Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 335, Elihu Ayres, N. C.

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N.C.
Ayres, Elihu
Ayers, Lydia
R.335

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Virginia.
23.632
Elihu Ayres
[illegible] in the State of Virginia
has a [illegible] in the [illegible] commanded
Captain Lewis of the [illegible] commanded
[illegible] Cleaveland in the N.C. Ka.ma
for 17 mo. 19 days           $58.78
       6. "     2.    "     Serg. +30.25
                                          $89.03
_______________________________________
[illegible] on the Roll of Virginia
rate of 89 Dollars 03 Cents per annual
commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension [illegible] the 12th day of March
1834, and sent to [illegible]
_______________________________________
[illegible] to the 4th of March '34        $267.09
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. '34  44.51
                                                                  $312.60
                                              Revolutionary Claim, 
                                                Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [illegible]                            Clerk,
Book E.      Vol.6.2            Page 1

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State of Virginia}
County of Patrick} let
On this 16th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court the Justice of the County Court now siting Elihu Ayres a resident of Patrick County aforesaid aged seventy two years the 26th of January last past 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 the 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States the 28th day of January 1778 as a volunteer private soldier or minutemen (as they were then called) under Colonel Benjamin Cleavland of the County of Welks in the State of North Carolina was placed in a company of Malihiu commanded by Captain Micajah Lewis that he served in this company and under this captain twelve months and thirteen days during this time he was not in any engagement with the foren enemy at being in that section of the country entirely in wore of Whig and Tory he was kept constantly in service such as [illegible] up the Tories out Lyres and do affected defending the Whig and their property from the ravages of the Tories he troereed the surrounding County from [illegible] Iron Works on the Yadkin River to Mitchels River fashers River Codies Creek Rading River Lewis Fork [illegible] River to the head of the Yadkins three arounds by the Table [illegible][illegible] the three creds of the [illegible] River three to the Main River down the same to [illegible] Fords three to [illegible] Court House from there crossing the South Yadkins to the [illegible] Ford of the main Yakin River from there through the Tory Country to the Iron Works above mentioned during this term of service this applicant was present and assisted in half hanging William Combs whom they left up on promise of better be [illegible] hanging William Royle and Samuel Jones who was condemned by a court martial consisting of the following [illegible] Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland

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Captain Benjamin Hearndon Captain Gorden and Lieutenant Baker Ayres nothing of importance Moore anneres during this tour of duty wether the recollection of this applicant. This applicant blamed from Colonel Cleaveland in discharge for this term of service which discharge was some years afterword burnt in his Fathers House at the time this applicant performed this tour of service his father lived in the County of Pittsylvania and state of Virigina from where he had first this applicant to Surry County North Carolina to buy land which he did but did not return to Prove his father until he served the above tour of duty believing his father would not move on account of the Tory was serving in the Country to Violently at [illegible] he received a letter from his father and returned home in the year 1780 and his father immediately moved to the above mentioned land the next tour of duty this applicant performed was under Captain Sallathial Martin of Surry County North Carolina who gave been the appointment of orderly Sergeant he entered into to this tour of duty on the 5th day of April 1780 in a regiment commanded by Col Cleaveland he was for some time employed in the surrounding country to [illegible] down the Tories during this tour this applicant states he was under various officers some times under and then on other he served a short time under Captain [illegible] Capt Hardin Hearndon Lewis and others an various short tours of duty until August following where he marched towards Kinghs Manntow was stationed a while at Creders old fort during which time there was a false alarm or a sham fight brought on by our officers in aide to try who of our men would fight from there he was marched to Kings Mountain there a battle engaged between the americans commanded by Colonel Cleaveland Williams and Cambell and Foggerson which terminated in the defeat of Foggerson many killed and taken prisoners this applicant [illegible] Foggerson lying wounded where Colonel Cambell order him to surrender to which he replied that he was aon Kings hall and he meant to dye in the Kings case Cambell immediately haved him to pieces with his sword and left Foggerson send on the Hill.

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this applicant was ordered to assist in guarding the prisoners to Beth[illegible] know by the names of [illegible] 
No [illegible] town in Surny county North Carolina now Statas county they were there delivered to Colonel Lock from Raivan or Mr Lelandburg this applicant here got a furlow to go home after Glothing but was not permitted to be idle long he was [illegible] afterwards ordered out under Major Hearndon in a company commanded by Capt Breshaw Allen from Wilkes county under whom he served until he was marched to the battle of Guilford they joined General Green about fourteen day, before this battle at Lusanssaro town he believes in Casswell county, with who they remained untill the battle of Guilford on the 15th of March 1781 and for some days afterwards at the Battle of Guilfold this applicant was of the North Carolina Militia who got panicke struck and was ran from the scene of action. on the 7th day of April he together with the rest of the North carolina Militia was discharged by General Green not far from Hillsborough North Carolina the N Carolina Militia discharged by Green was discharged by word of command this applicant states that he act was orderly given sent six months and two days which was from the commencement of the last [illegible] term of service untill the battle at Kingsmounty that he was who on the [illegible] of the shallow ford of the [illegible]. he further states that he was in a Whig and Tory fight called the battle of Coniliss. He had resided in [illegible] City N. Carolina till 1776 or 1792, since which he had resided in the County of Patrick where he now resides. 
He verily relinquishes every claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State of the United States.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year of our Lord are Martin Cloud and Arch. Stuart & Elihue Ayres residing in the county of Patrick and state of Virginia do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elihue Ayres who has subscribed and sworn to the

[written on side] Elihue Ayres

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Above declaration that we believe him to be 72 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Martin Cloud
Arch Stuart
And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the [illegible][illegible] applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further [illegible] that it appears to them that Martin Cloud and Arch Stuart are residents of the county of Patrick and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit and that there is no clergymen residing in the neighborhood of the said applicant.
I Abram Staples clerk of the county court of Patrick do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court [illegible] matter of the applicant of Elihu Ayres for a pension. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of November 1832.

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State of Virginia
Patrick County
This day Elihu Ayres in order to amend his declaration made in open court on the 16th day of November 1832 an hereunto annexed personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in my first engagement mentioned in my declaration I served as a private soldier one year and thirteen days and in my second engagement in service six months and two days as orderly Sergeanth and six months as a private soldier making in the who two years and fifteen days for which I claim a pension. In answer to the first interrogatory prescribed by the war department it states that he was born in the county of Pittsylvania State of Virginia on the 26th day of January 1761 according to his fathers Register which was [illegible] in his house some years ago and that he has no other record of his age.
In answer to the seventh interrogatory he states that in addition to the two citizens who have certified for him that if it be necessary he can prove the testimony of many others as to [illegible][illegible] and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution to [illegible] Mager William Carter William Cloud Esq Samuel Amburn Esqr to whom I am well known and who are soldiers of the Revolution according to report.
He answer to quiere the 13th he states that he has no documentary evidence of service and knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his services he also states that he is unable to attend the court and concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of April 1833.
Elihu Ayres
Martin, Cloud Jp

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I Abram Staples clerk of the county court of Patrick do hereby certify that Martin Cloud whose signature appears to the within amended declaration and affidavit is a magistrate of the County duly approved and commissioned [illegible][illegible][illegible] that the [illegible] signature purposing to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof those hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 22nd day of April 1833.
A Staples Clk

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33398
Lydia Ayres 
Widow of Elihu 
Va Elihu
Act 17 June 1844
Act 17 june 1844

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress approved June 17th 1844
State of Virginia
Patrick County
On this 19th day of April 1845 personally appeared before me Martin Cloud a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Lydia Ayres a resident in said County and state aforesaid aged eighty one years who being sworn according to law doth on her oath make the declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress approved June 17 1844.
That she is the wife of Elihu Ayres who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and late a pensioner of the United States that she is unquainted both the particulars of her husband’s service and the revolution but [illegible] to her declaration filed in the War Department upon which he was pensioned she further declares that she was married to the said Elihu Ayres she believes in the spring of the year 1786 in the County of Halifax Virginia. That she knows of no record evidence of her marriage that her husband the aforesaid Elihu Ayres died on the 19th day of March 1844. 
That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the 1st day of January 1794 at the town above stated. That she still remains a widow as well more fully appear by reference to the proof

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Hereunto annexed
Lydia Ayres
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me.
Martin Cloud a Justice of 
I Martin Cloud a Justice of the peace in an for the county of Patrick state of Virginia do hereby certify that I have appeared at the residence of the above applicant the day for the purpose of qualifying to the foregoing declaration. That from age and boily infirmity the above applicant is entirely unable to Mend Court for the purpose of making her declaration and do further certify that i reside immediately in the neighborhood of the above applicant. Lydia Ayres and has been acquainted with her for the spade of forty years last past and that she is the widow of Elihu Ayres who was a pensioner Elihu Ayres died on the 19th day of March 1844. Given under my hand the 19th day of April 1845.
Martin Cloud a Justice of the p

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At a circuit superior court of law and chancery continued and holdew for the county of Patrick at the courthouse thereof on the 22nd day of April 1845.
The declaration of Lydia Ayres widow of Elihu Penal Ayres deceased late a pensioner of the United States was exhibited in court and at appearing b satisfactory evidence that from old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court, she same is [illegible] to be verified at the war department.
In testimony I have hereunto set my hand as clerk of the court aforesaid and affixed my seal of office on the [illegible] day of April 1845.
Abram Staples clerk of the circuit superior court of law and chancery for the County of Patrick.

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Virginia to wit
I William Holt clerk of the County Court for the County of Halifax in the State of Virginia certify that I have examined the Records of my Office from 1781 to 1800 and that I find no Record of the marriage of Elihu Ayres an LydiaAyres within that period.
I further certify that the records of marriage extend back to the first mentioned date and no further and that the said Records are not so regular and full as to raise in my opinion, a presumption against the alleged marriage.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this 9th day of February 1846
Wm Holt

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Elkanah Ayres decd
Pension order
940. 1846, July

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Virginia
Carroll County Court July Term 1846
Satisfactory evidence was this day [illegible] to prove that Elkanah Ayres Haney Dean late Nancy Ayres wife of Hiram H Dean Ketty Dean wife of Henry H Dean late Kelly Ayres, Affy Scott wife of John Scott, late Affy Ayres, Cassamasa Ayres Martha Richardson, widow of Samuel Richardson, late Martha Ayres, Elekum Ayres, Lucy Allen, wife of William Allen, late Lucy Ayres, Lydia Burnet wife of Archebald Burnett, late Lydia Ayres, are all the heirs of Lydia Ayres decd who was an applicant for a pension and who was the widow of Elihu Ayres Decd late a pensioner of the United States, and that the said Lydia Ayres died on the 13 August 1845 in the county of Patrick state of Virginia and that Elkanah Ayres above mentioned is the [illegible] child of the said Lydia and Elihu Ayres and that he said Elkanah is at least fifty eight years of age and that the same be [illegible] to be certified to the Department of War.
In testimony whereof I William Lindsey clerk of the court of Carroll County in the state of Virginia have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 7 day of July in the year 1846.
William Lindsey Cc

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Ex’r INVALID
No 330
Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3, 1873
REJECTED
Lydia Ayres
O.
Rvice:
Listed: --- ,18
Scharged: --- , 18
Application filed: --- ,18
Alleges: --- 
Re-enlisted: ---
Attorney ---
P.O. ----

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No 98
Lydia Ayres wid of Elihu 
Virginia
Set to GW Cloud July 11 1845
“  “ Hon GW Hopkins 16 April 46
[illegible][illegible] J June 23 1840
Set to GW Cloud
Augt 14 46
To [illegible] Aug 26 46
To Hon Secretary of War
Sept 3 46 sent to 
GW Cloud 14 Nov 46
To lame May 14 47
Act 17 june 44

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Elihu Ayres NC
1778 12hw 15 @ oer Cap Sevy
1780 4,, 27,, Cap Allen
1780 2 OS Cap Martin

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State of Virginia
County of Patrick
On this 29th day of October 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the County of Patrick and State of Virginia Elihu Ayres a resident of Patrick County aged seventy three years on the 26th of January last past 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 the 7th 1832.
He says he was born in the county of Pittsylvania in the state of Virginia on the 26th day of January 1761 according to a transcript of his age in his possession [illegible][illegible] his fathers Register at which place he resided at the commencement of Revolutionary War he says that in the winter of 1777 he went to the County of Surry North Carolina to buy land for his father where he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He entered the service of the United States on the 28th day of january 1778 as a volunteer private soldier under Capt Micajah Lewis of the county of Wilkes state of North Carolina in a regiment commanded by Col Benjamin Cleaveland [illegible] he was stationed at several [illegible] Iron Works in the Count of Surry North Carolina to guard them and protect the surrounding neighborhood from the depredations of the Tories who much abandoned in that section of country and was frequently sent off in search of Tories out lyers and [illegible] and would again return to the Iron Works that place being the headquarters of the company called the Iron Works company. He was shortly after being stationed at the place just off under Capt William Underwood in search of Richard Murphey

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A tory captain who had joined a Tory company and was doing mischief in the country pursued him on Michels River Fishers River and Cadiz Creek North Carolina was on this expedition about twenty days and then return to the Iron Works again. A short time after this he was sent under Lietuenatn James Lewis in search of William Koil and Samuel Jones Tories whom they succeeded in taking near the Swan Ponds in Surry County N Carolina who was condemned by a court marital and hanged they also took one Combs who was half hange and let off on a promise of better behavior. He was engaged in this expedition about ten days and then marched back to the Iron Works again where he was again station under Capt Lewis for a few months when news reach them that Capt Daniel Carlon at the foot of Flower Gap (a gap of the mountain in the County of Henry State of Virginia) was robbed by the Tories, this declarant with others under the command of Capt Hardin was immediately sent in pursuit of them pursued them over the mountains in Virginia to Little River from there to the Three Forks of New River from there to the three top mountain and then to the Ball Mountain could not overtake them. Was marched back again to their garrison at the Iron Works after a march of about twenty days he was again station here a  while and was marched under Capt Lewis to Berk Court House against Colonel Briant of the Tories was stationed at this place about two weeks waiting for recruits not coming in contact with Briant at this place he was march to Salisbury Rowan County N Carolina where he was stationed about three weeks [illegible][illegible] by Col Briant no attack having been made here he was marched to the Shallow Ford of the Yadkin River when he remained a few days was then marched to the Iron Works again visiting in their rant the Tory neighborhoods convinced on the way he says he remained here until the tenth day of February 1779 when he was discharged by Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland which discharge is long since lost he says it is impossible for him to recollect precisely how long he was in the services [illegible] mentioned above on here long to a day between [illegible] but that he is certain he entered the service

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On the 28th day of January 1778 and was discharged on the tenth day of February 1779 during which time he was either in the field or in garrison. He says he should not [illegible][illegible] quit the service had he not received a letter from his father that he wished to move to the land this declarant had bought for him in Surry County North Carolina whose did he wanted in remaining for he had in the first place [illegible] this company called the Iron Works company for the term of twelve months with a promise to remain with them as long as he was needed if circumstances would permit him to do so but having received the above mentioned leter from his father he asked to be discharged which was [illegible] done [illegible] them returned to his fathers in Pittsylvania County Virginia. And in the first of the year 1780 he moved his father to the land he had purchased in Surry County N Carolina he further states that on the fifth day of April 1780 he again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under Captain Salathial Martin in the county of Surry North carolina where he then resided who gave him the appointment of orderly Sergeant he was again stationed at the Iron Works above mentioned when he remained guarding the Iron Works. Some length of time he does not recollect how long when he was march to the shallow ford of the Yadkin River under Capt Martin at which place they had an engagement with the Tories his Capt on this auction was taken prisoner by the Tories but on the next day was retaken he was again march back to the Iron Works remained there [illegible] time was again march against a party of Tories who had collected together at camp whom they [illegible] in dislodging after a short but dangerous conflict he was then marched back to the Iron Works where he remain until disgust following when he march under Capt Martin to Wilkes Court House where they [illegible] several other companies under the command

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Colonel Cleaveland was stationed here about three weeks waiting for a sufficient number of recruits to go on to King Mountain during our stay at this place the commanding officers Colonel Cleaveland and he believes Col Williams caused sham fight (one of the parties affecting to be the enemy) in order to try the valor of their officers and men from his place Cleaveland march his army up to Credens Old fort having first sent this declarant with 20 or 30 others to act as spies on the route who shaped their course up the Yadkin River and joined Col Cleaveland at Briders Fort remained here waiting for more aid was at this place joined by Col Cambbell from Virginia and some other companies the names of the commanders not recollected he was then with the army which at times consisted of several hundred march to Kings Mountain to attack Foggerson who was at that time stationed with his army on Kings Mountain after reaching the foot of the mountain a plan of attack was agreed on they [illegible] the mountain attacked the enemy the whole on nearby 20 of whom was either killed or taken prisoners. This declarant says he saw Foggerson lying wounded when Col Cambbell ordered him to surrender to whom he replied that he was on Kings hill and he meant to die in the Kings cause Cambell immediately hued him to pieces and left im dead on the mountain. This declarant states that he was ordered to assist in guarding the prisoners which he did. He aided in bringing them on to the old marivion town in Surry County N Carolina now stakes county when they were delivered to Colonel lock from Rowow or Michingburg this applicant says he here got a [illegible] to go home after clothing and to return to his company again when called on he remained idle eleven days when he

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Was again called on to guard the Iron Works under Major Heandon in a company commanded by Richard Allen from Wilkes County with whom he remained guarding the Iron Works until Lord Corwallis made his appearance in North Carolina he says about the first of February 1781 he march under Capt Richard Allen against Cornwallis joined Col Loc from Rowan or Mechinburg at Labron Crossroads in States County (then Serry) from there he was march to the High Rock ford on Hanover remained there a short time expecting Cornwallis to attack them they continued in that neighborhood [illegible] General Green from Virginia made his appearance on the border of North Carolina he was then march on to meet with him whom they joined at Summers Tower believes in Casswell County N Carolina between tan and Haw Rivers remained with General Green until the Battle of Guilford the declarant says the first or second round the N Carolina militia got panick struck himself amongst the rest and ran from the scene of action that he never stopped until he reached troublesome old Iron Works or distance of 9 or 10 miles he hear battled at which place he the next day joined General Green again marched with him in pursuit of Cornwallis near Hillsborough in North Carolina where on the 7th day of April 1781 himself and rest of the North Carolina militia from his quarter were discharged by General Green [illegible] word of command which place he returned home and was not afterward called into service the Iron Wors company having nothing more to do. He says during the year and thirteen days under Capt Lewis and others he was at one time on Burlaw [illegible] day and at another time four days

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[illegible] the time in actual service one year and two days in his second engagement under Capt Salathial Martin he served six months and two days as orderly Sergeant and twenty days as a guard in guarding the prisoners to the Maravion town from Kings Mountain there on [illegible] eleven days as stated above them four months and 27 days under Capt Allen as a private soldier which makes his services [illegible] soldier 17 months 19 days as orderly Sergeant 6 months and two days the whole 23 months 21 days.
He says he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knos of no living witnesses by whom he can prove his services he says he is known to the Mayor Wm Carter the presiding member of the County Court to Archibald Stuart attorney at law who was a member of the late [illegible] of Virginia to Col Abram Staples clerk of the county court and superior court of law and chancery to Col Greenville to Mager Clark Penn all of the county of Patrick and to Col Martin Dickinson clerk of the court court of Grayson. And also to Col Samuel Hughs of the county of patrick that he remained a citizen of Surry County until the year 1791 when he moved to the county of Patrick state of Virginia where he has resided ever since and where he now resides 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 the agency of any state. He further states that since he made his declaration in court on the 16 day of November 1832 which was considered defective he has by reason of bodily infirmity become unable to attend the Court.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date first above written
Elihu Ayres
Martin Cloud

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State of Virginia
County of Patrick
This day personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Patrick and state aforesaid Archibald Stuart and James W Wauhop Esq and Mayer William Carter the presiding magistrate of the County Court
Who certify that they are well acquainted with Elihu Ayres who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that they believe have to be seventy three years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that they concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of Nov 1833.
Archibald Stuart
James W Wauhop
Wm Carter
Martin Cloud
Patrick County
State of Virginia
I Martin Cloud a Justice of the peace in the county aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I further certify that Archibald Stuart James W Wauhop Esqr and Mayor William Carter the presiding Magistrate of the county court of Patrick.
Who has signed the preceeding certificate are residents of Patrick County Virginia are credible person and that there statements are entirely worth of credit and that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the said applicant.
Sworn under my hand this 15th day of November 1833
Martin Cloud

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State of Virginia
County of patrick
I Martin Cloud a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that Elihu Ayres who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration from all appearances is unable [illegible] of Radily infirmity to attend court certify under m hand this 29th day of October 1833.
Martin Cloud
Virginia
I Abram Staples clerk of the county court of Patrick do hereby certify that martin Cloud whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is a magistrate of the county duly appointed and commissioned according to law that [illegible][illegible] purposing to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18th day of November 1833 in the 58th year of the Commonwealth
A Staples

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Mr Avy Nd
May 16th 
J Edwards
War Department
Pension Office DC
May 17 1845
Lydia Ayres
June 7 1844

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Carroll County Va May 4th 1845
Dear
Sir I herewith enclose to you the declaration of Lydia Ayres the widow of Wlihu Ayres who died 19th March 1844 I well by to procure a copy of the Lienses Land from the clerk of Hallifax County Court of any can be found on the reciept of this you will please inform me whether she is entitled to the benefit of the Pension laws or not and of the declaration is made out under proper law, if not forward to me a copy of the law and forms to which relate to her case. Also send to me copy of laws and forms of 1844 and 1845 relative to pensioners.
You will also be so good as inform me whether the special acts of Congress of 1844 and appropriations to Revolutionary soldiers and widows and was in favor of Mrs Sally McCraw who has been trying for some several years to obtain a pension or not. I am sir yours most respectfully
George W Cloud
JL Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions

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JL Edwards
War Department
Pensions Office
April 6 1845
Lydia Ayres

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Carroll County Virginia 23rd July 1845
Dear
Sir In the latter part of April last I as well as I can recollect I inclosed to you the declaration of Lydia Ayres an applicant for a pension I have written to you. Long since to know whether it had arrive to the Department or not I have recd nothing to inform me whether or not it came to hand. Sir the Post Office at Mt any North Carolina where I send and receive my communications are so badly managed that it is uncertain whether a letter will be seen when it gets there or not. Sir on the receipt of this please inform me whether or not said papers came to your office and also what is necessary to be done by her to establish her on the Pension Roll direct your answer to Hellsville Carroll County Va.
I am sir your obedient servant
George W McCloud
JL Edwards
Comr of Pensions

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Sept 1 1848
Rec a 
Lydia Ayres
M Craw
10 June
JL Edwards
City of Washington DC

Page 32

Carroll County Virginia August 18th 1845
Sir
Your letter dated 11th July alt was duly Va your state in the same that Mrs Lydia Ayres will be required before she can rescue the benefit of the services alleged to have been performed by her husband to establish the same by a certified copy from the records of the secretary or comptrollers office of the state of N Carolina at Raleigh which in all probability case not be procured as a militiaman and the regulations of the president and secretary of War does not as I have even discovered contain any such regulation of a widow who her husband was a Pensioner of the United States though there may perhaps be some recent regulations under the tale officers employed in the War Department I have written again to the clerk of Halifax County Court for the record of her marriage instructing him that of there is no record to be attained to certify the none iscestance of the same. So soon as I proven other I will forward the same to the department should there be no record of the marriage files in the office, I shall seek for other testimony which I am in hopes will be sufficient.

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In regard to Mrs Sally McCraws case which has been so difficult and troublesome both to her friends and the Officers of Department. Also to Congress 2 sessions. I have been to the clerks office of Surry County NC since I read your note Mr FK Armstrong promise to examine thoroughly and if he could procure a copy of marriage he would send it on to the department, if he should not send the same he would certify the same of he should not procure a copy of the marriage you have already been furnished with proof of marriage by individually of known respectability and Frost and Snow and Wm H Fleming who was present at the time the marriage ceremony was performed. 
Sir on the receipt of the certificate of the clerk of Surry NC I am in haper for the simplicity which we all ought to bare for an old afflicted and poor individual who has been confined 4 years in bed that if it dependent for you to do so to make her pension payable to the next semiannual time of payments which is the 4th of Sept next excuse me for long letters i am on hopes the busenys of the department are not so oppressive as has been heretofore. I have the honor to be your most obt sevt
George W Cloud
JL Edwards Esq

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller’s Office
September 11, 1845
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled “An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,” and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Elihu Ayres, decd a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at the rate of Eighty nine Dollars and three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of March 1844, to the 19th March 1844.
Respectfully yours
Albion K Parris
Comptroller

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Washington City April 2nd 1846
Col JL Edwards
Comr of pensions
Sir
Inclosed herewith the certificate of Co Clerk of the County of Halifax, which is intended to be filed as evidence in support of the application, heretofore presented in the name of Lydia Ayres, widow of Elihu Ayres. Mr Cloud the agent inform me that given the application was [illegible], mrs Ayres has died, and he wishes me to send him, if necessary, [illegible][illegible] and from for [illegible] a new application in the manner of the children. You will very much oblige me by making me to do so, if you have the forms in hand.
I am sir
Very truly yours
Geo W Hopkins

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Hillerville Va
Aug 12 1845
Augt 8th 
Col JL Edwards
City of Washington DC
Pension Office
Mr. Gordon

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Carroll County Va August 2nd, 1846
In your letter of the 23rd june last has been recd in which you state that Samuel Woody’s papers has never reached the department. I handed them early in January last to the stage driver for him to mail them at Mt airy. I directed them to Mr GW Hopkins and I think if i mistake not that he answered me that they had been recd and forwarded to the Pension office I have written repeatedly to him and to the department since respecting the claim but could never get any [illegible] about the case or paper until your last I would suggest perhaps the papers have been rislayed. I herewith enclose to you a copy of the proceeding taken from the records in the clerks office which will probably superceed the necessity and trouble of calling on the parties to go before the court again on the reciept of this of the caarse of proceeding will be sufficient please inform me immediately whether or not.
In the case of Mrs McCraw children stated in your last the [illegible] of her children is considered to be a mistake because I had not communicated her death in some of my former letters and we do not go into courts of records here to make mistakes we go before the courts here to prove facts. The old lady lived a long time bedridden 4 years and people dies frequently in this county before being bedridden that elapse of time, I written to the secretary of war Mr Wm S Marcy to take up the case of the heirs of Wm Sally McCraw. Also enclosed to him the identity of Mrs Lydia Ayres children the widow of Elihu Ayres deceased.
In all of your communications heretofore respecting Mrs Lydia Ayres case you have

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Treated her as the widow of Elihu Ayres deceased whom I have no knowledge of and is not prosecatering the claim of Elisha Ayres’s widow at all there is a material difference between Elihu and Elisha Ayres and perhaps you have found the name of the latter on some of yours records which has occasioned you to mistake the proper name.
I am under the necessity of troubling you to examine the records or muster Rolls of the 2nd regiment Virginia state [illegible] commanded by at times Cols Brent and Dabney for the name of Charles Lewis part of his time private and part as a suballem officer of not on that Regiment it my be found in some other regiment of Virginia state line and when examined please inform me of the result desert, all [illegible] here after to Good spur past office.
Carroll County Va
Yours Respectfully
George W Cloud
JL Edwards
Comr of Pensions
SB since I closed this letter I think it [illegible] to enclose the letter of Mr Gorden’s instructions in the cse of Woody here.
GW Cloud

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29 Aug 1846
Good Spen Va
Aug 16/46
Geo W Cloud
Arhs Secty to decide several pension cases in office.
C293 [illegible] 29 46
[illegible] Office

Page 40

Carroll County VA 16th August 1846
Dear
Sir there is a claim enclosed to the commissioner of pensions of Lydia the widow of Elihu Ayres who was a pensioner at his death the widow died before her marriage was established afterwards established Mr Edwards in her requesations stated that the services of her husband Elihu Ayres should be proven not withstanding he has a Pensioner. I having been favored with an abstract of the pension laws and legislation of the president and secretary of war by my friend the Hon George W Hopkins from my [illegible] examining those laws and regulations I could not see any authority for such [illegible] in case the widows husband was a pensioner neither [illegible] the laws or regulations up to January last require any such reele. I [illegible] mr Edwards stating that i could not find any such laws or regulations it did not have any affect every Commissioned [illegible] from him repeated the same Mrs Ayres died. I informed Mr Edwards of the [illegible] he then instructed that the identity should be taken before a court of record and the same has been complied well what excuse with be invented next I am unable to conjecture. I hope is when that case comes before you the proper [illegible] and spirit of the laws regulations will be complied with and if it Im the line of our duty I wish you to call on the pension officers for those papers and forward the business.

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Sir in the case of Sally McCraw children enclosed to you the letter of Mr Edwards therein addressed to me seems to cast some imposition upon me as I [illegible] it or our court saying in his letter that the department considered it a mistake in the identity of the children because i had not informed him of the death of Mrs McCraw in some of my former letters to him. He further instruction in same letter that someone of the children should make a declaration in court for us the rests benefit which has not been complied with nor will not until further instructions from you as I [illegible] it entirely impractical and unnecessary therefore I am [illegible] the necessary result from you so soon as is practical.
There are an alter case before the pension officers to wit Samuel Woody regal heir to Tarleton Woody who died in the services of the United States in 1812 or 13 who hes heir was [illegible] out of his county by the brothers of the said Tarleton in 1820 or there about by swearing that the said Tarleton neither had wife or children and obtained the said County appropriated to the said Tarleton in Arkansas Territory your will find by an examination of the Treasury department that his wife administered on his estate and received his monthly pay which the said Tarleton did not receive in his [illegible] I also wish you to call for these paper and dispose with the case. I am sir your obt sevt
George W Cloud
Direct to good spur Carroll County Va

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To the honorable JL Edwards Comr of Pensions
Washington City DC
Hon NH Claiborne

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Patrick County Virginia February 17th 1834
Dear Sir I received your polite note of the 16th of January requiring me to return to the pension office of the United States my original declaration, before a final decision can be had on my case. I hasten to comply with the requisition. When I made my last declaration I was not able to attend court and was advised that it was unecessary to return the original. It was also thought best to make a new one as the first was objectionable and Lowing been amended was still objectionable, my [illegible] not sufficiently specified. The show fight mentioned in my first declaration to have taken [illegible] Criders Fort was a mistake in the written and not detached by me until I made my new one in which it is corrected stated to have tatam place an Wilkes Court House. I am in hopes upon the reciept of the original declaration my claim may not be longer [illegible] but some favorable decision made therein is I am very old infirm and indigent and if not ended by the general government must shortly become a change to the County.
Yours respectfully,
Elihu Ayres

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JL Edwards
City of Washington DC
Pensions Office
Mar 27 1849
Lydia Ayres

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Carroll County Va April 19th 1847
Dear 
Sir
In your last communication to me in the case of Lydia Ayres you required record proof of her husbands services and probability it mite be obtained at the Comptroller Office at Raleigh North Carolina. I sent to Mr Calling to examine and the record cant be found. I wish to be informed of you still exact that evidence to establish the claim or what other evidence will be recorded at the department.
I also wish to be informed whether congress at their last session passed a law giving to the widows pensions in the War of 1812 and also enclose to me a copy of the acts of Congress passed last session relative to Pension Claims and forms of declarations and your compliance will confer a favor on yours and write immediately I am sir yours most obedient servant.
George W Claud
Col JL Edwards
Com of pensions
Pension Office

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WWg 1846
Rece
Lydia Ayres
43
Col JL Edwards 
War Department
City of Washington DC

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Carroll County Virginia October 25th 1846
Dear
Sir In the case of Lydia Ayres widow of Elihu Ayres in your former letters to me on her case you have always asked for further proof.
1st that the record of marriage a certified of the clerk of Hallifac County Va of the none existence of the record of the marriage of the paries has been heretofore furnished or forwarded to your office subsequently the identity of her children and the oldest child age proven in court and forwarded to your office shoing that the paries was living together as man and wife prior to 1st day of January 1794.
2 you also ask for proof of the service of her husband who was a pensioner of the United States at his death which I can not percieve any law or regulations set forth by the war department and the last complications of the abstract of the several Pension laws now enforce upto January 27th 1846 which justifies your requisition relative to the proof of the services of a pensioner in as much as the pensioner Elihu Ayres proved his services in his own declaration or he could not have been allowed a pension himself. Therefore i want you to decide on the case of not allowed I shall I hope be permitted to an appeal to the secretary of war so soon as you decide please communicate to me at Good Speer PO Carroll County Va. I am sir most Respectfully
GW Claud
Col JL Edwards

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H of Reps
Washington, Feby 4th 1852
Sir,
I have been requested to look to the claim of Lydia Ayres, widow of Elihu Ayres to pension for his Revolutionary services and [illegible] upon what grounds it was rejected. My information is that it was filed about the year 1846 and that the widow died a year or more there after, leaving a large family of children, who are entitled to about a years pension, which she ought to have received. If the claim was disallowed on the account of the want of record evidence of her marriage that evidence I understand is at command as well as the evidence of the identity of the heirs.
Be pleased to answer at your earliest convenience, and oblige
Yours respectfully,
Thos H Averett
Reps 3rd District Va

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Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
MMHP/ILL
Her [illegible] in the case where we [illegible] by me on Oct 8, 1941
MATT
October 10, 1930
Mrs. Joseph Owens
237 Solar Street
Bristol, Virginia
Dear Madam: 
You are advised that the pensioner of Patrick County, Virginia in 1832, recorded in report from the Secretary of War, printed in 1835 as Elisha Ayres, was Elihu Ayres.
If your ancestor was Elisha Ayres, it is presumed you are not interested in the record of Elihu Ayres.
Very truly yours, 
EW Morgan
Acting Commissioner