Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,637, Efford Bentley, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bentley, Efford
S 16,637
CONTENTS
Carded

7982 Efford Bentley Madison County Alabama
Adm for 11. Months From 1777.
J. P. Graham Huntsville Alabama

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 subjoined 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 Efford Bentley Madison County Alabama
   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.     Enrolled 1776 — — — — Capt. Walker 73 years Amelia County Virginia Irregular evidence & irregular Certificate - Witness not credible - papers proving attached   during the year 1777 to the year 1780 * 6 — — no officers named   Called July 1780 about 3 — Serg t Capt. Smith & Stevens Col. Stubblefield   Vol. - Spring 1781 — 1 14 Trooper Capt. Morris, Col. Call   Vol. 1781 — 1 14 — no officers named Battle of Camden, Petersburg  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
* "1777. between this period and 1780 he performed three tours of duty, that each tour was about two months."
BENTLEY, EFFORD

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, 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. [t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
BENTLEY, EFFORD

7984
Wabe
Efford Bentley
of Madison Co in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the company by Captain Mosel of the Regt Col Call in the Virginia line for 11 months.
Monday 21 st 100
Efford Bentley
Inscribed on the Roll of Wabana at the rate of 4 Dollars 10 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Feb y 1832 and sent to Mrs. Graham, Louisville, Ala.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1832 88.75
Semi-annual allowance ending March 20 22.00
111.50
{ Recoluti Num. } { Act } 2 }
Recorded by Book Vol. 8

State of Alabama, Madison County, County court of, Madison County, ss.
On this 21 st day of February 1833 personally appeared, in open court before me Samuel Chapman Judge of the county court of said county now sitting Offord Purley, a resident of said county of Madison & State of Alabama, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the seventh 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the revolutionary war, under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That in the year 1776 he was placed on the muster roll in a company commanded by one Capt. Walker as well as he recollects, in the county of Ame- lia in the State of Virginia where the applicant then resided & when he was born & raised. He states that in the year of 1777 between that period, & the year of 1780 he performed three tours of duty as a militia soldier - That each tour was about two months service - That on one occasion he march down to Williamsburg & on another to Hampton in the State Virginia - he has no recollection of any of his officers during these terms of service. The applicant further states that in the month of July 1780 he was called out in the militia service from the County of Amelia in the State of Virginia, & was attached to a company commanded

by one Capt. Dukes to the best of applicant's recollection that the company rendezvous'd at Hillsborough in North Carolina - & that there were four Regiments of the Virginia Militia that rendezvous'd at that place - That these regiments, to the best of the applicant's recollection were under the command of Genl. Stephens - that the company to which he belonged was attached to a regiment com- manded by one Col. Stubblefield as well as he now recollects & that in this company the applicant acted as Sergeant - That he here saw Genl. Bates & Genl. Stephens that he was on one occasion the bearer of an order or note from Stephens to Bates whilst the army lay at Hillsborough The applicant states that the army marched from Hillsborough about the first of August 1780 & were ordered by Genl. Bates to join his army near Camden in South Carolina - That they marched through North Carolina into South Carolina & joined the army commanded by Genl. Bates at a place called Rugeley's Mills near Camden - That on the night of the day on which they arrived there they were ordered on to Camden where the British were encamped - they accordingly took up the line of march - crossed a bridge at Rugeley's Mills & that on their march during the night they were met by the British advance guard - that a firing commenced - & that about day break

Aug 16 1780
next morning a general engagement ensued - which ended in the defeat of the American army - They then retreated to Hillsborough, the army greatly scattered - He states that he was in this engagement - but that he now has no recollection of any of his officers except those before mentioned - The ap- plicant further states that after their return to Hillsborough he was attached to a company commanded by one Capt. Clarke to take charge of about 50 or 60 dry British Prisoners & carrying them down to Richmond in Virginia - that they done so, but that the Governor refused to receive them there & ordered the Capt. to take them to Winches- ter, which they did, when the Prisoners were re- ceived - The company then set out for home & on their return were discharged, the applicant thinks on the last of Sept. 1780, making a term of ser- vices of about three months - The applicant further states in the Spring of the year 1781 he joined a volunteer company of light horse , commanded by one Capt. Littlebury Mosely who was from the county of Powhatan adjoining the county of Amelia where the applicant resided - That the company marched down to Petersburg where they joined the volunteer troops of horse commanded by Col. Call, as the applicant believes - That whilst there he was with some troops that were ordered down James river to reconnoiter & watch the movements of

the enemy - That whilst in the Scout Coy dis- -rend the British in vessels, below City Point ma- -king up the river, the enemy landed at City Point & next day marched up to Petersburg under the command as the applicant understood, of Genl Phillips & Arnold, when a severe engage- April 25 1781 ment ensued & which terminated in the surrender of Petersburg - The American Army then re- -treated up towards Richmond & Manchester where they remained until they were discharged - He states that he was in this engagement at Pe- -terburg & was out this town about six weeks . The applicant further states that in the year 1781 he joined a company in the County of Amelia raised for the purpose of collecting & carrying leaves down to the American army then at Little York - that they collected about thirty or forty leaves & drove them down to, or into the neighbourhood of Little York & delivered them to the Commissary or proper of- -ficer - This was at the time of the surrender of Genl Wallace - that this service lasted about six weeks & was to be taken as part of his duty as a soldier - He states that he has no recollection of the name of the officer who commanded this company. The applicant states that he has no documentary evidence of any of his terms of service & that he knows of no per- -son whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to the same. He states that he was born in the County of

Amelia in the state of Virginia, lived there until the year 1811 & after that lived in the adjoining counties of Cumberland, Powhatan & Buckingham until the year 1823 when he removed to the said county of Madison in the state of Alabama where he has resided ever since & where he now resides. He states that as time has so reduced the number of his revolutionary brethren, he is compelled to rely upon his own statement, drawn from a memory greatly impaired by age & which may on that account, in some particulars be defective, but which in general he believes to be substantially correct. In conclusion, the applicant states, (that inasmuch as his declaration is unsupported by any positive proof, & must rely upon his own statement for a favourable action of his case,) therefore he would beg leave to remark, that from the ordinary course of nature his days of existence must be but few - that his lamp of life must soon be extinguished, & on that account he could have but little inducement, to attempt an imposition upon a government, for which he has endured so many privations & sufferings in assisting to establish, & which he hopes may continue to flourish & exist, long after his frail & worn out body shall have been consigned to the tomb. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity whatever, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state whatever

Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year first above mentioned, in open court.
Rich d B. P. Paden Clk. C.C.
Efford Bentley
State of Alabama } I, Isaac W. Sullivan a Clergyman Madison county } residing in the county & state aforesaid, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Efford Bentley who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; - that I believe him to be thirty three years of age - that he is a man of ver- acity - that he is reported & believed, in the neighbour- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Re- -volution, & that I concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year first above mentioned.
Rich d B. P. Paden Clk. C.C.
I. W. Sullivan
State of Alabama } I Daniel H. Harris a resident Madison county } of the county & state aforesaid do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Efford Bentley - that he is reported & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & I concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above named in open court.
Rich d B. P. Paden Clk. C.C.
Dan t Harris

WRS
October 18, 1924
Miss Pauline M. Jones Huntsville Ala.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16637, it appears that Efford Bentley was born in Amelia County, Virginia, date not stated.
While a resident of said county, he enlisted in 1776 and served as a private in Captain Walker's Virginia Company, length of service not stated.
He enlisted between 1777 and 1780 and served three tours of two months each in the Virginia Militia, officers not stated.
He enlisted in July 1780, served three months as a Sergeant in Captains Fulke's and Clarke's Companies, Colonel Stubblefield's Virginia Regiment, and was in the first battle of Camden.
He enlisted in the spring of 1781, served six weeks in Captain Littleberry Moseby's Company, Colonel Call's Virginia Troop of Horse, and was in the battle of Petersburg.
BENTLEY, EFFORD

He enlisted in 1781 and served six weeks, officers not stated; he collected cattle and drove them to Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 21, 1833, at which time he was 73 years of age and a resident of Madison County, Alabama, where he had lived since 1823. He died in July 1837.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner
BENTLEY, EFFORD

Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 11
Efford Bentley
Petition for Pension

State of Alabama } No Richard Harris & Walnut St. Madison county } Wharton, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Cofford Bently who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be strong three years of age , That he has always been since their acquaintance with him reported & believed to have a revolutionary soldier & that he is repre- sented & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a one concurs in that opinion.  revolutionary soldier , — and I said Harris, further state that I knew said Bently in the state of Virginia before his emigra- tion to this state, that I have known him since he has resided in to this state. That I have known him from his boyhood — & that he has always been reported wherever he resided, to have been a revolutionary soldier . Sworn to & subscri- bed in open court this 21 st day of February 1833
Rich d B. Pindom att to b. l. c.
Rich d Harris
State of Alabama } Madison county } That the said court doth hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after posing the interrogatories, presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier , & served as he states; and the court further certifies that it appears to the court, that Isaac H. Sullivan who has signed one of the foregoing certificates is a clergyman , resident in said
J. M. Wharton

county of Madison, & that Daniel Harris, Richard Harris & Dabney H. Wharton who have also signed their proceeding certificates, are residents of said county of Madison & are credible persons & that their several statements are entitled to credit.
Sam d Chapman Judge of the county court of Madison county
State of Alabama Madison county } I Richard B. Purdom clerk of the county court of said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Efford Bentley for a pension. In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & seal of office, at office This twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty three, and of American Independence the fifty seventh year.
Rich d B. Purdom

Huntsville Ala. 26 th July 1833.
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find the Petition of Efford Bently for a Pension. If it should meet with favourable action, please enclose his certificate to me, or "Efford Bently Huntsville Alabama."
Respectfully yours Jno. P. Graham

March 11th
Acc.
24511
Rev. Louis Cap Coq Secretary of War Washington City

C/B E.G.
16637 INVALID.
File No. 16637
Effie Bentley Sergt Geo. W. W.
Act: June 7 th 89
Index: — Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]
July 8 th 1895. Hist. to Hm. Walker, 35 Broadway New York N.Y. Mr. Jan'y 14, 1896.
Mil. histy to Mr. W. R. Griffith P.O. Deptmk.
1912 May 1 Hist. to Mrs. Blanche Bentley V.L.M.
1924 Oct. 18, Hist. to Miss Pauline M. Jones.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA. DW
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Efford Bentley
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Amelia or Powhatan Co. Virginia
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Date of death (as near as possible):
Christian name of widow:
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Remarks:
Your name and address:
W. R. Griffith Chief Finance Division P.O. Dept.

April 24, 1912.
Custodian Revolutionary Records, Pension Building, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the principal facts relating to the Revolutionary service of Efford Bentley, who enlisted from Amelia or Goochland County, Virginia, and was granted a pension while a resident of Madison County, Alabama. I am especially anxious to know the place and date of his birth, parentage, or any facts of his life before the Revolution.
Very truly yours
(Mrs) Blanche Bentley McMinnville, Tennessee.

I wish to know if Peter Efford Bentley ever applied for a pension? He was in the Revolutionary War, enlisting from Amelia County, Va. at the age of sixteen. He served during the seven years duration of the war, first in Capt. Walker's Company, then in Fulks Company, Stubblefield's Regiment, next in a calvary company under Capt. Mosely and later

under Colonel Call. Among the battles he was in, include the one at Camden and Petersburg.
What I want is a certified proof of his service.
Thanking you for any information you may send - (Miss) Pauline M. Jones Huntsville, Alabama
September 25, 1924

Supplement.
(Efford Bentley)
In the year 1776 he became a member of the militia company in the County of Amelia, commanded by Capt. Walker, and between the years 1777 and 1780 he rendered three tours of duty, as a private, of about two months duration each. At the time of making his application for pension he could not remember the names of the officers under whom he served in these tours, but it is probable that he served under Capt. Walker. In July, 1780, he joined the company commanded by Capt. Fulks, in the regiment commanded by Col. Stubblefield, and served as a Sergeant until about the last of September following; during this tour his service he participated in the first battle at Camden, South Carolina (August 16, 1780), and shortly after the battle was attached to a company commanded by Capt. Clark and marched with a number of Tory and British prisoners to Winchester, Va. In the spring of 1781 he joined a volunteer company of Light Horse, commanded by Capt. Littleberry Moseby, attached to the troop of Horse commanded by Col. Call, and served in this company about six weeks, during which time he participated in the battle at Petersburg, (April 25, 1781); afterward in the same year he was engaged for about six weeks in collecting cattle and driving them to Yorktown, where they were delivered to the Commissary General
BENTLEY, EFFORD

O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
P. S. M. E. C.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., January 14, 1896.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Efford Bentley --- 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.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. See Supplemental statement.
Battles engaged in, See Supplemental statement. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amelia County, Va. Date of application for pension. February 21, 1833. Residence at date of application, Madison Co., Ala. Age at date of application, Seventy-three years. Born in Amelia Co., Va.
Remarks: His pension was allowed.
Very respectfully, Mr. W. R. Griffith, Chief, Finance Division, P. O. Department
87061m
Commissioner.
BENTLEY, EFFORD

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
M.E.C.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., July 8, 1895.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Efford Bentley --- 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 Not stated. Walker Not stated. Va.   From 1777 to 1780 performed 3 tours of duty as a militia soldier, each tour about 2 months. Officers names not stated.   July 1780 3 mos. Sgt. Fulks Stubblefield Va.   Spr. 1781 6 wks. Pvt Moseley Call Va.   1781 6 wks. Pvt. Officers names not stated. Va.  
Battles engaged in, Camden, Petersburg.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amelia Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, February 21, 1833.
Residence at date of application, Madison Co., Ala.
Age at date of application, Seventy-three years. Born in Amelia Co., Va.
Remarks: No record found of Banner Bentley as a pensioner.
Hon. C. B. Walker,
Very respectfully,
35 Broadway,
Acting
Commissioner.
BENTLEY, EFFORD New York, N. Y.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Efford Bentley L.F. 16637
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 Walker Va.   Between 1777-1780 6 mos in militia no officers named.   July 1780 Sept. 1780 Sgt. Fulks Clarke Stubblefield   Spring 1781 6 weeks Williamson, Mosby Call's Trucks of Horn   1781 6 weeks collected cattle and drove them to Yorktown  
Battles engaged in, 1st Battle Camden Petersburg Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amelia Co. Va. Date of application for pension, July 21, 1837, His d. was al. Residence at date of application, Madison Co. Ala. Since 1823 Age at date of application, 73 yrs old born in Amelia Co. Va.
Remarks: to family data
Very respectfully,
* from agency book
Commissioner.
1565b3m10-08
BENTLEY, EFFORD