Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.14496, for Isaac Smee, New Jersey
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(3 1778) Service
New Jersey
Contents Smee, Isaac
Number S.14496
 carded
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No 11,924
Pennsylvania
Isaac Smee
of Lycoming Co. in the state of Penna. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Burnnel of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hooper in the N. Jersey Troops line for 18 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at a rate of 60 Dollart - Cents for annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of July 1833 and sent to James Gamble Jersey Shores Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Spt. 1833 30.00
$150.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. Vol. 5  Page 53
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Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4th March to 10th July 1839. The day of his death.
Agt notified 14th April 1840
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Lycoming on this twenty ninth day of April AD 1833.
Personally appeared in open court before Honorable Seth Chapman President Judge and the Honorable John Cummings and Asher Davidson sociate Judges of the Court of Common. Head of Lycoming County now sitting Isaac Smee a resident of Cummings Township in said County & State aged seventy six 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 A.D. 1832. The said Isaac Smee entered the United States Service under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He entered the service of the United States in the spring of the year A.D. 1775. By enlisting as a private in the Company of Jew Jersey State Troops, commanded by Captain James Brunnel the Company belonged to the 4th Regiment of the New Jersey line of State Troops, which Regiment was under the command of Colonel Hooper and General Greene. He enlisted for the term of nine months at his residence in Hardeston Township Sussex County in said State of New Jersey that immediately after his enlistment he marched to Fort Minisink situate on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River and was stationed there during the whole of said term of nine months. That while they were there a company of the Corn Planter's Indians came over from Pennsylvania and began to pillage and annoy the frontier Captain Brunnels Company was ordered out to relieve the citizens and drive back the Indians, he the said applicant march in Cap Brunnels Company they attached the Indians killed four of them, and took seven prisoners, and drove the rest over he Delawar and pursued them some distance. That after that after that he frequently went with scouting parties over into Penna and traversed the County as far north as the Wyoming Valley on the North Branch of the Susquehanna. That he was in several skirmishes with the Indians and tories but no regular battles. He served out his nine months and rec'd forty shillings per month for his services and was regularly discharged.
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He then returned home and the following Spring in 1776 he enlisted again as a private in Captain Brunnells Company, marched again to Fort Minisink and was stationed there guarding & protecting the frontier inhabitants during the term of nine months the time for which he last enlisted and at the expiration thereof he was regularly discharged by Col. Hooper and received as before forty Shillings per month for his services. The said applicant has no documentary evidence in his possession of his service nor does he know of any person now living whose testimony he could procure who could testify to his services. He made application several years since to the War Department for a pension under the Act of 1818. But in consequence of having but one witness he failed. He then had deposition of the Reverand Kaleb Hopkins who was a Lieutenant in Captain Brunnels Company and was acquainted with the said applicant testified to the substances of what is contained in the above declaration. Rev Hopkins is since dead but said applicant supposed it is on file in the War Department as none of the papers were ever returned to said applicant. 
Attached to this declaration is the deposition of James Watson Esq. before whom the deposition of the said deposition of Seth Hopkins was taken. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state; and in answer to the interrogations prepared by the Department and founded by the court the said applicant answered as follows. First. He was born in Wethersfield Township Essex County in England in the year 1756. Second! He has no written record of his age now. Third! In Sussex County in the state of New Jersey he came to Pine Creek the spring after his last term of service expired in the County where he had resided ever since Fourth! He entered the service by enlisting as stated in his declaration.
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Fifth. Int. is answered as full in his declaration as can now recollect, age with its infirmities having some degree invaded his memory.
6th..The received a discharge from Col Hooper at the expiration of each term of service but are lost! 7th. I am known to Reverand Jno Thomas James Watson Esq'r Abraham Harris Esqr and Samuel Stewart of Lycoming County who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day and year first above written. 
Isaac Smee his mark
Witness J. Woody
We John Thomas as a Clergyman residing in Loyalsock Township in said county of Lycoming Abraham Harris Samuel Steward of Lycoming County certify that we are well acquainted with the said Isaac Smee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 76 years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a solder of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Thomas
A Harris
Samuel Stewart 
 And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after printing the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above maned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jno Thomas who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Lycoming County and that Abraham Harris & Samuel Stewart Esqr also reside in
over
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Lycoming County, and are credible persons and that their statements and also that of the said Isaac Smee are entitled to credit I, Joseph Wood Prothy of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Isaac Smee for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this State of Penna day of April AD. 1833. 
J. Wood Prot. 

Seth Chapman
John Cumming
A. Davidson

State of Penna
Lycoming County ⎬ Personally appeared before me one of the of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Lycoming James Watson Esqr who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement said Deponent saith that he is well acquainted with Isaac Smee the above applicant - That several years since he drew an application for said Isaac Smee for a pension under the act of 1818. And that one Caleb Hopkins then a preacher of the Gospel came before him the said Deponent and being duly Sworn according to law did say that he know the said Isaac Smee to have been a soldier of the revolution, that he had served with him in the army and also stated further particulars which as far as recollected correpond in substance with the facts set forth in the above Declaration Deponent believes said Isaac Smee to be a man of veracity & that he is generally reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and further said  Deponent saith that it would be inconvenient for him to attend Court - and further saith not-- Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty second of April 1833 
John Purser 
James Watson
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19980
Isaac Smee

C l.

Admitted
18 mos
$60.-

James Gamble
Jersey Shore
Lycoming County
Pa
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under 
 been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
---------------------------
[Table follows:]
 A Statement, shewing the Service of Isaac Smee of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
---------------------------
[following are the headings of the 9 columns:]
(1) Period when the service was rendered.
(2) Duration of the claimant's service. {sub-headings:} a. Years. b. Months. c. Days.
(3) Rank of the claimant.
(4) Names and Rank of the Company whom he served.
(5) Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
(6) Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
(7) Country through which he marched.
(8) Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period-
(9) Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

[text beneath columns:]
(1) Entd 1775, Entd 1776
(2) a. [blank] b. 9, 9 c. [blank]
(3) [blank]
(4) Capts James Bunnel, "
(5) Genl - Greene, Col. Hooper
(6) some skirmishes with the Indians
(7) tho Jersey to the Delaware & thru Penn.
(8) Sussex County New Jersey, aged 76 years
(9) see affidavit of Kaleb Hopkins  which claimant says is on file in this Dept act 1818, Traditionary Evidence

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

 State, Territory,  or District of [blank] } 
County of [blank] } ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank]  personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] 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 provion [provision] made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the 
 under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. -->This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                  A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of
[blank] & c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have  of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed 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 A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

i, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [application]  of [blank] 
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Oficer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
--------------------------
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 {blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served
as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."

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 that 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 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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 papers 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.

Proof of Service.

[j] 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 claimant's 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.
-->The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[hand-written:] Were the papers in his former application returned to him?
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office
March 19th 1840.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, Abrm Harris, Admr of Isaac Smee, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Sixty -
Dollars ['and {blank} Cent s' crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March to the 10th July 1839, the day of his death.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
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Revy War   14496
INVALID.
-------------
File No. __14, 496___
__Isaac Smee____
__Priv. Rev. War___
--------------
Act: __June 7th 1832. ____
Index: -- Vol.__1__, Pa__348__

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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No other claims on file.
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Williamsport May 6. 1833

Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner
of Pensions-

Sir--

I have drawn the Application of Mr Smee over again; and I think satisfactorily removed the former objections. I hope in the investigations of this Claim, the most favorable construction will be put upon the statements of the applicant.
He is an infirm old man who after having fought his Country's battles is now dependent upon the charity of his neighbors even for
sustenance, and the ordinary comforts of life-- He lives forty miles from the County Town; and has therefore much difficulty in traveling to Court - I hope that his claim will meet your early
and most favorable attention

With the Greatest Respect
I am Your obediant [obedient]
Servant
James Gamble
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State of Pennsylvania
Lycoming County. } SS

I Joseph Wood Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County do hereby certify that John Pursel before whom the
Deposition of James Watson Esquire was taken is an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County and that full faith and credit are given to his official acts

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of
Office the day & year aforesaid

J. Wood Prot.