Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7580, John Graves, Va.
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Service Virginia |Graves John, Mary A. | Number W. 7580
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Virginia 2077
_____
John Graves of Carolina [Caroline] in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Compy [Company]: commanded by Captain Webb of the Regt commanded by Col: Dangerfield in the Virginia line for 2 years from 1776
_____
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Nov; 1832 and Sutte Robt Hord. Port Royal, Va
_____
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832} 120
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833} 40
$160.-
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, Book D Vol. 7 Page 99
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[left page]
718
Virginia, Richmond
_____
Mary A. Graves widow of John Graves who was a Private in the Revolution
_____
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents [crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
_____
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of July 1843 and sent to F. N. Sutton
Bowling Green, VA
_____
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 149.


[right side]
Reported
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Jn. Graves
7v640
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State of Virginia, County of Caroline. To wit on this 13th day of August 1832, personally appeared before the court of the County aforesaid, John Graves a resident of the United States, in the county of Caroline and State of Virginia, aged seventy nine years, who being  first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States on the 13th day of February in the year 1776 with Ensign Henry Waring and served in the 7th VA regiment of the Continental line, under the following named officers: Capt John Webb, Henry Young 1st Lieutenant, Griffin Fauntleroy 2nd Lt, ensign Henry Waring. Col. Dangerfield commanded the 7th regt when the sd [said] Graves entered the service, but in a short time thereafter, Col. McClanahan who had been Lt. Col. in the same regt, took command thereof. William Nelson was major in the 7 regt. The 3rd, 7th, 11th, & 15th regiments composed, to the best of my recollection the brigade commanded by Genl. Wm Woodford, which belonged to the division of major Genl Stevens, who resigned, or rather was broke as the sd [said] Graves understood at the battle at Germantown. 
The sd [said] Graves states that he resided in the County of Essex & State of Virginia when he entered the service, that he enlisted for two years, was in the Battle of Brandywine on the 11th September 1777, and in the Battle of Germantown on 
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the 4th October in the same year. He states that he was also in a Skirmish in the north near Brunswick & in several other little skirmishes. He states that after his enlistment he rendevouzed [rendezvoused] at Evan's ordinary in Essex County & marched thence to Gloucester Ct House, thence to York Town & Williamsburg, thence to Gwinn's Island [Gwynn Island], where he was on the 4th of July 76. Thence to Gloucestertown & York Town, at each place of which places we built a small fort, thence in Janry 1777, by Fredericksburg in Va, Georgetown then in Maryland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, where we took shipping & were landed at Trenton, thence to Princeton, and were encamped some time at Middlebrook. After breaking up the encampment at Middlebrook, we marched to Morestown [Moorestown] & to sundry places farther north and after the battles before named were marched  on to the Valey [Valley] forge in Pennsyvania [Pennsylvania] where we went into winter quarters and where I continued in service till the 12th day of February 1778, on which day the aforenamed Henry Waring, who had become a lieutenant, obtained my discharge, with whom I returned home, having served out the two years for which I had enlisted.
The sd [said]Graves hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Graves [signature]
And the sd [said] Court do hereby declare their opinion that the
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above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the county court of Caroline do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Graves for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John L. Pendleton [signature] CC
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4339 [underlined]
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State of Virginia, County of Caroline} 
Sirs
On this the 8th day of December 1838 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Mary Ann Graves a resident of the state of Virginia and County of Caroline aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make 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 pension to certain widows. That she is the widow of John Graves who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and who served she believes an enlistment of two or three years. She furthermore says she was married to the said Jn. Graves in Caroline County by Parson Matthews on the 14th day of December 1785 and that he died on the 26th of November 1832 which she believes was just before his pension was allowed him as she drew it herself in March following 1833. and that she has remained his widow ever since his death as will more fully appear by refference [reference] to the proof hereto annexed
Mary A. Graves [signature]
her X mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written
Booth Brown, J. Peace [signature]

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I furthermore certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Mary A. Graves and that she is a Lady of high respectability and from her age and infirmity it would be very inconvenient for her to attend court. I also certify that I have no doubt that her declaration as to the time of her marriage & husbands death is correct believing her ever to be entitled to full credit, that I have heard that Mr. John Graves was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that said Mary is the widow of said John and has remained so ever since his death. Given under my hand this 8th day of December 1838.
Booth Brown [signature] J. Peace

State of Virginia, Caroline County} SS
I John L Pendleton Clerk of the Court of Caroline County Certify that Booth Brown is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, & subscribed my name this 11th day of December in the year 1838
John L Pendleton [signature] Cc
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6346
John Graves

from 1776 private
two years 
$80

Ro. Hord Esq
Port Royal, Va

Robt Hord
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6346
Brief in the case of John Graves
County of Caroline in the State of Virginia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. if before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
___
Period. enlisted in 1776 13th Feby |
Duration of Service. Years 2 Months ~ Days ~ |
Rank. As a private |
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen Capts Jno Webb Col. Dangerfield of 7th Va Regmt of Com Lyne

5. In what battles was he engaged? Brandywine & Germantown
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Essex Cty Va
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary or Roll
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The document is from the auditor's office Virginia but no office has certified the official Character of the Auditor
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
T. Waugh [signature] Examining Clerk
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Auditor's cert for Jno Graves
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Auditors Office of Virginia July 31, 1832

I do hereby certify that John Graves a soldier of infantry in the Continental line, received on No 22 Dec 1784 a certificate for the balance of his first pay or appreciation amounting to £15.19.4 which certificate was delivered to Rice Fawcett as appears by the army Register

Jas E Heath [signature] aud
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Graves ~ [handwritten name] which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
YY

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
YY

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
~

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
YY

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
YY

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
YY

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
YY

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
YY

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
YY

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from another seal?
YY

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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
No - there is one document

XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 
~
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
~

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
~

XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
All except the document

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
2. 7.
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EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words;
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ---- year ---- months and --- days, I served as a ---. For --- --- months and --- days, I served as a ---: and for such service I claim a pension."

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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase 'about three or four months' is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by tow credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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[left side]
1912 Mch 21 Hist to John C. Graves Letter in W.F. 2102 Ralph Graves
1916 Aug. 9 Hist to Mrs. Gary McAfee Letter in S.83-97 David Graves

[right side]
WIDOW, &c.
___
File No. 7580
Mary A. Graves
Wid.
John Graves
Pvt. Rev: War
___
Act: Mach. 3rd, '43
Index:--- Vol. A, Page 287

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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[handwritten]
830
May 1, 1843 

[circular stamped ink seal; mostly illegible]
BOWLING GREEN, Va 
APR 29

[handwritten]
Va.
Mar 3d 1843
Mary A. Graves

[address vertical]
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commis of Pension
Washington City

[stamped postage]
FREE
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Bow Green Apl 29th 1843

Sear Sir

I inclose [enclose] you the Declaration of Mrs. Graves for pension under the act of 1843

Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt
Frans V Sutton
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I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Mrs Mary Ann Graves widow of John Graves deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner. I don't distinctly recollect the time when she married, but am positive it was prior to the year 1794, and think it was about the year 1789 or 1790.
Nathaniel Ware [signature]

I habe been for many years well acquainted with Mr Nathl Ware by whom the above certificate is given. He is a gentleman of high moral character, and unimpeachable veracity. Given under my hand this 10th day of June 1839. 
P. Woolfolk [signature] J.P.

Virginia, Caroline County, to Wit,
I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of the County and state aforesaid do hereby Certify that P. Woolfolk whose name is annexed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine according to law. In Testimony whereof I have hereforto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 12t day of June 1839 in the 63rd year of the Commonwealth.
John L. Pendleton [signature] Cc
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Virginia,
At a Court of Monthly Sessions helf for Caroline County at the Court house on Monday the 10th day of December 1838.
The Court having examined the Certificate of Booth Brown on of the Justices of the peace for this County, On the declaration of Mary A. Graves; It is Ordered to be Certified to the War Department, that they approve the said proceedings by said Booth Brown. ~
In Testimony whereof I john L Pendleton Clerk of the said County Court, have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this 11th day of December in the year 1838.
John L. Pendleton [signature] Cc
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V
4339
Mary A. Graves
wid. of John
Va
Al July 7 1838
Married 1785
died 1832
Allow $80 per
Ann.

F V Sutton
Bowling Green
Va.
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I Charles Gervis of the County of Caroline & State of Virginia do hereby Certify that I am and have been for many years acquainted with Mrs. Mary Ann Graves who is the widow of John Graves decd. who was in the Revolutionary war and who died in 1832 Just about the time I believe he had or was about to receive his pension. I also certify that I know the said Mary Ann before her marriage with said John Graves decd. which I think took place in 1786 but am positive it took place before 1788. Given under my hand this the 2nd day of January 1838
Charles Gervis [signature]

Caroline County Va. To wit,
This day Charles Gervis personally appeared before me and after signing the foregoing Certificate made oath in due form of the law to the truths of said Certificate. I do furthermore certify that said Gervis is a very old and very respectable man and that his declaration to any fact would receive the confidence of all that know him. Give under my hand this the day and date above written
R Saunders Jr [signature] JP
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State of Virginia, to wit:
I John L Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of Caroline, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Reuben Saunders Junior was at the date of the written certificate, a justice of the peace in the aforesaid county, and that the written signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 4th day of Jany 1839, in the sixty third year of the commonwealth
John L. Pendleton [signature] Cc
By Robt: Hudgin [signature] DyCc
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[addressed from]
[horizontal]
June 13
Va.
Address of 
Mary Ann Graves
[vertical]
Bowling Green 
June 12

[addressed to]
[vertical]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[postage]
Free
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Bow Green June 12th 1839

Dear Sir
I have examined the office and find no license bond or certificate of marriage in the case of John Graves & Mary A Graves and in the case of Sarah Jones you will find the Clerks Certificate in which he says there is scarcely a Certificate or marriage bond on file in his office prior to 1795. I have not been to see Mrs Graves since the receipt of your letter but she has no Register I am sure or I should have sent it on in the first instance. I enclose you the certificate of one of our most Respectable Honorably Citizens hoping it will be sufficient should it not please let me hear from you immediately as I can obtain other testimony in the case and would like to do it directly as the old Lady has thought me very negligent. I would only observe that Mrs. Graves is a very Respectable old Lady and indeed all hir [her] family deeply a respectable stand in society.
In much haste
I remain very Respy
Yr Obt Svt
Frans V Sutton [signature]
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Virginia 3760
___
Mary A. Graves widow of John Graves decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the ___ 1832 of Caroline in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Co. commanded by Captain Webb of the Regt. commanded by Col Dangerfield in the Virginia line for 2 years.
___
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
___
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Augt 1839 Obsvt and to F. V. Sutton Bowling Green, Va
___
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1839 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. '39 $40
$280

{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D McCurdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 178
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830
Advicet [illegible], private $80
Richmond Va Agency
Send to
F. V. Sutton
Bowling green Ky
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State of Virginia Caroline County
Ss
On this the 17th day of April 1843 Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Mary A Graves a resident of the County of Caroline and State of Virginia aged eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the war of the Revolution. That she is the widow of John Graves who was she believes a private in the continental line but she can say nothing of the service or regiment to which her said husband belonged or under what officer he served. That she has as the widow of said Graves received a five year pension of Eighty dollars per annum under the Act of July 7th 1838 and she further declares she is still a widow
Mary A Graves [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
J O Sutton [signature] J.P.

I also certify that Mrs. Mary A Graves has been known by me for many years and that she is as declares above the widow of John Graves who I believe was a pensioner and that she has as she says drawn (I doubt not) a pension from the United States as the widow of said John Graves. Given under my hand this 17th day of April 1843
J O Sutton [signature] J.P.

State of Virginia
Caroline County to Wit,

I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that J. O. Sutton whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of [the written certificate] a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & qualified according to law, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my Office this 18th day of April 1843 in the 67th year of the Commonwealth.
John L. Pendleton Ct signature]