Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 40458, for Obadiah Smith, New York
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(3--1776) SERVICE New York Smith, Obadiah 
NUMBER S 40458 
CONTENTS 
enl in Dutchess Co. N. Y. 
in 1821 aged 62 yrs. res. of Clermont Co. Ohio & wife Peninah.
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7824 
4 
Ohio 
Obadiah Smith Clermont Co in the state of Ohio who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Livingston of the N York line, for the term of 5 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 19 of May 1818 
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 of March 1819 and sent to Judge MOrris Clermont Co. Ohio 
Arrears to the 4th March 1819. 9 mos 17 / 30. 76.38 Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819 48 - 
$124.28 
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. } 
[illegible] 
Notification sent Jan 28. Jan 1 1820 to David C Bryan Clk Columbia Ohio
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obadiah Smith 
7.824 
18 March 1819 
Continue ["continue" is written over another word which starts with C bur is otherwise illegible] 
(Sept 1819.) 
David C. Bryan, Esqr Clk Clermont Coy Ohio.
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The State of Ohio Clermont County. } Ss. On this 8th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court / being the Court of Common Pleas within and for Said County and also being a Court of record which have the power of fine and imprisonment Obadiah Smith aged Sixty one Years. resident in The Said County, who first being duly Sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary War as follows to wit. In the regt. Commanded by Col. H. B. Livingston, in the Company Commanded by Capt. Jonathan Titus, in the New York line, & that he was notified of his being inscribed on the pension list roll of the Ohio agency at eight dollars per month, Commencing on the 19th day of May 1818 by a pension Certificate No. 7824 bearing date 18th March 1819 & I do solemnly swear That I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with Intent thereby so to diminish It as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or Securitys Contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any
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income, other than what is Contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed, & by me Subscribed to wit, four half acre lots, Two cows, one Sow & pigs, one desk, two small tables, 1 pot 1 teakettle 1 bake oven, one frying pan & one small looking glass 2 Candlesticks, Seven old chairs & do. Small, one side Saddle, one old mans Saddle & Saddle bags 1 half set tea cups & Saucers, 1 half dozen plates 3 old buckets, 1 Shovel 1 old arce [??] , 1 old churn 2 old Sinning wheels, And he is a Shoemaker by trade, but of very weak and debilitated constitution & unable to do but very little work, he has only three in family besides himself, Peninah his wife aged [blank] Years very sickly, Caroline his daughter aged 10 years Harriet his daughter aged two Years, all of which depend on him for support [signature:] Obah. Smith 
Sworn to and declared on the 9th day of June 1820 before the said Court } 
I David C Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforsd. do hereby Certify that the foregoing oath & the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copyed [sic] from the records of the said Court. & I further Certify that it is the opinion of the Said Court, that the total amount in Value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is one hundred twenty one dollars & fifty cents In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand an d affixed the Seal of Said Court this 12th day of June A. D. 1820. [signature:] David C. Bryan, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Clermont County Ohio
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Case of Obadiah Smith 434 
John Morris / Judge, Williamsburg Claumont County Ohio - recd. 4 June 1818 
Obadiah Smith 
[crossed out: "John Morris Privat Livingston N. Y. Regt 1777 to 1782"] 
[much of the next paragraph is so faded as to be illegible:] Served as Ad___  to the Judges certificate as the certificates ["ei" is crossed out] _____   _____ evidence 
This Judges additional Certificate of the applicants Circumstances William
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Harris burgh O May 92 
Adm 
Honorable J. C. Calhoun Secretary of the department of War Washington City 
Obadiah Smith free 

[the following is written sideways and apparently crossed out, mostly illegible:] John Morris [illegible] 
Livingston N. York [illegible]1777  discharge not presented 
19th May 1818
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The State of Ohio Clermont County Ss Be it remember that on the 19th day May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen personally came before me John Morris a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Obadiah Smith aged fifty nine years and being duly Sworn on the holy [illegible] deposeth and saith that he is a resident in the County of Clermont aforesaid. that he enlisted as a private soldier in the year 1777 in the month of February at Duches [Dutchess] County in the State of New York in the Company Commanded by Capt Jonathan Titus in the fourth Regiment Commanded by Col Levingston in the New York line on Continental establishment that he was in several skirmishes when the British troops burned the Village of Peekskill and destroyed the stores at that place that he remained in the service in Army to at that & other places & at the White Plains untill about the 1st of June in the Same year. this deponent with those of the Army marched to Fishkill to the barracks to be innoculated with the small pox after recovering from that and a severe bit of sickness so far as to travel he embarked on board a vessel went to Albany in the month of August in the same year from thence to Half Moon Point thencde to ["Albany" is crossed out] Skenectady [Schenectady] and [illegible] Flats returned to Skenectada sick and was put in the hospital the Regt proceeded (and left this deponent to join the army under the Command of Genl Yates who captured the British army under Gen Burgoyne) after this deponent had somewhat recovered he was ordered to Albany remained at that place till the hospital was orduded [??] with the wounded of the army he was then remo__  [water damage] in the month of October the same year to then [water damage] where this deponent was
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discharged from the hospital with orders to his Regt this deponant [sic] afterwards did join his Regiment at Fishkill after j[??] and at that place owing to a bad State of health he obtained so furlow [furlough] from the army untill fit for duty. that this deponant went to Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut and there remained in a bad state of health which appeared to the Colonel of the Regt from the Certificates of Physicians, in consequence of which he obtained the enclosed Certificate from Colonel Courtlandt and that this deponent never received any other discharge the dept. further saith that he did remain in and about Wetherfield in readiness if able to obey orders till the conclusion of the War and that he did not receive any further "bounty or Wages" and that he served in the war of the Revolution for the term of Nine Months and longer ad he never obtained or claimed any pension heretofore allowed by the Laws of the United States and that he hereby relinquishes all pensioner heretofore allowed that he has no other evidence in his power to offer and further this deponant the said Obadiah Smith declares on his oath aforesaid that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country for support. [signature:] Obadh. Smith 
I certify that the said Obadiah Smith took and Subscribed before me the foregoing and above oath on the 19th day of May 1818 and that it appears to my satisfaction that he served in the revolutionary War against the Common Enemy for nine months and longer. [signature:] John Morris
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I certify that the said Obadiah Smith took and Subscribed before me the foregoing and above oath on the 14th day of May 1818 and that it appears to my satisfaction that he served in the revolutionary War against the Common Enemy for nine months and longer. [signature:] John Morris 
I John Morris judge as above mentioned do further Certify to the Honorable the Secretary of war that from my own personal knowledge the herein before mentioned Obadiah Smith is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of assistance of the country for his support Given under my hand and the Seal of the court aforesaid the 17th day of February 1819 [signature:] John Morris
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The State of Ohio Clermont County Ss I David C Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do Certify that John Morris Esquire whose name is signed to the written Certificate of the deposition of the deposition [sic] of the therein named Obadiah Smith and before whom the same appears to have been made now is and was at ["was at" is crossed out] the time of signing his name thereto a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas i and for said County duly Commissioned and Sworn and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official Acts as Such In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid the 19th of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen [signature:] David C. Bryan
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40458 
Revy INVALID. File No. 40,458 Obadiah Smith Pri Rev War 
Act: 18 March 18 
Index:-Vol. S, Page 867 
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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Caveats against Obadiah Smith
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Supd 5 Feb `1821 - See letter to Agent & pensioner - Caveat within - See evidence within in favor of Claimant -
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Obadiah Smith Evidenced in the case of Obadiah Smith, against a Caveat. Recd. 21 July 1821 
The Documents transmitted to Mr. Campbell April 27. 1822) consisted of the affidavits of Ralph Sharp & Job Stockton- the certificates of Geo. Ely, David Morris, Daniel Kain, and [blank] Foote - letters from Owen T. Fishback & J. C. Dunlavy 
[written vertically across the middle of the text of this page:] 
Honble Secretary of War Washington City. 
[written vertically across and along the right side of the text of this page, very faded:] Williamsburgh Ohio July [illegible]
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Smith, Obadiah, N Y S40458 
Smith, Obadiah N Y S40458
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[left side of page:] 
Ohio. 
Obadiah Smith. Private, Smith was continued on the roll under Act 1st May, 1820, but in letter being received from John C. Dunlavy dated Jany 1821 stating that claimant ["he" is crossed out] had fraudulently conveyed away property his name was stricken from the Pension Roll. The letter states that the real estate belonging to claimant estimated at a long rate is worth about $700. the property consists of a household where he lives, several "inlets", and an "out lot", States that this property was bought and paid for by claimant and has been deeded by him to a woman called [??] and who living with him as his wife. That it is said "this woman is not his wife that the real wife of claimant "as  he is credibly informed" is in no [illegible] distress. It appears from Dunlavy's letter that the information he gives is derived from other's. A letter ___ 
addressed to the Hon. J. A. Campbell dated Jany 1821, which commences by an [illegible] that a man by the name of Bunting [??] upon giving in his schedule and [the right side of the rest of the text on this side of the page is missing] stricke__ In the roll but that Smith, was ___ although the other person was men ___ into this to a pension and attached ___ to the "fine for of the dishonest." Thro ___ is from a person by the name of "Fishba__ Affidavits of a number of the ___ table citizens of Williamsbur, ___ been since exhibited dates June, 18 ___ stating that they have seen a ___ claimant "declaration or he de___ File Sept 19 
[right side:] 
and that they believe it to be a true statement of his situation or [the right end of the next five lines is missing due to a tear]  that he is a man of truth as ___ also an affidavit of Col ___ a respectable merchant of ___ being dated Sept. 1824, stating ___ has long been intimately acquain___ with claimant also that he is acquainted with Dr John G. Dunlavy who admitted in his presence that had made a communication to [the right end of the next twelve lines is missing due to a tear] War Dept. and that sd. [illegible] at that time a resident here ___ enemy of claimant & that ___ near to claimant and that ___ never the slightest evidence ___having evidence [illegi le] ___ that he is a man of truth and ___ person very indigent circumstan___affidavit of Dr Ralph L Sharp__ & Wm Smith have then [illegilbe] -- other accompanied by a letter fro___ the Honl. [illegible Gazley stating th___ they have been intimately acquainted with claimant for a long time that he is an upright, honest [illegible] and that D Dunlavy was a personal [illegible] of claimant (also that on a [illegible] of his ["family" is crossed out] parents [??] attended his family during such time [??] without receiving the usual fee. affidavit date [illegible] 1826. The letter from the Hon Mr Gazley states that he is acquainted with claimant that he is an aged and very infirm [the left and right ends of the rest of this text is missing due to torn page:] ___ man and hears about him ___ ___pearance of want & poverty ___  ___ W Campbell  dated 29 April __   ___ Hon James W Gazley ___  ___ on pension rolls aprd to sec N Y [??] ___ 1824 to Pensions, the ___
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Smith, Obadiah N Y S540458 
Obadiah Smith Applicant
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Col E. Courtland Commission
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The bearer hereof Obadiah Smith [ink blot] Soldier of Captain Jon. Titus Company late forc___ [ink blot] New York Regiment; having been about four years absent [illegible words] and Most part that time unfit for service as is the case at present as appears by Several Certificates from a member of Physicians and other persons [illegible words] I do therefore in consequence of the above Certificates [most of this line missing, torn page] hereby permit the said Obadiah Smith to remain unmolested in and about Wetherfield untill Called for by the Commanding officers of the Second N. York Regt. (to which he belongs) upon condition that he be of no expence to the public he nor having any further bounty and Wages of any Services was Soldieir but in the Regiment he belongs, to untill he shall be Legally Discharged the Service- given under my hand the 3d. Day of April. 1782. [signature:] D. Cortlandt, Col. 2nd Regt Commanr. N. York Regiment..
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James L Edwards, Esqr. War Dept. 
From Hon. J. W. Campbell29th April 1822. 
Hon. J. W. Campbell April 30. 1822.
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H R 29 Apr. 1822. 
Sir, I have examined the papers in relation to O. Smith of whom I know nothin except from the information of others. Tho. much opposed to our present expensive pension system, and in as much as Mr. Fishback & I have failed to do more than make a mere suggestion, it is my opinion Smith ought to be allowed his pension- With Messrs. Bryan Ely Morris Kain and Foote I am well acquainted and think them entitled to credit. I do not know Sharp and Stockton so well
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but doubt not their affidavit is true Yours respectfully W. Campbell
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Wmsburg 
Jan 24th 1891 } free 
The Honbl. John W. Campbell M. G Washington City
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Williamburagh Jany. 20. 1821. 
Dear Sir But a few hours since I was in conversation with some of our Citizens on the subject of the act of Congress and to amendment relative to Revolutionary Soldiers and the conclusion appears to be (and that amounted too bifurcation of fact) that notwithstanding the amendment in spirit as yet set at naught by the subtle and designing; while its aplication upon the honest in many such cases appears to be hard and unjust. For instance. Romoth Bunting one of the Citizens & and first settlers of this town and Country and who I believe served the United States year during the Revolution; yet according to the Schedule exhibited [crossed out word] by him he was stricken of of [off of] the pension list;! a hard case issued his means of subsistence are certainly very least when his has a fate was heard of, the general inquiry appeared to be ; if he is not entitled to the gratitude of his Country, who is? "His days are dwindled to the shortest span." and a year, or two, more must certainly leave him, when the bounty of the whole and would avail him nothing, May he not die with the charge of ingratitude against his County? while on the other hand Obadiah Smith another Citizen of this town who is not so far advanced in age. and much more able to labor is said to own from six to seven hundred dollars worth of property? but by Conveying it to his wife he has thereby thought himself absolved from placing it in his schedule if the execution has any discretionary power on this subject, and it cannot be exercised in this instance, may we not doubt the profanity of rewarding it in any case! Mr Smith is continued on the pension list! Mr Bunting much more needy, without one forth of the property named by and enjoyed by Smith, is stricken off!!
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But it is not to be presumed that this injustice and inequality results from an incorrect administration of the Law, but the finesse of the dishonest cannot such impositions be detected I for the honor of the Country for the honor of man! and for this injustice of them and reconciliation of those who appear to be fair and honorable I hope there is a proper resolion [resolution?] of such will make the law appear less inequitable. 
In news of Consequence wishing you a happy LIfe &c [??] - I remain Respectfully Yrs st. [signature:]  Owen F. Fishback 
If proof of this statement is required I perceive it can be had Please let me hear from you soon. Present my respects to friend Metcalfe [??] and let me hear from him. O. F. F. [initials]
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Hon Thomas R Ross Representative in Congress Washington City
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Williamsburgh January 18th 1821 
Dr Sir I know that it is an insidious task to attempt to deprive a Soldier who served during the Revolution of the pension he receives from Government. It is commonly sufficiently difficult for him, ignorant and unlearned as he commonly is properly to authenticate his claim so as to entitle him to receive it. And under existing regulation s there are probably few who receive pensions who are not entitled to them - tho no doubt there are many who deserve pensions that receive none - But when the bounty of Government is shamefully observed - when manifest fraud is practiced to entitle the applicant to its bounty - It then in my opinion becomes the duty of every upright Citizen to make the circumstances known to the proper department- 
Obadiah Smith of this Town draws a pension under the Law of Congress of [blank] 
In his scheudle given in and sworn to there is a very inconsiderable amount of personal property but no real - The value of the real property that he in fact owns is estimated
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at a low rate at about 700 dollars consisting of a house and lot on which he lives several other in-lots and one out lot. This property was bought and paid for by Smith but has by him been deeded to a woman who is called, & who lives with him as his wife. It is indeed said and there is no doubt of the truth of this fact that this woman is not in reality his wife But whatever may be the effect this circumstance may have in legalizing this sale ["to his" is crossed out] the fraud and imposition is still the same. and still in my opinion requires a remedy. I have supposed that pensions have been granted by government for the purpose of enabling poor and indijent [sic] soldiers to maintain their families. The real wife Smith I am credibly informed is in want and distress - and ["old" is crossed out] poor as she is receives no share of the pension allowed her husband. Even admiting [sic] that Smith did not transfer his property with the special view of gaining a pension - admiting [sic] that he transferred it to his reputed wife or the piece of his adultery and he is in fact divested of his property
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wile [while] Government continues to allow him a pension as the reward of crime and vilany [villainy]  - I think it ought not - It is true that Smith has several young children - but if the woman that now lives with him be not his wife they are illegitimate - If she be his lawful wife the property that he has attempted to transfer to her is still his own and with their personal industry is amply sufficient to maintain them - Smith is an able bodied man & enjoys good health - He enjoys the use of the property he has transfered to his wife - and nobody would know but that it was his, were there not a pension in the question- I know not to what department a representation should be made - nor if there be any method now of accessing [??] the information - Proofs of the facts ["as I stated" is crossed out] can be had if required - If a bare representation of these facts be sufficient and you feel free to make it you may rely on the facts as I have stated them - Owen F. Fishback informs me that he has written to Mr Campbell on the subject - Yours &c [signature:] J C Dunlavy 
Hon. T R Toss
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From Hon. J. W. Gazley Dec 11th [14th?] 1826 
Secretary of War department Present. 
[[left edge is cut off:] ___n. J. W. Gazlay ___D. H. Rep ___ Dec 13. 1826
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Washing. Decemb 14th 1824 
I am acquainted with Obadiah Smith the pensioner named in the enclosed he is an aged & very infirm man and bears about him the appearance of want & poverty. [signature:] James W Gazley
I Know nothing further of Smith
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James L. Edwards. Esq.
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H. R. 23. of Apr. 1822. 
Sir. Will you be so good as to impart the evidence [contained?] letter and furnish me with an early answer? Yours respectfully John W. Campbell
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War. Department. Pension Office. February 5th 1821. 
Sir On the information of two gentlemen of respectability in the town where you reside, the Secretary of War. has directed the suspension of your pension. It appears from their statement that you have conveyed away to a certain person, property to a considerable amount with a view of bringing your case under the provision of the act of the 1st May last. Until the charge be disproved, or some satisfactory explanation be had, your pension cannot be paid. With due respect. [signature:] J. L. Edwards
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Williamsburgh [illegible] April 13th Free 
Honble John W. Campbell Washington City
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Williamsburgh Ohio April 9th 1822 
Sir 
[the first seven lines of this letter were crossed out] 
Mr Obadiah Smith late a revolutionary pensioner for a long time earnestly requested me to write to you on the subject of his pension. [the next sentence, over four lines, is crossed out] 
his case is this as far as I remember 
in February 1821 he received a notice from the war department notifying him that his pension was suspended owing to information received by the department from two Citizens of this place that he had conveyed away property to a considerable Amount in order to bring
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Bring his case within the provisions of the Act of Congress of 1st May 1820 And that his pension would remain suspend untill untill [sic] the said information was contradicted or satisfactory explanation had. I think in July last he (Smith) obtained the deposition of Doctor Ralph Sharp and Job Stockton two citizens of this place of respectable standing and with both of whom I think you are acquainted going fully to shew that the information received at the department was wholly incorrect. Smith also at the same time obtained a Certificate signed by Col Danl Kain Thomas S Foote prosecuting Atty for this County David Morris and Georg Ely two Justices of the seriously [??] and perhaps some others with all of whom I also think you are acquainted Certifying that they had seen a copy of the records of Smiths declaration oath & Schedule of his property made under the aforesaid Act of the 1st of May that they were all well acquainted with Smith circumstances &c and that Smiths Schedule & they believed to be true and that he was respectable as a Witness. These papers were forwarded by Mail to the War department perhaps in July last no answer being received I wrote to the Secretary of War in January last adduce Smiths ease to which also no answer has been received Altho. the secretary has all times before been so polite as to cause answers to given to all the letters I have wrote him in due time. I believe the foregoing Statement of Smith's Case is substantially Correct as I
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only write from memory possibly there may some small error - What Mr Smith desires me to beg of you is if you can devote the time to inquire from the War department of the papers herein subscribed have been received and in neither the proff [sic] of the correctness of his schedule and truth of his oath are satisfactory to the department. he also prays the department to decide on his case and that he be informed of the result of the decision I have the honor to be very respectfully Your obedient Servant [signature:] David C. Bryan
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Williamsburgh Jany 16th } Free 
Honble Secretary of War Washington City 
Mr Edwards 
Recd. 5 Feb. 1899
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Williamsburgh Ohio January 15th 1822 
Sir I am aware that the important business of the War department forbids much correspondence but at the earnest request of Obadiah Smith who was lately a revolutionary Pensioner I respectfully ask from the department information for for [sic] him his case, I believe from his information to be that in February last he was notified that his pension was suspended in consequence of information received from two Citizens of this place that he had conveyed property to a considerable amount in order to bring himself under the provisions of the Act of the 1st Mar 1818 & 1st May 1820. and that his pension would be suspended untill the said information was explained or contradicted in the month of July last he thinks he caused the deposition of Doct. Ralph & Mr Job Stockton two Citizens of this place to be taken and the Certificate of a Col Kain of the Oh Militia. Thos S. Foote prosecuting Atty for the State in this county and Several Justices of the Peace in and for the same county and perhaps some others setting forth that they had seen a copy from the records of the Court of his Smiths Schedule of his property & oath which they Certified from their personal knowledge they believed to be true
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which [crossed out word] papers he transmitted to the War department but not receiving an answer he supposed it was probable the department had delayed acting on his case. untill Congress should meet when information might be obtained from the Honbl John W Campbell now in Congress and who when at home resides about 30 Miles from here. Mr Campblell is I believe acquainted if not with Smith with the persons who made the affidavit as well as those who had certified for Mr Smith - Smith is certainly very poor in reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for Support and he respectfully begs through me the department will decide on his cause and inform him of the result - the information addressed either to him or myself to the post office here will be satisfactory. I have the honr to be very resptfully Your Obedient Servant [signature:] David C Bryan 
Honble Secretary of War
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Affidavit of Dr Wm Smith.
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State of Ohio Hamilton County } Sept 20th 1824 
I hereby certify that I have for twelve months past frequently attended on Obadiah Smith, family, as a Physician, that it consists with my knowledge that he and his wife are both in an infirm state of health, that from the advanced time of his life there is no prospect of his ever enjoying perfect health. The wife (from credible information) has been long weakly & has been for the last twelve mos. in a very delicate state of health. she has been generally unfit to attend to the work of her house. Having resided three years near O. Smith & feel convinced that he is an upright honest man a sober peaceable & reputable citizen & as I consider him in indigent circumstances I have refused the usual fees for medical services rendered his family - [signature:] William Smith 
Sworn to & Subscriibed before me at Madison this 23d day of September 1824 [signature:] W H. Moor J. P.
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I Certify that Obediah Smith Named in the within Certificate of Doct. William Smith is the Identical Obediah Smith named in an original Certificate in the Possession of the said Obediah Smith. and who has heretofore drawn a Pension, and whose Pension is at this time Suspended. Given under my hand this 23d Day of September 1824 [signature:] W H. Moore 
The above named W H Moore is a Justice of Peace in & for said County [signature:] M. Gazley
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Doct.? Smith To get Smith placed on the pension list Knows Moore to be a Justice
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Williambrugh O Free 
Honble Secretary of War Washington City 
Mr Edwards 
Recd 13. Augt 1822 
From Daniel C. Bryan Augt 1st 1822
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Williamsburgh Ohio August 1st 1822 
Sir. From information of Mr. Campbell of the H. R recd. last spring it appears that the case of Obadiah Smith (late a revolutionary pensioner) is still Suspended for further proof, he had caused the enclosed depositions To be taken and transmitted to the war department in support of the depositions and Certificates now on file in the Department, and begs respectfully through me that his case may be decided. 
I have the honor to be with respect your Obt. Servant [signature:] David C. Bryan 
s . Secretary of War
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Deposition of Dr. Ralph Sharp 
Ralph Sharp
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State of Ohio Clermont County } Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for said county appeared personally Ralph Sharp Physician who being duly sworn upon his oath saith that he has been intimately acquainted with Obadiah Smith for eight years past- that he is a man of strict integrity- that [crossed out word] he is of a tender constitution, that he is now and has been for some years very infirm and debilitated- much afflicted with the Rheumatism and subject to inflammation of the lungs. that he has attended on him as physician through much of his sickness and indisposition and that he had forbore calling [crossed out word] on him for his services on account of his inability to pay- This deponent saith that he is acquainted with Doct John C. Dunlavy who resided in this place about four years ago and that he was a violent personal enemy of said Smith's- The above named Obadiah Smith is the same person who a few years ago drew a pension from government for Revolutionary Service and which has been suspended on account of certain information transmitted to the War Department [signature:] Ralph Sharp 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 11th day of September 1824 [signature:] David Morris J. P.
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The State of Ohio Clermont County } Ss I George L Bryan Deputy Clerk for David C Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Do Certify that David Morris Esquire whose name is signed to the within affidavit (of the therein named Ralph Sharp) and before whom the same appears to have been made now is and was at the time of signing of the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and to all his official acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Batavia the 11th day of September 1824 [signature:] Geo. L. Bryan Depy Clk.
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Williamsburg Ohio July 15th Honorable J. C. Calhoun Secretary of war City Washington 
Free 
From O. Smith July 1823. 
Recd 26 July 1823
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Williamsburg July 13th 1820 
Honorable Secretary of war 
Sir I Recd. your communication Dated in Feby 1826 Informing of Me that In consequence of Information being given to the war Department by two Reputable Gentlemen residing in this place that I had put property out of My hands to a considerable amount In order to Bring My Case under the provition [sic\ of the Act of Congress passed - [blank] 
My pention [pension] was suspended untill the charge was Disproved or some satisfactory information given [crossed out word] And having sent on the testimony- a 2nd time - of Gentlemen to the contrary of as high standing as Doct Dunlevy & the other Person of Credit - who is at present unknown to me & not Receiving any answer from the war Department- am Led to expect - that a communication has been Made - but has miscarried or been Destroyed by some indisposed person. My pressing want, of pecuniary aid at this time- urges Me in the Most Imperious Manor [manner] to Make this application for an answer- Your humble Servt with Due Respect [signature:] Obadh. Smith 
N B I feel Myself fully authorized to state that if the Persons who informed against Me Could have obtained the Least testimony of My having been guilty of Fraud on the Case ["they" is crossed out] that there [they're] spitefull & Malevolent temper & Deposision [deposition] should never have suffered Me to pass. with Impunity that would have Dropt Me  before a trybuneral [tribunal] that have Jurisdiction of high Crimes &  Misdemeanors Intitled of Perplexing the Secretary of war
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Affidavits of Sundry Inhabitants of Williamsburg: Dated July. 1822
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The State of Ohio Clermont County } Ss. On the 31st day of July one thousand eight hundred & twenty two Personally appeared before me Daniel Kain a Justice of the Peace in and for the Town of Williamsburgh in the County aforesaid Samuel Howell, Edward Sinks, John Moorhead, John T Ross, Vere Rayce, Richard Dennis & John Dennis all Citizens and residents in said Town and respectable witnesses and being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God depose and say that they have heard & verily believe that the pension of Obadiah Smith late a Revolutionary pensioner (and who has resided in said Town since & before the 1st March ["year" is crossed out] 1818 untill the Spring of 1820) has been Suspended on account of representations made to the War Department that he had Conveyed away property a large amount in order to bring himself within the provisions of the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 & 1st of May 1820. they on their oath aforesaid do say and declare that none of them now resides or did reside from the 18th of March, 1818 till May 1st 1820 more than one fourth of a mile from where said Smith resided and that they verily believe that he could not have conveyed away property to a Large or even small amount without their knowledge and that they neither know believe or have heard of said Obadiah Smith making any Contract on Conveyances whatever except one trading a Horse and mending & making a few pairs of shoes between the 18th of March 1818 & 1st of May 1820. and they and each of them verily believe that owing to his reduced Circumstances in Life he stands in need of the assistance of his Country for [crossed out word] Support and the deponents on their oath aforesaid further depose and say that they have seen an official Copy from the records of the Court of Common Pleas
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in and for the County aforesaid of June 8th. 1820 of the said Obadiah Smith Declaration Schedule and oath in order to be continued on the pension Roll and that they & each of them do verily believe on their oath aforesaid that the Declaration Schedule and oath of said Obadiah Smith is true. 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written 
[signature:] Daniel Kain J. P. 
[signature:] Saml. Howell 
[signature:] Edward Sinks 
[signature:] John Moorhead 
[signature:] John T Ross 
[signature:] Vere Royse 
his X mark Richard Dennis 
[signature:] John Dennis
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The State of Ohio Clermont County } I, David C. Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for Said County do Certify that Daniel Kain Esqr. whose name is Signed to the within Certificate of Deposition of the therein named Samuel Howell, Edward Sinks, John Moorhead, John T. Ross, Vere Royse, Richard Dennis * John Dennis and before whom the have appeared To have been made, now is and was at the time of signing his name thereto an active Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and Sworn and that full faith and Credit is and Ought To be given To all his Official acts as Such. 
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Affixed the Seal of said Court at Williamsburgh this 1st day of August A. D. 1822. [signature:] David C. Bryan clk
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Affidavits of Ralph Sharp & Job Stockton.
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State of Ohio, Clermont County 
Be It known to all whom It may concern that on the 6th day of July one thousand Eight hundred & twenty one came personally before me David Morris a Justice of the Peace of the Township of Williamsburgh in the County aforesaid Ralph Sharp Doctor of Medicine & Job Stockton Cabinet maker, respectable Witnesses of full age, and both inhabitants of said Town and being sworn on the holy evangelists of Almighty God depose and say that they have been well acquainted with Obadiah Smith for four or five years that they have seen a letter addressed to him from the War Department Pension Office, dated February 5th. 1821 in which said Smith is informed "that on the Information of two Gentlemen of respectability the Secretary of War has directed the suspension of the aforesaid Obadiah Smiths pension untill the Charge Continued in the said letter be disproved or some Satisfactory information be had" The charge Continued in the letter aforesaid is that said Smith had conveyed away to a Certain Person Property to a Considerable amount with a view to bring his case under the provisions of the act of the 1st of May 1820. We have also Seen a copy from the records of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County of said Smiths declaration & oath under The act of the 1st of May 1820 In order to be continued On the pension list. Mr. Smith has since the suspension of his pension removed from this place, but was here a few days since and these deponents on their
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Oath aforesaid further depose and say, that one of them to wit Ralph ["Smith" is crossed out] Sharp lived untill Smith removed from this place (some two or three months past) within Two hundred yards of him The other deponent Job Stockton within about 400 yards of said Smith, that they have not heard neither do they believe that he ever from March 18th 1818 till May 1st 1820 Convey property to any amount except in once exchanging horses, that is a horse he purchased at a Constables Sale for another One for which he gave some 8 or 10 dollars To boot The 1st horse we have understood & believe is not yet paid for. Mr. Smith made & mended a few pair of shoes & for which we believe he received pay And we [crossed out word] further state from our belief that Smith could not have conveyed property to a Considerable or even small amount without our knowing or hearing of the same and we also further swear that we believe Mr. Smiths Character for truth & veracity to be good & his schedule & oath aforsd [aforesaid] as appears from the said Copy of record to be true, it is pretty well ascertained as these deponents believe, that one of the gentlemen of respectability who had given information to the War department relative to Said Smiths pension is a person who calls himself J. C. Dunlavy that he had no family or property in the County except his horse Clothing &c. but has since gone away after remaining here about 18 months - the other gentleman "of Respectability" is not by these deponents known with Certainty, as it appears to these deponents the aforesaid gentlemen of respectability were [crossed out word] desirous that their names
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Should not be known for reasons better known to themselves than these deponent. [signature:] Ralph Sharp 
[signature:] Job Stockton 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written [signature:] David Morris J. P. 
The State of Ohio Clermont County } Ss I. David C. Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, do Certify that David Morris Esquire whose name is Signed to the foregoing Certificate of deposition of the therein named Ralph Sharp & Job Stockton, & before whom the same appears to have been made, now is & was at the time of signing his name thereto, an acting Justice of the Peace in & for Said County duly Commissioned and sworn & that full faith & Credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. 
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 10th day of July one thousand eight hundred & twenty One. [signature:] David C. Bryan
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Affidavits Dated June, 1820.
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The State of Ohio Clermont County } We The undersigned Citizens of said County of Clermont do Certify to the Honorable the Secretary of War. that we have seen a Letter from the War department addressed to Obadiah Smith dated February 5th 1821 In which he is informed that his pension is suspended owing to representations being made to the department by two Gentlemen of respectability of Williamsburgh in said County we have also seen a copy from the Record of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid containing the declaration Shedule [schedule] and oath of said Smith. having been well acquainted with him for several years and believe him to be a creditable witness and a man of truth and veracity and that the aforesaid declaration Shedule and oath are true Clermont County June 21st 1821 [signature:] George Ely ["J P" is crossed out] Justice of the Peace  for Clert. County
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Job Stockton affidavit. 
Job Stockton
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State of Ohio Clermont County } Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for said county came personally Job Stockton a respectable merchant of Williamsburg in the said county who being legally sworn upon his oath saith that he has been long and continuously acquainted with Obadiah Smith to whom a pension was granted by government for Revolutionary Services and which was suspended in consequence of information transmitted to the War department that said Smith had conveyed his property out of his hands for the purpose of bringing himself within the law of Congress granting pensions &c. The deponent further saith that he is acquainted with Doct John C. Dunlavy who admitted in the presence of this deponent that he was one of the authors of the information above mentioned- that said Dunlavy was at that time a violent personal enemy of said Smith. This deponent saith that he lived a close neight to said Smith and that he knows nothing of his, Smith's, having conveyed any property out of his possession for the purpose of bringing himself within the law though several years have elapsed since this transaction should have [scribbled out word] place yet nothing has since transferred to the knowledge of this deponent furnishing the slightest evidence of this truth of t___ [missing edge of page] The deponent saith that said Smith is a man of truth- that he is in very indigent circumstances - and he believes that without some assistance must become a township charge - [signature:] Job Stockton 
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 11th day of September 1824 [signature:] David Morris J. P.
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The State of Ohio Clermont County } Ss I George L Bryan Deputy Clerk for David C Bryan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do certify that David Morris Esquire whose name is signed to the within affidavit (of the therein named Job Stockton and before whom the same appears to have been made) now is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and to all his official acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the sal of said Court at Batavia the 11th. day of September 1824 [signature:] George L. Bryan Depy clk