Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3927, for Zachariah Smith, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N. C. 
Smith, Zachariah
NUMBER
S3927
carded
CONTENTS
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25091
West Tennessee
Zachariah Smith
of Williamson Co in the State of Tennessee 
who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Harris of the regt commanded by Col Branch in the N Carolina line for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of [illegible] at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence of the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Nov 1833 and [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] 58.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 11.67
$70.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 7 Page 97
[written vertically on left side - date of death [illegible]]
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Zachariah Smith
Williamson Co.
Tennessee
(i)
[illegible] 17 - private
7 months.
$23.33/100 
Thos M. Sconce
Franklin 
[illegible]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Zachariah Smith
Period when the service was rendered.
17__
178[0 or 1]
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months. Days.
                 4
                 3
Rank of the Claimant.
Pr.
"
Names and ranks of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Harris Col Branch
Cap Turner 
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
75 
N.C. 
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary.
Each set of papers must be complete in themselves.  The clerks official charact[illegible]  should be certified.  see note i.
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of 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, [illegible] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.  
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of
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 first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __, with__ and served in the __ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  [hand with finger pointing} 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, of (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ______
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
{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 be 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 certificated of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ____and 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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be 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 your born?
2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
    {To an Officer.  {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement 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 inquiry 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 in 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[image of pointing hand] 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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State of Tennessee
Williamson County 
On this 5th day of sept 1832 personally appeared before one Thomas Pate presiding judge of the circuit of Williamson County state of Tennessee Zachariah Smith aged 75 years a resident of Williamson County and state of Tennessee, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the benefit of the act of Congress Passed 7th June 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated.  He first entered while living in Halifax county North Carolina, into Capt Harris's company being drafted for a four month tour.  This company was attached to Col Branch's regiment of militia.  Gen Jones was our commander and by him about the time of Gates' defeat at Camden, we were marched to the assistance of that Gen.  We were marched to the [illegible] [illegible] and there encamped, and Gen Gates was no where to be found we lay at this place for further orders and until my tour of four months, for which I received a discharge, had expired, when I returned home and remained there until the month of August when I was drafted for a three month tour into Capt [?Turner's] company and our company joined a body of troops commanded by a Col. whose name I forget.  I think I entered this company about the month of August 1781 after some little delay we were marched to Wilmington then in
possession of the British.  We encamped in the suburbs of the town, and for some time.  At lenght we determined to attack, but the night previous to the morning we intended to attack them they decamped and we entered Wilmington.  In a
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very short time after this we heard of Cornwall's surrender and we had nothing to do my time however soon after expired and I got a discharge which together with my first I lost in coming to this county [illegible] years afterwards.  This last was a discharge of 3 months.  I was born in Halifax county N Carolina in [?1757] where living until about the year 1810 I moved to Williamson County Tennessee where I have been living ever since and still live.  I was acquainted with [illegible] Col John Branch and my Captians  I have no record of my age other than that in a 
[? parlor book] in North Carolina now in my Brother's possession.  I know of of no person in this county who can testify to my services as stated my last discharge was signed by Capt Turner.  My first by Capt Harris.  I am acquainted with Thomas Pate and Jesse Pate Senior, and Jessee Pate Junior [illegible] who can certify to my age my character as having been a soldier of the revolution. and for veracity.  I hereby relinquish all claim whatever to a pension or annuity [whatever crossed out] and declare my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state 
Zachariah Smith
Sworn to in open court 5th Sept 1832
P Hay clk
We _________clergyman resident in the county of williamson state of Tennessee and Thomas Pate, Jessee Pate Senior and Jessee Pate Junior and David Ivey residents of the same county and state do hereby certify that Zachariah
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Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration we are well acquainted with, that we believe him to be 75 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
his
Thomas X Pate
mark
J. Pate Sen
J. Pate Jr
Sworn to & subscribed in open court 5th Sept 1832 P. Hay clk [illegible]
And the said court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the putting of the interrogations prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to him that 
[large crossed out area]
Jessee Pate Junior and Jessee Pate Senior, and Thomas Pate & David Ivey are residents of the county and state aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit and the court further certifies that it appears to him that it is inconvenient for the above named applicant to produce a clergyman, to certify as the regulations of the war department require, as he is acquainted with only one in his section of the country and he is afflicted with the rheumatism and cannot read writing.
Thos Stuart [hand drawn seal]
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I Zacariah Smith who have signed and sworn to the above declaration, do say on oath that the only clergyman with whom I am acquainted is by the name of [illegible] Brown who lives several miles from court and is so much cripled with the rheumatism so that he could not conveniently attend to make the necessary certificate and besides he cannot read writing.
Zacariah Smith
Sworn to in open court 5th Sept 1832
P. Hak clk [illegible]
I Preston Hay Clerk of the several courts of Williamson County Tennessee do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Zachariah Smith for a pension.  In testimony which I hereunto set my hand and private seal. there being as yet no seal of office. This the day and year aforesaid
Preston Hay {hand drawn seal}
State of Tennessee
I hereby certify that Preston Hay whose signature appears above is clerk of the circuit court of Williamson County and that said signatures purporting to be his are genuine
This 31st day of October 1833
D. Grundy
[vertically--Zacariah Smith Declaration]
Page 11

November 20, 1936
Thomas Hickman-S.4371
Zachariah Smith-S.3927
BA-J/AWF
Mr. William C. Moore
42 Chesterfield Road 
Stamford, Connecticut
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Thomas Hickman, Revolutionary War pensioner living in Davidson County, Tennessee, and the record of Zachariah Smith, Revolutionary War pensioner living in Williamson County, Tennessee. 
The data which follow were obtained from pension claims based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.  
Thomas Hickman-S.4371
The record of Thomas Hickman is furnished as found in the pension claim, S. 4371, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.  
Thomas Hickman was born October 15, 1762 in Albemarle County, Virginia, names of his parents not given.  
While residing in Surry County, North Carolina, he was elected in 1780 ensign in Captain William Meredith's company, Colonel Martin Armstrong's North Carolina regiment, was in Sumter's Defeat on the Wateree under Coloney Elisha Isaacs, length of service three months.  He volunteered later in 1780 and served as ensign in Captain Edwin Hickman's company, 
[added - His letter on Thomas Hickman S. 4371]
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2-
Colonel Robert Lanier's North Carolina regiment out in pursuit of Tories, was in several skirmishes, also guarded military stores under Captain Edward Gamble, length of service two months.  He served in 1781, two months and ten days in Captain Edwin Hickman's company, Colonel John Armstrong's North Carolina regiment and was in the battles of Allamance, Whitsell's Hills, and Guilford Court House.  He served as private in Captain Edwin Hickman's company, Colonel John Armstrong's regiment, and at the time of the battle of Eutaw Springs, his brother who was Captain of the company was taken sick and he (Thomas Hickman) was sent to take care of him, length of service three months. 
Thomas Hickman was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, at which time he was living in Davidson County, Tennessee, where he had lived "almost ever since the Revolution".  He died March 5, 1850.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to wife and children.  
*****************
Zachariah Smith-S.3927
The data which follow relative to Zachariah Smith were obtained from pension claim, S. 3927, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution. 
Zachariah Smith was born in 1757 in Halifax County, North Carolina, names of his parents not given.
While a resident of said Halifax County, he enlisted about the time of "Gates' Defeat" and served four months as private in Captain Harris' company, Colonel Branch's North Carolina regiment.  He enlisted sometime in August, 1781 and served three months in Captain Turner's company. 
He moved from Halifax County in 1810 and settled
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3-
in Williamson County, Tennessee.
Zachariah Smith was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, then a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. 
The papers in this claim contain no reference to wife and children.  The soldier referred to a brother living in 1832 in North Carolina, his name not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
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1926 Jan 15 hist. to Mrs. I. W. Purdom [initials ? MCA]
1936 - Nov. 20 - hist to William C. Moore - see his letter in Thomas Hickman S-4371 [illegible ? initials}
Revolutionary
3927
INVALID.
File No. 3927
Zachariah Smith 
Prv. N. C. line
Act: June 7 [illegible] 32
Indes:-Vol. A, Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 15

M.A.S.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
January 15, 1926
Mrs. I. W. Purdom
304 Gilmore St. 
Waycross, Ga. 
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3927, it appears that ZACHARIAH SHITH was born in 1757 in Halifax County, North Carolina.
While a resident of said county he enlisted in 1780 and served four months as private in Captain Harris' Company, Colonel Brach's North Carolina Regiment.  He enlisted in August, 1781, and served three months as private in Captain Turner's North Carolina Copany.  
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee.
There is no data on file relative to wife and children.
The above noted is the only Zachariah Smith of North Carolina found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, and there is no record of a Zachariah Smith of South Carolina. 
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
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State Highway Club
of
The Waycross Division
"Good Fellowship"
501 Bunn Building
Waycross, Georgia 
Mrs. I. W. Purdom
President
Miss Aurie Mullis
Secretary
December 7, 1925.
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir;-
I am advised by the Adjutant General that it is possible that you can give me the Revolutionary war record of Zachariah Smith from South Carolina, or North Carolina.  I want to know the name of his Company, and any other information that you may be able to give me.  I will appreciate very much the favor if you will investigate your records, and advise me. 
Thanking you in advance for your attention, I am,
Cordially yours,
[signature] Mrs. I. W. Purdom 
Mrs. I. W. Purdom,
State Chairman Federal Laws,
Ga. Federation of Womens Clubs.
[?304] Gilmore Street,
Waycross, Georgia. 
P/w.
{ink stamp} 
PENSION
R
DEC
U.   8   S.
1925
OFFICE