Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5046, George Bowles, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Bowles George Betsy
NUMBER
W. 5046
CONTENTS

up
4115
Virginia
Betsy Bowles, widow of George Bowles, Va who died on the 7 th June 1824 of Franklin in the State of Va who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain ~ of the ~ commanded by in the Prov. line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Nov 1834 and sent to R. H. Gray, Lynchburg Va
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by S. L. Swann Clerk, Book @ Vol. 1 Page 168

State of Virginia
Franklin County S.S.
On this 26 day of October 1843 - before me Cyrus Price a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Mrs Betsy Bowles, a resident of said county Aged 88 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of George Bowles dec d of said county who was a private of Malitia, in, and during the Rev d war, and served two or more tours as such - to wit, one tour at Gates defeat in the summer of 1780 - and one other tour of service at Yorktown on at the capture of Lord Cornwallis - being marched from thence after the surrender - as a part of the guard, that con- -ducted the British-prisoners to Winchester Pa.
That the tour at Gates defeat, was performed under Capt. Leffer Howard of the Bedford Malitia and was a three months tour, which declarant knows be the said George Bowles her dec d husband, served faithfully out to the end; and that the tour which he served at the capture of Cornwallis, was performed under Capt. John Trigg - of the Bedford Malitia and was of a still longer duration, than the one at Gates defeat - he having to go on to Winchester with the prisoners in the latter tour he left home the 7 th August 1781 - and returned the 25 th of Nov r 1781 - having been from home near four months. That her husband rec d a wound at Yorktown in his leg, which was the cause of his death. She further declares, that she was married to the aforesaid George Bowles, her dec d husband in the county of Bedford by the Rev d Mr Brandrum of the chur- -ch of England in the year 1774 or 1775 - and month of Nov r . That her husband the aforesaid George Bowles died the 7 th day of June 1824; that her maiden name was Arthur, and has remained a widow ever since - all of which will appear by the proof annexed. Betsy Bowles sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written - before me. J. T. Labal - 8 Stone. R. H. Gray. Cyrus Price J.P.

State of Virginia
Franklin County S. S.
I Cyrus Price a Justice of the peace in and for said county do hereby certify, that M rs Betsey Bowles, who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration before me, is the widow of George Bowles dec d of said county - who was by reputation a soldier in the militia during the Rev d war - and who died on about the year 1824 or 25 - That I am acquainted with Reuben Bowles, the son of said George, and Betsey Bowles - and should suppose he was between 60 and 70 years old, and said M rs Bowles said they had a daughter still older than Reuben - I suppose they must have been married early in the Rev d war. That said Betsey Bowles has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband the aforesaid George Bowles - to the present time - and that she is too infirm to attend court.
Given under my hand this 26 day of October 1843. Cyrus Price J.P.
I further certify that M rs Betsey Bowles aforesaid stated that all of her husband's services as aforesaid were performed after they were married as aforesaid in and during the Rev d war, and that they had several children - when he went into service as above - Cyrus Price J.P.

State of Virginia.
Bedford County S.S.
On this 15 day of June 1843, before me Lewis B. Arthur a Justice of the peace, in and for said County personally appeared Mr. William Arthur, a respectable resident of the County of Henry - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say - That he is 80 years old - That he was well acquainted with George Bowles, dec. of the County of Franklin - who mar- ried Betsey Arthur, during the early part of the Rev d s war - he thinks about 68 years ago - (he dep. being about 12 years old at the time) in said County of Bedford. That the said George Bowles served two several tours of service or more - in, and during the Rev d s war - to wit, one tour, which dep. recollects distinctly that he served at Gal s defeat so called - at Campden S.C. - under Capt. Jesse Ward of the Bedford Militia - in the summer of 1780 - dep. recollects when the company to which said Geo. Bowles belonged - left "Booths", another place of rendezvous - and when he re- turned - leaving home the last of May, or 1 st of June, and returned the last of August or 1 st of Sept. 1780. being gone - and having served at least 3 months or more on said occasion. That the said George Bowles served an other tour of service, in and during the Rev d s war at Yorktown Virginia at the capture of Lord Cornwallis in Oct. 1781 - and a continuation of said tour of duty, after the surrender of Cornwallis - to Winchester Virginia, as a part of the guard that conducted the British prisoners from Yorktown to Winchester. That said tour to Yorktown was performed under Capt. M c Trigg of the Bedford Militia - and was of between 3 1/2, and four months duration - leaving home the last of August, or falling foddage time - and returning home about the last of Nov r or 1 st of Dec r . 1781 - making about seven months service in all, that dep. knows of - that the said George Bowles per- formed during the Rev d s war. That said Bowles rec d a slight wound in the leg - at Yorktown - which after he returned home, continued to get worse; (being inflamed from travelling) which finally terminated in his death about 19 years ago. That both of said tours of duty -

was performed by said George Bowles - after he was married to Betsy Arthur aforesaid - during the early part of the Rev d war - in or about the year 1775. That independent of what dep t knows of said George Bowles services in the Rev d war - he has frequently heard him the said Bowles speak of his having rendered said term of service, as above described by deponent - and of the wound he rec d at Yorktown - which was by having a log knocked off of his shoulder, by a cannon ball - while he was assisting in raising the Fort at Yorktown. In - deed it was notorious to every body at that time that he Bowles did under said service, as described by deponent.
William Arthur
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written -
Before me - Lewis C. Arthur J.P.
Virginia, Bedford County to wit;
I Robert D. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Lewis C. Arthur Esquire whose signature is annexed to the foregoing certificate, is an acting justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as the law directs, and that his said signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 26 th day of June one Thousand eight hundred and forty three.
R. Mitchell C.M.

Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5046
Betsy Bowles Wid.
Geo. Bowles Prst. Rev. Wac
Act: July 4 th 36, Sec. 3 d
Index:—Vol. et , Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Virginia Betsy Bowles Geo. Bowles Prst. Rev. Wac July 4 th 1836

Certificate of clerk of Beauford. county.

State of Virginia : County of Bedford Set.
I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that I have diligently examined the records in my Office, and find no return of a marriage between George Poole and Betty Atkinson - I further certify, that after a diligent and careful examination of the bonds taken on awarding marriage licenses, from the earliest period in my Office, to wit, 1756 to 1820, I find no bond executed by the said George Poole on obtaining such license. The fact that no return of the marriage is to be found of record, is by no means conclusive proof that it did not take place, as it is very common occurrence at the present day for Ministers of the Gospel to fail to make such returns, and it is fair to presume that the same negligence existed at the above mentioned period.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 9 th day of September one thousand eight hundred & forty four.
R. Mitchell C.M.

free
Canards '59
July 4. 1856. Betsey Baulas
born of pensioners
Washington
Feb.
Dec. 2. 1843 By Mount Vernon Nov 25 th 3
declaration of Mr Betsey Baulas.

Sir,
Franklin Co. Nov.
1843
Enclosed is the declaration of Mrs. Betsey Bowles of said county claiming a pension under the act of July 4. 1836. Altho, the witnesses in this case were not in service with Bowles yet their evidence, as to his services are as positive, as if they had been with him - and considering the great lapse of time - leaving but few alive at this time, who were in actual service - I trust you will relax - little of the rigor of the rules of evidence in this case - and grant a pension to this poor needy widow of at least $20. per M. out of near 7 mo services proven.
Yours respectfully
No. U Gray Ag. Synch.

6069.
Petsey Bowles.
Va
act 4 July 36
adm
emopri
$20.
R. H. Gray Cr Lynchburg Va

State of Virginia
Bedford. Franklin County S.S.
On this 28 day of June 1843, before me Jas L Wingfield a Justice of the peace, in and for said County personally appeared Mr. James Masey, a respectable resident of Bed County, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath say - That he is 76 years old - and was well acquainted with George Bowers during the Revolutionary war - the same person who married Betsy Arthur about 68 years ago - or about the year 1775 - it being about the beginning of the Rev. war. Deponent recollects distinctly, that after said Bowers was married to said Betsy Arthur as above - in then Bedford County - now Franklin - he performed two tours of service in the militia, during the Rev. war - the first tour he served was under Col. Jesse Ward of the then, Bedford Militia, in the summer of 1780 - at Campden S.C. - Gates defeat so called - and was gone something like 3 months - leaving home in the spring, or early part of the summer, and returning the latter part of the summer 1780 - said Bowers was living as overseer at the time he was called out - for Robin's Creek, about two miles, from where deponent now lives - the Americans were defeated under Genl. Gates, on said occasion of service, performed by said Bowers as above. Deponent recollects also, that said Bowers performed another tour of service, towards the close of the Rev. war, at Yorktown Va at the capture of Lord Cornwallis in October 1781 - of 3 months duration or more under Col. Jno Trigg of the Bedford Militia - leaving home just before haying fodder time - and returning in November it being cold weather when he returned - he dep. understands, that said Bowers went on to Winchester Va, as part of the guard, that conducted the British prisoners, from Yorktown to Winchester.
The said Bowers recd. a wound at Yorktown, by a cannon ball knocking a log off his shoulder - which was intended to raise the fort with. It fell on his leg and bruised it very much - and which continued to inflame from travelling - and finally terminated

in his death. Deponent has frequently heard the said Bowles speak of his being in said service, as described by deponent, at Gates defeat, and capture of Lord Cornwallis - dep. recollects when Bowles left, and when he returned in both of said tours; heard it was the common talk, of Bowles having gone into the service, and leaving his wife Betsy and children for his friends to take care of - he having at least 2 or 3 children at the time. That the said Bowles died in the county of Franklin some 28 years ago - leaving his present widow Betsy, Arthur (whose maiden name was Arthur), and who is still alive, and has remained unmarried ever since, the death of her husband, the aforesaid Geo. Bowles - as aforesaid to the present deponent was about 14 years old at the time that said Bowles served his last tour at the capture of Cornwallis.
Test
William A. Wingfield
James his  for Maxey mark
"Bedford,, and Franklin,, interlined before signed - Jas L Wingfield J.P.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written -
Before me
Jas L Wingfield J.P.

Virginia to wit: - At a Court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse the 6 th day of November 1843.
The foregoing Declaration of Betsey Bowles was read in Court, claiming a pension under the Act of July 4 th 1836. Together with the affidavits of William Arthur and James Massey, and the certificates of Lewis C. Arthur, and James L. Klingfield Esqrs of the County of Bedford and Cyrus Price Esqrs of this County, and the Court having examined the same, do certify to the War Department, that said Betsey Bowles, is the widow of George Bowles D r of said County, who was by reputation a private of Militia in the Revolutionary War, and died in this County about the year 1824. leaving his present widow Betsey, to whom he was married about the year 1775, and who has remained a widow ever since, and that said James Massey and William Arthur are respec- table persons, and their oaths entitled to credit, and that Lewis C. Arthur and James L. Klingfield are Justices of the Peace in Bedford County, and Cyrus Price is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for this County duly Commissioned and qualified as such, and that his several signatures are genuine.
In testimony that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of the said Court, I Morris G. Casper Clerk of said Court have hereunto, affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 24 th day of November in the year 1843.
M. G. Casper, Clerk