____________________________________________________________________________ Bounty Land Claim Form of Declaration for surviving Officer or Soldier. State of Arkansas, County of Pike, On this 20th day of October, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, personally appeared before me, Clifford D. Westerman, duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, William Kelley, aged 57 years, a resident of Pike County in the State of Arkansas who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William Kelley who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Whitesides in the Regiment of Mounted Rangers commanded by Colonel William Russell in the war with the Indians in the year 1812 & 13, on the frontier of Illinois; that he enlisted at Russellville, Illinois as he believes, on or about the ____ day of May or April, A.D. 1813 for the term of twelve months, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of twelve months, and was honorably mustered out of service on the ____ day of April or May, A.D. 1814, on account of his term of service having expired. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the "act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States," passed September 28th, 1850. William Kelley Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above written. And I hereby certify, that I believe the said William Kelley, to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated. C.D. Westerman, J.P (L.S.) ____________________________________________________________________________ State of Arkansas, ss. Ccounty of Pike, I, Thomas K. Dossey, Clerk of the Circuit Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, that Clifford D. Westerman, whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was, at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State, aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled in full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid Circuit Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction. Given under my hand and seal of office, at Murfreesborough, this 20 day of October, A.D. 1851. Thos. K. Dossey, Clerk. ____________________________________________________________________________ Pike County, Ark. March 4th, 1854. Dear Sir. Yours of Jan. 29th is duly rec'(d) & I am much obliged to you for the interest you have taken in my behalf. I will have to trouble you further in my case, if you pleas(e). I served twelve months in the Regiment of United States Mounted Rangers, the Regiment com'(d) by Col. William Russell & in the Company commanded by Samuel Whitesides. I enlisted in the spring of A.D. 1813 & was discharged in the spring of 1814 in the State of Illinois. Be kind enough on the receipt of this, to procure the Land warrant for me & you will lay under, particular obligations, to you. Direct your communication (and warrant, if you get it) to me, Antoine P.O., Clark County, Ark. I remain yours respectfully, &c. William Kelley Hon. R.W. Johnson U.S.S., Washington, DC. ____________________________________________________________________________ Bounty Land Application of William Kelley, Act of September 28, 1850, National Archives, Washington, D.C. ____________________________________________________________________________ HTML file and design by David Kelley, 1997. All rights reserved.