Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12986, John Bell, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Bell, John
NUMBER
S. 12986
CONTENTS
carded

after June 17. 1834 to J. Bell, pensioner - do. to Hon J. Taliaferro & P. Agt 14 Feb. 1837. do to Hon. Mr. T. Feb 25 1837
16. 1839 Virginia John Bell of Rockingham Co in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Marjoram of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wabram in the army line for 1 yr.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Septm. 1833 and sent to J. W. Tyler  Buckland
Arrears to the 4th of Septm 1833. $ 100. 00 Pensioner. allowance ending Subst 34.  20. 00
$120. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Net June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. L. W. W. and Clerk, Book C Vol. 8 Page 10

State of Virginia. Prince William County
To Wit:
On this 3 rd day of June 1833 personally appeared before the Justices of the County of Prince William in the County Court John Bell a resident of the County aforesaid in the State aforesaid aged seventy one years the 15 th day of May 1833 who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832: That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1782 under Captain Henry Maysram and served in the regiment commanded by Col o Waddsworth, that he resided in the County of Prince William and resided at the place called Chur- ch's race grounds, that he  they marched under Capt n Maysram from Prince William County through Stafford Falmouth Fredericksburg Brandywine Pa over Court House, Williamsburg & thence to York town where he joined the Army & served in Col o Waddsworth's regiment. We started from York town in June 1782 and marched back to Fredericksburg thence to Alexandria and Philadelphia and Trenton. crossed the north river passed through Hartford in Connecticut thence to Providence in Rhode island and on to Boston and was discharged in 1783 last of May or early in June. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed this 3 rd day of June 1833. John Bell.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as in State.
I John Williams Clerk of the of County Court of Pike William County State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Bell for a pension. In testimo- ny whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 8 th day of June 1833. J. Williams

Dist of Columbia } County of Washington }
On this 17. th day of June 1834. Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid John Bell, and being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration as an amendment, to the one made by him in Prince William County V. a in order to obtain the benefits of the act of June 7. 1832. That he the said John Bell enlisted in Prince William County Virginia, in the Regiment, commanded by Col. Wordsworth, and was attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Henry Margarum, in the month of January 1832. for the term of 18 months, that he continued in service till the expiration of his term and was discharged on or about the last of June 1833 at a place called Sheffield in the State of New York. He therefore prays that his pension may be increased to that rate allowed those who served the period of eighteen months,
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
John Bell Mark.
A. Bell Jr. J. Peace
Witness. W. T. Duncy.

to Judge Anderson

N o 25868.
John Bell Prince William County Virginia
Dear Sir
on rolls
one l. year
$40. —
J. W. Tyler Buckland Prince William County Virg a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Bell Prince William County Virginia
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1782 about 1 - - private Capt Marjoram, Col Wadsworth 71 years Prince William County, Virginia No evidence - papers correct  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (n) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Revtran
12.986 INVALID.
File No. 12.986
John Bell
Priv Rev war
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The undersigned is well acquainted with Charles B. Atwell, and knows him to be a credible man, and such the undersigned believes is the opinion of all who know Mr Atwell - Given by me this 10 day of February 1837.
Wm Foster
Prince Wm County S.P.
The above was this day subscribed & sworn to be- fore me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid - Given under my hand this 10 day of February 1837 -
Thos B. Hamilton
Both Mr Foster & Mr Hamilton are Justices of the Peace for Prince Wm County - and highly respectable gentlemen - John Taliaferro

State of Virginia:
Prince William County set.
John Sullivan of the County of Prince William County this day personally appeared before the undersigned one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that John Bell enlisted in the Army upon Continental establishments some time in the month of February in the year 1782. in the company commanded by Capt. Margurand - that he enlisted for the term of twelve months. that he the said John Sullivan enlisted in the same company at the same for the same term and that they were marched from the County of Prince William to the City of Williamsburg and remained there until the month of July following when they marched to the North under Col. Washburne that from the time of the enlistment aforesaid he the said John Bell served, of his own accord at least fourteen months at which time he the said John Sullivan was discharged leaving the said John Bell still in the service who did not return to his home for three or four months thereafter Given under my hand this 26 th day of June 1834.
John Sullivan
Prince William County to wit:
The above affidavit was this day subscribed and sworn to before me one of the Justices of the peace for the said County. and I certify that I have known the said John Sullivan for several years and have no reason to doubt his veracity. Given under my hand and seal this 26 th day of June in the year 1834.
Robt. Williams
State of Virginia - Prince William County, to wit:
I John Williams Clerk of the Court of Prince William County, certify that Robert Williams 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 26 th day of June, in the year 1834.
J. Williams.

Certificate of Ph. Warden.

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Capt. Charles B. Atwood from my youth up - and have always considered him a Man of Excellent Character. and believe his general character always to have been good
Given under my hand this 3 rd day of February 1837
P. Warner
The undersigned has Mr Ph: Warner, (who has subscribed the above certificate) intimately, many years - Mr Warner is now near seventy years old; he has sustained a high character thro' life; and any statement of facts made by him is entitled to full credit -
John Taliaferro - M c C. Washington: 8 th of Feby. 1837-

State of Virginia Prince William County, Set S
I Jno. S. Trone a resident of the County aforesaid, being first duly sworn, do on oath say, that I am well acquainted with John Sullivan, who has heretofore given evidence as to the service of John Bell in the Army of the Revolution, and that the said John Sullivan is considered by me, & all who know him, to be a man of established veracity, & to be relied on for any statement of facts made on his own knowledge -
Given, & subscribed by me, this 8 th day of December 1836
Jno. S. Trone
Prince W m County, Set
Personally came before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid, the above named Jno. S. Trone who subscribed in my presence, and made oath, in due form, to the truth of the above statement of facts - Given under my hand this 8 th day of Decem- ber 1836
H. B. Hamilton

John P. Trone who has signed the within Affidavit, is a Methodist Clergyman, well known to the undersigned as a man of fair character, in all respects - And in whose statements the utmost reliance may be placed -
John Taliaferro Washing: 6 th Feb y 1837
Affidavit of J. P. Trone

12 Feb John Bell's case
Hon. J. Taliaferro H. R.

War Department- Pension Office June 17 - 1834
Sir
Your claim to an increase of pension has been examined. On referring to your original declaration I have very strong doubts whether you ever performed any military service during the revolutionary war. Your statement is entirely at variance with well known historical facts in relation to the movements of the Army, names of Officers &c., and unless you can produce some more substantial proof other than than your own declaration respecting your service, your name will be dropped from the pension roll. —
I am Respectfully Yours & Friend J. L. Edwards
Mr John Bell of Virginia Present.

Free J. Taliaferro
J. L. Edwards esq.
Pension Office
Washington

Washington 23 d of February 1837-
My dear Sir,
I very much regret to trouble you further with the case of John Bell, but as I was about to enclose you an additional voucher for the credibility of Charles B. Atwell, a witness in Bell's case, I take the impression, that in my examination of the papers on file in your Office, the Original Pension Certificate issued to Bell is amongst them - As it may be difficult, if not impossible, for him to conform to the prescribed regulations, without a Certificate, as the basis of his application for Pension - It may be proper to return to him the Original, or such other Certificate, as to you may seem most proper - Be pleased to make your communication thro' me, as I know the residence of Bell - and oblige yours truly
John Taliaferro
J. L. Edwards esq-

Hon. G. F. Mercer -
Memb. of the H. of Reps - Washington

Is Genl Mercer acquainted with Charles B. Howell; and Asa Rodgers, who reside in Loudon County? If he is, the undersigned will thank him to state, in writing, whether he considers, believes the first (Howell) to be a credi- ble man - And as to the second, whether he knows A. Rodgers to be a Justice of The Peace in Loudon County - And oblige his friend
John Taliaferro
The above request is made in reference to the Affidavit of Howell made before A. Rodgers to be used in a Pension case -
J. T.
Honb: G. F. Mercer -
Asa Rodgers is well known to G. F. Mercer and is a justice of the peace in and for the County of Loudoun. G. F. Mercer is intimately

know Charles B. Steele, but he has never heard a question made of their veracity.
C. F. Mercer.
Jan. 9 th 1837

State of Virginia Prince William County Set }
I Wm. J. French a resident of the county aforesaid, being first duly sworn, do on oath say, that I am well acquainted with John Sullivan, who has heretofore given evidence as to the service of John Bell in the Army of the Revolution, and that said John Sullivan is considered by one, & all who know him, to be a man of established ve- racity, & to be relied on for any statement of facts made on his own knowledge.
given & subscribed by me this 2 nd day of January 1837
Wm. J. French
Prince Wm. County Set
Personally came before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in & for the county afore- said the above named Wm. J. French who subscribed in my presence and made oath in due form, to the truth of the above statement of facts - given under my hand This 2 nd day of January 1837
R Foster

Mr Wm S. Fewell, who has signed the within Affidavit, is the Sheriff of Pricetown County; and known to the undersigned to be a gentleman in whose statements the utmost reliance may be placed.
John Taliaferro
Washing: 6 th Feby 1837-
Affidavit of Fewell

Bell's declaration
25869

Capt. Chas. B. Atwell,
El Paso, Texas
for Genl Bell

Charles Atwell, now of the County of Loudoun in the State of Virginia deposeth and saith, that he I lived neigbours to, and was well acquainted with John Bell, in the County of Prince William, in the state of Virginia, who has been a prisoner, that he  and knows he enlisted in the Company of Capt. M'Gurnum. - I was engaged in the recruiting service, and marched at the same time Bell did, tho' in another Company, to the City of Williamsburg - this was in the month of February 1782. We remained there in the service together until the month of July, when we marched under Col. Wadsworth to the North, and were stationed at dif- ferent places, and finally I left him with the rest of the Army at a place called Hatfield, or Hatley, or some such name, in New England, having been with the said John Bell for ten months, in the service together, from the time we marched from Prince William County. - Six or seven months after my return, he came home, saying he had served in the Army ever since I left it, until a few days before his return when he had been discharged. I never heard any doubt expressed of his having served the said time after my discharge and I believe he did serve the said six or seven months, in addition to the ten months, which he did serve to my own knowledge.
Charles B. Atwell
State of Virginia § 50. County of Loudoun §
The above deposition was this day sworn to and subscribed by Charles B. Atwell, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid. And I further certify that I have known the said Capt. Charles B. Atwell for several years, and I have no reason to doubt his veracity.
Given under my hand the 20 th day of June in the year 1834
J. L. Logue

25 May
June 29
Haymarket (St. Louis) June 22
St. Louis
The Secretary of War
Washington (D.C.)

Dear Sir
June the 20 th 1833
At the request of John Bell a copy of the resolution I enclose you his declaration. Hoping that on an examination of the records his name will be found. If however such should not be the case he will be much indebted to you for detailed instructions as to the nature & form of the testimony he must produce - as there are at present persons living who served with him - but their places of residence are somewhere remote & it is inconvenient for him to procure their affidavits. Please address to myself or to him at Buckland Prince William County.
I am respectfully
your obedt. Servt. John W. Foster