Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26927, for Samuel Pray, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Tray Samuel Sarah
W 26927
CONTENTS

SERVICE
SERVICE Continental Mass.
NUMBER _____
Pray Samuel Sarah
N 26927
CONTENTS

Maine 11,309
Samuel Pray
of York Co in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Copp - of the Reg't commanded by Col Pattison in the Massachusetts Militia
15 Mo Private - $50 -
Inscribed on the Roll of - Maine at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of April 1833 and sent to me Burligh & Hols. - South Berwick
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 100 - Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 25 -
125. -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Sprague Clerk, Book 8 - Vol. 1 - Page 42

Samuel Pray
7687
Berwick
8410
not entitled
10 Mar 19

STATE OF MAINE.
York ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the First Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at York within and for the County of York on the first  tuesday being the fourth day of July and by adjournment at Alfred from day to day, on the day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable Benjamin Greene Ch: Justice Judge of said Court.
ON this eighteenth day of July - in the year 1820, personally appeared in open board
the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said County  Samuel Pray aged sixty five years, resident in Berwick in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Sullivan in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Patterson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the eighteenth day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 7,687 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818: and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
Samuel Pray
Sworn to and declared, on the 18 th day of July A. D. 1820.
BEFORE
Benj n Greene, Ch: Justice { One of the Judges of the said Court. W m Daniel Sewall, Clerk

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz:
20 acres of tillage & mowing land - 40 acres swamp & waste land - a one story house old, unfinished & out of repair - Barn old & rotten 30 by 45 1 yoke oxen small - 3 cows, 2 calves - 8 sheep - 2 hogs, no furniture of value
I owe to Thomas Parker & others - 80 dollars ~
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Samuel Pray who, by occupation am a farmer which I am unable to pursue by reason of infirmity, part of the time.
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     wife Sally 56 - stirring but weakly   daughter Betsy 21 - well as usual   son - Thomas 11 - well as usual  
Samuel Pray
STATE OF MAINE.
I, York ss. W. B. Sewall Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county of York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is four hundred and ten dollars and that S. Pray owes 80 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty second day of July ~ A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
W. B. Sewall { Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York -
410.00 property 80. - debts 330. -

Sam l Pray
Sam l Pray
North Berwick (Me)
Private
12 mos. Continental 3 " Militia 15 months, Total
Adm l
15 mos
$50-
Prof. Burleigh & Hobbs South Berwick Maine

State of Maine.
COUNTY OF YORK, SS.
ON this third day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon d William A. Hayes, Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Alfred in said County  Samuel Pray a resident of North Berwick in the county of York and State of Maine aged Seventy Seven 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He enlisted in the fall of 1775 with Capt David Copp for the term of one month as a private in the militia line. He left home the last of September 1775 according to the best of his recollection and served said term under the following officers viz Capt David Copp and Lieut Samuel Wallingford, the names of the other officers he has forgotten. He resided in Berwick (Me) when he entered the service. He marched from said Berwick to Portsmouth N.H. he recollects that he was stationed in an old house in the town of Portsmouth during the whole term. After said term of one month had expired, he enlisted again for the term of two months as a private in the same company and served said term under the same officers. He marched from Portsmouth to Cambridge (Ms) about the first day of November 1775. He was stationed part of the time at Mystic and during the rest of said term at No. 1. do called. He was employed in building forts and guarding during the whole term. He remembers that the enemy was in possession of Boston at that time. He was engaged in no battles, he does not recollect the names of any continental officers there at that time. The above term of service expired the last of December 1775. When he immediately enlisted again for the term of twelve months into the continental service. He never had any written discharge, and he knows of no person living who served with him during said term of one and two months, that Hiram H. Hobbs of South Berwick and Nahum Heard of said North Berwick are well acquainted with him and can testify to his services a character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He enlisted Jan 1. 1776 for the term of twelve months into the continental line. which term he served under the following named officers viz. Capt Eben Sullivan, Lieut Nathan Lord, Ensign John Johnson, Maj. Sherburne, Lt Col. Reed and Col. Patterson in the state of New York, the evidence of which service is now in the war department. and for which last mentioned service he once rec d a pension. He was born in Berwick aforesaid 21 Sept 1755 and lived there until 5 or six years after the Revolution when he moved to that part of Berwick which is now called North Berwick where he now lives. He has a record of his age in his family bible.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of except as aforesaid
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Pray
WE, Hiram H. Hobbs , a clergyman, residing in the town of South Berwick and Nahum Heard , Esquire residing in the town of North Berwick hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Pray who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy Seven 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, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Nahum Heard Hiram H. Hobbs

I Wm. A. Hayes Judge as aforesaid hereby certify that the said Samuel Pray has been personally known to me for more than twenty years, & that his statements are entitled to full credit
Wm. A. Hayes Judge
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 beforenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that
Nahum Brand who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman  magistrate , resident in the town of North Berwick (Me.), and that William H. Hobbs , who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of South Berwick & is a Magistrate and credible  credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. & that there is no clergyman in the vicinity of the Applicant
I, Wm. Cutter Allen , Register, clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Pray for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this third day of September , A.D. 1832.
Wm. Cutter Allen , Register of Probate.

1223.
Maine
Sarah Pray
widow of Samuel Pray who was a Private
in the Class line for 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of July, 1843 and sent to
Geo. W. Morton Augusta, Maine.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 8.

Declaration of Sarah Sally Bray
Act. July 7 th 1838
Admitted
Private 15 months
Spousum to commence 16. th April. 1837
William A. Hays Esq. South Berwick Maine

I Thomas Pray of North Berwick in the county of York and State of Maine of lawful age, depose testify and say that Samuel Pray late of said North Berwick, a revolutionary soldier deceased died on the fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty seven and that his widow, Sarah Pray is still living, and has remained a widow, and unmourned since the decease of her husband the above named Samuel Pray -
Thomas Pray
State of Maine County of York ss. Subscribed and sworn to by the Thomas Pray this first day of August A.D. 1838. Before me Wm. A. Hayes Just of the Peace
I William A. Hayes, the above named Justice of the Peace certify that the above named Thomas Pray who is well known to me, is a person of truth and his statements are entitled to full credence
Wm. A. Hayes Just Peace

State of Maine.
York, ss.—
I, JOHN SKEELE, Register of the Court of Probate, within and for the County of York, being a Court of Record, hereby certify that William A. Hayes is Judge of said Court of Probate and that the said William A. Hayes is also a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that the signatures to the papers hereunto annexed and purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
John Skeele } Register of Probate York County.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows."
State of Maine County of York ss. }
On this first day of August in the year of our Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before me William A. Hays Esquire, Judge of the Probate Court, being a Court of Record, within and for the County of York, in the State of Maine. Sarah Pray, a resident of North Berwick in the said County of York Widow aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7th. 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" that she is the Widow of Samuel Pray late of said North Berwick deceased, — that the said Samuel Pray served against the Common enemy in the Revolutionary War, as is more fully specified and set forth in the declaration of said Samuel Pray, now on the files of the Pension Department, for the Maine Agency, at Washington; which declaration was made by the said Samuel Pray, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th. 1832 — and upon which declaration a pension Certificate was issued to said Samuel Pray under said Act of 7th of June 1832. — The said Samuel Pray continued a pensioner under the Act last named up to the time of his death — and that since his decease the said pension Certificate has been returned to the Pension Agent at Portland and

is not now in her possession
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Pray on the eighth day of September in the year of our Lord, Our thousand seven hundred and eighty five, that her husband the aforesaid Samuel Pray died on the fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, Our thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four; Now at the time above stated
Witness
Charles N. Cogswell
Sarah her  Pray mark
Thomas Pray
Subscribed & sworn to on the day and year above written Before me Wm. A. Hayes judge of Probate York County Maine
I William A. Hayes judge of Probate as above stated do certify that the above named Sarah Pray by reason of her great age & bodily infirmity is unable to travel & attend court
Wm. A. Hayes judge as aforesaid

Extract from the Records of the town of Berwick in the County of York, and State of Maine viz:
"Samuel Pray Junion and Sally " Fernald were married September the eighth " seventeen hundred & eighty five"
I Joseph Prime Clerk of the town of Berwick aforesaid certify that the foregoing is a true extract as it is on the record except the dates, which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows - "September 8." / eighth / 1785" seventeen hundred & eighty five
Joseph Prime Town Clerk
I Joseph Prime above named do hereby testify and say, that I held the office of town clerk of Berwick in the County of York & State of Maine, and that the above is a true extract from the records of the same town except the dates, which expressed as above stated -
Joseph Prime Town Clerk
State of Maine
York County ss August 2 d A.D. 1830-
Subscribed & sworn to by the above named Joseph Prime Before me Wm. A. Hayes Just. Peace
I William A. Hayes the above named Justice of the Peace certify that the above named Joseph Prime, who is well known to me is a person of truth & veracity & his statements under oath are entitled to full credit
Wm. A. Hayes Just Peace

Maine - 283.
Sarah Pray widow of Samuel Pray, deceased,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832, and who died on the 15 th of April, 1837, of York co. in the State of Maine who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Goff, of the Regt. commanded by Col. Patterson in the Massachusetts line for Militia -
15 months private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine - at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1837. 16 th April
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Sep- tember, 1838 and sent to William A. Hays, South Berwick, Maine.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 = $69.01 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '39 - 25.00
$94.01
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk, Book A, Vol. 1, Page 19.

Rep - page 24
Maine, 283
Sarah Pray widow of Samuel Pray -
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, '32. and who died on the 15 April, 1837 - of York Co in the State of Maine who was a private in the company - commanded by Captain Coff of the Regt: commanded by Col: Patterson - in the Massachusetts - line for 15 Months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 50 - Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. & terminating 15 April 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th - day of April 1843 and sent to Geo: D. Ma- -tote, Augusta, Maine -
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
$55.59
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. H. Stevens - Clerk, Book 4 - Vol. 1 - Page 19

on letter 6 May 1832 to E Cobb do to Burleigh & Hobb Aug 16. 1832 Burleigh & Noble Dec 27 1832
Notation sent to W.B. Small Esq. 19 Oct 1832 Thornebank, Maine.
7,687
Maine
Samuel Pray 11
of Dist. Berwick in the state of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Patterson of the Massachusetts line, for the term of twelve months.
scribed on the Roll of Dist. of Maine at the rate of 3 Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 of Mar 1819 and sent to Hon. Ben. Green Judge, South Berwick, Me.
  Arrears to 4th of March 1819  84.49    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1819  48 —    10. 13/308 4/oi —  $ 132.49  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued

Reys
WIDOW, &c.
26,927
File No. _____
Sarah Bray Widow of Samuel Bray Rev. Minister
Act Mar 3 rd 1843
Index: Vol. P , Page 142
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Augusta, Maine
April 17. 1843
Sir
I enclose a declaration of Mrs Sarah Pray, to obtain the amount of the arrears of pension due her, under the Act of July 7. 1843. which if satisfactory, would respectfully request you to allow and send me, for her, a certificate
Very respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Geo W. Morton
James L Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Mrs Sarah Pray
76 fr. C.M.C.
Payment to be made at Maine by A. Newhall, Esq. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Maine
First payment to be made on the 31st December, 1838, and on the 4th March and 4th Septem- ber in each year there- after.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book 8, Vol. 1, Page 19 by
S. A. Elliot Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Sarah Pray, widow of Samuel Pray , deceased, ————— who was a Private in the Revolution ————— and died on the fifteenth day of April, 1837 is entitled to receive a pension, at the rate of Fifty dollars and ————— cents per annum, commencing on the sixteenth ————— day of April, 1837 ; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the 4th of March, 1841, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twelfth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
S. Cooper. Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

So Berwick Jan'y 4. 1833
J. L. Edwards Esq Dear Sir
We have returned the papers of Samuel Pray, who is not able to give his militia service any more accurately than he did in his declaration of Sept 3. 1832. - If by the rules of the W. Dep. he cannot obtain a pension for that, He will be content with a pension for the 12 months continental service, stated in his original declaration.
It was stated in your letter to us of Dec 27. 1832. That the claim of Adam Goodwin had been admitted and that his Pension certificate was forwarded with Sam d Pray's papers. no certificate was received with them

Yours respectfully Burlington Hobbs

Sam J. Pray
Payable semi-annually---the first pay- ment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, at the Cumberland Bank, Portland.
[Decorative flourish]
Recorded
[Decorative flourish]
Sam J. Pray

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, _____ " _____
Samuel Pray — late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the District of Maine Agency, at the rate of eight — dollars per month, to commence on the eighteenth day of April — one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this sixteenth day of March — one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

State of Maine.
COUNTY OF YORK, SS.
ON this twenty third day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace of the county of York  Samuel Gray a resident of North Berwick in the county of York and State of Maine aged Seventy Seven 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year A.D. 1775 as a private with Capt David Copp and served in the regiment of the Militia line, under the following named officers :
Capt David Copp, Lieut. Wallingford , the names of the other officers not recollected, for the term of one month at Portsmouth N.H. , that after the above term had expired, he enlisted again in the latter part of the year A.D. 1775 as a private and served under the same officers for two months at Cambridge, Ms. , after the last above term had expired, he enlisted again in the continental line on the first of January  A.D. 1776 for the term of twelve months which he served under the following named officers, Capt Eben Sullivan , Lieut Nathan Lord , Ensign John Johnson , Col. Patterson , Lt. Col. Reed , Maj. Sherburne , Gent ; name not recollected.
That he has once been on the Pension roll of the Maine agency under the act of March 18 th 1818 and has been struck from the same, that he resided in Berwick the county of York aforesaid , when his first application was made, and that he resides in North Berwick aforesaid at the Present time
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or 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 Maine
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Hiram H. Hobbs Justice of Peace
Samuel Gray

State of Maine York county ss.
I Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of York, certify, that Hiram H. Hobbs is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the signature within, purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my name and affix my official seal, this twenty fifth day of July Anno Domini 1832. Jer. Bradbury Clerk of the Judicial Courts York County

Timothy Wentworth of Berwick in County of York and State of Maine aged eighty six years next January on oath depose and say that Samuel Pray who is now living in North Berwick in said County was born and lived in said Berwick, until 5 or 6 years after the Revolutionary war, when he moved to where he now lives.
The house in which he was born and lived as above was not more than one hundred fifty rods from where I was born and have al- ways lived. We were well acquainted with each other previous to said war. I well recollect that said Pray left home some time in the year 1775 to serve in the Rev- olutionary war. It was said at that time that he was going to Cambridge and I think that he told me so him- self. I do not recollect whose com- pany it was that said Pray first served in. I well remember that there was a man by the name of David Coff who lived at that time in Wakefield N.H. I think, said Pray was absent from home as much as a year and a half, after leaving as above stated and it was always believed by me and all his neighbors that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, during that term. Timothy Wentworth.
York ss. Aug 30. 1832 Then personally ap- peared the abovenamed Timothy Wentworth a credible person and disinterested and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Hiram H. Hobbs } Justice of Peace
State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
I, WILLIAM CUTTER ALLEN, Register of Probate, for the County of York, hereby certify that Nathan H. Hobbs is a Justice of the Peace for said County of York as above stated, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Wm. Cutter Allen , Register of Probate.

North Berwick September 3 rd 1832.
I Eliphaz Pray of North Berwick, in the County of York and State of Maine, Gentleman of lawful age (being of the age of eighty three years) do testify and say that in the year of sixteen hundred and seventy five, I was at my Father's house in the fall of said year, and as I did not see my Brother Samuel Pray, I enquired after him and my Father & Mother told me, that he had gone to Portsmouth as a Soldier, and I saw him not again until the latter part of the winter of sixteen hundred and seventy seven, which is all that I know about my Brother being out in the army and I was frequently at my Father's house during said time.
his Eliphaz X Pray mark.
York, ss. North. Berwick, September 3 rd 1832.
On the day, and year aforesaid, the aforesaid was examined and canonized and sworn agreeably to law to the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed, taken at the request of said Samuel Pray, and to be used in a Probate Court to be held at Alfred, this third day of September, eighteen hundred thirty two for the purpose of said Samuel Pray drawing a pension for his services as a Soldier in the Militia in the year aforesaid. The said Eliphaz Pray being in firm, and by reason of his age, and some distance to travel to court without difficulty is the reason of taking this deposition
Nahum Heard Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
YORK, SS.
I, WILLIAM CUTTER ALLEN , Register of Probate, for the County of York, hereby certify that William Heard is a Justice of the Peace for said County of York as above stated, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Wm. Cutter Allen , Register of Probate.

10/74 Sarah Pray
$50 per am
Geo W Morton August Praine.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF MAINE, }
County of Somerset ss. }
A. D. 1843, personally appeared,
County of Somerset
On this Twenty ninth day of April before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in the and State of Maine, Sarah Pray
a resident of Detroit in the County of
Somerset aged Seventy seven years, who, being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Samuel Pray who was a
private during the Revolutionary War; that she was
pensioned as the widow of the said Samuel Pray at the
rate of fifty dollars and _____ cents per
annum, under the Act of July 7, 1838, which was paid to her at the agency in
Portland in the State of Maine She further declares
that she is still the widow of the said Samuel Pray having
remained unmarried ever since his death.
Witness
Thomas Pray Betsey Pray
Sarah Pray mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written,
Before me,
Ebenezer A. Bryant
Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me to have been pensioned under the Act of July 7, 1838, and is the reputed widow of Samuel Pray deceased, and has remained unmarried ever since his death.
Ebenezer A. Bryant
Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF MAINE State of Maine
Humbler County ss
I the subscriber, Justice of the Peace clerk of all the Judicial courts, hold for and within the said county of Humbler, do hereby certify, that Ebenezer A. Boynton is a Justice of the Peace as within stated, and that the within signature representing to be his are genuine, Witness my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial courts of Maine, the eight day of May A.D. 1843.
A. R. Nichols

EDWARD KAVANAGH, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
To all who shall see these Presents,
GREETING.
Know ye, That Ebenezer A. Boynton of Detroit in the County of Somerset Esquire, whose name is borne upon the paper hereunto annexed, was on the sixteenth day of February A. D. 1843 appointed and Commissioned, and on the thirtieth day of March A. D. 1843 qualified as a Justice of the Peace & of the Quorum within and for our said County of Somerset that he still continues to hold said office:
Edward Kavanagh
and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed. GIVEN under my hand at AUGUSTA, this seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- three and in the sixty- sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By the Governor.
Philip G. Johnson Secretary of State.

Sarah Pray
M c due 7, July 38 50# from March '36 to 15 apl 37
Home
Augusta
Gen. W. Norton
Dec 1940
Oct 1941
Gen. W. Norton
Augusta
Maine,

Declaration. In order to obtain arrears of Pension due from March 4. 1836, under the Act of July 7. 1838
On this thirtyfirst day of March 1843, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Somerset, and State of Maine, Sarah Pray a resident of Detroit in said County of Somerset, aged seventy seven years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the Amount of pension which she claims from the fourth day of March 1836, to the fifteenth day of April 1837 from which period she has been already paid under the Act of the 7th July 1838, And the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Samuel Pray who was present during the Revolutionary war, that her pen- sion was allowed at the rate of fifty dollars per annum, and was paid to her at the agency in Portland in the State of Maine, And further she saith not.
Witness. Thomas Pray
Sarah her X Pray mark
State of Maine Somerset County S.S.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
Ebenezer A. Boynton
Justice of the Peace

Land. Proj (Private)
Patterson's Mgmt. Rept.
Jan. 1776 for 1 year.
16 th April 1810
Admitted

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, ss. }
ON
this eighteenth
day of April
A. D. 1818,
before me the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth, personally appears Samuel Pray aged eightythree years resident in Berwick in said county of York, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War:"—That he the said Samuel Pray in the month of January A.D. 1776 enlisted as a private soldier in the continental army under Capt. Ebenezer Dullivan of the Regiment commanded by Col. Patterson of the Massachusetts line for the term of twelve months, that he continued to do his duty in said Company and Regiment in the various places in which the same was stationed until the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted. was in a battle at a place called the Cedars where he was taken prisoner by the Canadians and Indians, & that after he was exchanged he joined the American troops at Crown Point from thence to Mount Independence, from thence to Bristol where the Americans captured about nine hundred Hessians & having served the term for which he had enlisted he was honorably discharged but not no written discharge.
And the said Samuel Pray further states (a fact proved by the certificate of the selectmen & overseers of the Poor of the Town of Berwick) —
And in proof of the services of the said Samuel Pray Deane Roberts & Stephen Hardison two creditable witnesses, personally appear, and after being by me duly sworn, testify, that the declaration made by the said Samuel Pray, they know to be substantially correct that they served with him in the same Reg t for the term of time he has stated & that he was always considered a faithful soldier & was honorably discharged.
That he is reduced in his circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year above said.
Benj. Greene
I, BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Samuel Pray did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as he has stated in his declaration aforesaid—and that he is reduced in his circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for his support.—And I do now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the before mentioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of April Anno Domini, 1818.
Benj. Greene