Regarding James Bray's whereabouts during the late war
Item
Type
Letterbook Copy
Title
Regarding James Bray's whereabouts during the late war
Description
Bray outlines his various assignments and whereabouts in the Army during the late war in order to procure over due payment.
year created
1785
month created
12
day created
07
author
sent from location
Phila,two doors from Indian Queen
recipient
in collection
in image
note
Cited in Howell to Bray, 12/29/1785.
author note
James Bray
recipient note
Joseph Howell
cited note
Cited document addressed to the War Office
notable person/group
Joseph Howell
James Bray
Captain Porter
paymaster
paymaster general
regiment
Mr. Brown
Mitchell
notable location
Phila,two doors from Indian Queen
Capes
Valley Forge
Downingtown Pennsylvania
notable item/thing
recruiting
pay
document number
1785120770055
page start
148
transcription
Philadelphia two doors from Indian Queen
Dec 7 1785
Sir,
The reason for my not writing to you before, in answer to yours of 24 Oct last, was that I expected have been at New York this week following, but went down the river to the capes, but have this much to inform you that I inlisted with Cap. Porter 14 July 1777, ad received one moths pay and continued in town recruiting (there was no paymaster as each Captain drew the pay for his company but my being absent, I never was mentioned in the Pay rolls as I can find)
151
and when I joined the company at Valley Forge, in a few day I was appointed W. M. to the regiment, and was sent to downingtown with a parcil of Horses to recruit -- My pay due from the regiment is fourteen months, twenty six days at 10 Dollars per Month -- then joined Colo Mitchel QMaster, and continued with him till Colo Miler took his place - he then asked for my papers with a promise to pay me the next day; and that night left the town, and I never saw him since - all this time I never received one farthing from him, but lived on my own money for I had three thousand Dollars in store & upwards --- I spoke to Mr Brown (one of his clerks) on the subject, he says Mitchell never settled with him & took his account with him too -- This is the way I have been served -- if your Honor will be so kind to assist me in the recovery of my just due, or put me in a way to obtain it - I shall ever remain:
Your Sincere friend
James Bray
Jos. Howell Esqr
Dec 7 1785
Sir,
The reason for my not writing to you before, in answer to yours of 24 Oct last, was that I expected have been at New York this week following, but went down the river to the capes, but have this much to inform you that I inlisted with Cap. Porter 14 July 1777, ad received one moths pay and continued in town recruiting (there was no paymaster as each Captain drew the pay for his company but my being absent, I never was mentioned in the Pay rolls as I can find)
151
and when I joined the company at Valley Forge, in a few day I was appointed W. M. to the regiment, and was sent to downingtown with a parcil of Horses to recruit -- My pay due from the regiment is fourteen months, twenty six days at 10 Dollars per Month -- then joined Colo Mitchel QMaster, and continued with him till Colo Miler took his place - he then asked for my papers with a promise to pay me the next day; and that night left the town, and I never saw him since - all this time I never received one farthing from him, but lived on my own money for I had three thousand Dollars in store & upwards --- I spoke to Mr Brown (one of his clerks) on the subject, he says Mitchell never settled with him & took his account with him too -- This is the way I have been served -- if your Honor will be so kind to assist me in the recovery of my just due, or put me in a way to obtain it - I shall ever remain:
Your Sincere friend
James Bray
Jos. Howell Esqr
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | DDA01 (175 pages) | Collection: Numbered Record Books, 1775-1798. (RG93) (M853) | V:136; P:148 |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Collection: Citations | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James Bray | Phila,two doors from Indian Queen | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Joseph Howell | [unknown] | [n/a] |