Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11414, for Philip Smell, Pennsylvania
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SERVICE   Penn.
Smell, Philip
NUMBER  S.11414
carded
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23989 
Virginia 
Philip Smell 
of Monongalia Co.  in the State of   Va  who was a  Pr   in the Company commanded by Captain Bark    of the Reg commanded by Col   in the Penna line for Militia   DEAD
6 Mo. Pr.  $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of  20 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of May 1832 and Sent to Thos P. Ray, Morgantown
Arrears to the 4th of Mch ’34  60.00
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Sept   10.00 
$70.00 – 
{Revolutionary Claim, Recorded June 7, 1832. }   
Recorded by J. T. Sprague  Clerk 
Book 6 - Vol.  6 ½  Page 33
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Dead  See Let from Thos P. Ray within
Let 25 March 1835 Thos P. Ray 
Penna
Contl
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MORGANTOWN VA APR 27
May 1
M AT – 
Phil. Smell
Va. Conc
Act 1832
Free
Col J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington
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Morganton 25 April 1835 
I have this moment heard that Philip Smell died on the 20th of this month 
Resp Yrs
Thos P Ray
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29.371
Philip Smell
Monongalia County Va
6 mo [unreadable]
March 13, 1834
See Penn rolls
Adm  6 months.
$20 -
Thos P. Ray Morgantown Va.
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State of Virginia 
County of Monongalia} SS On this 26th day of August, in the year 1833, personally appeared before the County court of Monongalia now sitting, and in open court. Philip Smell, a resident of said county aged seventy five 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 provission made by the act of Congress, passed 7th June 1832. That in the summer of 1776 he turned out as a volunteer from Bucks County Pennsylvania for two months, under Capt John Ludwick of the Pennsylvania militia, that three or four other companies marched at the same time to Amboy from Amboy down opposite Staten Island, where we could see the Hessians every day, soon after the Hessians left the island and we were discharged by a general discharge after two months service. 
That during the same summer: he was drafted in Bucks County in a company of Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Jacob Burk, from there we marched to Philadelphia, and were taken in Row gallies down to the Delaware to Billings fort, on the Jersey side, where we were put to work to finish it - that he believes his company was there about ten days, and from thence we were marched to Wilmington - that he was in the battle of Brandywine. that we retreated into Pennsylvania, the enemy moving off towards Philadelphia - that he recollect the place where he was discharged in Pennsylvania, but it was after two months service, by a general discharge 
That a short time before Christman in 1777 the militia were again called out, and he was again drafted in Bucks County Pennsylvania, in a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Capt Christopher Weignor-- that we were soon marched down with several other companies to the White marsh, where we found Genl Washington with the army, from the White Marsh the militia were marched across the Schuylkill, and about two miles from the river met the enemy, who attacked us and forced us to retreat across the river, which we forded at Swedes ford, that we remained on the north side of the Schuylkill untill we were discharged by a general discharge at the end of two months after he was marched from Reading: 
That in the month of April or May 1778, in order to avoid being called out so frequently in the militia he enlisted with ten others in Bucks County Pennsylvania, by a man named Star or Steer, for the purpose as he states of driving teams, for one year, that they were marched to Reading, where he was ordered to take charge of a team - that from Reading he drove his team to Valley Forge where the army was encamped from Valley forge he followed the army with his team to Monmouth, and arrived the day the battle was fought-- from Monmouth he followed the army to Brunswick crossed the North river to the White plains and from thence to winter quarters (for the teams) in a small town in New Jersey the name of which he has forgotten, that he remained with his team at this small village untill some time in May 1779, when he was discharged after being a year in the service by a written discharge, which he has long since lost, believing it of no value, that he cannot now recollect the name of any other officers than those already named that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove his services or any part of them 
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present
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and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state – 
That he was born in Bucks County Pennsylvania, in the month of April 1758, that his age was recorded in his fathers bible, which he believes is in the family of his brother George who lived in that county - that he has a long time been personally acquainted with Rev Joseph A. Shackelford, Esq, Dudley Evans, Esq,  Richard Watts. Esq,  Samuel Hanway, and many others, and who he believes can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services in the Revolution – 
That he removed from Bucks County County Pennsylvania about the year 1790 to Berkley County Virginia and from thence into this county in the fall of 1774. where he has ever since resided 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Philip Smell 
We Joseph A. Shackelford, a clergyman residing in the County of Monongalia aforesaid, and Samuel Hanway, residing in the same county do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Philip Smell, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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. Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesaid 
Saml Hanway 
J A Shackelford    
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 Joseph A Shackelford who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman, resident of the said County, and that Col Samuel Hanway, who has also signed the same is a resident of the same county and is a credible person, and that their statement entitled to credit. 
I Thomas P. Ray, Clerk of the County court of Monongalia aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Philip Smell for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my make and affixed the seal of the said court at Morgantown, the of December in the year 1833 and 58th  year of the Commonwealth. 
Thos P Ray
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
MCS/HMM
March 22, 1930.
Hon. Frank L. Bowman 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 
My dear Mr. Bowman: 
In reply to your letter of March 18, 1930, relative to information desired by Mrs. Anna Johnson Camisa of Morgantown, West Virginia, I have the honor to advise you as follows: 
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 11414, it appears that Philip Smell was born April 9, 1758 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 
While a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted, in the summer of 1776 and served two months in Captain John Ludwick's Pennsylvania Company: from late in the summer two months in Captain Jacob Burk's Pennsylvania Company and was in the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777; from sometime shortly before Christmas, 1777, he served two months in Captain Christopher Weigner's or Captain Hineman's Pennsylvania Company. He enlisted in April or May 1778 and served one year as a teamster.    
About 1790 he moved from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Berkeley County, Virginia, and in the fall of 1794 he moved to Monongalia County, Virginia. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 26, 1833, at which time he was living in Monongalia County, Virginia . 
There are no data relative to wife and children. 
Rest of this letter in claim of Sell Sayres. O. W. Minor Ctf. 978
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Rev War
11414.
 INVALID. 
File No. 11414 
Philip Smell 
Priv Rev War  
Act: June 7, 1832 
Index: - Vol. A, Page 348 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1930 Mar 22 hist to Hon Frank L. Bowman See O. W. Minor Ctf  978, Sell Sayres  MCS
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FRANK L. BOWMAN 20 DIST, WEST VIRGINIA 
R. L. JEFFERYS SECRETARY
COMMITTEES: 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES,
 INVALID PENSIONS,  
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT. AND REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS, 
PATENTS 
Congress of the United States 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 
SUSCOMMITTEES: CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC HEALTH, HOSPITALS, ADD CHARITIES,
PUBLIC UTILITIES, 
FISCAL AFFAIRS, 
RADIO, 
FISHERIES
March 18, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: 
I submit herewith, a letter from Mrs. Anna Johnson Camisa, R.F.D. 3, Box 72, Morgantown, West Virginia, who wishes information on Selee or Seley Sayres of Monongalia County, who died in the service January 3, 1815, and whose heirs were evidently granted a pension in February, 1815. She also seeks a record of Philip Smell of Monongalia County who was granted a pension for revolutionary service. I wish you would advise her of the procedure for obtaining this information and the cost therefor. 
Very truly yours,
FRANK L. BOWMAN
FLB:B
U.S. PENSION OFFICE A MAR 20 1930
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Philip Smell
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War Department 
Pension Office 
April 7 1834 
Sir:
The claim of Philip Smell has been examined but as his name cannot be found upon the Penna roll he will be required to prove his 12 months service as an enlisted soldier, his papers are therefore returned to you for that purpose 
I am Respectfully
Yr. Ob. Svt
J. L. Edwards
Thomas P. Ray Esq 
Morgantown VA.
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Philip Smell Pen.
Monongalia Cty.
[unreadable]
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Philip Smell drew $20 
I the undersigned Philip Smell at the regulations of the Secretary of War give the [unreadable] and Revolutionary Services to Wit.  I am 77 years old
Some time during the Revolutionary War (I cant tell in what year) I volunteer in Bucks County Pensylvania under Capt Jno Sedwick & Marched to Amboy, then several companies at this station, we was guarding the River on the [unreadable].  The Hessian was at Staten Island on the opposite side of the River. I dont recollect here any and I remained in Service in the War - when the British had possession of Philadelphia I was in [unreadable] at St. Martins, Philadelphia on the Delaware under Capt. Jacob Bark for two months 
In the next succeeding winter for another two months tour in the Schuylkill  under Capt Hineman 
I then was in Service as a Waggoner nearly a year, and thus aided in Revolutionary Service.  T. F. Ray wrote my Declaration.  
In Wittness of all which hereto subscribe my name 
Philip Smell
Nov 3, 1834 
Jacob Cooper, 
Note this man is frail in body, and of very little means 
W G Leighton  
Nov 30. 1834
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Morganton 25 April 1834 
Dear Sir
Philip Smell called on me to day, and says that it is upwards of forty years since he left Bucks County Pennsylvania, and is unable to go there from age and infirmities to prove his services in the Pennsylvania troops for one year – 
He therefore requests me to inform you, that he must waive his claim for a pension in the service and take it for to six months in the militia
I am very respect
Your Obt Svt
Thos P. Ray
Col J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME   Smelling, Assa  GRADE  Private   LINE  Massachusetts   
WARRANT NUMBER  5067 ACREAGE    100  ISSUED   July 21, 1789 to Jonathan Case
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 Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. 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.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME  Smeltzer, John  GRADE   Private  LINE  Pennsylvania   
WARRANT NUMBER  10355  ACREAGE  100    ISSUED  July 9 1789  to not shown
Notation: "Rec file not delivered"
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 Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. 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.