Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18596, Adam Bible, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service VA Virginia

Bible, Adam
Magdalene

Number W. 18596
Page 2

Virginia
5616

[Line break]

Magdalene Bible
Widow of Adam Bible, dec'd
VA

who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 2 February 1826
of Rockingham in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Gratton of the regt [regiment] commanded
by Col [Colonel] Muhlenberg in the Virga [Virginia] 
line for 18 months

[Line break]

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 60 Dollars ____ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

[Line break]

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of July 1840, & sent and to Thomas Monroe, Esq. Woodstock, Virginia

[Line break]

Arrears to the 4th of Mar [March] 1840 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep [September] '40 [1840] 30.00
[Line break]
$270.00

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D. M. Curdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 176.

[Upper Right Page, 2nd Column]

Lt K Hm Wa Harry Apl [April] 4 1842
Page 3

State of Virginia
Rockingham County

On this 30th day of May 1839 personally appeared before me Saml (Samuel) Cootes a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Magdalene Bible, a resident of the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia, aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Conress, passed July 7th, 1838 [illegible] an act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows;  That she is the widow of Adam Bible, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and belongs to the Virginia line; that the said 
Adam Bible, was enlisted into the army of the United States in the month of Feby [February] in the year of 1775 in the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia for the period of 2 years, he was enlisted by a Lieutenant John Gratton and belonged to the 8th Virginia Regiment. Commanded by Col. [Colonel] Mulenburg [Muhlenberg / Muhlenburg], that whilst in the service under Col. [Colonel] Mulenburg [Muhlenberg / Muhlenburg] he served first a tour or two of duty to the South, and declarant has often heard her late husband say he marched as far as Charleston in South Carolina and that he afterwards Marched to the North, and was in the battle of Brandywine and Germantown, and a part of the time whilst in the service as aforesaid, he was commanded by Genl. [General] Dealb [Dekalb] -- she must refer to the muster rolls in the war Department and to the testimony accompaning [accompanying] this declaration, as for further proof of the services of her husband, as a soldier in the war of the revolution as affirmed. She further declares that she was married to the said Adam Bible on the    day of September in the year of 1785 that her husband the aforesaid Adam Bible died on the 2nd day of Feby [February] 1826 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of [page ends]
Page 4

[continued from previous page] January seventeen hundred and ninety four. Vir at the time of the above status

Magdalene Bible
['x' between 'Magdalene' and 'Bible']
her mark
['her' above 'x', 'mark' below 'Magdalene' and 'Bible']

Sworn to and described on the day and year above
Saml [Samuel] Cootes J.P.

Written before me
I certify that I am well acquainted with Magdalene Bible and she is unable to appear in Court in consequence of old age and bodily infirmity
Saml [Samuel] Cootes J.P.

State of Virginia
County of Rockingham } so
On this 30th day of May 1839 personally appeared before me Saml [Samuel] Cootes a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Catharine Lamb aged 79 years and made oath in due form of law. That she was well acquainted with Adam Bible, and she does well recollect that the said Adam Bible entered into the army of the United States, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, she knows that he marched from the County of Augusta in the state of Va. under the command of Col. Mulinburg [Muhlenburg] but cannot state to what place he marched to. She knows that after the said Adam Bible, having been in the service some time, he returned home on furlough; and remained at home some short time and then returned to the army, deponant cannot say how long he served in the army but she does well recollect the enlistment; and that he served some considerable time, and she further testifies that the said Adam Bible has been dead several years and that Magdalene Bible is his widow. Given under my hand the day and year above written

Saml [Samuel] Cootes J.P.
Page 5

Virginia Court

In the Records and proceedings of the County of Rockingham there is the Following

Know all men by these presents that we Adam Bible and Samuel Paret of the parish County of Rockingham and State of Virginia are held and firmly bound unto Benjm [Benjamin] Harrison Esq Gov'r of the state aff'd In the Great and full sum of Fifty Pounds Current Money of Virginia to the which payments Well and truly to be made and done to the said Gov'r or his successor in that office we do hereby bind ourselves our and Every of our heirs, execurs [executors] and admines [administrators]  jointly severally and firmly by these presents In Witness whereof we have hereunto sets our hands and affixes seals this 17th day of September One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Three [1783] in the 8th year of the Commonth [commonwealth]

The Consideration of the above obligation as such that whereas Adam Bible hath this day obtained License for Marriage with Madelean [Magdalene] Shoemaker Daughter of George Shoemaker of the County Now if there should be no just cause or impediment to hinder or obstruct the said Marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force & Effect

his
Adam Bible [seal]
mark

his
Samuel Parrots [seal]
mark

Sign'd & Seal'd & 
Delivered in presence of 
H.G. Ewin C.R.

A Copy Teste
H.J. Gambill Clerk of R.C.

I Harry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the said mentioned taken from the original on _____ in my office

He witness whereof I have hereunto set my house and office the seal of my said county this 11th day of May 1820
H J Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County Virginia
Page 6

The Deposition of John Bible aged Fifty one years
Testifies that he is the son of Adam Bible and administrates upon his Fathers estate, that upon examination of his Fathers papers this morning he found among said papers a discharge in The following words and figures to wit. "Adam Bible A soldier of the 8th Virginia Regiment having served his time for which he enlisted, is hereby discharged.   Given under my hand at the Valley Forge. 8th Feb,y [February] 1778 ------ Chs Scott. B.G. 
He further testifies at the time he found the said discharge it was in two separate pieces of paper, and further he testifies that he has always been under the impression that the said discharge was lost or destroyed and never examined among his Fathers papers until the time mentioned above for the purpose of finding it. Given under his hand the 1st day of July 1840


John Bible
ihis mark

State of Virginia
County of Rockingham } [illegible]

On the 1st day of July 1840 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid John Bible and made oath in due form of law that the facts put fourth [forth] in the deposition above and by him described are true. I certify that I am well acquainted with John Bible and he is entitled to full confidence

Saml Cootes J.P.
Page 7

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the County of Rockingham
in Virginia, do hereby certify that Samuel Cootes is a Magistrate
in said County, and the signature purporting to be his affixed to the
within
affidavit is Genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of my said
County this 1st day of July 1840
H. J. Gambill Clerk of
Rockingham County Va
Page 8

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Adam Bible a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contain in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

"Only Bible"

Our / Own

W. 18.596

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment | Length of Service | Rank. | Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. | State

Feby [February] 1775 | 2 years | private | [Captain - check mark] | [Colonel] Muhlenberg | 8th Va.

Discharged | Feb. 8, 1778 at Valley Forge | [Captain] Lt. John Gratton

[Two check marks]

Battles engaged in, Brandywine & Germantown

Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark] "Marched from Augusta Co. Va."

Date of application for pension, May 30, 1839

Residence at date of application, Rockingham Co. Va.

Age at date of application, 75years

Remarks: He married Rockingham Co. Va. Sept 3 1785 Magdalene Shoemaker dau. of George. Sol. died Feb 2 1826 and she was allowed pension for his service.

Son John at 51yrs in 1840

Respectfully, Commissioner

Office note: battle of Camden & siege of Charleston S.C. not included in above service from which he was discharged in 1778. Records fail to show the 8th Va. at the battle of Camden.
Page 9

Adam Bible
W. 18596
Va. [Virginia]
Page 10

Adam Bible A soldier of the 8th Virginia Regiment, having served his time for which he enlisted, is hereby discharged 

Given under my hand at the Valley Forge 8th Feby [February] 1778

Chs. [Charles] Scott B.G. [Brigadier General]

[Stamp - The National Archives [illegible]]
Page 11

1915 June 23. Hist. to Raymond E Van Syckle [cent sign]
1915 Jury  8. Witnesses to above. cw [initialed]


Revy Widow, &c.
File No 18596
Magdalene Bible
Widow of Adam Bible
Biv. Rev. War
Act: July 7th, 1838
Index:-Vol. A, Page 63
[Arrangement of 1870]

5988
Magdalene Bible
Virginia
Suspended
Seclet to Thomas
Monroe Octo. 28
1839 & 22 May '40

Act July 7, 1838
Page 12

Camden Troops
2 Md. Brigade -- Gen. Gist
Del. troops  killed 
Baron DeKalb 
wounded 11 [illegible]
N. C. Mil   -- Gen. Caswell
Va. Mil   [illegible] Stevens
1 Md. Brigade
Artillery --  Capt. Leighton

Gen. Gates was carried away with the militia

[illegible] Certify that Samuel Cootes is a Magistrate as
above and that the foregoing signatures purporting
to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have
affixed my seal of office and subscribed
my name this 18th day of March
in the year 1840
H J Gambill Clerk of the
Court of Rockingham County Va
Page 13

5988
Magdeline Bible
wid of Adam
Va
Act Ju;ly 7 1838
married 1783
died 1826
allow 18 months for
$60 per ann.
Va line Gen Scott
see discharge
M. P. Munroe Esq
Woodstock, Va
Page 14

We the undersigned subscribers do hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with old W Jacob Trumbo and
we have no hesitation in saying that he is a man of truth
and of the highest standing and his certificate or deposition
is entitled to the fullest confidence

Given under our hands this 4th day of March 1840
Robert Cogley
J Fifer
Val Bear
John Rader Jr

State of Virginia
Rockingham County 
On this 11th day of March 1840 personally appeared
before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid
Robt Cogley, J. Fifer, Val. Bear and John Rader
Subscribers to the foregoing Certificate and made oath to the same
I certify that they are men of truth and standing and is entitled to the fullest confidence
Sam'l  Cootes
J.P.
Page 15

[stamp 'Richmond' 'Nov 9']
Mr Thomas Monroe

Woodstock
Va. [Virginia]
Page 16

Auditors office 9, Nov. 1839

Sir
In answer to yours of the 5 inst, I have to inform you that the name of Adam Bible is not to be found on the army registers in this office, nor is there any evidence of his revolutionary services.
Yours very respectfully
JE Heath
Page 17

July 6. 1840
Va
as proof
Magdalene Bible

July 2                                Free
Harrisonburg, Va
James L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City 
[probable envelope]
Page 18

Harrisonburg Va July 1st 1840
Sir, you will find herewith enclosed some additional evidence in the case of Magdalene Bible. (The discharge of her late husband Adam Bible) which I am in hopes will be satisfactory;  Mrs Bible begs me to say to you, that she would take it as a great favor if will take up her case again and decide upon it as soon as possible as she is in very great need.
P.S. direct your answer to Woodstocke
I am Sir yours very respectfully 
Thomas Monroe
James L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 19

Ho. [House] of Reps
22d Mar. 1842.

Dear Sir:

You will have the goodness to
examine the enclosed letter of Mr Monroe, and as
therein requested, to send me the papers heretofore
filed in your office, by Mrs Bible, in order that
I may lay them before Congress, in compliance
with her request.
I am, with great respect,
Yr. Ob. Sert. [Your Obedient Servant]


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr [Commissioner] Pensions
Page 20

5988
Magdalene Bible
Wid. of Adam
Va.
Act July 7, 1838
Page 21

Virginia to wit
At a Court held for the County of Rockingham on the 19th day of August 1839.
The declaration of Magdalene Bible made under the provisions of an act of Congress installed an act of granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows passed July 7th,1838.  bearing date the 30th day of May 1839.  Together with the certificate of Samuel Coats a Magistrate in the Court of Rockingham in the State of Virginia and other evidence was produced in Open Court, upon examination of the said declaration, Certificate and other evidence, the Court doth order that it so Certified to the War department at Washington City that the said declaration and Certificate and other proceedings assured are approved of by the Court.
A Copy Testo
H.J. Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County Va.

I Henry J. Gambill Clerk of the Court of the County of Rockingham do hereby Certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Order of the Court made in the Care [  ] (mentioned) and I further certify that Samuel Cook whose name is affixed to the [   ] affidavit & certificate is a magistrate of said County and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In Testimony, whereof, I have herewith set my hand and affixed the seal of my said County this 20th day of August 1839
H. J. Gambill
Page 22

State of Virginia
Rockingham County
On this 3rd day of March 1840 personally appeared
before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Henry
Shoemaker aged sixty two years and made oath in due form of law, that
he was well acquainted with Adam Bible and Magdalene Bible his
wife, and he has a perfect and distinct recollection (altho a small boy only
five or six years of age at the time) when Adam Bible and Magdalene
Bible was married, and when Bible and his wife returned from the
parson after their marriage; he well recollects that there was a dinner
given them at his Fathers house and he was present at the dinner
party; he believes that the said Adam Bible and Magdalene
has been married at least fifty seven or fifty eight years, past, they
have always lived together as man and wife and acknowledge each
other as such to the death of said Bible, he is very well acquainted with
the children of the said Adam Bible and Magdalene
his wife and he is very certain that their oldest son is fully
fifty six on fifty seven years of age, he cannot give the exact date
of their marriage; but he does believe that they were married according to law; and he further testifies that he has often heard the
said Bible relate that he had Enlisted in the army in the
revolutionary war under a Lieutenant John Gratton and that
he had served in the war three years, and that whilst in the
service he was marched to the South and was in the Battles of
Camden and at the siege of Charlestown and was afterwards
in the Battle of Brandywine, he further sayeth not
Henry Shoemaker
X
His Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and date 
above mentioned. I certify that I am well acquainted with
Henry Shoemaker who has subscribed the above
deposition and he is entitled to full confidence
Saml Cooks J.P.

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of Rockingham
Page 23

The Deposition of Jacob Trumbo aged Eighty three years
Testifies, that he was well acquainted with Adam Bible that he
has been acquainted with the said Adam Bible ever since they were
boys together, at the age of seventeen or eighteen years, and he does well
recollect, that the said Adam Bible Enlisted into the Army of the
United States at the very commencement of the revolutionary War, he
was Enlisted into the service by a Lieu.t John Gratton; and that he
marched with the first troops from the County of Augusta in the
State of Virginia under the command of Col Mulenburgh; and he has
often heard the said Adam Bible relate that he marched from the
County of Augusta in the State of Virginia to Charlestown in the State of
South Carolina, under the command of Col Mulenburgh and after
having served some year or two to the south he was then marched
back into Virginia as far as Fredericksburg, he then obtained a furlough
and came home and remained at home a short time, when
he returned to the army and marched to the North, this deponant
is very certain that the said Adam Bible was fully three years in
the service whilst an Enlisted soldier as aforesaid, he further testifies that the said Adam Bible was married to Magdaline Shoemaker
fully fifty years and upwards, he is very confidant they were
married at least eight or nine years previous to the 1st day of Jany 1794
and that the said Adam Bible has been dead twelve or thirteen
years leaving Magdaline Bible his widow, and that she still continues
the widow of the said Adam Bible.
Jacob Trumbo

State or Virginia
Rockingham County


On this 31st day of May 1839 personally appeared before me Saml Cootes a Justice of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid Jacob Trumbo and made oath in due form of law, that the
facts set forth in the above deposition and by him subscribed
are true, I certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Trumbo
and he is entitled to full confidence,
Given under my hand the day and year above written.
Saml [Samuel]  Cootes J.P.
Page 24

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the County of Rockingham do
hereby Certify that Samuel Cootes is a Magistrate as within
Stated, and that the Signature purporting to be his, annexed to this
paper is Genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of my said County this 20th day of
August 1839
H. J. Gambill
Page 25

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

May 21 1840

[postmark] WOODSTOCK  VA
MAY 19
Page 26

Woodstock May 19th 1840
Sir,
You will find enclosed the certificates of Several Gentlemen, certifying as to the respectability and standing of Jacob Trumbo, who has certified to the Enlistment and Services of Adam Bible in the revolutionary war; and whose widow Magdalene Bible is an applicant for a pension.
Very Respectfully
your Obt. Servt.
Thomas Monroe

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of pensions
Page 27

Adam Bible
Mc Pence
Va.
Page 28

FREE [postage]

WOODSTOCK VA
AUG 24   [postmark]

Aug 26 [handwritten on postmark]

5987
5988
July 7 1838

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City
Page 29

Woodstock Va August 24th 1839
Sir
I have herewith enclosed to you the declarations
of Nancy Pence the widow of John Pence late a pensioner of
the United States and Magdalene Bible, with other testimony
accompaning of their declaration, they request that you will please 
examine their declarations and other papers. to place them upon the
pension roll of the United States, you will direct any communication
relative to their claims to me
I am Sir Yours very
respectfully
Thomas Monroe

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 30

THE MICHIGAN SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1729 FORD BUILDING
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
OFFICERS
ALBERT M. HENRY
FRESIDENT
GEN. CHARLES A. COOLIDGE
VICE-PRESIDENT
RAYMOND E VAN SYCKLE
SECRETARY

FRANKLIN S DEWEY
REGISTRAR
REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D.D.
CHAPLAIN
CLARENCE M. BURTON
HISTORIAN
ENOCH SMITH
TREASURER

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

In re service in Revolutionary War

Sir:

Please advise particulars concerning soldier on
whose account pension was granted to Widow M. Bible, Rockingham Co., Va., mentioned in Report of Pensioners 1840. What children are named?
Is there record of Revolutionary service by Adam Bible (d. 17?5) and by John Bible (about 1740 - 1800) of Rockingham Co Va.,
shown in any subsequent application for a pension by widows.
Is there any pension to Phillip Bible?
The tradition is that Adam Bible came to America in 1730 and had seven sons all in the revolution; that one son
John has some commission directly under Gen. Washington (? )
Yours respectfully
Raymond E. Van Syckle
Secretary.
Magdalena (?) [handwritten]
Margareta (?) [handwritten]
Page 31

THE MICHIGAN SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

OFFICERS
ALBERT M. HENRY
PRESIDENT
GEN. CHARLES A. COOLIDGE
VICE-PRESIDENT
RAYMOND E. VAN SYCKLE
SECRETARY

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1720 FORD BUILDING
DETROIT. MICHIGAN

FRANKLIN S. DEWEY
REGISTRAR
REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D.D.
CHAPLAIN
CLARENCE M. BURTON
HISTORIAN
ENOCH SMITH
TREASURER

June 24, 1915.
Burau of Pensions,
Rev. War Records Section,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: 
Please note on the enclosed Statement of military history of Adam Bible answers to the following questions, and return the same to me: --

1. What are the names of the supporting witnesses, whose affidavits are filed in testimony of service rendered by the
applicant's deceased husband?
2. Is the relationship stated of these witnesses to the applicant or decedent?
3. If either or any of these witnesses are Bibles or Shoemakers, do they aver that they were in service in the same organization with applicant's deceased
Thanking you for your service,
I beg to remain
Respectfully Yours,
of
Raymond E. Van Syckle
Page 32

July 8, 1915.

Mr. Raymond E. Van Syckle.

1729 Ford Building,
Detroit, Michigan.

Sir:

In response to your letters of the 24" and 2"6
ultimo, you are advised that the names of the witnesses in the pension claim of Magdalene and Adam Bible, Wid. File No. 18,596, Rev. War, are Catharine Lamb, Jacob Trumbo and Henry Shoemaker; they do not claim any relationship to the soldier, nor state that
they served in the Revolution. 

The name of the only witness in the pension claim of William Bryan, Sur. File No. 6,760, Rev. War, is the Rev. Gerard Morgan, he does not claim relationship to the soldier.

You are further advised that anybody designated by you may examine and copy the papers in a reasonable number of Revolutionary War claims by calling at this
Bureau. Owing to lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, it has not been the practice of the Bureau to undertake to furnish the histories of witnesses
Page 33

in connection with reports of Revolutionary War pensioners.  which give all tours of military service and the data relative to lineal ancestors and descendants as stated in the claims and also state whether or not the claim has been allowed, the last fact being accepted: as proof that service was rendered. This has been done after careful consideration of the requirements of patriotic societies.
Very respectfully,

E. C. Tieman
Acting Commissioner.