Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11116, James Ward, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Ward, James Elizabeth
R. 111116
M-1779 - died Nov. 1830
CONTENTS

15-261 Elizabeth Ward of James Kentucky
Copied

State of Kentucky S.S McLaren County
On this 5 th day of January in the year 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid Elizabeth Ward a resident of the same county and state - aged about eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836 - That she is the widow of James Ward who was a soldier in the war of the revolution and the states that her husband the said James Ward to the best of her recollection and belief served as herein after stated -
Her husband the said James Ward in the year 1777 or 1778 lived high up on Holston river near the mountains which was at that time a frontier - and thinly inhabited - he lived near the line dividing between the states of Virginia and North Carolina - she thinks he lived in Virginia & that it was then called Montgomery County - These settlements were much exposed to the depredations of the Cherokee Indians and in the summer of 1778 her husband the said James Ward entered the service of the united states as a volunteer indian spy for a term of six months under Captain Cooke the head quarters or station of Capt Cooke common and was at Eatons Station on or near the Holston

river but the soldiers were employed almost constantly in ranging through the woods as spies for the protection of the settlements and in July or August 1778 her husband was in a battle with a party of Indians in the woods, below the said station whom they repulsed — her said husband served out his engagement of six months under Capt. Cooke — and having become expert as a woods man and the settlements being much annoyed by the inroads of the Indians — a new station was built on Holston river below Eatons called Island fort to which place all the families in the surrounding settlements moved for protection — and a company of spies were enlisted to range the wilderness and protect the fort and inhabitants — This arrangement was made by authority of the Government upon the application of the principal inhabitants say Colonels Shelby — Campbell and Sevier — It was in this company of Indian spies that your declarants husband entered the second time in the Spring of the year 1779 as a Volunteer — Indian Spy — under Captain James Shelby his lieutenants name was George Hart and the whole establishment was principally under the direction of Col Isaac Shelby and Major Anthony Bledsoe — her husbands enlistment was at first for the term of three months but having served out that period and the Indians still continuing troublesome and your declarants husband having become an expert spy — he was

3 In need to continue in the same Service under the same officers, (the old Spies generally renewing their engagements) in this way he continued in the same Service renewing his engagement about every three months for a period of about two years commencing in the Spring of 1779 and en- -ding some time in the year 1781 and in the fall of the latter year an expedition was made against the Cherokee Indians from the Settlements on Holston un- der led Service and your declarants husband served in this expedition as a private soldier under captain Sturg Hoskins and there was a captain Looney in the same corp 2 . They visited the Indian towns south of the French Broad river — Burnt several of them — defeated the Indians — destroyed their corn and other property and returned — Near the close of the year 1781 and with this last expedition closed the military services of your declarants husband he having served in all about three years —
your declarant first became acquainted with her said husband whilst he was an indian spy at the Island fort on Holston river she thinks it was then Montgomery County Virginia where he en- tered in each instance — she further declares that she was married to the said James Ward according to the best of her knowledge and belief in the same county and State above named on the 11 th August 1779 she was however not be positive as to day or date — she is positive that it was whilst he was in the Service as

an indian Spy and long before he made the expedition under Col  Sevier against the cherokees, and consequently before the end of his last period of Service — and she further declares that she lived with her said husband James Ward as his wife from the period of their marriage in 1779 down to the 17 th day of Novem- ber 1830 upon which latter day he the said James Ward departed this life in the County of Pope and State of Illinois and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She will further state that neither herself nor her said husband could read or write & that they kept no family record & she consequently has none neither does she think that there is any record of her marriage as it was a new country & scarcely any law in vogue on the frontier but she states that she was married to James Ward by the reverend John P. Milby a baptist preacher she has no documentary evidence
Elizabeth Ward mark
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written before the subscribers a justice of the peace for the county and state afore- said and I do certify that the above married Elizabeth Ward appears to me to be a very old person and that she is entitled to credit on her oath & that from age and bodily infirmary she is unable to attend court to make her declaration James Ashley J.P.

State of Tennessee McBracken County
On this 5 th day of January 1841 personally appeared before the Subscribed a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid George Ward a resident of the said county & made oath before me that Elizabeth Ward who has this day subscribed & made a declaration before me for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 is the widow of James Ward deceased as she states in her declaration - that the said James Ward her husband died on the State in Pope county in the State of Illinois on the 17 th day of November 1830 and that the said Elizabeth Ward his widow has not intermarried with any other person since his death but has remained single and the widow of the said James Ward ever since his death Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Subscribed a Justice of the peace for the county & state aforesaid and I do further certify that the said George Ward is entitled to credit on his oath
his George Ward Mark
Jerry Ashley J.P.

State of Kentucky McCracken County ss
I Branton Amad D. Clarke of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that James Ashley whom appears to the foregoing Certificate was at the date of his said Certificate an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County & State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith & credit is due and ought to be as such and authorized to administer Oaths, and that full faith and credit as such is due to all his Official acts and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County Court of said County to be hereunto affixed this 16 th day of January 1841.
Branton Amad D. Clarke

State of Kentucky 3 S.S. Galloway County 3
On the 13 th day of January in the year 1841 person- ally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the county and State aforesaid Jesse Henson a resident of the said county and State aged about eighty two years who being first duly sworn accor- ding to law doth on his oath make the following Statement in relation to the military services of James Ward during the war of the revolution and of his the said James Ward's marriage with the same Elizabeth Ward who made her declaration before James Ashley Esq. of McLean County Kentucky on the 5 th day of January 1841 in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 — This affiant states that the said Elizabeth Ward is his Sister and that she is about two years older than himself — her declaration above referred to was then read over to him in his hearing and he states that the facts stated in the said declaration to the best of his recollection and belief are true —
This affiant states that he is an unlettered man and consequently has no records or written memoranda that would enable him to be strictly accurate in relation to days and dates — and length of terms of services — names of officers &c. — But he has no hesitation in say

ing that the said James Ward did serve at least six months as an indian Spy in the year 1778 and he thinks that the Service was as a private under captain Leekle at the part of the Service may have been under other officers — as to the locality or place where the Service was performed the affiant states that it was chiefly in the woods, having their Station or head quarters at Amos Patons Station on Holston river in Virginia and at Rye Cove another Station in the same region of country — he knows that the Spies had a Skinmink with the Indians in the woods near these Stations in July or August 1778 and that the said James Ward was in said Skinmink — This affiant was himself there and participated in said Skinmink in which they defeated the Indians —
This affiant makes the following statement in relation to the said James Ward, Service as an indian Spy at the Island fort on Holston river which was situated he thinks in the State of Virginia. Mount Gorney County — It is his best belief & recollection that the said James Ward commenced his Service there as a private Indian Spy in the Spring of the year 1779 under Captain James Shelby and Lieutenant George Hart — they were the principal officers who had command of the active corps of Spies or rangers — nevertheless there were other officers of the same rank who occasionally done duty — and there were others of a higher

men who seemed to have the chief direction but who scarcely ever went into the woods — amongst these were the colonels + colonel — Shelby & Sevier and Major Bledsoe — The said Ward contin- ued in the service as an indian spy at the above named fort chiefly under captain Shelby from the time he entered in the spring of the year 1779 until some time in the year 1781 say about Septem- ber — This affiant does not think he said Ward served the whole year round in each instance for he recollects that in the winter season the indians generally ceased their incursions and then the spies were discharged until the next spring — and in this way the said James Ward he thinks served about eight months in each year during the years 1779- 1780 and 1781 at the Island fort on Holston and in the fall of the latter year the said James Ward en- tered captain String Hopkins' company as a private and with him joined colonel Sevier's corps of volunteers and with him made an expedition south of the French Broad river into the Cherokee nation — This affiant served in the same corps with the said James Ward but under a different captain — the said James Ward served three months under this engagement — This affiant will also state that he occasionally served with the said James Ward as a spy at the Island fort above named under captain Shelby but not all the time — as he was occasionally absent on other expeditions — east of the mountains particularly in the year 1780 at the Battle of Kings Mountain — in which

Battle the affiant participated — This affiant states that the said James Ward and Elizabeth Ward were married in the settlement near the Island fort on Halston river in Montgomery County Virginia in the year 1779 to the best of his recollection by the reverend Philip Melky a baptist preacher — This marriage took place long before the said James Ward's last period of service as an indian spy and still longer before his tour of duty under Colonel Lewis and he states that they the said James & Elizabeth Ward lived together as husband and wife from the period of their marriage in 1779 until said James Ward's death which took place in the year 1830 and he states that the said Elizabeth Ward never intermarried with any other person since the death of the said James Ward but hath remained a widow ever since —
Sworn to and Subscribed his Jesse Henson on the day and year above month written before the subscribers a Justice of the peace for the county and State aforesaid and I do hereby certify that the aforesaid Jesse Henson is well known to me to be a respectable citizen of the county and State aforesaid and entitled to the fullest credit on oath —
Ebenezer Houghlin J.P.

State of Kentucky Calloway County
On the 13 th day of January in the year 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the county, and State aforesaid Mary Henson a resident of the said county and State who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following statement in relation to the fact of Elizabeth Ward (who made her declaration before James Shirley Esq. of McCracken county Kentucky on the 5 th day of January 1841 in order to obtain the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836) having been the wife of James Ward a soldier of the revolution —
This affiant states that she first knew the said James and Elizabeth Ward about the year 1795 in Warren county Kentucky and that she knew them both intimately from the above period down to the death of the said James Ward in the year 1830 during all which time they were reputed to be husband and wife and lived together as such & raised a family of children all of whom this affiant knew — this affiant has known the said Elizabeth Ward since the death of her said husband — and she states that she has never since intermarried

with any other person but has remained a wid- ow ever since — This affiant further states that the said James Ward during her acquaintance with him was always reported to have been a soldier of the revolution —
Sworn to and subscribed her Mary Henson on the day and year marks above written before the Sub- scribed a Justice of the peace for the county and state afore- said and I do certify that the said Mary Henson is a respectable person and en- titled to full credit on her oath Enoch Hough Jr.

State of Kentucky Callaway county S.S
On this 13 th day of January in the year 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the county and State aforesaid Alexander Anderson a resident of the said county and State who being sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement in relation to the fact of Elizabeth Ward (who made her declaration before James Ashley Esq. of McCreary county Kentucky on the 5 th day of January 1841 in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836) having been the wife of James Ward a soldier of the revolution. This affiant states that he knew the said James and Elizabeth Ward in the county of Christian and State of Kentucky in the years 1807-1808 and 1809 to the best of his recollection and that they were then living together as husband and wife he afterwards knew them slightly in Caldwell and Calloway counties & they were still living together in the same relation - This affiant knew several of their children who were fully grown up at the time above stated - This affiant further states that he has been well acquainted with Jesse Henson - (the same who has made an affidavit before Enos Hargrave Esq. a Justice of the peace for Calloway county Kentucky in support of the said Elizabeth Ward's claim for a pension) for the space of about thirty two years

and during all that time he states that the said Jesse Henson has sustained a good char- acter for integrity and morality
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the subscribed a Justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid and I do certify that the said Alexander Anderson is a res- pectable citizen of said county and entitled to full credit on
Alex Anderson
Oath - Enos Kneeland Jr

State of Kentucky S.S. Calloway county
On the 13 th day of January 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid William Bradcock a resident of the said County & State and Sheriff of said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement in relation to Elizabeth Ward (who made her declaration before James Ashley Esq. of McCracken county Kentucky on the 5 th day of Jan- uary 1841 in order to obtain the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836) having been the wife of James Ward a soldier of the revolution This affiant states that he knew the said James and Elizabeth Ward in Calloway county Kentucky about the year 1824 and they were then living togeth- er as husband and wife and this affiant further states that he has been well acquainted with Jesse Henson (the same who has made an affidavit before Enos Gargham Esq. a Justice of the peace for Calloway county Kentucky in support of the claim of the said Elizabeth Ward for a pension) for a long space of time say about sixteen years and during all that time he states that the said Jesse Hen- son has sustained a good character for integrity & decorum
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid and I do certify that the said William Bradcock is the Sheriff of Calloway County and that he is entitled to credit on oath
Enos Gargham Esq.

State of Kentucky ss  ss  ss Calloway county ss
On the 14 th day of January 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid Henry Darnell in resident of the said county and state who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement in relation to Elizabeth Ward (who made her declaration before James Ashby Esq of McCracken county Kentucky on the 5 th day of January 1841 in order to obtain the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836) having been the wife of James Ward a soldier of the revolution. — This affiant states that he first became acquainted with the said James and Elizabeth Ward in Warren county Kentucky about the year 1798 and they were then living together as husband and wife and he states that he knew them well from the above period down to about the year 1828 when they the said James & Elizabeth Ward moved from Calloway county Kentucky to the state of Illinois and during all the above period they the said James & Elizabeth Ward lived together as husband and wife — This affiant states that when he first became acquainted with the said James and Elizabeth Ward about the year 1798 that

Their two eldest children Edmund ward and Mary ward were fully grown and he states that in addition to Edmund and Mary he knew five other children whom they had and raised to wit James, George, Densley - William and Phoebe - This affiant for this states that he has been well acquainted with Jesse Henson (the same who has made an affidavit before Enos Hampton Esq a Justice of the peace for Calloway County Kentucky in support of the claim of the said Elizabeth ward for a pension for a period of upwards of forty years and during all that time he states that the said Jesse Henson has sustained a good character for integrity and veracity -
Henry Darnall
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid and I do certify that the said Henry Darnall is a respectable citizen of the county and state aforesaid and entitled to full credit on oath
Joel Gilbert - J.P.

I Edmund H Curd Clerk of the County Court for the County of Calloway in the State of Kentucky do certify that Joel Gilbert whose signature appears to the preceding Certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same a justice of the peace for the County of Calloway and State of Kentucky duly Commissioned and qualified as such and authorized to administer oaths and that full faith and credit as such is due to all his official acts and that the signature thereto pur- porting to be his is genuine.
In testimony of which I have here- unto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County Court of said County to be affixed this 14th day of January 1841.
E H Curd

State of Kentucky 3 S.S Calloway County
On the 13 th day of January 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the county and State aforesaid. Arthur B. Jenkins a resident of the said county and State who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement in relation to the fact of Elizabeth Ward (who made her declaration before James Ashley Esq. of McCracken county Kentucky on the 5 th day of January 1841 in order to obtain the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4 th 1836) having been the wife of James Ward a soldier of the revolution.
This affiant states that he knew the said James and Elizabeth Ward in Caldwell county Kentucky about the year 1813 and they were then living together as husband and wife he afterwards knew them slightly in Calloway county Kentucky & they were still sustaining the same relation to each other.
This affiant further states that he has been well acquainted with Jesse Henson (the same who has made an affidavit before Enos Hargrove Esq. a Justice of the peace for Calloway county Kentucky in support of the claim of the said Elizabeth Ward for a pension) for a long space of time say

twenty five or thirty years and during all that time he states that the said Jesse Henson has maintained a good character for integrity and veracity
Sworn to and subscribed A. B. Jenkins on the day and year above written before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid and I do certify that the said Arthur B Jenkins is a respectable citizen of said County and entitled to full credit on oath — Enos Haughton J.P.
I Edmund H Curd Clerk of the County Court for the County of Calloway in the State of Kentucky do certify that Enos Haughton whose signature appears to the five preceding Certificates is now deceased at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace for the County of Calloway & State of Kentucky duly Commissioned and qualified as such and authorized to administer oaths and that full faith and credit as such is due to all his official acts and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County Court of said County to be hereunto affixed this 13 th day of January 1841. E H Curd

A. J. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I am well acquainted with Jesse Henson & the other gentlemen who have testified in the foregoing case and unhesitatingly, declare their respectability. Full faith & credit, should be given to this testimony. Respectfully Yours S B V D

Pension Office March 22 d 1841
Sir
In obedience to your orders I have the honor to make the following report upon the case of Mrs Elizabeth Ward upon which an appeal has been taken from the decision of the Hon. S. Boyd in my letter of the 4 th ulto.
By reference to that letter it will be perceived that her claim was rejected on the ground that her late husband's service as described by herself and witness was not military in the contemplation of the act of June 7 th 1832. There were Indian spies raised and organized under the State but their services were not equal to a particular settlement or to the service of the year as those of her late husband appear to have been corresponding in all respects with that self organized vigilance which the frontier settlements prior to 1794 found it necessary to adopt and execute for two-thirds of the year. Unless the service was rendered in some corps of "the militia," "the State troops," or of the

Virginia Line," or authorized by special act it is not embraced by the provisions of the Pension Laws. It is very clear that the service described could not have been ren- -dered in any corps of the militia whose terms of service was limited to three months nor of the State troops or Virginia Line in Washington during the war and of which there are rolls in this Office.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Mr. M c C lellan St. J. L. Edwards
Hon John Bell Secy of War
Ward, James Va. R 11116

commissioner of pen sions letter of 4 th Feb y 1841 rejecting Elizabeth wards claim

Pension Office, February 11, 1841.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs Elizabeth Ward, widow of James Ward, dec d . have been examined.
It is alleged that her husband served on the Western frontiers of Virginia, exposed to the hostile incursions of the Indians, as a spy, for six months in 1777; and for several years thereafter in the same capacity. In the early settlement of our Western frontiers, it was indispensably necessary, in many instances, to the safety of the inhabitants, that the able bodied men of every age, should arm themselves in self defence, against the savages of the wilderness: It is well known that for this purpose, Block Houses were erected; and that people were obliged to resort to them for protection. This description of predatory warfare was not, however, considered of such a character as to place the persons engaged in it on the footing of soldiers, drafted, or enlisted for the general defence of the country; and such persons, therefore, are not provided for by the pension laws. The applicant can of course, have no lawful claim to a pension: her claim is therefore rejected, and her papers filed in this office. I herewith return Mr Anderson's letter to you.
Hon. Sinn Boyd, House of Representatives.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obed t serv t . J. G. Edward

Washington Feby 29 th 1844
Sir
With a view of present- ing the claim of Elizabeth Ward widow of Jas t Ward for the consid- eration of longevity, I thank you for the original or a copy of the papers in her case
Very Respectfully Yr Obed t Serv t Symon Boyd
J s H ughes Edwards Esqr

B. R.
Washington City
18 April 1846
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Sir
The enclosed letter from Mr Oscar Fleming explains itself - Will you favor me with the desired informa- tion
Very Respectfully B. R. Young

May 7 46
Eliz Ward Sus Ky, 36
s
2
J S Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Blandadee Aprie 15, 1845-
Mr J S Edwards
Sir
I write in the name of Elizabeth Word the wife of James Word. a few weeks since I wrote on the same business to the Hon ble R. R. Young. but fearing that some unforeseen accident might prevent him from receiving my letter or from some cause he might not be willing to take on himself the trouble. I have determined to write to you on the business of the above mentioned Elizabeth Word. in relation to a pension which was after her granted her for the service of James Word her husband in the Revolutionary war. The grant was obtained some 2 or 3 years since you sent to George Word a copy of the grant. and the papers were made out and sent on but there was so I learned from the letter of Lynn Boyd. an error in making them the name Jerry was substituted for James through mistake. and that is the reason assigned by Boyd for not getting the money. I cannot tell whether the money has been gathered or not. I wish you to let me know if it has been Received

by Boza or any one else Elizabeth Ward is ignorant of that fact - and is anxious to know if the money has not been drawn. you will be so kind as to send to Elizabeth Ward a copy of the grant and some pension Blanks to enable her to make out her Claims in the proper manner. She is very Needy and has I fear been badly treated by some who have undertaken to attend to this Business you will let me know whether any part of the money has been drawn as she tells me that she is informed by some whom she distrusts that she was only allowed a short time for some others have told her that she as the wife of James Ward has nothing allowed her; it is useless for me to say who those persons are. sufficient to say that they are men who would swindle her out of her Claims when you write direct your letters to O. T. Sturman Bladaville - if you make any charge for copying send me the amount and the money shall be sent at my Risk by the return mail a speedy compliance will much oblige you
Obt Supt George Ward Bdy O. T. Sturman Mty

C.137 Mr. E. Ward 2 March 1801
Recorded in B 23 page 279

C 137
AD 22 d March 1841.
Madam,
I acknowledge the receipt, through the Hon. J. J. Knutten, of your Memorial appealing from a decision of the Commiss rs . of Pensions in your claim to a pension, And in reply transmit herewith a report of the said Commiss rs . and feel am constrained to concur in his view opinion that the case does not come within the law.
Ripley
Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Daughter of Mr. Anderson Esq r Mayfield Grosvenor Co NY

Elizabeth Ward's petition to the Secretary of War

To the honorable the Secretary of War of the United States. Your memorialist Elizabeth Ward (Widow of James Ward deceased) of McBracken county, Kentucky, would respectfully represent that her husband served two years and six months as an indian spy on the south western frontiers of Virginia during the revolutionary war. That he died in the year 1830 — That your memorialist was married to him during the war, and before the end of his last period of service; and that she has remained a widow ever since his death — By which she is entitled to a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 That in order to avail herself of the benefit of that act, she made her declaration in the month of January 1841, in which she stated her husband's services in detail, and to which declaration, was appended the most unquestionable proof of those services This declaration and the accompanying proof is now on file in the pension office. It was presented to the commissioner of pension, about the 1 st of February 1841 and he rejected the claim. — His letter of objections is herewith transmitted as part of this memorial and marked with the letter (A) With due deference to the commissioner of pensions your memorialist here charges that he has misconceived the principle of her case — his objections do not apply to her claim — her husband served as an indian spy regularly enlisted in the service of the Government — whilst the objections of the commissioner, apply exclusively to mere inhabitants of the frontier who were compelled to resort occasionally to the stations or block houses for protection. His error consisted in not taking the distinction between mere inhabitants and indian spy . The "stations" or "blockhouses" were built by the inhab-

stants and a large number of families lived there together for mutual protection and had their cornfields near at hand for the purpose of raising their subsistence - whilst the "Spys" were a distinct Corp s regularly entered in the service of the Government - receiving pay for their services - in Continental money - they never worked in the fields or engaged in other domestic pursuits but were occupied about eight months in each year ranging through the woods for the purpose of discovering the approach of the Indians - sounding the alarm - and calling in the people from their various pursuits in the surrounding neighborhood for the protection of their wives & children in the forts - If for instance at the battle which took place at the Island fort on Kelston which is mentioned in the papers of your memorialist the Spys discovered the approach of the Indians in a force too large to resist themselves - they therefore hastened to the fort - alarmed the inhabitants - all the available force of the fort was mustered & marched out & met the Indians some miles from the fort & defeated them and so when a small party of the enemy was discovered by the Spys they themselves would attack & repel them without the aid of the inhabitants
your memorialist will state that she is informed that the decisions of the Commissioner of pensions are entirely under the control of the Secretary of war who possesses a revisory power over the same - And she is also informed that Congress are so much engaged in other matters that little or no attention is paid to the petition of poor old widows - she therefore has no other remedy but to appeal to the Secretary of war for justice - and she states to him that she is entirely penniless having not one cent of money or property in the world - she

has but two children living who are also very poor and unable to support her - she does not state these facts as meritorious in the consideration of her case but she states them with the view of attracting the ear- nest attention of the Secretary of War to a careful and earnest examination of her papers and then she asks from him nothing but sheer justice which she has, no doubt will result in the allowance of her claim. She will ever pray &c.
Elizabeth Ward

140 of Rye Feby 3 d 1841
Sir Herewith you have the pension papers of Mrs Elizabeth Ward, with regard to which I should be pleased to hear from you when you have ex- amined them Respectfully J Boyd J. L. Edwards Esqr

No. 5261.
Elizabeth Ward widow of James Kentucky.
Rejected
[See within]
See ad 53-2690
Act of 1919, p. 2838

Rej. 11,116
Elizabeth Ward James.

4 July 1836.
M146
Letter of the Secretary of War of the 22 nd March 1841 rejecting Elizabeth Woods claim

War Department March 22 nd 1841.
Madame.
I acknowledge the receipt, through the Hon. J. J. Crittenden, of your memorial appealing from a decision of the Commission of Pensions on your claims to a pension, and in reply transmit herewith a report of the said Commission, and am constrained to concur in his opinion that the case does not come within the law.
Very respectfully Your obedt. Servt.
Wm. Bell
Mrs Elizabeth Ward Care of Mr. Anderson Esq Mayfield Graves Co Ky.

Will the Commissioner of Pensions be good-enough to send by bearer, the declaration (and proof alluded to in fifth Exception of accompanying paper)
Very resp ly
Your Ob. Servt.
Ino T. Buchanan
for the Acting Secy of War.

Elizabeth Ward of James Kentucky
Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844- do. to Hon. J. Boyd H.R. 28 Feb. 1844-
young age 22 46
Rejected see let 4 Feb 41 6 - Lynn Boyd
did not serve by order of competent auth. let to Neill McBell March 22 nd 1841 do to A.W. McBell April 23 rd 1841, let 9 July 41 to Ward R. underwritten Act July 4 th 1838 To Claimant February 7 1842 V
Act of Feb. 1838
Sec. Mar. Dec. 31. '41

3 mch 16.
6137 March 18, 1841
Pension office.
Rept. no 22.
ow Wid File 1105 Dobump
Murfreesboro Ky Mch 21
Hon John G. Crittenden
Attorney Genl
Thos W.
Crittenden
Amnd Mch 22 March 1841

3 mch 16.
16134 March 18. 1841
• Pardon affair.
Report. no 22.
ow Wild Fall 1105
Manufactory of March 23
Three
Sealy War
Hon John G. Leivick
Money General of
the United States
3 mch
City of Washington D.C.
Anno M.D. 22 March 1841

Mayfield Grant county Kentucky March 1 st 1841
Hon John J. Crittenden
Will you do me the favor to deliver the enclosed memorial of Elizabeth Ward (a revolutionary widow) & the paper enclosed in it to the new Secretary of War. The old widow is entitled to a pension but her claim has been rejected by the commissioners of pensions & the object of the memorial is to induce the Secretary of War to reverse Mr Edwards s decision & grant the claim which is well supported by proof. The great difficulty is in procuring the attention of the Secretary, he will nat l ly think that the commissioners know all about these matters and that he has decided right, and this is the cause of my troubling you with the communication that you may induce the Secretary to give Mrs Ward s paper a careful examination & if he finds her entitled award her a pension - In making this application to you I am in hope that I am not trespassing upon your time and duties too much - I usually request our immediate representatives to attend to any little matters for me in the city but as Congress will adjourn & the members be at home before the reach Washington & as you was the only Kentuckian who will be left there I have taken the liberty to address you. If the examination of the Secretary results in the allowance of Mrs Ward s claim please

transmit one her Certificate. She is a poor miserable old woman now on the verge of the Grave, — penniless & no relations able to support her
Hoping that your residence in Washington will be agreeable
I remain your friend
M c Anderson

Exceptions of Elizabeth Ward to the report from the pension office of 22 nd March 1841
M146. April 20 1841.
Pension Office. report recd. Apr 23/41. Ken.
Hon. John Bell
Secretary of War

To the honorable John Bell Secretary of War —
Sir
Your letter covering a report of the commissioners of pensions of the 22 nd ultimo; touching my claim to a pension, has been duly received. And in further to myself, I hereby except to the report because it is insufficient in this to wit:—
1 st I state in my declaration & prove by my witness, that my late husband's service in the revolution was in an embodied corp s of Indian Spies, raised by authority of the Government. consequently he was in the service of the government. This important statement is entirely omitted by the commissioner in his report, which completely changes the character of my case.
2 nd The commissioner in quoting from the act of June 7 th 1832 quotes "the militia" "the state troops" and the "Virginia line" but he omits to quote the "Volunteers" to which corp s the "Indian Spies" when not separately organized generally were attached. Thus you will see Sir that the report is insufficient to found a correct decision upon.
The act of June 7 th 1832 provides, that "each of the surviving officers, noncommissioned officers, musicians, soldiers and Indian Spies, who shall have served in the continental line or state troops, Volunteers or militia at any one or more terms, a period of two years during the war of the revolution is authorized to receive H. H. H."
And the executive regulations adopted by the Secretary of War on the 27 th day of June 1832, for the purpose of carrying the above recited act into effect, contains the following classification of persons entitled to wit:—

"Your general classes are embraced in this law " 1 st the regular troops; — 2 nd the state troops; militia and volu- =unteers — 3 rd persons employed in the Naval Service " 4 th  Indian Spies # Thus Indian Spies were a distinct class entitled to the bene- # fit of the act of June 7 th 1832. How then can my pen- sion be justly withheld? So long as I see the above recited act upon the statute book, I shall never cease to regard my claim on my country as just
Having pointed out the insufficiency of the report from the pension office; any further remarks would seem to be unnecessary. but as the commissioner of pensions has put a different construction upon my declaration than my understanding of it; I will by leave of the hon Secretary of war state — That according to my recollections of the period of the revolution, the Indian frontier of Virginia  was her mountain region. extending from the Holston river on the south, to the Monongahela on the north. and that it was on this frontier alone, that her Indian spies were employed. and that each corps or com- pany, had its head quarters — or rather there were lines of forts or stations, along this frontier, to which the spies resorted for refreshment and repose.
For example I state, that my husband resorted to three of those forts. to wit "Rye cove," "Eatons, and the Island = fort." but that his services were chiefly performed in the woods. These three forts covered a large extent of the south western frontier of Virginia. "Rye cove" for example was on the Clinch river; whilst Eatons and the Island fort were on Holston river. Where should the services of the Indian spy have been performed, if not on the Indian frontier? And must not that service corres- pond with "Self organized vigilance" All Defensive 

Indian warfare, whether carried on by private association of the inhabitants; or by forces employed by the government, must necessarily be the same. — The same vigilance in watching, for the insidious approaches of the enemy during the spring, summer, and autumn, and the same relaxation in winter, when he ceases his inroads, would be pursued as well in the one case, as in the other.
But these facts and arguments can have nothing to do with the legal merits of my case — It was this immaterial issue, raised by the letter of the commissioner of pensions of the 4 th February last, which called forth my memorial, appealing to the hon Secretary of war. The report of the 22 nd March does not change the aspect of the case; but reaffirms the same immaterial issue, passing over in silence the most important features of the case and which alone gives strength and legality to the claim.
It was for this cause the appeal was prayed — the same cause still exists, and the undersigned respectfully requests the hon Secretary of war to indulge her so far as to read her declaration and the accompanying documents or refer them to the Attorney General for his opinion, and if he finds her entitled to a pension award it to her.
As she is a very old and poor woman and one of the relics of the revolution and as two reports from the pension office have failed to describe her case. She confidently hopes that her declaration — the affidavit of her interest & the accompanying documents will all be read by the Secretary of war or the Attorney General.
April 7 th 1841
Elizabeth Ward

p.s If my claim is still rejected the Secretary of War will return to John Anderson Esq. of Mayfield Graves county Ky all my papers including my declaration and the accompanying documents - my memorial and the letter and the report and letter from the pension office E. Ward