Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.4892, Samuel Bell, S.C.

Page 1

SERVICE
S.C. Bell, Samuel Mary 

NUMBER
W4892
B.L.W.C 13743-160-55.

CONTENTS

Page 2

Louisana
Mary Bell
widow of Samuel Bell
who served in the Revolution
S C
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 

Certificate of Pension issued to [illegible] day of May 1853 and sent to J. J. Langdon

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under July 29, 1848, Page 159. Vol. 

(right of page)

J.J Langdon Jr., 28 1853

SAMUEL BELL 
( S.C. )

Page 3

Louisana 13.366.
Samuel Bell
of St. Marys in the State of Louisana
who was a private in the [illegible] commanded by Captain Wailey of the Reg. commanded by Col. Mason in the South Carolina line for two years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Louisana at the rate of 80. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of July 1833 and sent to S. Co. [illegible] Franklin. St. Marys Parish Louisiana

Arrears to the [illegible] of March 1833, 160.00
Semi-ant allowing ending 4th Sept. 33 40.00
$200.00

{   Revolutionary Claim, } 
{     Act June 7, 1832.     }
Recorded by Clerk Palmer Clerk, 
Book 8 Vol. 8 Page 3/.

Page 4

109.840 Act March 3/55
April 30/55

Meary Bell
Widow of Samuel Bell

Private for Thompson
Jno. C Line
Revolutionary War

no 13/43 F. James 9/56

La July 48-1173
[illegible]

J Jay Langdon
Present

(right side of page)
Vol 3 - 87

Page 5

1025085
Samuel Bell Parish of St. Marys 
Louisana

13.366

Claim 2 years
$80.00

S.W. Wilson Franklin Louisana

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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.  These 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 Samuel Bell Parish of Saint Mary
State of Louisiana

Period when the service was rendered
Enlisted July 1777

Duration of the claimant's service.
3 Years. | - Months. | - Days. 
               
Rank of the claimant
Private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 
Gen. [illegible] 
Cap Felix Wailey, Col Luke Mason, Colonel Thompson

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 
77 years
Richland South Carolina

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
No evidence
paper authenticated

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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 line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "'milita," 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 are night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular State 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, mucicians 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 
County of  } ss. 

On this day of personally appeared (a) before 
A. B. a resident of (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. 
[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 Virigina, 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 (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 solider in the [illegible] and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed in 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 Solider, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. 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

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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person 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 Milita of New Hampshire and the State of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year where you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where where 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 it was 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 enquiry 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 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 Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk or 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. 

[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 he 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. [illegible] 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 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 or 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 place 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 his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[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.

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109.840
BOUNTY LAND CLAIM OF 
Mary Bell 
widow of Samuel Bell
Revolutionary War


Presented by 
J. Jay Langdon
on April 30th 1855.

Page 10

United States of America. 
STATE OF LOUISIANA.
Parish of [[strikethrough]] Orleans. [[/strikethrough]] St. Mary 

On this twenty ninth day of March, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the Parish and State aforesaid, Mary Bell
aged 85 years, a resident of [illegible] in the State of S.C. who being duly sworn, according to law declares that she is the widow of Saml Bell deceased, who was a soldier 
in the company commanded by 
in the war with Great Britain 
called the Revolutionary War for American Independence 

that her said husband at on or about the day A. D. for the term of five years and continued in actual service in said war for the term of on the day of A. D. 

She further states that she was married to the said Saml Bell in Columbia, S.C. on the 18th day of March A.D. 1777 by one Osborn Pagget a [illegible] and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Pagget that her said husband died at [illegible] on the 25th day of December A. D.  1834 and that she is now a widow. 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the "Act approved March 3d, 1855."

Subscribed and sworn to Mary here on this 29th day of March 1855. 
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

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State of Louisana
PARISH OF [[strikethrough]] ORLEANS [[/strikethrough]] St. Mary

We, Independence Alpha and Malache B Clark residents of the Parish of St. Marys the State of Louisiana upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mrs Mary Bell in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 

Subscribed and sworn to Independence Alpha  
this 27th day of March 1855 before me. 
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written ; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons ; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

A.L. Tucker
Justice of the Peace


State of Louisiana } SS.
Parish of St. Mary [[strikethrough]] S OF ORLEANS. [[/strikethrough]]

I hereby certify that A.L. Tucker Esq., before whom the foregoing Affidavits were made and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, as Clerk of the 14th District Court of [[strikethrough]] New Orleans [[/strikethrough]] LA in the Parish of St. Mary this 29 day of March 1855.
J.V. Lourens
CLERK.

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New Orleans, 1855

Sir
I herewith transmit my claim for Bounty Land, under the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1855, and request that a warrant may be issued and delivered to my agent 

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C.

Page 13

fee $1.00

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress of the 29th of July 1848

State of Louisiana
Western Districts }

On this the thirtieth day of July A.D. Eighteen Hundred and fifty personally appeared before the undersigned as Commissioner in and for the Western District of the State of Louisiana duly appointed by the United States District-Court in and for said District and State. Mary Bell --- a resident of the Parish of St. Mary County of Attakapas aged eighty-two years, [illegible] being duly sworn, according to law, oath, on her oath, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed 29th of July 1848. Samuel Bell, her deceased husband was a private in the Army under General Henderson, that he served as such during five years being a volunteer and was discharged at the close of the war of Independence. He was at war and served in the battle of Eutaw Springs and marched through the lower part of the State of South Carolina in the vicinity of Charleston, Georgetown and Savannah. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Bell in the month of March 1797 by Austin Rogers a minister of the Gospel in Richland District in the State of South Carolina. That for husband the aforesaid Samuel Bell died on the 25th December 1834. That he was a pensioner, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, that the marriage took place previous to the second of January, eighteen hundred at the time above stated. She further swears that she is a now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension, and she further swears that she has no documentary evidence or support of her claim.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before

R McMillan Commissioner
and for the District of Louisiana

Mary x her mark Bell

Page 15

I do hereby certify that on the sixth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty nine R Mc Millan of the Parish of St. Meary was duly appointed a Commissioner of the United States in and for the Western District of Louisiana and that at the time of the date of the above declaration he was fully authorized to take the same.

Witness my hand and seal of said Court in the town of Opelousas this eighth day of August AD. 1850 -
T.H. Thompson Clerk
of the U.S. District Court of Opelousas.

Page 16

State of Louisiana
Western District

On this the thirtieth day of July A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Fifty personally appeared before the undersigned a Commissioner in and for the Western Districts of the State of Louisiana duly appointed by the United States District Courts in and for said District and State Elizabeth Desicker a resident of the Parish of St. Mary County of Makapas aged sixty-six years who being duly sworn according to the [illegible] doth on her oath make the following declaration. She was intimately acquainted with the late Samuel Bell deceased and his wife Mary Bell the person named in the foregoing declaration for the last thirty years, she knew them in the State of South Carolina and ever since their removal to the state of Louisiana thats ever since she knew them until the death of the said Samuel Bell. They lived together and mere looked upon in the community as husband and wife, that the said Samuel Bell died in the year 1834 in the month of December and thats since his death the said Mary has been and still is a widow. 

From to and subscribed on 
the day above written before 
McMillian Commissioner
in and for the Western District of Louisiana

Elizabeth Desicker
her x mark

I do hereby certify that on the sixth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty nine R. McMillan of the Parish of St. Meary was duly appointed a Commissioner of the United States in and for the Western District of Louisiana and that at the time of the date of the above declaration he was fully authorized to take the same. 

Witness my hand and seal of said Court in the town of Opelousas this eighth day of August AD. 1850 - 
T.H. Thompson Clerk 
of the U.S. District Court of Opelousas.

Page 17

Samuel Bell
25085

Page 18

State of Louisiana
Parish of St. Mary

On this fifteenth day of March 1833 personally appeared before me Danelson Caffery Judge of the Parish of St Mary and State of Louisiana Samuel Bell a resident of the said Parish of St. Mary aged in his 77th years, who being just duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision make by the act of Congress happen June 7th 1832 - that the [illegible] in the army of the United States in the years 1777 with Uriah Goodwin recruiting officer at Friday Ferry at the Congaree River near Columbia and was then attached to, and served under Captain Felix Wailey at [illegible] on the Savannah River in the third [illegible] under the following named officers Captain Uriah Wailey, [illegible] Colonel Luke Mason, Col William Thompson, Major Jonathan Wise and General [illegible] Commanding field officers. [illegible] enlisted for three years in February 1777 and left the service at the separation of his tener in 1780 and

Page 19

Obtained his discharge which was lost or misplaced 
At the time of his enlisting he was a resident of Richland, South Carolina and was in the battle at Stovo Guilford. I was absent on [illegible] from his company where Charleston was taken by the British. 
We hereby relinquish every claim what ever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he [illegible] in not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State - 
Sworn to and subscribed the day + year aforesaid - Samul Bell

Danelson Caffery
Judge of the Parish of St. Mary. State of Louisiana

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier + served as he stated. 

Danelson Caffery
Parish Judge

State of Louisiana. Seth Lewis Jr clerk of Parish of St. Mary. The Parish Court in and for the Parish aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Bell for a pension. And I do further certify that

Page 20

Danelson Caffery whose signature is annexed to the foregoing was at the time of signing the same Parish Judge of the Parish of St Mary and that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such. 

In testimony whereof I have [illegible] set my hand and affirmed the seal of the said Court this 3rd day of April 1833 and in the fifty seventh year of the independence of the United States of America

Seth Lewis Jr Clerk

Page 21

State of Louisiana      }
Parish of Saint Mary . }

Before me the [illegible] authority comes and personally appears Mary Bell of the Parish of St Mary widow of Samuel Bell late of said Parish deceased - who being sworn says that, she was legally married to said Samuel Bell in Richland sixteenth State of South Carolina about the year one thousand seven hundred twenty six. That in the year eighteen hundred and twenty six, she with her said husband came over to the State of Louisiana, Parish of St. Mary, together with some of their children, that they resided in said Parish up to the time of the death of her said husband, that she has resided in said Parish over time and that she is the widow of the same Samuel Bell who had a pension from the Government of the United States for services as a soldier in the War of the Revolution.

Mary + her mark Bell 

Mary Bell not knowing how to write, makes her [illegible] mark
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this the 11th day of March 1850
LR Curtis, justice of the pension
in the Parish of St Mary LA

Page 22

State of Louisiana 
Parish of St. Mary

Before me personally came and appeared James Campbell, after being duly sworn [illegible] to [illegible] that Samuel Bell and Mary Bell came to the Parish of St Mary State of Louisiana, some time about the year 1826 as man and wife with a large family of children, and lived together as man and wife until the death of Samuel Bell. Said bell died the 24th December 1834 as [illegible]. Samuel Bell and wife [illegible], the widow of Samuel Bell at this time of living and has the appearance of being very old, indigent, and [illegible], all the children are dead but one daughter, the wife of Michael Ruigh
Sworn and subscribed to before on this 6th March 1850
L.R. Curtis Judge of the Pension for the Parish of St. Mary 

[illegible] Howle after being duly sworn, deporting south, born to this Parish in the year 1832. Knew Samuel Bell and his wife Mary Bell up to the death of Samuel Bell, which took place about the 24th December 1834. Knew them to the very [illegible] and living [illegible] the charity of their children. Mary Bell is still living and have been mutual acquaintances with his [illegible]. She has the appearance of being very old, poor, all their children have since died but one daughter, the wife of Michael Ruigh
Sworn and subscribed to before me this the 6th day of March 1850
[illegible] Justice of the Parish

Henry R Nerson being duly sworn [illegible]

Page 23

that Samuel Bell and Mary Bell his wife come to this Parish in the latter part of the year 1826, they [illegible] each other as man + wife, they had several children at that time and some of them small, they were known from that time up to the time of his death as man + wife. Samuel Bell died [illegible] at night on the 25th of December 1834. Mary Bell has made this Parish her place of residence since the time she came [illegible] the Parish up to this time, Samuel Bell and his wife were very poor when they came to this Parish and were taken care of by their children. Mary Bell is still very poor and looks very old and in pain, their children are all dead but one daughter the wife of Michael Ruigh
H.R. Nerson

Sworn and subscribed to before me this the 8th day of [illegible]
S R Curtis
Justice of the Peace in the Parish of St Mary Louisiana

Page 24

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 4892
Mary Bell
Widow
Samuel Bell
PVT Rev. War

Act: July 29, 1848
Index :— Vol. A, Page 49

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

Page 25

6 5-3
Mary Bell
Widow of Samuel
[illegible]
22nd April 1850
I. C. Morse
to the same 14th June 1850
to the same 31 Augt 1850
Hou WP Harris Dec 9 1834

Aug 11 - July 1848

Page 26

13. 743

[illegible]

Page 27

Mary Bell
Widow of 
Saml Bell

Elizabeth Bell
E Howell
Ms 
J B Murphy
Elizabeth Dericker

Samuel Bell 
25 Dec 1834

J Joz Langdon

Page 28

Samuel Bell paid to 4 debt dept.
[illegible] J Morrison

Auditor

Page 29

Pen off. May 21 1855

Sir

Please inform me when Sam Bell of La, act '32 at $80 a year was last paid. 

Very Respectfully, 
LP Waldo

Com. of Pensions

RJ Atkinson Esq
Third Auditor

Page 30

W.O. Bell Esq

Page 31

Mr. W. O Bell,
Inclosed please find Certificate & Power of Attorney. Your grandmother is quite [illegible] & has been sick since my last. She is eager to get her pension as soon as possible. I hope the affidavit & Certificate will suffice. She has record of her Marriage.
Yours
A. L. Tucker

Page 32

An original Record was filled shown, the marriage before 1800, which record have been returned through [illegible] as of this edit.
I. Triplett
Reco Ex

Page 33

Mary Bell
widow of Samuel 
La. [Louisiana]
[illegible] July 29 1848
27.00 for $80
per annum from 
4 March 1848

Page 34

Pension Office
Dec. 4. 1854.

Sir
I herewith return the letter of Mr. Walter I Bell and have the [illegible] to inform you that the case of Mary Bell widow of Samuel of Louisiana has not been admitted because she has failed to establish the date of her marriage. She applies for pension under the act of July 29. 1848, and to be entitled under the act, was married before 1800. This should be done by Record, public or private is absence accounted for by the testimony of witnesses, will be considered if they each show how they are to fix the time. This they should do by as reference to collateral circumstances. Is there no family record showing when he was married or giving the dates of the birth of her children! If there is, it should be forwarded to this office and it might relieve the ease of farther difficulty. No forms are necessary.

Page 35

as her deadline is already on file and in form.

Yours respectfully

Your Off. Sent
L.P. Waldo
Commissioner



[illegible]. W.P. Harris,
H. of R.

Page 36

Washington
April [illegible]

Hon. L.P. Waldo
[illegible] of Pensions
for 
I herewith present this claim of Mary Bell the widow of Samuel Bell who was a solder in the            with Revolution and for further testimony [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] you to her papers on file in your office.   [illegible] [illegible]  with her claim for a pension.
Very respectfully
J. Jay Landon

Page 37

Treasury Defraudment,
Third Auditor's Office
June 8, 1855.

Sir,

I herewith return to you the papers in the case of Mary Bell, of La. [Louisiana] a pensioner under Act 29 July 1848, which were received from you under date of the 6th last.
I am, Sir, your
obedient Servant,
Robt J Morrison
Auditor

Page 38

[Filled in Form]
Brief in the case of Mary Bell widow of Samuel 
County and State of Louisiana
act
__________________
[typed] Claim, ("original," [struck through]or "for increase.")

[typed]Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If eighter, state the substance.

[handwritten] Her husband was a pensioner  under the Act of 1837 at $80 a year./her  [illegible]/[illegible] in his/open)
Family Record of [illegible] of children for/[illegible] of the [illegible] of marriage,
Her husband's death & her identity as the union of the pensioner see the affidavit Elizabeth Bell, & Howell, John Martin, JB Murphy, & Elizabeth Desiker, all [illegible] certified.
[struck through] [typed] (if [illegible].)
[struck through] [typed] Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim. If so, what?
Thornton Triplett [signature]
[typed] Examining Clerk.
[typed] Name and residence of Agent
[handwritten] J. Jas Langdon, Esp
Present

Page 39

Washington
May4/55

 Hon. L. P. Waldo,
[illegible] of Pension
Ser.
I herewith [illegible] additional evidence under [illegible] of [illegible] of Mary Bell under of Saml Bell who [illegible] [illegible] [illegible].
Her family records the [illegible] [illegible]  is illegible], [illegible] [illegible][illegible] before [illegible] every [illegible] [illegible][illegible].


Very respectfully,
J. Day Langdon

Page 40

Washington, Dec 9th 1854
Walter Bell Esq.

Dear Sir

I received your letter touching the pension due  on account of the military services of your spouse further, before I left [illegible]  but could give no answer because I had no opportunity than ascertaining how the case stood. I called upon the Commissioner today, and find that those in some [illegible] in the proof, though the claim is believed by the department to be just. The declaration and proof should be made before some of your state officers who are authorized to administer oaths generaly, a court of second in Louisiana. The proof of the marriage is not sufficient [illegible] being but one [illegible] & his memory in [illegible].
I think if you can establish the marriage clearly there will be no difficulty prove it by persons who knew the parties when they lived

Page 41

together as man, and, wife recognizing each other as such recognizing their children as legitimate, and being received by every body as man & wife & [illegible]. This proof will suffice in the absence of direct proof of the marriage. I will release a [illegible] from the court on Monday which I will forward to you, together with a depy of the regulations.
Your friend
W. P. Harris

Page 42

Treasury Department,
Third [illegible] Office,
June 3, 1855

Sir,
I have to request that you will to this office the original papers on which pension under Act 29 July 1845, was granted to Mary Bell widow of
Samuel Bell, of Louisiana under Act of June 1832.

I am Sir, your 
obedient Servant,
Robt J Morrison

L.P. Waldo, Esq.
[illegible] of Pensions

Page 43

State of Louisiana
Parish of 

Elisabeth Diseker off the parish of St. Mary being only from South that she is a native of the State of South Carolina That she is about sixty three years of age. She lives in the neighborhood of Samuel Bell and Mary Bell in South Carolina that she said that Samuel and Mary lives together as man & wife and was accepted by the neighbors as such previous to the year one thousand eight hundred, that Samuel Bell died in the parish of St Mary, some time in the year 1834, that Mary Bell has been ever since, and still is a resident.
               His
Elizabeth + Diseker
              mark
The informant now knowing how to sign her name has his ordinary mark in my  [illegible] & [illegible] and subscribed to before me on this the 28th day of May AD 1850.
L R Curtis Justice of the Peace in & for the parish of St. Mary, Louisiana

Page 44

Jacob L Edwards Esq
City of Louisiana

Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find an affidavit related to the marriage of old Mr. & Mrs Bell I do not know the couple but I hereby certify that the signature of Lewis  [illegible] [illegible], re justice of the peace is genuine having often seen him write his name.
Very  [illegible]
Jacob L Edwards
[illegible]

Page 45

State of Louisiana
Parrish of St Mary
Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn in & for the parish & State aforesaid personally appeared  [illegible] Howle of said parish who being duly sworn say that he was most acquainted with Samuel Bell late of said parish for many years before his death which occurred about the year 1834. He did said Bell at the time of his death was a revolutionary pension as [illegible] was informed & believed. Dependent is also well acquainted with Mary Bell widow of Samuel Bell now residing in this parish & who has sworn an [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] the decease of said Samual Bell and dependent further says that said Samuel & Mary Bell was always received in the community as husband & wife lawfully married & that they raised a large family of children together as such. I had no doubt & was always received & recognized intended in the community as husband & wife. Each fully [illegible] on [illegible] & sworn to on this 5th day of  February 1855 before me. [towards the right side of the page] E Howell
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

Page 46

State of Louisiana
Parish of St Mary
Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace personally appeared John Martin of said Parish who being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with Samuel Bell in his life time late of the parish of St Mary and that he is well acquainted with Mary Bell, widow of said Samuel Bell now residing in said parish who has never been married since the death of her said husband. That said Samuel & Mary Bell lived together as husband & wife for many years and as such raised a large family of children and was [illegible] received and recognized as husband & wife lawfully married, down to the time of his death. The said Samuel Bell and pension [illegible] [illegible] and was a Revolutionary soldier and at the time of his decease was a pensioner under the [illegible]  at Louisiana and for the dependent [illegible] [illegible]. 
[illegible] and sworn  to John Martin [illegible] 21 day of February to office before me.
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

Page 47

State of Louisiana
Parish St Mary

Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace and commissioned and sworn in and for the Parish & state aforesaid personally appeared John B Murphy of said Parish who being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with Samuel Bell in his life time late of the parish of St Mary and that he is well acquainted with Mary Bell, wife of said Samuel Bell now residing in said parish of St Mary. That he became acquainted with said Samuel & Mary Bell when he first came to reside in this parish around about the year 1826. That they resided together as husband & wife & were even regarded as & received as such in society down to the resided of his death which occurred sometime  in the year 1834 and that they raised a large family of children in the parish some of who are still living here. No doubt has ever existed in the community that the said Samuel  & Mary were husband & wife lawfully married. Dependent first time [illegible] and said he understood from [illegible] Samuel Bell that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army of American Independence. 
Subscribed and [illegible] [illegible]
2nd day of February AD 1855 
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

Page 48

State of Louisiana
Parish St Mary
I, J O Tommy, Clerk of District Court of the 14th Judicial District of the State of Louisiana and for the parish of St Mary due hereby certify that A L Tucker before whom the foregone affidavit have been taken is a Justice of the Peace duly com-missioned and sworn in and foresaid parish of St Mary and [that as said his acts are [illegible] to find faith &  [illegible].
In faith  [illegible] of I have here  am to St Mary official seal this 24th day of February AD 1855.
[SEAL] J O Tommy 
Clerk District Court

Page 49

Samuel Bell

13743-160-55

Page 50

New Orleans, LA  29 Aug 55
Dear Sir,
I have the [illegible] to inform me whether or not a [illegible] has been used in favor of Mary Bell widow of Samuel Bell dec [deceased] Revolutionary soldier [illegible]. The business was entrusted to me I I Langdon of your Aty [attorney] by me for my grandmother Mary Bell – who is getting [illegible] to get her land. [illegible]  to [illegible] for some months, and week, to [illegible] you to give me any information you can which you are able to give.
Your Obi [obedient] servant, 
Mary Bell
[illegible] W O Bell
Your [illegible] attention is respectfully requested.

Page 51

State of Louisiana
Parish of St Mary
I, A L Tucker, Justice of the Peace in and for the parish and state aforesaid do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John B murphy, Epaphroditus Howle, and John Martin who have made their affidavits before me who have sworn to their belief that Mary Bell is the widow of Samuel Bell, a Revolutionary Pensioner and that they severely sustain that good character and entitled to full faith and consider as with  [illegible] in this case. I further certify that I have been acquainted with Mrs. Mary Bell and have no doubt of her being the lawful widow of said Samuel Bell. I further certify that Mrs. Bell is not in possession of the old family Bible in which the [illegible] of her marriage was recorded nor does she know where the same can be found. Her maiden name she says was Mary Pagget and she says she was wed to Samuel Bell at Columbia S.C. in the year 1796 – and I know her to be a woman of excellent character and that her -

Page 52

Word is entitled to full credit & belief. I further state that she is very old and in infirm and in necessities circumstances. 
Given burden [illegible] hand officially at [illegible] [illegible] in the parish of the aforesaid this 9 day of March of 1855.
A L Tucker
Justice of the Peace

Page 53

Washington January 18th 1855
Dear Sir
In the early part of this session I forwarded to your address at Opalousay instructions how to proceed to establish the claim of your grandmother. Her application is suspended on account of the want of supplement proof of her marriage with your grand father. This proof you must procure. The testimony of a witness or witnesses of the marriage and if that cannot be procured the testimony of persons who knew them to live together as man and wife and to be generally recognized as such, who knew them to recognize their children as legitimate children, will be sufficient.  I regret that you did not receive my first letter, as delay in such a matter considering the advanced age of your grandmother may deprive her of the pension. 
Very truly yours 
WO Harris

Page 54

State of Louisiana
Parish of St Mary

Before me and undersigned Justice of the Peace for the Parish & state above named personally appeared Mrs. Elizabeth Bell aged seventy years, a residence of the said parish Y state who being duly sworn according to law says that she is the widow of John Bell deceased late of said parish St. Mary. That her said he husband John Bell was the son of Samuel & Mary Bell, that he died on the 24th day of December 1834, and according to the record in the family Bible he was born on the 26th day of June 1798, being 36 years of age when he died – and that his deponent was married to John Bell December 24th 1820. And deponent further says that from an intimate acquaintances with Samuel & Mary Bell for many years, & with her children she is with certain they were married as early as 1796. And she further says that Mrs. Mary Bell who now applies for a pension is still the widow of said Samuel Bell deceased.
Signed in presence of  her
     		Elizabeth x Bell
                   		Mark
William Harryman
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 10th day of
May 1855. And I do certify that said Elizabeth
Bell is known to have to be a credible
Witness. And I do certify that the paper hereto annexed & marked  “x” is

Page 55

a part of the family in cord of Samual & Mary Bell, that was cast by me from the family Bible of the said Mary Bell this day.
In testimony whereof I hereto sign my name officially this 10th day of May 1855.
A L Tucker
Justice of the Pece

State of Louisiana
Parish of St Mary
I J V Fourmye Clerk of the District Court in & for the Parish of St Mary & state aforesaid do hereby certify that A L Tucker before whom the & ongoing  affidavit was made & who has subscribed the same was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn in & for the parish and state above mentioned that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith & credit & that his signature these to genuine. 
In testimony of where I have [illegible] to and [illegible] my [illegible] & affixed seal of my office this 10th day of May 1855.
J V Fourmye
Clerk District Court

Page 56

State of Louisiana
Parish Orleans
This is to certify that I W. O Bell the undersigned am the grand son of Mary Bell the applicant for a pension as the widow of Samuel Bell deceased a, Revolutionary soldier. And, that it has even been considered in the family, that she Mary Bell even married in the year 1796 and that the oldest child, John Bell was born June 26th 1798 and died December 24th 1834 being 36 years old.                 W. O. BELL
Sworn to &sufficient, before me this 13 May 1855.
[illegible signature] 
[illegible]

Page 57

State of Louisiana
Parish of St Mary
Know all that such  by these [illegible] events  that I, Mary Bell of the parish and state aforesaid, that [illegible]  all former Power of Attorney, do hereby constitute and [illegible], J Day Landgon of the city of Washington District of Columbia my true and lawful attorney for me and my name to for  [illegible] I am the widow of the late Samuel Bell for any [illegible] of pension [illegible]  that may be due me  under the Act of Congress if the 29th of July 1848 & any other act of Congress, before a [illegible]  [illegible]; to [illegible]  all [illegible]  or deceased in relation to said claim to file additional evidence as requested and to receive any benefit & the certificate which may be [illegible] in satisfaction of said claim in which I certified, I with made payable at the pension agency of this state Hereby ratifying and confirming all my said attorney shall be lawfully [illegible] in the financials.
In witness of where of I have here unto set my hand seal the 9th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive. 
In presence of 		here
	                               Mary x Bell
				Mark
A L Tucker

Page 58

To the honorable The Senate and House of Representatives of the United State of Congress 
[illegible] [illegible].
[illegible] of Mary Bell a resident of the parish of St Mary in Louisiana. Respectfully she states that she is the widow of Samuel Bell late of [illegible] parish deceased. That has said her husband in his life time recvd a pension for services rendered to the [illegible]. The war of the Revolution that all the voucher and documents with [illegible] her said husband to a pension she [illegible] are now in the pension of price & proper repository at Washington City. She presents her claim with the accompanying affidavit of which hopes will enable her to obtain a pension from the time of the death of said husband day 24th December 1834 wherefore she respectfully [illegible], that she may be allowed his pension, from the time of his said husband death or such pension as she may be entitled to, by law and equity and as is duly [illegible].
A R Glaw
For her Mary Bell