Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6607, James Bell, Md.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE Md.
Bell, James
NUMBER S. 6607
carded
CONTENTS [BLANK]
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32.914
Pennsylvania [illegible]
James Bell of Adams Co in the State of Penna, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain [BLANK] in the Regt commanced by [BLANK] in the Revolution line for six months
Maryland Line
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of August 1837 and sent to P. Ellis Esq
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi-annual allowance ending [BLANK]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by H K Weightman Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol 5 Page 5
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this seventh day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty one, personally appeared before me a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Adams aforesaid, James Bell, of said County, and State residing therein, who being first duly sworn according to law 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 volunteered as a private in the Army of the United States, early in July 1777 at Taneytown, now in Carroll County, Maryland, and served under Captain Harry Williams from near Emmittsburg, and served under Colonel William Beatty (of Frederick, M'd.) and under Lieut Colonel Campbell, & under Brigadier General Gest [Gist], and under Major General Smallwood. That he was in the battle of Germantown in Pennsylvania, and was discharged about the middle of January 1778. and had been in the service six months That he was in the Maryland line under General Sullivan at Germantown and also in a smaller engagement.
That he received six months pay for his service in Continental money. That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares, that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. He also states that after the war, he resided but a few years near Taneytown
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in the State of Maryland, that he then removed into this County (Adams) in the State of Pennsylvania, and has ever since (a period of upwards of sixty years) resided in Straban Township, in this County, and continues there to reside. That he has never before made an Application for a pension, partly on account of his former circumstances, and of late years because he did not know that he had sufficient proof of his services, and also from phisical disability from a stroke of paralisis, about four years ago. That just before he suffered from that stroke, he had applied to David McConaughy Esq, an attorney in partnership with Hon. M. McClean then in Congress from this District. That he then gave D. McConaughy a brief statement of his service &c, and was about to see after some testimony, but after he was visited with his severe affliction he did not give further attention to his claim until now.
[signature] James Bell, his X mark

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 7th day of
for January A.D. 1851.
S R Russell

And I Samuel R. Russell, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, do hereby declare my opinion that the said James Bell was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And further that I have known him for twenty five years and believe him to be a man of truth and of strict integrity. And I also certify that by reason of his paralisis and
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bodily infirmities which have afflicted him for years, he is not able to appear in open Court to make his declaration
[signature] S R Russell

State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams SS
On this seventh day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty one, personally appeared before me a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid David McConaughy, attorney, of the Borough of Gettysburg, in said County and State, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that in the early part of the year 1847, James Bell, the claimant who makes the foregoing declaration, called at his office in Gettysburg, and desired to prefer his claim for a pension from the United States. That he then stated to him, that he (James Bell) was a private in the Revolutionary War; that he was called into service in the fore part of July, 1777, and was discharged about the middle of January 1778. That he was a private in a Company of Maryland Militia raised at & near Taneytown, Maryland. That Colonel Beatty (or Bettys) of Frederick Md. was his Colonel. That his Captain was Capt Henry Williams (near Emmittsburg) He also mentioned the names of Lt Thomas McCune, and Ensign Hope. That he was in the Maryland line, under Lieut. Colonel Campbell, Brig. Genl Guest [Gist], & Major Genl. Smallwood. That he marched into line soon after the
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battle of Brandywine, and was in the battle of Germantown, in the Maryland line, under
General Sullivan, and also in an engagement at White Marsh if I recollect right. That he received six months pay in continental money. That he knew of no living soldier of his company, but would go to see an aged person in Taneytown, of name of Crafster, who he believed knew of his service. Soon after this James Bell had a severe stroke of the palsey and has not since left his house, and in consequence of that & his disability nothing further was done about his claim until now.
He further declares his firm belief in the truth of the statements made by James Bell, and that James Bell is an old and worthy citizen of such strict integrity and truth, that what he has stated, and whatever he may state, is entitled to the fullest credence, as much so as if verified under oath.
[signature] D. McConaughy

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 7th day of January A.D. 1851.
S R Russell
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July 21, 1933
JAMES BELL
S. 6607
BA-J/MLB

Edith Bell
1599 Laurel Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your communication of July 10, in which you request the record of James Bell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who served in the 3rd Pennsylvania Line and was pensioned in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 6607, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Bell.
He was born in 1759, place of birth and names of his parents not stated.
While residing near Taneytown, Carroll County, Maryland, James Bell volunteered early in July, 1777, served six months as a private in Captain Henry Williams' Third Company, Colonel William Beatty's regiment of Frederick County, Maryland
militia, and was in the battles of Germantown and Whitemarsh. He also served during the "Whiskey Insurrection". It is not stated that he served in the Pennsylvania Line.
A few years after the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved from Taneytown, Maryland, to Straban Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
James Bell was allowed pension on his application executed January 7, 1851, while a resident of said Straban Township, Pennsylvania.
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No reference was made in James Bell's claim to wife or children.
In 1851, one Robert Bell, aged sixty-one years, was living in Straban Township, Pennsylvania; relationship to soldier not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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original
James Bell
Penn 53
act 7 Jun 1832
for 6 months
Mar [illegible] 57
Coll Triplitt
V. Ellis Atty
[illegible]
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38.1.56
James Bell.
Penna.
Act 7 June 1832.
Let V. Ellis June 5, 1851
[illegible]
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6607
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 6,607
James Bell
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. A 27
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1924- Sept. 19 - Hist: to A. M. Barnett  MHF
1933, July 21- " " Edith Bell  MCB
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James Bell
Pa.
Act June 7th. '32
Alls. 6 mo Priv $20.00
Com. 4th March 1831.
V. Ellis
Washington D.C.
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Brief in the case of James Bell
Act June 7th '32
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Brief in the case of James Bell Pa
Adams County and State of Pennsylvania
act June 7th 1832.

Claim, (original, or for increase.) [BLANK]
Proof exhibited, (if original.) [BLANK]
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Parole & traditionary proof
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [BLANK]
Name and residence of Agent.
Vespasian Ellis
Washington D.C.

F.H. Davidge
Examining Clerk.
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Letter record from G. G. Brewer
Annapolis
May 3d. 1847.
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D. McConaughy, Esqr.,
Gettysburg Pennsylvania
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Land Office, Annapolis
30th April, 1847.

Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 27th Inst was received. In reply, I have to inform you, that the records of the Militia Troops that served in the War of the Revolution and very imperfect, and afford no evidence of the service of James Bell. Captn. Henry Williams, under whom he alleges to have served, Commanded a Company in the select Militia of Frederick County, but there is no muster or pay roll to be found of his Company, he commanded the 3rd Company in the Regiment, and the officers were Henry Williams, Captain; Jacob Hockensmith, 1st Lieut; James Marshall, 2d Lieut; and Christian Crabbs, Ensign. Lieut. McCune and Ensign Hope, belonged to the same Regiment but served in other companies.
I have never been able to find any Muster or pay rolls of the Militia of Frederick County, and therefore [crossed out: cannot] the length of their service or whether they performed continuous service or not, is not ascertainable at this office.
Very respectfully
G. G. Brewer

D. McConaughy, Esqr
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, before me, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County aforesaid, personally appeared Rebecca Campbell of the Township of Straban, in the County of Adams and State of Pennsylvania, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, That she is personally acquainted with James Bell of the same Township, in the County and State aforesaid, who is now applying for a pension. That in the month of January or February A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty five, the Circular of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (hereto attached and marked A.) came to the post office at Hunterstown to Mr King P.M., who handed it to James Bell. That "Mr James Bell brought the circular (in the month of February 1845), and handed it to me, and, at the same time, the memorandum or answers hereto attached & marked B." It (the memorandum) is written in the hand writing of James Bell, to her personal knowledge.
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She has a familiar knowledge of his hand writing. James Bell said, that, he had got the Circular at Mr King's in Hunterstown, that he had been endeavoring to answer the inquiries in the Circular, and had written out those answers and thought he had answered them as correctly as he could remember. "We read the circular between us, and he read his answers as he had written them in this memorandum."
He left it with her (deponent) and told her that if any of the old people of the neighborhood would add any thing, to add it, and to send it to Hunterstown to be sent on, if she thought proper. The papers were not sent on, she knows not why, they were afterwards mislaid.
Nearly four years since James Bell had a paralitic stroke which affected his speech. "After the stroke, she found the papers in an Old Book, thought it too late then to send it on, and then preserved and prized it as a relic of an old friend, I mean the memorandum."
Their knowledge and recollection of James Bell extends back some thirty years. They lived within three miles of each other. He was often at the own house and she at his.
She has often heard him speak of having been
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out in the Revolution, and relate incidents of the war. That she believes confidently that he served in the Revolution. She remembers that, some seven years ago, he spoke of Colonel Campbell having been his Colonel. It is fixed in her memory by the name being the same name as her own.
That James Bell (the applicant) has always been reputed and looked upon, in this neighborhood, as having served in the Revolutionary war. And further saith not.
[signature] Rebacca Campbell

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 3d day of January AD 1851 and I certify that the deponent is worthy of full belief
S R Russell
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, before me, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County aforesaid, personally appeared Alexander Campbell of the Township of Straban in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, That he is personally acquainted with James Bell, of said Township County and State & who is now applying for a U.S. Pension, and has long known him, has known him for fifty years. During all that time he has lived in the same Township. That James Bell has always been reputed in his neighborhood, to have served in the Revolutionary war. That he has heard him fifty years ago, and at different times since, speak of having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and related incidents that occurred when he was in the service - has heard him describe the battle
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of Brandywine. That he has heard Phillip Graft (decd) who was a U.S. Pensioner, and John Brinkerhoff who was also in the Revolution & drew a State Pension, both say that James Bell served in the Revolutionary War, and speak frequently of his service.
That he saw the accompanying Circular (A.) and Memorandum (B.) which James Bell left at his house in 1845, the same day that it was left there - the house is in Straban Township - and that he knows it to be in the hand writing of James Bell and believes that he served as he therein states, and that James Bell is a man of strict integrity and veracity. I am aged 70.
[signature] Alexr Campbell

Sworn & Subscribed before me this 3d day of January AD 1851, and I certify that the
deponent is worthy of entire belief.
S R Russell
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, before me, one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, personally appeared Mrs Agnes Campbell, of Straban Township in the County & State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, That she saw James Bell bring the Circular (A.) and memorandum (B) and hand them to Rebecca Campbell. They read the Circular, and he read the answers in the Memorandum. He said "I have written this, it is as correct as I can call to my recollection, and told her that she might send it on, if she thought proper. This was not done at once, and the papers were mislaid until found after his stroke of paralisis and since that were prized & saved as relics.
That James Bell was always reputed to have served in the Revolutionary war. He lived in this County since soon after the Revolution and she has known him over forty years
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That her memory goes back that far, and she remembers hearing him repeatedly speak of having served in the Revolution. She has some recollection of his having spoke, many years ago, of having been paid in Continental money, and also of his having been in the battle of Brandywine.
That James Bell came, from near Taneytown Maryland, into this County, and had lived there at the time of the Revolution.
That she has he and John Brinkerhoff who served in the Revolution & drew a State pension say that James Bell served in the war of the Revolution. That she has heard James Bell sing Revolutionary songs, which he said he learned and sang in the Revolution.
That she was born in 1786.
[signature] Agnes Campbell

Sworn and subscribed before me this 3d day of January A.D. 1851. And I certify that Mrs Agnes Campbell is worthy of belief.
S R. Russell
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38156 March 6th. 1857
Declaration & proofs in pension claim
James Bell
(Revolution)
Pa Mil
Vespasian Ellis Atty
Washington
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this eighteenth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County aforesaid, personally appeared Robert Bell of the Township of Straban in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that - That his knowledge of James Bell extends back some fifty five years or more. That he has a distinct recollection of hearing James Bell, after he had been called out at the time of the Whiskey boy Insurrection, and been discharged and returned back, speak of his having also been out in the Revolutionary War. Although young it fastened itself strongly in his memory. James Bell said that they had fine fun at the time of the Whiskey boy Insurrection, and compared it with the time he served in the Revolution, and spoke of the hardships that he and the others with him had suffered in the Revolution. This I believe is my earliest recollection of his speaking of his having served in the Revolution (de-
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ponent says) James Bell said that he himself was in the Revolution, spoke of their being encamped, said he had volunteered and marched from Taneytown, Maryland. I remember his speaking of being in the army in cold weather, spoke of their clothing and blankets & being scant. Said also that they were hard put to - to get provisions - and I have heard him say that whilst marching that they were obliged to take growing corn from the fields as they passed, and having to boil it so much longer than usual for roasting ears, it being too ripe. I also remember an incident he told of the remarkable escape of an officer, in a battle, from a cannon ball. He spoke of having been in Philadelphia and of having served in New Jersey, and also said that he had been paid for six months service in Continental money. I have heard him speak frequently with his neighbors of having been out and served in the Revolution. Have heard him and Phillip Graft, and Colonel Brown, both of whom served in the Revolution and drew pensions talk over their service in the Revolution, and speak of the difficulties and hardships they had gone through-- These conversations I heard some forty years ago & since.
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James Bell moved from the neighborhood of Taneytown, Maryland, soon after the Revolution, into this (Adams) County, and has lived here ever since. I have seen the record of his birth in an old Family bible. He was born in the year 1759. He has now become very infirm. My age is 61.
[signature] Robt. Bell

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 18th day of February A.D. 1851, and I certify that the deponent is worthy of entire belief.
S R Russell

Pennsylvania
Adams County SS
I John Picking, Prothonotary of the of Common Pleas of said County, Certify that the Hon Samuel R. Russell, before whom the foregoing Declaration was made of James Bell and the foregoing affidavits of David McConaugh, Rebecca Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Agnes Campbell and Robert Bell, were made, sworn to and subscribed, is, and was, at the time of the doing of the same, an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of
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said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that the signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Gettysburg this 26th. day of February A.D. 1851
[signature] John Picking, Pry [Prothonotary]

38156
March 6th. 1851
Declaration & proofs in pension claim
James Bell
(Revolution)
Pa Mil

Vespasian Ellis Atty
Washington
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Adams S.S.
On this twenty sixth day of February A D 1851, personally came before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County & State David McConaughy, who on his solemn oath doth depose and say, that the certificates upon the above memorandum (marked B. and to which this affidavit was attached at the time of making it) were made and furnished by Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, now a member of Congress, and formerly and for many years, a resident and a member of the bar of this County; & now a member of the bar of Lancaster City, by Rev Dr. D. McConaughy late President of Washington College, at Washington, in this State, & now at Washington Penna, and who was for about forty years [crossed out: a] pastor of the Congregation of Great Conewago, in this County, and by Revd. Dr. James C. Watson who succeeded said Dr. McConaughy, about 1832, and was for seventeen years pastor of the same Congregation, and now resides in Kingston in the State of New Jersey. That he, said deponent, on behalf of James Bell enclosed said Memorandum by letter in turn to said gentlemen, and they successively returned it to him, with their certificates endorsed by them in their own writing, and
that said signatures and certificates are genuine.
[signature] D. McConaughy

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 26th day
of February A.D. 1851
[signature] SR Russell
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Jas Bell
P.U.
Hunterstown
Adams county
Penn
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A.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Hall of the Historical Society,
Philadelphia, January, 1845.

SIR,-
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has instructed us to transmit to you the following letter, with the request that you will reply to it yourself, or exhibit it to such persons in your neighbourhood as will probably feel an interest in its contents.
The object of the Society is to collect whatever written, printed, or traditionary evidence, may be attainable in relation to the early settlement, progress and present condition of the United States and Territories, but particularly of Pennsylvania.
It is hoped that persons in possession of any of the materials for history will feel a patriotic interest in contributing to the general purpose, either by favoring the Society with loans or donations, or by giving information in reply to the following questions:

I.
Can you give any information concerning the first settlement of your Township or section of country, the circumstances attending it, and the motives which led to it; or of any letters, journals, &c., likely to throw light on its early history? Also concerning the number and condition of the first settlers, of what nation they chiefly were, and the names of the principal persons?

II.
If there are living in your vicinity any aged persons or others familiar with either the earlier or more recent history of your County or of the State, will you please mention their names and residence? And should such persons not feel disposed to reply directly to the Society, will you hand this letter to some one who would be willing to commit to writing their statement in reference to what they may recollect of past events, and their replies to the following or any additional questions which may be suggested, and to transmit the same through you to the Society:
A  Do you know of any old or remarkable house formerly or now standing in your neighbourhood?
B  Can you give any information respecting the number of houses or inhabitants in any of your towns or townships at different times since the first settlement?
C  Have you ever heard of any papers of historical or local interest in the possession of any individuals in your county? If so, can you mention the names of such persons, or say whether or not such papers, &c, are yet in existence?
D  What was the character or appearance of the country as far back as you can remember, and what improvements in any respect have you since noticed?
E  Do you recollect when Deer or other wild animals were seen in your county?
F  Have you ever heard your grand parents or others describe their views of things as they found them at the first settlement?

III.
Are there any persons in your county, who, feeling an interest in the history of our State, have made collections of historical papers, letters, commercial letter-books, documents, &c., of date either prior or subsequent to the Revolution, or who possess any
G  Ancient books or relics;
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H  Legal or judicial papers, opinions, &c., illustrative of the history of our courts of law or of our jurisprudence;
I  Ancient state or county maps or charts, or other maps, &c.;
J  Medals or coins, particularly money struck prior to 1800;
K  Sermons, magazines, pamphlets, old newspapers, or volumes of modern newspapers, or any extracts from
newspapers, which are of historical or local interest;
L  Drawings, &c., of any private houses, public buildings, &c., and drawings or plans of fortifications, battlegrounds, or battles;
M  Drawings, prints, or portraits of any of the governors, judges, or other eminent men of our State, or of those connected in any way with the settlement or history of our State or country;
N  Copies of records, manuscript or printed laws, and proceedings of any public bodies, of a political, religious,
literary or other character, that have at any time existed among us;
O  Accounts of universities, colleges, academies, schools, and charitable institutions, the date of their establishment, and the history of their origin, endowment, and progress;
P  Topographical descriptions of cities, towns, boroughs, counties, or townships.
Q  Accounts of the population, births, longevity, deaths, endemical or local diseases, facts relative to climate, soil, products, natural resources, meteorology, or general employment of the inhabitants of each district;
R  Biographical notices in manuscript or print of any eminent persons, or of any persons in respect to whom remarkable events may have happened.

IV.
Are there any tables of family descent of those connected with the settlement or history of the county or state, which the proprietors would be willing to communicate?

V.
What public libraries have you, and what number and description of books do they contain, and what is the extent of their resources?

VI.
What newspapers, magazines, or periodicals, have been or now are published in your county, and when was the first printing press or newspaper established, and by whom?

VII.
What poems or other compositions are in existence written by persons in your county, and which illustrate its literary history?

VIII.
What histories of any of your towns or townships, or of your county, have been published, or has any one collected materials for such a purpose?

IX.
Is or was there once standing any ancient church in your neighbourhood? If so, will you please state the date of its erection, and, as far as you may be able to ascertain them, the names of the clergymen who have successively officiated, with the dates of their removal by death or otherwise; and whether there are or were an ancient inscriptions on the walls of the church or on the tombstones in the grave-yard, and of whom; or any other facts of interest relating to the subject of this question? Possibly if this letter were submitted to the clergyman at present the pastor or rector of such church, he might be able to transmit through you every information, and be induced to write a history of his church.

X
Are there any ancient dockets, records, or documents, of historical or local interest, in the public offices at the county town?

XI.
Is there any peculiar legal custom connected with the administration of the law, or any peculiar notion, custom, or superstition, prevailing among the people of your township or county?

XII.
Mention any interesting civil or criminal trials which have taken place in your county, and state whether or not an account of them has been published, or what persons can furnish an account of them.

XIII.
Are there any Indian graves, mounds, or battle grounds, in your neighbourhood, or those who recollect when the Indians lived in your vicinity, or who are in possession of Indian relics, or of anecdotes or narratives relative to wars or
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treaties with them, and of the general intercourse between them and the Europeans, or among the Indians themselves; of any facts or reasoning that may throw light on the doubtful question of the origin of the North American Indians; the Indian names of mountains, rivers, creeks, flats, valleys, towns, or other places, &c., and the origin of such names; vocabularies, or other indications of Indian language, accounts of missionaries, public messengers, and travellers among them?

XIV.
Are there any soldiers of the Revolution, or those who recollect it, living in your county, and who are disposed to communicate through you their recollections, or persons who are in possession of any revolutionary songs, ancient ballads, letters, papers, narrative [text missing] books, journals, &c., either written or printed, relating to that period, or of any well authenticated informa [text missing] men, battles, or incidents of the Revolution?

XV.
If there are any persons in possession of letters and other materials for history described in the foregoing questions, could they be induced to part with them under the pledge that the Historical Society will carefully preserve them in its archives, with becoming acknowledgments for the donation; or if not, would they give the Society permission to copy such of them as might be deemed particularly important or interesting?

GENERAL REMARKS.
In communicating information with regard to any book or manuscript, &c., please furnish the following particulars:
Title, name of writer, date, and general nature of the book or document.
Do not omit in your reply any thing of local or historical interest, because it may seem trivial or unworthy of notice, or may not be embraced in the foregoing questions. Collect all you can; whatever it may be; it will be clear gain.
If you are unable to answer any particular question or branch of question, please designate it merely by its number, &c.
Leave a margin of about an inch at both sides of the page of your answer, in order that it may be properly bound [text missing] h others which may be received.
The names of donors, and of those who acknowledge the receipt of this letter, or communicate any information, will, unless it shall be otherwise requested, be properly noticed, and also preserved upon the journals of the Society.
All donations of manuscript will be carefully preserved in the fire proof of the Society.
In order to avoid the heavy expense of postage, be pleased to request those who may be disposed to reply to this letter to send their communications through you, as Postmaster, to the Society. When a private opportunity offered for the transmission of donations, it would be preferred.
Please address your communications to the Corresponding Secretary, No. 99 Spruce Street, or to the Recording Secretary, No. 108 South Fourth Street, or to any other of the officers of the Society.

This occasion is embraced earnestly to entreat all persons to prevent, as far as it may be in their power, the loss of letters or documents which have bearing upon the history of our State or country. Many papers of great interest have been already lost through the indifference of their owners, but we hope that no one whom this appeal shall reach will fail to assist us in the endeavour to preserve the evidences of our history.
In concluding we would say, that the motives of the Society in sending you this letter, are of a public nature, and whatever collections shall be made will be for the benefit of the people of Pennsylvania.


[crossed out] PRESIDENT
THOMAS SERGEANT,
T. M. PETTIT,
J. R. TYSON,
WILLIAM RAWLE, } VICE PRESIDENTS.
WILLIAM DUANE TREASURER.
DANIEL J. DESMOND, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
EDWARD ARMSTRONG, RECORDING SECRETARY.
SAMUEL HAZARD, CURATOR
Page 35

B. February 20th 1845 B.

1  The first settlers of this County Adams were of Scotch Irish with Low Dutch the names ware  Samuel Dickson Richard Brown Robert McIlheney Andrew Livingston John Sample William Doglass. & the names of the low dutch here Francis Casat George Brikerhoof David Demarce John Montfort Isaac Vanarsdale

2  I James Bellam eighty six the oldest except one in the county. There are two houses in Hunters town one owned by Jacob Grafs the other by John Felty the oldest I know of, The Towns are Hunters town Abots town Littles town Millers town Oxford Rummus burgh New Chester Hampton Gettys Burgh the seat of Justice hansomly laid out Elegent built and well conducted as any other in the State

3  The face of the country is very hansome, and the buildings are very good, being Brick or stone or else weather borded and painted White. There are some Deer Foxes Racons Oposons squrls Rabits killed every season

9 There was a large congragation formed called Great Canawago and a Church built ocupied by the the Reverend W Thompson after him Mr Henderson after him Mr McConaught after him Mr Watson now Pastor all of the Presbeterion sect the old Church is demoledged and a large Stone Church Near the same place is now occopied

12  There was one for Murder in the first degree the Criminal was hanged near Gollesburgh I never was informed whither it was published or not

14  I myself was in the army in 1777 Between the time of the Battle of Brandywine and Germantown and [crossed out: and] was in the army till they went to Winter quarters near the Gulf Mills and Valyforge, our Major General was General Smallwood our Brgadier General was General Gest our Colonel was Colonel Beaty, our Lieutenant Colonel was Colonel Campbell. I am in posesion of several Revolutionary songs one on Burgoynes defeat
Page 36

one on General Wayne Storming fort Sonypoint
two in prais of General Washington's management and bravory, one a serious of exploits from General Gague [illegible] till the Battles of Trenton and Prince town

Certificate of
Hon. J. Stevens
I am well acqainted with James Bell of Adams County [illegible] the withor of the above Statement. He is a man of the highest character for truth. He is highly respected by all his neighbours, and I have no date the truth of all he states in this paper. He was reputed his [illegible] to have been a soldier of the Revolution
Jany 11. [illegible]
[signature] Thaddeus Stevens (clerk)

Certificate of
Revd D. McConaughy L.L.D.
(a member of the Bar & resident in Adams County for more than 25 years.)
I have been for more than thirty years intimately acquainted with James Bell of Adams County & was for many years the Pastor of the Church of which he was, during all that time, a member in good & regular standing. His character for truth is unimpeached & unimpeachable. He is deservedly high in the estimation of all who know him as a respectable honorable & upright man, of the truth of his statements in this paper I can entertain no doubt. He was reputed in his vicinity to have been a soldier of the revolution
Washington Pena.
February 7th. 1851
[signature] David McConaughy (L.L.D.)
(lately & for many years President of Washington College Pena)

Certificate of Rev. J. C. Watson DD
I have been intimately acquainted with James Bell for twenty years. During the time of my ministry over the Church of Great Conewago, (a period of seventeen years) he was an exemplary and consistent member of that Church. As a man of integrity & truth Mr Bell has no superior on earth. I have frequently heard him speak of being in the revolutionary service, & it had the general impression
of the neighbourhood that he served his country, in that capacity
Kingston Newburg Feb 19th 1851
James C. Watson DD
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1599 Laurel ave St Paul Min
1-10-33
Gentlemen
James Ball [James Bell] Born 1759
Died in Adams Co Penn 1851
Served in 3rd Penn Cont Line in Revolution when about 18 yrs of age
Kindly give me his complete Record as shown in your files and oblige me He was Pensioned
Edith Bell

Pension Dept
Rev War Record
Washington DC

[bears a 1 cent US postage stamp]
[stamped: PORTLAND OREG 1930 Jul 10 1933 TRANS. OLK. R. M.]

[the following is the text of the postcard]
Spokane, Portland and Seattle, Ry.
SPOKANE PORTLAND & SEATTLE
Between SPOKANE, PORTLAND and PACIFIC OCEAN RESORTS
Write R. H. Crozier, G. P. A., Portland, Oregon for illustrated folder "Scenic Columbia River".
MADE BY CURT TEICH & CO., INC. CHICAGO, USA
Page 38

[stamped: DEP'T OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED AUG 27 1924 TO BUM. PENSIONS SECYS. OFF. - APPTS., MAILS & FILES.]

[stamped: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK AUG 27 1924 H BUREAU OF PENSIONS]

Columbia Mo. Aug. 24. 1924
To the War Department Rev. REcords.
Washington D.C.
Please send me the military record of James Beale [James Bell], inlisted in Frederick Co. Md. Militia, 1776. He was my grandfather [crossed out: three] four times removed.
Very Respt.
O. M. Barnett
603 Providence Rd.
Columbia Missouri
Page 39

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
September 19, 1924

O. M. Barnett
603 Providence Road
Columbia, Missouri

Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 6607 it appears that James Bell was born in 1759.
He enlisted in Taneytown,Maryland in July 1777, served six months as a private in Captain Henry Williams' Third Company, Colonel William Beatty's Regiment of Frederick County, Maryland Militia and was in
the battles of Germantown and Whitemarsh.
He also served during the "Whiskey Insurrection".
Soon after the Revolution he moved to Straban Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania where he was allowed pension on his application executed January 7, 1851, at which date he signed by mark on account of his age.
There is no family data on file.
The name James Beale does not appear on the Revolutionary War files in this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Date of death
not on A.Bb
One vet. said sol. was in bat. of
Brandywine, sol. not not say so