Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3818, Benjamin Fry, Va.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE MEMBER
Va Fry, Benjamin (circular stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES R.3818 
Ann
CONTENTS

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State of Illinois
County of Iroquois ss
(circular stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
On this [illegible] day of November Ad1852 I. John Chamberlin the undersigned, Judge of the county court in & for said county, the same being a court of Record, visited Ann Fry, widow of Benjamin Fry deceased, at her residence in the aforsaid county (she from bodily infirmity being unable to appear in open court) she is aged sixty nine years who first being sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress, posed June 7th 1832; That her said husband Benjamin Fry (deceased) she believes was a Private, in the "War of the Revolution, and was enrolled in the state of virginia she believes served three years and eight months as she is informed, Believes from the conversation of her late husband, that he servied under General Washington & General Warren & general Gates & helped take [illegible] force and was at the Battle of Bunkerhill ^ this may be a mistake and knows not where he was discharged or what became of his discharge and that they were married on the 18th day of May 1802 ^ in Frederick county virginia and that there is no record of the marriage that she knows of. Her Husband & self were natives of Frederick County, Virginia. Her name before her marriage was Ann Cadwaleder she knows of no documentary evidence by which she can prove any thing. Her Husband died in Iroquois county & state aforesaid, & she has never married again - his death occured on the 24th day of July Ad 1838. ^ at which time he was 79 years & 6 months of age he never drew pay or pension And she knows not what became of his discharge, she further states that the said Bejamin Fry deceased has five children surviving him

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2  Whit, Isaac Fry aged 64 years, Abrham Fry aged 64 ^ these two were twins year, John Fry aged 45 years. Benjamin Fry aged 49 years and Joseph Fry aged 42 years, the said Isaac Fry and Abraham Fry, are children by his first wife, and no record evidence exists of their Birth's & ages.  
Ann Fry

Sworn and subscribed to before the undersigned Judge of the Iroquois County (Circuit crossed out) Court, as aforesaid, ^the day & year first afore written, And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the Said Ann Fry, and the Said, Isaac, Abraham, John, Benjamin, and Joseph, whose names appear in the foregoing declaration, and believe the facts in relation to them to be substantialy (sic) true, and believe the Said Ann Fry to be the widow of the Said Benjamin deceased, and the fact of his having served in the war of the Revolution to be true, from the information which I have received. 

John Chamberlain   Judge
of Iroquois County Court as aforesaid

State of Illinois - County of Iroquois } SS = I Amos O. Whitman (aka F. Magnon crossed out)  Clerk of the court, of the County aforesaid and state of Illinois - do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of Said Court, in the matter of the Application, of Ann Fry, for a pension, as the widow of Benjamin Fry, deceased.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 18th - day of December, A.D. 1852,
Amos O. Whiteman Clerk
of the County Court of Iroquois County and state of Illinois -
(flourish)

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State of Illinois, County of Iroquois. SS;

Personally came before me, the undersigned 
a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, And State of Illinois, Ezekiel Whiteman and Henry D. Strickler, who after being sworn according to Law, Say "that they were well acquainted with Benjamin Fry in his life time, and that he died at the County and state aforesaid and about the time mentioned in the foregoing declaration, and that they were well acquainted, also with the said Ann Fry, widow of the Said Benjamin Fry, deceased, and knew them to have lived together as man & wife, and so reputed to be; and that they are well acquainted with the Said Sons, of the Said Benjamin, whose names are set out in Said declaration, and believe the facts in relation to them as therein stated to be substantially true.
Ezekiel Whiteman
Henry D Strickler

Sworn & subscribed before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace as aforesaid the 2d day of November 1852
Abram Coughenour J.P.

State of Illinois, County of Iroquois Ss
I Amos O. Whiteman, Clerk of the County Court in and for Said County, & state of Illinois, do hereby certify that Abram Coughenour whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, is & was an acting Justice of the Peace at the time of Executing the same & duly elected and commissioned, with power to take acknowledgements for general Justices. and that all credit and faith are due to his official Acts as such.

Given under my hand and seal of office, at Middleport, County and state aforesaid this 18th day of December 1352.
A. O. Whiteman Clerk of Iroquios County Court as aforesaid

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Know all men by these Presents, that I Ann Fry, widow of Benjamin Fry, deceased, of the County of Iroquois & State of Illinois do hereby constitute and appoint Richard Burgess of Washington City and District of Columbia, my true and Lawful attorney for me, to receive from the Government of the United States Any allowance or pension, that may be due me, as the widow of said Benjamin Fry, a  Revolutionary Soldier; in Pursuance of any act of Congress, 
passed for the relief of the widows of soldiers who have served in the War of the Revolution.
Witness my hand and seal this 2d day of November 1852.
Ann  Fry
Sealed and delivered in Presence of 
John Karr [hand drawn seal]

County of Iroquois & State of Illinois, Ss
Be it known that on the 2d day of November 1852 before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace, in & for Said County, personally appeared, Ann Fry, above named, and acknowledged the above power of attorney 
to be her act and deed, In testimony whereof, 
I hereunto set hand the day & year last above mentioned
Abram Coughenour J. Peace

[round black ink stamp]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE U NITED STATES

County of Iroquois, State of Illinois, I Amos O. Whiteman Clerk of the County Court, in & for the above County & state of Illinois, Certify that Abram Coughenour is & was an acting Justice of the Peace, at the time of attaching his signature to the above acknowledgement, which signature is genuine; & that he was duly elected and commissioned as such with power to take acknowledgements for general purposes and all credit is due to his official acts as such.

Given under my hand  & seal of office this 18th day of December AD 1852, at Middleport, in Said County
Amos Whiteman Clerk of the County Court in & for Said County of Iroquois and State of 
Illinois

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(circle with words inside the rim) The National Archives of the United States

To the Governor of Virginia

The petition of the heirs of George, Benjamin, Gabriel and John Fry respectfully states that their ancestors above named, in the year 1777 enlisted themselves int he service of the State of Virginia for and during the War. That the Three first served out the time for which they ^were enlisted; Joseph Fry the brother of those above mentioned enlisted at the same time and in the same Company that George Fry did and died in the service, his heirs immediately after the war received the bounty in law promised to him, but your petitioners have never till this time urged their claim - they hope it will now receive the favorable consideration of your excellency, that you will direct a warrant to issue to them for the services of their ancestors during the War. 

State of North Carolina}
Stokes County }  at June County Court of pleas and quarter sessions 1832

Henry Carter one of the old Revolutionary Soldiers came into court and made oath that a certain John Fry, Goerge Fry, Benjamin Fry, Joseph Fry and Gabriel Fry, all brothers did enlist themselves as regular soldiers in the service of the United

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States for and during the Revolutionary War against Great Britain and is was stated by letters to their parents that Joseph Fry, and George Fry died in the Army as this deponent was informed, and has just reason to believe, leaving no children as heirs at law and since the Revolutionary War ended, the remainder of the brothers heave all died, and none of them leaving any heirs at law but John Frys' children as this deponent has just reason to believe, the aforesaid enlistment was made int he County of Albemarle in the Commonwealth of Virginia and this deponent further saith not, but states that he served with said John Fry in the service and subscribed this affidavit in open court. 
Henry Carter
M.R. Moore Csl

Gabriel Fry one of the sons of the late John Fry, dec.d came into open court and made oath that he has just reason to believe that all his uncles George, Benjamin, Jospeh and Gabriel Frys died without any heirs except himself and his brothers and sisters whose names are Benjamin Fry, Gincy Fry, Delilah who intermarried with William Lawon, Nancy married Jonas Lawson Elijah Fry, Thomas Fry, Zada who intermarried Wm Collins and further this deponent saith that he has always understood and has just reason to believe that his father John Fry dec.d was a regular soldier in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary

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War against G. Britain and that he is the same person and his brothers and sisters that he represents himself and them to be, the only children of the aforesaid John Fry deceased and lawful heirs & representatives of their uncles before mentioned as leaving no children to inherit their estates &c, and subscribed this affidavit in open court.
Gabriel Frye
M. R. Moore Clk
At the same time James Lyon & John Banner Esqs came into open court and testified on oath that the foregoing names enumerated in the affadavit of Gabriel Fry are the names of the children called and believed to be the children of the late John Fry deceased Sworn & subscribed in open court.
John BAnner
Jas Lyon
M.R. Moore Clk

(stamp) The National Archives of United States

John Fry}
Geo Fry}
Ben. Fry}
Gabriel Fry}
Joseph Fry}  Soldiers of the Contl. line. -

The names of George and Gabriel Fry appear on the Army Register.  Those of John & Benjamin Fry have not been found there. Joseph Fry died in

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service, and his heirs have received bounty land.
One witness proves, that John, George, Banjamin and Gabriel Fry (also Joseph Fry) enlisted in the Revolutionary army, for the war and that George died in the service. There is no proof of the service of these soldiers, to the end of the War. I do not know, on what evidence, the allowance of land was made to the heirs of Joseph Fry: but presume it was sufficient. 
These claims may be good, But, on the evidence now offered, ought not to be allowed. I respectfully suggest the propriety of postponing them, for fuller proof. 
Respectfulyl submitted, 
John H. Smith, Court V.a
Ap. 19th 1834

To his Excellency}
Gov. Tazewell}

Executive Department
Richmond V.a Jan.y 10 1853
I hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of the documents filed with the claims of John Fry, George Fry, Benj. Fry Gabriel Fry & Joseph Fry, in my office. Given under my hand this tenth of January 1853
George W. Munford
Secy of the Comth.

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December 18, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Benjamin Fry-R. 3818
BA-J/AWF 

Mrs. Alice Markley Dawson
234 Pilgrim Road
West Plam Beach, Florida

Dear Madam:

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

The record of Benjamin Fry which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 3818, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

Benjamin Fry married May 18, 1803 in Frederick County, Virginia, Ann Cadwalader. They were both natives of Frederick county, Virginia, dates of their births now shown, nor are the names of their parents given. 

Benjamin Fry died July 28, 1938 in Iroquois County, Illinois, aged seventy-nine years and six months.

His widow, Ann Fry, applied for pension November 2, 1852, at which time she was residing in Iroquois County, Illinois, aged sixty-nine years. She alleged that her husband, Benjamin Fry, served three years and eight months as a private under Generals Washington, Gates and Warren, that he was in the battle of bunker Hill and "helped to take Burgoyne". 

Her claim was not allowed as there was no proof of the alleged services. furnished

Reference was made in 1852 to the following surviving children of Benjamin Fry: Isaac and Abraham Fry (twins) aged sixty-four years, who were children by his former wife, her name not given and there is no

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further reference to her; Benjamin Fry aged forty-nine years, John aged forty-five years, and Joseph aged forty-two years, children by his wife, Ann.

It is stated that Benjamin Fry's brother, John, George, Joseph and Gabriel Fry, were soldiers of the War of the Revolution from Virginia. 

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Very truly yours


A. D. Hiller
Executive assistant to the Administrator

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L. P. Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

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L. P. Waldo Esq       Washington DC
Commissioner of Pensions      May 30, 1853

Sir

Inclosed is the Declaration of Ann Fry (widow of Benj.a Fry who was a private soldier of the War of the Revolution - The widow (not having married unto 1802 her claim for a pension was not provided ^for until the Act of the last Session approved 3 February 1853 entitled "An Act to Continue Half pay to Certain Widows and Orphans." 2 Section

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Respectfully
her
Vobsuh(?)
R. Burgess

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L. P. Waldo, esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
(stamp) THE ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES 

1853

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(left hand side of page)
May 31, 1853
Appl. of Ann Fry widow of Benj.
(stamp) THE ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Ill.s

Act 3d Feby. 1853
Rev. 
Ro Burgess
Present

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Official Business

(right hand side of page)
No.. 1904
(Ann Fry widow of Benjamin set to R. Burgess Aug 17/53 crossed out) (RB)
(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
3818
Rev.y
Act 390 Feby 1853

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(acts of July 14, 1802, and March 3, 1823 crossed out)

3818   Rejected 

P.O.
Ann Fry
Service:

Enlisted:   , 18  ,
Discharged:  , 18  ,

Application filed:    , 18  ,

Alleges:  
Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.   

Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis.  Searched for    , 18  .

(written sideways on page)
1930- July 24 - Hist to Esther Christmore Cevy
1934 - Dec. 18- "      "     Mrs. Alice Markley to Anises Aug 3

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Edna, Kansas
June 22, 1930

Pension Dept.
Washington D.C.
 
(stamp) U. S. Pension office JUN 25 1930
(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me what information you can in regard to Col Ben Fry's Revolutionary War Service? Just what part did he take in it, when and where was he born and when and where did he die? Do you have any record of his father,  (check mark) Ben Fry? If so, will you please send it to me?
Col. Ben Fry was my great great uncle and I must have information for D.A.R. Col. Ben Fry was a brother of (check mark) Joseph Fry and they lived near Winchester, VA., or in Va. Do you have any information in regard to Joseph Fry?
I shall be very pleased to hear from you. Resp't Esther Christmore.

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Edna, Kansas
May 28, 1930

1852
42
1810

Pension Dep't
Rev. War Section,
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I just learned that I am a decendent (sic) of Col. Ben Fry of Va: who took part in the Revolutionary War. Will you please send me all the information possible you have about him and his decendents? (sic)

Respectfully,
Esther Christmore

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

(Stamp) REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION JUN 2 - 1930  [Illegible] OF PENSIONS

(Stamp) U. S. PENSION OFFICE JUL 16 1930

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Edna, Kansas
July 12, 1930

U.S. Dept. of Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

(stamp) U. S. PENSION OFFICE JUL 16 1930

Dear Sir:

(stamp)  THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

I have your letter asking for more definite information regarding Col. Benjamin Fry, and I am sending you what I have.

Benjamin Fry was born in 1754, and we think in Virginia, probably in Frederick Co. He had a son, Joseph Fry, born on Jan. 7, 1788, in Virginia, and died June 25, 1866, in Frederick county, Va. Joseph Fry married a Katherine Kockley Jan,. 12 1809 in Frederick Co. Virginia, where he resided. I have been unable to find out as yet when Benjamin Fry died and whom he married. His father was a Benjamin Fry who came from Germany. He died in 1753. His wife's given name was Christina. 

The name of Benjamin Fry was found in the list of Virginia Revolutionary Soldiers in volume 12, page 177 of the report of the

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Virginia State Librarian. He was in the 14th Virginia Regiment, no rank or date given.
This is all the information I have on Benjamin Fry. If I receive any more, will send it to you. I hope what information I am sending you will help you.
Trusting that I may hear from you soon. I am 
Yours respectfully,
Esther Christmore

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

(STAMP)
U. S. PENSION OFFICE D JUL 16 1930

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234 Pilgrim Road
West Palm Beach, Fla.
December 1, 1984

The Librarian of 
Virginia State Library

Dear Sir,
Have you any information concerning ^only of Va Benjamin Fry of Frederick Co., Virginia, who served in War of Revolution in Captain John Marks Company, 14 Virginia Regiment, or of his son in law John Cartwell ^ Cardwell, also of Frederick Co, Virginia?
I am very anxious to get the birth and death of these two men and hope you may have something concerning them in your genealogical records or in your Vital Records. Anything you send one in regard Benjamin Fry or John Cartmell or their families will be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you for the courtesy of an answer as soon as convenient.
Sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Alic Markley Dawson

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

(stamp) RECEIVED DEC 8 1984 [illegible] (numbers 1-12 around the circumference of the circle with an arrow point to 3:45)

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December 12, 1934
xxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL
Mrs. Alice Markley Dawson
234 Pilgrim Road
West Palm Beach, Florida
(circular stamp) The National Archives of the United States 
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Benjamin Fry and John Cartmell, both of Frederick County, Virginia, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of a John Cartmell or similar spelling. The record of a Benjamin Fry, of Frederick County, Virginia, has been found and his history is furnished you herewith.
It is suggested that as a possible means of obtaining information in regard to the military service of John Cartmell, you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who is custodian of military records.
Very truly yours
A. D. Miller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION
July 24, 1930

Esther Christmore
Edna 
Kansas

(stamp) THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES 

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3818, that Benjamin Fry married May 18, 1802 in Frederick County, Virginia, Ann Cad(awalder crossed out)walader They were both natives of Frederick County, Virginia.
He died July 28, 1838 in Iroquois County, Illinois, aged seventy-nine years and six months.
His widow, Ann, applied for pension November 2, 1852, at that time she was residing in Iroquois County, Illinois and was aged sixty-nine years, and alleged that her husband, Benjamin Fry, served three years and eight months as a private under Generals Washington, Gates and Warren. 
Her claim was not allowed as there was no proof of the alleged service.
In 1852 the following children were referred to- Isaac and Abraham (twins) aged sixty-four years, who were children by soldier's former wife, her name is not given and there is no further reference to her; children by soldier's wife Ann- Benjamin, aged forty-nine years, John, aged forty-five years, and Joseph, aged forty-two years. 

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

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R. Burgess
Aug 17/53

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87
Pension Office,
August 17, 1853

Sir, 
The paper files in support of the claim of Ann Fry to pension as the widow of Benjamin Fry, and alleged revolutionary (pension crossed out) soldier, have been carefully examined, and the case suspended - There is no evidence whatever among the records of this office (that crossed our) of the service of said Fry, and as there appears to be none in the archives of Virginia, the clearest proof (would be crossed out) ^is required, (when that point crossed out) to rebut the presumption that the silence of the records raises. against the claim. Besides, the proof Certified by the Commission of the Land office ^of Virginia upon other points is wholly inconsistent with claimant's Declaration. She swears that her husband died in 1838 having several children ^(two of the age of 64) = the proof files shows that Benjamin Fry who it is alleges served in the Revolutionary war died soon after the War, and left no children. Very respectfully,  &C
R Burgess, Esq }
Present}