Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,522, for Mark Murray, Virginia

SERVICE
Murray Mark or Murry.
NUMBER
R. 7522
CONTENTS

no 19127
Mark Murray Halifax 6 o Virg a
Return e m
W m G e Boyhan
Sam l Williams 6 o Halifax 6 o Hous

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16. May — 1883
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 subjjoined 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, showing the Service of Mark Murray Wallis 6 o V o
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1774 M o 1 5 8 Pioneer 1 st Lieut. John Capt. Henry Capt. Park Goodall Col. Rains Catskill at Camden Guilford Burgoyne Crown Roxbury New York Battles M o from on Dec r 72 Carlisle 6 o V o  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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, 1832. 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 (f) 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
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 of the Court of 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) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has 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 day and year aforesaid.
[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 (l) 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 enquiry 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.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Mark Murray's Decl.
19127
12 mo low
5 - 8 am
$1.59
Claim new run 21 days
then

Virginia. to wit:
On this 23 rd day of October 1839 Personally appeared before the County Court of Halifax, Mark Murry a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged about 72 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed June 7 th 1832, that entered the service of the United States in Caroline County about the (year 1777) by enlistment for one year. as Lieutenant Jones and served out the full term of that enlistment under Capt Hawks and was stationed during that Period at Williamsburg in Virginia and was there discharged which discharge is lost or mislaid, so that I cannot now obtain it. nor do I know of any person now living by whom I can prove the services stated; I was born and raised in the County of Caroline and removed from thence to Hanover County in Virginia, some short time after the above mentioned services and discharge when I was drafted and marched from Hanover to the South, by Capt Parke Goodall crossed Roanoke River. marched by Hillsborough and was engaged in the battle of Gates' defeat between Rugeley's Mill and Camden - after the engagement the Army separated and rendez- voused at Masbie's ford on Poace, from thence, I was

marched back to Hillsborough - from thence to Guilford Courthouse N.C. where I was discharged the fall preceding the battle at that Place, by Col o Mims, which discharge is also lost or mislaid & I know of no Person living by whom I can prove these latter services, which continued from the 1 st day of June to the 8 th day of November inclusive being five months & 8 days, I was called out by drafts several times afterwards, from the said County of Hanover & served a few weeks on each draft but how long I cannot now recollect.
I removed from the County of Hanover aforesaid to this County (Halifax) about forty years ago where I have resided ever since.
I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the Present & declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
Mark his X Murray mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
and the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served

served as he states
I Samuel Williams clerk of the court of Halifax County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Mark Murray for a pension
In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 29 th day of October — 1832
Samuel Williams

Virginia Halifax County. SS
August the 28 th 1834
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, Mark Murry who being duly sworn, deposes & saith that by reason of Old age, and consequent loss of Memory he can not 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 —
I enlisted with or under Lieutenant Jones about the commencement of the revolutionary war and served as a private soldier, Capt. Haws for the period of twelve months, but do not recollect the Col n nor the reg t we belonged. neither can I tell whether it was in the state troops or continental line I served but recollect I received bounty money.
I was drafted and served some time after but do not recollect the date under Capt. Gooall, for the period of five months & Eight days - as near as I can ascertain from the register of one of my children that was born the day after I arrived home. except this circumstance I could not have been so precise in that period of service - I recollect no officers of note in this tour of service except Gen. Stephens — as to the other tours I can not recollect the precise time I served but to the best of my knowledge the first of the two last mentioned tours in my enlistment. I served at Richmond not less than three weeks. And one other tour I served not less than ten days also at Richmond. Making in all I served as a private soldier in the militia not less than six months & Eight days. The only officers I recollect in two last tours at Richmond was Col n Danage —
I can not ascertain what date I was born having no record of my age but think after reflection that I am past the age stated in my disallowance from the circumstances of my being exempted from militia duty forty years ago and my knowledge of Braddock's war which induces me to believe that I am not less than Eighty odd years old —

I was living in Caroline & Hanover Counties when I rendered my services, have lived in Halifax County and state of Virginia since the revolutionary war and do now live in the same —
I enlisted voluntarily in the first instance of my services for twelve months, but cannot say in what line — For the half arm of my service I was drafted I have a very imperfect recollection of the Officers, Regts and the various circumstances of my services as I paid little or no attention to anything but the duty assigned to me — I received two or three discharges but never expected to want them, and I believe they lost or destroyed — Alexander Canigan John S Vaughan, Thomas Watkins, James Warren and others in the neighbourhood by whom I am known, and who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution — I can not procure a clergyman then being none near me — and I know living persons by whom I can prove my services —
I sworn and subscribed to his Mark M o M o erry before me this 28 th August 1834.
and interlined the month August myself John S. Vaughan J.P.
We Richard Carter & Isaac Satterfield residing in the County of Halifax & State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mark M o erry who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be Eighty odd Years of age and that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. There being no doubt on the subject —
Richard Carter Sen
Isaac Satterfield
Sworn & subscribed the day & year after said before me the 28 th day of August 1834 John S. Vaughan J.P.

State of Virginia Halifax County ss
And I John S Vaughan a Justice of the peace in the county of Halifax & State aforesaid do hereby declare my 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 that there is no doubt existing in the neighborhood of the facts respecting his services as a soldier in the revolution - And I further certify that Richard Carter & Isaac Samuel Salapata who have signed the preceding Certificate residents in the County aforesaid are both credible persons and that their statement are entitled to credit And I do certify that Mark Murray in consequence of Old age and Bodily infirmity is not able to attend court
Given under my hand this 28 th day of August 1834 — John S. Vaughan
I do certify that the name Samuel was erased and inserted the name Isaac as above
John S. Vaughan
Virginia, to wit:
I William Holt clerk of the county court of Halifax in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that John S Vaughan before whom the foregoing amended declaration of Mark Murray was made is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said county, and that the foregoing signatures hereunto to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said county at my office this 3 rd day of October 1834. M. Holt

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7022.
P. O. Wm Murray
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mark Murray Virginia
Superior deo
Decr 3 1834
J. H. Paynham
7522

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Murray, Patrick GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9971 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 9, 1789 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.