Pension Application of William Leay (Lee): S38910
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Tennessee} June Session 1819
Blount County viz}
On this first day of June in the in the year 1819 came William Ley (alias Lea) into open Court; appears to be between sixty and seventy years of age or upwards once being duly sworn according to law on his oath maketh the following declaration in order to obtain a Pension according to the provision of an Act of Congress passed Mar 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”, that he the said William Ley at about the age of 13 years 5 or 6 years before the commencement of the Revolutionary War came from Ireland – that after the commencement of that War (the time he does not recollect) he at the House of James McDowel [McDowell] in Rockbridge County in the State of Virginia he enlisted with Lieutenant Andrew Moore (since Genl. Moore) in Capt John Hays Company and Col George Matthews Regiment in the Virginia Line on the Continental Establishment and he thinks in General Muyhlenburgs [sic: Peter Muhlenberg’s] Brigade; that he enlisted for two years but served two years and six months – during this time he was in many battles against the common enemy of the United States particularly at those of Germantown [4 Oct 1777] Prince town [Princeton 3 Jan 1777] White Marsh [Whitemarsh PA, 6 Dec 1777] and at the taking of Burgoyne [Saratoga NY, 17 Oct 1777]; that he afterwards but the date he does not recollect was discharged at the valley Forge in the State of Pennsylvania by Col. Matthews of General Muyhlenburgs Brigade which discharge he afterwards lost or it became worn out he this declarant thinking it had become of no use – He also states that he was in the american service against the Indians at the famous Battle of the Kanawa [possibly Battle of Point Pleasant at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, 10 Oct 1774] He further states that he has remained a Citizen of the United States ever since about thirty years of the time in the State of virginia – some time in the State of North Carolina and lately at this time in said County of Blount & State of Tennessee. That living in a situation to which he had but seldom means of information it was but lately that he was informed that the Pension or any relief was allowed to poor old revolutionary soldiers. He saith he knows of no other Evidence in his power by which he can prove his service. that he has a family to support – that he is very poor and in reduced Circumstances and has great need of the assistance of his Country [signed] William Leay
[To
Andrew Moore of Rockbridge County VA. See pension application W1454.]
Blount County Tennessee Ap’l 6th 1821.
Dear Sir, I have written to you as often as three times and have received no answer. Therefore, I know not whether you have rec’d. any of my Letters.
The subject was expressing a desire to obtain a certificate from under your hand to prove I was enlisted by you and belonged to the Ninth Virginia Reg’t. of the Continental Establishment. But more particularly the precise date of my enlistment (or as near as possible) and discharge, which I earnestly hope you may be able to state, for my memory is so much impaired, that I am not positively certain of it, But to the best of my recollection, it was in the Faul of 1775 I enlisted, and was discharged at the Valley Forge in the Spring of ‘78. These two items being stated with some precision will be of immense importance to me, as on them hangs suspended my Pension. I am old and helpless, and possess no property, to answer my future subsistence.
If my memory serves me correctly you enlisted me at the Muster ground, at Mr. Mackey’s on Timber ridge. I think it was in the faul season, as I think the Cider we drank then made some of us Boozey. I flatter myself you cannot have forgotten me. Dont you recollect the man Mr. Lee that lent you a clean shirt the very day before we marched into Williamsburgh which, you paid me for directly after the taking of Burgoyne? Dont you recollect that I who gave the arrearages of pay, and took a Horse for it in Lexington. When we were on our way Home from the Army, I think there were about sixteen of us in company, and you turned off the road below Staunton to go to Lewis’s – you gave me 8 Dollars and ordered me to procure the men their Dinners in Town. I did so and returned you four Dollars of the money. I drove Waggon for Mr Alexander of the North River (who I learn is dead) seven years. These things are only mentioned in order that you may the more readily recollect me, on reflection. My name has been found on the Rools of the army spelled Lea or Lee, but I always wrote it Leay.
However, I hope this will make no odds. Will you be so good to an old friend, who has had the Honor of being commanded by you, to be qualified to the Paper you may give and oblige your friend. [signed] William Leay
I went directly to wait on Gen’l Moore as soon as I reached Lexington Va Found him low with the Palsy His son read the Letter to him, and he the Gen’l. desired me to come into the Room. Immagining I myself was the man – When I came in he gave me his hand and looking now at me, asked Did you ever belong to Morgans Chore [sic: Gen Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Corps]. I answered no my father had been in the Army Said he, you are not William Leay I said I was not but had brought that Letter from Leay to get his certificate of his enlistment. Did he know Leay? He said he knew him well Did you enlist him? I did. Can you recollect the time when? I do recollect it well. What month was it. It was perhaps sometime in January or February – or if I cannot tell then an enough men can He again reinscribed and repeatedly expressed it, I knew him well. I enlisted him and further said his name was spelled I think Leigh, said I perhaps Leay, said he it may be, I know I listed that name and he served with me in the War — I have been written to from the Law man as often as thrice and answered there Letters — Then I asked him if he was sure Leay should have a pension He said he had a good right to one
[signed] And’w S. Morrison
State of Tennessee} June Session 1821
Blount County}
This twenty fifth day of June 1821 came the Rev. Andrew S. Morrison into open court and being sworn deposeth and saith that on the fifth day of last May he delivered the accompanying letter purporting to be from William Leay to Genl Andrew Moore of Rockbridge County Virginia – to a son of s’d Genl Moore who read the letter to his father, when the foregoing conversation substantially took place between the s’d Genl Moore & this deponent – Said deponent declares further that he under[page torn] Genl Moore died on Monday the fourteenth of May last about ten days after the aforesaid conversation
[signed] Andrew S. Morrison
State of Tennessee} County Court,
Blount County} June Session 1821
On this 28th day of June 1821 personally appeared in Open Court, being a court of record expressly constituted as such by the laws of this state, proceeding according to the course of the common Law, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, William Lee alias William Leay aged nearly seventy years or upwards, resident in said County and State, who being first duly sworn, According to law, doth on his Oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war, as follows, towit that he the said William at about the age of 13 years five or six years before the commencement of that War – came from Ireland to America that after the commencement of the Revolutionary War the time he does not recollect, but thinks it was in the year 1775 or 1776 he in Rockbridge County the State of Virginia, enlisted in the service of the united States with Lieutenant And’w Moore (since Gen’l. Moore) in Capt. John Haye’s Company and Col. George Matthews Regiment in the Virginia line on the continental establishment and he thinks in Gen’l Muhlenberg’s Brigade, that he enlisted for two years but served two years and six months, during this time he was in many battles against the common enemy, particularly those of Germantown Prince town White Marsh, and at the taking of Burgoyne that he was also at the Battle of Still Water [Stillwater NY, 19 Sep 1777], that he served the time of his enlistment and afterwards the date he does not recollect, but believes, in the spring of 1778. was discharged at the valley forge in the State of Pennsylvania by Col. George Matthews of Gen’l Muhlenberg’s brigade which discharge he, this declarant afterwards lost or it became worn out he thinking it had become of no value. He also states that he was in the American Service against the Indians at the famous Battle of Kanhawa. He also further states that he has remained a Citizen of the United States ever since the said War. This declarant further states that heretofore towit on the first of July 1819. he made a declaration on oath for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of March 18th 1818. and sent he same on to the department of War which was returned for lack of shewing the time of enlistment and discharge proof of which he expected to obtain from the said Gen’l. Moore and after several applications by letter received no answer untill lately he received his declaration. On his death bed, which he has received by the hands of the Rev’d. Mr. Morrison and herewith transmitted which he hopes will be satisfactory as he knows of no other evidence in this state to establish these facts and as he, this declarant is now so old and feeble, that he is totally unable to travel to a great distance to get testimony if even if could be obtained, which original declaration this declarant transmitted to the War Office with a hope that his pension will be allowed from the date of it. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March 1818. and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any other manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it so as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Revolutionary War. passed on the 18th 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 annexed schedule and by me subscribed, besides my wearing apparrel which is very indifferent, and an old bed & covering, 1 pair of spectacles $0.62[illegible symbol, possibly ¢] – 1 old Bible $0.75¢ – 1 old book, being a history of the revolution $0.50¢ — $1.87¢ William Leay
The above is all I have except that as one of the paupers or poor of the said County of Blount Robert Bogle of said County has an allowance made him by the County Court for my support. I have no family at this time living with me, but I live with Mr. Bogle. I am totally unable to labor and my memory is very much impaired. William Leay