Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 1366-500, William Grayson, Continental Ky. Residence Of Son In 1826
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(3-1776)
Service 
Continental.
Grayson, William
Number
B.L.Wt. 1366.-500

Ky residence of son in 1826
Page 2

Col. Wm. Grayson
No. 1366

1936 Mch. 13 Hist to Mrs. W. W. Johnson
1928 Nov. 3 " " " H. N. Simmons
1932 Oct 28 " " Bryan J. Dans
See his letter in James Davis S. 12724
1937 May 5, hist. to Mrs. Emma Cook [illegible] Gibbs
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Power of Attorney
Robt. H. Grayson
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[Handwritten heading blocked off in left upper corner]
State of Kentucky
Jefferson County
[Handwritten] I Robert H. Grayson do upon oath testify and declare
that I am a son and one of the Heirs at Law of Col
William Grayson Deceased late a Colonel of The Virginia
Line of the army of The Revolution. Also I do further 
testify and declare that I have never received a 
warrant from the United States for The Bounty land due
me in right of said deceased  Neither do I believe that
he ever received it or transfered his right to it in
any manner whatever
Therefore.     Theras all men by these [not legible presents]
that I Robert H Grayson as aforesaid do hereby
constitute and appoint Col Joseph Watson or Norman
J Hodson or either of my  true and lawfull
attorney for me and in my name to ask demand
and receive from The Secretary at War of the United
States a warrant for the Bounty land due me in
right of said Demand and my said attorney is
herby authorized and impowered to constitute and
appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him
for the special purposes above named and the same to
[not legible] at will. In witness  whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this fifteenth of November 1826
Robert H Grayson - Seal
Witness  Saml. Dickinson


Jefferson County [Illegible]
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice
of the Peace in and for said County the above named
Robert H. Grayson Signer and Sealer to the above
Power of attorney and acknowledged the Same to be
his voluntary act and deed for the. purpose therein
named  Sworn Subscribed and acknowledged before me
this fifteenth of November 1826
Sam Dickinson [illegible J M C]
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State of Kentucky | Personally appeared before
Jefferson County | me the subscriber a Justice of
the Peace in and for said county B. H. Hall
and Coleman Daniel person of
credibility and designated witnesses who being duly
sworn saith that they are personally acquainted
with Robert H. Grayson who executed the foregoing
power of attorney in their presence and they say
that they are confident that he is the identical Robert
H. Grayson which he represents himself to be
and further they say not
Sworn & subscribed before me
this fifteenth of November 1826
Saml. Dickinson  J P P C
B. H. Hall
Coleman Daniel

I Worden Pope clerk of the County Court
of Jefferson County in the state of Kentucky
do certify that Samuel Dickinson before whom
the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged
and before whom the above deposition was sworn
to is and was at the time thereof an acting
Justice of the Peace of said County duly
commissioned and sworn and that to all his
official acts as such full faith and credit
is and ought to be given. In Testimony
Whereof I have hereto set my
name and affixed the seal
of the said County this fifteenth
day of November 1826 and
in the 35th year of the Commonwealth
Worden Pope
Seal at bottom left of document
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State of Kentucky
Col. Jos Watson
At a Circuit Court continued and held for the Jefferson Circuit in the State aforesaid at the Court house in Louisville  On the fifteenth day of November One Thousand eight hundred and Seventy Six The said Court made and recorded the following Order forewith "This day Peter W. Grayson came in to court and made oath that he believes that Robert H. Grayson is the son and one of the heirs at law of Colonel William Grayson dec'd who was a Colonel of the Army of the Revolution which is ordered to be certified"
In testimony of all which, and that the same is  [illegible] copied from record, of said Court of  a Morden Pope Clerk of the said court have hereto let my name and affixed the seal of said court this fifteenth day of November 1826 and in the 35th year of said Commonwealth  
Morden Pope
Kentucky Jefferson Seal left bottom of document
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May 5, 1937

William Grayson
Wt 1366-500 acres
BA-J/AWF
[Handwritten initials O M]

Mrs. Emma Cook Gibbs
1011 South East Street
Jacksonville, Illinois

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Colonel William Grayson of Culpeper County Virginia, War of the Revolution.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for  bounty land, based upon the service of William Grayson in the Revolutionary War. 

The date and place of birth of William Grayson were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.

William Grayson was commissioned January 1, 1777, Colonel of one of the Sixteen Additional Regiments, and so served until January 1 1781; he was also appointed, December 7, 1779 a member of the Board of War, from which he resigned September 10, 1781.

It was not shown where William Grayson was living during the Revolution, nor was the date of his death stated. 

On account of the service of Colonel William Grayson, five hundred acres of bounty land were allowed on Warrant No. 1366, to his son, Robert H. Grayson, and
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other heirs, whose names were not designated. 

The son, Robert H. Grayson, was in 1826 of Jefferson County, Kentucky, as was also, one Peter W. Grayson.  The relationship of these two persons was not stated.

The papers in this claim contain no further reference to family. 

In order to obtain information relative to location of the land referred to herein, you should apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, D.C., and give the following data-

Warrant No. 1366- 500 acres- issued September 16 1828.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistan to the Administrator
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Extract from the List of Officers of the Virginia Line on
Continental establishment who have received Certificates for the
balance of their full page; agreeably to an act of assembly passed,
November Session 1781."

"Name     Rank     Date of Settlement     Ams[...] of certif[...]
"Grayson William,     Colonel.     25 June 1783.     £ 466. 16.3"

Treasury Department
Register Office July 16, 1827

I Certify that the above is a true extract from the 
Records in this office.

Joseph Nourse R[...].
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Report in the case of Col. Will. Grayson of the Virginia line.

It appears that Col. Grayson was nominated to Congress as one of the "Commis. of the board of War of Ordinance" - on the 7th of Dec. 1778. The appointment of which he declined by letter dated the 22nd in afterward he was chosen in "Commiss. of the board of War" - on the 7th of Dec. 1779 & resigned on the 10 of Sep 1781-

The  claim of his heirs for land, was rejected on  the ground  that there was not evidence showing that he was [illegible] under the resolutions of Congress of the 3rd & 21 Oct. 1780 or that he was in service at the close of the war. Also that his acceptance, as one of the Commiss., was virtually a resignation of his commission as an officer in the army. 

It is urged on the part of his heirs that the  [illegible] of Congress on the 7th July 1779 in the case of General Heath (which was five months before the appointment of Col. Grayson) was in itself sufficient evidence to prove, that Congress did not contemplate that officers should forfeit their rank in the army when they accepted that of commissioner, but they decided, that they should be paid only as Commiss. - it also appears that the Secretary of War/in compliance with the directions of Congress / witness the name of Col. Grayson in his report to Congress 31 Oct 1783 with those of the [illegible], Corps of individuals, who agreed to accept the commutation of five years pay in lieu of half pay for life. likewise his heirs produce evidence (which appears to me, to be, satisfactory by conclusion) that Col. Grayson was a [illegible] officer on the 1st Jan. 1781, under the resolution of Congress of the 3rd Oct. 1780 of whilst acting on Commission as also it appears that he received military bounty-land, from the State of Virginia.
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as a Col. of the continental line, who had served six years & 10 months in all which is respectfully submitted
by your oft Lt. 
E. Stephens
16 Sep 1828

To Oh &  [illegible]
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Copy Mil & voucher
of Col. William Grayson
for additional 
bounty land

paid 50 cts
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War Office, May 24th 1782
It appears by a certificate in this office under the hand of His Excellency General Washington who was authorised by Congress to Officer the [illegible] additional Battalions as they were then called, that William Grayson, Esq, was on the first day of January 1777, appointed to the command of one of those Battalions, which rank he continued to hold until he was de---rged on the first day of January 1781, by virtue of the Resolution of Congress of the 3rd day of October 1780, during which period Col Grayson was on the 7th day of December 1779 appointed a member of the Board of War, and continued in that Office till after he was de---rged.
B. Lincoln
Council Chcu--lee-
June 23, ;83
A True Copy
Thos Meriwether
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I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the voucher filed in the Executive Department of Virginia on which additional land Bounty was allowed to the representatives of Col William Grayson, for services in the Continental line. Given under my hand this 18th August 1828
W Pearsant  a.c.c.
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The representatives of William Grayson are entitled to the additional proportion of land allowed a Colonel of the Continental line for ten months service more than six years.
Council Chamber Samuel Coleman
September 12 1809
Jno Tyler

State of Virginia to wit
I, William Selden, Register of the Land Office of the State aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an original voucher on file in this office agreeably to which a military Land bounty warrant for 926 acres No 5854 allotted to The representatives of William Grayson, deceased, July 26th 1810, in consideration of said William Grayson's services for the ten months service more than six years as a colonel on Continental establishments.
Given under my hand and Seal of office at the City of Richmond, this 21st day of August 1828
Wm Selden RL Off
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October 28, 1932 [Right hand side]
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

RA-J/ARF [Right hand side]
James Davis-S.12724
William Grayson-Wt.1366-500

Bryan L. Davis, Captain U.S.A.
441 Book Tower
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for the records of several soldiers of the War of the Revolution.

The Revolutionary War recorde of this office fail to afford information in regard to John Edwards and William Garrard as described by you, or to any William Mountjoy and James Garrard. 

Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours and the limited clerical force available for furnishing Revolutionary War data, it has not been possible to furnish to each inquirer, more than two histories of soldiers of that war.

You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of James Davis and William Grayson.

The data relative to James Davis were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.12724, based upon his military service in the War of the Revolution.

James Davis was born July 8, 1761 in Culpeper County, Virginia, the names of his parents are not given.

He enlisted in Charles City County, Virginia, in May, 1778 and served three months as a private in Captain John Bradley's company, Colonel Fleming's Virginia regiment, was in a skirmish with the British. He enlisted Orange County, Virginia in the fall of 1780 and served three months in Captain Benjamin Johnston's company. He enlisted in Culpeper County, Virginia in the
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summer of 1781 and served three months in Captain William Stanton or Slaughter's company and was in the battle of Hotwater.
He moved from Virginia in 1788 to Bourbon County, Kentucky. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 4, 1833, then a resident of Bourbon County, Kentucky.
In 1842 his son, Nathaniel Davis, was a resident of Bourbon County, Kentucky. The name of soldier's wife is not given and it is not stated whether there were other children.

The data which follow were obtained from0the papers on file in claim for bounty land (Wt. 1366-500) based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Grayson.
He was commissioned January 1, 1777, Colonal of one of the Sixteen Additional Regiments and so served until January 1, 1781; he was also appointed, December 7, 1779 a member of the Board of War, from which  he resigned September 10, 1781.
In 1826 his son, Robert H. Grayson, was in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
It is not stated whether there were other children, and the name of William Grayson's wife is not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Rev. [illegible] 1812 Wars Section
AWF/seal

November 3, 1928

Mrs. H.N. Simmons
Pilot Grove, Missouri

Madam: 

    I advise you that from the records of this bureau, it appears that William Grayson was appointed January 1, 1777, Colonel of one of the sixteen Continental Regiments, and so served until January 1,1781;  he was also appointed, December 7, 1779, a member of the Board of War, from which position he resigned September 10, 1781.
   Five hundred scores of bounty land were allowed, by the United States, on Warrant No. 1356 [crossed out] 1366, to his son, Robert H. and other heirs, their names are not given.
   In 1836 [crossed out] 1826, son Robert H., was in Jefferson County, Kentucky.   There are no further data on file as to family.
   The above noted William Grayson is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, who served from Virginia,( and said records fail to afford any information in regard to Marshall Durrett, or Isaac Wood (woods) who served in the Virginia Troops.)
                                       Respectfully,
                                       E. W. KORGAN
                                       Acting Commissioner.

these regt. searched
by MMHF [handwritten]
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[Illegible]. & 1512 Wars                                     aw
Section
                                               May 4, 192[illegible]
Mrs. W. M. Johnson.
Box 155, Jamestown.
Ohio.

Madam:
             I have to advise you, that for information in regard to land granted to the State of Virginia for services rendered in the War of the Revolution, you should consult the archives at Richmond, Virginia,
             None of the land warrants cited by you in your letter of April 11, 1926, were allowed by the United States Government, namely [illegible] 1005 for 56562/3 acres
to William Grayson; Wt. 2737 for 100 acres to Isaac Smith; Wt.  2791 for 100 acres to Isaac Smith: Wt. 4440 for 100 acres to Isaac Smith, all of the Virginia Troops. In your letter you state that they are taken from the list of Virginia Military Land Warrants.
              This Bureau has no information in regard to any of said warrants.
                                  Respectfully,
              
                                              WINFIELD SCOTT,
                                                   Commissioner.

I searched old
books prior to this
no Issac Smith of 
VA recorded as receiving 
land from [illegible] above
[illegible] [handwritten]
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.
B. L. Wt. No 1366-500
March 13, 1926

Mrs. W. W. Johnson
Jamestown, Box 155
Ohio.

Madam:
I have to advise you from the records of this Bureau, it appears that William Grayson was appointed January 1, 1777, Colonel of one of the sizteen additional Continental Regiments, and so served until January 1, 1781; he was also appointed, December 7, 1779, a member of the Board of War, from which position he resigned September 10, 1781.
Five hundred acres of bounty land were allowed, by the United States, on Warrant No. 1366, to his son, Robert H. and other heirs, their names are not given. 
In 1826, son Robert H., was in Jefferson County, Kentucky. There is no further data on file as to family. 
The above noted William Grayson is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served from Virginia, and [handwritten]
Respectfully, 
Ok by AW [handwritten]
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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[handwritten letter with official stamp/seal in upper left corner]
Stamp description: RECEIVED APR 12,1937
Mail (illegible) VETS ADMIN reader no. 32
[stamped upside down and partially covering handwritten address]

1011 South East St
Jacksonville, Ill.
April 8, 1937

Veterans Administration 
Washington D.C.
Dear friend:
I am told by the adjutant generals office Washington D.C. to write to you. I am writing for information about Col Wm Grayson of Culpepper County Va who was Col in the Revolutionary war and did he receive a Pension and about what year did he die. Hoping to soon hear from you. Respectfuly 
Mrs Emma Cook Gibbs
1101 South East St.
Jacksonville Ill.
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Pilot Grove, Cooper Co. Mo.
Oct 24 - 1928
The Dept. of Interior-Pension Bureau-
Sirs - Have you any record of 
a pension granted to [illegible] Grayson
Isaac Wood [and] Marshall Surrett
of Virginia for Revolutionary 
services or any of their families?
If so will you please send 
me the same [and] oblige.
Very Respt.
Mrs. H. N. Simmons

PENSION
A
OCT
U. 26 S.
1928
OFFICE [stamp in black ink]
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Rev [and] 1812
War Section
JAMESTOWN. OHIO April 11-1926
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington . D.C.
[stamp] US office Apr 13 1926
                                                 
Dear Sir :
Referring to your letter of Mch 13 in reference to William Grayson Land Warrant No 1366 500 a. In the Year Book (1913) Kentucky Society S. of R. in the list of Virginia Military Land Warrants - I note one of 6666 2/3 A - Number 1005 - Wm Grayson- Col Va Court Line- June 20, 1783
Have you any means of knowing whether this is the same Wm Grayson and have you further data-
In this same book I find
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Jamestown, Ohio
W 2786 - Isaac Smith, 100a - Private
Va. Court line(?) - 3 yrs - June 20, 1783 (redacted) March 18 - 1784

W 2791 - Isaac Smith. 700A - Sergeant
Va Court line (?) 3 yrs. March 19 - 1784

W 4440 - Isaac Smith 100A - Private
Va Court line (?) 3 yrs Oct 27 1788

Can you give me the counties from which these three served - or any information as to place of residence or family.

Thanking you and hoping to have an early reply. I am Very truly yours 

(Mrs. WW) Esther A Johnson
[stamp] US pension office Apr 13 1926
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Revolutionary War Section

Jamestown, Ohio    Feb 1-1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,
    Will you kindly advise me whether you have record of pension allowed to William Grayson for Revolutionary War Service. I believe one served from Albemarle Co, Virgina - and one from Culpepper now Madison Co Virginia.
Any information concerning Revolutionary Service by William Grayson will be thankfully received - and will be helpful in D.A.R. application.
Hoping to have an early reply.
I am Very truly yours
(Mrs. W.W.) Ethel A Johnson

Box 155
Jamestown O.
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About Col Wm Grayson

[Upside Down]
Joseph Nourse Esq
Register of the Treasury

Washington
[illegible] DC
Page 27

Military & Gen. Land & Tax Agency
Washington City 16th July 1824 | 1815

Sir,
I take the liberty to address you both in your official and in your individual capacity for any information you may possess as to the revolutionary services of Col. Wm. Grayson who was appointed on the 7th Dec 1779 from the Virginia line to the Board of war, which situation he resigned on the 10th Sept 1787 and was after the close of the war reported by the Secretary of War as one of the officers who accepted of the commutation; officially I wish from you in behalf of the heirs, a certificate of the settlement made with him for his commutation and individually, a statement based on your then and since continued intimate acquaintance with public matters and the career of public men, as to the nature of his services after leaving the Board of war, and whether to your individual knowledge, we was furloughed or became a supernumerary officer. On this point I enclose a letter received from George Graham Esq. which I would thank you to return with your answer.
I am Sir, with the most profound respect,
Y. O. N. S.
Jos. Nourse

Joseph Nourse Esq.
Register of the Treasury
Page 28

Report in the case of 
Col. Wm. Grayson of the Virginia Line
16 Sept. 1828
Claim allowed
[?] the [?]
Chs. Nourse
Sept 16 1828
No. 1366 issued           [illegible]
Page 29

Colonel Joseph Watson
Department of War
Bounty Land Office
August 8th 1827
Sir,
In reply to your letter respecting the [underlined] supposed claim of the heirs of the late Colonel Grayson.  I have to inform you that by reference to the Journals of the old Congress, my former opinion so far from being [underlined] weakened - has been [underlined next 3 words] very much strengthened against the admission of the claim, and I do not think that it ever will be admitted - except by an especial act of Congress - and in that case - a door would be opened for other claims of a similar nature to an extent beyond all calculation
Very respectfully
Your obedt Servant
Wm M Stuart
[different handwriting] Recd 10th Aug [illegible]
Page 30

City of Washington, 16 July 1827

Joseph Watson Esq.
dear Sir,
It would give me pleasure if from any recollections of the passing events during the revolutionary period, I can aid your researches having for their object the establishing any legal claim on the United States in favor of the heirs of Col. Wm. Grayson, with whom I had an acquaintance, and remember that he was a Member of the Board of War, and was [illegible] from his military knowledge a very useful member, of that highly respected Board. I cannot discover on a reference to the List of Certificates issued by the Army Commissioners, the Name of Col. William Grayson, nor can I find his name on a settlement for commutation at the Treasury, from which I confess that not any settlement was made, but I have found a Record showing that he was a "Colonel" of the Virginia Line on the Continental Establishment, upon which on the 25 June 1783 he settled with that State and received the Bounty thereof, amounting to [illegible] Virginia Money.
Judge Peters was also a Member of that Board, and I mention his venerable Name with pleasure because I think
Page 31

it probable that it will be within the recollection of the Judge to give some light on a subject, which a distance of time so great may now abound, therefore return the letter addressed to me, as having a [illegible] on the [illegible] of inquiry together with W Graham Lillen

I am respectfully [illegible]
your obedient
[illegible]

Joseph Nourse [sideways down the right]
Page 32

Clirk in the war office

Section of
Bounty lands
Washington City
Page 33

Louisville 2nd June 1827

Sir
Having twice previous to this written you for information rilative to the claim of Robt H Grayson as one of the Heirs of Col Wm Grayson and at each time waited several days beyond the necessary time for an answer which has never arrived from what cause I know not, I now address you again on the same subject having also written one of the same date to the Secretary of war on the same subject presuming that from that source if not you that I shall be informed
yours H
Henry Northup
Page 34

Sir
In reply to your note of the [illegible] I can only say that I was personally well acquainted with Col Wm Grayson and that he was an officer and in  active service until he was appointed a member of the Board of War after which I have never understood that he returned to active service but as he was among the officers who agreed to ac
Page 35

cept the communtation, I have no doubt that he was on furlough - 
yours respectfully
Geo. Graham
July 12th 27

Jos Watson Esq.

Geo. Graham [sideways down the right side]
Page 36

[seal or stamp in top left corner]
Chief Clerk in the war office
Section of Bounty lands
Washington City

15 May 1827 [sideways down the left side]
Page 37

Louisville 1st May 1827

Sir
about six months ago I forwarded to the war office the Claim of Robt H Grayson as one of the heirs of Col Wm Grays for Bounty land in right of his late father
I was apprised of the safe arrival of the papers since which I have heard nothing further on that subject and it is now more than six weeks since I wrote you on the subject requiring information whether the claim was allowed rejected or suspended - but as yet I have not heard one word on the subject either from the war office or from Col Watson whose name was placed in the power of attorney - will you Sir as early as practicable on the receipt of this write me to this place and advise me of its fate
yours respectfully
Henry Northup
Page 38

Louisville 1st May 1827

Sir
about six months ago I forwarded to the war office the Claim of Robt H Grasyon as one of the heirs of Col Wm Grays for Bounty land in right of his late father 
I was apprised of the safe arrival of the papers since which I have heard no thing further on that subject and it is now more than six weeks since I wrote you on the subject requiring information whether the claim was allowed rejected or suspended - but as yet I have not hear one word on the subject either from the war office or from Col Watson whose mane was placed in the power of attorney - will you Sir as early as practicable on the receipt of this write me to this place and advise me of its fate
Your respectfully
Henry Northup
Page 39

[begin left hand column]
R.C. Anderson - Lt. Col Infy 
B. Ball Do - Do
L. J. Cabell Do 7 Do
Jonathn Clark Do 8 Do
Edw. Carrington Do artily
Wm Darke Do Inf
Gaskins Thos Do
Hopkins Saml Do
Hawes Saml Do
Joyner Sevin Do Supernummerary
Jameson Jno Do - Do -
See Harry - legion
Posey Thos Do Infy
Taylor Richd Do
Towles Oliver Do
Temple Benj Drs
[scratched out] White Anty W
Washington Wm Dr
Wallace Greg B Infy
Lieut. Colo - 18
[end left hand column]
[begin right hand column]
Geo Baylor Col Do
Abm [R   ford?] Inf
Wm. Davis - Do 1 Do
C [Tebagan?] Do 2
Gist Nathl Do
Gibson Jno Do
Green Jno Do
Harrison Ch Do
Heth Wm Do
Matthews Geo Do
Neville Jno Do
Russell Wm Do
Wood James Do
White Anty W Do
Colonels - = 14
[end right hand column]
Is it reasonable to suppose that the vacancy occasioned in the Reg in which Col G. served was still kept open during the time that he was attached to the board of war?  If it was not what Regt did he join afterwards and what Col was displaced to make room for him.  If he still kept his rank in the army when in the board of war - why was it not so stated
Page 40

as was in the case of Genls Mifllin - Gates & [crossed out] Heath - in what service was he ever engaged after he left the board of war - which was about a month before the capture of Cornwallis - was he in that engagement? No where was he? was he supernumerary? - if so - why is his name not found with those of Cols Joyner & Jameison - There were 14 Cols. of Infy 16 Lieut Cols of Do - of which two were sup-[illegible] - a Col & Lt. Col for each Reg - In that case what Reg did Col. G_ belong to - was he Col. and Lt Col. both of a Reg of the 15th ___ Did he ever receive commutation - & why if he did - did he not get his land from the U.S. at the same time - also why did he not receive land from the state - in that proportion allowed to those who served to the close of the war - and not what he did receive viz - that allowed to them for 3 years service
Page 41

Vol 2. Journals of the old Congress
 page 317. Genl. Mifflin. Col Pickering & Harrison appd member of the board of war
Vol 2. 342. Col Pickerings acceptance
          352. Genl Gates appd a member & still to retain his rank in the army
Vol 3 _ 150. Col. Grayson appd a member of ditto
            164 [illegible] accepting
            320 Genl Heath - appd a member & to retain his rank
            336. five year commutation
            409. Col. Wm Grayson (again) appd a member of the board of war - without any offer for him to retain his rank
            666 resigns his app - a few weeks before the capture of Cornwallis - and as his name is not again found in the rolls of the army - it is but fair to suppose that when he accepted said app it was by himself & others thought to be a virtual relinquishment of his comm with the army

 P.J.O
Page 42

Vol 3 - p 705 - Col. Grayson at this time was not in service - and if he had have been this resolve would  not apply to him as he would have belonged to a line - [illegible] - Virginia - This resolve - only applying to those who belonged to no line
he resigned in 1781 - & if the 2nd resolve which requires the Sect of war to make return of all officers necessary to be retained in service - why was not the name of Col G- if he was considered to be there in service - not retd

It appears that the 3d resolve could not have applied to him as he was not there in service and having left the [illegible] in 1781 his name is not returned and he settled with by [illegible] Dunscomb who was appd comm. to settle with all who served to the close of the war - which does not appear to have been his case - as there is no such settlement to its termination and further the state of Va gave the same quantity of land for 3 years service as she did for during the war except indeed
Page 43

Vol 3 - p 70_ [last digit illegible]
[illegible] for every year (or part of a year) she gave - for any term beyond [illegible] years [illegible] - 46 - therefore, if the Col. was considered to have been in service more than three years - for which period [illegible] has settle with him - why did he only receive from the state the quantity promised to a three year man.

Vol 3 - page 713 - Col. Grayson is represented to have been an aid to the Comm. in chief, if such was the fact - why is [crossed out] his marks not included in the list to which ... [illegible]

Department of the 
Bounty Land Office
Aug 16th 1827
[signature illegible]
Page 44

There were hundreds of officers of the Va line who at the end of 3 years - re-entered again for the same period - or left the service entirely - and received the same quantity of land as those did who entered for and served to the close of the war -

SIDE:
Respecting Col. Wm Grayson's [illegible] supposed claim to land
Page 45

Honorable James Barbour
Secretary of War,
Washington City,
D.C.

Jos Watson [upside down on bottom of sheet]
Page 46

Military & Gen. Land & Tax Agency
Washington City 30th June 1827 - 1815

Sir,
On the 29th Nov. last, I had the honor to present the claim of the heirs of Col. Wm. Grayson to the bounty in land acquired by his services in the revolutionary war and on the same day the gentleman charged under you with the investigation of such claims endorsed on the claim, Col. Wm. Grayson was not [underlined] in service [underlined] at the "close [underlined] of the war, therefore, his heirs are not entitled to land from the "United States"; This decision is in direct opposition to the evidence afforded by the journals of the old Congress and makes is necessary that I should submit to you the facts they establish as to the services of Col. Grayson and in doing this, I must be permitted to promise that every day's experience has conclusively established the fact that the names of many officers who acquired a right to land by virtue of the resolution of the 16th Sept. 1776 and those of posterior dates, are not to be found on the books of your department, and of these, many have received that bounty (instance the case of Col. Knowlton) which was not made contingent with the registry of their names on any rolls or books or liable to be withheld on account of an accidental mistake or omission in the transcribing of such documents, for it is not pretended that the books of your department, to which reference is had in the allowance of such claims, are the originals, nor can it be presumed that when the war office has twice been burnt that such as they as, they have been preserved entire and it follows, that the testimony of individuals is the best evidence that
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that the nature of many cases admit off, but in the present an appeal is confidently made to the records of higher authority, than would be eithere the original rolls or books, they establish facts which in the peculiar nature of the case, are not to be looked for elsewhere. That Col. Grayson was in service is admitted by the decision, it is a fact, that cannot be controverted; that whilst so in service, he was appointed a Commissioner of the board of war, will appear by reference to the proceedings of Congress of the 7th Dec. 1779 in vol 3 page 400; That the acceptance of this high station did not prejudice his rank in the Army, is proved by the reputation previously established in the case of Genl. Heath, when to wit, on the 7th July 1779, see the same volume page 320, it was decided that officed accepting a seat at the board of war, should hold this rank in the line, but should only receive the pay of Commissioners whilst acting as such, under this resolution Genl. Gates, Genl. Wilkinson and others retained their rank and so did Col. Grayson and like them we resigned the one station to resume the more active duties of the other, see page 666 of the same volume under date of the 10th September 1787. By the resolution of the 21st Oct. 1780, see the same volume, page 538, it will be seen that all officers who should remain in service to the close of the war, should be entitled to half pay for life and by the subsequent resolution of the 25th Febr. 1783 see volume 4 page 166 such officers "as are now in service and shall continue therein to the end of "the war" and "all officers entitled to half pay for life" [underlined] to become entitled to five years full pay in lieu thereof and their acceptance of this provision was required and in the same
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Same volume page 311 under date of the 30th Oct 1783 the different lives, corps and officers collectively who had notified their acceptance of the commutation are designated and among them the name of Col. Grayson appears ___. How then can it be said that he was not in service at the close of the war, when peace had been previously proclaimed on the 18th October 1783 - and when the army was disbanded by proclamation only three days afterwards, viz; on the 3d Nov 1783. It only remains for [illegible] to the cause which led to the omission of Col. Grayson's name from the rolls and the books; It will be recollected that after the preliminary treaty of the 30th Nov. 1782, many furloughs were granted and that after the definitive treaty of peace of the 30 Sept 1783 Congress without funds to discharge its obligations to the Army was compelled to use policy in disbanding it and resorted to the granting of furloughs, this may have been Col. Grayson's case and  this is the class alluded to by the words "all officers entitled to half pay for life" and especially described in the proclamation disbanding the army "that part of the army which stood engaged to serve during the war, and by several acts of Congress had been furloughed, should be absolutely discharged after the 3d November from said service, and that the further service in the field of the officers deranged, and on furlough, are now dispersed with, and they have permission to retire from service, no more to be called to command & [illegible] .. .........."
Not doubting that these references place the case of Col. Grayson on as clear and I might as to the importance of his services, say in as high ground, as any other that has been acted on in your Department, I can but hope for a speedy allowance of the claim. I am [illegible], with profound respect.
Hon. James Barbour           [illegible signature]
Secretary of War