Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9795, for Thomas Smith, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Smith Thomas
Margaret
NUMBER
R.9795
CONTENTS
d.w 1819
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "an act Granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows."
South Carolina
Williamsburgh District SS.
on this 9th day of April 1846 Personally appeared before me William B. Graves a Magistrate in and for the district of Williamsburgh Mrs. Margaret Smith a resident of Williamsburgh District in the State of South Carolina Margaret Smith aged Eighty Seven years who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838 entitled An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. That she is the widow of Thomas Smith who was a soldier in the Militia in the revolutionary War, that he enlisted and held the office of Sergant as she was always informed by him and others, that he as she always understood faught in Several Battles and got wounded in the thigh and was once taken by the Brittish in Charleston and confined in prison for some time. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Smith in January (1783) one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty-three and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Thomas Smith her said Husband as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. & that he died some time in 1819
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Margaret Smith her mark X
Before me
W. B. Graves
Magistrate W.B. Dt.

So Carolina
WmsBurgh Dist
I do hereby certify that the above Margaret Smith is very feeble and unable to come to Court.
W B. Graves
Magt.
April 14, 1846
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South Carolina
Williamsburgh dist.
Be It Known that on this 8th day of April 1846, before me W. B. Graves Magistrate in and for the district of Williamsburgh personally appeared Archibald Campbell a resident of the same district aged Eighty four years who on Oath states that he was a soldier of the revolution and is now a pensioner on the Rolls of the State of South Carolina at the rate of Sixty dollars per annum that he was Well acquainted with Thomas Smith the Husband of Margaret Smith of the district & State aforesaid and served in the revolution with the said Thomas Smith at least three years, they were both under Capt. John McCauley who commanded a Militia Company in South Carolina. The affiant thinks that the said Thomas Smith was in the service when he joined the company which was about Six months after Lord Cornwallis crossed the Santee at Lenuds ferry. They remained in service together off and on as their tours came in untill the close of the war from four to five years. Affiant may not be accurate as to the precise time but he cannot be mistaken in stating that said Thomas Smith Served more than Two years, some of the officers names under whom he served were Capt Jno McCauley first Lieutenant John Dickson Second Lieutenant William Skillen who were all under General Marion the said Thomas Smith has been dead at least fifteen years his widow Margaret Smith is still living & has never married Said his death
Archibald Campbell
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above mentioned before me. And I do further certify that the said Archibald Campbell is a very respectable and creditable Witness
W. B. Graves
Magistrate, W.B.Dt.
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State of South Carolina
Williamsburgh District
Spring term of WmsBurgh District Court held this 15th April 1846. The Declaration of Mrs Margaret Smith for a pension under the act of 7th
July 1838 duly certified by W.B. Graves a magistrate in and for the District of Williamsburgh and State of South Carolina on the 9th day of this Instant, Having been submitted to the Court, It doth hereby approve the acts and proceedings of said Magistrate and directs the Clerk to enter this approval on the Papers.
J. S. Richardson

State of South Carolina
Williamsburgh District S.S.
I William R. Scott Clerk of the Court of Williamsburgh District and State aforesaid do Certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an Order of Court, and that W. B. Graves is a Magistrate duly Commissioned and Qualified according to Law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal
of Office this 22 day of April Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and
forty six.
W. R. Scott C.C.Ps
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[start strikethrough]
South Carolina
Williamsburgh Dt.
Spring term of Court of Common Pleas & sessions held this 15th day of April 1846. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court It is ordered to be Certified
[end strikethrough]

State of South Carolina
I, Wm. B. Graves a Magistrate in and for the District of Williamsburgh & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the within Petitioner Margaret Smith is entitled under the act of Congress of 4th July 1836 instead of 7th July 1838 as Mr. A. Campbell appeared positive that she was married to Thomas Smith before the close of the War though We did not take it down not knowing at the time that it was necessary to do so, & his living such a distance from here that I could not go see him again to take it down & do further certify that this appears to be the first time that the said Margant Smith has ever petitioned for a pension
Given under my hand this 18th April 1846
W B. Graves,
Magt. W.B.Dt.

[sideways writing]
13112
Declaration of Mrs Margaret Smith
Widow of Thomas
SC
Act 7 July 1838
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Thomas Green
Nov. 20, 1846
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346
Pension Office
Novem 20, 1846
Sir
The declaration of Margaret Smith widow of Thomas Smith has been examined and filed under the act of 7 July 1838.
No evidence whatever has been advanced to establish the date of their marriage and the only proof of her husbands service accompanying her application is the testimony of Archibald Campbell who very recently has asserted a claim himself which he has not as yet been able to sustain.
I cannot discern for what purpose a copy of the certificate of the Comptroller Genl of South Carolina respecting the service of William Smith was sent to this Office.  It has been filled with the original in the papers of Mrs Celia Smith.
Thomas Green Esq
Richmond Va
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REJECTED
9795
P.O.
Margaret Smith
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
[strikethrough Alleges:]
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as "For proof of service and marriage.
[strikethrough Re-enlisted:]
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract.
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No 13112
Margaret Smith
S.C.
---
Let. to T. Green, Nov. 20, '46
" Hon Jno. McQueen July 30/52

9795

Act 7 July 1838
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Hon J. McQueen
July 30, 1852
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357
Pension Office,
July 30. 1852
Sir:
I have the honor to return herewith the letter of Mr R. G. Ferrell and to state that neither of the three pension claims mentioned by him have been allowed.
There is no evidence on file with the papers in Margaret Smith's case to sustain either the service or date of the marriage, and until both is proved no allowance can be made.
The case claim of Robert Davis has been ready to allow ever since the 27 Novr 1846. On that day Mr. Green, the then agent was informed by letter from this office that it would be allowed for two years service as trumpeter so soon as the Certificate of a Court of Record should be produced showing the exact day of the death of the claimant, with the number and names of the children who
survived him. Such a certificate as was required has never been furnished. And in the case of Wm. Lifrage no evidence of as much as six months service is on file.
Hon J. McQueen, H of Rep's
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Richmond 29 Oct. "46
Col. J. L. Edwards
Washington
D Sir:
Enclosed is the application of Mrs. Margaret Smith widow of Thomas Smith of So. Car. (a private /sargt) for a pension under Act 7 July 1838. I enclose a copy of the certificate from the Comptroller of So. Ca. (the original forwarded a few days ago to be filed with the application of Mrs. Celica Smith, widow of Capt Thomas Smith) to show that there were one or more privates in service of that name. The affidavit of A. Campbell is positive. She says she was married before his last service, but I see no proof of it.
I am yr. obt sert.
Thomas Green
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Smith, Thomas GRADE Private LINE Virginia

WARRANT NUMBER 12529 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 8, 1794 
to - not shown -

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*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.