Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,979, for William Pryor, Virginia

SERVICE
Va.
Pryor William
NUMBER
8,8979
CONTENTS
carded.

Dead.
Let. to Pen. Agent, Mar 23, 1837.
" " Charles Ellis, " 23, "
Died Dec 30, 1834. (Voucher)
Virginia 16.591
William Frye
of Amherst in the State of Va who was a pvt in the Army commanded by Captain Shelby of the _____ commands by _____ in the Va line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80. Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Sept. 33. and sent Pensioner — Frye's Vale P.O. Amherst Co. Va.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 200. Pensioner allowance ending Mar 34 40
$ 240.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by
M. Rice
Clerk
Book
E
Vol.
6
Page 21.

2/6. 31/7 H m Gwyn's declaration for a pension
Admit as a private 2 years $80-
Applicant, Major W. G. P. O. Amherst C o N. A.

State of Virginia, County of Amherst S c
On this 15th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Amherst, now sitting, William Fryer, a resident of Lexington Parish in the County of Amherst and State of Virginia aforesaid aged about 79 or 80 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 9th 1832-
Who states that he has no record of his age and if any exists he does not know it, that he was born upon Pedlar River in that part of Albermarle County now the County of Amherst, that he was born about 1752 or 1753 for he will recollect the war of 1755, or what was then called Braddock's War, that he removed to the great Kenawha River in the western part of Virginia in the autumn of 1773 and planted a crop of Corn on that River the next spring, but was driven back to Amherst by the Indians that again he visited that River and was at Point Pleasant in the Spring of 1775 and there saw Capt Isaac Shelby late Governor Shelby of Kentucky who had been left at that place with the wounded men after the battle at that place on the 10th October 1774 that was occasionally there and in Amherst until the early part of year 1776 when the Indians became so troublesome that he was compelled with many others to take shelter in the fort at Point Pleasant, that he then substituted himself for a man by the name of James Frazer under the command of Capt Matthew Arbuckle, who then commanded the fort at said place, whose subaltern officers were Lieuts Andrew Wallace, James Thompson, and Ensigns Saml Woods, and James Mc. Nutt that he served out said Frazer's time which was about 8 months, that he then enlisted under said Arbuckle in the latter part of the year 1776 for two years but whether he belonged to the State troops or continental does not know, and about that time Capt William Mc. Kee with Lieut James Gilmore, and many private Soldiers came to said place and were there stationed under the command of said Arbuckle, that he served under that enlistment in or about two years that whilst there he was held to various services as a Soldier, he was often with others detailed, and sent up the Kenawha River to the Plantations above the Point after corn, that he was often stationed on the Ohio above the fort as a guard, that he often as a spy, that whilst there in the year 1777 and in the fall of that year, that Colonels Shelby and Dickerson came to said fort with a number of men under their command on an expedition as they said against the

Shawnee town. That I was sent up the Kenawha and met said men at the mouth of Elk River 60 miles above the fort, that amongst others who were along in that expedition were James Harrison now of the County of Rockbridge, Moisejah Goodwin and many others. That when we arrived at the fort a Lieut Gilmore went over the Kenawha to shoot Turkeys and was there killed by some unknown Indians, and so soon as his dead body was brought into the fort, and was seen by the men of that expedition they immediately murdered the Indian Chief Cornstalk with his son Nipseko and another principal Indian, who were then in the fort, and had there been held for some time by Capt Arbuckle as hostages or a guaranty for the safety of the men in the fort and the settlers. That whilst the said Shillaber and Dickerson were at the fort General Hand of the United States Army came to that place from Pittsburg, and ordered said Officers and men to return into the settlement saying it was too late in the season to go over the Ohio and attack the Indian towns the principal of which was Chilicutha. That whilst said Hand was there he commanded Capt Arbuckle and McKee to shorten the pay and daily allowance of the men under their command saying that they feasted too high, that when this order was put in execution almost every man in the fort shouldered their arms and girted on their knapsacks and were resolved to leave the fort and absolutely started on their march home, when a Col McDowell who was then in the fort, stated to Hand the impolicy of such a measure, and obtained permission of said Hand to follow and speak to the men, which he did, and promised them their former pay and accustomed allowance, and the matter was made up and the men returned that he himself took no part in this mutiny.
That in consequence of the massacre of the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk in the fall of 1777 that nation in Spring of 1778 mustered all their strength and surrounded the fort at Point Pleasant, and laid siege to it for several days, that at that time they killed one man Paddy Shearman and wounded Lieut Gilmore, that finding they would not be able to take the fort, they killed up all our stock and marched to attack the forts and settlements in Greenbrier. We obtained information of this fact from the Grenadier Squaw who was said to be a sister of King Cornstalk, she had taken shelter in the fort soon after its erection and had continued with us, and when her stock was killed with ours, she obtained leave of Capt McKee to go out to the Indians, she went out with some spirits, and soon became intoxicated and

although in that state she overheard the intentions of the Indians and when she got sober and come in she informed the Officers of the fort the designs of the Indians. when Capt. Mc Kee heard this he then made a proposition that if any two men would leave the fort and give information to the Inhabitants of Greenbrier of the design of the Indians to attack them that altho he could not discharge them yet he would so extend their furloughs as would be promp- t enough to a discharge two men Jno. McIntaminger and Jno. Logan accepted the proposition and started after the Indians. They became so alarmed that they returned on the same and after they returned evening. Philip Hammond and myself agreed to go when my elder brother Jno. Pryor saying that he was more experienced in Indian Warfare and finding that Hammond preferred that my brother should go I gave way. and they were dressed in Indian style by the Greenbrier Squaw and followed the Indians and pased them at the meadows within ten or twelve miles of Donnelley's fort where they arrived and gave information to the Inhabitants of that place and the settlers in Greenbrier. They had been in that fort but a short time when the Indians arrived and attacked said fort, and a dridful conflict ensued. It so happened at that time that Capt. Arbuckle was in Greenbrier on a visit to his family and hearing of the coming of the Indians and hearing the firing at said fort, he with a Capt. Lewis raised a company and forced a passage into said fort and finally drove off the Indians; after many of them had been killed and wounded, it was by these efforts that Greenbrier was saved. The Indians were so discomfited that they now abandoned their expedition, and made their way home-ward. That during this expedition of the Indians General Clarke of the United States Army stopped at Point Pleasant, on his way to take possession of a place then called the P.M. but now Vincennes-
That during the autumn of 1778 there was a man in said fort by the name of Morgan, who had been a prisoner for many years with the Indians, that he had a Squaw with him who was said to be his Wife. Morgan was held in custody and Ironed by order of the officers for the purpose of taking him to his father who had offered a large reward to any one who would bring his son to him. This man finding himself but slightly guarded ran off with his wife, and was never more heard of. The officers sus- pecting that he would reach the Indian towns and inform them

That our time had nearly expired and that we would a great many of us leave the fort in a few days the officers then discharged myself Zedekiah Shumaker and many others and we left the fort a few days before my two years had actually expired.
He further states after his return to Amherst at the close of 1778 that in the year following he was drafted in the Militia from the County of Amherst and served a tour of three months at and a little below the City of Richmond, that he was commanded Capt Samuel Higginbotham and was attached to a Regiment commanded by a Col Christian, that he served this tour of duty with Zedekiah Shumaker, William Brown, Saml Allen & many others, and that further in the year 1780 he served another tour of duty of three months duration at fort Powhatan on James River below Richmond now called fort Jefferson, that he was then under the command of Capt Richard Ballinger, and he served this tour with Richard Sanskersley, Nicholas Inyor an elder brother and many others, and that he now resides in the County of Amherst aforesaid, and has there lived ever since the Revolutionary War, and that he is known to the Revd Bro Davis, Abram Carter, Bartlett Cash and the above named Zedekiah Shumaker who can testify their belief as to his services that he received regular discharges for these various services, which have long since been lost or mislaid. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and I declare that my name is not on the pension of the agency of any state.
William Inyor
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
The Court proceeded to pronounce the interrogatories prescribed by the War department in the following manner Viz
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Answer - I was born in that part of Albemarle County now the County of Amherst in the year 1752 or 1753.
2 d Have you any record of your age, if so where is it?
Answer I have none -
3 rd Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived ever since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living on the Shenandoah river in the western part of Virginia, when I enlisted under Capt. Adcock at Point Pleasant, I lived in Amherst when drafted in the Militia

where I have lived ever since the Revolutionary War, and where I now live.
4th. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer. In the first place I substituted in the place of a man by the name of Frazer. I then enlisted and served two years or near it, and after that was drafted in the Militia and served two tours of three months each.
5th 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 service.?
Answer. I have named Capt. Arbuckle and McKee, and Lieutenants Gilmore, Thompson, Moore and others. I do not now recollect whether they were attached to the State troops or whether we belonged to the continental troops. Generals Hand and Clarke and a Col. McDowell were at Point Pleasant whilst I was there. They I think belonged to the Regular troops, and also Col. Dickerson and Shillaber with many subaltern officers of the Militia were at said fort whilst I was there - and as to the general circumstances of the service in which I was engaged, it is particularly related in the foregoing statement.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it.?
Answer. I received a discharge, I think it was signed by Capt. Matthew Arbuckle but I have long since lost it.
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I am known by the Revd Jno Davis, Abram Carter, Zedekiah Shumaker, and Bartlett Cash who can testify as to their belief of my services.
I, Abram Carter a resident of Amherst County aged about 70 years do hereby certify that I was born and raised in the County aforesaid and State of Virginia, that I have been acquainted with William Dwyer of the County above named from my childhood until this time, and that I well remember, when he removed to the Shenandoah in this State about the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and I also well remember when he returned from Point Pleasant during

that war, and it was and is the general report and belief that he was a Soldier at that place for some years during that war, and I fully concur in that opinion, for I have often heard the said Pryor, relate the circumstance of the murder of the Shawnee Chief, and other Indians at Point Pleasant, and the siege of said fort, and at Donnelley's Station, and I also certify that it is the general report and belief of the neighbourhood that Zedekiah Shumaker of the County and State aforesaid was at the said fort at Point Pleasant at the same time with William Pryor and I concur in that opinion - Given under my hand this 15th day of October 1832
Abram Carter
Amherst County S c State of Virginia:
I do hereby certify that the within certificate of Abram Carter, was subscribed and sworn to before me Tho N Eubank a Justice of the peace for said County, and he is man of respectability and is entitled to be believed - Given under my hand the 13th October 1832.
Tho N Eubank
I John Davis a clergyman a resident in the County of Amherst and State of Virginia, do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with William Pryor, Zedekiah Shumaker and Archelaus Gilliam, citizens of the County aforesaid, for or about thirty years past, and that it is the current report and belief of their neighbourhood, that the said William Pryor and Zedekiah Shumaker served during the war of the Revolution for some time during that war against the Indians in the Western part of Virginia, and further it is the general report and belief that Archelaus Gilliam was engaged during that war for some time as a Soldier against the British forces in the United States, and I fully concur in that belief - Given from under my hand this 14th day of October 1832
John Davis
State of Virginia Amherst County to wit:
This day the above named John Davis subscribed and swore to the above statement, and I do hereby state to all whom it may concern, that the said John Davis is a resident clergyman of the aforesaid County of Amherst, and a man of great respectability. Given under my hand and seal this 14th day of October 1832.
W m M c Waller S c Clerk
I Zedekiah Shumaker a resident of the County of Amherst aged 79 or 80 years do hereby certify that I have been intimately acquainted

with William Pryor of said County from my infancy to this time, and that the said William Pryor served as a private soldier for between two and three years during the Revolutionary War at Point Pleasant with me, and also that the said William Pryor served a tour of duty with me of three months in the Militia at and near the City of Richmond during the Revolutionary War. Given under my hand this 15th day of October 1832.
Zedekiah Shumaker
Sworn to in Court.
I Bartlett Cash of the County of Amherst aged about 75 years, do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with William Pryor and Zedekiah Shumaker from my infancy to this time of the County aforesaid, and well remember when the said Pryor and Shumaker enlisted and went to Point Pleasant during the Revolutionary War, and I also recollect their return, and believe that they served at that place at least two years or more for I have often heard each of them relate the occurrences of their services, one of which was the murder of Cornstack and many others. Given under my hand this 15th day of October 1832.
Bartlett Cash
Sworn to in Court.
And the 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 John Davis whose affidavit is annexed is a Clergyman resident in the County of Amherst, that Abram Carter whose affidavit is also annexed and Zedekiah Shumaker and Bartlett Cash whose certificates are annexed are also residents of the County of Amherst and credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Amherst County Court:
I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the Court of said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Pryor for a pension. I further certify that Thomas N. Rubank & William M'Vicker Esquires before whom the preceding affidavits were taken are sworn at the date thereof Justices of the peace for the said County duly commissioned and qualified. In testimony whereof I have at my hand and seal of
over

office this twenty fourth day of October one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two and in the fifty seventh year of the Commonwealth.
Robert Embley
216. 317
Henry's Station
for pension
Amount as a quittance
2 years $80-
expressed
Two Dollars
United States

I send you enclosed the Vouchers in the case of William Pryor deceased, who has been dead more than two years for your examination, and if found correct you will be pleased to direct the Pension Agent to pay the amount due.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Enclosed in vouchers trans.
mitted by C. Ellis, Rich.
Memd. Recd 10 Feb. & answered March 23, 1897.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
January 7, 1930
Mrs. Crawley Williams 723 Court Street Lynchburg, Virginia
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8979, it appears that William Pryor was born in 1752 or 1753 on Pedlar River in that part of Albemarle County, which was later Amherst County, Virginia.
While residing on the Great Kanawha River in the western part of Virginia, early in 1776, he went to the Fort at Point Pleasant, and served eight months under Captain Matthew Arbuckle in the Virginia Troops, and from the latter part of 1776 served two years as Spy and Guard in Captain Matthew Arbuckle's Company, and was in the Fort when it was besieged by the Indians, and when the Indian Chief Cornstalk and his son Nipseko were killed.
The latter part of 1778, he returned to Amherst County, Virginia, and in 1779, served three months in Captain Samuel Higginbotham's Company, Colonel Christian's Virginia Regiment; and in 1780, served three months in Captain Richard Ballinger's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, at which time he was living at Lexington Parish, Amherst County, Virginia.
He died December 30, 1834.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

Richmond Va Feb. 8 th 1837.
J. L. Edwards esq.
Sir
I ask the favor of you to authorise the payment of the enclosed Pension
Respectfully
Charles Ellis

M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Aug. 25, 1924
Chief Rev. Sect. Division.
Sir:
I have this day received from Wm. M. Sweeney ..... M. A. No. 840.055 for $ 1 20 , requesting copy  post office address as per letter herewith.
Copies mailed Finance Div. notice sent
OK noted
Respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
o.c.L.

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate)
M 6
Ex. Aut
1274
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No. 110
Date Aug 29, 21
Subject M. P. Royt, Rev 88779
1 copies of 1 pieces consisting of 8 pages to be (No.) (No.) (No.) forwarded when completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Division
Remarks: .....
Approved:
W. Wilson
Chief Div. REV. WAR SECTION
Chief clerk.

Oct. 7-1901 Mrs. Julia P. Danner Chicago Ills
Reckman
8949 INVALID.
1924 Sept. 10-Photostat copies mailed to Hon. M. Sweeney awg.
1929- Jan. 4- Hirt to Mrs. J. W. Reynolds awg.
1930- Jan. 7- Hirt to Mrs. Crawley Williams awg.
File No. 8979
William Pison Prison Rec. War.
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ans
January 4, 1939.
Mrs. J. W. Reynolds 3312 Austin St. Houston, Texas.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 8872, it appears that William Pryor was born in 1752 or 1753 on Pedlar River in that part of Albemarle County, which was later Amherst County, Virginia.
While residing on the Great Kanawha River in the western part of Virginia, early in 1776 he went to the Fort at Point Pleasant and served eight months under Captain Matthew Arbuckle in the Virginia Troops, and from the latter part of 1776 served two years as Spy and Guard in Captain Matthew Arbuckle's Company, and was in the Fort when it was besieged by the Indians, and when the Indian Chief Cornstalk and his son Nipseko were killed.
The latter part of 1778 he returned to Amherst County, Virginia, and in 1779 served three months in Captain Samuel Higginbotham's Company, Colonel Christian's Virginia Regiment; and in 1780 served three months in Captain Richard

Ballinger's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, at which time he was living at Lexington Parish, Amherst County, Virginia. He died December 30, 1834.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

3312 Austin St. ✓ Houston Texas March 9-1928.
Commissioner of Pensions Rev War section Washington D.C. -
Dear Sir,
Please give me as much of family data listed in pension of Wm Pryor as possible. Wm Pryor born 1752 Albemarle Co Va now Amherst Co Va taken from Albemarle Moved to the Great Kanawha in fall of 1773. Sec 20 61. and also give me all possible data of Wm Floyd of Va in the list of Kentucky pensioners I am a descen- dant of the Pryors & Floyds

I thank you in advance for favor yours truly
Mrs. J. W. Reynolds

September 22-1901 Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Gentlemen -
Can you kindly furnish me with the information as to whether John Alex under Pryor, who lived near Culpepper Courthouse Virginia, was a

Revolutionary war pensioner?
SEP 26 190 RECEIVED
I may be mistaken in the given name being John Alexander. He was my great grand father and it may have been his father instead who served in the Revolution and I am at present ignorant of his

given name, so if there is a Bryan en- -listing from that vicinity whose name you find on rec- -ord instead, will you then kindly obli- -me with what information of him you may find at your disposal?

I am trying to complete a record in order to join The Daughters of The Revolution but am having a little difficulty as the Virginian records were burned.
Thanking you for the trouble which my request may occasion you I am
Respectfully
H. C. Brower Mrs. Ida F. Brower 4842 Madison Avenue Chicago Ills.

FINANCE DIVISION AUG 22 1924 BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Room 106 Guston House, N.Y. City, Aug. 26, 1924.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
I am desirous of obtain- ing a photostat copy of the application for a pension of William Pryor (PRYOR) a Revolutionary soldier whose name is to be found on the printed list of pensioners published by the Congress in 1834 or 1835. His name is on the Virginia rolls. I think the number of his application is "S. 8979". My recollection is that the application consists of 8 p/p,

I enclose P.O. order for $1.20 ; if this is not sufficient, kindly let me know and I will forward the balance,
Respectfully Wm. M. Sweeney,
PLEASE REPLY TO
WILLIAM M. SWEENEY, CUSTOM HOUSE, Room 106 149, N.Y. CITY.

Lynchburg, Va. Nov. 14, 1929.
E. W. Morgan, Com. Washington, D. C. Dear Sir,
Any information you could give me about the Revolutionary War records of the following men would be greatly appreciated.
James Gatewood , Amherst Co. place of residence. Name of wife Sally not known.
William Pryor , Amherst Co. name of wife Sally .
Henry Hewitt , lived at time of war in Bedford Co or possibly at Lynchburg in Campbell Co. wife was a Miss Gordon , from Bedford.

Lowe Fulcher , Amherst Co., name of wife Sallie and at Lowesville, Amherst Co.
Thanking you in advance for any infor- mation you are able to give me, I am
Yours Truly
Mrs. Crawley Williams 723 Court St Lynchburg, Va.
Mitchell Watts , Amherst or Rockbridge Co., wife Elizabeth.
negatives searched by Miss Stokes.