Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R, 1,086, James Boyd, Md. Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md. 
Penn

Boyd, James
Flora

NUMBER
R 1,086

CONTENTS
Page 2

[torn]gent S J J
[torn]st 1838.
[torn]e persons 20 Aug 1838
[torn] letter of G.G. Brewer
[torn]led with case of Albert
Hendricks
--------------------------------------------
Virginia 31.40[torn off]
31488
James Boyd
of Monroe Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Dobson of the Troops commanded
by Gen. Smallwood in the Maryland
line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July
1838 and sent to Hon A Baine
Union, Monroe Co. Va

Arrears to the 4th of March '38. 280.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep "  20.00 
$300.00
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 7. 1838.
Recorded by D. Brown  Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 ½ Page 4

[penciled in] 
Apr 23 1846
decd see agency book
Page 3

James Boyd
Va 26.345

Union Va Augt 24th 1833
free

To The Secretary of War
Washington City

Pa Aug 29
26.345

applied 
as 1829 see
the evidence

Hony Alexander
Union Monroe Co
Va

US
Morgan 2 [illegible] to his
Hon W McComas
HR
17 Rev Pens
Page 4

State of Virginia 
Monroe County }
On this 20th day of Augt 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of said County James Boyd a resident of said County aged Seventy three years was born the 3d of October 1759 agreeably to a record of his age who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he was born in the County of Chester in the State of Pennsylvania That in November 1776 he was drafted in the said County of Chester for three months in the militia under captain Williams, and was marched to a place called Perkiom where they Joined the army and from thence into Jersey that he was at the Battle of Trenton and at the Battle of Princeton that he served out the three months and was discharged in the month of February 1777  That on his way home at Wilmington in the State of Delaware, in February 1777 he enlisted as a regular soldier in the army for during the war under Captain Richard Dobson and as he thinks in the 7th Maryland Regiment commanded by General Smallwood that he was marched from Wilmington to White Marsh, where They joined the troops. His Colonels name was Gip His Major not recollected he was marched into Jersey and on into
Page 5

New York and on nearly to Albany That he was in the Battle of Brandywine and in the Battle of Germantown, that the Regiment wintered at Valley Forge in the year 1778 he was in the Battle of Monmouth. White Plains and Ringsbridge and was at Mud Island when the Fort was attacked. That he was stationed at Princeton. during the winter of 1778 he was in no battle in 1779 during the winter of 1779 he was stationed at a place called the three Rivers between New York and Albany. In the year 1780 he was in no battle, being the most of that year in Jersey and Connecticut was stationed the winter of 1780 in connecticut but cannot recollect the name of the place, he was in no battle in the year 1780 & 1781 that he was stationed in Rhode Island during the winter of 1781 & was commanded during that time by Capt Richard Dobson and he thinks General Smallwood commanded at all the battles Except the White plains where General Wayne had the command. he cannot recollect his majors name that he was discharged in October 1782, at Trenton by General Smallwood & he thinks his discharge was signed by both General Smallwood & captain Dobson he left his discharge with John Strawbridge of the City of Philadelphia, for the purpose of receiving his pay and Bounty Land & moved to Virginia in the year 1784 that the said Strawbridge shortly after died and he never could get his discharge although application was
Page 6

made through a friend for it. He has resided in the county of Monroe Va nearly Fifty years he does not know of any person by whom he can prove his service he also declares he never received any pay nor obtained any Bounty land. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state 
James Boyd his [handwritten] X mark
sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid ⎬ 
We William Adare Clergyman residing in the County of Monroe Va and James A Dunlap residing in the same state and County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Boyd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of a[ge][page torn] that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
William Adair
James A Dunlap
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } 
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 William Adair who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Monroe and that James A Dunlap who has also signed the same, is a resident in the County & State aforesaid and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit
Page 7

I John Hutchison Jr Clerk of the Court of Monroe County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of James Boyd for a pension 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office this 23d day of August 1833 & in the 58th year of the Commonwealth 
Jno Hutchison Jr CMC

[partly obscured and at right angles to the remainder of the text] James Boyd
Page 8

[notation] 42
Pension office 
Oct 3. 1846.
Sir
The claim of Flora Boyd has been examined and the papers filed. 
Her husband, James Boyd was allowed by special act, a pension for twelve months ^[page torn, written in margin][ser]vice which he claimed to have performed in the Maryland ^Line in Capt. Dobson's Company [crossed out: of]in a regiment under the Command of Genl. Smallwood. The rolls of the Maryland line ^& of Capt Dobson's company particularly in the archives at Annapolis [crossed out: as well as the widow of the Revolutionary service illegible] ^contradict his statement and show clearly that he was not entitled to a pension. His widow's claim cannot be admitted [crossed out: upon the] upon the papers now in this office 
Henry Alexander Eq. 
Union, 
Monroe Co. Va
Page 9

January 20, 1939

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Grace Boyd Thornhill
115 South Kanawha Street
Buckhannon, West Virginia

JAMES BOYD
R. 1086
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

The data which follow in regard to James Boyd were obtained from the papers on file in the claims for pension under R. 1036, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
James Boyd was born October 3, 1759, in that part of Chester County, Pennsylvania, which later became Cecil County, Maryland.
The names of his parents were not stated.
While residing in Cecil County, Maryland, James Boyd enlisted in November, 1776, and served three months as private in Captain Williams' Pennsylvania company, during which period he was in the the battles of White Plains, Trenton and Princeton.  On his way
home, he again enlisted in February, 1777, at New Castle or Wilmington, Delaware, to serve during the war, served as a private in
Captain Dobson's company, Colonel Gist's Maryland regiment, was in the battles of King's Bridge, Brandywine, Germantown, Mud Island Fort, wintered at Valley Forge, and in 1778 was in the battle of Monmouth, and was discharged at Trenton in October, 1782.
The soldier moved to Virginia in 1784 and in 1829 was residing in Monroe County, that state, with post office at Union. He was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolution by Special Act of Congress approved July 7, 1838.
James Boyd died April 23, 1846, survived by his widow, Flora Boyd
given in regard to her.
No reference was made to children in the claims.
who in 1847 was a resident of Monroe County, Virginia. No other details given in regard to her.
No reference was made to children in the claim.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 10

James Caskie
Feb 28 - 48
Page 11

[Notation in different handwriting] 203
Sir
Pen off
 Feby 28, ‘48
I enclose you the vouchers in the case of James Boyd decd who was a pensioner at 40$ pr anm under act of 7 June 32 and hereby authorize the payment of the balance due at the time of his death 
James Caskie 
[Crossed out: Anthony Robinson] Esqr 
Pen-agt
Richmond
Va
Page 12

January 20, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMEF:MLB
[penciled in
James Boyd
R. 1086]

Grace Boyd Thornhill
115 South Karoona Street
Buckhannon, West Virginia
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Dr. Robert Curry, who was born in
1750, enlisted in Augusta County, Virginia, also that of
soldier with surname Boyd, of Maryland or Pennsylvania, who
married Florence Blehester Bicket and whose children were
Thomas, Nathan, John and Jamie. You state that the son
Thomas, married Margaret Young and lived in Monroe County, West
Virginia.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in
the Revolutionary War of a Robert Curry or other spelling of that
surname of any southern state.
This office has no general genealogical data on file as
means of tracing ancestral lines and no clerical force assigned
to work of that nature such Revolutionary War data as are
furnished by the Veterans Administration are obtained from claims
for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States
based upon service in that war. Without the full name of
the soldier, it is possible to identify any particular record in
which you might be interested. The records has been found, however,
of one James Boyd of Maryland and Pennsylvania whose wife was Flora.
Assuming that this record might be of interest to you, it is
furnished you herewith as shown in pension claim, R. 1086, based
upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

[printed form with information filled in]
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
[penciled in R1086]
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank] 19 [blank]
In reply to your request of [blank] 
received [blank] 
for a statement of the military history of
James Boyd
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out (or his widow's)] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1776
Feb 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos
Oct 1782
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Williams
Richard Dubron
COLONEL.
Gist
STATE.
Pa
Md

Battles engaged in, White Plains, Trenton, Preston, Kingsbridge, Brandywine
Germantown, Mud Fort, Monmouth

Residence of soldier at enlistment
He enl at Wilmington Del
Date of application for pension,
Feb 27 1829. His cl was al
Residence at date of application
Monroe Co Va
Age at date of application
b. Oct 3 1759 in that part of Chester Co Pa which was later (Cecil Co Md)
Remarks: He dies Apr 23 1846
leaving a widow and no further family date
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6 -- 2856
Page 14

Jan 9, 1939. 
To The Veterans Administration 
Dept of the Interior 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir- 
Dec 1928 I wrote you for the war record of an ancestor and you were most kind in sending names of my ancestor also that of his children & to whom they were married. And E. W. Margare was acting commissioner at that time. Now I am writing for information of others as follows - One [notation in another handwriting:?] Boyd I do not have his name but he came from Md or Pa married a lady of Va by name Florence
Page 15

Bicket or Becket. He was borne some time in 17th century 
His childrens names follow - 
Thomas Boyd borne late in 17th ^1788 century 
Nathan Boyd Married a Miss Dun 
John Boyd " Sallie Kyle - 
Jennie Boyd “ James Mcdowell 
Thomas married Margret Young, lived in Monroe County now W. Va. & died here at the age of 88 yrs ^in 1876 
If you can find the Boyd that connects here I should be most grateful. Thomas (my ancestor) borne in 1788. This looks as tho his father would be in the list of Revolutionary soldiers. 
Thank for so much 
Sincerely yours Grace Boyd Thornhill
^113 S Kanawha St
Buckhannon, WVa
Page 16

Please send what you find of Dr Robert Curry a Rev soldier borne about 1750 his children 
Robert Curry married Sarah Young James Curry 
Samuel Curry.
He enlisted from Augusta Co. Va. as I have been told but do not have name of his wife. Please send the war record of this Dr Robert Curry. I’m sure you have it as his line has been established in the recent years.
I have reason to think his Dr Curry married an Ervin but not sure- 
Thank you so much
Page 17

[stamped REJECTED]  
1086
P.O. Flora Boyd
Widow of James
Service: [blank]
Enlisted  [blank]
Discharged [blank]
Application Filed [blank]
Alleges [blank]

[penciled over form]
his papers are
not on file
See request of A.A. Chapman Member of  
Congress  Feb  2 1847
asking that they be
sent to him
[crossed out Re-enlisted]
The list of suspended &
rejected claims printed in 1851
gives cause of widow's rejection
"the special act to claimant's husband  granting a pension for twelve months 
service is not regarded as conferring 
widow's rights under the general laws."
[crossed out Attorney]
[Crossed out P.O.]

1922 Mar 8 Hist to W M Boyd Adairsville Ga/ see his letter in James Boyd N C S 32127 and
1939. Jan 20 - Hist to Grace Boyd Thornhill - MLB
Page 18

James Boyd.
Page 19

[printed form the heading of which is crossed out]
----------
25th CONGRESS,
2d SESSION.
H. R. 425.
JANURY 18, 1838.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. MORGAN, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported
the following bill:
A BILL 
---------
[line numbers down the left margin crossed out]
An Act
For the relief of James Boyd.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
Secretary of War be, and he is hereby authorized and
directed to place the name of James Boyd of Monroe county,
State of Virginia, on the roll of revolutionary pensioners of
the United States, and pay to him the sum of forty dollars
per annum, the same to be computed from the fourth day of
March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and continue
during his natural life.

[the following hand written]
Approved July 7th 1838
a true
Copy compared with
the Roll in this Office
Dept of State
July 12th 1838
A Sail
Chief Clerk
Page 20

O W Rej
#1.086
Page 21

James Boyd   Pvt
Maryland line


Virginia
ref file no 1.086/ok

no need of incl
not allowed Act 1828
Page 22

War Department 
Pension Office 
June 29. 1838 
Sir,
The papers in the case of James Boyd are herewith returned. General Smallwood and Colonel Gist, under whom he says he served, were both officers of the Maryland Continental line, and there was a Captain named Henry Dobson in that line also: but I do not find that there was a captain named Richard Dobson in the Maryland line, or in any other line. We have no muster rolls of the Maryland line in this office. We have only one Book relative to that service, which contains an imperfect list of the officers. 
Boyd did not produce such proof of his service as the rules of this Department require; and hence his claim was not allowed. 
I have the honor to be 
Very respectfully 
Your Obt. Servt 
J L. Edwards 

Hon. T. Morris 
Chairman of 
Pension Committee 
Senate U. States
Page 23

James Boyd
Va Roll act July 7 1838
$40 per annum to commence
on the 4th March 1831
send cert to 
Hon A Berne
Union,
Monroe Co 
Va

J L Edwards Esqr
present

Hon A Berne

[other short illegible notation]
Page 24

J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Washington 8th July 1838 
Dear Sir 
I respectfully ask the favour of you to forward me at Union Monroe Cny [County] the necessary papers to enable James Boyd in whose favour on act has passed granting a pension to enable the said Boyd to draw the Same 
Respectfully 
Your Obt Svt 
Andrew Beirne
Page 25

STAMP: Richmond Va

FREE

Aug 6
Rev War

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
Page 26

Rchm [Richmond]—4 Augt 1838
Dr Sir
The agent cannot find the name of James Boyd on his books—Will you be pleased to direct him to pay it—and other information he may require in recording his name on the list?
Most respectfully 
J. J. Fry
Page 27

James Boyd 1533
2639  2888
Rec 23 June 1829

105

Treas Dept
22 June 1829

FREE

STAMP: Munroe C.H. VA Jun 12

Secretary of War
Washington City

Pension
Page 28

3 
Union Monroe County Va. June 8th 1829 
Sir
I recd yours of the 2d of May last relative to my pension under the Law of Congress of 1828 
You say that there is no records in Washington of my Inlistment [illegible] to Justify the allowance. that a man of my name is found on the register of the Delaware line as having enlisted on the 3d May 1778 and Deserted 26th May 1778.== I can only protest before God that it was not me= I was on a Militia tour in 1776 & 1777 and on my way home after being at the Battle of Trentown [Trenton] I inlisted for during the war at Newcastle and remained in the Service to the and of the War. I left my discharge pr with John Strawbridge of Philadelphia when I came to this Country= I never got my Land. but it appears by the Information of the Honorb Lewis Maxwell who I wrote
Page 29

to last winter, and who made examination that a Mr John [illegible: Ulrite or Wright] Write had recd a Warrant for the Land the 17th Jany 7 1793 as [illegible] of James Boyd if this was my land I declare it to be a forgery for I more did make any [illegible: assign]. 
From the circonstance of M Maxwell finding this I presume you have overlooked it as the James Boyd who deserted would not have been granted Land for his Services. The No. of the warrant granted to [illegible] of James Boyd of the Maryland line is 11021. If you will make further examination I am in hopes you will find it and by so doing you will do me great service. It is posable [possible] if I could go to where I was Born and raised I might find some person who could prove my being in the service but I am not able to go as well for the want of money as for the want of Strenth [Strength] of Body You will please answer this letter and oblige your Svt.
James Boyd
Page 30

House of Representatives 
February 2nd 1847 
My dear Sir
Will you be so good as to said me the papers of Flora Boyd of the County of Monroe Va who is the widow of James Boyd Decd praying to be placed on the pension list, and also state if James Boyd her husband was on the pension list to his death. the Committee are [illegible: dubious] of acting on his petition, and wish  the papers.
With much respect 
your Obt Svt
A. A. Chapman


Hon J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Page 31

H. Alexander
Oct 19, 1846
Page 32

[notation 249] 
Pension office
October 19. 1846
Sir,
The decision ^in the case of Flora Boyd of this office was communicated to you on the 5th inst. in a letter addressed to you at Union, Monroe Co Va and is, no doubt, in the Post Office of that town. 

H. Alexander Eq
Union,
Monroe Co
Va
Page 33

Letter from the
Hon. And Biern

The Hon Thomas Morris
Present
Page 34

The Hon Chairman of the committe of Revolunary [Revolutionary] Claims
Dear Sir 
A sense of duty demands that make through you to the committe the following statement in the case of James Boyd a soldier of the Revolution whose case is pending before your committe to wit that said James Boyd who has been my neighbour for forty years had twenty five years past in frequent conversations with me in relation to his service in the War of the Revolution the names of officers Battles in which he fought [illegible] the fact of its being a favourate St and at a time when there was no hope or expectation of any pecuniary
Page 35

did then as it does now remove doubt as to his having rendered the Service set forth in his declaration.
I have the honor to be
Respectfully your Obt Svt 
Andrew Beirne
Page 36

Left Side Page

G.G. Brewer
22 out

Right Side Page

N. 12,616
Flora Boyd
VA
Act 7 July '38
& 17 June 1844
Page 37

Treasury Department, 
Second Comptrollers Office, 
Sept. 2d 1846. 
Sir,
I transmit herewith an application for a pension for Mrs. Flora Boyd, which was erroneously addressed to this office.
Mr. Alexander, who appears to be the agent of Mrs. Boyd, has been advised of the reference of the papers to you.
I am, very respectfully, 
Yours 
Albion K. Parris
J. L. Edwards Esq. 
Comr of Pensions
Page 38

Union VA
Oct 13, 1846

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Oct 19, 1846
Reece
Flora Boyd
Page 39

Union Monroe Va. Octob.r 11th 1846 
Sir
Some time ago I inclosed to the comptroler the declaration of Flora Boyd the widow of James Boyd Decd. who was a Pensioner in order that she would obtain her Pension. I recd. from him a letter informing me that he had delivered the papers to You, as you were the proper officer. Will you please inform me or the (Clerk of the County) if the evidence in sufficient and if so forward his warrant. 
Yours with respect 
Henry Alexander

To J.L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Page 40

1553

REVOLUTIONARY LAIMS

Treasury Department
6 April 1829

James Boyd of blank in the county of Monroe in the state of Virginia has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution" approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the continental line of the army of the revolution for and during the war and continued until its termination at which period he was a private in captain Dobson's company in the seventh regiment of the Maryland line; and that he received a certificate of the reward of eighty dollars provided by the resolve of the 15th of Mary 1778 and further that he was not on the 15th of May 1828 on the pension list of the United States and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826 nothing.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.

By order of the Secretary 
F.A. Dickins

The claimant states that he enlisted in the state of Delaware in the year 1777.

It appears from the register of the Delaware line that a man by the name of James Boye enlisted in that line on the 3rd Mary 1778 for the ware and that he deserted on the 26th May 1778 - #rd Aud Office 2nd May 1829.

Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
13th April 1829

It further appears that James Boyd is not now on the pension list of any agency and has not been so since the 3rd March 1826.

The name of James Boyd cannot be found among those of the Maryland Line to whom certificates for the gratuities of eighty dollars were issued.

Peter Hagner - Aud.
Page 41

War Depart: Bounty land Office 
29 April 1829- 
The records of this Office do not show that James Boyd of the Maryland line ever received or is entitled to bounty land of the United States.
Robert Taylor
Page 42

J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington
Page 43

[illegible] 16 Aug
DSir 
In your letter to me of the 14th inst [illegible: respecting] the pension of James Boyd of Monroe Co, you say that he was inscribed on the Roll on the 20 July 1837 and that the amt due prior to the 4th Sept 37 is payable at the Treasury Depat.
The pension certificate copied in the papers bear date the 20 July 1838 and if this date is right I suppose there is an error in that mentioned yr letter of & that the whole of the pension may be paid at the Agency here.
So be pleased to correct the error and direct the agent to pay the whole amt due. I enclose you the papers for examination.
Yr early attention [illegible]
[illegible]  J J Fry
Page 44

The Hon. Wm Morgan
[illegible: Present or Personal]
Page 45

The Honourable William ^S. Morgan Chairman 
Dear Sir
In reply to your inquiry with regard to the character of John Mails whose affidavit in behaf of the claim of James Boyd is before your committee I have the honour to inform you that I have ^known Mr Mails a long time and from everything I have seen or heard of him, I believe his statements in every respect entitled to full credit 
I have the honour to be very 
Respectfully Your 
Obt Svt 
Andrew Beirne
H.R. 8th Jany 1838
Page 46

J. Alexander
J. Frances
to affidavit
J. Boyd
Page 47

to the foregoing affidavit are persons of credibility and who are entitled to be believed when on oath and I further state that James Boyd is a man of the first standing as a man of honesty uprightness & Integrity, given under my hand this 19th of October 1833 
Henry Alexander 
I John Hutchison Jr Clerk of the Court of Monroe County do hereby certify that Henry Alexander is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Union this 19th day of October 1833 and in the 58th year of the Common wealth 
Jno Hutchison Jr CMC
Page 48

State of Virginia 
Monroe County ⎬ SS 
This day John Francis Came before me Henry Alexander a Justice of the peace in and for sd County and made oath in due form of Law ^that he was born and rased in the County of [illegible]the State Maryland ^[illegible] was 32 years of age, that he was well acquainted with James Boyd who has made a declaration in order to get pension, this sd Boyd lived in this sd County of Cecil that he & said Boyd went to school together. he did not Inlist in the Army of the revolution, but he believes no doubt  can [illegible]as to his being in the army for it was understood by himself and all the neighbourhood that he had enlisted under Capt Dobson. that the sd Boyds Father and Mother lived near him and he knows James Boyd was absent from home at least three years. that when [crossed out & illegible] was greeted as being from the Army. that he heard sd Boyd often say he left his discharge with John Strawbridge of Philadelphia. that said Boyd about two years after moved to Virginia. and that he sd Frances Came to Virginia about Eleven years afterwards that he knows Richd Dobson with whom said Boyd Inlisted under, said Dobson lived in the sd County of Cecil near the [illegible] of Elk____
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of October 1833-
John Francis 
Henry Alexander J. P.
It is said that part of Pensylvania was attached to Maryland |Chester County is now Cecil
Page 49

State of Virginia 
Monroe County ⎬ S.S. 
This day Isabella Alexander came before me Henry Alexander a Justice of the peace in and for [illegible] County and made oath in due form of Law that she was born and raised in the County of Cecil in the State of Maryland (which was originally in the County of Chester in the State of Pennsylvania) That she was born and raised in sd County, that she is now Eighty four years of age that she was well acquainted with James Boyd who has made a declaration for the purpose of obtaining a Pension. that she knew his father & Mother who lived in the sd County of Cecil. that she married and moved to Virginia to where she now resides before the revolutionary War. and went back to Maryland one month in the year 1782 and at that time it was said in the neighborhood where Boyd was raised and living that sd Boyd had been  in the Army, and had Inlisted under Cap Richd. Dobson had served with him and Returned home with him. that Shortly after said Boyd Came to Virginia and has resided near her ever since - she further states that she knew Capt. Richd. Dobson who went as a Capt to the Army. and always understood, James Boyd served several years in the army under sd Dobson. October 19th 1832 
Isabella Alexander her [handwritten] X mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me } 
Henry Alexander J. P. 
I do hereby certify that John Francis and Isabella Alexander, we this day have subscribed and sworn
Page 50

to the foregoing affidavit are persons of credibility and who are entitled to be believed when on oath, and I further state that James Boyd is a man of the first standing as a man of honesty uprightness & Integrity—given under my hand this 19th of October 1833 
Henry Alexander 
I John Hutchison Jr Clerk of the Court of Monroe County do hereby certify that Henry Alexander is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Union this 19th day of October 1833 and in the 58th year of the Commonwealth 
Jno Hutchison Jr CMC
Page 51

I John Rains of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia do hereby declare and make oath that I was in the Revolutionary War which fully appears by my having a Pension from the United States for Five years past. that I was in the Battles of [crossed out Trenton] Brandy Wine [Brandywine] Germantown & Monmouth.
That I do not recollect James Boyd who is now making application for a Pension, but from what the said James Boyd has informed me of those engagements which he says he was also in, I believe he was in the service, as he can detale [detail] such manute [minute] circumstances, which I know did take place [crossed out and] that I think no other person could describe but one that had been there and in the Battles- than circumstances with the upright character
Page 52

said Boyd has secured to himself for forty years that he has lived in this country having no doubt but his declaration is perfectly correct.
John Rains his [handwritten] X mark [his handwritten] seal

This day John Rains personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Monroe Virginia and made oath according to Law to the foregoing going statement. 
Given under my hand and seal this____ day of Feby 1829.
Henry Alexander J. P. [handwritten] seal
This 27th day of Febuary 1829 James Hanley and Alexander Dunlap came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Monroe Virginia and made oath that they have been acquainted with James Boyd who is now making application for a Pension for ^near forty years during
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which time he has lived in our neighborhood that in the first Twenty years of there acquaintance with him they have heard said Boyd declare he had served in the Revolutionary War, and describe apparently with great accuracy the Battles he had been in. and from the known Honest, Moral  and upright charactor of said Boyd, we can have no doubt that  every statement which has or will be made by him on oath or otherwise is correct as he is a man of the strictest veracity. Given under our hands this day first written - 
James Hanly [handwritten] seal
Alexer Dunlap [handwritten] seal 

Sworn to and subscribed before me 
Henry Alexander J.P.
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Monroe County Virginia 
This day John Males of said County came before me Henry Alexander a Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath that he now receives a Pension from the United States and that he ^knew the James Boyd who is herein named when he was in the service of that they were in several Battles together that they were in the 7th Maryland Regt commanded by Genl Smallwood that they were together at the Battle of Brandywine and Trenton.
Sworn to before me this 27th of Feby 1829 
Henry Alexander J. P. 
I Isaac Hutchison Clerk of the Court of the County of Monroe in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Henry Alexander before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time a Justice of the peace, and duly impowered to administer  oaths. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County the 28th day of February 1829 & in the 33th year of the Commonwealth 
Isaac Hutchison CMC
Page 55

25th Congress
2d Session
{illegible]

No of Reps.

James Boyd
[To accompany bill H.R. No. 425}

January 18, 1838

Mr. Morgan from the committee on Revolutionary Pensions made the following
REPORT:

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions to which was referred the petition of James Boyd, report:

That the petitioner alleges that after having served a term of three months in Captain Williams's company of Chester county, Pennsylvania, militia, (during which he was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton,) he enlisted some time in the month of February 1777 for during the war under Captain Richard Dobson, in the 7th Maryland regiment which was commanded by General Smallwood as he believes from his best recollection. He was marched from Wilmington to White Marsh where he joined the troops under Colonel Giss and was marched into New Jersey and thence into New Tork, and near to Albany. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, White Plains, and King's Bridge. He was at Mid Island when the fort was attacked and was stationed in Princeton in the following winter. He was in no battle during the succeeding year and was in the winter of 1779 stationed at a place called the Three Rivers between New York and Albany. He was in no battle in 1780 and was the most of that year in Jersey and Connecticut. In 1781 he was the most of this time in Rhode Island.

He was commanded by Captain Richard Dobson and under General Smallwood who as he believes commanded in all the battles in which he was engaged except that of White Plains where General Wayne had the command. He was discharged in October 1782 at Trenton by General Smallwood. He left his discharge with John Strawbridge in Philadelphia and moved to Virginia in 1784; shorty after which time Strawbridge died, and he never could obtain his discharge.

In support of the foregoing allegations the petitioner produces the following affidavit of John Francis, of Monroe county Virginia who is certified by the Justice of the Peace to be a credible witness and who swears that he was born and raised in the county of Cecil in the state of Maryland (which was the county of Chester, in Pennsylvania hereto fore,) and lived there until he was thirty-two years of age; that he was
Page 56

him one of the most moral, honest, virtuous men that we know, and that all his statements on oath or otherwise are entitled to credit; and from the statements set forth in his petition and declaration, we are fully satisfied he was a soldier in the Revolution and that he is incapable of making any statement that is untrue.

"Given under our hands this 20th November 1836
Andrew Beirne
Hugh Coperton
John Hutchison, Jr
Edward Slates
Jas A. Shanklin
Henry Alexander."

The Hon. Andrew Beirne has made the following certificate of the credibility of John Mails, whose affidavit was lost, and which, by reason of his death could not be again taken:

"January 8, 1838
"Dear Sir: I have known Mr. Mails a long time; and from every thing I have seen or heard of him, I believe his statements, in every respect entitled to full credit

I have the honor to be very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Andrew Beirne"

Hon Wm S. Morgan, Chairman

From the excellent character of the claimant, together with the doubtless integrity of the witnesses the committee cannot but believe that the petitioner was an enlisted soldier and that as such he served his country faithfully, and they respectfully recommend that he may be relieved and report a bill for that purpose.
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Pension Office
Feb 4. 1847. 
Sir
Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 2d inst I enclose herewith the ^original papers, two in number, in the case of Flora Boyd. Her husband, James Boyd was pensioned at the rate of $40 per annum, under a Special act of Congress approved July 7. 1838. He died on the 23d April 1846 
Hon A.A. Chapman 
H.R.

12616.Va 38
[illegible]
Page 58

James Boyd
Dec 28, 1836
Ref to Comm rev pensions

Jan 7, 1837
Comm disch to be
Dec 18, 1837
Ref to the Committee on Rev Pensions
Jan 18, 1838
Bill No 425

Bruni 55 Pens
Page 59

To the honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
The petition of James Boyd of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia respectfully sheweth that I am now seventy six years of age, that I was born in the County of Chester in the State of Pennsylvania (since that time the line of the State of Pennsylvania has been changed and is now the County of Cecil in the State of Maryland, that I entered as a soldier in the Revolutionary War in the month of February 1777 under Capt Dobson and served as a soldier until October 1782. a particular description of my officers, service and the Battles in which I was engaged is fully set forth in my Declaration, made before the County Court of Monroe on the 20th day of August 1833 which accompanies this petition, and wished to be taken as part thereof. Your petitioner has presented his claims to the Secretary of War first under the Law of 1828 and secondly under the Law of 1832 which have not been sufficient to authorise him to grant me that relief which so many others are enjoying who have done but little service compared with that I did to obtain Independence. At the time of my application under the Law of 1828 I obtained and forwarded to the War Office, in support of my Declaration, the affidavit of John Mails who was a Soldier in the Revolution, and the only person who could testify to my service, who proved that he saw and knew me when in service. Since that, and before my declaration which accompanies this petition, the said John Mails departed this life. On my last Declaration I applied to the War Office for the benefit of Mails’ testimony but it could not be furnished or found. knowing no other person living by whom I can prove my service, so particularly, as by Mails evidence, or which would ^be such as comes
Page 60

up to the requisitions of the War Department I have thought proper to lay the whole circumstances before your honourable body believing that I cannot be deprived in my last days of so just a claim 
In my last Declaration (20th August 1833) I proved by the testimony of Isabella Alexander and John Francis, facts to shew my service, which affidavits accompany this petition and wished to be read in support of my claim. I also forward the affidavit of the Justice of the Peace before whom John Mails testimony was taken in order to shew to your honourable body that the foregoing statement is correct; and I herewith furnish the certificate of divers persons who have been for many years acquainted with me. In support of my character I will only add that all the statements made in my Declaration of August 20th 1833. are true, that I am old and frail possessed of but little property, having a small piece of Mountain Land, without any person to and in cultivating it. Your honourable body will therefore make such an allowance as I am entitled to as a pensioner under the Law of 1832 and also of such Bounty Land as is allowed in similar cases. And your petitioner as in duly bound will ever pray to November 25th 1836. 
James Boyd his [handwritten] X mark
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State of Virginia 
Monroe County ⎬ 
I do hereby certify that some time in the year 1829 John Mails appeared before me in my County, and after being sworn according to Law made in substance the following statement. to wit that he was in the army of the Revolution as a soldier and knew James Boyd the person before named when in the service as a regular soldier which affidavit was forwarded to the Secretary of War or Commissioner of Pensions in support of said Boyd's claim under the Law of Congress of 1828 and further that John Mails departed this life on the 11th day of August 1830 which will appear by the records filed in the War Office, on an application for the arrearage of Pension due him. The affidavit of John Mails was taken before me as a Justice of the Peace and forwarded by me as above stated Given under my hand this 1st day of November 1836 
Henry Alexander J.P. 
State of Virginia 
Monroe County ⎬ This day Henry Alexander came before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid and made oath that the above certificate is true Given under my hand this 17th day of November 1836 
Hugh Caperton J.P.
Page 62

We the under named subscribers do hereby certify that we have been acquainted with James Boyd who has signed the foregoing petition to the Congress of the United States for a Pension and Bounty land as a Revolution Soldier for a long time, the said Boyd being a resident in the County of Monroe Va for at least forty Years, and we consider him one of the most moral honest, virtuous men that we know, and that all his statements on oath or otherwise are entitled to credit, and that ^from the statements set forth in his petition and Declaration We are fully satisfied he was a soldier in the Revolution, and that he is incapable of making any statement that is untrue Given under our hands this 20th November 1836 
Hugh Caperton 
Edwd Slates 
Andrew Beirne
James A. Shanklin 
Henry Alexander 
Jno Hutchison Jr
Page 63

James Boyd
Declaration
Page 64

1533
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the Act entitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and Soldiers of the army of the revolution, approved on the 15th day of May 1828, I James Boyd of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia do hereby declare that I inlisted in the continental line of the army of the Revolution for and during the War and continued in its service until its termination at which period I was a private in Captain Richard Dobsons Company in the seventh regiment of the Maryland line. And I also declare that I afterwards received certificates for my pay but do not recollect that it was for Eighty Dollars to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed 15th day of May 1778 which certificates with my discharge I left with John Strawbridge of Philadelphia in order that he might receive my pay and obtain my Bounty Land who died shortly after and I never could obtain said Discharge and certificate and never did receive any compensation for said certificates. I further declare that I enlisted in the State of Dellaware [Delaware] at Wilmington in the year 1777 under Captain Richard Dobson in the 7th Merreland [Maryland] Regiment and was called the Dellaware [Delaware] ^Blues
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commanded by Genl Smallwood, and was in the following Battles or engagements at Germantown, Monmouth, Trenton Brandywine, and Kingsbridge. and I further declare I was not on the 15th of May 1828 on the pension list of the United States - Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of Febuary 1829 
James Boyd his [handwritten] mark 
[his handwritten] Seal
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day above Written 
Henry Alexander J.P. 

Virginia Monroe County to Wit 
Came before me Henry Alexander a Justice of the peace (duly impowered to administer oaths) in the County of Monroe in the State of Virginia personally appeared this day James Dunlap and Richard Franklin of the said County who did severally make oath that James Boyd by whome the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated 
Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of Febuary 1829 
Henry Alexander J.P. [his handwritten] seal
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Monroe County Virginia 
I Henry Alexander Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the Witnesses who have testified to the foregoing affidavits are all men who on there oaths are to be believed and the most of them very respectable two of them being Justices of said County and one of them a former representative in the Legislation of this State. given under my hand this 28th of Febuary 1829.
Henry Alexander J. P.