Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,995, for Richard Smith, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE  R.I.  

Smith, Richard
Susanna

NUMBER W24,995

CONENTS
 b. Apr. 16, 1753 in Bristol, R. I. there at enl. and died there Oct. 17,1832
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Rhode Island  35
Susanna Smith 
of Bristol in the state of R.I.
who was a _____ in the  _______ commanded
by Captain _______ of the _____ commanded
by _____ in the _______
Widow of Richard Smith decd who was a sergeant in the War of the Revolution.
Inscribed on the roll of R. Island
at the rate of 90 dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.  Amt
paid her husband to be decided.
Certificate of pension issued the 2 day of Sept 1836 and sent Jos. M. Blake, Bristol, R. I.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836. $450.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1836 $45.00
$495.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act 4 July 1836}
Recorded by D D Addison, Clerk
Book ____ Vol 1, Page 117
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27116
Rhode Island
Richard Smith
of Bristol in the state of R. I.
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Throop of the Regt commanded 
by Colo. Miller in the R. I.
line for 
18 months Sergeant
Inscribed on the roll of R. I.
at the rate of 90 dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Mar.
1834 and sent to
John Cross Esq, Portsmouth
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $270
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Dept 1834 $45
$315
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by George Taylor, Clerk
Book E, Vol 2, Page 130
Page 4

Richard Smith
decd 17 Octo 1832

29239
Richard Smith
by his widow Susannah
Bristol
County of Bristol

[illegible]
Sergeant,18 mo
Cap Throop, Col Miller
Said Richard died 17 Oct 1832

John Cross, Esq
Portsmouth N J
Page 5

State of Rhode Island etc.
County of Bristol ss.
Personally appeared in open Court, on the 4th day of November 1833 before the judges or justices of the Court of Probate, a court of record of Bristol in the county of Bristol, now sitting, Susannah Smith   who is known by the Court, the widow of the late Richard Smith decd, and who being duly sworn according to Law, doth say that she is seventy six years of age and upwards-that she resides in Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and that she makes the following declaration of the services of Richard  Smith late of said Bristol decd. and her late husband, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, 1832.
  That the said Richard entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, that is to say,
  In December 1776 he belonged to the Company of militia in said Bristol, then under the command of Capt Wm. Troop, as a  sergeant, the other officers of the company, were Joseph Reynolds and Jonathan Dimond Lieut. and it belonged to Col. Nathan Miller's Regiment.
 At this time the enemy took possession of Newport and Capt Throop's  Company of Militia were called out by classes or turns for a month at home to guard the shores against the English on the islands-and this continued till the enemy left Newport in November 1779.
  I was married to said Richard on the 29th day of November 1777 and was well acquainted with him for more than two years before and from my relations to him at that time.  I shall never forget his revolutionary services-before we were married he was in the service several times, in said Bristol and after we were married he was in the service as often as an every other month till the month of November 1779.
  On the 25th of May 1778, the day that Bristol was burnt he was taken prisoner by the enemy, who landed on the Neck and carried him to Newport, he was then kept one month when he was exchanged, and returned home, dirty and covered with vermin
  He went on to Rhode Island in August 1778 under Gen [illegible] and I think once more afterwards, but I am not certain, I cannot remember the time.
  According to the best of my recollection said Richard served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the grade of a sergeant, namely, from December 1776 to December 1777 [illegible] of  one month each from December 1777 to May 1778 three tours of one
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month each in June 1778 one month a prisoner of war in Newport, and from July 1778 to November 1779, eight tours of one month each, making in all eighteen months for which I claim a pension.
I have frequently heard the said Richard tell about his Revolutionary services during his lifetime and state about his being in the guards for his half of the time, all of his monthly services were performed at the guard posts in said Bristol except the month in Rhode Island in August 1778 under Genl Sullivan.
I further declare that said Richard, my late husband, departed this life at said Bristol on the 17th day of October AD 1832.
And I further declare that said Richard was born in said Bristol on the 16th day of April 1753 as a copy of the records herewith will show.  That he lived in said Bristol when he was called into the services aforesaid and always resided in the same.  That he never received any written discharge but was verbally discharged. Nor has, or had, any documentary evidence of any said services.  That she refers to Rev. Henry Wight and Ambrose Waldron Esq. who are citizens of said Bristol and are neighbors, who testify to her character for truth and to their belief that said Richard was a soldier of the revolution, and also to the deposition herewith.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity in behalf of said Richard, except the present, and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Susannah Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Witness, Wm Throop Clerk

We, Henry Wight and Ambrose Waldron, residing in said Bristol hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Susannah Smith, widow of the late Richard Smith Esq, who  [illegible] the above declaration that we believe she is seventy six years of age, and that said Richard, at the time of his death was seventy nine years of age.  That said Richard was reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of
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of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Henry Wight
Ambrose Waldron
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Witness, Wm Throop, Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter (and after putting the interragatories presented by the War Department) that said Richard was a revolutionary soldier, and served as stated by said Susannah. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Henry Wight is a clergyman residing in said Bristol and that Ambrose Waldron who has also signed the preceding certificate, is a resident of the same, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Witness: Wm Throop Clerk

I William Throop clerk of the  Court of Probate for said Bristol do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Susannah Smith, in behalf of her late husband, Richard Smith, deceased for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said office, this fourth day of November 1833. And of American independence the fifty eighth.
Wm Throop, Prob. Clerk
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"Richard Smith son of Richard Smith and Luentia, his wife, was born April 16th, 1753."
"Richard Smith died October 17th AD 1832"

Source Clerks Office, Bristol, R. KL. ov. 4, 1833.
I certify that the above are true copies from the records in this office.
Witness:  Wm Throop, Clk
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I, Jonathan Fales of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island ss aged eighty one years, and under solemn oath depose.
That the late Richard Smith of said Bristol, now deceased was well known to me, (whose widow, Susannah Smith is now making application for a pension for his military services in the war of the Revolution.)

The said Richard and myself were near od anage, our parents were neighbours, and we both inherited their respective domiciles.

At the Commencement of the said war, we belonged to the militia company in this town, there and I think during the whole of said war under the command of Capt. Wm. Throope. Where the British fleet took possession of Newport, and the island of Rhode Island in our immediate vicinity in December 1776. Our services in said company became regular and steady, we, said company, were divided into two equal parts or classes, and each class served a month and was then relieved by the other in rotation, in guarding and protecting our shores and fortifications during the time the enemy held said Island, which was nearly three years excepting in the expedition under Genl. Spencer, where an attempt was made to make a descent on said Island in 1777, which was abandoned, and in the expedition the year following on said Island under Genl. Sullivan where portions of our said company were detached and engaged in those expeditions.

 At that time said Smith was a young man, and the habits of independence, stability, and firmness, which were even after through his long life conspicuous in his character were at that early period in a great degree formed, and he entered into the service of his country, with that spirit and confidence which was at that time so conspicuous in the breasts of the youth of the Country.

At an early part of said war, he was a sergeant in the company, also acted as clerk, and even had charge of provisions, stores, and rations, for said company, and the distribution of these also, and continued in said capacities through said war. And from my personal knowledge and recollection, do know that said Smith was always ready, and did as much duty in said company as any man.
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I am not positive as to the services of said Smith, in the two expeditions, heretofore alluded to, but do believe he was in both of them, as to the latter one, I recollect that Capt. Throop with a part of our company, joined the army on the Island a day or two previous to the battle, that was attached to his class, but in consequince of my business at home, and needed also here in the public service, a substitute was provided. And said Smith I think must have been there, and from my knowledge of said Smith services at that time I think he served not less than one year and an half in the public service as a Sergeant.  Jonathan Fales

State of Rhode Island Bristol ss at Bristol Dec 11th 1833

Personally came Jonathan Fales, the above named deponent and made solemn oath to his aforegoing deposition, and subscribed the same before me.

And I do further certify that aid deponent is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity

Wm Throop Justice Court C. Pleas
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I, Nathaniel Ingraham of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island ss

Agedseventy years engaged according to law depose and say that from my youth, I was always well acquainted with the late Richard Smith of said Bristol, now deceased, and whose widow, Mrs. Susannah Smith of said Bristol also, is now an applicant for a pension, for the military services of her late husband the said Richard in the War of the Revolution, under the act of Congress of June 7thm 1832. My father and the said Richard Smith were near neighbours and lived in the compact part of our village.

During the said War, and more particularly while the British fleet and army were in possession of Newport and the island of Rhode Island in our immediate neighbourhood, Bristol was kept in a continual state of alarm as the enemy effected landings in our neighbourhood, in the night time for the purposes of obtaining provisions, and for plundering. The militia company of this town, or parts of it, were on duty I think nearly all the said time, and I recollect well of frequently seeing the said Smith with them, he was a Sergeant in said company, acted as clerk, and had charge of the provisions and such stores as were allotted to said Company, as rations from the Commissary store.  Nathaniel Ingraham

The State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol ss
At Bristol Dec 11th 1833
Personally came Nathaniel Ingraham the above named deponent, and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing deposition and subscribed the same before me.

And I further certify that said deponent is personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm. Throop Justice CourtC. Pleas


The State of Rhode Island &c Clerk's office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol. I hereby certify that William Throop whose signature is affixed in his own proper handwriting to the taking of the aforegoing depositions of Jonathan Fales and Nathaniel Ingraham, is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged thereon according to law.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this eleventh day of
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December in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Three.

And of American Independence the fifty eigth.
Wm Bradford Clerk
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No. 128
Susanna Smith
for a 
pension.
Widow of Richard Smith
decd pri.
Let to J M Blake
15 Aug '36
[illegible]
18 mo Sergt
$90
Subject to deduction from 4 March 31 to 17 Oct 1832.
Jos M. Blake Esq
Bristol, R I
Page 14

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol Co
On this first day of August AD 1834 personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Probate now in session at Bristol in the county and state aforesaid, Susannah Smith a resident in said Bristol aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836.
That she is the widow of Richard Smith Esq late of said Bristol, deceased, for whose services as a sergeant in the revolutionary was she procured a temporary pension under the Act of June 7th 1832.  And she refers to her declaration made before the Honorable Court of Probate in session here at this November term AD 1833 and the evidence which accompanied that declaration in the files of the pension office at Washington. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Smith on the twenty seventh day of November in the year 1777. that her husband, the aforesaid Richard Smith died on the seventeenth day of October in the year 1832 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Susannah Smith
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before said court of Probate.
Attest: Wm Throop Clk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, that the abovenamed Richard Smith was a revolutionary soldier and served as above stated.
Attest: Wm. Throop, Clk
I, Wm Throop, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the abovenamed Town of Bristol, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, of the said Court in the matter of the application of Susannah Smith, widow as aforesaid for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this first day of August AD 1836.
Wm Throp, Prob. Clkl
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  I Susanna Moore of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, late Widow, on solemn oath depose and say, that I am the daughter of Richard Smith and Susanna, his wife.-that they were lawfully joined together in marriage as I verily believe on the twenty seventh day of November 1777 and as appears by a family record thereof in the hand writing of my said father, in an ancient family Bible in the words and figures following to wit. "Richard Smith Junr was born in Bristol on the 16th day of April AD 1753 and married Susanna Treby daughter of Peter Treby on the 27th day of November AD 1777 who was born in Newport on the 9th day of February AD 1757".  I further testify that there is no other record to my knowledge, of said marriage-
And I further testify that my said father Richard Smith died on the 17th day of October AD 1832 and that my said mother Susanna Smith has never been married since that period.
Susanna Moore

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol sc.  At Bristol this first day of August 1836 then personally appeared the above named Susanna Moore and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition and subscribed to the same before me.  And I further certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and that she sustains a good character for truth and veracity.  I also certify, that the family record referred to in her said deposition was examined by me and that the same is truly copied in said deposition, is in the hand writing of said Richard Smith with which I was well acquainted and that the same appears to have been made many years since and is believed by the record of the births of his children by his said wife, being ten in number and among them is the name of his said daughter Susanna.
Jos. M. Blake Justice of the Peace
Page 16

Hosertice Potter Dimond of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island Esq. on solemn oath depose and say
  That I was well acquainted with Richard Smith late of said Bristol, Esq. deceased and also with his wife Susannah Smith, that the said Richard Smith died in the month of October AD 1832 at said Bristol and that his said wife is still alive and has never been married since his death.
 H Potter Dimond

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol sc.  At Bristol this first day of August AD 1836 then the above named Hosertice Potter Dimond personally came and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition by him subscribed before me.  And I do further certify that I am personally acquainted with said deponent and that he  sustains a good character for truth and veracity
Jos. M. Blake
Just. of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
Bristol sc  Clerks office Supreme Judicial Court
August 3rd A.D. 1836 I Greend. Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that William Throop is the present Clerk of the Court of Probate for Bristol and has been such for several years last past. and that said Court is one of record, and I further certify that Joseph M. Blake, before whom the deposition of Susannah Moore and H. Potter Dimond afore written purport to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace for said County, and has been such for several years last past. and that the signature at the bottom of said depositions is in his own proper hand writing.
  In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the day and year above written
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk
Page 17

Family Record.
  Richard Smith Junr. was born in Bristol on the  16th day of April AD 1753 and married Susanna Treby daughter of Peter Treby on the 27h day of November AD 1777 who was born in Newport on the 9th day of February AD 1757
Hannah was born May 24th 1799
Died June 22nd 1799
Sarah was born June 27th 1780
Susanna was born March 10th 1752
Richard was born September 5th 1785
Died September 20th 1785
Samuel was born October 8th 1787
Died June 23rd 1801
Peter was born September 8th 1790
Died September 9th 1790
James was born April 15th 1792
Died April 26th 1792
Mary was born April 4th 1793
John was born February 17th 1795
Died March 4 1795
Joseph was born February 10th 1796
Died March 30th 1796

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol sc  At Bristol this 20th day of August AD 1836 James Diman one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that I have this day examined an ancient family bible in the possession of Susanna Smith, widow of the late Richard Smith, esquire, and compared the above copy with the original entries therein and find the same to have been correctly copied.  And I further certify that the said entries appear to be genuine.  that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Richard Smith who was clerk of this court for more than twenty years and until a short time before his death and that all of said entries are in his own proper handwriting and appear to have been made long since, excepting only the words "Family Record" at the top which are in print.
James Diman
Judge C.C. P.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol ss  Clerks office Court of Common Pleas County of Bristol August 26th A.D.1836.  I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that James Diman. is a Judge of said Court; and that the signature
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signature at the bottom of the aforegoing certificate is in his own proper handwriting and is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.
Greenwood Reynolds, Clerk
Page 19

2716
Rhode Island
Richard Smith
of Bristol in the state of R I
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Throop of the regt commanded
by Col Miller in the R I
line for 18 months private
Sergeant

Inscribed on the roll of R I
at the rate of 60 dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Jany
1832 and sent to John Cress, Esq. Portsmouth R. I.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $150
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar '34 $30
$180

{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by George Taylor, Clerk
Book E, Vol 2, Page 130
Page 20

WIDOW, %C
File No 24995
Susannah Smith
Wid of 
Richard Smith
Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: Vol L, Page 225

July 25, 1904: Hist to Mrs. P O Hawkins, Providence, R. I.
Page 21

Providence R. I.
June 26th 1904
E.S. Ware
  Dear Sir
Will you please send me a statement of the military history of Richard Smith in a revolutionary soldier in Capt. Dexter's Co Col. Lippett's regiment on company payroll
Sept. 1776
Pension roll of 1835
Respectfully
Mrs. P. O. Hawkins/Elmwood Ave.
  stamped Jun 29 1904
FILES.
Page 22

Date stamped:

U S Pension Office
A June 28m 1904
Page 23

Susannah Smith 
R I
susp'd
Let to J M Blake
Aug 16 '36

Act 4 July 1836
Page 24

To what period was Susannah Smith widow of Richard Smith, Sergt, 90$/v. paid at the R I Agency?
GWC
27 Aug '36
Page 25

[illegible - writing too faint to decipher)

Dec.76, Sgt Capt  Wm Throop
Col Nathan Miller, R. I. Mil
served every other month
until Nov. 1779
taken prisoner May 25, 1778
[illegible] of Bristol, held [illegible] 
Aug 78 Sullivan's expedition

married Nov. 27, 1777  Sussanah
Treby dau Peter Treby she [illegible] 9, 1757

died Oct 17, 1832 at Bristol
[illegible] Apr 16, 1753 
at [illegible]
Dec. 76 6 mo.  alternating
Dec. 77  3 mon.
June 78 1 mo prisoner
July 78 8 mos.
18
Page 26

Payments to be made
at Providence R I
by President of Triade Bank
Agent for payment pensioners
in the agency of Rhode Island

Recorded in the pension office,
in book E, Vol 2, Page 130
by George Taylor, Clerk
Page 27

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United
states of the 7th June,1832, Richard Smith of the state of Rhode Island
who was a private in the War of  the Revolution
is entitled to receive sixty dollars and
00 cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fourth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and countersigned} J L Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
Page 28

Portsmouth, R K
Feb. 24

Hon James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Certif. Ret
Richard Smith
February 28, 1834
Page 29

Port smouth R. I. Feb. 24 1834

Dear Sir,
At the request of Susan Smith of Bristol, widow of the late Richard Smith, I return to the Department the pension certificate of said Richard Smith, and would very respectfully inquire if there was not a mistake made as to the grade in which said Smith served?
Said Smith, I believe, served as a sergeant, as the [illegible] in his case and the proofs will show.  If there is no mistake, then please return this certificate, as she feels grateful to her country for this amt. in aid of her means at her advanced period of life.
I have the honor to be with great
respect Your obt. servant,
John Cross

Hon J L Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington City
Page 30

Bristol R. I. Aug 22nd 1836
Sir,
  In yours of the 15th inst. with which I was honored you state that "In the case of Susanna Smith widow of Richard Smith deceased, it will be necessary to obtain from a judge or magistrate a certificate of the record and apparent genuineness of the entry in the family bible.
  Such certificate is herewith enclosed.
  You also state there the papers in the cases of Widow Sarah Reynolds, Sarah Phillip and Tabitha Bosworth are mentioned to me.  I have not received them and suppose that you may have inadvertently omitted to send them, or that they have been mislaid.
I am, sir, very respectfully
your obt. Servt.
Jos. M. Blake

J L. Edwards esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 31

New York Aug 25th 1836
J L Edwards Esq.
Sir
  I herewith enclose the vouchers in the case of my mother's claim for Pension under the act of July 4th in addition you will find by reference to the old pension roll that he was a private on Pension up to the day of his death Sept. 4th 1808 and payments made up to that time at Hartford C.
Very Respectfully,
y ob. Ser.
Jas Boardman
[illegible] 168 Spring St.
New York