Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8079, for William Pelfrey, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Pelfrey, William
R. 8079
CONTENTS

3 William Palfrey -
17
West Liberty Ky Sept 20 - 1852
Recd, ad
Henry S Handy Esq Washington City
Rejected See letter 14 Jan 1853 to Maj Handy

State of Kentucky } S.S. County of Morgan } On this day personally appeared
On this twentieth day of September 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Justice of Mason County now sitting William Pelfrey a resident of Mason County of the State of Kentucky aged 68 years on the 29 th day of January last who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, he states he has been in the service under entitled the service of the United States and in the following named Officers and served as herein stated. he was drafted, and joined the army at or near the Beaver Dam Old fields on the or about the 17 th to 18 th day of June 1781; was attached to the Infantry Company commanded by James Coward - He also states that Col. Llewellyn Tucker was the Col. Genl. Llewellyn Brigadier after joining the army on first day's march was to the Beaver Dam Old fields Virginia from there we were marched near the James River & was in hearing when the battle was fought, but the Army to which I was attached was not in the engagement, the day after the battle we then marched to the Old fields Va where we were stationed for about three weeks - and was there discharged on the 27 th day of July 1781. I returned home to Henry County where I then lived; he states he knew Genl. Wayne & Genl. Dinwiddie who commanded the Regular Army. Genl. Wayne commanded during the battle at Green River; he states that he has no documentary evidence of that he knows of no person whose testimony

he can procure who can testify to his service question of the court Mr. Pelfry when & in what year were you born Ans. I was born in Cumberland County Pa on the 29 th day of Janu y 1784.
question of the court Have you any record of your age and if so where is it Ans. I have none other than that which I have saw recorded in my father my book & where it is I don't now know question of the court
Where were you living when called into the service Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live
Answer I lived in Dauphin County when called into the service I have lived in many other counties Now I live in Dauphin County & now live in Dauphin County District
Question of the court How were you called into the service Were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if so substitute for whom Answer I was drafted It of the court State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental & militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service. Answer But before in the regular officers that I now recollect I belonged to the Infantry Regiment Commanded by Col. Tucker in Genl. Lawson's Brigade
It of the court did you receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans. I received a discharge

from the service dated on the 27 th day of July 1781. signed by Capt Jos Bowdoin which Discharge I now have in my possession & show to the court.
It is the court to whom are you known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior your service as a soldier of the revolution.
Witness William Coffey & Richard Ferguson.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension on annuity except the present & declare that no name is on the pension roll of the agency for states sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. his Mark Pelfrey
We William Coffey clergyman residing in the county of Moyamensing and Richard Ferguson residing in the same county here certify that we are well acquainted with William Pelfrey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight 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 to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William Coffey Richard Ferguson

and the said court as here declared their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the all of the above, prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to them that William Leffee
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Grayson and State of Kentucky and that Richard Ferguson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit —
William Lewis
Jos A Bell
John Williams
James McGuire
John Rose
Sarah Lumpkin

Washington County St.
Francis G. Hazzard Clerk of the Circuit of Washington County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Pease for a pardon
The testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal there being no seal of office yet provided this 18 th day of September 1832
F. G. Hazzard Clerk of Court

10 ... as ...
Given in our own hand as check against seal of office then 27 th day of Decr. 1845
J. W. Hays Chief Clerk
2 Jan 13 1846
William P. Folsom
June 1, 1832
Patron Office
Original
No 28579 Ky 1840
+ Dec 1844 Kentucky
On - and they
month's notice
anytime
See the record 1842

State of Kentucky } set County of Morgan
page No 1
on this 4 th day of September 1845 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace and a member of the County Court of the county of Morgan and the state aforesaid which said court is a court of record William Pelfrey a resident of said county now in the 81 st year of his age and who by reason of old age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend in open court and who being by me 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 the 7 th 1832 He was drafted as a soldier of the united states and belonged to the Virginia state line in the county of Henry in said state on the day of June 1780 the day of the month not certainly recollected out of Captain John Cunningham's company to serve a tour of three months in the war of the revolution against Great Britain which tour he served fully out and some days over the number not now recollected he was attached to Genl Lawson's Regiment and Ragsdale was his captain and Col Tucker was his colonel and his said tour of duty he was marched to Pitsylvania and there joined the regiment of Genl Lawson aforesaid and then marched to a place called the Negroes arm a place of notoriety where two roads came to gether remained there some days then to Prince Edwards then through the country crossing James river marched to a place called Hickory neck church and then to Hickory nut to church and there he recollects seeing Col Morgan he then marched to a bridge across a small stream

and the name not known Where he Was discharged by his captain Ned Ragsdale and the said discharge is misplaced or destroyed in some way but how I cannot tell the discharge bearing date the 20 th of September 1780 and the discharge Was for one tour of duty including three months and some days not recollected When he Was discharged he has a recollection of seeing Genl. Wayne he further states that he did not in his former declaration set forth the tour of duty performed in 1780 herein set forth because he had not his written discharge in his possession and believed that without it he could not avail himself of this tour of duty in procuring a pension He states that he again entered the service of the united states in the virginia state line as a drafted soldier in the war of the revolution against Great Britain He states that he was a resident of Henry County state of virginia and was drafted in April about the first 1781 under captain John Cunningham Abraham Penn was Col. and Was marched under Lieutenant Clay from Henry Court House to the beaver dam oldfield There I joined the main army under Genl. Lawson and marched to the chickahomina rass Iron works Where We was stationed a short time We there marched to within a short distance of James Town Where We was when the battle commenced against corn wallis we was stationed to reinforce the american army but did not reach the battle ground during the action we was then marched off about one mile and stationed about four days we was then marched off to

mobbing Hill where we lay untill the 27 th Day of July 1781 where I recieved a writtin discharge of which the following is a copy of my discharge which discharge is filed in the War office department This is to certify that W m Pelfrey has performed a tour of duty in the Henry militia and is hereby discharged Given under my hand the 27 th day of July 1781
James Coodeen capt
He has are collection of seeing Genl Wayne Genl Demarguis & he thinks demarguis and served from the time of joining the main army as an infantry company He states that he returned home in July 1781 and stood ready to obey the call of his county colonel by order from him untill the beginning of the year 1782
He states he has no other indence except his written discharge herein set forth of his service and knows of no person in the city by whom he can prove his services
He hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the agency of any state sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
He further states that the tour of duty performed in 1780 and the tour of duty performed in 1781 as before stated in the two tours throughout I fully served six months and some days over not recollect He further states that the tour of duty performed in 1780 is an amendment to my former declaration performed in 1781 which this is an amendment to the whole sworn to and subscribed the day and date abovementioned
William his Pelfrey mark

question by the court Where and in what year was you born
Ans I was born in Cumberland County Virginia
on the 29 th day of January 1764
Question by the court Have you any record of your age and if so Where is it
ans I have none other then that which I have received in my Fathers prayer book and where it is I do not know now
Question by the court Where was you living when called into the service Where have you lived since the revolutionary War and Where do you now live
ans I lived in Henry County Virginia
When called into the service I have lived in Montgomery County Virginia Floyd Ky and now live in Morgan County Ky
Question by the Court have were you called into the service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if so for whom
ans I was drafted
It by the Court 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 circumstance of your services
ans general Wayne is the only regular officer that I now recollect I belonged to the infantry regiment commanded by Col. Tucker in Genl. Lawsons brigade
Question by the court did you receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it

and I received a discharge from the service dated on the 27th day of July 1781 signed by capt James Coudon which discharge is in the war department with my former declaration Question by the court to whom are you known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your correct forwardacy and good behaviour your services as a soldier of the revolution
ans William Coffee and Rich and Ferguson Question by the court where were you living when called into the service in 1780 and in Henry County near Henry County house
It by the court how were you called in to service Were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if so for whom and I was drafted
It by the court state the name of some regular officers who were with the troops where you served such as continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service and I recollect of seeing Col Morgan I belonged to the infantry regiment in Genl Lawsons regiment commanded by Col Tucker
It by the court did you receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
ans I received a discharge from the service dated on the 20th day of Sept 1781 signed by capt Ned Ragsdale which discharge is misplaced or destroyed in some way or other

Question by the court to whom are you known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your corrector for the veracity and good behaviour your services as a soldier of the revolution and James Pratt and Benjamin Hamilton for sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid W his Pelfrey mark
We William Coffe Clergyman residing in the Co- unty of Morgan and Richard Furgison in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Pelfrey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid William Coffe Clergy Richard Furgison
We Benjamin Hamilton and James Pratt in the county of Morgan and state of Kentucky do certify that we are well acquainted with William Pelfrey who has sworn and subscribed to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be 81 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion and I Benjamin Hamilton do further state that I saw the sd Pelfrey returning from the service of the United States in 1780 and I saw his written discharge for one tour of duty in the Henry Malitia and the sd discharge was

signed by cap Ned Ragsdale Dated in 1780 7 sworn and subscribed to the above statement the Day and year above written
Benjamin his Hamilton rev mark James his Pratt rev mark
I Thomas Hamilton in the co of Morgan and state of Ky certify that I am well acquainted with William Piper who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that he believ- him to be 81 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he reside to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion and believe that he served as he has stated in his Declaration for he was in the service of the united states when I was and was in regiment sworn and subscribed to the Day and year afore said
Thomas his Hamilton rev mark
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 me that William Coffe who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman a resident in the county of Morgan and that Richard Turgison who has also signed the same who is a resident in the same County and is a credible person and that Benjamin Hamilton & James Pratt who has also signed another certificate of the same declaration in the same county is credible persons and that all their statements is entitled to credit and Thomas Hamilton who has also signed

8 an other certificate in the same county and is a credible person and that his statement is believed and intitled to credit and the court further states that the applicant is unable to go to the court house to make his declaration and that the applicants statement is correct
Wallace W. Brown, W.C.
State of Kentucky } ss Morgan County }
I John W. Hazelrigg clerk of the court for the County aforesaid do certify that Wallace W. Brown whose signature appears to the above certificate is genuine and that he is a duly commissioned qualified and acting Justice of the peace for the County of Morgan & State of Kentucky & was such at the date of the above certificate & that full faith & credit should be given to all his acts as such
Given under my hand as clerk aforesaid & seal of office this 27 th day of Decr. 1845
John W. Hazelrigg, Clerk

Memorial of William Pelfry, of Morgan County, Ky. praying for a pension on account of his services in the war of the Revolution
March 22. 1848 Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
April 26. 1848. W. 1380
French

Pension Office, January 28th, 1848.
Sir,
The supplemental statement of William Selfrey has been examined and filed. He made a declaration in 1833 and set forth but one tour of service viz: three months ending 29th July, 1781, as shown by the copy of his discharge during which Little York was captured, which occurred on the 19th October, 1781. He now in a supplemental set forth a tour of three months in 1780, (after his claim had been rejected on the ground that he had not rendered as much (as six months) without any proof whatever.
A claim presented under such circumstances would require very respectable and conclusive testimony to establish it.
His papers marked from One to three inclusive, are herewith enclosed.
Wm. R. French, House of Representatives.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Sam. C. D. Servt. G. H. (unintelligible)

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8079
P. O.
William Pelfrey
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

28579
See talk called for - see letter wortham
Id. to Wm A. French Jan 28 '48 with the papers
8079
Act 7 June 32

28579
Wm Pelfrey
Kentucky
act 7. June 32
Rejected - see let:
14 th Jany 1833 to Maj: Han-
=dy - Copies of papers sent to Hon R French Jan 16. 1845.

House Repts Decr 27 th 1844
Dear Sir
I want to know, with a view to Legislative action if necessary, what is the reason why Mr Mc Pelfrey, of Ky. (Mor- gan County I think), whose papers are on file in the Pension Office for a pension  to get it was refused, and what more is necessary to be proved, to make good his claim -
I intend to supply the proof if practi- =cable, or to get a Special act, if neces- =sary - please therefore give me an early answer
Very respectfully &
Richard French
Ms. I want a copy of his papers -

Mr. Selfridge by Col. French to 3 petition to Congress
Refer
Com. Rev. Pens.
French Ky.

To the Congress of the United States
By letter communicated to me during the present session of Congress, I am requested to ask the Congress to grant unto William self a pension for the reasons set forth in his Declaration and amended declarations herewith referred to the Committee on Revolutionary pensions - and therefore in his behalf respectfully ask for the same - House Repts. March 22 nd 1848.
Richard French of Ky.

1 28.519
William Pelfry Morgan Co. Kentucky.
Rejecter. did not perform an actual seisin of six months, see letter to James G. Hazelrigg. Clk Morgan Co. 28 Nov '33 West Liberty
French Bg.

Declaration
In order to Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Ohio ss.
Morgana County
On this 11 th day of November 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Morgana County now sitting Ed William Pelfry a resident of Morgana County State of Kentucky aged 69 years who being first duly sworn according to Law, Craves and prays that he make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he continued the Services of the United States during the following named officers and served as herein stated "That he resided in Henry County State of Virginia and was drafted in April 1781 under Captain John Cunningham a Colonel in the Continental Army and was marched under Lieutenant General Greene from Henry County through to the Reams Station old field there joined the Main Army under General Laurens and marched to the Brick Church where they found the Main Army and after a short time were then marched to within a short distance of Saratoga where we were when the battle commenced against Cornwallis we were started to reinforce the American Army but did not reach the battle ground during the action we were then marched off about one mile and stationed about 12 days where we were then marched off to Mobbride Hills where we lay until the 27 th day of July 1780 when we received a letter from Washington of which the following is a copy and in my possession."

This is to Certify that Wm Pelfry has performed a term of duty in the Scenery Militia and is hereby discharged. Given under my hand this 27th Day of July 1787.
3
Jos Burden Capt
He has a Recollection of Genl General Wayne. Genl Demangis (he thinks Delaware guts) And served from the time of his joining the Main Army as a Infantry Company.
He states that he returned home in July 1781 and stood ready to obey the call of his Country whenever he can find him notice the beginning of the year 1782.
He states he has no other evidence except the written discharge herein set forth of his services and knows of no record in the Country by whom he can prove his services.
He here by relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his claim is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Given to and subscribed his William Pelfry the day and year aforesaid mark
We Joseph Mitchell a clergyman residing in the County of Morgan and David Harrison residing in the same County certify that we are well acquainted with William Pelfry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 69 years of age. That he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides.

to have been a follower of the Revolution & that we are in that Opinion
Given & subscribed the day & year above David Garrison
And the said Board is hereby declared their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories proposed by the War Department that the claim against the government was a Revolutionary claim and that as the Board and the Court find that it appears that it appears to them that Joseph Mitchell who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Morgan and that David Garrison who has also signed the
same is a resident in the same County and is a Creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit
J. H. Hanna J. H. C.
James McGuire Joseph C. P. P.
I James G. Haglin of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said in the matter of the application of William Riley for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14th of November 1853
J. G. Haglin