Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,351, John Wells, Md.
Page 1

Md. Wells, John. S.6.351

carded
Page 2

.13.154
Virginia
John Wells

of Monongalia in the state of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Dean of the Rept. commanded by Col. Richardson in the... line for Dix...

Dead

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of May 1833 and the tenth...

Swears to the 4th of March 1833 . . 40.00
Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 33. 10.00
                                                               50.00
                                  Revolutionary Claim,
                                  Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by..., Clerk, Book 8, Vol. Six, Page 37.
Page 3

                                                            John Wells
                                                                   22007
Page 4

State of Virginia
County of Monongalia 

      On this 22nd day of October, in the year 1832 personally appeared before the County court of Monongalia in open court non sitting John Wells, a resident of said county aged seventy five years, who being just duly sworn according to land doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States by enlisting in the August 1776 under Capt. John Dean in the Flying-camp troops for four months at Queen-ann county in the state of Maryland -- that from there he marched with Dean's company to Kent Island on the Chesapeake bay, where we remained two or three weeks -- from there we went to the head of Elk, from thence to Christeen, where we took water and went in stoops to Philadelphia -- from there we marched to the city of New York, from there to the Tuckahoe heights, fifteen miles from New York, where we joined the Battalion, consisting of ten companies, commanded by Col. Benjamin Richardson of the Maryland line and remained there about three weeks-- from thence the whole Battalion marched to the White plains, where we remained a few days, the Delaware Blues being then there-- that next morning after arriving at the White plains, we heard the cannonading half a mile off, and our Battalion had orders to reinforce the Delaware Blues who were engaged with the enemy-- at length orders were given to retreat and we crossed over to New Jersey, in which state we were employed in marching from place to place, untill we were marched to Philadelphia where he and his company was discharged at the end of four months by a general discharge -- 
That he again entered the service of the United States in the fall of the year 1777 by being drafted in a company of militia for two months
Page 5

under the command of Capt. James Roberts (at Queen Ann county Maryland) of the Maryland militia from thence we marched into the state of Delaware and was engaged the whole two months in marching from place to place, be- tween the Delaware and Chesapeake-bay-- that at the battle of Brandywine his company was about five miles off-- that near Christeen we were discharged at the end of two months by a general discharge--  
     That by reason of old age, and great loss of memory, he is unable to give a more detailed statement of his services the country thro' which he marched, or the names of more fails or Regular officers-- that he has been for many years nearly deprived of his sight, that he is unable to labour, is the owner of no property, and living upon the bounty of his children--
      That he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, that can testify to his services, it being now about twenty-five years since he removed from the scenes of his youth and the companions of his arms-- that he was born in the year 1757 in Queen Anne county Maryland-- that he continued to live in that part of the state, until  the year 1807 when he removed to the county of Monongalia aforesaid, where he has ever since resided-- that he has no record of his age-- that he is personally known to the Rev. Joseph A Shackelford, Col. Dudley Evans, Col. Samuel Hanway, Capt. John Dent, David Musgrave, and most of the old and respectable inhabitants of the county.
        He hereby relinquishes evry claim whatever to a pension, or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state--
    Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 

                                                 John Wells 
                                                  his mark
Page 6

And we Joseph A. Shackelford, a clergyman, residing at Morgantown in said county aged fifty two years, and Dudley Evans, residing in the same county aged sixty six years, do hereby certify that we have been well acquainted with John Wells, who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing declaration: that we beleive him to be seventy five years of age, that he has been residing in this county about twenty five years; that he is reputed and beleived, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion-- and we do further certify that we have been personally acquainted with said Wells ever since his residence in this county, and that he has always been reputed a man of good character and a respectable citizen--

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid

                                      Joseph A Shackelford
                                      Dudley Evans

And the said court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary solider and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Joseph A Shackelford, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said county, and that Col. Dudley Evans, who has also signed the name, is a resident in the same county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit--
        I, Thomas P Ray, clerk of said County court of Monongalia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John Wells for a pension. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said court at Morgantown the 5th of December in the year 1832. 
                                                    Thomas P Ray
Page 7

No 22007.
John Wells No.
13.154

Adm for 6 Months 
from 1776

                $20

Thomas P. Ray 
         Morgantown
                      No.
Page 8

                                                War Department,
                                                    Pension Office,
                                                                        183
Sir: 
         The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.  

A Statement, showing the Service of John Wells Monongalia County Virginia

Edited 1776 Draft 1777 full 

Duration of claimant's service.: 4, 2

Rank of the claimant.: Private, ''

Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.: Capt. Dean, '' Roberts

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.: Col. Richardson

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.: none 

Country through which he marched.: MD - PA 

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period: Aged 75. Queen ann county Md

Evidence by which the declaration is supported: ...


                       I am, respectfully,
                                   Your obedient servant,
                                                   J. L. Edwards,
                              Commissioner of Pensions
Page 9

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

                The following regulations have been 
 adopted:
    This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
      Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies. 
       As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 

               State, Territory, or District of } ss. 
                      County of                           }
      On this       day of        personally appeared (a) before                  A.B. a resident (b) of         in the county of           and State, Territory, or District of       aged (c)        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 provion (sic) made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)       ,with         and served in the        (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:
     [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered (sic) the service; the battles, if any, in which he engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

       He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of      
   Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
      [And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
      And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider, and served as he states.
      I                          of the Court of             do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                         for a pension.
          In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of         &c. 

     If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule giving in note (j) points out.
     Every applicant who claims a pension in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and the State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
     (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the             
       and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with             , who has     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. 
       [And then will follow the certificate of the Court] 
      And the said court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary solider and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that A.B., who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in        , and that C.B., who has also signed the same, is a resident in            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
          I,            Clerk of the Court of        do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of             for a pension. 

       In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this          day of        &c. 
       Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
       If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 10

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
     The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier.: Did you ever receive a discharge from service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer.: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
      The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
     The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they will concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
     The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed on the subject. 
      Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
     Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
     No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claims cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 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."
     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 that 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. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 
                                                                                                 
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 papers 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. 
 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 claimant's 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 hte witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, and under his seal of office. 
     The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable in the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
      
                                                                                                                                                                                  Dyer Castor
                                                                                                                                                                                               Exam: Clerk
Page 11

...nd 1812
...ection
.../eel
                  
                                                       April 29, 1929

Mrs. O. E. Holloway
Knightstown
Ohio (crossed out-- replaced with "This person wrote her own address + wrote it- Ohio, but I remembered, this she had many times, written from Indiana, as there is no Knightstown in Ohnio, was made declared")

      I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.6351 it appears that John Wells was born in 1757, month and day not stated, in Queen Anne County, Maryland, names of parents not given.
       While a resident of Queen Anne County, Maryland, he enlisted in August 1778 and served four months as a private in Captain John Dean's company, Colonel Richardson's Battalion of the Flying Camp. 
      He enlisted in the fall of 1777 and served two months as private in in Captain Roberts' Company, Colonel James Bryan's Maryland Regiment. 
      In 1807 he moved from Queen Anne County, Maryland to Monongalia County, Virginia. He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832 while living in Monongalia County, Virginia. At the time of his application for pension he re-
Page 12

-ferred to his children but gave no names. The date of his marriage and name of wife are not stated. 

Respectfully,

E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
Page 13

John Wells--Pvt
Monongalia Cty 

Wells?
Page 14

Md.
Wells, John
S.6.351
Carded
Page 15

6351
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 6351
John Wells
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 1832

Index:--Vol. M, Page 298

[Arrangement of 1870]

1927- Oct. 21- Hist. to Hon. Frank L. Bowman  for... Thos. Ray Dille...
1927 - Dec. 21 - Gist: to Jacob Elbert Wells -
1929 - Apr. 29 - Hist. to Mrs. O. E. Holloway -
Page 16

Rev.&1812 Wars Section

December 31, 1927

Jacob Elbert Wells
145 Buffalo St.,
Elkins, West Va.

Sir:
      I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.6351 it appears that John Wells was born in 1757, month and day not stated, in Queen Anne County, Maryland, names of parents not given.
While a resident of Queen Anne County, Maryland, he enlisted in August 1778 and served four months as a private in Captain John Dean's company, Colonel Richardson's Battalion of the Flying Camp.
He enlisted in the fall of 1777 and served two months as private in in Captain Roberts' Company, Colonel James Bryan's Maryland Regiment.
In 1807 he moved from Queen Anne County, Maryland to Monongalia County, Virginia. He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832 while living in Monongalia County, Virginia. 
At the time of his application for pension he referred
Page 17

to his children, but gave no names. The date of his marriage and name of wife are not stated.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 18

October 21, 1927

Honorable Frank L. Bowman
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Bowman:

        In response to your letter of the 19th instant, in behalf of Mr. Thomas Ray Dille of Morgantown, West Virginia, i have the Honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 6351 it appears that John Wells was born in 1757, month and day not stated, in Queen Anne County, Maryland. 
     While a resident of Queen Anne County, Maryland, he enlisted in August 1776 and served four months as a private in Captain John Dean's Company, Colonel Richardson's Battalion of the Flying Camp. [addendum: 
     He enlisted in the fall of 1777 and served two months as private in Captain James Roberts' Company, Colonel James Bryan's Maryland Regiment. 
     In 1807 he moved from Queen Anne County, Maryland to Monongalia County, Virginia. He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832 while living in Monongalia County, Virginia.
Page 19

     At the time of his application he referred to his children, but gave no names. The date of marriage and name of wife are not stated. 

                     Very truly yours,
              
                     WINFIELD SCOTT
                     Commissioner.

Date of death
not on CoB
Page 20

Sevd John Wells S.6351

Mrs. O.E. Holloway

Knightstown - Ohio. 

Person of request Apr. 26. 1929.
Page 21

[right] DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
J. ELBERT WELLS
BELL TELEPHONE 442-M

[left] PITTSBURGH AREA
RESIDENT BISHOP
FRANCIS J. MCCONNELL, D.D., LL. D. 

ELKINS DISTRICT
WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
145 BUFFALO STREET
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA 

June 21, 1927.

Bureau of Pensions--Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:-
       I am asking for information with reference to one John Wells who I think is the ancestor and the information you can give will determine. 

       In the Pension records you should find that one John Wells a private in the Maryland Militia was placed on the Pension Roll May 14, 1833 at the age of 77 years (This being on record in the Archives of History of the state of West Virginia. At the time the Pension was granted he was a citizen of Monongalia County, Virginia, what is now West Va. being at that time as you know a part of the state of Virginia. 

       Please give me the entire record of this John Wells as set out in the application for a pension, particularly

Date of Birth _________________ 
Place of Birth _________________ 
Family relation and children_______________
Names of parents if given ________________
Date of enlistment, regiment, Company etc. _______________________________________
Date of Discharge _______________________
Battles in which engaged if given _______________________________________
Date of Marriage and to whom ____________

     Please give me the same information as to Colonel John Evans, a Revolutionary soldier and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Colonel Dudley Evans, a soldier in the War of 1812 who are both my ancestors. 
Thanking you very kindly I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Jacob Elbert Wells (signed: Jacob Elbert Wells.) 

P.S. My father, Richard D. Wells was a corporal in Co. F, 12th W. Va. and my youngest brother was a commissioned officer in the World War doing service in the War Department. J.E.W.
Page 22

[right] DISTRICT SUBCOMMITTEES:
PUBLIC UTILITIES
BATHING POOLS, PLAYGROUNDS, AND PARKS
FISCAL AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE

[left] FRANK L. BOWMAN
2D DIST. WEST VIRGINIA
COMMITTEES:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
EXPENDITURES ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS

[center] R. L. JEFFERYS
SECRETARY
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.

October 19, 1927.

Hon. Winfield Scott
Commissioner of Pensions
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Scott:

Mr. Thomas Ray Dille, Secretary and Treasurer of the West Virginia Historical Society at Morgantown, West Virginia, has made application to your Bureau for the Revolutionary War record of John Wells, who served as a soldier from Maryland. He was a pensioner from Monongalia County, Virginia, as shown by Department of Archives Record No. 3, page 97.

Mr. Dille is anxious to obtain the date of this veteran's birth, date of his marriage, company or regiment in which he served, whether he had children and if so how many he had at the time he made application for pension.

I will appreciate your usual prompt and courteous attention to this request.

Very truly yours,
Frank L. Bowman.

[left; handwritten] I had Mr. Dille letters on my desk for reply the same day that Mr. Bowman's request came
Page 23

[right] DIRECTORS
MRS. JULIAN G. HEARNE,
WHEELING, OHIO CO.
ARCH J. WELTON,
PETERSBURG, GRANT CO.
E. G. ROHRBOUGH,
GLENVILLE, GILMER CO.
JOHN T. HARRIS,
PARKERSBURGG, WOOD CO.
MRS. LUTHER C. ANDERSON,
WELCH, McDOWELL CO.
J. ALFRED TAYLOR,
FAYETTEVILLE, FAYETTE CO.

[left] [illegible]

[center] WEST VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Created by Chapter 67, Acts of Legislature, Passed April 24, 1925. 
Organized at Charleston, December 30.1, 1925.
One Member From Each County.

Morgantown, W. Va.
October 13, 1927.

Hon. Winfield Scott, Com. of Pensions,
Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior,
Revolutionary War Section,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:

On June 25, 1927, I wrote your Department relative to the record or application of John Wells, a private in the Revolutionary War from the Maryland Militia, asking the data relative to the date of his birth, marriage, and the company or regiment to which he belonged in the Maryland Militia. He is noted as a pensioner from Monongalia County, Virginia, and is also noted in Vol. 18, page 66, of the Maryland Archives, and I desire any information contained in your office relative to his children, etc. Kindly give me this information at your earliest convenience.

Very truly yours,
Thomas Ray Dille
Page 24

[right] DIRECTORS
MRS. JULIAN G. HEARNE,
WHEELING, OHIO CO.
ARCH J. WELTON,
PETERSBURG, GRANT CO.
E. G. ROHRBOUGH,
GLENVILLE, GILMER CO.
JOHN T. HARRIS,
PARKERSBURGG, WOOD CO.
MRS. LUTHER C. ANDERSON,
WELCH, McDOWELL CO.
J. ALFRED TAYLOR,
FAYETTEVILLE, FAYETTE CO.

[left] [illegible]

[center] WEST VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Created by Chapter 67, Acts of Legislature, Passed April 24, 1925.
Organized at Charleston, December 30.1, 1925.
One Member From Each County.

Morgantown, W. Va.
June 25, 1927.

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

Gentlemen:

I would like to have as much of the record or application of John Wells, a private in the Revolutionary War from Maryland Militia, as in shown in the records of your department, especially giving me data relative to the date of his birth, marriage, and company or regiment to which he belonged in the Maryland Militia. He is noted as a pensioner from Monongalia County, Virginia, and is also noted in Vol. 18, page 66 of the Maryland Archives, and I am very anxious to get data to show that these two John Wells are identical.

Thanking you in advance for this information, I remain,

Yours very truly,
Thomas Ray Dille
Page 25

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Division of Veterans Administration Archives
NAME Wells, John GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 8031 ACREAGE 100 
ISSUED July 30, 1790
to Edward Compston, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in the General Land Office records in The National Archives.