Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,265, William Bierce, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Bierce, William
S. 4,265
carded
CONTENTS

Order to pay - 11. Sep 1837
Ent? dead - by the Bureau of Pensions 1835
No. 7885 Ohio. Pittsburgh.
William Bierce.
Portage Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Swift - in the Connecticut line of Continental troops, for six years.
Dead. 18. Jany 1835.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh at the rate of 120. Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of April 1833 and sent to. Geo. Kirkum. Clk. Ravenna. Ohio.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833.
Semi-annual allowance ending 14 Sept. 33.
$
{ Revolutiona Act June.
Recorded by W. V. Palmer Book E. Vol. 8. Page

Portage Co. Ohio Wm. Bracee Sergeant Col Swifts Regt Connecticut Line 1777 - 6 years.
5 th October, 1818.
found on rolls, as Sergeant.
Elias Harmon, judge Ravenna, Portage Co: Ohio.

State of Ohio } Portage County } ss. On this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County Personally appeared William Bierce aged Sixty five years resident in Nelson in said County who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War.
That he the said W m Bierce Enlisted Feby 1777 for the duration of the War in Capt. Eberth. Hill's Co, Col. Heman Swift's Regt Can. line The next fall or Winter I was transferred to Capt. Thomas Converse Co, I was in Germantown Battle Oct. 4 th 1777 — Was at Monmouth 28 th June 1778 — I was with the main army in all its Movements But being first Serjt was always with the main Body And part of the time there being no Commissioned Officer in said Co, but the Cap t and he being appointed to do Brigade Maj r 's duty I acted as Commandant of said Co, I lost my health and was offered to be put on the pension list before the close of the War But I would not be ranked in that Coar — I got a wound by a cannon ball in one of my legs I had a furlow in June 1783 to return home I also took a discharge with the dudge of honor at the same time which was to take effect (probably) the third of Nov r following provided that the treaty of peace was ratified before that time Which Discharge was signed by his Excellency Gen, Washington Which Discharge I sent to the Land Office to draw my bounty Land and I have not seen it since That from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my Country for Support Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid Elias Harmon Asst. Judge William Bierce

State of Ohio } Portage County } ss.
I Bradford Sherwood of Delson in said County of lawful age under Oath testify and declare, —
That I am particularly acquainted with the foregoing William Bierce and to my knowledge he is a cripple and unable to perform but a trifle of labour. Also that said Bierce has a young Son which must depend upon the father or his country for support.
That said W m Bierce is in quite reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support, —
Bradford Sherwood
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year before mentioned, —
Elias Harmon Asst t Judge
I Elias Harmon of the County aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Bierce did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the foregoing declaration against the common Enemy. And from the foregoing testimony that he needs the assistance of his country for support, — I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the above mentioned act of Congress, —
Elias Harmon Associate Judge

The State of Ohio Portage County ss
I Seth Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify and make known that Elias Harmon Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and who certified and subscribed the same was at the time of certifying the same, and now is an an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County duly Commissioned and sworn and to all where Official acts full faith and credit is and ought to be given and that his signature hereunto subscribed are genuine - and
On Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Ravenna this thirteenth day of October Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Seth Day Clerk

1 st Declaration under act 1. May 1820
-A
William Bierce
10,950.
Struck off, 8. November, 1820,
[Faint signature]
[Faint text, possibly "Attest"]
Sep 1819
Solh Day Ravenna Ohio

The State of Ohio
Portage County ss. BE IT REMEMBERED that at a Term of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Portage specially held at the Court House in the Town of Ravenna within and for the County of Portage and State of Ohio before Elias Harmon, Alva Day and Augustus Bateman Esquires Associate Judges of said Court holding said court being a Court of Record for said County expressly constituted by law, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment: On this seventh day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, personally appeared in open court William Bierce aged sixty seven years resident in Nelson in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: That he the said William Bierce enlisted for the Term of and during the war on or about the fore part of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven at Cornwall in the State of Connecticut in the Company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Hill in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Meara Swift of the Connecticut line on the Continental establishment. That he was discharged the said service in the Highlands near West point in the State of New York. That he was in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth under Captain Thomas Conway. That this declarant has heretofore to wit on the fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and eighteen under the provisions of the act of Congress of the eighteenth of March eighteen hundred and eighteen made declaration of his said services before Elias Harmon Esquire one of the Associate Judges of said County and in pursuance whereof he has been inscribed on the pension list of the United States as by his pension certificate Number 10.950 now in his possession will appear.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 19 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed the 19 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or assets or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. This declarant exhibits here in court the following inventory of his estate.
to wit - One hundred and seventy five acres of unimproved land lying in the Town of Nelson $170.00 One Plough Iron 4.00 One Chain 1.50 One Hog 1.00 11.50 $141.50
This declarant further states that he has no family residing with him, that he is not a house holder in said state: That he has one minor son living at Athens in the State of Ohio James Bierce aged Nineteen incapable of supporting himself by reason of a wound received on the right arm whereby it is dislocated and that he the declarant has to contribute to his support.
  This declarant has justly due and owing from   Ashbel Dean one note of hand $ 47.50 Due from declarant to S. R. Fuller $ 58.00   Do " " " 47.00 " " " E. Johnson 50.00   E. Johnson " " " 15.00 " " " D. Gavitt 5.00   $ 109.50. $ 113.00 
This declarant

line on the Continental establishment. That he was discharged his said service in the Highlands near West point in the State of New York. That he was in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth under Captain Thomas Converse. That this declarant has heretofore to wit on the fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and eighteen under the provisions of the act of Congress of the eighteenth of March eighteen hundred and eighteen made declaration of his said services before Elias Harmon Esquire one of the Associate Judges of said County and in pursuance whereof he has been inscribed on the pension list of the United States as by his pension certificate Number 10.950 now in his possession will appear.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person interest for me any property or unpaid contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. This declarant exhibits here in court the following inventory of his estate.
to wit - One hundred and seventy five acres of unimproved land lying in the Town of Nelson $170.00    One Plough Iron 4.00 One Chain 1.50 One Hog 6.00 11.50 $ 641.50   This declarant further states that he has no family residing with him, that he is not a house holder in said state: That he has one minor son living at Athens in the State of Ohio Lucius Verus Pierce aged Nineteen incapable of supporting himself by reason of a wound received on the right arm whereby it is disabled and that he the declarant has to contribute to his support.   Ashbel Dyer one note of hand $ 47.50 Due from declarant to S. R. Fuller $ 58.00   Do " " " 47.00 " " " E. Johnson 50.00   E. Johnson debt 15.00 " " " D. Givitt 5.00   $ 109.50 $ 113.00 
This declarant states that his age is sixty seven that he has no particular infirmities except those arising from old age except a broken leg which was broken about six years since, is crooked and considerably shorter than the natural leg, and very weak: That he is able to labour some and contribute something towards his own support, that his son Lucius V. Pierce is incapable of supporting himself for the reason before stated
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 7 th day of August 1821.  Day Clerk
William Pierce.
The State of Ohio I Seth Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly Copies

copied from the records of the said Court: and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule (after deducting the debts due and owing from the said William Bruce) is five hundred and sixty eight dollars and fifty cents. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this tenth day of August Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Day Clerk.

Wm. Bierce Recd Mar 30. 1826
Hon. L. D. Vinton of the War Department
To the Honorable
Washington City.
Hon. Mr Vinton, H.R. recd March 30. 1826.
Copy of letter D

Athens State of Ohio March 18 th 1826.
In answer to my application to be restored to the Pension List, I received through Seth Day Esq. of Ravenna, Portage County the communication of which the following is a copy addressed to him from the War Department, dated 24 th April 1824. ss
Sir,
Before a decision can take place on William Bierce's application to be restored to the Pension List, he must shew, as the sale of his real estate was not forced, why it was disposed of at four hundred and thirteen dollars less than what it was estimated in his first Schedule."
Signed J L Edwards.
Though deeply afflicted and distressed at the failure of my application, it was my determination to submit to the decision of my country, and to make no further effort. To this determination I should still adhere, but dire necessity compels me, however reluctant, to address you once more; The schedule presented by me in 1823. 11 th May was, as I believe entirely accurate, except that instead of five acres of unimproved land given in by me, the quantity should have been seven acres and the

value forty two dollars.
Permit me to ask, was not the rejection of my claim to be restored founded on a misapprehension of my schedule and the documents accompanying
It appears to be considered that the difference between the estimate of my land in my first schedule, in 1820, which was 670 dollars and the amount of the sale, which I suppose was calculated from the consideration expressed in the deeds of which copies were forwarded to the Department, was four hundred and thirteen dollars.
I do then most earnestly request that my last application, and documents, exhibited by me may be re-examined and reconsidered.
In them I think it will appear that the difference between the estimate in my first schedule was not 413. dollars but 262 dollars that is to say
The 175 acres, unimproved land given in my first schedule is 670.00 The consideration of 118 acres sold to J. R. Fuller is stated at 257.00 of 50 acres, to H. P. Hopkins is 121 5 acres, stated as unsold 378 30 408
This difference of 262 dollars is further lessened by the two acres, omitted by mistake, by 12 dollars making between the estimate in 1820 and the sales 250. dollars.
In this view of my case would there have been and is there now any objection to my claim, and is it still necessary to offer further explanation on the

point. It will be recollected by the Department which I have the honor to address, that in consequence of a law of the United States passed in 1820 on publick lands, were reduced in price in nearly the same ratio with the price of my land. It is also, as I presume well known that from various causes the lands in Ohio have greatly fallen in their price, since the late war.
The little which I possessed has been expended to the last farthing. In addition to my own support it has been in considerable part expended in the education of my youngest son who is totally disabled from labour by the destruction of his right hand. I have no dwelling, but for more than two years have lived with my children alternately, entirely dependent on them for my support and for every article of clothing.
I do however still indulge the hope that my government will not suffer me to languish out the small remains of my life in poverty, dependence, and wretchedness, but that I may be permitted still to share in some degree in the blessings and privileges which my services and sufferings have had some small influence in procuring.
I have the honor to be With great respect
Your obed Servt.
William Bierce

Letter to the Hon. J. F. Vinton 3 d April 1826. asking for proof as to the indication of lands in Ohio between Augt 1820, the date of his first schedule and Nov 1822 the date of the sale.
Hon. Mr. Vinton, H. R. rec d . March 30. 1826.

sion on file in this Bureau.
Wm Pierce
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb 1777 June 1782 Sgt. Ebenezer Dill Thos. Converse Nauman Swift Conn.                                                   
Battles engaged in, Germantown, Monmouth. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Cornwall Conn. Date of application for pension, Oct 5, 1831. Pension allowed. Residence at date of application, Nelson Portage Co Ohio Age at date of application, 65 - Died Jan 18, 1835
Remarks: Soldier's youngest son Lucius Pierce was 19 years of age at his death. Other children are referred to. Names of same, or of father or wife not stated.
Very respectfully,

Rev. Wm. H. ...
4265
1907 June 1. Reist to F.A. Potter aw 1917 Oct. 3 Hist. To Mabel H. Edwards.
INVALID.
File No. 4265
Mrs. Bierce
Capt. Ch. Linn
Act: June 7, 1932
Index: Vol. 2, Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10.950 Ohio Pittsburgh
William Bierce
of Nelson County in the state of Ohio
who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Swift of the Connecticut line, for the term of Six Years
inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 5 th of October 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st of May 1819 and let to Elias Harmon Esq. Ravenna Ohio
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819. 40.00
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819. 48.00
5 Mo. $88.00
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued
Moneys sent to Seth Day Esq. 6 Nov 1820 Ravenna Ohio
Retired 22 nd May 1826 com-10 May 1826 Sufficient rent left, J. P. Britton Gallipolis Gallia Co Ohio Transferred to Pittsburgh Agency 2 Sept 1828 Jan 4 Sept 1828

Payable semi-annually---the first pay- ment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, Chillicothe Ohio at the U.S. Branch Bank
Capt. Rob. Conner
Reserved

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
William Bierce late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pen- sion List, Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the Fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty first day of May one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen
J. S. Burnside, in the absence and on behalf of the Secretary of War.

To all Persons to whom these presents shall come Greeting. Know Ye, That I William Bierce of Portage County & State of Ohio for the consideration of two hundred and fifty seven dollars received to my full satisfaction of Jeremiah R. Fuller of Portage County and State of Ohio do give grant bargain sell and confirm unto him the said Jeremiah R. Fuller the following described tract or lot of land situated in Portage Township No 5 in the sixth range of Townships in the Connecticut Western Reserve in the State of Ohio and which is also in the County of Portage and is known by being part of lot No 27. and is bounded as follows viz South on the Township line between Portage & Windham east on the east line of said 27 th lot north on lands owned by Uriel Holmes west on lands owned by William Bierce to Jeremiah R. Hopkins and to William Bierce to contain one hundred and eighteen acres of land. To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises with the appurtenances thereof to him the said Jeremiah R. Fuller his heirs and assigns forever to his and their own proper use & behoof. And also I the said William Bierce do for my self my heirs executors & administrators covenant with the said Jeremiah R. his heirs and assigns that at and until the enroling of these presents I am well seized of the premises as a good indefeasible estate in fee simple and have good right to bargain and sell the same in manner & form as is above written and that the same is free of all incumbrances whatsoever. And furthermore I the said William do by these presents bind myself my heirs forever to warrant and defend the above granted & bargained premises to him the said Jeremiah R. his heirs & assigns against all lawful claims & demands whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 11 th day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty two. Signed sealed acknowledged and delivered in presence of Isaac Mills
William Bierce
D. D. Garrett
The State of Ohio Before me Isaac Mills a Justice of the Peace in and for Portage Portage County for personally came William Bierce signer and Sealer of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed for the special purpose therein contained. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Portage November 11 th 1822.
Isaac Mills Just Peace
Received November 19 th Received Nov 20 th 1822 S. Day Receiver.

The State of Ohio Before me Isaac Mills a Justice of the Peace in and for Portage Portage County ss. personally came William Bure signed and sealed of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed for the special purpose therein contained. In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Nelson November 11 th 1823. Isaac Mills Just Peace G.S.
Received November 19 th Received Nov 20 th 1823. G. Day Ruler.
To all People to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. Know Ye that I William Bure of Nelson in the County of Portage and State of Ohio for the consideration of one hundred and twenty one dollars to me in full satisfaction of Jeremiah B. Hopkins of Nelson Portage County and State of Ohio do give grant bargain sell and confirm unto him the said Jeremiah B. Hopkins his heirs and assigns forever the following described tract or lot of land situate in Township number five in the sixth range of Townships in the Connecticut Western Reserve in the State of Ohio and which is also in the county of Portage and is known by being part of lot number twenty seven and is bounded as follows viz beginning fifty rods north of the Township line between Nelson & Wincleham on the east side of the highway thence northwesterly on highway far enough to make the distance sixty rods from the south to the north line where it measured on a line parallel with the west line of the lot. Thence east on land owned by Uriel Holmes parallel with the south line of the lot so far that a line running thence south parallel with the west line of the lot sixty rods on land owned by William Bure and thence east on lands owned by William Bure to William Brown on a line fifty rods north of and parallel with the south line of the lot to the boundary begun at shall contain fifty acres of land exclusive of highway, said land lying sixty rods wide from north to south, and extending east far enough to contain fifty acres. So

So have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises with the appurtenances thereof unto him the said Mordecai B. his heirs and assigns forever to his and their own proper use and behoof. And also I the said William Bruce do for myself my heirs executors and administrators covenant with the said Mordecai his heirs and assigns that at and until the sealing of these presents I am well seised of the premises as a good indefeasible estate in fee simple and have good right to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written and that the same is free of all incumbrances whatsoever. And furthermore I the said William do by these presents bind myself and my heirs from to warrant and defend the above granted and bargained premises to him the said Mordecai his heirs and assigns against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9 th day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.
Signed sealed acknowledged and delivered in presence of William Bruce Isaac Mills. D. S. Gannett
The State of Ohio § Before me Isaac Mills a Justice of the Peace in and for Portage Portage County ss County Personally came William Bruce signer and sealer of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the within conveyance to be his voluntary act and deed for the special purposes therein contained In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Nelson upon the ninth A.D. 1822 Isaac Mills Justice Peace D.S.
Recorded November 19 Recorded November 22 nd 1822. S. Day Recorder.
The State of Ohio § I Seth Day, Recorder of the County of Portage do hereby certify that the Portage County ss foregoing a truly copied from the Records of said County as they remain of Record in my office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Ravenna this 7 th day of November A.D. 1823.

William Dunn.
2 d Declaration
B
[Faint, illegible handwriting]

State of Ohio ss On this fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Personally appeared in Open Court, being a court of Record for Portage County and state aforesaid, William Bierce aged seventy years, resident of Portage county, State aforesaid who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served more than seven years in the Revolutionary war as follows - On the Connecticut State line in the company commanded by Capt n Converse 7 th Regt t commanded by Col. Heman Swift. - and that he was inscribed on the pension list Roll of the Ohio agency N o 10.950. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 19 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress intitled, An act to provide for persons iniquities in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herunto annexed and by me subscribed. - (I would here observe that I was stricken from the pension list on the 8 th day of Nov r 1820 on account of my property. In June 1820 I went to Athens in the County of Athens, Ohio, and was taken sick, and was under the immediate care of the Physician for several months. The debts contracted during my sickness, and also for my minor son a cripple (mentioned in a former statement) amounted to two hundred and nineteen dollars. On my return to Portage county, necessity obliged me to make sale of my landed property to discharge the debts mentioned above. The following property I have in my possession viz.
  Five acres of unimproved land valued at $4.00 per acre. $20.00   1 " " " " " D. B. Sherwood 10.00   1 " " " " " C. Goversell 2.00   1 " " " " " D. R. Fuller 11.87   1 " " " " " M. A. Bierce 16.00   Total $141.19 
The following debts I am still owing viz - to - Price of Athens $50.00 Esq: Daney. " 10.00 . . $70.00
The above is a correct schedule of my property, not possessing any personal property except my wearing apparel. - That he is seventy years old, by occupation a farmer, but unable to perform labor by bodily infirmity and old age. William Bierce. Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court this fourteenth day of May A.D. 1823.
The State of Ohio ss I Seth Dey Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Portage County do certify that the said schedule and oath have been admitted to the Record of said court that the same are truly copied therefrom; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is one hundred and forty six dollars and nineteen cents. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this tenth day of June Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.
attest Seth Dey Clerk.  Seth Dey Clerk.

7

The deposition of Jeremiah B. Fuller & Hezekiah S. Hopkins both of Nelson, County of Portage, and State of Ohio, both of lawful age, testified, and saith; That on or about the 9th day of November 1822. They purchased of William Pierce of Nelson, County & State aforesaid, a certain tract or parcel of land, lying in Nelson aforesaid, being part of lot No twenty seven, containing one hundred & sixty eight acres at the rate of two dollars & twenty five cents per acre. -
And the deponents further saith, that, at the time the purchase of the land was made of the said William, they held two notes of hand against the said William, to the amount of sixty five dollars, which notes were of some years standing. $ 65.00  They also purchased for said William 1 pattern for coat & trousers & paid for making of the same 15.00  1 cloth for porticoes trousers & making &c 5.50  2 patterns for shirts & making the same 3.00  2 pr socks 1.50  1 pr shoes 2.00  1 " boots 3.00  for medical attendance in sickness 5.00  " board & " " " " 4.00  Also there was due for taxes on the above land with penalty for two years amounting to about 3.00  also paid two years subscription for printing which was then due 10.00  $ 117.00
And the deponents further saith that the above statement is a true & accurate statement of their expenditures for the said William Pierce since the 9th of Nov 1822, to the best of their recollection & knowledge. And further the deponents saith that -  Jeremiah B. Fuller, ss Hezekiah S. Hopkins ss
Sworn and subscribed before me this third day of Nov at Nelson in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Isaac Mills. not Be ss
THE STATE OF OHIO, Portage County, ss.
I, SETH DAY, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Portage, in the State of Ohio, do by these presents, certify and make known, that Isaac Mills
Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name, was, at the time of taking such deposition and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and to all whose official acts as such, full faith and credit is, and ought to be given, throughout the United States, and elsewhere.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court at Ravenna, in said county, this seventh Nov in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Seth Day Clerk

The State Portage Can
and that to his op.
Sept. 20 Ad. Lee, Washington City D.C.
Hon Secy of War
Voluntary Claim
Rev. O. B. Sept 6th

Nauvoo Portage Co. O. Sept. 5. 1832
Hon Secy of War,
Sir,
Supposing myself entitled to pay under the new Law of Congress of June 7 th 1832, as a Serjeant, I hereby return my Pension Certificate for the purpose of receiving a new one under that Act. I draw my pay at Pittsburgh Ohio Agency, and have not drawn for one year last past, my last papers being made out on the fourth day of September 1831.
I belonged to, and was an Orderly Serjeant in Captain Thomas Converse's Company of Infantry, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Herman Swift, of the Connecticut Line in the Revolution.
Respectfully Yours
William Bierce
The State of Ohio  Before me Almon Babcock - Portage County ss  Justice of the Peace for said County
Personally appeared Lucius V Bierce
Who being duly sworn says that William Bierce who has signed the above letter is personally known to him to be the person to whom an original Certificate herein enclosed was issued, Numbered 10950, and dated May 21 st 1819.
That the same was presented by said William Bierce for the purpose of having it returned, and a new one issued under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. Lucius V Bierce
Day
Sworn to and subscribed this 5 th day of September 1832, and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Lucius V Bierce and his character for truth, and veracity is good. Also personally appeared Seth Day, whose character for truth is good, and made oath that William Bierce, above named, is the one to whom said original Certificate issued.
Before me Almon Babcock Just Peace

The State of Ohio Portage County ss
I George Kirkum, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas Portage County, do hereby Certify that Simon Babcock, whose own proper hand and name is subscribed to the foregoing Affidavits is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County and that full faith, and credit is and ought to be given to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of September AD 1832.
Geo. Kirkum Clerk.

William Pierce Ohio.
A certificate to be made out to
For continuance restoration
The Hon. S. T. Vinton H. B.
Process to commence 10 th May. 1826. at $8 per month. and to be sent to the H. on S. T. Vinton.

William Pierce. Ohio. Ingent. saved 6 Years.
1 st Schedule 7 th August 1820.    175 acres of unimproved land  670. 00    personal property  11. 50.     681. 50  
Debts due to him $109. 50 Debts due by him 113. 00 paper A
2 d Schedule 11 th May 1823    5 acres unimproved land 4/8 acres  20. 00    Debts due to him  126. 19     $146. 19.  
States, that in June 1820, he went to Athens Ohio where he was taken sick, and was confined for several months under the immediate care of physicians. On his return sold his land to discharge debts contracted at that time, and for the purpose of paying off other debts incurred for his son a minor and cripple. paper B.
Evidence
Deeds exhibited
  To Jeremiah R Fuller, 1 st Nov 1822 recorded 20. " " "  } 118 acres.  $257. 00    To Herz P. Hopkins 9 th Nov 1822 recorded 22 d " " "  } 50. do.  121. 00    paper C  168. do.  $378. 00  
States, that his second schedule should contain 7 of instead of 5 acres in possession now } 175 acres. see explanatory letter D.

Affidavits of creditors
Thompson, Fuller, for sundries note, medical aid &c 117 00.
Suppasse III
Columbus Rice, for boarding, washing and other expenses for claimant, son a cripple, and minor 109 00
Amos Grippen, for a debt incurred on account of claimant's son, aforementioned, assumed by the father 10 00
Isaac Rice, his account for boarding claimant's son 60 00
H. Heath a note against claimant 5 00
Suppasse IV
301 00
This case was suspended on the 3 d April 1826. For proof relative to the value of land. Additional testimony is now exhibited. Suppasse G.

recd. May 18. 1826 3 Mr Pierce Hon: J. F. Vinton H. Rep
M. H. Representatives Washington
Hon J. F. Vinton
For the War Department Denver papers

Nelson Portage Co. Ohio May 9 th 1826.
We, the undersigned, inhabitants of the Township of Nelson, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the situation and quality of the Land which William Bierce deeded to Jeremiah R. Fuller and Heziah P. Hopkins previous to his making out his schedule in Nov. 1822. — We further certify, that land in general from 1820 to 1822 fell at least one fourth in value; — and that the above mentioned land sustained a still farther reduction in price from the circumstance that when it was more minutely explored it was found to contain a large quantity of swamp, or waste land — That there was a great scarcity of money in 1822, and that the value of land was, perhaps, in some measure affected by the reduced price of the Congress lands. — We consider the above mentioned land, sold by said Bierce to said Fuller & Hopkins, to be now worth not more than two dollars, or at most, two dollars & fifty cents per acre.
Joshua B. Sherwood
Ebenezer Maxfield
The State of Ohio
Portage County
Personally appeared Joshua B. Sherwood and Ebenezer Maxfield and made oath to the above certificate and subscribed their names to the same before me Dan Stow Justice of the peace
Nelson May 9: 1826
Nelson May 9: 1826. Thereby certify that I have lived in the Town of Nelson twenty years and live near the land that William Bierce sold to J. R. Fuller & H. P. Hopkins and I believe the description given in the above certificate signed by E. Maxfield and J. B. Sherwood is correct Dan Stow Justice of the peace

State of Ohio } Portage County }
Nelson, May 9 th 1826, I, the undersigned, having been principal purchaser of the land, mentioned in the foregoing certificate or deposition, Do hereby certify that I sold it for two dollars and fifteen cents per acre, and received, not money, but berts pay. — Jeremiah R. Fuller
The State of Ohio } Personally appeared Jeremiah R. Portage County } Fuller and made oath to the above certificate and subscribed his name to the same before me Dan Stow Justice of the Peace Nelson May the 9 th 1826
THE STATE OF OHIO, }
Portage County, ss. }
I, SETH DAY, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and for the county of Portage, in the State of Ohio, do by the presents, certify and make known, that Dan Stow
Esquire, before whom the foregoing
Deposition was taken, and who
has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing subscribed his
name, was, at the time of taking such Deposition and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and to
whose official acts as such, full faith and credit is, and ought to be given, throughout the United States, and elsewhere.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court at Ravenna, in said county, this tenth day of May in the year of our Lord, one th- sand eight hundred and twenty six
Clerk.

Ravenna May 10. 1826
Hon J. F. Vinton,
Sir. I received a letter a few days since from Joseph Dana Esq of Athens, informing me that the War Department required further proof of the reasons of a difference in the price of William Bierce's land sold in Nelson in Portage County, as exhibited in two schedules at different times, presented by him to that Department.
I have accordingly taken the foregoing Deposition respecting it. If there is any doubt as to the deponents respectability, reference to the Hon Elisha Whittlesey Member H.R. will be satisfactory.
I have the honor to be
Hon J. F. Vinton.
Your Obedt Servt D. Bierce
P.S. As the Legion was so near a close that possibly you might be on your return home, I have placed a counter direction to the War Department.

This may certify that I have received of William Biene during the last year the sum of one hundred dollars with interest on the same, amounting to the sum of nine dollars according to the best of my recollection, which sum was justly due me for boarding, washing & other expenses for Lemius V. Biene a minor & cripple, youngest son of William Biene of Nelson, Portage County Ohio - Which sum was paid me part of the avails of land sold & conveyed by said William Biene to Jeremiah R. Fuller & Patrick P. Hopkins of Portage aforesaid Columbus Biene
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Athens in the County of Athens and State of Ohio the 8 th day of October A D 1823.
Henry Bartlett Justice of the Peace
State of Ohio Athens County ss I Henry Bartlett Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do certify that Henry Bartlett before whom the above and foregoing Affidavit, were made was on the sixth day of October instant and now is a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid acting under the authority of this State and that the above and foregoing are his signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of said Court at Athens the 8 th day of October A D 1823.
Henry Bartlett Clerk

State of Ohio } Athens County ss } (L.S.) Be it known that on this sixth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty three before me Henry Bartlett a Justice of the Peace in said County personally came Amos Criffen a Resident of said County who being duly sworn according to Law deponeth and saith that sometime in the Month of September A D 1822 he became bound for Lucius V Pierce son of William Pierce (who is represented as a Cripple in the Schedule heretofore exhibited) in the sum of Ten dollars which sum the said William Pierce has assumed & promised to pay — And further this Deponent saith not Amos Criffen
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Athens in said County the 6 th day of Oct 1823. Henry Bartlett J Peace
State of Ohio } Athens County ss } (L.S.) Be it known that on this sixth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty three before me Henry Bartlett a Justice of the Peace in said County personally came Asa Rice a Resident of said County who being duly sworn according to Law deponeth and saith that on the 14 th day of September 1822 William Pierce became liable to pay this Deponent the sum of Sixty dollars for boarding his Minor Son Lucius V Pierce for which said sum I have his Note on Interest from the date — And further this Deponent saith not. Asa Rice
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Athens the 6 th day of October 1823 Henry Bartlett J Peace
State of Ohio } Athens County ss } (L.S.) Be it known that on this eighth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & twenty three before me Henry Bartlett a Justice of the Peace in said County personally came Horatio Hatch a Resident of said County who being duly sworn according to Law deponeth and saith that he holds a Note against William Pierce for the sum of Five Dollars with Interest thereon from September 1822. And further this Deponent saith not Horatio Hatch
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Athens in said County the 8 th day of October A D 1823. Henry Bartlett J Peace

Sworn to and subscribed before me this Twentieth day of August A.D. 1828- Daniel Everest - (Seal)
Sworn to & subscribed before me this Twentieth day of August 1828, and I certify that Jeremiah N. Fuller the above witness is a person of veracity -
Seal Daniel Everest Jr. Pease

THE STATE OF OHIO, } ss. Portage County, }
I, SETH DAY, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Portage, in the State of Ohio, do by these presents, certify and make known, that Daniel Court Esquire, before
whom the annexed and foregoing affidavit was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name, was, at the time of taking such affidavit, and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and to all whose official acts as such, full faith and credit is, and ought to be given throughout the United States, and elsewhere.
IN TESTIMONY, Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court at Ravenna, in said County, this twenty third day of August in the year of Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty eight
Seth Day Clerk.

Honolulu, May 9-1907.
Chief, Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir-
Will you kindly inform me where I can obtain the war record of William Bierce , born 1754. He was a son of Hezekiah Bierce of Halifax, Plymouth Co., Mass. He drew a pension for services in the War of the Revolution.
He married Abigail Bell, of Cornwall, Conn. Is there any way of ascertaining whether or not this Bell family rendered any service in the Revolution?
Thanking you in advance, I am, Yours truly
F. A. Potter, Honolulu.

Rev bec H 224 EAST SIXTH AVENUE EMPORIA KANSAS
Sept. 25, 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am desirous of securing all the information you could give me of a Revolutionary ancestor who drew a pension, Sergt. William Bierce, born 1753, died 1835, was drawing a pension in Ohio in 1818 - served I think from Connecticut.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy in this matter,
Yours truly,
(Miss) Mabel H Edwards