Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9842, for Robert Smith, Virginia
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SERVICE Va Smith, Robert NUMBER R.9842
CONTENTS
B [born?] in Feb 1749
res at end Cumberland Co [County] Va
res in 1832 Oglethorpe Co [County] Ga
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Declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
Georgia
Oglethorpe County
On this 5th day of November personally appeared in open court in the Court of Ordinary now [sitting] Robert Smith a resident of the County of Oglethorpe in the State of Georgia aged eighty four years in the month of February next, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on this oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - in the 1780 applicant was called out to guard a number of boats at Carters Ferry on James River. It has been so long that he cannot recollect the time of his service. He was commanded by John Watson of the County of Cumberland + [and] State of Virginia which was also the residence of applicant at the time he entered the service
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in the same year - 1780 applicant was drafted to serve a three month tower [tour] - but he employed a substitute + [and] paid him seventyfive or eighty dollars. Some time after this the substitute whom applicant had employed was also drafted to serve a three months tower [tour]  + [and] applicant had to go in his place. In this tower [tour] he was commanded by Generals Greene + [and] Lawson + [and] Captain Charles Ballow the regiment marched to Guilford Courthouse in the State of Virginia [crossed out] North Carolina where he met Lord Cornwallis’ army and in February or March 1781 the Battle of Guilford took place in which applicant fought - after - applicant was discharged from the tower [tour] which took place shortly after the Battle of Guilford he was engaged in an arduous service in [collected] + [and] driving cattle for the troops untill [until] shortly after the capture of Cornwallis army at York in the State of Virginia. Applicant [crossed out] [crossed out] thinks this took place in October 1781. If applicant ever got a discharge he does not now know where it is + [and] he has no documentary evidence by which he could establish his claim.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension of annuity except the pursuant + [and] declare that his name is not on the pension wall of the agency of any State [illegible] to [illegible]
[illegible] say + [and] [illegible] aforsaid [aforesaid] Robert Smith
[illegible]
Mr Thomas Dunn a clergyman residing in the County of Oglethorpe + [and] John Moore residing in the same do hereby certify this [illegible] are well argumented with [illegible] truth who has testified + [and] forsworn to the above declaration that [illegible] [illegible] him to be Seventy [crossed out] Eighty four years of age. That he is [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] believe in the aforsaid [aforesaid] where he [illegible] to have been a soldier of the revolution + [and] that we concur in that opinion from to + [and] [illegible] the day + [and] year aforesaid
William H. Smith [illegible]
Thomas Dunn C.
John Moore

And the said court do hereby declare there [their] opinion after the investigation of the matter + [and] after putting the [illegible] aforsaid [aforesaid] prescribed by the war [illegible] that the above named applicant was a [illegible] + [and] served as he states + [and] the Court [illegible] further certifies that it appears [illegible] that [crossed out] Thomas Dunn
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Who has signed the [illegible] certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Oglethorpe + [and] that John [illegible] who has signed the same is a resident in the county aforesaid and is a [illegible] person + [and] that the statement is entitled to [illegible].
[illegible] [illegible]
Robert Freeman J.J.C.
P. W. Hutcheson H. C.
Bud Poser [illegible]

I William H. Smith clerk of the Interior for said County [illegible] purposes do hereby certify that [illegible] foregoing [illegible] the [illegible] proceeding of said Court in the ]illegible] of the application of Robert Smith for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereverto [illegible] my hand + [and] seal of Office this 9th day of November 1832. [illegible] William H. Smith [illegible]

Robert Smith 17817
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Robert Smith
Georgia
Wm. [William] H. Smith Clk.
Oglethorpe County Ga
Rejected
[illegible] [illegible] 1133
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BRIEF in the case of Robert Smith
Of Oglethorpe County in the State of Georgia
(Act 7th June, 1832)
Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
How old is he? 83 years
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. | As a | Gen.
In 1780 - [illegible] | - 3 - | Private | commanded by John Watson Generals Green + [and] Lawson and Capt. Charles Ballow
 | was engaged in an arduous [illegible] in collecting and driving cattle for the troops
In what battles was he engaged? Guilford
Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland County, Virginia
Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect?
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk
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June 14, 1933.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/ADY
Robert Smith
R.9842

Mr. R. H. White,
P.O. Station “A”
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to one Robert Smith, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R.9842, based upon his military service in that war.

Robert Smith was born in February 1749, place not stated.

He applied for pension November 5, 1832 while a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, and stated that while a resident of Cumberland County, Virginia, he was called out in 1780 and served under Captain John Wotson guarding a number of boats at Carters Ferry on the James River, length of service not stated; that he served three months under Captain Charles Ballow, was in the battle of Guilford and was discharged shortly after the battle; that he was next engaged in collecting and driving cattle for the troops until shortly after the capture of Cornwallis.

His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months’ service in a regularly organized military corps as required by the pension laws.

There are no family data.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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9842
P.O. Robert Smith
Service:  __
Enlisted __, 18
Discharged: __, 18
REJECTED [stamp]
Application filed: __, 18
[crossed out] The 1832 printed list of rejected claims gives cause of rejection as, “Not military service”
Attorney: __
P.O. __
__ Recognized. __ Contract.
1933 June 14. Hist. to R. H. White A. D. Y.
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SOUTHERN WOOD PRESERVING COMPANY
CREOSOTING AND CREO-PINE PRODUCTS
ATLANTA
P.O. STATION “A”
Creo-pine
TREATING PLANTS
EAST POINT, GA.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

June 6, 1933

Veterans’ Administration
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
I would appreciate such information as you can furnish me from your Department reference to the Revolutionary War service of, or any pensions granted to Robert Smith [handwritten: or wife], of Cumberland County, Virginia, (or perhaps Hanover County) born February 7, 1749, was married to Hannah Andrews in 1775, moved to Wilkes County, Georgia in 1785, received head right land grant as Revolutionary soldier in 1788 for 230 acres of land, the exact number given Continentals. That part of Wilkes County later became Oglethorpe County, where he died December 19, 1834. His wife, Hannah, died January 2, 1845. He received several other grants of land as Revolutionary bounties at various other Georgia land drawings.

Thanking you in advance, I am,
Yours very truly
R H White

RHW:B

[Stamp stating RECEIVED Jun 8 1933 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS. ADM. READER & 8]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Smith 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? No
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?
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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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2. Of not ano [illegible]
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.
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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 [shown] 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.
[graphic of hand pointing to the right] 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.
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Robert Smith
Georgia

Rejected see letter of the 16th Apl [April] 1833 [illegible] Mr. H. Smith
9842
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Mr. H. Smith
April 16 1833
[illegible]
Recorded Vol. 8.
Page 472
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War Department
Pension Office
Apl. [April] 16 1833

Sir
The declaration of Robert Smith has been examined and his claim rejected.
It does not appear that he [illegible] performed more than one tour of military duty of 3 months.
[crossed out] cattle [crossed out]. It [illegible] [illegible] appears that he was called into the service as a soldier but that he was engaged in collecting and driving cattle, which can be [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] that [illegible] [illegible] the [illegible] [illegible] a [illegible] [illegible] and consequently not [illegible] [illegible] to the benefit of the Act of June 7 1832.
[illegible]
Mr. H. Smith Eg
[illegible] Oglethorpe Co
Court
Ga
Lexington
Va