Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,321, Robert Bedwell, N.C.

Page 1

(3-1776)    

SERVICE 
N.C.
Bedwell, Robert

NUMBER 
S. 16.321

carded

CONTENTS

Page 2

[Illegible]
Indiana, 
13853

Robert Bedwell
of Sullivan in the State of Indiana 
who was a private in the company com
Captain [Illegible] of the regiment
by Col. Green [?] in the N. Carol.
line for 9 1/2 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 [?] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June
1833 and [South B ]
[illegible] Carlisle

Arrears to the 4th of March    63.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] 15.83
[Total] $79.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Daniel Boyd [?] Cle[rk] 
Book E Vol. 7 Page 105

[Illegible]
1855 Oct. 6 [illegible] for
[illegible] to 3d [illegible]

Died Sept. 13 - 1842
A.B. [illegible]

Page 3

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed Jan 7th 1832 - -
State of Indiana { ss.
Sullivan County {

On this 13th day of August personally appeared
in open court before Josiah Marne[?]  _ the court of 
Probate now setting Robert Bedwell a resident 
of Indiana and the county of Sullivan therein aged 
Seventy three years in February last who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the binefit [sic] of the act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832  ----

That he was drafted into the service of the State of 
North Carolina in the county of Rowan in which 
county and State he resided in, at the time of 
his being drafted The date of which was in May 
of the Year 1780. The term for which he was draf
ted was Three Months the service of which was per
formed under the command of Capt. Snoddy Lieut.
James Hollinsworth and attached to Maj. Fields 
Battalion and served Four Months and was dischar
ged by his Lieut. James Hollinsworth In the above
service the applicant was in two engagements. The 
first of which was at the Hanging Rocks Colls Old 
Fields The second was Gates defeat in both of the above 
engagements the applicant was under the above named

Page 4

Company Officers On the first November in the Year 
1780 the Applicant volunteered under the command 
of Capt. Smith of [Bertie?] County North Carolina
for the term of three months and served the same
and was discharged in Sallisbury in said State The 
Company in which applicant mustered was attached 
to the Briggade commanded by Gen. Green -------
In August of the year 1781 the applicant again vol
unteered for sixty days and served two 
month and a half the said time was served under 
Capt Lopp of Rowan County and Lieut. Boattenham
mer -- And then was discharged.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen
sion or annuity except the present and declares that
his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of
any State to his knowledge

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Robert Bedwell
his mark


State of Indiana Sullivan County  ss

We James Love Clergyman residing in the County of 
Sullivan and said State of Indiana George Boon
John Benefiel and Moses Milam residing in the 
same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted 
with Robert Bedwell who has subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to 
be seventy three years old last February, that he is
reputed, and believed in the Neighbour hood where
he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur, in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed the [illegible] year aforesaid

James Love
George Boon
John Benefiel
Moses Milam

Page 5

The Court put the necessary and requisite
Interrogations; which were answered by said applicant
as follows (to wit)
Answer to 1st Interogatory
In the State of Delaware in the year 1759. 10th Feb.
Answer to the 2d Inter. 
he has and it is in the State of Virginia
Answer to the 3d Interog.
In North Carolina, Since in Virginia 3_
years Kentucky now in the State of Indiana.
Answer to the 4th. Interog.
first drafted then volunteered 3 [months?]
and lastely volunteered.
Answer to the 5th Interogatory
1st under Gen. Rutherford, 2d under
General Sumter at the hanging Rock Battle, at Coles
Old Fields; Rutherford came on with a new recruit
and I then went under him again. and was
attached to the division then commanded by General 
Gates, and continued with or under him until 
Gates defeat at or near Col. Rugely; Mills
and there discharged 2d under Capt. Smith at
Waxaw Church to Peedee River thence to Salsbury
and there discharged 3d Volunteer under Capt. Lopp -
in Rowan County N. Carolina. then marched to 
[illegible] to deep River thence near to 
Crop Creek thence marched to Rowan County
and discharged.
Answer to 6 Interogatory
he answers in the affirmative and
says he got three one from Liet. Hollinsworth
one from Capt. Smith one Capt. Lopp all of which are lost
Answer to 7 Interogat.
James Reed George Boon [illegible][Jelse?]
Beck Wendell Hinkle, Philip Hinkle John Benefiel
Mathew McCammon.


[numbers/ mathematical calculations upside down on page]
1617
25
_____
15:92
[others illegible]

Page 6

State of Indiana }
Sullivan County } Personally appeared, in
open court, on this 11th 
day of February [?] 1833. Robert Bedwell,
and amended the declaration to which
this this [sic] is attached, of the 13th August
[?] 1832. As follows, towit, The Applicant
States that he has no other living testimony or documentary Evidence to his knowledge, Except that of John
Bedwell, whose testimony testimony [sic] is 
hereto annexed, Sworn to and 
Subscribed in open court 
Robert Bedwell 
his mark

State of Indiana
Sullivan County } Personally appeared 
before me Josiah
Mann Judge of the Court of Probate,
in and for said county, John Bedwell
and after being duly sworn, deposeth 
and saith; that he is well acquainted with the above named Robert Bedwell, 
and that he is knowing to the applicant [sic]
serving the two last [illegible] as set forth in his above declaration

February 16 1833 Sworn to in open court
Josiah Mann P. Judge

Page 7

4566
Robert Bedwell
Sullivan[?]
Indiana.
from 1780 private
9 1/2 month.
13.16- $31.66/100
P-62
Lopp 
Green[?]
N.C
In lih[?] Nov 16 32
Burfi [?] Wolf
Carlisle P.O.
Inda

Page 8

4566
BRIEF in the case of Robert Bedwell
of Sullivan County in the State of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [no answer provided]
3. How old is he? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. [table with four columns follows]
[Column Headings]
Period.  Duration of Service.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[Column detail under Duration Service:] Years, Months, Days.
[Column detail under Rank:] As a
[Column detail under Names of . . .:] Gen.
In 1780 May  |  4  |  Private. |  Drafted Major Fields Battalion  Capt. Snoddy .
Volunteer 11 1st Nov. | 3  | " |  Lieut. James Hollinsworth Genl. Green
Volunteer 1781 | 2's |  "  |  Capt Sopp  Lieut. Boattenhammer
[End of table]
5. In what battles was he engaged? In two engagements one at Hanging Rock, and the other in Gates defeat. 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rowan Co.ty Nc
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective e as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [no answer provided]

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

Examining Clerk.

Page 9

September 26, 1925

W. R. Booker 
Greenville, Mich. 
Sir: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16321 it appears that Robert Bedwell was born February 10, 1759 in Delaware. 
While a resident of Rowan County, North Carolina he enlisted in May 1780, served four months as private in Captain Shoddy's Company, Major Field's North Carolina Battalion and was in the battles of Hanging Rock and Camden. 
He enlisted November 1, 1780 and served three months in Captain Smith's North Carolina Company. 
He enlisted in August 1781 and served two and one half months as private in Captain Lopp's North Carolina Company. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832 while a resident of Sullivan County, Indiana. He died September 13, 1842. 
There is no data on file as to his family. Respectfully, 
E. W. Morgan 
Acting Commissioner.

Page 10

[Left page]
16321
INVALID.
File No. 16321
Robert Bedwell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right page]
1924 Jan. 4 - Hist. to Frederick d. Bidwell. um.
1924 Jan 26 Hist to Chas. H. Bedwell. aur [?]
1925, Jan. 21 - "  " Mrs. Pearl B Karnes um
1925 - March 7 - Frederick D. Bidwell inf - only 1 hist. to same person. aug.
1925 - Sept. 26 - Hist to W. R. Booker. mmh.

Page 11

Indiana - 13853
Robt. Bedwell
Sullivan County
Pvt. Capt. Lopp
Col. Green
N.C.
__________

letf [sic] jacket
very brittle

[on Veterans Administration letterhead envelope]

Page 12

Robert Bedwells 
Declaration for a 
pension

Page 13

I Josiah Mann Judge of the Probate Court of
Sullivan County State of Indiana after putting
the interrogations prescribed by the war department do declare in my opinion that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
And the court further certifies that it
appears to him that James Love who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman [illegible] in the county and State aforesaid and that George Boone John Benefield and Moses Milan is also residents of the the aforesaid State and certainly is creditable persons and that their statements is entitled to credit
Josiah Mann
J. Probate Court of the County of Sullivan
State Indiana

State of Indiana Sullivan County
I Benjamin Wolfe Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said in the matter
of the application of Robert Bedwell for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of said Court at Heron the 13th. day of August. Eighteen hundred and thirty two. Benjamin Wolfe Clerk
P.C.S.C.

[offset to the bottom left: Probates]

Page 14

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of [handwritten: Robert Bedwell] which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten: yes]

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [handwritten: yes]

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? [handwritten: yes]

V. *Has he mentioned 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? [handwritten: yes]

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [handwritten: yes]

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1852? [handwritten: yes]

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [handwritten: yes.]

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [handwritten: yes]

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device of inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? [handwritten: yes & has a device.]

Page 15

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? [handwritten: yes]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [handwritten: no]

XIV. [cross symbol] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or fo such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. [double cross symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten: no]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten: yes]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 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."

Page 16

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 [italics: about three or four months] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

[cross symbol] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as regiment, company, and the line to which he belonged. The magistrate who many 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 his seal of office.

[double cross symbol] QUERE XVI. Mode of authentication papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached therein by a piece of tape or a narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Page 17

GREENVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT

Greenville, Michigan
July 27, 1925
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary war record of Robert Bedwell of Rowan County, N. C.? His Revolutionary war pension claim is S 16321. The said Robert Bedwell was born in Delaware Feb. 10, 1759.
Very truly yours,
[signature: W.R. Booker]
W.R. Booker

[stamp in the middle of page: U.S. Pension Office; dated Jul 30 1923]

Page 18

ADDRESS OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO STATE TAX DEPARTMENT
STATE TAX COMMISSION
John F. Gilchrist, President
John J. Merrill
Mark Graves
STATE OF NEW YORK
[image: New York State seal]
TAX DEPARTMENT
ALBANY
[stamp offset to the right: DEPUTY COMMISSIONER; dated Feb. 24 1925]

N.Y. February 23, 1925
My dear Mr. Haymaker,
Will you please give me the military service in the Revolutionary War of Robert Bedwell, a private in the North Carolina militia, who was placed on the pension roll May 29, 1833, receiving an annual allowance of $31.66?
I searched this information from a report of the Secretary of War in obedience to the Resolutions of the Senate of the 5th and 30th of June 1834 and the 3d of March 1835.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely, Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, New York

Page 19

STATE TAX COMMISSION
John F. Gilchrist, President
John J. Merrill
Mark Graves
STATE OF NEW YORK
[image: New York State seal]
TAX DEPARTMENT
ALBANY
BUREAU OF RESEARCH 
AND STATISTICS
M.S. HOWARD
Deputy Commissioner
and Statistician

N.Y. January 31, 1925
My dear Mr. Gardner,
Will you please give me the military record in the Revolutionary War of Robert Bedwell, a private in the North Carolina militia, who was placed on the pension roll May 29, 1833 at an annual allowance of $31.66, and who in 1833 was living in 1833 at Sullivan, Indiana?
With kindest regards,
Sincerely, Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, New York

Page 20

Dugger, Indiana
Route one.
Jan. 3, 1925

Pension Bureau,
Dept. of Interior,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,
Will you please obtain for me a record of the military service in the Revolutionary War of Robert Bedwell of Sullivan Country, Indiana. It has been stated that he was in the North Carolina militia. Would also like to know about his descendents and their names if possible. Thanking you very much.
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Pearl Bedwell Karns

[stamp: U.S. Pension Office; dated Jan 5, 1925]

Page 21

John W. Lindley Chas. H. Bedwell
LINDLEY & BEDWELL
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SULLIVAN, IND.

December 22nd, 1923

United States Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:
I am a great grandson of Robert Bedwell (Beedwell), who was a private in the North Carolina militia and who was placed on the pension roll of Revolutionary soldiers on May 29th, 1833 and an annual allowance of $31.66 made. He came from North Carolina to Sullivan County, Indiana, in the year 1816 and died in this county.
Will you please inform me as to whether it is possible for members of the family to obtain military record while in the Revolutionary War? If so, I would like to obtain same and will pay any charges incident thereto.
Yours very truly,
[signed: Chas. H. Bedwell]

[stamp: U.S. Pension Office; dated: Dec. 26, 1923]

Page 22

STATE TAX COMMISSION
John F. Gilchrist, President
John J. Merrill
Mark Graves
STATE OF NEW YORK
[image: New York State seal]
TAX DEPARTMENT
ALBANY
Ans. Jan. 4 '24
BUREAU OF RESEARCH
AND STATISTICS
M.S. HOWARD
Deputy Commissioner
and Statistician

N.Y. November 29, 1923
In reply refer to 
United States Pension Bureau,
My dear Sirs,
On November 15th I wrote you for the record of Robert Beedwell or Bedwell in the Revolutionary War.
He was placed on the pension roll May 27, 1833 with an annual allowance of $31.66. Robert Beedwell or Bedwell was a private in the North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War.
Won't you please answer my letter and give me this information?
With kindest regards,
Sincerely, Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, New York

[stamp: U.S. Pension Office; dated Nov 30, 1923]

Page 23

ADDRESS OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS TO STATE TAX DEPARTMENT
STATE TAX COMMISSION
John F. Gilchrist, President
John J. Merrill
Mark Graves
STATE OF NEW YORK
[image: New York State seal]
TAX DEPARTMENT
ALBANY
BUREAU OF RESEARCH
AND STATISTICS
M.S. HOWARD
Deputy Commissioner
and Statistician
N.Y. November 15, 1923

In reply refer to
United States Pension Bureau,
My dear Sirs,
Will you please furnish me with the Revolutionary War record of Robert Beedwell or Bedwell who was placed on the pension roll 29 May 1833 with an annual allowance of $31.66? He was living at that time in Sullivan County, Indiana.
He was a private in the North Carolina militia.
With kindest regards,
Very truly yours,
Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, New York

[stamp, very faint: U.S. Pension Office; dated Nov 17 1923]

Page 24

Treasury Department
Third Auditor's Office
Oct. 5th, 1833;

Sir.
In reply to your letter of the 2d inst, I have to inform you that the pension of Robert Bedwell, Act 7 June, Indiana Agency, has been paid to 4 March 1842. The papers are herewith returned.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Robt J Atkinson
Auditor.

J. Minot Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 25

The vouchers herein return we for [illegible] to date of pensioners death - [illegible] handed unto me by Col. Niles then and refered to [illegible]
- McRae Clark

Page 26

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

March 7, 1925.

Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, N.Y.

Sir: I have to advise you that on January 4, 1924, you were furnished the history of the Revolutionary War soldier, Robert Bedwell (S. 16321), private in the North Carolina Troope and who was pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Sullivan County, Indiana.
Owing to a lack of clerical force available for such a purpose, it is not the practice of the Bureau to send the same history twice to the same person.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Page 27

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.

January 26, 1934.

Chas. H. Bedwell,
Sullivan, Ind.
Sir; 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16321, it appears that Robert Bedwell was born in Delaware, February 10, 1759.
While living in Rowan County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May 1780 and served four months as private in Captain Snoddy's Company, Major Field's North Carolina Battalion and was in the battles of Hanging Rock and Camden.
He enlisted November 1, 1780 and served three months in Captain Smith's North Carolina Company.
He enlisted in August 1781 and served two and one half months in Captain Lopp's North Carolina Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, while living in Sullivan County, Indiana.
He died September 13, 1842. There is no data on file as to his family. 
Respectfully,
[signed: A.B. Sook]
Commissioner.

Page 28

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

January 21, 1925.

Mrs. Pearl B. Karns,
Dugger, R#1,
IND.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16321, it appears that Robert Bedwell was born in Delaware February 10, 1759.
While living in Rowan County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May 1780 and served 4 months as private in Captain Snoddy's Company, Major Field's North Carolina Battalion, and was in the battles of Hanging Rock and Camden.
He enlisted November 1, 1780 and served 3 months in Captain Smith's North Carolina Company.
He enlisted in August 1781 and served 2 1/2 months in Captain Lopp's North Carolina Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, while living in Sullivan County, Indiana. He died September 13, 1842.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Page 29

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

January 4, 1924..

Frederick D. Bidwell,
State Tax Department,
Albany, N.Y.

Sir: I have to advise you that from the papers in the pension claim S. 16321 it appears that Robert Bedwell was born in Delaware on February 10, 1759.
While living in Rowan County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May 1780 and served 4 months as a private in Captain Snoddy's Company, Major Field's North Carolina Battalion, and was in the battles of Hanging Rock and Camden.
He enlisted November 1, 1780 and served 3 months in Captain Smith's North Carolina Company.
He enlisted in August 1781 and served two and a half months in Captain Lopp's North Carolina Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, while living in Sullivan County, Indiana.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner.

Page 30

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name [handwritten: Bedworth, William]

Grade [handwritten: Private "in the]

Line [handwritten: Invalide]

Warrant Number: [handwritten: 12827]

Acreage 100

Issued [handwritten: December 8, 1791 to Sarah Brickell, Executor.]

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior 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.