Guilford County NcArchives Military Records.....Bell, Robert Revwar - Pension ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com March 27, 2008, 6:48 pm Constructed History Of Captain Robert Bell Charles BREDEN, a resident of Wilson County, TN, aged 79 years: “At the time he entered the service of the U.S. he was a citizen of Guilford County, and being called out, he served a tour of 3 months as a sergeant in the company by Captain ROBERT BELL. The regiment to which he was attached was commanded by Col. JAMES MARTIN, Col Commandant, Lt. Col. JOHN PAISLEY and Major THOMAS BLAIR. He was mustered into the service at Guilford Courthouse, NC, marched from thence to Salisbury to the Catawba River, thence up the same, and crossed the French Broad River at Swamano. Continuing next to the valley towns, from thence, returned home, having served a tour of 3 months, was regularly discharged. Gen. RUTHERFORD commanded the expedition. He is now aged and very infirm and cannot state with certainty the time he first entered the U.S. service, but his best recollection and belief is that it was in the summer of the year 1776.” “Some time after the last mentioned service, I was called upon to go against the Tories in the company commanded by Captain BELL. Marched about one hundred miles to Cross Creek and was in actual service about ten days at least.” GEORGE CLARK-“That he was born in York County in the state of Pennsylvania, on the 22nd day of June in the year of our Lord, 1749. That he is now eighty-four years old…He entered into the service of the United States during the revolutionary War as a volunteer, in the year, I think 1776, in Guilford County, state of North Carolina, in a company commanded by Captain BELL. There was no colonel or other superior officer in command. We were taken on a tour of service against the Tories. We took a great many and carried them to Guilford Courthouse and put them in jail. In this tour I served three months.” “That he volunteered the third time in Guilford County, N.C. in the year 177_ (he does not remember the date) [siege of Charleston was in May 1779, per Heitman] in a company commanded by another Captain BELL, marched into South Carolina in a regiment commanded by Col. PAISLEY, with the intention of going to Charleston, but we were stopped at Camden and remained at Camden until the tour of service expired. In this tour he serviced as a private soldier three months and returned home.” Attached was a statement from JAMES and ROBERT DOUGAN, which ontained an item of interest: "That GEORGE CLARK was a volunteer in Captain BELL’s company, the first volunteer service in North Carolina in the commencement of the Revolutionary War and performed tours of duty during the war when called upon until peace was made. I served with said CLARK at Camden in a tour of three months under the same Captain BELL.” JOSEPH DENNY-“In the latter part of June, 1781, he volunteered and marched under Captain ROBERT BELL, with other companies from the neighboring counties, to join General GREENE, at Camden, then over the Wateree to Eutaw Springs and at that place he was engaged in the battle of September 8th, 1781 [Per Heitman, this date is accurate], which commenced early in the morning and very quickly became general. After the battle he was marched with about 300 prisoners of the enemy, to Rowan County, NC. During the battle his company was placed under the command of a French Colonel, named, he believed, MALMEDY. He was discharged after 3 months service. His rank during his term of duty was as a private.” “…ANDREW DONNELL, a resident of Guilford County, aged seventy-five years of age… That he was drafted in or about the year 1777, in the company of Captain BELL, and was marched to the County of Cumberland not far from Fayetteville. That with companies from many of the western counties he assisted (serving in BELL’s company) to scour the swamps and drive the Tories out of them. That some of the Tories were taken prisoners, others killed and all were routed from the swamps. That General DAVIDSON and Colonel MARTIN, he believes likewise commanded. That he was discharged in Fayetteville and returned home after being out two months.” DANIEL DONNELL, resident of Guilford County, aged 76 years…“That in the year 1776 or 1777, he was drafted in the company of Captain BELL, and went after the Tories down to Fayetteville, in Cumberland County, and after scattering the Tories and driving them from the swamps, killing some and taking others prisoners, he was discharged not far from Fayetteville, then called Cross Creek. That he started in February and was gone some time, but knows not the precise time, but one month or perhaps more.” GEORGE DONNELL, resident of Wilson County, Tennessee, aged 73 years: “That he belonged to the regiment raised in Guilford County, North Carolina, the county in which he resided, commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN, Col. Commandant, JOHN PAISLEY, Lieutenant Colonel, and Majors BLAIR and OWENS were the other field officers of this regiment. He entered the service in the militia under a draft in August 1776 as well as he recollects, in the company commanded by Captain ROBERT BELL of Guilford County for the term of three months. He was mustered in service at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. From thence they marched on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, passing through Salisbury to the Catawba River, thence up to the head waters crossing French Broad River at the mouth of Swamano, thence to the Tennessee River crossing it at an Indian Town, thence to Hiwassee River. He was not during the service, in any general engagement, but was in several skirmishes. The North Carolina troops were at this time commanded by General GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD. After our term of service of three months expired, we were regularly discharged and returned home.” WILLIAM DONNELL, a resident of Wilson County, Tennessee, aged 72 years since the 26th April last: “The Regiment to which he was belonged was raised in Guilford Co, NC, commanded by Colonel JAMES MARTIN, Colonel Commandant; JOHN PAISLEY, Lieutenant Colonel, and Majors BLAIR and OWENS. He entered the militia services under a draft in August 1776, day of the month not recollected, for the term of three months, in the company commanded by Captain ROBERT BELL of Guilford, which was the county of this applicant’s residence. Mustered in service at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, from thence marched on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians passing through Salisbury to the Catawba River, thence up to the headwaters, crossing French Broad River at the mouth of Swamano, thence to Tennessee River crossing at an Indian town, thence to Hiwassee River. He was not in any general engagement, but was in several skirmishes. General GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD commanding the North Carolina troops. After the term of service expired, we were discharged and went home.” JAMES DOUGAN-“In the year 1777, as well as he now recollects, he again volunteered to serve as an ensign another tour of three months in the company commanded by Captain ROBERT BELL. We rendezvoused at Salisbury, where according to his best recollection, the regiment commanded by FRANCIS LOCKE to which he was attached was organized and from thence we were marched to Camden, South Carolina, where we remained until our tour of service expired. All the troops in the expedition were commanded by General RUTHERFORD. Having served the full term of 3 months, he was regularly discharged.” JAMES FINLEY-“In addition to the foregoing services, he was subject to a call at any time as a minute man, whenever the inroads of the Tories or any other threatening danger threw the country into a state of alarm. He was marched down to Deep River under Captain BELL for the purpose of attacking a parcel of Tories who were disturbing that section of country. After the dispersion of the Tories he returned home and was discharged by his captain. He is not certain as to the particular time of this service, but believes it to be a short time before GATES’ Defeat, as a part of the forces, after the dispersion of the Tories, went on to join the southern army.” “In the spring of 1781, at the time General GREENE was retreating before Lord CORNWALLIS, he was again called out under Captain BELL, and marched to Martinsville, where he remained for the space of a week for the purpose of protecting the records of the county from destruction, but from the great destruction of property which was going on through the county at that time, he was discharged together with the rest of the militia there assembled in order to ____ their property from the plundering and pillages of the British and Tories. DAVID HAMILTON, aged seventy-eight years old…doth make the following additional declaration… “He states that in 1779 he was drafted to go into the SC against the British. He was drafted from Captain ROBERT BELL’s company, and of the 4th division near Guilford Courthouse, NC. He states that they immediately proceeded from Guilford County, NC under Captain JONAS FROST, who commanded the company to which this declarant belonged, to Salisbury (same state) where they remained two weeks, when they were sent home with directions to be ready at a minute’s warning to march south.” JOSEPH HAMILTON, a resident of Davidson County, TN, aged seventy-three or four years: “In June 1780, he volunteered his service as a soldier under Captain BELL, in Guilford County, NC. The company was placed under the command of Colonel PAISLEY and all of the regiments commanded by General DAVIDSON who occupied the station, at that time of General RUTHERFORD, who was in the hands of the British as a prisoner at war, taken at General GATES Defeat. Upon the rendezvous at Guilford Courthouse, it was the principle design of the General to awe a set of Tories who were flying about the country. Guilford Courthouse, left, all of the army went in pursuit of the Tories, up to Spryker’s, 18 miles from the Courthouse, where information was had of the Tories trail.” “The next morning after our arrival, we pursued on to the Richlands of Hugh Clarion? Here it was discovered the Tories were marching for the British encampment, under CORNWALLIS, at Camden, and to overtake them, was deemed impossible, so all turned for Guilford Courthouse again, which reached, all were disbanded, excepting a company posted to guard the jail, which contained some prisoners. Sergeant SAM BELL commanded this company, applicant being one. When they had guarded these prisoners awhile, this company was turned over to Captain FORBIS, other companies raised, forming the regiment under Colonel PAISLEY and General DAVIDSON commandant, about the first of September of that year 1780.” “All of the army moved off towards the British camp under CORNWALLIS, marched up through Salisbury in Rowan County, thence to Mecklenburg County, where General GREENE was met with the main regular army. The conjunction of the two armies was made at the Black-Jack camp. Each of the contending armies made many maneuvers, exerting their skill for supremacy in tactics, before any assault would be made. Finally, and before the retreat of the American army, applicant, though but a boy of sixteen years of age, obtained a furlough on account of sickness from Captain FORBIS, and started back for Guilford Courthouse. This was about the twenty-fifth of December 1780, Christmas-time. His whole term of service this tour, beginning in the latter part of June 1780 and ending at or about the twenty-fifth day of December of that year, will make the term of service about 6 months.” JOHN MONTGOMERY, a resident of Guilford County, NC, aged 69 years in August 1832. “In the latter part of 1780 he volunteered with Capt. BELL, who marched up the Yadkin River after a band of Tories, but as they had been routed by the Militia from Surry County, he returned home, -absent more than one week.” JAMES STEWART: “That he next enlisted a tour of three months [probably 1779] to the aid of South Carolina, JOHN PAISLEY, colonel; ROBERT BELL, captain; and ROBERT ?CURRY, lieutenant; individual’s self, 1st sergeant, and marched through Martinsville, Salisbury, Charlotte, Camden and after passing Camden, was met by a continental officer and sent back and stationed near Camden, and there remained, as further service was not demanded until the three months expired. This took place shortly after the Cherokee expedition [which was summer to fall 1776], date not recollected.” “That he next volunteered his service for the space of three months to the aid of South Carolina under the command of Captain ROBERT BELL, Lieutenant ROBERT CURRY, Ensign GEORGE NICKS [or NIX], self 1st sergeant, and advanced to the state line. Ensign NICKS being what was then called a “ticket man” refused to cross the state line and returned. This applicant was then advanced to the place of ensign and [this may be 1780, since Malmedy has arrived in the south] marched to Camden, joined by Colonel MALMEDY and our Lieutenant CARRY left us. This applicant was advanced to the then vacant office. Here Captain BELL was advanced to major and this applicant was advanced to captain, but remained uncommissioned.” "General GREENE then on his march from the High Hills of Santee, fell in with us and we advanced to the Eutaw Springs [per Heitman, September 8, 1781] and fought in that memorable battle early in September 1781.” “That he was also another small tour down Deep River in pursuance of the Tories and passed as low as Cox’s Mills, the time of this service not recollected…” ROBERT RANKIN [a]- I then served three months with my wagon and team under the command of Captain BELL and hauled baggage for 52 privates, when CORNWALLIS was taken at York [October 19, 1781].” ROBERT RANKIN [b], a resident of McNairy County, Tennessee, aged seventy-four years: “That he entered the service of the United States on the 16th day of June 1776 as a draftsman, under Captain BELL, Colonel CAVAL and General RUTHERFORD. He was mustered into service on the said 16th day of June 1776 at Martinsville, North Carolina. On the 7th or 8th day of July 1776, the army took up their line of march, and went through Salisbury and crossed the Blue Ridge at a place called Savannah Gap, then crossed Savannah River and marched directly on to the Cherokee nation of Indians. At Big Pigeon River in the nation, we had a fight with the Indians. We killed a few and took some prisoners, burnt the Indian huts and destroyed their corn. This was, as he believes, about the 20th day of August 1776. From thence, we marched directly back to Guilford County near the same way that we marched out and the first day of October 1776.” “I was discharged, having gone out on a four months tour, and my service not being required for the balance of the time. I was discharged having served in this campaign, three months and fourteen days. I received a discharge from Captain BELL.” JOHN WILSON, a resident of Anderson District, SC, aged 77 years in March 1833: “That he entered the service in Guilford County, NC, a volunteer for a six month tour under Captain BELL, Colonel JOHN PAISLEY and General RUTHERFORD and marched to the Cherokee nation and served out the tour, returned and was discharged at Guilford Courthouse, NC. After that, was drafted for a nine-month tour, was under the command of General ASHE but cannot recollect the other officers. Was marched through South Carolina to Augusta in Georgia, from there to Briar Creek, and was in the battle there. Marched from there to the Two Sisters, and was there discharged.” GEORGE ADAMS-“That he is personally acquainted with JOHN WILSON…and was knowing to said WILSON’s bearing arms in defense of the United States against the British and Tories in the time of the American Revolution, and that he served with the said WILSON nine months at one time as drafted militia under the command of General RUTHERFORD and Colonel JOHN PAISLEY, and that he fought at the Battle of Briar Creek in company with said WILSON and under the command of General ASHE. SAMUEL JACKSON -lived in Guilford County at enlistment, served under Col. DOUGAN, Capt. JAMES BELL, Capt. COLLIER. Widow was able to provide few details. Was in the Battle of Guilford, and was a guard protecting the baggage wagon.” JETT or JETHRO HARPER: In Halifax County he "on or about the 1st of July 1782 was drawn or drafted as a regular soldier in the eighteen months service to serve as a private in the army of the United States in the company of Capt. ____ commanded by Lieutenant Robert BELL in the regiment commanded by Maj. HOGG" in the North Carolina Continental Line. "Lieutenant Robert BELL under the command of Maj. HOGG marched our company from Warrenton, NC through Hillsborough, the battle ground at Guilford Court House through Salisbury, Charlotte from thence to Camden, SC over the High Hills of Santee to the battleground at the Eutaw Springs, thence to head quarters at the Ashly Hills on Ashly River in South Carolina, when the regiment was then commanded by Col. Archibald LYTLE, and my company by Capt. BACOTES and Lieutenant John FORD. From Ashly Hills we were marched to St. James Island (about twelve miles), about the 1st of July 1783, commanded by the last-named Col. Archibald LYTLE and Capt. BACATES and Lieutenant John FORD, when I, with the rest of the privates, was furloughed until further orders or finally discharged, peace having been proclaimed in the camps. After that we were not called on any more. My furlough I kept some time, and lost it. I never applied for my pay as I lost my furlough and thought I could not get anything, being a laboring man and having no education. I remained in actual service from the time I was drawn or drafted until I was furloughed at or near St James Island.” Robert L. WHITAKER: He "enlisted in the army of the United States in the month of July 1782 in Franklin Co, NC [to complete the term of service for 18 months, of a private named William HILL] in the company of Capt. [blank] commanded by Lt. Robert BELL in the Regiment commanded by Maj. HOGG in the NC Continental Line. Lt. Robert BELL under command of Maj. HOGG marched our company from Warrenton, NC through Hillsborough; the battleground at Guilford Court House through Salisbury, Charlotte, from thence to Camden SC over the High Hills of Santee to the Battleground at Eutaw Springs, from thence to headquarters at the Ashly Hills on Ashly River in SC "when the Regiment was then commanded by Col. Archibald LYTLE, and my company by Capt. Benjamin CARTER and Lieut. or Ensign DICKSON, when I, with the rest of the privates, was furloughed until further orders or finally discharged, peace having been proclaimed in the camps.” Additional Comments: Constructed History is my term for a soldier who did not file for a pension himself, but about whom there is enough evidence from other soldiers to form an equivalent to a pension application. Most of the testimony comes from other men mentioning the officer or non-comm. officer, but in some cases, the actual soldier himself testified on behalf of other men, thus revealing his own history. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/guilford/military/revwar/pensions/bell50nmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/ File size: 20.0 Kb