Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 331, Elias Bowden, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bowden, Elias Celia
W. 331
CONTENTS

19185 West Tennessee
Elias Bowden
Henryville in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Williams of the regt. commanded Col Willis in the Virginia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug 1833 and sent to John H. Dunlap Paris
Arrears to the 14th of March 40 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 11 00 $51.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 73
3rd Audit, Apr 27/55

William ...
in the ...
as a ...
on the Roll of the ... Dollars
all per ... to ... the ... of March ...
Certificate of Pension ... day of May 1855
and sent to ... [Signature]
Entered on Roll of Pensioners ... Page 20 ...

Declaration of Elias Bauden of Surrey county herein -free to obtain a pension under the act of Congress -passed in 1832
State of Surrey } September Session 1832 Surrey county } on this 10 th day of September 1832 - personally appeared in open court - before the Justices of the court of Pleas & Sessions Sessions the same being a court of record - now in Session Elias Bauden - a resident of said county - aged about seventy years - who being first duly sworn according to law - doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States in July 1779 - as a substitute under for the regiments of William Bauden Capt William Gay + Col John S. B. 1 st B. Hils Regiment - during which time I served about two months - that he again entered the service in July 1780 - in the county of Middlesex - and State of Virginia - under the same officers and served a two  three months term - again for William Bauden who had served one month, as a substitute - he was then about seventeen years old - that during the last term he was no engagement - more than at the retaking of some stock and other property that had been plundered by the British which was between the towns of Suffolk & Portsmouth - about the first of September 1781 - he again entered the service - and was placed un- der the command of Major General - was marched

from Williamsburg where I entered the service within about 3 miles of Little York - then returned back to head Quarters - then went on 2 days. stationed at Green's creek Bridge - thence back to head quarters - from thence we marched to Mackey's, 11 miles in Isle of Wight coun- ty on our way - we were taken from our scouting parties and placed back under our old officers - Capt William Gray and Col Wells - at which time I was appointed First Sergeant in said company - from which period I continued in the army until peace was made - we were ordered from Mackey's 11 miles to Portsmouth to pull down a Great work the British had erected which we done - he states he was in the army at the time of Cornwallis's surrender and at the illumination of Portsmouth - when the news reached there - that the army was disbanded and the soldiers received no discharges to my knowledge -
That his name is not on the pension roll of any state in the Union - and he hereby reli- quishes every claim to a pension except the present
Elias Beman
Known to be subscribed in: Open Court Sept 10 th 1832 J. H. Brown Clerk
We do hereby state that we are well acquainted with Elias Beman the present applicant for a pension - that he is understood & believed to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war - and that he is an honest respectable man and his

statements entitled to credit sworn to & subscribed in open court Sept 10 th 1832 Ble Brown D.C.M.
James Oakley for Mr. Daniel
N. A. H. Sanford
We do hereby certify that Elias Manders is a respectable man and his statements are entitled to credit. and that he is understood to have been a soldier of the Revolution Thos. Potts William Potts Ministers of the Gospel
and the said court do hereby declare their opin- ion. after the investigation of the matters and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the mass department - that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the court further certi- fies that it appears to them that Thomas Potts & William Potts who has signed the preceding certificate are clergymen residing in the said county of Hance and that their statements are entitled to credit - John Sheddick P. B. C. Chairman of Hance County Court

State of Tennessee } I Thomas K Porter Clerk of said Henry County } county court do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the applica- tion of Elias Bowden for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 16 th day of September 1832 and 57 th year of Ameri- can Independence
Thos K Porter CLK by B. Brown CLK
11.155
for 62

State of Tennessee } ss. County of Henry }
On this fifth day of February A.D. 1855 personally appeared in open Court before the (court) Court of said County of Henry now sitting Benjamin T Bowden a resident of New Boston, Henry County Tennessee, aged fifty or years; who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain for himself and surviving Brother and Sisters, the Pension to which as the children of Elias Bowden, a deceased pensioner of the United States under Act of 7 th June 1832; and of Celia Bowden his late widow, also deceased, they deem themselves entitled in the widow's right, under Act of 29 th July 1838.
That he is Executor  Administrator of the estate and a son of Elias Bowden, late of Henry County, Tennessee, to whom as a private of the Virginia Line, War of the Revolution, a Pension of Twenty dollars per annum was granted under the Act first above named: that said Elias Bowden departed this life on the Twenty fifth day of February Eighteen hundred and forty three leaving a widow Celia Bowden formerly Celia Saunders, to whom he was married in Isle of Wight County State of Virginia, by one William Hubard a Minister of the Gospel on the twenty second day of December Eighteen hundred and eighty five: that said Celia Bowden widow of Elias and mother of this deponent did not intermarry but continued the widow of the said Elias Bowden, to the day of her death which occurred at the County of Henry aforesaid on the 5 th day of December Eighteen hundred and fifty two (1852) deponent further states that there are now living seven children of the said Elias and Celia Bowden, to wit: Francis Gay, Humphrey Bowden, Thomas Bowden, Mary Olive, Margaret Irwin, Patsy Howard and Benjamin T. Bowden, who are the only surviving children of said deceased. Deponent further states that the old Pension certificate with which in his lifetime the late Elias Bowden drew his semi-annual stipend is lost or destroyed so that it cannot be produced; but that proof of his heirship, identity &c. may be found of record in the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury, by whom on the 20 th September 1854 deponent's claim for arrears of the said Elias Bowden's Pension was satisfied.
For further evidence of the said pensioner's death, legality of the widow's marriage and date of her death, and of the heirship of the parties claiming he respectfully refers to the proofs annexed. He hereby appoints as his Attorney for the prosecution of the within claim
Memos Dec. 2 nd 1855 He ad d Feb. 25, 1843 She ad d Dec. 5, 1852

Samuel M. Knight of Washington City, D. C.
Benjamin T. Bowden
1st B. T. Bowden
2nd Witness J. M. Moore
Sworn to subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written and I hereby certify that I believe the said Benjamin T. Bowden to be the identical person he describes himself to be in the within application for a Pension, in which I am in no degree interested.
Constantine Frasier Chairman Presiding Judge of Henry County Court
State of Tennessee } County of Henry } ss.
On this fifth day of February A.D. 1855. before me the undersigned C. Frasier A Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths, personally appeared Person Yates and George W. Moore — residents of Henry County, aged respectively Fifty one and Forty two years, known to me as credible persons who made oath in due form of law that Elias Bowden who was late a resident of Henry County Tennessee a reputed soldier of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States, departed this life at Henry County Tennessee on or about the twenty fifth day of February Eighteen hundred and Forty three; that he left a widow Celia Bowden whose maiden name was Celia Lawrence, and to whom as deponents have been credibly informed and verily believe he was married legally, in Isle of Wight County, State of Virginia on or about the twenty second day of December Seventeen hundred and Eighty five.
That the said Celia Bowden after the death of the pensioner Elias Bowden her husband, above named did not intermarry but continued his widow until the day of her death which took place in Henry County Tenn on the fifth day of December Eighteen hundred and fifty two.
That the aforesaid decedent left surviving them decedent

Seven children, now living to wit, Francis Gay, Hempsey Bowden, Thomas Bowden, Mary Olive, Margaret Gwin, Jackie Howard, and Benjamin T Bowden, who are the only surviving children of said decedents.
Deponents further state that their knowledge of the foregoing facts were derived from the following circumstances, to wit; we have lived neighbors to them from then for many years & always understood them to be man and wife & from what we heard & know believe the foregoing statement to be true
and that they are disinterested witnesses.
G. W. Moore
Denson Yates
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Constantino Frazier an acting Justice of the Peace for Henry County Tennessee & Chairman of the County Court
State of Tennessee } County of Henry } ss.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence which is herewith annexed has been exhibited before me Judge of the court of Henry County Tennessee that Elias Bowden, deceased was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty dollars per annum and that he died on the twenty fifth day of February A.D. Eighteen Hundred and forty three leaving surviving him a widow Celia Bowden to whom he was married on the twenty second day of December A.D. Seventeen hundred and Eighty five and who died on the fifth day of December A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty two leaving surviving her seven children and none others to wit; Francis Gay, Hempsey Bowden, Thomas Bowden, Mary Olive, Margaret Gwin, Jackie Howard and Benjamin T Bowden, who is the Executor Administrator of his late father (Elias Bowden) estate.
Constantino Frazier Chairman & Presiding Justice Judge of Henry County Tennessee

State of Virginia
County of Isle of Wight ss
I Nathaniel P. Young Clerk of the County court of Isle of Wight, in the State of Virginia aforesaid, do certify that the records of marriages in my office, for the year seventeen hundred and eighty five, contains a list of marriages solemnized during that year, by the Reverend William Hubbard in the Parish of Newport, in the County of Isle of Wight, from which list of marriages, it appears that, on the "22 nd day of December 1785" the said William Hubbard married "Elias Bowden & Celia Lawrence". In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said County court this 16 th . day of December 1834.
N. P. Young Clerk

State of Tennessee, } County of }
I Robert Lemmons clerk of the County Court of Henry County Tennessee hereby certify that the Hon Constantino Frazier before whom the within declaration was made and whose genuine signature appears thereto as well as to the foregoing order of court, was at the respective dates thereof a duly commissioned Justice of the Peace Judge of the court of Henry County State of Tennessee, the same being a court of Record. I further certify that Constantino Frazier Esq before whom the above affidavits of Benjamin T Bowden and George W Moon & Person Yates appear to have been taken, was at the date of same a duly appointed Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid and that his signature thereto appended I believe to be genuine; and I further certify that in the foregoing claim for a pension I am in no wise interested.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifth day of February 1855
Robert Lemmons Clk
And further that Benjamin T. Bowden has been duly appoin- ted by proper authority under the laws of said State Administrator  Executor of the said Elias Bowden deceased having executed with good and sufficient sureties a bond in the penal sum of $ 40,000 conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties as such Executor Administrator and that his letters of administration  testamentary are in full force.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto by order of said court set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, interlined and erased before authentication
Robert Lemmons Clerk

11, 155.
Bowden Elias Banderson of Henry County, Tennessee.
from — private bonds. 5. $20.
William
Willis
1/2
John H. Dunlop, Agent, Paris, Tennessee.

BRIEF in the case of Elias Rankin, of Kennebec County, in the State of Maine. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? I court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? About 70 years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17 As a Gen.   Ent. Service: 1779. About 2. pr. Col. William Gage   " " 1780. not stated. pr. Col. John S. Williams.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Isle of Wight, Virginia.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W.R. Turner, Examining Clerk.

753 Tennessee Jackson.
Celia Bowden, dec d widow of Elias,
who was a inmate in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 21 Dollars 110 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of May 1855. and sent to
S. M. Knight Present.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A. 8. Vol. 1. Page 355.

331
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
331
Celia Bowden, died Widow.
Elias Bowden, Priv. Riv. War.
Act:
Feb 2, 1848.
Index:—Vol.
4
Page
71
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jennifer (Jackson) Roll.
Cecilia Burden, deceased who was the widow of Thomas who was a private in Company A.
Adopted June 17, 1844 Feb. 20 1848
$20 per Annum.
born March 1 st 1844, died Dec 3, 1852, when she died —
To Prof. T. Burden, Ad. His wife and that of Francis Gay Burden, Jennifer Burden, Hannah Burden, Mary Olin Burden, Margaret Elin Bur- den, Jacky Hannah Burden
J. M. Knight, Present.

11, 1855.
Elias Bowden
Dear Sir,
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Barden , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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 ? He VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7. 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Washington Ap 25 /55
Hon. Com. Pensions Sir
Under the provision of Act 29 July 1842 I have the honor to enclose herewith the application of the children of Benj. T. Bowden one of the surviving children of Celia Bowden for the Pensions believed to have been due her at her death.
Very Respectfully J. M. Wright

Treasury Department Pension Auditor's Office April 28 th 1855
Sir,
I return herewith the papers in the case of Elias Bowden, of Tenn. received from you under date of the 21 st Inst. and have to inform you that it appears on record in this Office that he died 28 Feb. 1843. & that his pension has been paid up to the day of his death.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant Rob t Johnston Auditor
L d P o Waldo, Esq. Comm r . of Pensions

[Elias.
Brief in the case of Celia Bowden, dec d who was the widow of Henry County and State of Tennessee acts June 17, 1844, and February 2, 1848.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Elias Bowden was, at his death, [February 25, 1843] a pensioner on the Tennessee roll, at the rate of $20 per annum. Celia Bowden, who is directly identified as having been his widow, died December 5, 1852. Her marriage to the said Thomas, in December, 1785, is shown by a copy of the marriage bond, from the Office of the Clerk of Isle of Wight county, Virginia. The number (If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
and names of the surviving children are certified ac- cording to the Regulations.
Name and residence of Agent
S. M. Knight, Present.
Examining Clerk.
O. sole sub s

State of Louisiana Personally appeared before me John Henry county of Iberville an acting Justice of the said county Elias Boudreaux, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that by reason of the great loss or length of time he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service but according to the best of his recollection, he served as a substitute under Capt William Gay in the room of William Boudreaux and Col John S. B. Mills Regi- ment for the term of two months, that he entered the service in July 1779, that in July 1780, he re- newed a two months term as a substitute under the same officers for said William Boudreaux, who had served one month, that on first of September 1781, he again entered the service under Capt William Gay and was appointed his orderly sergeant, and served in said company as his orderly sergeant until the surrender of Cornwallis, army, which if I am not mistaken took place in October 18 or 19 1781 - we were marched on to head quarters and then placed under the command of Major Meneval I have no documentary evidence by which I can prove said service, nor do I know of any person by whom I can prove said service - and for which ser- vice I claim a pension from my country Elias Boudreaux Sworn to & subscribed before me the 10 th May 1833
John L. Haynes JP

State of Tennessee Henry County ss I Thomas H Porter Clerk of said County Court do certify that John G Hagler whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and authorized to act and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given his official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at. office the 18 th of May Eighteen hundred & thirty three and of American Independence the 57 th year
Thos H Porter clk
Dear Sir,
Paris Tenn May 10 th 1844
I have procured a correction of the cover printed and by you - and herewith return the papers - which I hope will prove satisfactory
Yours
John B. Crouch