Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,971, for Samuel Smith, Connecticut
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                       NUMBER
Conn                  Smith, Samuel   S.31.971
Conn Sea Service
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6682 Georgia
===============
Samuel Smith
of Savanah in the State of Georgia
who was a Pr. Cor & Sgt. in the Company commanded 
by Captain Stoughton of the Regt. commanded by Col Chester in the Connecticut line for 10 months private, 2 months corporal and 6 months, sgt.
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia 
at the rate of 70 Dollars and 66 Center per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of March 
1833 and sent to Hon J M Wayne, 
No 14 Kesey St. New York
=======================
Arrears to the 4th of March '33           $141.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept '33 __35.33__
                                                             $176.66
                                                            =======
                                             {Revolutionary Claim,}
                                             {   Act June 7, 1832    }

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book D  Vol. 8  Page 144
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aom'd
 10 mo pri
   2     -   corp
__6__         Sarg't
 18

Hon J.M. Wayne
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State of Georgia }
County of Chatham}
      On this nineteenth day of October 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court, before 
the judge of the Court of Common Pleas and oyer and Pensions 
for the City of Savanah now sitting Samuel Smith resident of the City of Savannah in the County of Chatham, and 
State of Georgia aged Seventy-four years, six months 
and twenty-eight days, 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 the 7th 1832.
   I was born in Southington in the County of Hartford in the 
state of Connecticut on the twenty-first day of March in the 
year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and 
fifty-eight and resided there until the commencement 
of the Revolutionary War.
   Early in the month of August in the year of our Lord 
seventeen hundred and seventy-six, I was called on, 
and under the command of Col. John Chester in a company commanded by Leut. Col. Stoughton 
marched with the Militia of Connecticut and joined 
the army under General Washington at New York and 
remained with the Army till it retired over Kings Bridge.  The Army became very sickly and it was given out as 
General Orders, that all the sick should leave the Army 
and be provided for in the country.  I was one of that muster 
and remained under the care of a Physician 
till the latter part of February 1777.  In March 1777,
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I marched in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Asa Bray and joined the army at Peekskill, commanded by General McDougal.  While we 
were at Peekskill the Enemy came in our rear and breached 
Danbury, soon after which we were discharged, and I returned home.  My term of service as near as I can remember 
was two months.  In the month of August 1777 I joined 
the Volunteers of Connecticut under the command of 
General Wolcott and marched to Saratoga and joined 
the army under General Gates and there remained 
until after the surrender of Burgoyne I was one of the 
guards that escorted the captured Artillery to Albany 
after which I returned home.  My term of service on this last mentioned expeditions, to the best of my recollection was two months.  
   In the month of May 1778, I enlisted on an Armed
Boat commissioned by the Governor of Connecticut 
to cruise against the enemy and make captures; She was commanded by Captain Fuller of said State 
She cruised off New Port (then in possession of the British)
and captured a  Schooner from Madison bound into said port laden with British Goods.  We eased her into Connecticut River, where She was condemned 
as a lawful prize to the Captain.
I again went out in a boat of the same kind commissioned as aforesaid under the command of Cap'tn
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Eagleton.  We cruised off Montague point and captured 
a Sloop laden with British Goods bound into 
New Port.  We cruised her into Connecticut River 
where she was condemned as a lawful prize.  Again, I was out with Captain Eagleton; we joined 
in an Expedition against Sag Harbor at the East end 
of Long Island, then in the possession of the Enemy, and 
defended by a few troops and an Armed Brig, and 
in the harbor were about forty sail of Vessels Loaded and waiting for a convoy.  one force was to Consist
of two Privateers from New London, who were to meet
us at a certain time and place- one [1 illegible]  were
about Twenty and would carry about two hundred
men, but the wind proved unfaithful, and the Privateers 
being delayed, there came down a fleet from
New York convoyed by a large Frigate, which broke
up our Expedition, and we all returned into
port.
   Soon after I returned home, was called in to join
the Army at Horse Neck, on the line commanded
by General Wollcot. I marched in a company commanded 
by Captain Asa Bray- we joined the Army
and one term of service as near as I can recollect
was Two Months. I did the duty of a Corporal and
part of the time had command of a Guard Book
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In the Spring of 1779 I served as a Commission from the Governor 
of Connecticut to command an Armed Boat and
cruise against the enemy & in the month of May 1779 I
went out into the sound and captured a Boat from the
Enemy's line laden with British Goods and carried 
her into port and had her and her cargo condemned as
a lawful prize- Again I went into the Sound and Captured 
a Boat laden with choice provisions and 
[1 illegible]
bound from the Main to the Enemy's line, and carried
her into port and had her condemned. I went out
again and cruised off Block Island and Gardner's
Bay and from thence to Sagharbour where I captured
a Captain of a Refugee Corps made him a prisoner
of War and then returned into port.
In May 17th smuggling to and from this Enemy's Ports and
lines across Long Island Sound by disaffected persons. I am
lying off Spices and Choice provisions to the Enemy and 
bringing back in Return British Goods, became so prevalent, that the Governor and Council of Connecticut
found it necessary and gave orders accordingly to the
Commissioned Brats to land on any shore or place
where the enemy had control, and seize and Capture
British Goods and bring them into port for adjudication, 
then joined several other Brats and
went into the enemy lines [1 illegible] of several Stores
belonging to Refugees and Smugglers- took this
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Goods and brought them into port and had them
condemned as lawful prize to the Caption. We
made three successful cruses this Season which
nearly broke of[f] the Smuggling trade.
In the beginning of the year 1781 in company with
some others built and fitted out a Row Galley called the Adventine for the
purpose of cruising against the Enemy on the bank
of Long Island and in the sound. I received a commission 
to command her signed by Samuel Huntington
then President of Congress, which authorized him
to distress the Enemy by Land as well as by Sea,
when in my power. In May 1781 I sailed with her
on a cruise and took with me a large armed
Boat to assist me in an Expedition to fire Island
inlet on the bank of Long Island. about half way from
the East end to New York, where learned there
were ten Sail of vessels laden and bound for
New York under the protection of a Schooner of four
Guns. I sailed till within fifteen miles of the port
when a severe blow came on and compelled us
to put back for a Harbour then being hove. I could
enter more than seventy miles on my return- I
captured a schooner and carried her into New
London and had her condemned. I then sailed
to the East end of Long Island and hearing of a Capt
White who stationed at South Hampton for the
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purpose of intercepting Americans who might
escape from New York, or be [1 illegible]or those on the
back of Long Island. I formed a determination to
take them out of the way- I found his party was [1illegible]
and consisted of Refugees. I landed in the 
Evening with about fifty Men and 
Marched
ten mile and took my stand in the Centre of the
town. I soon learned that those I was after had been
informed of my coming, and they with the whole Town
were under arms. Most of the Inhabitants  I knew 
were friends of the Americans cause. It being in the Night
I found if I proceeded I would be as likely to kill
as many friends as Enemies, I therefore thought it best
to return without affecting my object and reached
the Galley about Sunrise Next Morning; Then Sailed
for Sagharbour and finding the Vessels there,
[1 illegible] 
any object in that quarter I returned into port. A
few days after I sailed up the sound towards New 
York and arrived at Stanford, there I got information
of Ten Elegant Homes belonging to British
officers stationed at Loyd's [Lloyd's] Neck on Long Island
and kept at the Stath of an old Tory about ten
Miles from the Shore. I crossed the sound in the Eveing 
and landed ten Men and a Guide and sent
them for the Horses, which they got and returned
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before daylight. I jumpped them on board the Galley.
Made sail and arrived in port safe early the next
morning.  I [1 illegible] them and they were condemned.
The term of enlistment of most of my [tour?] then being Expired
I sailed for New Harm [Haven?] in order to recruit and refit
and on my way I met a British Squadron consisting
of a Brig of Sixteen Guns and two Sloops of ten each:
owing to a sudden Shift of Wind in their favor I was
under the necessity of running the Galley ashore and
abandoning her. The Enemy soon got her off and made 
sail for New York, but had not sailed far before
another sudden squall struck the Brig and upset
her, and she sunk in four fathoms Water, and part 
of the Crew were drowned, also six American Prisoners
they had on board. Then I lost the Galley and returned
home on foot, and spent the winter after
being confined then Six Months.
In the Spring of the year 1782 I joined a Battalion of
Ten fencibles commanded by Major Jake Fitch
raised by the State of Connecticut for the protection
of the Sea Coast of that State against the depredations
of the Enemy. In this service I did the duty of
a Sergeant and had the command of an armed
Boat and ten men. Major Fitch finding the Enemy
had a fleet in Gardiner's Bay at the East end of Long Island, 
stationed in the most part of my term of
Service (Six Months)  to the East part of the sound
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to watch the Motions of the Enemy, and prevent
Supplies being carried to them. In this service we
captured a number of the Enemy's Vessels and
Boats and many prisoners. My term of Service Expired
the first of December and I returned home
and when I drew My Six Months pay it would
not buy me a Suit of Clothes to keep me warm
through the Winter.
A record of the time of my birth, is to be found in the
Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Southington,
in the County of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut
for the last forty five years past, I have resided
in
the Southern States [inserted: South Carolina & Georgia and [3 illegible] it (1 illegible)] and at present reside in the City
of Savannah in the State of Georgia, when I had
resided for about six months
In the year 1838 I was in the Town of Jacksonville in East
Florida and was anxious to get to St Augustine. I
found a carriage that could carry myself and
some little articles, but could not carry my trunk
as it was too large, but rather than miss my passage 
I left my trunk with a friend who engaged
to remove it to another Store which I pointed out
to him, as the people were Shortly to move from the Store
where the trunk then was; but he neglected to move
it until the people moved, and they [1illegible]
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set it out side the Store directly under the Eve and
then came on a heavy Rain, and the top of the
trunk being a little broken the water found its way
into it, and when I returned from St Augustine I think
was more than three months after, on opening my Trunk
found my Books and papers in one general Mess
of filth and rottenness, unintelligible and useless,
and among them were the two above mentioned
Commissions a Sergeant's Warrant and Many
other valuable papers.
I have learned that all my commanding officers
are dead, and I know not of any person
living who could give any Satisfactory Evidence
of the above statement.
I am generally known in the City of Savannah. I 
refer for character to the Honorable James
Wayne Richard R. Crigher and Robert W Porter.
                              [signed] Samuel Smith
Sworn to and Subscribed
in open Court before me
this 19th October 1832
      [signed] Jno C Nicoll
                   Judge of the Court
                   of Com'n Pleas & Oyer
                   & Terminer for the City of
                   Savanah
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We Chas B. Jones a Clergyman residing in
the City of Savanna, and Abraham Dyon Esqr
residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Samuel Smith who has subscribed and
sworn to the above and foregoing declaration: that we
believe him to be Seventy four years of age: that he is reputed
and believed, in the neighborhood [1 illegible] he resides, to have
been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in                  [signed] Chas B. Jones
that opinion.             [signed] A D Lyon
Sworn and Subscribed to}
in open Court this 19th   }
October 1832-                 }
        Jno C Nicoll [signed]
Judge of Com'n
Pleas & Oyer & Term'r for City of Savannah.

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 that Charles B Jones
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
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Clergyman, resident in the City of Savannah
that Abraham D'Lyon who has also signed the 
same is resident in the City of Savannah is a 
creditable person, and that their statement
is entitled 
to credit.
                     Jno C Nicolln [signed]
                                Judge

I William R. Guerineau Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas and Oyer & Terminer for the City of Savannah
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the
application of Samuel Smith for a pension.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto
     set my hand and 
     Seal of Said office
     this Ninteenth day of October in
     the Year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred
     and thirty two.
          W. R. Guerineau [signed]
            Clerk  C C & of O & T
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he was drafted from the Militia of Connecticut
for a Tour of Two Months, marched in a company
under the command of Capt. Asa Bray to Horse
Neck. Joined General [1 illegible] and served during
the Two months as a Corporal in said Company
and was discharged.
Deponent further saith that in the Spring of Seventeen
hundred and Eighty two he volunteered in a
Battalion of Sea Fencibles Commanded by Major
Jabez Fitch, raised by the State of Connecticut for
the protection of the Sea Coast and served as
Sergeant of said Battalion for six months after
which he was discharged.
Deponent further saith that from his advanced age
and having been afflicted for some time past
with severe bodily disease, his Memory has been
somewhat [1 illegible], and therefore can not swear
positively to the precise length of his service, but
according to the best of his recollection, he served
not less than the period mentioned afore
and recapitulates below and in the following
Grades. For six months as a Private in Leut. Stoughtons
company. Four Months as a private in Cap't
Asa Brays Company 2 Months as a Corporal
in Captain Asa Bray's Company. And six month
as a Sergeant in Major Fitch's Battalion
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making in the aggregate Eighteen months. Viz
Ten Months as a private. Two months as a
Corporal and six months as a Sergeant.
And for which I claim a Pension. And deponent
further saith that during the time the
aforesaid services were performed, he was not
employed in any civil pursuits.
                            [signed] Samuel Smith
Sworn to before me          }
this 21st day of Feby 1833}
           W'm W Oates {signed}
                                JP
Georgia              }
Chatham County}    Robert Porter Clerk of the Superior
Court of the County of Chatham in the State aforesaid
do hereby certify that William W. Oakes whose signature
is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit was at the
time of subscribing the same and now is a Justice
of the peace duly commissioned and qualified, in
and for the said County of Chatham.
      In testimony whereof I now hereunto
     set my hand and seal
     of Office this twenty second day of
     February Eighteen hundred
     and thirty three-
[signed} Robt W. Porter
               Clk Sup C.C.C.
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Jas M Wayne
to 14 [1 illegible}
       Street
          New York
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     31971
Revy INVALID.
==============
File No. 31971
Samuel Smith
Sergt Rev War
===========
Act: June 7" 32
Index:--Vol. 9, Page 382

[Arrangement of 1870.}