Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7179, for John Shell, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
MC
Shell, John Miller, Catharine (Former widow)
R. 7179
CONTENTS

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Con- gress of July the 4 th 1836.
State of Tennessee County of Hawkins } S.S
Be it known, that, on this the 19 th day of March A.D. 1858, before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, personally appeared Mr John Shell Jr, aged seventy four years past, a resident of said county, and made oath in due form of law; That his father John Shell Sr, was a soldier in the War of the American Revolution; That he served in the State of North Carolina in Morgan district; That the first term of service was per- formed in the year 1781 at the battle of Eutaw, and That he next served as a commissary at the battle of Ramsour's Hill, under the command of Colonel, General Rutherford; That General Rutherford on the evening before said battle sent him order to be on the battle ground with provisions for one hundred men and That said order was performed; That his next term of service was performed in the capacity of Lieutenant in 1782, under Colonel McDowell, against the Indians in which campaign the a battle was fought at the Wear Ford of Big Sandy in which his said father participated; he again served a campaign against the Indians at Sandy Mush, under Captain Whidner and Colonel McDowell, in which campaign the Battle of "Sandy Mush" was fought, he acting as a Lieutenant. That his said father John Shell may have performed several other terms of service which affiant cannot remember anymore than the above, but thinks he must have served at least three years, and most of the time in some official capacity.

Know all men by these presents That I John Shell Jr. of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee do hereby nominate, consti- tute and appoint Hazewell H. Newman of Knox- ville Tennessee, my true and lawful Attorney in my name place and stead to prosecute the General Government of the United States for a pension due me under the act of Congress of July the 4 th 1836. Hereby giving my said Attorney full power to file all additional testimony, to examine all papers which may be in file, to receive all communications, and to do any and all things which I might do or cause to be done were I per- sonally present at the doing thereof. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises by virtue thereof, with full power of substitution and revocation. Witness my hand and seal this the 19 th day of March A.D. 1853.
Signed sealed and delivered.
John Shell
In the presence of
J. W. Newman.
C. J. Kennitz.
State of Tennessee,
County of Hawkins ss.
Be it known that on this the 19 th day of March A.D. 1853, before the subscriber, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, personally appeared Mr. John Shell Jr. and acknowledged the fore- going Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein contained.
C. J. Kennitz
Justice of the Peace for Hawkins county Tennessee.

Affiant further declares that his father John Shell Sr. and his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Fagler, were married in Hagerstown Maryland in the year A.D. 1870 or 1872, affiant thinks, by "publication" in the Lutheran Church. Affiant further declares that his father, said John Shell Sr., died in the year A.D., 19 th of November, 1896; and that his mother again in-remarried with George Miller who died in the year A.D. 1928. Affiant further declares that his mother, said Catherine Miller died on the 22 nd day of April A.D. 1946, and left the the following named only surviving children by John Shell Sr., affiant's father. Daniel Shell, Sarah McCall and Christina Weiss and affiant in this declaration. For proof of the facts contained in the foregoing declaration affiant refers to the proof upon file in any of the departments in Washington D.C. or elsewhere and that which his agent may hereafter file.
John Shell
Sworn to and subscribed the day and date aforesaid before me, and I would further certify that John Shell who makes the foregoing declaration is of the age he represents himself to be and is a man in whom full faith and credit may be placed and his oath used to the best in any court of justice where he is known.
C. V. Cowley Justice of the Peace for Hankins county Tennessee

State of Tennessee ss. Hawkins County, 3 J. James H. Vance Clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that R. D. Mountz Esq. before whom the foregoing Power of Attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made is now and was at the several dates then an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, legally commissioned and qualified and that his signatures thereto are genuine
Given under my hand and official seal at office in Rogersville the 19 th day of April 1853
J. H. Vance Clerk

A National The Right of John Shells Fines Revolutionary Soldiers
By Wm W. Shickland Suedville June

State of Tennessee Humphreys County ss.
On this 4 th day of May 1842 personally appeared right hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me the County Court here shall equal about 18 years after being first duly sworn. I hereby to him declares that he is a resident of the county of Humphreys, State of Tennessee the County of Humphreys, State of Tennessee George ... of Tennessee personally the ... he shall as above said he in the United States that that he is alive of the estate of Catherine Waller deceased and that he has heretofore made application ... out of July 4 1836 by attorney in fact ... of Knoxville ... and that ... the ... Proof of divorce and date of marriage he named ... claim and that he believes that he with his ... brother and Sister are entitled to what he is due and that the United States are owing to them under the ... for the interest of pension to which the said mother is entitled to the ... for the purpose of obtaining her rights as above said it is hereby ... me in my ... brother and sister knows all ... by ... that ... the ... as above said ... ... and ... for ... and in my ... obtain ... and by this ... pension all other ... given to any and all other persons and our said attorney is here by fully authorized to ... and more ... and you the

before above named
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this day and year above mentioned
miss
John Shell
1. K. Baldwin
2. Thomas Martin } Sworn to and subscribed in open court before me this day personally appeared and the said court clerk hereby certifies that the above named applicant is the identical person he represents himself to be and that from his appearance he is the age he represents to be and that and that the court is given their states her personal acquaintance with him and that he is a resident of our said county and a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this 4th day of May 1867
Thos R Coleman (Sec. County Judge)
State of Tennessee
Sevier County I Richard Mitchell clerk of the county court for the county and state aforesaid do certify that Honorable Thomas R Coleman is Judge of our said court and that his signature herewith is genuine that he is legally commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing declar- ation and annexed power of attorney was sworn to and acknowledged in open court and that John Shell is administrator of the estate of Katherine Miller widow of John Shell deceased duly sworn and bound in a bond of fifteen hundred dollars approved by the court and that his letters have issued
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at office in Sneadsville the 14th day of May 1867 Richard Mitchell clerk

A National The Right of John Shells Fins
Revolutionary Soldier
By Wm W. Shickland Sneads June

August 29, 1934.
Miss Ava Johnston Motor Route C, Box 117 Dallas, Texas.
BA-J/ILL John Shell R. 7179
Dear Madam:
The record of John Shell is given herein from Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 7179.
John Shell, Junior, a resident of Hawkins County, Tennessee, seventy-four years of age, applied March 19, 1853, for the pension which might have been due him and his brother and sisters on account of the service of his father, John Shell, Senior, in the Revolutionary War.
He stated that John Shell, Senior, married in 1770, or 1772, in Hagerstown, Maryland, Catherine, or Katharine, Fagler. Another statement gives Pennsylvania as the state in which they were married. His father, John Shell, died in November 1796, in Burke County, North Carolina. His mother, Catherine Shell, married again, George Miller of Tennessee, who died in 1828. Catharine Miller died November 22, 1842, or April 22, 1846, both date shown.
Catherine Miller was survived by her children by her former husband, John Shell, as follow: Daniel Shell, Sarah McCall, Christina Woods and John Shell.
John Shell, Junior, stated that his father, John Shell, of Morgan District, Burke County, North Carolina, served as commissary at the battle of Ramsour's Mill, that he was in the battle of Eutaw Springs, that he served as lieutenant under Colonel McDowell against the Indians and was in the battle at the "War Ford of the Big Pidgeon", that he served as lieutenant of Captain Whitner's company, Colonel McDowell's regiment and was in the battle of "Sandy Mush"; also, that he believed that his father served at least three years, most of the time in some official capacity.

In 1857. John Shell, Junior, was living in Hancock County, Tennessee. His claim for pension was not allowed as there was no provision of law under which the children of a soldier of the Revolution were entitled to pension when no previous claim had been made by the soldier or his widow, and adjusted, nor did he furnish proof of service of his father as required by the pension laws.
The soldier had a brother-in-law, Henry Whitener.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

7179
P. O. _____
Catherine Miller
Service: Former Widow John Shell
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: Claim for pension on rejected claim for pension in
Re-enlisted: 1854
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .
1931 - Oct. 5 - visit to Ralph Shell - S.D. 1934 - Aug. 28 - visit to Mrs. John Shell - S.D. 1940 - Jan. 6 - Ralph Shell adoptee of photos - mmr R.B.

No 7955. Quilt
Catharine Miller dec. Formerly widow of John Shell Tenn
T. W. Newman July 21/83 Wm W. Snodville. Mo: 11/87
7179
ad July 4 1836

January 25 th 1858
Sir
In reply to yours of Bremaff 1858 in the claim of John Shell Adm or of the estate of William Lee for milg and due of John Shell dec d & soldiers of the Revolutionary war you inform me that you have examined and rejected said claim and I think that I have a right to my papers in the case you will please to return me all the papers in the case of said Shell and oblige yours truly, I am respectfully your obedient Serv t Nathl. Stephenson Esq. B. Atty Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Sneadville Oct 28 th 1837
Hon Geo B Whiting Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Sir I remit for your honorable like consideration some additional proof in the claim of the heirs of John Shell deceased by his son John in reg of the arrears of Catherine Miller formerly Catherine Shell which arrear was applied for by J W Newman of Knoxville Tennessee under act of July 4 th 1836 filed July 21 st 1843 at that office Signed L P Waldo Commissioner and that under said act and said segment acts are claims that said arrearages should

Commence from the 4 th March 1831 and continue up to said Catherine's death which took place 22 nd day of November 1842 and that we contend that with the evidence herewith enclosed we are entitled to a decision in our favor that as to the marriage we can only refer you to the age of John the Deacon as the marriage took place in Pennsylvania in West County there is none of the children knows but think we have a sufficient proof to establish this fact in this case as we have searched diligently and there can be no record proof found of the said mar- riage we enclose a certificate of Service where we suppose

is sufficient to that point I hope that your honor will attend to this claim at the earliest convenience
I am respectfully your obedient servant
Thos Westwick Sneerhill Farm
Have you been writing on if possible Washington D.C.

John Shell Will

In the name of God Amen I John Shell being of sound mind and mem- ory - but weak in body - and calling To mind the mortality of mankind do constitute this my last will and Testament To wit. In the first place I commit my body to the earth and my soul to God who gave it, and as for what worldly estate it has been pleased God to bless me with It is my desire to dispose of as follows " To wit," In the first place it is my desire That my beloved wife and children that is not of age should live on the old place until such time that the youngest child shall come to age and my son John Shell to live in said place and maintain my said wife and four children with their reasonable industry - Till the youngest shall come to age agree- -able to law - and the rest of my land and sd plantation to be equally divided among my wife and all my children at the discretion of my executors - and as for my movable estate of whatsoever it may consist of it is my desire shall be sold at the dis- cretion of my executors - and as for my debts I owe if there should not be a sufficient sum or sums of money col- lected of debts that are due me —

That my executors shall sell - as much of my other lands as shall be sufficient to discharge the same - not interrupting the old plantation where my widow now lives as long as she continues my widow - if in case my son John Shell should marry and he or his wife should not agree with his mother so that either of them should be dissatisfied my son should build himself a house on the upper part of said plantation and support his mother in a reasonable at the discretion of my executors - also my children it is my desire should have reasonable learning and the expense thereof to be paid out of the principal estate before the division of said estate - and I appoint my brother in law Henry Whitener and my neighbor Henry Hallman my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament this the 29 th day of November 1796
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Bradburn "surat"
his seal John S. Shell Mark
Jan 1797
Daniel Smith Margaret Haggener

State of north Carolina } Burke County } J B Kincaid clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Burke County do hereby Certify that the within is a just and correct copy of the will of John Shell as filed in my office In testimony I have hereunto subscribed my name and Affixed my seal of Office at Office 12 th day of October A D 1857
J B Kincaid clerk
John Shell

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
The U.S. Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Motor Route Box 17, Dallas, Texas. Aug. 6, 1934.
U.S. Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs: I wish to know if you have records of Revolutionary service, pensions or bounty land claims for Frederick Shell (Shull or Schull), John Shell and Simon Shell all of Burke Co., N.C. in 1790 (census). Do heirs compensation, etc. give names of children of each of these? I wish to know residence of their families if these made migrations. Did either of these have sons, Christian Shell or Frederick Shell, Jr.? Please, refer this card to War Department for Revolutionary service for each. Yours truly, Miss Ava Johnston.

J. W. Newman
July 21/53

Pension Office July 21 1853
Sir
The Application of Catharine Miller dec d formerly widow of John Shell of Tenn has been examined and filed under the Act of July 4 1836.
There has been no attempt made to establish the service or date of the marriage, neither of which can be admitted by the Office without proof.
T. W. Newman Esq
Knoxville Tenn

Wm H Snelland Nov 11

Pension Office. Nov. 11-1857.
Sir:
I have examined & rejected the claim of John Shell, as Administrator of her estate of Catharine Miller, who was the widow formerly of John Shell, to the unadjusted pension claimed to be due Catharine Miller, at her decease, under the Act of 4 th July, 1836, as the widow formerly of John Shell.
Catharine Miller
was entitled to a pension at her decease, her children are not entitled to such pension, although she did not receive it.
The Secretary of the Interior has recently decided, that no child or children of a deceased revolutionary soldier or his widow, are entitled to the unadjusted pension due their parents at their decease.
W m M. Strickland Esq. Sneadville, Tenn.

Knoxville Tennessee April 23 rd 1855.
Sir,
Enclosed you will find find the application of John Shae for an assignment of Patent in his Small Steam Engine the 2 nd of July the 4 th 1856.
Very Respectfully Yours to command H. T. H. Newman.
Henry P. Nelson Esq. Commissioner of Patents Washington City D.C.

State of North Carolina Comptroller's Office
I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Revolutionary Military services as follows, to wit:
John Shell
Indent or Army Certificate No. 5054 issued by the Auditor of Morgan District £97 $10 7 specie (Ninety seven pounds ten shillings and seven pence specie)
Book No. 24 page 113 £20 specie (Twenty pounds specie)
" " 18 " 45 £6 8s. " (Six pounds eight shillings specie)
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 12th. day of February 1853.
Wm J. Clarke Compt.

837 Wolfram St. Chicago, Illinois November 20, 1939
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Re: BA-J/ILL Pension claim R. 7179
Dear Sir:
Please inform me if letters of John Shell , Junior, or other letters in con- nection with the above pension claim, are in file, and if same may be photostated by your department at my expense. If so, will you kindly state particulars?
Very truly yours,
Ralph T. Shell

September 10, 1931
Director of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Do you have any information on file concerning Johannas Schell, or Sohn Shell who was born in 1750 in Lancaster Co., Penn. and fought in the Revolutionary War? He enlisted from North Carolina and is reputed to have led a squad of men in the Battle of Ramseur's Mill during the illness of his Captain.
I shall be deeply grateful for any data you can give me.
Very respectfully,
Ralph Shell
20 Cedar st. Chicago, Illinois

June 6, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Ralph T. Shell 837 Wolfram Street Chicago, Illinois
JOHN SHELL R. 7179 BA-J/MSHF:MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request photostatic copies of the papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension, R. 7179, based upon service of John Shell, whose pension record was furnished you October 6, 1931.
Photostatic copies of the papers cited above will be furnished you for twenty-five cents a page. The number of pages to be copied is fifteen.
Remittance should be made by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States and mailed to the Veterans Administration, Arlington Building this city, when the copies will be made and mailed to you.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

August 29, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Miss Ava Johnston Motor Route C, Box 117 Dallas Texas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request of August 6th, for the Revolutionary War records of Frederick, John and Simon Shell, Shull or Schull.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers of this war.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War services of Frederick and Simon Shell, searched under all spellings of the name.
As possible means of securing information in regard to the military services of these soldiers, it is suggested that you address The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.
You are furnished herewith, the Revolutionary War record of John Shell of Burke County, North Carolina, as shown by papers on file in his pension claim, N. 7179.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

WASHINGTON October 6, 1931.
Mr. Ralph Shell 20 Cedar Street Chicago, Illinois.
BA-J/ILL
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to you letter relative to John Shell, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 7179, based upon his military service in that war.
John Shell, Junior, a resident of Hawkins County, Tennessee, seventy-four years of age, applied on March 19, 1853 for the pension which might have been due him and his brother and sisters on account of the services of his father, John Shell, Senior, during the Revolutionary War.
He stated that John Shell, Senior, married in 1770 or 1772, in Hagerstown, Maryland, Catherine or Katharine Fagler. Another statement gives Pennsylvania as the state in which they were married. His father, John Shell, died in November, 1796 in Burke County, North Carolina. His mother, Catharine Shell, married again, George Miller of Tennessee, who died in 1828. Catharine Miller died November 22, 1842, or April 22, 1846, both dates are shown.
Catharine Miller was survived by her children by her former husband, John Shell, as follows: Daniel Shell, Sarah McCall, Christina Woods and John Shell.
John Shell, Junior, stated that his father, John Shell, of Morgan District, Burke County, North Carolina, served as commissary at the battle of Ramsour's Mill; that he was in the battle of Batow Springs; that he served as lieutenant under Colonel McDowell against the Indians and was in the battle at the "War Ford of the Big Pidgeon"; that he served as lieutenant of Captain Whitner's Company, Colonel

McDowell's Regiment and was in the battle of "Sandy Mush"; also, hne believed that his father served at least three years and most of the time in some official capacity.
In 1857, John Shell, Junior, was living in Hancock County, Tennessee. His claim for pension was not allowed as there was no provision of law under which the children of a soldier of the Revolution were entitled to pension when no previous claim had been made by the soldier or his widow, and adjusted, nor did he furnish proof of service of his father as required.
The soldier had a brother-in-law, Henry Whitener.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator. Robert C. [unclear]

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Shell, Lewis (dec'd) GRADE Private LINE Armand's Corps
WARRANT NUMBER N 13307 and 13717 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 20, 1792
To Abraham Sheridan, assignee of John Gish, Adm or .
*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.