Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23437, for Alexander Orr, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass. Sea Service
Orr, Alexander Ames, Deborah
W. 23437
(Former widow.)
CONTENTS

Maine 1141
Deborah Ames who was widow of Alexander Orr
who died on the year 1783 of Waldo Co., in the State of Maine who was a Lieutenant in the by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Revolution line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Honor at the rate of 320 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of July 1837 and sent to Jabez A. Amesbury, Esq. Winthaven, Maine
Arrears to the 4th of March '37. 1920.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sept. " 160.00
$2080.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 — }
Recorded by D. Brown Book A. Vol. 1 — Page 1.
Clerk,
1884 Jany. 5 W. O. Thomas - to slate the use to be made of the information & as he married, did his widow remarry & to whom 1884 Feby 17 W. O. Thomas - that Soldier in this pension case cannot be the party of his enquiry - see the Skelton letter within. Prior 1884 Jany 16. W. O Thomas with history Prior
Date of death scat and etc

I Chandler Robbins do depose & say that I am the present Pastor of the Church & Society formerly under the pastoral charge of the Rev John Lathrop S.D. that by the Records of said Ch & Socy. which are now in my possession there is an entry made in his own handwriting of the following marriage
Mr Alexander Orr, & Miss Deb- orah Gray married March 20.
1777—
Chandler Robbins
Sept 12. 1836.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Infants vs. Boston July 14 th 1847.
Then personally appeared the Witness named Charles Robbins and made oath that the declaration by him subscribed on the former page is absolutely just and true.
Geo. William, Justice of the peace & Deacon.

No 2119

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 a Section of the act of 4 th July 1836 & of the first section of the act of March 1837.
State of Maine Waldo ss.
On this twenty first day of June A.D. 1837 personally appeared before Alfred Johnson Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Waldo Deborah Ames a resident of Camden in said County aged seventy six on the 25 th day of July last, 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 4. 1836 & the Act explanatory of said Act, passed March 3. 1837: - That she was married to Alexander Orr, who entered Col. Vose's Regiment as a Lieutenant in 1777 & served until 1780 - that afterwards, about on the 5 th day of Dec r . 1780 he entered on board the ship Protector that he was captured & returned & was discharged 25 th May 1782 - all which appears by documentary evidence now in possession of the War Department - that the said Orr resided in Boston Mass. when he entered the service
She further declares that she was married to the said Alexander Orr on the twelfth day of March 1777 - and that her husband the aforesaid died in 1783 - as she verily believes, as he was on board of a vessel bound from Boston to Phila.

adulthood in some way of that year - which was never heard from after she left Boston - that she remained a widow until the second day of April A.D. 1818 when she was married to Sargent Ames who died on the fifteenth day of March 1823 - and that she was a widow on the 4th day of July 1836 and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed
Deborah Ames
Sworn to & subscribed, on the day & year above written
before me Alfred Sohier
Judge of Probate
State of Maine
Waldo June 21 1837
I hereby certify that the the above named applicant was unable to appear at the Court Room by reason of bodily infirmity & the above declaration was made, subscribed & sworn to at the residence of the Deborah Ames in Camden
Alfred Sohier
Judge of Probate
Waldo County ss
State of Maine
I the subscriber Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge of Probate in the matter of the application of Deborah Ames for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal at office this 22d day of June A.D. 1837.
J. M. Loring Reg. of Probate

April 21, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Alexander Orr-S.34456
Alexander Orr-W.23437
Miss Sadie Clemmer Cleveland Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Lieutenant Alexander Orr, of Massachusetts. The name of Alexander Orr is shown twice on the Revolutionary War records of this office. Both records are furnished you herein as it cannot be determined which is the one you desire.
Alexander Orr S.34456
The date and place of birth of Alexander Orr are not stated.
He enlisted in the state of Connecticut in April, 1775, served in Captain Waterman's Company, Colonel Putnam's Connecticut Regiment, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he acted as sergeant major and was discharged about November 1, 1775; he again entered the service about December 1, 1775, as sergeant major in Colonel Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment, was in the battle at Dorchester Heights and after the evacuation of Boston, marched to Ticonderoga, where, in September, 1776, he was appointed ensign, and in October, 1776, was commissioned 3 d lieutenant of Captain Abraham Tuckerman's Company and served in Colonels Paterson's and Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiments and was in the battle of Trenton: he was later commissioned 1 st lieutenant in Captain Abraham Tuckerman's Company, Colonel Vose's 1 st Massachusetts Regiment; at the capture of Burgoyne, at Saratoga in 1777, he acted as adjutant under Major Henry Dearborn, and at the battle of Monmouth in 1778, he commanded a company under Major Dearborn. He resigned his commission in July or August, 1780.

Alexander Orr was allowed pension on his application executed April 21, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-six years and resided in Cumberland County, New Jersey.
In 1820, he was residing in Downe Township, said Cumberland County. In that year, he referred to his wife as aged fifty-five years but did not give her name or the date of their marriage and there is no reference to children.
He died January 27, 1832, place not stated.
*****
Alexander Orr W. 23437
The date and place of birth of Alexander Orr are not stated.
While residing in Boston, Massachusetts, he entered the service sometime in 1777, served as lieutenant in Colonel Vose's Massachusetts Regiment, his service ending in 1780: on December 5, 1780, he entered on board the ship "Protector", was captured, details of the capture and length of time held in captivity not stated, returned home and was discharged May 25, 1782.
The soldier married March 20, 1777, Deborah Gray. She was born July 25, 1760.
In May, 1783, Alexander Orr boarded a vessel at Boston bound for Philadelphia which vessel was never heard from after she left Boston. On April 2, 1818, Deborah Orr married Justus Aues. He died March 15, 1823.
Deborah Orr Aues was allowed pension on account of the services of her former husband, Alexander Orr, on her application executed June 21, 1837, while residing in Camden, Waldo County, Maine.
There is no reference to children of Alexander and Deborah Orr.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Deborah Ames, former widow of Alexander Orr (W.23437), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
Deborah Ames, who was the widow of Alexander Orr, Certificate No.1141, issued July 11, 1837, rate $320 per annum, Act of July 4, 1836, Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
April 7, 1924
Capt. S. D. Martin 428 Fourth St. Portland, Ore.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.23437, it appears that the widow, Deborah Ames, was allowed pension on account of the services of her former husband, Alexander Orr.
She married April 2, 1818, Justice Ames, and he died March 15, 1823. Her maiden name was Gray. The date of her death is not given.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23437
Deborah Ames (formerly Widow of) Alexander Orr Lieut Genl Rev War
Act July 1, 1836
Index: Vol. A , Page 12
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1924 Apr 7 Capt. S. S. Martin adv. that Deborah Ames was dis- missed on acc. of service of former husband, Alexander Orr 1933 Apr 21 - Heir to Miss Lucie Clemens (Ed) Letter in case Alexander Orr - S. 34456-

Deborah Ames, who was widow of Lieut. Alex n Orr, da 2 Vose's Mass. reg. $320 per ann.
Maine roll, act '36
Send cut: to Jabez A. Amesbury, Esq Vinalhaven, Maine

July 11
C.
Act 4 July 36 + 2nd 3 1837
Ames L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington District of Columbia

Baton July 7 th 1837 — Dear James.
I have enclosed you I believe, the necessary papers respecting Mr. Dorr's application for a pension with the hope that the majority of it be possible to have one. Should there be still a defect which may be in the way of it. You will have the goodness if you please to communicate the same to his agent, to Mr. Faber. A. Mansbury, at New Haven — Mr. Mansbury, knows you also if perfectly convenient to enclose all the Rules and directions that are now necessary to perform this business in such a manner that it may come to you without creating for you so much trouble in case his assistance in business of this kind may be desired — We are all my dear friend in fine health and spirits, and want nothing to give a greater addition to us but your Company and that of your family.
With the same Etern & regard for yourself and Yours respectfully
W. Williams The enclosed packet is granted please to confer that to Mr. Mansbury who is now agent in this affair.

Edward Everett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT , Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Know Ye, That John Williams Esq. is a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, 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 Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this seventh day of July, A. D. 1837, and in the Sixty Second Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John C. Brown Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Jabez A. Amesbury of Vinalhaven in the County of Hancock & State of Maine on oath testify & say that I was well acquainted with Justus Ames the second husband of the present Deborah Ames, now resident in Camden in the County of Waldo - who was at the time of her marriage with said Justus the widow of Alexander Orr. - said Ames a short distance from me in the same Town of Vinal- haven & died in March 1823 as I was generally understood - altho I was not present at the death, or funeral. said Deborah Ames has remained a widow ever since March 1823 -
Jabez A. Amesbury
Waldoboro, June 21. 1837 Then the above named Jabez A. Ames- bury made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me, & I certify that he is a man of truth & veracity.
Alfred L. Spaulding Judge of Probate & Justice of the Peace.
I Cushing Thomas now of Camden in the County of Waldo & lately from Vinal Haven in the County of Hancock State of Maine on oath testify & say that I was present at the funeral of Justus Ames the husband of the present widow Deborah Ames - and saw his corps - I was well acquainted with him - this was in March 1823 I have been acquainted with his widow both before her marriage with said Ames & since - she was called the widow of Alexander Orr before her marriage with said Ames, and I was present at her marriage with said Ames in April 1818

She has remained a widow since the decease of her late husband, the aforesaid Amos - and has resided in my family ever since.
Cushing Thomas
Waldorf June: 21. 1837 I hereby certify that the above named Cushing Thomas made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me, & that the said Thomas is a man of truth & veracity.
Alfred Johnson
Waldorf, B.
State of Maine
The subscriber Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Waldo hereby certifies that Alfred Johnson is a Magistrate for said County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court of Probate this twenty second day of June A.D. 1837.
Nathl. H. Loring Register Probate

34,456 St. Mls
23 437 - -
503 N. Jefferson St. Peoria Ill. Dec. 18. th 1883
Hon. Charles Dudley Washington D. C.
Sir:
Will you please to inform me what position Alexander Orr - of Glasgow Scotland, held during the Revolutionary war; and how much pension he drew?
If you will give me the above information I shall be greatly obliged to you.
Very Respectfully Winthrop Orr Thomas.

January 18 th 1884
O. P. G. Clarke
Department of the Interior, Pension Office.
Hon. Sir;
In reply to - Yours of the 15 th inst. I would say - the use of any information you can give me from your "Department" will be to secure the estate in Scotland, of Alexander Orr - as I am the only legal heir living. I am thinking of going to Scotland soon to look after the estate, I thought probably you could give me some information from your "Department" that would be

of use to me.
His widow never remarried again - or at least the records I have do not show that she did.
Very Respectfully Winthrop Orr Thomas 503 N. Jefferson St Peoria Ill.

Speaker Ills Jan 6/88 847 S Union St
Department of the Interior your letter of the 31 st ult was duly received would say in reply it is impossible for me to fill out the interrogatories the evidence I wish to obtain from you will give me a starter but you will see from the sum of Mr Hadleys letter of the 16 th of February 1884 that was an Alexander Orr in the service of the P B & that he left a

widow & that her maiden name was Deborah Gray now what I wish to know can't you give me the full details of the record of Alexander Orr he (Mr Dudley) refers to if it is not my Grand Father it will be of no use to me but it seems to they me they are both the same person the one I am in search for & the one he refers to for it Dudley looks reasonable that to men of the same name & many two women of the same name & some in the

same among my object in obtaining a clue is to enable me to obtain an estate which rightly belong to me & with out the information I ask you for I am utterly helpless although if there is any pension connected with it I do not know any thing about it I supposed at Grand Mothers death the pension ceased in closed place find all the letters between me & Mr Dudley Very respectfully
Winthrop Orr Thomas

Decatur Ills Dec 28 th no 317 1/2 Union St
Department of the Interior Washington D.C.
Will you please give me all the information you have of the Alexander Orr that Married Miss Deborah Gray of Boston Mass in looking over your letters of February 10 1884 I am confident the Alexander Orr you refer to is the same Alexander Orr I am looking for the evidence pertaining to his life & death is somewhat mixed

& it is impossible for me to get on the right trail with out your assistance in your last you seem to think They are two diferent persons but I think not my Grand Father Alexander Orr or rather my Grand Mother Deborah Orr drew a pension from the United States until her death I think she was living in Marshfield Plymouth Co Mass my object my object in obtaining this evidence from you is to prove my heirship to an estate that was left to my Grand Father Alexander Orr hoping you will

comply with my request
Very respectfully
W. O. Thomas

503 N. Jefferson St. Peoria Ill. Jan 3 rd 1884
W. W. Dudley. Department of the Interior Pension Office.
Dear Sir -
My object in making enquiry about Alexander Orr - is this - I am a great grandnephew of Alexander Orr - and am the only surviving heir of his estate in Scotland.
Alexander Orr - was born and raised in Scotland. I think he was General in the British Army: he was ordered to America - under Gen. John Burgoin, and at the battle of

Saratoga - he was captured, surrendering to Gen Yates - afterwards serving in the Continental army until the close of the war.
After the war he settled in Massachusetts; he married (I think) a Miss Deborah Gray of Boston Mass.
I do not know the exact date of his death - but I think near the year of 1800 he sailed for Scotland to look after his estate there, the ship was lost and he never was heard of afterwards. I think his widow drew a pension until her death. If you can give me any infor- mation from your Department - it will be gratefully received.
Very Respectfully - Winthrop Orr Thomas.

Incl.
Old war
2
Department of the Interior. PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. January 15, 1884
Sir
In your letter of the 3 d inst, relative to Alexander Orr, who served in the war of the Revolution, in regard to whom you had, in a previous communication, requested information, you have not stated what use you intended to make of it should the same be furnished.
In order to clearly identify the party of your enquiry will you state, as he married, if his widow remarried, and if so, the name of the last husband.
Very respectfully
O. P. Clarke
acting Commissioner
Mr Winthrop Orr Thomas 503 N. Jefferson St Peoria Illinois

From Captain S.D.Martin.
. 428, 4th St. Portland Ore.
March 4th 1924.
To the Pension Bureau, Wash.D.C.
I understand that my great-grandmother, Mrs. Deborah Ames, (or Deborah Alexander -----? (Orr)-Ames) was drawing a pension in 1740 at age of 79, while living in Castine Me.
Will you please ascertain for me on what Acct. she drew said pension; (1) what war; and (2) on whose Acct as supporter; and (3) was it for loss of husband or son? Also, (4) what was her maiden name? She was a widow, Orr before she married Justice Ames.
(5) When did she marry Justice Ames, and (6) when did he die?, and she?
This information would greatly help an old soldier and officer.
Respectfully.
Capt. S. D. Martin -Captain-S.D.Martin----- (as above)

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Orr, Battis GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7577 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 4, 1790 to Henry Hart, assignee
*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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Orr, Daniel GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7561 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED April 21, 1791 to Oliver Bostwick, assignee
*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.