Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4785, James Hayes, Continental (Pa)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Pa)
Hayes, James
R. 4785
CONTENTS

unfurnished of Pen.

State of Pennsylvania Adams County, To. Claim of James Hays
On this Seventeenth day of January 1824 personally appeared, in open court, being a Court of Record for the County of Adams James Hays an old Revolutionary War aged Seventy Eight years, and a resident in the aforesaid County of Adams who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818, and First of May 1820, that he the said James Hays enlisted for the term of three years on the Eleventh day of March in the year 1777 in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain John Thompson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Moses Hazen in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said the 25 th day of Oct r in 1781 when he was not discharged for said service in the State of Colonel Hazen's Continental to the pressing demands of the said James Hays still refusing to give him a discharge, That he was in the Battle of Brandywine Germantown and that he has no other evidence, now in his power, of his said service, except the oath of James Duncan Esq r who was a Captain in the same Regiment commonly called "the Congreg's Regiment". And, in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any other disposal 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 18 th 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, viz one Cow, Eight or Nine pigs & the sow, an old table & a few old chairs - no occupation. I further declare that, I have a wife seventy six years old, and no children with him. Sworn to and declared on the seventeenth day of January before.
I William W. Cloran Jr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Records of the Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the Court that the total amount in value of the property described in the aforesaid schedule is Twenty dollars. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on the Seventeenth day of January 1824
Clerk of the Court of the County of Adams Wm Cloran Jr Deputy

February 17, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. H. M. Carpenter 211 Tomlinson Avenue Moundeville, West Virginia
BA-J/ady Ans James Hayes R. 4785
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show that a claim for pension or bounty land was ever made on account of the services of Benjamin Biggs as described by you, all spellings of the names searched.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R. 4785, based upon the military service of James Hayes in that war.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of James Hayes are not shown.
James Hayes applied for pension January 17, 1824, at which time he was aged seventy-eight years and a resident of Adams County, Pennsylvania, and alleged that he enlisted in Pennsylvania, place not shown, March 11, 1777, served in Captain John Thompson's Company, Colonel Moses Hazen's Regiment; that he was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and served until October 1781, but received no legal discharge.
James Hayes' claim for pension was not allowed because the rolls of Colonel Hazen's Regiment, in which he stated he served, showed that he deserted August 22, 1781, and no record was found that he ever returned to duty, which forfeited all claim to pension from the government.

In 1823, the soldier was living in Liberty Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. In 1824 his wife was seventy-six years old, her name not given. Their unmarried daughter was living in 1823, her name, age or residence not stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Adams County ss. Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace and for the said County of Adams, James Duncan Esq. On his solemn oath both swore, that James Hays is now residing in Adams County, in the State of Pennsylvania, and about 70 years of age, and that the person for relief, is the same James Hays who served in Col. Morris Hays's Regiment in the revolutionary War - and was at this Department believes of the quota of Pennsylvania - that this Department knowing served as a Captain in the said Regiment, and having since resided a long time in the same neighbourhood with the said James Hays, is very cer- tainly convinced that the person, and verily believes him to be the same James Hays who served as a soldier -
Subscribed before me at Pittsburgh the 23 d day of Decem- ber A. D. 1854
James Duncan
J. Russell

Feb. 5, 1937.
Mr. A. D. Hiller,
Dear Sir;
Do you have any Pension Record or Bounty land for Benj. Biggs who served as a private in the Revolution in 7th Maryland Regiment? He had several sons who came to Virginia and what I need is to find proof that he was their father.
Also do you have a record of James Hays who was in Adams Co. Pa. in 1808. He enlisted in Muncan's Co. March 1, 1777 was discharged 1781.
Thank you. May H. Carpenter.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
4785
P. O.
James Hayes
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1937 Feb 17. Note to Pres. H.M. Carpenter. a.10.9

C O P Y
War Dept. Pension Office January 22, 1824.
Hon. James Wilson H.R.
Sir:
The claim of James Hayes to a pension on account of revolutionary service, has been examined, and I have to inform you, that it cannot be allowed. It appears from the roll of Colonel Hazens regiment, in which he served, that he deserted on the 22 d August, 1781, and it does not appear that he ever returned to his duty. The act of desertion, without returning to his duty, forfeits all claim to a gratuity from the government. His papers will remain on the files of this office, agreeably to our regulations.
I am etc.
J.L.E.
C O P Y
ADY Feb. 17, 1937

Missers: Penn Sept 28 - 1823
Sir — A Petition of Genl. James Logan will be forwarded to your care, accompanied with such evidences of service, as he has been able to procure, during the period set forth in said petition; The Certificate of James Duncan is the only one which goes to identify his person and services.
I presented a Petition while I was a member of the Legislature with the same Certificate of James Duncan in favour of said Logan. The principle reason as well as I can recollect, why no grant was made, was owing to the want of a regular discharge, this was many years ago, and at that time, an undeviating principle was strictly adhered to, not to grant any annuity, or reward for services rendered, but to those whose names were regularly found registered, accompanied with a General Discharge from the commanding Officer — Since that time more liberality has been extended, and if any soldier now claiming a just

or charitable compensation, I verily think your Petitioner's claim is of the first class as far as my recommendation will have any effect. I am sure in certifying that I believe his own description to be strictly cor- rect, I will remember the Capt. Thompson under whom he first enlisted. his after services I do not know but I know him to be a man who may well be believed, tho not under oath; he is cer- tainly poor, he and his old woman, and an unmarried daughter, is all I know of the fam- ily, the old couple are very industrious accor- ding to their ability, and their daughter gives her earnings to the payment of House rent.
It would be extremely hard, and disreputa- -ble to the state, to suffer one of her old soldiers to be ceded to the poorhouse on ending his days in a poorhouse, when already, the usual number of Marked Days would not be expired. I am Sir with with due respect Yours &
As you are so likely to make and use your share of this W.M.  William Wilson

Pennsylvania Adams County So
Before me Amos Magill one of the justices of the peace in and for Adams County personally came James Hays (aged about twenty seven years) of Liberty Township in Adams County - who being by me duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration - That he the said James Hays enlisted the sixteenth twelfth day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven in the state of Pennsylvania in the company commanded by Captain John Thompson in the Regiment commanded by Col. Moses Hazen - that he enlisted for three years and continued in the service until the year 1781 but got no legal discharge - that he was in the battles of Brandywine & Germantown &c - that he served his country faithfully during the time he was in the service - And that he is now in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support - and that he has no other evidence per se in his power of his said services.
James Hays
Sworn and Subscribed the 22 d day of January 1823 Before Amos Magill

3. Capt. Adams.
James Hays. rev.
Soldier. relief
N.R. Feb. 6. 1823.
Claims.
No 65
3
Unfavorable

The Honorable the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania In General Assembly met
The Petition of James Hays, of Liberty Town- ship, Adams County & State of Pennsylvania, most respectfully represents
That he has served his country in the Revolutionary war which procured its Independ- ence, as stated in the certificate accompanying this petition, that owing to the lapse of time, and the decay of most of my Friends, and Fellow Soldiers, I am at this time unable to procure any more satisfactory testimony, as evidence of my services, my health, and strength has now failed me, and am consequently rendered incapable of procuring a livelihood by labor, and am reduced to sorry straitened circumstances; and relying on the liberality which has hitherto rewarded her Revolutionary Soldiers, I am induced to make appli- cation to your Honorable Body, for such relief as you in your wisdom, and benevolence may be dis- posed to grant, and your petitioner, as in Duty Bound will pray
James Hays
July 24 - 1823

We, the undersigned do certify that we are acquainted with the said James Hayes and believe him well entitled to Legislative aid, as having rendered services, as stated in his Deposition, which we give full credit to. we also know he is in very indigent, and distressing circumstances, and that he, and his wife are disposed to use every industry according to their ability, to procure for themselves a livelihood, under these circumstances we would recommend him to the particular attention of an indulgent and liberal Legislature for that small assistance which will in some measure tend to alleviate the sufferings of an old revolutionary soldier, who only claims it for a few days or weeks of his remaining years — Sign? in behalf of the
Petitioners
William Miller
Amos Magriny
J. L. L'astord Ezra Blake
W. H. H. H.
James Rice
Jas. Wilson
Wm. McMillan
George Irwin
Thos. C. Miller
Jno. Waugh
Jos. Magriny
Wm. Smith
J. N. Edie
— " —
John Murphy
J. L. Garvin
D. H. H. H.