Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1362, Benjamin Bruce, Va.

Page 1

Va
Bruce, Benjamin       R1362
            Milly

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1856,
State of Kentucky
County of Clark        [illegible]

On this twenty-fourth day of December eight [illegible] forty-two [illegible] undersign a justis of the piece of the County of Clark [illegible] Bruce a resident in the County of Clark and State of Kentucky aged ninety years on the twenty seventh of March 1843 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 4th 1836:
That she is the widow of Benjamin Bruce who was a soldier of of the Revolutionary war as a militiaman: she states that he [illegible Removed?] two towers of six monthes each in Colonel Reuben Linsey, [illegible: Rigiment?] and Captain [illegible] Davis Company and one tower at Sharlottsvill [illegible] of Virginia at least one month.  She states that her husband resided in the State of Virginia and County of Albemarl she dos not reccollect at this great length of time the year or the day or the month that he was draughted but she dos well reccollect that it was the year that the Battles of Bunkershill and Brandywine was faught; that he was in both of the above named battles: she states that they moved to Kentucky in the year of seventeenhundred and eighty-four and settled [illegible] and he was called out against [illegible] she states he served at least one month against the Indians.  From her great age and lofs of memory she cannot state positively the particular dates when he went out but she recollect of his being out as stated above and that he had a discharge for one of the towers of six months: it was in a bag with some other papers the mise got to when they was and destroyed it with the other papers - -

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She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Bruce on the twenty-sixth day of March seventeen hundred and seventy-three; that her husband, the aforsaid Benjamin Bruce died on the thirty-first day of December eighteenhundred and nine; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear [illegible] to the proof hereto annexed She further states [illegible] the record of her childrens [illegible] of her husband,s death in a bible which was burnt in Thornton WIlls, house who married one of her daughters and that she was married in Albemarl Caounty in the State of Virginia that her eldest daughter Sarah Gordon was born in (corrected to "on") the twenty-seventh of June seventeen hundred and seventy-six and Barnet and Elisabeth was born before the [illegible] of the war but she cannot state the dates at this time she states that she had eight children but cannot [illegible] any but the eldest it being the year that independence [illegible] that in [illegible] when it was born; the word be [illegible] in the twenty second line on the first page the word when bloted in the twenty-fifth line her written over my in the tenth line of the second page before signing
N..B..
After reflection she is of the opinion that the leaf of the Bible was torn out by Thornton Wills children and not burnt as stated by him

her
Milly Bruce
mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before the Magistrat[illegible] County State of Kentucky being a Court of [illegible] by a Justis of thein and for the County of forsaid P [illegible] Bush Certify that Milly Bruce personally appeared in open Court and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the forgoing Declaration in testamony whereof I have herein set my hand and subscribed my name on the day first first above written 1842. 

P Bush
Presiding Justice of the [Magastrite?] Court

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I Sarah Gorden aged sixty-seven state that I was small during the war of the Revolution but I recollect of my Father Benjamin Bruse was out in the war of the revolution I recolect when my Father was out as a soldier of (illegible crossed out) my Grand Father Jacob Wats coming to Fathers house and telling my Mother Milly Bruse to put the dog in celar and and take care of the chickens that the Brittish was coming. I recollect going with my Mother [illegible] my Father was a soldier This six months towers which was [illegible] 
declaration I have often heard my Father and Mother speak of his serving in the war of the revolution I know they have lived together as husband and wife ever since my earliest recollection and I have never heard it douted but what they was legally married and she is the widow of Benjamin Bruse and have raised the number of children stated by her and she has remained a widow ever since the death of my Father I have understood [illegible] destroyed by Thornton M [illegible]
I have examined her declaration and believe it containes the truth: I have heard my Father speak of being at the battle of Brandywine Jacob Watts in the fifth line wife in the thirteenth line intertined before [illegible] given from under my hand this 24th of December 1842 Sairey Gorden
Personally appeared before me the undersign Justis of the piece in and for the County of Clark Sarah Gorden of the Baptist Church subscribed and made oath of the [illegible] affidavit also Milly Bruce who is the wife of Benjamin Bruce who is a woman of respectability [truth?] and peity a member of the Baptis Church from appearance both of the women are the ages stated by themselves I [illegible] certify that Milly Bruse is the widow of Benjamin Bruse who was reputed and believed in his neighbourhood to have been a soldier of the revolution in testamony [whereof?] I have inscribed my name this 24th day of december 1842 
P Bush [illegible]

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I Ambros Bush aged sixty-six years a resident of Clark County and State of Kentucky state that I have been acquainted with Benjamin and Milly Bruse ever since my earliest reccollection, my Father lived neighbours to them, and know they lived together as husband and wife until [illegible] took plase [illegible] was reputed and [illegible] in the neighbourhood to have been a soldier of the revolution I believe he was and served as stated by his widow interlined in the eight line before signing given from under my hand this 26th day of December 1842
Ambrose Bush

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justis of the Piece in and for the County of Clark [illegible]
truth and peity and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit given from under my hand this 26th day of December 1842 
P Bush Jpcc
State of Kenty Clarke County [illegible]
I [illegible] P Bullock clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that P Bush whose name is subscribed is his above and foregoing certificate [illegible] was at the time of signing the same an acting [Justice of] the peace within and for the County of Clarke [illegible] duly commissioned & qualified as such [illegible]
to all his official acts as such - I further certify that David Bullock whose name is subscribed as clerk to [illegible] will of Benj Bruce wasth the [illegible] of the copying of the will clerk of the county court of Clarke County - In Testimony Whereof I the Clerk aforesaid have [illegible] let my hand I affixed the seal of [s.d?] Courts at [illegible] this 26th of Dec 1842 -
[illegible] James P Bullock [illegible]


[possible smudged seal to far lower left side of document, smudge in circular shape but no identifying marks, final paragraph last few lines indented away from smudged area as though purposeful]

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Bruce, Benjamin
(VA)
R1362

[faint writing that possibly says 5/4/]

Milly Bruce
Ken:
Act 4 July 30--

Bruce's Will
Copy for M.
Bruce
E [illegible]

Page 7

In the name of God amen I Benjamin Bruse of the County of Clark being but in a low state of but sound in sense an_ memery but calling to mind the uncertainty of this Mortal life do make this to be my last Will and Testament in maner & form following (Viz) I commend my Soul unto Almighty God who gave it me and my body to be desently enterd at the discretion of my [illegible] Them As [illegible] my worldly estate which it hath pleased god to bless me with I will and bequeath it in the folowing manner and form I give and bequeath unto Milly Bruse my dearly beloved wife the negro man Charles and the negro woman Lets and my plantation and all my loose property during her life and then whichever child the two old negroes is willing to live with They are to take them and pay each of my children seven dollars a pease so long as they are capable of labor and then the children is jointly to maintain them so long as they shood live My plantation and [illegible] property thene is to be sold and the mony Equaly divided amongst all my deed children I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sally Gordan a negro boy and twenty dollars I Give and bequeath [marked out - a negro girl Winey when she gives up the negro] to my son Barnet Bruse a negro boy Jerry I give and bequeath a negro girl Winey when she gives up the negro name Isaac to my unto my daughter Elizabeth Haggard I give and bequith estate interlined by me Benjamin Bruse unto my daughter Nancy Wills a negro gal by the name of Fern I Give and bequeith unto my son Austron Bruse a negro boy name Isack [Isaac] and a [intelligible] a cow I give and bequith to my son Derrel Bruse a negro girl name Jin & a house and a Cow I give and bequith to my Daughter Agnes Wills interlined and [unintelligible] a negro girl by the name of Lin I give and bequith to my son Ely Bruse a negro girl by the name of Line and a hors sadle and bridle [unintelligible] a [unintelligible] and furniture and a cow to recieve it at the age of twenty one Then lastly I constitute and appoint my friends David Hampton & Dillard Collins Executors to this

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my last Will and Testament and my dear wife as above hereby revoking all former Wills by me maid.  In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this [sixt?] day of December Eighteen hundrid and nine - 

Signed sealed in the 
                       [offset from page] ]Benjamin Bruce ss [curly circle around ss]

presents of ~
Elias Browning
Stephen his x mark Lewis

At a [illegible] held for Clarke County [illegible] 1810
This Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Bruce Deceased was proven in Court by the Oaths of Elias Browning and Stephen Lewis witnesses thereto subscribed and Believed to be recorded And on the motion of Milly Bruce one of the Executors in the said will named who made Oath thereto as the law directs Certificate is granted her for Obtaining a probate thereof in due form GIving [illegible] whereupon she together with Barnette Bruce [Austin?] Bruce Wm Gordan and Nathaniel Haggard entered into and acknowledged their hand in the [finalty?]] of $5000 conditioned according to Law for the due and faithfull Administration of the said decedents estate and performance of his will {Likenly?] being reserved for the other Executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit.

[illegible] 
James P Bullock DG 
for
David Bullock CCC

Copy [Vesto?]
James P Bullock dc
for
David Bullock ccc

Page 9

I DO hereby certify, that [illegible Benjamin?] Bruce [handwritten] hath taken and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly intituled An act to oblige the free male inhabitants of this state above a certain age to give assurance of allegiance to the same, and for other purposes.  Witness my hand and seal, this 5th [handwritten] day of [September?] 1777. [handwritten]

[far left margin, handwritten, from bottom of page going up]
55 [illegible County?]

[below the fold there is handwriting from the other side that has bled through]

Page 10

June 17, 1926

Miss Ruth Beall
Winchester
Ky.

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 1362, it appears that Milly Bruce applied for pension, December 24, 1842, while a resident of Clark County, Kentucky, and alleged that her husband, Benjamin [check mark] Bruce, while living in Albemarle County, Virginia, served several tours in the Virginia Militia, dnring [sic] the War of the Revolution, but her claim was not allowed, as she failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.  
It also appears that soldier married March 26, 1753 [5 crossed off and handwritten 7 for 1773] in Albemarle County, Virginia, Milly 9her maiden name is not stated), she was born March 26, 1753.  He died in Clark County, Kentucky, December 31, 1809, leaving the following children - Sarah or Sallie

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Gordon, born June 27, 1776; Agnes Wills; Austron or Austin; Derret; Barnette; Ely; Elizabeth Haggard; and Nancy Wills.
Thornton Wills married one of the daughters, which one is not stated.
The above noted Benjamin Bruce or Bruice is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served in the Virginia Troops.
Respectfully,
E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

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I Isom Lane a resident of the County of Madison and State of Kentucky aged ninety years, state that I was acquainted with Benjamin Bruce of Albemarl County Virginia in the time of the revolutionary war. that he served three towers in the militia, in the war of the revolution I was with him in all three of his towers, we were in Captain Johnsons Company and Colnel Thomas Barbours ridgment, This tower we were at Richman and Gloster. one tower under Captain Edmund Shacelford and Colonel Barbours ridgment this tower we also was ordered to march to Richman, Virginia, the Third tower I do not at This time recollect the naime of the Captain but this tower was in Colonel Linsey,s ridgment This tower we marched to Little York and was there at the taking of Lord Cornwalis, all three of the above towers were three months each, he might have searved other towers I was in the regular army a part of the tim, but I know that he searved nine month in the war of the revolution for I was with him I knew him befor the revolution and I knew him whils he was in the army I also knew him after the close of the revolution I am unable to tell all the dates of each tower I recollect that he searved two tower in one year I recolect that it was near the close of the war as it was after I had been discharged from the regular servis given from under my hand this 27th day of May 1848 I further state that he was a married man

Isom his X mark Lane

State of Kentucky    ]  ss
County of Madison  ]

Be it known that personally appeared befor me the undersigned a Justis of the Peace in and for the above written County and State, Isom Lane who is known to me to be a man of respectibility and truth, who subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, tell, bloted in the twentieth line of the affidavit and an [illegible] in the same line all befor signed, given from under my hand this 27th of May 1848.
[W?] Parkes

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State of Kentucky
Madison County [hand-drawn design]

I JmShackelford clerk of the County Court of said county do certify that John W Parkes Esq whose name appears to [illegible] within certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly confirmed and qualified, and that his commission was dated on the 14th day of April 1839. and that his signature hereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the [illegible] of said court this 29th day of May 1848~

JMShackelford cmcc

Page 14

Long Lick KY
Jan 31 1842

JM

Cor JL Edwards
Commission of Pension
Washington City
DC

[different handwriting and oriented perpendicularly]
7 Jany 1843
DC
5.747.

Page 15

Long Lick Scott Co Ky Dec 31 1842
Dear Sir
the enclosed Papers are in support of the Claim of Mrs Milly Bruce the Widow of the late Benjamin Bruce for the Benefit of the Act of July 4, 1836 which you will please to have the
[illegible] to examine them as soon as convient
I have the honor to be
with Great Respect
your most [illegible]
Lewis C Suggett

James L Edwards Esq
[illegible]
Washington City
[illegible - two initials, last initial C]

Page 16

Washington June 15th 1848
Sir
I have the honor to enclose additional evidence in the case of Mrs Milly Bruce widow of Benjamin Bruce of Kentucky under the act of 4th July 1836.

Very Respectfully
Your [illegible]
T. L. Smith

J.L. Edward E.

Page 17

T.L. Smith
[illegible] 16.48

Page 18

[illegible marking at top]

Pension Office
October 16, 1848

Sir, 

The Service specified in the affidavit presented by you in the case of Milly Bruce [illegible] of Benjamin Bruce does not correspond either with the service set forth in his own declaration or in the declaration of claimant, and therefore [illegible, offers?] no support to her application.
I enclose herewith a copy of my letter to SC Suggett dated 3 March 1843 from which you will learn the objections then existing [against - crossed out] to granting a pension to Mrs Bruce no one of which have been removed by the testimony now [illegible]

T.S.Smith Esq
Present

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86

Pension Office
[date crossed out appears to be Jany 13th]
March 3rd, 1847

Sir, 
Your letter of the 31st [illegible] and the papers in the case of Mrs Milly Bruce widow of Benjamin Bruce deceased claiming a pension under the Act of July 4th 1836 have been received and placed upon file in this office.  The Declaration is not only defective in the setting forth with precision the times at which the alleged tours of service as a militia man commenced and ended and what were the circumstances attending [illegible therein?] but is moreover contradictory to itself in stating that the husband of the claimant was engaged in the battles of Bunker's Hill and Brandywine.  In addition to the above objections there is no evidence that the proceedings before the magistrate have been submitted to and received the approval of a Court of Record duly organized

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as required by the regulations of this Department.  There is moreover no evidence of the time of the marriage of such a character as to sustain the claim under the act in virtue of which it is made.

[at far right margin, perpendicular to the written letter]
Lewis C Suggett
March 3rd 1843

[at bottom margin:]
Lewis C. Suggett Esq
Long Lick, Scott Co KY

Page 21

Sir 

The pension case that has been presented at the Pension office by Col. R. M. Johnson and L.S. Suggett of Kentucky have been placed by these gentlemen in my charge.
I respectfully request that any action of the office in their case may be made to me. 

With much respect
Your [illegible]
T. L. Smith
J. L. Edwards Esq.
[illegible - possibly Com.] of Pensions [hand drawn symbol] Washington June 15th '48.

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No 5747
Milly Bruce
Ky
1843
Set [illegible] L C Suggett March 3 [appears to be a line after 3 up to 1843]
Coln T.L Smith Vol 16:4

1362
act 4 July, 1836

Page 23

No 5747.
Milly Bruce
Kentucky
Suspended
See Letter to Lewis C. Suggett
[Jany 12th crossed off] 1843.
March 3rd

Act 4th July '36

Page 24

[Top print cut off]
1362 [REJECTED stamp at a declining diagonal]
P.P Milly Bruce
Service:
Enlisted: _______,18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: ____,18
Alleges: List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause
Re-enlisted: of suspension as follows: "suspended for further proof."
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
[Contra --cut off of photocopy]
[parially cut off photo copy:  Cart of Dis Searched for ___18]

[at top margin written perpendicular to previous material]
1922 Jan 9 [illegible] to Mr. J.L. White - Es
1926 June 17 [quotation/ditto marks under "[illegible] to"] Mrs. Ruth Beall [illegible]

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8-049. [possibly 3-049.]
Ex. AV [waterstain possibly covering an E for AVE]
Div. RECORD
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., Mar. 29, 1926

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.

No. of claim,
[circular stamp in this area - PENSION OFFICE APN D. 7 S. 1926]

Name of soldier, [handwritten] Benjamin Bruice (or Bruce)

P. O. address of claimant,

Company [handwritten] Capt. Richard Campbell

Regiment [handwritten] of the 8the Battallion of Va Force

State where enlisted [handwritten] Va.

Date of enlistment [handwritten] Jan 23, 1776

Date of discharge [handwritten] Muster Roll Sep. 2, 1777

If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
[handwritten] Richard Campbell's Co. commanded by Col. Abraham Bownan [possibly Abraham Bowman],

Return attacked letter with reply.
[stamp] Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

6-2469

Page 26

[semi-upside down circular stamp:
Pension 
D
U. 
DEC 17 1921
S
Office]

Mrs. J. T. White
423 Avenue A
Lawton, Oklahoma

[oval stamp turned 90 degrees:
DISBURSING OFFICE
RECEIVED
DEC 17 1921
(star symbol) BUREAU OF PENSIONS (star symbol)

Dec - 13 - 1921
To The Pension Dep.
I enclose letter with additional information as requested.  If this does not establish identity I may be able to send more later.
I enclose a copy of a deed on file at Winchester Ky. as follows = 
Benjamin Bruce obtained a patent on 35.00 acres of land. After his death his widow, Mildred Bruce, and him made a deed jointly to a small portion of that land to Johnathan Owens.  The signatures to the deed are as follows.
Thornton Wills + wife Nancy, late Nancy Bruce - Isaac Wills + wife Agnes, late Agnes Bruce, William Gordon + wife Sally, late

Page 27

MRS. J. T. WHITE
423 AVENUE A
LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

Sally Bruce, Nathaniel Haggard + wife Elizabeth, late Elizabet Bruce. Dermitt Bruce + wife Sally. Barnette Bruce + Lucy his wife, and Eli Bruce, all legal kins of and representatives of Benjamin Bruce deceased and Mildred Bruce, widow of said Benjamin Bruce. This deed acknowledged and signed by the grantors May 16 -1817 and put to record Jan 10 - 1818., Winchester Ky. Clarke Co. If necessary I can get the description of this 35.00 acres of land and will send it on to the department. 

[Circluar stamp nearly upside down: PENSION D 
U. 
DEC 17 1921
S.
OFFICE]
Very Sincerely
Luna Wn White 
(Mrs J. T.)
423 Av "A"
Lawton Okla

Page 28

3-049.
Ex Eu
Div Record

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec 5, 191[handwritten:]21

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.  Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau. 

[N. of claim: Crossed out]
name of widow Mildred Bruce
Name of soldier, Benjamin Bruce
P.O [crossed out] address of claimant, at enlistment + after service
Company
Regiment
State where enlisted
[Circular stamp from US Pension Office dated DEC 17 1921]
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
approximate dates of birth + death.
Return attached letter with reply,
Washington Gardner 
6-2409
Commissioner.

Page 29

Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D.C.
Please write me if your records show that Benjamin Bruice (or Bruce) or his wife received a pension. 
Please write me if the name and date of birth of his wife and the date of their marriage are givem. Also any other information your records show concerning them
Yours Truly
Miss Ruth Beall
Winchester, Ky.
March 17, 1926.

[Both side margins contain stamp reading: RETURN THIS LETTER]

[Circular stamp at bottom left margin from US Pension Office dated Mar 19 1926]

Page 30

Benjamin Bruice (also born as Bruce) served as a private in Capt. Richard Campbell's Company of the 8" Battalion of Virginia Forces, commanded by Colonel Abraham Bowman, Revolutionary War. 
He enlisted Jan. 23, 1776 to serve two years, and his name is borne on a muster roll of the company dated Sept 2, 1777, with remark, "Sick, Virg."
No later record found.
From War Department.
The Adjutant General's Office. Washington, D.C.

Page 31

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;-
I am returning my letter and the war record of Benjamin Bruice or Bruce.  I am not a claimant for a pension but am trying to establish a D.A.R. line thro Benjamin Bruce. I want to find out the name of his wife and the dates of her birth and warriage.  Also any information concerning her. 
Very truly, 
Ruth Beall
Winchester, Ky.
April 5, 1926

(circular stamp from the US Pension Office dated April [illegible possibly 6] 1926

Page 32

Rev. War Section. 
[initials appears to be: EW in pencil}
January 9, 1922.

Mrs. J.T.White,
423 Avenue "A",
Lawton, Okla.

Madam:-
In response to your letter dated December 13, 1921, you are advised that from the papers in the pension claim, R. file No. 1362, it appears that Milly, the widow of Benjamin Bruce, applied for pension December 24, 1842, at which time she was living in Clark County, Kentucky, and alleged that Benjamin Bruce of Albermarle Co,, Virginia, served several tours in the Virginia Militia, during the Revolution, but her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.  It also appears that he married on arch 26, 1773, [handwritten: in Albermarle (initals?0], Milly, [illegible handwriting underneath] born March 26, 1753, her maiden name is not stated. He died in Clark County, Kentucky, December 31, 1809 leaving the following childrenL-Sallie [handwritten:Sarah-Jun27-1776] Gordon; Agnes Wills; and Austron (or Austin); Derret; Barnette and Ely Bruce, and Elizabeth Haggard and Nancy Wills. 

Very respectfully, 

Commissioner.

Page 33

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Bruce, Daniel 
GRADE Private
LINE Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 3747
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Jan 7, 1796
to Calvin Sanger, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of Land Warrants Issued Priot to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
INformation concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.