Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36,942, Nicholas Bray, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Bray, Nicholas
S 36,942
CONTENTS

131134 Marne
Nicholas Bray Harrison in the Dist: of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel L. Baldwin of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 1 year -
Inscribed on the Roll of the Dist: of Maine at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 11 th of May 1818 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th of July 1819 and sent to Abiah K. Paine, Esq. Portland, Maine.
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 - 9 25 / 31 70. 45 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept: 1819. - 40. 00
Died Feb 5, 1842 $126.45
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Cumberland Co. -

I, Nicholas Bray, a resident citizen of the United States of America, an inhabitant of Harrison in the county of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts, on oaths declare, that towards the last of April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy five, at Cape Ann in said state, I enlisted into the army of said United States on the continental establishment for the term of eight months, as a private soldier in Capt. Barna. Dodge's company, and Col. Baldwin's regiment in the Massachusetts line, which term of eight months I fully served at Cambridge, when without leaving the service I again enlisted into said army on the continental establishment for the term of one year as a private soldier in the company, regiment, and line aforesaid, and served aforesaid at Cambridge until the British left Boston, when we marched to New-York, where I served until the city was surrendered, when we marched to Fishkill, moved North river and continued chiefly on the march. About two months before my year's service expired, I was taken sick and, at near the line of Connecticut, the name of the town I do not recollect, I received a discharge from Doctor Jones, the surgeon of said regiment, and returned home. Said discharge I have since lost. I further testify, that I am sixty six years of age, am not borne on any pension list of the United States, and by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support. Wherefore I pray, that this

declaration may be transmitted to the Secretary at War, to the end that I may be placed on the Pension list of the United States agreeably to the provisions of an act of Congress passed March 18. 1818. entitled, An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War. Nicholas Osray
Nicholas Osray

N o 200 Nicholas Bray
13.134. 29 July 1819.
Sep. 1819

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. DISTRICT OF MAINE, ss.
At a District Court of the United States begun and holden at Portland within and for the District of Maine, on the first Tuesday, being the ninth . . . day of June and by adjournment from day to day, on the twentieth day of June . . . in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable ALBION K. PARRIS, Judge of said Court.
ON this twentieth day of June . . . in the year above written, personally appeared in open Court, the same having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Maine District, Nicholas Bray . . . aged sixty eight . . . years, resident in Harrison . . . in said District, 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. Bridge . . . in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Bradburn . . . 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 eleventh day of May . . . A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 13,131 . . . 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 hereto 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 particularly described on the back hereof, also subscribed by me.
Nicholas Bray
Sworn to and declared, on the twentieth day of June, A. D. 1820.
BEFORE
Albion K. Parris
U. S. District Judge for the District of Maine.

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz:
Real estate — I have none —
Personal — I have none — I have family — my wife is dead — and I now live with a son — whose kindness is my only support — I have no income —
Nicholas Bray
Sworn to June 20. 1820 Before
Albion H. Harris U.S. Dist. Judge
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me who, by occupation am a which I am able to pursue by reason of
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.         

MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
I, JOHN MUSSEY, JUNR. Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, 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 . . . . . dollars and  one  cent.  and no more
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June . . . A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
John Mussey Junr
} Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.
plc '01

January 21, 1931
Honorable George H. Moses United States Senate Washington, D.C.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EEL Dear
My dear Senator Moses:
Reference is made to your request by telephone of January 20, 1931, in regard to Nicholas Bray, a soldier of the Revolution.
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.36942, that Nicholas Bray enlisted at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the latter part of April, 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Barnabas Dodge's Company, Colonels Gerrish and Baldwin's Massachusetts Regiment, and immediately upon the expiration of this service, re-enlisted and served ten months as a private in Captain Barnabas Dodge's Company, Colonel L. Baldwin's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 11, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-nine years and resided in Harrison, Cumberland County, Massachusetts (Maine).
In 1820, he stated that he was then aged sixty-eight years, no explanation made for this discrepancy in age, and he also stated at this time that his wife was dead, but gave no particulars in regard to her, and that he was living with a son, whose name is not shown. There are no further family data.
He died February 5, 1842.
The above is the history of the only soldier named Nicholas Bray found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

January 13, 1931
Mrs. Frances G. Alexander 53 North Main Street Penacook, New Hampshire
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EEL
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.36942, that Nicholas Bray enlisted at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the latter part of April, 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Barnabas Dodge's Company, Colonels Gerrish and Baldwin's Massachusetts Regiment, and immediately upon the expiration of this service, re-enlisted and served ten months as a private in Captain Barnabas Dodge's Company, Colonel L. Baldwin's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 11, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-nine years and resided in Harrison, Cumberland County, Massachusetts (Maine).
In 1820, he stated that he was aged sixty-eight years, no explanation made for this discrepancy in age, and also stated at this time that his wife was dead, but gave no particulars in regard to her, and that he was living with a son, whose name is not shown. There are no further family data.
He died February 5, 1842.
From AB The above is the history of the only soldier named Nicholas Bray found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
No charge is made for this service.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
To Leonson Wash or Joseph B. Manning, esqrs? of Gloucester in the District of Massachusetts
GREETING.
WHEREAS, at a special District Court of said United States for the Maine District, holden at Paris in said District, on the eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen  Nicholas Bray of Harrison in said District presented an application to the Judge of said Court, setting forth that he served as a private soldier in the war of the revolution, on the continental establishment against the common enemy, and requesting that an enquiry may be instituted into the circumstances of his case, and that such further proceedings may be had touching the premises as are prescribed by An Act of Congress passed March 18, 1818, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," in order that he may be placed on the Pension List of said United States:—And whereas in the course of the examination here had, it appears that the testimony of sundry persons, who served with the applicant in the revolutionary army, at present residing in or near the town of Gloucester, — aforesaid, is necessary and material in support of said application:—
THEREFORE, to the end that the testimony aforesaid may be had, and by virtue of the power vested in this Court by the laws of the United States, you or either of you are hereby appointed and authorized, at the proper expense of the applicant, to take the depositions of such persons as he may cause to come before you, touching the application aforesaid, and in particular as to the time when the applicant entered the service, the time and manner of his leaving it, the company, regiment and line to which he belonged, and whether the service was performed on the continental establishment or in the militia of either of the States; and such depositions, when taken, and your certificate of the administration of the usual oath and of the credibility of the deponents, together with this Dedimus Potestatem, you will certify and return to the Judge of said Court without unnecessary delay.
GIVEN under my hand and seal at Paris in said District, the day and year first mentioned.
Albion H. Parrís Judge of the United States in and for the District of Maine.

William Bray Maps & line Col Loammi Baldwin 1776 - 1812 11 th May 1810 -
Admiral

I Henry Henry White of Gloucester County of Essex and County of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being of lawful age viz. twentyfour years, on solemn oath do testify and depose that Nicholas Bray of Harrison served in Col. Gerrish's Regiment, during the eight months for which the same was called out in the year 1775 under Capt. Barnabas Dodge; that immediately thereafter said Bray having enlisted under said Dodge entered the Continental Service in the Revolutionary War in Col. L. Baldwin's Regiment called the 20th and served therein during the whole of the year 1776 the time for which he enlisted; that I was an Ensign in the same Company and Regiment last aforesaid during said year 1776.
Henry White Ensign
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. 17 June 1819 Then the above subscribed Henry White was solemnly sworn to the truth of the deposition by him above subscribed; & the subscriber named in the premises of the Hon. Albion K. Parris who is well known to me to which this is annexed do certify that the aforesaid White is a credible and as I believe a disinterested witness
Joseph B. Manning, Justice of the Peace for said County of Essex

I James Griffen (late Jun r ) of Gloucester County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, upon oath of lawful age, being sixty three years of age, on solemn oath do testify and depose that Nicholas Bray of Harrison served in Col. Gerrish's Regiment during the eight months for which the same was called out in the year 1775 in Capt Barnabas Dodge's Company and that immediately thereafter said Bray having enlisted under said Dodge, entered the Continental Service in the Revolutionary War in Col. L. Baldwin's Regiment, called the 20th. and served therein during the whole of the year 1776, the time for which we enlisted; and that I was a private in said Dodge's Company with said Bray in both of the aforesaid Regiments James Griffen
Massachusetts
Essex ss. Gloucester the 17th June 1819 Then the above named James Griffen, being first cautioned was solemnly sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before the subscriber named in the Judicial Power of the Hon. Albian K. Parris Judge to which this deposition is annexed and who doth hereby certify the same according to the Hon. Judge aforesaid and that said Griffen is a credible witness well known to the subscriber and disinterested as is believed by Joseph B. Manning Jus. Peace for said County of Essex

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came Nicholas Bray the applicant named in the papers hereunto annexed, and after being duly cautioned and examined, made oath that the several statements by him made in the annexed application, signed in my presence, are wholly true.
And the said applicant further offered in evidence the deposition of Henry White, Ensign, and John Giffen, a private, in said service with said applicant, taken before before Joseph B. Morning a reputable magistrate duly authorized, which are hereunto annexed.
And it appearing to me in the examination here had, that the several persons above named are credible witnesses, I do hereby admit the annexed declarations as evidence, and certify the same as being satisfactory proof to me that the said Nicholas Bray the applicant, served as a private soldier in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and upwards in continuation on the continental establishment. And I do further certify, that from the declaration of the applicant made before me, under oath as aforesaid, it does appear that in consequence of his reduced circumstances in life, he is in need of assistance from his country for support; all which I do hereby certify and transmit to the Secretary of the Department of War, agreeably to the provisions of an Act of Congress, passed March 18, 1818, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused my Official Seal to be affixed the day and year first mentioned.
Alcion H. Parrish
Judge of the United States in and for the District of Maine.
And I do further certify that it has been proven to my satisfaction that the said Bray, in consequence of his reduced circumstances in life is in need of the assistance of his country for support
A. H. Parrish U. S. Dist. Judge.
Joseph B. Morning, justice of the Peace for said County of Essex

36942 Reg INVALID.
1931-Jan 13 - Hist. to Mrs F. L. Alexander - E E L 1931-Jan 20 - Hist. to Hon Geo. H. Moses - E E L
File No. 36,942 Nicholas Bray Pri Rev DAD
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 488
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MRS. FRANCES G. ALEXANDER 53 NORTH MAIN STREET PENACOOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
December 13, 1930
Pension Commissioner Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am trying to get the Revolutionary record of Nicholas Bray . In the history of Harrison Maine he is said to have been born in Taunton, Mass., in 1852 and to have served in the Revolution. The Mass. record do not disclose any Nicholas Bray except one from Gloucester who served in 1775 and 1776. The name of Nicholas Bray appears on the printed list of pensioners

1820 and 1840 and I would request you to advise if you have any records of Nicholas Bray's service. Is the Bray who appeared on the pension lists the Nicholas Bray from Gloucester, or the Nicholas Bray who lived in Maine. The Nicholas Bray whose record I desire lived in Minot and Harrison, Maine. If there is any expense to obtaining the information required please advise.
Very truly yours
Francis S. Alexander

IN REPLY REFER TO
3-1865
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON

Senator George H. Moore
Telephone call - Jan. 20 - 1931
For record of Rev War soldier Nicholas Bray New England
Cop. Pv. 157
Bray I