Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6196, for William Steel, North Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE                               NUMBER
N.C.           Steel, William       W. 6196
                           Cerlia         B.L.Wt.8156-160-55
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Dead
Letter to Hon A. H. H.Stuart. 19. Jany 1843.
died 8 Feb 1832  [illeg.] in full

16.547 Virginia
North Carolina [words crossed through]
William Steel
of     in the state of No Carolina
who was a Corporal in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Thaxton of the North Carolina
line, for the term of nine Months
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 29th of February 1820
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th of Mar. 1820
and [illeg.] to the Hon. Tho Little
House of Representatives
Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1820                 $  1.29
Asem-anl. all-ce ending 11 Sep: 1820   48.
4/31/1/19                                            $49.29

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818
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3908
Virginia, Richmond
Cerlia Steel
widow of William Steel
NC
who served in the Revolutiona-
ry war, as a Corpl
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
25 day of March 1837 (?)
and sent to
John T. Neely,
Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 129 V2.a
1818.
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Act March 3/55
April 12/55
64.577
Cerlia Steel.
widow of
William Steel. Private.
Capt.
Col. 
Enl
Dis-
Revolutionary War
Boynton
July 53- 3908
160 ac's Oct 11/55
Dodge
Thos. Thornburg
Cabell CH                 Vol. S2 64
Va.


[written diagonally across other text]
[illeg.] 8156 [illeg.] Oct 13/5
Page 5

State of Virginia  ) SS.
Cabell County     )
On this 23 day of May 1853 personally appeared before the County Court of the County of Cabell Cerlia Steel a resident of Virginia in the County of Cabell, aged 80 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3th [sic] of February 1893  that she is the widow of William Steel who was a Soldier during the Revolutionary War  The said William Steel drew ninety six dollars annually his residence being in Cabell County Virginia agency in Richmond   She further declares that she was marriade [sic] to the said William Steel on the 29th day of December in the year eighteen hundred and twelve; that her husband the aforesaid William Steel died on the 8th or 9th day of February 1832  that she was mariade [sic] to him at the time above stated.  She further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a pension
Cerlia Steel
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written before the county court of Cabell
Teste John B[illeg.] CkCC
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County of Cabell
State of Virginia
At a county court held for Cabell County on Monday May 23d 1853.
Cerlia Steel the widow of William Stael late a pensioner of the United States this day presented in court her declaration and made oaths to the truth thereof in Open Court which os ordered to be certified to all whom it may concern.
In Testimony I John Samuels
clerk of the said court have
hereuto subscribed my name
and affixed the seal of said 
county this 4th day of July. AD 
1853 & in the 78th year of the
Commonwealth.
John Samuels CkCCC
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State of Virginia   ) SS
County of Cabell  )
On this third day of April AD. one thousand Eight Hundred & fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Cabell & state aforesaid Cerlia Steel aged Eighty   years a resident of Cabell County in the state of Virginia who being duly sworn according to Law declares that she is the widow of William Steel deceased who was a Corporal in the company commanded by Captain      in the     Regiment of      Commanded by Col.      in the Revolutionary War.  that her said husband enlisted    at       on or about the     day of     A.D.     for the term of during the [illeg.] months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of        Months and was honorably discharged at:      on the        day of       A.D.     
She further states in order to facilitate her claim she refers to the evidence on file in the War Department from which evidence of her Husband service and her marriage is on file.  She further states that she was married to the said William Steel in the County of Amherst State of V on the -- day of       A.D.      by one John Davis      a Baptist Minister      and that her name before her said marriage was Cerlia Howard  that her said husband died at Cabell County on the [illeg.] day of January AD. 1833  that she is now a widow   She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Courts [?] bond to which she may be entitled under act passed March 3d 1833
Cerlia Steel
her X mark

We David Love and Charles T Emmett residents of Cabell County in the state of Virginia upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Cerlia Steel in our presence [sic] and that we believe from
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from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be & that I have no interest in this claim
David Love
Charles F. Everett

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, That the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the claim
Thomas Thornburg  J.P.

State of Virginia   )  SS
County of Cabell   )
I John Samuels Clerk of the County Court of Cabell County do hereby certify that Thomas Thornburg says before whome [sic] the written declaration and affidavit was made was at the time of so doing a justice of said county & state aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn.  And that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto affixed my seal of
office and subscribed my 
name  Given under my hand
this 3rd day of April 1853
John Samuels  Clerk
of the courts of Cabell county
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Cabell C H V
April 4th 1853

Sir

Herewith you have the declaration of Cerlie Steel for Bounty Land  please examine & if found correct send her warrant to my care

Yours
Thos
Thornburg for 
Mary Rice--
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Cpy. Wm Steel
Declaration
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Amherst County to wit
On this  13th day of September 1829 personally appeared in open court William Steel aged 74 year who being first duly sworn according to aw doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of congress of the 18th March 1818 and the first day of May 1820 that he the said Steel in about the year 1779 at Hillsboro Orange County North Carolina enlisted in the company of Capt Thomas Donoho and Regiment commanded by Col Archibald Little for the term of 18 months in the line of the State of Virginia on continental establishment that he continued to serve in the same for about 2 years where he was discharged at Salisbury  That he was in the Battle of Briar Creek & Stone and That he was wounded in the hand by the Cut of a broad sword which has deprived him of his use of a Thumb and finger  That he has heretofore transmitted a declaration to the War Department bearing date 29th February 1820 and that he has received a pension certificate of the number of     and bearing date the 11th day of March 1820  the first payment on which appears by the endorsement to be made on the 4th September 1820  And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1829 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 miself [sic] within the provision of an act of Congress entitled an act  to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & Naval Service of the United States in the revolutionary War passed on the 18th March 1818.  And that I have not [illeg.] any person in
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in trust for me any property or security contracts of debts due me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed  I do further declare I am of the occupation of a farmer that I am unable from the feebleness & frailty of old age to pursue it except in a very partial & limited way.  That my family consists of a wife 45 years of age & two daughters Juanna of 7 years &  Molly of 5 years of age all of whom are incapable contributing unless in a very sight degree to their support
William Steel
his X mark
Teste
L P Thomson

Schedule of the property of the written declarant [sic] William Steel
                                             $
2 chests one dollar each       2
4 hoes [?] 50 Cents each        2
2 Ases [sic]                              2
2 Tables                                   1 -- 50
1 Foot[illeg.]                                   50
1 Bolt & Clever [sic]                        34
1 Plow hoe                                      50
2 Drawing Knives                            25
1 Handsaw                                      25
2 head of hogs                        5
1 Auger                                           25
1 Chisel                                           25
1 set of Teacup with saucers           75
2 Reep [sic] hooks                           25
1 Looking glass                               16
1 Set knives and forks                      75
2 Mugs                                             12
1 Earthen plate                                 1
1 Earthen Dish                                   25
1 Serve pot & hooks                  1      00
1 Dutch Oven & hooks              1     25
1 Four gallon pail                              25
1 Thirty gallon Cask                          25
1 Sifter & churn                          1    00
2 Chairs                                       1   00
                                                $21   52 [?]
which is all the property possessed by the said William Steel
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Amherst County Sept first 1820
Sworn to in Court according to law
Arthur B. Davies Ck
A Copy Teste A. B. Davies Ck

At a Court held for Amherst County at the Court house the 19th day of Sept 1820.  William Steel filed on oath a declaration made in writing of his having served as a soldier in the revolutionary war and also filed a schedule of the property with which he is possessed which in the opinion of the court is worth Twenty one dollars and eighty two cents
A Copy Teste  A B Davies Ck
Virginia to wit:
I Arthur B. Davies Clerk of the County Court of Amherst do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration and certificate have been duly taken from the record filed in my office.
In Testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed the
seal of my office this 23d day of
September 1820 and in the 45th year
of the commonwealth
Arthur B. Davies Ck
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Virginia Court

I David S. Garland presiding Justice named in the commission of the peace for the County Court of Amherst do hereby certify that the foregoing certificate & attestation of Albion B. Davies Clerk of the County Court of Amherst, to which he hath affixed the seal of his office, hath been done agreeable to law, and that full faith and credit are due thereto in any of the States.  Given under my hand & seal this 23 day of Sept 1920 in the 45th year of the commonwealth.
David S. Garland
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State of North Carolina
Orange County

Personally appeared before me Frederick Nash one of the Judges of the Sup. Courts of Law & Equity in and for the State aforesaid William Steel who being duly sworn upon the holy evangelist of Allmighty [sic] God deposeth & sayeth that in the year 1779 he enlisted in the army of the United States as a common soldier in the company commanded by Thos Donnoho of the 4th Regiment of North Carolina continentals commandd by Colonel Thaxton-- that he enlisted for the term of nine months & faithfully served out his time of service that he was duly discharged at Salisbury in said State--that he joined head quarter at Purysburg [sic] in South Carolina where Genrl. Lincoln then lay with his army early in the year 1779-- that he has lost his discharge--  that he was a corporal [illeg.] in that capacity in the battles of Brier Creek & Stone-- That he is in needy & reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country & that this declaration is made for the purpose of entitling himself to the benefit of the Act of Congress made for the relief of the Soldiers of the Revolution
William Steel
his X mark

Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 29th of
February AD 1820
F Nash JSCLE
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State of North Carolina        Admitted
Orange County---                on Roll
Thomas Bane maketh oath that he was well acquainted in the 1779 with William Steel
the within affiant that he served with him as a continental Soldier in the army of the United States--  that they belonged to the company commanded by Captn Thos Donoho of the 4th Regiment of North Carolina continentals under the command of Colonel Lytle-- that the said William Steel was a corporal & this deponent believes to the best of his recollection was discharged at Salisbury in this State-- where this deponent was discharged & at the same time-- after a service of nine months--
Thos. Banen [sic]
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 29th of
Febr 1820
F. Nash  JSCLE

I Frederick Nash one of the Judges of the Super[sic] of Courts of Law & Equity in & for the State of North Carolina--do hereby certify that it appears to me satisfaction that the within named William Steel did enlist & serve as a soldier in the army of the United States during the Revolution & for the time therein stated--that he is reduced circumstances & needs the  assistance of his country for his support--
F Nash  JSCLE
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Know all Men by the presents that we William Steel and Larkin Byals are held and firmly bound unto James Barlow Governor of Virginia and to his Successors in office of Governor in the Sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars Current money of Virginia to  which payment were and being to be made, we bond Ourselves Our Heirs to jointly and Severally firmly by these presents  Sealed with our Seals and dated this 25th day of December 1812    The Condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas, There is a marriage intended Shortly to be had and Solemnized between the above bound Wm Steel (widower) & Cerlia Howard (widow)   Now if there should be no legal Cause to Obstruct Same Marriage, then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue
Wm Steel      Seal
his X mark

Larken Byals      Seal
his X mark

Teste Warner Goodwin
Signed Sealed & Act'd
in presence of W. S Crawford

Stat of Virginia   )
Amherst County )  to Wit
I Samuel M. Garland Clerk of the County Court of Amherst afore said in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of an original Marriage Bond now on file in my office
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto Set
my hand and affixed the Seal of my
office this 16th day of April 1853 and, in the 77th year of the Commonwealth
Samuel ,M, Garland  Clerk
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
[illeg.]
S. F. 6196

In rely to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of William Steel a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings, followed by column entries]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
1779
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 years
RANK.
Corpl
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Thos. Donoho
COLONEL. 
Thackston
Archibald Lytle
STATE.
N.C.

Battles engage in, Brier Creek, Stone, and was wounded in the hand
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Hillsboro, Orange Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, Feb'y 29, 1820. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Orange Co. N.C.
Age at date of application, 74 yrs
Remarks: Died Feb'y 8 or 9, 1832 or Jan'y 8 1833.  Soldier mar. Dec. 29, 1812 in Amherst Co. Va. Cerlia Howard.  She was a widow & he a widower.  She was al. pens. on an app. of May 23, 1853 while a res. of Cabell Co. Va. aged 80 years.  In 1820 his daus. Juanna 7 yrs. and Molly 5 yrs. old were referred to.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
J--2856
Page 19

Jany. 20 1903
Miss Sally E. Brown
Atlanta GA

1916 Apr. 12 Hist. To Myra A. [illeg.]
Letter in W.F.74 Archibald W[illeg.]
Cardy[illeg.]

Revy [sic] WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6196
Cerlia Steel
Wid.
Wm Steel
Corpl. Rev. War
Act: Feby. 3d/53
Index:---Vol. M, Page 241

[Arrangement of 1879.]
Page 20

Washington City D.C
July 22d, 1853

Sir:
Enclosed you will find the Declaration of Mrs. Steel widow of Wm Steel who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner from the State of Virginia, for a Pension under 2 Section of the act of 3d Febry 

Yours
Very Respectfully
Tho T Neely

To Commissioner
   Of Pensions
Page 21

Brief in the case of Cerlia Steel widow of William
Cabell County and State of Virginia
act of February 3-1853

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

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

Husband a pensioner under act of June7. 1832
at $96 per annum
Allowed $96 per annum to commence Feb 3. 1833
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the Claim?  If so, what?
Marriage proved by credible witnesses
Death of pensioner proved by public record
Identity & widowhood proved by credible witnesses

Name and residence of Agent
John T Neely
Present.

Examining Clerk.
J L Gray
Page 22

Washington. D.C
Mar. 18. 1854

Sir.
Enclosed please find additional evidence in the case of Mrs. Celia [sic] Steel widow of William Steel a Revol. Sol. & Pensioner of Virginia for a Pension under the Second section of the act of the 3d Feb. 1853,

Your very respectfy [sic]
Thos T Neely

Commissioner of Pensions
                             Present
Page 23

William Steel's appli-
cation to be transferred
from N. Carolina to Vir-
ginia-- 16 Novm. 1820
Transferred 24 Nov. 1820


Sep 20
Page 24

Application for a Transfer

County of Amherst   SS
On this 16th day of November 1820 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the peace for the said county of Amherst personally appeared William Steel who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Thomas Donoho in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Archibald Little in the service of the United States: That his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of North Carolina from whence he has lately removed: That he now resides in Amherst County and State of Virginia where he intends to remain and wishes his pension [illeg.] to be there payable

William Steel [sic]
Subscribed and Sworn to before
me the day and year aforesaid
Tho. Aldridge

Virginia Court
I Arthur B. Davies Clerk of the County Court of Amherst, do hereby certify that Thomas Aldridge whose name is above affixed, is an acting Justice of the peace for the said County of Amherst.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the sea of my office.  Given under my hand this 16th day of November 1820, and in the 45th year of this commonwealth
Arthur B. Davies
Page 25

State of Virginia   ) SS
Cabell County      )

On this  30 day of December eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace C, L, Roffe and made oath in due form of law that he was personally acquainted with William Steel a Revolutionary Soldier and a pensioner and that the said C, L, Roffe was in the habit of drawing the pension papers of the said William Steel and sending them on to Richmond and Collecting his pension and that the said William Steel was the husband of the said Cerlia Steel who is now makeing [sic] application for a pension and who made a declaration in open Court of Cabell County on the 29 day of may last in order to obtain said pension and from the best of his recollection the said William Steel died in the begining [sic] of the month of February 1832 and that the said William Steel drew ninety six dollars annually
C, L, Roffe  
Sworn to and subscribed before me; 
and I do certify that Charles S Roffe
is entitled to full credit from my
own knowledge of his standing & credibil [word continued in next page of document]
Page 26

-ity, and from my own knowledge
of facts testified by him--
Given under my hand and
Seal the day and date first
before written--
Daniel Love      Seal

Virginia Cabell County Court  
I John Samuels Clerk of the County Court in the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Daniel Love before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgments and that the name thereunto subscribed is his signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 1st day of February AD 1854
John Samuels CKCCC
Page 27

State of Virginia   )
Cabell County      ) SS
On this 31st [?] day of January eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared before me undersigned a justice of the peace Winston Nowel and made oath in due form of law that he was preasant [sic] at the marriage of William Steel and Cerlia Howard in the County of Amherst and State of Virginia that he knew Cerlia Steel to be the widow of the said William Steel who was a Revolutionary Soldier and a pensioner and that he knew the said Cerlia Steel who maid [sic] Oath in Open Court of Pabel [sic] County and State of Virginia to ["to" crossed out] on the 25 day of May 1853 to the identical person named in the marriage bond filed in the Clerks Office of Amherst County and State aforesaid
That the said William Steel died in the month of February 1832       Winston CC

Sworn to and subscribed before me; and I do certify that Winston Nowel is entitled to full credit, from my own knowledge of his standing and from my own knowledge of facts testified by him--  Given under my hand and Seal the day and date first before mentioned--  Jerome Shelton   J.P.
Page 28

Virginia, Cabell County Court

I John Samuels Clerk of the County Court in the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Jerome Shelton before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly authorized by Law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements and that the name thereunto subscribed is his signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my name and affixed
my official seal this 1st day of February
AD 1854
John Samuels CKCCC [sic]
Page 29

No. 64577
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.

Received April 12, 1855
William Steel
Rev. War

Warrant 8156-160-55

Thos. Thomburg
Cabell C.H.
Va
Page 30

[postmark] Cabell C. H.    
P

free

[addressed to] Honl L P Waldo
                        Washington City
                         DC

64.577
Page 31

8156

Ned Avery
Page 32

No. 2737

Cerlia Steele, widow of
William Steele
[illeg.] J. T. Neely Oct. 1/53
(RG)  returning [?} affidavit
of C. . Roffe--
Allowed $96. per annum
P. Commsner Feb. 3 1853
Page 33

Caswell County
North Carolina
I Thomas Donoho do hereby certify that William Steel came in to the continental Service in the North Carolina line about the first of the year one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight and continued in the Service until the latter end of the year Seventy nine and Served as Corporal and Served as a good and faithfull [sic] Soldier during Said time and Served part of his time under me when he was discharged he held the office of Capt in the Service and afterwards was promoted to Major--
I have every reason to believe that he the Said William Steel is a man in low circumstances and is entitled to the pension allowed by government.
Given under my hand the 22nd February AD 1820
Tho Donoho