Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22875, William Gay, S.C.

Page 1

SERVICE
S.C

Gay, William
Curry, Prudence

NUMBER
W.22875

Former Widow

Page 2

5.154
South Carolina
Prudence Curry decd.
widow of William Gay
who died on the 
of SC in the State of 
who was a Private in the     commanded
by Captain     of the       commanded 
by      in the   
line for Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 50 Dollars ~ Cents 
per annum, to commence on the 4 day of 
March, 1831 + ending the 
26 February 1844

Certificate of Pension issued the 13. day of 
Aug. 1852 and sent to 
Hon. D. Wallace

Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending A of R
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the}
Recorded by R McRae Clerk,
Book D     Vol 2  -  Page 385

Page 3

South Carolina
Chester District

On this 28th day of September 1850
personally appeared William Gay a resident of
Chester District aged 60 years who being first duly
Sworn according to law doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 
4th July 1836 entitled an act granting half pay
onto pensions to certain widows- That this declarant
the aforesaid William Gay in behalf of  himself and 
the surviving children of his mother Prudence Curry
deceased formerly widow of William Gay, States
that the said William Gay, husband of the said
Prudence Curry was a private Soldier (horseman) 
as the heirs understand [crossed off: and] in the army of the 
Revolution and as such he served the United States 
against the common enemy from the time he entered 
the service in 1777 of 1778 until the close of
the war, first under Captain William Bratton General 
Williamson a tour of about three months supposed to 
be of the Western Frontier of South Carolina against 
the common enemy. He afterward served in Capt. 
Hugh Brattons Company Col. William Bratton Regiment 
General Sumters Brigade as a horseman as above Stated 
and served in that capacity until the close of the 
war one or two tours of which service was performed 
after his marriage to the said Prudence Curry 
which marriage took place July the 7th one thousand 
Seven hundred and eighty one and as husband and 
wife they lived together [illegible] 20th day of August 1789 
when he died leaving the said Prudence a widow 
and that his said widow afterwards married Charles 
Curry who died in the York District South Carolina on 
the 7th day of February 1816 leaving the said Prudence 
again a widow with three children and that the said 
Prudence Curry departed this life on the twenty seventh

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day of February -- one thousand eight hundred 
and forty four (1844) not having married after
the death of the said Charles Curry leaving four
Children issue of the first marriage with William Gay
and three as above stated the issue of her marriage
with Charles Curry - Declarant further states that he 
has in support of the marriage of his father the said
William Gay to the said Prudence the family Register
showing the date of their marriage together with the 
births of their children which had been in the keeping 
of the family since the death of the Declarants father
and believes the same to be strictly correct - which 
record is hereunto attached
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year 
above written 
Peter Wylie [illegible] Wm Gay

South Carolina 
Chester District 
I Peter Wylie Judge of the Court 
of ordinary for Chester District which Court is 
a Court of record, do hereby certify that it has been 
shown in evidence to the satisfaction of the Court that
Prudence Curry died at her late residence in York
District South Carolina on the Seventy seventh day of February
one thousand eight hundred and forty four 
leaving surviving the following children to wit
Wm Gay Margaret Curry Elizabeth Curry + Robert Curry
who are still living and all 
of lawful age - and that the declarant William Gay 
is a respectable citizen of the District and his statement 
entitled to the highest confidence

Page 5

Given under my hand and seal
of office this 28th day of September 
at Chester Court house 
In open Court 
28th day of February 
A.D. 1850 
Peter Wylie [illegible]

Page 6

THE
PSALMS
OF 
DAVID
IN METRE:

Newly Translated, and diligently Compared
with the original TEXT, and former 
Translations
More plain, smooth, and agreeable to the TEXT,
than any heretofore
Allowed by the Authority of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY
of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, and appointed to be 
sung in Congregations and Families

EDINBUGH:
Printed by ALEXANDER KINCAID: His Majesty's Printer.
MDCCLXXII.

Page 7

William Gay and his wife Prudence was married July 
ye 19 ye year 1781

Eals Gay was born April ye 13 ye year 1782
James gay was born January ye ye 14 ye year 1784
Samuel Gay was born February ye 23 the year 1786
Agness Gay was born November ye 16 ye year 1787
William Gay was born February ye 26 ye year 1790
William gay he died August ye 20 - 1789

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South Carolina 
York District 
Before me personally appeared Alexander Howie and made oath in due form of law that he is now sixty three years old from his record that he was born and Raised within one mile of Prudence Curry whose heirs are now applicants for a pension and that he has always understood and believed that Prudence Curry was formerly the widow of Wm Gay Father of Wm Gay the present declarant ?Reported?  now of the Marriage of the said Wm gay and his wife Prudence (since Prudence Currry) and that the said Wm Gay was the Nephew of Capt Hugh Bratton and Col William Bratton and live a near neighbor to them during the Revolution and knew any other William Gay who has the

Page 9

are Mile of William Gay and his wife of maemar and distinctly recollects them and their children and is fully satisfied they were married in times of the war and none sevies often marriage William Gay husband of the Laine of Maemar was the nephew of Taft Hugh Bratien and Taft afterwards Loe Nm Bratton and liver a mean night to the said Emelas with whom deformst immounotract he served in the revolution and never TRnerns any other William Gay who done service in the revolution but the above named
Liefnerit was often at the house of William above named before his death which took place some sixty years past liaueing his wife Prudence a widow who afterwards Married Charles Cury with whom she lived to his death who died many years past living his wife The Sain presdence a widow who died in 1844 swamto and subscribed his Any not AS 1851
A Wallaw (Magt, Jimmy Carson her mark Liet, Juice We leerjoic
Margaret Harris aged 79 years past on oath says that she lives within one mile of William Gay and his wife prudence with

Page 10

whom he lived with to the time of his death which was some sixty years past living his wife prudence a widow who afterwards married Charles curry with whom she lived to his death who died many years past living The miss prudence a widow, these past aforements knows from personal knowledge as she was after at the house of William Gay and wife prudence and was with her father at at the burying of she said William Gay who was the nephew of of Taft Hugh and Bal William B'Eatons and never know any other man of the name of Will Gay who done service in The Revolution but the above named 
Sworn to and subscribed This 22nd Any  AD 1857 A J Wallace Margaret her Mark Hoover
(Magistiau)
Loot John Wonnell
Sarah Howie a ear by years says she says an oath says she has always understood and believed the statements made by the above witnefas to he Triue a fart of which she knows of her own personal knowledge before me
AJ Wallace (ellagt) Sarah Howie

Page 11

State of South Carolina
Yerle District I the same
Magistrate do hereby certify that Alise
ander Howie Jinny Carson Margaret Howie and Sarah howie are highly credible witnesses and their statements written to Juce creait and the age they Represent themselves to be 
AJ Wallace (Master)
South Carolina
Works District of John G Enloe whish of the werent of Leunuman Mens at General Lepins for the Aitre et of nisaid do hereby certify that  AS Wallage has before when the foregoing affidavit was made as of guard by his name in his own hand writing aftershley the same is and was as the time of signing the Lance and acting Magistrate in and for Leuice Lieutenant duly appointemt and signs and that full faith of bridet are dice to all his official acts as Lieck.
Given under my hand and deal of office at Worth Couth Heanel this twenty fived day of August AD 1851 John G Enloe

Page 12

South Caroline
York District
Before me personally appeared Samuel McConnel a resident of Chester district aged 72 years past last oct who living first only sworn according to law says that he is the nephew of William Gay first husband of Prudence Cury whose heirs are now after counts for a pension and was intimate by acquaintance with him since his first recollection to the time the said William Gay died living Raised with him and his children and always understood and believes that the said William Gay was a soldier in the army of the revolution and was personally in service with his uncles Taft Hugh Beatton and Col WM Bratton for whose neighborhood he lives from the time he entered service of his country until the close of the war as a horseman and was founded in high which wanna of mark of the monnes defnent distinctly recollect seeing and always understood the said William Gay was married to his wife Prudence  formingly Prudence woods before the close of the was and that the said Prudence lived with afornets Grand Father whilst has husband was in service as above stated for which

Page 13

he always understood he got an indent which he often heard spoken off in the family and recollects it  was mot a to same one buts Cannon McCollen nephew and thinks hes father Taft John McConnell indents were sales at the same time and that he never knew any man of the name of W Gay who done service int he Revolution but the above named and that Col Will Bratton EUncle of the  said Will Gay was after the war a Justice of the peace and Judge of the County Court for York District
Swornto and Subscribed 
This 9th day of January 1852
AS Wallace Magistrate Samuel McConnel

South Carolina York District
James Ash and wife margaret certify on oath that they were born and raised within two miles of prudence curry formerly widow of Will Gay and has known her from their first recollection and always understood and believes that her first husband the same William Gay was a soldier in the army of The Revolution which has been the tradition of the

Page 14

neighborhood ever since and knows he was a relation to Col. William and Capt Hugh Bratton and lived in their immediate neighborhood and that there was no other man of the name of William Gay in the homes of their acf maintaince who had the repucation of doing service in the revolution but the above mentioned william Gay
They further say that they are near acquainted with the evitnifs Samuel McConnel who testifies in this Caro and that he is a man of truth and entitled to face court swornto and subscribed the day and year above written 
AS Wallace
Magistrate James Ash
Margaret Ash
I the said magistrate do hereby certify that Samuel McConnel James Ash and Margaret Ask who have swornto and subscribed the above affidavits before me are persons of district verascity and to their statements is done full credence 
Given man under my hand the day and year above written 
AS Wallace
(magistrate)
YD SL

Page 15

South Carolina
York District
I John G Enloe clerk of the court of common pleasure of general lessions for York District verify that AS Wallace is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature participating to be his are genuine
In testimony where of I have heremro affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name District York Court Housh this 10th day of Lany 1889
John G Enloe
C Certified

I certify that AS Wallace is an acting Magistrate, as will appear from the acts of the South Carolina Legislature who above signature purhishing to be his and genuine
D Wallave One Larry 1852

Page 16

South Carolina 
York District
Before me Person ally appears McConnel Curry a resident of said District aged 59 past who living first in by sworn according to law says, that his open mother prudence Curry formerly widow of Will Gay has after told him, that has first knowledge will Gay, done one on two tours of birth after her marriage to him
The said William Gay, and that
it has always him the understanding
 of the did sitters of the neighborhood,
that the said William Gay
was a soldier in Leut Hugh of 32 at
tours Cornfary, Col Will Bratons Redsinentt,
in which neighborhood and they lived
in times of the war and that the
marriage took place previous to the
last periods of service of the said
William Gay.
 Informent was raised by the
said Prudence Curry (as he has understood) from the age of three years
in the revolution of a step son
and further says he is disinterested,
Swornto and subscribed,
This 2nd day of January 1887,
Before Me MConnel Curry
AS Wallace
Magistrate
Robert Porter aged 70 years past on oath 
says that he was raised in neighborhood of
William Gay first husband of Prudence
Cury Last of York District demand and was

Page 17

intimately acquinted with them and
family up to the time of his the said
William Gays death and with his said
widow afterwards The wife and widow of
Charles Curry up to the time of her death
and has of them heard The said Wm Gays
[as well as others speak of his] services [illegible]
of in the The revolution and has often heard
his said widow Prudence Curry speak of her
husband Wm Gays service after their
said marriage in Col Wm Williams
Brattons Regiment in whom neighborhood
the said William Gay as 
will as deponent lived and further
says that he never know any other
William Gay who done service in 
Revolution but the [illegible] named
Wm Gay Father of the Present declarant
now of Chester District So Ca
Swornto and subscribed this
3rd day of January 1850
Before Me
AS Wallace
Magistrate
Robert Porter
Jas H McConnel
And I the said magistrate do 
hereby certify that McConnel Curry
and Robert Porter who has sworn
To and subscribed the above [illegible]
before me are Respectable Citizens of York District and Their statements
entitled to full credit
given under my hand this
day and year above written AS Wallace
Magistrate

Page 18

No 7690
Prudence Curry [illegible]
formerly wid of Wm Gay
SC
Act 4 July 1836
Hon D Wallace
Union Co [???]
SC

Page 19

State of South Carolina
York District 

I John G Enloe clerk of the court of common pleas and general sessions for the District do hereby certify that A. S. Wallace & JP Hood are lawful magistrates of said District and that the foregoing signatures purporting to the theirs are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at York Court House this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one and the the seventy fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America 
John G Enloe
C.C.C.P.H.&G.S.

Page 20

Revy Widow, &c.
File No. 22,876
Prudence Curry
Wid of 
William Gay
Priv Rev War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index:-Vol. A Page 162
Arrangement of 1876

Page 21

House Repr US
Washington Jany 15 1837
Sir
Inclosed your have the declaration
& evidence when which William Gay of
Chester District South Carolina, son of
William Gay who was a Soldier of the
Revolution founds his claim to a pension
under the act of 4 July 1836
As the proof is complete in 
(I believe) many resheet, I hope that 
an early [illegible] be made to me 
upon the subject
I have the honor to be 
your obt sert
D Wallace
Hon J E Heath
War Department

Page 22

South Carolina
York District
Before me personally came
Capt. Robert William aged 91 years past and
made oath in due form of tour that he became 
acquainted with William Gay of Col Brattons Regmit
the sumer of 1780 Sumpters Brigade Militia and
serve in Service same length of time together &
during said period fought the Battle of Rocky
mount. & hanging Rock and always understood
and believed that the said William Gay was
in Service until the close of the war and lived
in the neighbourhood of Col Bratton and was
a Horseman or what was then called mounted
millitia as all Sumpters force at that time was
Sworn to and subscribed April 30th 1850 
his
Robert Wilson 
mark
JP Hood Mag 

I John P. Hood Do hereby certify that I am
Acquainted with Capt. Robt. Wilson and that his
statements are entitled to full audril although
he is now unable to sign his name [illegible] mine is as good as I ever know it
JP Hood Mag

Page 23

House Repr US
Washington Jany 28 1852

Sir
I inclose additional testimony in
the revolutionary pension claim of
Prudence Curry (othewise William
Gay) in reply to your letter of the
17th November last.
The service of William Gay, in 
the Army of the Revolution, is proved
by witnesses who served with him in 1780.
This is fortified by traditionary evidence
as will be seen per the papers on file
I have not known a case where
a claimant has been called on to prove
any one received an indent when that
indent wsa returned, and an official
copy filed at the Departmetn, except
in this case.  This it seems to me,
raies a question of impeachment
of the Record.  The rule laid
down, seems to be, to open a new question in reference to a [illegible]

Page 24

of evidence which I have heretofore
[illegible] conclusive
I submit the evidence now
presented with the hope that it will
be deemed sufficient to establish
the claim.
I have the [illegible]
your obt servt
D Wallace

Hon J E Heath
Dept Interior

Page 25

Wm Gay
May the 4th 1852
[illegible sentence]
Prudence Curry died
26 Feby 1846
leaving surviving child
Margaret Curry, Robt
Curry, Wm Gay & Elizabeth
Curry

Page 26

Pension Office
May 4th 1852

Sir.
If you will furnish this
office with the certificate of a court of
Record showing the exact date of the death
of Prudence Curry formerly widow of Wm
Gay, with the number and names of the 
children who survived her, the claim will
be allowed under Act of 4th July 1836 for
fifteen months service, at $50. per annum
up to the time of her death.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
You obt Sev
JE Heath
Commissioner of Pensions,

Hon. D. Wallace
H. of. Reps.

Page 27

Washington May 28 1852

Sir
I inclose additional evidence
in the Revolutionary pension claim
of Prudence Curry, formerly widow
of Wm Gay, in conformity to your
report in the said case, of the 
4th last.
I am sir
Very Respectfully
D Wallace

Hon J. E. Heath

Page 28

I certify that William Gay, whose
affidavit is herewith shown, is
a credible witness
D Wallace
[illegible]
Sep 1st 1837

Page 29

Brief in the case of Prudence Curry formly wid of Wm Gay
County and State of South Carolina
act 4 July 1836

Claim, ("iriginal," [or "for increase."])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls. If either, state the substance.
Evidence of service. Record, Parol and
Traditionary
Evidence of marriage. Record

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
Hon D. Wallace
H of Reps

Page 30

Prudence Curry decd
formerly widow of Wm Gay
S. C.
adm. Act 4 July 1836

15 mos pri 50$ per an
from 4th Mch 1831 to
26 Feby 1844
when she died.
Payable to
William gay
Margaret Curry
Robert Curry &
Elizabeth Curry
only surviving children

Cert to
Hon. D. Wallace
H of Reps

Page 31

No. 7.690
Prudence Curry decd
formerly wid of Wm. Gay

S. C.
Act of 4th July 1836.

Hon. D. Wallace April 25 1837
Same Nov 17 1837
Same. May 4/ 52

Page 32

[illegible] Sep 1st 1837

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 25t April
last in the revolutionary claim of
Prudence Curry formerly widow
of William Gay, and I herewith
inclose additional evidence in the
case, to meet the points of obligation
made in your letter refered to, which
I hope will be satisfactory.
I am informed and believe that
the account of the services in the 
revolutionary war, new in the office
of the comptroller genl of this state,
is all [illegible] one [illegible] - and one
account only - and therefore for
the services of one person [illegible].
It was a common opinion in
this country until very recently, that
a widow of a revolutionary soldier 
who intermarried, after the death
of her first Husband, lost her
right to a pension in consequence
of her second marriage
[illegible]

Page 33

cases of this kind, have come
under my own observation, and
this  case is one of them, as
explained by the testimony now
submitted.  The case of the
widow of Joseph Coleman of
this District, which I prosecuted
to a successful close was
suspended, or rather was not
prosecuted, for many years, under
the belief that Mrs Coleman,
the widow of Joseph, lost her
right by her intermarriage with
Mr Bowles, her second husband
and her heirs were advised by
legal counsel that t his was 
the fact.  This opinion prevailed
generally in this country until
written a few years past.
I speak from much
experience when I say, that it is
my opinion, that a less amount
have been received for pensions in
South Carolina, in proportion to
the amount of service rendered
in the revolution & than that of
any other state in the union.  I
am fully satisfied, from my
knowledge [illegible] revolutionary

Page 34

history & the practice under the
pension Laws, that this state
has not received half the amount
that is actually due under the 
pension Laws & which could be
recovered if the truth in each
case could be made to appear.
I hope the enclosed testimony
will be satisfactory to the department
to establish the claim
I have the honor to be
Your Obt Servt
D Wallace

Hon James E Heath
Washington DC

Page 35

South Carolina
York District
Before me
personally appeared Wm Gay
and made oath in due [illegible] of
law that [that] his mother Prudence
Curry was not aware in her
lifetime that any provisions
was made by the United States
for widows of Revolutionary soldiers
who were maried the second
time and was not aware himself
that his mother Prudence
Curry was entitled to a pension
until the spring of 1850 after which
time he commenced the claim
and would gladly have endeavered
to collect the claim for his
mother in her lifetime if he
had known her second marriage
had not deferred her of the [illegible]
deponent is unable to give
his father Wm Gays service in detail
with precision but has always understood
and believes his father s first
service was done under Capt Wm
Bratton afterwards Col Wm Bratton
Col Neal and that after Wm Bratton
was promoted to the rank 
of Col he was under the command
of Capt Hugh Bratton
as a volunteer horseman Col
Wm Brattons Regiment General
Sumters Brigade and as such

Page 36

he was almost constantly in
service untill the close of the
war.  Deponent has often heard
his mother Prudence Curry tell
her children of her sufferings
and hardship after her marriage
to his said father during his absence
in camp in which he was
generally engaged after mariage
as above stated until the close of
the war.
Deponent further says that
his Father Wm Gay was the nephew
of Col [illegible] & Capt Hugh
Bratton and was hand and hand
with them throughout the war
and that their services are well
known and Duly appreciated
as well as a matter of record
Sworn to and subscribed
this 22nd August A. D 1851
A S Wallace (Magt)
Wm Gay
I the said Magistrate do
hereby certify that William Gay
who has sworn to and subscribed
the above is a gentleman of high
Respectability and his statements entitled
to full credit
Given under my hand and
seal this 22nd August A. D. 1851.
LS A S Wallace (Magt)

Page 37

Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia S.C. Nov 7 1850
No 278
Book I
Issued this 22d Sept 1784 to Mr. William Gay for
Thirty five pounds fourteen shillings and three
pence [illegible] sterling for 283 days militia Duty in
1778 & 1781 as pr acct. audited.
 Principal £35:11:31/4
Interest        2.9.11"
22d Sept 84 Book I No 278."
State of South Carolina [??] to William
Gay

June the 21 1780
[fifty]
service don under Capt Hugh Bratton
fifty-eight days at £1 per day
£ 58

Octobr the 15 1780
service don under Cat. Bratton
seventy two days at [??] pr day-
£72

Novmbr the 25 1780
serve don under Capt. Hugh Bratton
96 days at [??] pr day --
£96

Decmb the 10 1778
service don under Capt W Bratton
forty eight days at ten shillings day. - - 
£24

July
nine days as privat Horcame @ S20 p. d
£90.0
£259
£37

The word "eight" underlined by me before
signing James A Black
Dep.


these are to certify that I have empowrd
Colo John Mooffett to Recive my publick
indent from the publick treasurer given
from under my hand this 1 day of March
1785
(signed) William Gay
in presents of 
(signed) W Bratton J. P.
Wm Gay
No 643 Recived the 22d September 1784 full

Page 38

"satisfaction for the within account in Indent no 278 Book"
I for £35.14.3184 Sterling in [illegible] of an order from the within named Wm Gay [illegible] (signed) Jno. Moffett"

I do hereby certify the foregoing
to be a true copy as taken from the
original records in this office.
For Comptroller Genl.
James A Black
Dep.

Page 39

5 

State of S. Carolina}
Chester District}
I Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District and State aforesaid which court is a court is a court of Record do hereby certify, that it has been shown in evidence to the satisfaction of the court that Prudence Curry formerly widow of Wm Gay departed this life in York District State of South Carolina on the twenty sixth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fortyfour (1844) leaving the following children her surviving to wit Margaret Curry, Robert Curry, Wm Gay and Elizabeth Curry only surviving children who are still living and are of lawful age.

In testimony whereof I have here unto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name in open court at Chester-ville May the 19th 1852.

Peter Wylie JCOCD

[seal]