Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,556, Miller Bledsoe, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bledsoe, Miller
S 31.556
CONTENTS

See letter 28 March 1835 to Hon. J. Forsyth
Death not on A. B.
Georgia 12.253
William Gledson (Oglethorpe) in the State of Geo who was a Pvt in the commanded by Captain Dudley of the Regt commanded by Meigsburgh in the Va line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 50. Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of April 1833 - and sent to M rs . H. Smith, CLK Lexington, Geo
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 40
$200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk Book 60 Vol. 6 Page 86

Oct 4
1852
Georgia.

Georgia Oglethorpe County 3
On this the third day of August  September eighteen hundred thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable the Inferior Court of said County when sitting for ordinary purposes Miller Bledsoe a resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy 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 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 77 with Nathaniel Welch and served in the Second Virginia State Regiment and he supposes that time, under the following named officers. — Col. Robert  Robert Morris — Col. Deponent enlisted under Nathaniel Welch as recruiting officer was commanded during his stay in Virginia by Capt. Amos Dudley — Thence conducted Valley Forge by the said Nathaniel Welch and then under the command of field officers Lieut. — Martinburg — Col. William Brant & Major Lee — & Company officers Capt. (re Thomas William) Tabb, Lieutenant Mackelary

and enlistment — Hardeman. That Deponent left the Service of his Country in the year 1780 and he thinks on 17 th Feby of that year. Deponent further states that at the time of his enlistment he resided in the County of Orange State of Virginia — That he was in the Command of Brigade at the Storming of the Fort at Powel's Hook opposite the City of New York — and that during the period of his enlistment he was Marched from Williamsburg in Virginia to Baltimore — Fredericktown to Valley Forge — where Deponent lay sometime with Small Pox from thence to Monmouth — & he thinks from thence to White Plains — thence to Smith's Creek — and thence into winter quarters at Middle Brook — Deponent thinks from thence to Philadelphia, thence to Frederick Town — thence to Hagerstown — and then discharged from expiration of time of Service. Deponent may be in error from defect of memory as to places unimportant particulars & as to the order of their occurrence — but the material & prominent statements are true to the best of his knowledge & recollection —
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
William B. Hughes
And the said Court do hereby declare

their opinion that the aforesaid applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as in States.
John Banks I.D.C. Gen. Hutchinson I.D.C. Chas. Cox I.D.C. Burt Pope I.D.C.
I William A. Smith Clerk of The Honorable the Inferior Court of Apthorpe County when sitting for ordinary purposes, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Miller Bledsoe for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of Office this the third day of September eighteen hundred & thirty two. — William A. Smith Clerk

Miller Blance Georgia
Admiral in private from 1777 Sep 880. Capt Dudley Col Washington 1777

BRIEF in the case of County of Oglethorpe
William Stevens in the State of Georgia (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Sometime In 1799 Ar 1800. 15 Feb. 1800. enlisted on was discharged - which leaves the precise time uncertain  
5. In what battles was he engaged? at the storming of the Fort Powel's Hook
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 6 o of Orange State of Virginia
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? There are no witnesses of any kind
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
The seal of the Clerk is George Taylor a very imperfect one
Examining Clerk.

November 10, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Miller Bledsoe, S. 31556
Mrs. John F. White, Jr. 650 E. 40th Street Savannah, Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Miller Bledsoe who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.31556, based on the military service of Miller Bledsoe.
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
While living in Orange County, Virginia, Miller Bledsoe enlisted in 1777, served as private in Captains Ambrose Dudley's and Tabb's companies in Colonel William Brent's Virginia regiment; he was in the battle of Paulus Hook and was discharged February 17, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, and was seventy years of age.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of the pension of Miller Bledsoe, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, it is suggested that you address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data: Miller Bledsoe, Certificate #12253 or #12254, issued April 11, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Georgia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1938. Nov. 10. hist. to Mrs. John F. Whit. Jr. MCS 1939. Apr. 20. Mrs. John F. Whit. Jr. inf. coll. served as post. subj. MCS
re int. msc
31556 Ray INVALID.
File No. 31,556
Miller Bledsoe
Pin Rev War
Act: June 1 st 182 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 32
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Mch. 7/96 Slave Purchase Hon E. Monck. C.C. Dept. of
May 1896 Ex by Miss Desha J.A. 3
1916. May 31. History to Mrs Maurice Hurst of Pelham Ga. thro. desk of Dr. J. T. Curry. Medical Division, at his person- al request. Aud.
1920, Aug. 17 Hist. to Mrs. John E. Gibson. Eu.
1928. Nov. 7. inst. to Mrs. V. Ragsdale Aug.
1929. Apr. 30 - Hist. to Mrs. Eleanor B. de Vane Aug.
1938. July 13. Hist. to Mrs. R. L. Wilkinson MCS.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William D. Dudge 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? no 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? no 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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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? no except 1-2
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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
† 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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Savannah, Ga.
Feb. 29 th 1939
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
"Mr." A. D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Dear Sir:-
I'm looking through the Tenth Annual Report of Library Board Revolutionary soldiers of Virginia, I found the name Peachy Bledsoe (Bledsoe) listed. Would like to have his record and any family data history, you may have.
Also, I notice in a D. A. R. book William Bledsoe, revolutionary soldier is listed as Capt. William Bledsoe. When you sent me his record based on his military services, the title of Captain was not given. Could there have been two by the name of William Bledsoe?
Thanking you for any information you have and best favors, I am
Yours very truly "Mrs." John F. White Jr. 650 E. 40 th St., Savannah, Ga.

Savannah, Ga.,
Oct. 6 th 1938
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen,
Will you kindly send me the revolutionary record of Miller Bledsoe who died at the age of 78
He resided with his son-in-law, Whitfield Landrum in Oglethorpe county, Georgia at time of death.
Trust this record gives names of parents also. His will was made Dec. 1 st 1838
Thanking you for an early reply, I am
Yours very truly Mrs. John F. White Jr., 650 E. 40 th St., Savannah, Ga.
M.C.S.

Pooler Ga June 14-38
Veterans Administration, Washington D. C.
I have Peachy Bledsoe - born 1793 - married Nancy Son or Atkinson. I found in Oglethorpe County records. Millar Bledsoe as a pensioner. I surmised Millar " could be the Revolutionary ancestor as a later descendant was named Millar Bledsoe Hamill. I found a will of Millar Bledsoe - daughters, Polly, Sidney, Jane, Unice sons Moses Peachy, Millar. Codicil July 1845. In 1794 Millar Bledsoe proved himself for 9 in family for headrights.
In 1795 Peachy Bledsoe proved himself for 4 in family for headrights.
Who was father of Peachy Bledsoe born 1793 - does the Millar Bledsoe pension give date of son Peachy - mentioned in will.
Resp. Mrs R. L. Wilkinson
I found an older Peachy Bledsoe in Va soldiers of 1776

Quitman, Ga. Oct. 4 th. 1928
Hon. Winfield Scott Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the information contained in the application for pension of Miller Bledsoe , who was born in Virginia and died in Oglethorpe Co. Ga., 1845 and who served in the War of the Revolution with Virginia Troops.
This information will be found on page 53 of the Georgia List for 1835, and on page 78 of the Georgia List for 1840.
Miller Bledsoe was my lineal ancestor and this information is needed to prove eligibility to the Daughters of American Revolution.
The courtesy of a reply will be appreciated.
Very truly,
Mrs. Eleanor Butler deVane.

Ex. A. W. F. Div. Rev. & 1812
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out as far as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1st name of widow Patience Owsley Bledsoe XXXXXX
Name of soldier, Miller Bledsoe, name from
on one roll as William Bledsoe XXXX soldier at enlist- XXXX address of XXXXXX
ment & after service Orange Co.
Va. I think - Spiller's known also as XXXXXX  Capt Benj. Spiller's Capt. Aug. Tabb's
XXXXXX  2d Va. Regiment under Col. Gregory Smith & Wm. Brent State where enlisted Orange Co., Va. I think -
birth Date of enlistment 4-13-1761
death Date of discharge XXXXXX
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Col. Gregory Smith & Col. Wm. Brent
Return attached letter with reply.
Winfield Scott WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Illmo, Mo.,
Oct. 30-1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Could you give me the pension record of William Miller Bledsoe, name borne one way as Miller, on another as William, according to enclosed blank? These are recent data I have, as I am not sure of his residence except in State of Virginia, and do not know date of his death.
Thanking you, I am Very truly,
Iona Bledsoe (Mrs. V.) Ragsdale, Illmo, Mo.
I am desirous of this for D. A. R. application.

Ans. Nov. 7, 1928
Illmo, Mo., Sept. 16-1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., Dear Sir,
Do you have any record of William Miller Bledsoe, as a Revolutionary soldier?
He was son of Joseph and Betsy Bledsoe, born April 13, 1761 - not sure when he died but think he lived in Ky. at time of death.
He enlisted Feb'y, 18-1777, served as a private in Capt. Benjamin Spiller's Co., 2d Virginia State Regiment.
Thank you -
Went this for D.A.R. proof.
Mrs. Dora Bledsoe Regdale, Illmo, Mo.

Illmo, Mo.,
Aug. 19-28.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Please tell me if you have any records of a William Miller Bledsoe as a Revolutionary soldier?
He served in 2d Virginia State Regiment, as a private in Capt. Benjamin Spiller's Co., also designated as Capt. Augustine Tabb's Co., commanded successively by Col. Gregory Smith and Col. William Brent.
Thank you-
Mrs. V. Ragsdale, Illmo, Mo.

Illius, Mo., July 31-28
Commissioner of Pensions, Wash., D. C.,
Dear Sir,
Do you have any records of Joseph Bledsoe , or William Miller Bledsoe, as serving in Revolutionary War, from State of Virginia?
William Miller Bledsoe served in 2d Virginia State Regiment, Capt. Benjamin Spiller's Co., commanded by Col. Gregory Smith and Col. William Brent, successively. He was the

son of Joseph and Betsy Bledsoe, and was born April 13, 1761.
Any information you can give will be gratefully accepted.
Very truly,
Mrs. V. Ragsdale, Delmo, Mo.

Quitman Ga,
July 20, 1920
M. Saltzgaber Comm. of Pensions Washington D. C.
My dear Sir:-
In Senate Rec- ords, Pension Roll, First Session 23 Congress No. 2, page 53 of the Georgia List the application of Miller Bledsoe is supposed to be found - He was living in Oglethorpe Co. Ga. Please send me all information contained in said ap-

plication -
Thanking you in advance for this in- formation, I am,
Yours truly,
Me John E. Gibson Savannah, Ga.

April 20, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Am Miller Bledsoe, S.31556
Mrs. John F. White, Junior 650 E. 40th Street Savannah, Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Peachy Bledsoe or Bledsor and Miller Bledsoe.
The papers on file in pension claim, S.31556, based on the military service of the only Miller Bledsoe that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office show that this soldier was pensioned for service as private only.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States and based on the military service of soldiers in that war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of a Peachy Bledsoe, searched under all spellings of the name.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

July 13, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. R. L. Wilkinson Pooler Georgia
BA-J/MOS Miller Bledsoe, S.31556
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Millar and Peachy Bledsoe, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.31556, based on the military service of Miller Bledsoe (personal signature, Miller Bledsoe).
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
While living in Orange County, Virginia, Miller Bledsoe enlisted in 1777, served as private in Captains Ambrose Dudley's and Tabb's companies in Colonel William Brent's Virginia regiment; he was in the battle of Paulus Hook and was discharged February 17, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, and was seventy years of age.
The papers in this claim contain no data whatever relative to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of the pension of Miller Bledsoe, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the soldier's death, it is suggested that you address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data: Miller Bledsoe, Certificate # 12253 or #12254, issued April 11, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced
this in jacket  this on Agency Book Mrs. French said give both numbers. me

March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Georgia Agency.
The records of this office fail to show a claim for pension on file on account of the service of a Peachy Bledsoe in either the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev. Wars Secy. AWF/eel
April 30, 1929
Mrs. Eleanor Butler de Vane Quitman Georgia
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31556, it appears that Miller Bledsoe, while residing in Orange County, Virginia, enlisted in 1777, and served as a private in Captains Ambrose Dudley's and Tabb's Companies, Colonel William Brent's Virginia Regiment; he was in the battle of Paulus Hook, and was discharged, February 17, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, aged seventy years.
There are no data as to his family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

November 7, 1928
Mrs. V. Ragsdale Illmo, Missouri
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31556, it appears that Miller Bledsoe, while residing in Orange County, Virginia, enlisted in 1777, and served as a private in Captains Ambrose Dudley's and Tabb's Companies, Colonel William Brent's Virginia Regiment; he was in the battle of Paulus Hook, and was discharged February 17, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, aged seventy years.
There are no data as to his family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

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 Miller Bledsoe , 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.     1777 to Feb 17, 1780 Priv. Ambrose Dudley Wm Brent Va.   2        
Battles engaged in, Paulus Hook
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Orange Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 3, 1832. This cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Oglethorpe Co. Ga.
Age at date of application, 70
Remarks: There is no data as to his family on file
for date last known etc.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2850  note the Capt. is not Wm but Augustus Ladd. & the Regt in the 2 nd Va State not see Hartman the Col is Wm Brent - the 2 nd of the Va Cont Line