Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9347, John Bell, Md.
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SERVICE
Md.
Bell, John
Catherine
W 9347
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Maryland 3469

Catharine Bell
widow of John Bell who died MD on the [illegible] August 1826
of Baltimore in the State of Maryland
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain [illegible] of the regt commanded by [blank] in the [illegible] line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Nov
1840, and sent to Michael [illegible] Baltimore, Md

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 760.00
Semi-annual allowance ending [illegible] 40.00
_
$700.00
(Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the [illegible]

Recorded by [illegible] Clerk.
Book C. vol. 1, page 165
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State of Maryland
City of Baltimore [illegible]

On this fifth day of October in the year of
our Lord Eighteen Hundred and forty. Before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the State of Maryland in and for the City of Baltimore personally appeared Catharine Bell a resident of Baltimore County and made oath in the Holy Evangel of Almighty God. That she is the widow of John Bell who was a soldier of the Revolution in Captain Gheslin company and that her marriage to said John Bell was consummated on the sixth day of April in the year Seventeen Hundred and seventy three, and that she had the birth of her children and her marriage aforesaid recorded in her family prayer Book by Richard Bell her brother in law
and which prayer book was deposited as the pension office as evidence of the marriage aforesaid, she further declares that the said Richard Bell has been dead some twenty four years or thereabout leaving no writing of his to her knowledge that she might exhibit to the pension office as a specimen of the entries made by him in the aforesaid prayer book, and that the reason of her getting the said Richard Bell to make the entire in
he prayer book aforesaid was from the fact that her deceased Husband John Bell did not know how to write-- Sworn to and subscribed before 
William [illegible] of
Justice of the peace of the City of Baltimore
Catherine (her mark) Bell
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State of Maryland Baltimore County Sct

I hereby certify that William Eichelberger of a gentleman before whom the within affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of said State in and for the City of Baltimore
duly commissioned and sworn

In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court
this 8th day of October 1840.
Thos Kell Clk
Balto County
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State of Maryland
Baltimore City

On this twenty eight day of April in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and forty, before the Orphans Court of Baltimore City and County a Court of Record personally appeared Cathrine Bell aged Eighty four years a resident of Baltimore County, and said State; who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, That she the said Cathrine Bell is the lawfull widow of John Bell who enlisted as a private in
Captain Ghesilens Company of the sixth Maryland Regiment, for nine months on the
first day of July 1778, and on the first day
of April 1779 was discharged, and she the aforesaid Cathrine Bell formerly Cathrine Doyle
and her husband deceased John Bell
were Lawfully married on the sixth day
of April 1773 (seventeen hundred and seventy three) by Parson Chase in the City of
Baltimore, in Saint Pauls Parish, and deponent further states that their marriage and the birth of their children were recorded in her family prayer book which is now in her possession, and after said Marriage Cathrine and John Bell were the mother and father of twelve child of the following names, and the days and years they were born as herein
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stated, which is a true copy taken from
the aforesaid prayer book as follows: 
Susanna Bell was born July 23rd 1774 
Richard was born November 8th 1776 
John was born January 12, 1779 
Isiah was born September 27th 1782 
John was born November 2d 1784 
Jesse was born August 11th 1787 
Clarice was born November 13th 1789 
[ineligible] March 2nd 1792 
Edward was born April 14th 1795
Mary was born October 27th 1797 
Harriet was born June 5th 1799 
Sidney was born June 14th 1802 
and all of her children as above stated are married and have Eighty one children which are deponents grand children and a part of her grand children are married and have forty three children which are deponent great grand
children and deponent further states upon
oath, that her aforesaid husband John Bell died August the Eleventh Eighteen hundred and twenty six, and that Cathrine Bell has remained his widow ever since his death and never married again

In testimony whereof the said deponent has hereunto subscribed her name
in the day and year first written.
Catherine her x mark Bell

Wm Baker
James B. Price
John H. Briscoe

Justices of the Orphans Court of Baltimore County
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The State of Maryland
Baltimore County SS
I hereby certify that William Baker James B. Price and John H. Briscoe who have signed the aforegoing certificate were at the time of so doing Justices of the Orphans Court for Baltimore County in said State duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and office the seal of the said Court this 28th day of April 1840.
[illegible] D. M. Perine Esq.
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Resy WIDOW, &C.
File No.  937
Catharine Bell Wid. of John Bell
Roll Md. line
Act:  July 4 "[illegible] 36, Sec. 3
Index:   Vol.   A,   Page 50
[Arrangement of 1870]
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5135
Catharine Bell, widow of John Bell, Maryland.
Act 4 July 1836
[crossed out words:  See letters 1 Sept. 1840 & Oct. 29, 1840 to M. Dunn].
Adm

$80 per annum sent out to Michael Dunn Baltimore
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Land office, Annapolis, 19th March 1840
I hereby certify that it appears by the muster rolls of the Revolution remaining in this office, that Jon Bell, enlisted as a private in Captain Ghasilins
company of the 6th Maryland Regiment for the term of nine months on the 1st day of July 1779 and on the 1st day of April 1779 was discharged.
George G. Brewer Reg. Land Off. W. S. Md.
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To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
This is to certify that we the undersigned residents of Baltimore County are well acquainted with Thomas Ritter an aged gentleman with whom we have as neighbors for a number years, that we know him to be a man of sound mind and memory and of unquestionable veracity and at any time within our knowledge of him would undoubtedly believe any statement of such made by him in testimony whereof we subscribe and names on this fifth day of [illegible] 1840.
D. Williamson
Edwd Goff [illegible]
Peter Foley
Corn Howard  [Note Refer to R.B. Tancy or Gen. N. Towson C.H.]
Joseph Mettans as [illegible] Pikesville
Wm Maynadier Capt [illegible] U.S. Arsenal
M.R. Hook  [illegible] x

[Note  x Reference to [illegible] James H. Hook Washington City]
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State of Maryland, Baltimore County to wit:
On this nineteenth day of September in the year of Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Thomas Ritter aged about eighty six years a resident of said County and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that the reason of his having a personal knowledge of John Bell when he was acting as a private in Captain Ghislin's company of the Maryland Continental Line was from the fact of deponent and the said Bell having been intimate from boys and lived neighbors and deponent still lives neighbor with his widow and children, and this deponent further declares that he and the said Bell were in the habit of attending the markets in the City of Baltimore frequently together, and at the time of so doing which was some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, this deponent and John Bell came across Sergeant Henry Miller of Captain Ghislin's company who this deponent and Bell were well acquainted with, and that this said
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said Sergeant Miller stated to them that the Company had served in Baltimore some two or three days and that they would continue their march after the company's sufficient rest to the head of the Chesapeake Bay to join the Army; and that this deponent further declares that the aforesaid John Bell enlisted under Sergeant Henry Miller in Captain Ghislin's company and marched with them to join the army and that he knows him to be the identical person and the husband of Catharine Bell, who is an applicant for compensation for his revolutionary pension and that she still remains his widow and never married again.
Sworn before Luther Ratcliffe
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Sir
I am acquainted with W [illegible] Howard who refers to me in the enclosed paper but not with his signature.  W. Howard is one of the most respectable citizens of Maryland, brother of Col. E. Howard a distinguished officer of the Revolution and uncle to Genl. Howard the late member of Congress from Baltimore.
Respectfully Land of [illegible]
 N. Towson
Jas L. Edwards Esq
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[Envelope with note]
[Written vertically left margin]
Oct 13 1840
Maryd
Cath Bell

[Circular mail stamp]
BALTIMORE
OCT 
13
MD.

[Address]

To the Hon FREE
J. L. Edwards 
Com of Pensions
Washington, D.C
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State of Maryland 
Baltimore County to wit

On this twenty sixth day of September in the year 
of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty, before 
me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for 
the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared 
Jacob Hook, aged eighty one years a resident of 
said County, and made oath on the Holy Evangely 
of Almighty God, That he was intimately acquainted 
with John and Catharine Bell, before and after 
they were married, for they were raised children 
together, and he still live neighbours [neighbors] with his 
[repeated: his] widow and children, and this deponent further 
declares that he knows that the said Catharine and 
John Bell were married some time in the year 
seventeen hundred and seventy three, and after
wards knew the same identical John Bell when 
he was acting as a private soldier during the 
war of the Revolution which was some time in the 
year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, and after 
he rendered the services aforesaid the said Catharine 
and John Bell lived together again as man and wife 
and allways [always] was reputed as such, and the 
said Catharine never married since his death 
Sworn and subscribed to the 
day and year above first | Jacob Hook 
writen [written] before me a Justice 
of the peace for the State and 
County aforesaid
William C Gent J P

I hereby certify that I have known Jacob Hook 
who has subscribed to the above statements for 
at least thirty years and know him to be a gentleman
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of verracity [verracity] and crediability [credibility] and that his 
oath would be taken in a Court of Justice
William C Gent J P
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[Envelope with note]
[Written vertically left margin]

Nov. 14, 1840.
Ciomr
Mrs Bell

[Circular mail stam]
BALTIMORE
[illegible]
MD

[Address]
FREE
To
J. L. Edwards, Esqr. 
Com. of Pensions
Washington DC
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Baltimore Nov. 12. 1840

Dear Sir

I have recd your letter dated 
29th Octr. requiring that I should as agent 
for Mrs Catharine Bell obtain a certificate 
from under the hands of Genl. Towson as it 
regards the general character of Thomas 
Ritter one of the witnesses in the case of 
Mrs. Bell.  I have herewith enclosed a Cer
tificate of signatures who no doubt from 
difference to Genl. Towson is quite familiar 
with and in hopes from the general 
character of the signatures will be sufficient 
to establish her case
With high regard
To J. L. Edwards Esqr | I Remain very Respectfully 
Comr of Pensions | Your Obt
Washg. | Michael Dunn
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State of Maryland 
Baltimore County to wit

On this twenty sixth day of September in the year 
of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty, before the 
subscriber a Justice of the peace, in and for the State 
and County aforesaid, personally appeared Elizabeth 
Ritter aged seventy nine years a resident of said County 
and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Allmighty [Almighty]
God, That she has been intimately acquainted with 
Catharine and John Bell ever since she can recolect [recollect] and 
at the time when they were married which was some
time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy three 
after which time the said John Bell was a soldier 
during the war of the Revolution and which was 
some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy 
eight, and that she knows the said Catharine Bell 
to be the identical widow of the aforesaid John 
Bell for this deponent has lived neighbours [neighbors] with 
the said Bell up to his death, and still live neigh
bour [neighbor] with his widow and children and knows 
him John Bell to be the identical husband of 
Catharine Bell who is now making application 
for his Revolutionary services
Sworn and subscribed to the 
day and year above first | Elizabeth her X mark Ritter
writen [written] before me a Justice 
of the peace in and for the
State and County aforesaid
William C Gent Jus Peace

I hereby certify that I have known Elizabeth Ritter thirty 
years and more and know her to be a lady of verracity [veracity]
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and crediability [credibility] and of an unquestionable character 
and that her oath would be taken in any Court 
of Justice 
William C. Gent J Peace

State of Maryland }
Baltimore County Sct }  I hereby certify that 
Luther Ratcliffe and William C. Gent Gentlemen 
before whom the aforegoing affidavits were 
made & who have thereto signed their names 
were at the time of so doing [word struck out] two Justices 
of the peace of the State of Maryland in & 
for Baltimore County duly commissioned 
& sworn
In Testimony whereof I 
hereto set my hand and 
affix the seal of Baltim
ore County Court this 8th day 
of October 1840 
Thos Kell, Clk
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No 5135

Michael Dunn
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State of Maryland, Baltimore County to wit:

Be it remembered that on this 
fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and forty, before me the subscriber a Justice of 
the peace of the said State, in and for Baltimore County aforesaid
personally appeared Thomas Ritter aged about eighty six 
years-a resident of said County and made oath on the Holy 
of Allmighty [Almighty] God, that he is now a pensioner of the United States 
under the law of the 7th of June 1832, that he was personally 
acquainted with John Bell and at the time when serving as a 
private in the company of Capt Chalen of the sixth Ma
ryland regiment under the command of Genl Smallwood, and 
well knew him to be the identical John Bell who rendered 
the [illegible] services; for deponent and said Bell was 
raised boys together, and deponent further states upon oath 
that he is personally acquainted with Catharine Bell now the 
widow of the aforesaid John Bell, and well knew when they were 
married and after their marriage knew were the father and 
mother of twelve children, and that the aforesaid Catharine 
and John Bell were always reputed as man and wife, and 
that said Catharine has never married since the death of 
her said husband up to the present time.
Luther Ratcliffe | Thomas his X mark Ritter
Sworn before 
Luther Ratcliffe
Justice of the peace for Balto County

I hereby Certify, that I am acquainted with Thomas Ritter 
and believe him to be a man of veracity and credibility, and 
that his oath would be taken in any Court of justice.
Luther Ratcliffe

I was informed that Genl. Towson is well acquainted with 
Thomas Ritter and can further testify, if necessary, to his good 
character and fair standing.  L. Ratcliffe
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State of Maryland, }
Baltimore County Sct } I hereby certify that Luther 
Ratcliffe Gentleman before whom the within 
affidavit or deposition was taken and who has 
thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so 
doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of 
Maryland in & for the County of Baltimore duly 
commissioned & sworn
In Testimony whereof I hereto 
set my hand and affix the 
seal of Baltimore County 
Court this 7 day of July 1840
Thos Kell Clk
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Dear Sir

Enclosed I have forwarded 
the additional testimony in Mrs Catharine 
Bell case of application for a pension 
for the services rendered the U.S. 
during the revolutionary war by her husband and as  
she is very poor your will do her 
a great kindness in taking up her 
case immediately
With respect, I 
am your very obt

Michael Dunn

To the Hon
J. L. Edwards 
Comr. Pension
Washington