Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23669, John Gray, Penn. ( And Indian Wars In 1785 & 1792)

SERVICE
Penn.
Gray, John
NUMBER
S-23669
(and Indian Wars in 1785 & 1792)
CONTENTS

11.457
Pennsylvania
John Gray
of Greene Co in the State of Penn o who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Archer of the Reg t commanded by Col l Crawford in the Pa a Militia time for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of May 1833 and John W. L. Harkness Waynesburg Pa
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1833 $160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/ Sep 33 40.00
Died $200.00 Aug 9, 1834
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Nov June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo B Whiting Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 21

Pennsylvania } On this 10 th day of September in Greene County } the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid now sitting William  John Gray a resident of Rich hill township in the County and State aforesaid aged twenty two 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 7. 1832.
That he was born at near Carlisle in the County of Cumberland & State of Pennsylvania, on the 18 th day of January 1761. deponent has his fathers bible in which his age is set down That in the year 1779 he removed from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania into then Washington now Greene County state aforesaid - That in the spring of 1780. deponent was called out and posted at Fort Jackson, County last aforesaid and continued posted there for six years - This deponent during said six years was nearly all said time on the scout after the Indians - and in the year 1785. was appointed a spy and served one month under said appointment - In the year 1792. was appointed a Lieutenant in the company comman- ded by Captain James Paul and served six months at the Wheeling block house on the Dun- kard fork of Wheeling creek - Deponent and his brother David Gray and Matthew Gray were always on the alert actively engaged in spying out and scouting after the Indians - Matthew was killed by the Indians in the immediate neighborhood of Waynesburg in February 1781.
Deponent received his commission as Lieutenant

from his excellency Governor Elliott which he has preserved and sends with his declaration.
Deponent has been well known by James Seals Esq., Ellis Bane and William Gray ever since this deponent came into Greene County and their deposition are herewith forwarded.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above in open Court
Attest H. J. Hays
John Gray
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and also that James Seals Esq. is a credible witness.
H. J. Hays Pres.

James Seals Esq. being duly sworn in open Court deposes and says that he first became acquainted with the above named John Gray in the year 1779. and has known him well from that time to the present. Deponent knew Mr. Gray to be a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain James Paul and that he served six months as such - dept. also knew him to be out spying and scouting frequently for many years dept. having been posted at the same fort and engaged in the same service knows the facts above stated to be substantially correct.
Sworn & subscribed
James Seals
before me in Open Court
the 10th Sept 1832.
Attest Wm. T. Hays
I William T. Hays Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Green County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Gray for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 10th day of Sept. 1832.
Wm. T. Hays

Pennsylvania } Personally appeared before me the Green County } undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for said County the within named John Gray who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that by reason of old age and the encroachment of of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served as a private under the command of Capt James Fisher from 1780 till after 1783. and claim a pension for the three years between those periods. On John Fee was Lieutenant and David White Ensign - On Mr. Crawford and Henry Crook were our Colonels. Sworn & subscribed before me 29 th March 1833.
John Gray
Daniel H. Kirk
State of Pennsylvania } Green County } - I, Enns Hook, prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Daniel Hook Esquire, before whom the above affidavit of John Gray appears to have been sworn to, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County - duly Commissioned & sworn. and that his signature thereon is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washington the 29 th day of March A.D. 1833
Enns Hook Esquire.
John Gray

January 18, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/CC John Gray S.23669
Ellsworth L Williamson 1316 N. La Brea Avenue Hollywood, California.
Dear Sir:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers in the claim for pension on file under S.23669, based upon service of John Gray in the Revolutionary War.
John Gray was born January 1-th(2nd figure illegible), 1761, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and in 1779 moved to Washington (later Greene) County, Pennsylvania. Names of his parents not shown.
John Gray enlisted, place not stated, in the spring of 1780, served three years as private in Captain James Archer's company, under Colonels William Crawford and Henry Enochs, in the Pennsylvania Troops, and was stationed at Fort Jackson, Greene County, Pennsylvania.
He served one month in 1785, Indian spy, no officer stated, and February 24, 1792, he was appointed by Governor Thomas Mifflin Lieutenant of 1 st Company of Riflemen of the Militia of Pennsylvania, said company commanded by Captain James Paul , and served six months at the Wheeling Block House.
John Gray was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Rich Hill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He stated that he had known William Gray ever since he (John) moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania, but did not state any relationship.
John Gray died August 9, 1834. It is not stated that he was ever married.

John Gray's brothers David and Matthew Gray were out with him as scouts and Indian spys. Matthew Gray was killed in February 1781 near Waynesburg.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name and address of person paid, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city and cite the following:
John Gray, Certificate #11457 Issued May 8, 1833, Rate $80.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

January 18, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/GC John Gray S.23669
Leonard Garrison W.7503
Ellsworth L Williamson, E 16 N. La Brea Avenue Hollywood, California.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Leonard Garrison, private in the Pennsylvania militia and John Gray, private and Indian spy, both pensioners in 1833.
You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of Leonard Garrison and John Gray.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL:MLB
June 7, 1930
Miss Sarah M. Dinsmore 508 Centennial Street New Castle, Pennsylvania
Dear Madam:
From the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23669, it appears that John Gray was born January 1 -th (2nd figure illegible), 1761, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and in 1779 moved to Washington (later Greene) County, Pennsylvania.
He enlisted, place not stated, in the spring of 1780, served three years as a private in Captain James Archer's Company, under Colonels William Crawford and Henry Enochs, in the Pennsylvania Troops, and was stationed at Fort Jackson, Greene County, Pennsylvania.
It also appears that in the year 1785 in 1785, he served one month as an Indian spy, no officer stated, and February 24, 1792, he was appointed by Governor Thomas Mifflin Lieutenant of the 1 st Company of Riflemen of the Militia of Pennsylvania, said company commanded by Captain James Paul and served six months at the Wheeling Block House.
P.S. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Rich Hill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He stated that he had known John Gray and knew he
(John) moved to Greene Co., Pa., and did not state any relationship. He died August 9, 1834.
It is not stated that he soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
His brother David - and also Matthew Gray were out with him as scouts & Indian spies - Matthew Gray was killed in Feb 1781 near Waynesburg.

1316 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, Calif. Nov. 30, 1938.
3
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me the Military records of Leonard Garrison and John Gray . Leonard Garrison was a private in Pennsylvania Militia, placed on pension Dec. 30, 1833, pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831. John Gray, private, Indian Spy, placed on pension May 8, 1833, pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831. And could you give me the names of their widows?, children?
Yours very truly,
Ellsworth L. Williamson Ellsworth L. Williamson.
He was not written before Pension Dept.

Proclamation
23660 INVALID.
File No. 23669
John Gray Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: — Vol. 2. , Page 161
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930-June 7-List. to Miss Sarah M. Dinsmore - Settle in Case of Ellis Bane - N. 23531 EEh
1939-Jan 18 List 20 Ellsworth L Williams

John Gray
No. 15504
✓
2 yr Pri
#80
Wm. G. Hawkins
Waynesburg
Pa

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Gray which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes in the Indian War V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no - Queen & Lee VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1852? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes, but have not signed it IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no See Deen 14
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? open Court
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? no
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
He should state whether before the 3 d of September 1783 he belonged to any regularly organized corps. Service Subsequent to that date does not entitle an applicant to a pension.

Pennsylvania
In the Name and by the authority of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. —
Thomas Mifflin Governor of the said commonwealth
To John Gray Esquire
Tho. Mifflin
Whereas it is provided in and by an Act of the General Assembly of this commonwealth passed the twentieth day of January last, entitled "An Act to provide for the immediate defence of the frontier of the commonwealth," that three companies of active and experienced Riflemen of the Militia shall be engaged and organized for the purposes in the said Act mentioned; And the Governor is thereby authorized, among other things, to appoint and commission the Officers in the said companies respectively: Now know You, that having full confidence in your courage, patriotism, and abilities, I have appointed, and by these presents I do appoint, you you the said John Gray to be Lieutenant of the first company to be engaged as aforesaid, and to have exercise and enjoy all power authority and emolument to that Office lawfully belonging, upon the terms and conditions, and for the period and purposes in the said Act declared. —
GIVEN under my hand & the Great Seal of the State at Philadelphia this twenty fourth day, February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, and of the commonwealth the sixteenth. —

NO 2174
Whereas it is provided in and by an Act of the General Assembly, of this Commonwealth passed the twentieth day of January last, entitled "An Act to provide for the immediate defence of the frontiers of the Commonwealth", that three companies of active and experienced Riflemen of the Militia shall be engaged and organized for the purposes in the said Act mentioned; And the Governor is thereby authorized, among other things, to appoint and commission the Officers in the said companies respectively: Now know You, that having full confidence in your courage, patriotism, and abilities, I have appointed, and by these presents I do appoint, and confirm you the said John Gray to be Lieutenant of the first company to be engaged as aforesaid, and to have exercise and enjoy all power authority and emolument to that Office lawfully belonging, upon the terms and conditions, and for the period and purposes in the said Act declared.
Given under my hand & the Great Seal of the State at Philadelphia this twenty fourth day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two, and of the Commonwealth the Sixteenth.
By the Governor:
A. J. Dallas Secretary