Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 22,851, for Drew Smith, Maryland
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md.

Smith, Drew

NUMBER
R. 22,851

CONTENTS
S. died Feb 18, 1815
Page 2

MINOR CHILDREN.
CLAIM FOR PENSION.
ORIGINAL.
Applicant.
Guardian of minors of
Drew Smith
Co., Regt.
Vols.

The claim on ac’t WL6
Old War

[circle stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S D
NOV 25 1885

No Dup.
No Inc.
JFB
12-5-85
Page 3

( 3 - 015. )
Declaration for pension of Children under sixteen years of age.
State of Georgia County of Hall
On this Third day of Nov., A.D one thousand eight hundred and eighty five
personally appeared before me A R Smith Clerk Superior Court
the same being a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid, L. Couch
a resident of New Bridge County of Hall in the State of Georgia
aged Forty years, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following 
declaration in order to obtain the pension
provided by Act of Congress for children under sixteen years of age: That he is the
 only legal guardian of MatildaCouch and Firby Jewel
legitimate children of Drew Smith
who was enlisted under the name of Drew Smith at 
Elkton, Maryland on the 5th day of April A.D. 1775
Captain Arbucles Co
in the war of the Revolution, who died the 10th day of Feby 1815
a natural death
at Granville S.C. on the Tenth day of February A. D. 1815
and who bore at the time of his death the rank of discharged Soldier in from services aforesaid
that he left a widow surviving who died 26th day of January 1817
that the above named are the only surviving legitimate children of said
Drew Smith
who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, of whom
Both are living
that said children were the issue of said soldier as follows, the dates of their birth being as hereinafter stated:
Matilda, of soldier by Jane Smith, born October 30th 1801.
Firby, of soldier by “  “ [Jane Smith] born June 20th 1806

That the father was married under the name of Drew Smith to 
Jane McMelon, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that the said children
have not aided or abetted the rebellion; and that no prior application has been filed with the knowledge
of the declarant
that declarant hereby appoints Lewis A. Keith his attorney to prosecute the above
claim; that his residence is at No. ___ street, in the vicinity of New Bridge County of Hall
State of Georgia, and that his post office at New Bridge, Lumpkin, County, Georgia
B. T. Couch
(Claimant's signature.)

(Attest.)
Oliver Clark
B D Clark

Also personally appeared Oliver Clark, residing at No. ___  
in ___ street, in Gainesville and B D Clark, residing at No. ___  
in ___ street, in Calhoun Co.,  persons whom I certify to be respectable
and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw
B. T. Couch, the claimant, sign his name (make mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have
every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself
to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Oliver Clark
Page 4

B D Clark

Also personally appeared Oliver Clark, residing at No. ___  
in ___ street, in Gainesville and B D Clark, residing at No. ___  
in ___ street, in Calhoun Co.,  persons whom I certify to be respectable
and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw
B. T. Couch, the claimant, sign his name (make mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have
every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself
to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Oliver Clark
B D Clark

[L. S.]

SWORN to and subscribed before me this Third day of November, A.D. 1885,
and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words —---
erased, and the words —--added; and that I have no interest, direct
or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
A R Smith (Signature)
Clerk Superior Court (Official character.)
Hall Co. Ga

1 " Was enlisted, drafted," or otherwise, as the case may be.
2 State company and regiment, or in army; or vessel, &c., or in navy.
3 State nature of wounds and all circumstances attending them, or the disease and manner in which it was incurred, in either case showing soldier's death to have been
4 " In the service aforesaid," or otherwise.
5 If widow survived so state, giving her name, and the date of her death or other facts divesting her title.
6 If any have died state date of death.
7 State names of children and of their mothers, and dates of birth.
8 If more than once married so state, giving names and dates and parties officiating.
9 If either soldier, widow, or guardian of children have previously applied, so state, giving date and number of application.
Page 5

All the blanks in this form should be carefully filled and the requirements of the notes strictly observed.
An honorable discharge from the service in all cases is necess
Declarations of claimants, either for original pension or for increase of pension already granted, must be made before a court of record, or before
some officer thereof having custody of its seal; said officer being fully authorized and empowered to administer and certify any oath or affirmation
relating to any pension or application therefor.
present and witness the signature of the declarant, and certify to his identity and loyalty under oath or affirmation.
Where any evidence is already on file in any department of the Government, a definite description of and specific reference to it will render it
available in any subsequent claim.
The post office address ( naming street and number in all large cities) of the applicant, attorney, and witnesses, should be embodied in or accompany
every application, and all evidence in each claim; and each change of residence of said parties, while communicating with the Pension Office of
the pension agents, should be stated.
Pensions are by law exempted from any liability on account of the obligations of the pensioners, and no lien upon them can be recognized.
All facts, testimony of which is required to establish a claim must be proven by the affidavits of two or more credible witnesses, unless other
evidence is specified.
The statements of claimants, unless duly corroborated, are not accepted as evidence.
Testimony in support of allegations made in a declaration may be taken before any officer whose authority and signature are duly certified,
and who shall disclaim any interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of the claim.
Persons desiring to complete claims pending at the decease of the claimants must furnish a duly verified certificate of their authority as heirs
or legal representatives.
With all claims for arrears increase, or restoration to the rolls, the original pension certificate must be returned, or explanation of its absence
must be given under oath.
To facilitate the adjudication of claims, all the requisite evidence that is available should be forwarded with the application.
Page 6

3 - 129.
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION
Act of July 14, 1862, and subsequent acts.
REJECTED
ORIGINAL PENSION OF MINOR CHILDREN.
JAN  6 1888
Matilda Smith now Couch, and Kirby Smith now Jewel children of
Drew Smith 

Rank, Private
Company, of Capt Arbuckle
Regiment, Rev. War.

Guardian, B F. Couch
Residence of Guardian, Hall County, and State of Ga.
Post Office, New Bridge, Lumpkin Co. Ga.
Attorney, Lewis A. Keith, New Bridge, Ga.
Fee $ – Articles of agreement – having been filed. —
Rate of of pension, $ -- per month, commencing — 18 – , the date of 
— , and two dollars per month additional to each as follows:

Matilda Born Oct 30, 1801. Sixteen Oct 29, 1817
Kirby  Born June 20, 1806. Sixteen June 19, 1822.

Payments on all former certificates covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.

SUBMITTED, for Ref. Dec. 22 1885  Lewis C White, Examiner
APPROVED, for rejection Jan’y 4th, 1886 Geo W Cam, Reviewer
No title to pension under existing laws

DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS.
Enlistment, April 5, 1775
Muster into rank,  “ 
Discharge, not stated
Death, Feby. 10, 1815
No Invalid app. filed, —------
No Invalid pension paid to —----
No Widow's app. filed —-----
No Widow paid to —--------

Minor applied, Nov. 25, 1855
Guardian appointed, not stated
Claim completed,---------
Former marriage,---------
Death of former wife, —------
Last marriage, —--------
Death of Widow, Jany 26. 1817

CAUSE OF DEATH, Natural Causes.
PLACE OF DEATH, Greenville S.C.

Rejected as there is no law allowing pension to the children of
a Revolutionary war soldier. Couch and Keith will be informed
the soldier died before there was any law allowing a pension to
soldiers for service, and the first law allowing to widows was not passed until 1838.
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[blank form]
INCIDENTAL MATTER.
ALLEGATIONS OF GUARDIAN.
Loyalty of Guardian,
Loyalty of Wards,
SUMMARY OF PROOF.
GUARDIANSHIP.
OTHER MINORS.
FORMER MARRIAGE.
The marriage of
to
is shown by
DEATH OF FORMER WIFE.
LAST MARRIAGE.
The marriage of
to
is shown by
DEATH OR RE-MARRIAGE OF WIDOW.
DATES OF BIRTH OF WARDS.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN BY FORMER MARRIAGE
Page 8

PROOF AS TO SERVICE.
The Adjutant General U. S. A. reports the following military history of the soldier:

PROOF AS TO DEATH.
1st. Report of Adjutant General.
2d. Report of Surgeon General.
3d. Certificate of Disability,
4th. Testimony of Army Surgeon.
5th. Testimony of Officers.
6th. Testimony of Fellow Soldiers.
7th. Testimony of Attending Physician.
8th. Other Testimony.

NAME OF WITNESS, DATE OF FILING.

The claimant alleges service in the war of 1776 and death in 1815.
Page 9

Index, Claim of ________ No ____
Record Evidence. ______ Page ___
Adjutant General's reports.
Third Auditor's reports.
Quarter Master General's reports.
Surgeon Generals reports.
Certificate of Disability
Other sources:
Original Declaration

Names of Witnesses | Page. | Points to which Testimony is directed.
Page 10

[oval stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S
DEC 29 1885

L. A. Keith
Agent
Page 11

[oval stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S 
DEC 29 1885

No 1

Whereas I Benjamin T Couch Guardian
of Matilda Couch and Firby Jewel
Legitimate children of Drew Smith,
late a Soldier in Company "H" of
the 4th Regiment of Maryland Volunteers,
 War of the Revolution, having
made application for Pension under the
laws of the United States:
Now this agreement Witnesseth: That for and
in consideration of service done and
to be done in the premises, I hereby
agree to allow my agent Lewis A. Keith
of New Bridge the fee of Twenty five
dollars, which shall include all
amounts to be paid for any services in
the furtherance of said claim: and
said fee shall not be demanded by
or payable to my said agent, in whole
or in part, except in the case of the
Granting of my pension by the commissioner
of Pensions, and that the
same shall be paid to him, in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 4768
and 4769 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States
B. P. Couch
New Bridge
Georgia

Attest
A. L. Keith
J. N. Meritt
Page 12

State of Georgia  County of Hall
Be it known that on this
the 23rd day of December A.D.
1885, personally appeared Benjamin
T. Couch, the above named who after
 having had read over to him
in the hearing and presents of the
two attesting witnesses, the contents
of the foregoing articles of agreement,
voluntarily signed and acknowledged
the same to be his free act and deed
A R Smith
Clerk Sup’r Ct Hall Co. Ga
And now, to wit, this 23rd day of December A.D.
1885, I accept the provisions contained
in the foregoing articles of agreement,
and will to the best of my ability endeavor
faithfully to represent the Interest
of the claimant in the premises.
I hereby certify that I have received
nothing whatever from the claimant 
above named, for fee, postage or
other expense, and that these agreements
 have been executed in duplicate, 
without additional cost to
the claimant as required by law
Page 13

in excess of the fee above named,
the said agent making no charge
for same. Witness my hand the year
and day above written.
Lewis A. Keith

State of Georgia County of Hall
Personally came Lewis A. Keith, who I
know to be the person he represents
himself to be, and who, having signed
above acceptance of agreement,
acknowledged the same to be his
free act and deed.
A. R. Smith
Clk Supr Ct. Hall Co.
Ga
Page 14

[oval stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S
DEC 29 1885

R 22851

Look
S
Rejected Jany 6/86
D Smith
B of R
Dec 23/83
White Exr
Page 15

[oval stamp]
PENSION OFFICE U S 
DEC 29 1885

No 2 - Duplicate

Whereas I Benjamin T Couch Guardian
of Matilda Couch and Firby Jewel
Legitimate children of Drew Smith,
late a Soldier in Company "H" of
the 4th Regiment of Maryland Volunteers,
 War of the Revolution, having
made application for Pension under the
laws of the United States:
Now this agreement Witnesseth: That for and
in consideration of service done and
to be done in the premises, I hereby
agree to allow my agent Lewis A. Keith
of New Bridge the fee of Twenty five
dollars, which shall include all
amounts to be paid for any services in
the furtherance of said claim: and
said fee shall not be demanded by
or payable to my said agent, in whole
or in part, except in the case of the
Granting of my pension by the commissioner
of Pensions, and that the
same shall be paid to him, in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 4768
and 4769 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States
B. P. Couch
New Bridge
Georgia

Attest
A. L. Keith
J. N. Meritt
Page 16

State of Georgia  County of Hall
Be it known that on this
the 23rd day of December A.D.
1885, personally appeared Benjamin
T. Couch, the above named who after
 having had read over to him
in the hearing and presents of the
two attesting witnesses, the contents
of the foregoing articles of agreement,
voluntarily signed and acknowledged
the same to be his free act and deed
A R Smith
Clerk Sup’r Ct Hall Co. Ga
And now, to wit, this 23rd day of December A.D.
1885, I accept the provisions contained
in the foregoing articles of agreement,
and will to the best of my ability endeavor
faithfully to represent the Interest
of the claimant in the premises.
I hereby certify that I have received
nothing whatever from the claimant 
above named, for fee, postage or
other expense, and that these agreements
 have been executed in duplicate, 
without additional cost to
the claimant as required by law
Page 17

in excess of the fee above named,
the said agent making no charge
for same. Witness my hand the year
and day above written.
Lewis A. Keith

State of Georgia County of Hall
Personally came Lewis A. Keith, who I
know to be the person he represents
himself to be, and who, having signed
above acceptance of agreement,
acknowledged the same to be his
free act and deed.
A. R. Smith
Clk Supr Ct. Hall Co.
Ga
Page 18

( 3 - 224. )
No. 22851
White, Ex'r.
OWN Revy M
OLD WAR WIDOW

REJECTED

Matilda Couch et al
children of
Drew Smith
Capt Arbuckles Co. Rev. War.
died at  Feb. 10, 1815
No other claim.

Dec 15. 1885. Jno T Blackmar
Clerk.

Application filed: Nov. 25 1885
Attorney: Lewis A. Keith,
P. O. Newbridge Ga.

Guardian B. T. Couch
New Bridge Lumpkin Co. Ga.

No Dup
Page 19

Jan/86 Rejected as there is no
law allowing pension to the
Children of Rev. War. 
Keith and Couch infor[me]d.

White