandria, and made oath that
he became acquainted with the said Bennett
Reily at the house of the said Reiley's Father
before his said service in the Revolutionary
war. That he was intimately acquainted with
the said Reileys Family before the war broke
out, and in that way knew all about the
said Bennett That he was not present at the
marriage of the said Bennett and Frances 
Reily and only knowing them as man & wife
from their living together as such and being
so reputed in their neighborhood That he had 
lately seen the said Frances who is is now applying
for a pension for the services of the said
Bennett and knowing that she is the widow
of Bennett Reily who served as a Maryland
Matross That by recollection of the said
Page 67

[following is written; page 11 of multi page doc]
11 [upper right corner]

Reily and his family is very distinct and
he knows that he cannot be mistaken in
regard to them.
Lawrence Hurdle [an 'X' and the words 'his mark' are written over the name]
Sworn and subscribed
before me this 22nd December
1845
John Grubb J.P.

I have carefully examined the records
of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and find no
mention made of Mr's Reilly's marriage as the
records do not date so far back and
the old records could not be found.
Igns Combs Pastor
Alexandria
Sept 26. '45

District of Columbia
County of Alexandria   to wit
I, Cassius F. Lee Clerk
of the U States Circuit Court of the District
of Columbia for the County of Alexandria
hereby certify that I have carefully examined
the records of my Office from the year 1801 (the
time at which this Court was established) to the
present year 1845 and cannot find therein
recorded the marriage of Bennett Reily to
Page 68

[following is written; page 12 of multi page doc]
12 [upper left corner]

Frances Frazier
In testimony whereof I hereto
subscribe my name & affix
the seal of my said Office
this 26th day of September
A.D. 1845
Cassius F. Lee C.C
[drawing of a seal is located in left margin; a diagonal line from the drawing to the lower right corner is included]]
Page 69

Application of
Frances Riley
[underlined]

Thos. J. Warrington
Baltimore
MD.
[underlined]
Page 70

[Following is written; this doc appears to be a pre-written "form letter" with blanks left for specific details] [ink in doc's lower portions is faded]
To the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
[blank] The undersigned begs
leave most respectfully to petition your [illegible] Department
praying that you will entertain her petition and give
her a fair and impartial hearing [blank]
[blank] your petitioner
Frances Riley widow of Bennett Riley who is now Eighty
years of age, a resident of Baltimore City in the State of
Maryland says that in the year of Eighteen hundred and
[blank] She filed an application in the office of the
the Commissioner of Pensions praying that a pension might
be granted to her for services rendered by her said husband
Bennett Riley in the war of the Revolution. She further
says that she was married to the said Bennett in [blank] Alexandria in the district of Columbia by Mr Eaton, a
priest in the Catholic church and that her application
and accompanying papers are now on file in the pension
office and that in the year Eighteen hundred and
forty one [different handwriting] [blank] She was placed on the pension rolls
for the State of Maryland remaining on the said rolls
for the space of Five Years [different handwriting]
at which time her name was struck from the pension
rolls and she has not been able to Learn the Cause if
there [2 words illegible]
Signed Frances Riley [an 'X' and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
State of Maryland City of Baltimore to wit
On this fourteenth day of January in the year A.D. 185[illegible]
Before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the
the City and State aforesaid personally appeared Frances Riley and made
oath on the holy Evangely of Almighty that the material facts
Set forth in the foregoing petition are true as stated to the
best of her knowledge and belief
Sworn Before    Thos. J. Warrington
Page 71

[following is written]
State of Maryland City of Baltimore to wit
Be it remembered that on this fourteenth day of January in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty two Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in 
and for the City and State aforesaid personally appeared
William Wiley and P. B. Lucas [names in different handwriting]
two credible witnesses in whose statements full faith and
Confidence may be reposed and made oath on the holy
evangely of all mighty god that they knew Bennett
Riley and Francis Riley his wife lived neighbours with
them. Knew them as far back as the year 184[illegible]
and that they know that they lived together as man and
wife, and they say further that they never heard anyone
question but that they were man and wife
William Wiley
Signed PB Lucas [names in different handwritings]
Sworn and Subscribed before me on the day and year
first above written
Thos. J. Warrington [underlined] [drawing of a seal]

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore  SS
I, Edward Dowling, Clerk of the 
Superior Court for the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland
do hereby certify that Thomas J. Warrington whose genuine
Signatures appears to the foregoing declaration and affidavit
is and was at the time of signing the Same, a Justice of the peace
in and for the County and state aforesaid duly
commissioned and sworn. Given under
my hand and seal of the office at 
Baltimore this fifth day of February
A.D. 1852
Edwd Dowling Clerk of the
Superior Court of Baltimore
City