Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 727, William Bell, S.C.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Bell, William
NUMBER
R727
CONTENTS

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Copy
Wm Bell's petition to Legislature
of So. Carolina.

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(Copy)
To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina  The humble petition of William Bell of the District of Abbeville and State of said sheweth [sic] that your petitioner is now upwards of seventy-nine years of age. That he is extremely poor possessing no property or means of making a comfortable support. That he was a soldier in the State service during the revolution and that he did serve in a number of companies and was at one time commanded by Captain Weems and at another by Captain Joseph Pickens. That he was at the battle with the Tories on Cany branch in Laurens District and in two engagements at Cambridge and at the battle of Kettle Creek in the State of Georgia and was with the troops in a campaign as far as St. Maries River and during the whole of the revolutionary Struggle firmly attached to the American Cause. Your petitioner therefore prays he may be placed by your Honorable body on the pension list or given by the State such means of support as your Honorable body shall deem proper & just and as in duty bound will ever pray.   Signed Wm. Bell
South Carolina Abbeville District} I do certify that I was well acquainted with the within petitioner William Bell and to knows that the facts stated in his petition of the services rendered during the Revolution are true and that I was with Mr. Bell in some of the battles within mentioned and that he now is extremely poor without the means of support and has uniformly sustained a good moral character.        
(Signed {A. Hamilton;  Andw. Logan; John Hodges
South Carolina Abbeville District} Personally came Major John Hodges and made oath that he did now [sic] and was with Mr. William Bell in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war and that he did his duty as a good soldier. 
John Hodges
Signed & Sworn to before me 8 December 1828
Wm Ware J.P.

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A Schedule of the property of the said William Bell appraised by Charles Goodman and James Crocker 
1 Bedsted & furniture appraised at $14.00
1 Pine table 1.00
1 crop cut saw 2.00
James Crocker} 
C. Goodman} Above appraisers
South Carolina}
Laurens District}
Personally appeared before me Joseph Neely one of the Justices assigned to keep the Peace Wm. Bell and being sworn as the law directs saith that the above named property & contents of this petition are true all that he is worth and that he has no interest in any other claim whatever.
Jos. Neely, J. P.  (Signed) Wm. Bell
The Committee on Pensions to whom was referred the petition of William Bell praying for a pension Report that your Committee have had this petition under their consideration and are of opinion that the prayer thereof ought to be granted and recommend that he be placed on the pension list.
E. Burton Chairman

The Committee on pensions to whom was referred the report of the Senate on the petition of William Bell respectfully report that they have considered the same and recommend that the report of the Senate be agreed to.
John McCourt, Chairman
Senate Dec 18, 1828 Resolved that Senate agree to the Report order to the H.R. Job Johnston, C.S.
In the House of Representatives Dec. 20 1828
Resolved that the House do concur ordered that it be returned by order of the Hon. (Signed) R. Anderson, CHR
Office of Clerk of Senate Columbia So. Ca: July 9th 1856.
I do hereby certify that the forgoing is a true copy of the papers on file in this office in the matter of the application of William Bell for a pension.
Office Clerk of Senate
Jo. Y. Arthur
Sihanan & State House 
keeper

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Copy petition to Wm. Bell Jr. as Adm.
Estate of Wm. Bell sr. & showing date of death of latter 12th Dec. 1838.

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(Copy)
To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the State of So. Carolina. The Petition of William Bell Jr. sheweth to your Honorable Bodies that William Bell Senr. late of the District of Lauren and State of So Carolina departed this life on or about the 12th day of Dec. One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty Eight. That at the time of his death he was a pensioner on the Roll of this State at the rate of sixty dollars per annum and a balance was due him as such pensioner at the time of his death. Your petitioner further shows that letters of administration upon the Estate of the said William Bell have been granted to him by the proper office and your petitioner therefor prays your Honorable Bodies, that the arreage [sic] of pension due to the said pensioner may be paid over to your petitioner and your petitioner will ever pray &c. 
(Signed) Wm. Bell Jr.
The Committee on the Military & Pensions to which was  referred the Petition of William Bell Junior administrator of William Bell Senr. praying for the payment of arrears of pension begs leave to report that the Committee has had the same under consideration and recommend that the prayer be granted and that the sum of forty seven dollars be allowed the petitioner being the amount due the deceased pensioner at the time of his death.
Hon. Buchanan
Chairman
The Committee on Pensions to whom was referred the Report of the Committee on Military & Pensions of the Senate on the petition of William Bell adm.  praying to be paid arears of pension due his father beg leave to report and recommend that we concur therein – (enclosed)  J. P. Crockett in the Senate Dec. 15 1842 Resolved that the Senate do agree to the Report order

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that it be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence. W.E. Martin, C.S.
In the House of Representatives December 20, 1842
Resolved that the House do concur in the Report ordered that it be ordered to the Senate. By order J.W. Glover C.H.R.
Office of Clerk of Senate
Columbia So. Ca.:
July 7th 1836
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the papers on file in this office in the matter of the application of Wm. Bell jr. for arrears of pension  due Wm. Bell Sr.
Hon. Clerk of Senate
N. H. Arthur
Chairman State & House 
of Keeper

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Declaration of 
David Bell son 
& heir of law of 
William Bell Junior 
Act of June 1832
Filed by
James & Black,
atty
Columbia 
So. Ca.

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State of Georgia} S.S.
County of Spalding} On this 14th day of July in the year 1856 personally appeared in open court before the undersigned Judge of the Court of Ordinary in & for the County, and which a Court of Record David Bell a resident of said County & State aged about fifty-five 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 7 1832. That he is the son & heir at law of William Bell deceased late of Laurens District & formerly of Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina, who entered the service of the United States as this deponent has been informed & verily believes under the following named officers & served as herein after stated: That during the war of the Revolution his said father lived in what is now Abbeville District South Carolina and entered the militia service of South Carolina under the command of Captain Weems & served in different Companies of the militia under the command of Colonel and subsequently General Andrew Pickens. That he at one time belonged to Captain Joseph Pickens Company of militia and in the year 1779 was at the battle at Kettle Creek in the State of Georgia & also at another time in the battle on Cany Branch in Laurens District South Carolina. Also in an expedition to St. Mary's River Florida, and in two battles at old Ninety Six Fort now called Cambridge in Abbeville District South Carolina. That part of his service was under Captain William Strain & part also under Captain Robert Maxwell most of his duty having been as private horseman & a short while as Sergeant: That he served alternately in different Companies in the militia from 1779 to the year peace was made 1783

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That among his comrades were Major Andrew Hamilton, Andrew Logan, John Hodges & David Waters who together with the officers above enumerated all lived in the same section with his said father. That he continued to live in the same section and in the year 1828 was pensioned by the State of South Carolina which he continued to receive till just before his death which took place in an adjoining District, Laurens District, in said State of South Carolina on the 12th day of December 1838: That he left no widow him surviving but that the following are the names of his now living children, William Bell Junior who was administrator on his said father's Estate whilst living in Laurens District South Carolina but who now lives in Pickens County Alabama, Peter Bell, Thomas Bell, Jane Vandiver and this declarant. All of which facts will more fully appear by reference to the proofs here with accompanying this declaration. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above written before me. Witness my hand & seal of said County} David Bell 
J. H. Langham, Judge of the Probate Court 

Seal stamped 

George Spalding County} I hereby certify that I know the above named Thomas Waters and Bailey Henderson who have sworn by and subscribed that above affidavit and that these men worthy of belief & credit.
J. K. Langham
Judge of Probate Court
July 14th 1856

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State of Georgia}
Spalding County} Personally appeared in open court on the day & year first above written, Thomas Water & Wiley Henderson who being duly sworn according to law depose that they knew William Bell deceased formerly of Abbeville & afterward of Lauren District South Carolina who died about eighteen years ago in said state & who was reputed & believed to have been a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension as such & that the declarant above David Bell is one of his now living children & that they are disinterested in giving their testimony Sworn to & subscribed before me and I certify that I am wholly disinterested in authenticating this affidavit & the above declaration Witness my hand & seal of said county 
Thomas Waters his X mark
Wiley Henderson
his X mark
James H. Mangham, Judge Probate Court

Seal

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Ex'r.  INVALID
No. 727
William Bell
June 26, 1922  Photostat copies mailed to Mrs. L. N. Henry
1922 Sept. 21 Hist. to Mrs. J. B. Featherston - Letter in R.1104 Brian Boykin - Enc.

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No. 727
William Bell
decd. S. Ca
J.A. Black [Aug 6 1856 - crossed out]
claim [Nov 4 1856 - crossed out]

June 7 1832

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Certificate of Judge of Court of Ordinary Crt to administration on the Estate of Wm. Bell Sr.

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State of South Carolina} SS
District of Laurens} This hereby  certified by the undersigned Judge of the Court of Ordinary in and for said District, That the Records of said Court for the District & State aforesaid show that Lettersafe Administration were granted to William Bell Junior on the Estate of William Bell Senior deceased late of the said District & State, a pensioner on this Nineteenth day of January A.D. 1839 and that said Administrator drew a pension of sixty dollars on the 8th March 1839 and subsequently, to wit, in the year 1843 said Administrator drew a balance of pension of Forty seven Dollars: That the said Records & proceedings do not show the date of the death of said William Bell Senior, nor do they show by any proofs the names of his children him then surviving. And I further certify that I am wholly disinterested in giving this certificate. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Laurens Court House in the District and State aforesaid this Seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six.
W. H. Langston
J.L.D.

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Comptroller's Certificate
Wm. Bell.

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J.A. Black
Nov. 4 '36

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Pension Office
Nov. 4 1856
Sir
Your suggestion in relation to the appointment of and administrator “de bonis non” [text crossed out] of Wm. Bell  decd. of So. Ca. in Laurens District made satisfactory to this affair if carried out,
J. A. Black Esq.
Columbia S.C.

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Comptroller General’s Office
Columbia So: Ca.
July 9th 1856.
“No. 619}
Book I}
Issued 3rd January 1785 to Mr. William Bell for Sixty Eight pounds of 7 1 ½ Sterling for the service of a waggon & house in 1781 & 1782 also for militia duty is different 
Pay Bills in 1779 and 1783 of accot. audited 
Principal £68.7.1 ½. Interest 4.15.8.
Cury £48:7.1 ½
Supplies 20
Stq. £68:7.1 ½
#619 3 January 1785. Mr. William Bell his account of a horse & waggon service for militia use in 1781 & 1782 and for militia duty for the difft. Pay Bills within mentioned performed alternately from Nov. ’79 to March 1783 inclusive amounting to viz: 
Horse & waggon   £140
40 days Duty as Sergt. 22 S.C. 45
281 Days do. As private at 20s.  281
25 Days do. on foot of – 12.10
Cury £478.00
Stg. £68.7.1 ½
State So. Carolina Dr. to William Bell for a horse see voucher enclosed No. 1 £100
Use of a waggon team & Driver see voucher No. 2 corrected £40
Militia duty vizt.
79 Days see Capt.  Joseph Pickers Pay Bill 20s £79
128 Days at 20s & 25 Days at 10s Capt. Wm. Strain Pay Bill no. 1 140.10
53 Days at 20s ~~  pr.do ~~~do no.2 53
40 Days @ 22s.6 as Sergt. ~~~ do no. 3 48
21 Days @ 20s pr. Capt. Robert. Maxwell’s do  21
The above duty performed alternately from 10th November 1779 to March 8th 1783   
£478.10 cury 
Stg. £68:7.1 ½
Received January the 3rd 1784 the full amount of the above account [text crossed out] in a Treasury Index no. 619 Book 1
(Signed) Wm. Bell,
(over)

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I do hereby certify that  the foregoing is a true copy taken from the Records of this Office. 
Hon. Comptroller Genl.
Wm. R. Huntt
Deputy
No Seal of Office

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blank

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25 [illegible] $2.75
9.11  "  "   [illegible] $39.00
40    "  [illegible] $9.68 = $51.47
Wm. Bell died 12 dec. 1838
Leaving the following children
Wm. Bell -1; Peter Bell -2; Thos. Bell - 3;
Jane vandiver - 4; David Bell - 5

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Columbia So: Ca:
October 22nd. 1836.
Hon. J. Minot
Court Pensions
Dear Sir,
In your last report in the case of heirs of William Bell Senr. for a pension Act 7 June 1832, you require evidence of the date of his death, which can only be arrived at as I am at present aware by the fact that the Legislative of S. C. paid his Administrator to 12th Nov: 1838, copy of which Legislative Report you have, & which ought to be conclusive on this point.
Next as to the names of his now living children which you will see is proven in the Supplement to the Declaration, the  credibility of the witnesses being certified written the knowledge of the Court.
I now enclose certificate of Court in Laurens District in the State in which William Bell Sr. the petitioner of SC. died, showing that Letters of Administration were granted 19th January 1839 to Wm. Bell Junior who drew the pension of $60 due from this State & subsequently the

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the balance due to his father’s death $47, the amount allowed by Said Legislative Report up to day of death of death of pensioner, which please see. The certificate now set shows that I the papers of said administration no proofs appear when Wm. Bell Sr. the pensioner died nor of the names of his then living children. The names of his now living children being already proper and above stated (all of which will appear by the papers already on file) the greatest difficulty in the way of finally disposing of the claim is that Wm Bell Junior then Adm. appointed (as now shows in 1839) now lives out of this State in this condition I desire to know if it will answer for the heirs to have some one in Laurens District in this State where Wm Bell Senior died to administer “de bonis non” as if is  termed in law.
Please reply on this point, for a new administration soon, & say whether the proof is satisfactory as to the names of his living children & the date of the death of Wm. Bell Senr. 
By so doing you will greatly oblige,
Your obt. Sevt.
James A. Black
For heirs Wm. Bell Senr.

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J. A. Black
Aug. 6 / 36

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Pension Office
Aug 6, 1836
Sir
The application of the children of Wiliam Bell decd. of So. Carolina has been filed under the Act of June 7, 1832 The arrears of pension due in every case must be made payable to an administrator, or it must be must clearly show just who are the surviving children. This fact has not been found with sufficient certainty. A Certificate of Court should be furnished showing first when Bell died, and what children he left who are now alive and the court should certify the credibility of the witnesses its own Knowledge.
Ja. A. Black, Esq.
Diamond Hill
So. Carolina

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Diamond Hill P.O.
Abbeville Dist. So. Ca.
Hon. J. Minot
Comms. Pensions,
Dear sir,
I enclose declaration of David Bell son & heir of Wm Bell decd. Act 7 June 1832. Accompanying the same are copies of Wm Bell's petition to the Legislature of South Carolina setting forth his services recommended by Maj. Andw. Hamilton & John Hodges. U.S. pensioners under act 7 June 1832, also copy of petition of Wm. Bell Jr. showing date of his death together with Comptroller's Certificate of Wm. Bell's services. Please direct your report on the case to me here or at Columbia So.Ca.: & oblige, 
Very respectfully
Your obt. Sevt.
James A Black
[for heirs of crossed out] Wm. Bell.

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SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE 1-681 PHONE Brand 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 287
Rev & 1812
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications,
Room G 137.
Please furnish work specified below.
December 28, 1929
Bureau ordering PENSION Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATION WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE. EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 9 pages from Rev. War pension claim of William Bell, R. 727
No. of copies 1 or each Shall from be kept standing? __ days
For further information see Mrs. Finch Room No. 5333 Phone No. 5641
Approved:  Reed Chief Clerk of Bureau
Hon. Margaret M.H. Finch
Chief of Branch or Division
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering__
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph  single or double space? Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature?
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? Dated?
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes, size Cards, size
Proof list Pay rolls
Labels (submit sample) Corrections
Fill in letters Tabulation sheets
Photostat X Size actual Official use? Repay? yes $1.35
Blue Print Size Official use? Repay? $
Remarks
(OVER)

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NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or bureaus. 

(Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

__ Make new addressograph plate}
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On list ___
as follows:
Now reads
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Should read 
1
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15822
(copy smudged)
BUR PENSIONS
Finance Division
Dec. 29 1928
Chief Rev. and 18123 Wars Section Division.
I have this day received from L.C. Henry cash in the amount of $1.60 photostat copy as per letter herewith.
Rectangular stamp inscribed FINANCE DIVISION BOOK KEEPER DESK DEC 29 1928 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Henry [sic]
13th St. N.W.
Apt. 701

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Dec, 28, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Please furnish certified photostatic copies of nine pages from Rev. War pension claim of William Bell, R. 727
Signed, 
L. C. Henry
1201 13th St. n.w.
apt. 701

received payment
$1.60
Dec. 28, 1928
Margaret M. H. Finch 
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Cash - $1.60

Rectangular Stamp imprinted FINANCE DIVISION BOOK KEEPERS DESK
DEC 29 1928
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

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Pages selected by Mr. Henry:
Son David Bell’s application  Wiley Henderson’s 
Copied 3 pages
Copy – Petition of Wm. Bell, Jr.  sheweth etc.
Dated Jul 7 – 1856 – 2 pages
Copy – Petition of Wm. Bell Jr. dated
July 9, 1856 – 2 pages
Comptroller General’s Report – 2 pages

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Mr. L. N. Henry -
Box 745 Canyon,Texas
June 19,  1922
wants photostatic copies - 
7 pages - not certif - from
Rev War Pension Claim
Wm Bell
S.C. Troops
Rejected File 727 -
Cash $1.05 No receipt necessary - 
Proctor Law 6/19/22

Rectangular stamp imprinted FINANCE DIVISION JUNE 19 1922 BUREAU OF PENSIONS

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Round stamp with partial imprint PENSION JUN 19 1922
M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
JUN 19 1922 
Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received from Mrs. L. N. Henry [draft No. crossed out]
I ask ['for' crossed out] $1.05/100
Requesting ['post office addresses' crossed out] copy as per letter herewith.
Very respectfully:
O. J. RANDALL
Chief of Division.
Law Div notf. of mailing June 26, 1922.
(MF 42)

Date June 26, 1922
Name Wm. Bell
No. R727
S.C. War Rev.
Photographic copies wanted of 4. Pieces, consisting of 7 pages.
Remarks:
Exr. N.E. Wilson
Chief Rev. War Section
Law Clerk.
Serial
No. 6772