Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 947, for Dennis Kelly, Delaware
Page 1

Service 
Del

Kelly, Dennis
Elizabeth
Page 2

West Tennessee
Dennis Kelly
of Wilson Co in the State of W.T.
who was a private in the Co
commanded
by Captain Perry of the regt commanded
by Col. in the 
line for 19 mont

Inscribed on the Roll of W.T.
at the rate of 63 Dollars 33
Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sept
1833 and Robert
Burton Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of Sept
158.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar
31.66
189.98
Recorded by Danl Boyd
Book E Vol. 7 Page 88
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Page 3


(left page)
Let to Past Apl 20 1840
25 May 1840, see let to 3d and (damage)
26. Do. J. M. Smith. Pen. Agt.
Letter to J. Smith Pen Agt 22 June
1840
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of the 6 April 1838
from 4 March 1836 to 9 May
1839, the day of her death
Agt notified 2 July 1840
(right page)
3  547
Tennessee
Elizabeth Kelly
widow of Dennis Kelly
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7th June '32
and who died on the 11th December 1834
of Wilson in the State of Tennessee
who was a Privt in the Company commanded
by Captain Perry of the Regt commanded by
Col in the D(elawar)e?
line for 19 months.
Delaware
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville
at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of July
'39 and sent to Robt L. Caruthers
Lebanon Tenessee
Arrears to the 4th of March $189.99
Semi-annual allowance ending
31. 66
$221.65 (Total)
Act July 7,
1838.
Recorded by Rosin Orme, Clerk, 
Book A, Vol 2, Page 208
Page 4

Certificate
Dennis Kelly
&
Elizabeth Thompson
June the 17 1724

A
Page 5

I do hereby certify that Dennis Kelly & Elizabeth Thompson both single persons of Kent County in Delaware appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for the County Court & after no objections being made, was named in due form of Law this 17th day of June 1834.

Dennis Kelley  - Mark
Elizabeth Kelley
Ezeilah Kelley
Isaac Dewees
Thomas Hilmon
Daniel Godwin
Lewes David
John Primrose
Joseph Parsons
Samuel Perrywell
Samuel Henderson
Barthena Gwen
Timothy Caldwell
Preston Godwin
Jenifer Taylor
Page 6

M 1334/ West
Dennis Kelly
Wison County
Tennessee
from--private
19 months
$63.33
16
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Dennis Kelley 
County of Wilson in the State of Tennessee
(Act of 7th June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?      Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?   74 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Duration of Service  Genl Arnold
3 months    Private    Capt Perry
12 months   Private Capt Perry
 1  month    Private Capt Delaner
  3 months   Private  Lieut. Jones   Mitchell

5.  In what battles was he engaged?   A skirmish at Lewistown
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?   Sussex County Delaware
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proff, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?    Traditionary
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?   Not properly attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

                              M Clagett   Examining Clerk
Page 8

admitted
for 19 mos.
$ 63.33

died 11 Dec 1834

Art 7 July 1838

Robt L Caruthers
Lebanon  Ten
Page 9

Declaration of Elizabeth Kelly

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled, "An act granting half-pay & pensions to certain widows" State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 27th day of February 1839, personally appeared before me Thos C Wroe - an acting Justice of the County of Wilson, a member of the county court of said county, the same being a cort of record, Elizabeth Kelly a resident citizen of District number 15 - in said county, aged eighty (?) 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 provisions made by the act of congress passed July 7 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows".  That she is the widow of Dennis Kelly who was a private in the Army of the Revolution & was placed on the pension list on the 13th day of September 1833, & received a warrant from the War Department of that date number 19511, recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol. 7, page 86 as appears by endorsements upon the same.  Which certificate or warrant is here referred to as a part of this declaration & herewith forwarded to the Department.  Her said husband continued to receive sixty three dollars 7 thirty three cents per annum at the Pension Agency at Nashville Turnpike upon said certificate until the time of his death.
     She further declares that she was married to the said Dennis Kelly on the 17th day of June 1784, & that her husband the aforesaid Dennis Kelly died on the 11th day of December 1834; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the
Page 10

service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz, at the time above stated.
    Sworn to & subscribed on the day &  year above written before me T C Wroe   Elizabeth Kelley  X her mark
An acting Justice of the Peace & member of the County Court of Wilson County the same being a Court of Record
On the same day above written the said Elizabeth Kelly also produced to me a certificate of her marriage with the said Dennis Kelly,  made oath that the same was written & signed by Jenifer Taylor & delivered to her & and has been ever since in her custody& has not been in any wise changed or altered.  And the same is here with  orwarded marked &, that the same is the only record evidence of her marriage - her said marriage being done by the said Taylor as an acting Justice of the Peace after publication of (?).  She also made oath that tshe continued to live with the said Dennis Kelly as his lawful wife until the ime of his death, & that she has not since married again.

TC Wroe
Justicce of the Peace of the County Court of Wilson

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
     This day, to wit 27th day of February 1839, James M Armstrong & Geo Smith came before me & made oath that they were will acquainted with Dennis Kelly
Page 11

who resided in Wilson County Tennessee for many years & died in said county on the 11th day of Dec 1834.  He was a revolutionary pensioner at the time of his death - We are also well acquainted with Elizbeth Kelly who has this day signed a declaration fr a pension in our presence - she is the widow of the said Dennis Kelly, & has not again married since his death.  The said Dennis & Elizabeth lived together as man and wife in said county for upwards of twenty five years.  The said Elizbeth Kelly lives about 17 miles from the courthouse & is not able on account of her bodily infirmity to attend court.        Jas M Armstrong
                                Geo Smith

Sworn to & suscribed before me the day and date above written
TC Wroe   An acting Justice of the Peace for Wilson County

Tennessee Wilson County     I TC Wroe an acting Justice of the Peace for said county, do certify that the foregoing proceedings were had before me in the day theybear date, & that the declarant Elizabeth Kelly, is unable from bodily infirmity to attend court.  I also certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elizabeth Kelly & know her to be the widow of the said Dennis Kelly who was apensioner at the time of his death.
This 27th day of February 1839 TC Wroe
An acting Justice of the Peace & member of the County Court of Wilson, the same being a Court of Record
Page 12

State of Tennessee
Wilson County

     I Josiah S. McClain Clerk of the County Court of said Wilson County, hereby certify that T. C. Wroe is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures preporting to be his are genuine.  In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 8th day of March 1839

Josiah S McClain  Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County
Page 13

               Treasury Department
              Second Comptroller's Office

                         June 27th, 1840

Sir

     Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Elizabeth Kelly, dec'd, widow of a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville, Ten Agency at the rate of Sixty three Dollars and 33 Cents per ammum, under the law of the 7th July 1834, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1836 to the 9th May 1839, the day of her death.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
                                           Present
Page 14

     19 months service original Declaration

State of Tennessee
Wilson County

On this 25th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before James M Martin Dvd Hitioto & Benj Bellings and the court of pleas & quarter pensions for Wilson Cty. now sitting in the town of Lebanon - Dennis Kelley a resident of the County & State aforesaid, age seventy four 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 June the 7th 1832.
     That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
     He entered the service by taking another man's place as a substitute for one William Jones in a company commanded by Capt. Perry, and sd. company was stationed at Lewistown, Sussex Cty. & state of Delaware for the purpose of guarding said town.  The time that he engaged for was 3 months and at the expiration of sd. term, the sd. Kelley enlisted under Capt. Perry for a term of twelve months, which term he served out and was stationed during that time at Lewistown as a guard of said Town and to defend the lighthouse at that  place.  As to field officers he does not recollect of any, for it appears to him that Capt. Perry had the sole command of the troops that guarded that place, so if there were any field officers he does not remember them for it has been a long time & his memory very much impaired.  He sd. Kelley saith, that one Simon Hall was a Lieutenant under Capt. Perry, but he cannot recollect the name of the ensign.  He recollects Col. Hall of the regular army, who was
Page 15

a Brother of said Simon Hall.
     He saith that whilst in service, a British ship ran aground on the Bar near Lewiston and our troops made a prize of her, and some of the British vessels sailed up and tryd. to retakeher, but they failed in the attempt, tho, we had to fight for it.  He further saith that some time after the twelve months tour had expired under Capt. Perry he was called on and he volunteered for a term of one month under Capt. Delaner for the express purpose of guarding a Town called Wilmington on Brandywine Creek for the British was in Phiadelphia and it was expected they would attempt to come down the river & burn that place Wilmington.  This was soon after that hard fought battle at Brandywine Creek.
He saith that some time after the experation of his one month tour at Wilmington under Capt. Delaner he went as a substitute for William (?) for three months which term of service he performed at a place on north river & there they built a block house for the purpose of preventing the British from sailing up sd. river to West Point, where a parcel of our troops was stationed under Gen. Arnold, he saith that in consequence of his memory being so impaired and many years passed by he cannot recollect the name of the captainthat commanded the company, but,he recollects that one Jacob Irons was the Lieutenant , and William Neubel was the ensign in said company.  He also recollects a Major Mitchell who commanded in the Regiment to which sd. company was attached and further, he has a fint recollection tho he cannot say whether, or not, sd. Fisher had any command of the Regiment to which he was attached and s to any other field officer he has no recollection.  He saith that Major Mitchell was a citizen of Sussex County in the State of Delaware, and he thinks he lived at a place called Blackford.
Page 16

The sd. Kelley saith that during his last three months while on north river a Major Andrew the British spy was taken, and Genl. Arnold deserted his country and made his escape to New York, and Major Andrew was tried by a court martial, condemned, & hung, sd. Kelley saith that the saw Andrew hung and was one of the guard on that execution and he saith at the experation of his tour they were marched into Philadelphia and there discharged from service.
Questions by the Court
1st - Where and in what year were you born?   I was born in Sussex County County and State of Delaware, in the year 1758, August 25th
Question 2nd - Have you any record of your age and if so, where is it?  Ans - I have a record of my age, it is at my house within a Bible.
Question 3rd - Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?  Ans. - When called into service I lived in Kent County in the State of Delaware and after the war I moved to North Carolina and lived there fourteen years and then I moved to Sumner County in the State of Tennessee and there lived four years, & then moved to where I now live in Wilson County in said state of Tennessee & have been living there since.
Question 4th - How were you called into serivce when you were drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?    Ans. - The first 3 months that I served I was a substitute,
Page 17

I took the place for a man by the name of William Jones, the next tour I enlisted under Capt. Perry for 12 months, the next tour I volunteered for one month under Capt. Delaner and the last tour I was a substitute for            and served three months on north river.
Question 5th - State the names of some of the regular officers who wre with the troops where you served s;uch continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?  Ans. - I was acquainted with Major Mitchell who had a command in the regiment we were attached to when on north river,  I knew one Col. Hall who commanded the regulars, but I was never attached to the main army.  I never formed an acquaintance with any of the officers but, no doubt, I have seen many of them and heard their names, but in consequence of the great lapse of time, & my memory being so impaired I cannot recollect them and as to regiments & Brigades, I was very young and did not pay much attention to them, or any thing else, only, the duties which I was immediately concerned, and, as to the sircumstances of my serving,there was not anything of an great import, more than I have already stated viz. we took a British vessel, that ran on the Bar near Lewiston,  and we built a block house on North river & guarded that place to prevent the British from sailing up to West Point, for the British were then at New York, the most of my services were guarding of different places that I have already mentioned.
Question 6th - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whon was it given and what has become of it?   Ans.  
 I never did receive a written discharge but, were, in every instance discharge verbally by officers.
Page 18

Question 7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.   Ans. - Abner W Bone Esq. James McAdou Esq., John McMinn Esq. James Thomas Sr., Joshua Lester & Samuel Stuart Sr  all these men have been acquainted with me upwards of twenty five years, & some of them upwards of thirty years.
     He hereby relinquishes every clain whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the roll of the agency of any state whatever.  His different tours of duty amounted in all to 19 months actual service.
                                  Dennis  X  Kelly
                                            his mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 25 Sept 1832

J S McClain, Clerk
Wilson County Court
Page 19

Sworn to and subscribed  Abner W Bone
in open court this 25th
day of September AD 1832  Joshua Lester
clergiman
J. S. McClain clk

State of Delaware The undersigned
Wilson County  James M Martin
David C Hibbitts and Benjamin 
H Bellings acting Justices of the Peace
for the County of Wilson holding the County
Court now in session do hereby certify
after in [illegible] the matter and putting
the [illegible] prescribed by the War
Department that it it is their opinion
that the applicant was a soldier of 
the Revolution and served as stated in his
Declaration and the court further certifies
that Joshua Lester who has assigned the
forgoing certificate is a clergiman of high
standing and a creditable person and the said
Court likewise certifies that Abner W Bone
whose name is likewise a creditable person
and that they are citizens of Wilson County
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set
our hand and official seals in open
Court this 25th day of September AD 1832
J. M. Martin
D. C. Hibbitts
Page 20

Benj. Billings

I Josiah McClain Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application [ripped off] Kelly for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Lebanon this 29th Sept 1882 Josiah J McClain
Page 21

July 9, 1925

Mrs. Zadie G. Campbell
832 Second Ave. S.
Nashville, Tenn

Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 947, it appears that Dennis Kelly was born August 25, 1756 in Sussex County, Delaware.

While residing in Kent County, Delaware,  he enlisted soon after the battle of Brandywine and served one month as a private in Captain Delaner's Delaware Company.

He enlisted early in 1776 and served fifteen months as private in Captain Perry's Delaware Company was in an engagement near Lewistown also captured a British vessel.

He enlisted in 1780 and served three months as private under Lieutenant Jacob Irons and Major Mitchell in Delaware Troope and was guard at the
Page 22

execution of Major Andre.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Wilson County, Tennessee, and he died there December 11, 1834.

Soldier married June 17, 1784 in Kent County, Delaware, Elizabeth Thompson (they were both then of said Kent County).She was allowed pension on her application executed February 27, 1839, while a resident of district 15, Wilson County, Tennesse, aged eighty years old, the date of her birth is not given. She died May 9, 1839, leaving children, no names given.

In 1833, son Daniel is referred to, his age is not stated. There is no further data on file as to children.

The above information is obtained  from the original papers and not from any volume.

Respectfully,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 23

(envelope)

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq
Pension Agent
Washington City

Mail}

(stamp)
LEBANON
TEN
JUNE 30

(NOTES ON SIDE)

Dennis Kelly's 
Pension Claim
Tenn July 12 recd
Page 24

                                               Lebanon, Tennessee
                                                June 28th 1833
J L Edwards Esq

     At the request of the applicant Dennis Kelly - I forward to you his application for a pension - it was drawn by one of his neighbors - who was unskilled in such business - and his declaration was not in conformity with the instructions of the War Department - I had not time or opportunity - of offering it accurately - on being returned the objections have been noticed and abriated in his Amended Declaration some additional proof - is (?) furnished it is impossible for the applicant to produce positive proof in his case - he was a citizen of Delaware when his services were performed and is now a citizenof Tennessee - with not one of his acquaintances around him - his claim rests on traditionary evidence and his statement - he is a man that clearly stands very high amongst us as a man of truth and honesty - if his claim meets with the favorable action of the Department he requests that somewise make it payable at Nashville - and commit it to my care and he will be speedily notified.

Very Respectfully
Robert M Burton
Page 25


BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Dennis Kelly
which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V.Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?  Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Yes
Page 26

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  2 Clergymen

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  ---

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? No
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  [crossout]

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
-
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;  For ____year_____months, and ____days, I served as a _____ For ______months and _____days, I served as a _____' and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 27

3.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

in every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

3
12
1
3
_____
19  [illegible]
Page 28

(envelope)

FREE

Joel R. Painsett
Secretary of War
Washington City

Pension Claim

(note and stamp to left)

LEBANON  TENN
MAY 8

4970 (underlined
May 19 
Tenn
7 July '38
Keep
Page 29

       Lebanon March 7th 1839

Hon Joel R. Poinsett

Dear Sir

     Enclosed you will find the declaration of proof of Elizabeth Kelly, widow of Dennis Kelly, for a pension under the Act of 1838.  I hope the case will be found satisfactorily made out, & I am sure it will meet with your earliest attention.

Very respectfully
Robt. L Caruthers

P.S.  Direct to me at this place.  I forwarded the claim of Horsley of Sumner County in November last, but I have had no account of it since except that it had been reserved & would be examined in its turn.  I however attribute the delay to the crowd of cases before it.  That was an application under the Act of 1832.

R.L.C.
Page 30

19371
Payments to be made at Nashville by the [] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the agency of West Tennessee

Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol 7
Pae 86 by Dan Boyd
Clerk
Page 31

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Dennis 
Kelly of the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the army of the
Revolution is entitled to receive - -
sixty-three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year
Given at the War Office
of the United States, this
13th day of
September one thousand eight
hundred and thirty three

Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and
Countersigned. }
J L Edward
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 32

832, 2nd Ave S.
Nashville, Tenn,
May 7, 1925

[illegible] & N. Devision
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
-

I have in my possession a copy
from your department of one
Dennis Kelley, a soldier of the
Revolutionary War.  This copy is
enclosed.
I wish the information
for my D.A.R application will
you please tell me if this
reference is correct and
give the volume and page to the
documentary
Have you any record of Dennis
Kelley's children
if so
please
give their names.
Should there be a charge
this information I shall gladly
Page 33

2.
remit at once.
Thank you, and ask for a hasty reply, 
Respectfully 
Mrs
Zadie G. Campbell
832 2nd Ave S  Nashville, Tenn

(Great Great Great grandaughter of Dennis Kelley)
Can you give me the date of the
birth and death
of Elizabeth
Thompson Kelly the wife?

STAMP:  
US Pension Office 
L
May 11
1925
Page 34


Lebanon, Tennessee Jany 27, 1908.
Pension Office, War. Dep
Washington D.C
Please to send
me the record of pension to
Elisabeth
Thompson widow
of Dennis Kelley who died
in
Wilson County Tennessee &
who served in the revolutionary army from Delaware.
-
I am a descendant of
Dennis Kelley & Elizabeth
Thompson

Respectfully rc
[illegible] Birdie Gwynne
Please enclose to care of Mrs. B. J. Jarver

STAMP:
US Pension Office
H 
Feb 3
1908
Page 35

Bell Buckle Tennessee 
Jan 14th 1896, 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear sir, 
Please give me such information as may enable me to find out the precise grounds of his grant of a pension to Mrs Elizabeth Thompson Kelley widow of Dennis Kelley of Statesville Wilson County Tennessee. The date of the pension between 1850&35. The husband Dennis Kelly was as I born from family tradition a soldier in the war of the Revolution either from Maryland or Va. 
Dennis Kelly was my grand father my father was his Extr and I find a memorandum of money paid to him pension of my mother
Yours truly,
D.G Kelly
Page 36


Rev.
WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 947
Elizabeth Kelly
Widow
Dennis Kelly
Priv Del. Line
----
Act: July 7 1838
Index:-Vol. A, Page 390
Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 37

Feb 19,1896
Mil. History to Mr. D. C. Kelley
Bellbuckle, Tenn
-----
Febr 8, "07 hist to Mrs. Birdie Guyonne

1925 July 9 - Hist to Les Mrs. Zadie & Campbell - aug
Page 38

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comsr. of Pensions
Washington, City

[Stamp} FREE

[At right angle to above:]
Apl 18. 1840 [illegible date stamp on top of date]

Eliz. Kelly McDennis
[illegible] T.

3547
__________
1839
Page 39

Pension Office
Nashville Tenn.
April 9th 1840

Sir

The Pension Certificate of Elizabeth Kelley,
Widow of Dennis Kelley [Deed] who was a Rev.
Pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832, at the
rate of $63.33 per annum, has been presented
at this Agency for payment. Her name not
having been reported, of course I could not
pay it.
Very Respectfully
J M Smith
Pen: Agent

J.L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
Page 40

Dennis Kelly W. Term. Act of June 1832
At what time [symbol: p:]
Pen. Office
July 17. 1839
$63.33 divd 1834
Paid to 4Sept 1834
S. H. H.
Page 41


The Amended Declaration of Dennis Kelly in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832
and the 28th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court before Burchatt Douglass and also Martin and David C Hebitts said Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the of Wilson now sitting   Dennis Kelly now resident of said county aged 75 years according to the family  Register on the 25th of August next   who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th 1832

 That he entered the service  of the  united States, (or well he recollects - by reason
 of old age and  of age and consequent loss of many years) the year 1778 in Sussex County the State of Delaware was substitute for one William Jones and remained three months in the company of Captain Perry and  was engaged  as substitute  in  aforesaid declaration until being Louistown and the last  thinks was the Delaware regt  in all at time   after his tour of duty expired decided to engaged - he thinks he  enlisted-(he   might have been considered a volunteer)  under Captain Perry for twelve  months in which tour of duty  he has found nothing of services of twelve months   The officers and the services performed while under command in this tour were set forth in his original declaration as well as his loss of memory will enable him to do.  Sometime in the year 1774 he volunteered under Capt Delaner for one month and was engaged in defending the town

(continued)
Page 42

of Wilmington on the Brandywine Creek there
the DeCurrkine? Bat.--soon after the hard fought
battle of Brandywine-- in which tour of duty he
served one month - Sometime in the year 1780 he went
in (insert)illegible) a tour of duty for three months as a substitute the
place of one William Bowman-- the Captain
is not recollected - the other officers as well as the declarant
recollects the (insert) great war of and officer (illegible), the course &
(illegible) - up and let this in his (illegible) December
and the services performed-- it was in this last tour
of duty that Declarent constituted one of the
Guards when the unfortunate (illegible) was
executed--this tour of duty he performed and was
discharged and this ended his revolutionary services
having served nineteen months- Declarent
has no positive proof- by which he can prove
his Revolutionary services- in fact does not
know that a single one of his companions in
arms is above the grave-- in action to (this-crossed out)
it is more than one thousand miles to the place
of his nativity Kent County in the State
of Delaware--and from Sussex County
the same State to where most of his
services were performed-- for seven years
ago--Declarent was (illegible) from State
of Delaware to the State of North Carolina
where he resided fourteen years-- from there
he moved to the State of Tennessee where
has resided for thirty three years and upwards &
he has no knowledge of any native born citizen
of Delaware who now resides in the State of
Page 43

Tennessee so that he is left without any proof
within his reach by which he could
establish his claim to a pension (insert- having no decree or proof of evidence) he (illegible) therefore rests his claim
in judiciary? evidence 
and his own statement resting on his character
for truth and veracity-- which he believes to be
established by all who know him, and by
others by the Warship force.  Court now residing & to
these (illegible)--Abner W. Bones Esq. and the Revd Joshua
Lister whose names are attached to (illegible)
declaration- in addition to the proof furnished
in his regional declaration declarant has
procured the Statement of Anderson Webb.
one of his neighbors- and John W Peyton Esq.
both of whom have long known him and have
in days long earlier heard him speak of his
Revolutionary services - he hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension- except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension
Rolls of the Agency of any state in the United States.
(signed) Dennis Kelly HIsXmark
Sworn to in open court
before me this 20th of June 1833
(initials) McClain Clerk
Anderson Webb resides in William County in the
State of Tennessee aged thirty two years- hereby certifies
that he has known the applicant Dennis Kelly from
his childhood-that ten or twenty years ago he lived
with Daniel Kelly a son of the applicant that while
Page 44


he lived with Daniel Kelly he frequently he and
the applicant Dennis Kelly Spoke of his revolutionary  services  --he spoke of many
Circumstances which satisfied witness that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and the  other things that he well remembers that he spoke of being present when Major Andre was hung and was  one of the guard appointed to attend him on that occasion --
 applicant is reputed and believed in his neighborhood he a soldier of the revolutionary war and witness concurs in that opinion applicant has always sustained a high character for truth and has been member of the Church as long as he has known him and as he has been   informed  for forty years he has no doubt but that he served stated in his declaration

Anderson Webb  (his signature)

Sworn to in open Court
before me this 28th of
June 1833-

J.S. McClain
 Clerk


John W Peyton a citizen of Wilson County
hereby certifies that he has known the applicant
Dennis Kelly since the year of 1807 and has
frequently heard him and his family speak
of his being soldier of the Revolutionary war
---he heard applicant  speak many  years ago of being in the service at the time Major Andre the British  Spy was executed and that he was one of the
Page 45

guard that attended him on that occasion
and he spoke of many other circumstances which satisfied witness that he was a soldier of
the revolution the applicant has been always  sustained a high character for truth and honesty he has long and member of the Methodist church and  witness has no doubt but that he said as stated in his declaration

John W Payton  (his signature)

Sworn to in open Court
28th of June 1833

Josiah S McClain Clerk
of said Court


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier
and said as he states-- (the court further certify
they are personally acquainted with the applicant Dennis Kelly that he is a man of excellent moral character and entitled to the fullest credit in his statement)  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Anderson Webb and John W Peyton are residents of Wilson County in said State of Tennessee are highly credible persons that their statements are entitled to full credit

 given under our hands
 this 28th of June 1833

B. Douglas J.P.
J M Martin J.P
D.C. Hobbs J.P.
Page 46


State of Tennessee }
Wilson County       }
.
I Josiah McClain Clerk of said Court for the County of Wilson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the amended application of Dennis Kelly  -- for a pension.

 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25th day of June
AD 1833.

J T McClain

Seal affixed under name
-
Page 47

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Name Kelly, Edmond Grade Private Line New York
Warrant Number 7343 Acreage 100 Issued Nov. 9, 1789
to James Reynolds, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non - commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse - quent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.