Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7536, for William Smith, North Carolina
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(8-1776)

SERVICE                                             NUMBER

N.C.                     Smith, William           7536

________________________________________________
born Jan 16,  1762 in Chester Co. Pa.
res. at [illegible] Burke Co. N.C. Iredell Co. N.C. [illegible] 1832.
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On the left side of the page:
Lit. 14 on L. Williams
7 June 1834

On the right side is a form with blanks filled in 
23.537
North Carolina
_____________________________________________

William Smith
of Iredell in the State of N. Car who was a Pr. in the ---commanded by Captain Holmes of the  Rgt commanded by Col McDowell in the N. Car line for 2 years.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Caroline at the rate of 80 Dollars____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Feby:34.      and {[Illegible] J.Campbell, Statesville, N.C
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833            200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34    40
                                                              ____
                                                              ____
                                                            $240
                                                             _____
                                                             _____
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. [illegible] Page 73
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Written in the center of the page

19304
William Smith
Application
for a Pension

No 37
Page 4

State of North Caroline
Iredell County}

On this 7th day of November 1832 appears personally before the judge of the Superior Court of Said (struck out) Said County William Smith resident in Said County and State aged Seventy years who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath state the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. that he (struck out) entered the Service of the United States and Served as hereto Stated.
That in the month of July 1780 he entered the
Service in the Militia in the horse under Capt Robert Holmes and Col Charles McDowell in what was then Burke but is now Iredell County and Served Sometimes in the horse and and [illegible] on foot, in continuation untill about the Month of April 1783. during this Service he Served mostly under the officers above named. but on one occasion the last Service he performed he was under Capt Highland and Major Joseph McDowell in an expedition to the Cherokee nation.  He is honestly and [illegible] of opinion that his actual Services amount to more than two years and Six months.  At the time that General Greene was pursued by Cornwallis he was
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under Col F Socke and pursued on to Guilford.  He was born in Chester County Pennsylvania & has lived where he now does 56 years.  He knows of no person except John Chapman by whose testimony he can prove his services.  He had three discharges but they were all burnt in his house- he was always a volunteer. He hereby relinquishes every claim except this present to a pension or annuity and declares that his name in not on the the pension Role of the agency of any state.  He has a record of his age in a Bible in his possession.  Sworn & Subscribed in open court date as above.
Wm Smith
I John Chapman do hereby certify that I am Eighty two years of age, that I am well acquainted with William Smith who has Sworn to and Subscribed the above declaration that he believes him to be Seventy years of age that he served with him in Several of the campaigns above mentioned was with at Guilford and at the Cherokee nations. 
Sworn & Subscribed the day}
and year aforesaid}
       his
John x Chapman
      mark
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And the Said Judge of Said Court does hereby [illegible] it as his opinion that after the investigations of the Matter and putting the questions prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he States.  And the Court further certifies that it appears that John Chapman is a resident of Wilkes County and is a credible person and his Statement entitled to credit.

I James Campbell Clerk of the Court of Iredell County Superior Court of Law do, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in in the matter of the application of William Smith for a pension.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this 7th day of November 1832
J. Campbell Clk.
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No 19.364
William Smith
Iredell County
North Carolina

Admit as private
24 mo $80
P 323



Sp: Let
7 April [struck out]
21-Sept
J Campbell ClkCo
Statesville
Iredell Co N. C
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This is a form with blank areas filled in

BRIEF in the case of William Smith
County of Iredell in the State of North Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he? 70 Years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

The following is in the form of a table set of horizontally.  It is transcribed by sections for organization.

_________________________________________________

Period.  Vol Entd. In 1780

Duration of Service.  Year, Month, Days
2 [yrs] 9 [mos] about

Rank.  As a part on foot & part in th (sic) Horse

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.l Rutherford
Capt Holmes Col. McDowell

[End of Table]

5.  In what battles was he engaged?

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Burk (sic) County NC

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 1. Witness

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.      

JW Classek Examining Clerk.
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William Smith
additional declaration

3 [illegible]          3
a3                        3
a1 15                   1.15
3                           3
2o3a.                    3
______                   ____
18                         131/2
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The additional Statement of William Smith who upon his oath Saith
That he was born in Chester County Pennsylvania the 16th of January 1762
He has a record of his age in a Bible in his own possession
He was living where he now lives in what is now Iredell County but was at that time Burke County, at the time he was called into Service.
He was always a Volunteer; in the expedition to the Indian Nation he was ordered out by his Captain.
He was a while in the army under Gen Green and Saw him while [illegible] before Cornwallis.  He states that the first Service he performed was in the horse.  he was a volunteer , and joined his company in July 1780.  The Country was greatly disturbed and much divided in the Section of Country, it became unsafe for him to stay at home and he was repeatedly called into the Service under Capt. Holmes and when the board of [illegible] Sat to grant Certificates for Such Services Capt Holmes made out his discharge for 18 months in the horse alleging that it was not necessary to make one for each Separate tour.  Capt. Highland also gave him a discharge for a three month Service in the horse in the tour against the Indians, besides these Capt. Holmes gave him a discharge for three months Service in the foot.
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all his discharges were lost by the burning of his house.  His references are before the department.

He states, that the particular method in which he performed duty was in a company termed a company of Rangers, that he never engaged in any civil [illegible] from July 1780 until April 1783. was often engaged in Securing the Counties of Wilkes and Brooke in quest of the tories who were numerous & troublesome in there posts.  Sometimes he was in Guilford County & Sometimes in South Carolina & always held himself in readiness to go at a moments warning. was often engaged in the night in active Service.  [Illegible] down three of his own horses in the Service, So as to be under the necessity of supplying their place with others, and does not believe that he was Six months at horse put it altogether in the time mentioned above.
Wm. Smith
Sworn & Subscribed
July 24th 1833 before
J. Campbell JP.
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This is a small form with most information written.  It is on the left side of the page.

7536
INVALID.
RevWar [written, vertical]
_________
File No. 7536
William Smith
Priv. Rev. War
_________
Act: June 7th 1832

Indx:--Vol 1st. Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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William Smith
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[This is a mostly printed form with the name written in, the questions printed, and the answers written.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Smith ___ which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides:  Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, in there any reason assigned for his not doing so?   ----

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes
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This page consists of a list of printed questions with written answers.

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  No

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  [illegible]

XIV.  (Dagger symbol) If the applicant
s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
         If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
         Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  yes

XVI.  (double plus sign) Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  (No clergyman) [Scratched out]

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  1  2  3  4  5  6  7
_________________________

EXPLANATORY NOTES
[Curved line in margin with numeral sign]
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state  precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

   "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that , by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that 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.
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The first four paragraphs on this page are printed.
There is a curved line in margin of the first paragraph.[

3

   It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each [words missing due to a torn page corner] and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to [words missing] pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase [italics] about three of four months [words missing] [end italics]  definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for [words missing] merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the durations 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.
[Footnote symbol]QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service. [Italics]
   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 claimants 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 my 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.
[Double footnote symbol] QUERE XVI.  [Italics] Mode of authenticating papers.  [End italics] 
   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 paper 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.
   [Manicle] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

[The following is handwritten.]
The applicant must specify his services as required above before any favorable action can be had on his case.  It cannot be supposed that either Capt Holmes or Col. McDowell in the militia under these continued [illegible] is actual service 18 mo -
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Statesville July 24 1833
Sir
Sometime Since I Sent to this department the application of William Woodside and Thomas Brotherton Strengthened I hope by the additional declaration of Mr. Woodside. Mr. Brotherton lives Several miles from me and could not materially add any thing to the testimony of Mr. Woodside and therefore I have not Seen him.  the principle difficulty appears to respect their Service under regular officers from the time of their arrival at [illegible].  I have known them both for 30 years and know them to be men of credibility and have often heard Mr. Woodside with whom I was intimate - speak of being at the battle of [illegible] before there was any provision made for any of the Revolutionary Soldier.  There is on the file of the War department testimonies formerly taken and altogether such as I hope will satisfy the department of their having a just claim to the bounty of their Country.

I how forward again Mr. Thomas Sackey's and Mr. John Chapman's.  I hope they too will now be Satisfactory.  Chapman's application I presume will be greatly aided by the testimony of William Smith Esquire as he is a witness of Strict probity.
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Written horizontally

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
J. Campbell

I opened the letter to enclose the additional affidavit of William Smith Esquire

Written vertically
J Campbell
Statesville
July 24, 1833          NC
containing additional declaration in the [illegible] of Wm. Smith= The paper of Mr. Smith were sent Mr. Campbell on the 29th July & again 19 Sept. 1833
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Wm Smiths
additional 
Declaration
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State of North Carolina}
Iredell County               }
      Personally came William Smith before me the Subscribing Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and being duly Sworn Maketh the following additional declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provisions of an act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832  He Says that by reason of Age and loss of Memory he cannot Swear Positively to the precise length of his Service but to the best of his recollection he Served not less than the periods mentioned below   His first tour of duty was in the horse under Capt. Holmes and joined the corps in Rowan County, and went in pursuit of Bryan to the hanging Rock in South Carolina where he was in an engagement with the Tories  This tour was in the year 1780. and returned home.  [illegible] ranging through Wilkes [illegible] and Burke Counties in pursuit of the Tories, took Some prisoners among them were John Marrow Meredith Edwards, William Irons P___ Turner all tory Captains __  altogether about --  After this Capt. Holmes being Sick. Capt. Bukentoff took command of the Corps and the deponent continued in the horse under him to [illegible] the aforesaid Counties for 
300 [written in right margin]
_ __  between those two tours deponent performed a tour in pursuit of Cornwallis in the foot under Capt. Holmes, pursued Cornwallis from the Catawba to Guilford and was in the battle at Guilford Court house, and a few days after was discharged.
1.1/00     [written in right margin]
_______
8 2/00    [written in right margin]
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8.0/00  [in right margin]
Later in the year 1781 Capt  Holmes resumed the 
command of the Company and under him the applicant marched in the horse to King's Mountain and was in the neighbourhood at the time of the battle and assisted to guard the prisoners and marched with them to Morganton  he continued under the command of Holmes Securing the County for Tories & was in Continual Service under him untill the Indians became troublesome in the year 1782 and could not be [illegible]
8---[in right margin]
In 1782 He entered the Service under Capt John Hiler in the horse and went in pursuit of the Cherokee Indians and pursued to the upper end of Burke County. and continued in the Service this time about
6--- [in right margin]
In February 1783 he returned home on furlough to rifil, and obtain a fresh horse about the Middle of february he rejoined the army and the first of March marched under Capt. Highland & McDowell to the Cherokee nation and was in the Service about
2 [illegible] [in right margin]
____
y 2.1.0 [in right margin]
_________
_________

He had a discharge from Capt. Holmes for 18 months [from Capt Holmes - scratched out] also from the same Captain for three months and from Capt Highland as he thinks for Six months.  Deponent Says that he has always considered himself as being in the Service of his Country from
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the month of July 1780 until the latter end of April 1783 for although he did a few times return home on furlough yet he was always in readiness to return into Service  He says all his discharges were burned as he believes in the burning of his house which happened when himself & his family were from home [illegible] of it was fire robbed.  he never recovered his discharges.  He was always a volunteer and a private.  He was born in Chester County Pennsylvania, and has his age recorded in a Bible in his possession.  He has no documentary evidence and refers to the evidence of John Chapman.  He says that he saw General Greene & Served other officers of the regular Army particularly Col. Davis and Col Ford which last was a relation of the applicant.
Wm. Smith
Sworn Subscribed
the 16th day of November
1833 before
J M Morrison JP

This deponent further says that John Chapman Served with him in the tour after Bryant, and the tour against Cornwallis, and in the tour under Berkentoff and in the tour under Highland and also Served with him under Holmes part of the tour.
Sworn Subscribed
this 16th November 1833
before
J M Morrison JP
Wm. Smith
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State of North Caroline}
Iredell County              }

I Abraham Simonton Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of Iredell County do hereby certify that James M Morrison Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be his is genuine.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 16th day of November AD 1833
A Simonton Clk
by 
JCampbell DC.

[No seal is visible on this page.]
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Wm Smith
Page 25

State of NCarolina}  I do heer [sic] by certify that
Iredell County       }  I have ben [sic] personally acquainted With William Smith Esq for a long time and during which time he has supported a  good morrel carrector [sic] and has Always been considered as a man of truth and verasity [sic]
J.W. Holl
Jas Thompson
Milton Campbell
Hiram Caldwell [illegible]
A Simonton Clk
Samuel Coney
Sworn & Subscribed May 21st 1833 before
J Campbell JP.

I James Campbell a Justice of the peace in and for Said County do hereby certify that the persons who have Signed and Sworn to the foregoing certified are reputable persons and their statements entitled to credit.  May 21st 1833    J. Campbell JP.

I Abraham Simonton Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter session of Iredell County aforesaid do hereby certify that James Campbell is an acting Justice of the Pease in Said County and that his Signature above is genuine 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal of office this 28th day of May 1833
A Simonton Clk
Page 26

Wm Smith
Jn Chapman
And
Jn Scott

Witten upside down

Hon James L Edwards

Commissioner of
Pensions
Washington 
[illegible]
Page 27

Statesville  Nov 23rd 1833
Sir  I again return the papers of Wm Smith Esq and John Chapman applicants for a pension.  I am well Satisfied myself that they are entitled to the provision made by this Country for the  Revolutionary Soldiers and hope that upon an examination it will be found that their Claim is So made out and authenticated as to [illegible] the war department.  William Smith is well known to me and has long been an acting Justice of the Peace in Iredell County and maintains a fair reputations as an honest and honorable man and his testimony in entirely creditable.  He proves not only his own Service but also Chapmans.  Chapman is a Stranger to me, but I have no doubt of the general Correctness of this Statement.  I have hopes therefore that you will find upon a recommendation that they are entitled to the pension
Respectfully
J. Campbell