Private - Revolutionary War
Files (from NARA) - Court Records where he stated his
military actions in order to receive a pension for his Revolutionary
War service - (which was awarded) state that he enlisted
in 1777 at "Fort Constitution on the North
River", and served for three years under Captain
James Craig; served in the Regiment of Colonel Henry
Gansevort (Gansevoort?) of the New York Line, under
officers: Viz-Lieutenant Colonel Marion Willet,
Major Robert Cochran, and Lieutenant Stockwith - and was
discharged in 1783, after the war, at Paramus, NJ.
1777-besieged by British/Torries/Indians-21 days, Was a
guard at the execution of Major John Andre.
David Ralya did not know how to read or write.
His name appears to have been recorded as "Ralya"
by the army (and that is how current usage of "Ralya"
began). . .The original name is thought to have been the
French name "Reille".
The name appears variously (appears in Crawford County
(Mead Twp.) 1800 Census as "David Ralyea", in
1810 Crawford County (Sadbury Twp.) name appears as
"David Ralye". Name also appears as "Ralje,
Ralja, Relje, Rallyea"
Research
submitted by Anita
Costanzo
