Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12976, for Esek Smith, Rhode Island
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Smith, Esek
NUMBER
W.12976
Renew
CONTENTS
res of Gloucester, Providence Co. R.I. and died there Feb. 11 1817
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441
Rhode Island
Renew Smith
of Providence in the Sate of R.I.
who was a    in the   comm
by Captain   RI   of the comm
by
widow of Eseck Smith
decd. late a private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Feb
1837 and sent [illegible]
Pearce Ho. of Rep.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $183.31
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 37 16.66
$199.97
{Revolutionary Claim}
July 4, 1836
Recorded by DD Gadson Cler
Book A. Vol. 1 Page 117
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence ss.  In Gloucester
On this sixth day of October AD 1836 personally appeared before me Samuel Steere one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County, Renew Smith a widow of Gloucester in said County of Providence and State aforesaid aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath makes 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 Eseck Smith late of said Gloucester  area and who was a private soldier in the war of the revolution, that the said Eseck enlisted in Capt Blackman Col Lippet regiment R I Continental troops that while the said Eseck was an enlisted soldier he married this applicant and soon afterwards went with his regiment to New York, and to the westward where he remained until  he was discharged this was in the year 1776, 1777 according to her best recollection, that after the said Esack returned to said Gloucester he served several tours of duty as a private soldier in the militia of Rhode Island, this applicant further says that because of old age and bodily infirmity her memory is so much impaired that she cannot recollect the particular circumstances attending the Service of her said husband and she refers to the annexed
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deposition for a more particular description of the same.  She further declares that she was married to the said Eseck in the month of November in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six according to her best recollection.  That her husband the aforesaid Eseck Smith died on or about the eleventh day of February AD 1817 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith annexed.
Her X mark
Renew Smith
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year first written.  I further certify that from old age and bodily infirmity the said Renew Smith is unable to attend the siting of the said Court or of any court of record.
Attest         Samuel Steere J.C.C. Pleas
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I George Smith of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 55 years being first duly sworn on oath do testify and say that I am the son of Eseck Smith late of said Gloucester deceased, that my mother's name is Renew Smith who was the wife of the said Eseck and is now his widower, that my mother is the same person who has made and signed the annexed declaration.  That my said Father Eseck Smith died in said Gloucester on the 11th day of February 1817 leaving my said mother Renew Smith his widow that my said mother has never been married since the death of my said Father and now remains his widow.  I have frequently heard my said Father Eseck Smith say during his life time, that he was a soldier in Capt  Blackman's Company Col Lippett's regiment-R I line of Continental troops and have heard him recount the particulars of his hardships and sufferings  while with his regiment at the westward.  I have also heard him say that he served as a private in the militia of Rhode Island and further says not.
George Smith
State of Rhode Island and
Providence ss.
  In Gloucester this Sixth day of October AD 1836 Before me personally appeared George Smith Esquire who being first sworn according to law on oath says
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that the before written deposition by him signed is just and true in all its parts.  I further certify that the said George Smith is well known to me, that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Attest   Samuel Steere Jus C. C .Pleas
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence ss Glocester 26th September AD1838 I Benjamin Hawkins of Glocester above in said County and after being duly Engaged do on Solemn Oath say that I am Seventy six years of age and that I was a soldier of the Revolution and that I am a pensioner under the act of 7th of June 1832 and that I was well acquainted with Eseck Smith formerly of Glocester aforesaid When in the Service and that I was knowing to the said Eseck enlisting into Capn. Nathaniel Blackman's Company In Col Lippets Regiment for the term of Eight Months In the year AD 1776 and served out his term, and In the Year 1777 I Was With him In the Militia In the Month of June for the term of one month In Capt Benajah Whiples Company Col Chad Browns Regiment and that I saw him in 1778 going into Rhode Island in Sulivans Expedition and to the best of my Belief he Served out one month at this time
Benj Hawkins
State of Rhodeisland etc.
Providence ss - In Glocester this 26th of September AD 1836
Personally appeared Benjamin Hawkins Who being first duly sworn according to Law on oath says that the foregoing deposition by him Signed is just and true in all its parts  I further Certify that I am Personally acquainted with the Said Benjamin and that he is a credible person that his statement is Entitled to Credit.
Attest  Samuel Steere J.C.C. Pleas
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State of Rhodeisland  and Providence Plantations
Providence ss.  In Foster on this 15th Day of October AD 1836 I Joanna Carten  of said Foster on Solemn Oath Do Certify and say that I am Eighty Eight years of age and that I formerly Belonged to the town of Gloucester in said County  and that I was formerly well acquainted with Eseck Smith of said Gloucester and that the said Eseck and my sister Renew Smith were married in said Gloucester on or about the month of November In the year AD 1776 according to the best of my recollection and belief and that the said Eseck Deceased about the year AD 1817 and that my sister the above named Renew Smith Is Still Living and Remains the widow of said Eseck and has not never been married since the Death of the Said Eseck Smith
her mark X
Joanna Carten
State of Rhodeisland etc.
Providence ss  In Foster the Day and Year Above Written Personally came Joanna Carten the above Signer to the foregoing deposition after being duly Engaged on Solemn oath certify that the above Deposition by her signed is just and true in all its parts--I further State that I am acquainted with the above Deponent and that she is a credible person and that her Statement is Entitled to full Credit
Attest
Samuel Steere J.C.C. Pleas
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State of Rhodeisland and Providence Plantations etc
Providence ss Foster October 14th AD 1836
I Obadiah Carten of said Foster in said county on Solemn Oath Testify that I was formerly Well acquainted with Eseck Smith of Gloucester in said County who was a Soldier in the Revolution and that I am Eighty seven years of age and that I am a Pensioner under the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 and that I am Well acquainted with Renew Smith the Widow of the Said Execk the said Renew Smith is Sister to my wife Joanna Carten and the said Eseck Smith and the said Renew Smith were married in Gloucester in November AD 1776 According to the best of my recollection and Belief and the said Eseck Died in the month of February 1817 and the said Renew has not Since been married to any other person
Obadiah Carten

State of Rhodeislsand etc.
Providence ss--In Foster the Day and Year Above Written before me the subscriber personally appeared Obadiah Carten the above signed the foregoing Deposition and on Solemn Oath Declared that the foregoing Deposition contained the truth and the whole truth for which it is taken and I further State that I am Personally acquainted with the Deponent and that he is a Credible person and  that his testimony is Entitled to full Credit.
Attest
Samuel Steere J.C.C. Pleas
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State of Rhode Island etc.
Providence ss 
I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being Court of Record, do hereby testify that Samuel Steere Esq. before whom the aforegoing  affidavits were sworn is a Justice of said Court:  that he is, by law duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions and that his several signatures written before are genuine
  In testimony whereof I have hereto  by my hand affixed the seal of said Court at Providence this eighteenth day of October AD1836
Dexter Randall Clk.
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State of Rhodeisland and Providence Plantations
Providence ss  Gloucester September 15th AD 1836
I Stephen Hawkins of Gloucester In said County after being Duly Engaged do Testify and say that I am Eighty two years of age and that I was a soldier In the Revolution and that I now draw a Pension, and that I was Well acquainted with Eseck Smith of said Gloucester When In the Service and that We both Enlisted in the Year AD 1776  In Capn Nathaneal Blackmans Company In Col. Christopher Lippets Regiment for the term of one year and that he and his Brother Stephen Smith Served the Term of time out Each Serving Six months, and that I was with them in the above term of time In Newyork Newjersey and in Pennsylvania and I think that he was Married before he Enlised for the above term of time and further the Deponent Saith Not
Stephen Hawkins
Sate of Rhodeisland etc.
Providence ss In Gloucester this fifteenth Day of September AD 1836  Personally appeared Stephen Hawkins the above Signer to the foregoing Deposition Who being first sworn according to law on oath says that the foregoing Deposition by him Signed is just and true in all its parts---I further State and Certify that I am Personally acquainted with the Said Stephen Hawkins and that he is a Credit.....
Attest
Samuel Steere J.C.C.Pleas
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State of Rhodeisland and Providence Plantations
Scituate October 7th AD1836--I Rueben Steere now residing in [illegible] but formerly of Gloucester in said County After being Duly Engaged do testify and say that I am Eighty years of age and that I was a Soldier of the Revolution and that I am a Pensioner under the act of the United States of June 7th 1832 I further State that I was well acquainted with Eseck Smith of said Gloucester who was also a Soldier in the Revolution and that I was with the said Eseck Smith and Did one month tour of Militia Duty In the Winter of 1777 In Capt Benjamen Whipples  Company we both quartered together in Providence
Rueben Steere

State of Rhodeisland etc.
Providence ss.  In Situate  this 7th Day of October 1836 Personally appeared before me Rueben Steere Who being first Duly Sworn according to Law. on oath says that the foregoing Deposition by him Signed is Just and true in all its parts and I further State or Certify that I am well and personally acquainted With the Said Reuban that he is a Credible Person and that his Statement in Entitled to Credit
Attest   Samuel Steere J.C.C. Pleas
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Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No.  12976
Renew Smith
Wife of
Eseck Smith
Priv Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. M, Page 221
{Arrangement of 1870.}
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Renew Smith
Wid. of
Eseck Smith
R I
See let. S Y Atwater
Nov 10 1836

Act July 4, 1826
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Providence December 8h 1836
 Sir
  In conformity with the view expressed by you in your communication to me on this subject, I herewith transmit to you two certificates to be used in the matter of the application of Renew Smith for a pension and of Molly Weare for a pension now pending before you.
 Your obt Servt
Samuel Y Atwater
J L Edwards Esqr.
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N. 417
Application of
Renew Smith
for pension
R I 
[illegible]  Oct [illegible]
8 mo. allow
Please address me at
Gloucester R. I.
admd.
10 mo[illegible]
33.33
no deduction
Hon. D.J. Pearce
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I James Bowen of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and aged 77 years being first duly sworn according to law on oath do testify and say that I was a soldier of the revolution and am now a pensioner of the United States under the act of  June 7 1832.  I further say that I was well acquainted with Eseck Smith late of said Gloucester deceased, I also am well acquainted with the widow of said Eseck whose name is Renew Smith.  I knew her before she was married to the said Eseck.  I further say that the said Eseck was a private with me in Capt Blackmans Company and Col Lippitts regiment R I line of Continental troops and to the best of my recollection served as a private in said company at least six months.  I also say that the said Eseck served with me as a private  under Ensign Caleb Sheridan in Col Chad Brown regiment R I militia, we were stationed at Warwick R I one month this was in June 1776.  I also saw said Eseck doing duty in said Browns regiment in August 1778, we were on Rhode Island in Gen Sullivans expedition, he and I were in the same regiment but different Companies.  He served at this time one month
James Bowen
State of Rhode Island Providence ss.   In Gloucester this 6th Day of October AD 1836 Personally appeared James Bowen the above signer to the foregoing deposition who being first duly sworn according to law, on oath says that the above deposition by him signed is just and true in all its parts
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And I further State that I am Personally acquainted with the above said James Bowen that he is a man of  truth and veracity and full credit may be given to his Testimony 
Attest Samuel Steere  J.C.C. Pleas
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In the matter of the application of Renew Smith for a pension
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State of Rhode Island and P. Plantations
Providence ss.  Town Clerks office
Gloucester November 20, 1836
  I Clovis C Bowen Town Clerk of said town of Gloucester do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the books containing the record of marriages for said town of Gloucester now remaining in my office and do not find any record of the marriage of Eseck Smith with Renew Smith, or of the said Eseck with any other person.
  I also certify from an examination of the Record, and my knowledge of the past, that in my opinion a great many marriages have been solemnized in said town, of which no record has been made.
  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at said Gloucester the day and year aforesaid.
Clovis C Bowen Town Clerk
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State of Rhode Island  
Providence ss  I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Samuel Steere Esqr. before whom the written document was sworn is a Justice of said Court; that he is by Law, duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions and that his signature within written is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Providence this Eight day of September AD 1836
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Renew Smith
---Wido
R. Id.

Jan 30
[illegible]
[illegible] Hon Y. Pearce HR

J.L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
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Washington January 29th 1837
Dear Sir,
  please to attend to the [illegible] referred to in the [illegible] letter as soon as you conveniently can
very respectfully yours
[illegible] J. Pearce
J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions