Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38069, for Douglass Irby, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE

VA

Irby, Douglass
or Douglas

NUMBER
S.38069

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CONTENTS
Page 2

18,935
Virginia
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Douglas Irby

of Botetourt Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a Sargent in the company command by Captain Nathan Reid of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Davis in the Virginia line, for the term of 1 year in 1781

=======

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia,
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 1st of March 1823.

=======
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th of April 1823 and sent to Henry Baoyer Esqr.
Fincastle, Va

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Arrears to 4th of March 1823 - $1.00
Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1823 - 48.00
4/31 $49.00

{Revolutionary claim,
Acts March 18, 1818,
and May 1, 1820, &
1 March 1823

See letter to Hon. J. H. Eaton, Sec. of War N0v25, 183{?}
====
Paid at the Treasury under Act of this 6th April 1838 for 4 So. C 1839 to 4 March 1840 Agt. notified 31 Dec. 1840

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Paid as above from 4 March 1840 to 4 March 1841. Agent Notified 25 Feb. 1841.

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[illegible] A. G. Watkins,
Jan 17/56
AG Graham
Oct 2 1856
30 and Oct 31/56
J.W. Stevens
Nov 6/56
Page 3

State of Tennessee,
Washington County

Let
On this the [blank] day of September, 1856, before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally came Jacob Shafer aged forty one years, a resident of said County, whom I certify to be a credible and disinterested witness, and who, upon oath duly administered stated as follows.
That he was living in Roanoke County Virginia during the year 1843, and was present at the funeral of Douglass Irby who had been a soldier of the Revolution, and a of the United States. He was linsied with the honored afttad. He died in that county of the fifteenth day of May eighteen hundred and forty three - (15 May 1843.) He is the identical person of that name who a was on the [illegible] rolls as a pensioned. States further that said Irby was a widower, his wife Hanna having died some 10 or 11 years prior to his death - and that he left the following named children who so far as he now knows, survive - to wit: Mary Berry, formerly Irby, of Laird County; Tabitha Cowan, formerly Irby, and Elizabeth Irby, of Virginia, who are the lawful children of said parties, so reputed, and always regarded as such - and are his only surviving children and heirs at law - States that he long resided in Roanoke Co. Va., where s'd Irbys resided, and knew the facts herein deposed from personal observation - and has but recently removed of this State and that he is not interested in the claim of the heirs of said Irby for a arrears of pension.

Jacob Shafer

Sworn to & subscribed before me the date aforesaid. And  state that I have no interest in this claim
Ebenezer Barkley
J. Peace
Page 4

State of Tennessee
Washington County

I, Henry Hoss Clerk of the County Court of said County, to certify that Eli. Barkley Esq. whose genuine official Seal appears to the written affidavit was at the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected, commissioned and qualified.

Witness my hand and official seal of office in Jones [illegible] on this 24 September A.D. 1856

Henry Hoss Clrk

[written vertically]
Shafer's affd.
Page 5

Heirs of Douglas Irby
Appd.
Elizabeth Irby - Tabitha Cowan Mary Berry
----

Claim an arrears of a Revolutionary pension,

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A. G. Graham
Jonesborough
E. Tenn
Page 6

State of Tennessee
Washington County


Towit

On this 18 August 1856, before me personally came before me, Mary Berry aged about 53, a resident near Jonesboro in said County, and who being duly sworn according to law d that she is one of the children and surviving heirs of Douglass Irby who was a soldier of the Revolution of the Va troops, and was in service three years at least, and as such applied for and obtained a pension under the act of May 19 1818 of $96.00 per annum, which amount he drew at the Richmond Va. Agency, up to 4 March 1843, as may be learned from the Records of the Pension, and 3d Auditon's offices, at Washington City. She stated further that her father died in Roanoke Co. Va. on the fifteenth of May eighteen hundred forty three - as may be seen from the enclosed original letter giving an account of the same - and from other proofs hereto annexed. She states further that her father was pensioned as a Sergeant of the Revolution, as the proofs in the pension office will show - that under the act of June 7, 1852, he would have been entitled, as a sergeant, to $120.00 per annum, from the 4 March 1831, to the day of his death, on the 15 May 1843 - as she is advised - and that as he only drew $96.00 per annum before March 1843, his children are now entitled to the difference, or $24 per annum from the 4 Mch 1831, to the 4 March 1843, and at the rate of $120.00 per annum from 4 March 1843 to 15 May 1840 the day of his death - and his declaration is made to assert such claim on her own behalf, and on behalf of the other surviving children  of said Irby and she respectfully asks that the same may allowed.
Page 7

She stats that she is now married to Pliny H. Berry and resides in said Washington County; that there were seven children, all of whom are now dead except the declarant, and Elizabeth Irby who was never married, and now resides in Lu Co. Va and Tabitha Cowan, the widow of John T. Cowan, who resided, at the last account in Russell Co. Va; but she cannot say whether she is now living or not. Several letters have been addressed there recently, an to others, but without reply, she cannot say now whether she is living, or not. All the other children are dead. She states further that her mother, Hannah Irby, died 11 years 3 months and 7 days before the death of her father. Our father and mother married in Campbella Va. and before marriage mother's name was Andar, but she refers to the enclosed [illegible], and asks that the amount due her father at the date of his death may be directed & be paid to his surviving children. 

Mary Berry

Mr. Pliny H. Berry and W. H. Crouch, residents of the said County hereby state that the foregoing declaration made & subscribed and sworn to by the said Mary Berry in my presence on the date aforesaid; and that; the declarant is the identical person she claims she is.

Pliny H Berry his mark
Wm. H. Crouch

The foregoing Declaration and affidavt were [illegible] before me the dated aforesaid; that the declarant is the identical person she claimed to be in
Page 8

my [illegible- - & that I know said axfiants to be credible witnesses - & that I have no interest in said claim

A.C. Collins J.P

State of Tennessee
Washington County

I Henry Hoss clerk of the county court of said county do certify that A.C. Collins Esq who se genuine official signature appears to the forgoing was on the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned, and qualified; and that I have no interest in this claim
Witness my hand and official Seal of office in Jonesbourgh the 2rd August 1886

Henry Hoss Clk
Page 9

Heirs of Douglas Irby
Appa.

Elizabeth Irby - Tabitha Cowan - Mary Berry

Claim an arrears of a Revolutionary Pension

A.G. Graham
Jonesborosh
E. Tenn.
Page 10

17,300 [check mark]

Douglas Irby
Henry Bowyer,
Fincastle, Va

[crossed out] Recd. 12 July 1822

Recd. 28 Dec. 1822
Page 11

Virginia Botetout County, to Wit,

On the 9th day of August 1820 personally appeared in the Court of Said County being a Court of record - Douglass Irby aged 69 years on the 7th day of November next who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration (in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress of the 1818 of March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820) that he the said Douglass Irby enlisted as a soldier in the Year 1775 under Captain John Jones for the term of 3 years attached to the 6th Virginia Regiment on Continental establishment  commanded by Colonel Buckner of the Virginia Line; that he continued to serve in said regiment until the fall of 1776 when he was discharged from said service in the State of Virginia - That he then enlisted for one year in a company of Artillery commanded by Captain Rundell attached to Leu. Andrew Lewis Brigade Virg. line. That he was discharged from said company some time in the year 1777 - when he was attached to the working corps for 6 months that he afterwards served as 3rd Lieutenant in a company of Artillery commanded by Capt. Walter of the Reg. commanded by  Col. Chs. Harrison. that he served nearly 12 months in said company before he resigned . That he then enlisted as a Sergeant in a Company Commanded by Captain Nathan Reese of the 10th Reg. Commanded by Col. Davis of the Virginia line. That he served in said company for one year when he was discharged. That he never was in an engagement and that he has no other evidence of his said services now in his power other that the Certificate
Page 12

of Captain Nathan Reed and in pursuance of an act of the 1st of May 1820. I do solemly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States of the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any other manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with an interest to diminish it, so as to bring myself with in the provisions of an act of Congress intitled a Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the War of the Revolution passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property of securities on contracts of debts due to me. Nor have I any income other than is contained in the Schedule hereunto [illegible] and by me subscribed -

Schedule

Four bench plains two tounge & groove plains three saws, two acres plough & traces two drawing knives. one wedge, four chucks 6 hand saw files, pair fire dogs
That he is a carpenter by trade but is ot able thereby to make a living that he has a wife & three daughters living with him his wife is 53 years old Elizabeth aged 25 years old Sally aged 22 years Polly aged 21 years his daughters are aable to support them but his wife is not
Douglass Irby

I Henry Bonifer Clerk of the Court of said Ccounty do hereby certify that the foregoing oath
Page 13

and the [illegible] thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of said court, and I do further certify that if in the opinion of said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty dollars

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said office this 9 day of August 1820

H Bowyer
Page 14

38069

Revy INVALID.
File No. 38096
Douglas Irby
Serg Rev War

Act: 18th March 1800 ?

Incex: - Vol 2, Page 203

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

Virginia
Botetourt County to wit

On the 9 day of December in the year 1822 Douglas Irby who has heretofore made this declaration o the 9th day of August 1820 in [illegible] to obtain the pension made by the act of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and of the 1st of May 1820 for certain persons [illegible] - in the land and naval service of the United states during the Revolutionary war served where declaration have been sent back from the War department for further proof. again appeared in open court being a Court of records for the County aforiaces, seen proved by the testimony of Robert Stevens & Sam. Coalter whose the Court [illegible] at to be certified an [illegible] and our [illegible, that he said Douglas Irby served of 12 months on continuance during the Revolutionary war in the 10th Virginia Regiment are Contential establishment, a& commanded by Col. Davis [illegible] said Irby belonging to the company in said Regiment commanded by Capt Nathan Reed and the said Irby further proved that he is now and has for many years been an inhabitant of the County of Botetourt & State of Virginia and it is [illegible] by the court that this together with the [illegible] declaration of the said Irby be Certified to the War Department

In testimony whereof I Henry Bowyer Clerk of the Court of Justice Peace  I have subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my office this 9 December 1822

H Bowyer Clk
Page 16

[Stamp] ABINGDON VA OCT 24

[Stamp] FREE
Coms. of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City D. C

[Written Vertically] [illegible] Oct. 31/56

[Written Vertically] Douglas Irby Va Oct 18th 1856
Page 17

Virginia Campbell County, towit,

This day John Thompson came personally before me a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, & made oath that he knew Douglas Irby in the year 1781, at which time hew was as well as this affidaint recollects, inlisted under Capt. Nathan Reid, having frequently see him the said Irby acting as a non commissioned officer or soldier under said Capt. Reid. Given under my hand this 5th day of November 1821.

Alex Austin
Page 18

H Bouyue & since [illegible] 1822

On motion of Douglas Irby who is applying for a pension as a soldier of the Revolution and whose declaration [illegible] has been returned from the  the War Office for further proof. It is named that the certificate of Nathan Rice and the affidavit of Botut Stephens, Benjamin Rice, John Thompson, and Samuel Coalter be certified to the war department together with his declaration aforesaid, and it is in further named to be certified that the cannot one satisfied by the oaths in court of John More & Edward Watts that the  several persons certifying and supporting the [illegible] of said Irby are with worthy of credit, and the said Irby made other before this court that his property and  his [illegible] are the same at this time that they were at the time of his making his declaration aforesaid

Copy Teste

JM Bouyue [illegible]

The Certificate of Nathan Price has not been recd. in the Pension Office
Page 19

Bedford County  towit,

This day Benjamin Rice came before me a justice of Bedford County aforesaid and mad Oath, that in the year 1781 this affiant had then command of a Guard of the Public Stores of the United States deposited at New London in the county aforesaid. that in serving the term of his services, Douglas Irby served under Capt. Nathan Reid as his [illegible Sergeant, but this affiant knows nothing of the date of his enlistment of time of his discharge. Given under my hand this 1st day of December 1821.

James Otey J.P.
Page 20

Jonesboro Tenn Sept. 24th 1856

Sir:

Enclosed is the claim of the heirs of Douglass Irby for the arrears of pension presumed to be due on [illegible] services in the War of the Revolution, under that act of June 7, 1832.

The pension certificate discloses the fact that h - Irby- was a Sergt.- and pensioned under the act of 1818, at $96.00 per annum, which amount he then [illegible] ch. 8213, altho under the act of June 7, 1832 he was entitled to $120.00 per annum as a Sergt. and the claim was made is for that difference, towit - 
241.00 per annum, from 4 Mch 1821 & 4 March 43 - 12 years = $288.00
.. 12.00 .. .. .. 4Mch43, ti l15May '43, date of death - 2 11/30 mo's = 23.67
Amt of arrears claimed is #311.67

In the enclosed papers you will find proasas to the certificate of the death of the soldier = (see the letter of Mrs. Cowan, in addition to the testimony [illegible-) and [illegible]- and you are respectfully solicited to adjudicate the claim, and make the proper allowance made the [illegible] Depth and addresses, in reply

[illegible]
A.G. Graham

Hon J. Minal
Com. of Pensions
WC. D C.
Page 21

Abingdon Oct 24th 1856
Com.s of Pensions.

Dear Sir,

I am written to by the Daughter of Douglas Irby, a Revolutionary (pensioner), and she alleges pension to be due. She has [illegible] stated, this date of his death, or that of his widow, these are sop many such letters comes to me, - in many cases I let them pass, not thinking them them reliable, this Woman, Mrs Cowan is respectable, and is consistant, I would be pleased to be informed the date of last payment of pension made to Irby. Which I will Communicate to her and probably save trouble & expense.

I am Sir
Very Restectfully
Your Obt. St
J W Stevents

pensioned under Act of 1818. $96 a year.
Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office
Jan'y 22nd, 1842

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of same at the Treasury of the United States," Douglas Irby - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars [and Cents struck out] per month under the law of the 18th March 1818, has been paid at this department, from the 4th of Sept. 1840 to the 4th March 1861.

Respectfully yours,
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 23

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
Feby. 2d, 1842

Sir:

Under the date of 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," Douglas Irby - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars per month under the law of the 1th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, form the 4th of March to the 4th Sept. 1840 -
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 24

Arrears exp
Rev Claim za
[stamp] JONESBOROUGH Te SEP 26
Free 
Offl Bus ss
Hon Josiah Minote
comm: of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Douglas July 
Adm Va 18 m 1818
Cole
Page 25

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 21st. 1840

Sir:

Under the date of 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," Douglas Irby - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars per month under the law of the 1th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th March. 1840 -
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 26

Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
Novr. 3 1836

Sir.

I return herewith the papers in the case of Douglas Irby, enclosed in your letter of the 31st [illegible] & in reply have to inform you that his pension appears to have been paid to 4 March 1843, Richmond Va. Agency, Act 18 March 1818, at $8 per month.

Very Respectfully
Your Ovt. Servt.
Robt J [illegible]
Auditor

George C Whiting Esqr.
Commr. of Pensions
Page 27

[illegible]

June 16
Miss Betsey Irby 12d

Salam Va Roanoake County
Page 28

Lebanon Russell County Ca

June 16th 1845

Sally and Betsey Irby

We received you letter bearing date 16 of May telling us that father is no more that he [4 x's] departed this life on the fifteenth of May Your desire that I should come and settle the business which is out of my power at this time - I think that you and Mr. Berry can settle the business as I expect that father did not owe much I have not heard anything about the money that David Sperry decsed owed father. I would be glad to know wheather Mr Cook got that money or not and when if you write a gain pleas to let me know whether he got it or not & do not know when I may be called to go to Ohio and it will be impossible for me to attend to both places. The suit must go own in the name of the heires I have [illegible] not to my lawyer to know how to prosed -

Tabetha wants ot know when Father was buried. No more but still remain your eff. to an I.
She wants to know if he talke anything about Dying and whether he semed willing to Dye we are [illegible] John T and Tabitha Cowan
Page 29

I do hereby certify that Douglas Irby enlisted under me in the regular Service in the spring of the year 1781; and acted as Sergeant until the spring following (I suppose about one year) at the end of which time he procured a certain Charles Stevens to take his place.

Given under my hand this 5th Novr. 1821

Nathan Reid Capt.
10 Virga. Regimt.
Comd. by Col Wm Davies
Page 30

Campbell County

towit

This day Robert Stevens personally appeared before me Alexander Austin a Justice of the peace in  & for the County of Campbell & made oath that Douglass Irby enlisted under Capt Nathan Reid as Sergeant in the year 1781, I continued with him in that capacity for twelve months, as this affidant recollects.

Given under my hand this 5th day of Novemr. 1821

A. Austin
Page 31

I Alexander Austin, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Cambell, do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Robert Stevens, of New London, for the last twenty five or thirthy years; and that I would esteem hi a credible witness. Given under my hand this 24th day of November 1822

Alex. Austin

Virginia Campbell County to wit. I John Alexander, Clerk of said County do hereby Certify that Alexander Austin who has a  signed [illegible] Certificate is was acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Campbell duly Commissioned and qualified [illegible] faith  and credit is [illegible] to lies given to his official acts by him so [illegible] is well with in said County [illegible] without Given under hand this 25th day of November 1822
John Alexander. Clk
Page 32

Virginia Botetourt County towit

This day Samuel Coller came before me a justice of the Botetourt County aforesaid and made Oath that in the year 1781 this affiant acted as sargent in the military at New London in the County of Bedford . that during the time of his service Douglas Irby served under Capt. Nathan Reid as his orderly. Sargent and this affiant knows to a certainty that Douglas Irby did serve twelve months in the said service. Given under my hand and seal this 7 day of March 1823

Lewis Harvey
Page 33

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in Richmond, VA by the Prest M. S. Branch Bank.

Recorded in Book 13, vol. 8, page 146, by Wm Gordon, Clerk. Examined and countersigned

J. L. Edwards
Page 34

War Department.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM

I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Laws of the Unites States, of the 18th of March, 1818, 1st of May 1820, and 1s of Marcy 1823 ----
Douglas Irby, late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Virginia Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the first day of March - one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twenty eight day of April one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.
Page 35

State of Virginia
County of Roanoke
 On this 10th day of April 1856 personally came before me John P. Kizer a Justice of the peace in and for the County & state afore'nid, Abner Petty of said County, who being duly sworn according to Law, deposes and says, that he was will acquainted with the late Douglas Irby, who in life time was a pensioner of the United States for services in the War of the Revolution, that the said Douglas Irby at the time of his death lived within a mile of this [illegible] in the County of Roanoke, State of Virginia - that he was present at the time of his death, which was in the Month of May 1843 - that the said Douglas Irby left no widow, left the following children, who are alive - viz Betsy Irby, now living (or was at the last accounts) with her sister Tabitha (called Tabby), who married Hohn Cowan with County of Rupel, Virginia, and Polly, who married Pliny H Berry and is now living in Tinnipia. These three Children, Betsy, Tabitha & Polly are all known to be living, and he left no others. Diponsant knew the said Douglas Irby since the year 1804, at which time he was living as man and wife with his wife, who died about thirty years ago - During all that time they lived together, and are regarded as man and wife, as much so as nay people in the Dounty but this diponnt cannot say where or when they were married

Abner Petty

Sworn to and subscribed and acknowledged before me on this 10 day of April 1856

John P. Kizer J.P
Page 36

State of Virginia
County of Roanoke

I, Fredrick Johnston, Clerk for the County Court of Roanoke in the State of Virginia do certify that John P. Kizer Esq whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County & State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to Law

Given under my had and seal of Office the 3 n u  day of May 1856

F Johnston C