Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 710, Isaac Beesly, Va.
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SERVICE
Va.
Beesly, Isaac
NUMBER
R.710
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State of Virginia }
County of Lewis } ss.
On this 30th day of November A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace in and for said County of Lewis and State of Virginia Isaac Beesly a resident of said County of Lewis and State of Virginia aged 80 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. That, in Monogahala [sic] County Virginia in the Month of March 1778 affiant was drafted as a private and malitiaman [sic] for a period of Six months was placed under the Command of Capt. Dudly Evans Lietutenant Charles Steward & was attached to a Regiment Commanded by Colo. Gibson was marched from Monogahala County Virginia to Fort Pitt, the place where Pittsburg now stands, their [sic] Joined Gen. McIntosh from Fort Pitt. Genl. McIntosh Descended the Ohio River with his regulars and malitia [sic] men to the mouth of big Bever a Creek discharging itself into that River from the North West, there Genl. McIntosh erected and garrisoned a Fort, called Fort McIntosh, and mounted a Six pounder for its defence. This was a Favorable position at which to station the troops, to affect a partial security of the Frontier Settlements by intercepting parties of Indians on their way to the same, on the opposte [sic] Side of the river, and by pursuing and punishing them, while engaged, either in Committing horror retreating to their towns, after the Consumption of their horrid purposes. affiant continued there in the service
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until September following at which time he was discharged by his Capt. Evans, from the Frequent Irruptions [sic] of the Savages upon the settlement that year, Affiant was induced to volunteer his services as a private, and malitiaman [sic] in the same month in which he was discharged, namely September 1778 for a period of Six months again was placed under Command of Capt. Morgan and attached to Col Gibson's Regt. again.
Shortly afterward in the fall of 1778, Genl. McIntosh proceeded against the Sandusky Town with one thousand men he penetrated the country of the Savages as far as Tuscarawas when from cold weather he concluded to build and garrison a Fort on the Banks of the Tuscarawas which he did and it was called Fort Laurens, affiant helped to build said fort. Genl. McIntosh returned to Fort Pitt, with all his Troops but one Hundred and Fifty men who was left under the Command of Col. John Gibson at fort Laurens, who remained in Fort until Spring of 1779. Among whom affiant was one in the month of January 1779 after night a part of Indians came near Fort Laurens, catched and unbelled some horses, that belonged to the people within Fort. Carried the Bels to the upper end of a prairie, and in the morning Commenced ratling [sic] them 16 men were sent out for the Horses, and proceeding towards the Bells found themselves Surrounded by Indians 14 were killed, and the other two made prisoners, in the evening of that day between Eight and nine Hundred Indians marched in Single File on an eminence, within View of the Camp on the opposite side of the river, and remained there for upwards of Six weeks. got out of provisions and had to retrace their steps to their Towns, during their Stay Col. Gibson dispatched a Friendly Indian with Intelligence of the fact to Genl. McIntosh and requested him to hasten to his relief, in a few days after their departure (the Indians) Genl. McIntosh arrived with a considerable supply of Troops and provisions
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the Salute was fired by Col. Gibson's men, on their approach Scared the horses that was packing the provision, and they broke and run all over the woods, tearing off Bags of Flour ripping them open, and waisting [sic] wherever they went. Genl. McIntosh left Major Vernon affiant thinks, with a fresh detachment to garrison the Fort, in lieu of Col. Gibson's and proceeded back to Fort McIntosh, at which place affiant was discharged in the month of April 1779, by his Capt. Morgan. Then he proceeded to Monogahalia [sic] County Virginia, an din the month of June he volunteered as a private and Indian Spy, under Capt. Springer, was attached to a Regiment Commanded by Col. Morgan, for a period of Five Months was stationed at Prickets [sic] Fort on the Monongahalia [sic] River in Monogahalia County Virginia, entered upon his Spying excursions upon the waters of Duncard [Dunkard] Creek Buffaloo [sp?] Creek, Burgaman [sp?] &c. heading against Fish and Fishing Creek in the counties of Monogahalia [sic] Harrison and Tyler Virginia State, continued as an Indian Spy until November of that year and was discharged by his Capt. Springer having served the period for which he volunteered. Then in the month of April 1780, affiant volunteered again as a private and Indian Spy under Capt. Springer in Monongahalia [sic] County, Virginia for a period of Eight months, was again attached to Col. Morgans Regiment of Virginia malitia [sic] was stationed again at Prickets [sic] Fort on the Monongahalia [sic] River as before, in Monongahalia [sic] County Virginia was ordered upon the waters of Duncan, Buffaloo [sic], Burgaman [sic], Ten Mile, Middle Island, Fishing and Fish Creeks, in the Counties now of Monongahalia [sic] Harrison and Tyler in Virginia State Frequent Incursions were made by the Savage Indians that year upon the settlement, their
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havoc was great, and one Occasion, in the month  of July a party of Indians consisting of ten in number approached the settlement of Duncan Creek, killed two Children of John Haythorns, stole some Horses and Commenced a retreat, they were pursued by Ffiteen Whites among whoom [sic] affiant was one, on the waters of Fish Creek (in Tyler County now Virginia) the Indians were overtaken Five of their number were killed the others escaped. and the horses rescued - nothing else happening during that Servitude, that affiant was personally engaged in Suffices it to say that he was discharged in November of that year having Served Seven months, and his Capt. deeming it unnecessary to continue his spies any longer, in the year 1781, affiant raised a Crops [Corps?], in Monongahalia [sic] County Virginia near Prickets Fort, and in the month of May 1782 the Indians pouring in numerously upon the Settlement, Induced affiant again to Volunteer as a private and Indian Spy for a period of three  months was placed under the Command of Capt. Cochran, who stationed his men, Prickets Fort, as Capt. Springer has done, affiant was ordered upon the waters of Duncard [sic], Buffaloo [sic], Fish, Fishing, and Bingaman [sic] Creeks, in the Counties now of Monongahalia [sic], Harrison and Tyler, State of Virginia, in June of that year a party of Indians had advanced as far as Fish Creek, towards the Monongahalia [sic] Settlement, a Stream that empties into the Ohio River, on the South East Side thereof, when affiant and John Roberts who were spying together, noticed their fresh trail, affiant and Roberts, hastened through the
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woods, and gave notice of their approach to those within Fort, and gathered the neighbors in, three or Four days afterward, affiant, James Curry and Thomas Mason slipped out cautiously to make some discovery of What had become of them they perceived where they had been, in a cornfield near watching for some persons to come out of Fort until they had dispaired [sic], and had left Supposing they had been discovered. The custom of the Country was for the people at one fort to apprise their neighboring Forts, of the Impending dangers. The Savages had learnt from experience that fact, and if accounts for their Course which was directly to the Hackers Creek Settlement now in Lewis County Virginia, on the Headwaters of the Westfork of the Monongahalea [sic] River, where they made the inhabitants feel the savageness of their approach at was said that their Company Consisted of 20 men in august of that year affiant and James Coon was spying on Bingaman [sic] Creek when they were supprised [sic] by the report of Guns from the roadside, Coon rec. a shot through the left arm, and a Ball passed through affiants hunting shirt, and cut the belt thereof affiant and Coon took to flight. Coon outran affiant for a short distance fret from the loss of Blood as he bled profusely, affiant soon passed him, and Succeeded in making his escape. Coon was caught and killed, his body was afterwards found with his scalp taken
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nothing else happening of particular note affiant suffices it to say he was discharged about the first of Sept of that year, by his Capt. Cochran, which ended his services during the Revolutionary war. He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Services. He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declaring that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] B his mark Isaac Beesly
The said Justice of the peace then proceeded to propound to Declarant, the Seven Several interrogatories prescribed by the War department to which he answered as follows.
1st Affiant Saith, that he was born in Loudon County Va in the year 1753.
2nd He Saith that he has a transcript in his Bible taken from his fathers which purports him to be that age
3rd Affiant Saith that he was living in Monogahalia [sic] County Virginia, has lived since in Harrison, and lives now in Lewis County, Virginia,
4th Affiant Saith, that in the first service he was drafted, as stated in his decleration [sic]. The remaining Four Tours he Volunteered,
5th Affiant Saith that he knew Genl. McIntosh Col. Clark, and Col Gibson, Capts. Evans, Morgan Spring Cochran, &c and many others whose names he has forgotten from the laps [sic] of time and frailty
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of age, and the General circumstances of his services was as above narrated,
6th Affiant Saith, that he rec'd discharges in every servitude from each Capton [sic] under whom he served, as he has stated but has lost or mislaid the Same, so that he cannot find them.
7th Affiant Saith That he is known to [blank] and [blank] who can testify to his character for varacity [sic], and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution
[signed] B his mark Isaac Beesly
We James Turner and James Tuttle residing in Lewis County and State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Beesly who has subscribed and sworn to the above decleration [sic], that we believe him to be 80 years of age, 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 and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] James Turner
              James Tuttle
And the said Justice of the peace doth hereby declare his 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 said Justice further certifies that it appears to him that James Turner and James Tuttle, who have Signed the preceding certificate are residents of Lewis County and State of Virginia, and area credeble [sic] persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit and the Said Justice further certifies that there is no Clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the above named applicant, and the said Justice further
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Certifies, that the above named applicant from bodily infirmity, is unable to attend the Court of the said County of Lewis, from which he lives 14 miles, and the Said Justice of the peace further Certifies, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before him, in the matter of the application of Isaac Beesly for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of November 1833.
[signed] David W: Sleeth J.P. seal
State of Virginia }
County of Lewis } ss.
I John Talbott, Clerk of the County Court of said County of Lewis, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that David W. Sleeth is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at the Clerks office in Weston, this 9th day of December 1833.
[signed] J. Talbott clk
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Isaac Beesley
Virginia
Rejected.
710
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Ex'r. INVALID.
No. 710 
REJCTED [stamped]
Isaac Beesley
P. O. [blank]
one of the W. Va cases
Service: investigated by W B Singleton
Printed Volume -
Rejected and suspended Pension -
Page 238 - Reason for Rejection -
"no proof of Service."
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No. 3029
Isaac Beesly.
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Report in the case of 
Isaac Beesly. applicant from
Lewis county -
May be on letter -
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Isaac Beesley. Lewis county. Serv'd. 2 yrs & 2 mos. applicant.
Isaac Beesley. July 4. 1834. and then received from him the following statement of his age and services as a soldeer [sic] of the war of the Revolution to wit.
he was 80 years old last March. Can't remember the date of the Revolutionary War but sometime during the war, he enlisted under Capt Thomas Berry of Frederick county Virginia for two years. His company rendezvoused at Winchester staid [sic] there about 2 days then marched to James Town. from thence to the [illegible] river. staid [sic] their [sic] awhile. thence to Hallifax [sic]. there met Genl. Lee's Army (about seven hundred men) from Hallifax [sic] and Genl. Lee marched his army to Charleston South Carolinia [sic]. on arriving there it was found that the British had deserted the City. Genl. Lee returned with his army to Hallifax [sic] remained there a while and then went back to Charleston South Carolina, his term of two years here expired. got his discharge and returned him. his discharge (which is lost) reassigned by his Captain Thomas Berry. [illegible] out from Winchester as before stated his Lieutenant was William Meade. his Ensign John Chapman. was only in one engagement. that was at James Town where "he had a [2 words illegible]" - John [illegible] of Harrison [2 words illegible] his service. can't remember the names of any one of his Brother Soldiers that Marched from Winchester & continued with him. 
Before the R. war closed, (can't tell in what year) Served two years with Militia against the Indians. [illegible] this Service under Capt Springer at Union town Pen. Springer marched his company to the head of ten mile then backwards & forwards on the [illegible] ridge between Muddy Island: Big Whitely - little Whiteley & Wheeling creek. none of the men that were with him in this Service are about here, nor can he think of their names. whilst in this latter Service Capt Springer commanded him the first and Capt. Samuel served in the second year. (Note this latter service of [illegible] at all must have been done after the war closed. No Indian Fighter I have yet met with who has a [illegible] of claim [illegible] than services at the places mention by this applicant. W.G -Singleton)
Jonathan Wamsley & Johnson F. Newlan [illegible] his declaration they were not half as particular with him as you (WGS) have been. They only asked of acquaintances
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and a few of the [illegible] names. he first agreed to give Nealan Seventy dollars. Went to see him. Not find any him at home. met with Wamsley who said he could not get a pension [2 words illegible] promised Nealan. he (Beesly) then agreed to give Wamsley $80. after this second agreement Wamsley sent him word that he must agree to give more. never saw Wamsley or Nealan again. Thought he wanted all, the latter service detached was done since he settled west of the allegany [sic] mountains.
A True copy. W. G Singleton.
John Romeier of Harrison county aged 72 yrs. States he has known Isaac Beesley all his life. They were boys together. he knows that Beesley was Enlisted and a Capt. Thomas Berry of Frederick county V. [illegible] october 1822? year. he also knows that he went [?] the services and  was of the service. The above statement of John Remeier was taken down by Nathan Goff the [illegible] pensioner & read to him & acknowledges to be correct
[signed] Gustavus Harrison
July 9. 1834
A true copy. W. G Singleton.
Note Remeier is a Pensioner from Harrison county. and his case has been proven to be [illegible]. he is reported as unable to pay-
If upon comparing this statement with his Declaration, you should be [illegible] that Beesley is entitled. Send his certificate to Nathan Goff of Clarksburg if it should fall in the hands of the Lewis Gentry, the old man will be cheated out of his money.
[signed] W. G Singleton
Nov. 10. 1834