Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 25231, Richard Bell, N.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
N. C.

Bell, Richard
Candis

NUMBER
W25231
B.T.Wt. 28 511-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

5482

North Carolina

Candis Bell
widow of Richard Bell
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 59 dollars 16 cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 20th day of Oct. 1853 and sent to Edmund Devere, Clarks Creek N.C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 133 Vol. A

(Written sideways is) Reg 8 m55 159431
Page 3

North Carolina
Richard Bell
Montgomery in the State of North Carolina
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Robinson of the regt commanded by Col. Love in the North Carolina line for 17 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 59 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of July, 1833
and sent to Edmund De Berry, Lawrenceville, N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of March, 33 - $118.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept - $29.56
$147.88

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm Miller, Clerk
Book E Vol. C Page 335
Page 4

159631   Act Mch    June 5/55  

Candi's 
Candis Bell, widow of Richard Bell, pri.

Capt}
Col}      N. C. Mil
War of the Revolution

No 28511 if May 2/56

Ad:  160 act May 26/56
Boynton

Jennings Pigott   present

right side page

J. Pigott Apl 5/56

Vol. Br-93.
Page 5

No. 19351
Richard Bell
Montgomery County
North Carolina

Admit as a private
14 mo. Inf. 46.66
3. Cand. 12.50
59.16

Edmund DeBerry
Laurenceville,
N.C.

J. B. Martin, Clerk
Montgomery Co. Court
N.C.
Page 6


BRIEF in the case of Richard Bell
of Montgomery County in the State of North Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832)
	1.	Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
	2.	If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? (No answer given)
	3.	How old is he? 74 Years
	4.	State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period	Duration of Service	Rank	Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
In 1774 or 1775	3 months	Private	Gen. Rutherford, Capt. Williams
1780	3 months	Private	Capt. Lindsley
1780	3 months	Cavalry	Col. Scaldron, Capt. Lindsley
(Additional dates unreadable)	3 months	Militia	Capt. Lindsley

	5.	In what battles was he engaged? None
	6.	Where did he reside when he entered the service? Montgomery County, North Carolina
	7.	Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary Evidence and by the Rolls
	8.	Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

M. Clayton
Examining Clerk.
Page 7

Candis Bell
Declaration for Pension
N.C.
Montgomery, N.C.
Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the second section of the Act of 3d February 1853.

State of North Carolina  }
County of Randolph       } SS

On this 23 day of March personally appeared before me one of the acting justices of the county aforesaid Candis Bell, a resident in the County of Randolph and State aforesaid, aged 72 years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.

That she is the widow of Richard Bell, who was as she believes a private soldier in the Revolutionary War, and late a Pensioner of the United States receiving his pay during his life at the agency at Fayetteville, N.C., and whose papers showing his services are on file in the Pension office, where his certificate was also returned.

She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Bell on the 24th day of February 1830; and that her husband died on the 6 day of August 1848; that she was not married to him prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated.  She further declares she is now a widow.

           her
Candis X  Bell 
          mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before James Hopkins, J.P.

I certify that from the age and infirmities of the above declarant she cannot well attend court.
James Hopkins, J.P.
Page 9

State of North Carolina
Randolph County

I hereby certify that James Hopkins, Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereunto is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County Court at Office, in Asheboro, the 30th of April 1855.

B. F. Hoover, C.C.C.
Page 10

State of North Carolina
County of Randolph

On this 5th day of May 1855 personally appeared before me, Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, Candis Bell, aged 79 years, a resident of the county of Randolph in the State of North Carolina, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Richard Bell deceased, who was a soldier in the company commanded by Capt. [illegible] in the North Carolina militia in the war of the Revolution, that her said husband was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death, and that she was married to him on the 1st day of February 1831 by one [illegible], a Justice of the Peace in the county of Montgomery in the state of North Carolina, and that her husband Richard Bell died in the county of Randolph in the state of North Carolina on the 6th day of August 1848. She makes this declaration in order to obtain the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of 3rd March 1855. She also states that she has never before applied for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress.

           her
Candis X  Bell
           mark

[words deleted]

We Samuel Crawford and Zabedee Russell residents of the County of Randolph in the state of North Carolina upon our oaths declare ^that the ongoing[?] declaration was^ signed and acknowledged by Mrs Candis Bell in our presence that we know her to be the person she represents herself to be, that we were well acquainted with her in the lifetime of Richard Bell her deceased husband who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and knew them to live together as husband and wife and were reputed to be such that her said husband is dece[?] and that she is now a widow and that Richard Bell her said husband was a pensioner of the US_

Samuel Crawford
Zabedee Russell

[deleted words]
Page 11

I, Candis Bell, do hereby constitute Jennings Pigott of Washington, D.C., irrevocably my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to present this my claim and obtain any warrant or certificate that may be due me, hereby ratifying whatsoever my said  attorney, may lawfully  do in the premises as fully as if done by myself. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

           Her
Candis X Bell   [circled] Seal [/circled]
         Mark

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me and said power of attorney duly acknowledged, on the day and year heretofore written, and I certify that I know this affiant to be the person and the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

James Hopkins, JP

State of North Carolina   }
County of Randolph        }

I hereby certify that James Hopkins, Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, was at the time of doing and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereunto is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the County Court for the county aforesaid, this the 17th day of May A.D. 1855.

B. F. Hoover C.C.C.

Presented by Jennings Pigott [illegible]
[
left margin] 159,631[?]  [/left margin]
Page 12

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

State of North Carolina, Court of Common Pleas Montgomery County and Quarter Sessions

October Term 1832. On this 3rd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of said court now sitting, Richard Bell, a resident of the county of Montgomery, state of North Carolina, aged seventy-four years, who being first duly 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 named officers and served as herein stated in several terms:

That he entered his first tour in service in the regiment under Col. Thomas Robeson in Cape Fear, commanded by Col. Samuel [illegible] on the [date illegible], under Capt. Saunders.
Page 13

Magazine and prisoners from there be marched to Fay
etteville N.C under the command of Genl. Harrington
and was stationed there for some weeks and from
there he marched back to Hailys ferry on [Pa Da?]
where he was discharged by Genl. Harrington in
writing but lost it many years ago.

The third tour he volunteered and served
three months under Capt Kemball in the Horse who
was under Col Loften in the latter part of the same
year and served in Montgomery and the adjoining
counties in scouring the country and operating agt.
the Tories and of the end of the three months he was
duly discharged through he received no written discharge
from the commanding officer

The fourth tour he served as a volunteer three
months under Capt Joseph McLester who was also under
the command of Col Loften in the Horse during this
tour he was employed in suppressing the Torys and lodg
-ing in Jail such prisoners as were taken until the expi
-ration of the three months when he was discharged but
received no written discharge

The fifth tour he volunteered under Catp
Ge[lman?] the next year and served three months
during which time they were employed in the pur
suit of the Torys under Fanning and they embodied
[illegible] different parts of the country on the waters of the
Cape Fear and [Pa Da?] that he knows of no person
whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his
service except C[has?] John Chappell and Benjamin
Bell who can testify to a part of his service and
whose affidavits are here with sent and that he has no Documentary or
oth3er evidence than is herewith enclosed
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatver to a Pen
sion or annuity except the present and Declars that
his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of
any state Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid

[Jess?]
J B[elarten?]

For answers to Interrogations see last page.

Richard his X mark Bell
Page 14

We, William Buxton, a clergyman in the county of Montgomery, and Joseph Parsons, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Bell, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 77 years old as he states, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above said.

William Buxton
Joseph Parsons

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Buxton, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the county of Montgomery, and that Joseph Parsons, who has also signed, is a resident in the same county, and is a credible witness, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

A. M. McAulay
Clerk of Court

North Carolina,
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, April Term 1833. Richard Bell, the aforesaid declarant, came into open court and made oath to the said declaration as amended.

A. M. McAulay
Chairman of the Court
Page 15

State of North Carolina
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions October Term 1832

On this 3rd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court Richard Bell, a resident of the county of Montgomery and state of North Carolina, aged about 77 years, who, being first duly 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 as a volunteer in the year 1778. He removed to North Carolina in 1786 and resides now in Randolph, N.C.

He served under militia officers Captains Crenshaw and Col. David Love & General Rutherford. He states that his discharge is lost. He further states that he has lived in the neighborhood with Joseph Parsons, Edward Debney, William Jordan, Henry Morgan, Lyttleton Harris & Reuben Harris.

Sworn to in open court, the day above written.
Richard (his X mark) Bell

We the undersigned Justices of the court above mentioned do certify that the above named applicant did declare the answers to the original interrogatories as herein stated in open court October 3, 1832.
Page 16

                                December 30, 1931
  
                                          BA-J/MLB


Mrs. Charles E. Patten
600 Harvard Avenue North
Seattle, Washington

Dear Madam:

    Reference is made to your letter of recent date, requesting the record of Richard Bell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

   The date which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 25231, based upon his military service in that war.

    Richard Bell was born in 1758, place not stated. 

  While living in that part of Anson (which was later Montgomery) County, North Carolina, he enlisted in 1775 and served at various times, amounting to about seventeen months in all, as a private in the North Carolina troops under Captains Corenlius Robinson, Kimball, Joseph McLester and Gilmore, and Colonels David Love, Ledbetter and Lofton.
  
  He was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, while a resident of Randolph County, North Carolina. 

    He died August 6, 1848, in Randolph County, North Carolina. 

   Soldier married February 24, 1830, or February 4, 1831, in Montgomery County, North Carolina, Candis, whose maiden name was not given. 

  She was allowed pension on her application executed March 23, 1855, while living in Randolph County, North Carolina, aged seventy-two years. 

  In 1849, reference was made to Candis Bell, a daughter of the soldier, but no details were given and there are no further
Page 17

family data; names of parents not stated.
       
      Soldier's widow, Candis, died in August, 1860.
        
                             A. D. HILLER 
                            Assistant to Administrator
Page 18


Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington, D.C., March 29th, 1878

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the enclosed letter dated March 15th, 1878, and in reply, to inform you that the records of this office show that a pension was allowed to Candis Bell as widow of Richard Bell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, under act of February 3, 1853, at the rate of $59.16 per annum.

The pension has been paid from February 3, 1853, to March 4, 1860.

As the pensioner died in August 1860, leaving no minor child surviving, it does not seem that any allowance of arrears of pension can be made.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Hon. A. M. Scales,
House of Representatives.
Page 19

Ref.
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 20831

Candis Bell
Widow of
Richard Bell
Pri. Rev. war

Act Feb 3rd, 1853

Index: Vol A Page 546

	•	“To Hon. A. M. Scales informed that no allowance can be made.”
	•	Additional notes mention dates and other case numbers, including:
	•	1878: Jun 8—McClure to Patton about “name of Deds grtd in widow’s cases—references in Div. All N. Car. names.”
	•	1878: Dec 30—Shields M. Sauron, E. Patton—02813
	•	1878: Feb 27—History & Mr. Booth’s name fee request in case of John Bowles—26782

	•	Date Mar 27 and notation made
Page 20

5705

Candis Bell
widow of Richard

“Exh’d Debarr, May 16, 1855
Same July 21, 1855”

Act 4/53
Page 21

[checkmark]
28,[571]
[curlicue]
[Nov] [illegible]
Page 22

Candis
Bell, widow of Richard
Randolph Co., North Carolina

Admitted under Act February 3, 1853, at the rate of $59.16 cents per annum — commencing 30th February 1853.

Her husband served as a private 17 months under Act June 7, 1832.

Pay as widow.

Certificate to Edmund Debony, Clark’s
Montgomery Co., N.C.
Page 23

Richard Bell died 6 Aug. 1848, arrears paid to Candas Bell, his widow.

W F S Taylor
Acting (illegible)

Sept 20/55
Page 24

5482

North Carolina

Sarah Bell
widow of Richard,
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 59 dollars 16 cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 29th day of Sept. 1853 and sent to Edmund Debony, Clarks Creek, N.C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 133, Vol. 4.
Page 25

Pension Office, September 19, 1853

The Third Auditor will please state the date to which widow’s pension was paid, and, if the arrears due at his death were paid, to whom they were paid, and for whose benefit.

The widow “Candis Bell,” is now applying for pension under act of February 3, 1853. By a letter (also enclosed) of the Pension Agent of North Carolina dated August 30, 1849, it would seem that “Candis Bell” a daughter of the deceased was the claimant, which she could not rightfully be, had there been a widow living.

Very respectfully,
B. F. Moore,
For Commissioner
Page 26

State of North Carolina, Montgomery County

I, John B. Martin, Clerk of the County Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that this foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Richard Bell for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 5th day of April 1833.

J. B. Martin, Clerk
Page 27

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the third section of the act of the 3rd February 1853.

State of North Carolina, County of Randolph SS.

On this 4th day of July 1855, personally appeared before me, James Hopkins, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Randolph, Candis Bell, a resident of the county of Randolph and state aforesaid, aged 72 years, who, first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd February 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War:

That she is the widow of Richard Bell, who was a private soldier in the army in the Revolutionary War and who was also a pensioner of the United States drawing his pension at Fayetteville, N.C., and that the proof of his service will be found among her papers on file in the Pension Office upon which his pension was allowed. She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Richard Bell on the 24th day of February eighteen hundred and 31, that her said husband died on the 6th day of August 1848 in the county of Randolph, N.C.; that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.

Candis (her mark) Bell

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, James Hopkins, J.P.

I certify that the declarant from bodily infirmity cannot conveniently attend court.

James Hopkins, J.P.
Page 28


State of North Carolina, Randolph County

Personally appeared before me, James Hopkins, a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, Zechariah Ruggles, a resident of the county of Randolph, who, after being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he is well acquainted with Candis Bell, who has made and given the within declaration; that she is the widow of Richard Bell, a soldier of the Revolution and late a pensioner of the United States; and that he saw her married to said Richard Bell on the 24th day of February 1831, to the best of his recollection, and that she is now a widow. He further makes oath that the said Richard Bell died in the county of Randolph on the 6th day of August 1848, as he now believes from his recollection of the time of his death.

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 4th day of July 1855.

James Hopkins, J.P.

I certify that the above-named Zechariah Ruggles, who makes the above affidavit, is a credible person.

James Hopkins, J.P.

State of North Carolina, Randolph County

I, Benjamin F. Hoover, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do hereby certify that James Hopkins is an acting Justice of the Peace and a member of the County Court of said county and that due faith and credit should be accorded to his official acts as such and that his signatures to the written declaration and affidavit are genuine.

Given from under my hand at office this 5th day of July 1855.

B.F. Hoover, Clerk
Page 29

State of North carolina
Montgomery County
This day personally appeared before me Samuel H Christean a justice of the peace of the county aforesaid Eli Russel who after being duly sworn according to law declareth and sayeth that he is well acquainted with Candis Bell now of the county of Randolph N.C and widow of the late Richard Bell and an applicant for a Pension and that he was present at her marriage and saw her married to said Richard Bell a soldier of the Revolution and ["late" inserted with a carrot] a Pensioner of the united States at her house in the county of Montgomery N.C where she then resided and that the said Candis Bell is the widow of the said Richard Bell and claims a Pension as such for his military services and that ["the" inserted with a carrot] marriage took place on the same day of February 1831. and the the marriage service was performed by Littleton Harris Esq. who is now dead to the best of his knowledge
Sworn to and subscribed this 28 day of august 1855.
[signature] Eli Russell
[signature] S H Christian Jp
I certify that the above affeant is of high standing & respectability as any in this county also Mr Zebedee Russel a former affeant in this case is a man of standing and respectability
[signature] S H Christean Jp
Page 30

State of North Carolina
Montgomery County
I John M Lennan clerk of the county court of Montgomery do hereby certify that Samuel
H Christean is an acting Justice of the peace of
said County and that due forth and credit are
due to his acts as such and that his signature to the within affedavit is genuine
I further certify that the public Records of the county court for the county of Montgomery were all destroyed by fire with the court house of said county some time in the year 1842 or 43.
In testemony whereof I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of said court [illegible] office this 28 day of august 1855
[signature] John M Lennan Clerk
Page 31

State of North Carolina
Montgomery County
This day Benjamin Bell aged Seventy one years came personally before me and after being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth that Richard Bell was called out into the militia service some time in the month of June 1780 from his residence which is now Montgomery County ["N Carolina" inserted with a carrot] but formerly a part of Anson and that they served together some time and were then separated and did not serve the balance of the war together but that said Richard Bell returned from the service some time in the fall
This Deponent further sayeth that he believes said Richard Bell joined Gates' army and continued in it until his return home
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day of October 1832
[signature] Benjamin Bell
[signature] Jo. Parsons L.P.
North Carolina
Montgomery County
I John B. Martin clerk of the county court of Montgomery do hereby certify that Joseph Parsons [illegible] an acting Justice of the peace for said county and that due forth and credit should be given to [illegible] affeant acts as such [illegible] my hand and seal of office this [illegible] day of [illegible] 1832
[signature] J. B. Martin clk
[illegible]
Page 32

[subtraction notations] 74 17 57
[subtraction notations] 1832 57 1775
State of North Carolina
Montgomery County
I Joseph Parsons a Justice of the peace for said County before whom the within affedavit of Benjamin Bell was made do hereby certify that the said Benjamin Bell is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to full confidence Given under my hand this 2nd day of april 1833.
[signature] Jo. Parsons J.P.
Page 33

State of North Carolina
Montgomery County
This day Christopher Chappell aged ninety four years appeared before the subscribed Justice of the peace and made oath in due form [crossed out] of law that he was in the service of the united state in the militia with Richard Bell about the year 1775 (as he believes) against the [illegible] Indians about three months that said Bell served [inserted with carrot] that time under Captain [illegible] Robinson and under Gen. Rutherford that they [inserted with carrot] were drafted to go against the said Indians and that they belonged to the Regiment [illegible] awarded by [illegible] and that said Richard Bell continued in the service until he was lawfully discharged and that they both lived in [illegible] County now Montgomery N. Carolina
I the said Christopher Chappell do also certify that the said Richard Bell is respectable and entitled to credit sworn to and subscribed before us in the county of Montgomery
attest
[signature] Christopher [inserted with carrot] his mark Cappell ["seal" drawn in ink]
[signature] W.A Mask J P.
[signature] John Dockery JP
State of North carolina
Montgomery County
We the undersigned Justices of the peace for said County before whom the above affedavit of Christopher chappell was made do hereby certify that he the said Christopher Chappell is a credible person and that full confidence may be reposed within statements Given under our hands this 2 april 1833
[signature] W. A. Mask JP
[signature] John Dockery JP
Page 34

[handwritten]
State of North Carolina }
Montgomery County }
I John B Masters Clerk of the court of
please and Quarter Sessions of the county
aforesaid do hereby certify that William
A Mark + John Dockery whose signature
appears to the foregoing [illegible] and
affidavit is and was at the time of
Signing the Same acting Justice of the
peace in and for the county of Montgomery
duly appointed and qualified that due
faith and credit are due their official
acts as such --

In testimony when of I
have here unto set my
hand and Seal of Said
county at office the
5d day of April 1833

[signature] J. B. Masterelk [/signature]

[vertical in left margin] Affidavit
Chris to file Chaffel [/in margin]
Page 35

[printed] Brief in the case of [handwritten] Sarah Bell, widow of Richard Bell --
Randolph [/handwritten] County and State of [handwritten] North Carolina [/handwritten]
act [handwritten] February 3, 1853. [/handwritten]
-------
Claim, ("original," [crossed out] or "for increase." [/crossed out])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
[handwritten] Husband was pensioner under act of
June 7, 1832, at rate of $59.16c per annum.

Marriage since [inserted] January [/inserted] 1800, and identity of Claimant
as the widow of the pensioner proven by Eli
Russell and Zebedee Russell, who were present the
Records of the County Court of the County in which [/handwritten]
[crossed out] (If for increase.) [/crossed out][handwritten] the marriage took place, certified to [/handwritten]
[crossed out]  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [/crossed out]
[handwritten] have been bound in 1843.

Death of claimant's husband in 1848, shown
by Certificate of 3d auditor -- 

Edmund Deberry Esq }
Clark's Creek } [/handwritten]
Name and residence of Agent.
[handwritten] Montgomery County }
North Carolina } [/handwritten]

[signature] R Geddes [/signature]
Examining Clerk.
Page 36

[handwritten] Clarks Creek Montgomery County
-------
N.C. October 14, 1855.

Sir

I herewith return for correction
the Pension certificate of the widow
of Richard Bell which gives the
Christian name wrong it should be
[underlined] Candis Bell [/underlined] as all the papers will
[illegible] Please have the certificate
sent to this office without delay

Respectfully,
[signature] E. Deberry [/signature]

The Comm of Pensions
Page 37

[handwritten] Clarks Creek, Montgomery Ct, N.C. Sept 1. 1855

Sir

Inclosed I send the affidavit of
Eli Russel to support the claim of Candis Bell
for the Pension as the widow of Richard Bell
a Revolutionary soldier + Pensioner Her papers
went on some time ago and were suspended
as you informed me in your letter of 21st
July last on the ground as the letter states that
the regulations of the Dept. require her identity
to be proved by two witnesses and that record
evidence of her marriage should be furnished
by the court of the county where she was
married I can find no such requests
in the printed regulations you sent me

I hope however the affidavit now
sent may with the Clerks certificate [X'd out] may [/X'd out]
supply the defect.

Respectfully
[signature] Edmund Deberry [/signature]

The Commd of Pensions
Page 38

[printed] Payment to be made at [handwritten] Fayetteville [/handwritten]
by
[handwritten] James Huske, Esq [/handwritten]

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of
[handwritten] North Carolina [/handwritten]

Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February
3d, 1853, Page [handwritten] 133 [/handwritten] Vol. [handwritten] A [/handwritten]

[signature] G. T. Gilly [/signature] Clerk.

[illegible handwriting vertically on page]
Page 39

[illegible initials]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

-~~~~~~~~~~-

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853,

Sarah Bell

widow of

Richard Bell,

who was a private _ _ _ _ in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the Pension List, at the rate of Fifty-nine - dollars and Sixteen, _ cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry: in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

[across the previous paragraph written "Cancelled"]

Given at the Department of the Interior, this twenty ninth day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

[illegible name crossed out]
Secretary of the Interior.

Examined and countersigned.

[illegible name crossed out]
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 40

Brief in the case of Candis Bell, widow of Richard Bell
Randolph County and State of North Carolina
act February 3. 1853 ~

------------------------------------

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

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Duplicate Certificate issued instead of that dated September 29, 1853 - to [covert] error in christian name of claimant
The Cancelled Certificate accompanies this brief

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

Edmund Deberry Esq
Name and residence of Agent, Clark's Creek
Montgomery County
North Carolina }

R. Geddes.
Examining Clerk.
Page 41

Richard Bell
Page 42

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Richard Bell - which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? --

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 43

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? Yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? [blank]

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
living witness to [illegible].

XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, [handwritten "x"] certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the [underlined] official character [darker underline] and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no.

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes

XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated regulations direct? No.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answerd

--------------------------------

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ------- year ---------- months, and ---------- days, I served as a ---------- For ----------- months and ---------- days, I served as a ----------; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 44

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about [italicized] three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison ; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. [italicized] Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. [italicized] Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[manicule] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 45

Clarks creek Montgomery N.C. July 3. 1855

Sir

Inclosed I send the amended Declaration of Candis Bell widow of Richard Bell claiming a Pension.

Edmund Deberry

The Comm. of Pensions

Please send the certificate to me at Clarks creek P.O. Montgomery county N. carolina

Edmund Deberry
Page 46

R Bell [illegible] [6 July] 1848
Candis Bell [M] 1830
--
Zebedee Russell
Page 47

[underlined] Clarks creek. Montgomery county N.C

Inclosed I send the Declaration and papers of Candis Bell widow of Richard Bell a soldier of the Revolution and late a Pensioner of the U.S. asking a Pension
On reference to his papers on file in the dept. it will be seen that she is entitled to a widows Pension
Please enclose her certificate to me to the above office of Clarks creek N.C

May 7. 1855  E. Deberry
Page 48

Pension Office
Fayette Ville [Sept. 30/49]

Jas T. Edwards Esq
Commission of Pensions

Sir

Please fiind Enclosed, "Candis Bell, [illegible] of Pension. [And] her father "Nicolas Bell, from 4 March 1848
Page 49

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL
Richard Bell - W.25231

Mr: Joseph Brooks
Pembroke
North Carolina

Dear Sir:

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.25231, based upon the military service of Richard Bell in that war.

Richard Bell was born in 1758, place not stated.

While residing in Anson( that part which was later Montgomery) County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina Troops as follows: from sometime in the summer of 1775, three months in Captain Cornelius Robinson's Company, Colonel David Love's Regiment, went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians and assisted in destroying their towns and crops: from June, 1780, five months in Captain Kimball's Company, Colonel Ledbetter's Regiment: from late in the year, 1780, three months in Captain Kimball's Company, Colonel Loftin's Regiment and went on an expedition against the Tories: later three months in Captain Joseph McLester's Company, Colonel Loftin's Regiment; and three months in Captain Gilmore's Company and was again on an expediton against the Tories; no dates were given for the last two services noted above.

[handwritten on right hand side: Could not identify any officers except Col. Love]

After the Revolution, he lived for many years in Montgomery County, North Carolina, then moved to Randolph County, that state, of which county and state he was a resident when he was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832.

He died August 6, 1848, in said Randolph County.

The soldier married February 24, 1830 or February 4, 1831 (both dates were given by his widow) in Montgomery County, North Carolina, Candis, whose maiden name was not given.  They were married at her home in said county and state.
Page 50

Richard Bell's widow, Candis, was allowed pension on her application executed March 23, 1855, at which time she was aged seventy-two years and resided in Randolph County, North Carolina.

She was also allowed one hundred and sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant Number 28511. In order to obtain the location of the land, you should address the Commissioner of the General Land office, Interior Department, this city, citing the following data: Warrant Number 28511-160-66.

Candis Bell died in August, 1860.

In 1849, a daughter, Candis Bell, was referred to: the names of other children are given.

In 1832, one Benjamin Bell was aged seventy-one years and resided in Montgomery County, North Carolina; no relationship to the soldier was stated.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.