Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,907, Stephen Wright, Va. Va Sea Service
Page 1

SERVICE
Va. 
Va Sea Service 

Wright, Stephen 

NUMBER
R. 11.907

CONTENTS
*blank*
Page 2

Nyack Novr 26th 1830                  
Hon. J. L. Edwards             
Comm of Pensions                 
Dear Sir      
In the instance of my received Geo Blow Sr. Esq. who as I am advised is about to present to the consideration of the Department the claim of Col Stephen Wright for a pension by virtue of his services as an officer in the war of the Revolution.  I take great pleasure in stating That I have known Col Wright from my Boyhood as one of our oldest and most respected Inhabitants, and than whom, no member of our community has always commanded. more esteem and confidence from his fellow Citizens In Many Years    Col Wright was the active presiding Magistrate of Norfolk County Court and though now incapacitated by great age and infirmity for the active participation in its duties.  Yet still holds through the respect of his fellow citizens. that honorable post    In conclusion I would remark, that from family Education and high character. I know of no man in whose representations more confidence may be placed than these of our venerable Townsman Col S. Wright                     
I have the honor to be with great respect &c     
John S. Millson
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Stephen Wright
depensation

Filed by
V. Ellis
Page 4

City of Norfolk - to wit.                 
Personally appeared before me, Hunter Woodis, a notary Publix for the city of Norfolk, and state of Virgina, Mary M. Warren a resident of Said city, who having been first duly sworn, deposeth & says as follows-        "I am now in my 74th year of age, and have resided during the period of my whole life with few and brief interruptions in said city. I have no personal knowledge of the fact, but have always understood & believed that my Brother, Stephen Wright, served as an Officer in the war for the Revolution, and that about the close of the was he was captured at sea & carried a prisoner to the Island of Bermuda. This impression or belief I have derived from statements made in the family through a course of many years. I have a distinct recollection of hearing my mother speak often of my Brother Stephen being a prisoner in Bermuda. I recollect also of his bringing her a Canister of Tea, a present from Mr Gutridge, an old and particular friend of his. I was very young at the time and further this applicant sayeth not.          
Mary. M. Warren 
Sworn to and subscribed before me, a Notary Public for the said City of Norfolk by the afore said Mary M Warren, this 31st day of July 1857.               
As witness with my hand & seal the day and date first above written.             
Hunter Woodis
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No. 37.78
Stephen Wright
m
Act 7 June 1832
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State of Virginia Norfolk City to wit              
On this 4th day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine personally appeared before me S. Hartshorn a justice of the peace for this city aforesaid Col.  Stephen Wright aged eighty five years a resident of the city of Norfolk and state of Virginia 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, ratified June 4th, 1832, that he entered the service of the United States as a private in Captain Booker's company of Malitia [Militia] in the Year of Seventeen hundred and eighty, and served twelve months at Love Point and Hoflers Creek    he was then appointed Ensign by Captain Charles Conner, that they then were ordered to Yorktown, and took up their march for that place. And after reaching a very near point to York Town, they were ordered back to Princess Anne County, to catch the Tories. The Battalion was commanded by Major Dicks that he the said Wright had charge of a squad of fifteen men, and took fourteen Tories prisoners at one time, that he then went from Princess Anne county to the town of Portsmouth in the county of Norfolk to the Barracks, and remained there on duty until after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He then went to York Town in a company detached from the Battalion commanded by Major Dicks to guard the prisoners, and when they got to York Town, those in authority there, had succeeded in getting a sufficiency of troops and sent them on to Port de Posite [Port Deposit] they then by order returned to Portsmouth to the Barracks where he the said Wright served as before with an embodied Corps called into service by Competent Authority, he served after he left Hefler Creek and Love Point at the different Corps as before stated as Ensign twelve months and more making his whole service in the war of the Revolution Two Years, and that he
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was not employed in any civil pursuit during his whole
service, and that as he had no commision as Ensign he does
not claim a Pension as such, only as a private, that he is
now old and infirm and claims at the hands of his country
his Pension which is justly due to him, and that his does not
know of any person by whom he can prove his service.
that the reason why he has never before applied for a
pension is, that he has always been able to do without
it. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
Pension or annuity, except the present, and declares
that his name is not on the pension Roll of any state.
Stephen Wright
X
His Mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and
year aforesaid
J Hartshorne Justice of the Peace
Just where and in what year were you born
Ans I was born in the city of Norfolk in the year of seventeen
hundred & sixty three
Quest Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
Ans. I have, it is in my family Bible
Quest
where were the living when called into service, where
have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where
do you now live.
Ans I lived near Craney Island in Norfolk County when

called into service, I have lived in the County and
City of Norfolk since the Revolutionary war
and I now live in the City of Norfolk
Quest How were you called into service, were you draughted
did you volunteer, or were you a substitute
Ans I volunteered.
State the names of some of the regular officers who were
with the troops when you served, such continental
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and malitia [militia] Regiments as you can recollect, and the
general circumstances of your service.
Ans Col. Gibson, Major Dicks, Major Hoffler, Major Bracy
Captain Conner and Captain Booker. I dont recollect
the number of any Regiment at this time
Stephen Wright
X
His mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me
J Hartshorn Justice of the Peace
Jeremiah Hendren a Clergyman residing in the City of
Norfolk and R. S. Bernard residing in the same place
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Col
Stephen Wright who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declarations, that we believe him to be Eighty
five years of age; that he is reputed and in the City of
Norfolk where he resides to have been a soldier
of the Revolutionary war; and that we concur
in that opinion.
Jeremiah Hendren C.
Rob. S. Benard
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me
Hartshorn J.P.

And I the said S. Hartshorn a Justice of the peace in
& for the City of Norfolk aforesaid, do hereby declare
my opinion after investigation of the matter and
in putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war
Department, that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
And further I certify that Jeremiah Hendren who has
signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the City of Norfolk and that
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R. S. Bernard is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand & seal
this 4th day of August 1849
J Hartshorn J.P. [seal]
State of Virginia City of Norfolk Sc:
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Norfolk aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Sylvanus Hartshorn Esquire who hath on the three preceding certificates is now, and was on the day of the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for the said City,
duly appointed and qualified that he is authorized by the laws of this
Commonwealth to administer oaths- that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such and that the three preceding signatures J Hartshorn thereto subscribed are in his proper hand writing as I do verily believe.               
In Testimony whereof I have hereto annexed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name, this sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and forty nine, and
of the Commonwealth the seventy fourth
Jno Williams
Col. Wrights application
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May 3, 1937

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

STEPHEN WRIGHT
R. 11907
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Honorable Alexander W. Weddell
Virginia House
Richmond, Virginia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to a copy of your letter dated April 17, 1937, addressed to The Honorable, The Secretary of State, Washington, D.C., which copy has been referred to the Veterans Administration for reply in regard to one Colonel Stephen Wright, of Virginia, who, you state, is recorded in "Revolutionary War Records", Vol. 1, Virginia, by G. M. Brumbaugh, with note that the record was gleaned from documents in the State Department.

The documents referred to by you are not a part of the Revolutionary War records of the Veterans Administration, which records are composed of applications for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States based upon service in that war.

The record has been found in this office of a Stephen Wright, of Virginia, which may be that of the officer in whom you are interested. His record follows as found in pension claims, R. 11907, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Stephen Wright was born in 1763 or 1764, in Norfolk, Virginia; the exact date of birth and names of his parents are not shown.

August 4, 1849, Stephen Wright, a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, applied for pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He stated that, while living near Craney Island, Norfolk County, Virginia, in which county he had always lived, he enlisted in 1780, served as private and ensign during that year and 1781, at Love Point, Hoflar's Creek, Norfolk, Portsmouth and adjacent country, protecting that territory against Tories, and that during that period he served in Captain Booker's company and Captain Charles Conner's company, Colonel Dick's Virginia Battalion, went as Ensign with a detachment of fifteen men, captured fourteen Tories at one time in Princess Anne County, Virginia, was at the surrender of Cornwallis, after
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which he and his detachment guarded prisoners; that they went to Yorktown on board a Virginia State vessel commanded by Captain John Archer, that during this tour when passing through Hampton, he, with other American officers, dined with the French Admiral on board the flagship then moored in Hampton Roads, that he continued in service until the reduction of troops throughout the State of Virginia, length of above - described service about two years, and that just on the eve of discharge from this service, he was invited by his near relative and then guardian, Captain W. Westcott, a distinguished officer of the Virginia State Navy, to join his vessel, a small cruiser of the Navy, ready to sail for the West Indies, that he acted as Aid to Captain Westcott on the voyage from Hampton to the Island of Martinique and the cruiser was chased for twelve hours by the British frigate, "Cerberus", Sir Jacob Wheat, commander, and was captured and carried to Bermuda where he (Stephen Wright), Captain Westcott and other officers of the cruiser were thrown into hulk prison ships and held in close confinement until after the Proclamation of Peace in April, 1783.

Stephen Wright was referred to in 1849 by the Justice of the Peace of Norfolk County, Virginia, and by other interested citizens, as Colonel Stephen Wright. It is shown that for many years he was active presiding magistrate of said county, also, that he was "an officer of energy and merit" in the Revolutionary War.

His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of his service as set forth by him, as required by pension laws. He stated that he had outlived all of comrades by whom he might have been aided in proving his service. He was still living in 1852. The date of his death is not shown.

It is not stated whether or not Stephen Wright, was ever married. His sister, Mary M. Warren, was living in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1851, in her seventy-fourth year. She stated that she had always lived there except for a few brief periods. She stated, also, that her brother, Stephen Wright, brought from Bermuda a canister of tea to his mother from Mr. Gutridge, an old friend of hers (the mother). 

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

-2-
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1937 May 3. Hist to Hon. Alexander 
W. Welldell
MMHD:MLD
REJECTED
11.707
P. O.  Stephen Wright
Service:  _____, 18   .
Enlisted:  _____, 18  .
Discharged:  _____, 18  .
Application filed:  _____,  18  .

Alleges: The printed list of 1852
gives cause of suspension
Re-enlisted: as follows: "alleged
service as an officer requires record
proof."
Attorney:  _____
P. O.  _____
_______
_____  Recognized,    _____Contract.
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for_____,18
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Stephen Wright
Addl. proof
pension claim
act 7 June 1832
V. Ellis Atty
Virginia list
Triplett
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No 37/ 178             
Stephen Wright 
Va.
 J G Berrit June 7  / 57              
B. F. Gallaher 4 Dec 1857             
James N. Lend
( John G Mchesney May 31 / 83 
Rtn not found )
Page 15

Navy Bldg. R 1841-51     
RECEIVED APR 30 1937 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS, ADM, 22              
ADDRESS OFFICAL COMMUNICATIONS TO          
THE SECRETARY OF STATE              
WASHINGTON, D.C.               
April 29, 1937             
In reply refer to HA 116.3/3871           
United States Veterans' Administration,              
Washington, D.C.                
Attention of the Revolutionary War Section.             
Sirs:                  
There is enclosed herewith a copy of a letter dated April 17, 1937, from the Honorable Alexander W. Weddell, (American Ambassador to Argentina,) now at Virginia House, Richmond, Virginia, requesting to be furnished with photostat copied of documents which refer to Colonel Stephen Wright, who served in the Virginia State troops during the War of the Revolution. The Revolutionary War Section of the Veterans' Administration may be able to furnish information of interest to Mr. Weddell; his letter is therefore referred to your office for appropriate action. Mr.     
RECEIVED MAY 1, 1937 CONGRESSIONAL Mail Sub-Div.
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-2-

Mr. Weddell has been advised of this reference.
Very truly yours,
For the Secretary of State:

Carlton Savage

Carlton Savage,
Acting Historical Advisor.

/Enclosure:
Copy of a letter from
Honorable Alexander W.
Weddell, dated April 17,
1937.

RECEIVED
MAY 1, 1937
CONGRESSIONAL
Mail Sub-Div.
F.L.B.
enc
OIL
gg
Page 17

Department of State
BUREAU 
DIVISION
HA - ARCHIVES
ENCLOSURE
TO
Letter drafted
4 /24 /37
ADDRESSED TO
U. S. Veterans' Administration,
,
Washington, D.C.
U. S. PRINTING OFFICE
1 -- 1033
Page 18

Copied: JMB
Compared JMB

Alexander Wilbourne Weddell

Virginia House,
Richmond, Virginia.
April 17, 1937.

The Honourable
The Secretary of State,
Washington.

Sir:

I have before me a volume entitled "Revolutionary War Records", Volume I, Virginia ... by G. M. Brumbaugh, Washington, 1936. On page 530, second paragraph, appears a reference to Captain Thomas Bressie, with the notation that the corresponding document makes a reference to "Col. Stephen Wright".

As I am, I think a collateral descendant of this Col. Stephen Wright I am wondering if it would be possible to obtain a photostatic copy of the document in which this reference appears. Dr. Brumbaugh states that this material was "copied from documents in the State Department". 

I shall, of course, be most happy to meet all costs in connection with the above.

Respectfully yours,

(Sgd.) Alexander W. Weddell

STAMPED: RECEIVED 
May 1, 1937
CONGRESSIONAL
Mail Sub-Div.
Page 19

Know all men by these present, that I Stephen Wright
of the City of Norfolk and State of Virginia, do hereby
constitute and appoint John G. Sibley of the Town of Portsmouth
County of Norfolk and State aforesaid my true and lawful
attorney for me and in my name to ask demand and receive
of and from the Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States, or any other officer of the government of the
United States appointed for that purpose, all and whatever
amount of money which may be due to me as a pension
agreeably to act of Congress of the United States passed June 7th
1832 for my services during the war of the Revolution and
I do hereby give and invest my said attorney with
full power and authority to ask for demand
receive the pension aforesaid, and to do and perform every act
in relation to the premises, as fully and effectually
as I could do, if I were personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatever my said attorney
shall do in the premises by virtue hereof and I do
further invest my said attorney with full power and
authority to appoint an other attorney under him
and clothe him with the same power, as he my said
attorney is clothed by these presents as witness my hand
and seal this 4th day of August 1849
Stephen Wright
X
His Mark
State of Virginia
Norfolk City To wit
This day Col Stephen Wright personally
appeared before me S Hartshorn a Justice of the peace
in and for said City and acknowledged the above
power of attorney to be his act and deed.
Given under my hand and seal this 4th day of Aug
J Hartshorn Justice of the Peace┃
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State of Virginia City of Norfolk se
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Norfolk
aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Sylvanus Hartshorn
Esquire who hath given the within certificate is now and was on the day
of the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for the said City duly appointed and qualified that full faith and credit are due to all his acts
as such and that the signature "S Hartshorn" thereto subscribed is in
his hand writing as I do verily believe. In Testimony whereof I have hereto
annexed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed
my name this Sixth day of August in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty
nine, and of the Commonwealth the seventy fourth
Jno. [John] Williams ce
[seal]

In virtue of the authority given me
in the above power of Attorney I do
hereby nominate and appoint Richard
Burgess of the City of Washington
as my substitute and attorney be do
and perform every act and thing which
I myself might or could do in the
premises of personally present-
Given under my hand at the
City of Washington this 18th day
of August 1849
John G. Sibley
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John G Sibley
Aug 8, 1949
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124
Pension Office
August 8th 1849
The papers, which you left in this office
on this morning in support of the Claim of
Stephen Wright to a pension under the act of
June 1832 have been examined and filed.
Claimant alleges that he entered the service
M 1780 and that he served 12 months in the Militia under Capt. Booker in the Battallion commanded by Major Dicks and was then appointed Ensign under Capt Charles Connor Capt Booker and Major Dicks were Officers of the Virginia State Line. The name of applicant cannot be found upon the record of that line in this office Mr Wright must be mistaken as to his having served a term of 12 months in the Militia, that service was conferred by law to drafts of 3
months each. He must in order to authorize
the Department to grant him a pension furnish
such proof of the grade and duration of his
service as the enclosed printed instructions
require. No evidence of his service has been
produced.
John G. Sibley Esq
of Portsmouth Va
new present
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Stephen Wright
Dep 30 July 1832
62517 [illegible]
1847
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Norfolk July 30th 1832.              
 Mr Frederick Vincent                  
Sir:               
 I will certify that I was acquainted with Captain John Archer, who was formerly of the State Navy of Virginia during the revolutionary War. He commanded the vessel that conveyed a Detachment of State troops & Militia from Portsmouth Virginia, to Hampton, commanded by Lieutenant Fleet and myself, on our way to York Town, immediately after the Siege in 1781. The said Archer at his death left a Brother named Edward and a Sister named Fanny with both of whom I was well acquainted             
Yr Obt Servt              
Stephen Wright                 
Norfolk County to Wit:               
Before me Wm Wright a Justice of the Peace for Norf: [Norfolk] County, personally appeared Stephen Wright, and made oath that the statements contained above are true this 30th July 1832 Given under my hand and seal at Norfolk             
(Signed ) Wm Wright [seal]              
Treasury Department Register's Office 15th Sept. 1849                
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the affidavit on file in this office with the afd [affidavit] of John Archer for half Pay No 64.605           
Allen A. Hall Register
Page 25

Washington DC         
Sept 24. 1849     
Sir             
In reference to the application of Col. Stephen Wright of Norfolk Va for a pension now in the files of your office -    Enclosed herewith a Deposition made by him in July 1832 which will go far to strengthen his claim.       It will be observed that this Deposition was made a few days after the approval of the act under which he claims & when it is presumable he had no knowledge that he would benefited by its provisions: In this deposition he swears that he was in command of a detachment of Militia on his way to York Town immediately after the seize in 1781 
Respectfully 
Yr Obt Svt
 R. Burgess 
Col. James L. Edwards    
Commissioner of Pension,
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A letter from J.L. Edwards, Com. of Pensions, dated
Oct. 30, 1849, addressed to Hon. T. Ewing, Secretary of Interior, which is on file in Rev War
claim based upon service of Dr. Joseph
Simon Pell contains the following in
regard to this Stephen Wright: I enclose
the papers seven in number in the
case of Stephen Wright. What bearing these
papers can have on Pell's case, I cannot
conceive. It is only necessary for any one who
is acquainted with revolutionary history
to read the papers to perceive at once that the
case of Wright is sustained by the most
flimsy evidence that can be imagined.
According to the statement of his
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service
he was an Ensign at sixteen yrs of age
Everyone of information knows that persons
of that age were never commissioned during
the Revolutionary war.
Page 28

76

Pension Office
Oct 3. 1849
Sir,
The additional testimony
exhibited in support of the claim
of Stephen Wright of Virginia
under act 7th June 1832 has been
examined and filed. That testimony
relates to the high respectability of
the applicant of which we are fully satisfied but does not meet the objections made to the
claim. There was no militia service
for twelve months, and if he served
in the State troops as would seem to
be indicated by the names of the officers
under whom he alleges to have served
he should comply with the regulations
which cannot be departed from
in producing proof of service. The
alleged service as an officer should
be established by record or documentary
proof. The evidence of his having been
an officer in 1781, is good so far as it goes,
but it does not hear his grade or the term of his service at that time.
Richard Burgess Esq
Pres
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk Towit: On this 4th day of
November 1850 personally appeared before me
Nathan C. Whitehead a Justice of the Peace in
and for the City of Norfolk, State aforesaid.
Col. Stephen Wright a resident of the said
City 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 was born in the County of Norfolk
State of Virginia aforesaid in the year 1764.
and is now in his 86th year. Deponent was
required from time to time during the war
of the Revolution, to perform military services
in the Town of Norfolk. Portsmouth.
and the adjacent counties, which service
he performed during the greater part of the
year 1780. In the summer of 1781. Deponent
in common with the young men of the Country was drafted to perform a regular tour of
duty and was shortly afterwards enrolled as a
private in a Company of Militia, commanded by Capt Charles Conner which company
was then in service, and constituted one
Page 30

of the quota of men raised for the defence of
the State. The duties performed by Deponent
consisted in digging upon the intrenchments
then in course of erection in and about the
town of Portsmouth, going out upon scouting
parties constant drilling, and the more arduous service of expelling the Tories from
the Counties of Norfolk and Princess Anne.
The post of Ensign, having become vacant in
the company commanded by Capt Conner
deponent was duly & regularly appointed to
fill the vacancy, and shortly afterwards to wit:
somewhere about the middle of October 1781. orders were issued directing the larger portion of
the troops stationed in about Norfolk and
Portsmouth to march with all dispatch to
Yorktown. A detachment of men was immediately placed in charge of deponent which
he commanded in the capacity of Ensign and
forthwith embarked on board of one of the
Virginia State vessels commanded by Captain
John Archer of the Navy, and the command
reached York in time to witness the raising
of the seige, and the surrender of the forces
under Cornwallis. After remaining in York
for a brief space. Deponent again returned
with his command to Portsmouth, and continued in active service, until there was a
Page 31

general reduction of the troops throughout the
State. That during this expedition in passing through
Hampton deponent with the American officers
stationed and in service at Hampton dined with
the French Admiral on board the flagship, then
moored in Hampton roads. Deponent did not
however, continue long inactive but just on the
eve of his discharge from the service, he was in
ted by his near relative and then guardian.
Capt W. Westcott, a distinguished officer of the
Virginia State Navy, and one of the retained officers in that branch of the public service to join
his vessel, (one of the small cruisers belonging
to the Navy.) which was about to sail for the
West Indies. Deponent joined said cruiser acting
as Aid to Capt Westcott, and sailed from
Hampton direct for the Island of Martinique,
In the prosecution of the voyage, and just at day
break, they discovered a strange sail, at some distance off, which subsequently proved to be the
British frigate Cerberus, Sir Jacob Wheat commander, who immediately commenced pursuit,
and after a chace of twelve hours, we were captured and carried to Bermuda where the officers
and men were thrown into the hulk prison
ships and kept confined until the close of the
War. The officers taken Prisoners, and thus confined were Capt Westcott, Lieut John Crew,
Sailing Master Joseph Marshall and Deponent.
Page 32

all of whom were retained in close confinement and not discharged until after the
proclamation of Peace in April 1783.
The Deponent hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a Pension
or annuity except the present, and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of
the agency of any State, or if any only on
that of the agency of the State of Virginia.
Stephen Wright
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk
To wit
Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year aforesaid. And I
further certify that the statements of the Deponent
who from age and infirmity is unable to
attend Court are entitled to full faith & credit
N. C. Whitehead J.P. [seal]
Page 33

State of Virginia
day of Norfolk ⎬ To wit
the
On this 4 day of December in the year
1850 personally appeared before me Charles H Sheild a Justice of the Peace for the City aforesaid, Joseph N. Brough
and made oath that he the said Brough is a resident of the City of Norfolk, having removed here from Hampton
in Elizabeth City County where he resided for many years That he is the son of William Brough who died in Hampton
some time in the fall of the year 1832. That his Father was a very intimate friend of Col. Stephen Wright of the City of Norfolk, and this Deponent sayeth that he has
in frequent occasions heard his Father speak of his own military services in the war of the Revolution, in connection with those of other officers, and that his Recollection is very distinct. that his Father in repeated conversations in allusion to the events of the Revolutionary War and in the hearing of this deponent spoke of Col. Stephen Wright as an officer of energy and merit who had served in Hampton during said war, and likewise of his services else where.
Joseph N. Brough
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date
first above written, as witness my hand & seal
Chas H Sheild
Aldm
[seal]
Page 34

Portsmouth Virginia Dec 28th 1850
Jas E Heath Esq
Com of Pensions
Sir

in August or September
1848 I filed in the Pension office an application and declaration of Stephen Wright
of the City of Norfolk for a Pension for
services rendered by said Stephen Wright in
the War of the Revolution under act of 7th
of June 1832 granting Pensions to all revolution
any officers & Soldier from 4th March 1831
Will you please inform me what the situation is
of that case is at this time, as I have
not heard from Col. Edwards (the former commissioner) on the subject. Col. Stephen Wright
is anxious to have the case settled if it stands
rejected, I want to appeal to the Secretary
of the Interior.
Your Compliance will very much
Oblige
John G Sibley atto
for Stephen Wright
Page 35


Washington 5 March 1857.

Hon:
J E Heath
Comm: of Pensions
Sir:
Enclose herewith
additional evidence in the case of
Stephen Wright of Virginia for a ┃
Pension under the act of
June 1832
I am
with great respect
your obedient
James G. Berrit
Page 36

V. Ellis
Ap 13/32
Page 37

237
Pension Office
April 13. 1852
Sir:
The depositions of Jonathan Ray and
Mary M. Warren filed by you in as additional
evidence in the case of Stephen Wright of Va
under Act of 7 June 1832 do not throw any additional
light on this claim. The high character of 
the claimant and his reputation of his
having been a soldier of the Revolution was
sufficiently established without these affidavits.
But without any record or parole evidence of
his alleged service I am constrained to adhere
to the former decisions of the office in
his case
V. Ellis, Esqr
Present
Page 38

Aug [illegible]

Wm Ames
Col Wright

Cases

Case of Coln Stephen Wright
for revolutionary war
presented by
John G Sibley
Portsmouth Va
August 8 1849

Richard Bernard Capt
Geo Bernard Capt
Page 39


200  mgr
Eggleston Joseph May
entitled $3000 for 
nomutation
Page 40

Col John Neville
Capt Presley Neville
Lieut Epaphroditus Rudder
[illegible] 
Egleston [illegible]
Carter Poindexter
White & sale
Page 41

bring Red Oak Bank Ten
[illegible] Brundy  is a [illegible]
 [illegible]
Epaphroditus Rudder 1599.60
and to 200 acres of land
Lewis Williams
Geo Oldham
Wine glass full 3 times a day
Page 42

Service
VA.
VA Sea Service 

Wright, Stephen

Number
R.11907
Page 43

Portsmouth Va 7th April 1851
Hon Alx. [Alex H H Stewart] H. Stewart
Secretary of the Interior
Sir

you will please inform me if
Stephen Wrights claim for a Revolutionary Pension
has ever been presented to you for your decision.
it was rejected by Col Edwards the former Commissioner
of Pensions 15 or 18 months ago, and I requested my
agent at Washington, to appeal to the Secretary of
the interior for his decission and as I can
hear nothing from the case through my Agent,
I ask you to be so kind, as to let me know, whether
or not an appeal on the case has been taken
to you. if not, will you cause the papers in the case
to be brought before you for your examination and
decession. the applicant (Col Stephen Wright
of the City of Norfolk) is one of our most respectable citizens, and is now about 89 years of age
and is anxious to have the case settled in his life time
you will therefore please consider this an appeal to you
I am the attorney of Stephen Wright, as will appear by
Power of attorney filed in the case
Very Respectfully
John G Sibley atto
Page 44

Copies *handwritten*

June 7, 1851.

J. G. Berrit Esq.,

Present.

Sir:

The supplemental declaration in the case of Stephen Wright, has been received with the accompanying evidence. His respectability has never been questioned, but the difficulty has lain and still lies in that rule which requires evidence of service independent of the party's own statement. Without this the claim cannot be allowed.

F. S. Evans for Commr.

April 14, 1851

J. G. Libbey Esq.,

Norfolk Va.

Sir:

A letter was written to you in the case of Stephen Wright, on the 8" of August 1849. Another was written to Mr. Burgess on the 3" October 1849, a copy of which I enclose to you. The two will explain to you the condition in which the case now stands.

F. S. Evans for Commr.
Page 45

State of Virginia
Norfolk County towit:
the affidavit of Jonathan Kay, being in his eighty
fifth year, a resident of the Town of Portsmouth in the State of
Virginia taken this 11th day of June in the year 1857
the affiant Jonathan Hay being duly sworn deposeth
and saith: that he was eighty four years of age last April,
that he was born in the Town of Portsmouth and hath resided in
the County of Norfolk and State of Virginia all his life; that he
has known Col. Stephen Wright of the City of Norfolk all his life,
that it was always understood and regarded as an undisputed
fact among all the old inhabitants who knew him personally, that the
said Stephen Wright served as an officer in the War of the
Revolution and was in service at the siege of Yorktown; that
he has understood from many old persons who were in service
in the war, that the said Stephen Wright served as an officer therein
And he remembers full well that he has heard Spivey Wyatt
who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution (who lived and
died some years ago in the County of Norfolk, say that the said
Stephen Wright was an officer in the war of the Revolution: that the
said Spivey Wyatt (as he understood) was a revolutionary
pensioner at the time of his death.
Jonathan Kay
State of Virginia
Norfolk County towit:
this day Jonathan Kay personally appeared before
me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid and
made oath, that the facts contained in the forgoing affidavit,
signed by him are true. And I furthermore certify that the said
Jonathan Kay is a gentleman of qual respectability and a man
of integrity and truth, and that the utmost credit ought to be
given to his testimony. Given under my hand & seal this 11th
day of June in the year 1857 Dempsey Nash [illegible letter]
[seal]
Page 46

Norfolk July 26th 1851
To Vespasian Ellis Esq.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I herewith transmit you sundry papers &c
in the pension claim of Col Stephen Wright of
this City, and request that you will present &
keep the claim, at the earliest practicable period
Your Obt. [Obedient] Servt. [Servent]
Geo Blow Jr.
Page 47

Know all men by these Presents that I Stephen Wright of the City of Norfolk and State of Virginia have made constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make constitute and appoint George Blow Jr Esq. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to ask demand and receive from the Commissioner of Pensions in the City of Washington, all and every sum or sums of money due and owing to me for manages of pensions under and by virtue of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, for my services in the war of the Revolution, as set forth in a certain declaration dated     the day of    and now on file in the Pension Office, and on receipt of any such sum or sums of said acquittances other sufficient discharges for me & in my name to sign seal & execute, and generally to do and perform any and all matters & things in the premises, as if I were personally present with power to appoint one or more substitutes and whatever my said attorney or his substitutes may do in the premises I will ratify & confirm as witness my hand & seal this 30th day of in the year 1851    
Stephen Wright
[seal]
Page 48

State of Virginia
City of Norfolk. This day personally
appeared before me a Notary Public in
& for the said City Stephen Wright whose
name is signed to the within writing who
acknowledged the same to be his act and
Deed
Given under my hand & seal
this 31st day of July 1857
Hunter Woodes Noty Public [seal]
State of Virginia, City of Norfolk town
I John Williams Clerk of the Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do hereby
certify that Hunter Woodis Esquire who hath given the above certificate
as a Notary Public in and for the said City, duly commissioned and qualified that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as
such and that the signature Hunter Woods thereto subscribed is in his
proper hand writing as I do verily believe. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto annexed the seal of the said Court and subscribed my name this thirty first day of July in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
fifty one, and of the Commonwealth with the
Seventy sixth
Jno [John] Williams
Page 49

Treasury Dept
Third Auditors Office
Dec 3/ 37
M Wilson will please inform
me if the pension
application of Col Stephen
ight has ever been
allowed. It was filed
by M Vincent some
6 or 8 months ago
Very respectfully
B. F. Gallaher
from what State was the above application presented, and under what act?
J Wilson
He resides in Norfolk Va
Wilson
I dont know the act. the
inquiry is made at the request of Dr Mallory of Norfolk
Page 50

Washington 3 Jany 52
Sir
I have to ask a consideration
decision on the claim of Stephen
Wright under act 7 June 1832, on
evidence this day filed 
He was in the Virginia Service
Your obt [obedient] St [servant]
Veshasian Ellis
to the Comr of Pensions
Page 51

Portsmouth Va 2nd July 1853
Jas E Heath Esq
Com of Pensions
Patsmouth Va 2d Feby 1853
Dear Sir
Will you please inform
me, whether or not the Power of Attorney, which
was made to me by Col Stephen Wright (for the
purpose of prosecuting his claim to Revolutionary
Pension) has ever been revoked, it was filed
in your department, and the case was rejected
by Col Edwards before he went out of office
since which time I have heard nothing from it
Please let me know as early as
practicable
[illegible] Very Respectfully
Your Obt [obedient] set [servant]
John G. Sibley
Page 52

Virginia Portsmouth 3 June 1853
M Waldo
Dear Sir
I received your communication
this morning informing me that George Blow Esq is now empowered to prosecute the claim of Stephen Wright, of Virginia. I wrote to Mr Heath a long time ago to know if posible the fact which I have this morning recd at your hands.
I would inform you that when Col S.
Wright of Norfolk City engaged my services
to prosecute his claim to Pension for his services during the Revolutionary war he required of me in a bond with security, to pay over to him the amount which was then due him for his Pension, which amount was then about 1900$  I gave him my bond and security for 1200$ the balance was to be for my services in prosecuting the claim I made out his declaration agreeably to the Rules of the department, and all the evidence that could be obtained and obtained many certificates of Gentlemen of Distinction and high respectibility and filed in the case
and at great expense to me, and trouble and
cost me several trips to Washington of 50$ per trip of trip and they yet hold my bond. I shall therefore continue before the department for my portion of said claim
when allowed, if it ever should be allowed
over
Page 53

you will please therefor file this letter
in your office as a caveat in said case
But if this letter should be considered by you
a sufficient court. You will please let me
Know
I am [illegible]
Very Respectfully
Your Ob [obedient] Svt [servant
John G Sibley
11907
Page 54

Pension Office
Aug 8, 1849
Sir
The papers which you left in this
office this morning in support of the claim of
Stephen Wright to a pension under the act of
7th June 1832 have been examined & filed,
Claimant alleges that he entered the service
in 1780 & that he served 12 months in the Militia under Captain Booker in the Battalion commanded Major Dicks & was then appointed Ensign under Capt Charles Connor Capt Booked & Major Dick were officers of the Virginia State Line, the name of applicant cannot be found upon the
records of that line in this Office. M Wright
must be mistaken as to his having served a
tom of 12 months in the Militia, that service
was confined by law to drafts of 3 mos each,
We must in order to Authorize the Department to the grant him a pension furnish such proof of the grave & duration of his service as the enclosed printed instructions require, No evidence whatever of his service has been adduced
I am Sir
Very Respy [respectfully] Your Obt [obedient] Servt [servant]
J L Edwards
John G. Sibley
of Portsmouth Va
now present
Page 55

I certify that in my application for a pension wherein I stated that I served 12 months in the militia I had no reference to the 3 months service refered to in the within letter. I was in service and did not quit it, at the
exparation of each 3 months. I continued to serve as I have before stated the number of months consecutively, until said service reached the period therein set forth. I
considered my country entitled to my services, and as long as they were needed, I rendered them. I have before stated, that I had no further evidence to offer I have out lived my comrades and if my own statements cannot be relied on, be it so
 Stephen Wright  His Mark
Witness N. R. Jones
City of Norfolk to wit:
This day Col Stephen Wright (the County
named in the within letter) personally appeared before me, I S. Hartshorn a Justice of the Peace in and for the City aforesaid,
and made oath according to law, to the truth of the above Statement. I further certify that Col Stephen Wright as a gentleman long known to me as a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Norfolk of high standing, and in where and great reliance may be placed. He is now Old and
infirm and unable to attend Court He therefore made the declaration referred to in the within letter before me Given
under my hand and seal this 29th Aug 1849
S Hawthorne J.P.   [seal]
Page 56

This is to Certify that I have known Colonel Stephen Wright
of this City many years and testify to his being a Gentleman of the highest respectability, and of a most unblemished moral
Character, and also that any statement made by him is entitled to the most implicit confidence I further certify that the said Colonel Stephen Wright is well known in the City and County of Norfolk, and has always had the confidence and respect of those who knew him. I have always understood him to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and believe he is so regarded genally by his acquaintance. Given under
my hand this 31 day of August 1849
Wm Garnett Coll
Norfolk City To Wit
This day Colonel Wm Garnett Collector of Customs for the port of Norfolk & Portsmouth, personally appeared before me S Hartshorn a Justice of the Peace for the city aforesaid
and made oath that the above statement is true Given my hand and seal this 31 day of August 1849
S Hartshorn J.P. [seal]
Page 57

This is to Certify that I have known Colonel Stephen Wright of this City many years, and testify to his being a Gentleman of the highest respectability, and of a most unblemished moral character and also that any statement made by him may be relied upon with the utmost Confidence I further certify that the said Colonel Stephen Wright is well known in the City and County of Norfolk, and has always had the
Entire Confidence of those who know him, and further I have always understood him to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and live
he is so regarded by all of his acquaintance. Given under my hand this [unreadable]
1849
Philip I Cohen
Norfolk City to Wit
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace
for the City aforesaid Philip I Cohen a Gentleman of high respectability and made oath that the above statement contains the truth
Given under my hand and seal this 31 day August 1849
Wm G Camp J P [seal]
Page 58

This is to Certify that we have known Colonel Stephen Wright
for many years, and testify to him being a Gentleman of the highest reputability, and of an unblemished moral character
and also that any statement made by him is entitled to the most implicit & entire confidence We further Certify that the said Colonel Stephen Wright is well
known in the City and County of Norfolk and has always had the Confidence and respect of those who knew him. We have
understood him to have been a soldier of the Revolution and believe he is so regarded by his acquaintances generally
Given him under our hands this 31st day of Augt. 1849
G. C. Whitehead
Jacob Vickery
Norfolk City to Wit:
This day appeared personally before me Wm G Camp a Justice of the Peace for the City aforesaid Dr N.C. Whitehead & Capt Jacob Vickery and made oath that the above statement is true
Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of
Wm G. Camp
 Augt 1849
Wm G Camp JP [seal]
Page 59

State of Virginia City of Norfolk Court:
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Norfolk
aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Sylvanus
Hartshorn Esquire who hath given the preceding certificate, and also one
other certificate which is hereto annexed and also that William G.
Camp Esquire who hath given the two certificate which are hereto
annexed, are both now, and were on the respective days of the date
of their said certificates, Justices of the peace in and for the said City,
duly appointed and qualified, that they are respectively authorized to
administer oaths that full faith and credit are due to all their acts as
such and that the signatures ""S Hartshorn" and "Wm G Camp"
subscribed to their aforesaid certificates are in their respective hands
writing as I do verily believe. In Testimony whereof I have hereto
annexed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this thirty first day of
August in the year of our Lord One thousand
and eight hundred and forty nine and
of the Commonwealth the Seventy fourth
Jno [John] Williams
Page 60

I Richard H. Baker Judge of the Superior
Court of Law and Chancery, for the first Judicial
circuit of Virginia, do hereby certify that I
have known Col. Stephen Wright of the City of
Norfolk, personally, and by reputation many
years, and do state without hesitation that he
is a Gentleman of veracity, integrity and
great moral worth and in whose word
implicit confidence may be placed
Given under my hand this 3d day of Sept
1849
Rich. H. Baker
1849
State of Virginia City of Norfolk to wit
I John Williams Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court
of Law and Chancery for the City of Norfolk in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Richard H Baker Esquire who
has given the above Certificate is a Judge of the first Judicial
District, Judge of the first Judical Circuit and Judge of the
Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the City of
Norfolk in the State of Virginia, duly commissioned and sworn
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said
Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery
on the third day of September Eighteen hundred
and forty nine in the Seventy fourth year of the
Commonwealth
Jno [John] Williams cc
Page 61

I certify that I have
known
Colonel Stephen Wright of Norfolk for
many years. He is a gentleman
of high character and standing and
is one of the oldest magistrates
for the County of Norfolk
any statement made by Col Wright
is entitled
to full confidence
Wm Collins
August 20, 1849
Page 62

Washington DC
August 10th 1849
To all whom it may concern,
Having understood
that Col. Stephen Wright of Norfolk County
Virginia, is an applicant for a pension
for his Revolutionary Services, and being
requested to state what I know of Col.
Wright, I have no hesitation in said
that I believe him to be an honest man,
and one in whom the utmost confidence
can be placed for truth
I have had the pleasure
of his acquaintance for many years and
always considered him a high minded honored Gentleman
Francis Grice
Page 63

Pension office
July 27th 1850
At the request of Mr
Jno [John] G Sibly esq passed in
his letter of the 19th instant
I have this day examined
the papers in this case
R. W. Young
Sep 17 49
Rd [Richard] Burgess
Atty
Page 64

This is to certify that I have known Colonel.
Stephen Wright of the City of Norfolk for
many years, and can state without any
hesitation, that he is Gentleman of veracity
integrity and great moral worth, he has
long been a Justice of the peace for Norfolk
and discharged his duty as such honourably
and I will further state that he is considered
by many of his acquaintance to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war
Given under my hand this 1st day of September 1849
Sam Watts
Norfolk County, To Wit
This day Capt Saml [Samuel] Watts
Gentleman of high standing personally
came before me James E. Wilson a Justice
the peace in and for the County of Norfolk
aforesaid and made oath that the above
statement contains the truth. Given under
my hand and seal this 1st day of September 1849
Jas E. Wilson
State of  Virginia Norfolk County to wit
I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the County Court
Page 65

of Norfolk County, do hereby certify that James E Wilson
Esqr who has given the within certificate is a Justice of
the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature thereto as "Jas
E. Wilson" is genuine-
In testimony thereof I have hereto set
my hand and annex the seal of said
court this first day of September in
the
of Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty nine and
of our Independence the seventy
forth
Arthur Emmerson