Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12267, Samuel Bell, Va
Page 1

(3--1776)
Service [written below] Va.

Bell, Samuel Rebecca.

Number [written below]
W. 12 267
B.L.H. 26094-160-55

Contents [section is left blank]
Page 2

27. 889
Virginia
Samuel Bell -
of Augusta in the state of Va who was a pv in the [space left blank] command by Captain [space left blank] of the High command by Co. Dickenson in the Va line for 10 mo:

Inscribed in the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annu to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension if not the 23 day of aug. [illegible] and [illegible] M. blank.
Staunton, Va

Award to the 4th of Mar. 3[illegbile] 100.00
[illegible] allowance ending on Sept. 1666
$ 166.66
[bracketed]Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832[End bracketed]

Recorded by Nath Rice clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 6 Page 4
Page 3

20 874 A ev March 3, [illegible]
March 30/ 35-
Rebecca Bell wan
Samul. Bell Pm
Samul. Bell
Rev Wa
Revolutionary Pension
al: 1600c Va. [illegible]

[second page] [illegible] B. Christian July, 13th/55
" " " " " " 2[crossed out]/55.
July 53 [illegible] 4384

Vol b1- 92

[side of page] Sept. 4/7 [illegible]
Page 4

4384
Virginia Richmond
Rebecca Bell
Widow of [witten below] Va[end written below] Samuel Bell
Who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Certificate of Pension issued 27th day of July 1854 and sent to Bolivar Christian
Staunton Va

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act of February 3, 1853, Page 121 Vol. a
Page 5

Rebecca Bell
Widow of Samuel Bell died

Declaration for a pension under act of Feb. 1853

Addend-
"Mrs. Rebecca Bell"
"[illegible] of Bolivar Christian
"Staunton"
"Augusta Co"
"Va."
Page 6

State of Virginia County of Augusta
On this day of July A.D. 1834 personally appeared before me a Justice of the County Court of Augusta Co. -being a Court of Record -Rebecca Bell to me well known, a resident of said County aforsaid, aged 75 years who first being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the follwoing declaration in order ot obtain the benefit of w pension [illegible] by the act of [illegible] 1853, granting pensions to widows of soldiers who served during the Revolutionary War, to widow of Samuel Bell, dead who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War [illegible] that he was enlisted in the county of Augusta Va. [illegible]
Page 7

was paid. But a new fact of his receiving a pension for many years she is well a [illegible]
The brother declares that she was married & the said Sam Bell on the 7th day of December eighteen hundred and fifteen; that her said husband died on the 15 day of May 1838; that she was not married  to him prior o the second of January, eighteen hundred, but at the time whereafter. She further declares that she is now a widow. There being no record evidence of her marriage, other than in the family Bible, [illegible]
Rebakeh Bell

Sworn and described before me, on the day and year foresaid. And I hearby certify that the said Rebekah Bell is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity, wherefore she makes this declaration before me, giving [illegible]

Henry Eidson L.S.
Page 8

Augusta Co. [illegible] Va.
We hereby certify the following to be true and that from the family record of the family Bible of the late Saml Bell [illegible] is this day at his late residence in At. county of Augusta: Vig:
"Marriages- "Samuel Bell to Rebekah Hays December 7th 1815-"

"Deaths-"
"Samuel Bell, 15th May 1838"

Being under my own hands this 3rd day of July 1834
-Henry Eidson L.R.
Samuel H. Bell

[New handwriting belonging to Jefferson Kinney] This of Virginia, Augusta County, [illegible]: Jefferson Kinney, clerk of the county court of Augusta in the state aforesaid, do certify that Henry Eidson whose genuine signature is to the [illegible] on the preceding page, is a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid state and qualified as such according to lawa member of the[illegible] of said county. Given under my hand and seat of the said court this 30 day of July A.D. 1834.
Jefferson Kinney, clk

[illegible]
Page 9

State of Virginia
Augusta County to wit,
On this 27th day of July 1834, personally approved in open court before [illegible]
Justices of the court of Augusta County, now sitting Samuel Bell, a resident of the said county of Augusta in the said State of Virginia aged Seventy Four years who being first dead 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 [illegible] officers, served as herin stated.
In the month of September 1777 he was drafted as a private to serve [illegible] [word crossed out] in what is now the county of [illegible] in the state of Georgia. That he searched from the town of [illegible] then called the Big Savannah in what is now Greenbriar County, from [illegible] meadows [illegible] by the mouth of Bell to the point where the town of Point Pleasant now stands, where there was a fort with a company of regular soldiers commanded by Capt. Arbemarle[?]. At the time this applicant the service, he understood that the troops were destined for [illegible] but in consequence of the late arrival of [illegible] at the Point the expedetion was, for that [illegible] the month of December 1777, this applicant was then who was drafted at the same time, even ordered [illegible], when he arrived on the eighth of then 24 [illegible]
Page 10

month, having performed a full three month tour of duty. This applicant does not know of any person now living who can prove this town of [illegible] but Robert [illegible], of the county of Greenbrier, whose affidavit is [illegible] executed.
In the latter of part of April, or the beginning of May 1778, this applicant again entered the service, as a substitute for his relative Benjamin Brown who had been drafted for a three month tour of duty, but who being incapable to leave home without great inconvenience. [illegible] this applicant to take his place;  This applicant proceeded, accordingly in company with [illegible] John Wilson, to Clove Leek where he joined the company commanded by Capt William Anderson [illegible] where this applicant performed & completed his three month tour as  a private, [illegible], then discharged, there [crossed out] [illegible] regular troops at this place [illegible] except Cap. Henderson's company. This applicant has not been able to find any person who can prove his service, but he refers to the accompanying affidavit of Col. Joseph Brown, the son of the said Benjamin Brown a corroboration of the [illegible] of his own statement.
In the Fall of the year 1780, this applicant volunteered his service as a private in Capt. Thomas Smiths company, for another tour of three months, [illegible] on the South River, in the county of Augusta, in the month of October in that year. John Bell was the [illegible] of this company, but this applicant does not recollect with certainty the [illegible] of the [illegible] who he thinks it was probably George Craig. This applicant marched by way of Charlottesville to Richmond for the purpose as well as he can recollect of guarding the General Assembly; [illegible] companies of militia but regular soldiers, stationed there: This applicant cannot contact any of the third officer's company. After remaining there about two months on upwards[below is a line crossed out], the troops
Page 11

was discharged as having served the full tour. His proof of service during this tour this applicant takes to the affidavit of Robert Fulton who had served.
In February 1781, a call was made for militias to go to the South; This applicant was not then subject to a draft having recently served a tour of duty, but not expecting to have to march, for he joined himself (he believes, as a volunteer) to Capt. Thomas Smith's company, downard from Staunton, by way of Rockfish Gap, Prince Edward Courthouse Charlotte County & Boyds Ferry& joined Genl. Greene's army in Guilford County North Carolina; This applicant, attached to the Regional commanded by George Moffett & after joining Col. Greene's army was placed under the command of Col. Campbell. This applicant was engaged in the disastrous Battle of Guilford & overtook the main army the next day of the battle [illegible] and old iron works, where a few days subsequently he was discharged, and returned home, after having served rather better than one month. In support of his service, he also refers to the affidavit of the said Robert Fulton.
In May and June 1781, Lieut. Robert Kirk of the regular cavalry [strikethrough word] applied to Capt. James Bell in whose company of militia this applicant was then [illegible] for some men to aid him in pressing horses for the regular army & This applicant with a few others was detailed for that service, it being promised to them that it should stand for a full tour of duty. This applicant proceeded, accordingly, with Lieut. Kirk,  & his other companions through what was form. the counties of Bath, Pocahontas, Greenbriar & Monroe & after spending at least one month in the [illegible] succeeded in procuring & bringing in the number of horses acquired. He refers to the accompanying affidavit of Socrates[?] Thompson to prove this service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that he is not
Page 12

is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Interrogatories propounded to the applicant by the Court
1st  When & in what year were you born?
Answer I was born in the county of Augusta in the state of Virginia in the year 1759, according to the best information I have been able to obtain
2d  Have you any record of your age, & if so, where is it?
Ansr. I have none.  I have been informed that the record was burnt at the time the [illegible] my father's house in the year 1764.
3rd  Where were you living when called into service;  where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, & where do you now live?
Ansr.  I was born in the County of Augusta as above mentioned & have lived on the same plantation ever since my birth.
4th  How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
Ansr.  I have answered this interrogatory so far as I am able in my statement, in the foregoing declaration.
5th State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served;   such Continental & militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service.
Ansr.  I can add nothing to what I have already said on those subjects.
6th  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, & if so by whom was it given, & what has become of it?
Ansr.  I never received a written discharge.
7th  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, & who can testify as to your character for veracity, & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Page 13

Ansr.  I have outlived my youthful companions [illegible] generally, but believe I may refer to all who know me as to my veracity.  In compliance, however, with the request I will name the following persons, viz.
The Rev'd. William Calhoun
Frances Gardiner, Samuel Gardiner
Francis Bell
Col. Joseph Brown
George Keller

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Saml Bell

[illegible] Thompson, aged eighty five years, personally appeared before me, a Justice of he peace for the county of Augusta in the state of Virginia & made oath that he is well acquainted with Majr. Samuel Bell of the said County & has [illegible] that the said Samuel Bell served as a private (he believes) in the Revolutionary Army, at the time of the Battle of Guilford;  This affiant was in the army & recollects seeing the said Bell [illegible];  This affiant also knows that the said Samuel Bell was engaged with Lieut Kirk in [illegible] horses for the care of the army & thinks he could have been full one month engaged in this latter service.
Given under my hand the 3rd day of May 1834.
Wm Young

George Keller aged seventy four years personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia, & made oath that he is well acquainted with Samuel Bell, who has made the foregoing declaration & knows that he served a tour of about three months in the militia at Richmond, Virginia, in the year 1780, as he believes, & that the said Bell was also at the Battle of Guilford in
Page 14

1781, & served there as long as he has stated,  this affiant having been with him in both these tours.  Given under my hand this 17th day of May 1834.
Wm Young

Augusta County, to wit
Francis Bell, aged about sixty four years, this day personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace in the county aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, & made oath that he has from his infancy well acquainted with Samuel Bell (who is his brother) the applicant in the foregoing Declaration, & has a perfect recollection that the said Samuel Bell was out on several expeditions during the Revolutionary War  at least he knows that the said Samuel left home for that purpose & remained about a sufficient time to have performed the tours which he states he had.  This affiant remembers that the said Samuel left home, at one time to go to the [illegible], (now called Point Pleasant) - at another to Clover Lick, at another to North Carolina, about the time of the Battle of Guilford, he thinks he performed a fourth tour somewhere to the south or in the lower part of this state.  This affiant also has an indistinct recollection of the said Samuel Bell being engaged for some time, with Lieut. Robert Kirk in impressing horses for the use of the United States army, - but this affiant cannot say how long the said Samuel was engaged in any of these tours.  This affiant states that the said Samuel Bell is, in his opinion, a man of strict veracity, & he believes that to be his character wherever know.  Given under my hand the 19th day of May 1834
Wm. Young
Page 15

Rebecca Bell
(widow of Samuel Bell a pensioner of Revolution)
for { Declaration
[underline]Bounty Land[end underline]
Revolutionary War
Act of March 1855

20 . 874
Addup-
Bolivar Christian
Staunton Va.
20.874
Page 16

State of Virginia, County of Augusta SS
On this day of March A.D. 1835 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County & state aforesaid, Rebecca Bell, aged 76 years a resident of said County & State, who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Samuel Bell deceased, who was a private in the War of the "Revolution" between Great Britain & the United States, and that her said husband received a pension at the rate of $33.33 cents per annum from the govt. of the U.S. for his said service, which pension continued until his death on the 15 day of May 1838;  and that she is the identical Rebecca Bell, who as the widow of said Samuel Bell was granted a pension (on her application under the Act of Feby 3d 1853) for her said husband's services in said war at the rate of $33.33 cts per annum for life, and that her certificate therefore is dated at the "Department of the Interior, the 27th day of July One thousand eight hundred and fifty four."  and is endorsed "Payment to be made at Richmond Va. by M.D. Newman Eqr. Agent for paying Pensioners in the agency of Virginia, Payable on the 4th of September and 4th of March Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d 1853 - page 121.Vol.A. - signed G.T. Getty Clerk".  And having no knowledge herself fo the particulars of her said husband's service she refers for proof thereof to the evidence on which said pensions wee granted to her said husband & to herself.

She further declares that she has never made application nor received any bounty land heretofore, nor did her said husband in his lifetime receive any bounty land - under any act of Congress.  She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "Act approved March 2d 1855" - She further states that she was married
Page 17

to the said Samuel Bell in Augusta Co. Va. on the Seventh day of December 1815 by one Revd. Samuel Brown a minister of the Gospel, and that her name before her said marriage was Rebecca Hays, that her said husband died in Augusta Co. Va. on the 15th day of May 1838 and that she is now a widow and refers to her declaration on file for pension for further proof.
Rebecca Bell

We J.H. Burdett and Saml. H. Bell residents of Augusta County Va. upon our oath declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Rebecca Bell, in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
And we further declare that we knew the said Rebecca Bell & the aforesaid Samuel Bell in the lifetime of the latter, that they lived together as husband and wife and were ever so reputed and that the said Samuel died at the time & place above states, and that the said Rebecca is now a widow.
James H. Burdett
Saml. H. Bell

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written;  and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, & that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Henry Eidson  J.P.

State of virginia
County of Augusta SS
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the State
Page 18

of Virginia do certify that Henry Eidson whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavits was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace within & for the Count aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 28th day of March A.D. 1853
Jefferson Kinney, Clk

[SEAL]
Page 19

April 18, 1924

Miss Fannie Christian
Swoope
Va.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolution- any War pension claim, . 12267, it appears that Samuel Bell was born in 1759 in Augusta County, Virginia.
While a resident of Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted in September 1777 and served three months as private in Captain George Moffet's Company, Colonel John Dickenson's Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in April or May 1778 and served three montsh in Captain William Anderson's Virginia Company.
He enlisted in the fall of 1780 and served three months in Captain Thomas Smith's Virginia Company.
He enlisted in February 1781 and served one month in Captain Smith's Company, Colonels George Moffat's and William Campbell's Virginia Regiment; he was in the battle of Guilford.
He enlisted in May or June 1781 and served one month under Lieutenant Robert Kirk in Captain James Bell's Viriginia Company.
Page 20

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 28, 1834, while residing in Augusta County, Viriginia. He died there May 15, 1838.
He married December 7, 1815, Rebekah Hays. She was allowed pension on her application executed July 5, 1854, while residing in Augusta County, Virginia, aged seventy-five years.
There is no further family data on file.
Respectfully,

Commissioner
Page 21

WIDOW, &c.

File No. 12267
Rebecca Bell
widow of Samuel Bell
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 3d 53
Index: -- Vol. a, Page 54
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1918 March 11 Hist. to Mrs. S.M. Ellison
1918 Aug 31 - Above advised only one hist. to same person. 
1924 Apr. 18 Hist.
Miss Fannie Christian
Page 22

26.094

Rev. War
Page 23

No. 4,786
Rebecca Bell
Widl of
Samuel.  Va.

Let to Hon. J. Letcher June 22d 1854
Claimant July 7 1854
" Hon Jno Letcher  11 July 1854
" C. Bolivant 5 " 1854

Act/53
Page 24

P.S.  If you ever see this Boliver Christian give him fits.  He is a miserable old [illegible} & black [illegible].  See his let. within
"R. [illegible]"

I ret'd the let. of "Christian" to which let. of para. 11 was reply to Hon. J. Letcher
Page 25

Comm'r. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

FREE

Rebecca Bell 
55 No 20874
Act 3 Feb 53   " 4384


Boynton
Page 26

Pension Offer
July, 13, 1857

Please certify the time to which the with named pension was pa'D, or the date of his death.

Very Respectfully,

S, Cole for Commonwealth,
[vertical][faded text] "BJ. MR."[end vertical][end faded text]

Francis Burt, Esq,
Samuel Augusta [illegible]

(Left of Page) Samuel Bell, $33.33 paid to 4, 1/21/1857
Agent J. Bird, B. L., Ln G [underlined]Auditor[end underlined]
Page 27

Brief in the case of [handwritten] Rebecca Bell, widow of Samuel Augusta, [end handwritten]
Country and State of Va:
act 3, July, 1853,

Claim, ("original," [crossed out]or "for increase."[end crossed out])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
[handwritten] Husband was a pensioner under the act of 7" from 1832.
Recompensate part of January.[end handwritten]

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent [Handwritten] Bolivar Christian, Es., Stanton, Va. [End handwritten]

Examining Clerk. [Handwritten]"B.J. Th,"[End handwritten]
Page 28

Ho: of Reps
June 20th: 1834

Hon S.P. Waldo:
Dear Sir:
Can you give me any information for the points of  enquiry contained in the enclosed letter of my constituent Mr. Christian. If so I shall be pleased to hear from you as soon as convenient. Return this letter with the reply & oblige.

Your friend
J Letcher
Page 29

For Rebecca Bell
No. 1 Evidence
Pension act of 1853

Agent-
Bolivar Christian
Sin Va.
Page 30

State of Virginia, County of Augusta, S.S.

On this day of July, A.D. 1834, personally approved before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County & state aforesaid William M. Tate and John Fisher residents of said county and to me well known who being duly sworn according to law declare that they long knew Samuel Bell, dec'd. (in his lifetime) and Rebecca Bell (his widow), that the said Samuel & Rebecca lived together as husband & wife, and were so reported for many years, and continued to live at their residence in this county until the said Sam Bell died on or about the 15th May 1838, leaving the said Rebecca, surviving, and they have known her ever since as the widow of the said Saml., and yet unmarried.
The said husband Bell, as they were informed and believe, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, received a pension for his service until his death and the said Rebecca Bell who has recently filed her application for pension from this county and aged about 75 years is the identical Rebecca Bell, the surviving widow of this said Samuel Bell, dec'd.

Wm. M. Tate
John Fisher
Page 31

Subscribed and sworn to before me,  this d and year aforesaid: And I hereby certify that the said William M. Tate and John Fisher, are credible and disinterested witnesses.

Benjamin Crawford L.P.

[Section written by Jefferson Kinney begins]State of Virginia Augusta County

To wit,

I, Jefferson Kinney clerk of the county court of Augusta in the state of Virginia, do certify that Benjamin Crawford whose genuine signature appears to the forthcoming certificate is a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and was such and was such at the date of his said certificate, duly elected and qualified as such according to law. Given under my land and the seal of said court this 10th day of July 1854.

Jefferson Kinney Clk [section written by Jefferson Kinney ends]

[SEAL]
Page 32

Mrs. Rebecca Bell -

Evidence on Claim f
or pension - Act 1853

Widow's Declaration
filed July -1854

Address --
"Bolivar Christian
Staunton, Va"
Page 33

State of Virginia, County of Augusta L.P.

On this 21st day of July A.D. 1834, personally attended before me, a Justice of the Peace within & for this county & state aforesaid Samuel H. Bell, and Francis Bell of lawful age, residents of said county, who being duly sworn, declare that they have long known Mrs. Rebecca Bell, of this county, who has recently applied for a pension from Govt. on account of the service (in the Revolutionary War) of her husband Sam'l. Bell, dec'd. That the said Samuel and Rebecca were married as they are informed and believed, on the day  - of [blank space] 1815- and from about that date forth for many years until the death of said Sam'l., as they know of their own knowledge, the said Samuel and Rebecca lived together as husband and wife, and were so reported and regarded, and that the said Samuel Bell died at his residence in Augusta County of Va - on the 15th day of May 1838, and that he had recvd. a pension from the Govt. as late, at least to their knowledge, as the 4th of Sept. 1837, and the said Rebecca Bell, is now his widow - having remained unmarried since his death, and that she is of the age of about 75 years.

Sam H. Bell

Francis Bell
Page 34

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year aforesaid - and I certify that the said Samuel H. Bell and Francis Bell are credible and disinterested witnesses; Given under my hand in this county aforesaid.

Robert G. Bickle L.P.

[Begin section written by Jefferson Kinney]
State of Virginia, Augusta County, to wit,
I, Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the state of Virginia, which is a court of record having given me law jurisdiction, do certify that G. Bickle whose given his signature in to  preceeding certificate, is a Justice of the county aforesaid and a [faded]citizen of the county of said county - elected, comissioned and qualified as such according to law.

Given under my hand and the seal of said county this 20th day of July A.D. 1854.

Jefferson Kinney, Clk.
[End section written by Jefferson Kinney]
Page 35

The forgoing is filed to be taken in conjunction with the evidence henceforth filed; of the reference of the  pension cert for hereof of Sam Bell's service in which his pension was allowed in his lifetime; - 
-with the widow's declaration on oath, of her marriage and the death of her husband & this fact of widowhood;- a accompanied by certified extracts from his family record of the marriage and death - henceforth in the absence of primary evidence, cert. of the pension office as declared- any evidence of each fact: -
- This evidence of oath, I Wwm. Tate and Fisher -my neighbor- of the identity of the widow- of her marriage with the Samuel Bell this certificate death- (This being a public [partial strikethrough]record of marriage both extant - proof of the "certificate of affiliation"and [strikethrough] a secondary evidence of such fact is given) - and the forgoing evidence of Samuel H. Bell and Francis Bell, to the said facts = It is held all taken together will be sufficient-
Page 36

Mrs. Rebecca Bell

No 20.874 - claim for Proof of Land
Page 37

Augusta Va
July 15th/5-5-

Sir-

The communications of 13th court is recd, saying that "The claim of Mrs. Rebecca Bell No.874- for County Land- for revolutionary service of her husband Sam. Bell is [faded]befriended for want of [underlined]record in in [faded]device H-"

It is respectfully (?) the fact of it. Sam Bell's having been paid a pension for many months & that said Rebecca Bell is now receiving a pension for his service in the war, [between lines] (with the witness in both, they were [smudged]myself) and which [underlined]both are of record in the Pension Office- is not sufficient evidence ([underlined]if not the [end underlined] act of "record" evidence) of the actual service of said [smudged] Bell- To rank his widow as a beneficiary warts the act.
Her application before & after an affirmation reply from The Pension Office to the "record- a charter of service of which a pension is an allowance to the previous, [faded] -in her care & [illegible]
Page 38

(Page is blank except for a faded stamp with the only legible words being "department" and "Aug," the rest having faded away.)
Page 39

Alexandria, V. August 19. 1872

Sir:

Will you please inform me whether a land warrant was ever issued to Mrs. Rebecca Bell widow of Samuel Bell for services endowed in the Revolutionary War. The application was made for it in the year 1854 or 5- her heirs have never heard whether the warrant ever issued, if it did it must have been lost or misplaced.

I have the honor to be
Your Ob.'den
Alfred Chapman
Attorney

How: Com: of Pensions
Page 40

Sam. Bell
31.694
Admiral & Private
10mo 3333

W. Clark
Augusta
[smudged]
Page 41

[The document's text is heavily faded.]

I, Jefferson Kinney ask of the county court of Augusta in the state aforesaid do certify that  [illegible] proceeding the said court in the the matter of the [illegible] of Samuel Bell's pension and of further reply that William Young whose name appears to serving the preceeding & Sam B Christian whose name appears to one of the preceeding certificates now and warrant [illegible] certificates justices of the peace in and for said [illegible] and that the pension signatures perporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony to [illegible] unto set my hand further my day of office this 31st day of July [illegible] and the 59th year of of the Commonwealth.

Jefferson Kinney L.A.
Page 42

State of Viriginia
Augusta County to wit
The affidavit of Robert Fulton sent after before me John B Christian a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia on this 25th day of May 1833 who being first duly sworn said as follows,
That in the Fall of the year 1780, this officer was draughted for a three month tour of duty to serve in the war of revolution and knows as his own personal knowledge that Samuel Bell of said county of Augusta now known as [illegible] Samuel Bell near the north mountain was draughted at the same time also for a three month tour of duty to serve as a private in Cape Thomas. Another company of militia wich company rendevous at Col [illegible]. The north river in said county, the place where the [illegible] on of Wayneborough is now situated, some time in the month of October 1780. From  thence marched to Richmond in Va for the purpose of this assistant understood of guarding the General Assembly then in session at that place they having removed from Williamsburg there: in consequence of an alarm of the British coming to Williamsburg. That the said Samuel Bell was with the said company on their march to Richmond and was encamped about one mile below Richmond for some time, how long precisely this affidavit does not now recollect but knows he there got a discharge for having served out the tour of three months. This affiant was not in the
Page 43

same company  the said Samuel Bell but was in a company commanded by Capt Sam McCuthen,   which company was attached to the same regiment with Capt Thomas Smith, company in which the said Samuel Bell served; The names of any of the said officers commanding said regiment this affiant does not now recollect.
This affiant further states that of his own knowledge the said Samuel Bell was in service as a private on another tour of duty in the war of the Revolution. Being so draughted sometime in the month of February 1781, say about the 20th of the month. This affiant was draughted at the same time and marched in Capt James Tates company, the said Samuel Bell marched in Capt Tho. Smiths Company. The same the previous tour of duty in. Both were comapnies of Riflemen and both companies marched on the same rout in this tour into the state of North Carolina and joined Genl Green's Army at some point in said state the name of which he does not now recollect. And where those two companies [illegible] (Tates & Smiths) were put under the command of Col William Campbell from Washington County in Virginia, and were marched under command to near where the British army was encamped by Lord Comrn Wallace[sic] and after being kept near the British encampment a few days were marched back to Greens
Page 44

Army. This affiant thinks it was the third day after joining Genl Greens army on the return of these two companies, the encampment with the British forces called the Battle of Guilford took place. This affiant distinctly recollects that the said Samuel Bell was in the service at the time and on the march herein stated and believes he was in the engagement at the Battle of Guilforhttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngd, in this battle this affiant was taken prisoner by the British. And prithee he has no personal knowledge of the service of the said Saml Bell during the revolutionary war, but from information and other circumstances this affiant believes the said Samuel Bell served other tours of duty in said war. This affiant believes the said Saml Bell is near his own age who is now in the 73rd year of his age - further  this affiant saith not. All which he subscribes with his name the day & year first above written.

Robert Fulton

[New author] Sworn and subscribed before me the date first written above in this affidavit.

John B Christian
Page 45

Joseph Brown, aged forty seven years personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for the county of Augusta in the State of Virginia [illegible] oath, that he has been from his earliest recollection well acquainted with Samuel Bell, the applicant in the forgoing declaration, & has a perfect recollection of his mother & others of the neighborhood say that the said Samuel C Bell [illegible] a tour of duty during the revolutionary war as a substitute for Benjamin Brown this [illegible]. This affidavit also states that the said Samuel Bell is a man of strict integrity & veracity & that he supports this character and wheresoknown [illegible] affidavit [illegible] the 26th day of May 1834.

M Young [?]

The Rev. William Calhoun a clergyman residing in the county of Augusta in the State of Virginia personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, he said under oath, that he is well acquainted with Samuel Bell, who has subscribed the forgoing declaration: that he believes him to be about seventy four years of age: that the said Bell is [illegible} & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that he concerns in that opinion. This affiant further states that the said Samuel Bell is a man of strict integrity & veracity & that his statements are [illegible] to full [illegible] & credit. Given under my hand the 6th day of June 1834.

M Young

Samuel Gardimin, aged about sixty [illegible] years, personally appeared before me, a Justice  of the peace for the County of Augusta in the state of Virginia, said under oath, that he has been well acquainted with Samuel Bell, the applicant in the...
Page 46

forgoing declaration for a long time, they having been raised in the same neighborhood. This affidavit being a perfect recollection that the said Samuel Bell was [illegible] several tours during the Revolutionary War, performing as it was said believed military duty, -but he cannot say how long the said Bell was thus engaged. This affiant also saith that the said Samuel Bell stands [illegible] high for integrity & veracity, that his statements will receive full [illegible] wherever he endeavours.

M Young

Augusta County to [illegible]
This day Thomas [illegible] about seventy and three years of age personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, [illegible] both that he is well acquianted with Samuel Bell the applicant for a pension in the forgoing declaration having been born within about a [illegible] of him, having lived [illegible] neighbor him seven [illegible]; that he knows the said Samuel Bell performed several Tours, he thinks not less. Those forms of residency service during the [illegible] of the Revolution but what [illegible] engaged in those tours, this affiant can not say. This affiant further saith that the said Samuel Bell stands deservedly high for veracity & integrity, & that his statements are credible to full credit. Given [illegible the 11th day of July 1834.

And the said affiant do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after pulling interrogatories [illegible] by the War department that Samuel Bell, the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. And the forgoing affidavit is a clergyman, resident in the county of Augusta aforesaid that the affiant [illegible]. Robert Sutton, Smith Thompson, George [illegible], Thomas Bell, Joseph Brown, Samuel Gardiner and Thomas Gardiner are also residents of the said county of Augusta, [illegible] credible persons, what this statements are entitled to credit.
Page 47

Kirkeville, mo
March 1, 1918.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Will you please tell me whether Mayor Samuel Bell, of Augusta Co, Va, applied for a pension for his service during the Revolutionary War?
His wife's name was Nancy Bell, of Long Glade, Va. He served with Morgan at Cowpens.
He died in 1838, in
Page 48

Augusta Co. Va.
Mrs S. M. Ellison
710 E. Fillmore St.
Kirkeville
Missouri

[Circular stamp: Pension MAR 1918 Office.]
Page 49

[Circular stamp: Pension AUG 26 1918 Office]
Page 50

[faded, different handwriting from the rest of the text: Rare see[illegible]]
Kirkeville, Mo
Aug 22, 1918

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
Will you please give me the record of the pension [faded]granted to Samuel Bell of Augusta Co, Virginia for his service in the Revolutionary War?
He fought in the battle of Cowpence.

Mrs S. M. Ellison
Kirkeville, Mo.
Page 51

[Circular stamp: Pension c U. 19 S. 1924 Office]
Page 52

[illegible], Ga,
Mar, 15, 1914

[illegible]
Could you give me any information concerning how Samuel Bell referred to his [illegible] wife Rebecca in Augusta Co. as [underlined]major Samuel Bell now assembled in Va. [illegible] during
Page 53

+ Col. Jim Grayson r. was in battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Guilford and Hot Water [illegible] but it is the former one I wish information about. Thanking you if you can help me any please

Very freely,

Miss Fannie Christian,

Swoope,
Virginia.
Page 54

[illegible] any period and if he applied for a pension after Revolution. I grant to establish the fact of his commission as a major if I can. He served under Capt. Gen. [illegible] at Pt. Pleasant 1777 where he was only 18, under capt. Thos. Smith in  eastern Va. and N.C. This last was in 1786. Died in 1838. There was another Samuel Bell of Stanford, Augusta, [illegible], Va., who served under Captain McGuir + Theo. Bell
Page 55

Rev. War Section.

[right side]August 31, 1918.[end right side]

Mrs. S. M. Ellison,
Kirksville,
Missouri.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the twenty-second instant, you are advised that the history of Samuel Bell, W. File No. 12,367 Rev. War, was mailed to you under date of March 11, 1918, and that it is not the practice of the Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.

Very Respectfully,
[illegible]
Acting Commissioner.
Page 56

Revolutionary War Records Section. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[illegible] Washington D. C., [blank dotted line], 19[blank dotted line]
[blank dotted line]
[blank dotted line]
[blank dotted line]
In reply to your request of [blank dotted line] received [blank dotted line] for a statement of the military history of [dotted line] Samuel Bell a soldier of the REVOLTUIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Table value] Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. [illegible]

Length of Serivce. [illegible]

Rank. [rank]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. [illegible], Thomas Smith, James Bill

Colonel. [illegible]

State. Va

Battles engaged in, Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta, Lee Va
Date of application for pension, [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Augusta, Lee, Va
Age at date of application, [illegible]
Remarks: [illegible]
Respectfully,
Commissioner.