Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2933, George Gresham, Ga.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE				        NUMBER
Ga.		Gresham, George	W 2933
		Elizabeth

Born in Va.
CONTENTS
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Reported to agent, see letter
Let to Mrs. E. Gresham 		July 19 1843.
[illegible – torn] “ Hon J Taliaferro 	July 31  “
Paper copied & sent
To Hon R. E. Scharch AR
T July 1848

(Right side of document)
7072
District of Columbia
Elizabeth Gresham
widow of George Gresham
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died in the year 1837
of   in the Dist. Of Columbia
who was a Capt of Cav. In the
commanded by Captain
commanded by Col. Elbert
the Ga line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of the Dist C
At the rate of 600 Dollars
Per annum, to commence on the 
7th July 1838 for five years.

Certificate of pension issued the 6th day of
March 1843 and sent to Hon. J.
Taliaferro, Present

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual ending
Special Act March 3, 1863
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A.  Vol. 2  Page [illegible-torn]
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4381
Pennsylvania
George Gresham
In the State of Pennsylvania
Who was a 
Captain of Cavalry of the Rev commanded
By Col Elbert in the Georgia
Line for Capt of Calvalry (sic) 2 years - $600.00
Ga
Died Oct 30 1837

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania 
At the rate of 600 – Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued she (sic) 21st day of January
1833 and put to Hon Henry Horn
House Reps

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 			$900.00
Semi=anl. Allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 -	 300.—
						$1200.00

{Bevolutionary (sic) Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk,
Book D   Vol. 6    Page 59
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Dead – sce letter to L. Rust,
Nov 11, 1837 do. To Jam Nove 23.
1838 – do. To T. T. Anderson, 20
Dec. 1838 – Paper Copd – See
Letter t Hon J. C.
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State of Pennsylvania}
City of Philadelphia ss.}

On this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of Philadelphia now sitting, George Gresham, a resident as aforesaid, aged seventy two years, personally appeared in open Court, 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 the seventh of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

He was born in Goochland county, State of Virginia, on the eight of November, seventeen hundred and sixty: his father was James Gresham who followed the occupation of a planter. A few years after the birth of this applicant, his mother, then a widow, removed to Burke county in Georgia, where the applicant resided until May or June 1777, he then enlisted in Captain Harrison’s company of Colonel Elbert’s Regiment of Georgia State troops, and served with that corps.
In December 1778, those of the Regiment who had escaped death or capture at the taking of Savannah, crossed the Savannah river into South Carolina, and formed an encampment near Sister’s ferry; thence in February or March 1779, we proceeded to the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of Augusta in Georgia, and there encamped. In 1779, the applicant was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a cornet in Captain Reatherford’s troop of Light Horse. While the British were in possession of Augusta, and our troops near the town, General Ash came and assumed the command. The enemy evacuated the place and retreated on the Briar Creek Road: our General crossed at Augusta, and took the River road for the purpose of cutting off their retreat. He formed his camp in the fork of the River and Briar creek, but unfortunately suffered himself to be surprised and defeated. Our Colonel was made prisoner, and the regiment suffered very severely, those who escaped the River into South Carolina and encamped near the Sister’s: This was in March 1779; the command of the regiment had devolved upon Colonel Haversham to many of our men had returned home on account of the expiration of their term of enlistment, the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service. He was absent upon this duty when the British entered South Carolina and Captain Rutherford was killed and Lieutenant Holmes mortally wounded in a skirmish.  In September, the applicant was commissioned as a Captain of Lighthorse by Governor Davis of Georgia, to be attached to Colonel Twiggs’ regiment. Many skirmishes took place with the British and Tories; in a conflict at Stones ferry, a ball passed through the applicant’s leg and killed his horse. In the summer of 1780, in consequence of the capture of Charleston, we were driven from the lower part of South Carolina and Georgia. We retreated before the enemy, some crossed the mountains, others betook themselves to the swamps. The
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applicant remained in the swamps with about twenty five men until Ferguson’s defeat at King’s mountain in the month of September, which began to restore confidence: some reinforcement was then collected, with which in January 1781, a party of Tories was surprised in the fork of Saluda and Broad Rivers.  Information came to us that General Morgan was within a few miles, pursued by the enemy. We started immediately to join him, and in our way having fallen in with a part of the British advance, we had a skirmish and made two prisoners.  We reached the General the evening proceding (sic) the battle of the Cowpens, and were placed under the command of Colonel Washington. Early the next morning the enemy attacked our lines, but they were soon broken and retreated in every direction, leaving their dead, wounded, artillery, baggage and many prisoners. We continued with the army two days, and were then ordered away to disperse some tories who were assembling near Inoree River. They dispersed before we could reach them.  Nothing important occurred until sometime in March, when we heard of an army coming from the north, all the for{illegible-page torn] collected, and crossing the Yadkin, we passed through Charlotte and Salisbury. We there learned that Cornwallis was on the same route,  which induced us to take another direction. Falling in with one of General Greene’s out-parties, they guided us to head quarters (sic) at Guilford Court House. The applicant then first saw Colonel Lee, and on the 14th March 1781 was ordered under his command. On the 15th Col: Lee moved out on the Salisbury road, and we had not proceeded [illegible-page torn] miles when the British advanced appeared: our party attacked and lost two men; at New garden meeting House the enemy were re-inforced ad we left the ground.  Several other skirmishes took place before the enemy reached the Court House, when the action became general. After the engagement Col: Lee heard of Tarleton and Simcoe, who were in the neighbourhood (sic) of the Allemann for the purpose of joining the Tories under Colonel Piles, We missed Tarleton, but fell in with Piles and a strong party, who were routed with the loss of many killed, wounded and prisoners. Nothing occurred deserving of mention until sometime in April 1781. After General Greene’s battle of or near Camden, the Tory spirit seemed broken; and they were obliged to take to the swamps or the British camp. We were employed from that time until September in skirmishing with the British and Tories in Georgia and South Carolina; the General them moved down the State of South Carolina, ordering out all the militia and volunteers to join the army. Our party took the road to Broad River – joined some of the South Carolina volunteers and militia who knew the country and joined General Greene some few days before he reached the Eutaw spring. Early in the morning Colonel Lee ordered my troop to fall in with his cavalry; we moved along the Road leading to the Spring, surprised some of the enemy getting potatoes and some of them were killed, wounded and made prisoners. We then passed on to the rear, and the applicant received orders
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to join Colonel Washington. He was with the Colonel when his horse fell and he was taken; we then cut our way through the old Buff regiment in the best way we could. This battle gave relief to the country; and a few days after we set out in quest of Tories collected near Orangeburgh. Some skirmishes being ordered with Colonel Rump near [illegible] Swamp. We then returned to our own State, where Colonel Brown still kept possession of Augusta. The scouting parties made excursions into the country until the place was taken; they were then confined in or near Savannah.
     In the Spring of 1782, General Wayne arrived in Georgia and formed his camp near Savannah.  We had several skirmishes with British light parties ^at Wm. Gibbons,^ and one with the Creek Indians in our camp.  They were on their way to join the enemy, and fell upon us, when neither party was aware of the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of the other.  They were soon dispersed with considerable loss.  We had also an engagement with a plundering party, reinforcements were thrown in from each side until half of both armies were in motion.  We remained in camp up to the 11th July 1782.  Savannah was then evacuated by the British and taken possession of by our troops.  In a few days afterwards, General Wayne discharged all the volunteers and militia, which of course included this applicant.
     This applicant has no record of his age, while he was serving in the army.  The British and tories pillaged the family house and destroyed everything with their reach, including the paper and documents.  In 1783, finding himself a ruined man by reason of these disasters he went to join the relatives that remained in Virginia.  He resided in Powhatan following the business of a collector of debts about two years; he removed thence to Granville County, North Carolina where he spent upwards of two years, in the same occupation and also a part of the time as a planter; his next removal was to Richmond county, Virginia, where he married, and was a planter on the Rappahannock near Bowler's ferry which was about opposite; upwards of two years afterwards he went to Scott county, Kentucky, and was a planter of corn and tobacco about four years; he thence returned to Granville county, and resided on [illegible] creek, as a planter, about ten years; his next removal was to Sussex County in Delaware, at the head of Nanticoke, where he was a storekeeper; upwards of two years afterwards he went to Milford in Kent County, Delaware, and thence to Lewistown; at Milford and Lewistown he kept a boardinghouse until the bombardment of the latter place by the British; he was then commissioned by the Governor Hazlett as a Captain of Volunteers; shortly afterwards he was commissioned as a first Lieutenant in the 32d regiment of the United States.  A part of this regiment was barracked in Philadelphia; this applicant resigned from the service because no employment was offered to him except in the recruiting service, and young men then took the command.  At the peace, the applicant came to Philadelphia, where he has ever since resided.  His discharge and commissions were stolen from him with a quantity of valuable papers and property, by a body of outlying tories in the end of 1783, who bore him a particular
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George Gresham, the applicant within named, and have been so acquainted for a great many years; that I believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is [illegible] and [illegible] in the neighbourhood (sic) where he resides

hostility. For consequence of his many removals and changeable life, he has long lost sight of all those who could testify to his service; and his age and infirmities [illegible – smudged] possibility of a journey to the scene of his services for the purpose of seeking the possible survivors of so many years.  The applicant’s commission as a Captain was signed by Governor Davis of Georgia. The applicant is well known to many citizens of Philadelphia; he will specify the Reverend James Wiltbank and Colonel Samuel B. Davis, know him in the State of Delaware, and the Honourable (sic) Henry Horn.

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 agency of any State. He has always hithunto maintained himself to the best of his endeavours (sic) , without seeking any public provision.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
George Gresham

Coram 
Edward King

I, James Wiltbank, minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, being duly sworn according to law, do declare and certify, that I well knew Captain George Gresham, who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration many years ago in the State of Delaware, and that our acquaintance has continued in the City of Philadelphia, to which we both removed, that I believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he was reputed and believed in the State of Delaware, and is now reputed and believed in Philadelphia to have been an officer of the revolution; this belief is general among those who know Captain Gresham, and this deponent has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject.  He himself fully concurs in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed this twenty second day of October A. D. 1832.
James Wiltbank

Coram
Edward King

Henry Horn of the City of Philadelphia, being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and certify that he has known Captain George Gresham many years, (the same who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration), that he believes him to be seventy
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two years of age, that his is reputed and believed by those who know him to have been an officer of the Revolution. That this belief is general and the deponent has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject.  The deponent fully concurs in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed this twenty seventh day of October A.D. 1832.
Henry Horn

Sworn before me}
This 27th day of Oct. 1832}
Edward King

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter hereunto annexed the answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department being embodied in the said declaration that Captain George Gresham, the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Officer, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that James Wiltbank who has signed one of the preceding certificates is a Clergyman resident in the City of Philadelphia, and that Henry Horn who has signed the other certificate is also a resident of the said City and is a credible person, and that their statement are entitled to credit.
Edward King MP

I [illegible] (T Walmer), Esquire, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and [illegible] Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Gresham a captain in the Revolutionary army for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this twenty seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty two at the City of Philadelphia.
T Walmer
Prothy

George Gresham, the applicant above named further upon his oath declares and says;
That the first regiment in which he served – namely that of Colonel Elbert was of Georgia State Troops.  This regiment was reduced to one company and a half by the various causalities stated in the deposition, when the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service.  He never re-joined that regiment.  He sent in his resignation on receiving Governor
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Davis appointment to be Captain in Colonel Twiggs’ regiment of Volunteers. The engagement of this Regiment was of two kinds; some were engaged as Minutemen, others were engaged as “Volunteers during the war, to be called upon at any time by the commanding officer.” The engagement of the applicant was of the latter kind. A great number of other officers of various grades were appointed at the same time with the applicant of there were Captains Truman and McCoy, and Captain or Lieutenant Carr. These officers came from my neighbourhood (sic) and were commissioned in the same command. The regiment was sometimes concentrated, but most generally they were scattered abroad.  We were not strong enough together [illegible -torn page and dark] in a body.  Some were upon the mountains, others in the swamps.  Colonel Twiggs [illegible] across the mountains twice, leaving the applicant behind in the swamps.  The first time, the applicant was six months without receiving any orders from him; the other time he was three months.  The course of warfare pursued by the applicant and considerable numbers of other Americans were to wander about in small parties collecting together whenever an opportunity presented itself to capture or destroy British property or attack ports or squads of Tories.  We engaged in this kind of warfare from fifteen to eighteen months, with some occasional interruptions, when the troops were collected together and large enterprises undertake. Then a detailed in the applicant’s first deposition. The customs of the service was that if we came within the district of any commanding officer he could command us under his orders for any [illegible] he had in view.  There was no regular system, but every man did the best he could to defend himself and his country.  In this way the party to which the applicant belonged were called upon by Sumpter to attack Tories near Orangeburg.  General Pickens called upon then to attack a body of Tories near the Saluda and Inoree River (sic). Colonel Thompson, an officer of South Carolina militia, and Colonel Singleton of the same service called on us to attack some baggage going to Camden, but the project was abandoned the enemy being to strong for our force. After this we returned to Georgia and our old mode of warfare.  We were next ordered by Col: Twiggs to embody for the purpose of attacking three troops of Cavalry – one called the Royal American the other two raised by Governor Wright.  We were dispersed with very great loss of consequence of the unexpected arrival of Colonel Campbell with two troops during the engagement.  A week lapsed before our parties got together again.
From the time the applicant received his commission until the discharge by General Wayne he was constantly employed in carrying on war, though sometimes very feebly for want of force.  He returned to his home, but once, and remained there only fifteen minutes. There was at the time an immediate fear of attack.  From the date of his commission as Captain he was never engaged in any other occupation that the service of the United States, up to his discharge.  Sworn to and subscribed this fifth of November 1832.

George Gresham

Coram 
Edward King
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George Gresham, the applicant within named, further on his oath declares and says:
That the periods during which he was actually in the service as a military officer were as follows: that he was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a Cornet in Captain Reatherford’s troop of Light horse in the month of March or April 1779, but this deponent believes in the early part of March.  He served in the part of and with the [illegible – torn], of Cornet about five or six months, when in the month of September of the same year (1779) he received a Commission from Governor Davis of Georgia to be a Captain of Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Colonel Twiggs regiment.  With that commission, until discharged by order of General Wayne on the 11th July 1782, he was in constant service for the particular of such service, this deponent refer to his prior depositions. He continued under his Georgia commission as a Captain two years and about ten months; under his first commission as a Cornet about five or six months. And further this deponent saith not. Sworn to and subscribed this 17 December 1832.
George Gresham

Sworn and subscribed}
Dec 17, 1832}
Edward King

George Gresham, the applicant above named, again personally appeared before the undersigned, and being sworn, deposeth and saith; that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, much of his service cannot be sworn to positively; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For six months I served as a cornet in Captain Reatherford’s troop of Lighthorse, in Colonel Elberts’ regiment: For two years and ten months, I served as A Captain in the Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Col Twiggs regiment, under the Commission received from Governor Davis of Georgia: and for such service I claim a pension.
During all the above period, the deponent was in actual service.  His service consisted in being out upon scouting parties, harassing and attacking the British and tories in detail. The forces on the American side were not strong
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enough to take the field, after the disaster before mentioned, until the arrival of General Greene. When we were not upon scouting parties, we lay hid in the swamps, constantly exposed to attack and danger.  This was our usual course of warfare. And further deponent said not.
George Gresham

Sworn & subscribed 
before Jany 7, 1833
Edward King

I the undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of George Gresham, a Captain in the Revolutionary army, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, at the City of Philadelphia, as aforesaid.

T Palmer
Protry   (Seal)

(in left side margin) Hon. H. Horn
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State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County}
City of Camden ss}

On this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, Personally appeared before the “Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the said City of Camden,” Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of the said City of Camden in the County of Gloucester, aged sixty one years (nearly) who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulus of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law on her solemn affirmation makes the following declaration, in order to attain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled “An act granting held pay and pensions to certain widows,” That she is the widow of George Gresham late of the City of Camden decease, who was a Captain of Cavalry in the Army of the United States in the Revolution, and she believes he served at one time under Colonel Washington, as a volunteer, and was in several battles but when and where she don’t know nor has she any other documentary evidence in support of her claim than what is herewith announced and are forwarded to and furnish in the Pension office heretofore by the said George Gresham in his lifetime, and at the time of his obtaining his pension.

She further declares that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, that her husband the aforesaid George Gresham died on the thirtieth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, That she was not married to prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz; at the time above stated.-
Elizabeth Gresham

Affirmed and subscribed on}
the day and year above written}
in open court before us}
the word “not” being first referenced

Elias Kaighn Mayor

J.K. Cowperthwait, Recorder
Isaiah Toy, Alderman
Richd Fetters, Alderman
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State of New Jersey, City of Camden ss
Josiah Harrison, clerk of the court of General Quarter session of the peace in and for the city of Camden, do certify that the same court is a court of record by virtue of express words to that effect in its charter,; that Elias Kaighn Esquire, Mayor, John K. Cowperthwait Esquire, recorder, and Isaiah Toy Esquire and Richard Fetters esquire, and Alderman, are duly commissioned and qualified as officers and aforesaid, and signed their names respectively to the preceding document within written in my presence, and that they constituted the said court held her this day, and that their said signatures are genuine.

In witness whereto I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.

Josiah Harrison
clk
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State of New Jersey
City of Camden SS
On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me John K. Cowperthwait Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio of said City of Camden personally came Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of said City who alledging (sic)  her self to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (sic) of taking an oath being affirmed and according to law declareth and saith, that the above attached record and leaf was cut out of and from their Family Bible now in her possession, that their record therein is true record of her marriage with the said George Gresham and that it is in the property hand writing of the said George Gresham,
Elizabeth Gresham

Affirmed and subscribed to}
the day day (sic) and year above}
written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

City of Camden ss
On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me John K. Cowperthwait Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio in and for said City personally appeared Oliver Cox, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and said that the above attached leaf containing the record written there in of the marriage of George Gresham and Elizabeth Rust was taken from the Family Bible of the said George Gresham, in his presence the said Bible living now in the possession of Elizabeth Gresham the widow of the said George Gresham and that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of the said George Gresham, and believe the above record of the said marriage is in
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the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham
Oliver Cox
Sworn and subscribed}
the day and year above}
written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey, City of Camden SS.  I Josiah
Harrison Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said city, Certify that John K. Cowperthwait esquire before whom the two preceding affirmation and oath were taken, is and was at the time of taking them, duly commissioned as Recorder of said city and that his signature thereto is genuine as justice of the peace and that his acts as such officer are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the seal of the said Court, this twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty-eight.
Josiah Harrison Clk

(Seal) to left of page
Page 17

Moyamensing Bank
Philadea  Oct. 27, 1838

I certify that the bearer Mrs Gresham collected the pension
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At the request of Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham I certify that she has collected the pension of her late husband George Gresham a pensioner under Act of June 7 1833 on the Rolls of the Phila Agency & that the said Elizabeth Gresham has this day appeared & made this request in person & I believe her to be the widow as aforesaid having seen her at the various periods for about five hears when she has applied for said pension –

Moyamensing Bank.

Phila Oct 27. 1838

H Orne
late pension Clerk
at the Girard Bank
Page 19

V3259
Elizabeth Gresham
of George
Pennsylvania

Luther L Rust
Page 20

State of New Jersey
City of Camden SS
On this thirteenth day of October Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Mayor and Justice of the peace exoficio in agree for the said City of Candem, John K Cowperthwait of said city, and alledging (sic) himself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (Sic) of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law saith, that he was well acquainted with Captain George Gresham late of the City of Camden, deceased, a Pensioner of the United States, and knew him and his wife Elizabeth for a number of years back, that he has saw the Family Bible now in the possession of the widow, which has their marriage therein recorded as follows “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was Married 3rd July 1792, in the proper hand writing of the said deceased, that he has saw and held in his possession the Pension Certificate of the said George Gresham, and drew powers of attorney from him to his wife to get and receive his pension for him, when he has been so indisposed by sickness that he could not attend to it himself that his pension was six hundred dollar for annum, the said George Gresham departed this life sometime in the month of October 1837, that his widow Elizabeth is still living and unmarried.
the words “and never”  John K. Cowperthwait

of said last “being first interviewed }
also Mayor “before executive
Afirmed (sic) and Subscribed}
the day and year above}
written at home}
Elias Kaighn, Mayor
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State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County}
City of Camden} SS

On this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio of said City of Camden, Elizabeth Gresham as resident of said City who alledging (sic) herself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (sic) of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law doth on her solemn affirmation say That she is the widow of George Gresham late of the City of Camden aforesaid deceased who was a Captain of Cavalry in the army of the Revolution, that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two at the Northern Neck of Virginia in Richmond County by a Baptist Minister by the name of Lewis Landeford and that the said George Gresham departed this life on the thirtieth of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven the said George Gresham was a Pensioner of the United States, and received from the Government the sum of six hundred dollars per year payable semi annually during his natural life, from the 4th of March 1831 and further said that the Family Record or Bible now produced having the marriage recorded in, in the following words, vis “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was Married 3rd July 1792,” is now in her possession and has been for a great many years and that the above marriage record was written there by the said George Gresham.
Elizabeth Gresham

Subscribed and affirmed} 
to the day and year first}
above written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey
City of Camden SS
On this eleventh day of October Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared
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before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio of said City, Oliver Cox of said City of Camden and being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of Captain George Gresham late of the City of Camden deceased, and that the writing contained in the Family Bible or Record now in the possession of the widow of the said deceased, testifying the date of their marriage, is in the hand writing of said George Gresham deceased, a true copy of which is as follows “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was Married 3rd July 1792,” and that the said George Gresham departed this life on Monday morning October the 30th 1837, at half past five oclock (sic) and that Elizabeth Gresham widow of said George Gresham deceased pensioner of the United States is still living in said City of Camden and with whom I am personally well acquainted, also that she still remains his widow.
Oliver Cox

Subscribed and sworn}
to the day and year}
above written before}
me} 
J.K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey
City of Camden  SS
Before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio for the City of Camden aforesaid personally appeared Isaac S. Mulford MD. who alledging (sic) himself to be conscientiously scruplus (sic) of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to law saith he attended George Gresham in his last wellness up to the day of his death, and that the above deposition of Elizabeth Gresham as to the time of his decease is correct

Affirmed and Subscribed}
this thirteenth day of October}
Isaac S. Mulford M. D.

witness before me
J. K. Cowperthwait
Page 23

[677]

FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.		MARRIAGES.
George Gresham
and Eliza Rust
was Maried (sic) 3th July 1792
Page 24

(This file does not contain any personal information)

FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS.	BIRTHS.
Page 25

State of New Jersey, City of Camden SS.
I Josiah Harrison, clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said City, certify that Elias Kaighn esquire whose name is affixed to the jurat of one of the preceding affirmations is duly appointed and commissioned Mayor of said city and is ex officio a justice of the peace, and that John K Cowperthwait esquire before whom the other affirmations and affidavit were taken is duly commissioned as Records of said city, and justice of the peace; and that their acts as such officers, are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said court, this seventeen day of October, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.

Josiah Harrison Clk.
Page 26

(This document is highly degraded, torn and unreadable.  Some words are partial)

Pennsylvania 5584
(word crossed out)
Elizabeth Gresham
widow of George Gresham
Georgia
who was a Capt of Cavl
Georgia
in the Va Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the
600 Dollars
Cents per annum, to com
the 4th day of March, 18

Certificate of Pen
24 day of
and sent to
Hon John

[A
Recorded in
Page 27

rep 24 May 1844
Cen to Pension Agt, Nov 12 of 1844,
To Pennsylvania from 4 March
1844 – 10 Dec 1844. 
Notification to Pensioner
Philadelphia

Sce letter Aug 26. 1846 to Hon. J.R.
Ingersoll.

See letter to Hon O B Fichler
May 9, 1848.
Same pension 11th May 1848
Let. to Fleet Smith
Jany 22, 1850
1887 July 22_ P H Gresham – history prior
Page 28

27th CONGRESS,
3D SESSION.
H. R. 665.
(Rep. No 38.)

January 10, 1843.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.

MR. TALIAFERRO, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
reported the following bill:

A BILL

For the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham.
1	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
2	of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
3	the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, authorized and
4	instructed to allow to Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George
5	Gresham, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States,
6	a pension for five years, at the rate of six hundred dollars a 
7	year, to commence on the seventh day of July, one thousand
8	eight hundred and thirty-eight, and to be paid as other pen-
9	sioners are paid, under the act of July, one thousand eight
10	hundred and thirty-three, allowing pensions to certain
11	widows.

The undersigned, who prepared the Bill, of which this printed Bill purports to be a copy, being requested to explain a typographical error in the printed bill – 
“Three,” ought to be eight, which would make it, the Bill, correspond witht eh report, on which the bill was founded – In the manuscript Bill, as reported, the date of the Bill refered to was in figures – Thus 1838- fo in the report which accompanied the manuscript Bill – The printer no doubt mistook the figure 8 for the figure 32 made the date 1833 – but there is no pension Act of that date –
John Taliaferro 
[illegible] 22 1844
Page 29

1
Geo Gresham died Oct 30 1837   In Oct 1832 he was living in Phila (aged 72 years) born in Goochland Co Va Nov 8, 1760 – his father James Gresham a planter – A few years after his birth his mother then a widow removed to Burke Co Geor & in June ’77 he enlisted under Capt Harrison in Colo Elbert; Ga regt
In Dec 1778 those of the Regt who had escaped death & capture crossed the Savannah river in S.C. & encamped at Sister’s Ferry & in Feby or Mrh (sic) 1779 proceeded to the neighborhood of Augusta Ga & encamped In 1779 he was promoted by Colo Elbert to be a cornet in Capt Reatherford (sic) troop of light horse
While the Bortesh (sic) (British) were possession of Augusta Genl Ashe came & assumed Comd (command) – The enemy evacuated the place retreating on the Briar Creek road  Genl Ashe crossed at Augusta for the purpose of cutting of the retreat & formed his camp in the fork of the river & Briar Creek but unfortunately he was surprised & defeated & Col Elbert made a prisoner & the Regt suffered severely & those who escaped crossed into SC encamped at the Sisters – This battle was March 3 1779  Col. Haversham took comd of the regt  The enlistment of many in the regt had expired & Gresham was ordered to reenlisting service & war about when the British entered SC Capt Rutherford was killed & Lt Holmes mostly was in a skirmish  In Sept
Page 30

2

Gresham was Commissioned Lt of the Light horse by Gov Davis of Georgia, to be attached to Col Twigs regt. After Several Skirmishes Gresham was wd (wounded) at the battle of Stone SS June 20 1779 in his leg & killed his horse
In the summer of 1780 in consequence of the capture of Charleston (May 12 1780) they were driven from the lower part of SC & Ga – Some retreating to the mountains & others to the swamps to which latter Gresham retired with about 25 men until Col Ferguson de fat (sic) & death at the battle of Kings Mountain (Oct 7 1780) which began to restore confidence in Reinforcements were collected & in Jany 1781some Tories encamped in the forest of Saluda & Broad rivers
Information reached him that Genl Morgan was within a few miles[illegible] was by the enemy & we immediately started to join them & had a skirmish until advance of the Militia making 2 prisoners They reached Genl Morgan unit the evening preceding the battle of Cowpens (Jany 17, 1781) & were placed in the comd (command) of Col Wm Washington
Early the next morning the enemy commenced an attack, were defeated & retreated in every direction, leaving their dead wounded, arty Baggage & many prisoners.  In two day Capt Grisham (sic) was ordered to disperse Tories gathering near Inoree river 
From the [illegible] [illegible] North over the Yadkin, through Charlotte, Salisbury joined Genl Green [illegible] at Guilford 
March 14 1781 was ordered into Genl [illegible] comd (command) & the next day while proceeding on the Salisbury march they met & had a skirmish with the British near New garden meeting house. The battle at Camden under Genl Green April 25, 1787 (The first was Aug 16 1780 under Genl Gales ?) After the battle Genl Lee heard that Col Tarleton were in the neighborhood of the Allemance for the purpose of
Page 31

joining the Tories under under (sic) Colo Piles & marched after them but Wifred Tarlton & met Col Piles with a strong party who were routed with less of many killed wounded & prisoners.
After this to the Tories pretty generally being departed by the [illegible] of the American were obliged to retire to the swamp or to the British camps & Gresham was employed until the following Sept in occasional skirmishing with parties of British & Tories in Georgia & marched down SC & SC – Genl Green sided on all the Militias Volunteers to join the Army.  Marched down the road to Broad river with several parties of Militia & Gresham & Rutherberg the main Army a few days before it reached Eutaw Springs
Page 32

The widow Elizabeth in Nov 1838 living in Camden
NJ aged 61 yrs (nearly)

He md (married) July 3 1792 Elizabeth Rust at the
Northern Neck of Va in Richmond Co by a 
Baptist minister Lewis Landeford
She died in Phila in 1848

(stamp at bottom of page)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
Page 33

Greshams –
Rev’ - & 1812.
War

Sixth ano’ of’ –
P. H. Gresham

Grisham
Grisom

File
427 	  Robt	         1807&8 	+
10205	  Rich Gresum	  Revy
16393	  David		   do 	SC
16394	  Littlebury	   do	NC
21790	  John Grisham  do	        Va
21246	  Moses   “	     “	        SC
25119	  John	“	1812 3m  +
4339	  Jeremiah “	Revy	Pa
	              Wid
2933	Elizabeth (Geo) Revy	Ga
4969       Jane Grisham (James) “	NC
13313       (Mina) Andrew	   Mex	Ten
29420        Wid	Amancry

(numbers at lower part of page thru names)
275
15
_____
290
Page 34

1812 Service
Certf

11016-  Elizabeth Gresham  - [illegible]
1221     Peggy  - 	Jonah		Ga
15258  Marie -   	Elijah		Va
15361  Elizabeth - 	Wm		        Ky
1170    George Gris			       Ten
173     Joseph Gris			         ~
4054  Jim				        NJ
5340   Davis				        Ten
13389  Thomas			         “
20221  John				         “

B	R
11660	Jane  - Wm			Ga
#

Certif 		wid
4825		Lucy Gris	Tho     Ky
8901		Marema Gris	Jos	   Ten
16608		Elizabeth	       John     Ga
32560		Mary		ThoP    NC
Page 35

Revolutionary
Soldiers
				          Service
Gresham	        Richard
		        David  - - -	S.C
		        Littlebury - - -NC
Grisham - - -	John  - - -       Va
		        Moses --------SC
		       Jeremiah - -	Pa.
widows

Gresham, Elizabeth, widow 	George – Ga
Grisham   Jane	    “	        James	 NC

Later Service & pensioned for disability

Gresham	Robert – disabled 1807-8
Grisham	John		“    1812  Ten

Service 1812				          Service
Grisham  Lucy, 	widow  Thos		Ky
	    Marema	   “	    Joseph	Ten
	    Elizabeth	   “	    John		Ga
	    Mary              “	     Thos P	NC

Gresham  Nancy         “	    Wm		Ga
	     Elizabeth        “	    Philip	        Inda
	     Peggy	   “ 	    Jonah	        Ga
	     Maria             “         Elijah	        Va
	     Elizabeth      “           William	Ky
(over)
Page 36

Service 1812
Soldiers
				Service
Grisham	George - - - 	Tenn
		Joseph - - -	do
		Davis - - -	do
		Thomas - - -	do
		John - - - 	do
		William ----	NJ
Page 37

W.2933

This information to be furnished on pr.  [illegible] to Mr. Prior from which he made search. & mailed as the address  [illegible]
Page 38

(Note: the left side of this document is darkened and makes it hard to read, some text is inferred)

WIDOW, &C.
2933
Elizabeth Gresham
Widow
George Gresham
Capt. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1843
Index Vol. A, Page 285
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 39

May 24. 1844
Elizabeth Gresham
act May 23. 1844
$600 per an
to commence 
March 3. 1843
D. Col. Roll

Hon. John Taliaferro
Present
Page 40

[ the following text in brackets are ‘X’ out of document]

[28th CONGRESS,
1ST Session.
H. R. 193.
Report No. 251.
March 7, 1844
Read first and second time.
Mr. Steenrod, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL]


No. 23.
An Act
To explain an act of Congress, passed on the third day of March eighteen hundred and forty-three, entitled “An act for the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham.”

1	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
2	of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
3	the act of Congress, which passed on the third of March, eigh-
4	teen hundred and forty-three, entitled “An act for the relief of
5	Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham” shall be so con-
6	strued, understood and executed by the Secretary of War as to
7	authorize and require him, and he is hereby instructed, to allow 
8	to the said Elizabeth Gresham, in common with all other wid-
9	ows who have been pensioned under, and received the benefit of,
10	the act of the seventh of July, eighteen hundred and thirty-
11	eight, the additional pension for one year, which, by the act of 
12	the third of March, eighteen hundred and forty-three, is made
13	payable to such widows as have received the benefit of the said
14	act of the seventh day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty-
Page 41

15	eight; the amount so to be paid to the said Elizabeth Gresham,
16	for the additional year, to be the same which was allowed to her
17	annually for five years, in pursuance of the aforesaid act of
18	which this act is explanatory.

Approved May 23, 1844.
I certify that the above is a true copy from the Roll in this office.

W S Derrick
Actg. Chf. Clk.

Department of State,
May 23, 1844
Page 42

Pension Office,
May 9, 1848.

Sir,

I herewith enclose the necessary forms and instructions for the preparation of the vouchers of Elizabeth Gresham, dec’d, late a pensioner under the act of March 3, 1843, and special act of May 23, 1844.

Mr. Dunlap, as Executor, can receive the amount due, but for the sole and exclaim benefit of the surviving children, and the unaccount (sic) so received is not to be consider as a part of the assets of the estate in any case whatever.  The letter of Mr. Rust is herewith returned

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
F. S. Evans
For Law of Pension

Hon. O. B. Ficklin
House of Reps
Page 43

(private)
Jany 16/87

Wm Cole
Elizth Gresham

Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC a
Page 44

Jackson G. H. Jackson Co. Va.
Jany 5, 1850

Honbl J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington Dc a.

Dear Sir:
You will please pardon me for troubling your urbanity and kindness in a matter which concerns my private affairs.  You will recollect that  some years ago Mrs Elizabeth Gresham was a claimant for a pension due her deceased husband George Gresham an officer in the revolutionary war, and that the payment of said claim by the accounting officers of Government was authorized by Acts of Congress March 3d 1843 Ch. 109, and May 23, 1844 Ch. 23.  I was the first person in Washington who undertook this claim for her, and upon whom devolved the labor and skill in collecting the evidence of her marriage and the military service of her husband.  In addition to this I introduced here to persons of influence and amongst others to yourself.  Notwithstanding all my troubles and pains I never received one cent of compensation, although she voluntarily assured me that she would pay me handsomely when she {illegible] affairs arranged  I never made any direct demand on her, or even hinted at such a thing being restrained by motives of delicacy, as she was not relative and being content to leave the matter to her liberality and sense of justice.  I have reason to believe that without my management and encouragement she would not have searched this pension.
Page 45

Mrs Gresham departed this life in Philadelphia sometime in the year 1848 having made a will, she entirely neglected me in her will, and poorly remembered her sister & family in Ky who were in needy circumstances and for whom she always had professed a warm regard.  She left to an individual in Phila $1000 to be expended by him without accounting therefor in charitable purposes. From this and other circumstances I am induced to believe that interested person in Phila, influenced and biassed her mind.  For this reason I am determined to assert my rights and obtain the reward of my services, labor and skill in her behalf.  
I have ascertained from counsel that her [illegible] have not as yet closed their [illegible], and as evidence must be produced to justify them in making payment.  I have thought that yourself amongst others would be able to answer proper interrogatories to substantiate the claim in my favor, and which will probably be taken in the form of a deposition at an early day.
The Interrogating to which I would call your attention would embrace the fact of your recollection of my agency in Mrs. Greshams claim pension to the aforesaid Acts of Congress, and whether I did not introduce her to you for the purpose of making proper inquiries, and whether frequent conversations did such fears between you and myself in her presence elative I
Page 46

claims and whether I did not invoke your aid so far as you could with propriety give it, and whether you did not consider it one of a doubtful character, and please state what amount she was authorized to draw under said acts and any other thing you can recollect in the premises.
Your early attention to this will highly oblige me. Our mails are very tardy in consequences of bad roads & sometimes of high waters.

I am Dear Sir with high respect
Your obedient servant
Fleet Smith
Page 47

28th Congress,
1st Session

Rep. No. 261.

Ho. Of Reps.

ELIZABETH GRESHAM
(To accompany bill H. R. No. 193.)

March 7, 1844.

Mr. Steenrod, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following

REPORT:
The Committee on Evolutionary Pensions, to whom the memorial of Elizabeth Gresham was referred, have examined the same, and report:

That it appears to the entire satisfaction of the committee that George Gresham, her husband, was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of the 7th day of June, 1832, allowing pensions to the officers and soldiers who had, during the war of the Revolution, performed the amount of military service specified in the said act: that the said George Gresham was allowed a full pension for a service of two years, which was paid to him as it fell due, from the 4th day of March, 1831, to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1838: that on the death of her husband, as aforesaid, the said Elizabeth Gresham, as his widow, made her application in due form to the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington, to be allowed a pension under the act of the 7th day of July, 1838; which application was rejected, on the ground that her husband had died subsequent to the passage of the aforesaid act of 1838; and she was moreover required to sustain her application, by evidence more full and satisfactory, as to the amount of military service which had been performed by her deceased husband, than that on which he had been allowed a pension by the same Commissioner of Pensions: that from this decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, by which her application to him for a pension under the aforesaid act of 1838 was rejected, she appealed to Congress for relief, which resulted in the passage of an act of the 3d of March, 1843, which act was manifestly designed to overrule the aforesaid decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, and to instruct him to allow the said Elizabeth Gresham the full benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838 – that is, five years pension: (see the report of the committee and bill therewith exhibited.) It is under these circumstances, as it appears to your committee, that the Commissioner of Pensions has decided not to allow to the memorialist the benefit of the act of the 3d of March, 1843, which directs the payment of a pension for one year to such widows as have received the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838; and this decision of the Commissioner of Pensions is made on the allegation that the memorialist has not received the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838, but that she was pensioned under a 
___________________
Blair & Rives, print.
Page 48

2
Rep. No. 261.
Special act of Congress – namely, the act of the 3d of March 1843, for the benefit of Elizabeth Gresham.  Taking into view that the uniform application of Elizabeth Gresham, both to the Commissioner of Pensions and to Congress, to be allowed, under the aforesaid act of 1838, the pension to which, if living, her husband would be entitled, and that her husband had been a pensioner under the act of 1832, to the time of his death, - the act of Congress passed the 3d of March, 1843, for the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, was manifestly designed to instruct the Secretary of War to allow her the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838.  Be that as it may, tis committee are satisfied that the memorialist is the widow of a revolutionary pensioner under the act of the 7th day of June, 1832; that she was married to said pensioner in 1792, and is now his widow; and, as such, is clearly entitled to the benefit of the acts of the 7th day of July, 1838, and of the 3d of March, 1843. And, in order to allow her the benefit of the last mentioned act, a bill is reported.
Page 49

Senate Chamber 28th of March 1844

My dear Sir,

Allow me to solicit your early attention to the Bill, to which the enclosed report refers _ It is the case of a poor widow of Philadelphia, who, I respectfully think, has been erroneously denied the additional pension for one year, which was to be allowed, by the Act of the 3rd of March 1843, to such widows, as had received the benefit of the Act of the 7th of July 1838_  Now I say, of my own knowledge, that the Act passed the 3rd of March 2843, for the benefit of Elizabeth Gresham, allowing her five years pension, was an affirmance of her claim to a pension under the Act of the 7th of July 1838_ That was the only Act under which she claimed, or could by any pretense be allowed, a Pension.  It was therefore that she was allowed five years Pension, the full benefit of the Act of the 7th July 1838 – You will perceive that the Bill passed by the House, is merely explanatory; & when you report it, there can be no reasonable objection to having it passed without further delay. To effect (sic) this, should it meet your approbation, is the reason why I invoke your attention, to the case of this poor woman. And I am, dear Sir, most respectfully and truly yours.

John Taliaferro

Honb: Mr. Bates{
Page 50

Comm: room, 2d of March 1842-

Dear Sir,

Will you be pleased to send me copies of papers on file in your office in support of the applications of Mary Blakeney of Baltimore; & of Elizabeth Gresham now of Philadelphea, (sic) for Pensions _ Copies of these papers were, I think, some time since, sent to this Comm: but if so they cannot now be found _ I am, dear Sir, very truly yours

John Taliaferro

Colo: J: L: Edwards
Page 51

Washington Feb 25th 1840

J. L. Edwards Esqr

Sir
Understanding through Mr. Dickins, that you have kindly offered to have my papers prepared, with a view to their being laid before Congress in support of my claim, whenever they should be required. I take the liberty of asking you to have the governess to cause them to be in readiness for me by tomorrow if possible, when I will call for them in person
Very respectfully

Elizabeth Gresham
Page 52

To what time was George Gresham, Penna Roll, act June ’32 last paid?

J. L. Edwards
Dec 13. 1838

P ofo the 30th Oct 1837 the day of his death
TH
Page 53

Elizabeth Gresham
With Bill 145

Eliz Gresham
To be filled with the papers in the accompanying the bill allowing [illegible- too faint]
Elizabeth Gresham
J: Taliaferro
Page 54

I HEREBY certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from one to ten inclusion, are truly copied from the originals – in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Department of War,

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That James L. Edwards, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this thirtieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.

John C. Spencer
Secretary of War.

(Seal on the left side of document)
Page 55

Ezabeth Gresham
Letter Dec 27 1843
Hon John Taliaferro,
Present _
Page 56

V
Elizabeth Gresham
Pennsylvania
Suspended
Let 23 Nov 1838
L. Rust
Let 20 Dec 38 T.F,
Anderson let 8 Feb
1838 Nov. L Paynter
Paper copd for appt. Feb 27 1840
Let to Hn. J Taliaferro Mar 31 1842
Let to Hon. W G Archer Mar 2 43
Act 7 July 1838
Page 57

Pto inter
Eliz Gresham’s
[illegible]

J L Edwards Esqr
War Department
Pension Office
Washington.

Free
Page 58

Virginia	Clerks office of Richmond County Court
8th March 1843

Sir,
Your favor of 2nd instant is received and I annis (sic) a copy of the Marriage license bond of George Gresham. This is all the evidence of the Marriage ofsaid Gresham to Miss Elizabeth Rust which Ican (sic) find in this office.

Respectfully
Jno F P Jeffries cl
Page 59

Know all men by these presents that we George Gresham and Thomas Williams are held and firmly bound unto the Governor of Virginia and his successor in the last and full sum of fifty pounds current money the which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves on and each of our heirs Executor & adminors (sic) jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated the 27th day of June 1792.
The condition of the above obligation is such that [paper folded over] there is a Marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the above bound George Gresham of the County of Mecklenburg and Elizabeth Rust of the County of Richmond now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said Marriage them the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force & virtue.
G: Gresham (Seal)
Tho Williams (Seal)

Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of Bartho: McCarty

A Copy Teste

Jno F. B. Jeffries clerk
Of Richmond County.
Page 60

Mr. Evans
Sufficient.
On D.C. wle

Pew
Philada
Nov 1 ‘44
Page 61

Washington
Nov. 1. 1844

To the commissioner
Of Pensions-

Sir,

Please to transfer my name to the Pension Roll of the Philadelphia Agency.  I am a Pensioner under the act of June 1844

Respectfully
Elizabeth Gresham
Page 62

28th Congress,
1st Session

Rep. No. 261.

Ho. Of Reps.

ELIZABETH GRESHAM
(To accompany bill H. R. No. 193.)

March 7, 1844.

Mr. Steenrod, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following

REPORT:
The Committee on Evolutionary Pensions, to whom the memorial of Elizabeth Gresham was referred, have examined the same, and report:

That it appears to the entire satisfaction of the committee that George Gresham, her husband, was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of the 7th day of June, 1832, allowing pensions to the officers and soldiers who had, during the war of the Revolution, performed the amount of military service specified in the said act: that the said George Gresham was allowed a full pension for a service of two years, which was paid to him as it fell due, from the 4th day of March, 1831, to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1838: that on the death of her husband, as aforesaid, the said Elizabeth Gresham, as his widow, made her application in due form to the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington, to be allowed a pension under the act of the 7th day of July, 1838; which application was rejected, on the ground that her husband had died subsequent to the passage of the aforesaid act of 1838; and she was moreover required to sustain her application, by evidence more full and satisfactory, as to the amount of military service which had been performed by her deceased husband, than that on which he had been allowed a pension by the same Commissioner of Pensions: that from this decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, by which her application to him for a pension under the aforesaid act of 1838 was rejected, she appealed to Congress for relief, which resulted in the passage of an act of the 3d of March, 1843, which act was manifestly designed to overrule the aforesaid decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, and to instruct him to allow the said Elizabeth Gresham the full benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838 – that is, five years pension: (see the report of the committee and bill therewith exhibited.) It is under these circumstances, as it appears to your committee, that the Commissioner of Pensions has decided not to allow to the memorialist the benefit of the act of the 3d of March, 1843, which directs the payment of a pension for one year to such widows as have received the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838; and this decision of the Commissioner of Pensions is made on the allegation that the memorialist has not received the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838, but that she was pensioned under a 
_________________________________________
Blair & Rives, print.
Page 63

2
Rep. No. 261.

Special act of Congress – namely, the act of the 3d of March, 1843, for the benefit of Elizabeth Gresham.  Taking into view that the uniform application of Elizabeth Gresham, both to the Commissioner of Pensions and to Congress, to be allowed, under the aforesaid act of 1838, the pension to which, if living, her husband would be entitled, and that her husband had been a pensioner under the act of 1832, to the time of his death, - the act of Congress passed the 3d of March, 1843, for the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, was manifestly designed to instruct the Secretary of War to allow her the benefit of the aforesaid act of 1838.  Be that as it may, this committee are satisfied that the memorialist is the widow of a revolutionary pensioner under the act of the 7th day of June, 1832; that she was married to said pensioner in 1792, and is now his widow; and, as such, is clearly entitled to the benefit of the acts of the 7th day of July, 1838, and of the 3d of March, 1843.  And, in order to allow her the benefit of the last mentioned act, a bill is reported.
Page 64

Pension Office
April 8, 1844

Sir,
I hereby return the papers in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham.  He obtained under the act of June 7. 1832 upon his own declaration, unsupported by any affidavit, or other evidence. The book, and papers of this Office have been carefully examined, but they afford no evidence of any service performed by him.  The claim was allowed at a time when the declaration of the applicant was considered sufficient proof.  When the widow applied under the act of 1838, she was called on for proof of the husband’s service.  Failing to procure any, she was provided for by a special act passed on the 3rd of March 1843.  She now applies for the year’s pension under the general law of 1843; but the claim has been rejected, because the last mentioned law gives the pension to none but those who received pensions under the act of 1838.  Her application is now for such a pension as the general law of 1843 gives.  I cannot say whether her husband did or did not serve.  If he did serve it is unaccountable that his name cannot be found on any roll.

I have the honor to be,
Very resectfully,
Your obt. Sevt.
J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. C. Bates
Chairman of the 
Committee on Pensions.
Senate U. States.
Page 65

27th, 3d Session

Rep. No. 38.

Ho. Of Reps.

ELIZABETH GRESHAM
{To accompany bill H. R. No. 665}

January 10, 1843.

Mr. Taliaferro, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom the petition of Elizabeth Gresham was referred, report:

That, by the official papers on file with the petition, and herewith exhibited, it appears that George Gresham was allowed a pension in the year 1832, by the Commissioner of Pensions, at the rate of six hundred dollars a year, which was paid to him annually, by the agent to pay pensions of the United States, from the 4th of March, 1831, to October, 1837, when he died. At the death of the said George Gresham, he left a balance of his pension unpaid to him, which, it appears, was subsequently paid to his widow, Elizabeth Gresham, the petitioner, who, by satisfactory evidence, shows that she is his widow, and that she was married to the said George Gresham on the 3d day of July, 1792.  She therefore claims a pension under the act of 1838, allowing pensions to certain widows.

The committee can see no reason why the service which actually entitled George Gresham to a pension should not entitle his widow to the same rate of pension, to be paid to her as is directed by the aforesaid act under which she claims, and report a bill.
Page 66

Hon James L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions.

Sir,
I have a petition in my hands for presentation to the hands in favor of the son and heir of Lieut John Gregg for line Rev Army.  Pensioner under Act 15th 1828 The petition calls for the Pension roll act 15th May 1828, which is the best evidence of service to the end of the war.

Will you have goodness to furnish that evidence?

Also evidence of the services of Capt George Gresham, Pa Cont Line, who was a pensioner under Act 7th June 1832?

And oblige yours very respectfully

Washington June 21st 1848.
Robt Schenck
Ho. Of Reps.
Page 67

Mr. Edwards,
Will you look at the papers of Mrs. Gresham? Was there reasonable doubt of her late husbands rights to a pension & consequently of hers [illegible] is very urgent in this matter.  I cannot but think the lady has been pretty [illegible] provided for
Your,
J. C. Balet

April 4. ‘44
Page 68

Bank of the Metropolis
Nov 13. 1844

Sir

Your letter of the 12th [illegible] is reviewed –
Elizabeth Grisham (sic) has been paid her pension to next 4th of March last as directed. We shall [illegible] to pay her further, until directed by you.

I am very respectfully
Your obt Serv
R O [illegible] Smith

Jms. L. Edwards Eqr
Form ref Pensions
Page 69

Washington Feb 5th. /39

Hon James Edwards

Dear Sir
Mrs Eliza Gresham the widow of the late Capt. George Gresham request me to Enquire of you if you have recd any information from the Comptroller of South Carolina and if So what was his prospect. She States that you kindly offered to reunite for him She is sick here and on expense and reply wishes to get every [illegible] be much oblige for as only reply as convenant (sic) 

Very respectfull
Your ob servant

L. Paynter
H R
Page 70

Dr Sir
I inclose (sic) you the pension papers of Capn. Gresham which have just been returned to me from Philada together with Mr Loupats note stating that all your objections are now answered.  May I ask you early attention to the Case and also to that of Josep Norman whose papers are in your office
Truly yours
Henry Horn
House Rep Jany 14  33


J L Edwards Esqr
Page 71

Philadelphia Nov 6 1837

Mr Cass

Dear Sir

The widow of Capt George Gresham requested me to write to you to inform you of her Husband death which took place on the 30th of Oct 1837 he was a soldier of the revolution and received a pension of $600 per annum and his widow wishes to know whether or not she will get any thing and how much you will confer a favour (sic) on me by letting me hear from you soon.
A obns Respectfully
Lutherl Rust
No 73 Market St
Philad
Page 72

Washington 14th Decr. 1838
Sir,
I herewith inclose (sic) a letter recd this morning from Mrs. Gresham. Will you be good enough to have a further examination for her papers.
With great respect
Your obt sert
T. F. Anderson


J. L. Edwards, Esqr}
Commr. of Pensioner}
Page 73

Mr Aukins
Certified copy 

The following in [ ] is Crossed out of this document:
[27th CONGRESS
3d Session
H.R. 665
(Rep. No. 38.)
January 10, 1843.
Read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. Taliaferro, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions,
Reported the following bill:
A BILL ]

An Act
For the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham.
1  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
2  of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That
3  the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, authorized and
4  instructed to allow to Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George
5  Gresham, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States,
6  a pension for five years, at the rate of six hundred dollars a
7  year, to commence on the seventh day of July, one thousand
8  eight hundred and thirty-eight, and to be paid as other pen-
9  sioners are paid, under the act of July, one thousand eight
10 hundred and thirty-three, allowing pensions to certain
11 widows.

Approved, March 3rd 1843
A true copy from the roll in this office.

Dept. of State,}
March 6th. 1843}

Fletcher Webster
Ch Clk.
Page 74

Priv. 57

The following in [ ] is Crossed out of this document:

[27th CONGRESS
3d Session
H.R. 665
(Rep. No. 38.
January 10, 1843.
Read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. Taliaferro, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions,
Reported the following bill:
A BILL ]


For the relief of Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George Gresham.
1  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
2  of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That
3  the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, authorized and
4  instructed to allow to Elizabeth Gresham, widow of George
5  Gresham, late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States,
6  a pension for five years, at the rate of six hundred dollars a
7  year, to commence on the seventh day of July, one thousand
8  eight hundred and thirty-eight, and to be paid as other pen-
9  sioners are paid, under the act of July, one thousand eight
10 hundred and thirty-three, allowing pensions to certain
11 widows.

Approved, March 3rd 1843
A true copy from the roll in this office,
Dept. of Rate,
March 4th. 1843

Fletcher Webster
Ch Clk.
Page 75

Elizabeth Gresham
Page 76

The memorial of Elizabeth Gresham of the City of Philadelphia, to the Congress of the United States, respectfully represents, that she is the widow of George Gresham, late a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 1832. That her said Husband was paid the Pension, as it became due to him, from the time it was allowed to him, to the time of his death, which occurred in October 1838.  That not long after the death of her said Husband, she made application, in due form, to the Commissioner of Pensions, at Washington, for a Pension under the Act of the 7th of July 1838, which was disallowed on two grounds – first that her Husband had died subsequent to the passage of the aforesaid Act; & secondly she was required to offer evidence of the military service of her Husband, more full & satisfactory, than that, on which he had been pensioned.  It was under these circumstances that your memorialist petitioned Congress for a pension under the aforesaid Act of 1832, not long after her said petition was presented to Congress, but before it was finally acted on, the first of the foregoing objections was removed, by the passage of an Act which extended the benefit of the aforesaid Act of 1838, to such widows as became so, subsequent to the passage of that Act. And her appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, requiring the additional evidence aforesaid, was affirmed by the passage of an Act requiring the Secretary of War to allow to your memorialist the benefit of the aforesaid Act of 1838, as may be such by the report & bill from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions herewith exhibited; & which Bill became a law, on about the 3rd of March 1843, notwithstanding this clear manifestation of the purpose of Congress to sanction her claim to the benefit of the Act of 1838; the only existing act under which any pretext could be devised to allow her a pension; the Commissioner of Pensions has refused to allow to your memorialist the Pension for
Page 77

one year, in pursuance of an Act of the 3rd of March 1843, making that allowance to such widows as had received the benefit of the aforesaid Act of 1838.  From this decision your memoriatist, ecspectfully, (sic) appeals to your Honorable Body for relief. And she confidently trusts, (that -crossed out) if the decision of the Commissioners of Pensions shall appear to be sustained by any technical informality, or error in the Act passed for her relief on the 3rd of March 1843, that the strong equity of her claim may induce your Honorable Body to pass an Act directing the additional pension for one year to be allowed to her.  She is the widow of a Revolutionary Pensioner, under the Act of 1832 – She was married in 1792, to the said Pensioner, and she is now his widow. This gives her a ligitimate (sic) claim to all the benefit, which any other widow can rightfully claim under the Acts of 1838, and that of the 3rd of March 1843 – Relying then that the same relief, which a grateful government has provided for the aged, and helpless relies of the soldiers of the revolution under circumstances in all respects identical, may be accorded to her, she remains respectfully

Elizabeth Gresham
Page 78

Elizabeth Gresham
Petition
Of Elizabeth Gresham
Of Philadelphia,
Widow of George Gresham
who was a revolutionary
pensioner praying for
a pension.

Jan 22, 1844.
Referred to the Com. on
Revolutionary Pensions

March 7 – Bill 193

Stevenson
Rev Pens.
Page 79

Petition of Elizabeth Gresham
Widow of Capt. George Gresham
A Revolutionary officer, praying
For a pension, with accompanying documents=

March 16 1840
Refd to the Committee
On Revoluty Pensions

April 25. 1840 – Bill No. 373

Jany. 25 1842
Refd to the Committee on
Revolutionary Pensions

Feby 9 1842
Bill reported No 145

Jan. 3. 1843
Refd to Commee. Revoly pensions
Jany 10 1843 – Bill 665

(Crossed out - Jany 3rd Tah aford)

Refered to Com. on Revolutionary Pensions
Widow rule
 C J Ingersoll
Page 80

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representative of the Unites States in Congress assembled

The petition of Elizabeth Gresham widow, now of the City of Philadelphia

Respectfully represents

That your petitioners late husband Capt. George Gresham, was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and in that capacity served his country during the space of several years.  That for some years prior to his decease, which occurred on the 30th day of October A.D. 1837, he received a pension from the United States, of six hundred dollars per annum.  That your petitioner conceiving herself fairly entitled under the act of Congress of July 7: 1838 to a continuation of said pension for five years, made application to the Commissioner of Pensions (therefore- crossed out) for the payment of the amount now due, but owing to some alleged defect in the proof of services rendered, the said commissioner refused to pay any part thereof.  –

Your petitioner therefore respectfully prays your Honorable bodies to grant her such relief in the premises as in your judgement you may see proper. –

Elizabeth Gresham
Page 81

Paradise Pa
Jany 8th

Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham
Care of Major P Fritz
No 214 Race Street
Philada
Page 82

Harmony Land. Co. Jany 7th 1839.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham,

Dear Madam,
In reply to the information now before me “that the War Department for want of further evidence of the Military services of your late Husband Capt Geo. Gresham during the Revolutionary War, decline continuing to you, the Pension heretofore granted & paid to him.”  I should be happy were it in my power to add any testimony that might be serviceable.
No positive proof, such as required by the Department is likely to be obtained at this late day. Fiew (sic) of the Heroes of that day, lain by & preserve their commissions, and in all human probability Capt. Gresham was himself the last of that Spartan Band “Col Washingtons Dragoons” the terror of the enemy to the South and fiew (sic) or none of the Patriots who toiled with him in the Southern War, with “Sumpter & Marrion,” are left, to hear testimony to services rendered by him.
Page 83

Capt Gresham, was a Brother Officer with me in the 32nd Regt. U. S. Infty. For a short time, during the late war. At which time & subsequently, he detailed to me his early history, and his toilesv& privations, during the struggle for Independence and his share of the labour (sic) in establishing our freedom & liberties.
He often informed me that he held a commission in Col. Washingtons Dragoons, whether from the U. S. or as a Partisan Officer, I have at this day no recollection.  Although quite a youth, his love of Liberty & hatred to Torys, (Modern Whigs) prompted him to equip himself at his own expense, he continued in the service until the close of the war – when it was found that all his little property in Estate was expended in the service of his country, as he has received little compensation from the U. S. – The impression on my mind at this late day, is that he has informed me “that he held the Rank or Commission of Captain” – He may possible have entered the Service as a Lieut. – All that I have said is more testimony from his own lips, or detailed by him in frequent conversations. Yet I never had the least doubt on my mind but, that his statements were strictly correct & true.
Page 84

I have frequently heard him converse with my Father, (who served several campaigns in the South, was at Yorktown at the Surrender of Cornwallis), and from his intimate knowledge with the particular events of the Southern War, &c &c.  I think my Father never doubted that Capt. Gresham held a commission, and participated largely, & liberally in the establishment of the Independence of the U.S.

Capt. Gresham was a highminded (sic) Southerner unwilling, while he was able to labour (sic) for a support, to ask form the U. S. renumeration for his early services.  It was therefore in his declining years and [illegible] but fewer days were left him to enjoy it. That he sought & obtained his just reward for his services to his country.  I do therefore hope that the War Department will reconsider the claim & grant you such allowance from the Pension fund as the laws in such case will allow.

With my best wishes for your welfare  &c.

I am dear madam
Yr. friend
John Steele
Page 85

Philad.a January 10.th 1839

Sir:
At the instance of Mrs. Gresham, widow of the late Capt. George Gresham of the Georgia state Volunteers, who was placed upon the roll of Revolutionary Pensions, at Washington, I believe in the last of the year 1832, or beginning of 1833, I take the liberty of expressing to you my hope that she may be allowed the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838, believing the evidence which she can adduce will be satisfactory.
With several of my fellow citizens, I contributed my humble aid to establish the claim of Capt. Gresham to his pension, and I know not how I can better serve is respectable widow in her efforts to establish her claim, under the act referred to, than by furnishing your office with a copy of my letter of the 10th of November 1832 _ which is herewith subjoined.

I will only add that I have just perused a letter, under date of the 7th instant, addressed to Mrs. Gresham, by Capt. John Steele, son of the late General Steele, formerly Collector of this Port, which seems to me fully conclusive as to the fact of the military services, in the Revolutionary War, of the late Capt. Gresham, so far as the best living testimony can be obtained.

I am very respectfully,
Sir, Your obedient servant
Athans Ford.

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.

(copy.)
Sir:  Philadelphia Novr. 10th. 1832.

I clasp my pen to perform a pleasing _ a delightful task _ it is to contribute my humble aid in placing George Gresham, formerly of Georgia, an officer in the Revolutionary and late was, upon the pension roll of the
Page 86

Government, as a Captain.
The ravages of time and contingencies of two wars, in both of which he served his county faithfully and gallantly, have, it appears, obliterated the Official traces of the public services of this veteran of the revolution, now in his 73d year.  But under the sanctity of an oath he has declared, and I believe already furnished your Department with the facts; That, in August or September 1777, he joined Col: Elberts regiment of Georgia State Volunteers, as a private _ was afterwards promoted to a cornet of Calvary, and whilst attached to that corps, received a bullet wound in the right ancle, (sic) and at the same time his horse shot dead from under him, in a skirmish with the enemy at “Stone ferry”, between Charleston  & Savannah.
That subsequently he was commissioned as Captain in Col: Twiggs Regt of said Georgia State Volunteers, by Governor Davis, and continued in service until the close of the war in 1782, when he was honorably discharged by Genl. Wayne, at Savannah. In addition to several skirmishes, he fought at the memorable battle of the Cowpens_ of Guilford, and Eutaw_ and was one of the number of not more than a company and a half of his Regt., which survived those bloody and destructive engagements.
That, in the late war with Great Britain, having removed to the State of Delaware, he was commissioned, by Gov. Haislett, as a captain of artillery, of the Delaware state volunteers, and subsequently received an appointment of Lieut., in Col: Fotterall’s, 32d U. S. Infantry, - which he resigned in Octr. Or Novr. 1813.
The facts as stated by Capt. Gresham, I have no doubt are true _ my belief is strengthened on conversing with Gentlemen of the first respectability, who have known the veteran for many years, and sustain the testimony of his integrity and unimpeachable character.
I am confident that you will give this case as liberal a decision as the most favored construction of the law will admit _ to the end that the remnant of the gallant band who fought and bled for our liberty and independence may receive, in the gratitude of their Country, at lease a cheering smile ‘ere they are gathered to the silent tomb of their fathers.
I am most respectfully yours
(signed) 
Athans Ford

James. L. Edwards Esqr.
Pension Bureau
War Department
Washington.
Page 87

Statement of case of Elizabeth Gresham applicant for relief under the act of 1838.
Page 88

Capt George Gresham, the husband of the petitioner, was allowed a pension under the act of Congress of 1832 as a Captain of Cavalry; and continued to receive it until his death: after which the petitioner, Elizabeth Gresham, asked to have it continued to her under the act of 1838.  Her application to the Pension officer was rejected by him, on account of the kind of evidence required by the rules adopted in the office not having been furnished.
Under these circumstances, by the advice of her friends, she has applied to Congress for redress.
At the last session, a bill for her relief passed the House, and was sent to the Senate, in which the committee on Pensions moved the indefinite postponement of the bill, for the following reasons.
1st That the only evidence of Captn. Greshams (sic) rank and service, was, his own Oath, and the testimony of witnesses (of high standing unimpeachable character,) as to his character for veracity and reputation as a revolutionary officer.
With reference to this objection, no one who either knew Captn. G-, or the highly respectable witnesses alluded to – and had read their testimony – could entertain a doubt as to the justness of Captn. Gresham’s claims.
You are refered (sic) particularly to the memorials of Captn. G and his Widow – and to copies of letters on the subject addressed to the Comisioner (sic) of Pensions – by

over
Page 89

Captain John Steele (son of the late Genl. Steele formerly Collector of the Port of Pa) I Athanasius Ford Esqr – to be found with in the profession of the Pension Commr., or the Pension Comee of the Senate.
2nd – That the narrative of Captn. G is loose and indefinite as to length of service – and is in some particulars at variance with the history of the War.  As to this objection – it is thought sufficient to say – that until Captn G was incapacitated by old age and infirmities for earning his livelihood – he could never be prevailed upon to apply for assistance from his country – and that when his narative (sic) was drawn up, he was suffering excruciating pain from an attack of Gout – as  can be established by the testimony of his medical attendant, a highly respectable physician (Dr Nancrede) of this city
We think no one would deem it surprising that, under such circumstances – severe suffering – old age- and great lapse of time since the occurrence of the events he was narating (sic) he should fail in some few particulars.
It is hoped that the influence of the Hon members from this city in which Capt G resided for many years before his death and which is still the residence of his widow. And to whom probably the individuals to whose testimony allusion has been made are known either personally of by reputation – will procure for the case of the petitioner that attention it merits - and that justice 

over
Page 90

though tardy, will now be done to the widow of one of Our Country’s defenders.
Page 91

I hereby certify, That the accompanying pages—numbered from one to twenty one inclusive are truly copied from the originals ____ in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Department War.

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Be it remembered, that James L. Edwards, who has signed [illegible – paper is torn or folded over) regoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to [illegible – paper torn or folded over] full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.
J. B. Poinsett
Secretary of War.
Page 92

1

State of Pennsylvania}
City of Philadelphia ss}

On this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one-thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of Philadelphia now sitting, George Gresham, a resident as aforesaid, aged seventy two years, personally appeared in open Court, 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 the seventh of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

That he entered the service of the United Sates under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

He was born in Goochland county, State of Virginia on the eighth of November, seventeen hundred and sixty; his father was James Gresham who followed the occupation of a planter. A few years after the birth of this applicant, his mother then a widow removed to Burke county in Georgia, where the applicant resided until May or June 1777; he then enlisted in Captain Harrison‘s company of Colonel Elbert’s Regiment of Georgia State troops, and served with that corps.  In December 1778, those of the Regiment who had escaped death or capture at the taking of Savannah, crossed the Savannah river into South Carolina, and formed an encampment near Sister’s ferry; thence in February or March 1779, he proceeded to the neighbourhood (sic) of Augusta in Georgia, and there encamped.  In 1779, the applicant was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a cornet in Captain Reatherford’s
Page 93

2

troop of Light Horse. While the British were in possession of Augusta, and our troops near the town, General Ash came and assumed the command.  The enemy evacuated the place and retreated on the Briar Creek Road: our General crossed at Augusta, and took the River road for the purpose of cutting off their retreat.  He formed his camp in the fork of the River and Briarcreek, but unfortunately suffered himself to be surprised and defeated. Our Colonel was made prisoner, and the regiment suffered very severely: those who escaped crossed the River into South Carolina, and encamped near the Sisters: This was in March 1779; the command of the regiment had devolved upon Colonel Haversham.  As many of our men had returned home on account the expiration of of (sic) their term of enlistment, the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service.  He was absent upon this duty, when the British entered South Carolina, and Captain Ritherford (Rutherford) was killed and Lieutenant Holmes mortally wound in a skirmish. In September, the applicant was commissioned as a Captain of Lighthorse by Governor Davis of Georgia to be attached to Colonel Twiggs’ regiment.  Many skirmishes took place with the British and Tories: in a conflict at Stone ferry, a ball passed through the applicant’s leg and killed his horse. In the summer of 1780, in consequence of the capture of Charleston, we were driven from the lower part of South Carolina and Georgia.  We retreated before the enemy _ some crossed the mountains, other betook themselves to the swamps.  The applicant remained in the swamps with about twenty-five men until Ferguson’s defeat at King’s mountain
Page 94

3

in the month of September, which began to restore confidence: some re-inforcement (sic) was then collected, with which in January 1781, a party of tories was surprised in the fork of Saluda and Broad Rivers.  Information came to us that General Morgan was within a few miles – pursued by the enemy.  We started immediately to join him, and in our way having fallen in with a part of the British advance – we had a skirmish and made two prisoners.  We reached the General the evening preceding the battle of the Cowpens, and were placed under the command of Colonel Washington. Early the next morning the enemy attacked our lines, but they were soon broken and retreated in every direction, leaving their dead, wounded, artillery, baggage and many prisoners.  We continued with the army two days, and were then ordered away to disperse some tories who were assembling near Inoree (Enoree) River.  They dispersed before we could reach them.  Northing important occurred until sometime in March when we heard of an army coming from the North: all the force was collected, and crossing the Yadkin, we passed through Charlotte and Salisbury.  We there learned that Cornwallis was on the same route which induced us to take another direction.  Falling in with one of General Greene’s out-parties, they guided us to head quarters at Guilford Court House: the applicant there first saw Colonel [illegible-page torn] and on the 14th March 1781 was ordered under his command.
On the 15th Col. Lee moved out on the Salisbury road and [illegible-page torn] had, not proceeded five miles when the British advan [illegible-page torn] appeared: our party attacked and lost two men; at New [illegible-page torn] garden meeting House the enemy were re-inforced and [illegible-page torn] we left the ground.  Several other skirmishes took plac [illegible-page torn]
Page 95

4

before the enemy reached the Court House, when the action became general.  After the engagement Col. Lee heard of Tarleton and Simcoe, who were in the neighbourhood (sic) of the allemance (sic) for the purpose of joining the Tories under Colonel Piles.  We missed Tarleton but fell in with Piles and a strong party, who were routed with toss of many killed, wounded and prisoners.  Nothing accounted deserving of mention until some time in April 1781.  After General Greene’s battle of or near Camden, the tory spirit seemed broken, and they were obliged to take to the swamps or the British camp.  We were employed from that time until September in skirmishing with the British and Tories in Georgia and South Carolina; the General then moved down the State of South Carolina, ordering out all the militia and volunteers to join the army.  Our party took the road to Broad River – joined some of the South Carolina volunteers and militia who knew the country and joined General Green some few days before he reached the Eutaw Spring. Early in the morning Colonel Levon ordered my troop to fall in with his cavalry; we moved along the Road leading to the Spring surprised some of the enemy getting potatoes and some of them were killed, wounded and made prisoners.  We then passed on to the rear, and the applicant received orders to join Colonel Washington, He was with the Colonel when his horse fell and he was taken, we then cut our way through the old Buff regiment in the best way we could.  This battle gave relief to the country; and a few days after we sat out in guest of tories (sic) collected near Orangeburgh (sic)  Some skirmishing ensured with Colonel Rump
Page 96

5

near Edisto Swamp. We then returned to our own State, where Colonel Brown still kept possession of Augusta.  His scouting parties made excursions into the county until the place was taken; they were then confined in or near Savannah.
In the Spring of 1782, General Wayne arrived in Georgia and formed his camp near Savannah.  We had several skirmishes, with British light parties at Mrs Gibbons and one with the Creek Indians in our camp.  They were on the way to join the enemy, and fell upon us, when neither party was aware of the neighbourhood (sic) of the other.  They were soon dispersed with considerable loss.  We had also an engagement with a plundering party; reinforcement were thrown in from each side until half of both armies were in motion.  We remained in camp up to the 11th July 1782; Savannah was then evacuated by the British and taken possession of by our troops.  In a few days afterwards General Wayne discharged all the volunteers and militia which of course included this applicant.
This applicant has no record of his age; while he was serving in the army, the British and tories pillaged the family house and destroyed every thing (sic) within their reach, including the papers and documents.  In 1783, finding himself a ruined man by reason of these disasters he went to join the relatives that remained in Virginia.  He resided in Powhatan following the business of a collection of debts about two years; he removed thence to Granville County, North Carolina, where he spent upwards of two years, in the same occupation and also
Page 97

6

a part of the time as a planter; his next removal was to Richmond county, Virginia, where he married and was a planter on the Rappahannock near Bowler’s Ferry which was about opposite; upwards of two years afterwards he went to Scott county, Kentucky and was a planter of corn and tobacco about four years; he thence returned to Granville county and reside on Hand creek, as a planter about ten years; his next removal was to Sussex county in Delaware, at the head of Nanticoke, where he was a storekeeper; upwards of two years afterwards he went to Milford in Kent County, Delaware, and thence to Lewistown; at Milford and Lewistown he kept a boarding house until the bombardment of the latter place by the British; he was then commissioned by the Governor Hazlett as a Captain of Volunteers shortly afterwards he was commissioned as a first Lieutenant in the 32nd regiment of the United States.  A part of this regiment was barracked in Philadelphia; this applicant resigned from the service because no employment was offered to him except in the recruiting service, and young men then took the command.  At the peace, the applicant came to Philadelphia, where he has ever since resided.  His discharge and commission were stolen from him with a quantity of valuable papers and property by a body of outlying tories in the end of 1783 who bore him a particular hostility.
In consequence of his many removals and changeable life, he has long lost sight of all those who could testify to his service; and his age and infirmities prevent the possibility of a journey to the scene of his services for the
Page 98

7

purpose of seeking the possible survivors of so many years. The applicants commission as a Captain was signed by Governor Davis of Georgia.  The applicant is well known to many citizens of Philadelphia; he will specify the Reverand James Wiltbank and Colonel Samuel B. Davis who knew him in the State of Delaware, and the Honourable (sic) Henry Horn.

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 agency of any state.  He has always hitherto maintained himself to the best of his endeavours, (sic) without seeking any public provision.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
George Gresham

Coram Edward King

I, James Wiltbank, minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, being duly sworn according to law do declare and certify, that I well knew Captain George Gresham, who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration, may years ago in the State of Delaware, and that our acquaintance has continued in the City of Philadelphia, to which we both removed; that I believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he was reputed and believed in the State of Delaware, and is now reputed and believed in Philadelphia to have been an officer of the revolution; this belief is general among those who know Captain Gresham, and this deponent has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject.  He himself fully concurs
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in that opinion.  Sworn to and subscribed this twenty second day of October A. D. 1832.
James Wiltbank

Coram
Edward King

Henry Horn of the City of Philadelphia, being duly sworn according to law doth depose and certify that he has known Captain George Gresham many years, (the same who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration)_that he believes him to be seventy two years of age_ that he is reputed and believed by those who know him to have been an officer of the Revolution that this belief is general and the deponent has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject.  The deponent fully concurs in that opinion.  Sworn to and subscribed this twenty seventh day of October A.D. 1832.
Henry Horn
Sworn before me}
This 27th of October 1832}
Edwd King

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter hereunto annexed (the answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department being embodied in the said declaration) that Captain George Gresham, the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Officer, and served as he states.  And the Court further certify that James Wiltbank who has signed on of the preceding certificates is a clergyman resident in the city of Philadelphia, and that Henry Horn who has signed the other certificate is also a resident of the said City and is a credible person, and that their state-
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ments and entitled to credit.
Edward King PCP

I, The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of George Gresham, a captain in the Revolutionary army, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, at the City of Philadelphia.
(Seal)
T Walmer
Prothy

George Gresham, the applicant above named further upon his oath declares and says;
That the first regiment in which he served namely that of Colonel Elbert _ was of Georgia State Troops.  This regiment was reduced to one company and a half by the various casualties stated in the deposition, when the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service.  He never re-joined that regiment.  He sent in his resignation on receiving Governor Davis’ appointment to be a Captain in Colonel Twigg’s regiment of Volunteers.  The engagement of this Regiment was of two kinds: some were engaged as Minutemen, others were engaged as “Volunteers during the war, to be called upon at any time by the commanding officer”.  The engagement of the applicant was of the latter kind.  A great number of other officers of various grades were appointed at the same time with
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the applicant: of these were Captains Tuman and McCoy and Captain or Lieutenant Carr.  These officers came from mu neighbourhood (sic), and were commissioned in the same command.  The regiment was sometimes concentrated, but most generally they were scattered abroad.  We were not strong enough together to keep in a body.  Some were upon the mountains, others in the swamps.  Colonel Twiggs were (sic) across the mountains twice _ leaving the applicant behind in the swamps.  The first time, the applicant was six months without receiving any orders from him: the other time he was three months.  The course of warfare pursued by the applicant and considerable numbers of other Americans, was to wander about in small parties, collecting together whenever an opportunity presented itself to capture or destroy British property or attack posts or squads of Tories.  We were engaged in this kind of warfare from fifteen to eighteen months, with some occasional interruptions, when the troops were collected together and large enterprises undertaken.  These are detailed in the applicant’s first deposition.  The custom of the service was, that if we came within the district of any commanding officer he could command us under his orders for any enterprise he had in view.  There was no regular system, but every man did the best he could to defend himself and his country.  In this way the party to which the applicant belonged were called upon by Sumpter to attack Tories near Orangeburg.  General Pickens called upon them to attack a body of Tories near the Saluda and Inoree (Enoree) Rivers.  Colonel Thompson, an officer of South Carolina militia, and Colonel Singleton of the same service called on us to attack some baggage going to Camden, but the project was abandoned.
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the enemy being too strong for our force. After this we returned to Georgia and our old mode of warfare.  We went next ordered by Col: Twiggs to embody for the purpose of attacking three troops of Cavalry – one called the Royal Americans the other two raised by Governor Wright.  We were dispersed with very great loss in consequence of the unexpected arrival of Colonel Campbell with two troops during the engagement.  A week elapsed before our parties got together again.
From the time the applicant received his commission until the discharge by General Wayne he was constantly employed in carrying on war, though sometimes very feebly for want of force.  He returned to is home but once and remained there only fifteen minutes.  There was at the time an immediate fear of attack.  From the date of his commission as Captain he was never engaged in any other occupation than the service of the United States up to his discharge.  Sworn to and subscribed this fifth of November 1832.
Coram			George Gresham
Edward King

George Gresham, the applicant within named, further on his oath declares and says:
That the periods during which he was actually in the service as a military officer were as follows: that he was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a Cornet in Captain Reatherford’s (Rutherford) troop of Light horse in the month of March or April 1779, but this deponent believes in the early part of March  He served in the post of and with the commission of Cornet about five or six months, when in the month of September of the same year (1779)
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he received a Commission from Governor Davis of Georgia to be a Captain of Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Colonel Twiggs regiment.  With that commission, until discharged by order of General Wayne on the 11th July, 1782, he was in constant service: for the particulars of such service, this deponent refers to his prior depositions.  He continued under his Georgia commission as a Captain two years and about ten months; under his first commission as a Cornet about five or six months.  And further this deponent saith not.  Sworn to and subscribed this 17 December 1832.
George Gresham

Sworn & subscribed 
Decr 17. 1832
Edward King

George Gresham, the applicant above named again personally appeared before the undersigned, and being duly sworn, deposeth (sic) and saith; that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, much of his service cannot be sworn to positively; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grade; For six months I served as a cornet in Captain Reatherford’s (Rutherford) troop of Lighthorse, in Colonel Elberts regiment: For two years and ten months.  I served as a Captain in the Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Col Twigg’s regiment, under the commission received from Governor Davis of Georgia: and for such service I claim a pension.

During all the above period, the deponent was in actual service.  His service consisted in
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being out upon scouting parties, harassing and attacking the British and tories in detail.  The forces on the American side were not strong enough to take the field, after the disasters before mentioned, until the arrival of General Greene.  When we were not upon scouting parties, we lay hid in the swamps, constantly exposed to attack and danger.  This was our usual course of warfare.  And further deponent saith not.
George Gresham
Sworn & subscribed 
Before Jan. 7. 1833
Edward King

I the undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the application of George Gresham, a Captain in the Revolutionary army for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at the City of Philadelphia, as aforesaid.
(Seal)

T Walmer
Proty

State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County}
City of Camden ss}

On this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, Personally appeared
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before the “Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the said City of Camden,” Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of the said City of Camden in the County of Gloucester, aged sixty one years (nearly) who alledging (sic) herself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (sic) of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law on her solemn affirmation makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows,”  That she is the widow of George Gresham late of the City of Camden deceased, who was a Captain of “Cavalry in Army of the United States in the Revolution, and she believes he served at one time under Colonel Washington, as a volunteer and was in several battles but when and where she don’t know, nor has she any other documentary evidence in support of her claim than what is herewith annexed, and are forwarded to and filed in the Pension Office heretofore by the said George Gresham in his life time, and at the time of his obtaining his Pension.
She further declares that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, that her husband the aforesaid George Gresham died on the thirtieth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated.
Elizabeth Gresham

Affirmed and subscribed on the day and year above written in open Court before us

Elias Kaighn Mayor
J. K. Cowperthwait Recorder
Isaiah Toy Alderman
Richd Fetters Alderman
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State of New Jersey, City of Camden ss
I, Josiah Harrison clerk of the court of General Quarter sessions of the peace in and for the city of Camden, do certify that the same court is a court of record by virtue of express word to that effect in its charter; that Elias Kaighn Esquire, Mayor John K. Cowperthwait Esquire, Recorder, and Isaiah Toy Esquire and Richard Fetters esquire, and Aldermen, and duly commissioned and qualified as officers as aforesaid, and signed their names respectively to the preceding document within written in my presence: and that they constituted the said court held here this day, and that their said signatures are genuine.
In witness whereto I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Josiah Harrison
Clk

At the request of Mrs Elizabeth Gresham, I certify that she has collected the pension of her late Husband George Gresham a pensioner under Act of 7th June 1832 on the Rolls of the Phila Agency & that the said Elizabeth Gresham has this day appeared & made this request in person & I believe her to be the widow as a foresaid having seen her at the various periods for about four years when she has applied for said pension.
Moyamensing Bank  Phila. 
Oct 27.1838

H. Orme
Late pension Clerk
at the Girard Bank
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State of New Jersey
City of Camden ss

On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before John K. Cowperthwait Recorder, and Justice of the peace exoficio of said City Camden personally came Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of said City who alledging herself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulous (sic) of taking an oath being affirmed according to Law declareth and saith, That the above attached record (and leaf was cut out of and from their Family Bible now in her possession) that the record therein is a true record of her marriage with the said George Gresham, and that it is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham.
Elizabeth Gresham

Affirmed and subscribed to the}
Day day (sic) and year above written}
before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait}

City of Camden ss
On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, before me John K. Cowperthwait Recorder, and Justice of the peace exoficio in and for said City, personally appeared Oliver Cox, who being duly sworn according to law deposit and saith that the above attached leaf containg (sic) record written thereon of the marriage of George Gresham and Elizabeth Rust was taken from the Family Bible of the said George Gresham, in his presence, the said Bible being now
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in the possession if Elizabeth Gresham the widow of the said George Gresham and that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of the said George Gresham, and believes the above record of the said marriage is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham
Oliver Cox
Sworn and subscribed
The day and year above written
Before me
J.K. Cowperthwait
(Seal)

State of New Jersey, City of Camden ss
I Josiah Harrison, Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said city, Certify that John K. Cowperthwait esquire before who the two preceding affirmation and oath were taken is and was at the time of taking them, duly commissioned as Recorder of said city and as justice of the peace that this signature thereto and genuine and that his acts as such officer and entitled to full faith and credit _

In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the seal of the said court, this twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Josiah Harrison Clk

State of New Jersey, City of Camden ss
I Josiah Harrison, clerk of of (sic) the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in and for said City, certify that Elias Kaighn esquire whose name is affixed to the jurat of one of the preceding affirma-
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18
tions, is duly appointed and commissioned mayor of said city and is ex officio a justice of the peace, and that John K. Cowperthwait esquire before whom the other affirmations and affidavit were taken, is duly commissioned as Recorder of said city, and justice of the peace; and that their acts as such officers are entitled to full faith and credit.

Inwitness (sic) whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said court, this seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Josiah Harrison Clk

State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County}
City of Camden ss}

On this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio (sic) of said city of Camden, Elizabeth Gresham a resident of said city, who alledging (sic) herself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (sic) of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law doth on her solemn affirmation say That she is the widow of George Gresham late of the City of Camden aforesaid deceased who was a Captain of Cavalry in the army of the Revolution, that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two at the Northern Neck of Virginia in Richman county by a Baptist Minister by the name of Lewis Landeford, and that the said George Gresham
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19

Departed this life on the thirtieth of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, the said George Gresham was a Pensioner of the United States, and received from the Government the sum of six hundred dollars per year payable semi-annually during his natural life, from the 4th of March 1831. And further saith that the Family Record or Bible now produced having the marriage recorded in, in the following words viz “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was married 3rd July 1792,” is now in her possession and has been for a great many years and that the above marriage record was written then by the said George Gresham.
Subscribed and affirmed to the}
Day and year first above}
Written before me}
Elizabeth Gresham

J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey
City of Camden ss

On this eleventh day of October Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Personally appeared before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio of said City Oliver Cox of said City of Camden and being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of Captain George Gresham late of the city of Camden deceased, and that the writing contained in the Family Bible or Record, now in the possession of the widow of the said deceased, specifying the date of their marriage, in in the handwrit-
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ting of said George Gresham deceased, a true copy of which is as follows “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was Married 3rd July 1792” and that the said George Gresham departed this life on Monday morning October the 30th 1837. At half past five O’clock, and that Elizabeth Gresham widow (of said George Gresham deceased Pensioner of the United States) is still living in said City of Camden, and with whom I am personally well acquainted, also that she still remains his widow.
Oliver Cox
Subscribed and sworn to the day}
And year above written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey
City of Camden ss

Before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the peace exoficio for the city of Camden aforesaid personally appeared Isaac S. Mulford M.D. who alledging (sic) himself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulous (sic) of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to law saith he attended George Gresham in his last sickness up to the day of his death, and that the above deposition of Elizabeth Gresham as to the time of his decease is correct
Affirmed and subscribed}
This thirtieth day of October}
1838 before me}  Isaac S. Mulford M.D.
J. K. Cowperthwait
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State of New Jersey
City of Camden  ss

On this thirteenth day of October Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Mayor and Justice of the peace exoffcio, in and for the said city of Camden John K Cowperthwait of said City, and alledging (sic)himself to be concienciously (sic) scrupulus (sic) of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law, saith, that he was well acquainted with Captain George Gresham late of the City of Camden deceased, a Pensioner of the United States and knew him and his wife Elizabeth for a number of years back, that he has saw the Family Bible now in the possession of the widow, which has their marriage therein recorded as follows “George Gresham and Elya Rust was married 3rd July 1792,” in the proper handwriting of the said deceased, that he has saw and has in his profession the Pension Certificate of the said George Gresham, and drew Powers of attorney from him to his wife to get and receive his pension for him, when he has been so indisposed by sickness that he could not attend to it himself, that his pension was six hundred dollars per annum, the said George Gresham departed this life sometime in the month of October 1837. That his widow Elizabeth is still live and unmarried
J. K. Cowperthwait

Afirmed (sic) and subscribed}
The day and year above written]
Before me} 
Elias Kaighn Mayor}

Family Record
George Gresham and Eliza Rust was Maried (sic) 3rd July 1792
Page 113

Claim of the widow
Of Capt. Geo. Gresham of the 
Pennsylvania continl line Cavy.

Widow’s name is Elisabeth Gresham, C
Certif of Geo. Gresham.

Statement from Pensioner off. Copus
Afftr. Papers, for

Col. Edwards
Will please do me the kindness to see the enclosed copies papers to Geo. Mackey Esq. who has charge of my old Agency business. He has his office on F. Street, Washington.
Col Mackay may call at the office in a day or two for these papers.  If here he not call soon, be so obliging as to [illegible] them in the mail.
Truly
John A. Bryan

Columbia (a.) 10th Apl 1850
Page 114

I HEREBY CERTIFY, that the accompanying pages numbered from 1 to 29 truly copied from the original in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That James L. Edwards, who has signed the forgoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this 30th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight

W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.

(Seal and ribbon)
Page 115

City of [illegible](probably "Philadelphia")

On this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of Philadelphia now sitting, George Gresham, a resident as aforesaid, aged seventy two years, personally appeared in open court, 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 the seventh of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born in Goochland County, State of Virginia, on the eighth of November, seventeen hundred and sixty, his father was James Gresham who followed the occupation of a planter.  A few years after the birth of this applicant, his mother then a widow, removed to Burke County in Georgia, where the applicant resided until May or June 1777; 
He then enlisted in Capt Harrisons Company of Colonel Elberts Regiment of Georgia State
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troops and served with that corps.  In December 1778, those of the Regiment who had escaped death or capture at the taking of Savannah, crossed the Savannah river into South Carolina, and formed an encampment near sisters ferry.  Thence in February or March 1779, he proceeded to the neighbourhood (sic) of Augusta in Georgia and there encamped.  In 1779 the applicant was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a cornet in Captain Reatherfords’ troop of Light Horse while the British were in possession of August, and our troops near the town, General Ash came and assumed the command.  The enemy evacuated the place and retreated on the Briar Creek Road, our generals crossed at Augusta, and took the River Road for the purpose of cutting of [off] their retreat. He formed his camp in the fork of the River and Briar Creek, but unfortunately suffered himself to be surprised and defeated, Our Colonel was made prisoner, and the regiment suffered very severely; those who escaped crossed the River into South Carolina, and encamped near the Sisters.  This was in March 1779. The command of the Regiment had devolved upon Colonel Haversham, as many of our
Page 117

Of our men had returned home, on account of the expiration of their tern of enlistment, the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service.  He was absent upon this duty where the British entered South Carolina, and Capt Rutherford was killed and Lieutenant Holmes mortally wounded in a skirmish.  In September, the applicant was commissioned as a Captain of Light Horse by Governor Davis of Georgia to be attached to Colonel Twiggs Regiment.  Many skirmishes took place with the British and Tories: in a conflict at Stone ferry, a ball passed through the applicants leg and killed his horse.  In the summer of 1780, in consequence of the Capture of Charleston, ne was driven from the lower part of South Carolina & Georgia.  We retreated before the enemy, some crossed the mountains, others betook themselves to the swamps.  The applicant remained in the swamps with about twenty five men until Ferguson’s defeat at Kings mountain in the month of September which began to restore confidence: some reinforcement was then collected, with which in January 1781, a party of Tories was surprised in the fork of Saluda and Broad Rivers.
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4
Information came to us that General Morgan was within a few miles pursued by the enemy. We started immediately to join him and in our way having fallen in with a part of the British advance, we had a skirmish and made his prisoners. We reached the General the evening preceding the battle of the Cowpens, and was placed under the command of Colonel Washington.  Early the next morning the enemy attacked our lines but they were soon hoken (sic) and retreated in every direction, leaving their dead, wounded, artillery, baggage and many prisoners.  We continued with the army two days, and were then ordered away to disperse some Tories who were assembling near Enoree River.  They dispersed before we could reach them.  Nothing important occurred until sometime in March, when we heard of an army coming from the North, all the force was collected, and crossing the Yadkin, we passed through Charlotte & Salisburg.  We there learned that Cornwallis was on the same route, which induced us to take another direction.  Falling in with one of Generals Greene’s out parties, they guided us to head quarters at Guilford Court House: the applicant there first saw Colonel Lee, and on the 14th March 1781,
Page 119

was ordered under his command, on the 15th Colo Lee moved out on the Salisburg road, and we had not proceed (sic) five miles where the british advance appeared, out party attacked and lost two men: at New Garden meeting House the enemy were re-inforced (sic) and we left the ground.
Several other skirmishes took place before the enemy reached the Court House, when the action became general.  After the engagement Coln (sic) Lee heard of Tarleton and Simcoe, who were in the neighbourhood (sic) of the Allamance for the purpose of joining the Torie under Colonel Piles. We missed Tarleton but fell in with Piles and a strong party who were routed with the loss of many killed, wounded, and prisioners.  Nothing occurred deserving of mention until sometime in April 1781, after General Greene’s battle of or near Camden, the Tory spirit became boken (sic) and they were obliged to take to the swamps or the British Camp.  We were employed from that time until September in skirmishing with the British and Tories, in Georgia and South Carolina, the General then moved down the state of South Carolina, ordering out all the militia and volunteers to join the Army.
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6
 our party took the road to Broad river. Joined some of the South Carolina volunteers and militia who knew the country and joined General Greene some few days before he reached the Eutaw Spring.  Early in the morning Colonel Lee ordered my troop to fall in with his cavalry, we moved along the road leading to the Spring. Surprised some of the enemy getting potatoes and some of them were killed wounded and made prisoners.  we then passed on to the rear, and the applicant received orders to join Colonel Washington.  He was with the Colonel when his horse fell and he was taken; we then cut our way through the old Buff regiment in the best way we could.  This battle gave relief to the country and a few days after we sat of out in guest (sic) of Tories collected near Orangeburgh.  Some skirmishing ensued with Colonel Rump near Edisto Swamp.  We then returned to our own State, where Colonel Brown still kept possession of Augusta.  His scouting parties made excursions into the country until the place was taken; they were then confined in or near Savannah.  In the spring of 1782 General Wayne arrived in Georgia, and formed his camp
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7

near Savannah. We had several skirmishes with British light parties at Mrs Gibbons and one with the Creek Indians in our camp.  They were on their way to join the enemy, and fell upon us where neither part was aware of the neighbourhood (sic) of the other.  They were soon dispersed with considerable loss.  We had also an engagement with a plundering party, reinforcements were thrown in from each side until half of both armies were in motion.  We remained in camp up to the 11th July 1782.  Savannah was then evacuated by the British and taken possession of by our troops.  In a few days afterwards, General Wayne discharged all the volunteers and militia which of course included this applicant.
This applicant has no record of his age, while he was serving in the army, the British and Tories pillaged the family house and destroyed every thing within their reach, including the papers and documents.  In 1783, finding himself a ruined man by reasons of these disasters, he went to join the relatives that remained in Virginia.  He resided in Powhatan following the business of a collector,
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8

of debts about two years, he removed thence to Granville County, North Carolina, where he spent upwards of two years in the same occupation and also a part of the time as a planter; his next removal was to Richmond County, Virginia, where he married, and was a planter on the Rappahannock near Bowler’s Gerry which was about opposite, upwards of two years afterwards he went to Scott County, Kentucky and was a planter of corn and tobacco about four years; he thence returned to Granville County, and resided on Hande Creek, as a Planter, about ten years; his next removal was to Sussex County in Delaware at the head of Nanticoke, where he was a storekeeper; upwards of two years after wards he went to Milford in Kent County, Delaware, and thence to Lewistown, at Milford and Lewistown he kept a boarding house until the bombardment of the latter place by the British; He was there commissioned by the Governor Hazlett as a Captain of volunteers; shortly afterwards he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the 32nd regiment of the United States.
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9

A part of this regiment was barracked in Philadelphia: this applicant resigned from the service because no employment was offered to him, except in the recruiting service and young men then took the command.  
At the peace the applicant came to Philadelphia where he has ever since resided.  His discharge and commissions were stolen from him with a quantity of valuable papers and property by a body of outlying Tories in the end of 1783, who bore him a particular hostility. The consequence of his many removals and changeable life, he has long lost sight of all those who could testify to his service; and his age and infirmities prevent the possibility of a journey to the scene of his services for purpose of seeking the possible survivors of so many years.  The applicants commission as a captain was signed by Governor Davis of Georgia.  The applicant is well known to many citizens of Philadelphia.  He will specify the Reverend James Willbank (Wiltbank) and Colonel Samuel B Davis who knew him in the state of Delaware, and the Honourable (sic) Henry Home.
He hereby relinquishes every claim
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10
whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of agency of any state.  He has always hitherto maintained himself to the best of his endeavors without seeking any public provision.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
George Gresham
Coram 
Edward King

I, James Wiltbank, minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States being duly sworn according to law, do declare and certify, that I well knew Captain George Gresham, who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration, many years ago in the state of Delaware and that our acquaintance has continued in the city of Philadelphia to which we both removed that I believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he was reputed and believed, in the State of Delaware, and is now reputed and believed in Philadelphia to have been an officer of the revolution, this belief is general among those who know Captain Gresham, and this deponent
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11

has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject. He himself fully concurs in that opinion.  Sworn to and subscribed this twenty second day of October A. D. 1832.
James Wiltbank

Coram
Edward King

Henry Horne of the City of Philadelphia being duly sworn according to law doth depose and certify that he has known Captain George Gresham many years (the same who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration) that he believes him to have been seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed by those who know him & have been an officer of the Revolution that this belief is general and the deponent has never heard of any doubts existing upon the subject.  The deponent fully concurs in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed this twenty seventh day of October A. D. 1832.
Henry Horn

Sworn before me this 27th day of October 1832
Edward King.
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12.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter hereunto annexed (the answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department being embodied in the said declaration) that Captain George Gresham, the above named applicant was a Revolutionary office, and served as he states and the Court further certify that James Wiltbank who has signed on of the preceding certificate us a clergy and resident in the city of Philadelphia and that Henry Horn who has signed the other certificate is also a resident of the said City and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Edward King PCP

I the undersigned [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleas for the city and County of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of George Gresham, a captain in the Revolutionary army for a pension.
The testimony whereof, I have hereunto
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13.
set my hand and seal of office this twenty seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two at the city of Philadelphia
T. Walmer
Prothy
(Seal)

George Gresham, the applicant above named further upon his oath declares & says:
That the first regiment in which he served namely that of Colonel Elbert, was of Georgia State Troops. This regiment was reduced to one Company and a half by the various causalities stated in the deposition, where the applicant was ordered on the recruiting service.  He never re-joined that regiment. He sent in his resignation on receiving Governor Davis appointment to be a captain in Colonel Twiggs regiment of Volunteers. The engagement of this regiment was of two kinds, some were engaged as Minutemen, other were engaged as volunteers during the war. To be called upon at any time by the commanding officers”  The engagement of the applicant was of the latter kind. A great number of other officers of various grades were appointed at the same time
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14.

with the applicant of these were Captain Tuman and McCoy and Captain or Lieutenant Carr.  These officers came from my neighbourhood, (sic) and were commissioned in the same command. The regiment was sometimes concentrated but most generally they were scattered abroad. We were not strong enough together to keep in a body. Some were upon the mountains others in the swamps.  Colonel Twiggs went across the mountains twice – leaving the applicant behind in the swamps.  The first time the applicant was six months without receiving any orders from him, the other time he was three months.  The course of warfare pursued by the applicant and considerable numbers of other Americans, was to wander about in small parties, colling together whenever one opportunity presented itself to capture or destroy British property or attack posts or squads of Tories.  We were engaged in this kind of warfare from fifteen to eighteen months, with some occasional interruptions, when the troops were collected together and large enterprises under taken.(sic) These are detailed in the applicants
Page 129

first deposition. The custom of the service was that if we came within the district of any commanding officer, he could command us under his order for any enterprise he had in view.  There was no regular system, but every man did the best he could to defend himself and his country.  On this [illegible] the party to which the applicant belonged were called upon by Sumpter to attack Toris near Orangeburg, General Pickens called upon them to attack a body of Tories near the Saluda and Inoree Rivers.  Colonel Thompson and officers of South Carolina militia and Colonel Singleton of the same service called on us to attack some baggage going to Camden but the project was abandoned the enemy being too strong for our force.  After this were returned to Georgia and our old mode of warfare, we were next ordered by Col Twiggs to embody for the purpose of attacking three troops of Cavalry one called the Royal Americans, the other two raided by Governor Wright, were dispersed with very great lass in consequence of the unexpected arrival of Colonel Campbell with two troops during the engagement a week elapsed before our parties got together again.
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16.

From the time the applicant received his commission until the discharge by General Wayne he was constantly employed in carrying on war though sometimes very feebly for want of force, He returned to his home but once, and remained there only fifteen minutes/  There was at the time an immediate fear of attack, From the date of his commission as Captain he was never engaged in any other occupation that the service of the United States: up to his discharge.
Sworn to and subscribed this fith (sic) of November 18312.
George Gresham,
Coram
Edward King,

George Gresham, the applicant within named, further on his oath declares and says.
That the periods during which he was actually in the service as a military officer were as follows, that he was promoted by Colonel Elbert to be a cornet in Captain Reatherfords (sic) troop of lighthorse in the month of March or April 1779. But this deponent believes in the early part of March, He serviced in the post of and with the commission of Cornet about five or six months, when in the month of September
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7

of the same year (1779) he received a commission from Governor Davis of Georgia to be a Captain of Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Colonel Twigg Regiment. With that commission, until discharged by General Wayne on the 11th of July 1782, he was in constant service; for the particulars of such service, this deponent refers to his prior depositions, He continued under his Georgia Commission as a Captain two years and about ten months under his first commission as a cornet about five or six months, and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed this 17th December 1832, 
George Gresham,
Sworn and subscribed 
Dec 17. 1832
Edward King,

George Gresham, the applicant above named, again personally appeared before the undersigned, and being duly sworn, deposeth and saith: that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory.  Much of his service cannot be sworn to positively: but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades.  For six months I served as a cornet Retherford’s troop of Light horse, in Colonel
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11.
Elberts regiment.  For two years and ten month.  I served as a Captain in the Volunteer Lighthorse attached to Col Twiggs regiment under the commission received from Governor Davis of Georgia and for such service I claim a Pension.
During all the above period, the deponent was in actual service, His service consisted in being out upon Scouting parties, harassing and attacking the British & Tories in detail.  The forces on the American side were not strong enough to take the field after the disasters before mentioned, until the arrival of General Greene, when we were not upon scouting parties, we lass hid in the swamps, constantly exposed to attack and danger. This was our usual course of warfare and further deponent said not.
George Gresham,  

Sworn & Subscribed
Before Jany 7, 1833,
Edward King.

I the undersigned, [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia; do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the
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19

application of George Gresham, a Captain in the Revolutionary army, for a Pension,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at the city of Philadelphia as aforesaid (Seal)
T. Walmer
Brohg.

State of New Jersey.
Gloucester County.
City of Camden ss:
On this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. Personally appeared before the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the said city of Camden, Elizabeth Gresham a resident of the said city of Camden in the County of Gloucester, aged sixty one years (nearly) who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law, on her solemn affirmation makes the following declaration,  in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. entitled “An Act granting half pay and Pension to certain widows”  That she is the widow of George Gresham, late of the city of Camden deceased, who was a Captain of “Cavalry in the army of the United States in the revolution, & she believes
Page 134

20.

her served at one time under Colonel Washington, as a volunteer. and was in several battles, but when and where she dont (sic) know, now has she any other documentary evidence in support of her claim than what is herewith annexed, and are forwarded to and filed in the Pension office heretofore by the said George Gresham in his life time, and at the time of his obtaining his Pension.
She further declares that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, that her husband the aforesaid George Gresham died on the thirheth (sic) day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated.
Elizabeth Gresham.

Affirmed and subscribed on the day and year, above written in open Court before us,

Elias Kaighn, Mayr.
Isaiah Toy, Alderman.
J K Cowperthwait, Recorder, 
Richd Felters Alderman
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21.

State of New Jersey.
City of Camden ss
(Seal)
I Josiah Harrison clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace in and fore (sic) the city of Camden do certify that the same Court is a Court of record by virtue of express works to that effect in it charter, that Elias Kaighn Esquire, Mayor, John K Cowperthwait, Esquire, Recorder and Isaiah Toy Esquire and Richard Fellers Esquire, are aldermen, are duly commissioned and qualified as officers as aforesaid, and signed their names respectively to the preceding document within written in my presence and that they constituted the said court held here this day, and that their said signatures are genuine,
In witness whereto I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and thirty eight.

Josiah Harrison,
Clk.

at the request of Mrs Elizabeth Gresham, I certify that she has collected the Pension of her late Husband George Gresham a pensioner under Act of 7th June 1832, on the Rolls of the Phila Agency and that the said Elizabeth Gresham has this day appeared.
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22

and made this request in person and I believe her to be the widow as aforesaid having seen her at the various periods for about four years when she has applied for said Pension.
[illegible] Bank Phila Oct. 27, 1838,

H. Orme
Late Pension Clerk
at the Girard Bank

State of New Jersey
City of Camden ss
On this [26 crossed out] twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty eight before John K. Cowperthwait Recorder. and Justice of the Peace ex oficio of said city of Camden personally came Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of said city who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath being affirmed according to law declareth and saith, That the above attached record (and leaf was out out of and from their family Bible now in her possession, that the record therein is a true record of her marriage with the said George Gresham, and that it is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham,
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23

Elizabeth Gresham

affirmed & subscribed
to the day and year 
above written before me.
J. K. Cowperthwait.

City of Camden SS
On this twenty sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, before me John K. Cowperthwait Recorder, and Justice of the Peace ex oficio in and for said city personally appeared Oliver Cox, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that the above attached leaf containing record written thereon of the marriage of George Gresham and Elizabeth Rust was taken from the family Bible of the said George Gresham, in his presence the said Bible being now in the possession of Elizabeth Gresham the widow of the said George Gresham and that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of the said George Gresham and believes the above record of the said marriage is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham,
Oliver Cox

Sworn and subscribed
the day and year above written,
before me.
J K Cowperthwait.
Page 138

24.
State of New Jersey. 
City of Camden SS
I Josiah Harrison, Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said city. Certify that John K Cowperthwait Esquire before whom the two preceding affirmation & oath were taken, is and was at the time of taking them, duly commissioned as Recorder of said City, and as justice of the Peace that this signatures thereto are genuine and that is acts as such officers are entitled to full faith and credit.
(Seal)

The witness whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court, this twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty eight.

Josiah Harrison.
Clk.

State of New Jersey. City of Camden  SS
I Josiah Harrison, Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in and for said city, certify that Elias Kaighn Esquire whose name is affixed to the jurat of one of the preceding affirmations, is duly appointed and commissioned Mayor of said city and
Page 139

25.

is ex. officio a Justice of the Peace, and that John K Cowperthwait Esquire before whom the other affirmations and affidavit now taken, is duly commissioned, as a Recorder of said city, and Justice of the Peace, and that their acts as such officers are entitled to full faith and credit.
The witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Eight.
Josiah Harrison, Clk.

State of New Jersey.
Gloucester County.
City of Camden SS.
On this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of Peace ex-officio of Said city of Camden.
Elizabeth Gresham a resident of said city, who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to by Law, doth on her solemn affirmation say. that she is the widow of George Gresham late of the city of Camden aforesaid deceased, who was a Captain of Cavalry in the army of the Revolution,
Page 140

26.
that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety this at the Northern Neck of Virginia in Richman County by a Baptist Minister by the name of Lewis Landford, and that the said George Grishame (sic) departed this life on the thirtieth of October in the year eighteen hundred & thirty seven, the said George Gresham was a Pensioner of the United States, and received from the Government the sum Six Hundred Dollars per year payable semi annually during his natural life, from the 4th of March 1831. and further said that the Family Record or Bible now produced having the marriage recorded in, in the following words, viz “George Gresham and Eizabeth (sic) Rust was married 30 July 1792” is now in her possession and has been fore (sic) a great many years and that the above marriage record was written that by the said George Gresham,
Elizabeth Gresham,

Subscribed and affirmed to the day and year first above written before me,
J K Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey.
City of Camden SS
On this eleventh day of October
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27
Anno Domini. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Eight personally appeared before me the subscriber, Recorder, and Justice of the Peace ex officio of said city, Oliver Cox of said city of Camden, and being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of Captain George Gresham late of the City of Camden deceased, and that the writing contained in the Family Bible or Record, now in the possession of the widow of the said deceased, specifying the date of their marriage, is in the hand writing of said George Gresham deceased, a true copy of which is as follows “George Gresham and Elizabeth Rust was married 3rd of July 1792” and that the said George Gresham departed this life on Monday morning October the 30th 1837 at half past five O’clock, and that Elizabeth Gresham, widow (of said George Gresham deceased Pensioner of the United States) is still living in said city of Camden, and with whom I am personally well acquainted, also that she still remains his widow.
Oliver Cox.

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above written before me.
J. K. Cowperthwait.
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28.
State of New Jersey.
City of Camden SS.
Before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the Peace ex oficio fore (sic) the City of Camden aforesaid personally appeared Isaac S. Mulford, M. D. who alledging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, and being duly affirmed according to law, saith he attended George Gresham in his last sickness up to the day of his death and that the above deposition of Elizabeth Gresham as to the time of his decease is correct.
Isaac S. Mulford, M.D.

Affirmed & subscribed this thirheth (sic) day of October 1838 before me.
J K Cowperthwait.

State of New Jersey.
City of Camden SS.
On this thirteenth day of October Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Mayor and Justice of the Peace ex oficio, in and for the said city of Camden John K Cowperthwait of said city, and alledging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law saith that he was well acquainted with
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29
Captain George Greshams late of the city of Camden deceased, a Pensioner of the United States. and knew him and his wife Elizabeth fore (sic)a number of years back. that he has saw the Family Bible now in the possession of the widow, which has their marriage therein recorded as follows.” George Gresham and Elizabeth Rust was married 3rd July 1792” in the proper handwriting of the said deceased. that he had saw and had in his possession the Pension Certificate of the said George Gresham and drew Powers of Attorney from him to his wife to get and receive his pension fore him. when he has been so indisposed by sickness that he could not attend to it himself, that his Pension was six hundred dollars per annum, the said George Gresham departed this life sometime in the month of October 1837. that his widow Elizabeth is still living and unmarried.
J. K. Cowperthwait

Affirmed and subscribed the day and year above written before me
Elias Kaighn, Mayor,

Family Record.
George Gresham and Elizb Rust was married 3rd July 1792
Page 144

1
State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County}
City of Camden}S.S.
On this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the “court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the said city of Camden” – Elizabeth Gresham, a resident of the said city of Camden in the county of Gloucester, aged sixty one years/nearly) who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law, or her solemn affirmation makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7th 1838,” entitled “an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.”  That she is the widow of of (sic) George Gresham late of city of Camden deceased who was a captain of Cavalry in the army of the United States in the Revolution, and she believes he served at one time under colonel Washington as a volunteer, and was in several battles, but when and where she don’t know, not has any other documentary evidence in support of her claim than what is herewith annexed, and are forwarded to and files in the Pension office heretofore by the said George Gresham in his life time, and at the
Page 145

2
time of his obtaining his pension.
The further declares that she was married to the said George Gresham on the third day of July in the year 1792, that her husband the aforesaid George Gresham died on the 30th day of October in the year 1837.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794, vis: at the time above stated.
Elizabeth Gresham.

Affirmed and subscribed}
on the day and year}
above written in open}
court before us, the word}
“not” being first interlined.}

Elias Kaighn, Mayor.}
J. K. Cowperthwait, Recorder.}
Isaiah Toy, Alderman}
Richd Felters, Alderman.}


State of New Jersey}
City of Camden} S. S. 
I Josiah Harrison, clerk of the court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the city of Camden, do certify that the same court is a court of Record by virtue of express words to that effect in its charter; that Elias Kaighn, Esqr. Mayor John K. Cowperthwait, Esquire, Recorder, and Isaiah Toy and Richard Felters, Esquire are Alderman, are duty commissioned and
Page 146

3
qualified as officers as aforesaid, and signed their names respectively to the preceding document within written in my presence’ and that they constituted the said court held here this day, and that their said signatures are genuine.
In witness whereto I hereto set my hands and affix the seal of the said court this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
(Seal)   Josiah Harrison, Clk.

At the request of Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham, I certify that she has collected the pension of her late husband George Gresham a pensioner under act of 7 June 1832 or the Rolls of the Phila Agency and that the said Elizabeth Gresham has this day appeared and made this request in person, and I believe here to be the widow as aforesaid having seen her at the various periods for about four years when she has applied for said pension.
[illegible] Bank.
Phila Oct 27, 1838
H Orne
Late Pension Clerk,
at the Girard Bank.
[E tract from Family Record annexed]
Marriages
George Gresham
and Eliza Rust
was married 3rd July 1792}
Marriages.
Page 147

4
State of New Jersey}
Gloucester County City of }
Camden} S.S.
On this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before me the subscriber, Recorder and justice of the Peace ex-oficio of said city of Camden Elizabeth Gresham a resident of said city who alledging herself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law, doth on her solemn affirmation say that she is the widow of George Gresham late of the city of Camden aforesaid, deceased, who was a captain of Cavalry in the army of the Revolution, that she was married to the said George Gresham or the third day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety two at the Northern Neck of Virginia in Richmond County by a Baptist Minister by the name of Lewis Landeford, and that the said George Gresham departed this life on the thirtieth of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, the said George Gresham was a pensioner of the United States, and received from the government the sum of six hundred dollars per yar payable semi-annually during his natural life, from the 4th of March 1831, and further saith that the Family Record or Bible now produced having the marriage recorded is in the following words, vis: “George
Page 148

5
Gresham and Eliza Rust was married 3rd July 1732,” is now in her possession and has been for a great many years, and that the above marriage record was written there by the said George Gresham.
Elizabeth Gresham.

Subscribed and affirmed}
to the day and year first}
above written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey}
City of Camden} S.S.
On this eleventh day of October Anno Domini, eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the Peace ex-officio of said city, Oliver Cox of said city of Camden, and being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of Captain George Gresham, and that the writing contained in the Family Bible, a Record now in the possession of the widow of the said deceased specifying the date of their marriage is in the handwriting of said George Gresham, deceased, a true copy of which is as follows: “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was married 3rd July 1772” and that the said George Gresham departed this life on Monday Morning October the 30th 1837 at half past five o clock and that Elizabeth Gresham widow/of said
Page 149

6
George Gresham deceased Pensioner of the United States) is still living in said city of Camden, and with whom I am personally well acquainted, also that she still remains his widow.

Oliver Cox.

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above written before me}

J. K. Cowperthwait.

State of New Jersey}
City of Camden} S.S.
Before me the subscriber Recorder and Justice of the Peace ex oficio for the city of Camden aforesaid, personally appeared Issac S. Mulford, M.D. who alledging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to law, saith he attended George Gresham in his last illness up to the day of his death, and that the above deposition of Elizabeth Gresham as to the time of his decease is correct.

Isaac S. Mulford, M.D.

Affirmed and subscribed this 13th day of October 1838, before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait

State of New Jersey}
City of Camden} S.S.

On this 18th day of October Anno Dominion 1838, personally appeared before me the subscriber Mayor and Justice of the
Page 150

7

Peace, ex oficier, in and for the said city of Camden, John K Cowperthwait of said city and alledinging (sic) himself to be concientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to law saith, that he was well acquainted with Captain George Gresham, late of the city of Camden deceased, a pensioner of the United States, and knew him and his wife Elizabeth for a number of years back, that he has saw the Family Bible, now in the possession of the widow, which has their marriage therein recorded as follows “George Gresham and Eliza Rust was married 3rd July 1792,” in the proper hand writing of the said deceased, that he has seen and has in his possession the Pension certificate of the said George Gresham, and drew power’s of Attorney from him to his wife to get and receive his pension for him, when he has been so indisposed by sickness that he could not attend to it himself, that his pension was six hundred dollars per annum, the said George Gresham departed this life sometime in the month of October 1837. That his widow Elizabeth is still living and unmarried 

J. K. Cowperthwait

Affirmed and subscribed the day and year above written, before me
Elias Kaighn, Mayer (sic) 

State of New Jersey, City of Camden, SS J. Josiah Harrison, clerk of the Court of General Quarter
Page 151

8
Sessions of the Peace in and for said city, certify that Elias Kaighn, Esquire, whose name is affixed to the jurat of one of the preceding affirmations is duly appointed and commissioned Mayer (sic) of said city, and is ex office a justice of the Peace, and that John K. Cowperthwait, Esquire before whom the other affirmations and affidavits were taken, is duly commissioned as recorder of said city, and justice of the Peace; and that theirs acts as such an officers are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof I hereto set my had and affix the seal of said court, this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred and thirty eight.
Josiah Harrison, Clk.
(seal)

State of New Jersey}
City of Camden} S.S.

On this twenty-sixth day of November in the ear of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me John K. Cowperthwait Recorder and Justice of the Peace ex oficio of said City of Camden personally came Elizabeth Gresham a resident of said city who alledging (sic)  herself to be concientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being affirmed according to law declareth and saith, that the above attached record and leaf was cut out of and from their Family Bible now here possession) that the record therein is a true record of her marriage with the said
Page 152

9
George Gresham, and that it is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham

Elizabeth Gresham.

Affirmed and subscribed to the day and year above written before me.}
J. K. Cowperthwait.

City of Camden S.S. on this 26th day of November in the year of our Lord 1838 before me John K. Cowperthwait, Recorder and Justice of Peace ex officio in and for said city, personally appeared Oliver Cox, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith  that the above attached leaf containing the records written therein of the marriage of George Gresham are and Elizabeth Rust” was taken from the Family Bible of the said George Gresham in his presence; the said Bible being now in the possession of Elizabeth Gresham the widow of said George Gresham, and that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of the said George Gresham and believes the above record of the said marriage is in the proper hand writing of the said George Gresham.

Oliver Cox

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me}
J. K. Cowperthwait
State of New Jersey, City of Camden S.S.  
I, Josiah Harrison, Clerk of the court of General Quar
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10
ter sessions of the Peace in and for said city certify that John K. Cowperthwait, Esquire, before whom the two preceding affirmations and oath were taken is and was at the time of taking then duly commissioned as recorder of said city and as justice of the peace that his signatures thereto are genuine and that his acts as such officer are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court this 26th day of November in the year of our Lord 1838
Josiah Harrison, Clk
(Seal)