Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14523, for Stephen Smith, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE   Conn.
Conn. Sea Service
Smith, Stephen
NUMBER S. 14523
carded
CONTENTS
b. Apr 15, 1751 at North Branford New Haven Co. Conn
Enl. [enlisted] at Woodbury, Litchfield Co. Conn.
In 1832 res of North Branford, New Haven Co. Conn
Page 2

9095 
Connecticut 
Stephen Smith  
of N. Branford in the State of Connt who was a Pri in the com [company] commanded by Captain Hinman of the Regt command Col Hinman of Connt Militia 6 mos Conn Sea Service 5 ½ mos  Seaman 
Inscribed on the Roll of Connt at the rate of 42 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of March 1833 and sent John Beach New Haven Cont 
Arrears to the 4th of March 33   $84.00 
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep. 4.33  21.00 
$105.00 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk 
Book  E  Vol. 3 Page 39
Page 3

1433
Stephen Smith
PO
Page 4

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. 
State of Connecticut, 
County of New-Haven, }  ss On this 6th day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the County Court of New Haven County now sitting, Stephen Smith a resident of North Branford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged 81 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832: - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: -- 
I was born at North Branford, then a part of the Town of Branford, on the 15 day of April 1751,  my birth is recorded in my own bible taken from the family record about 14 years since which was then in possession of my brother Thomas Smith,  I suppose it is also recorded in Branford Town records.  Soon after I became of age I went to Woodbury in Litchfield County where I have some relations & hired out to work on a farm  &c for about 2 years.   I there enlisted at said Woodbury as a soldier in the Connecticut line in the month of April 1775 for seven months.  I was among the first troops that went to the Northward,  Lieutenant David Hinman then commanded the company in place of Capt. Benjamin Hinman, who was promoted to be Colonel. I was taken by Col. Hinman as his waiter & rode on horseback to Albany, thence to Stillwater,  Fort George & to Ticonderoga where were head quarters, said company was the first that arrived there. Col Hinman always commanded there, unless he might have been under superior officers who came & staid there a few days.  I well recollect Genl Schuyler come there, & that I cooked a dinner for him when he first came & dined with Col. Hinman  he staid a short time went on to the Northward
Page 5

I recollect also Genl Montgomery came there & went on to the Northward.   I staid there 4 months & was taken sick with a fever & ague, & have a furlough for the rest of the time from Col. Hinman, afterwards Col. Hinman drew pay for me for the money which I received of him in Continental money I have no documentary evidence.  
A second time I enlisted, the next year in March 1776 at said Woodbury for the term of 6 months in a company commanded by Capt. Parmalee,  the 2d Lieutenants name was Hyde.  We marched to Albany & lay there some time, should think 3 or 4 weeks. Genl Schuyler then gave orders to march to Ticonderoga, at Stillwater, on the march I was again taken sick with the fever ague, after I had been in service about 2 months. The Colonel whose name I do not recollect, came to see me, & gave me permission to hire a substitute; I then hired William Lamphier who performed the remainder of the service as he afterwards told me. I don't know what has become of him. The Col. above attended to belonged to Canaan in this State.  I have no documentary evidence & do not now know of any one can testify to this service. After recovering from this sickness I returned to Woodbury  & the not Spring I returned to my Fathers who lived in New Haven, the town adjoining Branford, ¼ of a mile from where I was born
Page 6

A third time I enlisted on board the 20 Gun ship Oliver Cromwell, a State Vessel then lying at New London.  I was enlisted in April of the year when Burgoyne was taken by Caleb Frisbee sailing master, Seth Hardin was commander, Parker of New London 1st  Lieutenant, Chapman 2d Lieutenant, Smith 3d Lieutenant.  Went on board on the 3rd of May, we sailed on a cruise  and (in the English Channel  as I understood we were at the time) captured a Brig loaded with goods from England bound as I understood for New York & post a prison master on board & sent her to Boston.  We next captured a Sprite of 10 guns which I understood was afterward retaken.  We then came across the Ship Weymouth, 14 Guns, 60 men borne from Jamaica bound to White hall which we captured & came into Boston where she was held.   I belonged to this vessel & did duty in her litle more than 5 months & a  half.   I had a written discharge but do not know what has become of it.  
I have lived most of the time in North Branford since the war.  Josiah Frisbie  of Branford can testify to this service
Page 7

I Josiah Frisbie of Branford testify and say that Stephen Smith was enlisted on board the ship Oliver Cromwell & said thereon as he has stated above that s ship was a State Vessel and equipped at the time as the United States Armed Vessel.   
Deponent was with said Smith on the same [unreadable] the Oliver Cromwell.  I  took the services as Stated by said Smith & knows that he served on board said Vessell more than 5 months.  
Josiah Frisbie
Sworn to subscribed  the day & year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 8

I Solomon Talmadge of North Branford depose & say that I am acquainted with Stephen Smith of North Branford, & know that he was a soldier in the army of the revolution, & that he went on a campaign to the Northward among the first troops that went there, how long he served deponent does not know, deponent did not the personally see said Smith, but it was said at the time he was there & it has been so understood by me a& ll the neighbours ever since. 
It has also been well understood that he served at other times during the war.
Solomon Talmadge
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 9

He the Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid 
Stephen Smith
Attest Jno Beach Clerk 
We, Mathew Noyes a Clergyman, residing in said North Branford and Samuel Bartholomew Junr residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Smith  who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 81 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. 
Matthew Noyes
Saml Bartholomew Jr.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk 
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 Matthew Noyes who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in North Branford and that Saml Bartholomew 2d who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  
By order of Court attest Jno Beach Clerk 
I Jno Beach Clerk of the County Court of New Haven County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Stephen Smith for a pension.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of August 1832.  
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 10

OWN
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14523, it appears that Stephen Smith was born  April 15, 1751, at North Branford, Connecticut. 
He enlisted in April, 1775, and served seven months as a private in Captain David Hinman's Company, Colonel Benjamin Hinman's Connecticut Regiment and was in the northern campaign. 
He enlisted in March, 1776, and served two months as a private in Captain Parmelee's Connecticut Company. 
After this service, he went to live with his father at East Haven, Connecticut, where he enlisted in April 1777, on board the vessel, “Oliver Cromwell,” Captain Seth Harding. They sailed May 3, 1777, and captured a brig in the English Channel and captured another vessel of ten guns, also captured the "Weymouth” which was en route from Jamaica to White Hall, and carried her into Boston, this service was five and one-half months.   
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, at which time he was living in North Branford, Connecticut. 
Very truly yours, 
EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner. 
Tombstone data h. deas R. Hale AWF
No family data other claim, reference to his brother Thomas AWF
Page 11

Rev War 
14523 
INVALID. 
File No. 14523 
Stephen Smith 
Pri. Rev. War  
Act: June 7 1832 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 349  
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1929 Sept 19 Tombstone data to Chas R. Hale see letter in Samuel Bartholomew S. 33999 AWF
Page 12

Stephen Smith
6 mo private 
5 ½ mo Seaman  
$42
John Beach Esq 
New Haven Ct.
Page 77
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Stephen Smith which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  
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?  
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 
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?  
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
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 14

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
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? 
XIV.  +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who has administered the oath certified that he, she or they are persons of credibility?  No.
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  
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?  Not Conformably
XVI. + Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?   No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
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 15

                            3
    It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 services. The use of the phrase about three or fours months is too indefinite, and all qualified expressions are objectionable 
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 services 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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witness, 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 authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 16

State of Connecticut,  County of New Haven ss  
Be it remembered that at a County Court holden at New Haven within & for the County of New Haven on the 4th Tuesday of Nov. AD. 1832- now in Session on this 8th day of Dec AD 1832 The said Court in addition to their certificate to the pension papers of Stephen Smith of the 6th of August 1832 hereto annexed hereby further certifies that the said deponents or witnesses whose affidavits or depositions were then taken & also the which are now taken & sworn to before said Court, & which are hereunto annexed to wit   Josiah Frisbie, Edmund Morris,  Solomon Talmadge & John Potter in respectively persons of credibility, and declare that in our opinion their statements are entitled to full faith and credit. 
By order of the Court Jos Beach Clerk 
I Jos Beach Clerk of the County Court of New Haven County do hereby certify that the foregoing & annexed contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Smith for a pension.   
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 8th day of Dec. AD. 1832 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 17

Supplemental Declaration of Stephen Smith, to his declaration of the 6 day of August AD. 1832.
On this 8 day of Decr. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the County Court now sitting in or New Haven County the said Stephen Smith on oath make the following supplemental declaration, & proof explanatory to his Declaration & proof of the 6th of Augt 1832 hereto annexed - The declarant says 
That as to the first & second terms of service, there is no person being within his knowledge, who was personally an eye witness to his service - he therefore produces the next best proof in his power in addition to his own declaration to wit the depositions of Solomon Talmage & John Potter.   
His first term of service was
Page 18

seven months as a private, to wit four months actual service & a furlough for the rest of the time.  
The second term he served as a private at least two months, actual service & hired a substitute for the rest of the time,  to wit four months.   
The third term he served in the Ship Oliver Cromwell as heretofore stated least five months and fifteen days as a seaman & for proof in addition to his own declaration, refers to the depontions of Edmund Morris & Josiah Frisbie hereto Annexed.   
Stephen Smith 
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 19

I Edmund Morris of Branford in New Hewin County of Seventy three years of age, testify & say that I personally know Stephen Smith of North Branford enlisted on Board the Oliver Cromwell and saved therein as he has stated in his declaration hereto annexed of the 6th of August 1832. The ship Oliver Cromwell was armed, equipped & victualled in the same manner as the United States armed vessels,  deponent enlisted on board the same vessel, went on board at the same time & sailed on the same cruise & returned at the same time.  Deponent was then Eighteen years of age. This service in the Revolutionary war was in the year 1777, and deponent knows that the service of said Stephen
Page 20

Smith was in the ship Oliver Cromwell, on her cruise in that year in the Revolutionary war, & continued for a period of at least five months days, and he was an eye witness to his service in said Vessel from day to day.    Edmund Morris 
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk
Page 21

I Solomon Talmadge of North Branford in New Haven County, depose & say in addition to my deposition upon application of Stephen Smith for a pension, hereto annexed that I am now Eighty years of age this day that I personally know that the said Stephen Smith served in the Revolutionary was in the year 1775.  That I was not an eye witness of his service because I was not in the same company but know that he was in the army on the campaign to the Northward in that year, at that time I well understood he was in the Army in the service, and that he was absent from home as a private soldier in the Revolutionary was in the year 1775.  Deponent believes & has no doubt he served at least seven months.  Deponent was then twenty one years of age and was then well acquainted with said Stephen Smith, & ever since has been that said Stephen Smith is a person of good character, & that he a person of truth & veracity, & entitled to full credit, and deponent in addition to his
Page 22

own knowledge of said Smiths service, they that he has ever been reputed then been a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, & served therein at other times besides the year above stated & deponent has no doubt that he served therein as he has stated in his declaration.   
Solomon Talmadge
Sworn to subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk 
I John Potter of Nath Branford, now seventy three years of age, depose say that I am always have been well acquainted with Stephen Smith, that I personally know he was in the revolutionary army on the company to the Northward, in the year 1775, that he served as a private soldier & understood that he was waiter to Col. Hinman.  Deponent does not now recollect the precise time that said Smith was in the service that time in that campaign but has no doubt that he served at that time at least seven months.  Deponent says said Smith is a man of truth & veracity, & that his Statement is entitled to full credit.  Deponent was fifteen years of age, at the time said Smith served in the revolutionary war as above stated.  
John Potter
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day year aforesaid 
Attest Jno Beach Clerk