Pension Application of John and Nancy Gray W6395
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Indiana } On this 6th day of January in the year of our Lord One
Decature [sic: Decatur] County } thousand Eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open Court before the Honourable The Commissioners of the County of Decature and State of Indiana now in session (the same being a Court of Record) John Gray, a resident of the said County of Decature aged Seventy three [sic: 74] years the 11th day of December last 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 7th 1832. That, he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. The last of June 1777 he was drafted for three months to serve against the Shawnee Indians. He [illegible word] under Col John Boyer [John Bowyer], Maj Elliott, Agt. [Adjutant] David Hays (or Hay) Capt. David Gray. Lieut Geo. Wier (or Ware) [George Weir] and Ensign Joseph Thompson. He left the service the last of September 1777 when he was duly discharged by his officers after serving faithfully for Three months. He then near the 20th of January 1781 volunteered for nine months and served under Genl Mulenberg [Peter Muhlenberg], Col [William] Downman, Lieut Col. [Holt] Richardson (he thinks), Maj Willis, Capt. Charles Campbell, and also Capt. Alexander Moore and Liut Lyle. He left the service the last of October 1781 when he was duly discharged by his officers after serving faithfully for Nine months which added to his former tour of Three months makes the term of One year for which he now claims a pension. At the time he entered the service the first time, and during the whole period of his service he resided in the County of Rockbridge Virginia, and continued to reside there until his services were ended. The first term of three months he was drafted and the second tour of nine months he was a volunteer. He was in the engagement at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis [19 Oct 1781]. During his term of three months he marched from Rockbridge County Va. to Greenbrier [illegible word] from thence to Kenham [illegible word], near Culbertson’s bottom, were he remained stationed at Woods Fort [possibly the one near present Peterstown WV] untill his tour of Three months was up when he returned to Rockbridge County Va. During his tour for Nine months he marched from Rockbridge County Va. to Charlottesville from thence through Richmond across James River below Richmond from thence to a place on the south side of James River where some Batterys were erected (the name of which he has forgotten) while he was there it was rumored that the British fleet was lying in the Hampton Roads and he was marched towards Portsmouth but went no farther than the dismal Swamps when he was countermarched to Cabbin Point [sic: Cabin Point in Surry County] where he remained stationed for some time. He then marched to Petersburg Va, where he crossed over to Richmond from thence to Rockbridge County Va where he remained for a few days, from thence he marched to Charlottesville, from thence to a place called Perkins hills[?; possibly Perkinsville] where he remained stationed for some time, from thence he marched to Licking Hole Creek, from thence to Gold Mine Run [Goldmine Creek in Hanover County]. There he remained for some time also when he marched to deep-run Church [at present NW side of Richmond]. from thence to Tuckahoe creek, from thence to Charlottesville, from thence to Rockbridge County from thence to Rock Fish [Rockfish] Gap. from thence to Williamsburgh [sic: Williamsburg], from thence to Little York where he was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. where he was verbally dismissed by his officers. He served with LaFayette and other continental troops, he recollects also of serving with the companies of Captains Paxton and Hall. He does not recollect of any other Regular officers which he knew by sight only La Fayette. At Little York he saw many Regular officers but he did not know them so as to distinguish them. He has no written or documentary Evidence and he knows of no person living who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [signed] John Gray
Answers to the 7 Question prescribed by the War Department.
Answer to 1st Quest. I was born in Augusta Co. Va the 11th December 1759
Ans 2d. I have had a Record of my age until some few years since and I recollect it [two illegible words] But it is now destroyed. Answer to 3d Quest At the time I entered the service and during the same my residence was in Rockbridge County Va. Soon after I removed to Kentucky where I resided till Seven years since. Answer to 4th Quest. The first tour of three months I was drafted. the tour of Nine months I volunteered. Ans to 5th Quest. I can state that I knew Genl La Fayette by sight. there were many other officers of the Continental establishment with the troops but I do not recollect their names at this time. there were continental Regiments under the command of La Fayette [two illegible words] with the troops where I served. and I also remember Capt Paxtons company and Capt Halls also. The general circumstances of my service are stated above. Ans to 6 th Quest. I never rec’d a written discharge. Answer to Quest 7th As it regards my character for truth and veracity Enquire of John York[?] [illegible name] [first name illegible] Davidson, Col Hendricks, and all who know me. [signed] John Gray
State of Indiana }
Decature County } On this 6th day of January A.D. 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon the Commissioners of the said County of Decature, John Gray the above named applicant for a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832 who being first duly Sworn according to Law 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 Reccollection he served not less than the Periods mentioned below and in the following grades (to wit) For One year I served as a private in the service of the United States in the Army of the Revolution and for such service I claim a Pension. [signed] John Gray
NOTE: On 13 July 1853 Nancy Walters, 53, applied for a pension stating that she was married in Scott County KY on 15 Mar 1820 to John Gray, who died 5 Apr 1836. On 26 Jan 1837 she married William Walters, who died 4 June 1850. On 30 Apr 1855 she applied for bounty land. A note in the file states that she died 21 Jan 1883.