Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18338, Curtis Bull, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bull, Curtis
S. 18338
CONTENTS
Carded

Let R Anderson Aug 12 1824 Sars - Harkness July 24 1835 - Agt. Oct 15 - drg a " Francis A. DeChins July 13, 1838.
Let to J. L. White. June 12 1843. Hon. J. H. Bayly 16 Augt. 1850 Suspension removed after Allen & P. A. Smith Sept. 13, 1850
" H. M. Lawson 13 th Sept 1850 Hon. J. H. Bayly 15 th Sept 1850 S. Godwin 13 th Sept 1850
Let to F. M. Lawson. Oct 9/52 Dup: certif. issued Mch 5/51 sent to S. Godwin Parent
Virginia 16.860
Curtis Bull of Accomack in the State of Virginia who was a Drummer in the Co.  Co.  comm by Captain Lope: - of the Regt.  Regt.  comm by Col. Colvin. - in the Virginia line for two years
A. Drummer. $88.
No. 9984
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Oct sent to and Bellis. ac Accomack. Co. Va.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 22 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th March 49
$264
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. P. Palmer Clerk Book 8 Vol. 6 1/2 Page 3.

Conatio Bull's decla- -ration to obtain a pension.
B
74.

At a court held for Accomack County, at the Court-house thereof, on the 14 th day of August 1832.
Quentin Bull of the County of Accomack, this day personally appeared and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th day of June 1832.
"State of Virginia, Accomack County f.c. On this 14 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court now sitting Quentin Bull a resident of said County and parish of St. George aged Seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Corporal Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That he served in the Militia of Virginia in Accomack County from the time he was fourteen years of age, till free from duty by reason of his age - that during the war of the revolution the Militia were frequently called out to keep guard and were in actual service a considerable portion of the time for several years - that the companies were divided and a part of them performed duty regularly & alternately - That Col. Simpson had command of the Militia of Accomack County during the first of the war - afterwards Col. Corbin & afterwards Col. Cressler. That this deponent was a Drummer during the whole of the war in the Militia - That the Militia were often called out upon alarms and to keep guard during the war & performed service a great portion of each year during the war and that this deponent acted as Drummer on those occasions & attended the alarms regularly. This deponent was furnished with a Drum and encouraged to act as Drummer - and did so a year or two before he was liable to do Military duty - This deponent was principally engaged as drummer when the Militia kept guard at Col. Cressler's block house, and at the barracks at George Parker's Mill - This deponent served in Thomas Cooper's & Elisha Garrett or Fitzgerald's companies during the war - This deponent says

that from the exposed situation of Accomack County the people were constantly alarmed and had to keep guard almost con- tinually to prevent depredations being committed - This deponent says he has no hesitation in saying that he was in actual service doing duty as Drummer as much as four or five years, as he attended all alarms & during all the time guard was kept - The Companies were divided and some of the soldiers kept guard at one time & some at another, but this deponent had to attend constantly as there was no other Drummer to relieve him, all the other drummers having gone into the Continental service. This deponent states the fact that he was as he believes the only Drummer in the Reg t of Militia - after the 9 th Regiment went away, as Drummers were scarce & that Regiment required several & from this circumstance it was that he entered service so young - This deponent was born & has always lived in this County from the Revolutionary war to this time and still lives here - He was well ac- quainted with Col s Cropper & Ligon of the continental army & he is now well acquainted with Bowden Snead, John Bull & Custis Bull & almost all the citizens of St. George's Parish - This deponent cannot state the particular times of his performing the tour as no account was kept in regard thereto. This deponent hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to any other pension or annuity than the present & declares that his name is not any pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid."
"Custis his X Bull" mark.
We Mathew Floyd a Clergyman residing in the County of Accomack & Bowden Snead also of the same County hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Custis Bull who has subscribed to the above declaration & that we believe him to be seventy years of age - that he is reputed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a Drummer in the

"Militia in the Revolutionary War, and we concur in that opinion.-
"Matthew Floyd,"
"Bowden Snead."
And the Court do 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 Drummer in the Militia in the Revolutionary War and served as he states.- And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Matthew Floyd who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in this County and that Bowden Snead who has also signed the same is a resident of this County & is a credible person, and that their certificates are entitled to credit. It was also proved by the oath of Bowden Snead who is a resident of this County & is a credible person that the facts set forth in the foregoing application are true.-
A Copy. - Test: J. M. Gillely C.S.C.-

The deposition of Curtis Bull an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7. 1832
This deponent in answer to the 2 d 4 th 6 th & 7 th interrogatories omitted to be answered in his first application says, as to the 2 d interrogatory - that he has no record of his age - but that the age of his sister Rachel Gray is set down in a family bible in which it appears she was born in 1760 & this deponent always understood from his parents that he was 23 months younger than his said sister & was of course born in 1762 - and as to the 4 th interrogatory he says that he volunteered as a drummer at 14 years of age in Thomas Cooper's Company & regularly performed service as drummer voluntarily until he was 16 years of age at which time he was enrolled in the said Cooper's company according to Law - that he was encouraged to perform this duty as boys usually are who are drummers & fifers by small presents & good treatment - that he well recollects that he entered said company as a drummer in 1776 at the time the 9 th Virginia Continental Regiment marched away - and in answer to the 6 th interrogatory he says that no written discharges were ever given to militia soldiers at that time & that he was discharged at the end of each term of duty as militia usually are by an oral declaration from the commanding officers - and in answer to the 7 th interrogatory he says he is known to Thomas R. Soyars, John Kinney, W m Gillette P.M. W m Robertson J.P. John W. Gentry J.P. W m Paramore

Wm P. Curtis (Collector) G. P. Scarborough Atty. P. P. Mayo Atty. & in fact to all the citizens of Drummon a town & its vicinity. — In regard to the 4th objection made by the War department to his claim this deponent says that he served from the year 1776 during the whole of the War and continued to serve till exempted from duty by age. That during each & every year from 1776 to 1783 inclusive the militia of this County were closed & each class performed a term of duty of either 8 or 10 days each term (this deponent does not recollect which) alternately which terms came round about once a month - and besides these terms there were frequent alarms in consequence of which the militia were constantly on the watch - that this County lies between the Atlantic Ocean & the Chesapeake bay and was more exposed than any other County in Virginia excepting Northampton & that the British & Tories were constantly making attacks & robbing & plundering the Country. = In answer to the 5th objection this deponent says, that he can give no other or more definite account of the terms than that given above - that it is utterly impossible for any man to recollect the precise terms of commencing or finishing terms of duty performed so often & for so many years = but that as to his grade he was a drummer during the whole period from 1776 to 1783 & for twenty years afterwards. This deponent has no hesitation in saying that

his company generally was in service from one third to one half of the whole time in each & every year during the whole War & that he himself was in service more than two years & he confidently believes more than three years in the time of the War & that he was the only drummer in his company after the War. Also enlisted in the 9 th Pa Regiment in 1861 and attended regularly to his duty during the whole period from 1861 to 1865. And in answer to the 6 th objection he says that he served under Captains Loper & Garrett & under Colonels Simpson, Corbin, & Cropper in succession. He further states that after the 9 th Regiment went away in 1861 there was no drummer in the County besides himself for several years at all alarms musters storms of duty he performed duty as drummer not only for his own company but for others belonging to other companies.
Curtis Bull his X mark
The deposition of Bowden Snoad a Militia pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 who says he has always lived ever since he was born within three fourths of a mile of Curtis Bull & knows him well - and he says that he knew the fact that he volunteered as drummer sometime before he was liable to do duty & in his opinion about 14 years of age - and that he performed service as stated in the foregoing deposition though he cannot recollect the precise periods of the terms of duty.
Bowden Snoad

The deposition of Daniel Bull a distant relative of Curtis Bull aged upwards of 74 years who says he has always lived within half a mile from Curtis Bull & that he has heard the deposition of said Bull & of Bowden Snead read and he says that he knows that it is Curtis Bull's record as he has stated, but he cannot nor can any other person tell the dates of each term of duty.
Daniel Bull
The deposition of John Bull sen. aged about 65 years who says that his brother Curtis Bull was born about 1762 - that he performed duty as drummer in 1776 & in each & every year during all the War as he has stated & he believes he was in service half his time during the War. This deponent was a boy at the time, but remembers his brother's service as drummer distinctly. -
John Bull
State of Virginia Accomack County } ss June 4 th 1833 }
Be it remembered that this day Curtis Bull, Bowden Snead, Daniel Bull, & John Bull sen. personally appeared before me a justice of the peace and severally made oath to their respective depositions. And I certify that they are each & all of them persons of credibility & entitled to full confidence. As witness my hand & seal this day.
State of V a Accomack County ss
J. W. Curtis J.P.
Thomas R. Joyner Clerk of the County Court of Accomack in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that John W. Curtis whose name is affixed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace of the County of Accomack duly commissioned and qualified & that full faith & credit ought to be placed in all his acts as such and that the signature of the said John W. Curtis affixed as aforesaid is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 6 th day of June 1833 & in the 57 th Year of the Commonwealth.
J. P. Siler atty Dy in Thos Joyner C.C.

P 18338
INVALID.
No. 18338
Curtis Bull
Dummer New Was
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 54
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Curtis Bull
va - 32 - 16,860
M. Cole
for duplicate certificate Feb 28 1887,
Goodwin Present,

State of Virginia } ss. Accomac County }
On this the 24 day of February 1851, before me a subscriber a Justice of the peace, for the said County of Accomac, personally appeared Curtis Bull, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formally belonged to the Company Commanded by Capt. Thomas Copes. in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Simpson & Corbin in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll, of the State of Virginia, that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the secretary of war, which Certificate on or about the day of 1844, was lost by his agent Samuel C White which will more fully appear by the attached Certificate of the said White
Teste: Attorneys John H Edward
Curtis Bull mark
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid. — M c P. Moore Jr. J.P. We certify that we are well acquainted with Curtis Bull, and know that he is the identical person described in the above affidavit.
J. B. Adairworth James Walker
John B Adairworth & James Walker who have signed the above Certificate, are well known to me, and certify that they are persons of veracity.
M c P. Moore Jr. J.P.

I hereby certify that on or about the day of 1844 or 1845 Custis Bull placed in my hands a pension Certificate as agent for him, and that I have lost the same, since Mr. Bull has been reinstated on the pension roll, I have made diligent search for the Certificate, and have been unable to find it.
Sam. C. White
Sworn and subscribed to before me, this the 24 th day of Feb y 1851.
Before me —
Ja. W. Lewis J.P.
State of Virginia, Accomack County, ss —
I, John W. Gillet, Clerk of the County Court of Accomack County, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wm. T. Moore Jr. and Jas. W. Custis, whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificates, are now and were at the time of subscribing the same, Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, duly Commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and laws of the said State, and that full faith and credit are due to all their official acts, as such. — I further certify that the signatures of the names of the said Wm. T. Moore Jr. and Jas. W. Custis to the foregoing Certificates are genuine —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 25 th day of February 1851, and in the 75 th year of the Commonwealth. —
Test. — T. J. Rayfield Dey for: C. M. Gillet C.M.

House of Rep: Aug: 8 th 1850
Dear Sir
I enclose you the declaration of Justus Bull a worthy citizen of Phenax. I respectfully ask your early attention to it.
Yours &c
Th. H. Bayly
Col. Edwards

Sec y In to care of Curtis Bull
Act June 7, 1832
Invoice #18338

Department of the Interior September 9 th 1850.
Sir,
I herewith return the papers in the case of Austin Bull, of Accomack County Virginia, who was formerly a pensioner under the Act of June 7 th 1832, and who was struck from the roll in 1835, on the ground that he could not have performed two years service in the Virginia Militia during the war of the Revolution.
The papers no where assert a continuous service of two years, but it is not "so improbable in itself, and so contrary to the history of that time," that a portion of the Accomack militia did perform a service of at least two years from 1775 to 1783.
It is well known, there was no portion of the country more exposed to the inroads of the enemy; and the proceedings of the Virginia Assembly, and the journals of

the Continental Congress, afford the most abundant evidence, that the militia of this County in many instances, must have been in the service at various times, amounting to two years.
I am therefore, of the opinion that the claimant should be restored to the Pension roll.
I am, very respectfully Your obedt servant R. C. Williams Acting Secretary
James L. Edwards Esq Chair of Pension.

May 5. 1843
va.
Woodland May 20 pa
best time for the
Miss A. J. Edwards Esq. Prof. of Russian. Washington D.C.
See

Concord Newmark Vt. April 29 th 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq. D. Sir
I am requested by old W. Curtis Ball & John R. Heckman who are now too old and infirm to right for themselves to request you to please have the goodness to inform them though you why it was that they were stricken from the pension list they were in the receipt of a pension at one time and drew it for several years and now they are too old and infirm to provide for themselves they are thus stricken of please inform them me what is necessary to reinstated them and whether it is worth their while to take any steps, as I have no doubt their evidence on file on which they were pensioned will explain to you the nature of their claim, your attention will render much service to these old men
Very Respectfully your obedt
Albert E. White.
Compt. of Pensions.

I beg leave respec- tfully to appeal from the decision of the Com te of Pensions in the within case.
W. H. Bayly

Pension Office, August 16 th 1850.
Sir:
I herewith return the letters and papers in the case of Curtis Small, under Act of 7 th June 1832, and have to state that, this office is constrained to adhere to the decision heretofore made, in which the pension was discontinued.
The claim was improperly allowed at a time when the character of the Militia service was but little known at this office. He claimed to have served for several years during the Revolutionary war in the Militia of Virginia, without any specific facts whatever.
While this applicant alleged to have been in actual and continuous service during almost the whole period of the war, and when no fact is better established than that, the Militia was never called upon to serve for a longer period at any one time than three months, the inference is irresistible that they have misconceived the object of the law, and the kind of service, intended to be embraced by it.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully, Your Ob st Serv t .
J L Edwards
Hon. J. H. Baughman
House of Representatives

(copy)
Department of the Interior September, 9 th 1850.
Sir,
I herewith return the papers in the case of Curtis Bull, of Accomack County Virginia, who was formerly a pensioner under the act of 7 th June 1832, and who was struck from the rolls in 1835, on the ground that he could have performed two years service in the Virginia Militia during the war of the Revolution. The papers no where assert a continuous service of two years, but it is not so improbable in itself, and so contrary to the history of that time" that a portion of the Accomack Militia did perform a service of at least two years from 1775 to 1783. It is well known, there was no portion of the country more exposed to the inroads of the enemy, and the proceedings of the Virginia assembly, and the journals of the Continental Congress, afford the most abundant evidence, that the militia of this county in many instances must have been in the service at various times, amounting to two years. I am therefore of the opinion that the claimant should be restored to the Pension Roll. I am, very respectfully

Your obed Servant D. C. Goddard, Acting Secretary,
James L. Edwards, Esq., Clerk of Pensions,

9984 Martin Bull
To the Astronack G B

At a court held for Decatur county at the Court House thereof by adjournment on Wednesday the 1 st day of August 1832. Curtis Bull of the county of Decatur this day personally appeared and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th day of June 1832 "State of Virginia," in Decatur county before this 1 st day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the county court now sitting Curtis Bull a resident of the said county Spanish Fork George aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth here make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 "That he served in the Militia of Virginia in Decatur county from the time he was fourteen years of age till he was five and twenty by reason of his age - That during the war of the Revolution the Militia were frequently called out to keep guard and were in actual service a considerable portion of the time for several years that the companies were divided and a part of them performed duty irregularly alternately - That Col. Simsbury had command of the Militia of Decatur county during part of the war, afterwards Col. Simsbury afterwards Col. Cropper - That this deponent was a Drummer during the whole of the war in the Militia - That the Militia were often called out upon alarms and to keep guard during the war and performed service a great portion of each year during the war and that this deponent acted as Drummer on those occasions and attended the alarms regularly. This deponent was furnished with Drum & encouraged part as Drummer, and did so a year or two before he was liable to military duty - This deponent was priv- ately engaged as Drummer when the Militia kept guard Col. Cropper's blockhouse, and at the barracks at George Parker's Mile - This deponent served in Thomas Cooper's or Elisha Grinter's Fitzgerald's company during the war - This deponent says that faced the exposed situation of Decatur county the people were con- stantly alarmed and had to keep guard almost continually to pre- vent depredations from being committed - This deponent says he

has no hesitation in saying, that he was in actual service doing all duty as drummer as much as from a five years or so he attended all encampments and during all the time guard was kept, the companies were advised some of the soldiers kept guard at one time or some at a another, but this deponent had to attend constantly, as there was no other drummer to relieve him, all the other drummers who gave into the continental service - This deponent states the fact that he was as he believes the only drummer in the Reg't up Militia after the 9th Regiment went away, as drummers were scarce & that Regiment required several & from this circum- stance it was that he entered service so young - This deponent was born has always lived in this county from the Revolution- ary war to this time & still lives here, - He was well acquainted with Col. Cropper & Jones of the continental Army he is now well acquainted with David Lucas, John Bull & Curtis & all almost all the citizens of St. George's Parish - This deponent cannot state the particular times of his performing the drum in no account was kept in regard thereto. This Deponent hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to any other pension or an- nuity than the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. G. Austin Bull his mark
also Matthew Floyd a blacksmith residing in the county of "Furnace & Powder Lead also of the same county hereby "certify that we are well acquainted with Gustus Bell who "has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to "be seventy years of age - that he is reported in the neighbour- "hood where he resides to have been a Drummer in the Militia "in the Revolutionary War, and we concur in that opinion."
@Matthew Floyd"
"Borden's Condensed Milk"
and the Court do 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 Drummer in the Militia in the Revolutionary war and served as his States -

And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Mathew Floyd who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clugymann resident in this county and that Bowdoo Shead who has also signed the same is a resident of this county and entitled thereto, and that this certificate was entitled to credit. It was also sworn by the Oath of Bowdoo Shead who is a resident of this county that the facts set forth in the foregoing application are true.
Copy-Teste J. S. Gilmore By for Thos. Floyd Esq.
State of Virginia, Accomack County, ss I Thomas Floyd Clerk of the County Court of Accomack in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Custis Bull for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11 th day of September 1832 in the 7 th year of the Commonwealth
J. S. Gilmore By for Thos. Floyd Esq.