Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8697, for Robert Relay, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New York
Relay, Robert Mary
A, 8697
CONTENTS

4744 Mary Relay widow of Robert, New York
Oct '39
A.

State of New York &
County of Albany ss. On this 4 th day of October in the year one thousand eighty hundred & thirty nine, personally appeared before the Justice's Court of the City of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record), Mary Relay a resident of the City of Albany, aged twenty five years & upwards, who being first duly sworn, doth on her oaths, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4. 1836.
That she is the Widow of Robert Relay, who was a Soldier in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, & served as such in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Cooklin, in Col. Price's Regiment, - and, as she believes, under other officers - but she cannot state their names -
She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Relay on the twenty eighth day of May in the year One thousand seven hundred & eighty - That her husband the aforesaid Robert Relay died in the City of Albany, on the sixteenth day of November in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty four - And that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
She further declares that she was married at her Father's house, near Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County, by a Presbyterian Clergyman then residing in Mount Valley, in said County of Dutchess - His name was either Chase or Carr, & which she does not recollect That her name before her marriage was Mary Callon -
Sworn to & subscribed, in open Court, & on the day & year first above written Witness the seal of said Court & the signature of the Clerk thereof
John G. Wason Clerk

State of New York
Albany Justice's Court ss. William S. Walker of the City of Albany, being duly sworn, deposes that he is in law of the within named Robert Riley and Mary Riley - having married their daughter - That the said Robert died on the sixth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty five; and that the said Mary has since remained his widow -
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 4 th day of October 1839 - J. G. Watson Clerk
Wm. S. Walker
It is hereby certified that the above deponent is a credible witness.
By order of the Court.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 4 th day of October 1839 -
John G. Watson Clerk

"May 17- 17 1780" seventeenth one thousand seven hundred & eighty. "Married Robert Belay, & Mary Callow"
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is copied on the record in fair legible figures as above -
Benj. F. Vail -
Pleasant Valley Dutch Co. State of New-York -
I Benj. F. Vail, above named, depose & say; That I hold the office of Presbyterian Pastor, of the Presbyterian Church in the County - Town - State aforesaid - & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church - with the exception of one name, as certified by me -
Benj. F. Vail
Pastor of the Presb n Church of Pleasant Valley Dutch Co State of New-York
before me day of Nov. 1838
Lyman Northrop justice of the peace

Senj. H. Vile, above named, depose & say; That I hold the office of Presbyterian Pastor, of the
STATE OF NEW-YORK, County of Duchess, } ss.
I, DANIEL W. BEADLE, Clerk of the county of Duchess, Do hereby Certify, that Lyman Northrop Esq whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a Justice of the peace  (S. H.) in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in the said county, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Lyman Northrop and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 30th day of November A. D. 18 55
Danl. W. Beadle Clerk.

Apl '39
C
3

State of New York,
Dutchess County ss. I, Mariana Relay, whose maiden name was Mariana Gallow, of the town of Poughkeepsie in said County of Dutchess, widow and relict of Henry Relay deceased, being duly sworn deposes and says that she was Eighty two years old on the twenty fifth day of March last past. That before and during the American Revolutionary war, and until the death of Robert Relay the deceased husband of Mary Relay, a sister of this deponent, she this deponent was well acquainted with the said Robert Relay. That during the said Revolutionary War, the said Robert Relay lived in the said County of Dutchess, in or near to the line of the present town of Poughkeepsie, and that he was married to her said sister Mary in the year one thousand seven eight hundred and eighty at her father's house in said County, in the presence of this deponent. That said Robert Relay lived in the same house or near by where this deponent lived during the whole of said Revolutionary War. That said Robert Relay was a soldier in the militia, during the whole of said war, and served whenever he was called on, but that this deponent, on account of her advanced age & the lapse of time, cannot remember accurately the number of times he was called out, or the length of time he served during the different times, until his several returns. That he would go out, and be absent, in the public service as a soldier as aforesaid, for several weeks at a time, and would then return home. That this deponent distinctly remembers his being called on & going out as a soldier, at the time the British vessels passed up the Hudson River, and burnt the village of Esopus. That she also remembers his having gone to Stony Point, and at which time he was absent about a fortnight to the best of her recollection. That from the best of her recollection, she judges that the said times in which said Robert Re

lay served as soldier, would in all amount to at least the period or term of two years, if the service had been all together and without intermission. That he was made captain Samuel Conklin during the most if not all of his said service, but the deponent does not recollect the Colonel's name, nor the names of the other officers of the said Robert Relays regiment. And further the deponent saith not.
Given this 24 th day of April A.D. 1839 before me, And I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent, Mrs Henry Relay, and that she a credible witness.
Silas E. Knight Justice of the Peace In & for Dutchess County
Adriana Relay

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
County of Duchess, ss.
ss.
I, DANIEL W. BEADLE, Clerk of the County of Duchess,
Do hereby Certify, That
My S. Knight Esquire, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken, and whose name is subscribed to the said affidavit, was at the date of the same an acting justice of the peace.
in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, duly elected and qualified.
AND FURTHER, That I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justus and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the first day of October A. D. 1839.
Daniel W. Beadle Clerk.
Seal

State of New York City and County of Albany on this fifteenth day of November AD 1850. Personally appeared before me Isaac Haines Justice of the Supreme Court . Mrs. Jane Ann Walker a resident known to me to be the individual descri- bed in who executed the within instrument of said City - Who being duly sworn saith she is the only surviving child of the late Robert Relay and Mary Relay deceased of said City - and deponent further saith that the said Mary Relay was a widow some fourteen or fifteen years prior to her decease and was a claimant for a pension under the act of the 4 th of July 1836 at the time of her decease in virtue of the Revolutionary Military Services of Robert Relay her late husband and whose claim was refused to have been pending before the Depar- tment at Washington at the time of her death which occurred on the fifth day of September AD 1844 in the City of Albany of the decay of Nature she being at the time of her death as per record Aged Eighty Seven years Six months & twenty three days. And she this deponent is the only surviving child of the said Mary & Robert Relay being the youngest of fourteen child- ren & now the only legal representative of her of her said parents and she now claims what

There was due her mother at the time of her decease in virtue of the Revolutionary services of her said father as aforesaid - And she hereby produces the evidence of her indebtedness and the period of her mother's decease as aforesaid; and respectfully prays the Department at Washington to examine these and other documents now on file in the archives thereof and report to her Attorney & Agent in New York at the earliest convenience - And she does by these presents authorise & empower Smith Dunning Esq. of the City of New York her lawful Attorney to attend to & conduct the prosecution of her said claim & to do whatever he may deem just legal & proper to do in the premises & she respectfully requests that all reports and communications may be made to & through her said Attorney who is duly authorised to attend to the same and she further saith not
Sworn to & subscribed } before me Nov 16. 1850 } on this day to year first above written
Sara Ann Walker
Ja Harris Justice of Peace

State of New York City and County of Albany ss Geo Brannard of said City being duly sworn deposes and says he is now and always has from his youth been personally and well acquainted with the family of the late Robert and Mary Relay late of said City and knew Mrs Mary Relay at the time of her decease in said City on the Fifth day of September A D 1848 and he attended the funeral of the said Mary who died very suddenly and being of very grate age was supposed to have died of the decay of nature and who was reported to be in usual health in the morning of the day of her decease and died in the afternoon without the attendance of a physician and deponent further saith that the said Mary Relay was the widow of Robert Relay and had been for many years prior to her decease and who was reported to be a claimant for a pension at the time of her decease in virtue of the Revolutionary Military Service of her said husband but which was not received prior to her death as deponent was informed and believes and he further saith that the said Mary and Robert Relay had left but one surviving child out of a numerous family which they buried prior to their own decease and whose present name is Mrs Jane Ann Walker but whose maiden name was Jane Ann Relay the youngest of fourteen children and the only surviving one of the family and whom as deponent is informed and believes is asserting her right to what was claimed to be due her mother at the time of her death.

and deponent, with notes sworn to and subscribed before me in open Court, on this sixteenth day of November 1850
Geo Brannan
Dr Harris Justice of Peace
I do hereby certify that George Brannan Esq. the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit is a gentleman well known in this city and now holds an office in the Munici- pal city government. He is a gentleman of good standing and his statements are entitled to full credit & confidence.
Nov 16. 1850.
Dr Harris Justice of Peace

This is to Certify that I hold in my possession the Records of the burials attended by Moses Wallace now deceased, but late the Sexton of what is called the Hudson Street Methodist Episcopal Church in the City of Albany. And that I find recorded the burial of the late Mrs Mary Kelley, of said City, and the record dates the burial of the said Mrs Kelley, as having occurred on the Sixth day of September A.D. 1848. And the subscriber further saith that the Clergyman who officiated in said Church at the time of the decease of the above named Lady has removed to parts unknown to him
And he further saith not Sworn to before me on this twentieth day of November  December A.D. 1850 Albany City New York N. Harris Notary Public County John T. Crew late Secretary of the Board of Trustees of First M. E. Church Albany

State of New-York, CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY, CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I, Robert V. Gay Clerk of the City and County, do hereby CERTIFY, that Frank Harris whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment of the annexed instru- ment in writing and endorsed thereon, was, at the time of taking such proof or ac- knowledgment, a Justice of the Supreme Court in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Harris and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledg- ment is genuine, and that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged ac- cording to the laws of the State of New-York.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official Seal, this 16th day of November 1850 R. V. Gay CLERK.

Set Wm K. Hoyt. Sep 30. 1853
Same Nov 12/53
These letters are in claim of John Daly on Salt R.F. No. 6537.
See 1st letter, Nov 3/53
V New York V
Mary Relay
let. to L. Jenkins 12 Dec. 1839 X
Hon. D.D. Barnard.
Jan'y 7. 1841.
To same Feb'y 11, 1841.
let to W.K. Hoyt Aug 7. 1845
let. to Wm. C. Snider. Jan. 17/58
Decision of the office confirmed by the Secretary of the Interior June 28. 1850. See his letter filed with "Decision"
Rev G. Briggs Recd 31. 1857.
let to Lawrence 10 Sept 51
Wm K. Hoyt 18th Oct. 1853.
Act July 1836

Oct. 7, 1853.
Let as to the cases of Mary Ray & Eliz a. both of the
Col J. P. W.  H.  W.  W.
Commissioner of Pensions Interior Department Washington D.C.

8697.
P. O. _____
Henry Riley Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

State of New York,
Secretary's Office. I certify that it appears from the Minutes of the Council of Appointment, filed and recorded in this office that Morris Grahame was appointed a Colonel in the Regiment of Militia in Dutchess County, on the 18 th day of March 1778, and that he was appointed in place of Brigadier General Ten Broeck, deceased, and also that Lemuel Conklin was, on the 28 th day of May 1778, appointed a Captain in the Regiment of Militia in the County of Dutchess, commanded by Colonel John Freer. Dated Albany January 18 th 1857.
A. G. Johnson, Dep. Sec. of State,

New York November 18 th 1850
Sir I herewith send you a power of attorney from Mrs. Sarah Ann Walker, the only surviving child of the late Robert Riley and Mary Riley the latter of whom was a claimant for a pension at the time of her decease as it appears by the declaration of her daughter; and whose claim was asserted under the Act of the 4 th July 1836 in virtue of the military services rendered by her husband in the Revolutionary War on behalf of the United States.
I respectfully request your early report on the claim of Mrs. Walker who is now the legal representative of her late Mother Mrs. Mary Riley, whom as it appears deceased on the fifth day of September A. D. 1848.
By favoring me with your early reply will oblige Your humble Servant
Smith Downing 64 Courtland St N.Y.

Copy Department of the Interior June 28, 1850.
Sir, Herewith return the papers in the case of Mary K. Ray, and have to inform you that your decision therein has been affirmed by this Department.
I remain Very Respectfully Your M. Supt. (Signed) J. Fleming
J. L. Edwards Esq. Min. of Pensions.

Salem York Oct 5 th 1833
Sir
in reply to Yours of the 30 th ultimo in the matters of the claims of Mary Riley and Elizabeth Puts for pensions under the several acts therein set forth. I have to say though in confirmation of what I have before stated that I have no additional evidence to offer. And having lost all my original copies of papers, documents and reports on claims pending in that department. I have nothing to refer to by which I can know the reasons assigned or assigned by Your predecessors for the disallowance of these claims. And therefore I do respectfully ask Your honor to refer personally to the same. And as the documents are now before you to examine them and advise me if there are in Your judgment any good and substantial reasons why either or both of these cases should not be allowed on the evidence now on file. As You have heretofore recommended and allowed claims which had been rejected by Your predecessors as also by the Secretary

The Interior it is inferred that You have the same power to act in these matters that has hitherto been exercised. And as You are aware of the great delay & procrastination hitherto attending the settlement of claims of this nature it is hoped that it may not be inconsistent with Your views of duty to favor us with Your personal attention to these matters & if the claims are not allowed to assign Your reasons for so doing.
I have the honor to be respectfully Yours &c
W. S. Hoyt.
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commissioner &c
Washington D. C.

Albany October 5. 1839.
Sir,
I enclose the declaration and proof in the case of Mrs. Mary Riley, late the widow of Robert, in support of her claim for a pension under the act of July 4. 1836. The testimony of the witnesses as to the services of the Husband, is not as specific as you require, but it is as much so as the widow could obtain - I hope there may be some need evidence in your office to establish her claim -
With great respect
Your obedt Servt
Samuel Jenkins
Saml L Edwards Esquire Committee of Pensions House Dept.

Knightsville August 1 st 1845
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I am requested to write you on behalf Mrs. Mary Riley (The widow of Robert Riley) now residing in this city but formerly of P. Keary. And says she made application for a pension 4 or 5 years ago through the agency of Mr. John Jenkins of Albany and at that time a resident of that place herself. And she says she has never heard the result of her application to know whether it had been reported on or not. She says her husband served in the Revolutionary war & it was in virtue of his services that she claimed her pension & she now requests the department to inform her through the subscriber whether they are required her papers made out and should to have been forwarded by the above named John Jenkins & if so what has been the report on the same. By answering the above you will oblige me as a dependent female & also your very humble Servt
William H. Hoag
700 W. McLaugh St

W. R. Belay MSus

Albany July 2 nd 1851
James S. Smith Esq. Sir,
I am requested to inquire of you whether William A. Lloyd of New York, as Attorney for the Widows of Robert or his  Relay has received any pension money.
They seem to think that his conduct is rather suspicious if he has received any, by giving an early answer may be the means of saving the amount to Mrs Walker the only heir.
I am with consideration Truly Yours
J. Smith Esq. Committee of Pensions
J. V. Lawrence

Comptroller Office Albany Augt. 25 th 1825.
Dr Sir
Yours of the 6 th & 11 th Inst. and one to the Dep y . Comptroller in Recd. of the 13 th Inst. I have been absent some three weeks, and the Dep y . Comptroller some week or ten days, which is the cause of this delay. A cut. of the service of Nathan Tucker, was sent you on the 9 th Nov. last, and one of the service of Robt. Relay, I again give you a statement, together with that of Geo. Worden. Mr Campbell also has a cut in your communication.
Robert Relay
Prin 21 Nov 79. Samuel Gouklin Morris Graham 4. 3. 0
Nathan Tucker
  Prin 16 July 79. Jacob Endy  Thomas Thomas  3. 5. 9    " 9 June 79. "  D  1. 6. 8    " 10 Nov 79. David Hobbs  De  8. 0. 0    " 18 Feby. 81. St. Wm. Mosler  De  14. 0. 0    Sijt 25 Jan. 80. St. Wright. Carpenter  De  8. 1. 3    Prin 6 Mar 79. St. Wm. Wright  D  " 16. 8    " 2 Oct 80. Prisoner  D  15. 16. 8    " 11 Dec 80. Gilbert Lyon  De  3. 11. 1    " 20 Oct 80. "  D  11. 11. 1  
Over

Nathaniel Tucker
  Ens d 22 d July 179. Jacob Purdy Thomas Thomas 11. 8. 2   " 10 Nov 179 " " " " 27. 15. 0   Lieut 18 Feb y 181. " " " " 17. 17. 6   " 30 June 181. " " " " 4. 12. 6   2 d M s 13 July 181. " " " " " 62. 10 1/2   Lieut 26 Dec 181. Rich d Sackett. Albert Pownling " 6. 8 
Yours Respectfully
J. Gardner
Wm H Hoyt Esq r 24. M c Donough St N.Y.
Aug 15 th
Centricate in the case Robert Aglee Miss
As papers in file
N. W. ...
Avery
Hon O. Gould
The

Wash tn Dec. 26. - 1840 -
Sir, I am requested to enquire after the date of an application made, a year ago or more, for a Pension in behalf of Mary Relay , widow of Robert Relay , a soldier of the Revolution. May I ask you to inform me as to the state of this case? -
With great respect, Your ob t Serv t
J. P. Barnard,
James S. Edwards, Esq. Compt. of Pensions,

[Persons making application at the Comptroller's, or Secretary of State's Office, for searches, or certificates of service of any person, in the army of the U. S. during the revolutionary war, should give the name and ranks held by such person; the nature of the service; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry, or Artillery, &c.; in the regular army or militia; the names of the officers commanding the regiments and companies at the time of enlistment, service and discharge, as near as can be given. The names should be given with care, and in a legible hand.]
In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their service in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
  1779. Nov. 21. Robert Relay Priv. No. of Cert'e issued, 47375 e 4. 3. —  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " "  " " " 
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, January 18 1807.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 10. — now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
 First — under Capt. Samuel Conklin in Col. Morris Grahams Regiment.  Second " " " " " "  Third " " " " " "  Fourth " " " " " "  Fifth " " " " " "  Sixth " " " " " "  Seventh " " " " " "  Eighth " " " " " "  Ninth " " " " " "  Tenth " " " " " "  Eleventh " " " " " "  Twelfth " " " " " "  Thirteenth " " " " " "  Fourteenth " " " " " "  Fifteenth " " " " " " 
I have examined the rolls for the above, and find £ 4. 3. 0 to be correct.
AWL Examing Clerk.
Philip Schuyler Comptroller.

I Henry Ostrom of Pleasant Valley Dutchess County and State of New-York depose and say that I was well acquainted with Robert Prelog the husband of Mary Prelog that I do know he was in the service of the United States during the the war or more than two years of the war of the revolution I saw him encamped and bearing arms as a soldier in the army he was under Capt. Samuel Conklin and in the regiment of Col. Friar in the year 1777 and after near the Highlands opposite west point the deponent was in the service at the same time and both of us was under General Putnam who commanded the army and Gen. S. Wentworth the Militia and I have been since a col. in the regiment of this district where I now reside, and am now in the eightieth year of my age Known and subscribed this 28 th day of Septem ber 1839 before me
Henry Ostrom
Lyman Northrop Justice of the peace
I certify that Col. Henry Ostrom who has appeared this 28 th Sept. 1839 before me and signed the above affidavit I have known for many years he is sound in body and mind except the infirmities of age and the credible witness and he is entitled to full credit
Lyman Northrop Justice

State of New York
Dutchop County ss
I Daniel W. Beadle, Clerk of the County of Dutchop do hereby certify that Lyman Vorstius Esqr before whom the within affidavit purports to have been subscribed and sworn was at the date of the same an acting justice of the Peace in for the said county residing in the town of Pleasant Valley, duly elected and qualified And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said justice and verily believe his name subscribed to the Certificate of the attestation of the said affidavit and to the Certificate immediately succeeding on the same page, to be his proper hand writing and signatures —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common pleas of said County this Twenty Eighth day of September A.D. 1839 —
Danl W. Beadle Clerk

Aug 4/41
E.
[Large decorative flourish]
Hon. Daniel D. Barnard Member of Congress Washington City
[Decorative flourish]
Hon. D. D. Barnard H. O. 2

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th day of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz :
  1779 Nov 21 47.575 Robert Riley 4. 3. 0 
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, Jan'y 29 1841.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 10 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz :
 First—under Capt. Samuel Oakley in Col. Morris Graham's Regiment.  Second, " " " " " "  Third, " " " " " "  Fourth, " " " " " "  Fifth, " " " " " "  Sixth, " " " " " "  Seventh, " " " " " "  Eighth, " " " " " " 
M. M. Macday D. Comptroller

(Copy) War Department Pension Office
December 12, 1839
Sir, The papers of Mary Kelay widow of Robert Kelay, have been examined and filed. Of the service, indefinitely set forth by the witnesses, there is no evidence in the office. Some further & more satisfactory proof thereof may be found in the office of the Comptroller of the Exchequer. If the Claimant's husband was entitled to a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, a sufficient reason should be assigned for his not applying for the benefit of that act.
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant. (Signed) J. L. Edwards
General Perkins Esq. Albany N. York
Albany Feb 1st 1841
Dear Sir, The liberty you gave me when here induced me again to ask your attention to my application for a pension. I have at last been able to obtain further evidence of the service of my late husband which I hope will be satisfactory; the same is on the preceding sheet.
The reason why my husband did not apply for the benefit of the act of 1832 is, that he was old & infirm & did not know of any one living who could give him the necessary evidence. It is only by perseverance & the assistance of friends, that I have been able to collect the testimony which I have furnished. I hope soon that the pension may be received satisfactory and that the pension may be awarded to me. I am old & poor and the pension would afford me great relief. Your obedt Servant. Mary Kelay
Will you please address me Mary Kelay N. 65 Orange Street Albany
Hon. D. D. Brownell