Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 9677, for Abraham Smith, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE 
S.C. 

Smith, Abraham 

NUMBER
R 9677

CONTENTS
SC Mar 12 1754 on Nese River NC
res. at in P [illegible] River SC
res in 1833 Montgomery Co NC
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affidavit of A Smith & others to obtain a Pension
Page 3

State of Missouri
County of Lincoln } On this the 25th day of January 1839 appeared before me Charles Wheeler a justice of the Peace in sd county Abraham Smith a resident of Lincoln county & state aforesaid who appeared to be aged an infirm & made the following declaration on oath that he is aged & infirm & stands in immediate assistance from his country for support for his services as an entitled soldier in the war of the Revolution & that he has an aged companion an almost helpless daughter & some Grand children  almost dependent on him for support & has no relatives able to support him & his companion should they become entirely helpless 
Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year above written 
Charles Wheeler JP 
Abraham Smith
his X mark
State of Missouri
County of Lincoln } on this the 25 day of January 1839 appeared before me Charles Wheeler JP Michael Glass a resident of the county of Lincoln & state aforesaid of fair character & under the following declaration on oath that he is well acquainted with the above named Abraham Smith an applicant for a United States Pension that he is aged & onable to work but little that he has a daughter helpless in on side & some grand children & truly stands in need of the assistance of his country for support
Michael Glass
his X mark
Sworn & subscribed before me on the day & year first above written
Charles Wheeler JP
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State of Missouri
County of Lincoln} Personally appeared before me Charles Wheeler a Justice of the Peace of Lincoln county Moses Smith a resident of the county of Warren & state aforesaid & made the following declaration on oath that he is well acquainted with Abraham Smith that he is old & onable to work but little that he has an aged companion a daughter with one side or arm useless & some grand children almost dependent on him that he believes he indeed stands in need of assistance & living on land not his own & that he knows of his enlisting as stated by him in his declaration}
Moses Smith
his X mark
sworn & subscribed to before me on this the 25th day of January 1839
Charles Wheeler JP
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State of Missouri
County of Lincoln: I Francis Parks clerk of the county court in & for the county & state aforesaid do certify that Charles Wheeler before whom the foregoing affidavits appears to have been taken is a Justice of the peace of the said county of Lincoln & that his same ag it purports to be his is his signature & is entitled to all due faith & credit as such
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of the said court is office in the said county of Lincoln this 25th day of January AD 1839
Francis Parker clerk
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State of Alabama County of Lincoln 
On this fifth day of February A.D. 153 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of th County Court of Lincoln County Mo. now sitting Abraham Smith, a resident of Montgomery County in the State of Missouri aged seventy nine the 12th day of next March who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States in the month of May A.D. 1777 or 177. That he enlisted within five miles of the fish dam ford on broad river in the State of South Carolina in the Company commanded by Capt. David Hopkins in the third regiment of the State of South Carolina, commanded by Col. Tompkins. that he enlisted for the term of five years or during the war. that he joined the regiment at the three sisters on the Savanah River and marched up the river to Golpin's Mills. from thence to Mathew's Bluff & crossed the river into the State of Georgia and marched down the river for four or five days and crossed the river again into the State of South Carolina & started with the regiment for Charlestown in said State and on this march to Charleston that he was sent out on a scouting party and was taken by the British and Tories. This was a year and a half or two years after he enlisted and was taken by the British to Savannah in the State of Georgia & was there confined in jail five months and was then taken to the Island of Jamaica and there kept till the end of the war while in Jamaica he was under the care of Gen: Charles Montaques British officers that he was born on Neuse river in North Carolina & has no record of his age. That he was living in South Carolina when he entered the service - since the war I was landed from Jamaica at Sandy Rock near the City of New York. When he was taken prisoner he remembers
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that there were in the regiment the following officers David Hopkins Captain, Col. Tompkins & Gen. Lincoln. That when taken he was out with a sargent and twenty men. That he never received any discharge from the service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Abraham Smith X his mark

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
Francis Parker Clerk

We Darias Bainbridge, and Thomas Rawen Clergymen residing in the County of Lincoln & State of Missouri, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Smith who subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe he is about seventy nine years of age: that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Darius Bainbridge
Thomas Rawen

Sworn & subscribed to this 5th day of February 13 in open court
Francis Parker Clerk
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Abraham Smith of Lincoln Co Missouri 
Regular service requires one witness at Court.

(bottom lines crossed out)
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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office,
April [illegible] 18333
Sir:
The evidence to support 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 necefsary [sic] to be done. These 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 everything with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
________________________________
[illegivle] Statement, showing the Service of Abraham Smith
____________________________________
Period when service was rendered.  1777-8
Duration of the claimant's service
Years 5
Months -
Days -
Rank of the claimant  Pr.
Name and Rank of Company officers under whom he served.. Cap Hopkins
Name and Rank of the General and Field Officers.  Col Thompson S.C. [illegible]
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None.
Country through which he marched [illegible]

[handwritten over columns] Taken a prisoner by the British 1 1/2 or 2 years after he had been in service and left a prison till end of war.

[handwritten over lower columns] Dan Hopkins was a Cap in [illegible]

I am respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. 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 and 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 serviced 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 cases 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 claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will in the first instance, make applications 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
County of } ss.
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 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 certified, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the     and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a 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 or 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 corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above 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 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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of 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 the 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 declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental 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 according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 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 witness and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
[i] The notes from [a] to [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.
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June 6, 1933
ABRAHAM SMITH
R 9677
BA-J/MLB
Mrs. R A Timmons
West Point
Georgia

Dear Madam

Reference is made to your letter with further request for the Revolutionary War record of Abram or Abraham Smith of South Carolina.

The record of one Abraham Smith of South Carolina has been found.  There is no way for this office to determine whether or not he is the soldier in whom you are interested. The data in regard to him are obtain from the papers on file in pension claim R 9677 based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Abraham Smith was born March 12, 1754 on the Neuse River in North Carolina; the names of his parents are not shown in the claim.

He applied for pension February 5, 1833 while a resident of Montgomery County, Missouri, and alleged that while residing in South Carolina he enlisted in May 1777 or 1778 within five miles of Fish Dam Ford and served as a private in Captain David Hopkins' company Colonel Thompson's 3 South Carolina Regiment that after serving one and one half or two years while on a scouting march to Charleston he was taken prisoner by the British confined in Savannah five months that he was then taken to Jamaica Island and kept until the end of the war. 

His claim was not allowed as proof of service was not furnished as required by the pension law.

In 1839 the soldier was living in Lincoln County Missouri and referred to an aged companion an almost helpless daughter and some grandchildren but did not give any names. In 1840 he was still residing in Lincoln County, Missouri.

In 1839 one Moses Smith was living in Warren County Missouri; relationship to the soldier Abraham Smith not stated.

Very truly yours
AD HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
Page 13

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
April 10, 1933
[text crossed out]
IN REPLY REFER TO:  BA-J/MLB

Mrs. R. A. Timmons
West Point
Georgia

[Seal in center top of page shows this letter was received APR 04 1933]

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of March 27, in which you request information relative to Abram Smith, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the records.

In order to identify the record of the particular Abram or Abraham Smith in whom you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible the following data should be given:  approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and service and given name of widow.

Please return these letters with your reply.

Very truly yours,
A. D. Miller [written signature]
A. D. Miller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 14

West Point, Ga., April 18th, 1933.
[Seal showing RECEIVED APR 24 1933  Mail Sub.Div  Vets ADM READER #2]

Veterans Administration,
Mr. A. D. Miller,
Asst. to Administrator,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir - 
In reference to the attached on Abram Smith of South Carolina, I can not give you the information asked for xxx [text redacted] in yours of the 10th. If you have two Abram Smiths as Revolutionary soldiers from South Carolina please furnish me theinformation [sic] on each and I can then have the records check in the vicinity where each lived and thus determine which was my ancestor. I know he was Abram Smith and he was in the Revolution but I can not give the information asked for in your letter and will therefore appreciate information on whatever Abram Smith you have in your files, whether one or more. This date is needed for patriotic purposes.

Thanking you to assist us in this, I am, 
Yours truly, 
Mrs. R. A. Timmons [signed signature]
MRS. R. A. TIMMONS, West Point, Ga.
[illegible initials]
Page 15

[Seal Stamp] RECEIVED
APR 24 1933
MAIN  SUB.DIV
VETS ADMIN READER #2
Page 16

West Point, Ga., March 27th, 1933.

Director of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir - 
Please send me such information as you have or can get on [following text is underlined] Abram Smith, Revolutionary soldier of South Carolina. 
Thanking you, I am, 
Yours very truly,
Mrs. R.A. Timmons [written signature]
MRS. R. A. TIMMONS, West Point, Ga.
{letter has seal] RECEIVED MAR 28, 1933
MAIL SUB DIV. VETS ADMIN PENSION #2
Page 17

[SEAL STAMP]
PENSION OFFICE.
U.S.
FEB 28 1917
Page 18

Pels Riv
New Orleans
2303 Berlin St.
Feb - 24th 1917.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Sir,
The Adjutant General has suggested that the records of your department, will give me proof of the Revolutionary War
Page 19

record of my ancestor Abram (or Abraham) Smith of [illegible] District South Caolina. Kindly advise me whether a pension was paid to him or to his widow Mary (or Molly) Ymton [illegible] Smith. and for what service. 
Thanking you for your courtesy of a prompt reply.
Yours very truly - 
Mrs. Richard E. Jones.
Page 20

(left side)
1917 Mch. 12 Hist. to Mrs. Pickard E Jones 
1933, June 6, Hist to Mrs R. A. Timmons - MLB

(right side)
REJECTED
9677
P.O. ___
Abraham Smith
Service: ___

Printed list of 1852 Rejected & Rescinded claims shows following cause of suspension: "Claims for 5 years' service in So. Car. Line. Proof required."

Enlisted: ___
Discharged: ___
Application filed: ___, 18 .
Alleges: ___
Re-enlisted: ___
Attorney: ___P.O. ___
___ Recognized.   ___ Contract.
___ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ___, 18 .
Page 21

Abraham Smithy
Power of Atts:
& [illegivle to
A. Gordon [Illegibe]
Page 22

Know all men by there presents that I Abraham Smith of the Lincoln in State of [illegible] have for  Valuables considerations by me acknowledge
Page 23

For value received I assign one half as I needed of what yearly pay that I am allowed before I am placed on the Pension Roll of the United States to my within attorney A: Gordon Whinzin or assigning given from under my hand & seal on this the 12th day of Feby 1840 - in the (illegible)
Abraham Smith X his mark

State of Missouri County of Lincoln SS
Be it remembered that on this the 12 day of Feby 1840 - personally appeared before me the under subscriber one of the Judges of the County Court in & for the said County the above named Abraham Smith to acknowledged the above assignment to A G. Whinzin to be his own free & voluntary act in my presence under his hand & seal on the day & date first above written.
Lewis Castleman J. L. C.C.
Page 24

State of Missouri County of Lincoln SS
I Francis Parker Clerk of the County Court in & for the County & state aforesaid do certify that the foregoing Lewis Castleman before whom the within Power of Attorney & assignment appears to have been made is a Justice of the Peace & one of the Judges of this the County Court in & for said County & state & that the same as it purports to be is his signature & is entitled to all due faith & credit as such. Given from under my hand & the seal of said Court affixed at office in Troy this 31st day of March A.D. 1840
Francis Parker Clerk
Page 25

Honl. J. L. Edwards
City of Washington D.C.
Page 26

City of Richmond Va.
14th Aug 1840
Hon J.L. Edwards

Dear Sir
Permit me to make a few remarks respecting Mr. Smith Pension claim. Request to you remarked that it seemed extraordinary why the proof had not been made sooner by this If I understood you long suspended case - it was only some three years ago that I knew any thing about this man & was applied to examine his papers & try to obtain proof in his case some years before his declaration was made & claims presented to the Department by two attorneys alternately Whales & Birch of Howard Co. Mo. & the Vice President opinion in his letter to Wm Parker & Return of the papers had thereon - or testimony required to obtain the Pension, the evidence of one to attest his enlistment though they might not know that he had served  I undertook to obtain his claim. I found him in extreme indigent circumstances I relieved his wants & in reading to him a roll of Pensioners in N. Carolina he recognized one that was in the British prison with him in Savannah  Mr. John Law a soldier in the enlisted army. I became convinced in my mind from his Declaration & General Publick opinion around him that he ought to have a pension
Page 27

I obtained then the declarations of Moses Smith & M Glass relative to his extreme wants & their belief from his Declaration that he had enlisted & transmitted the case to Hon Mr Williams of N. Carolina & recd no answer from him in the case until I Recd last June was in your letter & remarks to Mr Williams that some evidence perhaps might be obtained from the Comptroller Gen'l office in So. Ca.  I applied to that office & rec'd no answer from him.

I then concluded to give up the [illegible] except I Could get the evidence of Mrs. Lowe if alive - on till I saw Mr. Kennedy late of S. Carolina & who now lives in the County of Moore Mo.  who stated that she knew about Smith's enlistment in S. Carolina & that he ought to have a pension & when
she had conversed with him on event of them that was the same Smith & believed his declaration was true, on this evidence I submitted the case. I got hope Sir to receive a favourable report from the Department of additional testimony is wanting I know of none except this Lowe is alive & on the Pension roll & I know where he resided & that he might not know of his enlistment as to the
of Documentary evidence I think that It may be Acc. for in the neglect of the officer who enlisted Smith or that he was  one that he ever transferred to & then his being taken prisoner by the British before they came to their station another thing confirm as to that Smith has declared the truth he still
Page 28

affirming that this Atterbury who stated that he knew of his enlistment refused to prove it except he Smith would prove that he Atterbury had served in Genl Marion's army - See Birch's declaration  - Smith still said that he would not do this for Missouri & he has frequently said I will hardly be worth his pension for I shall soon die. If this Sir the manners and language of one who desires to practice a fraud on the government, surely not. - If the report is sent to Charlottesville Albemarle County Va.
I shall pass there on my way home to make search the report on Mr. Keithley's case to St. Char. Co. Mo. Flint has sd office I am your strong friend &c [signed] Gordon McKenzie

I have no Honorable [illegible] member of the National College to announce me to this Hon'ble Department

I had formed an exalted opinion of the the Pension Department of the serving of liberty

N. B. with surprise this day I instruction from the head of that Department but to touch any his return I once was a subaltern officer [illegible] had the care of thirty thousand soldiers in the absence of the Col I suffered Sir the midnight watch for my County, I forget I have lately been unfortunate in business or I should not have rec'd the deposition from Smith I shall need some 
funds before I get home  AGM
Page 29

Abraham Smith
Mifsouri
Suspended
----
Set let 13th
Feb 1829 Hon:
S Williams, do to
D A G McKinzie, June 25. 1839
ditto Augt 7 1840
ditto 18 aug 1840
ditto 1 Sept "

Act 7 June 1832
Page 30

Pension case from
Mifsouri
Lincoln County

Hnr L Williams
HR
[Name crossed off 'R Johnson']

[Sideways on right]
Col Hampson on roll
Page 31

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant, Abraham Smith, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Sarius Bainbridge and Thomas Bowen who have signed the preceeding certificate, are creditable persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit and that they are both clergyman resident in the County of Lincoln. Mo.
John S Befser [John S Besser] J L C C
Geo H Zimmerman J C C L C
Caleb McFarlan J C C L C
I Francis Parker Clerk of the County Court of Lincoln County Mo. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Smith for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three
Francis Parker Clerk
Page 32

Pension case 
We
Rhu Johnson
Francis Parker Esq Clerk &c
or
Mr Abraham Smith
Lincoln County
Mifsouri
Page 33

I regret to find the within case suspended for want of proof one witness, mail or female will do, if they can testify to his going into the service & altho they may not have been with him. Please hand the papers to the applicant. I do not now recollect how I got this case. If the applicant should not live in your county please return the papers to me.
with great respect
(illegible) Johnson

NB In all cases of regular service some proof is necessary PJ
Page 34

Affidavit of the enlistment of Abraham Smith
Page 35

State of Missouri County of Warren 
On this the 10th day of April 1840 - appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County & state aforesaid Sarah Kensady of (illegible) character - who appears aged & said t have been from the state of South Carolina & was sworn & subscribed to the following declaration that she was acquainted with Abraham Smith an applicant for a pension & knows he enlisted and that he is old & infirm & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support & that from circumstances she believes to have taken place in the South in the war of the revolution & stated to be known to him that he was there & believes as he has stated on oath that he was taken prisoner by the Brittish & saw him after he returned.
Sarah Hennadey

State of Missouri County of Warren
Be it remembered that on the 10th day of April 1840 appeared before me the above named Sarah Hennedy of the said County & stated & was sworn & subscribed to the above declaration to be true to the best of her knowledge & belief.
Given from under my hand at office this 10th day of April 1840
Daniel Martin J.P.
Page 36

State of Missouri County of Warren
I Joseph B Wells Clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid do certify that Daniel Martin is and was an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal f said court at office in the town of Warrenton in said County this 11th day of May AD 1840
Joseph B Wells Clerk
by John A McClelland D.C.
Page 37

[envelope]
Hickory Grove
Mo [illegible]  Free

Honable J.L. Edwards
Com U.S. Pension office
City of Washington D.Ca.

[sideways]
Mar 28
Abr Smith
Mo. or N.C.
Page 38

Mars Hill Saint Charles County Missouri
10th June 1839
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Dr Sir
On the receipt of this note. will you please to inform me if some old papers or Declaration of
Abraham Smith of Missouri some five or six years ago in your office & returned with a printed sheet & more proof of Service required was again presented with some additional proof during the last session of Congress by Hon Lewis Williams of the House of Reps of N. Carolina.

If so is he placed on the Pension Roll, - or is there still more proof required. I find some more proof may be obtained. I am depended on and empowered by him to obtain his Pension he is old & in very indigent circumstances and in need of assistance from his country for some support. If the papers has not come to hand they have been lost on the way or destroyed by some Western fellows robbers & employees of the mail. I have recd no notice of their reception from Williams

Will you please to transmit me-- a printed form or some instructions relative to the manner of placing Invalid Pensioners on the Roll of the United States who rec'd gun shot wounds as rangers from the Indians in the last war while in the service of the United States. & if such disability has
prevented usual labour on proof of this can back pay be drawn & to what date or for a common flesh wound that has only lacerated muscles tendon & predisposing to violent Rhe[illegible] could any back allowance be obtained - I am applyed to have some disabled rangers placed on the Invalid Pension Roll. There long delay seems to have been caused by a false Idea of disgrace
being attached it-- I feel interested in this matter as I suffered the night watch during the last war on the Northern frontier as an Subaltern officer & attendant in [illegible]

I am with greatest respect
A. Gordon McKenzie Scy War
Page 39

to the Committee of Claim session of Congress or has the claims to be presented first for Invalid Pensioners & present for a final decision

N.B. in the recess of congress can you pass on claims
Hickory Grove Post office. A.G. McK

P.S. direct your letter to Warren County Missouri
Page 40

D.A.G. McKinzie
June 25 1839
O.C
Page 41

War Dept
Pension Office
June 25. 1839

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 10th inst. I have to inform you that the papers to which you
allude in the case of Abraham Smith, were received here from the Hon. Lewis Williams, of North Carolina in February last. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to him on the 13th of that month requiring proof of service. The evidence required does not appear to have been produced.

I also enclose the regulation for the guidance of Invalids. The Invalid Pension laws direct that the pension shall commence on the completion of the proof. Invalid claim should first be presented to this office
Dr. A. Gordon McKinzie
Hickory Grove P.O.
Missouri
Page 42

James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[sideways]
[illegible] feb11
No. Car.

Honl Wiliams H.R.
Page 43

Washington February 9th 1839

Sir,
I send you the papers in support of the Claim to a pension of Abraham Smith of Missouri the papers have been forwarded to me by a former citizen of my district in North Carolina who write to me that the [illegible] is very old and my poor the proof appears to be correctly made and and I hope the case may be favorable considered
I am your obt Hble Seat
Lewis Williams

James L Edwards Esquire
Page 44

Al.
Augt. 6. 40
Abraham Smith
of Mo
Page 45

(Copy.)
War Department
Pension Office
February 13 1839

Sir,
The papers in the case of Abraham Smith of Missouri, have been examined, and filed with suspended cases excepting the power of attorney which is herewith returned to you. He alleges to have served as an enlisted soldier of the South Carolina line. The records in this office afford no proof of his service. Perhaps some proof may be obtained on application to W. E. Wayne, Esq, Comptroller General of South Carolina, at Columbia. If the records in his office afford no proof, the testimony of witnesses should be exhibited as required in note j. in the enclosed printed sheet.
I have the honor to be very respectfully, Your Obt. Servt.
(signed) J. L. Edwards

Hon Lewis Williams
House of Reps
Page 46

Augt 6

A. Gordon McKenzie
of Mo.
Present
Page 47

War Department
Pension Office
June 25 1839

Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 10th inst. I have to inform you that the papers to which you allude in the case of Abraham Smith were received here from the Hon. Lewis Williams of South Carolina in February last. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to him on the 13th of that month, requiring proof of service. The evidence required does not appear to have been produced.
I also enclose the regulations for the guidance of Invalids. The Invalid Pension laws direct that the pension shall commence on the completion of the proof. Invalid claims should be first presented to this office.
I am very respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Dr. A. Gordon McKinzie
Hickory Grove P.O.
Missouri
Page 48

D. A. G. McKinzie
Aug 7 1840
OC
Page 49


Pension Office
August 7. 1840.
Sir.
The proof filed in support of the
service of Abraham Smith is not sufficient
to justify the admission of his
claim. If he served, as he now alleges,
5 years in the South Carolina Line, he
would have been entitled under the act
March 18. 1818, to a pension. At that
time it would not have been difficult
to prove his service by the testimony of
some of his surviving comrades.
His papers remain on our files.

I am, respectfully
Your obt srvt,
[signature marked through]

Dr A.G. McKenzie
Troy Missouri
Page 50

Aug 18 1840
OC
Page 51

Pen Office
Aug. 18 1840

Sir,

I have in your letter upon the subject of the claim of Abraham Smith of Mo. and in reply can only refer you to my letter addressed you on the 7th of this month, the receipt of which you acknowledge in yours of the 14th

No favorable can be had on this claim until the requisition in that letter are complied with

Sincerely
OC
Jun 7 1832

Ent'd

A G. McKenzie
Now at Richmond Va
Page 52

Sept. 1, 1840
O.C.
Page 53

66
Sepr 1840 

Pension Office
Augt [crossed out] Sept 1, 1840

Sir
Enclosed you will find agreeably
with your request a copy of my billet
of the 7th [illegible] relative to the claim of Abraham Smith of Mo.
[signed] Day
Dr. A. G. McKenzie
Hickory Grove
Warren Co.
Mo.
Al January 1837
Page 54

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank date], 19 [blank date]
P. 9677

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Abraham Smith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
[column headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
May 1777 or 1778
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 1 1/2 or 2 yrs.
RANK. [blank]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. David Hopkins
COLONEL. Thompson
STATE. S. C. 
-
while in a searching party on his way to Charleston was taken prisoner & confined in jail in Savannah 5 mos. Then taken to the Island of Jamaica and there kept till the end of the war

Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, within 5 miles of Fish Dam Ford, on Broad River in S. C.
Date of application for pension, Feby 5, 1833
Residence at date of application, Montgomery Co. Missouri
Age at date of application, b. March 12, 1754 on Neuse River North Carolina 
-
Remarks: In 1839 he said he had an almost 
helpless daughter and some grand children. No names are stated, and there is no further data as to his family. Rejected on the ground of insufficient proof of alleged service as required by the Act of June 7, 1833 under which he applied for pension.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

[additional notation appears to read: "The only sol this same S. C. Service"]
[form number] 6-2856