Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10096, Balaam Bowers, Va

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bowers, Balaam
S 10096
CONTENTS
Carded

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 1 st Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Age notified 27 Sept 1839.
Paid as above from 4 March to 1 st Sept 1838. Age notified 2 Oct 1839.
Paid as above from 1 st Sept 1839 to 8 th Jan 1841. Agent Notified 23 Sept 1841
1000 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2
No 30,834 Virginia
Balaam Bowers, of Greenup Co. in the State of Va. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Overton of the 3 rd Reg t commanded by himself in the Va. Line.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 60 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Sept. 1836 and sent to Hon. J. W. Mason, Hickford, Va.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1836. 330.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar '37 30.00 $ 330.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act Jan 22 1820 June 28. 1836 }
Recorded by J. D. Dugan Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 672 Page 4

3562 Balaam Boers.

Virginia.
Greenville County To wit:
On this 7 th day of August 1832, personally appeared before the Justices of the County Court of Greenville sitting, Balaam Bowers, a resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy eight years next October, 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 Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, -
That he enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year 1780, with Capt. John Overton, and served in the 3 rd Regiment of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment, under the following named officers - after Capt. Overton marched to the South to join Genl. Greene's army, they being then in Hospital served under Capt. Nat. Lamb, under Col. Levi Gaskin until the siege of York, and surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at which time he was discharged which paper was filed in Richmond many years ago, with an application for a pension from the State of Virginia - that he was in no battle except the siege of York, in the whole of which he served. That he served eighteen months on that occasion. He also served in the militia, in the year 1777, under the command of Capt. Robert Threadgill at Wilmington in the State of North Carolina, where

tour of three months; that he then returned to Virginia and marched from Brunswick County, under the com- d of Capt. Wm Goodrich, to James River, under Col. Watson from the same County, and served another tour of three months, — That he knows of no one who served with him, now living —
That he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 —
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
By choice B. Bowers
We John Robinson and John Goodrum Sen. residents of the County of Greensville in Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Balaam Bowers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives, and the said John Robinson, presiding Justice of the County Court, knows, that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and the said Goodrum concurs in that opinion
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Goodrum
John Robinson

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states —
And they 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 in the Militia, and served as he states — And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that John Robinson Esq. presiding Justice of this Court, and John Goodrum Sen. are residents of this County, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Edmund Mason Clerk of the County Court of Greeneville, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Balaam Borer, for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7 th day of August 1832 —
E. Mason C. S. C.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Aug. 10 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," Balaam Bowers Jr. & Betsey Hodges, only children of Balaam Bowers, dec'd a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond Va. Agency, at the rate of — 60 — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 21 st of Sept. 1839 to the 8 th January 1841.
Respectfully yours,
Wm. H. Harrison
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

August 23, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Reverend Harvey H. Bowers 1617 Ida Wichita, Kansas
BALAAM BOWERS S. 10096 BA-J/MLB Am
Dear Sir:
The data which follow in regard to Balaam Bowers were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10096, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Balaam Bowers was born in October, 1754; the place of birth and names of his parents were not given.
Balaam Bowers applied for pension August 7, 1832, while residing in Greensville County (formerly a part of Brunswick County), Virginia, and stated that while a resident of Brunswick County, Virginia, he enlisted sometime in 1777 and served a tour of three months as a private in Captain Robert Threadgill's company at Wilmington, North Carolina; that he then returned to Virginia, marched from Brunswick County and served another tour of three months as private in Captain William Goodrich's company, Colonel Watson's Virginia regiment; that he enlisted again sometime in 1780, served as private under Captain John Overton and "Nat. Lamb" (probably meant for Nathan Lamme), Colonels William Davis and Gaskins in the Virginia troops, marched to Williamsburg and from there to Yorktown, was in the siege of that place and at the surrender of Cornwallis, after which he was discharged having served on this tour eighteen months. His claim was allowed.
In 1836, the soldier was still residing in Greensville County, Virginia. He died January 8, 1841.
The name of Balaam Bowers' wife was not given in the claim nor any details in regard to her. The only names of children designated were those of Balaam Bowers, Junior, and Betsey Hodges both still living in 1841. No further family data were given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

24th CONGRESS, 1st Session.
H. R. 621.
Priv. 175
MAY 11, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. FRY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
An Act
A BILL
For the relief of Balaam Bowers, of Virginia.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, required to place 4 upon the roll of revolutionary pensioners, Balaam Bowers, of 5 Virginia, at the rate of sixty dollars per annum, the said pension 6 to commence and take effect from the fourth of March, eighteen 7 hundred and thirty-one.
Approved 28 th June 1836
A true copy compared with the Roll in this Office.
Dep. Secy of State June 30 th 1836.
Asbury Dickinson Chief Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 16 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," Balaam Bower, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Sixty — Dollars and — 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,
William B. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 31 st , 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," Balaam Bowers, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Sixty _____ Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1837, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Merion H. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Free
FREE
Balaam Bowes Sp. Act
Hon. J. A. Edwards.
Commr. of Pensions.
War Department
Washington City.

Southampton V a Sept. 6. th 1836.
Sir,
By an act of the late Session of Congress, Balaam Bowens, of Greenville County V a was allowed a pension for Revolutionary services. He has requested me to aid him in procuring his warrant & the amt. of Pension now due him. I will be very much obliged to you to transmit to me the necessary documents and forms to enable him to receive his money at Richmond -
With the highest respect,
Hon. J. A. Edwards.
Yr. Ob t Serv t & friend
Com t of Pensions.
J. G. Mason

H.R. 621-
Balaam Bowers-
act 28 June 1836.
$60 per annum, to commence 4 March 1831.
Send cert to
Hon. J. Y. Mason, of Southampton
Hicksford, PO N o 2
Com: on Pensions-

BALAAM BOWERS.
[ To accompany bill H. R. No. 621. ]
MAY 11, 1836.
Mr. FRY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition of Balaam Bowers, of Virginia, praying a pension for services rendered in the war of the revolution, beg leave to report:
That the petitioner sets forth in his petition, to which he has made oath, that he enlisted in the United States army in 1780, in Captain Overton's company, of the third regiment, Virginia line of the " continental establishment ," that after Captain Overton was sent south to join Gen. Greene, petitioner was under Captain Lamb and Colonel Gaskins, until the siege of York and surrender of Cornwallis, at which time he was discharged; that his discharge was filed many years ago at Richmond, with an application for a pension; that he served eighteen months in this tour; that he also served in the militia in 1777, under Captain Threadlile, at Wilmington, North Carolina, for three months, and then returned to Virginia, and marched again, under Captain Goodrich, to James river, Colonel Watson's regiment, and served three months; that he relinquishes every other claim to pension, and prays remuneration for the service above mentioned.
The court before whom the petitioner was examined certify, that after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, they are of opinion that the petitioner is a soldier of the revolutionary war, and served as he states.
Captain John Goodrum testifies: That he knows nothing of the services of the petitioner in the revolutionary war; but from frequent conversations with him, believes he has served his country faithfully as a soldier in said war; the statement of Cap. Goodrum, both from his respectability and opportunity of knowing, is entitled to much credit, says the honorable John Y. Mason, member of Congress.
Captain John Robinson testifies: That to the best of his recollection, the petitioner enlisted in the beginning of the year 1780, and continued in the service until after the capture of Cornwallis. This witness is represented by Mr. Mason, as a gentleman high in estimation as a citizen, and as presiding judge of the court of Greenville county, Virginia; and having been a soldier of the same war, and in the same service, his testimony is amply sufficient to prove the first eighteen months claimed, for which the committee report a bill; the remaining six months not being proved, no allowance can be made for that service.

Bowers.
Balaam Bowers.
Balaam Bowers
Feb. 2 nd 1836
Ref d to Com ee Rev. Tensions
May 11. 1836 - Bill 621.
J. H. Mason 6 Rev. P. M.
Ref d to Com ee Rev. Tensions
Feb. 2. 1836
Balaam Bowers

To the Congress of the United States:
The petition of Balaam Bowers, of Greenville County, Virginia, humbly represents, that he is now supported at the Poor House of his County as a pauper being entirely without the means of subsistence except through that charity - That he served faithfully in the army in the Revolutionary War as set forth in the declaration which accompanies this. That from an accidental loss of his discharge he is without other proof of his service than his own oath, and that of the two venerable and respectable Gentlemen whose affidavit accompanies it - his age, infirmities and extreme poverty deprive him of the means of hunting up any of his old comrades who may, by chance, survive - He Therefore humbly prays, that he may be placed on the pension roll, and receive the benefit of the Act of 7 June 1832.

Braxton Robinson was deputy sheriff in 1792 - Carried to Richmond in that or the next year Baalam Boney discharge

Balaam Bowers says he was a Continental Soldier & Enlisted under John Overton in the Third Regiment - Genl. Hubbard was the Officer M ty Davy the Col o , Stationed at Charlesfield Court- House. V er g he received a Furlough & soon there he joined the Army at W m burg in the year 1787 under the Command of Capt. Lamb & from there he marched to Hills York & received his discharge from Capt Lamb after service of 18 months

The affidavit of John Robinson of law- ful age taken before me Edward B. Ryland a Justice of the peace for the County of Greensville State of Virginia on the 18 th day of April 1836
deposeth and sayth that Balaam Bowers as well as my mung Services Services me enlisted in the year 1780 in first part of that year and continued in the war until after the capture of Wallas which was in the year 1781, Some time after he returned home with an honorable discharge and at that time this County was called Brunswick and some was been taken from Brunswick and further this deponent sayeth not Given under my hand and seal the day & date above written
E. B. Ryland JP
E. B. Ryland JP
John Robinson

I have known Capt. John Robinson personally & intimately for more than twenty years - He is the presiding Justice of the County Court of Greeneville in Virginia, has been twice the high sheriff of the County, and is a man of unquestioned integrity and veracity. He is an aged man, and I have always understood was taken prisoner by Cornwallis in his invasion of Virginia in 1781 - I consider his statement as entitled to the most implicit confidence -
I know that Edward R. Byland Esq. who certifies the enclosed affidavit of Capt. Robinson, is an acting Justice of the peace for the County of Greeneville -
J. G. Mason April 23 d 1836.

Dear Sir I see from a letter that Capt J. Robinson
Have news from you that you wish me To state all the evidence which I have respecting the services of Balaam Bowers (Answer) I know nothing of the services of Balaam Bowers, but from the conversation that I have had with him divers of times, I believe he has served his country faithfully as a soldier of the revolution ary war. Balaam Bowers is in his eighty third year and now more worthy of his pay than he is
John Goodrum
April 20th 1836

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Dalman Bowers which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? # Not on Rolls XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.

August 23, 1938
XXXXXXXXXX XXXX
BA-J/MMHP:MLB
Reverend Harvey H. Bowers 1617 Ida Wichita, Kansas
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request a list of all soldiers with the surname Bowers who served from the State of Virginia.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has been impossible to prepare lists of Revolutionary War pensioners for any individual or organization.
The record of a Balaam Bowers of Virginia is furnished you herewith which, it is hoped, will aid you somewhat in your research.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Record Division.
August 11, 1911.
Mrs. H. W. Gowen, Wells, Maine,
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 8 th and received the 10 instant, you are furnished the military history of Balaam Bowers, Sur File No. 10,096, and advised that in order to identify a pension claim which may have been filed for Mary Bowers, you should furnish the full name of her husband, and some of the following data; names of some officers under whom he served, his place of residence at enlistment and discharge, approximate dates of birth and death of himself and widow.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

The Lintwood Presbyterian Church
1800 SOUTH WASHINGTON HARVEY H. BOWERS, PASTOR
Wichita, Kansas
July 8, 1938.
Pensions Department Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs,  Will you please send me a list of those receiving or have received a pension from the War of Revolution from the state of Virginia by the name of Bowers . Also if there is any one by the name of Bowers initial  initial from Winchester, Tennessee who ever received a pension for war service in the Revolution.
I am anxious to get this information for our family records. We have lost our records & initial of great grandfather who entered the revolutionary army from Virginia. Son, Samuel, after which migrating to Winchester, Tenn.  Sincerely, Harvey H. Bowers, 1617 Ida, Wichita, Kan

CHAS. S. YOUNG, MANAGER.
The New Virgile
AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PLAN
Charleston, S.C.
Feb 10 th 1896 20 th Dec 1895 Department of Justice Record Division New York - I have been very at ease in the business history of Panama Canal the date he indicated and all of you in this I want to be a D. L. I write from Mexico in the business world you sent it to me - but in keeping with a part in - and find out in business world

And is a wife living at his death - Please look him up and let me hear at once from you - find out all you can about Belach Dovers and now Dover is on the Pension list here - Thanking you very much - Very Truly -
Yrs H. W. Dovers
Halifax - N.S.

Wells Maine -
August 8 th 190
Commission of Pensions - Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I want to know if you can find any of the enclosed names on your Pension list. There - I want to see if I can be a D.A.R.

look this up for me and let me hear from you at once and oblige -
Mrs H. W. Gower -
Meke -
Maine.

Names - I look up -
Dalman Bowers - Greenville Co. Virginia.
Mary Bowers - Attleboro - Co. Mass -

Rev War
10.096
INVALID.
1911 Aug. 11. Hist. to from card Mrs. H. W. Goven catalogue 1911 Dec. 2. Above repeated 1938 Aug 23 - Hist to Rev. H. Buerst
File No. 10.096
Balaam Bowers
Pri Rev War
Act: June 28 th 36
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 38
[Arrangement of 1870.]