Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1208, Benjamin Gridsby, Va.
Page 1

Va. | Gridsby, Benjamin | S. 1208
Grigsby
Page 2

19565
Kentucky
Benjamin Gridsby of Shelby Co. in the State of Kentucky—who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Peyton of the regt. commanded by Col. Ewell in the [illegible] fine for 7 mos..
*Benjamin Grigsby
Virginia Line Records corrected Aug 1805
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky of the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sept. 18 1843  and Hon. R. M Johnson.
Arrears to the 4th of April 58.32
Semi-an. allowance ending 4 Mar 11.66
$69.98
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Danl. Boyd Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 11
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

Benj. Grigsby
24047
Page 4

{Shelby County and State of Kentucky}
On this 11th day of March in the year of Christ 1833 personally appeared before the County Court of the aforesaid County. Benjamin Grigsby a resident [illegible] of the aforesaid County aged 84 years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. Said Declarant states that he was born on the 24th day of April 1749 in Prince William County in the state of Virginia, that he has seen his birth registered in the Register of Births [illegible] by the Parson of the Parish agreeable to the regime of those early Times. He states that in the month of September in the year 1777 he entered the Army of the Revolution as a drafted militia man from the County of Prince William under the command of Captain Valentine Peyton. Jesse Ewell was the Colonel of the Regiment to which my company belonged or was attached. His brother James Ewell was a major in the same Regiment—Genl Charles Scott was our Genl of Brigade—Harrison Peyton was our Lieutenant. The particular day of the month I can't now recollect, on which I entered the service. We marched from Prince William County into Pennsylvania, when we joined the American Troops under the command of Genl Washington above Philadelphia, about ten
Page 5

miles from Germantown. I there saw Col Reynes and Col Crawford who were Regular Officers. I served two months and was discharged from Genl Scott's Brigade. I did not receive a written discharge; it was in the month of november [illegible] the day of my first [illegible], the service aforesaid. Afterwards in the year 1781 in the month of May, the day I can't recollect, I again entered the military service as a drafted militia man from the County of King George under the command of Captain Michael Wallace Peter Howerborough was our Lieutenant. The [illegible] service performed by us consisted in holding the British along the Potomack from Boyd's [illegible] down as low as [illegible] Point. This was about the time the British drove the Virginia [illegible] from Richmond to Charlottesville. I do not recollect the precise length of time I was actually engaged in this form of services, but from the best of my recollection, which is now in [illegible] of my old age is not good, I [illegible] believe I [illegible] if not five weeks on this term. Afterwards about the last of August in the year 1781, I again  entered the military service as a drafted militia man from the County of King George under the command of Captain William Bumbree. This was the name of my captain as well as my memory serves me. Col Campbell and Col Ennis were officers in the same body of Troops. We were marched to Gloucester in the first place, and were stationed betwixt Gloucester Court House  and York Town. Before my term of  service expired, the seize of York occurred. I was present at the surrender of L Cornwallis. I do not remember the day of my discharge; it was after the surrender. On this term I served two months. I received no written discharge.
Page 6

By reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory and from the circumstances that I had no interest in possessing in my memory the particular days when I entered the military service, and on which I was discharged from it, I cannot note the precise periods of entry when service and of my discharge from it. Nor can from the same reasons state more accounts than I have done, the particular periods of the war when I was in service. But from the best of my recollection I served six months as a private soldier in the drafted militias army the war of the Revolution, and during the periods of it before stated by me. I have no documentary evidence of the services performed by me in the Revolutionary War; nor do I know of any living witness by which I can prove them. I came out to Kentucky in the year 1808, where I have lived ever since. I refer to the Reverend William Fred James Ford, Reuben Redding and John Maddey, who will state what they know as to my character for Truth, what they believe as to my age, and how far I am reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier in the Revolution. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the Present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
             his
Benjamin  X  Grigsby
               mark
Page 7

We William Ford a Clergyman residing in the County of Shelby aforesaid, and Reuben Redding and John Maddox residing in the same County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well with Benjamin Grigsby who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be of the age he states in his said Declaration; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we can [illegible] state that Benjamin Grigsby is a man of character truth and integrity
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Reuben Reddig
William H. Ford
John Maddox
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the [illegible] of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court also further certifies, that it appears to them that William Ford who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in said County of Shelby and that said John Maddox, and Reuben Redding who have also agreed the same are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit 
Wm. Spanks  A I S CC [signature]
Page 8

I James L. Whitaker clerk of the County Court of Shelby County do Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Grigsby for a pension In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 27th day of March 1833. 
Ja L. Whitaker clerk
Shelby County Court
Page 9

B. Grigsby
Rev. claim
from 1777 private
7 months
$23.33/100
Hon. R. M. Johnson
gtxings
Ken.
Page 10

State of Kentucky
County of Shelby
On this 19th day of August 1833 personally appeared before H. Bohannon, a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Shelby in the State of Kentucky and one of the Justices of the Shelby County Court Benjamin Grigsby a resident of this said County of Shelby aged 84 years, who is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend the proper Court to make his declaration, and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 9th 1832.
That he entered the services of the United States under the following [illegible] officers and served so herein states, that is to say, being a resident of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia he did in the month of August in the year 1777 as well as he now remembers enter the services of the United States as a drafted militia man and private soldier upon a tour of three months in the company of Capt. Valentine Peyton attached to the Regiment Commander by Col. Jesse Ewell. he states that he rendezvoused with his Company at a place called the red house in Prince William County Va. and there joined his regiment - that he was marched from there to Pennsylvania and joined the Army of Genl. Washington not many miles from Philadelphia. that when he joined the Army he was attached to the Brigade of Genl. Scott who was also from the State of Va. - he states that he continued with the army till the expiration of his tour of duty and was discharged and returned home.
He further states and declares that afterward in the month of (March or April crossed out) Jany 1781 as well as he now remembers being then a resident of King George County Va. he again entered the service of the United States as a drafted militia man and private soldier upon a tour of three months in the Company of Capt. Wallace in the regiment of Col. Skinner - that they rendezvoused at Boyds Hole on the Potomac River and were kept [illegible] along said river during the whole of said tour for the purpose of protecting the country from the [illegible] of the British who having command of the [illegible] which were at the time much infested with their [illegible], frequently sent parties ashore to annoy the inhabitants and forage upon them - He states that at the termination of his said tour having served out the same he was discharged and returned home.
He further states and declares that afterward in the latter part of the month of Sept. 1781 as well as he remembers he again entered the services of the United States as a drafted militia man and private soldier upon a term of one month in the company of Capt. William Bumbray and was attached to the regiment of Col. Campbell that he rendezvoused at Leeds Town Va. with his company + regiment and was marched from there and joined the army of Genl. Washington and was attached to Genl
Page 11

Seedon's Brigade as well as he recollects - He states that he continued with the Army till the separation of his tours of duty which he fully served.  That he was present at and assisted in the siege of Yor and Capture of Cornwallis and a short time after his capture he was discharged and returned home.

He states that from his advanced age the great length of time and his consequent loss of memory he cannot state his services with that [illegible] and precision which he would like to do but that from his present best recollection he served as above stated and set forth - that he did not serve less than seven months as a private soldier during the revolution.

He states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service or any part of (them crossed out) it -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - 
              his
Benjamin  X  Grigsby
              mark

Interrogatories put tot he above named applicant by the said H. Bohannon Justice of the peace as aforesaid.

1st Where and in what year were you Born?
Answer. I was born in Prince William County Va in the year 1749 according to my information.
2d. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer. I have none. My Knowledge of my age is derived from [illegible] recollection of my father's family record.
3d. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live.
Answer. When called into the service upon my first tons I was living no Prince William County Va. And when I was called upon my two last tours I lived in King George County Va. - I continued to reside in Virginia after the revolutionary war will about 26 years ^ago when I moved to Bourbon County Kentucky and have since lived in Clarke & Montgomery Counties Ky and now live in Shelby County Ky.
4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. I was drafted upon all my tours- 
5th State the name of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Page 12

Answer. I recollect Gnrl Greene, Wayne and Washington - I recollect Genl Winder (?) who was a militia officer. I think and also Col. Louis ^ & Col. Crawford besides my own officers. My memory has is failed one that I cannot now recollect the names of anywhere before my first tour. I was marched to Pennsylvania & joined the Army of Gnrl Washington some miles from Philadelphia & continued with it during my tour. Upon my second tour my services were performed along the Potomac River in protecting the country from the depredations of the British. Upon my third tour I joined the army of Genrl Washington and was present and assisted int he siege of York and Capture of Cornwallis -
5th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer. I never received any discharge 
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer. I will name Henry Ford & Henry Baskett as persons who live in my neighborhood and to whom I am known.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid - 
                his
Benjamine  X Grigsby
                mark

The H. W. Ford a clergyman residency in the Shelby county Kentucky & Henry Baskett residing in the same county and state hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Grigsby who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 84 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - We also certify that said Grigsby is (very crossed out) in body.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
William W. Ford
Henry M. Baskett
And I the said H. Bohannon Justice of the peace and member of the Shelby County Court as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And I do further certify
Page 13

that it appears to me the W. W. Ford who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Shelby Kentucky and that Henry Baskett who has also signed the same is a resident of the same county and state and is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit. I also further certify that the said Grigsby is (very crossed out) infirm in body so much so that he cannot attend court to make his declaration.
In witness of all which I have hereto set my hand this 19th day of August 1833
Henry Bohannon J.P.

State of Kentucky}
Shelby county } Ss
I Ja S Whitaker clerk of the court of Shelby county in the State of Kentucky hereby certify that Henry Bohannon whose name appear to ^the above certificate to the foregoing proceedings was at the date of said certificate and still is a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Shelby duly commissioned & qualified as such and is one of the Justices of the Court of which I am clerk and that (torn paper obscuring word) regoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 20th day of August 1833 -
Ja. L. Whitaker clerk
Shelby county Court
Page 14

24047
Benja. Grigsby
Ky
Rejected did not serve six months
see letter May 17 33 to Jas. C. Sprigg, Shelbyville, Ky
jm

James C. Sprigg
Shelbyville Ky
Shelby County
Page 15

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
183
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked int he margin with a brace, (thus:  } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Benjamin Grigsby
Shelby County Kentucky
(table with columnar headings)

Period when the services were rendered.
draft 1777
draft, 1781 
     "    1781

Duration of the claimant's service
Years 
-
time not stated

Months 
2   

2

Days
-

_

Rank of the claimant
Prv.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt. Payton
Col. Sewell
Genl Scott
Capt. Wallace
Capt. Bainbree
Col. Campbell

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
84 years
Prince
William 
County
Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary Evidence.

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 18

December 30, 1931

BA-J/MLB  CW

Mrs. Roy D. Miller
415 West 19th Street
Trenton, Missouri

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of recent date relative to Benjamin Gridsby or Grigsby, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow are obtained form the papers on file in pension claim, S. 1208, based upon his military service in that war.

Benjamin Grigsby was born April 24, 1749, in Prince William County, Virginia.

While living in Prince William County, Virginia, he enlisted in August or September, 1777, and served two or three months as a private in Captain Valentine Payton's company, Colonel Jesse Ewell's Virginia regiment. While living in King George County, Virginia, he enlisted in January or May, 1781, and served four or five weeks or three months as a private in Captain Michael Wallace's company, Colonel Skinner's Virginia regiment. He enlisted about the last of August of September, 1781, and served one or two months as a private in Captain William Bunbury's company, Colonel Campbell's Virginia regiment.

He moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1808, and later lived in Clark, Montgomery and Shelby Counties, Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1835, while living in Shelby County, Kentucky.

There is no reference to wife or children.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 19

(upper left corner of page obscured)
S SECTION.    3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ___,  19__

In reply to your request of ____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Grigsby* a soldier of the RECOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ((or his widow's ) crossed out) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.J. 1,208      * pensioned as Gridsby

(table with columnar headings)
Dates of enlistment or appointment.
Aug. Sept. 1777
Jan or May 1781
Septl. or Aug. 1781

Length of Service.
3 mos. 
3 mos.
1 mo.

Rank.


Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain
Valentine Payton
Michael Wallace
William Bunbury

Colonel
Jesse Ewell
         Skinner
         Campbell

State.
Va.

Battles engaged in, at siege at York
Residence of soldier at enlistments, Prince William Co., Va. & King George Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 11, 1833, Heir claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Shelby Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, v. Apr,. 24, 1749 in Prince William Co. Va.
Remarks: after the Rev. removed to Ky. residing in Clarke and Montgomery Counties, There is no family data on file.

Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 20

To the 76 moralite
Free
Shelbyville Ky
Mar 30
Lewiz Ca Jp
Secretary of War
Washington City
Aprl. 13
KY
24 047
Page 21

Shelbyville March 29th 1833

Sir,
I enclose the Declaration of Benjamin Grigsby who is one you will perceive a very old man, and to my knowledge quite infirm and in great need of the pension which the government has provided for him. I will therefore take the liberty of requesting a speedy attention to his claim. A Defect stated in the Brief sent on here by the Department accompanying the Declaration of Wm Kendrick, disposes me to officially enquire if the Declaration made by the applicant sets forth his age, and the witnesses certify that they "believe him to be of the age he states," in his Declaration does not substantially conform to the rules prescribed by the Department.  Kendrick's Declaration Va shall be amended in conformity to the Defects notices in the Brief, but I earnestly hope on behalf of the present applicant, that the statement made in the certificate of his witnesses, that they "believe him to be of the age the applicant states in his Declaration," will be considered not such a Defect as to cause the papers to be sent back. The belief of the witnesses is founded I might with [illegible] ^say altogether upon the statements made by the applicant as to his age.  Indeed they are personally unwilling to assert their belief upon any other testimony that the statements made by the applicant under oath.

Respectfully yours,
James Sprigg
Page 22

Benjm. Grigsby
Kentucky
Rejected did not served six month See letter May 17th 1833 To James C. Spragg
4329
Page 23

J. C. Sprigg
May 17, 1833
&c

Reco. vol. 25
Page 71.
Page 24

War Department 
Pension Office 
May 17, 1833

Sir,

The papers of Benjamin Grigsby have been examined. He did not serve six months. The act of June 7,1832 under which he claims friends for more who did not serve that length of time. His claim has therefore been rejected. The papers will be placed with the file in the office. 

James C. Briggs 
Shelbyville 
Kentucky
Page 25

Holden, Missouri
Grigsby (underlined)
Holden, Mo. Jan. 1st 1915.
Pension Bureau -
Can you tell me anything in regard to a Revolutionary Soldier ^ one Benjamin Grigsby, who served in the Revolution from Virginia, I believe from Tarquier County and who was born [illegible] around 1749 and who was living in Montgomery Co. Kentucky in 1846 and was then about 91 years of age. The name of this man's wife was, I think, Mary.
Page 26

and I think among his children was a son named Jesse. Can you give me any information whatever about him. I want the data in order to perfect lineage papers for the D. A. R.

Fery truly, 
Mrs. Lucy C. Pemberton

Rev. [illegible]
(Lou crossed out) to L
Page 27

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878

4329 Own
P.O.
Benjamin Grigsby
Service:

Enlisted: ____, 18
Discharged: ____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: ____, 18
Alleges: ____
Re-enlisted:  _____
Page 28

INVALID
Rev War
File No. 1208
Benjamin Gridsby
Pri. Pa. Line.

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -Vol. A, Page 148
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Benjamin Grigsby
Virginia Line Records Corrected Aug. 18 '13 A
Page 29

1915, Jan. 6: history to Mrs. 
Lucy C. Pemberton    M,B.H.
1931, Dec. 30 _ Hist to Mrs. Roy D. Miller (See ltr in case of Jeremiah Wilson p. 31491) M.L. B.