Anyone good at deciphering handwriting from 1815? for James Ard

Question

The Wayne County Hisotrical Society sent me the PDF document that I've attached to the profile of James Ard, (Ard-159)

I have some of it but can't seem to get the rest. I could use some help if anyone is interested. I cold post what I have but am reluctant to influence someone else's interpretation, if that makes any sense.

Answer 1

Know all men by these presents that I James Ard

of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky and late ___

private in Capt Adam Vickerys Company of the 15th

Regiment Kentucy detachd militia in the service of the

United States under the command of  Major General John

Thomas in this year 1814 have for a valuable consideration

to and in hand paid by Drury Shrewsbury sold unto the sd

Shrewsbury the wages _____________ from the United States

for six months served in Sd Detachment I do hearby

authorize and empower the sd Shrewbury foresaid And in my

name to ask demand and receive and from the paymaster of

of Sd Regiment the whole of the amount due me as aforesaid

and to be executed in my name to the said paymaster all

______pay  receipts and aquitances therefor Ratifying and

confirming every act and deed of sd Attorney in the presense

as fully and effectually as if I were present and acting

for myself and to do and _______ the ______

 

Remember as you read it, that this scribe didn't use any punctuation. Evidently James had money owed him from the government. The Atty paid him a sum and then James authorized the Atty to collect the actual pay from the paymaster.

Comments

Thanks! I would've never gotten the sd. I see you left some in red, I'll work on those. I know the 'Major' is correct because Major General John Thomas is pretty easy to find, and was indeed James' commanding general during the battle, although he fell ill and his adjutant did the actual work.

I noticed the lack of punctuation.

Appreciate the help!

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I think your words in red are correct. Here it is updated, with a few of my own added.

Know all men by these presents that I James Ard

of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky and late a

private in Capt. Adam Vickery’s Company of the 15^th

Regiment Kentucky Detached Militia in the service of the

United States under the Command of Major General John
Thomas in the year 1814 have for a valuable consideration

to and in hand paid by Drury Shrewsbury sold unto the sd

Shrewsbury the wages ____________from the United States

for six months serviced in sd Detachment I do hearby (sic)

authorize and empower the sd Shrewsbury foresaid And in my

name to ask demand and receive and from the paymaster

of sd Regiment the whole of the amount due me as aforesaid

and to be executed in my name to the said paymaster all

iou pay receipts and aquitances therefor Ratifying and

confirming every act and deed of sd Attorney in the presence

as fully and as effectually as if I were present and acting

for myself and to do and ____act the same

In witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal

this 18^th day of September in the year 1815

Signed, sealed, and acknow-

ledged in presence of

(J) aco. Duffey

Alice? Abie? Shrewsbury

 

I have uploaded the second page to James' profile, which I believe to be correct except for the names. Note the mark next to James' name, and almost the same mark next to 'Duffey'. Perhaps the attorney signed for both, since they were unable to write? Is it possible the mark that looks like a captial J by Duffey's name is Duffey's mark?

There is a private in James' regiment named John Duffey, I suspect he witnessed this for James. The other person is a Shrewsbury, possibly the attorney's wife or daughter?    

After reading through this it appears as though this document does two things. It acknowledges that Attorney Shrewsbury paid James directly, probably a lesser amount than he was owed, in exchange for getting his pay immediately, and acts as a receipt. Then, it authorizes Atty. Shrewsbury to go collect the full amount due James from the Government, the difference being his fee.   

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On page two -

Bear in mind that this is not the original document between James and Atty Shrewsbury, but rather a copy of the document entered into the county court record by the county clerk.  The large scribble (roundish with letters in the circle) next to James' name (which is not actually his signature), I believe the scribble indicates that there was a "seal" on the original document.

Looks like Alice Shrewsbury to me. A quick look on Ancestry turned up a likely Drury Shrewsbury, but no family members named Alice. It's of no importance anyway.

Duffey - I think the first letter is an I rather than a J and if James or Duffey had merely made a mark I believe the record would have indicated it somehow.

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I found Drury, he had a brother named Abel, which could fit. It's only important for sake of accuracy of the entire document. Unlikley thoguh his brother would be hanging around.

The three letters in the seal indicate look a lot like the three letters next to Duffey, to me. Maybe not.

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I definitely agree that it looks like Abel once you have a name. They could have lived next door or he was visiting.

And you're right about the three letters in the "seal" looking like the three letters in front of Duffey. I haven't got a clue on that one.

Answer 2

Hi Tim,

It appears to be more of a legal document than a payment receipt as the opening words "Know all men by these presents that I James Ard of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky . . ." is usually for a deed, power of attorney, conveyance of property, etc. The Attorney's name looks like Shrewsberry or Shrewsbury.

I can't make out much.  15th Regiment of Kentucky.  Probably the same words you can make out, sorry.  :-(

Comments

Well, ok, here's what I think I have. You folks don't have the last page, it is pretty short and simple. I put in red anything I'm pretty uncertain of.

It definitely has to do with pay. I have his land patent for military service separately, so it's not that.  

 

Know all men by these presents that I James Ard

of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky and _______ a

private in Capt. Adam Vickery’s Company of the 15^th

Regiment Kentucky Detached Militia in the service of the

United States under the Command of Major General John
Thomas in the year 1814 have for a valuable consideration

to and in hand paid by D____y Shrewsberry set unto this _____

Shrewsberry the wage draw _____ _____ _____ United States

for six months service in _____ detach______ ______

_____ _____ ______ the ____ Shrewsberry ____ and in my

named to ask _______ and received and from the paymaster

of ___ _______ the whole of the ______ ______ _____ ____ ______

And to be executed in my ______ to the said paymaster see

______ _______ and acquitances therefrom pay and

Confessing every ____ and ____ ____ Attorney in this presence

As fully and as effectually as if I was ______ ______ asking

For myself _____ to ____ and ________ this ______

In witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal

this 18^th day of September in the year 1815

Signed, sealed, and acknow-

ledged in presence of

Jaco. (Duffey Dickley?)

Alice Abie? Shrewsberry

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Hi Tim,

I searched around for other examples of similar documents and found this link - there are two that use similar wording, maybe you can match up some of the phrases for the missing words.  I'm having trouble matching up between your post and the document - every word I figure out you already have!  haha

Anyway, hope this helps:

http://www.webmousepublications.com/itow/military/mil-adam.html

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Your line 9

For six months service in "sd" (abbreviation for said) detachment I  do hereby

authorize and empower the sd (said) Shrewsbury

 

the "sd" appears a couple of more times.

It looks to me as if he's empowring Atty Shrewsbury to draw his pay for him.

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Thanks to both. That 'sd' had me stymied, never would've gotten it.