Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6608, Joseph Bell, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa
Bell Joseph
S. 6608
carded
CONTENTS

12657
Virginia Joseph Bell
of Augusta in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lytt of the Reg't commanded by Col Purcell in the Va. Militia line for 1 y 4 Mo 6 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 91 Dollars 80 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May. 1833 and June 17  Stenney for Staunton &c
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $123.60 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/Sept. 33 45.80 $228.40
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. B. Whiting Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 2

Virginia,
Augusta County, to wit:
On this 30th day of August 1832 person- ally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of Augusta County Court now sitting (Maj) Joseph Bell a resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged about seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832.
That he was born in Augusta County State of Virginia in the Month of February 1755 as he has always understood and believes, that there is no records of his age known to him, that he has always resided, and still resides on the farm where he was born in said County of Augusta.
That as one of the Militia of Augusta County he was drafted for the protection of the Western frontier from the Indians, that he rendezvoused at Lexington in the County of Rockbridge about the 15th July 1776 and was attached to the Company under the Command of Capt. John Lyle, and Marched to Holston River under Col. Russell, from thence he marched to the great Islands of Holston River, and was there placed under the Command of Col. William Christian, from thence he marched to the Cherokee Towns south west of the Tennessee River, and was stationed there for some time and returned home, about the middle of Decem- ber 1776, being absent in the service about five months , that he received no written discharge, that he knows of no one living at this time, except Maj. William Wilson of said County of Augusta by whom he can prove the service above set

forth, that the said Williams was with him on said tour of duty. He was drafted as one of the Militia of Augusta County for a second tour of duty, and rendezvoused at Staunton in Augusta County State of Virginia on the 22nd day of September 1777 and was placed under the Command of Capt Thomas Smith of the Augusta Militia and he was elected as first sergeant of the Company, in which capacity he served during the said tour of duty. From Staunton he marched to the Little Levels in the County of Greenbrier in the State of Virginia, at which point they were joined by other troops under the Command of Col: Dickerson, Saml: McDowell and Geo: Skelton, from the Little Levels they marched to the Mouth of the Great Kanawha River (Point Pleasant) to join the Army under the Command of Gen: Ward after having remained for some time there, the Army was drawn up, and Col Saml: McDowell rode along the lines and proclaimed that Gen: Burgoyne the Commander of the British Army had surrendered the Army under his Command as prisoners of war, and the Troops were discharged, and the said applicant reached home with other men from Augusta County about the second week in December 1777. after an absence in the service of about two Months & three weeks that he received no written discharge, that he has no knowledge at this time of any person living by whom he could prove this tour of duty.
That he was ordered out on a third tour of duty Col. Sampson Mathews the Commandant

of the Augusta Militia for the protection of the Western frontier from the Murders of the Indians, that he rendezvoused at Staunton in the County of Augusta State of Virginia on the 16th day of April 1779 and was placed under the Command of Capt James Trimble of the Augusta Militia, that applicant was appointed orderly sergeant of the Company, and in that capacity served during that tour of duty, that they marched from Staunton to Tigers Valley in the State of Virginia, and from thence to the head waters of Sickows River in the State of Virginia, that after his tour of duty which was for three months expired he returned home, having received no written discharge nor is there any person now living that he knows of, whose testimony he is able to produce to prove his service in this his third tour of duty.
That he was ordered out as one of the Militia of Augusta County and rendezvoused at Rockfish Gap in the County of Augusta, for the purpose of guarding the prisoners taken at the battle of the Corpens by Genl Morgan, from Rockfish Gap he marched as one of the guards of said prisoners to the County of Shenandoah and from thence returned home, being absent in the service about 15 d days.
His fifth and last service in the war of the Revolution was as an Ensign in the Militia of Augusta County. He rendezvoused with the troops called into service from Augusta County, at Col Easoms (now Wargenborough in the County of Augusta) on the 6th day of June 1781 and marched from thence as an Ensign in Capt Francis Longs

Company, and joined the Troops under the Command of Genl. Lafayette at Col. Dandridges in the County of that he acted with the Army under the Command of Genl. Lafayette, was in the battle of Red Bank, under the Command of Col. Willis, was at the battle of Brandy Town under the Command of Genl. Wayne in July 1781. that he continued with the Army and marched to York Town where he continued in his Command as an Ensign until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Shortly after which the troops were discharged and he returned to his residence in Augusta County, having been absent in the service about five Months. That his Commission of Ensign was signed by Thomas Jefferson while Governor of Virginia, that he remembers when looking over his papers some few years since to have seen it, but that on looking for it lately he has not been able to find it, and supposes it has been destroyed lost or mislaid.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency State. Given to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Joseph Bell
+
William Davis esq. one of the Justices of the peace for Augusta County, deposed in open Court, that he had known Joseph Bell from about the period of the revolu- tionary war to the present time, having resided

in the same neighbourhood saying that time, that the fact of his having served several tours of duty as one of the Militia of Augusta County, was one of general notoriety, that he has often heard it spoken of by men in the neighbourhood, who was in the service with the said Bell, he remembers particularly to have heard his brother James Davis (now deceased) speak of having served three tours several tours of duty with the said Bell and being one of his mess - that he knows the fact that his brother James was absent from home in the service - The said Davis farther stated, that he had always understood and had no doubt but that the said Bell did hold a commission of Ensign in the War of the Revolution and served in that capacity as stated by him, that he was at the house of the said Bell, some few years since, and the said Bell showed him his commission of Ensign which was signed by Thomas Jefferson as Governor of Virginia - that he believes the said Bell to be about 77 years of age - that the said Bell is a man in whose statements statements every reliance may be placed.
Maj William Wilson of said County of Augusta, also appeared in open Court, and deposed that he was well acquainted with the said Joseph Bell in the War of the Revolution time since, that he knows the fact that the said Joseph Bell did serve the tour of duty under Capt. M c Lyle as set forth in the said Bell's declaration this day presented to the Court, and reads in his presence, that he said

Willson was on the said tour of duty with the said Bell, which commenced in July 1776 & terminated in December 1776. That he heard of said Bell's being out on other tours of duty during the war of the revolution, and entertains no doubt but that he was, that the said Bell is reputed & believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier & officer - that the said Bell has always been regarded as a man of strict veracity, and from his knowledge of him and the character he has always sustained he would rely upon any statement made by him - that he believes the said Bell to be about 77 years of age.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and officer and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that they are personally acquainted with the said Joseph Bell the applicant & William Davis & William Willson whose testimony is above set forth - that they are all residents in the County of Augusta and State of Virginia and highly respectable & credible and that their statements are entitled to full credit.

I James C. Willson a Clergyman residing in the County of Augusta of State of Virginia hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with (Maj) Joseph Bell who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration and believe him to be about 77 years of age, and he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier and officer of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. James C. Willson
Augusta County to wit.
This day The Rev d James C. Willson who signed the above certificate appeared before me a Justice of the peace for said County and made oath according to law that he verily believes the above certificate to be true. Given under my hand this 30th day of March 1833. M c Young

Virginia to wit. At Court held for the County of Augusta, by adjournment, on Monday the 1st day of April 1833.
Joseph Bell (May) whose declaration for a Premises, under the Act of June 7, 1832 was returned for want of the Certificate of a Clergyman - This day produced in Open Court the said declaration, with the Certificate of James C. Willson, Esq. to before William Young Esq. and on the Motion of the said Joseph Bell - it is ordered to be certified, that James C. Willson the person giving said Certificate is a regularly ordained Clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, residing in the County of Augusta, and that his certificate is entitled to full credit. It would also be further certified, that William Young Esq. before whom said Certificate was sworn to, is one of the Commonwealth's justices of the peace for the County of Augusta.
May 1 st 1833
10330.
H. H. H. June.
In Testimony that the foregoing is true copy of the order of Court made on the Motion of Joseph Bell with respect to the within written Certificate of James C. Willson and William Young - I Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the County Court of Augusta aforesaid, have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this 1st day of April A.D. 1833, and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney Clerk.

August 26, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Joseph Bell, S. 6608
Kate K. White 1718 W. Cumberland Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Joseph Bell, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 6608, based upon the military service of Joseph Bell.
He was born in February, 1755, in Augusta County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
We enlisted and served with the Virginia troops as follows: from about July 15, 1776, five months in Captain John Lyle's Company in Colonels Russell's and William Christian's Regiments; from September 22, 1777, two months and three weeks as first sergeant in Captain Thomas Smith's Company; from August 16, 1779, three months as orderly sergeant in Captain James Trimble's Company; he next served fifteen days and was engaged in guarding the prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens; from June 6, 1781, five months as ensign in Captain Francis Long's Company and was in the battles of Hot Water, Jamestown and at the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, at which time he was living in Augusta County, Virginia, on the farm where he was born.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of the soldier.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1910 Mch 25. Hist. to Mrs. W. E. Calender. P.
1912 Jan. 18 Hist. to Mr. Edgar P. Bell. V.G.M. by request of Col. Kniffen letter returned to him.
1927 Mar. 19. Hist. to E. G. Chapman M.C.S.
1929 June 24, E. G. Chapman add. no fam. data and how to obtain date of death, M.E.E.
1935 Aug. 24. Hist. to Kate K. White. M.C.S.
Rev. War
6608 INVALID.
File No. 6608
Joseph Bell Sergt. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 81 , Page 27
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension claims under the act of 7 June 1832
Honble:
J. L. Edwards.
1 N. 3 rd Ave
FREE
Pension office Washington City D. C.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir.
Staunton 9 Apl 1893
Your favour of the 25th Ult. returning the declaration of May Bell for a pension under the act of the 7 June 1832. for want of the certificate of a Clergyman, has been received.
I was fortunate enough to meet with the Revd Mr Willson the Clergyman to whose congregation May Bell is attached in Town, and obtained his certificate, which is annexed to his declaration, which I now return you, hoping it may be found in due form.
I am gratified to find that Congress at their last session appointed a Commission to act on these pension claims, and that the appointment has been conferred on one so prompt and well qualified to discharge its duties. for despatches in relation to these "old soldiers" is of the utmost importance, as they are daily passing off. - Permit me to add my request to May Bell for a speedy action on his claim, if allowed, he wishes you to forward his certificate to this place to my care.
My friend Mr Craig on his return from Congress, informs me he forwarded to you a bond warrant of Fredk. Graft which was assigned to me, with a memo. in relation to the evidence on which Thomas Yorkshire's claim for a pension was founded. May I ask the favour of you to inform me, what has become of the said warrant. I have heard nothing in

relation to it, since I handed it to Mr Craig with great respect Yours in haste. William Rison

Pension Bureau Washington
D. C.
Dear Sirs Will you please send me the Pension statement of Joseph Bell deceased Co 10a, Pen. 2-115 Rev section
Sincerely
Hate R. White
1718 W Cumberland Ave
Hazle Tenn.

4375 Wooddale Avenue, Minneapolis Minn Jany 29 1927.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Sir:
Please send me the military record in the Revolutionary War of Joseph Bell of Virginia. named in the List of Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia S. of W. 1835, and Pen 2- II2.
Yours truly,
E. G. Chapman

EDWIN GARNER CHAPMAN 4375 WOODDALE AVENUE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
Feby 15 1929. just in time
Hon. Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Re; Rev. Pension Joseph Bell.
Dear Sir;
I am informed that in 1832, Joseph Bell then residing in Augusta County Virginia made application for pension, in consideration of services in the War of the Revolution,
I have reason to believe that this pension was granted in 1833.
If you have any record of such pensioner, will you kindly furnish me with such information contained in the papers, as would enable me to identify the family of this Joseph Bell, his parentage if possible, but specially the names of his wife and children.
Thanking you I am
Yours truly.
E. G. Chapman
E.G. Chapman.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MEE/eel
June 24, 1929
H.G.Chapman 4375 Woodale Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sir:
I advise you that in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Joseph Bell, S. 6698, there are no data relative to his parentage and wife and children. The soldier stated that he always lived on the farm where he was born.
On March 19, 1927, you were furnished the history of the above named soldier.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Joseph Bell (S. 6608), you should apply to the General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
Joseph Bell, Certificate No. 12651, issued May 16, 1833, rate $91.80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

January 18, 1912.
Mrs. Edgar L. Bell, 254 - 24th Street, Milwaukee, Wis.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 15" and received the 18" instant, you are advised that it appears from the papers in claim Sur. File No. 6,608 that Joseph Bell was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, while residing on the farm in Augusta County, Virginia, where he was born in February, 1755. He stated that he served in the Augusta County Militia as follows. From July, 1776, under Captain John Lyle, Colonels Russell and William Christian, in a campaign against the Cherokee Indians, five months: from September 22, 1777, as First Sergeant of Captain Thomas Smith's company, two months and three weeks: from August 16, 1779, as Orderly Sergeant of Captain James Trimble's company, three months: he was next ordered out for fifteen days to guard the prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens; from June 6, 1781, as Ensign of Captain Francis Long's company; he was in the battles of Hot Water and Jamestown, at the siege of Yorktown, and was discharged shortly after the surrender of Cornwallis, five months.
The date of his death is not shown, nor is there any family data on file.

Sur. File No. 6,608 - 2.
For the date of last payment of pension and to whom paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, citing the following data: "Joseph Bell, Certificate No. 12,651, is issued May 16, 1833, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Virginia Agency."
This Bureau is unable to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim has been filed on account of his services, and in order to identify such a claim, in addition to the soldier's full name, some of the following data is essential: names of some officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and death, given name of widow.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
March 19, 1927
E. C. Chapman 4375 Wooddale Ave. Minneapolis, Minn.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6608, it appears that JOSEPH BELL was born in February, 1755, in Augusta County, Virginia.
While a resident of said county he enlisted and served with the Virginia troops as follows:
From about July 15, 1776, five months in Captain John Lyle's Company in Colonels Russell's and William Christain's Regiments.
From September 22, 1777, two months and three weeks as first sergeant in Captain Thomas Smith's Company.
From August 16, 1779, three months as orderly sergeant in Captain James Trimble's Company.
Then served fifteen days and was engaged in guarding the prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens.
From June 6, 1781, five months as ensign in Captain Francis Long's Company; he was in the battles of Hot Water, Jamestown and at the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Augusta County, Virginia. on farm where born There are no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

Sur. File No. 6608, Joseph Bell was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, while residing on the farm in Augusta County, Virginia where he was born in February, 1755. He stated that he served in the Augusta County Militia, as follows. From July, about 1776 1776, under Captain John Lyle, Colonels Russell and William Christian, in a campaign against the Cherokee Indians, five months; from September 22, 1777, as First Sergeant of Captain Thomas Smith's company, two months and three weeks; from August 16, 1779, as Orderly Sergeant of Captain James Trimble's company, three months; he was next ordered out for about fifteen days to guard the prisoners taken at the battle of Cowpens; from June 6, 1781, as Ensign of Captain Francis Long's company, he was in the battles of Hot Water and Jamestown, at the siege of Yorktown, and was discharged shortly after the surrender of Cornwallis, five months.
The date of his death is not shown, nor is there any family data on file.
For the date of last payment of pension and to whom paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, citing the following data: "Joseph Bell, Certificate No. 12,651, issued May 16, 1832, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Virginia Agency".
Very respectfully,
To Mrs. W. C. Callender Falls Church, Va - Personal inquiry Feb 21, 1910.
Commissioner.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Bell, Josiah GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8119 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 11, 1789 To Matthias Denman, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.