Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5303, Merrit Humphrey, Va.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                                    NUMBER
Va.  Humphrey, Merrit               W.5303
                         Merritt              B.L.Wt.26896-160-55
                         Mary

CONTENTS
See N. A. Acc No. 874
Number 050089 Not Half Pay
Merrit or Merritt Humphrey
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2621

Kentucky
Mary Humphry,
widow of Merritt Humphrey
NC
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
30 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued the
24th day of October 1853
and sent to
Wm. C. Price
LaGrange
Oldham Co., Ky

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 174, Vol. A

[2nd page]

Reg 8} M55-106509
Let. J. W. Clayton.  Jan 31, 1853
Same March 14, 1857
[initials illegible]
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26681

Kentucky
Merrit Humphrey
of Oldham Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Richard of there of commanded
by Col. Blair in the underlined
line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 30 Dollars --- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of April
1834 and [illegible] R M 
Johnson

Arrears to the 4 of March                           90.00
semi-anl, allowance ending 2 Sept.            15.00
                                                                   ________

                                                                  $105.00
                                                                    ________

                                                { Revolutionary Claim, }
                                                   Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
Book C     Vol. 7          Page 45
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No. 26.89

Revolution war

Ky Feb. 53 - 2621

William Boyton May 21/56
[initials: illegible]

Jno W Clayton


 LaGrange KY

[page 2] Vol H 2 page 133
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State of Kentucky  }  ss
Oldham County

On this 21st day of February 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the [illegible] by hereto the Judge of the Oldham Circuit Court now sitting Merrit Humphrey aged 74 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832 --

This declarant states that he was residing in Louisa County State of Virginia when he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated that in the month of April in the year of 1779 & drafted me as ordered in said County for two months when he the Merrit Humphrey was drafted and was marched from said County of Louisa under the command of Capt George Lumsdon, Major B Law
and Col Francis Taylor to the Albemarle Barracks on arriving at said Barracks he states that he was stationed as a guard at said Barracks over some prisoners that had been take from Burgoyne by General Gates he states that during his said two month for which he had been drafted that he did fully faithfully and to the satisfactions of his officers guard said prisoners until his time was out when he was discharged verbally by his said Capt Lumsdon in the month of June 1779 --  He further states that some time in the Fall of the year in the month of October as well as he now remembers a draft was ordered in said County of Louisa for a term of two months.  Man which draft a Thomas Rees was drafted he being unwilling

[No. 2 left side bar]
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to leave home proposed to said declarant to substitute in his year and serve out his two months.  Accordingly for a certain consideration he the said Merrit Humphrey agreed to substitute in the place and stead of the aforesaid Rees and [illegible] him of the two months for which the said Rees had been drafted.  He states that he had his name enroled [sic] in the place of said Rees - and was marched from said County of Louisa to the Ablemarle Barracks under the command of Capt James Watson and was there stationed as a guard over said prisoners, and was under the command of Major Blair and Coln Francis Taylor he states that during his two months that he discharged his duty as a soldier and was discharged by his said Capt James Watson sometime in the month of December 1779.  This declarant further states that during the year of 1780 that he removed from Lousia to Fluvanna County and that in the month of January 1781 a draft was ordered in said County of Fluvanna for three 3 months when he the said Merrit Humphrey was drafted for three months and marched from said County of Fluvanna under the command of Capt Samuel Richardson and Major Ragsdell to Hanover Court house - thence to Williamsburg - thence to Jamestown - thence to Yorktown thence to Hampton where where he states they were stationed until this said three months expired where he was discharged by his said Richardson in the month of April 1781.  He further states that in the month of August 1781 another draft was ordered in said County of Fluvanna when he the
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said declarant was drafted for two [number 2 in left side bar] and marched under the command of Captain Richard Knapper, Major Ragsdell and Coln Ennis from said County of Fluvanna to Gloucester Point thence they were marched to Whitings Old Field after marching sometime at Whitings Old Field he states they were marched back to Gloucester County where he states that he remained until his two months were out.   When he was discharged in the first of October 1781 he states that he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no living [illegible] by whom he can prove the facts above stated he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pensions roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed by this the Twenty first day of February 1834 [signed] Merritt Humphrey

Answers to the seven interrogatories put by the Judges 

I was born in Louisa County State of Virginia in the year 1769 - and I have a record of my age as left by my Father and when I first entered the service I was living in Louisa Count Va and when I entered the last two tours I was living in Fluvanna Va and after the revolution I lived in Fluvanna until the year of 1785 - I then moved to Woodford County Ky where I lived nine years and then I moved to Shelby County where I lived five years.  I then moved Jefferson County Ky where I lived about 6 years.  I then moved into my present neighbourhood [sic] which I have lived for upwards thirty years.  I was drafted three times into the service and I was one tour a substitute for Thomas Rees.  Whilst I was at the Barracks there were no regular officers - on my third and fourth tours there General Lafayette, Gen Wayne and Coln Lee
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and I never received a written discharge for any tour but was allaway [sic] honourably [sic] discharged by my several captains and I will state the names of Zelick McGuin and Pleasant Sadler who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the revolution [signature: Merritt Humphrey]

We Zelick McGuin and Pleasant Sadler residing in the neighbourhood [sic] of Merrit Humphrey who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration say that we are well acquainted with him.  He is reported and believed in his neighbourhood [sic] to be a man of veracity and a soldier of the revolution and we concur in the opinion of the neighbourhood [sic] and we furthermore believe him to be 74 years of age [signatures: Zelick McGuin; Pleasant Sadler]

Sworn and subscribed the a7th day of February 1834

and the said Court do hereby declare his opinion that this above applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he has stated in his declaration and it appears to the satisfaction of said Court that Zelick McGuin & Pleasant Sadler who have signed the preceding certificate are persona residents in the neighbourhood [sic] of said applicant and that they are credible persona and that their statements maybe [illegible] upon it further appears to the satisfaction
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107,309
Mary Humphrey
to Bounty Land

Confer with AD Johnson 
attorney at [illegible] Henry 
County Kentucky
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State of Kentucky
Henry County Ky

On this 5th day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty four personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Mary Humphrey aged 75 years a resident of the County of Oldham in the State of Kentucky who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Merritt Humphrey deceased who was a soldier and a private in the war of the Revolution that she now receives a pension at the rate of Thirty dollars per annum under the act of Congress pass on the 13th day of February 1853 that her certificate of pension is dated the 21st day of October 1853.  That she refers you to her declaration and the accompanying papers now on file in the pension office proving her to be the legal wife of the said Merritt Humphrey.  She further states that she was married to the said Merritt Humphrey in Oldham County in the State of Kentucky in the year 1802 by one William Nellen a Baptist preacher and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Crim and that her said husband died in Oldham County in the State of Kentucky on the 8th day of December 1840 and that she is now a widow at the executing of this declaration.  She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty Land to which she may be entitled under an act approved March 3rd 1855.  She also declares that she has never requested or applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress or made other application therefor except as above stated.  [Signature: Mary Humphrey]

We Lewis Humphrey and James B Humphrey residents of Oldham Count in the State of Kentucky upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration [illegible]
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and acknowledged by Mary Humphrey in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. [Signatures Lewis Humphrey, James B. Humphrey]

The forgoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed upon me the day above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in her claim. [Signature LB Winburn J.P.H.C.]

State of Kentucky
Henry County Ky

I EP Thomas Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State aforesaid do certify that LB Winburn esq who's signature appears to the forgoing certificate is and was at the time of the signing the same a Justice of the peace duly [illegible] commissioned and sworn and that his signature is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Newcastle this 23rd day of April 1855 [Signature: E.P. Thomas C]

[Further writing is illegible]
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Mary Humphrey
Declaration for [illegible]


[The rest of the document is illegible.]
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State of Kentucky
County of Oldham,

On this first day of October 1853, personally appeared before Jerry Mathis a Justice of the peace in [illegible] for Oldham County, [illegible] Mary Humphrey a resident of Oldham County State of Kentucky, age about 74 yeas, who being first [illegible] in order to obtain the benefits of the [illegible] provision of the Act of [illegible] 3rd day of February, 1853. [Illegible] to widow of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Merrit Humprey who was private in the army of the revolution She further states that a pension was allowed [illegible] husband that said Merrit Humphrey, and that she being unable to furnish any written proof the the nature of the services proposed by Aur said [illegible] to the papers and proof us file in the pension [illegible]in to "case" of his application for a pending and [illegible] and said friend and proof  e part of this declaration she also asks for the [illegible] declaration [illegible] paper [illegible] as part of the [illegible] allowance of a pension to her said husband, the said Merrit Humphrey was [illegible] is the 1st day of April, 1834. She further declares that she was married to the said Merrit Humphreyon or about the first day of October 18xx. [illegible] said husband on the 8th day of December 1840. That she was not merried to [illegible] prior to the [illegible] of January 18xx, but at the time above stated, she [illegible] that she is {illegible] a widow and was never married [illegible] the death of her said husband the said Merrit Humphrey, and that she never before this has [illegible] any application for
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a pension, she further declared that in consequence of the Clerk of the County Court of Jefferson & State of Kentucky, having either lost or mislaid this certificate and of the marriage license, by the Minister who celebrated the marriage between her & her said husband that she is unable to furnish documentary evidence of this said marriage to the said Merrit Humphrey, but that she files with this declaration a paper marked (B.B) by which it will be sworn that the license for her & the said Humphrey to matrimony was issued from the Clerks office of the Jefferson County Court & State aforesaid on the first day of October 1802, and that accompiening [sic] this declaration she furnishes proof that she and the said Merrit Humphrey were married at the time above referred to, & that they lived together as man and wife until the death of said Merrit Humphrey which occurred at the time referred to (illegible).  Mary (illegible) Humphrey sworn to and declared before me this 1st day of October 1853 and I (illegible) certify that I (illegible) the said Mary Humphrey to be identified widow of the said Merrit Humphrey, as aforesaid & that she is of the age set forth in her said declaration, and thus certify that in consequence of the age and bodily infirmity of the said Mary Humphrey that she is unable to go before a Court of (illegible) to make oath this said declaration, and that at her request I took her oath to this declaration at her residence in Oldham County, State of Kentucky.

[Signature] J. Mathis J.P. (illegible)
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State of Kentucky
Oldham County } S(illegible)

This day (illegible) appeared before me one of the Commonwealths' Justices of the peace for said County Clk  Benj Coons, personally (illegible) as a witness of which who upon oath stated that Mary Humphrey the person named in the foregoing affidavit (illegible) the wife and is now the widow of the said Merrit Humphrey and that her maiden name was Mary Crim and that she and the said Merrit Humphrey were married on or about the 1st day of October 1802 and that they lived together as man & wife from the time above referred to until the death of said Humphrey which occurred about the 8th day of December 1840 and that the marriage between said Humphrey & said Mary Crim now Mary Humphrey was celebrated by William Kellar a Baptist minister who has since (illegible) their life 

also previously appeared one Reuben Buttan personally known to (illegible) certifies of (illegible) who upon oath states (illegible) Mary Humphrey - person named in the foregoing affidavit was the wife and is now the widow of the aforesaid Merrit Humphrey and that her maiden name was Mary Crim that she and said Humphrey were married on or about the 1st day of October 1802, and that she & said Humphrey lived together as man & wife from the time of this said marriage until the death of said Humphrey which occurred on the 8th day of December 1840.  Sworn to before me this first day of October 1853 [Signature] J. Mathis   J.P.M.

Kentucky    Oldham County Set

I Brent Hopkins Clerk of the County Court for said County do certify that (illegible) whose name appears to the foregoing certification
Page 16

is made was at the date (illegible) of Justice of the Peace (illegible) fore said County duly (illegible) commissioned & made (illegible) that his signature is genuine.

In that (illegible) while I have hereto set my hand &made official the (illegible) of the County Court (illegible) on this 6th day of October 1853. [Signature] Brent Hopkins
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WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5303
Mary Humphrey
Widow
Merritt Humphrey
Rt. Rev: Har (illegible)
Act: Feby, 3.953 (illegible)
Index:--Vol. A, Page 355
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

v
26.896
Mer luir (illegible)
Page 19

Commissioner Pensions
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LaGrange Ky 2nd April 1856

Comm Pensions

The claim of Mary Humphrey was filed with name of A Johnston.  She has placed it in my care as [illegible] by [illegible] of attaining. [illegible] TB Claim has been suspended but for [illegible] I am not around. The claimant is the widow of a Revolutionary Pensioner and she is now claiming a pension herself. Her husband [illegible] was Merrit Humphrey. Please inform me what may be yet [illegible] in order to her obtaining her Bounty Land.
Respectfully Yours [illegible]
J W Clayton
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Pension Office
Oct 20, 1853

Sir
Please report time of last payment to or death of wittness named pensioner.

Respectfully [illegible]

F Burt Esqr
3 aud  [illegible]

Merrit Humphreys
$30.00. f an _ Ast 7th June '32
Paid to 4th March 1840
no date of death on our books.

F Burt
Auaitor
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Mary Humphrey
Power of Attorney
J W Clayton
La Grange
[illegible]

No. 106.509
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Oldham County, Kentucky April 2nd 1856
I, Mary Humphrey of said county and state hereby authorize John W Clayton of La Grange, Kentucky to present my claim to Bounty Land under Act of Congress [illegible]_ the 3rd day of March 1855 which [illegible] on file in the Pension Office of [illigible] state and number 106509 and that any warrenty which may [illegible] to be forwarded to his care [illegible] any [illegible] power of attorney here to for [illegible] by me for the purpose of abtaining Bounty Land Grants.
[illegible] Bennett

her
Mary Humphrey
Mark
Page 24

Com'r Pensions
Page 25

La Grange, KY 18th Feb 1857
Com'r
Pensioner
Enclosed I send the application of Mrs Mary Humphrey. I am not certain that it is on exact one formaly with the [illegible] of the law. If not, I hope you will point out to me what may be wrong or needed. I am not [illegible]  her petition [illegible]  which she [illegible]  her [illegible] and am unable to state what [illegible] or [illegible] when Merit Humphrey served altho I was well acquanted with him and and also acquanted with his widow. I [illegible] the management yoars of the 11thh inst in the case of Mary Lest a Teamster No. 131835 and [illegible] attend to it without delay. I hope my letter of the 9th in which I offered to forward to Mary [illegible] Ten dollars to your offer upon my [illegible] of Nancy Carri Lana warrant has been [illegible] that the case may be settled without further difficulty.
Very Respectfully Yours [illegible]
J W Clayton
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Brief in the case of Mary Humphrey widow of Merritt  
Oldham County and State of Kentucky
act of Feb 3, 1853

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.) Record proof of husbands service.

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband a private in N. Ca. line 9 mos. and pensioner under act of June 7, 1832.
at $30 per annum.
Paid 4 of March 1840 [illegible]
died 8 of Dec. 1840
Allowed $30 per annum to monnence Feb 3, 1853.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by public record.
Death proved by auditors report
Identity of widowhood by credible witnesses.

Name and residence of Agent
Wm C. Price
La Grange
Oldham Co KY

Examining Clerk.
J L Gray
Page 27

30.458

Merrit Humphrey
Petition for Pension

From Newcastle
no letter [illegible] 1778 [illegible]
9 mo #30.

[illegible] 
New Castle
(see written)

Hon. R M Johnson
Page 28

State of Kentucky
Oldham County and [illegible]     Set
I, Albert M Ballard, Deputy for Isacc R Guthrey, clerk of the Oldham [illegible], Court in the State afore said, [illegible], that the fore going Contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Merrit Humphrey for a pension. In Testimony whereof I Hereto Set my hand and affix the Seal of Said Court at [illegible] this 3rd day of March 1834 and is the 42nd Hear of the Commonwealth.
A M Ballard [illegible] for I R Guthrey [illegible]

Seal is illegible.

Returnable to John Field 
New Castle, Henry Cty, KY
Page 29

La Grange KY 18th Jan yr 1857

Com'r Pensions

About the 25th March Last, I sent to J E Stewart of your City a Power of Attorney [illegible] by Mary Humphrey widow of Merit Humphrey[illegible] authorizing [illegible] Stewart and myself to [illegible]claim for arrearage of pension due her from 1848 to 53.  I [illegible] a letter from Mr Stewart ackowledging the receipt of the Power of Attorney who informed me that there was a strong probability that Congress would [illegible] a bill during that Depion increasing the amount to which Mrs Humphrey would be entitled and he also objected to the am't of the [illegible] had agreed to take ($25) Ithrr maow a supplimental contract with Mrs Humphrey  w which she agreed to pay Mr Stewart and myself 25 per Amt upon [illegible] might [illegible] over and above #150, I also pititioned for and aftainsa for her a Law Warrant for 160 acres upon claim No. 106509. It serves that Congress fails to pap the [illegible] contemplabra by Mr Stewart, I have written to him [illegible] two other times to proced with the first contract but as w  [illegible]other instancy a which Jhan recently Called your attention to conserns complete Filing. [illegible] you befor in [illegible] such claim has ever been presented by Mr Stewart . If  [illegible] not by authority to act in the matter [illegible] be [illegible]. An early answer to this in respectfully [illegible] by [illegible]
Respectfullyy
J W Clayton
Page 30

Mary Humphries

to Marriage Record

B. B.

Mary Crim

no change
Page 31

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County } Set

I Beman Pope, Clerk of the County Court of the [illegible] do certify that the following is a true perfect and couech extract from the Marriage Register of Jefferson County.

Date of License  |    Mens' names     |    Womens' names
1802 Octr 1        |  Merit Humphries  |     Mary Crim

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto [illegible] my hand and affixed the seal of said County this eighth day of September 1853.

Beman Pope Clk

By Thomas A Morgan 

[No Seal on document]
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War of the Revolution

Mary Humphrey
widow of Merit Humphrey
Petition for pension

Caw of 
J W Clayton
La Grange
KY
Page 33

Know all Men by these present, That I Mary Humphrey of Oldham County Kentucky widow of Merit Humphrey deceased, a pensioner of the United States made the second section of the Act of Congess of 3rd Feruary 1855 do hereby constitute Ana appoint John W Clayton of La Grange, Oldham County, Kentucky my true and lawful attorney for [illegible] and in my behalf to prosicute in the [illegible] States Court of Claim before Congress and the Department of the Interior my claim for arrears of pension under the Act aforesaid from the 4th day of  March 1848 to the 3rd day of February 1853, hereby ratifying and confirming all the Och of my said attorney in the premisy and an Mulling and rescinding all and every other authority heretofore given by me to any other person or persons to prosicute said claim.  The power of attorney to be im[illegible] for the term of three years fromm date, [illegible] my hand and seat this 16th day of February 1857.

Witness
R'd Lee
[illegible]

her
Mary X Humphrey
mark

State of Kentucky   County of Oldham } set
On the 16 day of February 1857 before me a justice of the peace for said County personally came the above Mary Humphrey and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed.
Richard Lee  JoPOC

Oldham County  [illegible]
I Brent Hopkins Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Richard Lee whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Certificate
Page 34

in and was at the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for said county duly commssioned and qualified 
In [illegible] whereof I have [illegible]set my [illegible] and affixed the seal of said county court, done at La Grange the 18th day of February 1857.

Brent Hopkins Clk

[no seal on this page]
Page 35

State of Kentucky
County of Oldham } Set

On this 16 day of February 1857 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace [illegible] and for said county and state Mary Humphrey a resident of Oldham County State of Kentucky, aged 77 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to abtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress [illegible] the 3rd day of February 1853 granting the renewal of half pay to certain widows and orphans; that she is the widow of Merit Humphrey who was a private in the War of the Revolution and that she is now ]illegible] a person at the rate of thirty dollars per year from the 3rd day of February 1853 as shown byh the records of  the pension office on the roll of pensioners Vol A page 174 and that she is still a widow.

[illegible]
R'd Lee
[illegible]

her
Mary X Humphrey
mark

Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above [illegible] before me and I certify that I know the applicant [illegible] person of credibility, and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is still a widow.
Richard Lee JoP.O.C.

Kentucky Oldham County To Mit
I, Brent Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court in and for said county do hereby certify that Richard Lee whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at th date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly [illegible].
In [illegible] whereof I have here unto set my [illegible] and affixed the seal of said County Court, and at La Grange the 18thy day of February 1857.
Brent Hopkins [illegible]
Page 36

State of Kentucky
Oldham County} SS

Be it known, That before me, Washington Carter, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Merrit Humphrey and made oath in due form of Law, that he is the identical Merrit Humphrey named in an original certificate in his possession, of which (I Certify) the following is a true copy:

War Department.---Revolutionary Claim.

I Certify, That in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Merrit Humphrey of the State of Kentucky was a private in the army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Thirty dollars and _____ cents, per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
{Given at the War Office of the United States, 
this 21st day of April one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty four}

Examined and countersigned
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Ensued and explained by magistrate.

that he now resides in Oldham County KY and has resided there for the space of three years past; and that previous thereto he resided in Jefferson County Kentucky.

Sworn and subscribed this 2nd day
of April 1836,
before me, 
W. Carter J.P.

his 
Merrit X Humphrey
mark

Nors - The above deposition must be signed by the deponent.