Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,680, Joseph Bray, Mass.
Page 1

Mass. Bray, Joseph W. 23,68
Anna
Page 2

5842
Maine
Joseph Bray
private
Massachusetts line 3 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 of June 1819 and held
R. C. Vose
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818 4 mo 27/30 - 39.20
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 March 1819 48.00 
$87.20
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Arson,
2
ification sent Decemb
Capt Land
Agh
Augusta
go of
Page 3

4427
Maine
Anna Bray
widow of Joseph Bray
who was a private
in the Mass [illegible] Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
Certificate of Pension issued the
Seventeenth day of Jany 1844
and sent to
G W Morton
Augusta
Me
{Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book [illegible] 
Vol./ Page 2
Page 4

Joseph Bray. Anson
Kennebec Co. Col. Vose's
Mass. Reg. 1781 to 1783
3 years
April 8, 1818
Admitted
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Joseph Bray, aged fifty four years, born in Gloucester
Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, now
resident in Anson in the District of Maine, upon oath
testify and declare, that on the 16th of January 1781
I enlisted as a private soldier, in the service of the U
States, in the war of the revolution, upon the continental
establishment, for the term of three years, in the
company, commanded by Capt Nathan Goodale, and
regiment commanded by Col. Rufus Putnam of the
Massachusetts line. I was afterwards transferred to
the first regiment, Massachusetts line, commanded
by Col. Vose. I served until December 1783 against the
common enemy, and then took my final and honorable
discharge from the army at West Point. My discharge
is not, to my knowledge, now in existence. I was
in battle with the enemy at West Point Kingsbridge.
From my reduced circumstances, I am in need of assistance from my country for support. And I do
hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension here
tofore allowed me by the laws of the U. Sates, if any;
but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension
list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon
the pension list for the District of Maine
Joseph Bray
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Number
On the eighth day of April AD 1818, Joseph Bray above named
after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration
by him subscribed
Before me
Nathan Weston
Chief Justice C. Court C
Please send Eastern Corent

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Benjamin Hilton of Anson in the District of Maine
upon oath testify and declare, that I am well
acquainted with Joseph Bray, abovenamed. From his
renounced circumstances, he is in need of assistance from
his country for support. He sustains the character of
a man of truth
Benjam Hilton
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennth Jr.
On the eighth day of April AD 1818 Benjamin Hilton above
named, after having her carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing
declaration, by him subscribed-
Before me Nathan Weston 
Chief Justice C Court
C Pleas, Second Eastement
Page 7

COPY 384

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
On this thirteenth day of June 1820,
personally appeared before in the Court before Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset,
being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common
law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and
having the power of fine and imprisonment, Joseph Bray aged Fifty seven years, resident in Anson
in the County of Somerset within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain
Probate and Regiment commanded by Colonel Putnum afterwards Voke of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for
the period of three years, and there received an injury in
my right leg while in the service which has
left me came to this day having had a continual
soreness in that leg
that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the Eighth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 5842. And I, the said Joseph
Bray do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part
thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of
Congress, entitled, ""An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service
of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the eighteenth day of March, one
thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any
property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is
contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Joseph Bray

The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding
excepted, viz: one pig of the value of one dollar
old household stuff besides necessary beding
not exceeding five dollars in value one old
gun worth three dollars one broad sword
with two dollars. Debts due to me that she
collected one hundred an forty dollars and
I here more than two hundred fifty dollars
my income from the above property is not equal to the interest of the money I owe. same sum by occupation a farmer but enemage uniformity am not able to labor My
family at home consists of myself, my wife
Armah aged forty six, my son Joseph aged twenty
one my daughter Rebecca aged Seventeen
Page 8

My daughter Judith aged fifteen, my
daughter Betsy aged seven years my son David aged twelve who has a rupture my Son James aged ten years, my son Davis aged eight years and my son Charles aged
five years Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing and beding I have no property or income whatever 
Joseph Bray 
Subscribed sworn to and declared
both the oath and schedule on the
thirteenth day of June 1820
Before me
Nathan Weston Jr
CJCCC Pleas

A true Copy
Attest John Davis Clerk.
[Upside down writing]
I hereby certify that the forgoing is a true copy of the original oath and schedule filed in the Clerk's Office at Norridgewock in the County of Somerset the eighth day of November AD 1870
Mrs William Allen J. Clerk of
County Somerset
[Upside Down writing]
Page 9

9283
Anna Bray
Augusta
Maine
Page 10

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th
July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay
and pensions to certain widows." and the act
approved August 23. 1842
STATE OF MAINE.
Somerset County, ss.
On this sixth
day of June
A. D., 1843
personally appeared before the Open Court of Probate for the said
County of Somerset it being a court of record

Anna Bray
a resident of Anson in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, aged sixty nine years, who, being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7th, 1838, entitled
""An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;"" That she is the
widow of and the act approved the 23 of August 1842. That she
is the widow of Joseph Bray, deceased, who was a person of the United States under the Act of March 18
1818. That his name was on the roll of the Maine
agency when his pension was paid to him up to the
4th of September 1840, that she be the person or his
widow from the last motion dated the twenty first
day of January, 1841, and that she refers to the declaration made by him of his service in the War of the Revolution in support of her claim.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Joseph Bray on the first
day of December in the year seventeen hundred and ninety one; that her husband, the aforesaid Joseph Bray died on the twenty first day of January 1841 at the aforesaid town of Anson; that
she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place
previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time
above stated, that her maiden name was Anna Gott
and that her marrage with the said Joseph Bray
was solemn, by Oliver Word Esq. and that even
since the decease of her late husband the said Joseph
Bray she has remained unmarried
Anne Bray
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
C. Quine, Judge
Page 11

STATE OF MAINE.
Somerset ss. 
I the subscriber Register of Probate for the County of Somerset hereby CERTIFY,
That the Hon Charles Greene
before whom the proceedings
were had, is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County
I also CERTIFY, That the within
contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Anna Bray for a pension.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of the said Court, this Sixth day of June A. D., 1843
Thomas C. Jones Regt
Page 12

I William Allen Town Clerk, of the town of Norridgewock
in the County of Somerset and State of Man, having the custody
of the records of said town, do hereby certify that I have examined
the same and can find no record of the marriage of Joseph
Bray late of Anson in said County deceased, therein, and that
does not appear that any record of marriage was made by the
town Clerk of said hill the year after said Joseph Bray is said to
have been married: I however found a record of publishments
and among others the following, towit
September the twenty third seventeen hundred and ninety one
Joseph Bray and Anna Gott both of Sandy river
settlement this intention of marriage entered and published
October Nineteenth seventeen hundred and ninety one, & certificate
" given of the same. Entered on the town {illegiable}-
I further certify that I have had in my custody for more than
five years an old manuscript book purporting to be an
original record kept by Oliver Wood Esq - he was formerly a
Justice of the Peace and now deceased, in which page twenty first is
an entry as follows: December first, seventeen hundred and ninety
one This day was married Joseph Bray to Anna Gott
both of Sandy river settlement by Oliver Wood, Esq.
December thirteenth Seventeen hundred and ninety one, this day was married Luke Wither of Norridge to Margaret Walton of
seven mile brook by Oliver Wood, Esq., which manuscript
is filed with the books of said town of Norridgewock
one many
 William Allen Town Clerk

State of Maine Somerst County ⎬ Personally appeared before me
Cullen Sawtelle a Justice of the Peace in and for the County
aforesaid on this twenty sixth day of May 1843 William Allen
Town Clerk of the town of Norridgework and made oath that the foregoing
certificate by him subscribed is true and the above extracts are truly
copied from the town record & Justice record in his custody, except that dates in the originals are in plain legible figures instead of the words
Cullen Sawtell Justice of the Peace
Page 13

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
EEL

June 24, 1930

Mrs. Fred E. Harmon
R. F. D. #4
Brunswick, Maine
Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, W. 23680, it appears that Joseph Bray
was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, date not given.

He enlisted, place not stated, January 16, 1781,
served as a private in Captain Nathan Goodale's Company,
Colonels Rufus Putnam's and Joseph Vose's Massachusetts Regiments, was in the battle at King's Bridge, and was discharged in December, 1783. He stated that he received an injury to his right leg while in the service.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 8, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-four years
and resided in Anson, Somerset County, Massachusetts (Maine).

He died January 21, 1841, at Anson, Maine.

The soldier married December 1, 1791, at Norridgewock,
Massachusetts (Maine), Anna Gott. Both were then of Sandy River settlement.

She was allowed pension on her application executed
June 6, 1843, at which time she was aged sixty-nine years
and resided in Anson, Maine.

In 1820, the following children were residing with
the soldier and his wife: Joseph, aged twenty-one; Rebecca, aged seventeen; Judith, aged fifteen, David, aged twelve; James, aged ten; Darius, aged eight; Betsy, aged seven; and Charles, aged five years, respectively.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 14


Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.
W. 23680
Feb. 10, 1926

{Illegeligable} Major, Q.M.C.
Office of Quartermaster General, U.S.A
Washington, D.C.

Sir:
I have to advise you, that the Revolutionary War
pensioner, Joseph Bray was born at Gloucester, Mass.,
about 1764, enlisted January 16, 1781, as private in
Captain Nathan Goodale's Company, Colonals Rufus Putnam and  Colonel Joseph Vose's Massachusetts regements, and was discharged in Dec. 1783. He was allowed pension on his application executed April 8, 1818 and he died Jan. 21, 1847 at Anson, Maine.


Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.


{Handwriting on side}
This Co. was in the two Regiments
See hereance
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the
United States.
I the subscriber, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common
Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the
Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Joseph Bray a citizen of the United States, now resident in
Anson in the said County of Somerset in the District of
Maine, on the eighth day of April A. D. 1818, made application
to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be place on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed March 18, A.D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant,
is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appeared to me that the said applicant did serve as a  private soldier in the war of the revolution against the common enermy, upon the continental establishmnet, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances he needs assistance of his country for support. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this twenty third day of May in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Nathan Weston {illegible}
{illegable} C.E. Circuit
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, SS.
The Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire,
before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of
Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand:
Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

{Illegable}
Page 17

State of Maine.
William Allen Clerk, for the County
of Somerset of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Kennebec
and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and
the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the
said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open Court; and I
do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule,
including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is one hundred and fifty one dollars, and not cents, and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is one hundred fifty one dollars and Cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto  set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Eighth day of November 1820.
William Allen Clerk of said Court for the County of Somerset
Page 18

We the subscribers Inhabitants of the laws of
Anson & Starks in the County of Somerset State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Mr. Joseph Bray of said Anson has lived in so
town about twenty four years and was amongst
the first settlers in said town that he now is
& ever has been a steady industrious hand labouring man, when he was able to work. Mr Bray is & has been since he lived in this town much afflicted with fever some of his right leg, which some he is said to have had, and we have no reason to doubt it ever since & before he left the Revolutionary Army, and which was the result of his having the smallpox & a fever while he
was in the Revolutionary army which settled in
his leg, it frequently prevents, or disables him
from labour he has a large family and is rather poor & in low circumstances, and need assistance in order to support himself & family
comfortably, & having been a faithful and
trusty servant to his Country & received this
grevious some while in her service which has
been the cause of all his misfortunes & probably
will go with him to his grave we think his country
turn in justice to the man, ought to on tribute something to his relief and that heaught
be put on the pension list with those worthies
who fought the battles of their Country and freed
her from slavery & bondage
Anson April 14. WNON
Page 19

John Moore {Select men of Anson}
WM Huskey {Select men of Anson}
A. H. Raymond {Select men of Anson}
James Dinsmore
Joseph Moore
James Mantor
Benjn Mantor
Dan Steward Jr
Goff Moon Jr
John  Moon
Thomas Dinsmore
Wm Metcalf
John Blackden
Luke Sawyer [illegable]
John Moore
Dwyer Sawyer
Joseph Snell
George Gordy

Joseph Bray
Page 20

Joseph Bray
Page 21

Be it known, that I David Paul of
Lewiston in the County of Licoln in fifty
Seven years of age testify and say that
Joseph Bray now of Anson in the Court
of Somerset formerly of New Glouster in
the County of Cumberland, entered into
the United States Service in the month
of January 1781 for the term of three
years. I further testify and say that
I am knowing to the said Joseph Bray
serving three years and in the first and in the fifth Mass.
Commanded by Col Rufus Putnam and of Col. Joseph Vose and hereby Discharged
This David Paul
[illegable]
Lincoln ss. October 17th 1818
Be it known that the above
named David Paul made Solum
oath to the above deposition by
him subscribed before me
---
Dan Read Justice Peace
Dan Read Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Lincoln, and I give credit to the above
testimony
Nathan Weston hon.
Page 22

Be it known that I Job Allen of Pownal in
the County of Cumberland and being fifty five
years of age do testify and say that Joseph Bray now of Anson in the County of Sommerset, formerty of New Glouster in the County of Cumberland, enlisted into the United States Service in the month of January 1781, for the term of three years. I further testify and say that I am knowing to the said Joseph Bray, serving three years in the
fifth and in the first Massachusetts Regiment
-
Commanded by Col. Rufus Putman and
by Col. Vose and said Joseph Bray was Honourably discharged.
 Job Allen

Cumberland ss Oct 19. 1818.
Be it known that the above named Job Allen
made solemn oath to the above deposition by
him subscribed before me
Israel Smith Justice of the Peace
Israel Smith Esq is a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Cumberland; and I am
satisfied that the deponent is credible and
disintersted
Nathan Weston JOP
Page 23

Joseph Bray
Page 24

I Ezra Hodges, aged fifty seven years
upon oath testify and declare, that being
myself a soldier at the time, I know that
Joseph Bray now of Anson in the District
of Maine. I served as a private
soldier in the war of the revolution in Col. Rufus Putnam's regiment Massachusetts
me, the latter part of the year 1781
and the greater part of the year 1782
and I knew him also still serving in the same regiment in the spring of 1783
and I am satisfied that he served until after
the war. Ezra Hodges
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Illegable]
On the sixteenth day of October
A D did Ezra Hodges above named,
being a credible and disinternted witness
be to the truth & the above
deposition, by him subscribed. Before me
Nathan Weston JOP
C. C. C. Phase E. Circuit
Page 25

4976
Anne Bray
$80 per [illegable]
Geo W. Morton
Augusta
Maine
Page 26

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF MAINE,
County of Somerset SS. ⎬ 
On this Twenty fifth day of November
A. D. 1843, personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in the
County of Somerset and State of Maine, Anna Braya resident of Anson in the County of Somerset aged six nine years, who, 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 Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March,
1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Joseph Bray who was a private during the Revolutionary War; that she was pensioned as the widow of the said Joseph Bray at the rate of Eighty dollars and cents per
annum, under the Act of July 7, 1838, which was paid to her at the agency in Portland in the State of Maine. She further declares that she is still the widow of the said Joseph Bray having remained unmarried ever since his death.
Witness
John Stead
[illegable]
Anna Bray
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written,
Before me.
John Leathhead Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me to have been pensioned under the
Act of July 7, 1838, and is the reputed widow of Joseph Bray deceased, and has remained unmarried ever since his death.
John Leathhead Justice of the Peace
Page 27

State of Maine
Kennebec County 
I Asaph R. Nichols Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for said County certify that John Leathhead is a
Justice of the Peace as within stated and at
the within signatures purporting to be his.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix
my seal of office & subscribe my
name, This Second day of December A.D. 1843-
A. R. Nichols
Page 28

I John Leathhead of Anson in the County of Somerset, and State of Maine, testify and say that for many years prior to the death of Joseph Bray I was well acquainted with him, he was to my knowledge a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of March 18. 1818 and lived in said town of Anson in the month of January 1841. I have also been acquainted with his reputed widow Anna
Bray for many years and who is now living in the said town of Anson, they brought up a family of children, and were always understood and believed to be man and wife and I never heard it doubted since the death of the said
Joseph the said Anna has remained unmarried.
John Leathhead
State of Maine
Somerset County S.S. July 22 1843 Personally appeared the above named John Leathhead (a person well known to me as a credible witness and entitled to full credit & belief) and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me
Jesse Hilton Justice of the Peace
Page 29

State of Maine
County of Kennebec SS-I the undersigned Clerk of the Judicial County held within & for the County of Kennebec, do certify that Cullen Sawtelle & Jesse Hilton are Justices of the Peace in for the County of Somerset, & that the
signatures hereunto affixed purporting to be theirs are genuine
Witness my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this twenty fifth day of July
Anno Domini 1843, J. R. Nichols
Page 30

Augusta Maine
July 25. 1843
Sir, I herewith transmit papers of say
Anna Bray for the person of having her claim
to a pension under the act of July 7. 1838 
and would respectfully request you if satisfactory to send me for her, a certificate
very respectfully
your able sevt
Geo. W Morton
James L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
City of Washington
DC
Page 31

Augusta Maine
Dec. 2. 1843
Sir of the enclosed declaration of Anna Bray and Elizabeth Parker, transmitted for the purpose of having their respective claim to a pension under act of March 3. 1843 allows, and satisfactory I would respectfully request you to send me for them such certificate as your name in similar claim
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Geo W. Morton
James L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pension
City of Washington
D.C.
Page 32

9283
Anna Bray
Maine
Oct 7th July 38
---
Admitted
2 years
priv
---
$80 per an
-
Geo Morton Esq
Augusta
Maine
Page 33

Maine 7697
Anna Bray
widow of Joseph Bray
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 21st January 1841
of Somerset Co., in the State of Maine
who was a Private in the company 
commanded by Captain Goodale of the
regt commanded by Col. Putnum in
the Mass. line for 2 years.
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at tje rate pf 80 Dollars
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.
____
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of 
September 1843 and sent to G. W. 
Morton, Augusta, Maine.
___
Whole amount due: $400.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown ---Clerk.
Book A, Vol: 1, Page 3.
Page 34

Rev Widow, &c
File No. 23680
Anna Bray
wid of Joseph Bray
Pvt Mass Line
Act: March 3d, 43
Index: Vol: A, Page 91
[Arrangement of 1870]

1918 Aug 9, Hist to Ms. F.B. Folsom
Letter of 17859 Jonas Brown
1926 Feb. 10. [Hist] to Q. M. Dept. for tombstone date.
---
1930 June 24: Hist to 
Mrs Fred E. Harmon EEL
Page 35

To the 
Revolutionary War Section,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Will you please send me all the War service and family dater [sic] contained in the pension papers of Bray, Joseph from Somerset Co., State of Maine, listed 1820-1835-1840. He was my Revolutionary Ancestor and I wish to join the D.A.R. 
Sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Fred E. Harmon
R.F.D.4
Brunswick, Maine.
P.S. If you could do this promptly, I would greatly appreciate it. 
Thank you. F.H.
Page 36

War Department
Office of the Quartermaster General
Washington
In reply refer to QM 293 A-C, Bray, Joseph
February 8, 1926
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: In order that a headstone may be provided for the grave of the decedent named below, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct military service and the spelling of the name be supplied this office from the records of the Pension Office: 
Private Joseph Bray
John Scotts' Co., Lincoln County, Englisted Jan. 16, 1781; Date of application for pension: April 8, 1818, claim allowed. Revolutionary War. Died: January 21, 1841.
Very truly yours,
 L. W. Redington, Major, Q.M.C., Assistant.
U.S. Pension Office
Feb 9, 1926
Page 37

In reply to your request of ..., received....for a statement of the military history of Joseph Bray, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Dates of enlistment or appointment Jany 16, 1781
Length of Service Dec 1783
Rank: Pvt
Officers under who service was rendered:
Captain: Nathan Goodale; Colonel Rufus Putnam, Joseph Vose; State: Mass.

Battles engaged in: Kingsbridge
Residence of soldier at enlistment: not stated, Sandy River Settlement in '79
Date of application for pension: April 8th, 1818, [illegible]
Residence at date of application: Anson, Somerset Co., Maine. 
Age at date of application: 54 years, born in Gloucester, Mass.
Died Jan 21, 1841 at Anson, Me. [Maine]
Remarks: He married Dec. 1, 1791, at Norridgewock, Me [Maine] Anna Gott. She was pending on an application of June 6, 1846 while a resident of Anson, Somerset Co, Me, aged 69 years. In  1820 children were Joseph, 21, Rebecca, 17, Judith, 15, David, 12, James, 10, [Darin], 8, Betsy, 7, Charles, 5. 
Respectfully, Commissioner
1818-54=1764