Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,153, Thomas Bull, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bull, Thomas
S. 32,153
CONTENTS

Illinois.  19.815 Thomas Bull of Pike Co. in the State of Missouri who was a Private in the Comp. comm. by Captain Messenger of the Regt. comm. by Col. Wood - in the Service. line for Full Term
Letter to Pensions 16 June 1838. As to Pen. Act 11. Aug 1838. To Illinois from 4. Sept 1837. 27. Sept 1838. age notification sent to Pen. Nashville Ill. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838 age notified 1. June 1839.
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Sep. 1833 and to the He. Sanford Jackson
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mch 34 40 $ 240
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. G. G. Clerk, Book 8. Vol. 2. Page 79.

Thomas Bull's declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of the Congress of the United States passed June 7 th 1832 - State of Missouri County of Cape Girardeau } On this twenty third day of August, One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before the Circuit Court for the County aforesaid, Thomas Bull a resident of the township of Boyd in the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri aged seventy nine years; who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the fall season of the year 1776. and served in the 12 th regiment of the Virginia line, under the following named officers Col. — Wood (name I think was William) Col. — Nevel, Cap t Blagoner (does not recollect his Christian name) Lieutenants Hollowback, and Lieut. Presly Nevel (who was shortly raised to a higher grade after he enlisted.) He resided about forty miles south of Pittsburgh, near the Monongahela, in the red stone settlement of Virginia as then called, at the time he entered the service and served two years, part of the time as a private, and part as a sergeant in said Company & regiment. The principal battles he was in, was the battle at Brandy wine on the 11 th Sept r 1777, the battle at Red Bank, about 20 miles from Philadelphia, on or about the 17 th at Red Bank in or about the 4 th of October. — During the time he was attached to the army he marched through the states of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and joined the main army near Trenton New Jersey, after which he marched through part of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Delaware, and at the small battle at the Red Bank he had the charge of the General's wagon and did not engage in the battle. —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Thos Bull
Cape Girardeau Circuit Court August Term 1832
Friday August 24 th 1832 — 11 th day of the term.
Personally appears in open court Thomas Bull who is personally known to this Court, and presents his declaration in order to obtain a pension under the act of the Congress of the United States passed June 7 th 1832 — And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said Thomas Bull was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states in his declaration, Ordered that the same be certified accordingly.
I Henry Sanford Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Cape Girardeau in the fourth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application

of Thomas Bull for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3 rd day of October A.D. 1832- By Sanford Clark By his deputy Wm Ramsey
State of Missouri 4 th Judicial Circuit S.S.
I John D. Cook judge of the Circuit Courts of the 4 th Judicial Circuit of the state of Missouri, certify the foregoing, attestation of Henry Sanford Clark of the Circuit Court for the County of Cape Girardeau in said Circuit, is in due form and by the proper officer. Given under my hand at my Chambers in Jackson the 3 rd day of October A.D. 1832 - John D. Cook
Cape Girardeau Circuit Court April Term 1833. April 20 th 1833. 12 th day of the term.
Additional evidence in relation to the claim of Thomas Bull a revolutionary soldier.
Question by the court: Have you any documentary evidence or is there any living witness that you know of whose testimony you can procure as to your service.
Answer: My discharge and other papers relative to my service in the revolution was burnt by the Indians at the burning of Squire Boon's fort, on Wabash, Creek in Kentucky, in the Fall season of the year 1781. I know of no one now living who knows of my services in the American revolution, except one Jacob Whet, who resides, I have under- stood about sixty miles off, and from my advanced age and infirmity I am unable to travel to procure his testimony and have not the means to pay the expenses of sending to get his testimony. (Signed) Thos Bull
Sworn to and subscribed in Open court April 20 th 1833.

Cape Girardeau Circuit Court April term 1833. April 20 th 1833. 12 th day of the term.
Additional evidence in relation to the claim of Thomas Bull a revolutionary soldier.
Question by the court: Have you any documentary evidence or is there any living witness that you know of whose testimony you can procure as to your service.
Answer: My discharge and other papers relative to my service in the revolution was burnt by the Indians at the burning of Squire Boon's fort, on Wabash Creek in Kentucky, in the Fall season of the year 1781. I know of no one now living who knows of my services in the American revolution, except one Jacob Whet, who resides, I have understood about sixty miles off, and from my advanced age and infirmity I am unable to travel to procure his testimony and have not the means to pay the expenses of sending to get his testimony. (Signed) Thos Bull Sworn to and subscribed in Open court April 20 th 1833.
(Signed) John D. Cook
We the subscribers, certify that we are and have been for about twenty years past acquainted with Thomas Bull; we cheerfully state that he has always been a fair character since we knew him; that he has for many years past been a deacon of the Baptist Church in this neighborhood, and from what we know, we believe he was a soldier in the American revolution as he has stated, and we think that the general belief in his neighborhood as to his said services is such. Sworn to and subscribed in Open court.
(Signed) } H. J. Sanford clk Cir. Ct. Jackson Missouri John Hays Receiver of Public Moneys Jackson Mo.
(Signed) John D. Cook
I Alexander Buckner a member of the Senate of the United States from the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Bull, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be of the age set forth in his declaration, that he is thought by the neighborhood, where he lives to have been a soldier of the American revolution, and I concur in that opinion. (Signed) A Buckner
I James Hendricks a regularly ordained minister of the Baptist Church in the county of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri, certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Bull who has subscribed the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be of the age set forth in his declaration; that he is thought generally in the neighborhood by those who know him to have been a soldier of the American revolution, and I concur in that opinion. Affirmed to and subscribed in Open Court. (Signed) James Hendricks
(Signed) John D. Cook
Thomas Bull appears in Open court and presents his additional evidence as to his services in the American revolution in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. And it appears to the court here from the evidence adduced, that the said Thomas Bull was a soldier of the American revolution as he has stated; that James Hendricks is an ordained clergyman residing in the neighborhood and is a credible person; that John Hays, Alexander Buckner and Henry Sanford who have signed the additional petition of Thomas Bull, are citizens of the neighborhood and are credible persons; and their certificate are entitled to credit.
I Henry Sanford clerk of the circuit court for the County of Cape Girardeau in the Fourth Judicial

Circuit of the State of Missouri, do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings and all the proceedings in said Circuit Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Wall for a Pension.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at office, in Jackson, County and State aforesaid, the 23 rd day of April A.D. 1833.
H. J. Sanford Clerk
State of Missouri, 4 th Judicial Circuit.
John D. Cook presiding judge of the Circuit courts of the fourth judicial circuit of said State, Certify that the foregoing certificate made by Henry Sanford Clerk of the Circuit Courts for the County of Cape Girardeau in said Circuit, is in due form and by the proper officer.
Given under my hand & seal at my chambers in Jackson the 23 rd day of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
John D. Cook

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Washington ss.
On this sixteenth day of july 1838, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Washington personally appeared Thomas Ball who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Andrew Wagener — in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Blood — in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Missouri from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Illinois where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Missouri to be with his relations.
Thomas Ball
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
Moses Jackson J.P.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

State of Illinois } Washington County } I do Solemnly swear that Thomas Bull whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit is the same person described therein. Samuel K Parker Subscribed & sworn to before me this 16 day of July 1838 Moses Jackson J.P.
State of Illinois } Washington County } I Moses Jackson a Justice of the peace of said County of Washington Do certify that Samuel K Parker is a creditable witness. Given under my hand this 16 day of July. 1838. Moses Jackson J.P.
State of Illinois } Washington County } I William Boyd Clerk of the County County Commissioners Court for said County of Washington, Do certify that Moses Jackson is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof, I have affixed My Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 23 d day of July A.D. 1838 Wm Boyd Clerk

20. 905
Thomas Buler Cape Girardeau Co Missouri
Adm 2 years. — $80. —
Henry Sanford Esq Jackson

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
12th Aug 33.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Thomas Bull
   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.     1776. 21 Priv Inf. Serf. Col Wood " Nevile Col. Haggomes 79 years Redston Settlement then in Nas man Penn. Traditionary  
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 (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration:

32 153 Pay INVALID.
File No. 32,153
Thomas Bull
Ln Rec var
Act: June 1 st 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 13.
Nashville Tn June 3
W. Ryan
Postmaster of Indiana Washington City

State of Illinois } Washington County } Be it known, that before me, Moses Jackson a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Thomas Bull and made oath in due form of law. that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession, of which I certify the following is a true copy: War Department.
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7 th June, 1832, Thomas Bull of the State of Missouri who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Eighty dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4 th March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4 th of March, and 4 th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United states this 18 th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
That he now resides in Washington County in the State of Illinois, and has resided there for the space of six months past; and that previous thereto he resided in Cape Girardeau County in the State of Illinois Missouri, and he further states that his reason for leaving Missouri was to be with his friends relations in Washing- ton County State of Illinois.
Sworn and subscribed this first
day of June 1838
before me Moses Jackson
J.P.
{ Thomas Bull }
State of Illinois } Washington County } I Moses Jackson a Justice of the Peace in the County above named, do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence, viz: the affidavits of John Williams and Samuel L. Parker ————— respectable persons, that Thomas Bull who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of Identity, is the identical person named in

The pension Certificate, which he has exhibited before me, numbered 19.815, and bearing date at the War Office, the 18th day of September, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, and signed by Sewell's Secretary of War. Given under my hand this 1st day of June 1838 Moses Jackson J.P.

Washington County Ill. June 11th 1838
Sir
Having changed my residence to Washington County, in the State of Illinois, I am not entitled to draw my pension from the agent at St. Louis Missouri where I formerly drew, which I was not apprised of until after the 4th of March last or I would have made early application for a transfer to the Agency of this State by the accompanying documents you will perceive that I have forwarded to you a copy of my certificate from the War Department together with proof of my being the identical person named therein in order that you may make payment to me at Carmi in this State, which I hope will be effected in time to draw on the 4th of September next when there will be one years pension due to me.
Yours Respectfully
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Thomas Bell

Jackson Cape Greenleaf County Me. April 22 1883
James G. Edwards Esq.
Sir Enclosed you, I received the claim of Thos. Bull perfected as nearly as can be with your instructions returned with the original application. Genl. Buckner, our Senator and those who are the best acquainted with this kind of business, seem to think that to subjoin the additional evidence required to the original declaration, would do as well, as to make an entire new declaration, which is done. I sincerely hope that the papers are so as to justify the government to award the old man a pension; he has no means for supporting himself; He is almost helpless; and his claims on the Genl. Govt. From the best information I can get, are perhaps equal to any private.
I am, respectfully,
Your ob t Servt.
H. H. Sanford
(Signature)

Pension Agency, St. Louis, Mo. August 22. 1838
Sir
Your letter of 11. th inst is rec d to day desiring to know "To what time Thomas Bull, a pensioner now on the Roll of this Agency under the act 7 June 1832, at eighty dollars per annum, was last paid". Answer, 4. th September 1837.
I am, very respectfully, Your Ob. Ser. Wm. C. Anderson
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions City of Washington

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 23, 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas Bull, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois Agency, at the rate of eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Weldon B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.