Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13203, John Gritton, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Gritton, John
NUMBER   S.13203
carded
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7286   
Kentucky    
John Gritton    
Mercer Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the company commanded Captain Rice - of the Reg’t commanded Col Broadhead in the Pennsylvania line for 22 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of March 1833  and sent to Hon R. B. McAfee Frankfort Kent 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $146.66 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  36.66    
$183.32 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by  Daniel Boyd Clerk   
Book E  Vol. 7 Page 10
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Date of death not on AB
f
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State of Kentucky    
Mercer County Viz.)   
On this 3rd day of  December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the county court of Mercer now sitting John Gritton of Resident Citizen of Sd County & State aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following a named officers and served as herein stated viz}  I John Gritton do hereby state on Oath in answer to the several interrogatories put by the Court according to the direction of the war department that I was born in the town of Winchester of state of Virginia in the year 1755 as I my parents informed me, and my parents removed to Westmoreland County Pensylvania when I was about fifteen years of age and I lived on the Youghogeny River in that State when I was called into the service of my county as follows, In the month of May 1775 I was drafted in Capt John Rices Company of Col Broadhead Regiment for four months and was marched to a place six miles above what was called the Turkey foot settlement and built a Fort called Hoaglands fort where I was stationed until my time expired which was four months and was honorably discharged  - 
My next tour was in the fall of the same year I volunteered in a company of Rangers commanded by Capt Drake for three months and we marched to Conemaugh River in said state and ranged on that River and adjacent frontiers until our time expired and we were discharged   
and again in the year 1776 after harvest I again volunteered in Capt Drakes company of Rangers on another tour of three months and we marched up to a place called the Glades there on the waters of Turtle creek and Youghogeny River on the Frontiers of Westmorland County until our time expired and I was again discharged  - we had no colonel with us either of those tours but were ordered into service by Col Broadhead
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who was our provincial officer in our county.  
My next tour was in the month of January 1777 I again volunteered in Capt Drakes company of Rangers for one month In order to take some deserters from the main army marched to the Glades and several other places in the neighborhood of Bedford and took several; and others came in and delivered themselves up at Bedford and our time expiring I was discharged   
Again In the month of August 1778 I performed a tour of duty of one month as a volunteer in a company of Rangers or Indian Spys  under Capt Kilgore and we marched to Cheats River where we ranged until our time expired and I was discharged and again in the fall 1778 I performed another tour of one month as a volunteer ranger in Capt Browns company to a place called the Scribb Glades when we ranged until my time expired and I was discharged     
In 1779. I was employed building boats on the Youghogeny River and In the month of April 1780 I sailed down the in the south of Ohio River to the fall of that River, and July of that year I volunteered in Capt McGearys Company at Mcgearys Station now in Mercer County for three months on an expedition then about to march under Col Geo R Clark against the Indians and we marched to the mouth of Licking and from thence to a place then called Piqua on the Dead River a Branch of the Big Miami which place we burnt and destroyed after we had a severe conflict with the Indians and at the expiration of my time I was honorably discharged 
Again in the fall 1782 I volunteered in Capt James Rays company on another campaign and tour of three months against the Nothin Indians under Col or Gen George R. Clark and marched across the Ohio at the mouth of Licking about the 1st September and thence to Piqua n the Big Miami which place we took and burnt several other towns after
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a given conflict with the Indians - previous to this time in the year 1781 I performed a tour of two months as an Indian spy at (illegible)  station in Kentucky now Knox county, under Capt Ray, and one month at (illegible) Stationing the summer 1781, and one month at the (illegible) of Salt River.  At (illegible) I served under Capt John Gordon, and at the mouth of Salt River under s Lieutenant whose name I cannot recollect at this time but I solemnly vow that I actually performed the tours of duty and services as above (illegible), and I know of no person now alive by whom I can press my services in the state of Pensylvania, and my services in the state of Kentucky I believe I can prove by Gen'l James Ray and James Hutton - I further declare that I have no documentary evidence of my services as I have long since lost my discharges and I am not now a pensioner of the United States or of any state and I hereby relinquish all claim that I may have to any pension or annuity receipt at the present.
Witness my hand the 3rd day of December
1832                       John Gritton
                                {X is his mark}

Mercer County
On this 2nd day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court Gen'l James Ray and being sworn according To law doth on his oath state, that his acquaintance with the above John Gritton who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration commanded in the spring 1780 soon after he came to Kentucky and I have known him ever since.  I know that he marched with Gen'l Clark on his expedition in the year 1780 and in the year 1781 the said Gritton performed duty as a guard at the places he has stated above, part of his time was at (illegible) station where I was stationed and again in the fall 1782 he marched with me and in my company on Clarks campaign against the Indians on the Big (illegible) the said Gritton was always considered as a brave soldier and discharged his duty.  I also will recollect at that time the s'd Gritton told me of his services in the (illegible) of Pensylvania on the Youghagany River as he has detailed in his declaration
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which I have said and the said Gritton was always considered a man of Truth and I have no doubt of his having performed the service as he has stated Witness my hand this 3rd day of December 1832    
James Ray 
Mercer County } We the undersigned Martin C. Duncan a Clergyman residing in the sd County of Mercer and State of Kentucky and Stephen Tyler and Peter Huff residing in the same County and State do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Gritton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and we believe him to be of the age he has stated and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and in this opinion we concur and we further certify that said Gritton is a man of truth and a respectable citizen with whom we have been long acquainted Witness our hand this 8th day of December 1832     
Martin C. Duncan
Stephen Tyler his mark
Peter Huff his mark
State of Kentucky 
Mercer County Sct }  December County Court 1832   
John Gritton the applicant for a pension herein together with Martin C. Duncan a Clergyman James Ray Stephen Tyler & Peter Huff this day came into Court and severally swore to the Statements by them respectively subscribed and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigating of the matter after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Martin C Duncan who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Mercer that James Ray Stephen Tyler and Peter Huff who have also signed the same are resident of Mercer County and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit    
I Thomas Allen Clerk of the Court of Mercer County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Gritton for a pension 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal of Office this 3rd day of December 1832 Thos Allen Jr.
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Test Know all men by these presents, That I Aaron Gritton, son of Jno Gretton decd a pensioner at the rate of 8 per annum, who died August 7th 1840. leaving no widow. who was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint F F C Triplett true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims I may have to arrears of pay or Pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts 4th July, 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3d March, 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2d February, 1848 and 29th July, 1848 -- as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15th May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832. Said Attorney is moreover authorised in my name to demand at any Department of the said Government, a reconsideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given, touching my interests, and to obtain from any Department of the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of Said Attorney is moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due me and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer upon him or them all the powers herein conferred upon my said attorney hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may do by virtue of these presents. WITNESS my hand and seal this 6th day of April 1853
Test  Archibald Woods 
Aaron Gritton   [L.S.]
L. H. Stevenson   
State of County, sct
 BE IT KNOWN, that on the day of 185 before the subscriber, a in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the signing, sealing and delivering the same to be own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREF, I do hereunto subscribe my name.   J.P.
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January 4, 1939 
JOHN GRITTON 
S. 13205 
BA-J/MLB
Mrs. R. B. Nelson    
Harrodsburg Kentucky 
Dear Madam:   
Reference is made to your letters of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Gritton who served in that war from Pennsylvania and received pension while living in Mercer County, Kentucky.    
The record of John Gritton follows as found in pension claim, S. 13203, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.         
John Gritton was born in 1755 in Winchester, Virginia. When about fifteen years of age, he moved with his parents, whose names are not shown, to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, While residing on Youghighany River in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania , John Gritton enlisted in May, 1775, served four months as private in Captain John Rice's company, Colonel Brodhead's Pennsylvania regiment, marched to a place six miles from Turkey Foot settlement and assisted in building Hoagland Fort. He volunteered in the fall of 1775 and served three months as private in Captain Drake's company of Pennsylvania rangers ranging on Conemaugh River. He volunteered after harvest in 1776 and served another tour of three months as private in Captain Drake's company of rangers, Colonel Brodhead's Pennsylvania regiment on the frontiers of Westmoreland County. He volunteered in January, 1777, and served one month in Captain Drake's Pennsylvania company. He volunteered in August, 1778, and served one month as private in Captain Kilgore's company of rangers in the Pennsylvania troops on Cheat River. He volunteered in the fall of 1778, and served one month as a ranger in Captain Brown's Pennsylvania company. In 1779, he was engaged in building boats on the Youghighany River. In April, 1780, he moved from Pennsylvania, sailed down the Ohio River to the Falls in Kentucky, and in July, 1780, volunteered in Captain McGeary's company at McGeary's Station, marched against the Indians in General George R. Clark's campaign to the mouth of the Licking, then to Piqua, an Indian town which they burned, length of tour three months. He volunteered in 1781, and served a tour of
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two months as an Indian spy in Captain James Ray's company in another campaign under General George R. Clark at McMurtry's Station in what was later Mercer County, Kentucky; in the summer of 1781, he served one month at McCrary's Station under Captain John Gordon. In the fall of 1782, he again volunteered and served another tour of three months in Captain James Ray's company on a campaign under General George R. Clark against the Indians on the Big Miami River and burned several of their towns.
John Gritton was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1832, while a resident of Mercer County, Kentucky. He died August 7, 1840. His wife, whose name was not stated, did not survive him.
The only child of John Gritton whose name was designated in the claim was a son, Aaron Gritton, about whom no details were given. No other reference was made to children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: John Gritton, certificate #7285, issued March 26, 1833, rate $73.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
2 -
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Gritton JOhn
Marcier Co

Fro 1775 private
22 months.
$73.33/100.

Rice
Broadhead
Gen'l R B McAfee

{written at 90 degrees to above}
James Hutton
affidavit for John Gritton
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State of Kentucky 
Mercer County ss
On this 26th day of November 1832 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for s'd county he being infirm and as he lives more than twenty miles from Harrodsburg where our courts sit and it being very inconvenient for the s'd Hutton to attend court on account of his infirmities and being duly sworn according to Law states, as follows viz I James Hutton do hereby state on oath that I am will acquainted with John Gritton sen'r, of the county of Mercer and have known him since he first came to Kentucky in the Spring 1780 and I was intimately acquainted with him from That time to the present.  and I know that he performed the several tours of duty which he has stated viz He was in Clarks Campaign in 1780, and also in 1781 he was stationed at Wellington's station and at (illegible) & on Salt River also on Clarks Campaign in the fall 1782 I also well recollect of the said Gritton telling me of his services in Pensylvania in the years 1775 -6 & 7 in the western fronts of that state and of his building forts on the Youghiogany River all of which services he has often told me of soon after he came to Kentucky and before the war ended, I have always considered the s'd Gritton as a man of Truth and a respectable Citizen, I was sworn as a Witness to his first declaration, and know personally of his service since he first came to Kentucky.  Witness my hand this day 26th of November 1832
                                         James Hutton

Sworn to before me a Justice of the peace for s'd county and I further certify that the above named James Hutton is a respectable and credible man as I have known for more than twenty years. Given under my hand this 26th day of November 1832
                                         Santy Holman J.P.M.C
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State of Kentucky Mercer County Sct}  
I Thomas Allin Jr. Clerk of the Court for the County afsd do certify that Danby Holman Esq whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the same and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County afsd duly commissioned and qualified and as such full credit is and ought to be given to every of his official acts as such 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 27th day of November 1832 
Tho Allin Jr
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1939 – Jan 4 - Hist to Mrs. R. B. Nelson  NRB
1939- Aug 8 - Mrs. R. B. Nelson add further in re this sol
1940 – Mch 6 - Mrs R. B. Nelson info source of death date 
1840 – Mch 28 Hon. A. N. Berkley inf date of death etc  MHF
1940. July 1 Hon. Allen W Barkley appy compt gen. for date of last payment MHBB 
13203 
INVALID. – 
File No. 13.203 
John Gritton 
Pri. Rev. War 
Act:  June 7th 1832 
Index:-- Vol. 1  Page 153 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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RECEIVED JAN 6 1939 
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS ADM
Reader # 23
had been mailed when this was rec.  1
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RECEIVED JAN 6 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM Reader #23
Harrodsburg Ky 
Jan 4 1939 
Veterans Bureau 12/9/39
Washington D.C.  
Dear Mr. Black:
I have before me your communication on the ninth of Dec, saying you were giving my communication attention and returning my stamp. you also are my file reference as BA-G.
John Gritton 
Will I have written you once since I received this and I apologize for worrying you again. But I am
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very anxious to receive this as I am going away soon and this want to finish before I go.   Will you please let me hear from you and just cant get and reply.   I have a friend that for her record without any trouble.  I giving this all again 
Mercer Co Pennsylvania Line  
Gritton, John   March 26, 1833  $73.33   
From year Book of the Ky Society 1896 Roll of Pensions 
Please send me a copy of Pension Records 
Respectfully 
Bess G. Nelson
Mrs. R. B. Nelson
Harrodsburg Ky
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Harrodsburg Ky 
Dear Sirs: 
 I wrote you around the first of Dec about a copy of the Pension Papers of John Gritton.  I received a communication from you dated the 9th of Dec. stating you were giving this matter attention.  My full reference is BA-G.  Will you please this let me hear from this just as soon as possible as I want to get up this before I go away as I am going away soon 
Thanking you
Truly Bess G. Nelson 
(Mrs. R. B.)
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RECEIVED DEC 8 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM Reader No. 3
Harrodsburg Ky  
Veterans Bureau 
Washington D C 
Dear Sirs:  
I want a copy of a pension John Gritton Mercer Co March 26 1833 $73.33 - I got this from year book of the Kentucky Society- 1896 In the roll of Pensitors. He was private in Pennsylvania Line I am sending a stamp if there are charges please let me hear from you 
Respectfully
Bess Gritton Nelson 
(Mrs. R. B.)
Let Dec 9 eve 9 am
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VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON  
December 9, 1938.  
YOUR FILE REFERENCE
IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-G
Mrs. Bess G. Nelson
Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
Dear Madam:
The postage enclosed with your letter of recent date is herewith returned. No postage is required on replies to official inquiries. 
Your communication is being given attention. 
By direction, 
W. C. BLACK, 
Chief Clerk. 
Enclosure:  (3) one-cent stamps 
Veterans Administration Form 3158 
Return of Postage
RECEIVED DEC 9 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM Reader # 3
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July 1, 1940 
JOHN GRITTON
S.13203
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Honorable Alben W. Barkley 
United States Senate 
Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Senator:    
Reference is made to your letter of June 26, in behalf of Mrs. R. B. Nelson of Harrodsburg, Kentucky who desires to know the date on which the last pension he was mailed to John Gritton on Revolutionary pension certificate No. 7286, or to whom mailed if as an accrued pension for burial expenses. 
As stated in letter to Mrs. Nelson, dated January 4, 1939, in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of John Gritton, and the name and address of last person paid, she should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data: John Gritton, certificate #7286, issued March 25, 1836, rate $73.33 as per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Kentucky Agency. The date of his death may be recorded in that office, also.   
As stated in letter to you of March 28, 1940, Aaron Gritton, who stated that he was the son of the soldier cited above, gave the date of death of his father as August 7, 1840. which is the only date of death given in the pension claim. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Mary Bailey
OL  1841: 51
ALBEN W. BARKLEY 
KENTUCKY
United States Senate 
CONFERENCE OF THE MAJORITY 
June 26th., 1940
My dear Mr. Bailey: 
In re: GRITTON, John 
Cert. 7286 
Revolutionary soldier 
I am just in receipt of a request from Mrs. R. B. Nelson of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, relative to her ancestor above named. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is desirous of getting some information with reference to her above kin in order that she may receive greater recognition through the above organization. She is asking me to get if possible the date on which the last pension check was mailed to the above mentioned soldier, and if it was mailed to him or to some one in connection with burial expenses as the accrued pension due. From the best information I have been able to gather I think his death occurred on August 7, 1840. I shall appreciate any information you may give me regarding this veteran along the above mentioned lines. It seems that there is some confusion with respect to the date of his death, and Mrs. Nelson is of the opinion that perhaps by getting the above information your records would show same. 
Thanking you in advance, I am 
Very sincerely yours, 
Alben W. Barkley
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March 28, 1940
JOHN GRITTON
S.13203
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Honorable Alben W. Barkley 
United States Senate 
Washington, D. C. 
My dear Senator: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the date of death and place of burial of John Gritton, Revolutionary War pensioner. 
The papers in the claim for pension, S. 13903, based upon service of John Gritton have been examined very carefully and the only statement in regard to his death was made by Aaron Gritton, who stated that he was the son of John Gritton, Revolutionary War soldier and pensioner, deceased, who died August 7, 1840, leaving no widow. Said Aaron made this statement April 6, 1865. 
The place of burial of this soldier is not shown in the papers in this claim, and no record has been found of any other soldier with the name John Gritton. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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ALBEN W.  BARKLEY
KENTUCKY
United States Senate 
CONFERENCE OF THE MAJORITY
March 25th, 1940 
My dear General Hines: 
In re: GRITTON, John
Revolutionary War.
It is my understanding from relatives of the above mentioned soldier that a pension was paid to him, and I am trying to ascertain the date of death of the veteran as contained in your records. I do not assume your records would show where this veteran was buried. If they do I would also like to have this information. Thanking you in advance, I am Very sincerely yours, 
Alben W. Barkley
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March 6, 1940 
JOHN GRITTON 
S. 13203 BA-J/MMHF: MLB
Mrs. R. B. Nelson 
Harrodsburg Kentucky 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Andrew House who served in the French and Indian War, the name of whose wife was Sara, and whose son, Andrew, served in the Revolutionary War from the State of Pennsylvania, also to know the source of the date of death of John Gritton (S. 13203) given as August 7, 1840, in the report to you from this office, January 4, 1939. 
This office has no record of services rendered in the Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War, hence, no record of service of Andrew House in the French and Indian War, nor record of any pension which might have been paid for such service. The Revolutionary War records have been searched and no record found of an Andrew House old enough to have rendered service in the French and Indian War, in addition to his Revolutionary War service. 
In regard to the date of death of John Gritton, Aaron Gritton, referred to in the report to you, stated in 1853 that he was the son of John Gritton, Revolutionary War soldier, deceased, a pensioner, who died August 7, 1840, leaving no widow. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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August 8, 1939 
JOHN GRITTON
S.13203
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Mrs. R. B. Nelson 
Harrrodsburg Kentucky   
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that a have seen typewritten copies of pension records of men in Wars, Revolutionary War and War of 1812, in the State Historical Society in Frankfort, Kentucky, among which copies you found the pension applications of John Gritton, whose record was furnished you by this office, James Hutton and John Grant, and that you believe the records of those three pensioners are mixed, that some of John Gritton's papers must be with those of James Hutton and John Grant, all of Mercer County, Kentucky. You request to know whether or not this be true, also information in regard to General Ray's statement which you read in those archives, that "John Gritton was commissioned in the spring of 1780 soon after he came to Kentucky, and further, whether or not John Gritton served in the French and Indian War or War of 1812. 
In the Revolutionary War pension records of this office, the claims for pension of the three soldiers named above John Gritton, John Grant and James Hutton are not confused. There are three distinct claims. 
The claim for pension (S. 13205) of John Gritton was based upon his service in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the report to you, dated January 4, 1939.  It is not shown in those papers that he served in the War of 1812. As he was born in 1755, he could not have served in the French and Indian War, 1754-1763. 
In support of the claim for pension of this John Gritton, James Hutton stated in 1832 that he had been intimately acquainted with John Gritton, Senior, of Mercer County, Kentucky, ever since the spring of 1780, when he (Gritton) came to that state. James Hutton's residence was then (1838) more than twenty miles from Harrodsburg.
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and in 1832, General James Ray, (formerly John Gritton's captain) stated that his acquaintance with John Gritton commenced in the spring of 1780, soon after said Gritton arrived in Kentucky, and that he had known him ever since, also that he was always considered as a brave soldier, and that he believed Gritton's statement in his claim for pension in regard to his services in the Revolutionary War were true. It is assumed that the word "commenced" has been confused with the word “commissioned” in General James Ray's statement. Martin C. Duncan, Stephen Tyler and Peter Huff, all residents. of Mercer County, Kentucky, in 1832, stated that they had been long acquainted with John Gritton and that he was a man of truth. It is not shown that John Gritton was in any battles. 
In the Revolutionary War claim for pension of John Grant, of Mercer County, Kentucky, there are no papers which pertain to John Gritton. 
In support of the claim for pension (S. 31147) of James Hutton, of Mercer County, Kentucky, General James Ray and John Gritton made joint affidavit in Mercer County, Kentucky, in 1838, that they had been well acquainted with James Hutton since he came to Kentucky in March, 1780, and know that he served in the Revolutionary War. John Gritton stated further that he and James Hutton often did guard duty together. 
It is hoped that the information given herein will dispel the confusion in regard to your records and thus aid you in your research. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator 
2 -
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Harrodsburg Ky 
Feb 19, 1940 
Mr. A. D Hiller 
Washington D. C. 
RECEIVED FEB 21 1940 MAIL SEC [unreadable]
My dear Sir 
On Jan. 4, 1939 you sent me a copy of the Pension Record of John Gritton S.13203 - you stated that John Gritton died Aug 7. 1840. Will you please tell me just how this date was procured? This line of John Gritton has been in Washington since last April - I sent in my paper before the D.A.R. Congress convened. I was there when that convened myself-- The papers have been there ever since. The last I heard of them they claimed my ancestor could not have been this soldier because I had sent in an excerpt of his will and the will was made August 17, 1837. Probated Sep. Court 1839 I do not have his death date myself. There has been some mistake about this as there is only one early settler of that name. no brothers that we know of.  Its a name not so commonly known, my uncle living now remembers his grandfather Aaron Gritton & knows John Gritton to be the father of Aaron. There never was another of the name of Aaron Gritton.  The name John has been handed
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-2- 
down - In fact my fathers name was John Rowan Gritton- So I feel justified in saying that this Ky. Soldier was my ancestor. My grandfather entertained me when I was & a child telling me about the Indians Their paper living room had Indians on it. I will always remember that His grandmother Elizabeth Gritton, Aaron’s wife was in Old Fort Harrod.   I can give all proof that ours was the only family of that name that came here at that time, I have written about this to the Administration but did not mention your name. I should have possibly would live heard sooner. I have another letter written the my 8th of Aug. 1939 – answering my request of quite a long time ago & pension papers getting mixed with John Grants - Well that mistake was made in Frankfort Ky.   While I was in Washington last spring I was looking at the Pension Papers of John Gritton and in lot that all straightened out. I felt that it was mixed and it was.  I thank you so much for answering even if it was late - I feel sure you can help me & tell me just how you get this date of death of John Gritton. I know there was an error some where in them, sending it in from here – Will you please let me hear from this
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-3- 
as soon as possible for I do so want to get a bar before our State meeting and before all of our D.A.R. meetings convene.  If I could only find a stone but I believe it has been removed-- some one told me had I gotten there sooner I would have found it.   Hoping to hear from you soon and thanking . Oh yes another letter of your about Isaac Bowman R 19362 BA- J /ARY- Well you were right about Jacob & Isaac not getting pensions -as yet I have more to learn about my James Bowman lines - as you know Isaac Bowman was Lieutenant in Captain Joseph Bowman Co- during Rev. 
My ancestor died very early and his wife Rhoda Bowman married again so it makes it very hard to trace - I may find something later if I can get to the place – Jacob was later - Joseph, John & Abraham’s older brother I have found out so I will not worry you above these until I get it clearer.  Only wish I could get to Va know I could get all I want there, Did not Andrew House the older fighter in the French & Indian Wars. He had a son Andrew also the Son was in Pa. Reg. the older Andrew’s wife was Sara.  His Pension I wanted.  
Please help me got this awful tangle about the dates straightened out wont you?  
Sincerely yours 
Mrs. R. B. Nelson 
Bess G. Nelson
Rev of Pa – Born abt 1748 – other 1758
Page 31

John Gritton
S.13203
BA-J/MLB
Harrodsburg Ky 
Jan 16 1940 
Mr.  A. D. Hiller 
On Jan 4, 1939 you sent me a copy of John Gritton’s Pension Papers in which you stated “John Gritton was allowed pension on his application Dec 3, 1832, while a resident of Mercer Co Ky. He died Aug 7, 1840. His wife, whose name was not stated, did not survive him. The only child of John Gritton whose name was designated in this claim was a son Aaron, about whom no details were given no other reference was made to children”.   
I tried to find out the date of the last payment of the pension & to whom paid, but was not able to find this out. I wrote to the Comptroller General but did not get this date – 
Now I am trying to get a bar, for this soldier services. The Registrar General writes me that this could not be my ancestor for, I have sent an abstract of John Gritton’s will.  This will was made in 1837 - Probate in 1839. The will is here in the Mercer Co Court house. Now I am sure there was some mistake about this date of yours as it is the same Man - there never was another man here with this name. He had no relatives
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excepting his children here. Aaron Gritton that you give in the pension papers as being a son of John Gritton the soldier is my great grandfather - I have an uncle living her that remembers his grandfather quite well both grandfather & grandmother Elizabeth House Gritton. Their stones are now at Providence cemetery here in Mercer Co.  
John Gritton, the father of Aaron & a Rev. Soldier lived between there Handsbury and Danville then Mercer Co. Part of his 200 acres of land on the line between Mercer and Boyle Co now - I have the plot of land - a drawing found in the Circuit Court of Mercer Co.  - there is also a record of a law suit a Bowman vs Brewer law suit he is one of the witnesses so in Ann Harrod. They lived close together there was an argument over a fork in the road. He stated he came here in 1780 just as the pension stated – 
Won’t you please let me know not how the date of his death was gotten? I have not found the stones. There must have been stones as he states in his will that he wants a decent burial
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when I was looking for the stones a man working on the place told me had I come three months sooner I could have found them   I had been enquiring for and about them for that long- so I suppose I will never find them now.  And I have not the date of death only the date of will when probated.  Will be so glad if you can help me with this date and thanking you so much 
Very sincerely your 
Bess G. Nelson 
(Mrs R B Nelson) 
Harrodsburg Ky
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RECEIVED FEB 6 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM reader # 34
Harrodsburg Ky
Feb 2 1839 
Again the soldier John Gritton = 7286 Pension commenced in 1831 issued in 1833.  You were very kind to give me the information but as yet I have not received a reply from the Comptroller Office. I was at the State Historical Society here in Frankfort the other day They gave me some copies of Pension Records typed from Rev., French & Indian, & War of 1812. This pension record was there & very similar to the you have given me only more of it there were several affidavits given and the one given by Gen Ray
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especially interested me. He states that he is acquainted with James Gritton Commissioned in the spring of 1780 soon after he came to Ky – I think she means John -  & he Head known him ever since & etc. Will you give me the particulars about this or till me where I can get it.  Was this pension for just the Rev War or the French & Indian Wars. It does not tell of any Battles. I should like to get more about this. There are several other affadavits given. Mr James Hutton.  This one sums to be mixed with John Grants papers. He spoke of him being from N. J. although in the first he called him John Gritton.   This was a mistake in copying or in the original papers. Possibly in in their copy as these old
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Records were typed & put in a book.  This John Grant came from this Co too.  There are deeds with mixed with the ones  John Gritton & James Hutton have here in the Court House He seems to have been with Col Ephraim Martin in Cap John Anderson’s Co. Then Hon, Joseph Anderson gives his affadavit as do Samuel Davies & John Bridges so that has been mixed with my soldier John Gritton and here hoping you can help me out & give me the other ones that gave affadavits. I know the Descendents of Gen, Ray & Mr. James Hutton This soldier John Grant was in the 4th Reg of N. J. Possibly the other part of John Grittons is with John Grant, John Gritton wife name was Elizabeth & they were married before they came to Ky. Guess they came down from Pa on one of those 200 family boats Collins Ky History speaks of.  Aaron Gritton the Son you spoke of was born in 1779. I have John Grittons will and his wife name was Elizabeth.  Can’t you get me straight on the rest of the Pension record, or tell me where I can find out the rest of this I am leaving here the 18 of Feb do wish I could hear from you before I leave  
Thanking you so much 
Bess G. Nelson 
(Mrs.  R B Nelson Harrodsburg Ky)
What about this Commission Gen. Ray speaks of?