Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6112, for Lewis Smith, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE Va.
Smith, Lewis. (colored)
NUMBER S. 6112
carded
CONTENTS b. in Prince George Co.
reg. at enl. Dinwiddie Co. Va. there in 1832 aged 80 yrs.
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Virginia 16,393
Lewis Smith
[of] Dinwiddee in the State of Va
who was a Pri -- in the compy command[ed] [by] Captain Covington of the -- command[ed] [by] -- in the Va [line] for 18 months --

[Inscribed] on the Roll of Virginia [at] the rate of 60. Dollars __ Cents per annum [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5- day of Augt 33 and Sent J. P. Crump
Dinwiddie C. G. Va

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 120.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 30
$150. -
Died Aug 20, 1833
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by N. Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 27.
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State of Virginia
Dinwiddie County (to wit)
On the 20th day of August 1832 personally appeared before the county court of Dinwiddie in the State aforesaid, Lewis Smith (a free man of colour) a resident of Dinwiddie County in the State of Virginia aged about eighty years, who being first Sworn  according to Law,  doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed  June the 7th 1832.

That he the said Lewis Smith enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1779: while in service he was  under the command of Captain Covington and General Mughlenburg [Peter Muhlenberg]: was first marched to Cumberland Court House [Cumberland Courthouse, Virginia] and there remained for six months, at which place he acted in the capacity of Bowman for the said Captain Covington, after which he marched from Cumberland Court House [Virginia] to Charlestown [Charleston, South Carolina],

and there remained in service acting as Bowman as aforesaid, for Capt. Covington until  the expiration of the time of his enlistment (Say 18 months) at the expiration of which, time and place he the said Lewis Smith received a written discharge in legal form; which discharge has been distroyed [destroyed]
And that he the said Lewis Smith, relinquishes every claim, whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension role of any Agency whatever.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Lewis  Smith [his mark] X

We Isham  E. Hargrave a minister of the Methodist E. Church residing in the county of Dinwiddie, And Peter Eppes residing in the same,  hereby certify we are well acquainted with Lewis Smith, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 80 years of age: that he is reputed  and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we [illegible] that opinion 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Isham E Hargrave 
Peter Eppes
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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 Isham E Hargrave who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Minister as befor[e] stated, resident in the County of Dinwiddie & State of Virginia and that Peter Eppes who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Dinwiddie & State aforesaid and is a credable person and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
I John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lewis Smith for a pension:
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand, and the seal of my office this 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1832, and of our Independence the 57th.
[signature] J. P. Crump C. O. C.
[illegible seal]

State of Virginia, Dinwiddie County Ss
Personally appeared before the County Court of Dinwiddie, in open Court, on this 20th day of May 1833 Lewis Smith, who in addition to his former Declaration, to which this is appended [illegible] that he has no documentary evidence of his services, having several years ago lost his discharge and that no person now living that he knows of can testify as to any portion of his services within their own knowledge -- He states further that he was born in the County of Prince George, removed to Dinwiddie County just before the
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revolutionary war. - has resided her ever since & that his services were rendered from the said County.
That he has no register, or record of his age but from is earliest information does not doubt he stated it correctly in his former Declaration. That by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory he can not state the names of any regular officers who were with the troops where he served - nor any other continental or Militia Regiments other than he has heretofore done. And the only person to whom is known in his neighborhood to whom he can refer to testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier in the revolution are the Revd. Isham E. Hargrave, and Capt. Peter Eppes, whose certificates have already been taken by the Court. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last aforesaid.
Lewis Smith x his mark

I J. P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Lewis Smith for a pension: - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my Office this 20th day of May 1833, in the 57th year of the Commonwealth. - J. P. Crump C.D.C.

State of Virginia
Dinwiddie County sct:
Personally appeared before me Isham E. Hargrave a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, Peter Eppes a soldier of the Revolution, and made oath, that Lewis Smith who seeks to obtain a pension for services rendered in the War of the Revolution, enlisted in the Continental
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service in the month of April 1779, that he continued in the said service for eighteen months, that he distinctly recollects to have seen the said Smith's discharge in writing, and that it was as honorable a discharge as any man ever received, that he does not recollect what Officers the said Smith served under as he was attached to the Southern, and this affiant in the Northern Army, but distinctly recollects that Captn. George Pegram a Militia Officer was appointed to carry the detachment of [illegible] to which the said Smith belonged, to Cumberland C Ho: in this State, to join the Army, but from his knowledge of the said Smiths character & other circumstances; he has no hesitation in stating that he believes the said Smith served as is set forth in his declaration:-
Given under my hand and seal this 5th 
day of July 1833.-
I. E. Hargrave JP (Seal)

Lewis Smith's Declaration
1832 August 20

State of Virginia
Dinwiddie County Sct
Personally appeared before me, Isham E. Hargrave a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, John Flanders a Soldier of the Revolution, and made Oath, that Lewis Smith who seeks to obtain a pension for services rendered in the War of the Revolution, enlisted in the Continental service in the Month of April 1779, that he continued in the said service for eighteen months; that he distinctly recollects to have had the said Smith's discharge in his possession; for supposing for the space of 18 months during which time the said Smith lived with him in his employment, and that it was as honorable a discharge as any ever received after which time, he delivered the said discharge to the sd. Smith; that he does not recollect what officers the said Smith served under, as this affiant acted as prep master, being first to the North and then to the South; but recollects that Capt. George Pegram a Militia Officer was appointed to comy the detachment of recruits, to which the said Smith belonged, to Cumberland C. House, in this State to join the army: but from his knowledge of the said Smith's character & other circumstances he has no hesitation in stating that he believes the said Smith served as is set forth in his declaration - I further certify that the said Peter Eppes and John Flanders are respectable and Credible persons.
Given under my hand and seal this 11th day of July 1833
I. E. Hargrave, J.P. (Seal.)
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State of Virginia,
Dinwiddie County sct.
I John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County certify that Isham E. Hargrave is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this 11th day of July 1833, in the 58th year of the Commonwealth.-
J. P. Crump C.D.C.
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L Smith
15395
Admit as private
18 mo- $40
J. P. Crump
Dinwiddie C.H.
Va.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has 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 show what is necessary to be done. Those 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.

A Statement, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant’s service. Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1779 & 80 1 year 6 months Private Genl. Muhlenburg about 81 years old & was a resident of Dinwiddie County when he entered the service Peter Eppes, Isham E. Hargrave & John Flanders.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
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 wand 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 classes 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 claim- ing the benefit of this law its 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 } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ 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 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) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served 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 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 ________
 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 __________ of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ________ day of ________ &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 _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of __________ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge of 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 if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also 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 Officer.} 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement to 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 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 declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual 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 ____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a ________. For ______ months and _______ days, I served as a _______; 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 reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to 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 not 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 of the 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. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [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.
deponents name not on the roll - he must prove his service-
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S6112 BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., , 19
In reply to your request of -, received - for a statement of the military history of Lewis Smith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.
Apr 1779, 18 mos., Pvt, Covington, Gen. Muhlenburg, Va.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Dinwiddie Co Va
Date of application for pension, Aug. 20, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Dinwiddie Co. Va.
Age at date of application, ab 80 yrs. born in Prince George Co. Va., date not stated
Remarks: Soldier was a "free man of colour."
No family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Rev War 6112
INVALID.
File No. 6112
Lewis Smith
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th "32
Index:-Vol. M, Page 346
Arrangement of 1870.

1920 Feb. 12. Hist. to Mrs. Ota Freels
Laddonia, Mo. (See her letter in Benj. Clements. W. 1230.) AW
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February 3, 1933
BA-J/EEL
Lewis Smith-S.6112

The data given below are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.6112, based upon the military service of Lewis Smith in that war.
Lewis Smith, a freeman of color, was born in Prince George County, Virginia, date not given, and before the Revolution, removed to Dinwiddie County, Virginia.
While residing in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, he enlisted in April, 1779, and served as a private under Captain Covington and General Muhlenburg in the Virginia Troops; length of service eighteen months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, while residing in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, where he stated he had resided ever since the Revolutionary War.
AB. - He died August 20, 1833.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
He stated that he acted as "bowman", but as I did not know what he meant, I simply said private - "Bowman is defined as an archer - also one who rows a boat.

This history to be sent
if ever called for.
It was written just to
have a record of negro soldiers.