Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1821, Ambrose Cayce, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Bayce, Ambrose or bazeu
R. 1821
CONTENTS

38,435 Augt 23/52
Claim of the Heirs of
Ambrose Bayce dec d
to
Revolutionary Pension
Act June 4. 1832
Tennessee
Smith & Jones
Attorneys
Nashville
Aug 13 th 1852
Tennessee

State of Tennessee Davidson County
On this 9 th day of August 1882, personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, James Smith, aged sixty one years, a resident of said County, and made the following Declaration in order to obtain for the heirs of Ambrose Cayce dec d the arrears of Pension due them under Act of June 9 th 1832.
That he is the son-in-law of the said Ambrose Cayce, who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War from the State of Virginia, and served for a considerable length of time in said War, as he has always understood from the said Ambrose Cayce during his life time, for the particular of which, Declarant refers to the paper of the said Cayce, filed in the Pension office during his life time, and also to the annexed statement, which was made during his life, and signed by him, the signature to which, Declarant knows, to be genuine, and which statement Declarant found among the papers of said Cayce, a short time since. That the said Ambrose Cayce, lived in Davidson County Tennessee, and died in said County on  about the 10 th day of May 1843, that he left no Widow, but the following named his only children to wit, Elijah Cayce, who has since died and left children, Levi Cayce, Matthew Cayce, Betsy Porter, Louisiana Castlemann, and Phebe Smith Declarant's wife who are still living and the Declarant has frequently heard the said Ambrose Cayce make the statements relative to his Revolutionary Services, which are contained in the annexed statement, that he understood from him that he had procured the evidence of two witnesses in support of his claim, and that their affidavits has been sent to the Pension Office

where Deedant supposed they still are on file, Drown to subscribe before me } this 9 th day of August 1852 } J. H. McEwen (JP)
James Smith (Seal)
I certify that the above named affiant James Smith is personally known to me and that he is a man of veracity, his statements are entitled to full faith & credit
J. H. McEwen (JP)
Know all men by these presents, that I James Smith of Davidson County Tennessee do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Smith & Jones of Nashville Tennessee, my true & lawful attorneys for me & in my name, to present and prosecute the claim of the heirs of Ambrose Cayce deceased to a balance of Pension under Act of June 4 th 1832. Witness my hand and Seal this 9 th day of August 1852 James Smith (Seal)
Acknowledged before me this 9 th day of August 1852
J. H. McEwen (JP)
State of Tennessee, Davidson County }ss
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, the Clerk of the County Court of said County, to prove & did prove to my satisfaction that Ambrose Cayce was a resident of said County, and died in said County on the 10 th day of May 1843, that he left no Widow but the following named and only surviving children to wit, Elijah Cayce since dead, Levi Cayce, Matthew Cayce, Phebe Smith, Betsy Porter and Louisiana Castlemann.
I further certify that J. H. McEwen, Esq.

before whom the foregoing Declaration was made and sworn to Attorney, acknowledged before me this day and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace that his signatures thereto are genuine. That the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 9 th day of August 1852,
H. R. Cheatham Clerk By L. P. Cheatham D.C.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

A sketch of my service in the old war I I was bred and born in the State of Virginia this tenth County April 1765 and lived there till February 1781 then took a Miam place and went into the Militia service three months under Colonel Moseley Capt John Hill was in the battle in Petersburg in the time service out my time and returned home in May when I got home my oldest brother Archie was there had just come on from the Battle at Guilford Court house on his way to Poochland to Court House to join Col Dabneys Regiment persuaded me to go with him age got there the 1 st of June 1781 he persuaded me to enlist in the war with him in Col Dabneys Regiment under Major Brown and Capt. Man which I did and there staid till some time in September then we all went down to Little York and there staid in the old field till after the surrender of Com Wallace then the Regiment had orders to go down the river to Portsmouth we went and there staid I dont know how long then got orders to go to Richmond and went up to Richmond and there staid till we were all discharged by Col Dabney
Ambros Layle

May 4, 1931
Mrs. R.M. Cavett Chickasha Oklahoma
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section Ambrose Cayce-R.1821 REL cur
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the Revolutionary War records of this bureau that Ambrose Cayce (the name also appears as Casey) was born in April, 1765, in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
It is stated that he applied for pension in 1833 and again in 1839, and that on May 25, 1840, the papers in his application were withdrawn from the files of the Pension Bureau to be acted upon by the Senate Committee. It does not appear that they were ever returned to said Bureau.
It is stated that while residing in Chesterfield County, Virginia, he enlisted in February, 1781, and served three months as a private in Captain John Hill's Company, Colonel Moseley's Virginia Regiment, and that he was in the Battle of Petersburg; and that on June 1, 1781, he re-enlisted in company with his oldest brother, Archy (there is no claim for pension file on account of the services of Archy Cayce or Casey), served in Captain Mann's Company, Colonel Dabney's Virginia Regiment, was at the siege of Yorktown, and that he served for sometime thereafter, date of discharge not given.
His claim was not allowed because he failed to furnish  of insufficient proof of service as was required by the pension laws.
He died May 10, 1843, in Davidson County, Tennessee.

He left no widow, but the following children survived him; the name of their mother is not given: Levi Cayce, who was deceased in 1852, leaving no children; Matthew Cayce; Betsey Porter; Louisiana Castleman; and Phebe, the wife of James Smith. Said James Smith was aged sixty-one years in 1852 and resided in Davidson County, Tennessee.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Date of July 14, 1869, and March 2, 1878.
REJECTED
1821.
P.O.
Ambrose Cayce
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Charges: Printed list of 1852 gives as cause of suspension
Enlisted: "Defection from of service"
Attorney: _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1931- may 4 - list. to Mrs A. M. Cessutt. E&H

Ambrose Cayce Tennessee
Suspended
See let. 29 Feb 6 '39
Ezra N. Holstead let. Hon. J. K. Polk
7 Feb 1840
let to Hon. F. Pearce
May 25, 1840
let 18 Jan 1840 Hon.
J. K. Polk
let. 17 May 1842 Hon.
R. L. Carethers, let. to Hon.
E. H. Foster Sept 11 1843
let 7 June 1832
let. to Hon. J. N. Taylor Feb 16 1841
Same y let. 1841 Nov 28 1845
See Brown's Tracts p. 7606
(LOVEN)

W. Co. ad m m owens file 30962
Ambrose Payce ow Ry. 1821

State of Tennessee } Personally came before me John H Benton County } Williams an acting justice of the Peace for said county, William Cockrum a revolutionary pensioner and after having been duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he was in actual service in the War of the Revolution and at the siege of York, and surrender of Cornwallis in the year 1781. And that Ambrose Cayce of Goochland County and State of Virginia, was there at the same time, a soldier in the Continental line, attached to Captain Mann's Company, and Colonel Dabney's Regiment.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
21 st day of April 1840.
John H Williams Justice of Peace William his Cockrum (his) marks
State of Tennessee } Benton County } I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted William Cockrum, and from the character he sustains in regard to honesty & veracity, that full faith and credit should be given to his declaration or oath. given from under my hand & seal the day & date above written John H Williams Justice of the Peace (his)

State of Tennessee I George P. Ralston Clerk of the County Court Benton County of Benton County hereby certify that John H. Williams is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signa- -tures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 28 th day of April 1840.
G. P. Ralston Clerk of the County Court of Benton County

State of Tennessee S.S. Benton County } I Chairman and presiding Magistrate of the County Court of Benton County in the State of Tennessee afore- said do certify that George P. Kelso who has given the above attestation is the Clerk of the County Court of Benton County afore- said and was such at the date thereof, that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such, that said attestation is in due form, and the signature of the aforesaid George P. Kelso is genuine. Given under my hand and seal this 21 st day of April 1845.
Ephraim Perkins (Seal) Chairman of the County Court of Benton County

34.814 34814
Ambrose Cayce
Geni
Act 7. June '32

Chesnut Grove Ten. May 9 th 1839
Mr J. L. Edwards
Sir
Enclosed you will receive the application of William Anderson for a pension, accompanied with the certificate of Col. John Nesbitt of Dickson County Ten. a man of undoubted veracity.
Also the application of Ambrose Gayce for a pension with the certificate of Samuel Wallace of Rutherford County Ten. a man of respectability.
And the application of Edmund Edney with the certificate of his D ra Lieutenant for an invalid pension. There are many in this county who were near Mr Edney when he received his wound on the memorable night of the 23 d December 1814. — When you examine these documents, and should you issue Warrants, please forward them to me to Chesnut Grove Post Office Davidson County Tennessee, and should there be any deficiency please inform me of the same. —
Very Respectfully
Your Ob t . Servant
Ezra Holstead

May 17. 1842. Andrew Cayce Tenn.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Hm R. L. Caruthers Esq. Hm of Pensions Washington

Good Rep. May 16 1842
Sir
I will be excused I hope for troubling you with the perusal of this enclosed letter of inquiry, & an explanation of the case. If it would not accord with the rules of your office, & the claim cannot be made out so as to pass your ordeal, I would like to have the papers for a reference to a Committee in this House. Please return the enclosed letter with your answer to this.
Very respectfully
Thos. Spearthers
J. L. Edwards Esq. Chair of Pension

Dear A. Dickens
Dec 13/82

84
Pension Office Dec 13 1852
Sir
On the 25 May 1840, the papers in the case of Ambrose Cayce of Tennessee, an applicant for a Revolutionary Pension, were sent to Hon. T. Pearce, then of the U.S. Senate. I presume they are upon your files, please return them to this office
Hon. A. Dickerson Sec U.S. Senate.

May 6. 1840
Ambrose Cagles
James S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions - War Department Washington City - D.C.
John H. [unclear]

Nashville April 27 th 1845
James S. Edmonds Esq r Com. of Pensions
Sir
Mr. Abraham Gage (or Gagey) - informs me that he forwarded to the War Department, a declaration for a pension, first in 1833, and again in May 1839. - He informs me further that he procured and forwarded the deposition of Samuel Waller , who testified to his knowledge of his services, as set forth in his declaration. He now requests me to forward the enclosed additional - al deposition of William Beckrum, who also testifies to his knowledge of his services. - Mr. Gagey is a man of about seventy five years of age, is in very indigent circumstances, and from what I know of him, as well as the minute account he gives of his services, I have no doubt he is intitled to a Pension. - Will you cause his application to be re-examined & write to me what decision is made. -
I Have the Honor to be Very Respectfully Your obedt Servt James A. Faxon

War Dept. Pen Offm 483 July 29, 1858
Sir
References in the case of William Anderson have been examined and filed with my extended cases. No allegations have enlisted under Captain Crabtree and Col Thomas of the Virginia line and was at the battle of Kings Mountain, and served against the Indians under Captain Lewis. The officers mentioned did not belong to the Virginia line, nor was the alleged service such as was performed by the soldiers of the regular army. The service could not therefore have been as an enlisted soldier. The militia service was in tons of short duration, each ton of which should be fully and particularly specified as required in the

printed regulations,
The papers in the case of Ambrose Cayce have also been examined and filed. We allege to have served under Col. Dubrey as an enlisted soldier for eighteen months from May 1781. The records in this office afford no proof of this service. The testimony of the witnesses should therefore not be exhibited as required in note in the enclosed printed sheet.
July 29 1816
The applicants should each state under oath their reasons for not making an earlier application for a pension.
By reading the act of the 16. of April 1816 you will find an answer to your queries in relation to widows and orphans.
C.
Ezra Koolstead, Esq. Chestnut Grove Tenn.
ent.

How sat R. Folk
June 18 '40
OL

Pen: Office.
276
Sir,
June 18. 1840
In reply to your letter of the 8 th inst., in the case of Ambrose Coyce, I have to inform you that the papers in this case were sent to Hon. Franklin Pierce of the U. State Senate on the 25 th ult. with a letter to him stating the objections to the admission of the claim, an extract from which is herewith enclosed.
Hon. James K. Polk, Nashville Tenn.
O. C. ent.

To J. R. Polk June 18, 1840
James E. Polk Com. of Finance Mrs. Deborah Smith Washington City
J
Williams
June 17, 1840

Nashville June 8 th 1845
J. S. Edwards Esq r Com. of Pensions
Sir
In your letter of the 7 th ultimo, in relation to the application of Ambrose Coyer to be placed on the Pension list, you state that "the original papers presented at this affair in 1833, should be again instituted". - Mr Coyer , states, that he has never withdrawn them, or authorized any other person to do so , unless possibly some number of burglars from this State - may have taken them, with a view to bring his case be- -fore that body for special relief. He desires me to request, that you will cause another examination for of them to be made, in your office. - He desires also to be informed whether the deposition of Wallace , in support of his

application, forwarded a year ago, must safely to hands. He insists that he was a soldier of the regular army as you intimate was not a militia man, as you intimate might of been the case, and says if you will turn to the disposition of Mr. Waller , it will appear that he was a contrivance soldier.
I am Very Respectfully
Your obedt Servt
Samuel S. ...

Pen: Office May 7 1840.
99
Sir,
The affidavit of William Lockrum in the case of Ambrose Gayce has been examined and filed with his other papers. Upon a further examination of the claim it is considered doubtful whether the applicant was in service as a soldier in any other capacity than as a militia man, and that his time at the siege of York exceeded three months. Besides the alleged service under Col. Dubrey as an enlisted soldier Captain Mann a term is alleged early in 1781, of three months, under Captain Hill. The original papers presented to this office in 1833 should be again exhibited.
His Excellency James K. Polk, Nashville. Tenn.
O.C. enclosed

Hon. J. M. Payton
Feb. 14 '44

Sir
Len H July 14 th 44
I have the honor to in- form you that your correspondent Mr. Goldstead whose letter is herewith returned, has no doubt rec d the information he seeks through my letter to Hon E.H. Foster of 11 Dec r . last respecting the cases of Nancy Beck- -ardren & Ambrose Cayce. - If you propose to submit them to Congress you can at any time withdraw the papers by filing a re ct . for them
Yrs: J.H. Peyton H.R.

Hen R. L. Caunthers
17. May 1842
OL

Pen. Office May 17, 1842
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Thomas L. Casey Esq r in the case of Ambrose Coyce, and I have to state that the papers in support of his claim to a pension were sent to Hon. J. Pearce, at that time of the U. S. Senate on the 25 th May 1840, with a letter stating the objection to the admission of the claim, an extract from which is herewith enclosed. The papers are probably on file in the office of the Secretary of the Senate.
Hon. R. L. Caruthers. H. R.
O. C. 34. 814' 32 out pnt.

62 P. 43 Dec. 11 Sir
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr. Holshad and in reply to state that in the case of Nancy Byrd you will find the reasons for not allowing her claim filed with her application to Congress -
The papers of Ambrose Layce were withdrawn by the Committee of the Senate on 25 May 1840 and the objections to the admission of his claim filed with them. No papers have been presented in the case of Nancy Richardson since my letter of 14 Feb 1840 to Hon. Jno. Bell a copy of which is here with enclosed.
In the case of Elizabeth Gray the only difficulty is the proof of the Date of the marriage which is an essential point requiring the best attainable

evidence - as it took place in Va the clerk's office should furnish a record of the marriage bond or licence
The pension of Mary King is correct- ly adjusted at 40 $/m. an m for the 12 months service of her husband which by the provisions of the act of 8 March 1818 entitled him to $8. per month
Mrs. E. H. Foster
Decem 11 1833
Gen. E. H. Foster Senate

Plains Office March 20, 1844
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr. Holstead, accompanied by the original papers of Nancy Richardson, the receipt of which you will be pleased to acknowledge.
In examining the case of Ambrose Cayce I find that his papers were enclosed to the Pension Committee of the Senate on the 25th of May, 1840, and they have not since been in this office.
Wm J A Peyton H.R.
no 6632 Nancy Richd. addr. Supt 1 st Term 38 Ambrose Cayce Term 32 Supt no 34814.

Offic l Secretary Senate U.S. December 14. 1852.
Sir
In reply to your letter of yesterday requesting the return of the papers in the case of Ambrose Cayce, which you say "were sent to Hon. F. Pearce" the 25 th May 1840, I have to inform you that they were not presented to the Senate, and are therefore not on the files of this office.
I am, respectfully Your Obd t Serv t
Atty. Bicknell Secretary of the Senate
James E. Heath Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

R. M. CAVETT
REAL ESTATE : LOANS : STOCKS : BONDS
404 First National Bank Building
Telephone 215
CHICKASHA, OKLAHOMA
March. 24. 1931.
Pension Department Washington. D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Can you give me a record of the Pension issued to Ambrose of the  Cayce for his service in the Revolutionary War. He was born in Chesterfield Co. Va. in 1763 & died 1843. His wife was Hannah Cayce, his cousin. I am anxious to know the names of his children. Any information you give me I will appreciate very much.
Sincerely (Mrs R.M.) Jennie D. Cayce Cavett

Hon. F. Pearce
May 25, 1840.
O. Ex.
Hon. Franklin Pearce Chairman Com. on Navy Pensions Senate

391 Gen. Off. May 25 '40
Sir.
Agreeably to your request I have the honor to enclose herewith the papers of Ambrose Layce and to inform you that his claim has not been allowed because his name is not borne on the rolls of the Va State Troops in which he alleges he rendered the service. There were no troops at Richmond in '82, in Nov. of which year, he alleges he was discharged from Col. Dabney's Regt. The presumption raised against his claim by the silence of the records is met by the testimony of a witness whose allegation of service in the same regt is in like manner discredited by the records. It is also believed that the witness has never applied for a pension or if he did he must be the individual of that name who alleged service in the N. Va line. Ambrose Layce applied for the first time in last year, as you will perceive. In the case of Col. Stricklin whose claim was first adjusted, at a time of great pressure in the business of this office and before much knowledge had been obtained of the local service the service of the several States,

it appears that he was allowed a pension for 2 years service in the Militia of P.C. which upon a more thorough investigation with the aid of his supplemental state- ments & proofs was reduced to a pension for one year service He had in the first paper evidently confounded the harrassing service of vigilance & patrol which the number of the disaffected rendered very harassing with the military service of the embodied militia corps called into service by the competent authority for which alone the act of 7 June 32 (Anno Capt. Stephen (he) is not allowed for more than 12 months — With respect to your enq. as to the "objections to paying him the sum returned on the ground of overpayment agreeably to the decision of the Secy of War March 13. 1837 in in the case of Rev. Vernon and to the opinion of the Atty. Genl of June 1836" I have the honor to state that this case occurred & been disposed of before the decision and opinion referred to had been announced — the reference to the law The construction of that decision & opinion is that while the Dept. is restrained from applying the accruing pension to the liquidation of an overpayment not obtained by fraud, it is bound to regard it as a debt "for money paid & recei- by mistake". It is the duty of the Dept. to report as "debts" to the solicitor of the Treasury for proceedings of recovery — The repayment therefore of the

withheld in this case to meet the overpayment (v z 140 p ) if it was admissible under the rule adopted since the decision above referred to, would but create a debt which the public authorities would be bound to recover - He has received all he is justly entitled to under the provisions of the act of 7. June '32.
The papers in the case of Mrs. Sheba Wherry have not been presented to this Dept. - No reason is perceived why her claim may not be offer- ed successfully under existing laws.
No question was ever raised in the case of Mrs. Catharine Howard as to the length & grade of her first husband's service as the church record which she was not permitted to controvert by parol evidence showed that she was married after the war and therefore not entitled under the act of 4 July 36. while her second marriage was a bar to any claim under that of 7 July 38. By reference to her papers it would appear that the claims for the services of her former hus- band as an officer in the staff or line of the Pa. for a considerable time as it is asserted that he was in the case battle of Bunker Hill, June 75 in the expedition to Quebec 75-64  the battles of Germantown Oct 77. Monmouth June 78 & the Mass- acre of Paoli in Sept 77. It does not appear by the rolls

in this Office that he was in the Da - line or staff but if he was the Booky at Harrisburg will establish it
Thos. F. Pearce
May 25, 1840
P. G.
Mr. Franklin Pearce Chairman Reorg. Pensions Senate