Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,178, Christopher Graham, Va.
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Va | Graham, Christopher | R. 4,178
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State of Kentucky, County of Nelson }
Sirs
On this the 9th day of November 1842 personally appeared before me Elijah Davis and an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Nelson State of Kentucky, Mr. Christopher Graham who is presented by reason of Bodily infirmity from appearing in Open Court & who is a resident of the County of Nelson State of Kentucky and aged 93 years, who being first duly sworn according to the Law, doth on his Oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated. In the month of February or March 1779 he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer and as Ensign under the Command of Colonel Matthews, in the malitia service, and that he filled the office of Chief Commissary or Commissary General, and that his Company was from Augusta County, Virginia. And they marched down to Richmond and below Richmond as far as Williamsburgh, which was the period of time in 1779 that Commodore Collier and General Matthews the British Commanders from New York landed at Portsmouth and Fort Nelson in Virginia, who afterwards entered Norfolk and made themselves masters of the principal places in their portion of Virginia and took great quantitys of provision. Many thousand Barrels which had been prepared for the main Army of General Washington; and also quantitys of stores and vast quantitys of Tobacco fell in their power, and they burned and spread devastation and Outrages in all that portion of Virginia which they became masters of. And that there was no general action with the British by his Company and the other companies of malitias of Virginia that assembled, because they were not numerous enough to engage the British or prevent enormous cruelties perpetrated by them during their mentioned excursions. And after the British had remained some weeks they evacuated Portsmouth and sailed for Charleston South Carolina. Declarant States that their were companies of malitia from Culpepper County Virginia & Rockbridge & Rockingham Countys also that he remembers of, being with his company from Augusta County Virginia, but that he misremembers their [illegible] officers, & thinks there was a Captain from Culpepper County of one of the companies by the name of Fowles and one by the name of Lillard,
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and a Colonel from Rockbridge County by the name of Bowyer who was a Brother of Wm Bowyer who was an officer of the malitia of Augusta County. And as afo'd they marched through Albemarle County and Hanover down to Williamsburgh, and that the said tour was about three months and two weeks in length he thinks. And that in the fall of 1780 and about the middle of September the Declarant again volunteered under General Matthews and Colonel William Bowyer in the malitia service as an ensign of the of malitia of Augusta County Virginia, and filled the office of Commissary General, and marched through Albemarle County Virginia and Hanover to Williamsburgh, which was the time the British General Leslie came from New York and landed at Portsmouth in the lower part of Virginia with an army of upwards of 3000 men who burnt and destroyed everything of any value and particularly large magazines of Tobacco. And they remained some time at Portsmouth. Declarant States that after the last mentioned tour expired he again volunteered under said General Matthews and Colonel Bowyer in the malitia service as an ensign and filled the offices of Commissary General or Chief Commissary and continued in actual service without losing a day until about the first of September 1787 at which time he was taken sick; and was not in actual service after that and was not at the surrender of Cornwallis, as his illness was protracted and he never again recovered until the winter thereafter. And that with his afo'd company from Augusta County in the fall and winter of 1780, there were Companys or Regiments of malitia from various counties in Virginia. There was a Regiment from Culpepper, and he thinks Col Slaughter commanded, and there was an officer by the name of Triplett he thinks Captain Fowles was with his company, and there were also troops from Rockbridge under the afo'd John Bowyer, and there were troops likewise from Rockingham and Albemarle Countys. And about the last of the Year 1780 or first of 1781, General Arnold, a British General, landed at Portsmouth with near 2000 men and that he immediately commenced the most desperate varages, he spared not his fury but visited it with vengeance upon the whole country through which he passed. And the malitia from various counties arose and with the company or Regiment from Augusta compeled Arnold to retreat and take up his quarters at Portsmouth where he intrenched himself and placed out his guards. And the Americans camped at Camp Carson only twelve miles from Portsmouth, and they took three or four of the British out[posts]
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[out]Posts or Pickets, and that he at Camp Carson among the afo'd service has had several hundred Barrels of provisions for his troops, and that there they remained for sometime during the winter and that before they took up their Camp at Camp Carson, they camped four or five days at Jarrico's Mill. And while they camped at Camp Carson or was incamped there, the Americans marched down within five miles of Portsmouth with the design of attacking Portsmouth, when they learned that the British fleet under General Philips with about 2000 men had arrived and joined Arnold. The Americans then evacuated their position and also Camp Carson and retreated to Richmond and the British persued them and over now the whole country and destroyed at Osborne a number of vessels and magazines of merchandize principally Tobacco, and also devoted to win Elizabethtown. The Americans were too weak to resist the British forces who marched up the south side of the James River and came to a town oposite Richmond, Virginia where We the Americans crossed the River only a day or two before, which town was devoted to the flames by the British and which the Americans in Richmond were compelled to witness. about which time General Layfayette who had been sent by General Washington with about 1000 Light Infantry to take command of the whole forces in Virginia marched from the head of Elk to Richmond and took the command upon himself. And marched toward Petersburgh in order to prevent the junction of the troops of Cornwallis with those of Philips. but General Philips arrived with his army at Petersburgh first and joined Cornwallis, who remained several days at Petersburgh, and took command of the British troops, and marched across James River & he thinks at Westown, and, Genl Layfayette with the American army took post behind the Chickahominy River and the County of Hanover was exposed, and overrun by the British, and Cornwallis sent Col Tarlton a British officer to Charlottsville in Albemarle County. Where he took a portion of the assembly that had met in that town and great quantitys of warlike stores and provisions and destroyed everything within his reach. The assembly then convened in Staunton. About the same time Baron Steuben of the American Army was pested at the Junction of James & Ranna Rivers & who was routed by the Br[itish]
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[Br]itish and in his retreat suffered greatly, and the British took at the last mentioned post quantitys of magazines arms and munitions of war. Afterward Cornwallis marched toward Richmond and also upon Williamsburgh which was then the Capitol of Virginia. Genl Layfayette's troops had made their Junction in the mean time with the troops of Baron Stuben and would have frequent skirmishes with the British foraging parties and also made their Junction with the troops of Genl Wayne who had been sent by Genl Washington to join Layfayette, and afterwhich the Americans took many prisoners of the British of those who did not continue with the main British Army. Cornwallis then marched his troops toward the Banks of the James River, and the American Army followed him so closely that he was compeled to stop upon the North side of the River to assess the impetuosity of our men, the Americans, and they fell with great impetuosity on the British troops, and Genl Layfayette ordered a retreat and lost some of his canon. Cornwallis sent his Cavalry after the American Army who took some American Prisoners. Genl Layfayette retreated from the Battle Ground at James Town to a Post between the rivers Mattapony and Pamunky. Cornwallis then proceded to Portsmouth, and remained only short time when he again marched his troops across the James River and took upon his headquarters at Yorktown and after which the American Army crossed the Pamunky and took Post in the County of New Kent where they harrassed the British & prevented their excursions in the County, & they proceded as far down as Williamsburgh when the American Army was joined by about 3000 French troops which were brought to America by a French officer who Blocked up with his fleet the mouths of the York and James Rivers In the mean time Cornwallis intrenched himself by all possible means - at which time Declarant was taken sick and was not again in service as his sickness was protracted and he never again recovered until winter. He further saith that he was residing Augusta County Virginia at the Commencment of the Revolutionary war and that he was raised & born in Said County of Augusta State of Virginia and that he Continued to reside there until 1794 when he moved to Nelson County Kentucky where he now resides. He further Declares that he has no documentary evidence in support of his claim and that he received his commissions as ens[ign]
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[ens]igns and he thinks also his commissions as Commissary but of this last mentioned fact he is not now certain but that he knows he received his Commissions as ensign and that they were universally signed by the Commanding officer if he is not much mistaken but he cannot be mistaken in the fact that he received his commissions. He also saith that he knows of no one now bywhom he can prove his services in said war as his Brothers have all passed away and he knows of no One that ever lived in this neighborhood or any distance near him that could have testified for him or was conversant with his services in said war. Wherefor Declarant hereto sets his hand and seal this day and year aforesaid

Christopher Graham [signature & seal; note: signature very shaky]

Sworn to and subscribed before me and acting Justice as fully set forth.
Elijah Davis [signature] 
JPeace

And we Reuben Medley Clergyman residing in the County of Nelson and State of Kentucky and William Graham a Methodist Episcopal Class leader resident likewise of said County of Nelson, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with and have long known the above mentioned Christopher Graham who has Sworn and subscribed to the foregoing and above Declaration: That we believe him to be near ninety three years of age; and that he is respected and believed; in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been an officer of the Revolution and Served as set forth aloud by him and we concur heartily in that opinion.

Reuben Medley [signed]
William Graham [signed]

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforsaid

Elijah Davis [signed]
JPeace

And I Elijah Davis Justice of the County Court or Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Nelson & state of Kentucky as aforsaid do hereby declare my opinion after the
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investigation of the whole matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary officer and served as stated at length as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Reubin Medley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Nelson as afo'd and is a credible person. And that Wm Graham who has signed the same certificate is a resident in the said county of Nelson and is also a credible person, and that the statements both of said Medley and Graham are intitled to credit. And I certify that the forgoing contains the proceedings in the whole matter of the application of said Christopher Graham for a Pension. And I further certify their are eleven interlinations and defasunes in the foregoing Declaration and certificates which were done before signed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this the 9th day of November Eighteen Hundred and forty two.
Elijah Davis [signature]
Justice of the Peace for Nelson County Kentucky

State of Kentucky, Nelson County }
I Nathaniel Wickliffe clerk of the Court of Nelson County state of Kentucky as hereby certify that Elijah Davis who has signed the above certificate as acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Nelson state of Kentucky and the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 10th day of November 1842
Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Nelson County

[affixed to bottom left of document: simple official seal composed of single horizontal ribbon under square banner/rosette. Square rosette has thin vertical lines and a zigzag cut edge, likely done with a pinking punch or pinking iron; colors of fabric unknown from provided picture; seal likely affixed to document with wax]
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State of Kentucky Nelson County

I Elijah Davis, and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County as certify that after Mr Christopher Graham made his Declaration before me this day in order to apply for the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832, That I interrogated him at length and examined him diligently and also propounded the following interrogations as prescribed by the war Department To wit.

1st 
Where and in what Year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Augusta Count Virginia on the 7th day of February 1720
2nd
Have you any records of your age; and if so where is it?
Answer. I have had the records of my age in the Bible and where it is now I cannot say but suppose it to be in possession of one of my children or nephews.
3d
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived Since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Answer. I was residing in Augusta County Virginia when called into service and have lived since the Revolutionary war in Augusta County Virginia & in Nelson County Kentucky and I now live in Nelson County Kentucky
4th
How were you called into service; were you draughted, did you you volunteer or were you a substitute; and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I volunteered for every tour of service, and served in no other capacity than a volunteer
5th
State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and malitia Regiments as you can remember and the General circumstances of your service?
Answer. General Layfayette Baron Steuben and General Wayne were the principal General or Regular officers who were with the troops where I served and the Regiments of General Layfayette and General Wayne were the principal continental Regiments that I now remember and the Regiments of Rockbridge County Rockingham County Albemarle County and Culpepper County and the principal Malitia Regiments that I now remember. And the general circumstances of my service an as follows. I volunteered in 1779 as an ensign and filled the office of commissary and marched in my Company down to Richmond and as far as Williamsburgh Virginia
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and my company was a malitia company and there were other companies of malitia that was with my company and this tour was about three months and two weeks and in the fall of 1780 I again volunteered as an ensign under Gen Matthews & Col Bowyer in the malitia Regiment of Augusta County Virginia and we marched down to Richmond and Williamsburg Virginia and [] from place to place and there were malitia Regiments again with ours from Rockbridge Rockingham Culpepper and I some three months and again volunteered in my afo'd Regiment as an ensign and filled the office of commissary and continued by again volunteering until about 1781 and about the 1st of September of that Year and we marched through the lower parts of Virginia camped at Camp Carson camped at Jerricos Mills and within five miles of Portsmouth crossed and recrossed the James River crossed Pamunkey took Post at Williamsburgh were joined by 3000 French troops V V. and should have mentioned the officers at Jamestown and witnessing the burning of [illegible] Richmond our retreat from Portsmouth V and in all I served fifteen months as ensign of the malitia of Augusta County Virginia and filled the office of Commissary General or Chief Commissary.
6th
Did you ever receive a commission; and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Answer. I always received my commissions as Ensign and the first was signed by my commanding officer Matthews and the second by General Matthews and the third by Matthews if I am not mistaken and the fourth by Bowyer and the fifth also. I am not exactly positive who signed my commissions but am now of opinion that they were signed as above stated. And what became of them I cannot for my life say.
7th
State the names of Persons to whom you are Known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as an officer of the Revolution?
Anser. All of my acquaintances in the whole county can testify to my character and their belief of my services in the Revolutionary war as an officer, But my now immediate neighbors are Benjamin Duncan Moses Harris William Weathers Nancy
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Harrels William Graham Robert Harrels and Mitchel Graham and they can testify to my character and their belief of my services as Ensign & Commissary in Said war.

And I Christopher Graham as hereby relinquish my claim and every claim whatsoever to a Pension or amenity, except the present and Declares that my name is not on the Pension Rolls of the agency of any state

Christopher Graham [signature]

Sworn to and Subscribed before me day & year afo'd

Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace

And I Elijah Davis from my long acquaintance with the above mentioned applicant Christopher Graham, do hereby certify that I am confident every statement he has made is strictly in accordance with the truth and that he should be enroled on the roll of Revolutionary pensioners as an officer for the afo'd period of service of fifteen months. Wherefore I hereunto set my hand day and year aforewritten. 
there are 5 aefasures who signed.

Elijah Davis [signature] JPeace

State of Kentucky Nelson County
I Nathaniel Wickliffe clerk of the Court of Nelson County Certify that Elija Davis is a magistrate as above & the above signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I hereunto offix my seal of office and subscribe my name this the tenth day of November AD1842

Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Nelson Cty
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November 16, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Christopher Graham, R.4178
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. F. H. Lashment
820 E. Mitchell Street
Petoskey, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Christopher Graham.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 4178, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Christopher Graham.

This soldier was born February 7, 1750, in Augusta County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.

He applied for pension November 9, 1842, while a resident of Nelson County, Kentucky, to which place he had moved from Augusta County Virginia in 1791. He alleged that while living in Agusta County, Virginia, he entered the service in February or March, 1779, serve as commissary general with rank of ensign and was in Colonels Matthews' and William Bowyer's Virginia regiments; his tours of service were about three months each in length, accounting in all to about fifteen months during the years 1779, 1780 and 1781. His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The name of the soldier's wife does not appear in the papers of his pension claim. His children are referred to but no names are given.

Christopher Graham stated in 1842 that all his brothers had passed away. One brother died in 1819. It was stated that one brother was a congressman from Kentucky. The names of the brothers were not given. In 1842 one of his family (name and relationship not given) was proprietor
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of the "celebrated springs of Harrodsburgh, Kentucky". In that year one William Graham of Nelson County, Kentucky, stated that he had known the soldier for over fifty years and one Mitchel Graham stated he was a neighbor of the soldier and one Robert M. Graham stated that he had known the soldier for over forty years; no relationship was given.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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State of Kentucky
Nelson County } 
Be it Remembered that on this the 9th day of November 1842 Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county Mr Robt M Graham a Gentleman of strict integrity an who after being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following statements to be mad as evidence on the application of Christopher Graham for the benefit of an Act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. First that he has known the afo'd Christopher Graham for a period of forty Years and that all statements made by him are intitled to the fullest confidence and that he has heard him ever since his acquaintance speak of the Revolutionary war and of his services therein as an Ensign and Commissary General and that the Rumor has been general ever since his acquaintance with him that he was an officer of said war and served faithfully therein. And he has never heard the General manner contradicted, called in question or doubted in the least by any individual, but on the contrary universally believed by everybody he ever heard speak of it. He also saith that he is a man of Splendid mind, and one of Superior learning and fully qualified to attend to business of any Character of a military natur and doubtless is a person of ninety two years of age. Further he saith no and subscribes his name
Robert M Graham [signature]

Sworn to and Subscibed before me
day and year afod
Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace [underlined]

State of Kentucky, Nelson County Set
I Nathaniel Wickliffe clerk of the Court of Nelson County do hereby certify that Elijah Davis is an acting Justice as above stated and the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name the 10th day of November 1842
Nathaniel Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of Nelson County Court
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No 35.443

[struck through]
[illegible] C Graham [illegible]

4178
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No 35.443

Christopher Graham
Ky
Act 7. June '32
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C H Trabue
Sep 7 1843

[written on back of folded letter]
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Pen on
Sept 7 '43

Sir [circled with much flourishing]

The add'l & indefinite statement of Christopher Graham has been examined & filed.
It fails to comply with if it does not evade the requisition for more specific narratives of each term of service and no efforts have been made to advance the proofs still attainable in Va which you were informed would be required of him.
The quantum of service which he alleges he rendered in the Va militia in volunteer companies does not comport with our knowledge of the course of the service. There were no "volunteer Companies" as there was no authority to accept them. The militia were in all cases drafted and altho the drafts sometimes consisted of volunteers, yet each man was credited with the tour as a milita &
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exempted from future drafts until the requisition again came to his class. His claim will not be allowed even for the Smallest Pension only he produce the required evidence

[back of letter, from previous, vertical]
C H Trabue
Sep 7 1843

[bottom of letter]
C H Trabue
Frankfort
Ky
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Frankfort Kentucky
July 7th 1843

Sir
your letter of the 9th January 1843 instructing me the proper Course to be pursued in establishing the the Claims of Ensign Christopher Graham was duly received

From the laps of time since the Revolutionary war the Consequent demise of its Officers and soldiers I find it imposerable to procure positive proof of the service Claimed for by said officer

I hereunto enclose upon the depositions of said Officer stating the period length and grade of each tour of service performed names of Officers Stations & what I hope will be satisfactory having completed as fully with the rules of your department as passible The Claim is now submitted for your decision hoping for an allowance of such service as you Consider him Justly intitled to

Please enclose to me at Frankfort Kentucky the Certificate of such allowance as you may Grant

I have the honor to be

Very Respectfully
your Obt Servt
CH Trabue

Hon JS Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
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Frankfort Ky 1842
November 3rd

Sir
I herewith enclose you the declaration of Christopher Graham of Nelson County Kentucky and the evidence in support of his claim to a Pension by the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832

you will much oblige Mr Graham by suffering your attention called to the Consideration of this case at a day as early as possible. You will please forward the Certificate of this allowance of the claim to me at Frankfort Kentucky

I am sir

Very respectfully 
Your Obt Servt
CH Trabue

Hon JS Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
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[back of folded letter]

C. H. Trabue
July 9: 43
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99
Pen Off
Dec [struck through] Jany 9, '43

Sir
The claim of Christopher Graham has been examined & his paper placed on file under the act of 7. June '32

The delay of making his application is no doubt attended with diminished means of proving his service but he is alone responsible for it. The rules require the best attainable evidence & the depositions of his surviving comrades in Va should be obtained in relation to each term of service claimed for the first term of 3mo is duly set forth as the rules require but the other service is obscurely narrated. If he intends to assert that he served more than 3 months in one militia Tour it is conclusive evidence that his memory is greatly defective. He should state in a deposition the period length
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& grade of each Tour names of officers stations &,  and adduce some evidence of each.

The grade should be established by the Commission itself or by some document of record before it can be allowed.

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C H Trabue
Jany. 9. '43

C.H Trabue [signature]
Frankfort,
Kentucky
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State of Kentucky
Nelson County }

Be it Remembered that on this the 9th day of November 1842 Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peach in aforsaid County Mr William Weathers a Gentleman known to me and known to be a high [] Gentleman and all his statements are intitled to the most implicit faith and who after being duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following statements to be made as evidence on the application of Christopher Graham of the County of Nelson State of Kentucky for the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. Towit that he has Known the afo'd Christopher Graham for many years not less than 30 and that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a man of high standing and of a high family, his Brother was long a Congressman from the State of Kentucky and one of the family is the propritor of the Celebrated Springs of Harrodsburgh Ky. He also saith that it has been the General Rumor in the neighborhood in which said Graham resides ever since he could recollect that he was an Ensign [underlined] and acted or filled the office of Commissary in the Revolutionary war and he has never heard the rumor that said Graham was an Ensign in said war Called in question or doubted by any individual whatever but on the contrary universally believed by every individual he has ever heard speak of it and that it has been as
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much spoken of as well could be. He also saith that if any man ever lived to an age as advanced as Mr Graham afo'd without having enemys it is the afo'd Mr. Graham. He saith also that he has heard the afo'd Christopher Graham detail ever since he knew him the natur of his service in the Revolutionary war and the statements heretofor made are precisely the same made by him in his declaration of this date before Elijah Davis as an acting Justice of the Peace in afor said County of Nelson. He also saith that Mr Graham afo'd is now very infirm and he at former period he thinks detailed at greater length or with more particularity than he has in said declaration. Further he saith not
William Weathers [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me day and year afo'd.
Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace [underlined]

State of Kentucky Nelson County Set
I nathaniel Wickliffe Clerk of the Court of Nelson County Certify that Elijah Davis above named is a magistrate and the signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto affix'd my seal of office & subscribed my name this the 10th day of November 1842
Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Nelson Cty.
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State of Kentucky
Nelson County}
Ss [Sirs]

Be it Remembered that on this the 9th day of November 1842 Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis as an acting Justice of the Peac in and for said County Mr. Moses Harrel, who is Known to me to be a Gentleman of high standing and the strictest integrity, & who after being duly sworn according to Law dothe on his Oath make the following statements to be read as evidence on the application of Mr Christopher Graham of Nelson County Kentucky for the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. Towit that he is now near fifty nine years of age and has been acquainted with and lived in the same neighborhood with the aforsaid Christopher Graham ever since he could first recollect and that he is a highminded, honourable Gentleman & has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church upward of fifty years and all statements made by him are entitled to and Aught to receive the most implicit confidence. He also saith that ever since his first remembrance he has heard the aforsaid Christopher Graham speak of his services in the Revolutionary war and set forth at length the nature of the service rendered by him in said war and they are preceisely stated in the Declaration of said Graham made before Elijah Davis as an acting Justice Justice of the peace, this day. He further saith that it has been the General rumor in the neighborhood in which said Graham resides that he was a munitions officer of the Revolutionary war and served therein as a faithful officer, and he has never heard the General rumor that said officer was a deserving character of said war called in question contradicted or doubted in 
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the last by any individual But on the contrary universally believed by every body Declarant has ever heard speak of it. and he has heard All the neighbors of said Graham speak of the services of said officer in the Revolutionary war. And said Graham has numerous of times narrated at length to him the services performed by him in the Revolutionary war as Ensign and Commissary General And his former statements are the same as made by him in his Declaration of this date before Elijah Davis Esq an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Nelson. He also saith that he has heard the Brother of the afo'd Christopher speak of the services in the war afo'd of said Christopher and all their statements are universally the same. He also saith that said Christopher is a man who has been one of sufficient capacity to attend to any business of a military character and is a man of undanted Courage. He also saith that the Brother alluded to of said Christopher is now dead and died in 1819. He also saith that said Christopher is now infirm yet for all of his advanced age is a man of good mind. 
Further Declarant saith not
Moses Harrel [signature]

Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day & year afo'd
Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace [underlined]
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State of Kentucky
Nelson County
I Nathaniel Wickliffe Clerk of the Court of Nelson County certify that Elijah Davis who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a magistrate and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 10th day of November 1842
Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of Nelson County Court
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State of Kentucky
Nelson County }

Sirs
Be it Remembered that on this the 9th day of November 1842 Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peace in aforsaid County Mr Benjamin Duncan a Gentleman of unquestionable integrity and who after being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following statement to be read as evidence on the application of Mr Christopher Graham late an Ensign in the war of the Revolution and is a Resident of the County of Nelson State of Kentucky for the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. Towit that He is now fifty one Years of age or near 51, and that he was born and raised in the neighborhood of the afo'd Mr Graham and that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been so ever since deponent's recollection, and that he is a man as universally respected as any that ever lived in the County of Nelson and his word is universally relied on as being strictly true. He saith also that he has heard the afo'd Christopher Graham speak at length of his services in the Revolutionary war and of having him an ensign and filled the office of Commissary in said war and that it has been the General rumor in the neighborhood in which he resides that he was ensign in said war and was a faithful officer therein and that the rumor
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["aforesaid" at the beginning of the document appears to have been hurriedly spelled out instead of the "afo'd" abbreviation commonly used for "aforesaid" & "aforementioned". However, it also appears the abbreviation may have been started, indicated by the mess of script preceding the full word, then last minute change to the full spelling]
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which has always been General that the afo'd Christopher Graham was an ensign in the war of the Revolution and filled the office of Commissary he has never heard Called in question contradicted or doubted in the least by any individual But on the contrary universally believed by every Body. He ever heard speak of it.
He also saith that the afo'd Christopher Graham has been of the most splendid schollars of this country and a man as well Calculated to have filled the office of ensign and Commissary as any man need to be. He also saith that said Graham is of a high family. And also saith that every statement said Christopher Graham might make should be entitled to the fullest credit. He also saith that he is intimately acquainted with Moses Horrel & Wm Weathers and that they are Gentlemen of much respectability and all the statements made by them should be entitled to the fullest faith.
Further deponent Saith not day and year afo'd
Benjamin Duncan [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afo'd before me -
Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace [underlined]

[continued next page]
Page 31

State of Kentucky
Nelson County }
I Nathaniel Wickliffe Clerk of the Court of Nelson County Certify that Elijah Davis named on the foregoing pages is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my seal of office and subscribe my name this the 10th day of November 1842

Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Nelson Cty
Page 32

June 2, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Christopher Graham. R.4178
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. F. H. Lashmet
820 East Mitchell Street
Petoskey, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Christopher Graham.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 4178, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Christopher Graham, the only soldier of that name that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Christopher Garham was born February 7, 1750, in Augusta County, Virginia. 

He applied for pension November 9, 1842, while a resident of Nelson County, Kentucky, to which place he had moved from Augusta County Virginia in 1791. He alleged that while living in Augusta County, Virginia, he entered the service in February or March, 1779, served as commissary general with rank of ensign and was in Colonels Matthews' and William Bowyer's Virginia regiments; his tours of service were about three months each in length, accounting in all to about fifteen months during the years 1779, 1780 and 1781. His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The name of the soldier's wife does not appear in the papers of his pension claim; children are referred to but no names are given.

The soldier stated in 1842 that all his brothers had passed away. One brother died in 1819. It was stated that one brother was a congressman from Kentucky. The names of the brothers were not given. In 1842 one of his family (name and exact relationship not given) was 
[continued next page]
Page 33

[continued from previous]
proprietor of the "celebrated springs of Harrodsburgh, Kentucky". In that year one William Graham of Nelson County, Kentucky, stated that he had known the soldier for over fifty years and one Mitchel Graham stated he was a neighbor of the soldier and one Robert M. Graham stated that he had known the soldier for over forty years; no relationship was given.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 34

June 10, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
Christopher Graham. R.4178

Mrs. Estelle Cobb
P. O. Box 1352
Washington, D.C.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request of May 21, 1935, for the record of the Revolutionary War soldier Christopher Graham, of Virginia and Kentucky.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 4178, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Christopher Graham.

This soldier was born February 7, 1750, in Augusta County, Virginia. 

He applied for pension November 9, 1842, while a resident of Nelson County, Kentucky, to which place he had moved from Augusta County, Virginia, in 1791. He alleged that while living in Augusta County, Virginia, he entered the service in February or March, 1779, served as commissary general with rank of ensign and was in Colonels Matthews' and William Bowyer's Virginia regiments; his tours of service were about three months each in length, accounting in all to about fifteen months during the years 1779, 1780 and 1781. His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The name of the soldier's wife does not appear in the papers of his pension claim; children are referred to but no names are given.

The soldier stated in 1842 that all his brothers had passed away. One brother died in 1819. It was stated that one brother was a congressman from Kentucky. The names of the brothers were not given. In 1842 one of his family (name and exact relationship not given) was 
[continued next page]
Page 35

[continued from previous]
proprietor of the "celebrated springs of Harrodsburgh, Kentucky". In that year one William Graham of Nelson County, Kentucky, stated that he had known the soldier for over fifty years and one Mitchel Graham stated he was a neighbor of the soldier and one Robert M. Graham stated that he had known the soldier for over forty years; no relationship was given.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 36

June 3,1929

Miss Dorothy Breit
522 North Fillmore
Marysville, Missouri

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 4178, it appears that Christopher Graham was born February 7, 1750, in Augusta County, Virginia.

He applied for pension November 9,1842, while a resident of Nelson County, Kentucky, to which place he had moved from Augusta County, Virginia, in 1791, and alleged that while residing in Augusta County, Virginia, he entered the service in Feb. or Mar 1779, as Ensign and served as Commissary General during the years 1779, 1780 and 1781, amounting in all to about fifteen months, a part of the time in Colonels Matthews' and William Bowyer's Virginia Regiments.

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.

The name of the soldier's wife is not shown; chil[dren]
[continued next page]
Page 37

[continued from previous]

[chil]dren are referred to but no names are given.

The above noted Christopher Graham is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Dur to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution.

Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt.

Respectfully,

KARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.

[handwritten post script]
Sol's brother is referred to - died in 1819
was a Congressman from Ky
Page 38

[letterhead]
DRS. PARKS & LASHMET
MAGNUS BUILDING
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN

WILLIAM H. PARKS, M. D.
F. H. LASHMET, M. D., F.A.C.P.

[circular stamped seal with numerical indices reads]
RECEIVED
NOV 2 1936
MAIL SUB.DIV.
VETS ADM
READER 18

[handwritten]
Oct. 30, 1936

US. War Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:
Will you please have the secretary send a copy of the letter you wrote to me early in June concerning one Christopher Graham (originally from Augusta Co. Virginia) who asked for a Rev. War pension?

The date in your letter was most complete but I've lost it.

I realize your dept is busy and it is near election time, but I would appreciate the copy.

Sincerely 
Irene Lashmet [signature]
(Mrs. F.H.L.)

820 E. Mitchell St.
Page 39

[letterhead]
DRS. PARKS & LASHMET
MAGNUS BUILDING
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN

WILLIAM H. PARKS, M. D.
F. H. LASHMET, M. D., F.A.C.P.

[upside down circular stamped seal with numerical indices reads]
RECEIVED
May 22 1936
MAIL SUB.DIV.
VETS ADM
READER 18

[handwritten]
May 19, 1936

Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Dear Sirs:
Has there ever been a Christopher Graham from Augusta Co Virginia in the Revolution Pension list and if so what names were given for wife and children?

This said Christopher Graham was a lieutenant sworn in May 11, 1777 from Augusta County Virginia according to "The Virginia Militia in the Revolution" by J.T. McAllister page 182, section 253.

I belong to the D.A.R. and my number is 291096 and I would appreciate the information.

Yours Truly,
Irene Lashmet [signature]
(Mrs. F.H. Lashmet)

820 E. Mitchell St.
Page 40

May 21. 1935

Please abstract
Christopher Graham of Va - & Kentuckey
R 4.178-

Mrs. Estelle Cobb
P.O Box 1352
Washington DC
Page 41

522 North Fillmore,
Maryville, Missouri
May 21, 1929.

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

[upside down circular stamped seal reads:]
U. S.
PENSION OFFICE
MAY 24 1929

Dear Sir:
On April 30, I wrote you in regard to one Christopher Graham [*] who served in the Revolutionary War. It is my information that he served in Henry Lee's Legion. Was Christopher Graham, of Highland County, Virginia, a pensioner?

On May 13, I wrote you in regard to another person, Thomas Graham, of Highland County, Virginia, who served in the War of 1812. Was Thomas Graham or his widow, Elizabeth Graham, ever granted a pension?

Will you please be kind enough to give me the information desired?

Very respectfully,
(Miss) Dorothy Breit
[* above name is the word "only" written by separate author; likely indicates that C.G. is the "only" C.G. in the records, as previously stated in other documents]
Page 42

522 North Fillmore St.,
Maryville, Missouri,
April 30, 1929.

U. S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I am trying to trace the genealogy of my family in order to make application to become a member of the D, A. R. The ancestor whom I intend to rely upon was on Christopher Graham. He enlisted in Highland County, Virginia, and served in the Revolutionary War.

It is my information that the said Christopher Graham served in Henry Lee's Legion. I am desirous of knowing whether or not Christopher Graham was a pensioner.

If Christopher Graham, of Highland County, Virginia, was a pensioner, please send me an official statement of such. Also, please send me any other information which you might have on file in regard to the above-named person.

Very truly yours,
(Miss) Dorothy Breit [signature]

[circular stamped seal reads]
U.S.
PENSION OFFICE
MAY 2, 1929
Page 43

[left page]
[struck through]
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873

4178 [handwritten]

P.O. ___
Christopher Graham [handwritten]
Service: ___
REJECTED [stamped]
Enlisted: ___, 18  .
Discharged: ___, 18  .
Application filed: ___, 18  .
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 states "Suspended" for further proof" p. 366 [handwritten]
Attorney: ___ 
P.O. ___
___ Recognized. ___ Contract.
___ Cer. of Dis.   Searched ____, 18  .

[right page]
[handwritten]
1929, June 3, Hist to Miss Dorothy Breitt MCS
[underscored break]
1935. June 10, hist to Mrs. Estelle Cobb. MCS
[underscored break]
1936. June 2. hist. to Mrs. F.H. Fashmet MCS
[underscored break]
1936. Nov. 16. hist. to Mrs. F.H. Fashmet MCS
Page 44

State of Kentucky
Nelson County }
Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peace of and for said County Mr Christopher Graham & who after being duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration by way of aiding his application for the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. Towit that the reason he did not make an earlier application for the benefit of said act is that he removed from Virginia in the year of 1791 and Knew of but few persons that ever came to this country from Virginia that were conversant with his services as an officer in the Revolutionary war and that those he Knew of had died before the passage of said law and he Knows not where to go to obtain proof of his services in said war and that he was too feeble to go to Virginia to attend to it, and he supposed that he was compelled to introduce positive [underlined] proof of his services in said war and that he was able in his old age to live without it and then it was neglected and he now prays an allowance for his services as an officer of fifteen months actual service and that he may be enrolled on the list of Revolutionary Pensions.

Christopher Graham [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 9th day of November 1842. }

Elijah Davis [signature]
JPeace

And also came before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peace in & for Nelson County Ky Mr Wm Graham who on his oath stated that the reasons given above by Christopher Graham for not making an earlier application for the benefit of said act are the correct reasons for the affiant has often times asked and insisted on said Christopher to try to obtain a Pension and his universal reason for not doing so was that he Knew of no one in this country by whom he could prove the services rendered by him in the war of the Revolution and thus the application was postponed.
William Graham [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Elijah Davis [signature] JPeace

[continued next page]
Page 45

[continued from previous]
State of Kentucky, Nelson County

I Nathaniel Wickliffe Clerk of the Court of Nelson County Certify that Elijah Davis who has signed the written certificate is a magistrate and the written signature purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 10th day of November 1842
Nathl Wickliffe [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Nelson County
Page 46

State of Kentucky, Nelson County }
Sir,
On this the 20th day of May 1843 Personally appeared before me Haden E Stone an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aformentioned Mr Christopher Graham a resident of the said County of Nelson State of Kentucky and who after being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath depose and say that he on the 9th day of November 1842 made a declaration before Elijah Davis Esq in order to obtain a Pension under the act of 7 June 1832, and in his declaration he endeavoured to narrate his service in the war of the Revolution with as much particularity as possible, and considering the loss of his memory to some extent he believes that he will and truly set forth his service and particularly the duration of the service or length of time of the same. Deponent further saith that when he made his said declaration he did not intend to convey the Idea that his tours were of longer duration than three months each, for they were of that length of time except the last tour which was not full three months on account of his taken sick before its termination. Deponent further saith that he volunteered as Ensign and filled the office of Commissary in Chief for a three month tour and which tour terminated first before Christmas, and upon its termination he and the other officers returned to Augusta County, and upon their arrival, he and some of the officers and particularly the principal officers again volunteered for another tour of three months, and when it terminated which deponent thinks was about the last of March, he volunteered for another of three months as said Ensign and filled the office of Chief Commissary and deponent couldn't say whether he returned back to Augusta County to volunteer or whether while at his station volunteered. And when the last mentioned tour terminated which declarant thinks was about the last of June or first of July 1781.

[continued next page]
Page 47

[continued from previous]
the deponent again volunteered for another tour and before its termination he was taken sick and could not Complete it. Deponent thinks the time he was taken sick was about the first of September 1781 thus making his actual service from the time he volunteered about the middle of September 1780 to the first of Sept 1781 of nearly on whole years duration, and deponent thinks he stated verbatim the same about the duration of his service in his declaration made before Elijah Davis on the 9th day of November 1842. Deponent further saith that he mentioned in his former declaration the circumstances, the stations or some of them, and the names of the officers that attended his service, but from the lapse of memory he cannot on what particular day or month state that he was at such a particular place or station. Deponent knows the names of most of the stations and the names of the immediate officers under and with whom his service was performed, and he has stated the same in his former declaration, but would not wish to try definitively to state at what particular part of his last several tours of service such and such particular officers were with him until the whole were rumminated. Deponent would now state that at Richmond Virginia he remained some time and considered himself then stationed. And at Williamsburgh and [illegible] considered himself there stationed, and at a station about 15 or 20 miles below Richmond he was stationed some time and which was near Colonel Birds old place and the name of the station he does not now remember. At Camp Carson he was stationed some time at which he lost an immense deal of provisions for his troops. At Jericho Mills he staid a short time. Deponent further states that he was at the above stations or some of them in the first of the year 1781 and the service afo'd performed in the summer of 1781 was of a moving character as they could not remain stationary at any one place any length of

[continued next page]
Page 48

[continued from previous]
time. Deponent thinks in his former declaration he made mention of the circuits of the travels of the army V.

And now having done all that he is enabled to do, he respectfully prays that his claim may be duly considered and an allowance made for the service by him so arduously and faithfully rendered for the United States above sixty years ago, and for which he has to this day remained unrequited.

Further deponent saith not May 20 1843
Christopher Graham [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me day and year afo'd
Haden E Stone [signature] JPeace [underlined]

And I the Just subscribed Justice hereby certify that I am of opinion that Mr Graham Justly should be inscribed on the roll of Revolutionary Pensions and I having questioned him fully in relation to his service in the Said war, and he doubtless served as he states.
[Haden E. Stone [signature] JPeace [underlined]

State of Kentucky
Nelson County } 
Sir
I Nathaniel Wickliffe clerk of the County Court for said County, certify that Haden E. Stone whose name is subscribed to the foregoing deposition and certificate is, and was a tht time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith & credit are & ought to be given to all his official acts and such; and I believe the signature of said Haden E. Stone to be in his own handwriting.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 1st day of June 1843
Nathl Wickliffe [signature] Clk
By C Wickliffe D.C.
Page 49

State of Kentucky
Nelson County }
Be it Remembered that on this the 9th day of November 1842 Personally appeared before me Elijah Davis an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county Mr Wm Graham who is a Methodist Episcopal Class leader and a credible person and who after being duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following statements to be read as evidence on the application of Mr Christopher Graham for the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. Towit that he has Known the afo'd Christopher Graham upward of fifty (50) years and that ever since he knew him he has heard him speak of the Revolutionary war and of his services therein as an Ensign and has heard him detail at great length the Character of his services in said war and that he Knows he universally made the same statements to him and all those with whom Deponent heard him converse that he has made in his Declaration on the 9th day of November 1842 before Elijah Davis a Justice of the Peace for Nelson County afo'd. He also saith the rumor that said Christopher Graham was an officer of the Revolutionary war and depondent has never heard Contradicted called in question or disbelieved by an human soul but on the Contrary universally believed as he Deponen Knows that the rumor has ben General in the neighborhood of said Christopher ever since he Deponent Knew him at all. He further saith that he never Knew a man more universally beloved on account of purity and upwrightness of character and statement than the afo'd Christopher Graham and all his statements should be believed as strictly true.
Further saith he not
William Graham [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me & this defasure is through mistake

Elijah Davis [signature JPeace [underlined]

[continued next page]
Page 50

[continued from previous]
And also came before me Elijah Davis Mr Reuben Medley who on his Oath states that he has been acquainted with Mr Christopher Graham a number of years and that he has been a gentleman of great learning, and well calculated for any business and has been ever since deponents Knowledge of him a high minded Gentleman and whose character for purity of sentiment and upwrightness of Conduct stands unsurpassed. And he also saith that all the whole County in one General Band would doubtless make the same statements in reaction to the character of said Christopher. He also saith there is no doubt of the services having been performed by said Christopher as stated by him in his Declaration in the mind of any one who Knows him.
Reuben Medley [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me}
Elijah Davis [signature] JPeace [underlined]

State of Kentucky
Nelson County }
I Nathaniel Wickliffe clerk of the Court of Nelson County certify that Elijah Davis who has signed the above certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in Said County and the above signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 10th day of November 1842
Natl Wickliffe [Signature]
Clerk of the Nelson County Court