Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3926, for Robert Smith, New York
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(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
New York 

Smith, Robert 

NUMBER 
S 3926. 
Carded 

CONTENTS 
b. Nov. 20, 1752 in New York City
res during Rev. New York City & in N.J.
res in 1832, Phila, Pa.
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3569 
Pennsylvania 
Robert Smith 
of Philadel Co in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Captain in the the Regt commanded by Col Malcom in the New York line for 6 months captain $120.00 

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 120 Dollars per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of Decr. 1832 and sent to M St Clair Clarke Clerk House Reps. 

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 $180.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833  60 
[total] $240.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk,
Book D Vol. 6 Page 94
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State of Pennsylvania 
City and County of Philadelphia ss
On this twenty ninth day of September Anno Domini Eighteen Hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the District Court the City and County of Philadelphia now Sitting Captain Robert Smith a resident in the City of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania aged Eighty 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 7th 1832 –
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated, to wit About the year 1772 I entered a Company commanded by Captain William Walton in the City of New York they together with another Company commanded by Captain Conger [?] were called the Governors Guards – or Tryons Guards – they were taught their manual exercise and manouveres by the British Sergeants who were compensated by their Services –
About the year 1774 when things became more serious I left the Guards and entered a Company commanded by a Captain Ritzman – who was subsequently Col. Ritzman and commanded one of the New York Regiments and went to [illegible] – they were called the New York Fuzelliers – Ex Governor Morgan Lewis of New York is the only person alive whom I know belonging to that Company – this Company was disbanded
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as a number had taken Commissions in several Regiments in 1774 & 1775 – about this time I entered a Company commanded by Captain Shaw and Colonel William Malcoms Regiment – the 2nd Regiment of New York Volunteers – 
Captain Shaw in 1776 was called to the command of the United States Frigates stationed I believe on the North or Hudson River, and was burned or destroyed after Fort Montgomery was taken in 1777 -. 
I took command of this Company early in 1776 – my Commission as Captain is dated 18th June 1776, signed by Nathaniel Woodhull president of the Provincial Congress for the then Colony of New York – see my Commission –
About this period when the British Troops arrived at Staten Island – the 1st & 2nd Regiment – the first commanded by Colonel Lesher & the 2nd by Col Malcom offered their services for six months, which were accepted and we were halted out of the City about 3 or 4 miles, our Brigadier General was John Morin Scott of that City. We did duty there and in the City with the other Continental Troops and erecting necessary Forts and Lines at this period June 1776 I was ordered from New York to Fort Washington and order to construct a small battery under the direction of a French Engineer on a viajection [?] of the River below Fort Washington called Jeffersons Hook & I believe the remains of it are yet in being.
I remained there until after 4th July when the Declaration of Independence was declared under the command of General Mifflin who then commanded at Fort Washington – our Regiment went to Long Island on the morning of 28th August 1776 and arrived in time on the Right of our Army to cover the Retreat of our troop under the command of
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Lord Sterling and General Sulivan particularly the Brigade of General Smallwood - we retreated from thence in the night of the 1st September to New York where we remained until the 15th of the same when the British Troops landed at Kipps Bay - We remained in New York with Col. Lishers Regiment & some other under the command of Generals Ward & Spencer - we were very near being taken prisoners as they landed in very superior numbers - as it was we lost 40 or 50 men - when we mustered the following day on the 16th Sept. an action Commenced on the  heights of Harlem - the British were repulsed with considerable loss - one Regiment lay on the ground & buried the dead –
We were commanded by Genl. Putman - We remained at Kingsbridge for some time when the British landed their Army under Lord Howe at Frog’s Neck - We remained there a few days and retreated to the White Plains - We were stationed on the left of the Army - In a few days the British Army followed us - their Right was opposite to us, but did not come nearer than Long Shot when they halted - their left engaged our Right and drove Gen McDougall from his position on the North of Bronks River - they maneuvered all day to gain the Right of our Army or out flank us, but were not able to accomplish it - After they encamped in front of us for 10 or 12 days and remained quiet - They then went to the Right about and attacked Fort Washington, which they took and we lost about 2000 men - this was in November 1776 – One Regiment marched from thence to Haverstraw on the West side of the North River where
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they remained until December as it was near the time we were to be discharged - I was sent by our Col. with the pay Rolls of the Regiment in order to get them signed & our discharge - The British after they had taken Fort Washington crossed the River and took Fort Lee. Genl. Washington and our Troops retreated through Jersey by the way of Hackensack, Newark & on to Trenton - I did not overtake Genl. Washington until I arrived near Brunswick - as I took the upward or Western Road by Morristown &c – He halted at Trenton, where I received our discharge and got our Pay Roll signed - On returning to our Regiment I was taken very ill with a fever and lay ill at my Brother in Law’s & then partner W. A. Robertson & remained so for 4 or 5 weeks - I sent my papers by Officer Lieutenant Brinckle who had accompanied me on the same mission - our Regiment was discharged at Haverstraw - My late Col. raised another Regiment in 1777 (one of the 16 regiments ordered by Congress - They were raised at a distance from where I resided in New Jersey. I believe in the State of New York – as I did not enter the army again but resided at Basking Ridge near Morristown. I volunteered my services on several occasions & when the army were at quarters during the winter of 1779–80, I went with Lord Sterling onto Staten Island with 1500 or 2000 Troops and remained one night in the snow & we retreated, the next day - the British Troops retreated into their forts and it would have been folly to pursue them - In the year 1781 I came to Philadelphia and entered into Business - I immediately entered myself as a member of the first City Troops commanded by Captain Samuel Morris and remained in the Troops as a Private - Sergeant - Cornet - & 2nd Lieutenant as per my commission
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dated the 29th November 1796 and remained in the same until June 1802 when I resigned together with Captain Dunlap, Lieutenant William Hall and Cornet Gardner - Our Troops have done essential services, from their first association in 1775 to this date, altho they received their pay when in service, they appropriated the said proceeds which amounted to several thousand dollars to the founding of a Lying in Department in our City Hospital which I have no doubt will prove useful for time to come -

It is not in my power to enumerate the services of this Troop since the commencement of the Revolution - The Commander in Chief has done them justice - They have made many and great sacrifices to serve their Country - & they were the only Troops called out in 1784 to oppose the soldiers who rebelled in 1784 at Lancaster and marched to Philadelphia in order to demand their pay, - they surrounded the State House where Congress was then sitting, and insulted them in so insolent a manner as to induce them to leave the City and adjourn to Princeton.

I was born in the City of New York on 20th of November 1752 and am now in my eightieth year.

I left New York on the 15th of September 1776 as captain in the 2nd Regiment of New York under the command of Col. William
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Malcom and did not return to it until after the Peace of 1783 - I have resided in Philadelphia since 1781. –
And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
[signed] Robert Smith
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 29th day of September in the year of one Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty two 
[signed] F. W. Hindon and Pro Prothy 

We Ashbel Green a Clergyman residing in the said City of Philadelphia and Charles Chauncey residing in the same hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Captain Robert Smith who has by subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
[signed] Ashbel Green   Ch. Chauncey 
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid. 
[signed] F. W. Hindman Pro Prothy
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories escribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. 
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Ashbel Green who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said City of Philadelphia and that Charles Chauncey who has also signed the same is a resident of the said City of Philadelphia and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
[signed] F. W. Hindman 
Pro Prothy
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I John Lisle Prothonotary of the District Court for the City and County of Philadelphia do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Captain Robert Smith for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this twenty ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two.
[signed] John Lisle
Prothonotary of the District Court for the City and County of Philadelphia
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Copy of a Letter to Coll. Malcom 
15th June 1777 

To 
Coll. William Malcom
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Morris County 15th June 1777 
Dear Coll. 
On my arrival lately from the Eastward I was informed of your appointment to the command of one of his Excellency Genl. Washingtons Regts., & that you had been so Oblidging as to nominate me to an important command under you, this I must acknowledge a verry singular favour & wish it was in my power at present to accept of it, as nothing would have given me greater pleasure to serve my County at this important crisis, under a Gentn. who’s Distinguished abillitys I have had ample Experience, but since I had the pleasure of seeing you last I have made several purchasses which together with our former affairs which we purpose to settle as soon as possible will necessarily take up a great part of my time in looking after. There with some other other Reasons which you are sensible of, has Induced me at present to Decline accepting my Commission whatever as soon as they are in some measure remov'd. I purpose to join you as a Volunteer, that you may long live & return in safety, crownd with the lawrells [laurels] of a happy & free people is the sincere wish of Dear Sir 
Your most Obliged Noble [or Able] Servt.
[signed] Robert Smith

(Copy)
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
November 24, 1930 
Alice B. Henry 
221 Guilford Avenue 
Collingswood, New Jersey 
Dear Madam: 
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.3926, that Robert Smith was born in New York City, November 20, 1752. 
He entered the service of his country in the city of New York in 1772, in a company commanded by Captain William Walton or Watton in the Governor's Guards or Tryon's Guards. In 1774, he joined Captain Ritzema's Company of the New York Fusiliers. 
About 1775, he entered the company commanded by Captain Shaw, Colonel William Malcolm's New York Regiment. June 13, 1776, he was commissioned Captain of the Company of Caledonian Rangers in Colonel William Malcolm's Second New York Regiment, was in the retreat from New York, the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains and served six months. 
In June, 1778, he volunteered and served under General Lee and Marquis de Lafayette and was at the battle of Monmouth, length of service not stated. 
During the winter of 1779 and 1780, he volunteered on several occasions and went with Lord Stirling on his expedition to Staten Island. 
After resigning his commissions, he lived in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and in 1781, removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was a merchant. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed
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April 29, 1832, while residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
It is not stated that soldier was ever married. 
After the Revolution, he joined the First City Corps of Philadelphia, served as private, sergeant, cornet and November 29, 1796, was commissioned Second Lieutenant. He resigned in June, 1802. 
In order to secure the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Robert Smith, S.3926, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data: 
Robert Smith, Certificate No. 3569, issued December 27, 1832, rate $120 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pennsylvania Agency. 
Very truly yours 
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner.
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Rev War 
3926 
INVALID. 
File No. 3926 
Robert Smith 
Capt. N.Y. line 
Act: June 7, ‘32 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 345 
{Arrangement of 1870.} 


1930 - Mar. 10 – Hist. to Mrs. Chas. H. McKaig - EEL
1930 – Nov 24 – Hist. to Alice B. Henry - EEL
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IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS FOR THE COLONY OF NEW-YORK, 
THE Eighteenth DAY OF June 1776. 
Robert Smith Esquire GREETING: 
By Virtue of the Authority reposed in us, We do hereby nominate, authorize, constitute and appoint you Captain of the Company of Caledonian Rangers - in the Second Regiment of the Colony of New York
whereof William Malcom Esqr. is Colonel hereby requiring you, before you enter into the Exercise of your said Office, to make in Writing, and subscribe in Presence of the Chairman of the Committee of the City, Town, District, or Precinct wherein you reside, the Declaration appointed and directed by the Eleventh Section of the Seventh Resolve contained in the Rules and Orders for regulating the Militia of the Colony of New-York, recommended by this Congress on the 22d day of August 1775, and authorizing you fully to execute all the Powers belonging to your said Office, by Virtue of the said Rules and Orders, and the said Declaration: And we do hereby require all Persons under your Command, to pay due Obedience to you, according to the said Rules and Orders, and such further Rules and Orders as shall be made and recommended for the Militia of this Colony, by the present, or any future Continental Congress, or Provincial Congress of this Colony. 
By Order, Nathl. Woodhull Presidt.
Attest, Geo. Benson Secry.
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New York August 19th 1776 
Sir.
I have just received by Express a Letter from New York with the disagreeable news that my sider is at the point of Death & Solemnly Requests to see me as soon as possible I woud be much oblig’d to the Genl. to grant me a few hours for that purpose, & you may depend on my return as soon as the necessity of the case will admit. 
I am with much respect 
Your most Obedt & verry Hble Servt.
[signed] Robert Smith
I know Capt Smith's case or is as he represents, & believe that he will make a point of returning to his duty without loss of time   Malcom Col.

S. F. 3026
Robt. Smith
N.Y.
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Capt Smith has his Excellencies permission to go to New York this afternoon 
[signed] George Baylor
Aid de camp Head Quarters New York augt. 19th 1776 

To
Brigadier Genl Scott 
Present 

I beg leave to certify to his Excellency General Washington that Capt. Smith is a very good Officer and merits any Indulgence that the nature of the service will at this critical Juncture admit of. Humanity pleads in his favor; and I can have no objection to his having Leave of Absence; but must submit it to his Excellency 
[signed] Jno: Morin Scott Brigadier Genl.
New York Augt 19th 1776 
His Excellency General Washington
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EEL
March 10, 1930
Mrs. Charles H. McKaig 
Island Heights 
New Jersey 
Dear Madam: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.3926, it appears that Robert Smith was born in New York City, November 20, 1752. 
He entered the service of his country in the city of New York in 1772 in a company commanded by Captain William Walton or Watton in the Governor's Guards or Tryons Guards. In 1774, he joined Captain Ritzema's Company of the New York Fusiliers. 
About 1775, he entered the company commanded by Captain Shaw, Colonel William Malcolm's New York Regiment. June 13, 1776, he was commissioned Captain of the Company of Caledonian Rangers in Colonel William Malcolm's Second New York Regiment, was in the retreat from New York, the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains and served six months. 
In June, 1778, he volunteered and served under General Lee and Marquis de Lafayette and was at the battle of Monmouth, length of service not stated. 
During the winter of 1779 and 1780 he volunteered on several occasions and went with Lord Stirling on his expedition to Staten Island. 
After resigning his commission, he lived in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and in 1781, removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was a merchant. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 29, 1832, while residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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It is not stated that soldier was ever married. 
After the Revolution he joined the First City Troops of Philadelphia, served as private, sergeant, cornet and November 29, 1796 was commissioned second Lieutenant. He resigned in June, 1802. 
Very truly yours 

EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner.

Date of death not on AB
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IN REPLY REFER TO 
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. 
EEL 
3-2562 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
UNITED STATES 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON
November 17, 1930 
Alice B. Henry 
221 Guilford Avenue 
Collingwood, N.J.
Dear Madam: 
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your in your letter. 
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information our possession will permit, and return to this bureau. 
First name of widow MARTHA 
Full name of soldier Robert Smith. Robert Smith 
Residence of soldier at enlistment New York & New Jersey 
Residence of soldier after service N.Y. and Phila 
Name of state from which he enlisted New York 
Approximate date of birth 1752 
Approximate date of death 1838 
Kindly return attached letter with your reply. 
Respectfully, 
[signed] E W Morgan
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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221 Guilford Ave
Collingswood, N.J. 
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly furnish me with any data you might have regarding Capt. Robert Smith, who fought in the Revolutionary War 
He was supposed to have been a privatiersman under Capt. Paul Jones; or he may have been in the Army. 
I would like to know what his widow's name was, and where he is buried - if it is at all possible 
This would be a very great favor as our family is trying to write up the family - tree. 
(over)
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Thanking you for an early reply I am enclosing a self-addressed envelope.
Very truly yours
[signed] Alice B. Henry
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IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
MMHF

3-2562
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
UNITED STATES
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

March 4, 1930

Mrs. Charles H. McKaig,
Island Heights
New Jersey

[stamp]
U.S. Pension Office MAR 7 1930

Dear Madam:
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your in your letter.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information our possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow Martha M. 2nd Wife
Full name of soldier Robert Smith. Robert Smith. Captain
Residence of soldier at enlistment 
Residence of soldier after service 
Name of state from which he enlisted New York
Approximate date of birth June 28th 1752
Approximate date of death 1838
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
[signed] Earl D. Church
EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.
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Island Heights NJ 
March 1st 1930 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Dear Sir 
Will you kindly send me the family and Revolutionary War record of Robert Smith 
Thanking you in advance 
I am Respectfully 
Mrs Charles H McKaig 
P.S. If there is any charge please send me bill

[stamp]
U.S. Pension Office MAR 4 1930
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[stamp]
U.S. Pension Office MAR 7 1930
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James L Edwards Esqr
Pension Office
War Department
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Clerks Office of the Ho. Reps. U.S.
October 8, 1832 
James L Edwards Esqr 
Sir 
The accompanying papers were lately sent by Captain Smith to Matthew St Clair Clarke Esqr, with a letter in which he says, “I omitted to mention in my narrative of services, that I served as a volunteer with the army in June 1778 & was with the troops under the command of General Lee and the Marquis La Fayette at the battle of Monmouth.” 
In the absence of Mr. Clark, I now send the papers to you, in the hope they will prove sufficient to entitled captain Smith to what he expects - a captains pension 
Most respectfully 
Yr obdt
[signed] Robt: Johnston
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To
Robert Smith Esqr
Philad -
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Phila. 21st Sepr 1832 
Dear Sir 
It is with great pleasure that I have it in my power to certify to the very many essential services you have rendered your country as a member and officer of the First Troop Philada. City Cavalry, during our Revolutionary War with Great Brittain. Upon refering to our Book of Minutes I perceive that you were elected a Member in 1781 and continued an active and most efficient member and officer untill 1803 having distinguished yourself upon many occasions during the War, winning Much admiration and esteem from the Members of the Corps and others, and it is with much pleasure that I can add that your resignation was one of the deepest regret 
Truly and Most Respectfully 
your obt st
[signed] Wm H Hart Capt 

To Robt Smith Esqr
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Certificate of Oath of Allegiance
June 1st 1781
Robert Smith
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I do hereby Certify that Robert Smith of the City of Philadelphia Merchant Hath Voluntarily taken the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity as directed by an act of the General Assemby of Pennsylvania intitled "A further Supplement to the Act intitled “An act for the further Security of the Government,” passed on the fifth Day of December, A.D. 1778. Witness my Hand and Seal the 14th June 1781. 
[signed] Geo. Bryan 
Witness 
[signed] H Barton