Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,682, for William Smithers, Virginia
Page 1

Va.
Smithers, William
S17,682

carded
Page 2

Indiana 7423
William Smithers
of Darborn [illegible] in the state of In 
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Leg of the regiment commanded 
by Col Williams in the Va
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the roll of Indiana at the rate of 20 dollars and 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of pension issued the 9 day of April 1833 and sent to Edward G Pratt, Lawrenceburg
Arrears to the 4thof March       40.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept  10.00
Died May 14, 1833                   $50.0

Revolutionary claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd, Clerk
Book E  Vol. 7 Page 129
Page 3

No. 17224
William Smithers
Indiana

From private
6 months
$10

Edward G Pratt. Atty
Lawrenceburg Dearborn
Cty Indiana
Page 4

Brief in the case of William Smithers of Dearborn County in the state of Indiana
(Act 7th June 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he? 91 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period: Drafted#1, Duration;  2 months, Rank; :Private
Names of officers: Capt Leg, Coil Stubblefield
Period: Draft #2. Duration:  2 months, Rank: Private, Names of officers:  Capt Leg, Col Williams
Draft #3. Duration: 2 months, Rank: Private, Names of officers: Col Chew
5. In what battles was he engaged?   None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? State of Virginia
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 form or authentication? And if so, in what respect?  Correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M Clagett, Examining Clerk
Page 5

William Smithers
Declaration
for pension 17226

E G Pratt, Atty
Lawrenceburgh
Dearborn Co
[illegible]
Page 6

State of Indiana
Dearborn County} SS on this 4th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Dearborn Circuit Court now sitting William Smithers a Resident of Lawsonburgh Township and Dearborn and State of Indiana aged ninety one Years the 22d day of December next 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 was born in the County of Stafford Virginia 22d Dec 1741, he has no family Record that he was born on the day and at the place aforesaid.
That he was drafted on the first tour of Virginia Militia time not recollected served two months in Capt Legs Company marchd to Richmond That about on wich then to Cabin Point then to Portsmouth was discharged at Petersburgh we were commanded by Col George Stubblefield
That he was drafted a second time under the same Capt Col McWilliams marched to ______ thence ordered to march through Culpepper to meet the British and was discharged having served two months
That he was afterwards drafted under the same Captain Col Shaw or Chaw. went to guard the prisoners from York to Winchester and was then discharged having Served two months making in all six months that perhaps his name be enrolled on the Virginia Roll that is if any were Kept of the drafted men
I was living at Stafford County Virginia when drafted & lived there after the war for some time then Removed to Franklin Co Kentucky where I resided about 22 years thence to Indiana where I have resided the last 13 years I know of no person now living who can testify to my service I am old poor and unable to send or examine Therefore I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any state
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court 
William x his mark Smithers
Sworn to in open Court
October 1832 James Dill Clk
Page 7

We Reuben Smithers Catharine Smithers residing in Lawrenceburgh Township Dearborn County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Smithers who has sworn & subscribed the above declaration. that we believe him to be ninety one years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he now resides and in the neighborhoods where he has resided the last thirty years to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and believe him to be a man of the Strictest veracity and have heard the same Story of his Service for the last thirty years
Reuben Smithers
Catharine Smithers
Sworn to in open
court 5 October 1832
James Dill Clk

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 & served as he states. and the Court further Certifies that the above named persons who have signed the preceding Certificate are credible persons and entitled to Credit and Residents of Lawrenceburgh Township
M. C. Eggleton Pst. Judge
John McPike
Isaac Dunn

I, James Dill Clerk of the Dearborn Circuit Court of the county of Dearborn, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of William Smithers for a pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office 5th of October 1832
James Dill Clerk
of D. C. Court
Page 8

November 26, 1932
xxxxxxxxxxxx
William Smithers, S. 17682
William Smither, S. 14487
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. Harry Skinner
146 Bell Court East
Lexington, Kentucky

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of November 12, relative to William Smithers and William Smither, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

You are furnished herein the records of the only soldiers of those names found in the Revolutionary war records of this office.

WILLIAM SMITHERS, S. 17682

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17682, based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Smithers.

He was born December 22, 1741, in Stafford County, Virginia; date not stated, and served three tours of two months each as a private in the Virginia troops, under Captain Leg, Colonels George Stubblefield, McWilliams and Chew; a part of the time he was engaged in guarding prisoners from York to Winchester.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier lived for some time in Stafford County, Virginia, then moved to Franklin County, Kentucky, where he resided for about twenty-two years, thence to Indiana.
Page 9

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 4, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Lawrenceburg Township, Dearborn County, Indiana.

William Smithers died May 14, 1833. 

No reference was made in the claim to wife or children.

In 1832, Reuben Smithers or Smothers and Catharine Smethers or Smithers, residents of Lawrenceburg Township, Indiana, made affidavit in the soldier's claim for pension, but did not state relationship.

**************

WILLIAM SMITHER, S. 14487

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 14487, based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Smither. The date of his birth and names of his parents are not shown in the claim.

While residing in Orange County, Virginia, he enlisted early in the Revolution and served six months as a private in Captain Joseph Spencer's company, Colonel Edward Stevens' Virginia regiment, was in the battle at the Long Bridge near Norfolk. He then moved to Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and about two years afterward enlisted and served a tour of three months in Captain Bartlett's Virginia company, and was discharged a short time before the surrender of Cornwallis; exact dates of service not given.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved to Kentucky where he performed service against the Indians on the frontiers of that state.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 25, 1833, at which time he was residing in Boone County, Kentucky, aged seventy-eight years.

William Smither died May 1, 1835.

There are no data in the claim relative to soldier's family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

- 2 -
Page 10

1932 Nov 26 - Hist. to Mrs. Harry Skinner (See ltr in claim William Smither, S. 14487) MLB.

17.682
INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 17,682
William Smithers
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 350
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Smithers - 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 him not doing so? ~

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

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?
Page 12

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 belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 Citizens

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

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. [notation sign 1]If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

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? ~

XVI. [notation sign 2]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? 2, 6, 7
_________________________
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 recollection 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 13

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 months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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.
[notation sign 1]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 administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[notation sign 2]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 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 improperly attached to the certificate.
[symbol of pointing finger]In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.