Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,561, for Kenaz Ralls, Virginia
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(8-1776)
SERVICE           NUMBER
Va.       Ralls, Kenaz   S. 18.561
                                 carded.
CONTENTS
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[printed form with handwriting]

Virginia 16,895
Kenaz Ralls
of Fauquier in the State of Va who was a priv - in the - com by Captain - of the Reg com by Col. Philip in the Va - line for 6 mo: 18 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 22 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of October 1833 and [?] Pensioner
Somerville - P. O. Va
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 55.-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 34 11-- [double underlined]
$66.-- [double underlined]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nath: Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 6-1/2 [half] Page 30
[written vertically left side]
Date of death not on ab-
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[handwritten]

Kenaz Ralls of Virginia
[illegible]
Pension Office
Samuel [illegible]
June 17th
Secretary of War
City of Washington
DC
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[handwritten]

Somerville p. office
Fauqr Co Va
Dear Sir
I set down to make a few more Statements of [?] so maney [sic] which I fear has been troublesome to you - my papers was read to the court [?] what the clerk & horner put to the record was only extract from the affidavits - of mr Brahan Capt. Starks & mr Mcinteer - pleas [sic] compare the paper that has the county seal to it & mr Brahans & Capt. Starks affidavits which will prove that has the seal is only Extract - Brahans Left out entire Stark is not allowed a Creditable [sic] man & Justices allow them to be men of Credit it was a Long time before the Clerk would give them up - mr Mcinteers I never could get one of my sons lived about 5 miles of the Court house apply & 3 times mr Joseph Thompson the wrighter [sic] applyed [sic] [illegible] - my son Lives about 23 miles from the Court applyed [sic] 3 or 4 times the [illegible] held him tho[?] - I had better get a coppy [sic] that it might get Lost perhaps it would be better for them if it should be Lost the more fees for them I should expect nothing But a Exhact [sic] if I was to try to get a coppy [sic] - a true record seldom gets Lost many times [?] I write my own will no person knows one word in it I send for 3 Creditable [sic] men I produce a paper to them - here is my Last will please to witness it thay [sic] doo [sic] so I Donte [sic] Recollect to have Ever heard of a will haveing [sic] been read in open Court - at my Death I give to my Son Brahan 5 Negroes naming them at my Death I give to my Son Mcinteer 3 Negroes naming them I give to my Son Stark 2 Negroes also my [?] horse Kite with my Sorrel mare Jane & Call - now Sir when my Children applys to the Clerk for a coppy [sic] of my will thay [sic] get one how then no one knew one word in my will. the Coppy [sic] is good in all Cases the Clerk has the same wright [sic] to Extract from any mans my papers and more so my papers was publick [sic] in Court a will is often [?] horner  wants money the Clerk wants money the [illegible] in Counting the [sic] that was in that paper he gave me that I call a Extract & 37'c for Each seal
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[handwritten]

I should not have sent you but one paper at first only but I was told by judges I supposed that the paper that had the County Seal to it would not Doo [sic] I was satisfyed [sic] it would not my reason for sending so many was that you might see that I Did not intend to maney [sic] of others had - I was told by by [duplicate] several that few Claims was supported Better than more supported by 3 Creditable [sic] independant [sic]  me that that [duplicate] knew you 60 years or upwards & that all 3 served part of the time with you the 3 are Living now also the 3 magistrates - It appears to me I never shall think I am bound to pay the Clerk or Lorner [sic] without some re[?] thay [sic] will force me the only chance that I can think of it is you the papers I sent to you cant be acted on again in my Case in no way as to a pension if I had them or a Coppy [sic] of them thay [sic] would be good Evidence against him I sincearley [sic] want a friend to help me out your advice will be thankfully recd. It appears that a man that will act so bare fased [sic] ought not to have the management of a record on others property be so good [illegible]
Heavens be your Friend and grant you many Days
Kenaz Ralls
17th June 1834
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[handwritten]

Secretary of War
Washington City
D C
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[handwritten]

Somerville P. Office
Fauquier Co Va
Dear Sir
I Recd. your kind favour of August 1832 3 Days after Date with the printed Directions I have taken great care of it has been for the use of all concerned & others Recd. gave kind favours of 18th of this month on 20th you wish to know what office [?] sent and by whom I had none to send - I see by the papers you sent to horner it appears you sent them to him 23d may by chance my [?] with him on or about 27th august my son named [?] that I thought there was some thing a miss as I never had heard [illegible] have got them I wrote to your father as he might [illegible] I cant bring my mind to think [illegible] he Died so since I will send this letter [sic] son was [illegible] I recd. your Letter the Day before he [illegible] he brought a part of [illegible] he brought the papers you sent him [illegible] affidavit was taken at my house on 6th February Last before a single justice of the peace. I was a [?]pple Days my son [?] into [illegible] and to ask a justice of the peace and others to come in my house and of other justices in several [?] to come the Day was rainey [sic] I believe a Little snow with a strong cold wind but few came Joseph Tompson undertook to take mr Mcinteers affidavit - I recollect a part of it he believes me to be 70 years of age has known me about 50 years and knows that he was at the Siege of York he names the officers that we served under and that we was in the same company - he mentions about the man that got shot and [illegible] down on his right hand mr thompson [illegible] him known as a man of Credit he owns about 600 acres of Land about 12 Blacks a valuable saw mill money out at [?] & plenty in and out of his house mr Mcinteers affidavit could not be favoured but my son had the promis [sic] of it I have [?] for it but no return - I went with horner from his office to the Court house Court had just set I suppose [?] want more than 20 in the Court I was called to the Book horner took the papers and went and stood on a seat close by the Clerk 4 Justices on the bench his Elbow on the railing before the Court [?] as he [?] the Court and close & he read my name above take Mcinteers hear is a [?] he reads it aloud he the takes brahans and starks this will help or so nothing like it he reads brahans aloud then goes on with the reading of Capt William Starks - he gets down hands the papers to the Clerk and comes to me your chance is good perhaps certain I cant say particular - you [illegible] but yourwlft to any
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[handwritten]

trouble I will have the papers made out and will write to you - I will wright [sic] to some Congressman Congress has just now gon [sic] home it will be a Long time before thay [sic] set again I wish to go myself if I can get as much money as will take me to the City I Learnd [sic] no more of horner untill [sic] 13th april I went up to know how things was I went to horner I have not made out yours - if you will get the Clerk he will make them out for you I must go from home I never have seen horner since I think he was a [illegible] to go to the office he has his wretched mangement [sic] I believe the papers would not have been made out as thay [sic] are if he had the sending them on - he must have $10- for dooing [sic] rong [sic] he ought to pay me and to be made to [illegible] I after the young clerk made out the paper as you see it the old one corrected and read it  Mr. Brahans [illegible] wont mention I observed that Mr horner said it wasnt worth while or it was of no use or [illegible] that amount - I always thought that a Clerk was bound to werk [sic] all things that the Court Direct and in full to their order thay [sic] by oath are bound to do so I think their Notion and honour bends them to do so if their oath Does not I leave it to you and all the world if he has Done so horner wants to lay me blame on the Clerk if men on their [illegible] are suffered to Record what thay [sic] pleas [sic] and Leave out what thay [sic] pleas [sic] Life Limb or property is not safe I read of the unpardonable sin thay [sic] have sinned against white and black against 3 sufficient witnesses 3 Justices of the peace all gone now having to testify thay [sic] went by and took justice along and left me behind I speak of the manner of man in our Day or [illegible] Job spoke to his wife after you have Done with these papers [illegible] be thankful for them as thay [sic] cant ever be [illegible] on in your office again be so kind as to send me your opinion [illegible] the Clerk and horner can be made to answer for they conduct as I think it will appear exstraordinarily  [sic] un Common - in the Spring tour I drew no provisions from Richmond - I had rather march from York to Winchester and been found than to come home help and find my self the troops got home some time before I got about provisions was hard to get on the road as many passed before me - the tour to Winchester I Recd. nothing from government 
29th Sept.
Heavens grant you patience
Health & Respect
Kenaz Ralls
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[handwritten]

State of Virginia, County of Fauquier, to wit;
On this 29th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Fauquier County now Sitting Kenaz Ralls a resident of the said County aged sixty nine years and more, 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following Officers to serve as herein stated. About the first of March 1781, two companies of Militia were called out from Prince William County under Captains Brent and Warner, he was hired by Benjamin Harrison of Prince William County to take place of his overseer Walter Stallard who belonged to Capt. Warren's Company - that Mr. Harrison lent him a horse and he overtook the companies below Fredericksburg. Captain Warren received him as a substitute for Stallard, and Stallard returned home with Mr. Harrisons horse. When he overtook the troops, there were four or five companies of Militia, and Capt. Coleman (belonging as he belives [sic] to the continental Army) with two pieces of brass cannon. In Warren's Company, Charles Ewell was Lieutenant and Charles Atwell ensign- He does not remember any Officer higher than Captain. They marched through New - Kent and King William to Williamsburg and quartered in the Governors Palace. While in Williamsburg, he saw Colonel Church hill [sic] of Fauquier, who had a command over militia. After having been in Williamsburg about a week, intelligence arrived that the British were in James River, and the militia were marched to the half way house between Hampton and Williamsburg, and quartered in the barrack at the lower end of the Town. They remained there a few days, untill [sic] they were driven out by the British Army. The first night the militia retreated six miles, and the next day took up the line of march for Richmond. When they arrived at Richmond, they quartered at the rope walks, at the lower end of the Town. They remained there for about two weeks. The British appearing in the River
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[handwritten]

the Baggage Waggons [sic] under charge of Sergeant White with a [illegible] of whom I was one retired to the high grounds above Richmond, from this position, this affiant saw the British march into Manchester and burn the ware houses. A short time after this he returned home with Sergeant White & two others having been out more than three months. He does not remember to have received any discharge 2nd. tour. In the latter part of July 1781, he march [sic] from Falmouth in a company of militia from Stafford County, commanded by Captain William Harding, Joseph Combs lieutenant, (the ensign forgotten) several other companies assembled at, and marched for the same place
Wm. Phillips and James Gerrard were ^[insert] the Colonels. Gregg was major and William Ballard the adjutant. The whole proceeded to the lower part of the State, and when the siege of York commenced, the company of Captain Harding were marched and posted on a rising ground before the Town - Capt. Harding returned home, and the company was commanded by William Ballard the adjutant. He worked in the entrenchments about two reliefs - was appointed sergeant and with twenty men and a Lieutenant or ensign was sent on a relief party - We marched to an Oak growth, and procured fascines and gabions for the use of the besieging army. He was taken sick few days before the surrender of Cornwallis. Before he recovered the [illegible] marched off - He was not mustered afterwards - His term of service expired before his recovery - He did not get a discharge, and does not believe that an officer was left to as that duty. He was absent from home in the second tour considerably more than three months. He remembers Major Southall of the regular Army and General Lincoln. After returning from York - Town he thinks in the month of December 1781 - he met the third division of the British Prisoners near Falmouth in Stafford County, Virginia, on their way to Winchester Barracks - They numbered about one hundred guarded by a Lieutenant and about thirty men - He then took the place of Thomas Weston of the guard, and assisted in conducting the prisoners through Fauquier County to the barracks near Winchester, and was absent from home in that service from 15 to 18 days. He was born and raised in Stafford - lived ^[insert] there when he first entered the Army as a Substitute, and when he was draughted [drafted]
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[handwritten]

under Captain Harding - that he now lives in Fauquier County within seven miles of where he was raised - that he has no documentary evidence of his service & that Henry McInteer & William Starke of Stafford County know of part of his service in the revolutionary Army. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Kenaz Ralls
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
State of Virginia, Fauquier County to wit;
Henry McInteer of lawful age made oath before me a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County, that he is well acquainted Kenaz Ralls of the County of Fauquier, who is about to apply to the War Department of the United States for a pension, that he has known the said Ralls upwards of fifty years, and believes him to be about seventy years of age, that the said Ralls went with him the said McInteer to the siege of York, during the Revolutionary War, We went from Stafford County under command of Captain William Harding, the regiment being under the command of Colonel William Phillips, when we arrived at York, we were ordered to stack our arms and set down. In a little [illegible] enemy commenced a fire of cannon at us, one ball struck a stack of Arms to my right, and took off a mans thigh stuck a bayonet through another about the groin, and a ram rod flew out and struck another across the forehead, and wounded him. That it was understood and believed that the said Ralls has been in service before
Henry McInteer
Sworn to and subscribed this 16th day of February, 1833 before me
Joseph Thompson J. P. 
The affidavit of Captain William Starke taken as aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, saith, I am a resident of Stafford County, Virginia, in the 71st year of my age, I was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and served a tour of duty at the Siege of York, in company with Kenaz Ralls who is ^[insert] about applying for a pension, we both marched from Stafford County under the command of Capt. William Harding and Lieutenant Joseph Combs (the ^[insert] other officers names
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[handwritten]

not being recollected) Those officers after getting to York, resigned their commissions, and then we were placed under command of Captain William Ballard, in Col. Dark's Regiment, Major Welch and Major Southall commanding the two Battalions, the Brigade, I think was commanded by Genl. Stephens. I have heard the said Ralls speak of his having served a tour of duty pervious by at Williamsburg, and I have no reason to doubt it, as he understood discipline much better than I did. I suppose the said Ralls to be sixty nine years of age at least, as we were students at the same school, previous to the Revolutionary War. and further this affiant saith not
[check mark] William Starke
Sworn and subscribed before us this 15th March 1833.
Wm. Thompson
Jos. Thompson
S. T. Chapman.
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 served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joseph Thompson, William Thompson and Sidney t Chapman who have signed the preceeding [sic] certificate are Justices of the County of Fauquier.
Virginia, Fauquier County to wit:
I Alexander J. Marshall, clerk of the County Court of Fauquier County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Kenaz Ralls for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of April 1833, and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
A. J Marshall Clk
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[handwritten]

No. 24963
Kenaz Ralls Fauquier
County Virginia
Admit as a private
6 mo & 18 days $22
j. k .m:
Claimant Somerville P. O.
A J Marshall Clk [lined out]
Fauquier County Virga.
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[printed form with handwriting]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office, 
May 23 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Kenaz Ralls Fauquier County Virginia
|Period when the service was rendered.|
Sub - 1781
Served July 1781
Served Dec. 1781
|Duration of the claimant's service.|
|Years.|
-
|Months.|
3
3
-
|Days.|
-
-
18
|Rank of the claimant.|
private
|Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.|
Cap Warren, Captain Coleman
Colonels Phillips and Gerrard
|Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.|
69 years
County of Stafford Virginia
|Proof by which the declaration is supported.|
two living witnesses certified credible 
paper correct

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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[printed form with no handwriting]
[handwritten portions are blank]
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
To a Soldier.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer.
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
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.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title' of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom be served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 reasou [sic] 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."
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 bis service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persona who apply for pensions merely state that 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown 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 au 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every cask.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if be 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.
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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [t] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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August 4, 1933

Kenaz Ralls-8.18561
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. D. M. Dockstader
59 The Prado, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary Wax records of the following soldiers, with surname Ralls- Caleb,
Edward, George, Hebron, John, Kenag, Moses,
Nathaniel, Nelson, Raleigh and Ralph.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.

A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of any of the above named soldiers, except, John Ralls, S.39056, and Kenas Ralls, S.18561. The surname Ralls has been searched under various spellings.

The record of John Ralls, S. 39056, is that of the colored freedman, which you state you do not desire.

The record of Kenaz Ralls as found in his claim
for pension, based upon his Revolutionary War service, is furnished below.

Kenax Ralls was born and reared in Stafford County, Virginia no date given, nor are the names of his parents shown. His father was living during the War of the Revolution.

While residing in said Stafford County, Kenaz Ralls
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enlisted March 1, 1781 and served over three months in Captain Warren's Virginia company. He enlisted in the latter part of July, 1781 and served in Captain William Harding's company, Colonel William Phillips' Virginia regiment, and in Captain William Ballard's company, Colonel William Darke's Virginia regiment, was at the siege of Yorktown, guarded the prisoners to Winchester Barracks, reaching home sometime in December, 1781. He was also in Captain Thomas Peyton's company in 1794 in an expedition against the "insurgents in the western counties over the Allegheny mountain".

The soldier, Kenaz Ralls, was allowed pension
on his application executed March 29, 1833, then aged about sixty-nine years and living in Fauquier County, Virginia, about seven miles from where he was "brought up".

Kenaz Ralls referred to the following sons-Isham, Brahan, McInteer, and Stark. The name of his wife is not stated and there is no further reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, the name and address to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of the above named pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. 
citing all of the following data-
Kenaz Ralls
Certificate No. 16895
Issued October 13, 1833
Rate $22.00 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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18561
INVALID.
Tile No. 18561
Kenaz Ralls
Pri Rev war
Act: June 7 '32
index:-Vol. 1, Page 318
[Arrangement of 1870.)
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[handwritten] 8567
P.O. Kenaz Ralls

Consolidated with O.W. Ins. File 18.561.

[stamp] REJECTED
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[handwritten] Kenaz Ralls, Va.
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T Newton
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[handwritten]

Stafford County 19 Aust 1832
I hereby certify that I was on the [?] as a Lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Peytons company against the insurgents in the western counties over the Allegany mountain in the year 1794 - and that Kenaz Ralls was a private in our company - Given under my hand as above
[illegible]
10th Sept to 15th Dec
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[handwritten]

Warrenton Va
March 22nd}
Mr Kenaz Ralls
Somerville Post Office
Fauqr County
Va
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[handwritten]

Fauquier County Va to wit
Me [blank] a clergyman residing in the County of [blank] state aforesaid and [blank] residing in the County of [blank] state aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Kenaz Ralls who is now an applicant for a Pension from the U States that we believe him to be [blank] years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day of [blank] 1833 before me a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, by - [blank] and I hereby certify that they are respectable men & that their statements are worthy of the most implicit belief. Given under my hand this day of [blank] 1833.
J. P.
Page 26

Warrenton March 21st 1833
Sir
I received your letter yesterday. on the first page of this letter I give you a certificate to be filled up with the names of a clergyman & some other credible person. If no clergyman can be found two other credible persons will answer. If they cannot attend court the magistrate must certify as to their veracity.
It will be well besides what is above directed - for you to obtain the affidavits of as many respectable men as may be convenient, in relation to your character & truthfulness.
I am very respectfully &c
Jos: Horner
P. S. The magistrate will write the affidavits of said as you may carry before him.
Court will continue all next week
Page 27

[handwriting]

when you sent my papers to horner by chance I got them 3 1/2 months See what trouble he wants to put me to after I have proved what he ?Required and he had the papers I wrote to him to know if Clergy[?] Deacons would answer as well as a Clergyman you can judg [sic] in part how the clerk & horner has served me & would
17th June 1834
health & respect 
Kenaz Ralls
Page 28

[handwritten]

Joseph Horner Esqr
Fauquier C House
Va
Page 29

[handwritten]

State of Virginia}
Fauquier County} ss. Be it known that before us William Thompson Joseph Thompson and Sidney T. Chapman, Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Thomas Brahan, a resident of said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say, that I am in the 68th year of my age, and have been acquainted with Kenaz Ralls, who is about to apply for a pension, about sixty years. I served a tour of duty from Fauquier County to the siege at York, from the month September to November 1781 - under Capt. Tho Holm, and I think Lieutenant Alexander Scott, Col. Edmonds & Major Welch - I saw service at York town Capt. William Harding & Lieutenant Joseph Combes who sent from Stafford County and further this affiant saith not.
Thomas Brahan
Sworn and subscribed before us this 15th March 1833}
Wm. Thompson J. P. 
Jos. Thompson J. P. 
S. T. Chapman J. P. 
The affidavit of Capt. William Starke of lawful age, taken as aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, saith: I am a resident of Stafford County Virginia, in the 71st year of my age, I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served a tour of duty at the siege of York, in company with Kenaz Ralls who is about applying for a pension, we had marched from Stafford County under the command  of Capt. William Harding & Lieutenant Joseph Combes (the other Officers names not being recollected) those Officers after geting [sic] to York resigned their commissions, and then we were placed under command of Capt. William Ballard, in Col Darks Regiment, Major Welch & Major Southall commanding the two Battalions, the Brigade I think was commanded by Genl. Stephens; I have heard the said Ralls speak of his having served a tour of duty previously, at Williamsburg and I have no reason to doubt it , as he understood discipline much better than I did. I suppose the said Ralls to be sixty nine years of age at least, as we were students at the same school, pervious to the Revolutionary War, and further this affiant saith not. 
[check mark] William Starke
Sworn & subscribed before us this 15th March 1833}
Wm. Thompson 
Jos.. Thompson
S. T. Chapman
And the said Justices further certify that it appears to them that Thomas Brahan and William Starke, who have signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits are both credible persons, both in membership of the Baptist Church at Rock Hill, in Stafford County and deacons of the same, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Wm. Thompson
Jos. Thompson
S. T. Chapman
Page 30

[handwritten]

Somerville p Office
Fauqr. Co Va
Dear Sir
The Reason I was not at Last Court Court [duplicate] was hurt my foot going home and it is not heale [sic] well yet I hope to be at next Court on wednesday in the Evening or at night you have the [illegible] of any person to judg [sic] of my statements the first papers I made out for the Court had no memorandum nor had [?] any person the Last papers I made out was for the mr Thompson - I had not a paper to go by I hope I have [?] but Little I went to school with mr Brahan he went with the first Division of the prisoners to winchester Barracks there was to have been 2 or 3 more at the ridg [sic] if any thing more wanting pleas send me some blanks to be fild [sic] up as you know Every thing that I am aiming at by [?] days mail  I suppose two Deacons is Equal to one Clergyman
16th March 1839
- portage on sight
Health & Resspect
Kenaz Ralls
It is well known that tuesdays is [?] Days up you will please notice what I have wrote above it was well known my Business at Court and my chance to get their a friend say to me if you will take a seal in the [?] I will pay - I got their tuesday in place of wednesday I should have had to walk if it would have been wednesday the paper with the County seal [?] ! march I know it was the 3d day of the Court went to horners son in the morning wednesday as my [?] [?] their was [?] Days to Destract [sic] the papers - horner & the Clerk - I asked mr Brahan thursday Last if he would know his hand wrighting [sic] he said yes I folded up this affidavit so that he could see but Little more than his name I showed him his name. I wrote that the Question was not put to me Brahan whether he knew or believed or knew I was in the army previoius to the siege of york he live with his mother and her family his father was Ded [sic] with in one mile of my father and family when I served. the tour before the siege of york which he well remembers
Page 31

[there is a circular received stamp top left of the page, which reads]
{arrow pointing to 2:30  Below the arrow are the words RECEIVED   JUL 31 1933.  The three lines below are not legible.}

                                    59 The Prado, N.E.
                                    Atlanta, Georgia,
                                    July 27, 1933.

Mr. A.D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administer,
 Veterans' Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

              I shall be most grateful if your office will be good enough to supply me with a copy of the Revolutionary War record of any member of the Ralls, or Rawls, or Rawles, or Rolls, as it is variously spelled, family of Virginia, with the exception of John Rolls, of Shenandoah County.  This last was a colored freedman, and apparently once belonged to the same family as that I am interested in.

             I find these names listed in the Virginia State Library list of soldier:
    John Rawls,                           R.C.
    Kenag Rawls,  Fauquier Co., S. of W., 1835
    Moses Rawls,                        R.C.
    George Ralls,  (n)  H.D.,      Oct. 1785
    Nathaniel Ralls,                     B.W.

            I am especially interested in those records applying to the sons of Edward Ralls, senior, who died in Stafford County in 1785.  One of these sons was a Kenag, or Kenaz, mentioned above.  Another was John, another Caleb, another Raleigh, another Hebron.  In this family there were also Ralph and Nelson Ralls, whether sons or not I do not know.  Kenaz Ralls in a letter to a member of the family dated 1840, said that his cousin, George Ralls, was commander during the Revolution of a 24-gun vessel of war, was captured during a battle with British forces, and sent prisoner to the Tower of London.  Kenaz also stated that one of his brothers died "in the army at Pickskill, or Fishkill; one rests in an old fort."  One of these is undoubtedly my direct ancestor, one of the sons of Edward Ralls, of Stafford.
              Whatever records you may have of this family
Page 32

from the State of Kentucky I shall also appreciate a copy of.

           Thanking you for past courtesies, and for any help you may be able to give me on this line, I am
                            Sincerely,
                   [Signature] Mary Ralls Doerstader[?]
                                (Mr. D. M.)