Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5853, Stephen Bowen, N.C.
Page 1

SERVICE:  N.C. 
Bowen, Stephen (wife) Rachel
NUMBER: W. 5853.
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Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the April 1838 from 4th Sept 1838 through May 1839. Agt notified 22 June 1841.

19.658
Georgia
Stephen Bowen
of Tattenall Co in the State of Georgia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sharpe of the regiment commanded by Colonel Armstrong in the N. Carolina line, for the term of 
three years from September 1778 to August 1780.
---------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 15th day of May 1826.
-----------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th of Sept. 1826 and sent to James Perry Esq. Perry's Mills, Georgia
-----------------------------------------
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1826 - $29.44
Semi-anl. all'ce[allowance] ending 4 March 1827. $48.00
$77.44 [total]
Revolutionary claim
Acts March 18, 1818,
and May 1, 1820
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5.044
Georgia
Rachel Bowen
widow of Stephen Bowen
who died on the 10th November 1838
of ----- in the State of Georgia
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain (----) of the Regiment commanded
Col________ in the Revolution for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 10th day of
November 1838 & Ending
30th June 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of 
July 1851 and sent to 
C.H. Blood
Tallahassee, Florida

Arrears to the 4th of ________
Semiannual allowance ending_________

Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 30th

Recorded by W. A. Weissmann Clerk, 
Book J (?)  Vol. 2   Page 386
Page 4

Stephen Bowen
Application for a
Pension filed of land
War 1825
Page 5

District of Georgia
Tattwall County

On this Eleventh day of October, eighteen hundred & twenty-five. Personally appeared in open court, being a Court of record Stephen Bowen aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818, and the first of May 1820.
Declaration of Stephen Bowen. He now lives in the County of Tattnall, and has so resided for twenty years & upwards, and that he was 68 years old in June 1825. That he was born in Duplin County N. Carolina. That he enlisted in the Continental army August or in September 1778 under Lieutenant Curtis Ivey, belonging to the 5th Regiment of N.C. [North Carolina] Continental troop which was commanded by Col. John Armstrong--that in January  1779 he joined the Continental army at Purysburg in South Carolina, under the command of Generals Lincoln & Maltree [William Moultrie]. That said deponant was in the action of Stone River, Commanded by Gen. Lincoln on the 20th January 1779 and in the month of January deponant returned home under furlough, on account of sickness, and remained at home until the last of May 1780 when this deponant joined the army which had just been defeated under Gates. And this deponant again got a furlough, and returned home, and staid at home just a short time. When the deponant joined the army at Bluefords bridge in Hanover County N.C. and then started for the headquarters at Eutaw Springs, and then deponant obtained his
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his discharge from a Major Redding Blount, which was dated in August 1787, and which discharge with a bounty warrant of land and the deponant's wages for 3 years service he placed in the hands of a Captain Curtis Ivey to get for him, who shortly after departed this life, and the deponant has never seen him since, nor got the land deed. That he has a helpless wife 66 years old and infirm, he is afflicted with a complaint of the Kidneys and body Rupture. He has a few wearing clothes, a bed & some household furniture, no land or horse: And that he has no other evidence in his power except his under oath and the affidavit of George Willis, and his Enlistment in 1778. All which is hereunto attached. And in pursuance of  the Act of 1st May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on this and 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 to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress Entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in his land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, passed on the 18 day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due me,-- nor have I any income other than what is contained in this Schedule hereto annexed and  subscribed.

Signed Stephen Bowen

Sworn & Subscribed in
open Court 11th Oct. 1825
Robert Raymond Reid
Judge Superior Court Middle District Georgia
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Schedule
2 small iron pots $1.00
1 Tea Kettle  .75
5 knives and forks .25
4 chairs 2.00 $4.00
Stephen Bowen

From before me in open Court
11 April 1825
Robert Raymond Reid
Judge Superior Courts middle District Georgia

This may certify that I have entitled Stephen Bowen, say in the Continental Service for the term of three years from this date and to have the same clothing and the same privileges as the other continental subjects after Aug. 28--1778
Curtis Ivey Leut.
I, James Perry clerk of the Superior Court of Tattenall County, do hereby certify that the forgoing oath and a Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property initialed in the aforesaid Schedule is four dollars.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my private seal. There being no seal of office, This 11th October 1825.
Jas. Perry  CLC.
Page 8

State of Georgia
Telfair County
Be it remembered that on this 19th day of August 1846 before me Wm. Manning one of the Justices of the Superior Court in and for said County personally appeared Rachel Bowen who is well known to be a creditable witness, (aged 90 years as she says and appears) who having first duly sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress of July 4th 1836 and the benefit of the acts hereby revised and extended (1841), (1843) & June 17th 1844 and all acts & Supplementary Acts theretofore made  and provided for the benefit of Widows of Officers & Soldiers of the Revolution--that she is the widow of Stephen  Bowen (deceased) who died in the County aforesaid on the 10th day of November 1838, And that her husband the said Bowen was a pensioner of the United States placed upon the Pension Roll at Savanna Georgia that she for this declares she was lawfully married to said Stephen Bowen in Duplin County N. Carolina by Paul Newton a Baptist Preacher, that she does not remember the date but does remember that it was the middle of the Revolutionary War that said Bowen came home on a furlough to get married and that he did much duty after they were married as aforesaid, that the said Stephan & Rachel lived together as man and wife from the day of their marriage till the day of his death as aforesaid, that they moved to Geo. some after the close of the Revolution, that they have lived in Georgia ever since--that he first drew his Pension as a Resident of Telfair County, some Twenty years ago--that she does not know what act [of Congress] he was Pensioned under [but] that he was a Continental Soldier and went to Savanna after his Bounty-Land,--That she made her declaration some 4 years since (or more) to obtain her
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her pension--that her Declaration was on file in the Pension office at Washington DC, before the Act of June 1844 in consequence of which she claiming a Pension under the Act, as aforesaid, that her maiden name was Rachel Highsmith that her Father's name was Daniel Highsmith & her husband's Father was Clifton Bowen that she was married at the house of Clifton Brown--that she appoints C.H. Blood of Tallahassee, Florida as her lawful Attorney in fact to receive her Pension for her from the Govt. of the United States--that her name is not on any Pension Roll of any Agency in the U. States at this time. [final words crossed out]
            her
Racheal (X) Bowen
            mark
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year
first above mentioned before me
William R. Manning JSC
Witness of her Signature & Mark
A. Harrod
State of Georgia
Telfair County

Be it remembered that on this 19th day of August 1846 before me Wm R. Manning one of the Justices of the Superior Court in and for said County personally appeared Rachel Bowen who has sworn to and subscribed the forgoing Declaration that she is well known me as a Credible witness that I believe her age to be fully 90 years and her connections call her older than ninety years, that I knew her husband the said Stephen Bowen (Pensioner) that no doubts have ever arisen but that they were lawful man & wife, that I believe said Bowen died at the time stated in her declaration and that the whole matter of her Statement is honest and is entitled to credit--given under my and and private Seal there being no Seal of Office.
This 19th day of August 1846

William R. Manning JSC (L.S.)
I, Wm R Manning do further certify that the said Rachel Bowen cannot attend Court to make her declaration by reason of bodily infirmity--given under my hand and Seal this 19th day of August 1846
William R Manning JSC (L.S.)
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Stephen Bowen
Amended application
filed of record 11th April 1826
Page 11

Georgia
Tattnall County

In the Superior Court of said County being declared by the laws of said state to be a court of record, and proceedings according to her course of her common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping a record of its proceedings.--personally appeared Stephen Bowen, of this county and state aforesaid in open court this eleventh day of April 1826. Who being duly sworn,--saith -- and makes the following declaration, in addition to the declaration already made before the court and on the eleventh day of October 1825, and gives the following as his reasons, for not making an earlier application for a pension under the acts of the  Congress of the United States, in such cases made and provided.--
For that this Declarant resides in a part of the county where the laws of Congress are rarely known--that this Declarant did not know that he was entitled to a Pension for his services in the Revolutionary War until the year of our Lord 1821, at which time this declarant then made an application to an attorney of the Court-(as none resided in the county where the declarant lives), who informed this declarant that he had no person, by which he could make out his application in the form prescribed by the acts of Congress; and this declarant has been making application to several attorneys for the purpose of obtaining a pension--but being poor, and having no money whereby he could jog his memory they would forget to bring a form, by which the application could be made out, until the October term of this
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Court in the year 1825, when this declarant made his declaration as he supposed according to law, but which has been returned to be amended. And this declarant further swears, that he has not had any other property in his possession, nor owned or possessed by him, than that wet forth in his schedule, attached to his application, made in (extra "made in") October 1825; -- On the 18th day of March 1818, was have & sold nor transferred any pieces of property whatever, by sale or otherwise, having had none to sell at that time nor since. And this declarant further swears that he has no other family than a helpless wife about sixty eight years old, that heretofore; (extra "that heretofore) they have by hard suffering made out to live. But that this declarant, and his wife, are now too old and infirmed to maintain themselves, and that unless he can obtain some relief from his country, he and his wife must suffer.-- And further that this declarant is almost Deaf

[signature] Stephen Bowen

Sworn to and subscribed
in open Court this 11th day
of April 1826.
Wm. Schley.
Judge Sup. Court Middle
District - Georgia

Georgia
Tattnall County
In the Superior Court of said County personally   appeared in open court Levi Bowen of said County, and who being duly sworn--saith, that he is acquainted with the general character, for truth, of George Willis, whose affidavit is attached to the original application, for
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a pension of Stephen Bowen, and on oath, saith that the said George Willis entitled to credit on his oath in a court of Justice: and that he this deponent would believe him, when under under oath or otherwise.

Levi (X) Bowen [signature & his mark (X)]
Sworn to and subscribed in
Open Court this 11th day of April
1826

William Schley
Judge Supr. Court Middle District
Georgia
-------------------------------------
Georgia
Tattnall County
I William Schley presiding judge of the superior court of the County and State aforesaid. Do certify, that from the foregoing affidavit of Levi Bowen, it would appear that George Willis is entitled to credit---
Wm. Schley
Judge Sup. Court Middle
District Georgia

I, James Perry Clerk of the Superior Court of Tattnall County, Do hereby certify, that the foregoing application of Stephen Bowen, affidavit of Levi Bowen, and certificate of Judge Schley, are truly copied from the records of the said court.
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no Seal of Office this 15 May 1826.
Jas. Perry, Clk.
Page 14

6824
Rachel Bowen
wife of Stephen
Ga.
a[s] of 4 July 1836
Page 15

State of Georgia
Bulloch County

Be it remembered that on this 24th day of August 1846 before me James Lee on of the Justices of the Superior Court in and for said County personally appeared Amelia Pridgeon who is well known to me, a credible witness aged 84 years (March 4th 1847) and made oath in due form of law that she was the daughter of Clifton Bowen, and Sister of Stephen Bowen of Duplin County--(N.C.) that her brother Stephen and Racheal Highsmith were lawfully married at her father's house by Paul Newton Preacher of the Gospel that this deponent was actually present--and witnessed their marriage ceremony that her brother Stephen & the said Racheal were married during the time of the war of the Revolution and her brother the said Stephen & Racheal had two children before the close of the War born in lawful wedlock that the said Stephen did several tours of duty as a soldier after was married as aforesaid that the said Stephen & Racheal moved to Georgia and settled in Telfair County--that she understood he was a Pensioner at this death some six years since & that his widow Rachel is still living in Telfair County as this deponent has heard and believed, that the said Racheal is some 6 or 7 years older than this deponent sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me 
Amelea (X) Bowen [signature & her mark (X)]
James Lee JJC-JSC
McGinty Hendricks
Page 16

May 8th '54
Filed by O, S, Paine
Present
Page 17

State of Georgia
County of Telfair

Before me Daniel Morrison a justice of the peace in and for said county personally came Daniel R. Douglass.
I Douglass and Jane Douglass who, being duly sworn Deposeth and saith, that Racheal Bowen, widow of Stephen Bowen died on the seveth-(17)-teenth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and forty seven sworn to and subscribed before me this the 22nd day of April 1854--
Daniel, R, Douglass   (LS)
Mary P. Douglass (LS)
Jane Douglass (LS)
Daniel Morrison, J.P.
Page 18

May 8th '54
Filed by O.S. Paine
Present
Page 19

State of Georgia
County of Telfair
We Daniel R Douglass, having been well acquainted with Stephen Bowen and his wife Rachael Bowen, do, certify, that, Mary Douglass and Elizabeth Ashley, wives of John Douglass and Thomas H Ashley are the children and the only heirs of said Stephen Bowen and his wife Rachael Bowen.--
In witness whereof we have hereunto set own hand this the 21st day of April 1854--
Daniel, R, Douglass
Jane Douglass

State of Georgia
County Telfair
Before me Daniel Morrison a justice of the peace in and for said county personally came Daniel R Douglass and Jane Douglass and acknowledged the forgoing certificate to be their own act and deed--this April 22nd day 1854
Daniel Morrison J.P.
Page 20

5174
Rachel Bowen
Wid[ow] of Stephen
Ga
Act 7 July 1838



N Ashley
Ocmulgaulla
Ga
Page 21

Georgia
Telfair County
Personally appeared before me Henry Cook a justice of the peace for the County of Telfair Rachael Bowen a resident of the State of Georgia in the County of Telfair age about Eighty Eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration--That she is the widow of Stephen Bowen, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war , that her husband the aforesaid Stephen Bowen died on the tenth day of November 1838. That she was married to him before The close of the Revolutionary War as stated above and which would consequently be before the first Day of January 1794--
Sworn to and Subscribed before
me this 1st April 1839
Henry Cook  J.P.
Rachael (X) Bowen [signature & her (X) mark]
Page 22

Georgia
Telfair County

I, James H. McCall, Clerk of the Superior Court in & for the County aforesaid do duly certify that Henry Cook is an acting, Justice of the Peace in said County and was at the time of his subscribing a militia Pensioner and given under my hand at office in Jacksonville this 3rd day April--1839
James H. McCall. Clk S.C.
Page 23

[Private Seal or Stamped Seal of office]
Page 24

5044
Georgia
Rachel Bowen
widow of Stephen Bowen
who died on 11th Novr 1838
of N.C. in the State of Georgia
who was a private in the Continental [army] commanded by Captain___________ of the Regt commanded by Col_______  in the Revolution
for 2 years.

Subscribed on the Roll of Savannah
at the rate of 96 Dollars, 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the first day of
July 1848

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of
July 1837 and [semi annually??]
Arrears to the 4th of ____  G.H. Blood
Semiannual allowance ending ___[blank]
Tallahassee
Fla,

Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3rd
Recorded by--- N. R. Knightman -- Clerk,
Book J    Vol  2  Page  386

[Right side of document]
Sent to House 13 Nov 1851
"      G. H Blood  18 "   "
"     O. J. Paine, May 10/59
"    same  May 18/54
Page 25

POWER OF ATTORNEY--Revolutionary Pension Claims.

Know all Men by these Presents, That we John Douglass and Thomas H. Ashley, legal heirs of Racheal Bowen widow of Stephen Bowen 
hereby constitute and appoint Orris S Paine
true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of said Racheal Bowen widow for any amount of Revolutionary pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and we hereby authorize our said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department of Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate we wish made payable to the said 
Orris S Paine
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that we might or could do were we personally present. Hereby ratifying and continuing all that our said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS our hand and Seal this 29th day of March A.D., 1854.
Thomas H. Ashley (LS)
John (X-his mark) Douglass (LS)
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
V.A. Manning
Wm. R. Manning
Page 26

STATE OF 
COUNTY

[A blank Revolutionary Pensioner form]



___________________________________________
  [Bottom of page hand-written information]

Filed by O.S. Paine
May 8th/'54
Page 27

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 18th, 1841.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Stephen Bowen, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Eight--Dollars per month under the law of the 18th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838, to the 10th November, 1839.
Respectfully yours,
Albion H. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 28

State of Georgia
Telfair County
Be it remembered that on this 19th day of August, 1846 before me D B Graham one of the Justices of the Superior Court and County--personally appeared Joseph Williams of the Country  aforesaid aged 85 years who is still known to me and is a credible witness and made oath in due form of law, that he was well acquainted with Stephan Bowen & Rachel Highsmith in New Hanover County - N.C. before the close of the Revolutionary War
That said Stephan Bowen & Rachel Highsmith were lawfully married in Duplin County N. Carolina before the close of the Revolution War and as this deponent fully believes is positive that they were married about the time that it closed--if not--before that Said Bowen was a Pensioner of the United States in Telfair County Geo, and died some years since, in said County & that he left the said Rachel a widow, is still living in this county--that he is certain that she was married to said Bowen before Jan 1 1794 --
[Faint signature]  J. Williams

Appointed to and Subscribed
the day and year as first above
mentioned before me
D. B. Graham  J.S.C.
Georgia
Telfair County

I should suppose from the appearance of Mr. Joseph Williams that he is of the age of 86 years which he represents himself to be

D.B. Graham J.S.C.
Page 29

State of Georgia
Telfair County
I, John F McCrae clerk of said county--for the Superior Court--do hereby certify that D.B. Graham who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit of Joseph Williams as a subscribing witness was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace of the Superior Court, in & for said county --duly commissioned & qualified that his signature is genuine and that faith and credit are due to official acts as such given under my hand and private seal, this 19th day of August, 1846, there being no seal of office

John F McRae C.S.C/T.S.
Page 30

7.733
Rachael Bowen, 
wo[widow] of Stephen
Geo:
Act July 4 -- '36.
$80 per annum
from 10 Novr. 1838
when he died to
1st July '48 and under
the joint Resolution
of that date, $96 per
an:[annum] during life. 

C. H. Blood
Tallahassee
Flor:
Page 31

Rachel Bowen
Rejected
Act 1838 - Ga
Sent let. to N Ashley
25 July 1839 --

[Right side page]
5174
Rachel Bowen
Ga.
Let. to T. L. Smith Sept 22, '46

Nov 1, 1829
Rachel Bowen
Ga
Miss Smith, Octo. 5: 1846
Same   Nov 18, 1846
   "  Dec. 11, 1846
Let. Daridge & Seammey
Nov. 5, '47

Act 4 July 1836

[Right side page]
let 17 Oct '49 Hon
T. Ewing

Act 4 July 1836
Page 32

Revolutionary WIDOW, & c.

File No. 5853
Rachel Bowen
Wid.
Stephen Bowen
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: July 4th/'36, Sec, 3,d
Index:--Vol. A, Page 72

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 33

Georgia
Telfair County
Personally appeared before Justice of the Superior Court in and for said County Joseph Williams who being duly sworn deposeth and saith on oath that he was acquainted with Stephen Bowen and served with him as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.(he actually saw Bowen as a Regular Soldier) and that he has just reasons to believe that the said Bowen departed this life some time in the year One Thousand eight-hundred and thirty eight (1838) leaving a widow viz& Rachael Bowen and also saith that he was acquainted with the said Rachael Bowen previous to her marriage and her name at that time was Rachael HighSmith also says that he good reasons to believe that that said Rachael Highsmith was married to said Stephen Bowen as they both resided in the same neighborhood where he did, and knew them to[too] besides at the said Bowen's Fathers for some time after their marriage.
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this the third
day of April 1839.       Joseph Williams [signed]

Duncan B. Graham J.S.C. [signed]
Page 34

Georgia
Telfair County
I, James H McCall clerk of the Superior Court in and for the said County of Telfair do herby certify that D.B. Graham is an acting Justice of the Superior Court of said County and was at the time of his Subscribing the Witten Instrument given under my hand, at office in Jacksonville this 3rd day of April 1839
James H McCall: Clerk J.S.C.
Page 35

STATE OF GEORGIA,
________ County
This _____________ day of ____________18___
I, _______________ a Magistrate in the County above named, do hereby certify, that I have the most satisfactory evidence, viz: ______
that _________________who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of Identity, is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate, which he has exhibited before me, numbered _____________ and being date at the War-Office, the _________ day of __________ 18___; and signed by ____________ Secretary of War.
GIVEN under my hand, at ____________on the day and year above written
_____________________________________
Know all Men by these present, That I Stephen Bowen of Telfair County, State of Georgia, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Jacob Chadbourn my true and lawful Attorney for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Savannah, State of Georgia, my Pension from the fourth day of September 1836, to the fourth day of March 1837. 
Witness, my Hand and Seal this____day of June--1837

SEALED AND DELIVERED
IN PRESENCE OF 

___________________________________
STATE OF GEORGIA
Telfair County.
Be it known, That on the _________day of June--1837 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally, appeared Stephen Bowen above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his and act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have herunto set my Hand, the day and year last mentioned above mentioned.
________________________________

I, ________Clerk of the Superior Court of Telfair County, certify that _________is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing Signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have herunto affixed my private seal since there being no Seal of office and subscribed my name, this ____ day of June in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty seven.
Page 36

STATE OF GEORGIA,
Telfair County.
Be it known, That before me, the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Stephen Bowen and made oath in due form of Law, that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy:

"WAR DEPARTMENT.
"REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

"I certify, that in conformity with the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, and end 1st of May 1820 Stephen Bowen late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the fifteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.
[Stamped Seal] 
GIVEN at the War-Office of the United States, this fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty six--

Examined and Countersigned 
J L Edward

James Barbour
SECRETARY OF WAR

--that he now resides in Telfair County, State of Georgia, and has resided there for the space of seven years & upward past; and that previous thereto, he resided in Tatnall County
Sworn and Subscribed, this
___day of
June 1837
before me
Page 37

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I, WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State, in the Revolutionary War, that Stephen Bowen a Sergt. in Capt. Sharpe's Company of the tenth Regiment, entered the service on the 28th day of August 1778, for the term of three years, and that a warrant was issued to him on the 25th October 1785, for three years services. 
Given under my hand this 21st day of September 1846.
Wm Hill Secretary
of State
Page 38

Tallahassee Augt 13/51

Jas E. Heath Esq
Camr of Pensions

Sir
Some years since I filed the Declaration of Mrs Rachel Bowen, widow of Stephen Bowen for a Revolutionary Pension , alleging she was married before his last enlistment as Sergent, that they had two children born in lawful wedlock while he was in service, also proof by Amelia Pigen who nursed her with said children
The first objection charged was that I must prove his serves from from the Records of N. Carolina (although he had long been a pensioner)
I procured from the comptroller of N-C - proof, and  forwarded to the Department of over two years services as Sergt which was acknowledged as satisfactory, the papers from Bulloch & Telfair Geo required the Seal of the State, and remained at Washington till May last, when I procured that--
July 30 ult[imately] two certificates issued from the Department of the Interior in her favor, one commencing on the 10th day of November 1838, to the 30th of June 1848 amt 80.00 per annum, the other commencing on the 1st day of July 1848. amt 96.00 per annum.
Page 39

I applied for the balance due her dec'd husband difference between Prvt and Sargt which sum he always contended for in his lifetime during the term of his Pension, also that she was thus entitle to pay as a widow of a Sargent full pension as acknowledged previously
If these facts are set forth in the proof before the Department I would respectfully ask that her case may be taken up and decided according to the merit of her claim
It certainly looks arbitrary to ask the widow of a Rev Pensioner of this late day to prove his services, and then where positive proof is made of a higher grade of service than his pension was granted for, not to allow her the benefit of it, Would not a less amount of Pension seem given her, if she had not been able to prove so high a grade of service as she was pensioned for--
I ask that justice may be done her, if it is contended it has been, may the law authorizing the present position taken be fully set forth that I may be able to explain it to her, for as I understand the law great injustice is done, in the present form of this case.
Respectfully
Your obliged servant
C.H. Blood
Atty for Rachel Bowen Pensioner
Page 40

Tallahassee Florida

Oct. 4th 1851
Col Jas. E Heath
Commander of Pensions

Sir
I have the honor to lay before you Pension-Papers Vouchers of Mrs Mary Douglass of Gelfair Co, Geo. which have been returned to me by Wm Morel the Atty, (and bro of the Agent at Savannah) on account of some little technical errors made by myself in making out the papers (which I did), I would respectfully ask a speedy report upon these papers, it will take but a few minutes to examine them, the technical errors, that are objected to show upon the face as not designedly, they less on the ("the" repeated) Act of Pension, and are also certified by the Magistrate as made before signing, the next objection is that the Clerk has not certified when the Magistrate's Commission was dated and when it will expire-I regret asking you to overlook any errors in papers made out by myself, with all the rules before me.
The circumstances are these. I rode three hundred miles with Mrs Bowen's certificates to arrange the papers in this case, and have it done right, found she died at her daughters in 1848
Page 41

as the family (who keep no records) said, I there mad out her Declaration, when for a Magistrate and Mrs Douglass was to meet us at Mrs Pickins a few miles who was present when Mrs Bowen died--also the place where her coffin was made, the proof there turned out to be that she died in 1847, and not in 1848 as the papers were first made out, it was near night, and women to walk home miles through the woods in the dark, I thought a greater error to keep them waiting than to change the figures, and have the J.P. note  it before signing--Also as to the Clerks Certificate as to the Commission & c Mr McRags is Clerk of all the courts in the county of Telfair & he informed me there was no records of Justices kept in the county records, no way of obtaining a better certificate than to go 18 miles and get his commission, or to send to the Secretary of State of Geo. at the expense of #3.00 that he knew that Isaac Weatherly was was  a Justice & that he had given many such certificates in the Bounty Land claims, which were received at the Department, the papers, I trust will be admitted which will save expense & delay
Respectfully
Your Obliged Servant
C.H. Blood
Page 42

State of Georgia
Telfair County
Be it remembered that on this 31st day of August 1846 that the Superior Court in and for said county do hereby declare their opinion that after investigating the matter of Rachel Bowen applicant for a pension that she is the lawful widow of Stephan Bowen late of the county aforesaid (Pensioner of the United States) and that we believe he died at the time stated in her Declaration (10th of Novr 1835) and that the said Rachel Bowen has lived a widow ever since & is now a county-charge, living with John Douglass & her Step Daughter his wife--in this county that we believe that her statement hereto attached taken before Wm R Manning on the 19th of August 1846 is honest and is entitled to credit given under our hand and seal the day & year first above mentioned
William R Manning JSC (LS)
D.B. Graham JSC (LS)
Thomas Fletcher J.S.C. (LS)

State of Georgia
Telfair County
I, John F McRae,  clerk of Superior Court do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceeding in the matter of the application of Rachel Bowen for a Pension in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office
August 31st 1846
John F McRae C.S.C. (L.S.)
Page 43

State of Georgia
Telfair County
We Justices of the Superior Court in and for said county do hereby certify that John F McRae who has signed the foregoing certificate under his private seal (there being to seal of office) is the Clerk of said court duly qualified that his signature is genuine given under our hands & seals this 7th day of Sept. 1846
D.B Graham J.S.C. (LS)
Wm R Manning JSC (L.S.)
Page 44

Georgia
Tattnall County
In the Superior Court of said county personally appeared in above court George Willis who being duly sworn, saith that he this deponent is well acquainted with Stephen Bowen the applicant for a pension, that this deponent has been acquainted from the time of their infancy: that in the month of September 1778 this deponent does know that said Bowen enlisted in the Continental Army in Duplin County in the state of North Carolina under one Burris Ivey a first Lieutenant the 5th North Carolina Regiment, and and Daniel Williams was the Captain in the company, and one Col. Armstrong commanded said Regiment and that in the month of March 1779 this deponent volunteered his services as a militia man for six months, under one Capt. Lamir, and Col. Johnson, was the Colonel, and that this deponent joined the Continental army under the command of Gen's Lincoln & Gen. Moultre at or near Augusta in Georgia, about the month of April 1779. And when this deponent joined said Continental army he found said Bowen in service in the Continental Troop near Augusta, and that his deponent served a six month tour of duty in this same army with said Bowen, and when this deponent left the army said Bowen [instead?] remained in service, and not some time after this deponent had returned home, said Bowen was brought home to his father's house sick, and after having restored his health then said Bowen returned to the army, and finished his term of service, which this deponent believed was three years; and after said Bowen had served his time, he again returned home; and after which time there was a call for men, but said Bowen claimed his right to be exempt from Draft, & it was granted to him; after which he volunteered, and served till nearly the
Page 45

end of the war, under one Aaron Williams and Captain Ivey at which time this deponent, again served in the same army with said Bowen, under one General James Kenyon.

George (X) Willis [his mark]

Sworn to in open Court
before me, this 12th April 1825

Robert Raymond Reid
Judge Superior Court
Middle district,  Ga

I, James Avery Clerk of the Superior Court of Tattnall County do hereby certify, that the foregoing oaths are truly copied from the records of said court,--
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand affixed my private seal, there being no seal of office this 12th day of October 1825
Jas. Perry CSC

[Left margin signature & notation]
George Willis
Affidavit
Page 46

Tallahassee Fla
Cornish Flat, May 12th 1851

James E. Heath
Commander of Pensions
Washington, DC

Sir
I have the honor to forward herewith the Declaration of Mrs Rachel Bowen of whom I am attorney. They were not returned to me for the proper authentication by the Sect State of Geo.
I hope that these papers will be taken up and acted upon promptly It is now some ten years since Mrs Bowen has been supported upon charity in the the deepest poverty--She has applied (as well as she know) for to prove her pension, and I do not hesitate to say that any clerk familiar with the Pension law did know that she had money due her if they will read her husband's Declaration, and all the Documents
Then in my first letter on the subject I am told she must prove her husband's service, etc The papers prove , and the Documents at Washington prove that and also prove that his pension was just
Page 47

down at the lower rate than what it was well known he was entitled to
Mrs Bowen & the said Steven Bowen were married at least 4 years before the close of the Revolution and above three years service after his marriage That her sister-in-law [housed]? her with his two first children before her own marriage and before he left the service. Said Amelia Pridgeon showed me the bible record of her own children which show her own marriage to have taken place before the close of the war and that she nursed her sister before her own. I hope time will be taken '[to] give this case a fair decision, and I would respectfully ask that the difference between the pension he drawed and the one he was clearly entitled to may be paid--also her own certificate issued.
My address is Tallahassee Florida

Very Respectfully
Your Obl Servant
C H Blood
Attorney---

PS Please direct her certificate to me of above 
A.B.
Page 48

Georgia
TelFair County

Personally appeared before me P.H. Coffee a Justice of the inferior court for the County of Telfair David J Gill who after bring duly sworn according to law deposit and saith that he was present at the death of Stephen Bowen a revolutionary soldier that the said Stephen Bowen died on the tenth day of November 1838 in the County of Telfair and state of Georgia 
Dave (X) J Gill (his mark)
sworn and subscribed before this Third day of April 1839
P.H. Coffee JSC

Georgia
Telfair County
I, James H McCall Clerk of the Superior Court of the said county do herby certify that P H Coffee is an acting Justice of the Superior Court in & for said County and was at the time of Subscribing the written instrument given under my hand this 3rd day April 
James H McCall  ClrkSC
Page 49

Ocmulgeeville Telfair Count Ga April 5th 1839

Dear Sir,
You will view herein an applicastion for a pension for Rachael Bowen, widow of Stephen Bowen, late pensioner of the U. States deceased--Mr. Stephen Bowen died in this county sometime in 1838--I have always understood since I have known them that Rachael Bowen was the lawful wife of Stephen Bowen--that they had been married a great many years ago--Rachael Bowen is a very old woman, I would suppose from 80 to 90 years of age - is in very needy circumstances
If there should be any informality in the papers sent be pleased to let me know what it is and it will be immediately rectified --
Respectfully 
yours
N. Ashley
G.L. Edwards Esquire
Page 50

6829
Rachel Bowen
Ga
Act. 4 July 36

papers be reviewed N [?]
Blood to ....to?...b (illegible)

T. L. Smiths letter
Page 51

Sir

We enclose the certificate of Wm Hill, Secretary of State of North Carolina, in the case of Rachel Bowen, widow of Stephen of Georgia. Which we offer as additional evidence in this case, and ask most respectfully your attention to the same.

Most respectfully,
Your obl. Servant.
T.L. & A. Th. Smith
Sept. 24th 1846

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commander Pensions
Page 52

Washington Sept. 21st 1846

Sir
We herewith enclose the Declaration of Rachel Bowen of Georgia, widow of Stephen Bowen deceased, asking for the benefit of the provisions  of the Act of Congress of July 4th 1836 and of the Act heretofore revised and supported acts heretofore made and provided for the benefit of widows of officers & soldiers of the Revolution, and respectfully ask your attention to the same.

Most respectfully
Name of Justices
J.L. & A. Th. Smith

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commander Pensions
Page 53

T. Butler Kings
letter
Page 54

St. Simons Island Ga.
27th Oct 1846

Gentlemen
I have your letter of the 20th instrument & the papers enclosed with it. I am acquainted with D. B. Graham & William R. Manning who subscribe themselves as Justices of the Superior Court of Telfair County and also with John F McRae who subscribes as Clerk of the of the Superior Court, and have no hesitation in saying that I am perfectly satisfied that their signatures are genuine. They are able men of high character and would not assume to be what they are not. I have no doubt they hold the offices they claim to fill, tho' I have not other knowledge of the fact. The signature of Peter Cone is also genuine and I have understood he has been for several years one of the Justices of the Superior Court of Bullock County.  The papers all appear to be honestly executed and I cannot doubt that all the signatures are genuine this I have....[missing text]
Page 55

with any except those I have mentioned. My colleagues all reside remote from this District and are not likely to be as well informed respecting the signatures of the  parties as I am. If what I have said on the subject does not satisfy the Commissioner of Pensions, you can in all probability obtain the desired information or certificate from the Executive Department at Milledgeville.
I beg to thank you for your congratulations, and am
with much respect
very truly your most obliged
servant
T. Butler King

Messieurs T. L. & A. Thomas Smith
Washington City
Page 56

Washington DC
7 Dec 1846

Sir:
We have the honor to present in the case of Mrs Rachel Bowen widow of Stephen Bowen, of Georgia, the certificate of the clerk of the Country, County of Duplin County, N. Carolina stating that there is no evidence on file in his office of a marriage between the said parties.
We are very so[rry]
your H[umble] S[ervants]
TL & A Tho Smith

JS Edwards Esq
Commander of Pensions
Page 57

Washington Oct 27 1847

Sir

We write to request copy of your last letter in the case of Rachael Bowen an applicant under the Act of 1838
Our object in so doing is to ascertain what objections if any exist to the passage of her claim, in order that they may be removed if possible--an early answer much obliged.
Very Respectfully
Your Servant
David pc & Semmes

Hon. James L Edwards
Comsr of Pensions
Present
Page 58

Brief in the case of Rachael Bowen, widow of Stephen
County and State of Georgia
act 4 July 36. & Joint Resolution of the
1st July 1848
____________________________
Claim ("original"......)
Proof exhibited, (if original.) of service, Record; of marriage,
Living Witnesses
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under act of
18 March 1818 at $96 per annum.
___________________________
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Page 59

Treasury Department,
Second Comptl. Office
Nov. 15th 1851

J. E. Heath Esq.
Comr of Pensions,

Sir,
The papers connected with the pension of Rachel Bowen transmitted to me yesterday, are herewith returned.
I do not consider this case a proper one for waiving informalities in the [  ?  ]. It appears that the pensioner died in February 1847. Yet the pension certificate dated 30th July 1837 authorizing payment up to June 1848. This alone would seem to be a sufficient means for declining payment until all the papers should be corrected. And so far affects the whole case as to render prudent to require a strict compliance with the regulations. 

I am Sir,
Very [ ? ]
Your obl-ed servant
E.J. Phelps,
Comptr.
Page 60

Washington
May 12, /54

Sir
In reply to your letter of March 10th 
In such that I have to state that Account book of the Power of Attorney and Affidavits presented by me was to obtain for the heirs of Stephen & Rachel Bowen desc'd Rev'n Pensioners, the difference of pay between that of a private soldier and a Sargent - 
Very Respectfully 
Your Mo. o.svnt: [Your most obliging servant]
Orris S. Paine

Hon. L. R. Waldo
Commis. of Pensions --
Page 61

19.776
Stephen Bowen
Proof of service.
Page 62

N. of a.
Secretary's Office 12th Nov. 1825
I, William Hill Secretary of State in & for the State of North Carolina, do certify that it appears from the Muster rolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that Stephen Bowen a Sergt. in Capt. Sharpe's Company of the 10th Regiment was mustered on the 28th day of August 1778 for 3 years.  His name is entered again on the same page, as follows.  "Stephen Bower Sergt Sharp's Company 10th Regt." "for 3 years mustered Feby. 1779, see above."
Given under my hand this 12th Nov. 1825 [signed] Wm Hill
Page 63

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
State of Georgia.
BY his Excellency, GEORGE W. TOWNS,
Governor of said State.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: KNOW YE THAT William R Mannig, D B Graham and Thomas Fletcher Whose Official signature appears to the said instrument, an acting Justice of the Superior Court for the County of Bullock in said state, also that John F. Mc Rae whose official signature appears to said instrument the acting clerk of the Superior Court in Telfair County in said State, 
Which appears from the records of sale in this Office and that the same is in due form of law, Therefore all due faith, credit and authority are and ought to be had and given to their attestation as such.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Great Seal of the State to be put and affixed.
Don at the Capitol, in Milledgeville, this First day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-one and of the Independence of the United States of America the seventy-fifth.
BY THE GOVERNOR,  
Geo H Harrison 
Secretary of State.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GEORGIA, MILLEDGEVILLE, May 1st 1851
Registered,
[signed] John F. Smith
Secretary Executive Department
Page 64

Recd Two 50/100 Dollars
J.M. Patton
Treasr.

Entered 
ES Candler
Comp[rlsud]?

Recd twenty five cents
John J. Smith 
S.E.D.
Page 65

State of North Carolina
Duplin County County Clerk Office
I, James H Jerman, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Duplin County aforesaid, hereby certify that I have made diligent search in my said Office for evidence of a marriage between Stephen Brown and Rachel Highsmith, but cannot find any whatever, and believe that no such evidence exists on the records of my Office aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of my said office at Kenansville, the first day of December A.D. 1846.  
[signed] J (L&S) Jermain Clk 
by BF Grady D.CLK