Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 45834, John Bessent, S. C.

Page 1

SERVICE
S.C.

Bessent, John

NUMBER
S. 45834

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[left side of page]
Payment to be made in Savannah, Geo. - in this case.  Reported there 19. April. 1833.
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Letter 12 May 1837 - Pen Agent 
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Let to 3rd Aud. Aug 26. 1839.
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Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 8th April 1838 from 4th March 1836 to 4 Sept 1838. Agt Notified 11 Sep 1839
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Paid as above from 4. Sept 1839 to 4 Sep 1840. Agt notified 4. June 1841.

[right column of page]
Florida. 7.904.
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John Bessent of Nassau Co in the Terr. of Florida who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Morrell of the Regiment commanded by Col. Marion on the South Carolina line for 8 mos & 5 days.
$ 27.33 / 100.
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Inscribed on the Roll of Florida at the rate of 27. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April. 1833 and sent to E.R. Alberti Woodstock. P.O.
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Nassau Co. Florida
Arrears to the 4th of March. 1833    54.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sept. 1838 13.66
[total] $ 68.32

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book 6. Vol. 8, Page 138

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John Bessent

[imprint of seal can be seen on right side]
[page faded on left and smudged on right]

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Secretary of florida
County of Nassau

Nassou County, Florida
October Seven 1832

On this 8th day of October 1832, being the first day of the regular term of the County Court, personally appeared in Court, before the judge of the County Court now sitting, John Bessent Esq, of said County, aged sixty eight years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of 7 June 1832.

that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers.  In Capt Daniel Morrells Company, 1st Reft. Col: Arch.d McDonald, of Genl. Francis Morsons Brigade, in All Saints parish, Georgetown dictt. S. Carolonina on 8th June, 1781. being drafted in the Malitia - that I did duty five weeks - In October following was again and under the same officers, for six weeks _ In January 1782 under the same officers, performed seven weeks duty _ afterwards in June, 82 was not under Capt Saml. Price, who succeeded Morrells, remained in service until the succeeding november - 
Col Peter Hony in the same Brigade commanded a Regiment of [illegible] - of 82 [illegible] man _ [llegible] had a regular discharge - but a certificate from Col. Hony to the Auditor of the State of S. C.a, from whom I rec.d a certificate of debt due me for [pound symbol] 12.18.
Believes that some of his neighbors, in S. Carolina

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are still living who can prove his service - was in no engagement, while I was in service - I was born 30th march 1755, in all Saints parish, Geo. Town district - the record of his age was in the family bible -  I lived in that neighbourhood until 1818 - one year at St Marys Geo: it ever since in this County - 
I was summoned into service by [illegible] Bessent the first Sergeant of Capt. Morsels Company 
Sworn to & subscribed this 8th. Oct 1832.
[signed on right] John Bessent

We J.D. Braddock William Frink & Elijah Higgin - goth residing in Nassau County, Florida, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Bessent Esq, who being subscribed & sworn the above declaration, that we believe him to be about 68 years of age, & we have heard & it is generally believed in the neighbourhood in which he resides that he was a soldier of the Revolution, & we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.-
[next 3 lines smudged]
And the said Court after putting the interogatories propounded by the War Department is of opinion that Jw. Bessent, performed the duty

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at the periods & under the circumstances stated by him in his deposition.  And further that the persons who have testified in his behalf on credible & respectable in this vicinity _ & that there is no [word resident is marked out] clergyman resident in this County.

I, John S. Braddock Clerk pro tem of the County Court of Nassau County Florida, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Bessent Esq for a pension -

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, & the seal of said Court, this eighh day of October 1832.
[signed on right] John S. Braddock
Clerk pro tem

[seal affixed on left]
I, Edwin R Albert, Presiding Justice of Nassau County, Florida hereby certify that John S. Braddock was duly appointed & sworn, Clerk of said Court for the october term 1832.
[signed on right]
E. R. Albert
Pres [illegible]
[illegible] Court

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Adm for 8 Mo & 6 days
from 1781.
26.66
     67
_______
$27.33


Fernondina. P.O.
E. R. Alberte
Nassau Co
Territory of Florida

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office.  183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and 
the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
__________________________________________________________________________
A STATEMENT, showing the service of John Bessent Nassau Co Territory of. Florida
============================================================
Period when the   service was  rendered.   
8 June 1781
    Oct   1781
              1872
   June 1782
                                                                                                                                                   
 Duration of the claimant's service Year Months Days 
8 June 1781   1 month 5 days
    Oct   1781   1 month 12 days
              1872   1 month 19 days
   June 1782   4 month 

Rank of   the   Claimant 
8 June 1781    Private
    Oct   1781       "
              1872       "
   June 1782       "

 Names and rank of the  Company Officers under whom he served.  
8 June 1781
Cap Dan Morrell
    Oct   1781
Same
              1872
Ditto
   June 1782
Cap.  S. Price

 Names and rank of the General and Field officers. 
8 June 1781
Gen Tellarions
Col A Mc Donald
    Oct   1781
Same
              1872
Ditto
   June 1782
Not stated

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
None
"
"
"

Country through which he marched. 
S. Caro *
"
"
"

Place of abode  when he entered the service, and age at present period
68 years
[illegible]
S. Caro.*
"
"
"

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Tradetionary    

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
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(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For - year - months, and - days, I served as a -. For - months and - days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which such applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three of four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of office.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Joseph Rowen Esq Clk

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45834
INVALID.
Recy
File No. 45.834
John Bessent
P  So Carolina

Act 7 June 1832
Index: Vol. 3, Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 26th, 1841.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitles "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Bessent, 
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jacksonville Fl. Agency, at 
the rate of Twenty seven Dollars and 33 Cents 
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has 
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept, 1839, to the 4th Sept. 1840.

Respectfully, yours,
[signed] Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 27th, 1839.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitles "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Bessent, a Pensioner on the Roll of the St. Augustine Agency, at the rate of Twenty seven Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been apaid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1836, to the 4th Sept. 1838, 2 1/2 years~
Respectfully, yours,
[signed] Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

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To the Honorable
L. Cass
Secy. of War
Washington 
D.C.

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Woodstock, Florida
near St. Marys, Georgia 
12th Oct 1832
Sir
In presenting to your consideration the application of Thomas Moyer for a pension, I am aware of the deficiency of proof to establish his claim; & in consequence offered my services to make this transmission in his behalf.
Unfortunately in our ignorant thinly settled county, threre is no resident Clergyman of any denomination, therefore a part of your instructions could not be complied with, & a proof of [illegible] occasioned a forty action on the whole application  The facts which were established in behalf of the petitioner; could have been further sustained by almost every old settler in our County about it woz deemed unnecessary.
The honesty, integrity of Moyer while able to work, & the universal belief that he woz an old revolutionary Soldier, haz for some years obtained for him a home, in which he received food 2 clothing from a charitable individual who is not in very good circumstances, & haz a large family.  The only time I ever saw the old man, woz at Court,

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whither he come from a message I went to him, as he never had contemplated making an application for a pension - but, from the general report ever since I have been in the County, I hesitate not to believe, that however, much hiz declaration may be deficient, in the requirements of the Law, or the regulation, of your Department, he haz substantially told the truth - The general opinion is, or well az of, the Court woz, that the old man is much more advanced in life than he stated - I think he mush have been forn in -35 instead of 45.
He haz no long past the allotted period. of human existence, that he iz a being monumnet of the decay of human nature - second childhood nor taken so complete possesion of hum, & hiz mortal part so unfubled by age, that he must very soon return to the dust from whence he was taken - 
Though a stranger to you [illegible], individually, I am that is, to many traits of your character & therefore make the appear to your benevolent feelings, - urging with much respect, that if it be possible consistently with your public obligations, that you would in this case, order the pittance which will not be long required, not at all useful, if not soon received. 
If there be any thing further that I can do for

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this poor old man, I would be happy to have an
intimation of it.
Mr. Bessent who is one of the Justices of the peace
now in commission, requested me to forward his
application also - it is herewith enclosed. He is
a respectable men & the precision of his detail leaves 
no room to doubt the truth of his statement; but
how for such services entitle him to the bounty
of Government, it is with you to determine.

Soliciting a reply, particularly in relation to the
first application, as early as your convenience
will permit.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yr  most obt
E. R. Albert

The Hon-ble
Lewis Cass
Secy of War
Washington City

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Hon J L Edwards
Pension Agency, Central Bank of Florida
Tallahassee April 29 1837

Hon. J L Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir

I enclose you Penin claim of John
Bessent to whom  one years pay was due on the 4 March last, which
is forwarded for your inspection under instructions from the office of
the 2nd Comptroller of the 29th September last Rule 3 -

Should you pass the voucher please [illegible]
the special order for payment required.

I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obt St
L A Thompson,
[illegible]

Washington City
D. C.