Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9852, for Daniel Smith, Vermont
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(3-1774)
Service
Vt.
Smith, Daniel [number]R.9852
Sarah
S. born Apr. 2, 1755
[Rise at] Out Rattlaud, VT
S died May 14 1832
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V [oversized]5083
-
Sarah Smith
widow of Daniel
Vt
Act 7 July 38
m 85 d 32.
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State of Vermont
Rutland Co.
On this 7 day of March 1839,
personally appeared before me, Ambrose L. Brown, Judge
of Probate for the district of Rutland and State of Vermont,
Mrs. Sarah Smith of Clarendon in the County of Rutland
and State aforesaid, aged seventy four years, who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838,
entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows
That she is the widow of Daniel Smith, late of Clarendon
deceased, who performed military service in the American Rev
olutionary war as a private, Sergeant, ensign, and lieutenant
in the militia; that from the time of the battle of Hubbardton in
this county, in June or July 1777, until the middle of March 1778
he belonged to a volunteer company of the militia called the
Rangers, as he always said to her and as she verily believes, and that
he was in Bennington at the time of the battle there and was one of the
guard which was mounted on the prisoners taken in that
battle; that he has often told her, the deponent, that the meeting
house in which the prisoners were confined was so crowded,
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as to be in danger of breaking and that the prisoners from this fact
became alarmed and attempted to escape from the windows, and ┃
that number of them were shot in consequence of leaping from the ┃
windows and endeavoring to escape; that after the battle of
Bennington the company of Rangers to which he belonged
was employed as scouts between Bennington and Ticonderoga,
usually in small parties, watching against the incursions of the
Indians and giving protection to the inhabitants; that on the
-
12th day of March 1778, he, the said Daniel Smith was in
gaged in a desperate encounter with the enemy in Shelburne,
where he had gone with a party to secure some grain from
falling into the hands of the enemy; that in this conflict he
received two wounds, one in his forehead near one eye, & the other
on his back caused by a ball which grazed his left shoulder
& a part of his back, the scars of which wounds she, the department has often seen; that she has often heard him sing the song
which was written to commemorate this event, beginning with
this stanza "On the twelfth of March, in Seventy eight
When Britons and Indians invaded our State
In Shelburne brave Sawyer those wretches did meet
with a few who determined they neer would retreat."
She, the department further says that she has often heard her deceased
husband speak of going in numerous instances, with his company to
maintain garrison in the stockade forth of East Rutland, Pittsford
and Castleton; that he has often told of her of an expedition to
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Brandon, under the command of Lt. Col. Claghom, where they came
so close upon the Indians who had been plundering & destroying the property of
the inhabitants, that they saw the feathers blowing about, from beds which
they had ripped open Col. Claghorn refused wallow his men to [illegible]
of Otter Creek to attack the Indians and his men supposed that
his refusal arose from Cowardice. She the defendant, has often and
her late husband speak of these circumstances in conversation with
those who were present with him, in Brandon. She further declares
that she has often heard her late husband speak of going to Ticonderoga,
on various expeditions for the defence of the frontier.
She further declares that she was married to the said
Daniel Smith on the twenty eighth day of February in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five;
that her husband, the aforesaid Daniel Smith, died on
the fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two; that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place
previous to the first of January one thousand seven hundred and
ninety four, (viz) on the twenty eight day of February one
thousand seven hundred and eighty five
Sworn to and subscribed on
the day and year above written
before me A L Brown Judge
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[S] Frederick W. Hopkins Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the District of Rutland do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceeding of the said Court in the matter of
the application of Sarah Smith for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal at Rutland this 7 March AD 1839
FW Hopkins We
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State of Vermont
Rutland County ⎬
I Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the
County Court for the County of
Rutland certify that Channey
Thrall Moses Watkins & Francis
Stason were at the time of taking [Aa]
 annexed affidavits respectively justices of the peace
for said County and that the
[social] signatures to the
annexed affidavits are genuine
-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my
Seal
hand and affixed the
of said Court at the end
this 15th day of March 1839
R. Pierpoint
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I , Elijah Smith of Rutland in the County of Rutland and
State of Vermont, aged 74 years, do depose, testify and say that
Daniel Smith late of Clarendon deceased, was an elder brother of
mine and that during the American Revolutionary War, I
resided in my father's family in Rutland, excepting one year when
by the approach of Gen. Burgoyne's Army we were driven off
took refuge in Pownal in this State. My father and four
brothers were often engaged in the Militia service during that war
I was knowing to, and well remember the fact that my brother
Daniel Smith was one of the company of Militia in this town
and often went on expeditions against the enemy, or to maintain
garrison in some of the Stockade forth in this vicinity. I did not
accompany him, but I saw him make his preparations for
going & saw him on his return and heard him recount his
adventures, From the time of the battle in Hubbardton, until the
12th day of March in the next year, he belonged to a company of
Rangers, commanded by the late Col. (then Capt) Clark, of Castleton. The business was to act as scouts between Ticonderoga
and Bennington. During the summer
he was several times at
my father's house in Pownal. From this circumstance I
beleive that he was thus employed for I then heard him relate
the circumstances which attended his expeditions. The company of
Rangers was made up of Volunteers & was employed in the manner
above mentioned until the country became more quiet the
last of his service in the Rangers was at Shelburn, where he
was engaged in a battle in the defence of a house on the 12th
day of March 1778. I remember the day from the fact that a
popular song was written to commemorate the event, beginning
with these words
"On the 12th day of March in seventy eight
When Britons & Indians invaded our State,
My brother Daniel was wounded in that battle, & I saw the wound on his
forehead after his return, Lieut. Barnam was killed by his side and I
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well remember seeing the blood & brains on my brother Daniel's blanket on his
return to my father's house.
I remember also that the sd Daniel left home on an expedition to
Ticonderoga. I remember the horse which he rode when he left home, and
that he stated on his return that his horse was selected by the Commanding officer on their arrival at the shore of the lake, for his own use, after
they should cross the lake, while the other horses were left under guard
on this side. I remember that the said Daniel Smith was frequently
called with the rest of the Militia in this town to go to Brandon,
to Pittsford & to Castleton, & that he actually went, & was also called
to the fort in the last part of Rutland for the purpose of defending the
fort or acting against the enemy. I cannot recollect the
specific time which he served at such times. But I testify that during
that time we were almost all the time in fear and that the Militia was
often called out by alarms, & that my brother Daniel went on such
occasions. According to the best of my recollection & belief, he was
actually employed in
the service above mentioned, a period of
time equal to one year
Elijah Smith

State of Vermont
Rutland County ⎬
Be it known that on this 11th day of March
1839, before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace in and
for the County aforesaid, personally appeared the said Elijah
Smith who hath subscribed the preceeding deposition in my presence,
and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth, the whole
truth & nothing but the truth. And I hereby certify that the
said deponent is a credible witness.
Channey Thrall Just Peace

Elijah Smith
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I, Henry Mead, of Rutland, County of Rutland and State of
Vermont, aged seventy seven, do depose, testify and say, that
during the Revolutionary War I resided in Rutland aforesaid; that
I was then, & ever after until his death, acquainted with Daniel
Smith of the same Rutland, now deceased, and was personally knowing
 to the performance of military service by the said Smith in the
militia-- I entered the company of Militia in this town in 1778, &
on the day of my enrolment, said Smith was chosen Sergeant: and I
was attached to the same company while said Smith was chosen Ensign
& Lieutenant. During the war, particularly after the approach of
Gen. Burgoyne, the country was often in a state of alarm, & our
company of Militia was often called out. As Mr Smith was an officer
he almost always, if not always, went with it. I saw him on his
return from Shelburn (though I was not with him then, and examined
a wound which he there received in his head.
I was with him on a tour of service while he was a Sergeant.
We went through Sudbury Vt. (where we staid all night) to Lake Champlain 
just above Crown Point, & thence marched on the ice to Ticonderoga
We were absent from home two weeks. I was afterwards with him at
Castleton, Vt. where there was a fort & where we remained
one month. We were also on several subsequent occasions at [Castleton]
for a shorter period of service. I was also with Mr Smith on service
in Brandon, under Lt. Col. Claghorn
I can say from personal knowledge that Mr Smith from
the year 1778 to the close of the war sustained the character of a good
officer & was always prompt & energetic in the performance of his duty when called out for the defense of our then frontier settlements. During a part of this time, the country was very often in a State of alarm, and
our company was often called out for a period of some days or weeks as
the case might be & actually went & performed duty. Lieutenant Smith
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went with us as already stated. And further, this deponent
saith not.
(signature) Henry Mead

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
Be it known that on this 8th day of September
1838, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for
the County aforesaid, personally appeared the said Henry
Mead who hath subscribed the preceeding deposition
in my presence, & made solemn oath that the same
contains the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the
truth. And I do hereby certify that the said deponent
is a credible witness
(signature) Francis Stason, Jst. Peace
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I, Nathaniel Blanchard of Malone in the County
of Franklin in the State of New York, aged 80 years, do
depose testify and say, that during the American Revolutionary war, I resided at Rutland in the State of
Vermont - that I was then well acquainted with
Daniel Smith of the same Rutland, now deceased, and
knew that he performed military service in that war, as a
private, Sergeant, Ensign, and Lieutenant in the
Militia I was myself in the battle of Bennington, and
understood at the time and do now verily believe that said
Smith was in that action.
In the winter of 1778, said Smith was one of a party
of 15 men, under the command of Capt. Thomas Sawyer,
who were beset at Shelburn in the night by a body of
the enemy that had come in from Canada to capture
them. In that occasion, it was said that the Captain
concealed himself in the cellar of the log house
where they were (belonging to one Parsons) leaving the men
to defend themselves, as well as they could; which they
did, successfully, and captured six prisoners. I re
member the circumstance, from the fact, that while the
party were invested in the house, news came to
Rutland where I then resided, that they were likely to
cut off, or starved out; and that I raised a small
party, and marched, upon the ice on other Creek
(the snow being then deep, and no beaten roads) to
their relief. On our way there, we met the
said Smith and some others of the party, returning with
the prisoners above mentioned in their custody. One of the
prisoners name was William Price, who stated that he was a
British Sergeant. He resided, afterwards, many years in Rutland
The party must have been out for 5 or 6 weeks, according to
my best recollection.
Mr Smiths next tour of service was performed as a
Sergeant, in an expedition to Brandon, in November, 1779,
commanded by Lt. Col. Claghorn. M. Smith then belonged
to a militia company in Rutland, and which I commanded
on that occasion as Ensign commandant; both, my Captain
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and Lieutenant being absent. We were out one week
In the last of the month of February or for part of
March, 1780, orders were received at Rutland from Maj. Ebenezer
Allen who then commanded the Stockade fort at Pittsford, for
men to go on an expedition to Lake Champlain, to intercept the
enemy who had passed up the Lake, towards Fort Ann, &c.
I was then an Ensign, as above mentioned, Simeon Wright of
Rutland was my Captain, Samuel Campbell of the same
place was Lieutenant, and said Daniel Smith was one of the
Sergeant. The Company marched, agreeably to orders, and
was on service at least two weeks. W. Smith was with
us, throughout the expedition.
In the spring of 1780, in April, I was appointed Captain
of the Militia Company above mentioned. In the fall of that
year, my Company, with the troops, was called to the port
at Castleton, for five weeks. Said Smith was then a
Lieutenant in my company, and served as such, throughout
the said term of five weeks.
Mr Smith was always an excellent soldier, and ready for
service; but I cannot recollect more specifically his other terms
of service. I know he was often out, being always ready
and actually turned out, when called upon. The County
however, was then in such a constant state of alarm, throughout
the years 1780 and 1781, that the military service performed
by the militia was full equal to half of the time; and
I have no doubt that Mr Smith actually performed as
much as one full years service, during the period just
mentioned,
And further this deponent saith not.
Nathaniel Blanchard
State of Vermont ⎬
Rutland County ss ⎬ Be it known that on this 30th day of September,
1836, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the
County aforesaid, personally appeared the said Nathaniel Blanchard
who hath subscribed the preceding deposition in my presence,
and made solemn oath that the same contains the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said deponent is a credible witness
Moses Watkins Justice Peace
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Mrs Sarah. Giddings
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I Sarah Giddings of Rutland, County of Rutland
and State of Vermont, aged seventy six years, do depose, testify
and say the late Daniel Smith and Sarah Boland were united
in marriage at the house of my late husband Dan Giddings,
by Benjamin Whipple Esq. a Justice of the Peace for this County
The Marriage took place in February, Seventeen hundred
and eighty five. I was present when they were married. I
member the time of the marriage from the fact that my
eldest son was born in may following, & he is now living and
will be fifty four years old in May next
I testify further that the widow of the said Daniel
Smith now lives in Clarendon, adjoining Rutland; that she has
never been married since the death of the said Daniel, and
that she is the person who now makes application for a pension.
Sarah Giddings
State of Vermont
Rutland Co ⎬ Personally appeared before me the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County
of Rutland, on this 11th day of March 1839, the said
Sarah Giddings who hath subscribed the preceeding
deposition in my presence and made solemn oath
that the same contains the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the
said deponent is a credible witness
Channey Thrall Just Peace
Page 16

Daniel Smith was born April 2, 1765
Sarah Smith was born Feb. 20th 17[65]
Daniel Smith  was married to Sarah Roland
February 28th 1783
Page 17

I, Sarah Smith of Clarendon, County of Rutland
and State of Vermont aged 74 years do depose, testify
and say that the enclosed record of the marriage [ ]
late husband, Daniel Smith to myself, is a part of the
family record and is in the hand writing of the said
Smith. It is this day cut from the family Bible & below
it is a record of births deaths in our family. These I
wish to preserve, having all been made in the hand writing of the said Smith. I do further testify & say that this
is a true record of our marriage and that it took
place at the house of my brother in law, Dan
Giddings on the 28th
of February, 1885
Sarah Smith her mark

State of Vermont
Rutland Co.

Be it known that on this 11th day of March 1839
before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace and
for the County aforesaid personally appeared the
said Sarah Smith who hath subscribed the preceeding
deposition in my presence and made solemn oath that the
same contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing
but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said
deponent is a credible witness.
Channey Thrall Just Peace
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Mrs. Guy S. Miller
115 Chapel Street
Penn Yan, New York
DANIEL SMITH
R. 9052
BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to Eliphalet Conner, Timothy Smith and Daniel Smith,
all of whom served from Vermont, and in which you desire to know the
name of the father of Timothy Smith, who emigrated from Vermont to Ohio, also, the name of the father of Mary Connor, wife of Timothy Smith.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon
service in the Revolutionary War of Eliphalet Conner or of Timothy
Smith who served from Vermont. The record has been found of only one
Daniel Smith of Vermont, which is furnished herein as shown in the
papers on file in pension claim, R. 9852, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Daniel Smith was born April 2, 1755; the place of birth and names of his parents are not given.
Daniel Smith married February 28, 1785, in Rutland, Rutland County,
Vermont, Sarah Boland who was born February 20, 1765, the place of her birth and names of parents not stated. At the time of their marriage he was living with his father in Rutland, Vermont, where he had always
lived with the exception of one year when his father lived in Pownal, Vermont. Her place of residence was not given, but they were married
at the home of Sarah Boland's brother-in-law, Dan Giddings, whose wife,
Sarah Giddings, in 1859 was aged seventy-six years and a resident of
Rutland, Vermont. After his marriage, the soldier moved to Clarendon,
Rutland County, Vermont, where he died May 14, 1832.
Daniel Smith's widow, Sarah, applied for pension March 7, 1859,
while residing in Clarendon, Vermont. She stated that her husband,
Daniel Smith, while living in Pownal, Vermont, where his father had
taken refuge when driven out of Rutland, volunteered in July, 1777,
Page 19

at the time of the battle of Hubbardton, as a private in Captain Clark's company of Vermont rangers, that he was in the battle of Bennington where he served as guard to prisoners taken in that battle; that during the remainder of his service he resided in Rutland, Vermont, and that
while serving in Captain Thomas Sawyer's company of Vermont rangers,
he was in a severe engagement at Shelburne, March 12, 1778, in which
he received two wounds, one in his forehead, the other in his back;
that in November, 1779, he went on an expedition to Brandon where he
served as sergeant under Lieutenant Colonel Claghorn in the Vermont
troops, in defense of the frontiers; that he went on an expedition
in February or March, 1780, to Lake Champlain and served as sergeant
in Captain Simeon Wright's company of Vermont troops. Record evidence
showed that he served on another expedition to Castleton in April, 1780,
and that on April 27, 1780, he was commissioned Ensign in the 5th
Regiment of Vermont militia. It was stated that he served on that
expedition also as lieutenant in Captain Nathaniel Blanchard's Vermont
company, and that he served at different times during the Revolution
until sometime in 1781, amounting in all to one year.
Sarah Smith's claim for pension was not allowed as she failed to
furnish proof of six months' service in accordance with the require
ments of the pension law.
No reference was made in the claim to children.
In 1839, Daniel Smith's older brother, Elijah Smith, then aged
seventy-four years, was residing in Rutland, Vermont, and stated that
his father and four brothers were often engaged in the militia service
during the Revolution, but he designated no names except that of his
brother Daniel.
In the same year, Sarah Giddings stated that her eldest son was
born in May, 1785, after the marriage of Daniel Smith to Sarah Boland,
but she did not give the name of her son.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
executive assistant to the administrator
Page 20


THOMAS CHITTENDEN, ESQ: Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief
in and over the State of Vermont.
To Daniel Smith Gentelman You being
elected Ensign of the Company in the fifth
Regiment of the Militia
of this State; reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct,
Fidelity, I do by these, in the name of the Freemen of this State, author
and impower you to take charge of said Company as their ensign, You are
therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Ensign of said Company by
doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge
and require all Officers, and Soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as ensign
and you are to observe and obey such orders and directions from time to time
You shall receive from me the Governor of this State for the
superior Officers, according to the files and Discipline of War, and the Laws of this State.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of this State, in Council this day of April 1780
Tho.. Chittenden
Joseph Tray
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Record of the marriage 
of
Danl Smith and Sarah Boland
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Bible record
Daniel &
of
Sarah Smith
R. 9852
Page 23

V 5083
[crossed out]
Lucius L Tilden
Feb. '39
Sent to Wm. Weston
Nov 25 '46
Act 7 July 38
9852
Page 24

West Rutland Vermont
March 28. 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
Accompanying this letter you will
receive the declaration of Mrs Sarah Smith of Clarendon
Rutland Co. Vt. Widow of Daniel Smith who did service
in the American Revolutionary war as a private and as
an officer. The affidavits which sustain the application are
reclosed in the same package
I shall not trouble you with a review of the tes
timony. Much of his service - perhaps I may say all, does not
admit of documentary evidence. A commission is indeed
enclosed with the papers, but it is rather for the sake of
confirming other testimony concerning his having been
an officer. The service to which Elijah Smith testifies
was of a most arduous nature, & of the highest importance
to the country. There is no evidence that Smith can received
any pay for his services. They were rendered from other than
precursing motion. He was employed about eight months
in the volunteer company of Rangers, & M Blanchard
testifies that in his opinion, & he speaks from personal knowlGedge
Page 25

Smith was employed in actual service, at least one year
The family record or that part of it which contains the
marriage is enclosed, together with the affidavit of Mrs.
Smith, by whom the record has been kept.
There is an apparent discrepancy in the depositions
concerning the place of residence of Smith. Some of them seem to speak of his residence in Clarendon; others in
Rutland. The fact was that during the Revolutionary war, and up to the time of his marriage in 1785, he
resided with his father in Rutland, excepting only such
times as he was employed in the service, & also a period of
nearly a year when his father resided in Pownal Vt. In
1785, he purchased a farm in Clarendon, adjoining his fathers
in Rutland. His house was but a few roads south of the line
of Rutland, & by most persons he was supposed to be an
inhabitant of the latter town
I am very respectfully
Your Obed Servt
Lucius L. Tilden
Page 26

408
War Dep
Pen: off
July 20 '39
Sir
In the case of Mrs Sarah
Smith widow of Daniel Smith decd
under the date of 7 July 38 the length
and grade of each tour of service
should be established by the certificate
of the Treasurer of VT in whose office
are payrolls of the service in which
it is alleged, he was engaged.
It is apprehended that much of the ser
vice imperfectly set forth by the witnesses
was the guard patrol duty
devolving upon the citizen in time of
danger. All the service which was
rendered under military obligations in an
embodied corps, arguably to the orders of
the competent authority the only service
provided for by the Pension Laws, will
of course be found on the payrolls
above refered to. If, as intimated, he recd
no pay for a part of his services, it is
conclusive that he was not in service
as a Soldier
The period length, grade
Page 27

in each tour for which a claim is [asserted[
station, commanding officers & should be clear
and distinctly set forth in a deposition upon
the back of which the Treasurer [hired]
certify how far his records either confirm
or discredit each-
Her papers are placed on our files

Lucius L Tilden
West Rutland
 [sideways]
LL Tilden July 20 '39
Page 28

R9852 [  ]

Pension office
Nov. 25 1846
Sir
In reply to your inquire you
are informed that in the case of Lydia
Andrews, widow of Moses, the date of the
marriage is considered as satisfactorily established and six months service on a tour
to Quebec and 8 days as private, when
and four days as sergeant when
called out on several alarms will be
allowed. Three years service as a Ranger
under Capt. Lee was claimed, but was
never proven as required by the certificate
of the Lientary of the State of N. York
The enclosed copy of a letter to S.S.
Tilden dated 20 July 1839 will show
you the action of this office on the
case Sarah Smith the objections
to the claim of Benjamin are
Page 29

Bartleto are fully stated in the
enclosed copy of a letter addressed
to N.B. Haswell on the 26th of
May 1835.
William
Weston Ens
Present
[Written sideways]
May 25 '46
Page 30

1936
Nov. 30. Hist to
Mrs. Guy S. Miller -MLB
9852
Sarah Smith

Service: [Stamped: Rejected]
Enlisted:[blank]
Discharged: presented last of 1852 rejected and suspended claims shows case of suspension
Application filed:
Suspeneded for further proof and specification
of
Cuskended for further proof
& specification.
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted:[blank]
Attorney:[blank]
P. O. [blank]
[blank]Recognized.
[blank]Contract
Page 31


115 Chapel St.
Penn Yan, N. Y.
November 1, 1936

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Bureau of Pensions
Veteran's Administration
Washington D. C.
-Dear Sir:

Have you any family data or other information
relative to the following men who served in the War of the Revolution from Vermont.
Eliphalet Conner
Timothy Smith one
Daniel Smith
There seems to have been more than one Daniel Smith who served from Vermont. Since I have no way of knowing which is the one in whom I am interested, any information
concerning any of them will be appreciated. I am looking for the father of Daniel and Timothy Smith who emigrated to Ohio from Vermont, and the father of Mary Conner, who
was the wife of Timothy Smith.
Very truly yours
Louis R. Miller
Mrs. Guy S. Miller
[stamped]Rec'd Nov. 2, 1936