Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 722, Isaac Bell, New York
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Service
New York

Bell, Isaac
Jemima

Number
R722
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Washington

Nov 28th 1856

Mr. Wheling 

Dear Sir,
I presume it would not be amiss to state to you that in July last, I made personal application not in Regular form, to the Chief Clerk to have the claim for the service of my Father in the Revolutionary War examined, he informed me that I could have that service performed. I next enquired of the their Commisioner of Pensions, if it was really
nessary for a Revolutionary soldiers name to
be found upon the roll list to establish his
pension claim, if in case the Documentory
testimony on file was clear and conclusive.  that the service was performed by such soldier. (without citing the case in point) his 
answer was negative and emphatic.  I next called on the Examiner of the Rolls to whom I proposed the same question, not divulging my object, he also gave me the same answer.  I then relived Reported to my council, on the next day I called on the Examiner of the Rolls, and sighted the case in point, Requesting him to examine the Roll list and ascertance if my Father, Isaac Bells name was, or not therein Recorde, which he absolutely refused to do at the same time he recognised me and observed, that he did not know the object of my question on the previous day, or he could have given me a verry different answer, he also stated,
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and assured me that the additional testimony that I had procured was entirely, fruitles, that the case was already rejected and would not be re examined and that it was not worth my while, to undertake it, and with several other abrupt expresions from him, I left the office Determined to appeal to this congress, and lay my complaint before that tribunal whom I believe will do me the justice in granting me the just compensation Demanded for the most undoubted services of my Father in aiding our glorious country to extricate itself from the hands of their oppressors nor do I believe that it is the wish or design of the American Government that the ministers in
office should withhold the due compensation
of such services.  I do not believe that there is
one man that could be found in the American
Continent, who will carefully examine the evidence without prejudice who could for a moment doubt its utmost varasity and the just Demand.

Very Respectfully yours &c
Francis H. Bell [signature]

PS I am Resident of this City on the corner
of Maryland avenue and 7th It should you require any personal corispondence-- I am at your service.
Yours &c
F H Bell [signature]
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State of New York
Orange County SS:

On this 18th day of November in the year 1839 Personally appeared before me Subscriber John B. Booth Surrogate of the County aforesaid Jemima Bell of the Town of Cornwall in the County of Orange aforesaid aged sixty Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.  That she is the widow of Isaac Bell deceased who was a private in the Company of Captain Lee afterwards commanded by Captain Harry Dubois of Colonel James Clintons Regiment and was afterwards transferred to the Company of artificers commanded by Captain Jacob Reeder and served as an artificer under the said Captain Reeder throughout the Revolutionary War The said Captain Reeder was under the command of the Deputy quartermaster Taylor as Deponent has been informed and believes to be true and served as an Armorer at Fort Montgomery West Point & New Burgh in the Continental Troops (except as hereinafter mentioned) from the commencement to the End of the war aforesaid as this Deponent was informed by the said Isaac and others in his life time and Deponent believes it to be true.  The said Isaac was in actual service at the battle of Fort Montgomery and afterwards served against the Indians on the western frontier as a private.  Deponent also saith that the said Isaac was Honourably discharged at New Burgh at the time of disbanding the army in the summer of the year 1783 - and the said Jemima declares that she
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married to the said Isaac by her uncle Josiah Clark Esquire deceased a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of the 
aforesaid on the 20th day of April 1789  With the said Isaac Bell her late Husband died on
the 29th day of December 1813 That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the
service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety four [illegible] at the time above stated - 
Jamima Bell [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year 
above written before me

M. R. Booth [signature] Surrogate

Orange County ss: I John B. Booth hereby 
certify that it satisfactorily appears to me from the annexed affidavits that Isaac Bell served
as therein stated - That Jemima Bell the applicant for a pension is his widow and that the said Jemima and Isaac were married by Jeremiah Clark Esquire on the 20th day of April 1789.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official Seal this 13th day of November 1739 
Jno P. Booth [signature]
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Moses C. Bell -
affidavit
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State of New York
Orange County SS

Personally appeared before the Subscriber
Moses C. Bell a credible witness and having been by me duly sworn doth depose and say that he is the son of Isaac Bell deceased and Jemima Bell the applicant for a pension whose affidavit is hereunto annexed, that the said Isaac died about twenty six years ago - That previous to the death of the said Isaac Deponent heard him say that he the said
Isaac was in the Regular service in the revolutionary war & well recollects of his having sstated that he at a certain time was ordered into the service on the Indian Frontier against the Indians & of Burning their wigwams -  and deponent also heard the said Isaac say that he served his time as an apprentice to the blacksmiths company with William Lawrence  deceased late of New Burgh that he took the place of the said Lawrence in the army and served out his time that after the expiration of said time he the said Isaac till continued in the army & deponent also saith that he was well acquainted with William Cox now deceased a Pension  That about seven years ago the said Cox informed deponent that he had known the said Isaac In the army in the Revolutionary war many and many a day & deponent believes it to be true - 

Moses C. Bell [signature]

sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of October 1839 before me

Walter Case [signature] Justice of the Peace
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[illegbile]
Joshua Clark

Privt
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State of New York
Orange County  ss

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace Joshua Clark a Credible witness, who having been by me duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is upwards
sixty four years of age - that he is a Brother of Jemima Bell the applicant for a pension, whose original Declaration for a pension,  under the law July 7th 1838 is on file at the Pension office, as he has been informed and believes to be true, that the said Jemima is the
widow of Isaac Bell deceased, who served as an artificer in the Revolutionary war under Captain Reeder of New Burgh, and was the Brother of Catherine Gallow whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. The said Jemima and Isaac were married by Jeremiah Clark Esquire some 
time in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight or one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine according to the best of deponents recollection and belief Deponent was either thirteen or fourteen years of age at
the time of said marriage, he is now sixty four
years of age, and was born in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five according to the best of deponents recollection and belief - 

Joshua Clark [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day of Janaury 1840 before me

Note the word "eighty" interlined before signing

Walter Case [signature] a Justice of the Peace
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A

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

[handwritten on top right of page]
MMHF
AM AW

June 18, 1924

George S. Clark
466 Lexington Ave., Room 753
New York City.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 732 [R. 732 is underlined] it appears that Isaac Bell [name is underlined] was a resident of Orange County, New York during the Revolution, and enlisted in 1775 as a private under [check mark before Captains] Captains Thomas Lee and Henry Dubois and Colonels James Clinton and Thomas Palmer; he was soon after placed
as on artificer under Jacob Reeder, Foreman in the shop of the Quartermasters Department at Newburgh, where he served until the close of the Revolution.

He was in the battle of Fort Montgomery,

He married April 26, 1789 in Orange County, New York, Jemima sister of Joshua Clark, and he died in said county December 29, 1813.

She applied for pension November 13, 1839 while living in Cornwall, Orange County, New York aged sixty-eight years, but died before her claim was allowed. Date of death

[checkmark]
These N.Y. officers did not appear to ahve served in any one regt. together -
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not on record.

They had several children, boys and girls, Moses C. and Francis H. Bell, the latter a resident of the corner of Maryland Avenue and Seventh Street, Washington, D. C. in 1856, are the only names stated.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

[handwritten in]
to use to mention that children's
claim was rejected because the
letter of the Secretary of Interior dated
May 27, 1857 actually allowed the Claim -
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[handwritten on top left of page}
1882 May 20, JW Bell notified see copy.

Rcd. from Com. in Pens
Mch. 8. 83
1924 June 18 - Hist. to Geo. S. Clark, MMHF

[right side of page]

Ex'r.

INVALID.

[rectangular stamp]
No. 722

[stamped]
REJECTED

Jemima Bell

P.O.

Service: NY

Enlisted: Printed list of 1852 gives 18

Discharged: "Service as an artificer, 18
in the quartermasters department."

Application filed: [application filed is crossed out]  this claim was really allowed, see letter
of Secretary of Interior Alleges: dated Mar 27, 1857, but as the widow was then dead, pension was not paid on it as it was also decided later in 1857, that children were not entitled.

Re-En listed: [re-enlisted is crossed out]

Attorney

P.O.
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Jemima Bell
Widow
Isaac Bell
Act July 7. 1838

[written on torn paper]

6401
Jemima Bell - Isaac
let. to W. Case 14 Jun. 1840 to same 18, May 1840 Rejected [from let. to Rejected, entire line has been crossed out]
Suspended

to same 25 Nov 1841 same March 18th, 18[??] [from to same to 18[??], entire line has been crossed out]

Honble J. L. Clinton March 21st 18[??] [name and date crossed out]

Honble. R. S. Slingerland 18 Dec 18[?]9 

Honble. F. A. Dickens June 7 1853 
     "       "   "       "       Oct . 21 /53
     "       "   "       "       Nov. 12 /53
Let. F. H. Bell Jan. 13 /57
[above 4 lines have been crossed out]

Sec. lrt. Mar 22 /57
Same Aug 1, 1857

David Terry Sep. 28 /57
F. H. Bell Oct. 11 1857
[above 2 lines have been crossed out]

Let. July 1838
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[note very faded ink]

[illegible] 1857

Commissioner Whiting

Sir

my letter of the [?] th September [illegible] 
corispondence was exclusively for your
inspection, but in as much as it is nessary that
my communications to [crossed out] should be said before a Committee I deem it but prudent to be rather man explisit upon the subject of the military claim of Isaac Bell for hiss ervices rendered in the Revolutionary war, according to the Documentary evidence already on file in your office, (see testimony of Jemima Bell, the widow of Isaac Bell,) who
testifies that Isaac first served in Capt Lee's Company afterwards commanded by Harvey Dubois of Col James Clintons regiment. see Col. Clintons roll list and [illegible] thence was [illegible] to artificer Department under Reeder and served to the close of War and was honourably discharged at Newburg in 1783

Samuel Weed testifies that Isaac Bell first enlisted in 1775 in Capt Lee's Company in Col [illegible] Regiment, afterwards commanded by Cols Clinton and H. F. Bell being a blacksmith was transfered to artificers department under Reeder, and served to
close of the war and that he was intimate with
him [illegible] that he was in government service it is clear from said lines that Bell served & [illegible] that as early in the Battle of Fort Montgomery [illegible] and that her served in that capacity.
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to the [illegible] the war

The [illegible] letter testifies that he was probably acquainted with Isaac Bell in 1778 [illegible] in the U.S. serviece as a Blacksmith under commander Reeder and served to close of the war and & that Bell was in government service and drew rations and pay with the rest of the Company, 

[illegible] Isaac Wilkens testified that he knew
Isaac Bell as an artificer in the US service as early as 1777 or 1778 and knows of service such for several years.

As the [illegible] is clear that Isaac Bell did serve as artificer as early as 1778 as pr
testimony of both Belknat, and Ritter, and that
he served as such several years and is form
in that capacity as late as the 28th of Dec 1781
it seems [illegible] and conclusive, that Bell did
not serve [not served is underlined] less then [illegible] years [years is underlinedas artificer and of that a real military, servitude in the service of the U.S. and in the revolutionary war of not less then seven years was certainly performed by the said Isaac Bell, it is very conceivable that the application showed ten insted at the earliest conveniene so far as it is  of it is conected with  [illegible] on office as the parties interested have accepted great inconvenience in concequince [illegible] and delay of about sixteen years

Very Respectfully submited
Francis H Bell [signature]
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T. Y. it is utterly impracticable to produce
any new evidence in relation to the military
service of Isaac Bell in consequence of the fact
that hereby or quite all the persons who have already testified to the service of Isaac Bell in the Revolutionary was have been consigned to
their graves, I believe that General Belknap is the only surviver of all of them, and his
extreme age would forbid an effort to glean
further testimony from one who has already
vouched for his service in terms not to be
misunderstood and while I deem it the duty of
the pension officers to guard well the intrest
of this government, yet it is doubtless their
duty to meet out the legal reward which is
justly due for the service of them who have born the heat and burden of our infant
Republic, nor would I deem myself a worthy
son of an American pioneer to permit the
sufferings, toils, and privations without its reward of merit in silence

Verry Respectfully submitted
Francis H Bell [signature]
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[text is extremely faded]

Washington
Commissioner Whiting

[illegible] of the [illegible] in reply would [illegible] investigated I have the claim of my father Isaac Bell, [illegible] same appears on the record roll [illegible] the now [illegible] since [illegible] the [illegible] of time in service,  upon [illegible] a response [illegible] would be no question also his service already on file in the [illegible] establish the fact Isaac Bell [illegible] U.S. service in the year 1775 and  SAmuel Weed testifies that Bell entered in 1775 and served in the capacity of [illegible] as early as the battle of Fort Montgomery and your investigation establihed the [illegible] the served on the smiths department [illegible] s 1781, Solomon Utter testifies [illegible] formerly acquainted with Isaac in 1778.  That Bell was then in the U. S. as a blacksmith under the command of Reeder, Catherine Gallow, testified he entered the U.S. service at the command of the war as private and was transferred to QrMasters Department and served to the close of the war.
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[ink is very faded]

Isaac Belknap testifies he knew Issac Bell in 1777 and 1778 and that Bell  entered the company of artificers in the U.S. service, and knew that he served in that capacity for several years and in as much as Bell certainly served as artificer as early as 1778. and served in that capacity as late as 1781.  I am at a loss to know why there should exist in shadow of possibilities as to the fact that Isaac Bell was in the U.S. service during the whole term of the revolutionary war, and that he served at least for three to five years of that time as artificer.

verry prepectfully submited
Francis H. Bell.

[illegible]calling one days and ascertain [illegible] deliberations:

Yours &c
[illegible]
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W. Case

14 Jan. 1846
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War Department
Pension Office

14. Jan 1840

Sir
The papers of Mrs Jemima Bell widow of Isaac 
Bell have been examined & filed. The proof in relation to the date of the claimants marriage is insufficient. The witness Taylor should hereby the date say [hereby the date say is crossed out] show why he is unable to fix the 
date at fifty one years ago - It is alleged that the claimants husband service about three years as an artificer under Capt Reeder but there is no widow [no widow is crossed out] nothing to show, in the Defendants [in the Defendents is crossed out] that such service was not rendered under civil contract, no service of thus description not continental is provided for by the act

Walter Case Esq [signature]
New Burgh
N. Y.
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Walter Case
25. Nov. 1840
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[handwritten on top right of page]
150

Pension Office
25. Nov 1840

Sir
The additional evidence in the case of Mrs
Jemima Bell enclosed in your letter of the 17th instant, has been examined - There was but one regt of Continental Artificery in the Continental [continental is crossed out] service during the revolutionary war and there is no evidence that Isaac RW, the claimants husband or his [his is crossed out] that Jacob Reeder who is first to have been his captain belonged to the regiment - Capt Reeder may have been employed as stated by the witnesses but
whether he was in the service [illegible] was  [illegible] [he was in the service [illegible] was [illegible] is crossed out] under civil contract count on [count on is crossed out] or not cannot from the proof on file be determined - If Capt Reeder [illegible] a claim for his sevices as an artificer, he would, according to the rule be required to produce in and [to produce in and is crossed out] to file [illegible his claim to [to is crossed out] by producing his 
commission or record evidence of his appointment in the Continental Service - Before the claim of Mrs Bell can be admitted the Chancelor of the service of her husband must be clearly [clearly is crossed out] established  [illegible] [illegible word is crossed out] continental by documentary
evidences to have been determined [to have been deteremined is crossed out]

Walter Case Esq [signature]
New Burgh
N. Y
Page 23

In the matter of Isaac Bell

Brief [underlined]

[very faint written in below Brief]
I had defer of [illegible] months of [illegible]
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In the Matter of Jemima Bell
Widow of Isaac Bell -
New York -

After a re-examination of the merits of this case I can discover no possible reason for reversing the former decision of the Office.-

Mrs. Bell alledges that her husband was a private in the Rev. War, and was transferred, to a Company of Artificers under Capt. Reeder & served to the end of the war.  Saml. Mead (witness) says, "Isaac Bell enlisted as a private in 1775, and was afterwards drafted out of his company and transferred to Artificers under Capt. Reeder of Qr Masters Dept."  Solomon Utter says, "he became acquainted with Bell in 1778, when he was a Blacksmith in the U.S. Service, - under command of Capt Reeder of Qr. Masters Dept."  Moses C. Bell, (son of Isaac) says, "his father told him he took the place of Wm Lawrence in the army and
after Lawrence's time was up, he continued to the close of the war."  Catherine Gallon says "he enlisted as a private and was transferred to Artificers under Reeder at Newburg & served to close of the War."  Joshua Clark says Bill was an Artificer in the Rev. War, under Capt.
Page 25

Reeder of Newburgh."  Isaac Belknap "knows
that Isaac Bell served as an Artificer for several
years"

Such in the testimony in the case to show Bells services, and amply sufficient would it be if  services [services is underlined] above had to be proven.  The Question is under what kind of a contract did he perform said services?  The Rolls in this office show all the enlistments in the N.Y. Line prior to 1781- and Bells name is not upon them, nor did he ever receive
Bounty land [Bunty land is underlined]  - therefore was not "Warsman." - Again there was but one regiment of Artificers and the roll
of that regiment is in the office. It was under the control not of the Qr. Master; but of the Engineer's Dept. - There was no such Captain as Reeder belonging to Artificers.  If Reeder belonged to Qr. Master's he could not employ artificers only by Civil Contract [civil Contract is underlined] which we doubt not was the case with Isaac Bell.

If he served at all this must [must is underlined] have been the the Character of his service and it does not entitle his widow to a pension.

A.H. E.
Examiner

July 18, 1853
Page 26

I have examined personally & carefully the
records of the Qr Masters Dept of New York
& there was no such officer as Captain Reeder - nor could I find the name, any where of Isaac Bell - The Artificers rolls contain no such name.

A H Evans
Examiner
July 21, 1853

[written vertically along right side of page]
In the matter of Isaac Bell

Brief [underlined]
Page 27

March, a.D. July 15th 1853

Sir
It will be observed on reference to the
papers in the case of Jemima Bell widow of Isaac Bell Decd that I am made the Agent with authority to appoint Alex. Ray Esq of Washington City my substitute authority & 
in the further prosecution of said and respectfully request the Pension Department to report to him in said case.

I am yours, very respectfully

Wm Valentine [signature]

L. P. Waldo Esq
Com of Pension
Washington City
Page 28

Hon
James L Edwards -

Sir

Herewith are enclosed affidavits which with the affidavits of Samuel Reed & Solomon Utter on file, will I think satisfy you that Isaac Bell deceased worked in the United States armoury under Capt. Jacob Reeder, as a regularly enlisted artificer, and not as a hireling, and served throughout the war utter and direct [and direct is underlined] were his Neighborers before the war, & I served with him in the war, (the latter as an artificer).  Catherine Gallow was his Sister and swears positively to the time & Marriage, & the service.  Joshua Clark is Brother of the applicant & confirms her testimony - John Taylor thinks the marriage took place 51 years ago, which differs one year from the time stated by the other Witnesses but after so great a lapse of time since the marriage, it is not surprising that this difference should exist in their statements. It cannot be material,  since the marriage took place within the time
required by the law of July 7th 1838-

I am Very Respectfully yours,
Walter Case [signature]
Page 29

Francis A. Dickins
June 7 /53.
Page 30

[handwritten on top right corner of page]
95

Pension Office
June 7. 1853

Sir

The decision of this Office in the case of Jemima Bell widow of Isaac of N. Y  under the
Act of 7 July 1835 communicated to W. Chase on the 18 March 1842 (of which you have been advised) has been revised & confirmed.
There is no evidence that Isaac Bell enlisted as a soldier & was detailed to serve as an Artificer neither was [was is crossed out] is his name borne on the rolls of the enlisted Artificers in this Office.

Here is therefore no case or [illegible] that pension should not be confirmed.  [this entire line is crossed out]

Francis A Dickins [signature]
Present
Page 31

Hon. J. G. Clinton
March 21st 1842
Page 32

[handwritten at top right of page 360]

Pen Office
March 21st '42

Sir

I have the honor to return the letter of W. Case and in [and in is crossed out] respecting the case of Jemima Bell and in reply to refer you the enclosed copy of my letter to him of 18th [illegible]

Hon J. G. Clinton [signature]
H. R.
Page 33

6401
Jemima Bell [name is underlined]

H. H [illegible]
Page 34

Recd June 1853

8832

Pension Office
June 7th 1853

Sir,

The decision of this Office in the case of
Jemima Bell widow of Isaac of N.Y. under the act of 7 July 1838, communicated to W. Chase on the 18th March 1842 (of which you have been advised) has been revised and confirmed - There is no evidence that Isaac Bell enlisted as a Soldier & was detailed to serve as an artificer - neither is his name borne on the Rolls of the enlisted Artificers in this office - 

very respectfully
S. Cole [signature]
For Commissioner

Francis A. Dickins Esqr.
Present.
Page 35

Washington 14 Feb. 1853

Sir,

Jemima Bell Widow of Isaac Bell decd of New York applied for a pension under the act 7th July 1838. Since that time claims of the class to which her husband belonged have been admitted.  I must therefore ask a reexamination of her claim.-

Respectfully
Francis A. Dickins

To the
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 36

Pen Office
March 18th '42

Sir

The addl evidence in the case of Mrs Jemima Bell has been examined & filed.  There were no enlisted Artificers in the Dept of the Qr. Mastr. Genl at Fishkill & Newburgh which fact is decisive of her claim. If he was enlisted into the Regt of Col James Clinton for the war and transfered by virtue of that enlistment for the [the is crossed out] service in the Qr. Masters Dept he would have entitled himself to all the rights & benefits which a fulfilment of his enlistment would confer and his name would have been returned as a "War's Man" whether he served in the ranks or on detached service. He would have [have is crossed out] also in that event have recd Bounty Land - He is not borne on the rolls (which sheer all enlistments into the New York Line prior to 1781) Nor is he returned as a "War Man" nor [nor is crossed out] or as being entitled
Page 37

to Bounty Land - This is conclusive that he was not a soldier enlisted & serving under that enlistment for the war -

The number of persons employed by the Qr. Master Genl at on the Post on the Hudson was very great as may be seen by the returns in the State Dept.  But he had no authority to enlist Artificer.  and [and is crossed out] the corps of enlisted Artificers wit [illegible] under the command of the Engineer Dept. - Her late husband certainly did not belong to that corps of which there are fill rolls - 

Walter Case Esq [signature]
New Windsor N.Y.

[written vertically along right side of page]
[illegible word that is crossed out]
March 18th 1822
Page 38

Saml. Mead

Pensioner act. 1818 -
 
Service that he servedm3 years and 10 months. and was discharged the day after Christmas 1779.  Was well acquainted with
Bell. - That Bell enlisted in 1775 as a private in Capt. Thos. Lee's Comp. Col. Palmers 2 Clintons Regt. - Lee resigned & was succeded by Harry Dubois.  Bell was a Blacksmith and was drafted out of said Company into a Corps of Artificers comd [commanded] by Capt Reeder and served until the close of the war. -That he [illegible] was one of the men who had the command of an 18 Pounder in the Battle at Fort Montgomery and had to go to the shop during the battle to get the priming wire straightened.  That Bell was then at work and in actual service. - 

That Bell enlisted for 3 years
Page 39

and was transferred to Capt Reeder Company. - That during the Battle at Fort Montgomery. Bell was in service at work in the shop with Saml Boyd who was killed in the shop during the engagement. -

On examining Saml. Weeds pension papers, under act 1818 it appears that he served in Capt  Lees Company in 1776. - Thus he was in a situation to have a perfect knowledge of Bells
enlistment & service at that time.  It also appears that since both Bell & Weed have lived in the same County, and have known each other.-
Page 40

House of Representatives,

Washington, D. C., _____, 188  .

Catherine Gallow sister of Isaac Bell saw him in U.S. army. Joshua Clark testifies to marriage of Jemima & Jno Taylor made Jemima's wedding shoes. was present at the wedding & says then moved, understand that Isaac Bell was in war, and discharged, served thru the war from time of enlistment

Walter Case attorney knew Isaac Bell, that he was the husband of Jemima. That Bell on command reported as having served as artificer.

Francis Clark & Jotham Clark believe that Bell served  - knew Jemima wife of Isaac

Solomon Utter knew Isaac Bell in war. he was artificer un. Capt Reeder, served over two years.

Isaac Belknap knew Bell will that Bell in 1777 entered U.S. army as artificer.
Page 41

In the matter of the claim of the heirs of Jemima Bell, applicant for pension on account of services of her husband, Isaac Bell, in the War of Revolution, I have to inform you that the following is a substantial history of the case: In 1839, Jemima Bell made application for pension alleging that her husband being then an apprentice to the Blacksmith trade with one Wm Lawrence, at Newburgh, N.Y. entered the service in 1775, as a Private
in Capt Lee's Co. (afterwards commanded by Capt. Dubois) in Col Clinton's Regt, as a substitute for his employer and after a short service in said Co. was transferred to the Artificers Corps & served there in under Capt. Jacob Reeder, who was under the command of Dept Qr Master, Taylor, not only to the close of the term for which he originally entered
the service but to the close of the War of Revolution, being employed as an armorer in the U.S. Govt shops at Newburgh and that he was also employed in the shops at Ft. Montgomery during the battle there.  Two Revolutionary pensioners corroborated the allegations of the claimant and some members of the family and neighbors also corroborated her in part,
Page 42

The claim was disallowed by the officer on the grounds that Mr. Bell's service must have been rendered under a civil contract with the Qr Masters Dept, and not as an enlisted man. There being no record of any such officer as Reeder among the officers of the Artificers Corps. May 20 /57 the then Secty of the Int. [Secretary of the Interior] decided that the evidence in the case was sufficient to prove ta two year's [two year's is underlined] service by Isaac Bell, and directed that the claim should be allowed.

This decision was probably rendered on the supposition that the claimant was then living subsequently the case seems to have been submitted to the Secretary on the question of allowing the pension to the children, the widow having died, and he decided that the pension cover not be so allowed, and on the 28th of Sept. 1857, the then Commr. of Pensions, so informed the heirs - and the claim therefore remained and still remains rejected.  Under provisions of Section 4742, Revised Statutes the claim is barred from further consideration by this office

May 20/82
Page 43

Comis Dudley, 
brief of the Case [underlined]
May 1882
Page 44

[handwritten on top left of page]
O.W. N.
W.N.H.
JIHW [underlined]

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE

Washington, D.C. May . 1882

Sir:

In the matter of the claim of the heirs of
Jemima Bell, applicant for pension on account
of services of her husband, Isaac Bell, in the War of Revolution, I have to inform you that the following is a substantial history of the case;

In 1839, Jemima Bell made application for pension, alleging that her husband, being then an apprentice to the Blacksmith trade, with one Wm Lawrence, at Newurgh N. Y., enlisted the service in 1775, as a Private in Capt Lee's Co. (afterwards commanded by Capt. Dubois,) in Clinton's Regt, as a substitute for his employer; and after a short service in said Co, was transferred to the Artificer's Corps, and served therein under Capt. Jacob Reeder, who was under the command of Dept. Qr. Master Taylor, not only to the close of the term for which originally enlisted in the service, but to the close of the War of Revolution,
Page 45

being employed as an armorer in the U.S. Govt. Shops at Newburgh, and that he was also employed in the shops at Ft. Montgomery, during the battle there.

Two Revolutionary Pensioners corroborated
the allegations of the claimant and some members of the family, and neighbors also,
corroborated her impart,

The claim was disallowed by the office, on the
ground that Mr. Bell's services must have been
rendered under civil contract with the Qr. Master's Dept, and not as an enlisted man,
there being no record of any such officer as
Reeder among the officers of the Artificers
Corps.

May 20, 1857, the then Secretary of the Interior decided that the evidence in the case was sufficient to prove a two years [two year's is underlined] service by Isaac Bell,and directed that the claim should be allowed,
This decision was probably rendered on the
supposition that the claimant was then living.
Subsequently the case seems to have been
Page 46

submitted to the Secretary of the question of
allowing the pension to the children, the
widow having died, and he decided that the
pension could not be so allowed, and on the
28th Sept. 1857, the then Commissioner of Pensions so informed the heirs and the claim therefore remained and still remains rejected 0 Under the provisions of section 4742 Revised Statutes, the claim is barred from further consideration by this office.

Very respectfully

W. W. Dudley [signature]
Commissioner.
Page 47

Francis H. Bell
October 14
Page 48

Pension Office, October 14, 1857.

Sir,

In reply in letter of the 20th August, addressed to the Secretary of the Interior, and by him communicated to this office, I have to State that your attorney was informed under [under is crossed out] on the 28th within., that the claim of the children of Jemima Bell for pension alleged to be due her under act of July 7, 1838, had been rejected.  I enclose a copy of the letter to your agent

Francis H. Bell
Washington,
DC
Page 49

David Terry
Sept. 28.
Page 50

Pension Office,
Sept. 28, 1857.

Sir:

The Secretary of the Interior has within a few days, decided that the law does not authorise pension allowances to the children of Revolutionary soldiers, or of their widows;
and, in accordance with this decision, the
claim of the children of Jemima Bell, deceased, widow of Isaac, of N. York, for pension money, under the act of July 7, 1838, is rejected.

David Terry, Esq. [signature]
Newburg.
Orange Co.
N. York.
Page 51

6401
Francis H Bell
Washington DC.
Aug 14, 1857

Jemima Bell - Isaac. [names are underlined]
NY.  sus - 1838 - [entire line is underlined]

Asking early action in the case of Jamime [Jemima] Bell for Revolutionary Pension.

[checkmark] Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions.
Dept. Int.
Oct. 9 /57. Moses Kelly
Chief Clk. [this entire section is underlined]

Rec'd 21 Aug. '57
Mr. Rhett
Page 52

Washington August 20th 1857

Honored Sir,
permit me to call your to the military claim of Jamime [Jemima] Bell widow of Isaac Bell, for his services in the Revolutionary War, confirmed by your Honor on the 20th day of May 1857.  That claim has upon the grounds of a question heretofore unknown by the administrators of the pension office, been lodged into the hands of the Atorney General, and has there laid Dorment for several months, to the great disappointment and extreme inconvenience of the parties interested, (the heirs) and while I am apprised that you have done entire justice, and all you could in the case in question, (for which I feel extrenley greatful.) Yet permit me to most earnestly invoke [most earnestly invoke is underlined] your kind aid, in furthering a final Dispatch of the claim in question, as it is a subject or great importance to those whos sircumstances are extremely limited, I cannot doubt for a moment but a few words, or a limited scrip from your hand to the Atorney General would settle the question at onest.

I am Dear Sir, Verry Respectfully
Yours Francis H Bell [signature]

Hon J Thompson
Secretary of Interior
Page 53

J. Thompson allow two years pension
Page 54

[pre-typed and attached in top left corner of page]

The Secretary of the Interior has decided to grant children of deceased revolutionary widows the amount of pensions due from the government. Commissioner Whiting is  bringing order out of chaos in the Pension
Bureau.

Department of the Interior
Washington, May 23d 1857

Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 22d inst. this day received, requesting that the claim of Jemima Bell decd widow of Isaac Bell, may be investigated at the earliest practicable period,
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the ┃
same has been investigated and admitted
for a service of two years. The certificate will be issued in its turn conformably to the rules
and regulations of the Pension Bureau the
Commissioner of Pensions having been dvised
of the decision of this Department on the 20th instant.

I am, very respectfully,
Your Obt Sert

J. Thompson [signature] ]name is underlined]
Secretary

Francis H. Bell
Washington D.C.
Page 55

[very faded]

[illegible] comply with fully [illegible]
Page 56

Department of the Interior
Washington, March 27, 1857

Sir

Your appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions, in the case of
the heirs of Isaac Bell decd, claimants for
arrears of revolutionary pension, has been this
day received and referred to that officer for a

I am, respectfully,
your Obt Sevrt

J. Thompson [signature] [name is underlined]
Secretary

Frances H. Bell
Washington D.C.
Page 57

Mr Geo C Whiting
Washington March 9th 1857
Commisioner of pensions, Sir

Having called at the pension office on the 6th inst to re-examine the vouchers for the service of Isaac Bell in the Revolutionary war.  I find much evidence which same heretofore to have been neglected, Solomon Utter testifies that Bell was a blacksmith in Regiment commanded by Uriah Mitchell who was deputy for Master general at Newburg
which Deputy,[Deputy is underlined] Qr Master General  at Newburg.  Which Deputy [Deputy is underlined] was under Qr Master General Udney Hughes head quarters was at Fishkill (on the Hudson River) N York) and that he Bell drew rations & pay as, and with the the rest of the army, upon ascertaining these facts I put the question (to the Chief Clerk Mr Coles) whether there as sutch [sutch is crossed out] a Deputy Quarter Master general by the name of Uriah Mitchell, also if there was a Qr Master General by the name of Udney Hughs, and whether there was a man by the name of
Jacob Reeder who in any capasity Comanded [any capacity commanded is underlined] in the artificers Department in the same Geographicle locality, the clerk, Mr Coles, firmly Replied that he was indisposed to make [make is crossed out] give any such information, thus I desired to show you is in
perfect keeping with former act & decisions towards the application (of my mother) Jemima Bell, Solomon Utters letter if positive that Isaac Bell did serve in the capacity of of artificer in the above named
Page 58

Qr Masters Department for upwards of two
years and was in the continental army, during that time and says he was personly acquainted with Isaac Bell during the whole time in another place Utter ascerts that Bell served as blacksmith for about three years.

Samuel Weed testifies that he was personly acquainted with Isaac Bell, who was a blacksmith in the U.S. army in the year 1776 - 1777 and a part of 1778 and repetes that Bell was in the continental service as sutch during the whole time 

General, Isaac Belknap, testifies that he knew
Isaac Bell in 1777 or 1778 and knew that Bell
served as artificer for several year in the U.S.
Service.  Catherine Galow (the sister of said Bell) certifies that Isaac Bell entered the US service at the commencement of the Revolution war and continued in service to the close of the war.

Walter Case testifies that he was personly acquainted with Isaac Bell and that it was generally a conceded fact that Bell was in the US service as blacksmith in the Revolutionary war and that he (Bell) was the selected Farrier
for general Washington, during the time that
Washington was stationed in and about Newburg, West point, Fort Montgomery, & on the Hudson River N.Y. further remarks upon the testimony in this instance would be unnessary he call your attention to the verasity of the case in point
Page 59

I have the prefered testimony of the old and
experienced pension agents who will furnish
me with their certificate that the evidence on
in file in your office to establish the cliam of the service of Issac Bell in the Revolutionary war is not often if ever surpassed in any
Military claim whatever, in the decision
of the case in point in 1842 it is boldly ascerted that the name of Isaac Bell is not
any where [any where is underlined] to be found on the Rolls, and further inacturatly in many [many is crossed out] some other supositions which is equally without foundation for facts.  in 1853 the same
expression is reiterated, and the former decision confirmed with an appendage as follows; I have carefully [carefully is crossed out] examined, personly, and carefully, the Records of the Qr.Masters Department
of N York, and there was no sutch officer as
Captain Reeder, nor could I find the name
any where of Isaac Bell, the artificers Roll
contanes no sutch name. [the line beginning with nor coul I find until the end of the line is underlined]

Signed
A H Evans [signature]

Examiner, July 21st 1853 [1853 is underlined]

on the 13th of Jan 1857 you inform me that the name of Isaac Bell is found upon the Roll of Col Hugh Hughs, as a blacksmith: under Jacob Reeder of Newburg which service
imbraced in the pension laws, without comment it will be readily seen that the
Decisions of 1842 and 1853 were terminated in Groce error
Page 60

I was informed by the Chief Clerk in your office that not one tenth of the Revolutionary [ary is crossed out] Rolls were on file in your office, hence it appears to me to be an
excesive demand to Require more testimony than has been already produced, again I Doe conceive that I have the wright to know (as I am personly concerned) if Jacob Reeder did in any way [in any way is underlined] have command of the artificers Department about the same time and place and wheather Udney Hughs was quartermaster general, at Fishkill or Newburg N York, also of Uriah Mitchell was Deputy Qr Master general at the same place and particularly to know if the name of Isaac Bell is extant upon any of their Rolls.  Request an examination should be made, I am inclined to believe that my persuiance of the above named case has been tried with neglect and stringent obscurity, when more light is required.  I will call on tuesday or Wednesday and give you an opportunity to examine my vouchers of Reputation and while I have determined on an unflinching firmness in this case I hope that the administrators of your Department will do me the favour, kindness, and justice, that will obviate further anxiety or persuit

Verry Respectfully submited
Francis H Bell [signature]
Page 61

Washington Feb 12th 1857
Mr G C Whiting Dear Sir

I have not yet recd an answer from your department in relation to the military clame [claime] due to the heirs of Jemima Bell for
the service of Isaac Bell in the Revolutionary War, I regret verry much to be so situated that
I am nessarily compeled to ask the special favour of you to dispose of the case at your earliest convenience, I am personly more interested in that clame there any other member of the family, in addition to that if the case should be speedily and favourably terminated it will save me from a heavy loss in real estate that I own in Va [Virginia] which must be sold at great sacrifice, by the 5th of March, unless I can be relieved. (Due the best you can for me) [Do the best you can for me is underlined] and I will be satisfied, I have all the requisit vouchers of identity of my Brothers & sisters and my self being the legal Decendents of Isaac & Jemima Bell, in question.  I presume it would put the government to no more expence, and you to but little more
inconvenience to Dispatch the case at onest
as it is of the almost importance to me, as well as the rest of the family, as soon asthe clame is determined, I will present my papers at your desk, Verry Respectfully yours &c

Frances H. Bell [signature]
Page 62

Brief [underlined]
Page 63

7 July 1838
Jemimia Bells Case
She states that her husband Isaac was a Private
in Capt. Lee's Co: & afterwards commanded by Capt Dubois Col: Clinton's Regt was afterwards
transferred to the Corps of Artificers under
Capt Jac: Reeder-Q(crossed out) Suply Qmmr Taylor & served throughout the Rev. War, as an
Armoner at Fort Montgomery, West point &
New Burgh, in the Continental shops-that
he was in actual service at the battle of
Fort Montgomery & he was discharged in
Summer of 1783 - was then (unreadable) in
1789, he died in Decr 1813-
---
Samual Weed, Pensioner swears that he served three yrs 10 mths in Rev. War. no date given nor names of officers & was discharged Decr 26 1779.  he knew I. Bell.  that he Bell enlisted in 1775 as pri in Capt: Thos Lee Cols. Palmer & Clinton
Lee was soon succeeded Harry Dubois's as Capt:
---
He said Bell was a (crossed out) Blacksmith
by trade & was drafted out of said Co & transferred to a corps of Artificers commanded
by Capt. Reeder, & that he Bell continued
Page 64

to serve as an artificer until the close of the War.

according to his best recollection Bell was
is the battle at Fort Montgomery & he at work in Samuel Boyds shop during said battle.

Weed entered in 1776 & was discharged in 1779.

Solomon Utter Pensioner - swears that when he first knew Bell he was a Blacksmith in the service of his country under the likeness: "diate command of Capt Reeder.  thinks [thinks is underlined] that Bell was an enlisted
Artificer [Artificer is underlined] for three years, Knows [Knows is underlined] that he served two years under Capt. Reeder who had charge of the Blacksmith shops. Reeder was
under command of Dep. Qr. Master
Taylor, that Bell did not serve under private con: [con: is underlined] Weed [Weed is crossed out] he then entered in 1778 a co: of Artifice under Capt: Mills.  he served as an Artificer 1½ years, then served in Col Lambs Regt of N.Y. Artillery until the close of war & who discharged in 1783.
Page 65

Moses C. Bell, has often heard his Father Isaac
speak of his services as Black: :smith in the Army in the Rev.

John Taylor, says he has been informed of the
service of Isaac Bell as an Artificer - knows nothing of his own knowledge -
Page 66

Washington 31 Oct. 1853

Sir,
In the case of Jemima Bell I promise there can be no question of her right to a pension or account
of her husbands' service under Capt Lee and ask that that portion of her claim may be acted upon. -

Yours very respectfully

Francis A Dickins [signature]

To the Com of Pensions
Page 67

[written in top right corner of page]
457

Pension Office
Oct. 21. 1853

Sir

In compliance with your sental request, I have caused the papers in the case of Jemima Bell, Decd widow of Isaac, where I am under the Act of July 7. 1838, has been rejected by this office, to be carefully examined as also all the Rolls of the New York and artificer service in our possession, and can discuss no grunds for severing the segment [segment is crossed out] several decisions of this office, and which have her caponed by the appellate power, on the contrary, I am none fully satisified that Isaac Bell was employed under civil contract: for J. Reeder when it is alleged, was a Captain of a Corps of Artificers.  I saw record enrolled of that [that is crossed out] his rank could be [be is crossed out] a doubly same Record evidenced of that [that is crossed out] this rank could doubly, be readily addressed but are not preliminary fact is not [illegible] and until it is evidenced, it is
Page 68

[handwritten on top right corner]
458

I am at a loss to understand for [for is crossed out] that grounds the service of Bell as an Artificer [illegible].  The testimony of Utter and Weed, [illegible] or by you, [illegible] no light also the question - It [illegible] those not BEll marked as a Blacksmith at a forge in county of Fort Montgomery - which is not disputed, but [illegible] that he was an enlisted Artificer serving as a regularly embodied corps!  [illegible] is it [illegible] that hearing the testimony presented by you, showing that Lee
commanded a company in the 5th New York Regiment has upon the question, - unless it could be further and show by the Rolls of his company, not Bell was an enlisted solider in it. 
and my [illegible] to [illegible] it under was
pend to leave it under as engagement to [illegible in the corps of Reeder.  

May a [illegible] to make for your information not one  the date of your
Page 69

attorney to act as her agent in this case, William Valentine Secy of Albany, N. York, who claims to be her attorney will prove of substitution, has appointed Alexander Ray her Agent.  [several words are crossed out after Agent.]

[written vertically along left side of page]
F. A. Dickins
Oct 21 /53

F. A. Dickins, Esq.
Present
Page 70

F. A. Dickins
Nov 12/53
Page 71

[handwritten at top right of page]
160

Pension Office
Nov. 12. 1853.

Sir.

In compliance with your request, I have very carefully examined the papers of Jemima Bell to who was the widow of Isaac & with the new of ascertainig whether there was under a sufficient to [illegible] the [illegible] of the [the is crossed out] her claim for the service alleged to have been rendered under Capt. Thos Less, and for an inferred that it is my undefinity set forth in the part testimony in the case, and entering [illegible] by the Rolls of that company and this office.

F. A. Dickings Esq.
Present.
Page 72

Washington
Jan 29th 1856

Mr. Geo C. Whiting Commisioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
I desire to all your attention To the Revolution claim of Isaac Bell deceased of Orange County, York, which claim was applied for by his Widow Jemima Bell (also deceased) in or about 1840 or 41, at which time her application was rejected if I am not mistaken upon the grounds that his name is not appear upon the roll list since which time I have learned from good authority that his (Isaac Bell) name is found [name is found is underlined] upon the Revolution Enrollment and from the import of the Documentary
Evidence on file in your office, I am decidedly 
of the appinion that the former decision has
entirely failed to do justice in the case, or to the parties concerned.  accordingly in the early, part of this year (1856) I procured additionly testimony which is also on file in your office praying a new hearing in the case, or claim. I file this pettision under the act of 1836

I am Dear Sir verry Respectfully yours &c
Francis H. Bell [signature]
Page 73

Penna Office.
Jan 13, 1857.

Sir:

In [illegible] corphance with your request I
have caused the papers of Jemima Bell who was the son of Isaac to be [illegible] named
and also the Return of pensions employed in
the Quartermasters General Department on the Hudson River, from Kings Ferry to Baffers' Creek, under Hugh Hughes D. Dall, dated Dec 28, 1781, as [as is crossed out] [illegible] upon
his return I found the anme of Isaac Bell on a lacksmith employed at Newburgh, under Jacob Reeder foreman.  The said Isaac no doubtly, the husband of Jemina, and the same is embraced by the pension laws:  but it is utterly unpredictable to determine how long he served for the paid testimony is not at un-satisfactory.  For the effort [illegible] I need to [illegible] that disect by the [?ductor]
Page 74

by Record proof, and when it is [illegible] a final decision will be made of the case.

{written vertically on right side of page]
Frances H. Bell
Jany 13.

[written along the bottom of the page]
Francis H. Bell, &c
Washington City
D. C
Page 75

W. Case
18 May 1840
Page 76

Pension Office
18. May 1840

Sir
The additional evidence in the case of Mrs Jemima Bell widow of Isaac Bell enclosed in your letter of the 28th February last has been  examined. There is no evidence [no evidence is crossed out] nothing to show that the claima nts husband was whilst engaged as an 
Artificer, in continential service: Capt [Capt was crossed out] No Captain of the name of Reeder belonged to the Corps of Artificers during the war - The claim is that therefore rejected

Walter Case Esq [signature]
New Burgh [Burgh is crossed out] Windsor
N. Y.
Page 77

House of Representatives
Jan. 10. 1840

To the Commissioner
of Pensions.

Sir:  On the 14 of Decr. last I addressed a note to the commissioner (by request) asking the favor of a Report on the case of Mrs. Abigail Letts. Nathan Westcott Esq. living in Orange
Co. N.Y. being her agent:  Allow me sir to call your attention again to the subject.

Permit me also by request of Walter Case Esq. to ask the favor of Reports on the following cases viz.  Lydia Wood whose last application was under the law of 7th July 1838, and whose proofs are said to be conclusive. this application has been paiding for a long time. Applicant very poor and at a very advanced age.

Also the case of Jemima Bell widow of Isaac Bell who served as armorer at New Burgh W. Point and Fort Montgomery throughout the War. being an Artificer under Capt Reeder.  If additional Evidence in this case be required it is presumed by her all that it might be had.

With sentiments of high regard
Your Obt Servt
Nathl. Jones [signature]
Page 78

No 5
Page 79

State of New York
Secretaries Office
Albany August 10th 1853 SS:

I certify that it appears by the Military register in this office that Thomas Lee entered the service as Captain in the 5th Regiment New York Line November 21st 1776 and resigned 
May 19th 1778. I further certify that it appears
from Book A page 149 of Military appointments in this office that in the nineteenth day of October 1779. Thomas Lee was appointed a Captain in a regiment of sociated exempt to in Dutchess County, N.Y. commander by Col Zepheniah Platt

John Cuyler, [signature]
Dep Sec of State.
Page 80

State of New York
Comptrollers Office
Albany August 10th 1853 SS

I certify that on page 97. Book A of Audited accounts for military service, in this office, it appears that pay roll No 2 for £ 156.17.0 is charged for services of Captain Thomas Lee's Company, in a regiment of associated exempts, commanded by Col Zepheniah
Platt in 1779.

I further certify that on page 143 same Book it appears that a pay roll for £ 78.16.8 is charged to Captain Thomas Leess Company in a regiment of New York Lines commanded by Col Lewis Dubois in 1780.

[illegible]

A W Lee
Examg. Clerk
Page 81

Washington Dec 24th 1856

Mr Geo C Whiting Dear Sir

I feel great anxiety to know the result of your deliberations upon the application that I made for the military claim claimed by the heirs of the Estate of Jamima Bell for the services of Isaac Bell in the revolutionary war.  some time since I forwarded the application to you through the post office and having Read no
answer concluded the matter had been overlooked.  you must excuse my anxiety upon that subject as it is a matter of the utmost importance to me to know the result and what course to persue if I had any doubts upon the merits of the claim I would not persue it for one moment, but verrily believing that it is a most just claim and should not be withheld by the government.  I hope that I may be spared the painful task of seeking my
Rights through other legal mediums, I ask the
favour of you to give the case a fair and candid investigation and please let me know your conclusion
Page 82

State of New York
Orange County SS

Personally appeared before the Subscriber
Walter Case attorney and Counsellor of Law of the Town of New Windsor County of Orange and State of New York who having been duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with Isaac Bell deceased who in his life time was the husband of the said Jemima Bell named in the preceding affidavits - That said Isaac Bell was Commonly Reported to have served as an artificer in the Company of Jacob Reeder on the Continental establishment, throughout the Revolutionary War and Deponent believes it to be true. Deponent, [?sent] wife is the Great Grand Daughter of William Lawrence deceased named in the annexed affidavit of Catherine Gallow and George Gardner Esquire deceased late of New Burgh, who served at the Storming of Stoney Point under General Wayne, was her Grandfather.  The said George Garden & Isaac Bell were apprentices to the said William Lawrence to Learn the Blacksmiths trade, at the same time, as deponent has been informed and believes to be true.  The said Isaac served as an artificer in the company of artificers commanded by Captain Jacob Reeder, aforesaid, of New Burgh, and was the ferrier selected to shoe General Washington Horses, during the whole time the Continental army lay in the Neighbourhood of New Burgh, as deponent has been often informed By common report, and believes to be true, Deponent has been acquainted with the said Jemima Bell, Joshua  Clark, Catherine Gallow, and John Taylor whose affidavits are annexed, twenty years last past, and has done bussiness as a lawyer for them Respectively, according to the best of deponents recollection and belief, and Deponent believes them all to be credible witnesses. This said Gardner is the Brother of
Page 83

said Jemima.  The said Catherine was the sister of the said Isaac in his life time and the said John Taylor was the Brother in Law of the said
Jacob Reeder, and was a shoemaker by trade, as Deponent has been informed and verily believes to be true - 

Walter Case [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day of February 1840 before me

John R. Caldwell [signature]
Com. of Deeds &c. [Com. is underlined]

State of New York,
Orange County NY ss

I Albert S. Benton Clerk of the Court of out of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do certify that John R. Calwell is a Commissioner of Deeds as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 27th day of February 1840

[round seal is on left side of page]

[written vertically on bottpm portion of the page]

Hon [underlined]
The service of Isaac Bell, is doubtly embraced & the [illegible].  See the case of Mary Pratt, [illegible] widow of Ebenezer Field [illegible] 1836.  Admitted service Dau. [illegible] 1832, [illegible] & [illegible] 1832.

The were blacksmiths and employed in a [illegible] army.

W. C.
Jan 13/57
Page 84

Saith " C

Albert S. Benton Esqr

Clerk &c - 
Joshua

[written vertically on right side of page]
6401
V [illegible]
Cumma Wells
Jemima Bell
N.Y.

[written vertically along bottom left of page]
Jemima Bell
application for pension

[written upside down at bottom of page]
Walter Case Esqr
New Windsor
Page 85

Albert S Benton Esqr

Please to Certify that Jeremiah Clark Esqr deceased was a Judge Justice (or a Judge as the case may be) in the year 1789 - send me the certificate by Mail. The object is to show that he was a magistrate on the 20th day of April of that year the day Jemima Bell has sworn she was married by him.  write your certificate below this Letter & return it by Mail.

Yours Respectfully
Walter Case. [signature]

November 25th 1839-
State of New York
Orange County SS

I Albert S Benton Clerk of the County of Orange do certify that Jeremiah Clark was during the while of the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty nine (1789) a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the
said County and also one of the assistant
Justice, in and for the same, as appears by the records of the said County, in my office - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 26th day of November 1839

A S. Benton [signature]
Clerk

[round seal at the bottom, middle of the page]
Page 86

Solomon Utter
Affidavit

No. 4
Page 87

Affidavit and Statement in Relation to Isaac Bell a Revolutionary Soldier: deceased [solider and deceased are underlined]

Francis H Bell
Fredericksburg
Virginia [Virginia is underlined]
Page 88

Town of Cornwall
County of Orange
State of New York SS

Personally appeared before me Moses Cunningham one of the Justices of the peace of said Town

Robert Duncan Esq [signature]
Francis Clark [signature
Nathan Clark [signature]

All residents of said place and each of them being personally known to me to be the persons herein subscribed and to be actual residents of said Town, County & State, and being by me duly sworn each for themselves do say.  that by general and common report they verily believe that Isaac Bell, Deceased was a soldier and actually served in the Revolutionary war, and that Francis Clark for himself says that he was personally acquainted with said Isaac Bell in his life time and had frequently had conversations with him and in said conversations deponent had frequently heard said deceased say that he served in said
war and relate various annidotes and accounts 
of actions that transpired during the time said deceased was a soldier in service as afforesaid.

And these deponents further say that the wife of said Isaac Bell was [illegible word crossed out]
Page 89

Jemima Bell since deceased And further these deponent sayeth not
Robt Cunningham [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th [illegible]

Orange County
CLERK'S OFFICE, ss:

I, CHARLES DRAKE, Clerk of Said County, and the County Court of said County; (a Court of Record,) do hereby certify that M. Cunningham, whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit, was, at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace of said county, duly elected and qualified, and having full power to take the same; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of said Justice and verily believe that the signature of said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit is genuine.  In witness whereof I hereto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the said Court and County, this 21st day of June 1856

Jno Miller. [signature]
Deputy Clerk.

[round seal is on left side of page]
Page 90

thJemima Bell since deceased And further these deponent sayeth not

Robt Duncanson [signature]
Francis Clark [signature]
Nathan Clark [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of June 1856

M. Cunningham [signature]
Justice of the Peace

[there is another paper that is folded over with a seal on the left size and wording seen as follows]
Jno Miller
Deputy Clerk.
Page 91

Hon
James L. Edwards
Commissioner [illegible]

Washington City
Page 92

November 29 1839

Hon
James L. Edwards

Sir

Enclosed is the application of Jemima Bell for a Pension, I knew Isaac Bell in his life time he had the reputation & having served as an artificer under Captain Reeder at New Burgh,
West Point, & Fort Montgomery, Jemima Bell is his widow - I knew her in the life time of her
husband and have known her ever since his death.  Jeremiah Clark Deceased by whom she was married was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County from the first organization of our goverment untill his death he was a Judge & assistant Justice in the year 1804 when I first settled in New Burgh & so Continued untill his death-

Yours Respectfully
Walter Case [signature]
Page 93

State of New York
Orange County ss

Isaac Belknap of Newbrugh in said County being duly sworn says that he is in the eventy ninth year of his age. That he was well acquainted with Isaac Bell late of said County deceased. That according to the best of deponents recollection & belief the said Isaac Bell some time in the year 1777 or 1778. entered into a company of Artificers in the United States service at Newburgh aforesaid of which deponent believes [believes is crossed out] knows.  Jacob Reeder was the captain said company was under the command of Udney Hay as deponent.  believes who was a Quarter Master General
that a deputy by the name of Mitchell had the immediate command of said shop. that said Isaac Bell was before he entered said service an apprentice to one Deacon Lawrence who was a blacksmith at Newbergh & lived within five or six rods of the father of deponent.  that when said Bell left the service of said Lawrence
he entered into the company of said to
Reeder & served as a blacksmith from one to two years.  but deponent cannot state the length of time that he served [illegible] that he very frequently saw said Bell at work in said Bllacksmith shop at Newburgh aforesaid & knows that said shop was built by the publick & was from eighty to one hundred feet long & was alway called a United States [United States is crossed out] Continential service artificers
shop that army the ttue aforesaid said [said is crossed out] this deponent has also engaged in the public Service.

Isaac Belknap [signature]

Sworn before me this 18th day of July 1840

H. Armstrong [signature] Justice of the Peace
Page 94

[this page has another page underneath whic reads in part as follows]
State of New York
Orange County SS

I Albert S. Benton Clerk

[this is on the paper that is on top of previous one listed above]

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace before
whom the foregoing affidavit of General Isaac
Belknap was made do certify that I am well to
acquainted with him & know him to be a man of unimpeached character in the neighbourhood where he resides & of a sound
& vigorous mind & body. And that I believe his statements under oath to be entitled to full credit & belief.  And I further certify that the word "into" [into is underlined] was intirlered 
the word "believes" [believes is underlined]
erased & the word "knows" [knows is underlined] written over such erasure also the words "United States" [United States is underlined] erased & the word "Continental"
[Continential is underlined] written over such erasure all before the signing of the said affidavit by said deponent

H Armstrong [signature]

I Albert Benton Clerk of the County of Orange, and of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Horace Armstrong is a Justice of the peace as above and that the foregoing signatures in [illegible] to be his are genuine - In testimony where 
of I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said County this 13th day of October 1840

A. S. Benton [signature]
Clerk

[round seal on bottom left of page]
Page 95

State of New York
Orange County NY SS

Personally appeared before the sworn and a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Solomon Utter a credible witness and being duly sworn by me according to law, saith depose and say in [illegible] is the aforesaid by him heretosaid made in this case that Isaac Bell deceased late husband of Jemima Bell, served as an artificer in the Continental service, in a company commanded 
by Captain Jacob Reeder in New Burgh, in the revolutionary war about two years serving to the best of deponents recollection and belief.  Deponent lived [lived and is crossed out] and was stationed at New Burgh one year serving during the time of the service of the said Isaac [illegible] there throughout the said war, and other said [illegible] at work in the [illegible] shop at New Burgh.  Deponent is sure that said Isaac Bell served as an artificer under the said Captain Jacob Reeder one year, and from  said time in service often during the war when deponent was stationed at other places than New Burgh, deponent has not a [illegible] said 
Isaac served as an artificer in the Continental service more than two years, but deponent cannot state the precise time the said Captain Jacob Reeder was Captain of the Continential blacksmiths, & drew provisions of Qrmasters  Hamilton who who [second who is crossed out] was a Commit[illegible] under Udney Hay)
for said Company - Deponent was well acquainted
Page 96

[written on page under the following]
State of New York

[written on page placed over the above]

with the said Jacob Reeder & he said Isaac Bell, and has not a doubt that the said Jacob Reeder was a Captain of artificers in the Continental service as aforesaid, and the said Isaac Bell served under him as a private in said Company upwards of one year, and as Deponent believes upwards of two years.  

Note to words "lived on" and the word "who" on the first page erased.

Solomon Utter [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed this 8th day of September 1840 before me

Walter Case [signature] Justice - 

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace certify that Solomon Utter  who subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me, is a man of sound mind and memory.  & having been personally acquainted with him for many years, I further testify that he is a respectable mand and credible witness - 

Walter Case Justice [signature]
Page 97

State of New York
Orange County SS - 

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Samuel Weed a Revolutionary Pensioner to have personally known as a credible witness and having been duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith supplimental to the affidavit by him heretofore made for Jemima Bell an applicant for a pension named in the annexed affidavit of Isaac Belknap.  that the deponent was  acquainted with Isaac Bell late the husband of Jemima Bell aforesaid in the Revolutionary war. That the said Isaac belonged to and served in a Company of artificers under the command of Captain Jacob Reeder at New Burgh and Fort Montgomery in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, seventy seven, and part of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight be
according to the best of deponents recollection and belief - one said Jacob Reed was at the head of the company at New Burgh and the said Isaac Bell sometime in the year 1770 after having been learned the trade of a Blacksmith as aforesaid enlisted in the companies of Captain Henry Dubois of Clintons Regiment for three years and was soon afterwards transfered to the company of artificers commanded by Captain Jacob Reeder aforesaid said Captains belonged to the Continental establishment and was in the Continental shops at New Burgh, except when they were deployed to Fort Montgomery or West Point.  they drew provisions at the Commissary store at New Burgh which was under
Page 98

the Direction one Taylor who was a Deputy of Udney as a Commissary General of the Continental army at Fishkill.  Deponent often saw the said Isaac Bell at work in the Continental armory or blacksmiths shop at New Burgh, and also at Fort Montgomery, Tarrytown thereof in battle.  Deponent [illegible] said charge of a Cannon.  For the rest of the Engagement the priming wire became bent, and unlit for use.  Deponent went to the Blacksmith shop at [illegible] to get it repaired where he was the said Isaac Bell & one Samuel Boyd Both of whom belonged to Captain Reeders Company of Artificers aforesaid and were on the Continental establishment The said Isaac Bell served as an artificer in the Continental army upwards of two years to the best of Deponents recollections and belief - He was in actual service as an artificer in the continental line of the corps at Fort Montgomery at different times previous to the battle of Fort Montgomery.  He worked in
Page 99

The Continental Shop at that place and was with others detached from the company of said Captain Reeder at Newburgh as deponent was informed at the time and believes To be true. Deponent at the Time often heard [Crossed out at the time] And never entertained a doubt That The said Jacob Reeder was a Captain of the blacksmithing And belonged To a line of the continental army And that The said Isaac Bell Was an enlisted artificer in his company and served out the term of his enlistment.
Samuel Weed
Sworn to and subscribed this 26 day of September 1840
Walter Case Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Orange County
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Samuel Weed who subscribed and swore to the above affidavit in my presence and have been acquainted with him upwards of twenty five years. That he that he is a pensioner. Of the United States and a credible witness.
Walter Case Justice 

J.B. Armstrong Justice of the Peace
Page 100

State of New York
Orange County
I Albert S. Benton clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said county do certify that Walter Case is a Justice of the Peace as written [above is crossed out] And that The written signature purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 13th day of October 1840
A.S. Benton
Clerk
Page 101

October 17, 1840
From James L Edwards
Sir
I would not again Trouble With the application Of Jeminia Bell For a Pension If I was not sure That Isaac Bell Her husband Served Two years and Upwards as an Artificer In the army Of the revolution. I knew Bell Personally and state with Confidence that it was A common Report in this neighborhood in his Lifetime That he served as an artificer In the continental army. After reading the enclosed affidavits I think that you cannot entertain A doubt On The subject. Issac Bell himself is a man of the first respectability. He was for many years the President of the Bank of Newburgh and is now a Director of that institution. He is well known to Mr. Kobby & Charles K. Gardner of the General Post Office and Charles Nives Esq. a clerk in one of the public offices at Washington City. No one acquainted with him Will doubt his credibility for one moment. Solomon Utter & Samuel Weed are pensioners and credible witnesses to me personally are known, upwards of 20 years. The first name belonged to the artificers and the last to the regular line of the army. They have always lived in this neighborhood since the commencement of the war.
I remain very respectfully yours
Walter Case
Page 102

State of New York
Orange County I personally appeared Before the subscriber On the fifteenth day of February 1842. Solomon Utter A revolutionary war pensioner Light of the town Of Marlborough, county Of Ulster And state aforesaid Now of Greenberg in the county of Westchester a Credible Witness And having been By me duly sworn, doth depose and say In addition To The Affidavit by him heretofore Made In this case That he was Personally well Acquainted With Isaac Bell Named in the affidavit Of Jeminia Bell His widow on file at the pension Office In the time of the revolutionary war That the said Issac Was own artificer in the service of the United States and worked as an armorer in continental shops at Newburgh under Captain Jacob Reeder upwards of five years the said
Jacob Reeder and his company of artificers of whom the said Isaac Bell . Belonged to theQuartermasters department and was under  The immediate command of Uriah Mitchell deputy quartermaster general at Newburgh, who was under Udney Hays QuartermasterGeneral whose headquarters were at Fishkill . Deponent said the said Isaac Bell frequently in service at Newburgh during the revolutionary war and nose he drew rations and pay at the quartermaster department as did the rest of the said Reeder’s company Deponent saw him draw provisions after at the public store and always
Understood
Page 103

At the time and still believed That the said Isaac Was enlisted in the service Of the United States And was subject To the rules Under the articles of war And did not Serve therein On private contract
Solomon Weed
Sworn the fifteenth day of February1842 before me
Sturving Worstwout justice of the peace
Page 104

State of New York 
Orange County 
Personally appeared before me the subscriber at my office in the town of New Windsor county and state aforesaid Samuel Weed a credible witness to me personally known & having been by me first duly sworn doth depose and say that he is upwards of eighty years of age and is a pensioner of the United States under the law of March 18th 1818. Deponent served in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War three years and ten months and was discharged at Baskin Ridge the day after Christmas in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine. Deponent was well acquainted with Issac Bell, deceased late the husband of Jeminia Bell the applicant for a pension whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. The said Issac in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five enlisted as a private soldier in the company of Captain Thomas Lee in the regiment commanded at that time by Colonel Thomas Pulseur at Fort Montgomery which regiment was afterwards commanded by colonel James Clinton. Captain Lee resigned soon after his appointment and Harry Dubois the brother of Colonel Lewis Dubois was appointed Captain of said company in his place. The said Issac Bell was a blacksmith by trade and was drafted out of said company and transferred to the company of artificers
Commanded by Captain Reeder and continued to serve in said company as an artificer until the termination of the Revolutionary War, during at which time deponent was intimately acquainted with the said Issac Bell. Deponent also saith that Jeminia Bell, the applicant for a pension aforesaid is the widow of the said Issac
Page 105

Deponent who saith that the said Issac Bell was at the battle of Fort Montgomery according to the best of Deponents recollection, and worked in the shop with Samuel Boyd at said Fort and was present in said shop at the time of said battle which deponent distinctly recollects because said Samuel Boyd was killed in said battle whilst sitting on his anvil in said shop. Said shop belongs to the government and was situated at the end of the grand parade. Deponent was one of the men who had the command of an Iron sixteen pounder at said battle, and during said engagement was obliged to go to said shop to get the primary wire straightened and [crossed out] whilst he was there deponent saw the said Bell, he was in actual service.
Samuel Weed
Sworn to and subscribed this 29th day of May 1839 before me
Walter Case Justice
Page 106

I. Bell
Samuel Weed
Page 107

State of New York 
Orange County
I Albert S.Benton clerk of the said county do certify that Walter Case before whom the annexed affidavits of Samuel Weed, Solomon Utter, Moses C Bell and John Taylor were subscribed and sworn was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, and further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said  Justice and verily believe that the signature of the said affidavits is genuine . In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county this 22nd day of November 1839
A.S. Benton Clerk
Page 108

State of New York
Orange County
Personally appeared before the subscriber Solomon Utter credible witness to me personally is known. Having been by me duly sworn according to law and deposeth and saith that he is upwards of seventy years of age, that he is a pensioner of the United States for service rendered in the the revolutionary war. That in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy deponent became personally acquainted with Issac Bell, late, the husband of Jeminia Bell the applicant for a Pension whose affidavit presented amended.The said Issac was then in the service of his country as a blacksmith under the immediate command of Captain Jacob Reeder of the quartermasters department. The said Reeder had charge of the Blacksmith shops at Newburgh that the command of the blacksmiths who worked in the United States shops aforesaid [ illegible] 
Issac Bell worked under his command and deponent thinks that said Issac was an enlisted artilier in the three years service and served until the end of the war as deponent has been informed and believes to be true, deponent states from his own personal knowledge that the said Issac served as an artillier as aforesaid un
Page 109

der the said Jacob Reeder at Newburgh aforesaid at least two years ago. The said Reeder was under the command of the security quarter Master Taylor.
Solomon Utter 
Sworn to and subscribed this24th day of October 1839 before me
Walter Case Justice of the Peace
Page 110

State of New York
Orange County
Personally Appeared Me the subscriber John Taylor a [illegible] Who having been By me first Duly sworn doth Depose and say That he is upwards Of seventy five years of age. That he is well acquainted with Jeminia Bell Dr he applicant for a pension whose affidavits hereunto amend and was well acquainted with Issac Bell deceased, her late husband in his lifetime that she said Issac was a soldier in the Revolutionary War as deponent has been informed and believes to be true. Deponent also heard at the time that the said Issac served under Captain Jacob Reeder at Newburgh and Montgomery as a artilleier and
Deponent also said that in the month of April
Years ago, next April the said Isaac and they said Jeminia were married by Jeremiah Clark, Esquire, then a judge of the court of common, pleas of Orange County Deponent was present at the wedding and saw them married and will recollect the season of the year from the circumstance of its being the commencement of the season of fishing for shad in the Hudson River opposite to Pollypens Island and deponent also states that her marriage is strongly imprinted on his recollection for the circumstance of his having made the wedding pumps for the said Jeminia in which she was married.
Sworn to and subscribed 
This second day of
Page 111

ber 1889 before me John Taylor
The word “annexed” the word “merit”
and the word “Jeminia” on the
first page Interlined 
Walter Case
Justice of the Peace 

1839
50
———-
1789

722
Jeminia Bell
Page 112

Catherine Gallow
app[illegible] Oct.
Page 113

State of New York
Orange County
Personally appeared before before me the subscriber this 27th day of January 1840, Catherine Gallow A credible witness To me personally Known And having been by me sworn deposeth And saith That she is 
[ illegible] of 74 years of age. That she was the sister of Issac Bell deceased who died on the twenty ninth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirteen leaving Jeminia Bell the applicant for a pension under the law of July 7th 1838( whose original declaration is on file at the pension office at Washington city , as deponent was being informed and believes) his widow. The said 
Isaac Bell was married to The said Jeminia on the 20th day Of April 1789 by her Changed Uncle Jeremiah Clark was deceased. At that time A judge and Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Orange. Deponent also saith that the said Issac at the commencement of the Revolutionary War was an apprentice to William Lawrence of Newburgh to learn the blacksmith business or trade. That after the commencement of said Issac enlisted as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Henry Dubois of the regiment of Colonel James Clinton on the Continental establishment, as deponent was at that time informed and believes to be true. She said Issac was afterwards transferred to a company of officers commanded by Captain Reeder of Newburgh aforesaid. Deponent knows that the said Issac was in the service of the United States as an artillery under the command of said Capt.
Page 114

Tain Reeder sometime in the year 1780 or 1781. And continued in the same to the end of The said war According to deponents Recollection And belief. Deponent Had at the time at Bethlehem in The county And state I aforesaid about 6 miles Newburgh aforesaid And went there To see the said Isaac. Deponent Found him there At work In a shop Belonging to The United States and under the Of The said Captain Reeder as aforesaid. Deponent Also Said That Isaac continued Service As an [artillery], Until Of The revolutionary war as deponent Was At that time And ever Since has been informed. Deponent also saith That the said Isaac Served under a regular Enlistment into the army, And Not under a private Contract with the said Captain Reeder Or any other Person as she has been informed And believes it to be true. Notice the letter appear on the first page and the words the 27th day of January. In the front on the second judge erased before signing.
Catherine Gallows
Sworn to me and subscribed
[Crossed out]
This 27th day of January 1840 before me
Walter Case justice of the peace
Page 115

State of New York
Orange County
Personally appeared before the subscriber A justice of the peace in and for the county of Orange John Taylor Credible  witness And having been Duly sworn according to Laura Deposeth With supplementary To the affidavit by him heretofore made that he made the wedding shoes for Jeminia Bell in which she was married to Isaac’s Bell, that he was present at the wedding and saw them married and from the best of his Recollection He thinks it was 51 years ago Since they were married. Deponent was Well acquainted With Issac Bell in the time of theRevolutionary war and long afterwards that deponent understood at the time that the said Isaac belonged to a company of artilleries commanded by captain Jacob Reeder of Newburgh, and was regularly enlisted in the same, and he verily believes  it to be true. He served To the end of the war in said company and was discharged at the end of the war at Newburgh, as deponent was informed at the time and verily believes, deponent always understood that the said Isaac was in the United States service and under a regular enlisted unit. Deponent is confident that the said Isaac did not serve under private contract. Note the syllable, LY. In the 20th line from the top erased and the syllable ED in the same line erased and the word MENT was written over the erasures.
John Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of February 1840 before me
Walter Case Justice of the Peace
Page 116

State of New York
Orange County :: I, Albert S Benton Clerk of the Court of common pleas in and for the County of Orange
to certify that Walter Case is a Justice of the peace as within, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his to the within affidavit of Catharine Gallow, Joshua Clark and John Taylor are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said court this 26th day of February 1840

A. S. Benton, Clerk
Page 117

commission or not. That Captain Reeders companion cannot be produced is not surprising.  The Continental service was very irregular. Officers were often appointed and sometimes commissioned, by Committees of Public Safety; Form Volumes, of Public Documents in certain to the war which should be at the Comptrollers Office Albany cannot be found. Moreover it has been heeded by the Secretary of War that service in a Military office though no Commission issued,  entitles to a Pension will not a forced service by transfer from a regular Company entitled the applicant to a pension also, when the service has eventually been performed, according to the order of a Superior of Justice,: See Document 118 & 92

I remain with great respect
Yours
Walter Case

P.S. The enclosed affidavit shall be duly authenticated. It will cost about @2.50 which the claimant cannot withhold. If documentary evidence of the commission of Reeder is still insisted on, this evidence will be useful.
Page 118

James L Edwards,

Sir,

I send you the enclosed affidavit, because it corresponds so materially with the affidavit of General Isaac Bellknap on file at the Pension office, and thus so clearly the nature of Bells service under Reeder to have been Continental, and not on private contract. If a Certificate that the officer who administered this oath is a justice should be required, it shall be obtained. The affidavit was sent to Mrs. Bell by Solomon Utter, who now lives in Westchester County.
That Jacob Reeder was refuted to be Certifier of Artificers, and served in the quartermasters department under Sidney Nars, Quartermaster General, there is not a doubt that Bell served under him as an Certifier in the Continental Armory. He was transferred from Duboises to Reeders Company and noted throughout the war in the Continental shops at New Burns. If Bell had  served out his time in Duboises Company, he would have been entitled to a Pension, shall his compulsory transfer from that Company deprive him of that right. If he had served on private contract he could not have drawn rations nor ..., at the Contintental stores. Bell could not compell Reeder to produce his Commission. He was bound to obey his superiors, and when they directed him to serve under Captain Reeder, he was bound to obey whether Reeder had a
Page 119

New York Central Lines
New York Central Building
466 Lexington Ave
New York

H. M. Bassett,
General Office Engineer

May 14th, 1924.

Director,
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:

Can you tell me how I can certify to the fact that Isaac Bell served United States Government during the Revolution at Fort Clinton under Colonel Clinton and General Palmer.

I understand that you have this information amongst your records.

Respectfully,
George S. Clark

Room 753
466 Lexington Ave
New York City

Stamped: Pension Office
May 15, 1924