Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,178, Elijah Clay, Va.

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Service: Va 
Clay, Elijah 
Number S.32.178

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Illinois 26.094

Elijah Clay 
Edgar Co in the State of Ill
who was a Pvt in Company commanded by Captain Clay of the Regt commanded by Col ____ in the Virginia line for Militia. 

2 Y for $80.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois 
the rate of 80 Dollars 0 Cents for annum
Commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of March
and Sent to
Box 9C Manly, Clarke Co

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 200.00
Semi-ann. allowance ending March '34 40.00
$240.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by JS Sprague, Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 8 page 15

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State of Illinois
Edgar County
Be it Remembered
That at the December term of the 
county commissioners court in and for 
Said county and State begun and holden 
at Paris in said county on Monday the 
2nd day of December A.D. 1833 personally 
appeared in open court Elijah Clay 
of said county & state aged Seventy four 
years on the 27th of August 1833 who 
being duly sworn according to law 
made on oath the following Declaration 
in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of 
Congress passed on 7th June 1832 relative 
to the Surviving officers & Soldiers of the Revolution 

That is to say I Elijah Clay was born 
in the State of Virginia in the county of 
Cumberland on the 27th day of August 
A.D. 1759- I think it was in the month 
of August in the year 1777 that I enlisted 
in Cumberland county VA_ under one 
Lieutenant Thomas Clay for a period 
of three years- The next day after I had 
enlisted Lieut. Clay & 16 that he had enlisted 
including myself started on our way 
to yorktown or york in virginia- 
In Chesterfield County on our way to york 
I was sworn to my Enlistment by one 
Jacob Asher of Chesterfield county

Left Side of Page- Elijah Clay application for a pension. Page 1- M.K. Alexander  clerk-

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from Chesterfield county went through 
James City Charles City into New Kent County 
Among the 16 men enlisted by Thomas 
Clay as aforesaid I remember the names of 
Daniel Fargis John Fargis John Newby 
Edward Crosstick Abraham Dunavant Jacob 
Flourney & Nathaniel Rice who was 
afterwards made Quarter Master Sergeant.
In going from Cumberland to York we crossed 
James River at a place called the Hundred 
Soon after we got to York men enough had 
come in to form a Regiment which was done 
and of this Regiment Thomas Marshall was 
made Colonel and I think Elisas Edmonson was 
Major of the company to which I belonged 
Henry Quarles was captain, Thomas Clay Lieutenant 
I was in Major Edmonson's Battalion
When Edmonson came to York from Furguson County his place of residence, he came a captain 
& was made a Major at York
owing to my health becoming somewhat bad 
I was discharged 10 months before my time 
was out & returned home to Cumberland county 
Virginia. I got for the service a written discharge 
It has been some years since I saw it but I 
think the Discharge was in full for 3 years 
& that was probably owing to my having a 
Negro boy in the service at york and Williamsburg 
where we were occasionally stationed 
during my service & who waited upon the 
officers

vertically on left side - 
Elijah Clay application for a pension page 2. M.K. Alexander clerk

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Elijah Clay Application for a Pension Page 3
M. K. Alexander clerk
I had however been at home only about
10 or 12 days when hearing that the British
were committing ravages on the shores of James River I volunteered under Captain
George Williamson
In this expedition we rendezvoused at Petersburg and one Hamilton was Major We 
marched through Prince George County to a place called Woods near this place the British lay in their shipping except a small party with whom we two companies of us I think, had a fight.
It began in the forepart of the night I think
the British 52 killed and wounded finding us
too hard for them or from some other cause they went onboard their shipping when they all
the British got under weigh and went down the river to Norfolk - A few days after the
Battle at Hoods Captain George Williamson and another company left Hoods and went to a place called Jericho situated about 2 miles
below Suffolk court house through which
place the British had just gone when we got
there and had left the place in ashes - we
had been sent to this place Jericho, about
20 miles from Norfolk, to guard against & watch the motions of the enemy. About once week 18 - 20 of us under an officer were sent to Hall's Mills about 18 miles - in going to Hall's Mills we had to go through a part of the Dismal Swamp & the water was 2 or 3 feet deep in places through which we had to wade
In this expedition I served seven months

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left side vertically - Elijah Clay's application for a pension Page 4 M.K. Alexander clerk

& returned from it late in the spring or 
early in the summer of 1780 - I was discharged 
& came home where I staid 2 or 3 weeks & 
again volunteered under one Captain Hughs 
We were ordered to Rendezvous at Point Comfort In this expedition I served just 6 weeks. I was Discharged at Point Comfort & was during -- my third term of service occasionally stationed at Hampton, Williamsburg and 
Smithfield for the purposes of guarding the 
places & of noticing the movements of the 
Enemy - I also performed a volunteer 
tour in the fall of 1780 of 4 weeks 
* was discharged at Smithfield -
In the month of February in the year 1781 
I was ordered to meet the militia company at 
the Court-house in Cumberland now called 
Powhattan court house Virginia to stand 
a draft - I did as I was ordered & was drafted 
-but for how long I do not remember- we were 
ordered to be ready in 5 days to march after 
we were drafted. Captain George Williamson 
who had ordered the Draft started with us and 
continued but a few days when taking sick 
his place as Captain was supplied by Cap. 
Thomas Hubbard - We started towards North 
Carolina as was said to gain General Green 
we were joined on the way by other 
companies and by the time we had got as far as 
Prince Edward Courthouse when men enough 
had got together to form I think a Brigade. 
a brigade was therefore formed at a place 
called Sandy Creek Bridge -

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[vertically] Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 5. M.K. Alexander Clerk

of this Brigade Robert Lawson was general 
of my Regiment Henry Skipper colonel 
St. George Tucker Major of my company 
Thomas Hubbard was Captain John Maseley 
Lieutenant & Thomas Maseley Ensign. We now 
marched to Mecklenburg Court House and 
crossed the Roanoke at Taylors Ferry into North 
Carolina-- Soon after we got into N. Carolina we 
passed the residence of Gen. Parsons - when we 
knew him &  know that he had cider went on ahead 
came near to  some of the men who 
of the rest of the men in order to get some 
we staid [stayed] at this place long enough to cook 
and eat the back side of the General's farm 
& by some means or other a fire got into the 
grass & burned up 2000 or 3000 pannels [panels] 
of fence & several tobacco houses-- we went 
on and joined General Green at or near 
Gaitford Court house & I was in the 
Battle of Gaitford Court house. I was well 
acquainted with Captain William Jones of 
Buckingham County Virginia who was killed 
in this battle - Gen Lawson's Brigade was 
marched to the forks of cape fear and 
Deep River (but why it was marched 
there I do not know) and then the 
Brigade was discharged and I think the 
2 or 3 of April 1781 - Gen Lawson then 
marched us to Hillsborough & on the 
next morning after we got there each 
captain by order of the Gen took his men 
& marched them home.

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Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 6 M.K. Alexander clerk

in the service of 2 years + 2 months under Captain Quarles I was in the Artillery & for 10 or 12 months of this time I was but with the exception of that I never got one cents pay either from the United States or from Virginia or from any other State - In all the expeditions except the first I was in the militia & never received an article of clothing for & during my continuation in the Service Colonel Edward Carrington had been stationed at York previous to his being supplied by Thomas Marshall's Regiment. I do no know certainly whether I was in the state service or on the continental Establishment or how it was but this I know that I have stated the facts just they were so far as I can remember them - facts which may enable the Department to say whether I was in the State troops or not. The court there [?] the following interrogatories to the applicant who made these to the several answers annexed to them.
Question 1 - Where and in what year were you born?
Answer 1 - I was born in Cumberland County Virginia on the 27th day of August 1759.
Question 2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?

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Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 7 MK Alexander clerk

Answer 2. I have no record of my age with the exeption of that in my fathers family Bible by which I shall be of the age represented in my copy of this Declaration.

Question 3. Where were you living when called into Service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?

Answer 3. When called into Service I was living in Cumberland, now Powhattan, county in the state of Virginia. I have lived in the state of Virginial all my life til four ago when I came from there to the county of Edgar & State of Illinois where I now live.

Question 4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom

Answer 4. In the first tour of duty I was enlisted in the last I was drafted, and in all others I was a volunteer.

Question 5. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served, such continental and militia regiments as you can and the general circumstances of your service.

Answer 5. The general circumstances of my service so far as I can remember them I have already stated in this Declaration

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I can remember the names of many officers but to say whether they were regular or militia I cannot at this period say - the only Regiment I remember is the 2nd Va. Regt which was the one in which I performed my first tour of service under Cap. Quarles - I remember Gen. Greene Barron Stueben General Lawson Col. Marshall Col. Skippen, Major Hamilton Major Edmonson Captain Quarles Capt. Hughs Col. Goode Col. Edward Carrington Captain Flemming Cap. Geo. Williamson Major St. Geo. Tucker Captain Thomas Hubbard - Lieutenants Thomas Clay & John Masely & Ensign Thomas MOsely - I remember a man who was called Col. Reddick but I do not think he had a commission - Also I know Cap. Nathaniel Clay & Col. or Gen. Charles Scott (Col. Scott died a few years ago in Kentucky and Lieut - William Mosely - 

Question 6.  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Answer 6.  For my first tour of Service I got a Discharge from Col. Thomas Marshall some years ago I went to see my son in a distant part of Virginia leaving my discharge with my daughter Catharine in the county of Montgomery in Virginia, I staid longer with my son than I expected and when he came to this county I came with him

Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 8  M. K. Alexander Clerk

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without going to see my daughter Catharine - Since I came here I got a letter from my Daughter in which said she had my Discharge in Saftey (sp) - I have written for it several times within a few months but have heard nothing upon the subject of it - It is impossible for me to go for it myself not only because of my great bodily infirmity but also because all my property on earth if sold would not bring money enough to pay my way to Virginia

Question 7.  State the name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your Service as a soldier of the Revolution - 

Answer 7.  John Burns a preacher of the gospel William J. Mays also a preacher of the gospel General Sandford & Thomas Wilson

I will further State a [unknown] that may aid in the investigation of my claim - Virginia militia reserve was laid off into [unknown] - every [unknown] once in so often but how often I can not say had to furnish a man - I think it was in 1780 that my [unknown] hired a man - his name was William Locket or Lockhart - he was put into Captain Charles Flemming's company and marched to the north * think - but whether Captain Flemming's company belonged to the Conntinental (sp) or State Troops I am not able to say

Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 9.

M. K. Alexander clerk

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I have no Documentary evidence except that already spoken of in this Declaration and I know of no living witness by whom I can prove my service - and I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and Declare that any name is not on the Pension Role of the Agency of any State 

Elijah Clay (seal)

Subscribed and sworn to in open court the day & year aforesaid 

M. K. Alexander clerk

I John Burns - a clergyman resident in the county of Edgar and State of Illinois do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Elijah Clay who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration.  That I believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I fully concur in that opinion

John Burns (signature)

Sworn in & sworn to 
in open court the day & year aforesaid
M. K. Alexander clerk

And the court certify that it appears to them that John Burns who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in the county & State aforesaid, that he is a reliable person and that his statement is entitled to evidence

clerk Hall Sims
Joseph Matkin

Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 10
M. K. Alexander clerk

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.

S. F. 32,178

In reply to your request of (blank), received (blank) for a statement of the military history of Elijah Clay a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
2 years & 2 mos ending May 18, 1778
LENGTH OF SERVICE. (blank)
RANK
Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain Henry Quarles
Colonel Thomas Marshall 
State 
Va

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
7 mos. ending in Spring & Summer 1780
Rank
Private
Captain George Williamson
Va

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
1780 6 weeks
Rank
Private
Captain Hughs
Va.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Fall 1780 4 weeks
Rank
Private
no officers stated
Va

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Fall of 1781
April 2 or 3, 1781
Rank
Private
Captain George Williamson
Captain Thomas Hubbard
Colonel Henry Skipper
Va

Battles Engaged in, Guilford Court House

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland (Powhatan) Co. Va.

Date of application for pension, Dec. 2, 1833 His cl. al. 

Residence at date of application, Edgar Co. Ill.

Age at date of application, Aug. 27 1759 in Cumberland Co. Co. Va. 

Remarks:  A son whose name is not stated and a daughter Catharine are referred to.  No other  family data.

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[handstamp]

Discharge

Elijah Clay
S. 32178
Rev War Va.

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York Garrison 18 of May 1778
Pr Elijah Clay enlisted soldier [illegible] 
[illegible] his time being expired he is now 
Discharge by me 
T. Marshall 6 It Rt [6th Infantry Regiment]

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We the subscribers citizens of the county of Edgar and State of Illinois do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Clay who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration: that we believe him to be seventy four years of age.  That he is represented and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution: and that we fully concur in their opinion - 

Isaac Sandford
Thomas Wilson
Benjamin Allin

Subscribed and sworn to in open court the day & year aforesaid

M. K. Alexander 
Clerk

And the court certify that Isaac Sandford Thomas William & Benjamin Allin 

who have subscribed and sworn to the above certificate are residents of the county of Edgar and state of Illinois, that they are credible pensions and that their statement is entitled to credit - and the said court do hereby Declare their opinion after putting the Interrogatories

Elijah May's application for pension page 11

M. K. Alexander Clerk

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presided by the War Department and after a full investigation of the matter that the within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states

Hall Sims
Joseph Markin

I Milton K. Alexander clerk of the county comes in final court in & for the county of Edgar & State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing Tru & legal pages, the same being endorsed on each left hand margin "Elijah Clay's application for a pension" and counter signed by me do contain the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the Application of Elijah Clay for pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (no judicial seal being recd monies) this 2nd day of December A.D. 1833 - 

M. K. Alexander Clerk

I am personally acquainted with the above named M. K. Alexander who has attested & signed the above certificate and certify that he a clerk in the stated & that his certificate and attestation are in due form according to the Court of Illinois December 1833

J. M. Robinson

Elijah Clay's application for a pension page 12
M. K. Alexander clerk

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State of Illinois
Edgar County

Let Be it remembered that on this 11th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before the witness a Justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid Elijah Clay of said county who being by me first duly sworn according to Law declareth and saith that he is the identical person named and intended in the above annexed Discharge of which, I certify the following is a true copy to witt "York Garrison 18th of May 1778" "Mr. Elijah Clay a listed soldier for three years his time being expired he is now" "Discharge by me.  T. Marshall Cl [unknown]"

That said Discharge is genuine and was given and signed by said T. Marshall as it purports - 

Elija Clay 

Subscribed and sworn to 
before me the day and year above written

G. B. Shelledy J. P.

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State of Illinois
Edgar County

State - I Milton K. Alexander clerk of the county came in aforesaid court in and for said county and State as hereby certify that G. B. Shelledy whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit of Elijah Clay was at the date of said affidavit, to wit was the 17th day of January 1834, and still is, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned & swore according to him that his signature subscribed to the within affidavit is genuine & that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and use it in testimony whereof those hereunto set my hand and affixed my private Seal (no official seal having as yet been provided for my office) this 17th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty four - 

M. K. Alexander Clerk

The above named Milton K. Alexander is Clerk as above set forth and his certificate used attestation thereto is in due form according to the Court of Illinois
Feb 10. 1834

J. M. Robinson

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State of Illinois
Clark County

I Thomas Vermillion late of Russell county Virginia but now of Clark county Illinois do hereby testify that I have been acquainted with Elijah Clay for about ten years last past for five or six years he lived within one mile of me - he was reported & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a Soldier of the revolution - I fully believe that he was a Soldier of the Revolution & I have never heard that opinion doubted or disputed - I believe him to be a man of unimpeachable character for truth & honesty I have understood that said Clay has entered an application for a Pension. & I have this day brought his discharge from Edgar county where he resides to U. Manly at Clark court house.  Said Discharge is dated "York Garrison 18th of May 1778" and is signed by "T. Marshall Col. 1st Regt" I saw the letter & read it in which the Discharge was sent from Virginia - I think he is at least seventy four years of age

Thos Vermillion

State of Illinois
Clark County

I certify that on this first day January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty four the above named Thomas

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Vermillian personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Clark and State of Illinois and then and there subscribed and swore to the within certificate - and I further certify that said Thomas Vermillion is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to full credit.  Given under my hand and seal this 1st day of January A.D. 1833

U. Manley J. P.

State of Illinois
Clark County

I Jacob Harlan clerk of the county coming (?) in and for the county & state aforesaid do hereby certify that Mr. Manley whose name is signed to the above was at the time of signing thereof & still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid and that the signature thereunto annexed of Mr. Manly is genuine and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said court at Darwin this second day of January A. D. 1834.

Jacob Harlan, Clerk

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Hon. J. L. Edwards
{Commission of Pensions}
Washington City
D.C.

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Clark Court House Ill. 19 Jan 1834

Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Dear Sir 
Enclosed I have 
the honor to send to your Department 
the Discharge of Elijah Clay- His 
discharge being deemed I suppose 
the best evidence of his service will 
I suppose entitled to a Pension as a 
matter- I have to request, in his 
behalf, that all papers that may 
require to be returned & all papers 
necessary for him to have should be 
sent to me, as his agent, at 
Clark Court House Illinois 
I am Sir with great respect 
yours
W. Masely
Hon J.L. Edwards
Comm. Pen.
[Commissioner of Pensions]

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32178
Revy [Revolutionary] INVALID.
File No. 32,178
Elijah Clay
In  Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32

Index:--Vol. 2, Page 74
Arrangement of 1870.



14 June 1 Hist to Geo
Known Letter in [illegible]
William Gannon V.S.L.

Page 25

Additional proof
Elijah Clay
of Illinois
24 Jan 1834

Clark C. H. Ill.
January 5th 1834

For Pension Office
Free
[free = no affixed postage required on this letter]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington City
D.C.

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Clark Court house Ill.  2 January 1834

I have to request that the final 
decision of Elijah Clay's case may 
postponed {illegible] his Discharge can 
reach your Department. J has been 
obtained from Virginia & I will 
see that is forwarded by next mail 
I am only waiting to see him that he 
may annex to his Discharge on oath 
of Identity - I have the honor to be 
with great respect 
your friend 
Wm Masely 

Hon J.L. Edwards

Adm 2 years $80

W. Masely
Clark CH
Illinois

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Clay, George
GRADE Private
LINE Hazen's Regiment

WARRANT NUMBER 12905
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED June 20, 1789
to -not shown-

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.