Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 723, James Bell, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn.
Bell James Mary
NUMBER
7R 723
CONTENTS

Williams
214-13
Perryman } Personally appeared before me, one of the Indiana County } Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Mary Allison, aged about seventy- nine years, who after being duly sworn according to law deposed and says, she was well acquainted with James Bell dec d , formerly of Dauphin County, Perryman who was a relation of hers, and was the husband of Mary Bell, now a widow; whose maiden name was Bell, and who was the full cousin of James Bell, being the daughter of John Bell of Middle Paxton Township in said County. Deponent was not present at the marriage of James & Mary Bell, the widow spoken of above; but knew both of them well both before & after their marriage; and knows that they lived together as man & wife, for several years; believing the marriage took place before deponent was fifteen years of age. Deponent recollects that James Bell, afterwards the husband of Mary, and George Bell her brother, left home to join the American Army; Deponent recollects of being at the house of John Bell, the father of Abigail Bell Middle Paxton Township, when the said James & George Bell, started to join the American Army, & went with them, and accom- panied them to her grandfathers, William Bell's, where her mother resided, the father of deponent being dead; which was about three miles east of Harris's ferry, where Harrisburg now is. Deponent thinks she was not much over seven years of age at the time. Deponent thinks she could probably not recollect any thing of the circumstances in relation to James Bell going off to join the Army, but for some occurrence that took place that evening. She remembers seeing James Bell afterwards, but cannot say how soon after, — or how many years elapsed before his return.

Deponent recollects, hearing James Bell speak of, after he returned, as having been a revolutionary soldier; and remembers that he was away some time after he left but, as before said, cannot state how long.
Sworn & subscribed this 21 st day of March 1848, Before me John Cunningham
her Mary X Estlin Mark
Indiana County ss.
I John Cunningham one of the judges of the court of common pleas of Indiana County, do certify, that Mary Estlin whose deposition precedes this certificate is a person of good character for truth; and that full credit should be given to her deposition.
Witness my hand at Plainville in said county this 21 st day of March A. D. 1848. John Cunningham
State of Pennsylvania,
Indiana County ss. J. M. Saylor, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County, do certify that John Cunningham Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and taken and who has attested the same, as well as the above certificate, in his own proper handwriting, is and was at the time the same here dated, one of the Associate Judges of said court, duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Indiana, the 28 th day of March A.D. 1848. J. M. Saylor Prothon.

Reading
214-5
State of Pennsylvania set
County of Dauphin set
On this fourteenth day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County Pennsylvania Isaac Updegrone a resident of Susquehanna Township in said County of Dauphin, (Bridge Builder) who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say, that, "I am well nigh sixty nine years of age, upwards of sixty eight, I was born in Chester County Penna and my father removed with me to Dauphin County in my infancy, and I have lived in Dauphin County ever since. I was very well acquainted with James Bell of Middle Paxton Township, in this County of Dauphin, he is since deceased; he left a widow named Mary; I knew James Bell and Mary his wife, and their family - they had ten children, Mary Bell widow - of said James Bell, never married after the death of her said husband, the said Mary, I understood made an application to the United States Government for a pension. She is since deceased. I knew the said James Bell from the time, I was twenty years old, up to the time said James Bell died. The said James Bell was always reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in which he lived, to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, attached to the

Continental Line, and I concur in that opinion — Sworn and subscribed Isaac Updegrave this 14 th July, 1854 A. O. Hester
State of Pennsylvania — Dauphin County ss This is to certify, that the foregoing deposition was taken by me at the house of Isaac Updegrave the deponent, in Susquehanna Township Dauphin County, and that the said Isaac Updegrave is an aged and highly reputable citizen, and of the most unquestionable veracity, and his statements en- titled to full credit —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal this fourteenth day of July Anno Domini One Thousand eight hundred fifty four.
A. O. Hester Seal Judge
Dauphin County State of Pennsylvania Set-
On this twenty second day of July — Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred and fifty four, personally appear- ed before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County in said State of Pennsylvania John Brooks a re- sident of Middle Paxton Township in said County aged upwards of sixty years, Stone Mason, who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that "I was born in Middle Paxton Township Dauphin County Pennsylvania and have lived there all my life, if I live to 19 th December next, I will be sixty one years of age, I was very well acquainted with James Bell of Middle

Sohell
214-6
Paxton Township aforesaid. He is now dead about thirty years. He left a widow named Mary, she applied for a pension to the General Government, but is also deceased. She never married after James Bell's death. I knew the said James Bell & his wife Mary they had ten Children - John He died a bachelor many years since. Mary Bell (who married Joseph Greenwood of Erie Penn a ) - James Bell (of Middle Paxton Township aforesaid) Rachel Bell (of Middle Paxton), Amelia Bell (married to Levi Bell of Erie County Pa) Sarah (married to Cornelius Donelly of Middle Paxton Township aforesaid) Matilda (of same Township) Isaac (of same Township) Walter Bell (of Blairsville Indiana County Penn a ) William Bell (of Middle Paxton Township deceased) I knew the said James Bell (the elder) very well knew him from my childhood, up to the time said James Bell died. lived about one mile & a half from said James Bell part of the time only a few rods distant. The said James Bell, was always reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in which he resided. (Middle Paxton Township aforesaid) to have been a Revolutionary soldier, attached to the Continental Line, and I concur in that opinion."
John Brooks
Sworn & subscribed this 22 d July 1832, Before me Wm H. Hunsay Judge,

State of Pennsylvania Dauphin County Set
This is to certify that the foregoing deposition of John Brooks was taken before me in Harrisburg - (there being no Court in Session) - and the said John Brooks is a respectable citizen of Middle Paxton Township in the County of Dauphin, and of unquestionable veracity and his statement entitled to full credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 22 nd day of July A.D. 1854.
Wm. H. Warren Judge
Dauphin County, State of Pennsylvania
I, Stephen Miller Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, Do hereby certify that A. O. Hester Esquire before whom the within and foregoing Affidavit of Isaac Updegraff was made; and Wm. H. Murray Esquire before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of John Brooks was made; were at the several dates thereof and now are Associate Judges of the said Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected and Commissioned and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such their official acts accordingly; and that their signatures which appear to the said affidavits severally; and to the Certificate following the affidavits aforesaid are genuine.
Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court at Harrisburg this twenty fourth day of July A.D. 1854
Stephen Miller Prothonotary

Walter Bell, was born in Dauphin Co. Pa. May 26 th 1807, And died April 9 th 1865, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Elizabeth Amelia, his daughter was born Sep. 5 th 1833. Was united in Marriage to the undersigned Nov. 7 th 1854. Died July 2 nd 1865, leaving two children, named respectively Jessie Bell Bracken, & Edmund W. Bracken. The former is now in her fourth, and the latter in his third year.
John W. Bell, Son of Walter Bell, was born July 18, 1835, and now resides in Cincinnati Ohio.
Walter Boren Bell, was born, Sep. 30, 1844
Leonora Jane, was born June 24, 1846
The above I certify to be correct, according to Family Record. J. S. Bracken

Sworn and subscribed Jan 29- 1866, in presence of me.
John E. Bell
Prothly

William Bell was born March 8 th 1784, John Bell was born April 12 th 1786 Mary Bell was born March 8 th 1788 James Bell was born March 11 th 1790 Rachel Bell was born Aug. 27 th 1792 Amelia Bell was born July 7. 1794, William Bell was born July 20 th , 1796, Sarah Bell was born Aug. 2 nd 1798 Matilda Bell was born June 17 th , 1801 Isaac Bell was born Feby 6 th . 1803, Walter Bell was born May 26 th 1805,
Dauphin County, P a  Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Dauphin Walter Bell a resident of the Borough of Dauphin in the County of Dauphin and State of Penn a . Who after being duly sworn according to Law saith, that the above is a correct copy from the family record of the births of the children of James and Mary Bell eleven in number, remaining in the possession of the said Mary Bell —  Sworn and subscribed the 30 th day of March 1847 }  Before me W m Clark J.P.  Walter Bell
I certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of the above affiant W m Clark J.P.

214-4
State of Pennsylvania Dauphin County } ss
1847
On this twentieth day of March, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the several courts of the County of Dauphin in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mary Bell a resident of Middle Paxton Township in said County of Dauphin and State aforesaid aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836: (That she is the widow of James Bell who was a private in the Pennsylvania Line in the Revolutionary war and that he served until the end of the war, She further declares that she was married to the said James Bell before harvest in the year 1783; That her husband the aforesaid James Bell died on the 31 st day of October 1822; And that she has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed; She also further declares that she had the oath her said husband took when he entered the service and also his discharge for many years in her house, and that she kept them upon a rafter in the house, the roof of which was blown off by storm & by which the papers were lost,
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Mary her Bell mark
Wm Dack Judge
witness present Waller Bell
I certify that the above named Mary Bell could not from bodily infirmity attend in Court and that full credit may be given to her testimony.
Wm Dack Judge

Pennsylvania
Dauphin County ss
I William D Boas Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas Dauphin County, do hereby Certify, that William Lock is a Judge of the several courts of Dauphin County and that the fore- going signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I William D Boas have hereunto Affixed my Seal of Office and Subscribed my name, this 25 th day of March A D 1847
William D Boas
Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County.

Many thanks
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FEB 15 1867 RECORDS OFFICE

2/4/10
STATE OF Pennsylvania } ss. COUNTY OF Dauphin }
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me
that Mrs Mary Bell (decd) applicant for was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ 10 per annum and that she died on the tenth day of November eighteen hundred and forty nine leaving surviving eight children whose names are Walter Bell Matilda Bell Rachael Bell Sarah Daniel Isaac Bell James Bell Mary Greenwood & Amelia Bell and that they are
the only surviving children of the aforesaid Mary Bell (decd) And I further certify that Matilda Bell has been duly appointed and qualified as administrator of the estate of the said Mrs Mary Bell (decd)
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this Tenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty- two
Wm Hummel Jr
Register

M. B. H. Rev. War Section.
October 16, 1914.
James Bell R, 723
Mr. J. N. Johnson, 233 Broadway, New York, N. Y.
Sir:-
In response to your request for the record of service of James Bell, private in Capt. Stoddard's accompanying "Penn. Regt. War of the Revolution," you are advised that a careful search of the records fail to show that pension was allowed on the service of said soldier.
One Mary Bell a resident of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin Co., Penn., applied for pension on March 20, 1847 and it is alleged in said claim that her husband James Bell served in the 11 th Penn. regt. Revolutionary war but no further details of service were furnished and the claim was rejected on the ground that there was no proof that her husband was the soldier who served in said regiment.
Very respectfully,
[Signature] Acting Commissioner.

1914 Oct 16: No. 9 Cr. Johnson - see letter in claim. M.A.H.
Ex'r. 723 INVALID.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
RECORDED
Mary Bell P. O. Widow of James.
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

V No 6904
Mary Bell
Pa Sister to Martha Bell
April 17th '47
act 24 July 1836

13367
Mary Bell, Widow of James Penn a
to Bell June 12 1847-
H Alrick October 12 1848-
Im Thayer Aug 30 1852-
Hon A Drum Feby 1 1854 1853-
H Alrick Aug 7 1854-
Hon J Brown Janz 9 1857- 1857
723
July 7 1838.

No 13367
Mary Bell
Pa
Sl 6 W. Bell June 12/47
Sl. to H. Alice Pa
Oct. 12th, 1848.
Sl. Aug 28/52
Sl. 9. ch. Thrip Aug 30/52
Hon Aug Drum Feb 1/1854
Hamilton Abnick Aug 7/1854
act 7 May 1858
H. D. Brown
Jan 9/1857

10
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
W. Pension Bureau Washington D.C.

ms. A. 9. 2. 20
Oct 10 th 1914,
Will you kindly give me record of service of James Bell, private War of Revolution, Capt Benjamin Stoddard Co 11 th Regiment Pennsylvania
Continental Line Col Thomas Hartley April 1777 to April 1780
Penn. Archives Vol IV page 176 any data appearing upon pension record & much obliged J. N. Johnson, No 233 Broadway, New York City

Department of the Interior.
Received Aug. 19., 1867.
Dated, " 17, 1867.
From whom, Jno Jolliffe Washington D.C.
Subject.
Appeal = Case of Mary Bell widow of James - (Revolutionary War)
Action.
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions for report.
Wm. A. J. Jolliffe Actg. Chf. Clk.
Registered, Pen. Docket Filed, Appeals

Washington, D.C.
January, 27. 1867
John Joliffe Esq Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir
In reply to your favor of the 21 st inst I have the honor to say, that per- =mission has been granted you to withdraw the Petition & paper of Walter Bell, you can have them by calling on the Clerk of the House.
Respectfully
W. D. M c Indoe
M.C.
parn.

MONUMENT FEB PEI

Gen Glocester
Dr Sir
I have just recd a line from Mr Walter Bell in relation to Bill on the files of the last House of Representatives for delay of Jas Bellihens. I know nothing about the documents, the petition and evidence, was all put in the hands of Hon Mr Durn.
I understood the matter was printed. I presume you will find the petition and all the papers, on file. No doubt but Mr Horney late Clerk of H. R. could point you to the documents. Very respectfully
Your humble servant Hamilton Hinds July 21st 1836

John H Bell

Cincinnati, O. Dec. 5, 1865. Mr. J. J. Joliffe, Esq.: Dear Sir-
Your last letter was received in due time, and would have been answered long since, but for circumstances which have since transpired.
The previous letters to you, in regard to the claim of Walter Bell, were written by me - his son - but at his request and dictation. My Father, Walter Bell, was accidentally killed, on the 9th of April last, in this city, by a runaway horse.
Being anxious to have the aforesaid claim adjusted, if possible, I would like you to proceed with it.
Will the death of my Father bar the claim, or in any way interfere with the forwarding of the same?

Have you, or can you obtain possession of, all the necessary documents to enable you to proceed with the case?
I am the oldest the three surviving children of Walter Bell; and as to my identity and right to act in this matter, I can satisfy you without any trouble.
At your convenience, I would be pleased to know how the matter stands, and the prospects of success in securing the claim. If you think it can be settled, push it through
Thanking you for past favors, and hoping soon to hear from you, I am
Respectfully,
John W. Bell, Cincinnati, Ohio,

DEPARTMENT OF STATE RECEIVED FEB 15 1978 PENSION
3 1/2
Handwritten scribbles and marks at the bottom of the page.

Also
214-3
The widow sets forth her husband's service in the Continental line. That her husband served to the end of the war if they were married before January 1st, (See A.)
Joseph Bell & Mary Meester swear from personal knowledge that her husband was the James Bell who served in the War. I who was see B & C, both establishing identity,
Proof of Marriage E
Proof of Service F 6 years
Letter of Pension Office G.
Traditional proof consists of 4 witnesses all of whom testify as to the reputation of James Bell's service.

No. 11

214-172
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the family of Mrs Mary Bell for many years and never entertained a doubt nor heard of one being entertained by any person that she is the Widow of James Bell who was a soldier through the Civil War; that the tradition of the Neighbourhood where she has lived over 50 years puts this fact beyond question; and notwithstanding the technical objections set up by the Commissioner, a just claim, in my opinion, was never presented. Hon Jacob Broom Chairman Committee on Pensions John Covode 19 th District Pa.

OF TI 1911
Will have to withdraw the paper from old file and say before Committee.
Mr. ... 1911

Washington City DC Jan 20. 1855
My Dr Sir
I had the pleasure due to receive yours of the 17 th inst and will take your pleasure cheerfully aid in the passage of the Bill to which you refer
Yrs &
Richard Brodhead
By Hamilton Alrich Esq

Mr Walter Bell
Dear Sir
The within letter was received from the Hon R Brock head of the United States Senate. You see that he promises fair.
As Mr Drum reported the bill - I wrote to him several times. In haste Yours
January 25 1855
Hamilton Ablicks

Hon John Coode
Dear Sir
Bell
Mr Walter
One of your constituents informed me, that you agreed to take charge of the Bill - reported at the last Session of Congress, for the relief of the Heirs of James Bell a Revolutionary Soldier.
I herewith inclose you a letter from the War Department which perhaps may be of service. - It at least shows that in 1847 the Department would have accepted, upon as evidence the neighbourhood, to identify our James Bell with the War man of the Pennsylvania Line.
The Certificate of the Auditor General of Penna

shows that James Bell was in the Pennsylvania Line, in the Revolutionary War. There is no evidence that  there was any other than our James Bell was in the Continental Line. The evidence is clear that James & Mary Bell were married before his services as a soldier were concluded and that Mary Bell, who first applied for aid, was the widow of James Bell, and then we prove by two aged & reputable citizens that James Bell was al- ways believed, and repu- ted to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. More than this - the Depart

=ment should not have re- =quired. I am not aware that there is now living in Dauphin County, any sur- =viving soldiers of the Revolu- tionary War. James Bell died in 1822 - and if any of his comrades survived they might have difficulty in recalling his services.
James Bell was a modest man - perhaps seldom read the papers, and knew little about his claims at that early day, indeed he died fourteen years before the passage of the act of 1834. I have no doubt there are hundreds of cases in which the Depart- ment has granted pensions

on slighter evidence, than is ever exhibited by the heirs of James Bell; and I doubt not but that a pension would have been granted in this case, if some of the Pension agents at Washington, had been retain- ed by the Messrs Bell's. I have written to the Hon Job R Tyson, and if the evidence is satis- factory to his experienced legal mind, he will doubt- less grant you his aid & coun- sel. In haste very respectfully,
Yours
Harrisburg Pa. Hamilton Strick February 15.
1836
The Hon Job Kunkel is acquainted with high standing of Isaac Upde- grove (Bridge Builder) and John Brooks, the witnesses who prove the reputation that James Bell had - of having served in the Penna Line, in the Revolutionary War.

MARY BELL.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 831.]
FEBRUARY 13, 1857.
Mr. BROOM, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom were referred the petition and papers in the case of Mary Bell, widow of James Bell, deceased, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report:
The claimant, in her declaration for the benefit of the act of July 4, 1836, sets forth, under oath, the following facts: That her husband was a private in the Pennsylvania line, and served until the close of the war; that her husband died 31st October, 1822; that she was married to her said husband before harvest , in 1783; that she had the oath her said husband took when he entered the war, and also his discharge, both of which were destroyed by the blowing off of the roof of their house, &c., &c. She furnishes a certificate from the records of the State of Pennsylvania, showing that her husband served several years as a private, and was paid to the 1st November, 1783.—(See paper F.) She furnishes the testimony of Joseph Bell, who swears that the said James Bell served several years in the war as a private, and that said Mary Bell is the widow of said soldier deceased; also, of Mary Meston, who well recollects the marriage of James Bell with the widow who now applies for a pension; that she well recollects the time when he went to the army, and has known his widow, said Mary, as the widow of James Bell who served as a private, and has heard the said James Bell speak of his services as a soldier, &c.
There are also four witnesses, all of whom testify from tradition to the fact that James Bell, husband of said widow, was a soldier in the revolutionary war.
The proof of marriage filed in the case is the original family record, showing the first child to have been born on the 8th March, 1784; hence it is clear that they were married prior to her husband's leaving the service.
The question presented in this case is one of identity only. The Pension Office, in its letter of 9th January, 1857, refuses to allow the claim, because the identity of the soldier who served to the end of the

war of the same name as that of the husband of the said widow is not sufficiently clear. Your committee cannot concur with the decision of the Pension Office in this case. It would be a denial of the bounty of the government to place the cases of the soldiers of the Revolution upon the same rules as to testimony that would be required in the ordinary course of justice, for the reason that greater difficulty exists in producing the same strict proof of which other matters are susceptible; but in this case your committee can see no just reason to disregard the very respectable testimony exhibited. All the witnesses are vouched for as to credibility; and the Hon. John Covode, a member of Congress in the present session, bears testimony to the fact that these claimants are of too much integrity to ask anything from the government which they do not think they are justly entitled to. Your committee deem these facts satisfactorily established: 1st. That James Bell, husband of said widow , did serve several years as a private in the Revolution. 2d. That they were married before he left the service. They therefore report a bill for relief under act 4th July, 1836.
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the family of Mrs. Mary Bell for many years, and never entertained a doubt, nor heard of one being entertained by any person, that she is the widow of James Bell, who was a soldier through the entire war; that the tradition of the neighborhood where she has lived over sixty years puts this fact beyond question; and notwithstanding the technical objections set up by the Commissioner, a juster claim, in my opinion, was never presented.
JOHN COVODE, Nineteenth District, Pennsylvania.
Hon. JACOB BROOM, Chairman Committee on Pensions.
The widow sets forth her husband's service in the continental line, that he served to the end of the war, and they were married before harvest.—(See A.)
Joseph Bell and Mary Meston swear, from personal knowledge, that her husband was the James Bell who served in the war.—(See B and C, both establishing identity.)
Proof of marriage, E.
Proof of service, F, six years.
Letter of Pension Office, G.
Traditional proof consists of four witnesses, all of whom testify as to the reputation of James Bell's service.

A.
* STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss.  Dauphin county. }
On this twentieth day of March, 1847, personally appeared before the subscriber, a judge of the several courts of the county of Dauphin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mary Bell, a resident of Middle Paxton township, in said county of Dauphin and State aforesaid, aged eighty-four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of James Bell, who was a private in the Pennsylvania line in the revolutionary war, and that he served until the end of the war. She further declares that she was married to the said James Bell before harvest, in the year 1783; that her husband, the aforesaid James Bell, died on the 31st day of October, 1822, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She also further declares that she had the oath her said husband took when he entered the service, and also his discharge, for many years in her house, and that she kept them upon a rafter in the house, the roof of which was blown off by storm, and by which the papers were lost.
MARY her X BELL.  mark.
Witness present: WALTER BELL.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me,
WM. DACK, Judge.
I certify that the above named Mary Bell could not, from bodily infirmity, attend in court, and that full credit may be given to her testimony.
WM. DACK, Judge.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss.  Dauphin county. }
I, William D. Boas, prothonotary of the court of common pleas, Dauphin county, do hereby certify that William Dack is a judge of the several courts of Dauphin county, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I William D. Boas have hereunto affixed [SEAL.] my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 25th day of March, A. D. 1847.
WILLIAM D. BOAS,  Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin county.

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } set.  County of Dauphin, }
On this fourteenth day of July, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the judges of the court of common pleas of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, Isaac Updegrove, a resident of Susquehannah township, in said county of Dauphin, (bridge builder,) who being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that "I am wellnigh sixty-nine years of age—upwards of sixty-eight; I was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and my father removed with me to Dauphin county in my infancy, and I have lived in Dauphin county ever since. I was very well acquainted with James Bell, of Middle Paxton township, in this county of Dauphin—he is since deceased; he left a widow, named Mary; I knew James Bell and Mary his wife, and their family; they had ten children; Mary Bell, widow of said James Bell, never married after the death of her said husband; the said Mary, I understood, made an application to the United States government for a pension. She is since deceased. I knew the said James Bell from the time I was twenty years old, up to the time said James Bell died. The said James Bell was always reputed, and believed in the neighborhood in which he lived, to have been a revolutionary soldier, attached to the continental line, and I concur in that opinion."
ISAAC UPDEGROVE.
Sworn and subscribed this 14th July, 1854.
A. O. HIESTER.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss.  Dauphin county, }
This is to certify that the foregoing deposition was taken by me at the house of Isaac Updegrove, the deponent, in Susquehannah township, Dauphin county, and that the said Isaac Updegrove is an aged and highly reputable citizen, and of the most unquestionable veracity, and his statements entitled to full credit.
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal this fourteenth day of July, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
A. O. HIESTER, Judge. [L. s.]
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } set.  Dauphin county, }
On this 22d day of July, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the judges of the court of common pleas of Dauphin county, in said State of Pennsylvania, John Brooks, a resident of Middle Paxton township, in said county, aged upwards of sixty years, (stone mason,) who being duly

sworn according to law, did depose and say, that "I was born in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and have lived there all my life. If I live to the 19th December next, I will be sixty-one years of age. I was very well acquainted with James Bell, of Middle Paxton township, aforesaid. He is now dead about thirty years. He left a widow, named Mary; she applied for a pension to the general government, but is also deceased. She never married after James Bell's death. I knew the said James Bell and his wife Mary; they had ten children: John, he died a bachelor many years since, Mary Bell, (who married Joseph Greenwood, of Erie, Pennsylvania,) James Bell, (of Middle Paxton township, aforesaid,) Rachel Bell, (of Middle Paxton,) Amelia Bell, (married to Levi Bell, of Erie county, Pennsylvania,) Sarah, (married to Cornelius Donelly, of Middle Paxton township, aforesaid,) Matilda, (of same township,) Isaac, (of same township,) Walter Bell, (of Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania,) William Bell, esq., (of Middle Paxton township, deceased.) I knew the said James Bell (the elder) very well; knew him from my childhood up to the time said James Bell died; lived about one mile and a half from said James Bell, and part of the time only a few rods distant. The said James Bell was always reputed and believed, in the neighborhood in which he resided, (Middle Paxton township, aforesaid,) to have been a revolutionary soldier, attached to the continental line, and I concur in that opinion."
JOHN BROOKS.
Sworn and subscribed, this 22d July, 1854, before me, WM. F. MURRAY, Judge.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } set. Dauphin county.
This is to certify that the foregoing deposition of John Brooks was taken before me, in Harrisburg, (there being no court in session,) and the said John Brooks is a respectable and reputable citizen of Middle Paxton township, in this county of Dauphin, and of unquestionable veracity, and his statement entitled to full credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 22d day of July, A. D. 1854.
WM. F. MURRAY, Judge.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss. Dauphin county.
I, Stephen Miller, prothonotary of the court of common pleas, of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that A. O. Hiester, esq., before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of Isaac Updegraw was made, and Wm. F. Murray, esq., before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of John Brooks was made, were at the several dates thereof, and now are, associate judges of the said court in and of the county and State aforesaid, duly elected and commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such

their official acts accordingly ; and that their signatures, which appear to the said affidavits severally, and to the certificates following the affidavits aforesaid, are genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of said court, at Harrisburg, this 24th day of July, A. D. 1854.
STEPHEN MILLER, Prothonotary.
LEXINGTON, KY., March 2, 1847.
I do hereby certify that James Bell was married to my sister, Mary Bell, in Millerstown, Lancaster county, by the Reverend Melsimen, in the year A. D. 1783, and that said James Bell served in the revolutionary war as a soldier in the Pennsylvania line.
WILLIAM BELL.
FAYETTE COUNTY, set.
Personally appeared before the undersigned, a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, the above named William Bell, and made oath to the above certificate and acknowledged the same in my presence.
Given under my hand, this 2d day of March, 1847.
C. J. SANDERS, Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, } set. Fayette county.
I, James A. Grinstead, clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid, do certify that Caleb J. Sanders, whose name is signed to the within certificate, is, and was at the date thereof, an acting justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law ; that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such ; that his said signature is genuine, and his said certificate in due form.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the [SEAL.] seal of said court, this 2d day of March, 1847.
Attest :
JAMES A. GRINSTEAD, Clerk County Court.
FAYETTE COUNTY, set.
I, James L. Hickman, presiding judge and justice of the county court in and for said county, do certify that James A. Grinstead, whose name is signed above, is, and was at the date of his certificate,

the clerk of our said court, duly appointed and qualified according to law; that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such; that his said signature is genuine, and his said certificate and attestation is in due form.
Given under my hand this 2d day of March, 1847.
Attest:
JAMES L. HICKMAN, Presiding Judge Fayette County Court.
LEXINGTON, KY., March 2, 1847.
DEAR NEPHEW: I received your letter this day, and considered the little mistake and have corrected it; you mentioned to me about John's property at St. Louis. I am well acquainted with the situation of the Middletown property, and if I should die, and the man that has it in possession, there might be some difficulty in getting it; if you will give a proper power of attorney to take possession and rent it or sell it; and it would be necessary to give me some information respecting John's tools and land at St. Louis; perhaps you might have letters to give me information in referred to the land. If making sale of the property, I would immediately put the money in this bank, and give you a draft on Harrisburg bank; and if you come out yourself, I will render all the assistance I can. I have wrote to my brother Walter to send you a certificate, the same as I send you now, which I have no doubt that he will do; he lives in West Tennessee, near Cherryville, Haywood county. This day I sent the letter to him. My family wishes to be remembered to you.
I remain yours, with respect,
WILLIAM BELL.
WALTER BELL.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss. Dauphin county, }
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, James Bell, a resident of Middle Paxton township, in said county, aged fifty-six years, who, upon his solemn oath, duly administered, says that he is the fourth child of James and Mary Bell, of said township, and that there were eleven of a family of children, of whom three were older and seven younger than himself; and that he has every reason to believe that his father James Bell, deceased, was out in the revolutionary war, and in the Pennsylvania line, and has often heard his father relate the circumstance of his having been in said service; and deponent is as well satisfied that his father was out as if he had actually seen him in the service; and his mother who

MARY BELL.
is now applying for a pension has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband, James Bell.
JAMES BELL.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 1st day of June, A. D. 1847. WM. CLARK, Jr.
I certify that full credit may be given to the evidence of the above affiant.
WM. CLARK, Jr., J. P.
State of Pennsylvania, } ss. County of Dauphin, }
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me that Mrs. Mary Bell, deceased, was applicant for a revolutionary pension of the United States, at the rate of $____ per annum, and that she died on the tenth day of November, eighteen hundred and forty-nine, leaving surviving eight children, whose names are Walter Bell, Matilda Bell, Rachel Bell, Sarah Donelly, Isaac Bell, James Bell, Mary Greenwood, and Amelia Bell, and that they are the only surviving children of the aforesaid Mary Bell, deceased. And I further certify that Matilda Bell has been duly appointed and qualified as administratrix of the estate of the said Mrs. Mary Bell, deceased.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this tenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
VAL. HUMMEL, Jr., Register.
State of Pennsylvania, } ss. Dauphin county, }
On this twentieth day of March, A. D. 1847, personally appeared before the subscriber, a judge of the several courts of the county of Dauphin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Mary Bell, a resident of Middle Paxton township, in the said county of Dauphin and State aforesaid, aged eighty-four years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the seventh day of July, A. D. 1838, and supplements: That she was married to James Bell, who was a private in the Pennsylvania line in the revolutionary war, before harvest, in the year 1783, and that she is the widow of said James Bell, and that he served until the end of the war; her husband, the aforesaid James Bell, died on the 31st day of October, 1822, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She also further declares that she had the oath which her said husband took when he entered the service, and also his discharge, for many years in her house, and that

MARY BELL.
she kept them upon a rafter in the house, the roof of which was blown off by storm, and by which the papers were lost.
her MARY + BELL. mark.
Witness present: WALTER BELL.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me,
WM. DACK, Judge.
I certify that the above named Mary Bell could not, from bodily infirmity, attend in court, and that full credit may be given to her testimony.
WM. DACK.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } set: Dauphin County, }
I, William D. Boas, prothonotary of the court of common pleas of said county and State aforesaid, do certify that Wm. Dack, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing, is a judge in and for said county, duly commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such his official acts accordingly, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said court this 29th day of May, A. D. 1847.
WM. D. BOAS, Prothonotary.
William Bell was born March 8, 1784. John Bell was born April 12, 1786. Mary Bell was born March 8, 1788. James Bell was born March 11, 1790. Rachel Bell was born August 27, 1792. Amelia Bell was born July 7, 1794. William Bell was born July 20, 1796. Sarah Bell was born August 2, 1798. Matilda Bell was born June 17, 1801. Isaac Bell was born February 6, 1803. Walter Bell was born May 26, 1805.
DAUPHIN COUNTY, ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Dauphin, Walter Bell, a resident of the borough

MARY BELL.
she kept them upon a rafter in the house, the roof of which was blown off by storm, and by which the papers were lost.
her MARY + BELL. mark.
Witness present: WALTER BELL.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me,
WM. DACK, Judge.
I certify that the above named Mary Bell could not, from bodily infirmity, attend in court, and that full credit may be given to her testimony.
WM. DACK.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } set: Dauphin County, }
I, William D. Boas, prothonotary of the court of common pleas of said county and State aforesaid, do certify that Wm. Dack, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing, is a judge in and for said county, duly commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such his official acts accordingly, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said court this 29th day of May, A. D. 1847.
WM. D. BOAS, Prothonotary.
William Bell was born March 8, 1784. John Bell was born April 12, 1786. Mary Bell was born March 8, 1788. James Bell was born March 11, 1790. Rachel Bell was born August 27, 1792. Amelia Bell was born July 7, 1794. William Bell was born July 20, 1796. Sarah Bell was born August 2, 1798. Matilda Bell was born June 17, 1801. Isaac Bell was born February 6, 1803. Walter Bell was born May 26, 1805.
DAUPHIN COUNTY, ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Dauphin, Walter Bell, a resident of the borough

of Dauphin, in the county of Dauphin, and State of Pennsylvania, who, after being duly sworn according to law, saith, that the above is a correct copy from the family record of the births of the children of James and Mary Bell, eleven in number, remaining in the possession of the said Mary Bell.
WALTER BELL.
Sworn and subscribed this 30th day of March, 1847, before me, WM. CLARK, Jr., J. P.
I certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of the above affiant.
WM. CLARK, JR., J. P.
B.
PENNSYLVANIA, Indiana county, ss.
Personally appeared before me, one of the judges of the court of common pleas of said county, Mary Meston, aged about seventy-nine years, who, after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and says, she was well acquainted with James Bell, deceased, formerly of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, who was a relative of hers, and was the husband of Mary Bell, now a widow, whose maiden name was Bell, and who was the full cousin of James Bell, being the daughter of John Bell, of Middle Paxton township, in said county. Deponent was not present at the marriage of James and Mary Bell, the widow spoken of above, but knew both of them well, both before and after their marriage, and knows that they lived together as man and wife for several years; believes the marriage took place before deponent was fifteen years of age. Deponent recollects that James Bell, afterwards the husband of Mary, and George Bell, her brother, left home to join the American army. Deponent recollects of being at the house of John Bell, the father of Mary Bell, in Middle Paxton township, when the said James and George Bell started to join the American army, and went with them, and accompanied them to her grandfather's, William Bell, where her mother resided, the father of deponent being dead, which was about three miles east of Harris' ferry, where Harrisburg now is. Deponent thinks she was not much over seven years of age at the time. Deponent thinks she would probably not recollect anything of the circumstances in relation to James Bell going off to join the army but for some circumstances that took place that evening. She remembers seeing James Bell afterwards, but cannot say how soon after, or how many years elapsed before his return. Deponent recollects hearing James Bell spoken of, after he returned, as having been a revolutionary soldier; and remembers that he was away some time after he left, but, as before said, cannot state how long.
her MARY X MESTON. mark.
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of March, 1848, before me, JOHN CUNNINGHAM.

INDIANA COUNTY, ss.
I, John Cunningham, one of the judges of the court of common pleas of Indiana county, do certify that Mary Meston, whose deposition precedes this certificate, is a person of good character for truth, and that full credit should be given to her deposition.
Witness my hand, at Blairsville, in said county, this 21st day of March, A. D. 1848.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss.  Indiana county, }
I, A. W. Taylor, prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Indiana county, do certify that John Cunnigham, esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and taken, and who has attested the same, as well as the above certificate, in his own proper handwriting, is, and was at the time the same bears date, one of the associate judges of said court, duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the [L.s.] seal of said court, at Indiana, the 28th day of March, A. D. 1848.
A. W. TAYLOR,  Prothonotary.
C.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss.  Dauphin county, }
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Dauphin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Joseph Bell, a resident of Middle Paxton township, in the county and State aforesaid, aged seventy years, who, after being first duly sworn according to law, says, that Mary Bell, who resides in the same, is his sister, and that James Bell, on account of whose services she claims a pension from the United States, was married to her some time in the year 1783, and that the said James Bell died in the year 1821 or 1822, and that his widow, the said Mary Bell, has remained a widow ever since that period; and he further states that the aforesaid James Bell has frequently told him that he, the said James Bell, had served six years in the revolutionary war, and was enlisted in the Pennsylvania line, and served until the end of the war; and he further says that he has a distinct recollection of the time when the said James Bell returned home; that he was dressed in uniform, and brought his musket home with him, and gave deponent a cutlass, tomahawk, and a cap, which he kept for many years.
JOSEPH BELL.
Sworn and subscribed this 16th day of March, 1847, before me, WM. CLARK, JR., J. P.
I certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of the above affiant.
WM. CLARK, JR., J. P.
DAUPHIN, March 20, 1847.

DAUPHIN COUNTY, ss.
I, William D. Boas, prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Dauphin county, do hereby certify that William Clark is a magistrate, as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and [L. S.] subscribed my name, this 25th day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
WILLIAM D. BOAS,
Prothonotary of the court of common pleas of Dauphin county.
E.
William Bell was born on Sunday morning, the [illegible] of March, in the year of our Lord 1784.
John Bell was born on Thursday, the 12th of April, in the year of our Lord 1786.
Mary Bell was born on Saturday, the 8th of March, in the year of our Lord 1788.
Rachel Bell was born Monday, 27th day of August, in the year 1792.
Pamaly Bell was born in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, on the [illegible] day of July.
William Bell was born on Tuesday morning, the 20th of July, in the year of our Lord [illegible.]
[Illegible] Bell was born, on the [illegible] day of August, in the year of our Lord [illegible.]
Isaac Bell was born on Sunday, the sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord 1803.
Walter Bell was born on Sunday, the twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord 1805.
DAUPHIN COUNTY, ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Dauphin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Walter Bell, a resident of the borough of Dauphin, in the said county, who, after being duly sworn, says, that the above four pieces of paper pasted on this sheet he obtained from his mother, Mary Bell, and that they are the original record of the births of the children of James and Mary Bell, of Middle Paxton township, in said county of Dauphin, with the exception of two, which leaf, containing the date of their births, has been lost; but all have been transcribed into another book, from which a copy was taken and sent to Washington some time ago.
WALTER BELL.
Sworn and subscribed this 2d day of June, A. D. 1847, before me, WM. CLARK, JR., J. P.
I certify that Walter Bell, the above affiant, is of good character, and full credit may be given to his testimony.
WM. CLARK, JR., J. P.

F.
Eleventh regiment, 1780.
We, and each of us, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Ercurius Beatty, agents for the late Pennsylvania line, the several sums opposite to our names, respectively, in certificates, dated July 1, 1784, bearing interest at six per cent. from January 1, 1781, signed by John Pierce, commissioner, and described as below, being for the balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay, &c., to January 1, 1781.
   Date of issue. No. of certificate. Letter. Names. Sums. Signers.   Dollars. 90ths.     67,580 H. X James Bell ----- 33 30  
Third regiment, 1783.
We, and each of us, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Ercurius Beatty, agents for the late Pennsylvania line, the several sums opposite to our names, respectively, in certificates, dated July 1, 1784, bearing interest at six per cent. from November 4, 1783, signed by John Pierce, commissioner, and described as below, being for the balance of a settlement between the United States and us for pay, &c., to November 3, 1783.
   Date of issue. No. of certificate. Letter. Names. Sums. Signers.   Dollars. 90ths.     71,501 N X James Bell ----- 40 60  
Third regiment, gratuity.
We, and each of us, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Ercurius Beatty, agents for the late Pennsylvania line, the several sums opposite to our names, respectively, in certificates, dated July 1, 1784, bearing interest at six per cent. from November 4, 1783, signed by John Pierce, commissioner, and described as below, being for the balance of a settlement between the United States and us, for gratuity allowed the non-commissioned officers and privates who served to the end of the war.

   Date of issue. No. of certificate. Letter. Names. Sums. Signers.   Dollars. 90ths.     71,987 D X James Bell ----- 80  
AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Harrisburg, February 2, 1847.
I certify the above and foregoing to be true extracts taken from the original pay-rolls on file in this department.
Witness my hand and seal of office the day and date aforesaid.
JOHN N. PURVIANCE, Auditor General.
— G.
PENSION OFFICE, January 9, 1857.
SIR: I have the honor to enclose the papers in the case of Mary Bell, of Pennsylvania, whose application for pension under the act of July 7, 1838, for the alleged services of her husband, James Bell, has been disallowed by this office, because of the insufficiency of the testimony upon the point of service. A man of her husband's name did serve to the end of the war; but she has not furnished the testimony of any one who knows that the soldier and her husband were the same man, and the probabilities are so strong that they were different men, that this office could not allow the claim except upon much clearer proof of identity than is on file. If her husband was the soldier, he was entitled to bounty land from the United States, under the act of 1776, and yet he lived to 1822 without having asserted a claim for it. This raises a very strong presumption against the validity of the present claim, for it is hardly to be believed that her husband would have neglected to avail himself of the benefits of the bounty land act above referred to if he had been entitled to its benefits.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. C. WHITING. Commissioner.
HON. JACOB BROOM, Chairman Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, House of Reps.

Washington DC Feb 14 th 1807
Mr. C. K. B. Annett - Commissioner of Pensions
Sir - I have the honor to endorse the application to the President of the United States for means of Revolutionary Pension due to my Bel Ladd
Respectfully J. M. Shippen Acting Clerk

DEPT OF THE INTERIOR MAR 15 1967 PENSION OFFICE

Cincinnati, O. April 9,
Mr. John Jolliffe, Esq.
Dear Sir.
In your last letter, of Feb. 17, you acknowledged the receipt of sundry documents, &c. (sent you by me); and added: "I will write you more fully after I shall have made inquiries as to the present condition of the case;" since which time I have received nothing further from you. Will you please give me the information above proposed? Hoping to hear from you at your earliest convenience, I remain,
Respectfully,
Thos. W. Bell,
P.S. - H. Egan

Copy.
No. of Reps.
Jany 28. 1851
Hon. Comm. of Pensions
You will please inform me if James Bell of Middle Paxton, Township, Dauphin Co. Pa. received a Pension in his lifetime, and if the same has been extended to Mary Bell his widow, since his death, or if any declaration was made by her for that purpose - probably in 1846-47
Respectfully Aug. Drew.

House of Representatives 6 th June 1887.
Hon. G. C. Whiting Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
I will thank you to forward me for the use of the Committee on Revolu- tionary Pension, the papers on file in your office in the case of Mary Bell widow of James Bell a suspended claim from the State of Pennsylvania,
I have the honor to be
Yours Most Respectful Jacob Brone (Chairman Committee on Pensions)

Washington June 15 th 1872,
J. E. Heath Esq Sir
I herewith enclose the application of the children of Mary Bell, widow of James P. act 1836, and have to request a reexamination of the papers on file in your office with a view to an allowance of the claim, the evidence in support of which it is believed to be abundant,
Very Respectfully
J. M. Thayer,

Pension Office, April 17th, 1847.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mary Bell, widow of James Bell, have been examined and filed under the Act of 4th July, 1836.
To bring this claim within the provisions of the above Act, it will be necessary for Mrs Bell to shew that she was married to her husband prior to the termination of his service. The Pennsylvania Troops were discharged with all those of the Continental Line, in June 1783. If, therefore, her marriage did not take place before harvest of that year, she is not entitled to a pension under that law.
Claimant's papers furnish no satisfactory evidence of her husband's identity with the soldier for whose service she claims; nor do they shew to the satisfaction of this Department the date of their marriage. On the first point, she should produce the testimony of those who were her husband's comrades, and whose names are found upon the rolls of the Line of that State, or, if she is unable to do this, she should shew by

the testimony of her neighbors that her husband was known to have been a Revolutionary soldier attached to the Continental Line
The original family record, from which the copy upon your certificate was made, should be filed in this Office, as a copy of a private paper is not admissible as evidence so long as the original is known to exist.
The evidence now presented is not at all satisfac- tory to establish the date of Mrs Bell's marriage.
I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Servt. G. W. Cump
Walter Bell, Esqr.
Dauphin P. O. Penn a / 11

Pension Office, June 12th, 1847.
Sir, In the case of Mary Bell, widow of James Bell, the additional evidence is satisfactory to establish their marriage prior to January, 1794; but the proof now before the Department is wholly insufficient to identify her husband with the Ulster man of the Pennsylvania Line, bearing his name, whose services are certified by the Auditor General. Clear and conclusive testimony on this point should be produced to authorize the granting a pension to Claimant, for that service.
I am, Mary respectfully Your Ch. Servt. J L Edwards
Walter Bell, Esqr., Dauphin, Dauphin Co. Penn.

copy
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. Sept 17 th 1867
Sir:
I return herewith the papers in the claim for arrears of Revolutionary pension of the heirs of Mary Bell, which accompanied your report of the 20 th ultimo, - on the appeal of John Jolliffe, Esq. their Attorney.
The present claim was properly disallowed.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
(Sigma) W. S. Otto
Acting Secretary
The Commissioner of Pensions }

Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. August 17 th 1867
Sir,
I have examined the papers relating to the case of the heirs of Mary Bell. The claim was originally presented by Mary Bell as the widow of James Bell alleged to have been a soldier of the Revolution, attached to the 11 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. The soldier had never been pensioned nor was the claim of his widow ever allowed. It is believed by this office that the Act of Congress approved April 2 d 1862 U.S. Statute at Large Vol. 12, Page 376 bars the right of any of the heirs.
Very Respectfully Your Aff d Servant, R. V. Smith, Commissary.
Hon John Jolliffe. Washington D.C.

214-17 Pension Office, January 9 th 1857.
Mr. McCall Sir: I have the honor to enclose the papers in the case of Mary Bell, of Penn a whose application for pension under the act of July 7, 1838 for the alleged services of her husband James Bell, has been disallowed by this office because of the insufficiency of the testimony upon the point of service. A man of her husband's name did serve to the end of the war; but she has not furnished the testimony of any one who knows that the soldier & her husband were the same man, and the probabilities are so strong that they were different men that this office could not allow the claim except upon much clearer proof of identity than is on file. If her husband was the soldier, he was entitled to Bounty Land from the U s under the act of 1776 and yet he lived to 1822 without having asserted a claim for it. This raises a very strong presumption against the

validity of the present claim, for it is hardly to be believed that her husband would have neglected to avail himself of the benefits of the Bounty Land act above referred to, if he had been entitled to its benefits.
I am respectfully Your Obt. Servt George Luning Commissioner
Hon Jacob Broom, Chrm. Com. on Rev Pensions. House of Reps.

Harrisburg Penn a August 2 nd 1854 Hon S. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions Sir
Some seven years since, my services were solicited, to aid in procuring a Pension for Mary Bell, a respectable old lady in this County, and widow of James Bell a Revolutionary soldier. The Hon David Sturgeon was then in the United States Senate, and through his courtesy, the de depositions were placed on file.
I felt grieved at the course pursued by the Pension Department, believing that I had forwarded abundant evidence of Mrs Bell's claim, and yet the matter so was held under advisement, — while she was asked, to identify her husband more particularly with James Bell, the Revolutionary Soldier. I requested Mr Walter Bell, her son and agent now of Blairsville Indiana County Penn a , to employ other counsel, yet during all the intervening time, he has been occasionally importuning me, to give the matter my attention, and I again have so done. I am sorry to say, that Mr

Bell is since deceased; she left however a large family of children.
Please find inclosed the Depositions of Messrs Isaac Undergrove, and John Brooks (duly taken & authenticated), indentifying Mary Bell's husband, James Bell, as the main man of the Pennsylvania Line, who services, you will find, certified as early as eighteen hundred forty seven by the Auditor General of Pennsylvania. I take it for granted no other evidence than reputation, could be required at this late day. With the papers already on file, the enclosed are doubtless enough to make out of the claim, but of this you are the Judge.
You will please to advise me of your action in the premises, and whether Mr Walter Bell, on producing the letter of Attorney of Mrs. Mary Bell his deceased mother, can draw the Pension when allowed. He has such power from her inheritance. I would refer you to the Hon. Mr Darrin of the House Representatives as being acquainted with Mr Walter Bell, and to either of the United States Senators from Pennsylvania - with your humble servant
Hamilton Shricks

Dauphin Jan 31 st 1853 Mr James E Heath
Dear Sir Will you be pleased to inform me by return of mail whether D. L. & S. A. Peugh drew a pension of James Bell or whether there has been enough done in the case or not you would much oblige
Dauphin Post office Dauphin Co Pa
Yours with Respect H. C. Sproul Jr

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FEB 15 19 PENSION OFFICE

Blainville, Indiana Co., Dec 10 th 1888 Hon. John Coorde , M.C.
Dear Sir:
I had intended having an interview with you before you left home; but circumstances prevented; and now I take the liberty of addressing you, by letter, to solicit your cooperation in a case in which I am interested in behalf of the claim of Mary Bell, my Mother, wife of James Bell, of Middleport Township, Dauphin County, My Father for services in the war between Great Britain & the United States, the (revolutionary war). The papers referring to which have been put on file in the Pension Office, and authenticated &c. I forwarded a Petition and certificate from the Auditor Genl's Office of Penn a , establishing the claim, last Session, to Hon Augustus Drum, Representative from your District, He (A. Drum) informs me he presented to the House and a proper Committee set on it & reported favourable &c. It then remained to be presented to the House, 1 st ; then to the Upper House for confirmation, &c.; the claim was satisfactorily proven some years since; and it remained to identify my Father, which

has been done some 16 or 18 months ago; and now, the claim being of so long standing, requires an act of Congress. It is a plain case, acknowledged by all who have taken an interest in it; and would have been satisfied last winter but owing to a neglect of Mr. Drum it was left over. I have written to the Hon. John C. Kunkle, Representative from Dauphin County, Harrisburg (American) and an Atty. at law, whom I presume will understand the case, I have forwarded, Miss Drum & Mr. Middleworth's letters to him to throw light on the subject in relation to the action taken by the Committee of last Session. I will enclose you a letter from the Hon. Richard M. Brodhead, United States Senator, who has kindly offered his services in the Senate and now I hope you will permit me to expect your cooperation with J. C. Kunkle, of my native district, which may by the means of conferring a honorable favor on the Heirs of a man who fought 5 1/2 years in defence of our now Happy Country &c. Please see the documents I forwarded to Mr. Kunkle perhaps with the one I enclose you you will be able to understand more than I am capable of showing by letter, & I will hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Very Truly Yours, Walter Bell

P.S. After concluding my letter I came in company with A. Druan in the Cars & inquired about the documents and he says they were left on file by the Chairman of the Chairman of the Committee (Mr. Middlesex or the) and he thinks they are all be collected. I used am M. in Richard Brodheads letter, which after referring to his signature I find is an Error in the Ebbuse my promiscuous composition
Very Truly Yours Hon John Coode M.P. Washington D.C. Mother Bell Blanco del San 28 th / 78 C. G.

just ✓ Blainsville Feby 28/86 Hon. John Covode M.C. Sir
I was honoured by Rec t of yours in due time, I wrote to Hamilton Strucks, at Harrisburg, He informs me he wrote to you on the subject of the Bill Pension. I also talked to A. Drum who says he placed the documents in hands of Hon. Mr Middlesworth, of Pa, Chairman of that Committee who left them on the File. Clerk of the lost House can tell in  what disposition  manner such documents are disposed of I hope you will be able to collect them all I am hardly able to enumerate them, but you will find among the earliest of them a letter from J S Edwards then Commissioner of Pensions stating that the claim was then established to the satisfaction of the Department and it only remained to prove the Identity of the Soldier which you will find under the names of Isaac Widengraph and John Brooks, both of Dauphin County also a Certificate from the Auditor Genl's Office of Penn a , Pa, H. Strucks Esq. states he wrote to some of his friends in Congress to aid us. I hope you will give your special attention to the

case without which it has heretofore failed to receive adjustment If you find that any of the papers are wanting please inform me and I will try to have them procured As your friendship will be a Memorable one and I hope you will permit me to confide in you for success
Truly yours Walter Bell
N. B. The Garden Suds will be duly attended to & recommended H. B. Bell

July 21/48
Public Library
H Alcock for Miss Bell,
100 Chestnut St.
Pa
or Commission on Pensions Washington
St.
PAID
Harrisburg Pa

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I sent you several months since the deposition of Mr Morton in relation to the application of Mrs Bell of this County for a pension. I have written to you since for the purpose of learning what disposition had been made of Mrs Bell claim , or whether any further testimony would be required? Mr Bell, as you may well know, is far advanced in life - and an early action on her case would be very desirable. I have no doubt your multiplied engagements in the discharge of your official duties occupy all your time, but the urgency of the business, and importance of the party in interest, I hope will be a sufficient apology for my troubling you. By furnishing the information you will much oblige
Very respectfully yours Hamilton Hicks
Harrisburg July 18 th 1848.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Inclosed is sup- -plementary testimony in relation to the claim of Mary Bell widow of James Bell formerly of Middle Pax- -ton Township Dauphin County for a Pension. The widow Bell is a respectable old Lady, & Mrs Morton is also highly respectable. From my recol- -lection of the testimony forwarded, the evidence of Mrs Morton supplies the deficiency & entitles Mrs Bell to the benefit of the act of Congress.
The witnesses are so venerable, and are located so far from each other, and from the parties in inte- -rest, that their depositions have only been procured after great expense & trouble. If I am mistaken, and you desire any further evidence, please direct my attention to the matter not proven, which you deem important, & I will communicate with the parties in interest, - and they will give the matter their attention. Although I have not written to him, on the subject, I am well persuaded that my firm friend the Hon: Dr Sturgeon of the United States Senate , will communicate to any suggestion you may make to him or

subject. If upon examination you deem the testimony sufficient you will please drop me a line, & I will mention the fact to the family.
I am with great respect
Your humble servt, Hamilton Alrick
Kauai, April 11 th 1848.

June 21/48
Mary Bell
Dear Sir
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Washington
D.C.
FINN

Hon J L Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
Mr. Walter Bell is now at my Office & desires to know whether the testimony I forwarded you in support of claim of Mary Bell for a pension was deemed satisfactory. Mrs Bell is now a very aged woman, and if she can obtain any relief from the Government, you will appreciate the advantage of her obtaining it at the earliest period. Your attention & reply will be considered an especial favour - by your humble servt.
Hamilton Alricks
Harrisburg Pa June 20 th 1848.

Feb 6. 1897.
Rec copy of
Mary Bell,
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
District of Columbia

Dauphin February 3 d 1847 25 1822
Hon James L. Edwards Comm: of Pensions
Sir I write for the purpose of enquiring
Whether the Declaration of a widow of a Revolutionary soldier applying for a pension from the United States under the Act of July 1838 (5 years) can be taken before a Justice of the Peace of the County. There is an old Lady in this neighbourhood who resides about fifteen Miles from a Judge of the Court and is unable to travel so far, who wishes to apply for a pension her name is Mary Bell widow of James Bell who was in the service of Penn te and who never rec d a pension himself and has been dead about twenty five years -
Will you have the goodness to inform me whether the records afford any evidence of the services of James Bell in the Revolution in the Penn te Line -
Please send me an Answer as soon as convenient directed to me at Dauphin Post Office Dauphin County Penn te -
Respectfully Your O bt Servt.
H. Clark

10
Mrs. Walter Bell Dauphin, Dauphin Co— Harrisburg. Pennsylvania.

214-7 Lexington Ky March 2 d 1847
Parley I Do Herby
Certify that James Bell was Married to my Sister Mary Bell in Mill- erstown Lancaster County by the Rev d MelSimon in the year A.D. 1783 and that said James Bell served in the revolutionary war as a Soldier, in the Pennsylvania line.
William Bell.
Fayette County set
Personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid the above named William Bell & made oath to the above Certificate & acknowledged the same in my presence given under my hand this 2 d day of March 1847
C. J. Sanders J. P.
3

Commonwealth of Kentucky, Fayette County Set.
I, James A. Grinstead, Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid, do certify that Caleb S. Sanders whose name is signed to the within certificate, is and was at the date thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned and qualified according to law; that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such that his said signature is genuine and his said certificate in due form.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this 2 d day of March 1847. Attest. James A. Grinstead, C.C.C.
Fayette County Set.
I, James L. Hickman, Presiding Judge and Justice of the County Court in and for said County, do certify that James A. Grinstead whose name is signed above is and was at the date of his certificate, the Clerk of our said Court, duly appointed and qualified according to law, that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such, that his said signature is genuine and his said certificate and attestation is in due form. Given under my hand this 2 d day of March 1847.
Attest. James L. Hickman P.D. P.C.C.

2/4/58
Paxington Ky March 2 d 1847
Dear Nephew
I received your letter this day and have considered the little mistake and have corrected it, you mentioned to me about John's Property at St Louis I am well acquainted with the situation of the Middle town property and if I should die and the man that has it in possession there might be some difficulty in getting it, if you will give a proper power of Attorney to take possession and rent it or sell it and it would be necessary to give me some information respecting John's Taxs and Land at St Louis. Perhaps you might have letters to give me information in reference to the Land, if making sale of the property, I would immediately put the money in this Bank and give you a draft on Harrisburg bank, and if you come out yourself I will render all the assistance I can, I have wrote to my Brother Walter to send you a certificate, the same as I send you now, which I have no doubt that he will do; he lives in West Tennessee, near Cherryville, Haywood County. This day I sent the letter to him, my Family wishes to be remembered to you. I remain Yours Walter Bell. with respect William Bell.

Washington DC
August 17 th 1867
To the Hon. O. H. Browning Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Sir-
The heirs of Mary Bell have the Wagon & State.
That they are injured and aggrieved by a certain decision of the Hon. Forest H. Barnett Commissioner of Pensions dated August 17 th 1867 & hereto filed as part of this petition in their application for an award of pension due to said Mary Bell in her lifetime and also that no such decision should have been made in said matter & that the same is contrary to law.
Wherefore they pray that you will reverse

land decision - order then said claim to the land - and give them all other relief in the premises to which they are now a party hereafter be entitled and as in duty bound they will ever be so John H. Stapp their atty.
Brief.
The act of June 1862 & may found in 2 Brightly, Dis. p. 358 Sec 6 and is as follows: & bit "No claim for a pension or for an increase of pension shall be allowed, in favor of the children or other descendants of any person who served in the war of the revolution, or of the widow of such person when such person or his widow died without having established claim to a pension."

Congress could if they had thought it right to do have enacted. That no claim should be allowed where the person died before a pension certificate had been issued :
or where the person died before an order had been made for the issuing of a pension certificate
But this would have been unjust - and would have made the rights of the heirs depend and upon the skill or intelligence or dilige of the examining officer - And not as the act now does - upon the diligence of the applicant.
Therefore a bill has made her application shows her claim before the certificate has been issued the papers in the

Case are look a Miss (did) by the carelessness of a clerk for over a ten years & in the mean time the widow dies - the rights of her heirs are put over away by this act. The attested her claim by her proofs before she died.
The words are
"When said person in his will died with having attached a claim to a pension."
It is the act of the last of the " person in his will " that establishes the claim under this act.
The establishment of the claim by the " widow " is one thing - the act of the widow by the express & plain words of the act.
The adjudication when the fact attached is another thing - the act of the officer

A close attention to the very words of this act - is earnestly and respectfully insisted because they are believed to be decisive.
The person a widow died - before the "person" or "widow" - get  entered in claim - all there. The acts of the person or "widow" is sufficient.
And with the plain words of the act in full view May Bell established her claim to a pension before she died. She had discharged her whole duty in the premises - she  has her  petition - proofs - (More evidence was called for and furnished) - a list  list only remained - the identity of her husband was  as to William Bell who served in the war of the Revolution from the State of Pennsylvania - that

has been also passed in the lifetime of Mary Bree.
He did not die without having attached a claim to a pension!
By direct implication Where the person did attach a claim to a pension in his lifetime it is the intention of Congress that the claim of a heir shall be allowed.
II
The act is wholesome  wholesome in pre existing rights (should be justly continued.)
Robert Spalding John B. Phillips Christopher Clancey

An Act to provide for the payment of the pension, which Mary Bell, widow of James Bell, a Revolutionary Soldier of the Pennsylvania Line, was entitled to in her life time
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled — That the Chief of the Pension Bureau, ascertain and report to the Treasury Department, the amount to which Mary Bell of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County Pennsylvania, lately deceased, was entitled as the widow of James Bell, a deceased Soldier of the Pennsylvania Line, and that said amount be paid to Walter Bell, and the other surviving children of said James & Mary Bell deceased,

Commonwealth of Penn a Dauphin County
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Dauphin in the Commonwealth of Penn a Joseph Bell a resident of Middle Paxton township in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy years, who after being first duly sworn according to Law says that Mary Bell who resides in the same is his sister and that James Bell on account of whose services she claims a pension from the United States was married to her some time in the year 1783, and that the said James Bell died in the year 1821 or 1822 and that his widow the said Mary Bell has remained a widow ever since that period, and he further states that the aforesaid James Bell has frequently told him that he the said James Bell had served six years in the Revolutionary war and was enlisted in the Penn a Line and served until the end of the war, and he further says that he has a distinct recollection of the time when the said James Bell returned home, that he was dressed in uniform and brought his musket home with him and gave deponent a cutlass, tomahock and a cap which he kept for many years.
Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of March 1847. Before me
Joseph Bell
Wm Clark J. P.
I certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of the above affiant
Wm Clark J. P.
Dauphin March 20th. 1847

Dauphin County ss
I William D. Boas, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, do hereby certify, that William Clark is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 25 th day of March in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty Seven
William D. Boas Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County

In the matter of Walter Bell, decd.
affidavit of John P. Lindsay.

State of Ohio Hamilton County In re Walter Bell deceased.
John Lindsay having been first duly sworn deposition saith. That the deceased, Walter Bell had been about two months previous to, and was in his  xxxx employment at the time of his death.
That the death of said Walter Bell was caused by injuries which he received from a runaway horse.
That the injuries of which he did happen to him on the ninth of April in the year A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty five in the City of Cincinnati on the corner of Fourth and Vine, he hav- ing been precipitated into the area on the eastern side of the Post Office, across the railing surmounting the same; and the exiting at eight o' clock in the evening of the same day.
Yrs. S. Lindsay.
Sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence this fourteenth day of February A. D. 1866. J. P. Gray Not. Pub Ham. Co. Ohio.

RECEIVED DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FEB 11 1951 PENSACOLA

Blainville Feby 11 th 1856 Hon John Coode M.P.
Sir
As congress has succeeded in being organized, I take the liberty of writing to you again on the subject of the Bell Pension, After seeing you when home, I wrote to My Counsellor (Hamilton Alrich Esq) at Harrisburg who has, been aiding me to prepare the proper documents which have been forwarded to Washington requesting him to write to you, and give you an Idea of the former proceedings in the case. He answers Jany 17 th stating that as soon a Congress Organized he would write to you and give you Information on the subject of the various documents so that if they are not all on the same file we will know what to look after I have not rec d an answer from Hon John C. Kunkle but have confidence in him that he will cooperate with you in the case, And I will confidently trust my hopes of success on the interest My friends Coode & Kunkle will take in behalf of the children of the Revolutionary Soldier, James Bell of the Penn a Line — etc
I will esteem it a favour to hear from you at any convenient time and be instructed in relation to further procedure
Your Humble servant in F. D. Smith
Walter Bell
N B My respects to J. C. Kunkle.
W B

A small, faint handwritten mark or scribble on the left side of the paper, possibly a letter or a symbol.

Blansview Mar 18/56
John Covode Esq M.C
Your favour came to hand this morning I immediately wrote to Mr. Alricks requesting him to inquire of Hon. Mrs. Meddleworth about the papers (please don't bring a part of them before the Committee without the most important of them, S.E.) The Certificate from the Audit or Genl. Office, J. L. Edwards's letter, the Petition, John Brooks & Isaac Uptigrope's evidence, The Power Of Atty Declaration & testimonies of Mrs Bell of N.Y. & Mary Morton of In da Co Pa H o which were all on file & recognized by Commission of Pensions When you have all the papers you will find a plain case and one should have been paid long since, I hope you will be able to find all that will be required to satisfy a Nation of the justice of the claim for which you will ever have the sincere respects H o of
Your Most O bt
Walter Bell

Daniel Bauck in Clerk's Office

Blairsville Apr 5 th 1885 Hon John Coode
Dear Sir
I this day received a letter from Hon Wm Middleworth of Snyder Co Pa In hose hands Mr Drum placed the Papers relative to James Bell's Claim for Pension last Congress - He writes as follows.
The papers that were sent to me at Washington were all left there in the Committee Room, or in the clerks Office and of course those of James Bell also no doubt they can be found there,
I also rec d at the same time a letter from Hamilton Brucks stating that he has written to Jno W Forney Esq late Clerk expecting he will be able to give you information that will enable us to recover them. I think strange that such importance documents would not be taken care of, I hope you will give your special attention to a search in behalf of them and the favour will not be forgotten by your O bt Servant etc
Walter Bell
N.B. Write soon as I will feel uneasy until relieved by the recovery of the papers that are of so much importance to the claimants Truly W Bell

II
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER RESOURCES BRANCH FEB 15 1957 STATION OFFICE

William Bell. Was born on Sunday morning in the year of our Lord 1784
John Bell was born on Tuesday y e 12 th of April In the year of our Lord 1786
Mary Bell was born on Saturday y e 8 th of March the year of our Lord 1788 Rachel Bell. Was born on Friday y e 27 th of August on the year 1792
William Bell was born on the 12 th of April 1786 William Bell was born on the 27 th of August 1792 William Bell was born on the 8 th of March 1788 William Bell was born on the 12 th of April 1786
Isaac Bell was born on Sunday the Sixth Day of February in the year of our Lord 1803 Walter Bell was born on Sunday the twenty Sixth Day of May in the year of our Lord 1805
21415
Dauphin County Pa t
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Dauphin in the Commonwealth of Penn a . Walter Bell a resident of the Borough of Dauphin in the said County who after being duly sworn says that the above four pieces of paper pasted on this sheet he obtained from his mother Mary Bell and that they are the original records of the births of the children of James and Mary Bell of Middle Paxton Township in said County of Dauphin with the exception of two, which leaf containing the date of their births has been lost, but all have been transcribed into an other book, from which I copy was taken and sent to Washington some time ago,
Walter Bell
Sworn & Subscribed this 2 nd day of June AD 1847 Before me Wm Clark Jr. J.P.
I certify that Walter Bell the above affiant is of good character and full credit may be given to his testimony Wm Clark Jr. J.P.

Plainville Mar 12 th 1856
Hon. John Coode M.C.
Reverend Sir
Feeling a great Anxiety to learn whether or not, you have suc- -ceeded in getting the Documents relating to the Pension Claim of Mary Bell for services of James Bell of Dauphin Co Pa, I take the liberty to address you, As my hopes of its passage are concentrated on your efficiency, and attention to it, in Congress, I am assured by you as well as my friends, that by submitting it to you it will be promptly attended to. And therefore hope you will excuse my frequency in directing your attention to it, Mr. Strickler my Counsel at Harrisburg informed me, he had written to you and others in Congress to aid you in passing the Bill I presume he has given you more light on the subject than I am capable of doing as I am not posted on business of the kind - notwithstanding I have spent considerable in behalf of my Mother in presenting her just claim in this case I have not written to Hon John C. Kunkle of Harrisburg since my first to you, but feel assured he will give his aid in behalf of the Claimants in the case Please remember me to him He
A few lines at your convenience will be highly appreciated by Your Most humble servant &c
Truly Walter Bell

rents filed 1836. B new
by
Memphis June 2nd Recd July 11th 1838
Dec 13. 36 Mary Bell, widow James the papers filed under act of 3rd March 1834 D. 6
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Dauphin June 2 nd . 1847
Hon. James L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions }
Dear Sir
Incloude you will receive Mary Bell's declaration made for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of 7 July 1838 also, the family records as well identi- fied as I could well get it done, going to show the marriage long previous to 1790, also, the deposition of James Bell showing the same facts, these together with the other documents filed for the purpose of getting a pension under the act of 1836. I wish now to be taken together and hope that you will have no difficulty in allowing the first claim
I have concluded to abandon the application under the act of 1836 owing to the difficulty of getting the evidence of marriage fixed to any particular time, and it took place at any rate near the close of the war. The certificate as to the official character of William Clark Jr. you will find amongst the papers presented with the first application.
I am Respectfully
Your H on . Serv t
Walter Bell

6909 April 2, 1847
May Bell, Aug 4, 1836.
Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Paris
20
will be to inform apt of the fully

Dauphin March 30. 1847 Hon. James L. Edwards Comm d of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed you will receive the Application of Mary Bell (my mother) for a pension under the act of 1836, together with the necessary documents — Please communicate to me at Dauphin Post office Penn s your decision on them, and also acknowledge the receipt of the same —
Yours Respectfully, Walter Bell

Waters
Eleventh Regiment 1780.
214-16
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Brown, and Captain Mercurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in certificates, dated July 1. 1784, bearing interest at six per cent. from January the first 1781, signed by John Pierce, Commissioner, and described as below, being for the Balance of a Settlement between the United States and us for Pay, &c, to January 1. 1781.
   Date of Issue No. of Certificate Letter Names Sums Signers   Dollars 90 th     67.580 Id x James Bell 33. 30  
Third Regiment 1783.
We and each of us whose names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Brown, and Captain Mercurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our names respectively, in certificates, dated July 1. 1784, bearing interest at six per cent from November the fourth 1783 signed by John Pierce, Commissioner, and described as below, being for the Balance of a Settlement between the United States and us for Pay, &c, to November the third 1783.
   Date of Issue No. of Certificate Letter Names Sums Signers.   Dollars 90 th     71.501 N x James Bell 40. 60  

Third Regiment Gratuity.
We, and each of us whose Names are hereunto, subscribed,, do acknowledge to have recieved from Major Thomas B. Bowen, and Captain Mercurius Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several Sums, opposite to our Names respectively, in certificates, dated July 1, 1784, bearing Interest at six per Cent. from November the fourth 1783, signed by John Pierce, commissioner, and described as below, being for the Balance of a Settlement between the United States and us for Gratuity allowed the non commission d officers & privates who served to the end of the War.
   Date of Issues No. of Certificates Letter. Names Sums Signers   Dollars 90 th     71.987 20 x James Bell 80 "  
Auditor General's office, Harrisburg Feby 2 d 1847.
I certify the above and foregoing to be true extracts taken from the original Pay Rolls on file in this department.
Witness my hand and seal of office, the day & date of said
Wm. M. Irvine Auditor General

Third Regiment. 1783
We and each of us whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge to have received from Major Thomas B. Bowen and Captain Eremias Beatty, Agents for the late Pennsylvania Line, the several sums opposite to our Names respectively, in Certificates, dated July 1, 1783, bearing Interest at six per cent, from November the fourth - 1783 signed by John Pierce, commissioner, and described as below, being for the Balance of a settlement between the United States and us for Pay — to November the third 1783—
   Date of Issue No of Certificates Letter Names Amount Signers     Sept. 17th 1500 Lx Thomas Harbison 585 40.60 Alexr Power   1 Nx James Bell 40.60  
Aud: Genl. office Harrisburg Jany 4th 1855—
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy and extract of the original in Pay Roll Book B. page 181 remaining on file in this office—
Witness my hand & seal of office the day and year above written
E. Banks Auditor Genl

No 745] Certificate for £56. 3. 1- Specie.
We do certify, that the State of Pennsylvania is indebted to James Bell late private of the eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment in the sum of Fifty six pounds three shillings one penny Specie, with lawful Interest from the tenth Day of April 1781 being the amount of the Residue of the Depreciation of his Pay. Pursuant to two Acts of Assembly passed at Philadelphia, the 18th of December 1780, and the 10th of April 1781. &c. Philadelphia } Aug. 29. 1783 }
J. M. Nicholson "
Auditor General's office Harrisburg Pa June 5th 1855
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the original certificate as the same remains on file in this office Witness my hand and seal of office the day and year above written -
E. Banks Auditor General

The State of Ohio, } ss. HAMILTON COUNTY,
To all who shall see these Presents, GREETING:
Whereas, Walter Bell
late of the County of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, died intestate, whereby it becomes expedient that the PROBATE COURT within and for the County aforesaid, should appoint some suitable and trusty person or persons to collect and administer, all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said Walter Bell deceased, whereof he died possessed.
Know Ye Therefore, That the said PROBATE COURT has nominated and appointed, and by these presents does nominate and appoint
John H. Bell, Administrator
of all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased; hereby granting to said Administrator all and singular, the power necessary and by law required, to enable him to take an inventory of, collect, sue for and recover, all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased; and out of the same, or such part thereof as shall come to his hands, the debts of the said deceased to pay and discharge according to law; and of the rest and residue of said goods, chattels and credits, to make a just and lawful distribution; and the same fully to administer in all things as by law required.
And the Court does appoint
to appraise, on their oath or affirmation, all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court, at Cincinnati, this 13th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six ,
Edward Woodruff Probate Judge.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FEB 15 1867 PENSION OFFICE

To the Honorable the members of the Senate And House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled
The Petition of Walter Bell, son of James & Mary Bell, (and Who duly constituted attorney in fact of said Mary Bell in her life time)
Respectfully represents —
That said James Bell of Middle Paxton Township Dauphin County Pennsylvania, Your Petitioner's father was a private soldier in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment in the Revolutionary War, as will appear by the accompanying evidence, and Certificate of Records in the Office of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania, showing as well that the State of Penn- sylvania was indebted to the said James Bell, on the tenth day of April One Thousand Seven hundred and eighty one, as a "late private in the Eleventh Pen- sylvania Regiment" in the sum of Fifty six pounds Three Shillings and one pence. As also from the other accompanying Certificate, exhibiting the name of James Bell on the pay Roll, preserved in the said Auditor General's Office of Pennsylvania — That the said James Bell was an unobtrusive farmer in Middle Paxton Township Dauphin County Penn a where he remained until he died on the                     day of November Anno Domini One Thousand eight hundred and two- only two, leaving said Mary his Widow and ten Children, including your petitioner.
That Mary Bell the Widow of said James Bell, about the year One Thousand eight hundred and forty six, first learned that she was entitled to a pension, and made her application to the United States Government Accordingly — When she had caused to be presented

The evidence of her claim, she was met with the objection, that they required additional evidence of her marriage with the said James Bell prior to January One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty four. Notwithstanding the great lapse of time between her marriage and application for a pension. She afterwards produced satisfactory evidence of her marriage, but was obliged to part with the Family Record - which was retained in the Pension Office; And was further told that the proof before the department was insufficient "to identify her husband with the war man of the Pennsylvania Line bearing his name whose services are certified by the Auditor General" of Pennsylvania.
The said Mary Bell afterwards on the tenth day of November Anno Domini, One Thousand eight hundred and forty nine, died at Middle Paxton Township Dauphin County aged Eighty Six years.
Afterwards in year One Thousand eight hundred fifty four, at the instance of your petitioner, further testimony was procured as will appear by reference to the depositions of Isaac Updegraff and John Brooks of Dauphin County Pennsylvania, neighbours of said James Bell, and well acquainted with him from early in their life, up to the period of his death, and both those aged Citizens state under solemn oath - that said James Bell "was always reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in which he resided, to have been a Revolutionary Soldier attached to the Continental Line" And the Hon. A. C. McKittrick certifies that the said witnesses are gentlemen of great respectability and unimpeachable moral character, and fully entitled to credit. Your petitioner does not believe

that at this late day, Your Honorable Bodies will require more direct evidence of the individuality of a Revolutionary Soldier, before granting his widow - or heirs a pension - And presents undoubted evidence that James Bell your petitioners father, was in his life time always reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Pennsylvania Line. And your petitioner hopes that notwithstanding the fact, that his father was an obscure unpretending citizen careless in his business habits, that will not deprive his children of the pension to which their mother was legally entitled in her life time - Your petitioner therefore prays your Honorable Bodies to pass a statute, directing that the Heirs, and children of James & Mary Bell be paid the pension to which said Mary Bell was entitled in her life time as widow of said James Bell a Revolutionary Soldier And he will ever pray &c
Wallis Bell

Claim of Act of
STATE OF Pennsylvania } ss. COUNTY of Dauphin }
Be it known, That on this seventeenth day of May A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty two , before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Melilda Bell a resident of Dauphin in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the Identical child and daughter of Mrs Mary Bell (deceased) widow of James Bell (deceased)
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner  Soldier
at the rate of allowed Dollars per annum; that she has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased ; that she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agents may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me. } Melilda Bell Adam Powell J. Peace. ||
I, Adam Powell Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that Melilda Bell who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Adam Powell J. Peace. ||
I, Stephen Miller Clerk of the Com. Pleas Court in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Adam Powell Esq before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this Eighteenth day of May A. D. 1852.
Stephen Miller Clerk.
Mary Bell

POWER OF ATTORNEY—Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Matilda Bell daughter of Mrs Mary Bell (deceased) widow of James Bell (deceased)
City DE
hereby constitute and appoint D. L. & S. A. Leigh & L. M. Thayer of Washington my true and lawful Agents and Attorneys to prosecute the Claim of Mrs Mary Bell deceased for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agents to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to and
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorneys and Agents shall lawfully do in the premises. renouncing all other powers and making this irrevocable
Witness my hand and Seal this 17 th day May A. D., 1852.
Matilda Bell
Signed and Sealed in the presence of Adam Powell Ludwick Minnert
STATE OF Pennsylvania } ss: COUNTY OF Dauphin }
On this Seventeenth day of May A. D. 1852 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Matilda Bell and acknowledged the foregoing Power, of Attorney to be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, } the day and year aforesaid. }
Adam Powell J. Peace. //

Judge E. D. Bell Mary Bell

Middah Paxton Township Dauphin County and State of Pennsylvania
This is to certify, that I Mary Bell, widow of James Bell dec. do hereby constitute empower & authorize my son, Walter Bell of the Township & County aforesaid, and State of Penn a , to be my lawful agent to all intents and purposes, to act as my attorney for me and in my stead, to draw and receive all my Money which may be coming to me from the United States Government as a pension due me for the services of my Husband James Bell, dec. aforesaid witness my hand and Seal this twentieth day of March A. D. 1847 Mary her Bell mark
Witness Present Wm Dock
Middah Paxton Township Dauphin County and State of Penn a
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County & State aforesaid Mary Bell, widow of James Bell dec. who acknowledged the above power of Attorney to be her act and deed, and that the same may be recorded as such
March 20 th 1847
Wm Dock Judge
111

Scanned
1847
214-11
State of Pennsylvania
Dauphin County } On this twentieth day of March A.D. 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the several Courts of the County of Dauphin in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Mary Bell a resident of Middle Paxton Township in the said County of Dauphin and state aforesaid aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the seventh day of July A.D. 1838 and supplements. That she was married to James Bell who was a private in the Penn a Line in the Revolutionary war before harvest in the year 1783 and that she is the widow of said James Bell, and that he served until the end of the war, her husband the aforesaid James Bell died on the 31 st day of October 1822, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, she also further declares that she had the oath which her said husband took when he entered the service and also his discharge, for many years in her house and that she kept them upon a rafter in the house, the roof of which was blown off by storm & by which the papers were lost.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Re d Mary Bell Mother
Wm Dock Jury
witness present Waller Bell
I certify that the above named Mary Bell could not from bodily infirmity attend in Court and that full credit may be given to her testimony.
Wm Dock

Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Set,
I, William D Boas Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county and state aforesaid do certify that Wm Dock whose name is subscribed to the foregoing is a Judge in and for said county, duly commissioned and
That full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such his official acts accordingly, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine - Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 29 th day of May A.D. 1847 Wm D Boas, Protho
3

Commonwealth of Penna. Dauphin County ss
Quinn 2149
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid James Bell a resident of Middle Paxton Township in said County aged fifty six years, who upon his solemn oath duly administered says that he is the fourth child of James & Mary Bell of said Township and that there was eleven of a family of children of whom three were older and seven younger than himself and that he has every reason to believe that his father James Bell dec d was out in the Revolutionary War & in the Penna a Line, and has often heard his father relate the circumstances of his having been in said service, and deponent is as well satisfied that his father was out as if he had actually seen him in the service, and his mother who is now applying for a pension has remained a widow ever since the death of his father James Bell - James Bell
Sworn & subscribed this 1 st day of June A.D. 1847
Before me
W m Clark J.P.
I certify that full credit may be given to the evidence of the above affiant -
W m Clark J.P.

Mary Bell, Song 723
Petition of Walter Bell for the amount of a pension due to his mother Mary Bell of Pennsylvania
Jan. 28. 1865
Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
15 Jan. 1855 Refd to Comm. on Rev. Pensions April 9. 1856 Ref. to the Comm. on Rev. Pensions January 13. 1858 Refer- red to the Committee on Rev. Pensions
April 12. 1860 Referred to the Committee on Rev. Pensions.
June 23. 1862. Ref. to the Comm. on Revolutionary Claims.
Mr. Covode Mr. Gar  Rev Claims
Mr. Miller

To the Honorable the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled -
The Petition of Walter Bell son of James & Mary Bell, (and the duly consti- tuted Attorney in fact of said Mary Bell in her life time)
Respectfully Represents That said James Bell, of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County Pennsylvania, your petitioner's father, was a private soldier, in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment in the Revolutionary War, as will appear by the accompanying evidence, and certificate of Records, in the Office of the Au- ditor General of Pennsylvania, showing as well that the State of Pennsylvania was indebted to the said James Bell, on the tenth of April One thousand seven hundred and eighty one, as a "late private in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Regi- ment" in the sum of Fifty six pounds, three shil- lings and one pence, as also from the other accompanying certificate, exhibiting the name of James Bell on the Pay Roll, preserved in the said Auditor General's Office of Pennsyl- vania. That the said James Bell was an unobtrusive farmer in Middle Paxton Town- ship, Dauphin County Penn a where he remained until he died on the day of November Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred and twenty two, leaving said Mary his Widow and Ten children including your petitioner.
Walter Bell That Mary Bell the widow of said James Bell about the year One thousand eight hundred and forty six, first learned that she was entitled to a Pension, and

made her application to the United States Government accordingly. When she had caused to be presented the evidence of her claim, she was met with the objection, that they required additional evidence of her marriage, with the said James Bell, prior to January one thousand seven hundred, and ninety four. Not withstanding the great lapse of time between her marriage and application for a pension, she afterwards produced satisfactory evidence of her marriage, but was obliged to part with the Family Record - which was retained in the Pension Office, and was further told that the proof before the Department, was insufficient "to identify her husband, with the was man of the Pennsylvania Line bearing his name whose services are certified by the Auditor General" of Pennsylvania -
The said Mary Bell afterwards on the Tenth day of November Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine died, at Middle Paxton Town Ship, Dauphin County, aged Eighty six years.
Afterwards in year one thousand eight hundred fifty four at the instance of your petitioner, further testimony was procured, as will appear by reference to the depositions of Isaac Updegrrove and John Brooks of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, neighbours of said James Bell, and well acquainted with him, from early in their life, up to the period of his death, and both those aged citizens state under solemn oath - that said James Bell "was always reputed, and believed in

the neighbourhood in which he resided, to have been a Revolutionary Soldier attached to the Continental Line; and the Hon A O Huester certifies that the Said witnesses are gentlemen of great respectability, and unimpeachable moral character, and fully entitled to credit, your petitioner does not believe that at this late day, your Honorable Bodies will require more direct evidence of the individuality of a Revolutionary Soldier, before granting his widow - or heirs a pension, - and presents undoubted evidence that James Bell, your petitioner's father, was in his life time, always reputed, and believed to have been a Soldier of the Pennsylvania Line - and your petitioner hopes - that notwithstanding the fact, that his father, was an obscure, unpretending citizen, careless in his business habits, that will not deprive his children of the pension, to which their mother was legally entitled in her life time. Your petitioner therefore prays your Honorable Bodies to pass a Statute, directing that the Wives, and children of James & Mary Bell, be paid the pension to which said Mary Bell was entitled in her life time, as widow of said James Bell a Revolutionary Soldier - and he will pray.
Walter Bell "

In the matter of Walter Bell, decd.
Affidavit of N. M. Shurick.

State of Ohio, S.S. Hamilton County In re Walter Bell, deceased.
Reverend Nathan M. Shurick having been first duly sworn dep- oseth and saith:
That he has been ac- quainted with the deceased Walter Bell since the year eighteen hundred and forty-nine; that said deceased had four children respectively named Elizabeth; John W. Walter B; and Leonora Bell; all of which children are living at present except Elizabeth; and are full grown; and furthermore that he saw the corpse of said Walter Bell the day after his death, at the house of his son, John W. Bell, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Shurick
Sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence this fourteenth of February A. D. 1866.
W. H. Gray Nov. 10. 1861.
Hann. Cy. Ohio.