Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 720, Thomas Bell, N.C.

SERVICE
N. k.
Bell, Thomas Jane
NUMBER
R 720
CONTENTS
Died in 1825.

State of North Carolina
Giles County 3
On this 13 th day of August A D 1846 personally appeared before me W m H. Gowan a justice of the peace in & for the county above Named John Bell a resident of said county and state aged fortyseven years, who after being 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 July 7 th 1838, entitled an Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, that he is the child of the intitled Thomas Bell who was a private soldier in war of the Revolution, in the North Carolina Militia, & of Jane McGuin wife of the said Thomas Bell, that his said father & mother were residents of the county of Rowan & state aforesaid, at the time of their marriage which took place in the year 1783 or 1784 which was after the said Thomas Bell's last service in the war, but previous to the 1 st of January 1794 - that his father the said Thomas Bell served in the militia of said state mostly in the capacity of a wagoner furnishing his own wagon & team generally, that he volunteered one tour during which in the early part of the year 1778 he was sent with his wagon & team in the service of the United States, to Yorktown during the setting of the Congress at that place, & was discharged on the 31 st of March 1778, by the Hon. Henry Laurens, president of Congress, all of which.

will more fully appear on a reference being had to the paper containing the same & also the certificate of Jacob Nichols, Esq. Matthew Locke and Ad Caborne dated 26th Feb'y 1778 at Salisbury, all of whom were leading characters at that time, in their County (Rowan) & Neighborhood, & which said paper is herewith inclosed That said Thos Bell was drafted & served on other tour of three months under Capt. Meadon, in Col. Loftons Regiment - Gen Rutherford's brigade, & was discharg- ed on 4th Decr 1781 by Col. Wm Lofton in accordance with the general order all of which is shown more fully by a reference being had to the discharge which is herewith inclosed, That declar- ant has heard his father often relating facts concerning his services, in South Carolina, Georgia & other States - That his father the said Thomas Bell lived during the war & afterwards in Rowan county (Now Iredell) State of North Car- olina & died in the same county on the 12th day of February 1825, being then about seventy years of age, leaving the said Jane his wife who remained his widow up to the period of her death which took place on the 1st day of November 1823, - that the said Thomas Bell & his wife were both members of the Presby- terian church at Bethany Rowan Co in 1785 of which church James Hall Jr was pastor & being about to remove (he did remove to the State of Georgia for a short term & returned) they obtained

from their pastor, a certificate of Church Membership dated 19th of Decr. 1785 - That the said Thomas & Jane always lived together as husband & wife in all, (the death of said Thomas Bell) (their respective deaths), & raised 8 children living as follows viz the undersigned applicant who is acting in behalf of himself & brothers & sisters, that is, James A Bell & Constance Dane & Mary Now living & others that are dead. That the Court is not now in session or else, declaration would have been made in open court sworn to & subscribed before me this day & year first above written W. F. Cowan J.P. John Carlson Bell
State of North Carolina
Redell County } Joseph F. Alexander Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William F. Cowan whose name appears as a Notary to the foregoing declaration is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the Peace in said County duly commissioned and qualified according to Law and the signature purporting to be his is genuine. And I further certify that John C. Bell personally appeared in open court at its session on the 19 th day of November Inst. and was requalified to the several facts set forth in the foregoing declaration that he also acknowledged the signature above purporting to be his name to be his own proper signature. and further that satisfactory evidence was produced to said court that Thomas Bell the Father of said applicant was

Resident of Fredell County State aforesaid and that he died 14 th day of February 1825. and that Jane Bill his wife & Mother of affiant was also a resident of the County and State aforesaid and that she died on the 1 st day of November 1843. - That she left the following children then living viz, James A. Kynthman, Jane, Mary Bill and the affiant all of whom are children of the aforesaid Thomas Bill and that the aforesaid Jane Bill wife of the said Thomas Bill remained his widow up to the day of her death
13249
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of My office at office in Nolensville this 19 day of Nov 1846. and in the 70 th year of our Independence
J. F. Alexander Clerk of Fredell County Court

May 29, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thomas Bell-R.720
BA-J/AWF AWF
Mrs. W. H. Nunnally 208 North Broad Street Monroe, Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to Thomas Bell of Iredell County, North Carolina, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R.720, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Thomas Bell.
The date and place of his birth are not stated, nor are the names of his parents shown.
Thomas Bell, while residing in Rowan (later Iredell) County, North Carolina, was a wagoner (drove his own team) under Captain Caldwell from February 26, 1778 until March 31, 1778; served three months in Captain Headon's company, Colonel William Lofton's North Carolina regiment, and was discharged December 4, 1781. He was stated that he served on various other tours.
Thomas Bell married in 1783 or 1784, Jane McGuire, the daughter of Timothy McGuire. Thomas Bell and Jane McGuire were both then of Iredell County, North Carolina. He died in Iredell County, February 14, 1825, aged about seventy years, and his widow, Jane Bell, died in same county, November 1, 1843. The date of her birth is not given, nor is the name of her mother shown.
The following children survived their mother— John Carson Bell, aged forty-seven years in 1846 and a

resident of Iredell County, North Carolina; John A. Bell; Cynthia Bell; Jane or Jenny Bell; Mary Bell. It was stated in 1846 that other children were then dead, no names given.
John Carson Bell applied for the pension that might have been due his mother, in behalf of himself, and the other surviving children. The claim was not allowed, as proof of six months service, as required by the pension law was not established.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

BELL, THOMAS (N.C) (R. 720)

Feb 26. 1778
To all Whom these may concern,
We the subscribers Justices of the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina, Do hereby certify that the Prisoner Mr. Thomas Bell is a good and faithful Subject of the said State, and hath as far as called upon executed an Attachment to the American Cause and we do further certify that the said Thomas Bell is at present employed in the Service of the united States (and we recommend him to the Countenance & Encourage- ment of all Friends to Liberty) Jacob Nicholson S.P.
Matthew Lock
Certified at Salisbury. D. Nelson
Suffer Mr. Bell to return with his Waggons & Horses to his habitation - York Town 31 March 1778
Henry Laurens, President of Congress

1933 May 29. Rec'd by Mrs. W.H. Munnally
Ex'r.
INVALID.
720
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Jane Bell P.O. Thomas Bell
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection as Re-enlisted: follows: "Less than 6 mos service established."
Attorney:
P.O.

✓ No 13,249 C
Jane Bell da
Sub to Hon D. M. Barrington
Feb 27th 1847
W. F. Lawan July 17 1832
Same Sep 22 1832
G. R. Amerittick 22 1833
720
act 7 July 1838

Thomas Bell n.b. R.720

These are to certify that Thomas Bell of Capt Caldwell's Comp y hath served a three months tour of duty under Capt n Headon - in Col l Lofton's Reg t - Gen l Rutherford's Brigade - & is now Discharged by the Gen l order this 4 th of December - 1781
818 in Lofton's Col l

I Thomas A Bell clerk of the session of Bethany Church do hereby certify that it appears upon the Records of said Church that James Hall Junr. after wards James Hall (DD) was the pastor of Bethany Church from the year 1778 untill the year 1816 Given under my hand.
Jan. 23 rd 1847
T A Bell clerk of Session
State of North Carolina
Indeavouring ! I W H Cowan a Justice of the peace in & for said County do hereby certify that Thos A Bell whose signature is attached to the room certificate is clerk of the session of the Church of Bethany & that he is a highly credible person W H Cowan J.P.

State of North Carolina Middle County } I Joseph W. Alexander clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that W. H. Cowan is a Magistrate as above & that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal at office at office in Statesville this 1 st day of February 1827 and in the 51 st year of our Independence J. F. Alexander Clerk

Won J E Heath Comrs of Pensions Washing City D. Ba

"Snow Creek," July 17 th 1852
Hon. J. C. Heath Dear Sir
You will receive herewith enclosed a certificate from the Comptroller Genl. of the State of South Carolina showing the services of Thomas Bell in that State, as a private which I trust will enable his heirs who are applicants to receive the amount of Pension due his widow Jane Bell Mr Bell served in the state of Georgia also but I have been unable as yet to procure any evidence of service from that quarter, - Your acknowledgment of the receipt of this, & the full consideration of the

case "wherever it can be reach- ed in its proper order", is res- pectfully asked.
Some persons have been wir- ting to her about from Wash- ington City, endeavoring to get the control of this case; they will not however succeed, - how they get their information as to the cases they apply for, I am unable to say - unless it is by examining the papers in the pension office, tho' I am not aware that it is the province of any one to ex- amine papers there without pro- per authority so to do.
In the case of old Mrs Elizabeth Lickey's heir Mr Marget Ander- son, - I would respectfully ask (for her) what impediment ex- ists, to the allowance for the remaining seven months (17 months, pay as captain hav- ing lately been allowed) as the objections might possibly

be removed, Mrs. Anderson wishes me act for her until this case is gotten through with H.
"Rumor," says, that there are many fraudulent cases, being sent to the Pension Office, some not very distant from this.
It is however all "rumor." & suspicion as yet, - I am glad to learn, that the de- partment, is awake on the subject & I have full confi- dence will act with a dis- cerning eye.
Respectfully your Obl. Servt W. H. Bowen

Snow Creek N C Apl 6 th 1852
Hon. Gurn, of Pension,
Dear Sir,
Sometime Since the declarations of the for- -lowing person, were filed and partly investigated, Viz
"Jas B Bell in behalf of the heirs of Thos Bell dec d ,"
"Heirs of James & Sarah Bell, dec d ,"
"Nancy Murdock widow of Wm Murdock dec d , (The widow is now dead),"
On all which I would respectfully ask a reconsideration, at the earli- -est convenience of the department,
I have asked a reconsidera- -tion of Mrs Elizabeth Dickey's case through my friend, Hon. J. P. Bach- -man our Member of Congress - & would have made this communication through him, only that he is or was lately at home on account of the serious illness of his aged mother.
Mr. Thomas Green promised me

from Richmond Va., that he would give some attention to their claims particularly Mrs. Buckley (or Mrs. Marge Anderson, (Only daughter of Mr. Buckley) I hope he will do so to still
There is another claim (Mrs. Mary McKee, widow of Mr. McKee, that I would like to have no considered, a pension was allowed for about 9 months, service only, when it is well known her, that he was in the service all most contin- ually for about 4 years, I think a much greater proportion of time should have been paid for or allowed, Now in saying this I would not be understood as reflecting on the fair head of the Department or any one else. I have no doubt they done what they believed to be right, - if the evidence on file will warrant a further allowance, it would be applied for, - gratefully, etc., by the

old lady (Mrs. Nikes) who yet lingers among us. Mrs Caldwell will name this Mother to you occasionally.
Respectfully Yours. Obedient Servt W. F. Cowan

Brief

Jane Bell dec d widow of Thos. N. B. act 1838 - Declaration
Private in N. B. Ma -
Married in 1783 or 1784 - Church Cert lived together 1785-
Served mostly as a wagoner - furnishing own team - volunteered in '78, sent with his wagon to York Town, discharged 31 March '78 -
was drafted & served 3 mos in Capt Headon's Co. Lofton's Regt & Rutherford's Brigade - discharged 4 Dec '81 by Lofton -
Died 14 Feby 1825 -  Certificate Court
{ Leav g widow Jane do
{ who died 1 st Nov 1843 do
{ Left the following children - John C Bell, do Jas A Bell, Cynthia Bell, Jane Bell & do Mary Bell
Comptroller's Certificate showing fragments of £89, 12, 6d, over not state for what services farther than Military,
A Discharge by Col Lofton, dated 4 Dec 1781, served
3 months
Acknowledgment by M c Loch & Ad d Ol d horn that he was in the service of the U S & permission to return to his habitation with wagon & horse, 31 March 1778.
Park's Certificate

Zachariah Sumner swears to his reputation as a  Soldier , and marriage before 1790, { Henry Steele Testifies to the same } Medible Certificate of the Comptroller of S. C. showing  service , but evidently for a different man.  Not identified
Triplet

56 dmy

State of North Carolina Comptrollers Office
I, William I. 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 Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit:
Thomas Bell
Book No. 23 page 85 £13 S14 D6 specie Thomas Bell of Rowan Co.
" C " 17 " 65 £8 S2 D8 "
Indent or Army certificate No. 3444 issued by the auditors of Salisbury District £20. S13 D4 specie
Ditto No. 1824 £20 - specie
Ditto " 7170 £17 S15 D6 " (Seventeen pounds, fifteen shillings 6 pence)
Morgan District No. 87 £4 specie
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 22 d day of January A. D. 1833.
Wm. I. Clarke Compt.

No. of. Naps. Feb 7 10. 1847
Sir,
I omitted in communicating to you the application of John C. Bell on behalf of the heirs of Thomas Bell to certify to the credibility of the witnesses in that application — which I hereby do, as I have an acquaintance with them and know them to be credible —
Yours H
S. W. Pennycuick
Col. Edwards.

No 13249 Jane Bell died widow of Thomas NR 720 act 7 July 1838

Hon. F. Nuprs. July 8. 1847
Sir,
I enclose you the application of the heirs of Thomas Bell for a pension —
Yours &c N. W. Hannigan
Col. Edwards.

Raleigh N.C. July 2 nd 1845
Compt office
I William H Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby Certify that the Name of Thomas Bell appears of record in this Office as having had issued in his favor the following Special Certificates for Military Service viz One for Thirteen Pounds Six Shillings (£13. 10) see Book No 23 page 10 Also one other in same Book page 85 for Thirteen Pounds Fourteen Shillings and Six Pence (£13. 14. 6) Also one other for Thirty Pounds (£30) see Book No 8 page 3 also in same Book page four (4) for Fourteen Pounds Three Shillings and one other for Seventeen Pounds Fifteen Shillings (£17. 15) see Book G. No 16 page 34 — Given under my hand and seal this the 2 nd day July A.D. 1845.
Wm H Collins Compt

North Carolina
Rowan County } §
John H. Hardie clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county do hereby certify that I have diligently examined my Office for the marriage bond of Thomas Bell, (or Beall, with Jane McGuire, and find no such Bond, or Record of said marriage in my Office.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at Office the 12 th day of February A D 1846
John H. Hardie Clerk

W. H. Cowan Sept. 21, 1852

Pension Office
Sep 22 1852
Sir
Since I wrote to you, July 17 1852, a Certificate of the Comptroller of S.C. has been recieved showing considerable service for a Thomas Bell, but the service referred to by him must have been performed by a different man than the one referred to in the declaration of of Jane Bell doc of S.C. for this service was performed at the same time that the husband of Jane Bell was in Col Lofton's Regt in N.C. — But if it did refer to him, he is in no way identified with it. It must be shown that he did perform at least six months service before any pension can be granted — This can be done by the testimony of those who served with him, or were in a position to know of his service.
W. F. Cowan Esq Snow Creek N.C.

G. B. Ames
March 2 - 1853

156 Pension Office March 22 1853
Sir
In the case of Jane Bell dec? of N.C. H act July 7 1838 - there are several Compt- trollers Certificates two from N.C. and one from S.C. showing some service by a man named Thomas Bell, but Jane Bell is not identified as the widow of either of the soldiers of that name,
G.C. Amerling Present

Wm. D. M. Barringer Feb. 17: 47

905 Pension Office Feby 17th, 1847
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the papers in the Case of Jane Bell dec d widow of Thomas Bell have been examined and filed under the act of 7 July 1838
One hour of service of Thomas Bell has been set forth and established as required by the regulations, which is not sufficient to entitle  entitled her to  carry a pension. Thomas Bell's employment with his wagon was not Military service in view of the pension law, and therefore affords no grounds for a claim to a stipend on the part of his widow.
The marriage is satisfactorily proven.
Col. D. M. Barringer House of Reps
Upside this claim act 7 July 1838 N. C. enc

W. H. Coward
July 17 th 1832

Pension Office 165 July 17 1852
Sir
The claims of Sarah Potts dec. and Jane Bell dec? of both of N.H. and both thereof under the act of July 7 1838, can not now be reopened, as more than five years have elapsed since they were last adjudicated and no additional evidence filed since then, unless upon the production of material evidence which was not known to have been in existence or which could not have been procured sooner.
There do not appear to be any papers on file in this office of Nancy Murdock widow of William.
W.F. Cowan Esq Snow Creek N.H.

State of North Carolina Middle County. Y 11
This day personally appeared before me Wm H Y Bowen a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid Buchanan Surran, aged eigh- tythree lacking sixteen days who after being duly sworn according to law saith that he does know is well acquainted with John & Bell of said County who in behalf of himself and his brother James A Bell, & sister Cynthia, Jenny or Jane and Mary Bell is now applicable for a pension on an account of services rendered as a private by his father Thomas Bell, in the Wars of the revolution chiefly in the capaci- ty of a wagoner for the army, that he is the identical Thomas Bell for whom Jacob Nichols W. Matthew Locke & Ad Osborn certified on 26 th Feby 1778 & who was dis- charged on 31 st of March 1778 at York Town by Henry Laurens President of Con- gress, & also that he is the same who served a three Months Tour under Capt Headon in Col. Lofton's Regiment & Gen Ruther- ford, Brigade & was discharged by the General order on 20 th of December 1781 by Col Lofton both of which certificates & discharges are now before me, that he deponent was well acquainted with the said Thomas Bell from the year 1790 up to the time of his death which took place about the year 1825 & lived all the time in about from two to five miles of him, that said Thomas Bell was always reputed &

believed by all his neighbors to have been in the service most of his time from the year 1777 to the close of the war that deponent has often heard said Bell speak of being on a tour in South Car- olina & one in the State of Georgia and on tour to Wilmington North Carolina after the tour, & has heard him relate the circumstances of his tour to Yorktown & other services which deponent from old age can not distinctly recollect - that deponent became acquainted with said Bell in 1790 that said Bell was at that time married to Jane, daughter of Timothy Mcguire they had at that time two or three children & they lived together as man & wife from that time up to his the said Bell's death, at that time his wife remained his widow, living at the same place up to the time of her death which took place on or about the 1 st of November 1823. that deponent was well acquainted with all the family of the said Thomas & Jane Bell, that from old age & great bodily infirmity deponent cannot appear in open court to make this affidavit.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13 th day of Augt 1846
his Deborah Summers Mark
W H Gowan H2
and Henry Steele
I certify that Deborah Summers whose signature by his mark is attached to the foregoing certificate is a credible witness & that from bodily infirmity he cannot appear in open court to make this affidavit & further that all interlining or erasures in the foregoing affidavit were done before signing the same given under my hand as of Augt 13 th 1846 W H Gowan H3

State of North Carolina, Iredell County
This day personally appeared before me W. H. Cowan a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid. Henry Steele who after being duly sworn according to Law saith on his oath that he will be seventy two years of age on the 12th day of December Next, that he was well acquainted Thomas Bell the father of John C. Bell who, in behalf of himself & his brother James A Bell & his sister Cynthia, Danna & Mary Bell is about making a petition for a pen- sion for services rendered by said Thom- as Bell as a private during the Revolution- ary war, that he frequently heard said Thomas Bell speak of his being on a tour in South Carolina as a public wagoner under Capt. Caldwell - that said Bell was always reputed & believed to have been much in the service great- ly as a wagoner. During the war, that said Thomas Bell married Jane McGuire about the year 1783 or 1784, that deponent did not see them married, but well recollects of being at the affair at said Thomas Bell's mother, which was certainly previ- ous to the 1st January 1794, that they lived together as man & wife from that period up to said Bell's death, which took place on the 12th day of Feb 1825 - that Jane Bell his wife remained his widow from the date to her death, which took place in the year 1803 - that deponent has lived within one & a half mile of said Thomas & Jane Bell nearly all his life and

was well acquainted with all his family & knows that they have been members of the Presbyterian Church at Bethany nearly all their lives, of which James Hall senr was pastor for a long period of time & that from the distance he was from the court house & from bodily infirmi- ty he cannot conveniently appear in open court to make this affidavit Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13th day of Aug. 1846 Henry Steele H. Flower JB
I certify that Henry Steele whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificate or affi- -davit is a credible witness, & that all inter- -lining or erasing in the same was done before the signing of the same & further that from his present bodily infirm- ity & distance from the court house it would be unsafe & inconvenient for him to appear in open court to make this affida- -vit, given under my hand & seal this 13th day of Aug. 1846 H. Flower JB
State of North Carolina
Wake County To I Joseph F. Alexander Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that William F. Lee is a Magistrate as above and that the signature purporting to be his are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Raleigh this 19th day of Nov 1846 and in the 70th year of our Independence J. F. Alexander Clerk of Wake County Court -

Comptroller Genl's Office Columbia S.C. July 6 th 1852.
"No 121. S
Book I. 3 Issued 31 st August 1784 to Mr. Thomas Bell for six pound Eighteen Shillings & six pence three farth Sterling for sixty nine days Militia duty in 1780 & 1782 & acct. Audited Principal £ 18: 6 3/4 Interest 0: 9: 8
"
31 Aug st 84 Book I No 121. Mr. Thomas Bell his acct. of 69 days Militia Duty in 1780 & 1782 Amotg to £ 18: 6 3/4
State of S th Carolina Dr. to Thomas Bell for Duty done under Lieut Bell 3 days £1 p day 3: 0: 0 Commenc d August 4 th 1780 } Do. Duty done 8 days £1 10 p er day 8: 0: 0 Do. Duty done 15 days £1 p er day 15: 0: 0 Commenc d February 23 rd 1782 } Duty done under Capt Alexander Craford 41 days 10 p er day 20: 10: 0 118: 10: 0 £ 18: 6 3/4
No 421. S Book I. 4
Issued 3 rd January 1785 to Mr. Thomas Bell for Seventeen pounds 11s 5d Sterling for Militia duty on foot & horse in 1780 & 1783 p er Capt. William Trains pay Bill and acct. Audited Principal £ 17: 11: 5 Interest 1: 4: 7
1621 3 rd Jan y 1785
Mr Thomas Bell his acct. of 116 days Militia Duty on Horseback and 14 days on Foot p er Capt. Mr. Trains pay bill performed alternately as Private from 13 th May 1780 to 8 th March 1783 Amotg to viz t : 116 days 20/ £ 116: -- 14 do 10/ 7: -- Curry £ 123: -- £ 17: 11: 5
State of Carolina Dr to Thomas Bell for 116 days duty on horseback in the Militia & 14 days Duty on Foot p er Capt. Mr. Trains Pay Bill commencing 13 th May 1780 & ending 8 th March 1783 performed alternately as Private viz t : 116 days 20/ £ 116: -- 14 do 10/ 7: -- Curry £ 123: -- £ 17: 11: 5

I do hereby empower Edw Lacey Esq r to receive an indent for me for the account of m c ad d ag t the publick of So. Carolina whose Receipt shall be a Sufficient Discharge for said sum
Given H s Sest. (Signed) Thomas Bell So the Treasurer of So Carolina
Signed and acknowledged before 25 th Jany 1785 (Signed) Phil Mackay Esq r Rec d the 3 rd Jany 1785 full satisfaction for the above account in indent N o 621 Book 1 for £17. 11. 5 Sterling in virtue of an order from the within named "Thomas Bell. (Signed) Edw Lacey."
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy as taken from the records of this Office H s Comptroller Genl James O'Black Dep:
(No seal of Office)

...upward as we rise, is the true & proper definition & description of the said Dr. Moseley's paper & that the author of the said certificate is in the least unqualified the said James Moseley that it is the on the records of the American Chemical of which the applicant is one of the members of its Section, that the said James Moseley was now installed as pastor in the year 1798 & further that he was appointed now well as granted with the said Moseley's Bell & gave his work, from his entire youth up to the present of their death, & that
Certificate from Bethany Dec. 19. 1784.

State of North Carolina, Dudley County } ss
This day personally appeared before me W m H. Cowan a justice of the peace in & for the County of aforesaid Richard Hall who after being duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath say that he is now in his sixty eighth year of age & is a resident in the Congregations of Bethany Church was born & raised in said Congregation in the County of Rowan (Now Hede, or above said) that he was well acquainted with Jas Hall Jr. (afterwards styled Jas Hall D.D.) who was for about forty years pastor of the church aforesaid, - that he was well acquainted with the handwriting of his former pastor the said Dr Hall, & believes the signature to the above attached certificate of Thomas Bell & Jane his wife (who was Mrs. McGuin & daughter Dorothy McGuin, purporting to be his, is the true & proper signature & handwriting of the said Jas Hall Jr. & that the whole of the said certificate is in the handwriting of the said James Hall - that it stated on the records of the aforesaid Church (of which the affiant is one of the members of its Session) that the said James Hall Jr. was installed its pastor in the year 1778 & further that he deponent was well acquainted with the said Thomas Bell & Jane his wife, from his earliest growth up to the period of their death, & that

They were both Members of Said Church from his earliest recollections until their death. - deponent is also acquainted with John C Bell the ap l - cast & also with James A. Smithson, Sam & Mary O'Call all children of the said Thomas & Jane  Mary Bell - that deponent has frequently heard his father Hugh Bell (who was also a Soldier in the war of the revolution) speaking of the services of the said Thomas Bell further deponent saith not
Sworn to & subscribed this 22 nd day of January 1847 before me
W F Hobson J.P.
Richard Hall
I do hereby certify that Richard Hall whose name is attached to the above affidavit is a highly credible witness. Given under my hand & seal this 22 nd day of Jan. 1847
W F Hobson J.P.
State of North Carolina Iudell County To Joseph F Alexander clerk of the court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for Said County do hereby certify that W F Hobson is a Magistrate as above & that the signatures, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, at office in Statesville this 1 st day of February 1847 and in the 71 st year of our Independence.
J. F. Alexander Clk.

W. F. Henson Clk
This certifies, that the bearer, Thomas Bell & Jane his wife have lived in this congregation from their childhood to this date, that they have behaved soberly & innocently, have been admitted to full communion in our church, are free from any scandal or ground of church censure known to us; and are hereby recommended to the care of Providence & the regard of any religious society with which they may choose to associate. Given at Bethany, Rowan County, N. Carolina, this 19 th of Dec. 1785.
With approbation of Session, by
Jan Hall Jun. Pastor of Church.

STATE OF Ala COUNTY OF Greene }
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 3rd
day of Feby A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty three before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared John G Bell , a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the Son of Thomas and Jane Bell of the county & State above named & is the identical person
who made application for a Pension under the Act of July 7th 1838 in behalf of himself and the other heirs of the said Jane and Thomas Bell as named in his declar ation heretofore filed in the pension office at Washington City that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be allowed ; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me. H. F. Cowan J. Peace.
I, W. H. Cowan a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that John G Bell who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. H. F. Cowan J. Peace.
I, J. F. Alexander Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that H. F. Cowan before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly au- thorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this 9th day of February A. D. 185 3 .
J. F. Alexander Clerk. S. G. A. Carlton Clerk

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS. That John C Bell of Iredell County North Carolina
hereby constitute and appoint George C Arnes my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of James Bell to any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to himself
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall law- fully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 30th day Feb. , A. D. 185 3
G. C. Arnes Present
Signed and Sealed in the Presence of W H Cowan
STATE of N.C. COUNTY of Iredell } ss:
On this 30th day of February A. D. 185 3
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared
John C Bell
and acknowledged the foregoing Power
of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand } the day and year aforesaid.
W H Cowan J. Peace

Handwritten initials and a 'B' in the top left corner.
8-4561
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS WASHINGTON
Date: May 23, 1933.
Respectfully referred to
Director of Pensions, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
and the writer so informed.
From
Mrs. W. H. Nunnally, 208 North Broad Street, Monroe, Georgia.
Subject:
War of Revolution pension record of Thomas Bell of Iredell County, North Carolina.
Handwritten signature of Thomas J. Hirsch ----- Chief Clerk.

Revolutionary War Pension J. D. Bell 33
To The Bureau of Census Washington D.C.
I have been informed that the heirs of one Thomas Bell of Iredell Co N.C. received a pension for his service in the war of Revolution and I am writing to your department to know if this is true. I would be glad to get a copy of the application containing the names of the wife and children of the above named Thomas Bell.
Thanking you for any information you may be able to furnish me along this line I am
Most Sincerely.
Mrs. W. H. Kimmally
208 North David St.
Morrova Georgia
entered in 1840 list of pensioners Iredell Co 7
May 9th 1933.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb 16 1777 Mar 31 1778 Major Scalduell P. C.   Dec 4 1778 Headon Gen. Gorton        
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Roxbury (now Dorchester) Mass.
Date of application for pension, Jan 13 1846
Residence at date of application, Roxbury Mass.
Age at date of application, John E. 47 years old.
Remarks: Soldier enlisted in 1777 as Jane's day of Timothy Mullins and died Feb 12 1845 at Bridgewater Mass. about 70 years old. The widow Jane died about 1845, leaving the following named children: John, Sarah, Jane, Cynthia, and Mary Mullins
Respectfully,
as proof of C was son was not estab. Robt. Lee
Commissioner.