Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39993, Dewalt Bilman, Penn.
Page 1

SERVICE   Penn.
Bilman, Dewalt
or Belman
NUMBER  S.39993
Page 2

Notification sent May 30th 1821 Simon Taylor Jr. Esqr New Berlin Pa.
17.900   
Pennsylvania
Dewalt Bilman
Belman 
Of Union County in the state of  Pennsa who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Craig of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of 18 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15 of September 1818   
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 of October 1820 and sent to Seth Chapman, New Berlin Pa  Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1820     $189.33
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar. 21 48. – 
$237.33 
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.} 
Continued
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OWN
old can
Dewalt Bilman
of Union Co – Pa
Seth Chapman Esq
New Berlin – Pa
12 Oct 1820
Admitted on the evidence of Philip Leonard & Adam Sontag herewith.
Union County Pa at New Berlin
Rec’d 12th Oct 1820
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Dewalt Bilman
Not on Rolls
Rejected name not on Rolls
Page 5

District of Pennsylvania SS
Union County - }
On the fifteenth day of September AD One thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the Subscriber- President Judge of Eighth Judiciary district of Pennsylvania personally appeared Dewalt Bilman aged to the best of his knowledge about Sixty five years, resident in Union County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath according to Law, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" That the said Dewalt Bilman enlisted in Winsor township Berks County State aforesaid in the Spring of the year before the taking of Cornwallis in what the then called the Eighteen Months men and was drafted into Captain Jacob Bowers Company in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Craig, that he continued to serve in the said service of the United States until the end of the war - after the taking of Cornwallis they were taken to Charles town South Carolina there he remained till Charles town was evacuated and and after they were marched from there one days journey he got sick and was put in the Hospital till he got better, and being weak he come on towards or to Reading in Berks County which took a long time, and when he arrived in Reading and came to Captain Bower, he told him that the war was over and deponant demanded his discharge, to which Capt Bower replied that the war was over, and that he wanted none. That he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services 
Dewalt Bilman his mark 
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid 
Seth Chapman 
I Seth Chapman President Judge of the eighth Judiciary District aforesaid do certify that the said Dewalt Bilman
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did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common enemy; and that it appears to my satisfaction that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress of 1818- 
Seth Chapman 
State of Pennsylvania Union County Sct. 
I Simon Snyder Jr. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Union aforesaid, do hereby certify that the Honorable Seth Chapman Esquire whose name appears to the preceeding certificate was at that time and yet is President Judge of Eighth Judiciary district of Pennsylvania to all whose official acts due faith and credit is and ought to be given as well in Court of Justice as elsewhere – 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at New Berlin the twenty fourth day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and eighteen 
Simon Snyder Junr Prothy
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Dewalt Bilman
No. 17900
March 21
Con: 
J. L. E.
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District of Pennsylvania, 
Union County SS }  
On the twentieth day of December AD 1820 Personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid being a Court of Record and having common Law Jurisdiction unlimited in amount and keeping a Record of its proceedings & Expressly made a Court of Record by act of assembly of this State Dewalt Bilman aged Sixty Seven years resident in said County who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he enlisted in Reading Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania in the Company commanded by Captain Jacob Bower in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Greg and remained in the service of the United States about Eighteen Months in the Revolutionary War and that he made his original application on the fifth day of September AD Eighteen hundred and Eighteen that he has received his certificate of his pension Numbered 17.900 and dated the twenty first day of October AD Eighteen hundred and twenty and that I was resident Citizen of the United States on the 15th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with Intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress "entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and navel service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property Securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other then what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed and that I am a daily Labourer I have no family except my wife aged 64 years and am now by old age and bodily infirmities unable to Support my self without the assistance from my Country
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Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the 20th day of December 1820 Coram}
Simon Snyder Jr Prothy 
Dewalt Bilman  his  mark 
A List of Property belonging to Dewalt Bilman   
1 bed   - 15.00.
1 Chest - 2.00 
2 Tables – 3.00. 
2 Chairs – 1.00 
1 Corner Cubbord – 4.00 
1 Kettle & Iron pot -  2.00 
1 Grubbing Hoe -  .50
1 Mall and Wedge  - .67
1 Hog  - 1.00 
1 Spining wheel – 1.00. 
1 Lundry  - 10.00 
40.37
Sworn to Subscribed to in open Court Decr 20th 1820. Coram  
Simon Snyder Junr Prothy 
Dewalt Belman  his mark   
December 20, 1820 The Court are satisfied with the valuation 
Union County SS  
I Simon Snyder Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court & I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited is forty dollars & thirty seven cents 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at New Berlin December 20. 1820 
Simon Snyder Junr Prothy
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
MEE/eel 
March 2, 1929
Mrs. Jack McCreight 
414 S. Lake Street 
Orlando, Florida 
Madam: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.39993, it appears that Dewalt Bilman or Belman, enlisted in 1781 in Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, as a private in Captain Jacob Bower's Company, Colonel Craig's Pennsylvania Regiment, marched to Yorktown and after the taking of Cornwallis, proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina, and remained there until after the evacuation, having served eighteen months. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 15, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Union County, Pennsylvania, and aged about sixty-five years. 
In 1820, he referred to his wife aged sixty-four years but did not state her name. No widow made application for pension on account of his services. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
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39993
Revy   INVALID.
File No. 39993 
Dewalt Bilman 
Pri Rev War 
Act: 18th March 18 
Index: -- Vol. 5 - Page 48 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1914. Dec. 10. Hon Jam. C. Smith furnished hist of service AW
1928 July 6 Hist to Mr. J.I. Bilman MMWF   
1929 Mar 2 Hist to Mrs.  Jack McCreight, N. E.E. 
See her letter in cl [claim] of Jce Col. Bickel S. 2075 
1931 Jan 31. J. I. Billman adv cost of photos. 
1931 Feb. 10. Photos mailed to J. I Billman Fin Dev. 
ltfd  2/14/31 A.D.Y.
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Dewarlt Billman
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State of Pennsylvania 
Cumberland County ss } Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County of Cumberland Philip Leonard a creditable and disinterested Witness and after being duly sworn according to law do and says that he is well acquainted with Dewalt Billman and that the deponent enlisted at the same time, that said Dewalt Billman enlisted in the year 1781 and in the same company commanded by Captain Jacob Bower and were in one mess together for a length of time at the taking of Cornwallis, Col Craig was our commander in the Pennsylvania line, we were enlisted for Eighteen months and after the taking of Cornwallis we were marched South Carolina to Charleston and then we lay near one year under General Green until our time was over and further said that Dewalt Billman remained all the time in the service until the eighteen months even expired 
Philip Leonart
Sworn & Subscribed Sept 1st 1820 Before me 
James Armstrong 
Cumberland County, 
State is of Pennsylvania, 
W.B.& J. Underwood, Printers. 
I, Robert M'Coy, Prothonotary of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the county of Cumberland, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do, by these Presents Certify that James Armstrong Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and who hath thereunto in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name was, at the time of taking such deposition & now is one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas  in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and to all whose acts as such date, due faith and credit is, and ought to be given throughout the United State and elsewhere.  In testimony whereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court the 1st day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the forty fifth 
ATTEST  Robt M’Coy Prothonotary
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Deposition Adam Sontag
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State of Pennsylvania 
Centre County ss }  Personally appeared before the Subscriber, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Centre aforesaid, Adam Sontag, a creditable and disinterested witness, known to me as such, and after being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and says. That he is well acquainted with Dewalt Billman, and that this Deponent enlisted at the same time; that Dewalt Billman inlisted in the same Company commanded by Captain Jacob Bower and that said Deponent was with said Dewalt Billman in one Mess together, for a length of time, at the taking of Cornwallis, Colonel Craig was their Commander, in the Pennsylvania Line. that said Deponent and said Dewalt Billman were enlisted for eighteen Month Men, and after the taking of Cornwallis, said deponent and said Dewalt Billman were marched to South Carolina, and the said Deponent and the said Dewalt Billman laid near a year until the time of the Inlistment was expired and the War over, under General Green 
Sworn & Subscribed  the first day of September 1820 before me 
Adam Sontag
Adam Harper
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
Centre County Ss}   
I, John Rankin, Prothonotary of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the county of Centre, aforesaid, Do Certify that Adam Harper, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and was signed the same was at the time of taking such deposition & is now one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as in Courts as well as elsewhere – 
In testimony whereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court at Bellfonte this first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty –
Jno Rankin Prothy
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SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS. 
FRANK CLARK, FLA. CHAIRMAN. 
JOHN L. BURNETT, ALA. 
JAMES C. CANTRILL, KY. 
WILLIAM A. ASHBROOK, OHIO 
JAMES M. GUDGER, JR. N. C. .
J WASHINGTON LOGUE. PA. 
HATTON W. SUMNERS, TEX. 
AUGUSTINE LONERGAN, CONN. 
GEORGE MCCLELLAN, N.Y. 
JOHN J. EAGAN, N. J. 
EDWARD GILMORE, MASS. 
FRANK PARK. GA. 
RICHARD W. AUSTIN, TENN. 
JOHN W. LANGLEY, KY. 
J. M. C. SMITH, MICH. 
THOMAS B. DURN, N.Y. 
SILAS R. BARTON, NEBR. 
AARON S. KREIDER, PA. 
CHARLES W. BELL, CAL. 
EDWARD CLARK, CLERK.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
December 8, 1914. 
Hon. G.M. Saltzgaber, 
Pension Bureau, 
Washington, D. C. 
My dear Mr. Commissioner:- 
Will you kindly let me know if person named Andrew Billman was in the Revolutionary War, and if so his Company, and anything else pertaining to his war record that your files show? 
Or, if you do not find that Andrew Billman was a soldier, will you kindly give me the names and addresses of those by name of "Billman" who were? 
Thanking you, I remain, 
Yours Truly
JMC Smith
JMCS-RMS
Page 17

Office of the Commissioner, 
July 3, 1928. 
Mrs. Finch
Chief, Revolutionary War Section: 
The enclosed communication, addressed to Major Hazard, relative to Revolutionary Army records is herewith referred to you for consideration and reply. 
E. W. Morgan 
Acting Commissioner. 
HMM M
Mr. Morgan said fill in claim MMWF
Dear Comrade: 
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER JUL 2 – 1928 US BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
FOUNDED 1899 
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 
[unreadable]  
OFFICE OF J. L. BILLMAN 
NATIONAL HISTORIAN 
423. WABASH AVENUE 
KANSAS CITY, MISSOUR. 
June Thirty 1928
Major W. Lawrence Hazard
Washington D. C.
Dear Comrade: 
Thru Comrade Bettelheim I learn that you are asst Cheif of the Pension office. Hence I make free to address you as to certain data wish to ascertain:
The Records of the Revolutionary Army on file in the Archives of Pennsylvania show that the following men named Billman served from that late in the Revolutionary Army: 
Dewalt Billman - Waggoner, enlisted May 2, 1878 
Devault Billman, Continental Line, First a Col Craigs Detachments 
Jacob Billman, Lancaster Co Penna Militia in Revolutionary Service 
Jacob Billman Northampton Co Militia Rev Service 
Conrad Billman Northampton Co Pa Revolutionary Service 
The Jacob Billman from Northampton Co died in 1794. Of the rest I have no record I would like to ascertain if any of these men named Billman have any record in the Pension Office Revolutionary Section, or in the Rejected pension Department of the same. 
If any of the above five from Pennsylvania have any records in the Pension office as pensioners at any time or in the rejected division of the same I wish the following information so far as it may exist: 1.  Name of the soldier 
2. Place of residence when pension granted and date 
3. Place of residence and date when records show his death 
3. If Widow on Pension rolls of any of above same data. 
4 If any such widow on roll, date of pension granted, place and date of death and date 
5 If any such widow on rolls her maiden name if such names were then kept 
6 Date when pensions were first granted or applications received on account of Revolutionary service of any soldier -- in other words date of first Revolutionary and widows pension laws taking effect. 
I shall greatly appreciate reply to this. The Adjutant General advises me your office has far more of these records than his his own office with reference to this class of soldiers, 
Fraternally
J. I. Billman
Page 19

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
FOUNDED 1899 
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 
FRANK T. STRAYER 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 
EUGENE P. CARVER, JR. 
SENIOR VICE COM IN CHIEF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 
HARPUR M. TOBIN 
JUNIOR VICE COM IN CHIEF PHILADELPHIA, PENNA.
OFFICE OF J. I. BILLMAN 
NATIONAL HISTORIAN 1231 WABASH AVENUE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
May Five 1928
The Chief 
Revolutionary Records Dept 
Pension Office 
Washington D C 
Dear Sir: 
I wish to ascertain the names of any soldiers who served in the American Revolution under the name of Billman. I am informed there were probably four or more from the State of Pennsylvania. It is belived that there may be records in your office concerning such.  
Would like, so far as the records show, full name, place of muster in time of discharge and WHERE penisoner lived while receiving pension and WHERE and WHEN he died also, if any widow or daughter of such soldier received pension the same data as to place of brith, date, date of death and WHERE and relationship to the original pensioner. 
From fairly relibale historical sources in Pennsylvaina I am informed that Jacob Billman, Dewalt Billman, and to others served from that state. Thanking you for any information you can give.  Very sincerely yours, 
J. I. Billman
National Historian
V F W
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
FOUNDED 1899 
January Twenty - two 1931 
PAUL C. WOLMAN 
COMMANDER IN CHIEF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 
DAROLD D. DECOE 
SENIOR VICE COM IN CHIEF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 
ROBERT E. COONTZ 
JUNIOR VICE COM. N. CHIEF WASHINGTON, DC. 
OFFICE OF J. L. BILLMAN 
NATIONAL HISTORIAN 
4231 WABASH AVENUE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 
Revolutionary Records Division 
Pension Office Washington D C 
Gentlemen: 
I desire to have photostat copies made of all papers in the case of Dewalt Billman, Revolutionary soldier who died around 1820 in Union County Pennsylvania. 
Have been informed that this is permissible. Kindly let me know how many sheets there will be in this case so I am remit as desire to secure these photostats at earliest moment possible wrote several weeks ago but have to reply. 
Very truly yours 
J I Billman 
J I Billman
National Historian  
VFW
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
FOUNDED 1899 
January Twenty - two 1931 
PAUL C. WOLMAN 
COMMANDER IN CHIEF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 
DAROLD D. DECOE 
SENIOR VICE COM IN CHIEF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 
ROBERT E. COONTZ 
JUNIOR VICE COM. N. CHIEF WASHINGTON, DC. 
OFFICE OF J. L. BILLMAN 
NATIONAL HISTORIAN 
4231 WABASH AVENUE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 
December 29, 1930
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION
JAN 2-1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Veterans Administration
Commissioner of Pensions
Revolutionary War Division 
Washington D C 
Dear Sir 
I understand that photostatic copies of all pension papers connected with any specific case may be had at the rate of 15 cents per sheet. 
I want to secure photostatic copies of all papers connected with the pension claims of Dewalt Billman, a pensioner, Pennsylvania Line, who died probably October 20, 1820 in Union County, Pennsylvania and who had enlisted in Reading, Pennsylvania 1781 in Captain William Lusk's company. 
Kindly inform me of the cost of securing these copies so that I may remit for the same immediately. 
Very respectfully yours 
J. I. Billman
J. I. Billman
National Historian
JIB:SKS
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
FOUNDED 1899 
January Twenty - two 1931 
PAUL C. WOLMAN 
COMMANDER IN CHIEF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 
DAROLD D. DECOE 
SENIOR VICE COM IN CHIEF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 
ROBERT E. COONTZ 
JUNIOR VICE COM. N. CHIEF WASHINGTON, DC. 
OFFICE OF J. L. BILLMAN 
NATIONAL HISTORIAN 
4231 WABASH AVENUE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 
December 29, 1930
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION
February 4 -1931
M.O. # 236655 - $1.05
FINANCE DIVISION KEEPERS DESK FEB 10 1931 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Veterans Administration
Commissioner of Pensions
Revolutionary War Division 
Washington D C 
Gentlemen:
Enclosed please find one dollar five cents ( $1.05 ) for which please send seven page photostat copies of Revolutionary War claim of Dewalt Billman S 393 rate being 15 cents a page. 
I am especially anxious to have shown PLACE where this soldier died. If this should be in some other office or Bureau please let me know so I can arrange to get this information. There must be shown somewhere where soldier lived at death more specific than simply the County it would Seem.
Very Respectfully yours
J.I.Billman
J.I. Billman
National Historian VFW
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION FEB 7 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
February 2, 1931
541
Rev. War claim for pension of Dewalt Bilman, File No. S. 39993. 
Actual   1 of each page.
J. I. Billman, 
4231 Wabash Avenue, 
Kansas City, Missouri. 
1.05…. 7 pages
Kindly leave margin of 1 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name 
Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
The omit written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Page 24

January 31, 1931 
Mr. J. I. Billman 
4231 Wabash Ave., 
Kansas City, Missouri 
Dear Sir: 
You are advised that photostatic copies of papers in Revolutionary War claim of Dewalt Bilman, or Belman, S.39993 will be furnished you at the rate of 15 a page. 
The number of pages to be copied in said claim is seven should you desire to have them certified allow 25 additional for the set. 
The proper amount should be forwarded by money order drawn to the order of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions. 
The copies are being made and will be mailed to as soon as complete and upon receipt of money order. It is very much regretted that your order could not have received earlier attention. The demand for such data is great, and letters are answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt. 
Very truly yours, 
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner
15
7
1.05
Page 25

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section    M.E.E.
July 6, 1928
Mr. J. I. Billman 
4231 Wabash Ave., 
Kansas City, Missouri. 
Sir: 
In response to your letter of June 30, 1928 addressed to Major W. Lawrence Hazard, which has been referred to the Revolutionary War Section of this Bureau for reply, here I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 39993 it appears that DEWALT BILMAN, or BELMAN, enlisted in 1781 in Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, as a private in Captain Jacob Bower's Company, Colonel Craig's Pennsylvania Regiment, marched to Yorktown and after the taking of Cornwallis, proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina and remained there until after the evacuation, having served eighteen months.
Service used at in Letter of Dec 10 1914
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 15, 1818 at which time he was a resident of Union County, Pennsylvania and aged about sixty-five years. 
In 1820 he referred to his wife aged sixty-four years but did not state her name. No widow made application for pension on account of his services. 
The date and place of soldier's death are not of record in this
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Bureau. For date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should apply to the Records Division, General Accounting Office, this city, citing all of the following data: "Dewalt Bilman, certificate No. 17900, issued October 21, 1830, rate $8 per month, commenced September 15, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, Pennsylvania Agency".   
On June 20, 1928, you were advised through Mr. Edwin S. Bettelheim, Junior, that this Bureau had no record of a Revolutionary War soldier named Jacob Billman, and the above history is that of the only soldier of that war, surnamed Bilman, or any similar spelling of the surname, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 
By the resolutions in Congress August 26, 1776, it was provided that commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the Army and Navy, also soldiers, seamen, and marines who may lose a limb or be otherwise disabled in the line of their duty, should receive a pension adequate to their support, not to exceed their half-pay as officers, soldiers or seamen. These resolutions were later made retroactive to April 19, 1775. 
What has been called the first act of general application granting pensions for Revolutionary War services, was the Act of March 18, 1818. By the terms of the resolution in Congress August 24, 1780, some times called the first national pension law in behalf of widows and orphans, the half-pay provisions of the Act of August 26, 1776, and Act of May 15, 1778, were extended to the widows and orphans of “those
Page 27

officers who have died or who shall hereafter die in the service."
The provisions of the Act of July 4, 1836, under certain conditions, granted for life to widows of Revolutionary War soldiers the same amount of pension that their husbands would have been
entitled to receive under the provisions of the Act of June 7, 1832.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 28

ISC per AW   
December 10, 1914
Hon. J. M. C. Smith, 
House of Representatives. 
My dear Mr. Smith. 
In response to your letter of the eighth instant, I have the honor to furnish you the history of the only Revolutionary War soldier named Bilman (Billman, Bellman, or Belman) found on the records of this Bureau. 
From the papers on file in claim Sur. File No. 39,993, Rev. War, it appears that Dewalt Bilman enlisted in Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1781, as a private in Captain Jacob Bower's company, Colonel Craig's regiment, Pennsylvania troops, marched to Yorktown, and after the taking of Cornwallis, proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina, and remained there until after the evacuation, having served eighteen months. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 15, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Union County, Pennsylvania, and about sixty-five years of age. 
In 1820 he referred to his wife sixty-four years
Page 29

of age, but did not state her name. No widow made application on acct. of his services.
The date & pet of [unreadable]
For the date of soldier's death and name of person to whom the arrears of his pension were paid, application be made to the Records Div. Genl. Acct. Office, this City. giving him all of the following data: 
“Dewalt Bilman, Certificate No. 17,900, issued October 21, 1820, for $8. per month from September 15, 1818, under the Act of March 18, 1818, at the Pennsylvania Agency.”
Omit
Such muster rolls of the Revolution as are now in the possession of the Government, are in the custody of the Adjutant General, U. S. A., War Department. Rolls and other records are sometimes found in the Archives of the State in whose service the soldier enlisted . 
add; 
Very truly yours, 
Commissioner,