Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,861, for Joseph Smith, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)


SERVICE
Md.

Smith, Joseph 

NUMBER 
S. 4,861

carded

CONTENTS 
b. Feb. 14, 1753 in Cecil Co. Md. there at enl.
in 1832 Wheeling Twp. Belmont Co. Ohio
Page 2

2460
Ohio Pittsburgh Agency

Joseph Smith
of Belmont in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Compy commanded 
by Captain Gilpin of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Parker in the Maryland 
line for 9 months from 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency 
at the rate of 30 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Nov. '32
and Sent to Robert 
J Alexander, St. Clairsville, Ohio

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 45.-
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '33 15.-
$60.-
====

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D Vol. 2 Page 142
Page 3

Joseph Smith 
Ohio
No 3068.
from 1776 private 
9 months
$30
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Smith 
of Belmont County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge ? Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  [Blank]

3.  How old is he?  79 Years.

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. |
_______ |
drafted |
Decr in 1776 |
enlist 1777 |

Duration of Service. |
__________________
Years, 
"
"
"
at different
times "

Months, 
3
3

3

Days/ |
3
3

3

Rank. |
_____
Sergeant |
Same |
|
Same |

Names of General and Field Officers 
under whom he served.
_______________________________
Gen. [Blank]
Col Henry Hollingsworth
Lt Col Edward Parker
Major Strawbridge
Capt Thoms Gilpin
Same officers

5. In what battles was he engaged?  [Blank]

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Cecil County Maryland 

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by 
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary

8.  Are the papers defective as to former authentication and if so, in what respect?  Defective
([illegible] for 6 months) in [illegible] to period of service

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
mentioned.

C Little Examining Clerk
Page 5

No. 3068
Page 6

State of Ohio }
Belmont County } On this 2nd day of 
August 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court 
the Court of Common Pleas 
now sitting in St. Clairsville in & for the County 
of Belmont and State of Ohio aforesaid Joseph 
Smith a resident [struck out: Marion] of Wheeling Township in the said 
County of Belmont and State of Ohio aged 
79 years on the 14th day of Feb. last 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.  That he entered the service of the United 
States under the following named officers and 
served as herein stated.  That the term of his service 
commenced in the year 1776 in December and 
rendezvoused at Elkton 1st day of January 1777 with 
Captain Thomas Gilpin and served in the regi
ment of the Maryland militia line.  The other officers were 
Richard Bond 1st. Lieutenant, John Jones 2nd Lieutenant 
John Cohran Ensign, Charles Ramsey, Col. Henry 
Hollingsworth Lieut. Col. Edward Parker Major 
Jno. Strawbridge, 2nd Major.  That he left the 
service on the 1st April same year.  That he was 
called or drafted in the army of the United States by Col's.
of said regiment.  Marched to the State of Delaware 
Cristian Bridge, into Pennsylvania to Philadelphia
through Wilmington & resided in Cecil 
County & State of Maryland when he first 
entered the service.  That he was called out 
again the latter part of August in the same 
year under officers whose names he does not
Page 7

now recollect, except Hollingsworth who was Col. 
served three months.  That he was called out 
at different times afterwards under the said 
Col. Hollingsworth.  That the whole time which 
he served was 9 months in the aforesaid regiment 
That at neither of the times when he left the 
service did he receive any other than a verbal 
discharge.  That he has no documentary evidence 
to sustain his claim.  That John Boyd Esqr. knows 
the facts as above stated who is alive and 
is now present a resident in Union Township 
in said County of Belmont.  And 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.  That he acted as a Sergeant 
during the whole time of his service as aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed the day 
and year aforesaid and the same facts are 
also sworn to be true by John Boyd Esq who served 
with the said Smith & who also has subscribed his name.
Sworn to & subscribed before 
me in Open Court this 2nd  Joseph Smith 
day of August 1832  John Boyd
Peter Tallman Clk

We Joseph Anderson as clergyman residing 
in the Township of Richland and in the County of Belmont 
aforesaid and an James Campbell a resident of the 
Wheeling Township in said County hereby certify that we are well 
acquainted with Joseph Smith who has subscribed 
and sworn to the above declaration that we 
believe him to be at least 70 years of age 
That he is reputed and believed in the neigh
bourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a 
soldier of the Revolution and that we 
concur in that opinion.  Sworn to
Page 8

and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
in open Court the 2nd  Joseph Anderson
day of August 1832.  [illegible] D. M.
Peter Tallman Clk  James Campbell

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 revolution
ary soldier and served as he states.  And the 
Court further certifies that it appears to them that 
Joseph Anderson who has signed the preceding 
certificate is a clergyman resident in Richland 
Township & County of Belmont aforesaid 
and that Col James Campbell who has also 
signed the same is a resident in the Township 
of Wheeling & County aforesaid and is a credible person 
and that their statement is entitled to credit

Answers to questions propounded by the Court

To Ques. 1st As prescribed by the War Department - Born in Cecil
County, State of Maryland. [word struck out] aged 79 years. 14th day 
of Feb. 1882

To Ques. 2nd.  I have no record of my age

" Ques. 3  In Cecil County & State of Maryland and 
since the war I lived part of my time in Maryland 
and about 2 years 5 miles above Pittsburgh and 
the balance of my time where I now live

To Ques. 4th.  I was called into the service by order of Colonels 
Hollingsworth & Ramsey

To Ques. 5th. I do not recollect any of the names of the regular 
officers.  The regiments of Elkton, Susquehanoh [Susquehanna] and 
Bohemia I recollect.

To Ques. 6th.  I never received a discharge.  When our time was 
up, we were let go home, just dismissed
Page 9

To Ques. 7th.  I am known to the Rev. Joseph Anderson
Steve Smith, Col. James Campbell and others 
who can testify as to this question
J. H. Bullock } I order of the 
George Sharp } Court of Common 
John Davenport } Pleas of Belmont
James Alexander Jr. } County 

The State of Ohio Belmont County SS.

I Peter Tallman Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in 
the matter of the application of [struck out: John Boyd] Joseph Smith for a pension.
[Blurred seal of Court]  In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and affixed the seal of said 
Court at St. Clairsville this 2nd day of 
August Ammo Domini 1832.
Peter Tallman Clk
Page 10

[Top of form not included]

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen
sion on file in this Bureau.  Joseph Smith S.F. 4861

DATES OF |
ENLISTMENT OR |
APPOIONTMENT. |
________________|
Dec. 1776 |
Aug. 1776 |
-- |

LENGTH OF |
SERVICE. |
__________|
April 1776 |
3 mos. |
6 mos. |

RANK. |
______ |
Sgt. |

at different times under Hollingsworth

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
_______________________________________________ |
CAPTAIN. |
________ |
Samuel Gilpin |
COLONEL. |
__________ |
Charles Ramsey |
Hollingsworth |

STATE.
______
Md

Battles engaged in, [Blank]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cecil Co. Md.

Date of application for pension, Aug 2 1832 & was ald.

Residence at date of application, Wheeling Twp. Belmont Co. Ohio

Age at date of application, Born in Cecil Co. Md. Feby 14 1753

Remarks:  No data as to family
The above noted is the only  [illlegible] Md service.
Page 11

[Two columns]
[Left column]

1908 April 2 Hist. to Mrs. J. C. 
Wallace [illegible]

[Right column]

4861
[Written vertically in left margin]
Rev War

INVALID.

File No. 4861
Joseph Smith
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol M, Page 346

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those 
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Joseph Smith which require 
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes

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? [ Blank]

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

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?  Yes for six months

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes 

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?  Yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate ?  Yes

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?  Yes
Page 13

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belie in his neighborhood relative to his revolu
tionary service?  Yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?  [Blank]

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?
Yes

XIV.  †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who 
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  [Blank]
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under 
his seal of office?  [Blank]

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?  [Blank]

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes

________________________

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 recol
lection 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.
Page 14

3

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 month is to in
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  S

†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 admini
ster 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 im
properly attached to the certificate.
Page 15

[Envelope with notes]

[Note written vertically in left margin]
Aug 11, 1832
Pension 
Office 
[illegible mail stamp]

[Address]
Pension papers 
Free
Hon Lewis Coss
Secty. at War
Washington
D.C.

[Note written vertically in right margin]
No.3068
Ohio
Page 16

St. Clairsville Ohio August 4th 1832

Dar Sir

Any answer to this application 
will be directed to the subscriber who 
acts as attorney for the applicant.  Direct 
to St. Clairsville Ohio
Robert J. Alexander 

Hon Lewis Coss
Secty at War
Page 17

Washington, D. C., March 14th, 1908.

Hon V. Warner
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Sir:--

Will you please give me the revolutionary record 
of one Joseph Smith, son of William Smith and Lucy 
Smith, of the State of Maryland, and oblige.
Yours truly,
Mrs. J. C. Wallace

Drummond, Md.
Bethesda, P. O. 

[Circular mail receipt stamp]
PENSION 
A
U. MAR S.
17
1908
OFFICE.
Page 18

[Circular mail receipt stamp]
RECORD 
MAR
18
1908
DIVISION