Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44325, Jesse Ballard, R.I.
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(3-1776)   (form number)

SERVICE  R.I.  
Jesse Ballard
NUMBER - s 44325

CONTENTS...
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2236
Ohio
Levi Ballard

Col. Olney Captain
Rhode Island line 5 years.
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 5 of May 1818
to
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of Aug 1818 and sent to Hon Levi Barber
Marietta, Ohio
Arrearages to 4 Sept 1818-
4 months- $80.
{ Revolutionary claims,
Act 18th March, 1818,}
Stricken from the
roll see letter to Mr. Creighton (?) Esq. [illegible] dated [illegible] 1820
Bellford Washington County Ohio

Suspended
See Letter to Jesse Ballard
13 January 1820

wrote to Major Dexter, Apl 8. 1820
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State of Ohio
Washington County ss

On this 6th day of May in the year of our Lord 1818, before
me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas
for said County personally appeared Jesse Ballard
of the Township of Belpre in said State & County aged fifty-four years who being by me first duly sworn, doth on his oath 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 & Naval service
of the United States, in the Revolutionary War. That he the said Jesse Ballard
enlisted into the army of the United States on the 17th day of August AD 1777
his enlistment was for the Term of ten months in a regiment of Rhode Island troops on the Continental Establishment in
Captain James Williams Company which time time he served out-- in
providence in the State of Rhode Island, he enlisted again into the army during the
war in the spring of 1778
the troops of Rhode Island of
1778 - he served in Col Olney's regiment in the troops of
Rhode Island-
the Major's name was Olney in Captain David Sales-
he served some time as a private soldier &
afterward as a Sergeant, he continued in the service untill the
fifth day of May AD 1783 when he received Captains Commission
from the United States - he served as a captain from this time (to wit)
the time of receiving his commission untill the ninth of June in
the same year. when he was discharged at Stillwater in the State 
of New York. he was in a 
Battle at Morristown in New Jersey in
the Battle of Monmouth-- & at the taking of the British Army and Cornwallace at York Town in Virginia-- he was wounded at the
Battle of Monmouth he was wounded
Brandywine at which Battle he was, he had likewise been wounded
at the time of Sullivans Expedition on Rhode Island-- he is now in
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reduced circumstances & needs the assistance of his Country for support
he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to, and declared before me
the day & year aforesaid
John Shark Judge of the Court of
Common pleas for Washington County

I, John Shark Judge of the Court of Common pleas as aforesaid Do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jesse
Ballard Did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy for the Term
of nine months or for the time stated in his Declaration.  Captain
Jesse Ballard shewed the wound he had received in my presence
& in the presence of others-- they correspond with his Deposition.
I now transmit the proceedings & Testimony taken of had before
the to the Secretary of the Department of war, in pursuance of the
direction of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Marietta May 6th 1818
John Sharp
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Copy
Jany 13, 1820
Mr Jesse Ballard, US Pensioner
care of Levi Barber Esq. Marietta Ohio.
Sir:
Information from a very respectable source, that you are not the same Jesse Ballard who was a Captain in the Rhode Island Line during the Revolutionary war, has been received at this office. It therefore
becomes the duty of the Secretary of War to cause an investigation to be had on the subject; and if you do not
exhibit proof of identity,
your name will be
struck from the pension roll because it was
on account of that service that you obtained a
pension.

The head of this Department will also
in the failure of such evidence, be compelled to
direct a prosecution against you on a charge of
perjury.

It is proper that you should be
hereby affixed of what has been alleged against
you, in order to afford you an opportunity of
vindicating yourself before the
next semi annual payment, when your name
will be dropt from the roles, if the charge against should not before the [illegible]

OVER
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Copy
Apr. 8, 1820

Hon John S. Dexter, Providence R.I.
Sir
Information has been received at
this office, that Jesse Ballard, whose name
is now on the pension list, is an imposter,
that he never was a Capt as he states, but
that he was a waiter to his uncle of the same
name who it is stated was an officer in the
Rhode Island line during the revolution.
The papers in the case are
herewith
enclosed, in order to obtain
your opinion
on the subject; and to ascertain whether
two persons of the name of Jesse Ballard
served
the Rhode Island regiment at
the close of the war.
Be pleased
to accept my thanks for the
post and pest attention you have given
my communications on former occasions
over
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the State of Ohio
Washington County
Personally appeared before me Jacob Springer
of Lawfull age who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that in the year 1782
he had the charge and
direction of sinking a well at West Point, that the fatigue party called out for that purpose consisted of about forty men, commanded by a Captain Ballard, that he is well acquainted with Captain Jesse Ballard who obtained a pension certificate as a Capt in the Revolutionary Army dated 15th
Augt 1818, pay to commence 5th May same year that he believes both from recollection and conversing on the circumstances that took place at the time that they are one and the same person, and
further the deponent saith not.
Jacob Springer
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Marietta
this Eleventh day of Feby 1820
James Whitney Justice
I certify that I am acquainted with Jacob Springer
who signed the above instrument, that is so far as I have ever heard universally considered a very honest man.

L. Barber
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State of Ohio
Washington County ss: ⎬
As Clerk of the Court of Washington County (Commonpleas), I do certify that James Whitney, Esquire, who hath signed
his name to the within Certificate was at that time, and now is, an acting Justice
of the peace within and for said County duly elected commissioned and qualified
according to the Laws of said State. And that full faith and credit are and ought
to be given to all things by him thus certified as well in Courts of Justice as
elsewhere,-
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand
and affix my official seal at Marietta in said
County this twelfth day of February Anno Domini
One thousand eight hundred and twenty
Geo. Dunlevy Clerk
[illegible] Ohio
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44325
Revy
INVALID.
---
No. 44325
Jesse Ballard
possess
Capt Rev. War
Act: 18" March 1818
Index: - Vol. 3 Page 23
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909 May 14 Hist.
to Hon. Nathan B.
Scott, V.L.M.
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Hon
B. Ruggles
Senate
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Marietta March 28th 1820
Friend Ruggles:

I ask your attention to the enclosed papers
because you know Judges Hatch & Linzer, and can  state their character & standing in society.
Capt Ballard was one of the first that obtained
a pension in this place I was not personally acquainted with him
at the time, and in fact doubted his pretentions, and so
expressed myself to Mr Edwards - From a quarrel he has had with some persons, an attempt has been
to have him dropt from the pension List, and he has been notified from the Department of War that unless he could identify himself he would be dropt-- I enclosed a deposition some time since,
please present these papers and explain personally to 
Mr. Edwards the standing of Messrs. Hatch & Linzer- you will discover in the latter part of Hatch's letter he says something about I H Bulls land- perhaps you can give the information.
Hatchs Letter was not written to be forwarded should you think his note & the deposition will answer the same
purpose you will not present it. Ballard
has heard of a Liet that knew him, living somewhere
on the Mississippi has written to him but it is uncertain
whether he will find him. His family will all testify that they have seen his com'n.
I wish you to ascertain
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from Mr Edward whether these papers will be satisfactory and inform me immediately
[illegible]
truly your friend,

Lt Barber
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State of Ohio
Athens
County
sthis

22nd
day of March 1820
personally came before me Robert Lenzer
one of the Associate Judges in & for said
County Stanborough G. Stancliff Esquire
and being duly sworn deposeth & saith that
he this deponant was a soldier in the army
of the United States in the revolutionary war & that he this deponant was
acquainted with Jesse Ballard a soldier
in Colonel Olneys regiment in the Rhode Island
line that he was with said Ballard at
that the taking of Lord Cornwallace and in
the year 1782 he this deponent
saw the said Jesse Ballard
received a Captain' commission in the Rhode Island line & this deponant saw
said Ballard receive said Commission & he
was acquainted with said Captain
Jesse Ballard while he served in the
Station of Captain in said line and
he this deponent after the army was
disbanded never saw said Captain Ballard
till about six months since, he became
acquainted with him the said Ballard in
the State of Ohio, and this deponent
knows said Jesse Ballard of Athens
County in the State of Ohio to be
the same Jesse Ballard that was a
Captain as above stated. Further this
deponent says not.
Sworn
& Subscribed before me
in the day & year
above written

Robt Lenzer Associate Judge
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I Robert Lenze one of the associate Judges
of the County of Athens in the State of Ohio
do certify that I am personally acquainted with
Stanbrough G Stancliff Esquire &
believe him to be a man of truth and

Robert Lenze  associate Judge
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[line at top cut off]
if you do I have no doubt of his pension
being continued, please to write me by the
bearer and let me know what the prospects
are and inform me if there is any agent in
[note below is on a piece of paper which obscures part of the continuation of text above]
I forgot to mention in my letter that Stancliff
is one of our County Commissioners, has long
ben a Justice of the peace is a man of strict 
Morality & there can be no doubt of the
Correctness of his deposition.
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[illegible] 25th March 1826
Colonel Barber

Dear Sir:

I have taken some pains to assist
Capt Ballard to identify him self so as to
his pension I have succeeded beyond my expectations you will see by the accompanying deposition 
that that he is justly entitled to it Esquire
Stancliff is a man of truth.  I saw him and
conversed with him on the subject before he
knowed that Ballard was in their county &
I was fully satisfied that Ballard was appointed & Commissioned as captain much in the way
that he related, I hope you will assist him
if you do I have no doubt of his pension
being continued.

pleas to write me by the
bearer and let me know what the prospects
are and inform me if there is any agent in
Marietta for the land down to the share
of John H Ballard and if you know how that
Section can be had your compliance will
oblige your old friend 
[signature illegible]
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Point Harmon
Feby 15
Free
Hon. J.C. Calhoun
Sec'y at War
Washington
Capt. Ballard
Proof of Identity
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Point Harmon Feby 11, 1820
Hon. J. C. Calhoun
Sec'y at War
Sir:
Enclosed you will receive
the deposition of Jacob Springer on Capt. Ballard's case. I had not an opportunity of forwarding his letter until a few days since, he is now gone 80 miles where (he says) he expects to obtain the deposition
of a Sergeant who served under him.
your Obt Serv.
L. Barber
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Providence April 13th 1820.

Sir:
Your letter under date of 8th instant, inclosing the Pension
Papers of Jesse Ballard has been received.

From the 1st day of January 1781, the Rhode Island Line, on the continental
establishment, consisted of one Regiment only, which was
commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene, who on the 14th of May
next following was killed by a party of Delaney's Corps at Pines bridge
on Croton River, from that time to the end of the war the same Regiment
of which I was Major, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Jeremiah Olney.
I have examined the Regimental Book with the most scrupulous attention and care, and confidently assure you, that no person of the
Name of
Jesse Ballard served in any character or capacity in the
Rhode Island line, on the continental establishment, at any period
between the 1st day of January 1781, and the close of the revolutionary War
Ballard, pension papers are inclosed-
I am, Sir, respectfully, Your ob't servant,


Maj. Dexter [illegible] 
J. L. Edwards, Esquire
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RECORD DIVISION. Congressional
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D. L.
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier: Jesse Ballard
Service: [blank]
-
Additional Service Rev. War
No. claim, State records , [blank]
No claim, combination records , [blank]
REMARKS:
No claim except
J# 44325
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United States Senate,
COMMITTEE ON
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
May 11th, 1909.

MR. SCOT CHAIRMAN,

Hon. V. Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Commissioner:
One of my constituents has written to me asking for information regarding one Jesse Ballard, a Revolutionary soldier hailing from territory now forming part of the State of
Ohio.
Will you please let me know whether the records of your office contain the desired information.

Very truly yours,
N. B Scott
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May 14, 1909.
Hon. Nathan B. Scott,
U. S. Senate,

My dear Senator:

In reply to your letter dated the 11" and received the 12" instant, I have the honor to advise you that Jesse Ballard, Sur. File No. 44
,325, was allowed pension for service in the Rhode Island troops, Warof

the Revolution, on an application executed May 5, 1818 at which date he was fifty five years of age and a resident of Belpre Township, Washington County, Ohio, but his name was dropped from the pension rolls as it
was afterwards shown that he did not serve as alleged.
Very respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.