Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,640, John Bell, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bell John
S 16,640
Carded.
CONTENTS

at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th Apr 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838 - Age Notified 5 June 1839.
Paid as above from 4 March 1839 to 4 March 1840 - Agent Notified 31 Dec 1840
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1840 to 4 March 1841. Agent Notified 26 Dec 1841
Dead
Paid as above from 4 Sep 1841 to 4 March 1842. Age Notified 27 Sep 1844.
30188
Virginia
John Bell Augustalis in the State of Virg who was a private in the Company by Captain Smith of the 205 th Comman by Col. Osborn in the Virginia line for 6 months and 15 da,
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sep 1835 and sent to W Black Shaker Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $ 86.61 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 10.85 $97.46
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by David Boyd Book 8 Vol. 6 Page 4

State of Virginia, to wit County of Augusta,
On this 22 nd day of December 1884 personally appeared in open court, before James Bell, Jacob Lucas Joseph Brown and John Abchristian
Justices of the Court of Augusta County, now sitting, John Bell, an resident of the Long Glades in the said County of Augusta in the State of Virginia aged seventy nine 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 Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated.
In the latter part of September, or first of October in the year 1780, he was called out as an Passage to perform a three months tour of duty, under Cap. Thomas Smith; The Company rendezvoused at Col. Beams in the said County of Augusta & marched from thence, by the way of Char- lottesville, to Richmond, & encamped a short distance, per- haps about a mile, below that city, where they remained until discharged, which was at the end of three months, or within a very few days of that period, - the tour being considered as a three months one. There were no regular troops, so far as he can recollect, at that place. This applicant is very old & infirm, his memory has much failed; - He cannot recollect the name of the Dist. of the Company to which he was attached, nor of any of the Field Officers who commanded at the camp near Richmond.
Early in the month of January 1781, Francis Bell, the brother of this applicant, was drafted for a military tour of three months, but thinking his brother too young to bear the fatigues of a campaign, this applicant took his place as a substitute, as a private soldier, & served the tour for him. The company to

which this applicant was attached, was commanded by Capt. Joseph Patterson; his Subalterns were Lieut. Andrew Anderson & Ensign James Page. They also rendezvoused at the said Col. Evans', Marched from Thaxton, through Charlottesville & Richmond to Portsmouth, when they encamped at the Biscuit Swamp, & remained there in the neighborhood thereof, until some time in the month of the succeeding April, when he was discharged, having served fully, or rather more than, three months. He does not recollect the number of the Regiment to which he belonged but it was commanded by Col. Sampson Matthews & Lieut. Col. William Bowyer. He thinks there were some regular troops there, but does not remember the names of any of the Officers commanding them. He was in some small skirmishes during this tour, about the Biscuit Swamp. In the month of June (as well as he can recollect) in the same year (viz. 1781) he was again called out, as a part of a tour stated to be for twenty days, and served as such in a company commanded by Capt. John Wickey, in which Robert Campbell was Lieut. This company rendezvoused at the same place (viz. Col. Evans') & marched from Thaxton, by the way of Charlottesville, Hanover & to James Town, where engaged in the battle that was fought at that place, & also in some other little skirmishes. He does not recollect the names of any of the Field Officers who commanded him, except Col. W. Bowyer. There were numerous regular soldiers there, under the command of Genl. Lafayette. After serving at least twenty days, he was discharged, & returned home. As he never, at any time, received a written discharge.
Interrogatories propounded by the Court.
1 st Where, in what year, were you born? Ans r I was born on the Long Glade, in the County of Augusta, in the State of Virginia, in the month of September 1755. 2 d Have you any record of your age, if so, when is it? Ans r I have a transcript of the register of my age, in my possession taken from the original in my Father's Bible. 3 rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, & where do you now live?

Ans: On the Long Blade, in the County of Augusta, & State of Virginia.
4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
Ans: I have answered this question in my declaration. 5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops where you served; such Continental & Kellie's Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans: I have already stated all that I can recollect on these subjects.
6. Did you ever receive a Commission, Dispo, by whom was it signed, & what has become of it? Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, Dispo, by whom was it given, & what has become of it?
Ans: I had a Commission as Ensign, but it has either been lost, or so mislaid that I am unable to find it; — I do not now recollect by whom it was signed, & I never received a written discharge from the service.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, & who can testify as to your character for veracity, & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans: I would refer to Maj: Samuel Bell, Francis Gauden, Lieut: James Allen, Maj: John Crawford, Rev: John Hendren & Joseph Cowan.
This applicant further states that he knows of no other persons who can prove his services, than those whose affidavits are herewith annexed, viz: Samuel Bell, John Crawford, James Allen & Francis Gauden.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid.
John Bell

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Bendire, who has signed the annexed certificate is a clergyman, resident in the County of Augusta, & that Joseph Bowan, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County, & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court also certifies that Samuel Bell, John Crawford, Lemuel Allen & Francis Bendire, who have given the annexed Affidavits, are all credible persons, & that their statements are also entitled to credit.

Wars Section.
November 10, 1927
Mrs. H. W. Cartwright 1186 Grandview Ave Columbus, Ohio
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16640, it appears that John Bell was born in September 1755 at the Long Glade, Augusta County, Virginia.
While residing there, he enlisted and served with the Virginia Troops, as follows-
From in September or October 1780, three months as Ensign in Captain Thomas Smith's Company; from in January 1781, three months as private (as substitute for his brother Francis) in Captain Joseph Patterson's Company, Colonel Sampson Matthews' Regiment, and was in some skirmishes around Dismal Swamp; and from in June 1781, twenty days as Ensign in Captain John Dickey's Company, Colonel William Bowyer's Regiment, and was in the battle of Jamestown.
He was allowed pension on his application

Rev. and 1812
all Date
executed December 22, 1834, while a resident of the Long Glade, Virginia.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

16.640
INVALID.
File No. 16.640
John Bell
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 429
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1927-Nov. 10 - Hester Mrs. H. W. Cartwright (awd)

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office.
May 17 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Bell, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond , Va., 11 N. 10. W., at the rate of Twenty one Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, 1838, to the 4 th Sept. 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Acting J. Sauer Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pension,
Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Oct. 5 th 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Adm: of John Bell, decd. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty one Dollars and Sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1841, to the 4 th March 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Vansel Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 23, 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Bell, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty one Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1839, to the 1 st March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson B. Passmore
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Jan 3 rd
Qra-
Mail 3
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington.
John D. Dyer Esq.

Hampton, 30 th Dec r 1836.
General L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, Enclosed I send you the declaration of John Bell, for an applicant for a pension with the testimony on which his application is founded. When decided on, you will please apprise me of the result.
I am, very respectfully, Y o most Obedt. Servt.
W. Clarke

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 7 th , 1841.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Bell ————— a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty One Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 , has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1840 , to the 4 th March 1841 ,
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Virginia, Augusta County, to wit:
This day my Friend John Bell aged Seventy five years last February, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, and deposes that he is well acquainted with John Bell, the applicant for a pension in the annexed Declaration; That he served under the said John Bell, who was an Ensign, in a Company of Infantry in 1780; that they marched from Augusta County, encamped about a mile below Staunton, where they remained until discharged, returned together to the said County, having performed a term of three months, or within a few days of the term; They were also discharged as having performed a three months term.
This affiant also knows that the said John Bell did perform another term of duty, of upwards of three months, at Portsmouth; He was not then with him, but he had a brother, I know other acquaintances who were.
Given under my hand the 18 th day of Decr 1834.
M y Young
We, John Henderson, a clergyman, residing in the County of Augusta, & Joseph Cowan a resident of the same County, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bell the applicant for a pension in the annexed Declaration; That we believe him to be about Seventy seven or Eighty years of age; that he is reputed to be a soldier of the Revolution, & that we are in that opinion.
John Henderson Joseph Cowan

Augusta County to wit
This day the Rev. John Henderson Joseph Bonner personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, and acknowledged their signatures to the foregoing Certificate, & at the same time made oath that the statements therein contained are true to the best of their knowledge and belief. Given under my hand the 20 th day of Decr. 1834.
M Young
Augusta County to wit
John Brumgard aged Seventy two years, sept 14 th 1834 personally appeared this day before me, a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, and made oath that in the year 1781 he performed a term of duty in the militia at York Town in the state of Virginia. That he had a conversation with John Bell, the applicant for a pension in the annexed declaration, who, altho' he does not recollect distinctly of seeing him, he has no doubt, from circumstances detailed by him was in the service at that place. This applicant has been long acquainted with the said John Bell (say for 30 or 40 years) & has no hesitation in stating that he is a man of strict truth & integrity, & that all his statements may be fully relied on.
Given under my hand the 20 th day of Decr. 1834.
M Young
Augusta County to wit
This day Doct. James A. Blair, forty one years old last March, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, and made oath that on the 16 th day of Aug. 1781, his residence was in the County of Augusta, & he marched from thence to Yorktown, & performed a term of three months in the militia. That John Bell, the applicant for a pension in the annexed declaration was

with him during the same time I served the same Lord. This Affiant has known the said John Bell almost forty his, this Affiant, is happy, & can cheerfully say that the John Bell is a man of strict veracity, integrity, & that his statement may be fully relied on.
Given under my hand the 22 d day of Decr. 1834.
Wm Young
Augusta County, to wit:
This day William Gardner, aged Seventy three years, fear- personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County of Augusta Decade. Bell, that in the year 1781, he per- formed a term of duty in company with John Bell, the ap- plicant for a pension in the armed declaration, at Porto- smith in the state of Virginia, & that they served fully three months before discharged. This Affiant also knows that the said John Bell was at Lewis Town out of town Town. This Affiant has long known the said John Bell & cheerfully certifies with the foregoing Affiant, in saying that he is a man of strict integrity, veracity, & that his state- ments may be implicitly relied on.
Given under my hand the 22 d day of Decr. 1834.
Wm Young
Virginia, to wit:
I Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the Court of Augusta County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Bell for a pen- sion. I further certify that William Young whose name is subscribed in five different places to certificates on this sheet of paper, is a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified

qualified, and that the said signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hands and seal of office, this 30th day of December 1834, and in the 59th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney Co. a.c.o.
John Clarke Declaration 32.460

Sept 17 CINCINNATI SEP 15
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioners of Pensions.
Washington.
Mail
Wear 6 h.m. Alma post - Homo M.H.
H. B. St.

Hampton 14 th Sep r 1835.
J. P. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I had postponed replying to your last letter, on the last letter, on the subject of John Bell's application for a pension, in hopes that I would receive some evidence from Richmond relating to his commission. In this I have been disappointed, in consequence of the allegations of the Judges, to the Military Records, of that period having been destroyed.
Mr. Bell has, therefore, requested me to write you, to request that he be placed on the pension list as a private, as you suggested.
In the event that sufficient evidence as to his holding a commission (of which fact, none who knew him would doubt) being hereafter obtained, I suppose he will be at liberty to avail himself of it, & thereby increase his pension.
You will please forward the certificate to me, when made out.
I am, very respectfully, Y. Moore Bt. H.
M. Clarke

Hampton, 2. April 1835.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I received your letter some time since on the subject of John Bell's application for a pension, and immediately commenced enquiries for information about his commission. The low state of health in which Mr. Bell then was, prevented my getting any aid from him. I have examined such of the militia records of the County as I could procure, without effect; the records, however, of that period are not to be found. I have also examined the records of the County court, but at that period officers were qualified either in court or before a magistrate in the County (as indeed they soon are) but such qualifications were seldom returned. No discovery could then be made, & a like failure has attended a search which I procured to be made at Richmond.
The only evidence which I have been able to procure is contained in the enclosed Affidavit. For myself, I have no doubt of the fact, nor am I of a person who is associated with the applicant. Neither do I hesitate for one moment to believe any thing that either of them would say. Mr. John Bell says, that he left his commission amongst his Father's papers, which, after his death, were scattered about amongst his children, & lost or destroyed.
I hope the evidence now furnished may be deemed sufficient; if not, you will please offer my view of it. I am, very respectfully, your most obedt. Servt. M. L. Lamb

Virginia, Augusta County, to wit,
This day to Majr Samuel Bell, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, Verade Batt, that he is the same Samuel Bell whom affidavit accompanied the application of John Bell, of this County, for a pension; That he has a distinct & perfect recollection of having seen a Commission of Bursig which was granted to the said John John Bell, which Commission he held at the time he performed a tour of military duty in the latter part of the year 1780, at Richmond, in the state of Virginia but he does not recollect the date of the said Commission, or by whom it was signed; - he knows, however, that the said John Bell acted as Bursig under it. Given under my hand the 31 st day of March 1835.
M y name is
Virginia to wit:
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Willam Young to whose name is subscribed to the above certificate, is now and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the peace, in and for the County of Augusta aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that the said signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name the 1 st day of March A.D. 1835 and in the 59 th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney C.C.C.

Mr. [unclear]
FREE
James P. Edwards Esq. Coun. of Sessions
Washington
slate

Columbus, Ohio.
June 2, 1927.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please send me the Revolutionary War records of the following:
John Bell (wife's name Rebecca Graham) probably enlisted from Augusta or Berkeley Co., Virginia. Capt. James Bell - sworn Aug. 15, 1780. Augusta Co., Va.

John Bell (born Sept. 1755 died Dec. 22, 1834.?)
Augusta Co., Long Glade, Va. Ensign under capt. Thomas Smith and capt. John Dickey.
If you can supply the wives names or any other data I will greatly appreciate it.
Very truly yours, Mrs. H. W. Cartwright 1186 Grandview Ave., Columbus, Ohio.