Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38479, Thomas Wright, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Wright, Thomas
838479
CONTENTS

20773
Kentucky
Thomas Wright of Marion in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Wilson of the reg t commanded by Col Lewis in the Virginia line for 13 months & 10 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 44 Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of March 1834 and Henry Moore Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 133.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept e 29.22
$162.54
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 1 Page 34
Date of death not on a. B.

State of Kentucky } Washington County }
On this 22 nd day of October 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the County court of Washington now sitting, Thomas Wright, a resident of the County & State aforesaid, aged 82 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
In the fall of 1774, he states, he volunteered under Capt t Wilson & Col l Charles & Thomas Lewis - at that time he lived in Augusta County Virginia - He states that soon after he volunteered under said officers, he was engaged in a dreadful battle with the Indians at the mouth of the Canawaway, in which his Capt t Wilson & Col l Charles Lewis were killed! The next spring he states that he was made Ensign under Capt t M c Key, by whom he was sent, with a small company, into the back part of Virginia to guard the frontier & that he remained there for a considerable time -

He states that some short time after, he was called in from the back part of Vergina he went as ensign under Capt Kimcard & Col l Mathis & under them he marched down near Portsmouth to prevent the Brit- ish from coming into the country country he remained there about three months he was in the service of the united states four or five years, he has no documentary evidence & he knows of no person who can testify to his service - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a person except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Simon To and subscribed to the day & year after said Wm. H. Wright Wm. H. Wright
We William E. M c Elroy & Samuel Robertson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas H. Wright who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be 82 years old, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Wm. M c Elroy Sam l Robertson

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states & the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William McElroy and Samuel Roberts who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the county of Washington & sato afo'd & that their statement is entitled to credit And I John C. Duglass Clerk of said Court do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Wright for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 23 rd of October 1832
John C. Duglass Clerk
State of Kentucky } 24 th Feb 1834 Washington county
This day Thomas Wright who made the foregoing declarati- -on, personally appeared in open court before the county court of Washington now sitting & made the following declaration, as amending to the foregoing - the said Thomas Wright being first duly sworn states, that he served in the revolutionary war

as a soldier, for the time of two years & that he served as ensign for three years - he states that from his extreme old age he cannot recollect the particular dates under of his service but he is certain that he served five years as above stated - Sworn to this 24 th Feb 1834
Thomas Wright
I David C. Proctor, clergyman, do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Thomas Wright, who has sworn to the above declarations for about ten years, that I believe him to be a man of the strictest veracity & that he is so reputed in the neighbourhood, where he resides & that I have full confidence in his the above declarations given under Sworn to the day & year above David C. Proctor.
I William B. Booker Clerk of the county court of Washington do certify that foregoing contains the true proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Wright for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this 24 th day February 1834
WB Booker Clk.

18. 494 Thomas Wright Kentucky
of 1777 p er 13 mo 10 days. p 44.44
time first time before the Revs was of canals also as a per inter just as a sign,
Rev T. P. Moore Wallin Hotel, S. A. Spalding Saban Kentucky.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Wright
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1774 P. Col. Melvin 82 Traditionary   Mch 1775 Ensign Col. Lewis Va   1776 3 Ensign Col. Stuart   State that he served for a few years.   An allowance can only be made for such time of duty as shall be clearly set forth as required by the regulations. No allowance can be made at the rate of an Ensign's pay, as he was not regularly commissioned.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1852. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ☞ This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (if) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  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 recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names 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 services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

February 20, 1932
BA-J/MBF:MLB Q
Honorable William L. Nelson Room 262 House Office Building
My dear Mr. Nelson:
Reference is made to your letter of February 15, relative to securing information in regard to one Thomas Wright, a Revolutionary War soldier, for Mr. J. Kelly Wright, of Columbia, Missouri.
The citations made by Mr. Wright do not pertain to the records of this office; however, a careful search of the records has been made, and the record of the Thomas Wright which follows seems to be nearest to what Mr. Wright desires.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file - in pension claim, S. 38479, based upon the military service of Thomas Wright in the Revolutionary War.
Thomas Wright "was born in March, 1750, and continued to reside in Augusta County until the year 1781."
Thomas Wright While a resident of Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia troops, as follows: In the fall of 1774, three months and two weeks as private in Captain Samuel Wilson's company, Colonels Charles and Thomas Lewis' regiment, and was in the battle of Point Pleasant. In the spring of 1775, he was commissioned ensign and served two months in Captain John McKey's company. From 1775 until 1777, he served at various times, about ten months in all, as ensign; was engaged in guarding the frontier against the Indians; from early in the winter of 1777, three months and ten days as ensign in Captain Kincaid's company, Colonel Mathis' regiment.
He moved to Kentucky in the fall of 1781, and settled in a fort on Hardin's Creek in what was then Jefferson County.

Thomas Wright was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, while a resident of Washington County, later called Marion County, Kentucky, where he had resided nearly fifty years.
There are no data on file relative to his family.
If the above history is not that of Mr. Wright's ancestor, and he will furnish as much as possible of the following data, another search of the records will be made in his behalf:- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

W.C.A. M.H.G. Wars Section
January 9, 1924
Nancy P. Hill 412 Morgan St. Harriman, Tenn.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.38479, it appears that Thomas Wright was born in March, 1750, and continued to reside in Augusta Co. till the year 1781 .
While a resident of Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted and served with the Virginia Troops as follows:
In the fall of 1774, three months and two weeks as private in Captain Samuel Wilson's Company, Colonels Charles and Thomas Lewis' Regiment; was in the battle of Point Pleasant.
In the spring of 1775 he was commissioned Ensign and served two months in Captain John McKey's Company.
From 1775 until 1777 he served at various times, about ten months in all, as Ensign; was engaged in guarding the frontier against the Indians.
From early in the winter of 1777, three months and ten days as Ensign in Captain Kincaid's Company, Colonel Mathis' Regiment.

of information as on on file
He moved to Kentucky in the fall of 1781 and settled in a fort on Hardin's Creek in what was then Jefferson County.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, while a resident of Washington County, later called Marion County, Kentucky, where he had resided nearly 50 years
There is no data on file relative to his family. are
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

38479 INVALID.
Rev
File No. 38,479
Thomas Wright Rev Rev Dad
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 581
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan. 21, '08. Hist. to Miss Nancy E. Jones.
1920 May 5 Hist. to Mrs. W. P. Smith
1925 Jan 9 Hist. to
Nancy P. Hill
See letter in clu. of
Mark Harkin W. 423. Wed.
1932 - Feb. 20 - Hist. to
Hon. Am. L. Nelson - mm#9
for mm. J. Kelly Wright -

Pen
Enc
Smootwater Jan 13 th Commissioner of Pensions.
Will you please give me the certificate of John Wright who fought, or enlisted in the war of 1812 born 1780. died June 23 1876. Have you a record of Thomas Wright of Shenadoah Valley Va in the Revolutionary war. if so please send me a certificate

of his record and oblige
Miss Nancy E. Jones
Sweetwater Monroe Co E. Tennessee

REVO. FIVE
Froy. Mo. 4/14/1920.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I would like
to know if the name of Thomas Wright of Augusta Co. Va. appears on your list of Revolutionary Soldiers? He moved from Va. in 1780 to Clark Co. Ky. & settled on Pretty run creek. Land grant for his services as a soldier.
The U.A.R. Society will not accept this as proof as it taken from a family history so we hope you have some record. Address
Mrs. Wm. P. Smith Lincoln Co. Froy. Mo.

WILLIAM L. NELSON 8TH DIST. MISSOURI ROOM 262 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING RESIDENCE: COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
MEMBER COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
February 15 1932
Revolutionary War Section, Office of the Director of Pensions, United States Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Mr. J. Kelly Wright, a friend of mine who is connected with Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, my home town, is desirous of obtaining information, if possible, leading to the identity of his great grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary War. I am quoting below from Mr. Wright's letter and will be glad indeed if you will have a search made of the records of your office and advise if they disclose any information by reason of pension or bounty land claims, which might be of use to Mr. Wright:
"I am therefore writing you in this letter about some information which I should like to have which may or may not be in the files of the War Department. In order to lead up to the exact information that I desire please allow me to state that in reading 'McAllister's Virginia Militia in the Revolution' I find listed on page 33, the name of Capt. Thomas Wright. On page 147 I find listed Ensign Thomas Wright. It is stated following the name of Ensign Thomas Wright 'As an Indian spy marched to Warm Springs, ordered back to Col. Hugart.' I have reason to believe that this Ensign Thomas Wright was my great great grandfather because the mother of my great great grandfather, Thomas Wright, was Jane Hugart, sometimes spelled Hughart. Either her brother or her father was a colonel in the Revolution. It is possible that Ensign Thomas Wright later became a captain. Now, here is my point in writing to you, if the war records of Thomas Wright or Wrights mentioned in this book quoted above show whose names were given as next of kin, I can identify Thomas Wright. Below are the War Department records cited in this book:
Thomas Wright: W. D. 391 W. D. 411 W. D. 203 W. D. 1263

WILLIAM L. NELSON
8TH DIST. MISSOURI
ROOM 262
HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
RESIDENCE:
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
MEMBER COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
February 15 1 9 3 2
-2-
W. D. 1323 W. D. 1431 W. D. 2321 W. D. 3232
"If you are in a position to get from the War Department any of the war records of Thomas Wright or the name of the nearest of kin, it will help me very greatly in completing my genealogy. If you are able to get any information from the War Department I should also be greatly pleased to have something about John Cave: W. D. 381."
Thanking you for your attention to this, and for past courtesies, I am
Yours very truly,
W. L. Nelson
CTL:hml

for a statement of the military history of Thomas Wright a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. 38.479
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     * Fall, 1774 3 mos & 2 wks Pri Samuel Wilson { Thomas Lewis Charles Lewis Va.   Spring 1775 2 mos Ensign John M c Key - "   From 1775 to 1777 10 " mounting " guarding frontiers against Indians - "   Early in Winter 1777 3 mos & 10 days " - Rinecaid - Mathis "  
Battles engaged in, Point Pleasant *
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta Co. Va. in 1781 moved to Ky.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 22, 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, later Marion Co. Ky
Age at date of application, Born March 1750.
Remarks: _____

Elk Mountain Ky Feb 26 '70
Honorable Lewis Bagg Secy of War Washington City D.C.
Reunion March 10 went department Chattanooga Return Mackinack

Lebanon Kentucky Feb 25 th 1834
Dear Sir
I herewith return to you the paper in relation to the pension claim of Mr Thomas Wright - he hopes that the additional testimony, which he has produ- -ced will be sufficient - any thing in relation to the pension of Mr Thomas Wright you will please direct to me, at this place
very respectfully
L A Spalding

Thos Wright

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thos Wright which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? citizens only
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Should prove that he served as a commissioned officer.

Thomas Wrights Amended Pension Declaration
Marion County Ky
7 m m m m of Ky.
Hon. J. P. Moore

State of Kentucky. Marion County Sworn.
Be it remembered that on this 10 th day of May 1834 Thomas Wright, of said county, which county has been recently formed out of the county of Washington, came before me a justice of the peace in and for said county and being by me duly sworn according to law, made the following statement by way of amendment to his pene- -on declaration heretofore forwarded to the war department in order to obtain a pension under the act, of Congress passed the acts of the 7 th of June 1832. First, said Wright states that, owing to his present advanced age, and the con- -sequent loss of memory he could not state and swear positively to the periods of his service in the different tours, which he served in the American Revolution, but according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned in the statement below, and in the grades therein to be stated. His first tour he served as a private in the militia of Virginia, having volunteered in a company commanded by Captain Sam l Wilson, and in a regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis, at the time he entered on this service he resided in the county of Augusta — in the state of Virginia, and when he started to serve this tour, it was in the fall of the year 1774, and was marched with the other troops to the back parts of Virginia to defend the frontier settlements from the attacks of the Indians, and ultimately the force was marched down to the mouth of the Kanawha & where he was engaged with the other forces, in a battle

bloody & dreadful engagement with the Indians, from the time it was clearly light in the morning till near night. This was called the battle of the point, from the engagements having been fought, at the point between the Ohio & Kanawha rivers. In this engagement both his captain and lieutenant Charles Lewis were killed. In this tour he served three months & two weeks, and was discharged from the service. The second tour he served was in the spring of the year 1775 when he was commissioned an ensign in the militia, in a company commanded by Captain John M'Key, by whom he was sent as ensign with a detachment of men, under his command to a place called the Warm Springs, to guard that place from the invasions of the Indians; in this service, on this tour he was engaged two months, from the time of his marching for that place till he returned home when he was ordered to disband & discharge his men.
He states that, in the latter part of the year 1775 (the month he cannot remember) and from that time till the latter in the year 1777, he performed, by order of his superior officers various tours of duty as ensign & commander of the force with him, in excursions against the Indians in the back settlements of the state of Virginia in expelling them from the country & defending the settlements from their invasions & depredations of the Indians. In these excursions & tours he was engaged sometimes a half month sometimes less; the number of which tours he cannot now remember, they were frequent within the period mentioned, and as occasional & urgent, the precise length of time he cannot remember, but feels confident in all of these tours & excursions he served as much as ten months in actual service - nor can he give any more definite or particular account of that service.

as to the number & length of the tours than he has done, owing the lapse of time & loss of memory - These excursions were all served by him as an ensign commanding the force he had with him - And were hasty and arduous, & fatiguing excursions to those engaged & were indispensable to the safety of the defenceless settlers at that time.
In the commencement of the winter of 1777, he states that he volunteered and signed as ensign in a company commanded by Captain Pinkard, and in the regiment commanded by Colonel
3.10 Mathews, and marched, under these officers to a place near Portsmouth, to prevent the British from coming into the country, he states from the time he started on this tour till he was discharged & returned home, was three months and ten days , and was a most severe and hard tour of service, the weather being intensely cold, and they were compelled to be constantly on the march from one place to another in order to watch the enemy & prevent their march into the interior of the country - He states by way of explanation to his former declarations, as to the length of time he was in actual service - that he had been impressed with the belief that from the time he first entered the service till the time he ultimately quit it was the length of time he was actual service in this he is informed now he was in error, & therefore corrects the time of actual service as he has stated in this amendment - which according to the best recollection he has on the subject is the true time he served - He has examined for his commission as ensign amongst his papers, but could not find it, he is satisfied now it is lost or mislaid so that he cannot find it, he has no documentary evidence of his said service, and is not authorized of any living witness by whom he can now prove his

dead services or any part thereof - He would state again that he had recd and accept a commission as Ensign in the service which he has stated he served as such; & he presumes the records in the office of the Governor & council of Virginia will show that fact - and for the above services he claims a pension. He lived in Augus- ta county Virginia when he served each of the terms of service about related & then entered the service on each campaign - He has no record in any book of his own of his age, but has seen a record of his age in the Bible of his grandfather, and from that it appears he was born in the month of March 1750 - he continued to reside in Augusta county till the year 1781 in the fall of that year, in that year he removed to Kentucky and then settled in a fort on Hardins Creek in what was then Jefferson county he now lives in Marion county has for not quite fifty years. He was not acquainted with any of the Regular officers when in service tho he saw some, as well as regular soldi- -ers when he was near Portsmouth - he remembers to have seen a French officer there, who he presumes was Genl Lafayette, tho he was unacquainted with the Continental or regular officers & his memory has greatly failed him in relation to names - He received discharges from the service, in the different terms of duty he served except those when he had only a company with him then he was authorized to discharge the men & himself. When the occasion of their service ceased, his discharges he does not remember, whether they were given by the Captain or by the other superior officers, but he was discharged in the ordinary way, and has lost or destroyed any discharges he ever had - Sworn to & subscribed before me this day & date above written -
Leah Clarke J.P.M.C.
Thomas H. Wright

State of Kentucky Marion County To wit
I Samuel Spaulding Clerk of the Marion County court do hereby certify that A. M. Blake whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is now & was at the time of signing the said certificate a justice of the peace in and for said county, and that his signature thereto is genuine. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of my said office this 20 th day of May 1834
Samuel Spaulding Clerk of Marion County