Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6599, John Wright, Va.
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(8--1776) Caroline Co. Va
SERVICE                         NUMBER
Va.          Wright, John   W.6599
                           Mary

CONTENTS
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Peggy Kennedy
affidavit
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The affidavit of Peggy Kennedy of the County of King & Queen in the State of Virginia, taken at the House of Thomas C. Martin in said County on the 10th day of May 1843 before John Sumpkin a Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County and State.
 This affiant being duly sworn, according to law doth on her oath make and subscribe to the following affidavit. That she is now about Eighty years of age; that she is the sister of Mary Wright of the County of Caroline, and her said sister Wright is the widow of John Wright deceased, late of the said County of Caroline. That the said John Wright, and her sister, the said Mary, were married some time in January, seventeen hundred and Eighty six, as well as she now recollects, but that she cannot speak positively as to the exact year. but this affiant knows that if the said Marys eldest child was now living she would be about fifty six or seven years old. This affiant further knows that the said Mary, and said John were married; that she the affiant, was present and saw them married by Parson Matthews at his the said Parsons, House in the County of Essex. This affiant further knows that the said John Wright was an enlisted soldier in the Revolutionary War but how long he served this affiant cannot say.  This affiant states however that her family and the said Wrights family lived very near together at that time and she knows that the said Wright went into the war, when he was quite young, and that when he came back she recollects that some of his own family did not know him. This affiant further states that the said John Wright died on, or about the 14th
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day of February, one thousand Eight hundred and Eleven. and further this affiant saith not sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me 

her mark [hand drawn X] Peggy Kennedy

And then also appeared before the subscriber Thomas C. Martin & Philip Taylor who being duly sworn, according to law, did upon their oath say that they are personally, and well acquainted with Peggy Kennedy above named and know her to be respectable, and credible witness. And I certify that the said Thomas C. Martin & Philip Taylor are personally and well known to me and that they an entitled to full credit and belief. Given under my hand this 10th day of May 1843 
John Sumpkin J.P. 

State of Virginia 
King and Queens County, to wit; 
I Robert Pollard Jr. Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that John Sumpkin is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated the 7th day of March 1838 and is held by him during good behaviour, and that his signature above is believed to be genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 18th day of May 1843
Robert Pollard Jr. Clerk 
Saml Harwood Co. Clerk 
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9, 127 
Mary Wright  
Va.
Act 7 July 38 
on Rolls 8 Va regt [regiment] 
3 years. Capt Wallace 
Col Wood
admd 
2 yr [illegible]
80$
Richmond 
7876 
R. Saunders 
Central Point 
Caroline Co 
Va
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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.
 State of Virginia
 County of Carline 
On this 25 day of April 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in afore said county and State, Mary Wright, a resident of the aforesaid County of Caroline aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in or 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 John Wright who was a private in Capt Wallace's Company in the army of the Revolution. That she does not know the day month year when he entered the service, nor the time when he left the same , neither does she know whether he was ever in any engagements himself, but frequently heard him speak of the Battle of 
Brandywine, Germantown, and the siege of York and heard him talk of a great many of the solders to been killed, but cannot now remember whether he ever told her that he himself was in those engagements. That she does not know the names of any other of the officers under whom he served except the name of the Captain of his company above stated, and the name of the Col who discharged him, who she thinks was one Col Wood. She further declares that her husband,  the said John Wright enlisted as he told her, for three years and served his time fully out and was honourably discharged. She further declares that she often heard her husband speak of having received or was entitled to receive said for his services, [illegible first half of sentence]  never do him any good. As it was so [illegible two words at end off sentence] She further declares, that the said John Wright was a resident of the before mentioned County of Caroline when he entered the service, that she has no documentary evidence of his serving nor does she know of any person living, who can testify as to the period of his service, but as the public records & papers will show she respectfully refers to these records & papers, for his name and service, relying upon that evidence, and such other testimony as she may be able to obtain in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said John Wright some time in January Seventeen hundred and Eighty six by Parson Matthews, in the County of Essex, and at the said Matthews House, but that she cannot recollect the [month or the crossed out] , day having kept no record of their marriage but that she has two sisters now living one of whom was present other marriage. She further declares that her husband the afore
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same John Wright died on the 14th day of February 1811. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four. [illegible] at the time above states. 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above 
written before me.
Andrew Broadddus
her mark [hand drawn X] Mary Wright 

State of Virginia 
Caroline County 
Be it Known that on this 5th day of April 1843, before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally award, Mary Wright, and subscribed, and made oath in due form of law to the foregoing declaration; and I certify that the said applicant appears to be unable from bodily infirmity from attending Court. Given under my hand and seal this day and year above written
Andrew Broaddus Jr.

And there also appeared Willis Pitts who is personally known to me and states upon his oath, that he is personally, and well acquainted with the defendant and knows that she is the widow of John Wright, as she states, and that her statement is entitled to full credit.
Sworn and subscribed this 25th 
day of April 1843 before me.
Andrew Broaddus Jr.
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I Catherine Graves of the County of Caroline and State of Virginia, do hereby certify that I am now about Eighty years of age and that I am the sister of Mary Wright who has subscribed and made oath to this foregoing declaration for a Pension, and know that she is the widow of John Wright. That the said John Wright died, as I have always understood sometime in the month of February 1841. But what particular day I don't know of. My knowledg as I at that time did not live in the neighbourhood, but I saw him in his illness a short time before his death and when I heard from him again, he was dead. I further certify that the said John Wright enlisted in the Revolutionary War but for what time I dont know but I will know that he enlisted and left his friends, and was gone so long that he was not known by a part of the family when he returned home. This I know, because the late Wright and myself lived very near together, this our families did and had a good opportunity of knowing whether he entered or not. Given under my hand this 25th day of April 1843 
Her mark [hand drawn X] Catherine Graves

I further certify that although I was not at my  sisters marriage with the said Wright, yet I was in the neighbourhood at the time and know that she and the said Wright, and several others went to Parson Matthews in the County of Essex to be married. that is several accompanied them to witness the ceremony, and they returned as man and wife and was already considered as such.
Her mark [hand drawnX] Catharine Graves
State of Virginia  
Caroline County Court
This day personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County and state. Catharine Graves and being duly sworn according to law does upon oath state that the two Certificates above, to which her name is subscribed contains the truth to the best of her Knowledge & belief. Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of April 1843 
Andrew Broaddus 
And then also further appeared before me in my County aforesaid Willis Pitts, and Robert Signer and did upon their oath state and declare that they well are acquainted with the said Catharine Graves and know her to be a credible witness, and I certify that the said Pitts & Signer are both very well known to me and that they are entitled to full credit and belief given in my
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hand this 25th day of April 1848
Andrew Broaddus Jr 
State of Virginia 
Caroline County Court 12th June 1843 
The Court having examined the proceedings of Andrew Broaddus Jr. one of their body, in Mrs Mary Wright's application approve of the same and order the same to be certified to the War Department.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name and affixed the seal of my Office this 13 day of June 1843 in the [illegible] year of the Commonwealth John S. Pendleton 
Clerk of Caroline County Court.
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5778 
Virginia Mary Wright dec
widow of John Wright 
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 80 Dollars 
[blank] Cents per annum, to commence 
on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Ending 25 Dec 1848 
Certificate of Pension issued 
the 10 day of Oct 1857
and sent to  
R. Saunders 
Shackleford 
Va: 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 97 Vol. 3
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In Caroline County Court, September 8th 1851
It is Ordered to be certified, that it has been satisfactorily proved to this Court, that Mary Wright Widow of John Wright deceased, died in this County on the 25th day of December 1848. leaving six surviving children only, to wit, Sarah Graves, Robert Wright, Henry Wright, Elizabeth Gouldman, and Polly Wright, and Nancy Turner.  That the said Mary Wright deceased was the identical person who received a Pension of Eighty Dollars per annum under the act of 17th June 1844. on account of the Revolutionary services of her Husband the aforesaid John Wright deceased and that the said Mary Wright was a widow at the time of her death.
A Copy Teste, John S. Pendleton 
State of Virginia Office, 
Clerks Office, Carloline County Court, Set 
I John S. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of Carloline in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration is a true and faithful transcript from the Record in my office. 
In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court aforesaid this 15th day of September A.D 1851. 
John S. Pendleton C.C.P. in my my of of of of
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In Caroline County Court November 12. 1849 It is ordered to be certified that it has been satisfactorily proven to the Court by the Testimony of Willis Pitts and Henry B. Gouldman, that Mary Wright widow of John Wright Decd. died in this County on the 25 day of December 1848, leaving five surviving children duly "Namely, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth Robert & Henry, that the said Mary Wright was the identical person who received a pension, under the act of the 17 June 1844, on acct of the revolutionary services of her husband the aforesaid John Wright Decd. it is further proved that the said Mary was a widow at the time of her death, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 17 Nov 1849. 
John L. Pendleton 
Returned for the purpose of giving the sir [sur] names of the children of well as the Christian names 
Sec J L Edwards letter of 11th January 1850 to R. Saunders
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PENSION OFFICE, Oct. 10 1857. 
SIR: Be pleased to inscribe on your roll under the act below mentioned the following names, 
and pay the pension directed opposite the names.  Respectfully,  John [illegible] Commissioner of Pensions To F.M. Lawson Richmond Va

[Column headings: Names. Rank. Act. Annual Amount. Commencement of Pensions. Continuation of Pensions]
 Mary Wright decd Widow of John Wright private 2 feb 48 $80 4 March 1848. 25 Dec 1848. Payable to Willis Pitts Administrator for the benefit of
Sarah Graves, Elizabeth Gouldman, Nancy Turner, Robert Wright, Polly Wright and Henry Wright 
only surviving children.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -- 525 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C. _______19___
In reply to your request of _______, 
received ________ for a statement of the military history of John Wright, 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.  SF. 6599. 
[Column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.  COLONEL. STATE.]
3 yrs, Pvt., Wallace, Wood, Va
Battles engaged in,  none stated 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Caroline Co. VA. 
Date of application for pension, Apr. 25 1843. Her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Caroline County, VA
Age at date of application, 79 years. 
Remarks: he married in Jan. 1786 in Essex Co VA. Mary Martin, he died Feb 14. 1811 and she died in Caroline County VA Dec 25 1848 leaving the following Children only Surviving, Sarah Graves, Mary or Polly Wright, Elizabeth Gouldman, Robert Wright. Henry Wright and Nancy Turner. Respectfully,  Commissioner.
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1915 Sept. 22: history to Mrs. 
O. H. Montzheimer M. [illegible] 
Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 6599  
Mary Wright 
Widow 
John Wright
Pvt. Rev. War 
Act: Feby, 2 [illegible] 
Index: - Vol. M, Page 361 
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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Virginia 1876 
Mary Wright 
widow of John Wright 
who died on the 14 February 1811 
of Caroline County in the State of VA 
who was a private in the company 
commanded by Captain Wallace of the Regiment commanded by Col. Wood in the Virginia line for 2 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond 
at the rate of 80 Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of November 1843 and sent to R. [illegible] 
Central Point, Caroline County, VA 
Whole amount due - $400.00 
(Act July 7, 1838)
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 283
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[added by hand at top in pencil. "Rev. War Sec MH"]
Sheldon, Iowa
Sept 13, 1915
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Did John Wright
of VA or TN receive a pension
for Revolutionary services
All that I can tell of
him is - his wife was
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Polly & he had two 
daughters Cynthia & Nancy, 
& probably lived near Bowling Green KY
when he died 
Resp. (Mrs) 
O.H. Montzheimer 
Pringhar 
John
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State of Virginia 
County of Caroline wit 
On this 14th day of September 1849 before me Henry B Gerstman a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Caroline in the State aforesaid personally appeared Sarah Graves, a resident of said County and of and full age, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Daughter of Mary Wright deceased, widow of John Wright, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution; and that under the act of Congress of the 17th June 1844, the declarants mother the said Mary Wright received a pension at the rate of eighty dollars per annum. That the said Mary Wright died on the 25th day of December 1848 without having applied for the pension to which she was entitled under the above named act of 2nd February 1848, and that therefore this declarant now makes this declaration in behalf of herself & the rest of the surviving children of the said Mary Wright for the purpose of drawing the amount of Pension due the said Mary Wright under said act from the 4th day of March 1848 to the 25th day of December 1848 it being the day of her death. This declarant further states that her Mother the aforesaid Mary Wright, resided in the aforesaid County of Caroline at the time of her death and had resided therein for the space of all her life and that she was a widow at the time of her death.
Her make [hand drawn X] Sarah Graves X 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written.
And Before me I certify, that the declarant is personally known to me and is one of the children of Mary Wright, the identical person who received a pension under the act of 17th June 1844, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum
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and is now dead & I further certify that the [illegible] Wright was used and the [illegible], Graves [illegible]  before signing the declaration. Henry B. Genoman 

State of Virginia 
Caroline County towit
 I, John L. Pendleton, Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry B. Goodman is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that he is legally authorized to act as such, and that this foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

 Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 20th day of December One thousand eight hundred and forty nine. 
John L. Pendleton Clerk of Caroline County Court
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5175
Declaration
Mary Wright for Pension
under Act of 3 March 1843
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838 

State of Virginia 
County of Caroline ⎬ ss. 
On this 8th day of Decemr {December} 1843- personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County, Mary Wright a resident of the the aforesaid County of Carline aged Seventy nine Years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in or on to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3rd March, 1843 Granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Wright who was a private in Capt Wallace's company of Infantry in the Army of the Revolution- That she knows nothing of the Regiment or Corps in which he served, but that she received Eighty Dollars per annum under the act of July 7, 1838, she further declares that she is still a widow 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
her mark [hand drawn X]Mary Wright  
A. Broaddus Jr J.P. 
And I certify, that the declarant is personally known to me, that she is a respectable & credible person, and that she is still a widow. Given under my hand this 8th day of Decemr [December]1843 A. Broaddus Jr J.P.
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 I, John S Pendleton, Clerk of the County Court of Caroline, hereby certify that A. Broaddus is an acting magistrate in and for the aforesaid County of Carolina, duly commission and qualified; And that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
 In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 11th day of December 1843 John S Pendleton
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Affidavit 
Ritcher Clark
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The affidavit of Ritchie Clarke of the County of Essex and State of Virginia taken at the said Clarke House, on the 13th day of May 1843 before Thomas H. Pitts a Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County of Essex.
 This affiant being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say that he is seventy five years of age. That he was well acquainted with John Wright - Deceased late of the County of Caroline & State aforesaid and knows that the said Wright was an enlisted soldier in the Revolutionary war but how long the said Wright served. This affiant cannot state of his own knowledge, as he himself, was not in service, but living at that time, ever since, in the same neighbourhood with the said Wright, he knows that he went into service and was gone some considerable time - and that after the close of the war, he married a Lady by name [illegible] and is now his widow and alive in the said County of Caroline. This affiant further states that he believes that the said John Wright and his widow were married some time prior to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four. but of this he cannot positively say and further this affiant saith not Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before me. 
Kitchen Clark  Tho H Pitts  J P 
And I certify that I have been well acquainted with the said Ritchie Clarke for a long time, and believe him to be of the age he represents himself to be and I further certify that he is a respectable
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and credible person and that his statement is [illegible] to full credit and belief, Given under my hand this 13th day of May 1843 
Th. H. Pitts - J.P 
State of Virginia. Essex County Court Clerks Office May 17th 1843 
As Clerk of the said Court, I so hereby certify that Tho. H. Pitts & whose name is signed the foregoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace of the said County, in the State aforesaid, duly qualified and Commissioned as such, according to the lands of the said State, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have [illegible] and affixed my seal of Office this 17th day of May 1843, as aforesaid & in the 67 Year of the Commonwealth
 James Roy Minor Clk
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4688 
Virginia, Richmond 
Mary Wright widow of ^John Wright, who was a ^Private, in the ^Revolution.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of ^80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1843
Certificate of Pension issued the ^26. day of ^Jan. 1844 and sent to ^R. Saunders, Junr Aylett, Va 
Act of March 3, 1843. 
Recorded in Book ^A 
Vol. ^1  Page 154, 

Repd Letter to R. Saunders 
Jany 11, 1850 
with Certificate of Ct. Return
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affidavit of 
Elizabeth Chandan
as to the Marriage 
of Mary Wright 1
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The affidavit of Elizabeth Chandler of the County of Caroline in the State of Virginia taken at the House of her husband Isaac Chandler the 5th day of Septr 1843. before Andrew Broaddus a Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County of Caroline. This affiant being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath states that she is now Sixty nine years of age that she is well acquainted with Mrs Mary Wright [of the County of Caroline] the present widow of John Wright deceased; that she the affiant knows that the said John Wright and Mary Wright aforesaid were married several years prior to the year Seventeen hundred and ninety four, but this affiant cannot state the exact year but this [illegible], she knows and can state positively that she the affiant, lived one year with the said John & Mary Wright after they were married  and that she was then & at that time, just entering her thirteenth year and as she the affiant is now sixty nine years old, it makes it fifty six years since she lived with the said Mary & John Wright and further this affiant saith was Sworn & subscribed to before me on the day & date above written.
A. Broaddus J.P. 
her mark [hand drawn X] Elizabeth Chandler
[illegible sentence following A. Broaddus signature]

We whose names are hereto subscribed hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Elizabeth Chandler who has made the foregoing affidavit & know her to be a respectable & credible person. Given under our hands this 5th day of Sept 1843 Samuel Anderson John  Andersen 
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State of Virginia 
Caroline County to wit 
Be it Known that on this 5th day of Septemr 1843 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County personally appear Samuel Anderson & John Anderson and under oath in due form of law to the truth of this foregoing certificate to which their [illegible] subscribed and I Certify that I am presently & well acquainted with the said Saml. Anderson & John Anderson and know them to be responsible and credible persons, & that their [illegible] to  full credit & belief. Given under my hand this day and date first above written A. Broaddus J.P. 
Virginia 
In Clerks Office of Caroline County Court 6th day of Sept. 1843. I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that A Broaddus Jr is a Magistrate in the County aforesaid and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my Office this 6th day Sept 1843 John L. Pendleton Clerk of Caroline County Court
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Central Point VA
27th Oct 1843

Col James L. Evans
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C

[handwritten across envelope Oct. 30, 1843
Mary Wright, M Sutherland]
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Spring Hill near Cedar Point, Caroline, Va. Oct 26th 1843
 Col James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Permit me to call your attention once more to the claims of Mary Sutherland now Mary Wright whose claims were rejected some two months or soon since – in Mary Sutherland’s case, further proof as to service was required and in Mary Wright’s case further proof as to marriage was required. The additional testimony in both of which cases, have been furnished more than a month past indeed, the additional evidence of P. Sutherland services, was furnished on the 3rd of last August, and the evidence of Mary Wrights marriage, was furnished on the 8th of September last.
Knowing that you have gotten up with all claims subsequent to that date I have only to conclude that this claim, never been [crossed out: illegible] misplaced, or perhaps in the hurry of Commiss overlooked. I must therefore ask Your attention to claim, if you please, as the claimants are getting restless in the extreme.
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt. Sert.
R. Saunders
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Near Carlton Store, King & Queen County Virginia December 29th, 1849
Col. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir,
I herewith transmit in the Declaration of Sarah Graves, one of the surviving children of Mary Wright, widow of John Wright, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, and whose widow, the said Mary Wright, received a Pension under the act of 7th July 1838, & March 43 and 17th June 1844, and was entitled to the benefit of the act of 2d February 1848. but died before making application. Mrs Graves makes application in behalf of herself & the ^other surviving children of her mother for the amount due to the day of her death, which took place, on the 26th day of Dec 1848. Which fact will appear by reference to an order of Court of the County of Caroline made on the 17th Nov last and herewith in closed. 
Very Respectfully 
Your noble servant
R. Saunders
"3"
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Near Shackleford, King & Queen County Virginia September 18th 1857 
Hon. James E. Heath 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
Sir 
I have the honor to enclose herein an order of Court showing the death and names of the surviving children of Mary Wright, widow of John ^Wright deceased. Mrs Wright was pensioned under the act of Congress of 17th June, 1844, & other previous acts in account of her husbands services in the Revolution She was entitled at the date of her death to the benefit of the act of Congress of Second February 1848 but she died without making application for it. After her death, her daughter Mrs. Sarah Graves made a declaration claiming on behalf of herself & the other children the Pension up to the date of her mothers death, but owing to the order of Court not specifying the surnames of the children as well as their Christian names, Col Edward returned it in order that I might have an order made giving their sur names You will find such an order now enclosed & which I hope will be sufficient to justify the issuing of a certificate for the benefit of the parties As I have been the agent for the children hereto fore, & was also the agent for their mother, I presume you will not require me to furnish a regular power of atty  from the children to present their application. 
A. W. Willis Pitts of Caroline County is the administrator on the
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estate of Mr Wright & perhaps, as it is sometimes the practice of your department, it would be well to issue the certificate to him, for the benefit of the children. I suggest this, because one of the children, I believe does not reside in that County & consequently it might not be so convenient for that one to receive its portion. 
With very great respect 
[illegible]
R. Saunders

P.S. Please refer to J.L. Edwards letter to me under date of 11th February 1850 R.S.
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Central Point, Caroline County Va. Sept 8th 43 Col. James L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Dr Sir In your letter of the 26th [illegible] You say, that the [illegible testimony is not as satisfactory as it should be in relation to the date of the marriage of Mary Wright, and request that if there or any deeds, letters, or other family papers which might show the relation of husband wife prior to January 1794 that they might be furnished. As there are no such papers in possession of the widow. she has to rely entirely upon the testimony already furnished, and the affidavit which I herein enclosed and which I trust is fully sufficient of itself to establish her marriage before that period. There are some two or three old persons in the County who can testify as to their having known Mary Wright & John wright for more than fifty years past, but I have deemed it unusually as her agent to go to any further expense and inconvenience of obtaining this kind of testimony. If however this additional evidence of a marriage is not sufficient why of course she must be subjected to the inconvenience & expense of obtaining still further. If you will refer again to the affidavit of Peggy Kennedy you will there see that altho she could not state positively the year that her sister was married yet she state positively that if her oldest child be now living it would be fifty six or seven years of age thereby showing conclusively that her sister Mrs Wright was married prior to the 1st Jany 94. If not inconsistant with your rules I should be obliged to you to take Mrs Wrights claim under consideration and decide whether the evidence now furnished
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be sufficient or whether it be still be necessary for her to furnish any further testimony in her claim
Very Respectfully 
Yo Mo. Ob. Svt. [Your most obedient servant]
R Saunders

MB.
I do really think you ought to take up the case of Mary Sutherland, widow of Philip Sutherland, which was [illegible] & the declaration returned to me on the 7th July and for the purpose of submitting the proceedings of the Magistrate before whom it was made, to the Court for its approval which was done & the Declaration forwarded to the department any given with some additional evidence of the service of Philip Sutherland
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9127
Mary Wright
Va
[illegible] R. Saunders Aug 24.45
Act 7 July 1838
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C.C.
Cert: Concerning John Wright's Marriage
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State of Virginia'
Caroline County to Wit 
I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify, that the Records of my office furnish no evidence of the Marriage of John Wright with Mary Wright. Many of the Records having been destroyed or lost by fire 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of office this 13 day of June 1843. 
John L. Pendleton Clerk of 
Caroline County Court.
Page 41

Janry 8 1844
Va
Mary Wright
3 March 1843
$80 per an [annum]
R. Saunders [illegible]
Ayletts
VA

Office of Pensions
Washington
Page 42

Aylett, King William Co. Virginia January 4th 1844 
Col James L Edward 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir I herewith under the Declaration of Mary Wright for a pension under the act of 3d March 1843, which when allowed you will please to have forwarded to me at this place. 
Very Respectfully 
Your Mo. Ob. Svt. [Your Most Obedient Servant]
R. Saunders
Page 43

Brief in the case of Mary Wright ^dec. widow of John Wright late of Caroline County and State of Virginia act 2 February 1848 
Claim, (original, [crossed out; or for increase] Proof exhibited, (if original.) Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. This widow was a pensioner under the act of 17 June 1844 and now renewed under act of 2 February 1848 
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission the claim? If so, what? Name and residence of Agent 
R. Saunders 
Shackleford Va 
S. Cole Examining Clerk.
Page 44

Mary Wright dec [deceased] 
VA
Act 2 Feb 1848
$80 annum  per annum ending
25 Dec 1848 
payable to 
Willis Pitts, Admr 
for the benefit of 
Sarah Graves 
Elizabeth Gouldman
Nancy Turner 
Robert Wright 
Polly Wright 
Henry Wright, [illegible]
[illegible] children 

R Saunders 
Shackleford, 
Va
Page 45

Near Shackleford, King & and County, Virginia Decem 8th 1857 
Hon James E Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir The enclosed power of attorney & Pension Certificate were presented to Mr Lawson, for payment, and objected to, on account of the name of the administrator not being still in the certificate as it is in the Power of  attorney, a misnomer which I had not before discovered or I should have returned it to the department for correction. By reference to my letter of the 18th Sept each enclosing order of Court You will discover that Willis & not Wiles Potts is named as the adm. Mr Lawson further objected to paying the amount on account of his not having been notified by your department, as is usual in such cases.  Please to have the error corrected in the name & direct the agent to pay & return the papers to me.
 Respectfully 
R. Saunders