Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3726, for John Smith, Vermont
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE                         NUMBER
N. H.       Smith, John    W. 3726
Vt           Sarah
Soldier served under the name
of John Vance
CONTENTS
Born Hampstead N.H. in 1758.
res at enl. Londonderry N.H.
res in  1832 Newbury Orange Co. Vt.
died Oct 28 1851.




4
Page 2

Vermont, 18.703
John Smith or John Vance
Orange co. on in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Compy commanded
Captain Reed of the Regt commanded
Col Stark in the N.H. Ma & Vt
line for 2 years
-
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept
1833 and sent to Joseph Berry
Newbury Vt

Arrears to the 4th of Sepr 33 $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 36 40-
$240-
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Eli Brown Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 92
Page 3

970
Vermont
Sarah Smith
widow of John Smith or John Vance
NH & Vt
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars -
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 28th day of October 1851

Certificate of Pension issued the
10th day of Sept. 1852
and sent to
Stephen Thomas
West Fairlee
Orange Co Vt

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
July 29, 1848, Page 33. Vol A
Page 4

No 1.141
Sarah Smith Vt
Decl July 29/48
Revolutionary

Communicate with
Stephen Thomas
West Fairlee
Vt
Page 5

State of Vermont
District of Bradford
On this 27th day of of record of May AD 1852 -
Personally appeared before the Probate
Court at a session thereof holden at Newbury
in said District Sarah Smith a resident of
Newbury in the County of Orange and State of Vermont
aged ninety one years, now dec,  who being duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provisions made by the act of Congress
passed July 29 1848 -

That she is widow of John
Smith who was a private in the army of
the revolution and a pensioner of the
United States upon the Rolls of the Vermont
agency at the rate of Eighty Dollars per
Annum She further declares that she was
married to the said John Smith on the
6th day of April (AD 1780) in the year of our Lord
Seventeen hundred and Eighty - and that her
husband the aforesaid John Smith died on
the 28th day of October AD 1851) one thousand Eight
hundred & fifty one - that she was married to
him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage
took place previous to the Second of January
Eighteen hundred viz at the time above stated
She further swears that she is now a widow and
that she has never before made application for a
pension that her maiden name was Sarah
Kinghad-   Sarah X Smith   her mark
Attest C. B. Leslie
Page 6

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
first above written in open Court
Before me C. B. Leslie Register

State of Vermont
Bradford District 
I Charles B Leslie Register
of the Probate Court within &
for the district of Bradford aforesaid 
do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence
has this day been adduced to said Court that
John Smith late of Newbury in said District
who was a pensioner of the United States died on
the twenty Eighth day of October in the year Eighteen 
hundred and fifty one - That he left a widow
by the name of Sarah Smith who now resides
in said Newbury and Continues a widow
I further certify that the log hereto attached purporting
to be the family record of the said John
Smith deceased was taken from his family Bible
and the affidavit of Charles Johnston Smith
thereon relates thereto and also relates to the time
of the decease of said John Smith

Given under my hand
and the seal of said
Court at Newbury in said
District this 29th day of May
AD 1852--
-
C. B. Leslie Register
Page 7

NAMES. BIRTHS  DEATHS
Month Day Year. Month. Day. Year.
John Smith born Ham N D 13th Feb 1757
Sarah Kingkad Windham NH 2nd Dec 1761 
& they were married 6th April 1780.
---
The birth of their children as followeth

James Smith born 10 Feb 1781
Abigail Smith born 21st Feby 1783
Samuel Smith born 8th Sepr 1785 died 21 Oct 1813
Mary Smith born 17 Jany 1788
Sarah Smith born 25th Ap. 1790
Nancy Smith born 17th June 1792
Joseph Smith born 12th August 1794
Ruth Smith born 25th Sepr 1795
John Smith born 16th Sepr 1798
Charles Johnston Smith born 15th July 100-
Elizabeth Smith born 31st Aug 1802
Thomas Tenness Smith born 18th 1804
Page 8

CHILDREN'S MARRIAGES.
NAMES  MONTH  DAY  YEAR.
Abigail Smith was married to Thomas Jenness 26th Decr 1802
Abagail again married the 2d time to
Robert Fulton 15, Feby 1820
-
James Smith was married to Polly Rogers
29th May 1803
Samuel Smith was married to Ruth Ladd
27th Novr 1808

I, Charles Johnston Smith of Newbury in the County of Orange
& State of Vermont of lawful age depose & say that I am a
Son of John Smith late of Newbury deceased and Sarah
Smith that this is the family record so far as it 
goes & contains the record of the marriage of my father
John Smith to Sarah Smith my mother
It is in the hand writing of one Joseph Johnson who
is now dead, but it was made in my presence
good many years ago, and under the direction
& in the presence of my said Father John Smith. I
further say that my father died on the 28 day of October
AD 1851 My Mothers within name was Sarah Kinghad & further
say not
Subscribed & sworn to before me at Newbury in the
County of Orange & State of Vermont this 27th day of
May AD 1852
C. B. Leslie Justice of the Peace
-
Page 9

State of Vermont         I Royal Hatch Judge of the
Bradford District ss ⎬  Probate Court within & for the
District of Bradford afsd do hereby certify
that C.B. Leslie in the Register of said Court
within & for said District duly qualified
& commissioned, that his Commission
was dated on the 1st day of December
A.D. 1851, and will expire on the 30th
day of November 1852, and that the
Signature thereto attached to the foregoing
papers is genuine

In witness whereof I hereunto affix
the seal of said Court and subscribe
my name at Strafford in said
District this 18th day of June
AD 1852 -
Royal Hatch, Judge
Page 10

John Smith
application &
3917
.
returns to Joseph
Berry Esq Newbury
Vermont agent of
Applicant
Page 11

State of Vermont
County of Orange ⎬ On this 28th day of May AD 1833
personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court
of the district of Bradford in the County of Orange & State of
Vermont John Smith who being first duly sworn according to
Law doth on his Oath make the following declaration
in addition to the foregoing declaration by him previously
made before the said Probate Court on the 2nd day of August
AD 1832 - that he entitled on the first day of May 1775 or within
five or six days of that time at Londonderry in the State of New
Hampshire in Capt George Reeds Company in Colo. John Starks
Regiment for the term of Eight months and was stationed
at Winter hill near Boston Mass. The first of January when
his time with the rest of the company expired, we were paraded
for the purpose of being discharged, when Colo Stark solicited
the soldiers to continue half a month longer on account of
the Brittish troops still lying in Boston. - I agreed to serve
and did serve the half month which made the Eight &
one half months stated in my former declaration and was
discharged at Winter hill the middle of January 1776 -
The first part of June 1776 he again enlisted into Captain
John Naismiths Company in Colo. Daniel Wingates Regiment
at Londonderry aforesaid for the term of six months which he
served out as he has before stated in his afsd declaration and
was discharged on or about the tenth of December 1776 at
Mount Independence
The first of March 1780 he again enlisted into Captain Frye
Bayleys Company in Colo Peter Olcotts Regiment as a volunteer
until the expiration of said company engagement which
was some of the last days of January or first of February 1781
and was discharged at said Newbury -
On or about the tenth of February 1781 he again enlisted
into a company commanded by Captain Nehemiah Lovell
in a Regiment of which Samuel Fletcher was Lieut Colonel 
Commandant, and he continued
Page 12

close of the year 1781 - and was discharged at Newbury
wither states that he does not recollect ever to have had a
then discharge from service and if ever, he has none now 
He states also that he does not know that he can produce
more satisfactory evidence than that already adduced and
Sworn to & subscribed the day
aforesaid
John Smith
Simeon Short Register of the said Probate Court
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional
declaration of John Smith sworn to before this Court
in the matter of his application for a pension-
In testimony whereof there hereunto at my
hand the seal of said Court this 28th day of
May AD 1833-
Simeon Short Clerk
Page 13

John Smith
State of Vermont
County of Orange SS. On this 2nd day of August AD 1832
personally appeared in open court before the Probate Court
of the district of Bradford in the County of Orange and State of
Vermont now sitting, John Smith, who enlisted by the name of
John Vance, but which name he procured to be altered by act
of the Legislature of Vermont to John Smith
a resident of Newbury in the said County of Orange, aged
seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order 
to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army
of the United States immediately on hearing of the battle at
Lexington in the year 1775 and but a few days subsequent at
Londonderry in the New hampshire with Captain Geo
Reed & served in Colonel John Stark's Regiment of the
New hampshire line for the term of Eight and one half
months, that he was stationed at Winterhill near Boston
Massachusetts and was there discharged in the month of
January 1776 when his term of enlistment expired.
-
In the month of June 1776 he again enlisted into a company
commanded by Captain John Naismith in Colonel
Daniel Wingates Regiment of the New hampshire line at
Londonderry for the term of six months and marched immediately
to Mount Independence on Lake Champlain and
was employed during said term at that place in erecting
breastworks & fortifications and in assisting to cut a road
through the woods to Hubbardstown a distance of about
22 miles, and was discharged at Mount Independence
in the month of December 1776

He came to Newbury in February of 1780 to visit his friends
and with a view of settling, but on finding the settlement
constantly exposed to British Indians and Tory depredation 
from Canada he entered as a volunteer in the month
of March 1780 into a militia company commanded by Captain 
Frye Bayley and served nearly be quite a year at and
about Newbury and at the expiration of said engagement
as he supposes-- he immediately enlisted again into a company
commanded by Capt Nehemiah Lovell and continued
to serve as a soldier in that company until late in the fall
of 1781 or forepart of the winter 1782 making about a service 
of about one year and eight or nine months in said Bayleys
Page 14

and Lovells companies, and constantly doing duty in said companies 
in scouting guarding the settlement's and patrolling
He hereby relinquishes every claim to any pension or annuity
except the present & declares that his name is not on
the pension roll of any agency in any State

The following interrogators were then propounded to the 
applicant & and was given
1. where in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in Hampstead in New hampshire in the year
1758
2. Where were you living when you entered the service
where have you lived since the war where do
Ans. I lived at Londonderry N.H. when I entered the service
I came to reside in Newbury where I now live
52 years ago when I have remained ever since
3.How were you called into service, were you drafted
did you volunteer or were you a substitute
I entered the service voluntarily
4. State the names of some of the regular officers who
were with the troops where you served; both continental 
& militia regiments as you recollect & the general
circumstances of your service
Ans. I saw Gen Washington, Genl Sullivan, Col Little
at Winter Hill in other respects I do not know that
I can be man particular than I have been in my
declaration - I never received any written discharge 
when I left the service

Sworn to subscribed the day &
year aforesaid
John Smith

We Clark Perry a clergyman resident in Newbury in the
County of Orange State of Vermont & Joseph Berry of said
Newbury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
John Smith who has subscribed & swore to the above declaration
& believe him to be 74 years of age; & that he is
reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have
been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that
opinion
Sworn to subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
Clark Perry-
Joseph Berry
Page 15

I Emerson Corlis of Bradford in the County of Orange
& State of Vermont aged 74 years last March hereby
certify that I am well acquainted with John Smith
who subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration & do
know that he served as a soldier in Capt George
Reeds Company & Col John Starks Regiment eight
months as I believe in the year 1778 & was
stationed at Winter Hill near Boston. I know that
after the time of eight months expired, he volunteered
to remain in service two weeks longer & suppose that
he served out the final two weeks but this I do not
personally know - I also consider the said John Smith
to be a man of strict truth veracity 
Emerson Corliss
Subscribed & sworn to in Court
Augt 3d AD 1832

I further certify that the said John Smith enlisted
& was known & called by the name of John Vance
& I have understood that his name has be him altered
by the Legislature of Vermont to the name of John
Smith I ward he is now called John Smith
& where he was enlisted in 1775 he was called John
Vance
Emerson Corliss
Sworn to Subscribed  in
Court the day & year aforsd

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter & after putting the questions prescribed
by the war department, that the above named applicant was a
soldier of the revolution and as he states. And the
Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Clark
Perry who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
of the said Town of Newbury & that Joseph Berry who has signed
the same is a resident of the same town & is a gentleman
of high respectability having been a Judge & Councillor in
the State - & the court also certifies that Emerson Corliss 
whose affidavit is sworn to & subscribed above is a credible
witness-

I Simeon Short Clerk or Register of the said
Court of Probate, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application 
of John Smith for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of office this 3d day of August AD 1832
Simeon Short Clk
Page 16

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension 
on file in this Bureau.      John Smith. servedas John Vance Wid. File 3726
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE.
May 1,1775   8 ½ mos
June 1776  6 mos.
Mch 1780   Jan or Feby 1781
Feby 10, 1781 8 or 9 mos.
RANK.
-
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
George Reid
John Nesmith
Frye Bayley
Nehemiah Lovell
COLONEL.
John Stark
Daniel Wingate
Peter Olcott
Samuel Fletcher
STATE.
N.H.
 "
Vt
 "
name changed to John Smith by Act of Legislature of Vt.
It is not stated that he served in the war of 1812
---
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Londonderry N. H.
Date of application for pension, Aug 2,1832 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Newbury, Orange Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, born at Hampstead N.H. in 1758
died Oct. 28. 1851
Remarks:
Soldier Married Apr. 6. 1780 Sarah Kingard born at Windham
N.H. Dec. 2 1761 The was allowed pension on an application executed
May 27, 1853 while a resident of Newbury Vt
Very respectfully,
-
Windham
Page 17

Record Division.
January 17, 1911. 
Mrs. Julia Elnora Richardson,
421 South Davis Street,
Kirksville, Mo.
Madam:
In addition to the military history of John Smith who served as John Vance,
Wid. File No. 3,726, Rev. War, you are herewith furnished the following data,
as to his children;
James Smith, born February 10, 1781, married Polly Rogers May 29, 1803.
Abigail Smith," February 21, 1783, married Thomas Jenness December
26, 1802 and married Robert Fulton February 15, 1820.
Samuel Smith, September 8, 1785,married Ruth Ladd November 27,
1808, died October 21, 1813.
Mary Smith," January 1, 1788
Sarah Smith," April 25, 1790
Nancy Smith,"June 17, 1792
Joseph Smith," August 12, 1794
Ruth Smith," September 21, 1795
John Smith," September 16, 1796
Charles Johnston Smith, " July 15, 1800
Elizabeth Smith, " August 31, 1802
Thomas Jenness Smith, " July 16, 1804

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 18

Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3726
Sarah Smith
Widow
John Smith
or John Vance
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1818
Index: - Vol. M, Page 218
{Arrangement of 1870.}
1911 Jany 17 Hist to
Julia Elnora Richardson
VLM
Page 19

No
Sarah Smith
wid of John Vt
[illegible] Sep 3 1852
Act 29 July 1848
Page 20

Pension Office
Sep 3 1852

Vermont Rolls, Orange Co
Act June 7 1832
80 $ per annum⎬ To what time paid?
John Smith pri


J. S. Gallaher Esq
3rd Auditor   Triplett
Paid to 4th Sept. 1851.
---
Please state the Roll on
making enquiries for the State of
Vermont. There are two
Agencies and oblige yours Bick
Page 21

Sarah Smith
Widow of 
John
Vermont
Adm 29 July 1848

2 yrs pri  80 $
per annum, ams
28 Oct 1857
when he died

Cert to
Stephen Thomas
West Fairlee
Orange Co Vt
Page 22

Brief in the case of Sarah Smith widow of John
County and State of Vermont
act 29 July 1848
Claim, (original,)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner at 80 per annum
Act June 7 1832.
Proof of Marnage Record
(if for increase)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Stephen Thomas
West Fairlee Vt
-
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 23

3917
John Smith
[illegible]
2 years
$80-
Joseph Berry Esq
Newbury
Vt
Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
24 April 1833
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of
Period in which the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service
Years Months Days
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 25

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of On this ---day of --- personally appeared (a) before ----- A. B. a resident (b) of ----- in the county of ---- and State, Territory or District of ----- aged (c) --- years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ----, with ---- and served in the ---- (e) regiment of the ---- line, under the following named officers (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I -------------------- of the Court of ----------------------------- do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of --------------- for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ------- day of ------------------ & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ------- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, -----------Clerk of the Court of ---------------- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- of ---- & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

Actual service in militia of Newbury Vt
the best evidence
Page 26

3 will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly worn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the 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 may administer the oaths must certify to the credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration

Stated with sufficient [illegible] nor supported by
Page 27

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH:     STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
A. F. SETTLE                              KIRKSVILLE, MO.
M. M. BRASHEAR
E. R. BARRETT
JULIA E. RICHARDSON

421 South Davis Street,
Kirksville, Missouri
January 9, 1911.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.


Dear Sir,
on December 20, 1910, you sent me the military record of
my great grand father, David Nye who was a soldier of the
Revolutionary War
Will you now kindly send me the military record of
my great grand father, on the Richardson side of the family
whose name was Col. John Smith. He was born at
Hampstead, New Hampshire, February 13, 1758; served
under the name of John Vance in Reed's Co. of Stark's 
regiment which was engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill.
He enlisted May 4, and was discharged August 1, 1775.
He did later service in New Hampshire regiments, and
after he came to Newbury, which was before 1779. as his
name is found in an old account book of that year
in January. He began to clear land and built a
log house on what is now called the "Guy Carliss Place", but
about 1790, settled where his grandson, the present John Smith
has always lived. He kept tavern there for some years after,
and perhaps before 1802. When the war of 1812 came on, the
was a major in the militia and served at the time of
the invasion of Lake Champlain, afterwards he was colonel
in the militia. His sword is owned by J. J. Smith. Colonel
Smith was prominent in his day, a man of pronounced
opinions,  He married, Apr. 6, 1780, Sarah Kincaid. Their
Page 28

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH:        STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
A. P. SETTLE                                 KIRKSVILLE. NO.
M. M. BRASHEAD
E. F. CARRETT
JULIA E. NICHARDSON


married life lasted 71 years, to 27 days. He died
Oct. 28, 1851, aged 90 years 7 mo. and 15 days
Col. John Smith lived at Newbury, Vermont and
received a pension of one hundred dollar a year in
money. After his death, a law was passed giving
his widow a land warrant which provided that
one could, select a quarter section of land by going to
the land office.
Col. John Smith to daughter, Ruth J., born Sept. 25, 1795
was my grandmother. She married Thomas Richardson
Dec. 18, 1827. She died in Minnesota, Aug. 29, 1842
As my name is to be noted on by the local
society of the Daughter of the American Revolution next
Friday, January 18, I would be pleased to receive
this record by that time if possible
Very truly yours
Julia Elnora Richardson
Page 29

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES        Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-9-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Name Smith, John  GRADE  Private   LINE  New Jersey
WARRANT Number 8727  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED  October 7, 1790
to John Lighton, assignee
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 30

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-9-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Smith, John GRADE Corporal LINE New Jersey
WARRANT Number 8763 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 17, 1780
to -not shown-
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.