Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31016, Balaam Ezell, Va.
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G. T. SIBLEY M. S. SIBLEY

THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
393 SEVENTH AVE., NEW YORK
W. A. DAY, PRESIDENT
G. T. SIBLEY & SON, GENERAL AGENTS
701-705 JACKSON BLDG.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

BIRMINGHAM July 2, 1927.

Pension Bureau,
Department of Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Can you give me any information concerning Able, Thomas and Balaam Ezell who were brothers and who served in the Revolutionary War?
I have record of pension granted to Balaam Ezell in Trigg County, Kentucky in 1840. At the time of the Revolution, these three brothers were living in Virginia, in Brunswick, Sussex or Isle of Wight Counties.
What I am endeavoring to ascertain is, were these three, sons of Amasa Ezell and grandsons of George Ezell, who lived in Isle of Wight County, Virginia in 1714?
Any information you can give me concerning them or reference to anyone who can give information, will be deeply appreciated.
Very truly yours,
A. B. Windham
A. B. Windham,
701 - Jackson Bldg.,
Birmingham, Alabama.
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31016
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,016
Balaam Ezell
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1928 - Feb. 1 - Hist to A. B.
Windham AWF.
1932 - Jan 20 - Hist to Mrs.
Charles Dobbo AWF
1933 - Mch. 13 -hist to Mrs.
Ottis Green AWF.
1933 - Apr. 25 hist to Senator
Borah for Betty Ezell AWF.
1939 - May 6 - hist to Mrs. H. A.
Pulliam - see her letter in
Joel Cohoon W.8576 AWF
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We, Joseph Johnson, a clergyman residing in the County of Trigg in the State of Kentucky, and Thomas Hendrick; a citizen, and resident of said County, do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Balaam Ezell who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be near Seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that Opinion. Given under their hands and seals this 17th day of September 1832. 
Sworn, and Subscribed, the} Jas Johnson
day and year aforesaid} Thomas Hendrick
Levi Lancaster
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 Joseph Johnson who has signed the preceding affidavit is a clergyman resident in the County of Trigg aforesaid and that Thomas Hendrick who has also signed the same is also a resident within said County of Trigg and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand as eldest and presiding justice of said Court; in open Court, this said 17th day of September 1832.
Levi Lancaster

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Trigg County} Sct.
I William Cannon, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Trigg aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Balaam Ezell for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office of said Trigg County Court, at Office in Cadiz this 17th day of September, 1832 and in the 41st year of the Commonwealth
Will. Cannon - C.T.C.C.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Balaam Ezell 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 him not doing so? yes

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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes

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

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
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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? 

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? 
yes

XIV. [notation sign 1]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, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

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? 

XVI. [notation sign 2]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 7 not a now
_________________________
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.”
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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 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 shown 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.
[notation sign 1]QUERE XIV. 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[notation sign 2]QUERE XVI. 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 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.
[symbol of pointing finger]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.