Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,907, for James Keys, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
va
Keys, James
S 1590 2
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia
23.576
Order to pay 8 letters to S D. Gresham 31 March 1840
James Key -
of Washington in the State of Va who was a Pvt. H. in the — commanded by Captain — of the Key — commanded by Col. Thompson in the — line for 11 mos. 17 days —
File of death and —
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 50 Dollars 75 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Feb. 34. and Capt. David Campbell. awarded C.H. 12
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1830 126.93 Semi-ant. allowance ending June 30 25.38
152.31
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. Rice — Clerk, Book — Vol. 12 Page 21

Virginia
Washington County ss
On this 24 th day of December 1833 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the County of Washington aforesaid James Keys resident in the said County of Washington aged seventy eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832. That he was born in the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia in the year 1754 and removed to the County of Washington (his present residence) in the year 1773. in the year 1774 he volunteered as Ranger & Spy on the frontier in the Indian war with the Shawnees and served as a Private for that purpose in a company commanded by Capt William Edmiston two months in the year aforesaid. — and in the year 1775 he was again ordered to march in the same service and under the same Officer, and served in the same Capacity one month guarding the frontier on the Clinch & Sandy rivers. — In the year 1776 he volunteered in the month of July and entered the Company of Riflemen commanded by Captain James Thompson and marched against the Cherokees, then at War with the White People, they had a battle with a party of them about 200 strong at the Long Island field and defeated them, killing & wounding a great many of them in this service he was engaged two Weeks. He was at home but a short time when the County was invaded by a strong Party of Indians committing many Murders and other depredations on the frontier Settlements.

Settlements, he was ordered out with a party from Bryan's Fort and joined another party from Black's Fort they attacked the Indian Camp and defeated them on the Middle fork of Holston River killing and wounding many and dispersed the rest was engaged 3 days — In September the same year (1776) he was attached again to Capt William Edmeston's Company as a Private and marched in a detachment under the command of Colo William Christian against the Indians — in that service he was engaged two months — In 1777 he was appointed 1 st Sergeant in a Company Commanded by Captain John Campbell to range and guard the Country now the County of Russell in this service he was engaged two months 3 days
In the year 1778 The Tories had embodied themselves in the Country now known as Grayson County in Virginia, & Ashe County in North Carolina, he now again volunteered and was appointed 1 st Sergeant in Capt William Edmeston's company and marched in a detachment commanded by Colo William Campbell (the Colo Genl W m Campbell against them came up with them at a place call'd the "Round Meadows" — they wounded and took many of them Prisoners & captured all their baggage he was engaged one month in this service — In 1779 he entered as 1 st Sergeant in Capt Aaron Lewis's Company and marched in a detachment under the Command of Colo Evan Shelby to the Chickamauga Towns, which they burnt and drove the Indians off he was two months in this service — In 1780 He was 1 st Sergeant in Capt David Beatty's company of volunteers and marched in the detachment commanded by Colo W m Campbell.

against the British and Tories embodied in North Carolina and was in the engagement at Kings Mountain where the Army of British & Tories under the command of Ferguson was defeated - he was one of the Guard that marched the Prisoners to the Moravian Towns, he was two months in this service - In the year 1783 or 1784 he volunteered against the Cherokees was appointed Ensign received a commission served as an Officer in Capt Bowers company of Riflemen and marched in the detachment under the command of Colo. Isaac Shelby (the late Governor of Kentucky) on this march were overtaken by an uncommon deep Snow which retarded their movements - and the detachment was discharged - he was two weeks in this last service as Ensign and all his service rendered to his Country was as a Volunteer Soldier - He lived on the Frontiers, and he pretty generally engaged as a Spy & Patrol where all the efficient men were required he never received any regular discharge - He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present and that his name is not on the Roll of any State agency for Pensions. - Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. James Keys
We Andrew Krapf and Reuben Bradley residing in the County of Washington Virginia are well acquainted with James Keys who has signed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age and that he is known reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Revolutionary on any

onary Soldier and that we concur in the said opinion Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the said 24 th day of December 1833.
Andrew Russell
Reuben Bradley
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War department that the above Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier as he states — and the Court further certifies that the said Andrew Russell — and Reuben Bradley are residents of the County of Washington N o and credible persons and that their state- ment is entitled to credit. — They also certify that Captain James Vance who made affidavit before John M Preston Gent. dated the 17 th day of September 1833 — Thomas McGee who made an affidavit before Peter Minnich Gent. on the 29 th of October 1833 — George Gamble who made an affidavit before Robert Stewart Gent. on the 13 th of November 1833 and Joseph Wilson who made an affidavit before Wm. Buchanan Gent. on the 25 th of October 1833 all relating to James Keys Revolutionary services — are credible and persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. — I David Campbell clerk of the court of the said county of Washington in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Keys for a pension — I further certify that John M Preston Peter Minnich Robert Stewart & Wm Buchanan who have signed & taken the affidavits above mentioned & hereunto annexed are magistrates duly commissioned & qualified and that their signatures are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my seal of office this 25 th Dec 1833. David Campbell

November 9, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
15-3/72
Miss Erie Keys Murray Kentucky
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the pension records of William Keys, of Harrison County, Virginia (West Virginia); James Keys, of Washington County, Virginia; and Matthew Keys, of Virginia; also, information in regard to Major John Curd, Junior, Captain Edmund Curd, Captain Joshua Stone and Sebastian Stone.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of a John Curd, who served as a major or of Edmund Curd, Joshua Stone or Sebastian Stone. Such claims are the source of the Revolutionary War data furnished by this office.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has not been possible to make a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that war for one person or organization. You are furnished herewith the records of James Keys and William Keys.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Oath of Allegiance

W. Washington County
I DO hereby certify, that James Irey hath taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly intitled An act to oblige the free male inhabitants of this state above a certain age to give assurance of allegiance to the same, and for other purposes. Witness my hand and seal, this twenty-fifth day of
Sept: 1777
Arthur Campbell

15907 INVALID.
1912 Oct. 17 Hict. to Jessie Keys. V.L.M. 1913 Nov. 17 Hict. to Mr. Frank Bartlett. 1915 Nov. 27 Mrs. Frank Bartlett's data to appl. to auditor for Int. Dept. 1921 July 7 Hict. to Augusta F. Bradford. 1935 Nov. 9 - Hict. to Miss Eric Keys. Ch
File No. 15907
James Keys V.P. Rev. 1912
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Virginia
Washington County
This day Capt James Vance came before the undersigned justice of a peace in and for the county aforesaid, and being duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath depose and state That he will recollect that Capt. Wm Edmondson commanded a company in 1776 on the expedition against the Cherokee indian commanded by Col William Christian, and he is well satisfied from conversations which he has lately had with Capt. James Kepp that he must have been on that expedition — The men were in service two months — This affiant recollects to have seen the said Kepp on the Kings mountain expedition in the fall of 1780 — The men were generally in service over six weeks — Sworn to and signed this 17 th Sept 1833 before James Vance, me
John H. Preston J.P.

7 Keys

Virginia
Washington County to Wit
This day personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for said County Thomas McGee and made Oath that he has been Intimately acquainted with Captain James Keys for upwards of forty Years during which time he lived in the County of Washington in Virginia. In the Year 1782 or 3 the affiant well remembers the said James Keys march'd against the Indians and was an Ensign in Captain Arthur Bowen's Company of Riflemen the expedition was Commanded by Col Isaac Shelby - and remembers that an uncommon deep Snow stop'd their march at Big Creek - provisions getting scarce the Commanding Officer gave up the expedition and dismissed the men - they were engaged in this Service sixteen days as near as memory will serve and further say not -
Thos Mc McGee
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 29 th day of October 1808
Peter Minnich

Virginia
Washington County p
This day George Gamble aged 78 Years made Oath before me a Justice of the Peace in the County of Washington aforesaid that he is a resident of the said County and well acquainted with James Keys who is an applicant for a Pension that he was in the service of the United States with the said James Keys when he marched as an Orderly Sergeant in Captain Aaron Lewis's company in the Regiment commanded by Colo Evan Shelby in an expedition against the Chickamauga Indians - that he was at least two months in that service - That the Applicant was at least two months in service as an Orderly Sergeant in Capt. D. Beales Company when he was marched against the British and Tories at the battle of Kings Mountain under the command of Colo Wm Campbell - He also remembers his service in Grayson and Ashe Counties against the Tories as Orderly in Capt Wm Edmiston's company under Colo Wm Campbell one month or more - The Applicant was a fellow soldier of the Applicant and at his own house being unable to go to Court make Oath to the above facts - and that he believes the said James Keys to be Seventy Seven years of Age.
George Gamble
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the 13 th day of November December 1833 at the house of the affiant being too infirm to attend Court
Robert Stewart

James Keay Declaration
29.385
Admit as a pro rata
4 mo 11 days 15.71
Sub 7 mo 35
50.71

Virginia Washington County Court
This day personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace for said county Joseph Wilson and made oath that he was with James Keys in an expedition against the British and Lo at Kings mountain and that he recollects perfectly well that he was in the battle at Kings mountain in the month of October in the year 1780 that he was an Orderly sergeant in Capt. William Edmundsons Company in a detachment commanded by Col. William Campbell and if his recollection serves him right in the year 1777 he was with said James Keys in an expedition against the Indians at the Chickemogga towns. That he does not recollect who commanded said James Keys but that he recollects perfectly well that he command acted as orderly sergeant in said expedition and that he has been well acquainted with James Keys ever since the revolutionary war and that he believes him to be an honest man and knows him to be the same man that is claiming a pension sworn to before me October 25 th 1833
Wm Buchanan
Joseph his  his Wilson mark

November 9, 1935
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BA-7/71
James Keys-S.15907
William Keys-S.18070
Miss Fannie Keys Murray Kentucky
Dear Madam:
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15907, based upon the military service in that war of James Keys.
James Keys was born in 1756, in Augusta County, Virginia, and in 1772, moved to Washington County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in said Washington County, James Keys volunteered in 1774, and served two months in Captain William Edmiston's Virginia Company in the war with the Shawnee Indians. He again volunteered in 1775, and served with the Virginia Troops as follows: in year last named as a private in Captain William Edmiston's Company and guarded the frontiers on Clinch and Sandy Rivers: in July, 1776, as private in the rifle company commanded by Captain James Thompson, marched against the Cherokee Indians and had a battle with them at Long Island Flats, where the savages were defeated: a short time afterward was again called out against the Indians; the soldiers attacked the Indian camp on the middle fork of Holston River and defeated them. Length of service, three days: names of officers not given: from September, 1776, he served two months as private in Captain William Edmiston's Company under Colonel William Christian, and marched against the Indians: in 1777, he served two months as 1 st sergeant in Captain John Campbell's Company and acted as guard in what was later Russell County, Virginia: in 1778, he served as 1 st sergeant in Captain William Edmiston's Company under Colonel William Campbell and had an engagement with the Tories at "Round Meadows": in 1779, he served two months as 1 st sergeant in Captain Aaron Lewis' Company, under Colonel Evan Shelby and marched against the Chickamauga Indians: in 1780, he served as 1 st sergeant in Captain David Beattie's Company, Colonel William Campbell's Regiment, was in the battle of King's Mountain and was one of the guard

for the prisoners taken at that battle: in 1783 or 1784, James Keys was appointed ensign and served two weeks in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians under Captain Arthur Bowen and Colonel Isaac Shelby. Soldier stated that living on the frontier he was constantly called into action as spy and ranger and that all of his service was as a volunteer. It was stated that he served, also, as orderly sergeant.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 24, 1833, while residing in Washington County, Virginia. He then was referred to as captain; no explanation for the title was given.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, James Keys(S.15907), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
James Keys, Certificate No. 23506, issued September 5, 1834, rate $50.77 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.
* * * * *
William Keys S.18070
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.18070, based upon the military service in that war of William Keys.
William Keys, the son of William, was born April 10, 1756, in Prince William County, Virginia. The name of his mother is not shown. His father resided in said Prince William County, during the Revolution.
While residing in Prince William County, Virginia, William Keys enlisted early in the Revolutionary War and served four or five tours of from six to ten days each as a private under Captains

Charles Gallime and John Hedges in the Virginia Troops and guarded the banks of the Potomac River; he enlisted in September, 1777, and served as a substitute for his father as a private in Captain John Hedges Company, Colonel Jesse Ewell's Virginia Regiment; length of this service not given; he enlisted in 1781, served as a private in Captain Valentine Peyton's Company under Major Dennis Ramsey in the Virginia Troops, was in a small skirmish at Williamsburg and was discharged in May or June of that year having served three months. The soldier stated that his entire service amounted to at least seven months.
After the Revolution William Keys resided in Prince William County, Virginia, until 1819; then moved to Harrison County, Virginia, where he was living when he was applied for pension on November 10, 1832. The claim was allowed.
The soldier died January 10, 1835. He left a widow, Elizabeth Keys. There are no data in regard to her and no reference was made to children.
*****
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

War Section.
November 27, 1915.
Mrs. Frank Bartley, Morristown, Tennessee.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 19 th instant, you are advised that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of James Keys, Cur. File No. 15,907, Rev. War, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, citing the following data:
" James Keys, Certificate No. 23,506, issued February 5, 1834, for $50.77 per annum, from March 4, 1831, under Act of June 7, 1832, at the Virginia Agency."
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

V.L.M.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ 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. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 1 yr Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 2 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 3 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 4 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 5 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 6 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 7 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 8 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 9 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.   1775 10 yrs Private James Thompson William Campbell Va.  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, _____ Residence at date of application, _____ Age at date of application, _____
Remarks: family data
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

DR. C. H. JONES Chairman of the Board
R. H. FALDELL, Vice President LESLIE ELLIS, Vice Chairman of the Board
L. D. OUTLAND Vice President
Peoples Savings Bank Of Murray
T. H. STOKES, President
Murray, Kentucky
September 18, 1935
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War Section Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have been advised that the following persons were on the pension list, and I will thank you to advise me as to this fact and also any information you can give me relative to personal or family history will be gratefully appreciated:
Major John Curd, Jr., - sworn into office 1780
Capt. Edmund Curd, - appointed by County Court, April 21, 1778, Goochland Co., Va.
Capt. Joshua Stone - 1780
Sebastian Stone, - 1779 - private in army of which Peter Hull was captain - 2nd battallion, Augusta militia
Yours very truly,
Erie Keys (Miss) Erie Keys Murray, Kentucky

DR. C. H. JONES Chairman of the Board
R. H. FALWELL, Vice President LESLIE ELLIS, Vice Chairman of the Board
L. D. OUTLAND Vice President
Peoples Savings Bank Of Murray
T. H. STOKES, President
Murray, Kentucky
September 18, 1935
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War Section Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have been advised that the following persons were on the pension list, and I will thank you to advise me as to this fact and also any information you can give me relative to personal or family history will be gratefully appreciated:
✓ Wm. Keys - Harrison County, W. Va., Age 76, applied for pension 1835 ✓ James Keys - Sgt - Washington Co., Va., 79 1835 Matthew Keys - Virginia 74 1835
Yours very truly,
Erie Keys (Miss) Erie Keys Murray, Kentucky
Old wars

RECORD JUN 20 1921 DIVISION

5-19 Vine Street Chattanooga Tennessee June, 22nd 1921.
To Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Will you please have the Pension records searched for the Military history of James Keys of Washington County Virginia during the War of the Revolution 1775— 1783. "McAllister's Virginia Militia" states that James

Keys of Washington Co. Va. drew a pension 1835 for Revolutionary services. Am anxious for his complete record.
Most sincerely, Augusta F. Bradford
(Miss)

Monroeville Tenn. N o 1 Per Sec
Nov. 19-1874
Commissioners of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
The Revolutionary record of James Hays shows that he filed claim for pension on Dec. 24/1832 and claim was allowed - Will you kindly tell me when this pension ceased and where he was living when the last payment was made - He was living in Washington Co. Va when claim was allowed - also enlisted from that County.
Very truly
(Mrs. Fraz.) Lena R. Bartley
Monroeville Tenn.

Rev. Sec Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Do the records of your office contain the name of James Keys of Virginia, who was a member of Col. Wm. Campbell's regiment during the Revolutionary war.
Thanking you in advance
(Mrs. Frank) Lena B. Bartley Morristown Tenn.
Nov. 8 th 1915

Cleveland, Tennessee, Oct 8, 1912.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
Have you any military history of Leroy Taylor, Captain James Key, Francis Doran, James Doran or Patrick C. Doran? Leroy Taylor enlisted from North Carolina in the

Rev. War, Capt. James Keys enlisted from Washington Co., Virginia in the Rev. War and I think the Dorans enlisted from Virginia in the Rev. War. I am particularly desirous of obtaining all the information possible about Leroy Taylor.
Thanking you for any information which you can send me I am
Very truly & Jessie Keys.