Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 955., Adam Bellos, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Bellos, Adam
8. 955.
or Bellis
carded.
CONTENTS

22.888  New Jersey  Adam Bello Somerset Co. in the State of New Jersey he was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Verberga of the Regt. commanded by Col. Van Dyke in the New Jersey line for 23 1/2 months
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of Mar. 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sep 1839 to 4 March 1840. (Act ratified 10 March 1841)
Dec. 15. 1841.
76.66 1.66 78.32
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 78 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Dec. 1833 and Adm. Hon. L. Bondick - President
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $195.82 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th M ch 34 39.16 $234.98
156.66 39.16 195.82
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 3. Page 10

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
On application for the bene- fit of the act of "Boroughs" passed June 7 th A.D. 1832 -
On this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two - personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Bridgewater in and for said County of Somerset, Adam Bellas, a resident of the township of Hightstown in said county of Somerset aged eighty years in January last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the act of "Boroughs" passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated. He was first called out upon the general call for the militia of New Jersey at the time the British fleet arrived at the Narrows - went out under Capt. William Northwick - Benjamin Beard was our Major & Abraham Lunk was Col- onel - marched to New York - the whole of the mile was soon called to march to New York - after being there a few days part of them - think the half were discharged & sent home - he re- mained and was stationed at Commencement - The militia of New Jersey were called out the one half at a time - upon tours of a month or a term - he served his regular tour of duty during a period of three years - and was in actual service as a militia man for at least out of doors during the war - for two years - he was at Compton to guard the Tories & keep them from joining the Rebels - was at Newark, Elizabeth, Trenton, Brunswick, Plainfield, Milltown, New Brunswick
17.1 2/11/27/44

Princeton Newton said at the second place in Pennsylvania - at the time of the Battle of Princeton he was with the militia at the Battle of Princeton  at  the  time of the Battle of Monmouth. The militia were not engaged in the Battle but were ordered back & stationed near the battlefield. After the battle the militia were marched to English Town. Some of the militia returned the next day to the battlefield, but here remained at English Town until discharged. Capt. Stites commanded his company at the time of the Battle of Monmouth - Frederick Griffin Griffin was Colonel of the Regiment & Heald was General - he cannot now recollect the name of any other officers under whom he served - in February - but in what year he does not recollect - he enlisted for three months which is to say - to June - and was marched as far as Woodbridge in New Jersey & was there discharged - he has no documents with him - he was born in the year 1762, in the said Township of Hills borough - he has no record of his age - he has always lived & still lives in Hillsborough he went into the service as above stated, and never served as a volunteer or substitute - he does not now recollect the names of any of the regular officers who were with the troops when he served - Peter C. Schenck Abraham Van Dine Doctor Jacob R. Schenck Henry Herde Cornelius D. L. & Rev. Peter La Bage all are well acquainted with him and can tell some of his neighbors who are well acquainted with him and can testify with many others to his charac- ter for veracity - and their belief of his servi- ce as a soldier of the Revolution - and he knows who now every claimant to a pension or annuity except 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 }
Adam Bellar
W. T. Gaston
We Peter Labagh, a clergyman residing in the town ship of Hillsborough aforesaid, and Peter Schenck residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Adam Bellar who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, & has been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opin- ion.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court.
Peter Labagh Peter Schenck
W. T. Gaston
W. T. Gaston

I solemnly declare that he will know the above named Asa Bellars & served with him as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution at different times and at different places. I am satisfied that said Bellars served with Aspinwall as much as four or five months perhaps more. I was & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
born? Believe
W. H. Gaston
And the said board do hereby 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 revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the board further certify, that it appears to them that Peter Labagh who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said township of Hillsborough and that Peter Coshench who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. H. Gaston Rev. A. Duborough John Kirkpatrick

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Adlam Beller for a Pension. — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. — J. M. Mann
3575 Adlam Beller

ten years to the military services required by the War Department in the case of Adkins Beller.
1 st I was born in the township of Haverburgh in the County of Somerset, State of New Jersey in the year 1752.
2 d - I have no record of my age.
3 d I resided in the said township of Haver- burgh when called to the War and have ever since resided there.
4 th Upon the general call for the militia of New Jersey I went out as a private under Capt. W m Bertrick - and afterwards when the militia were organized I served my regi- ment of July 3 d the place of the War was never served as a Lieutenant or a Subaltern 5 th I do not recollect the names of any of the Regular Officers who were with the Continental Forces, nor any of the Continental Regiments but I recollect some of the Militia Regiments as Col. Smith's Col. Dillingham's Col. Doughty's Col. Nelson's in whose regiments I served at different periods during the war. For the general circumstances of my service I refer to my former Declaration.
6 th I never received any discharge, none were given to the Militia but a certificate one.
7 th - For the names of persons to whom I am due in my present neighborhood, and who can testify as to my character for service before and during the War, I refer to my Declaration.
Given to the undersigned by me on the 10 th day of May 1833
Adam Beller
A. P. Easton

Personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Somerset William Bolles, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he knows of old age, that the con- tained in the foregoing, he cannot swear positively, as to the precise length of his ser- vice - but according to the best of his recollec- tion, he served not less than the period mentioned below. And in the following grade, for two years I served as a private in the Militia of New Jersey, and for such service I claim a pension - and that for the time during which the service was performed I was not employed in any civil, present service to be described.
The 14th day of May 2 d 1835 { Adam Bolles
before me Wm. H. Gaston
I William H. Gaston one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that William D. Low who has sworn to the foregoing affidavit, is a person of truth and veracity, and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief. — Dated May 14 th 1835.
Wm. H. Gaston

State of New Jersey I, John M. Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William B. Gaston sign whom the amended proceed- ings, bills and other application for a per- son were had and whose proper signa- ture is subscribed thereto as a Judge of said Court in full commission & In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
J. M. Mann

State of New Jersey Somerset County
Personally appeared, before me the undersigned a justice of the peace, in and for the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey Adam Bellis who being duly sworn deposes and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot recollect with as to the precise length of his service - but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than three periods mentioned below, and in the grade of a private - In the summer of '76 in June he was drafted and marched to New York and served six weeks, under Capt. Verbeke Maj. Baird & Col. Lulich - being the superior officers - and was stationed at New York & Connecticut - watching the enemy -
1 st period
In the fall of same year he served two months under the same officers at Bergen Heights watching the enemy -
2 nd period
In Jan'y 77 at the time of the Princeton Battle he served one month at Millstone, under Capt. Stuart Baird - Benj n Baird & Col. Lulich being the superior officers - guarding the lines
3 rd period
In the winter of '77 he served one month in Capt. Peterson at Bergen - Maj. Baird & Col. McCallagh being the superior officers - watching the enemy - - And in the spring of same
4 th period
year 1 month at Shermans ferry - on the Delaware was under Capt. Peterson - Maj. Baird and Col. McCallagh - watching the enemy -
5 th period
In the summer & fall of '77 he served four months tours of duty of a month each under Capt. Flaats - Maj. Baird and Col. Lulich - and was stationed at Elizabeth town - Elizabethton Point - and along the shore between
6 th period

That place and Amboy - guarding the shore and watching the enemy -
2. m In 1777 - he served two months at Pompton guarding the toris, under Maj Baird and Col Dryden but cannot recollect his Captain's name -
In the same year he served two monthly 2. m tours at Newark under Col Staats, Maj Levin or Maj Baird and Col Dryden being the Superior Officers. watching the enemy - In the summer of '78 he served 2. m two months under Col Staats, Col Frising Huyser and Gen Heard - and stationed at Trenton Maidenhead Princeton & Freehold watching the movement of the British Army under Sir H Clinton - and during one of these tours was at the battle of Redbank.
1. m He served another tour of duty of a month in the summer of '77. at and near New Brunswick and Raritan landing under Capt Renshaw, Maj Nevins & Col Vandrych being the Superior Officers -
3. m In the year 179 he performed three tours of duty of a month each at Newark under 3. m Col Staats and three other tours under the same Col at Elizabethtown of a
month each - Col Frisinghuyser being the Supe- rior Officer & Maj Levin or Baird - and for such service claim a pension -
Sworn & subscribed before me July 9th 1833
Adam Bellis
W. H. Haston

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel Ac...
April 24, 1929
Blanche E. Bellis 3060 Ernst Street Omaha, Nebraska
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.955 , it appears that Adam Bellos was born in January, 1752, at Hillsboro, Somerset County, New Jersey.
While residing at said Hillsboro, he enlisted in January, 1776, and served as a private at various times in the New Jersey Troops under Captains William Verbrayck, Staats, Baird, Peterson, Kershon, Colonels Abraham Quick, Frederick Frelinghuysen, Duychinck, Nelson, Middah and Van Dyke. He was in the battle of Monmouth and served in all more than two years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, at which time he was living in Hillsboro, New Jersey. He died, December 18, 1841.
There are no data as to his family.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to

afford any information in regard to any Adam Bollesfelt.
The above named Adam Bellos is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, and said records fail to afford any information in regard to any Wilhelm Bellos  Nellis , all spellings searched.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Jany 3-1901 - King & W.H. Thurt. Newark N.J. 1907 Feby. 25 - History to John Philip Sousa & 1921, Oct. 13 hist. to Mrs. J.P. Baunhart En 1927 - Apr. 24. " " Blandine E Bellis acc.
New War.
INVALID.
File No. 955
 Adams Bellas  Pro. N.J. Line. 
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: — Vol. a , Page 25-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Supplemental proceeding in the case of Adam Bellis of Somerset County, New Jersey, an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 1832.
State of New Jersey
Midd. County ss. On this thirty first day of August eighteen hundred thirty three, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Richard Ganetson, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith, that he is in the 75th year of his age, a soldier of the Revolution, and now in the receipt of a Pension as such - that he is well acquainted with Adam Bellis of the County of Somerset, and an applicant for a Pension - has known him upwards of sixty years - knew him as a soldier in the war of the Revolution - belonged to the same company with said Bellis - the company of Capt. Quick - Know that he served in each of the years 1776, 7, 8, & 9 - has  recalled that he served a great deal during the war, thinks quite as much as the deponent did, & he served more than two years. Knows said Bellis to be a man of sterling worth & integrity, and would fully credit his statement under oath as to his revolutionary services. Subscribed known to me this 31st day of August 1833. Richard X Ganetson Mark John P. Livingston Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named deponent Richard Ganetson is known to me to be a man of credibility, whose word that his statement as entitled to full credit.
John P. Livingston Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey } ss. On this thirtyfirst day of Middlesex County } ss. August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared John Van Gaart, of Somerset County, who being duly sworn, on his oath, saith, that he is well acquainted with Adam Bell, the affiant for a Perjury named in the foregoing affidavit of Richard G. Fletcher, has known him for upwards of thirty years, knows him to have served as a soldier in the Revolution, knows that he served in 1776, 77, 78 & 79, several times in each of those years, knows that he served long and faithfully, and has no doubt from his real and disinterested, as well as from the necessity of the case that he served altogether upwards of twenty years. Knows said Bell, to be a man of veracity, and that his statements under oath may be implicitly relied upon.
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me.
John Van Gaart Mark
Peter P. Duryee } Justice of the Peace }
Thereby certify that it satisfactorily appears to me that the above deponent, John Van Gaart is a man of credibility, and that his statement, as now made is entitled to full credence.
Peter P. Duryee } Justice of the Peace }
State of New Jersey } ss. On this second day of Sep- Middlesex County } ss. tember, 1833, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared,

John T. Middleworth, known to me to be a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit, who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is in the 77th year of his age, a soldier of the Revolution, and now in the receipt of a pension as such. That he is acquainted with Adam Bellis, described in the foregoing affidavits, & knows him as a soldier of the Revolution. Knows that he served much and faithfully - served with him, as he thinks, in the years '76, '77, '78, & '79, several times, in each of those years - lived a neighbor to said Bellis, when not out with him, knew when said Bellis was out. Believes said Bellis to be a man of veracity, and that his statement would may be implicitly credited.
Subscribed & sworn to the John T. Middleworth day of year aforesaid
before me Peter D. Runyon Justice of the Peace
Thereby certify that the above named deponent, John T. Middleworth is a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Peter D. Runyon Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey
Woodbury County ss. On this fourth day of September, 1833, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Peter Middleworth, who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is in the 76th year of his age, a soldier of the Revolution, and now in the receipt of a pension as such. That he is now acquainted with Adam Bellis, described in the foregoing affidavits, knows him to have served in the Revolution, recollects of being out with him several times of a month each in 1777 & 1778. Thinks as many as four or five - did not belong to

the same company with him, but they  had occasionally met, in the frequent charges of Captain, under the Captain, and in the department known as the services. I said Bellis. Believes that said Bellis served a good deal during the war, always understood that he did, and that he was a real and faithful friend to his country. Believes said Bellis to be a man of truth, and that his statements made on the stand are to be implicitly relied upon. Given under my hand the 3rd day of Sept. 1833.
Peter P. Runyon Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify the foregoing deposition Peter P. Runyon to be a credible person, and that his state- ment is entitled to credit.
Peter P. Runyon Justice of the Peace
Adams Bellis affidavit in his case
James M. Mansfield
I hereby certify that Peter P. Runyon, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Richard Gane, John John Van Brunt, John K. Middleworth, and Peter Mansfield, now taken, are Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and sworn. I further certify that all the forenamed witnesses are personally known to me, and that they are credible persons.
Oct. 1833
James M. Mansfield

Adams Bellas
James Randolph New Brunswick N.J.

State of New Jersey Somerset County
I John M. Mason Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William B. Easton before whom the within affidavit of Adam Bellis was made and whose proper signature is subscribed
thereto was at the time of the signing thereof and now is a Judge of said Court in full commission in and for said County. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty three.
J. M. Mason
Adam Bellis
James P. Burdick Mrs. Burdick A.S.

3519
Adams Bldg
Return this
Admitted
Paroled 23 1/2 months
Hon J. F. Randolph Pursuant

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Adum Bellas
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby 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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] (The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.)
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

New York City -
THIRTY SEVEN MADISON AVENUE
Feb. 10 th 1907
To the Honorable The Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir:
Will you be so good and furnish me with the record of Adam Bellis a soldier in the Revolutionary war who served from the State of New Jersey. He was a pensioner of the Government until his death. Also the record of
Wilhelm Bellis who was wounded at the battle of Monmouth and died shortly afterwards. Adam and Wilhelm Bellis were ancestors of Mrs. Sousa, and we are anxious to have their records.
With great respect John Philip Sousa

The W. H. Shurts Co.,
PRINTERS, STATIONERS LAW BLANK PUBLISHERS
BLANK BOOK MAKERS
LITHOGRAPHERS AND ENGRAVERS
JOBBERS IN PAPER, STATIONERY AND TYPEWRITER SUPPLIES
TELEPHONE 394, BOTH COMPANIES
NOS. 847 AND 849 BROAD STREET
NEWARK, N. J., Dec. 24 1900
U.S. Pension Office, Washington, D.C. Gentlemen:
Can you give me any information regarding record of
Adam Belles , Private in Com- pany James Moore's Company of Seely's Regiment of New Jersey Militia, Revolutionary War and
Peter Shirts, Sr., who enlisted as a Private or Driver from Readington Township, Hunterdon County New Jersey in the Revolutionary War . I do not know

What the latter's company and regiment were
Both of these soldiers are reported to have drawn Revolutionary Pensions as late as 1840 at the age of 91 & 92 respectively.
The War Department can give me no in- formation regarding latter, and only meagre in- formation contained herein about former.
Can you tell me any- thing about time they drew pensions, when en- listed, where, when discharged and where?
Will thank you very much for information of any nature regarding either.
Very respectfully, M. A. Smith

RECORD SEP 27 1921 DIVISION

Omaha Nebr.
Sept 24 1921
Commissioner of Pensions Rev mk Washington D.C. Dear Sir
Will you kindly send me the pension record of Adam Bello, Somerset Co., N.J., pensioner of the Revolution. Placed on roll. Dec. 7 th 1833.
Yours truly Mrs. P. Barnhart 3124 Lafayette Ave Omaha Nebr.

Omaha, Nebraska
September 19, 1928
3060 Ernst Street.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
all yull - I am desirous of knowing if you have a record of a Wilhelm Bellis who fought in the Revolutionary War. The date of his birth was 1740, He married Mary Housel and had six children, viz. Adam, Eleanor, William, David, John W. and Mathias. He died in 1826. I wish this information for D. A. R. records.
There was a Wilhelm, cousin of the above Wilhelm Bellis, who fought at the Battle of Monmouth in the Revolution. I haven't the dates of his birth and death but he and his brother Adam, I understand, served every other month under the same name, and this Wilhelm was killed in the Battle of Monmouth I believe, while the date of this Adams death is 1843.
This Wilhelm I am interested in was a son of Adam Bollesfelt but I understand that the family name was changed in 1760 so he most likely would be listed as Wilhelm Bellis, though there is a possibility of the old name being used. Some of the family spelled the old name Bellesfelt, and others Bellowsfelt.
Thanking you for any information you can give me, I am,
Very truly yours,
Blanche E. Bellis 3060 Ernst Street Omaha, Neb.
This Wilhelm had a brother John, born July 1750 in the third regiment of State troops during the Revolutionary War. New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Oct. 13, 1921
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Adam Bellon a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 955
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan. 1776 serv'd at various times in all more than 2 years. Col. Flm Verbrack Slats Band Peterson Kershaw Abraham Smith 3rd Inf. Regt. Reynaghuen Bruchnick Nelson Midah Van Dyke N.J.  
Battles engaged in, Monmouth Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hillsborough, Somerset Co. N.J. Date of application for pension, Aug. 15, 1832  cl. ad Residence at date of application, Hillsborough, N.J. Somerset Co. Age at date of application, Jan 1752 Hillsborough N.J. Remarks: No farm data H.S. cl. Dec. 18-1841
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 2 nd , 1841.
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," Adam Bellas, ————— a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency, at the rate of Seventy eight Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William H. Van
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.