Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9864, for Thomas G Smith, New York
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SERVICE
New York

Smith, Thomas G.

NUMBER
R. 9864

CONTENTS

res about Orange Co N.Y.
res in 1837 Greensburg Westchester Co. N.Y.
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Affidavit of
Daniel Gilbert.
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37083
Thomas G. Smith

A. W. Ward
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To the Honorable Board of Pensions

The declaration of Thomas G. Smith of Greensurg, County of Westchester & State of New York Minister of the Dutch Reformed churches of Tarrytown & Union Ville humbly sheweth that your Declarant was enrolled a Soldier in the actual service and defence of America.  The different periods of Duty for which he was called out., he hopes he can say he performed with the strictest fidelity.  In the year 1776, he voluntarily offered his service as a soldier to go and assist in the forming bulwarks of Defence at Fort Montgomery and under the command of Genl George Clinton & James Clinton.  Colel. Jno Claughry Major Wisner &c.  Here your Declarant was offered an honourable station in the Engineer department and should have
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have accepted the offer had he not been prevented by being taken into the camp distemper or bloody dissentry.  By reason of his place of residence which was near Harwich in the County of Orange he was enrolled in the Regiment of Genl. Hathorn although where necessity dictated the measure he was called upon to join the Goshen regiment commanded by Colel. Justan who fell in the Minisink [illegible] by the hostile Indians.  Your declarant living within about twelve miles of Minisink at that time.  the Indian frontier on the one side:  and the north river upon the other only about twenty four miles distant caused your declarant to be much in the field of actual service.  With respect to the time of actual service here ly's the greatest difficulty as Mr Jackson & Mr Gilbert were but little in actual service for two reasons, one was they could hire a man as a substitute for much less than they could make at their employments:  therefore as they were only on duty with me for the time they have specified, the affidavits go only so far and no farther, which comprised but a very small part of the Duty I performed and
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reason was they were able in apecunary point so to do.  They assent that they were at Minisink only one tour of Duty, but your declarant performed not less than two tours of active service at Minisink and I think most probably three or four  Your applicant having mentioned Fort Montgomery will also notice WestPoint:  of this fortress your declarant was one of a few who laid the foundation thereof, was there when that and Fort Putnam were finished but whether finished the same year that we laid the foundation in the spring I am not certain.  and when your applicant say that he was at the beginning and finishing of said forts he was at home a considerable part of the time probably one half.  He likewise performed as said forts were finished one or more terms of actual service as a soldier at said forts Officers General Glover, Colel. Hathorn, Major Wisner Cap. Minthorn as the next place which your applicant performed Military duty was at Ramapough the only pass through the Highlands here your declarant to the best of his remembrance performed three tours of military duty.  Colls Wisner Cole & Pauling Capt. Shepherd &c. being so
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the officers at Tapan one tour of Military duty the officers Colel. Justan, Major Moffat & Major Papinoe & from that place your applicant with five others went 12 miles distant from the camp and took two men the murderers of a Mr Cambel within one half mile of a company of British light horse.

At Minisink two or three tours of Military duty your declarant performed commanding officers Col. Hathorn Major Newkirk &c.  at Sufferiens [Suffern] he likewise performed two or three tours of military duty   Your declarant likewise fulfilled one tour of military duty at Niak [Nyack] one at New City and one at Clarkstown and one in or near Hakensa [Hackensack?].  I am not able at this distance of time to ascertain the dates when these duty were fulfilled neither do I think it anywise necessary to the validity of this declaration.  Suffice it to say they were performed at such times during the Revolutionary War as the need and safety of the country dictated.  Your applicant has made no account of general semigeneral alarms, these were not frequent and sometimes lasted from two
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two to four days before we could return to our respective homes.  Your applicant at this distance of time is somewhat in difficulty with respect to the terms of actual service he performed as the onus probanai must as it respects the actual time of service in a great measure rest upon his own oath, he will not on that part of his declaration speak in as positive language as many have done given Your declarant takes a general view of his actual time of service in the Revolutionary War he is led to think that it would be all but little under two years, he finds about eighteen or twenty different stations that he has been fixed at, and as Capains Enoch Jackson & Mr Daniel Gilbert whose affidavits are affixed hereto have made oath to one month or thereabout I am satisfied that it should be so fixed which would amount to eighteen or twenty months.  I think you will easily perceive the difficulty your applicant labours under with respect to the definite time of actual service after the lapse of one half century or more.  and add to this his continual studies in his ministerial duties it will not be wondered at, that as an honest man he is in respect no more definite
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It is true I was listed for six or more months but through the apathy of an officer we were not called into actual service therefore of this no account is made.  I hope that my perilous enterprize or adventure in taking the Murderers of Mr Campbell said Campbell was a worthy citizen and a true whig and I am almost certain that if all the circumstances respecting that expedition were fully known in all the dangers & leanings thereof, that if it could be done in conformity with the present pension law, that there would be but one voice viz a Testimony of respect  Suffer me now to say a few things respecting the storming of Fort Montgomery upon the Hudson river which took place in the evening of October the 7th.1777 - when the Roll was called on the morning there were only five hundred and ninety effective men, but whether this comprehended the men on both sides of the creek viz of both Fort Montgon [Montgomery] on the north & Fort Clinton on the south of this I am not certain.  The British Forces were about eight thousand of this number one thousand were Rifles, and about two hundred and forty
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forty &c the americans.  This number was counted by Coll. James McClaghry then a prisoner but in company with the British Generals Sir Henry alias Harry Clinton Bank admitted to view the slain.  This ground so bravely contested and the Palm of Victory so gloriously contended for together with that of Bunker hill showed what could be achieved by the sons of freedom and gave a rising glory to American arms.

I now claim the pay of orderly Sergeant.  I served first as a private & as a sergeant, and while at Minisink, there was superadded to my service that of Quarter Master our Quarter master being an infirm sickly man, but how long I performed both duties I know not.

Thus your humble Petitioner has given to you the best statement he is capable of, nevertheless it is highly probable that a number of stations where he lay & consequently the time he lay at these stations hes searched his memory for which it is hoped due allowance will be made in his favor.  and although he has made no account of general & semi general alarms which were very numerous, one of which so far as his memory recollected lasted the whole winter .  It was serving this that he took the
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murderers of Mr Campbell   as for Pay Rolls he can fix no dependence upon them as he drew out a number of them himself - & sometimes he received his pay and sometimes not.  which he thinks is ample testimony that they were not presented as they ought to have been through the diffidence of the officer   I therefore humbly ask that and leave it to your superior wisdom that no deduction may be made from the two years which entitled to full pay together with all arrearages, all which is humbly submitted by your devoted servant.

[signed]
Thomas G Smith

State of New York
Westchester County

I do hereby Certify that the above named Thomas G Smith made oath to the truth of the preceding declaration before me this Eighth day of February 1837 and I do further certify that the said Thomas G Smith is of good moral character and has officiated as a Clergiman of the reformed dutch Church in this County for nearly Thirty years and in consequence of age and Infirmity is unable to attend court for the purpose of making and qualifying to his declaration in open Court, that he is now entered on his Seventy Ninth year and that full faith and credit may be given to his declaration.
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Orange County

Came personally before me James Wood Esq. one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Enoch Jackson and being by me duly sworn doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas G Smith during the revolutionary war that he was in the service of the states on a tour of militia duty at the new city now in rockland County for the term of one month that during the said month he was at Tappan and closter in the said service this was in the year 1776, this deponant further saith that the said Thomas G Smith was in the service of the states soon after at Minisink in 1777 as deponant thinks for the time of two weeks or more.  The above first tour of duty was done under Col John Hathorn, Capt. John Sayre, major John Poppino was also in said service on many other tours of duty during the war.  

[signed]
Enok Jakson

Sworn and subscribed before
me the 11th day of Feb, 1833
[signed]
James Wood Justice of peace
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Caleb Tompkins First Judge
of Westchester County Court of Common pleas

State of New York
Westchester County

I John H Smith Clerk of the County of Westchester and Clerk of the Court of common pleas in said County Certify that Caleb Tompkins whose name is subscribed to the above certificate was on the day of the date of the same a Judge as aforesaid, and that this foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office February 11th 1837

[signed]
John H Smith
Clk.
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State of New York
Orange County

I Asa Dunning Clerk of the County of Orange do Certify that James Moore Esq was on the Eleventh day of February 1833 and now is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly elected and Sworn and residing in said County

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 15th day of November 1833

[signed]
Asa Dunning
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Affidavit of
Enoch Jackson
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The Rev. Thomas G. Smith
Tarry Town
Westchester County
N York
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State of New York
Orange County

Came personally before me James Wood Esq one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, Daniel Gilbert and being by me duly sworn doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas G Smith at the time of the revolutionary War that deponant knows that the said Thomas G Smith was in the service of the United States at minisink in said County for the term of four weeks as nearly as deponant recollects.

[signed]
Daniel Gilbert
X his mark

Sworn and Subscribed
before me the 11th day 
of Feb, 1833
[signed]
James Wood Justice of peace
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W. W. and N. Division.  3--525.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pension,
Washington, D.C.,

HC
Rej 9864
Rev War.

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Thomas G. Smith, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[headers]

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. | Length of service. | Rank. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | State.

| | | Captain. | Colonel. | |

Sol. states that he was enrolled in Hathorn's regiment

76 | enlisted in building bulwarks at Ft. Montgomery  | Col McClaghry
laid foundation of West Point
served at West Pt & Fort Putnam 
Col. Stratorn
Col. Tristan

2 tours at Minisink \ Capt Minthorn

36 mos Sta at Ramapough Capt Shepherd 
Miner 
Pawling

2 yrs as Pri. Sergt. & Q.M.

Battles engaged in,  [blank]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, near  Warwick, Orange Co. N.Y.

Date of application for pension, Feby. 8. 1837:  rej -

Residence at date of application, Greensburg, Westchester Co, N. Y.
minister of Dutch Ref. Ch. at Tarrytown & Unionville

Age at date of application, [blank]

Remarks:
Rej.  Clmt failed to furnish satisfactory proof of service

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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37083

Hon A. Ward 20 Feb '37

New York

Rev'd

Thos G. Smith
Rejected - Let to Hon A Ward - Feb 20 183
Let to Arno Joy Sept 10. '45

9864
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Hon A Ward
Feb. 20. 1837
C.G
Recd. Vol. 45 Page 119
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War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 20 1837

Sir

The papers of the Rev'd Thomas G. Smith have been examined and placed on file - Mr Smith's statement is so indefinite that no satisfactory investigation of his claim can be had - The name of the captain in each tour should be given, the date, as nearly as possible, & the duration of each term of actual service specified - If the claimants memory is so far impaired that he cannot amend his statement as thus asked it should be done by witnesses.

Hon A. Ward
House Reps
US
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Decatur, Ill.
June 24. '06

The Hon Vespasian Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -
Can you tell me whom to address, if not yourself, to obtain information concerning a Revolutionary soldier Thomas G. Smith.  whose petition for a pension is, his biographer tells me
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a minister of the Gospel took offence at the Department request, and claimed if they would not believe his statements, he would not make the affadavit.

Of course, at this date it appears reasonable to believe there were other reasons for the refusal, but perhaps the spirit of 1776 was not that of 1906.

He was for 30 years pastor of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, was chaplain of first New York regiment of Volunteers of Mar 8 1812,
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in that part of the Pension department where the rejected claims for Rev. Soldiers are kept.

Mr. Hamilton of N.Y. genealogical society says this petition is most complete, giving in detail his entire service with the exception of minor engagements of which he had no other proof than his one statement.

However, he never received the pension, as the Government required his affidavit, and he, being at the time
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and always honored in the community as a veteran of the Revolution.  This, had he no real claims would hardly have been tolerated in those times.

Hoping to obtain a copy of the petition or all the essential facts -  I am

Most Respectfully Yours 

Ida M. Roby

Mrs. Frank C. Roby
895 West North St.
Decatur Illinois.

[stamped]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUN 29 1906

[stamped]
O.W.& N. DIV.
FILES JUN 29 1906
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9864

[stamped] REJECTED

P.O.  [blank]

Thomas G Smith

Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18__.
Discharged: [blank], 18__.
Application filed: [blank], 18__.

Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]


Sept. 26 '99
M D Raymond
Tarrytown
N.Y.

1906 July 12 Hist. to Mrs. Frank C. Roby  C
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Arno Joy
Sept 10 '45
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Pension Office
September 10 1845

Sir,

The information asked by you [illegible] of the service of Thomas G. Smith, Daniel Keys and Timothy Baily, and of the objections to the omission  of Jacob Johnsens claim cannot be furnished.  Nor can a claim already settled be re-opened [illegible] an application for increase unless the grounds for such application be clearly set forth by the parties interested.  Such inquiries are altogether irregular and cannot be answered.  When claimants change their appeals, the one last appointed should be furnished with all the Correspondence in their courthouse with the Department by claimants themselves.

Arno Joy Esq
Ovid
New York
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Hon J. L. Edwards
Coms. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Ovid July 26th 45

Sir

Will you oblige me so much as to give me a copy of the declaration, as to the service claimed to have been done by Thomas G Smith, whose case is our file from N.Y. under law of 32 - for a whole year I have been looking &c. but am driven finally to call upon you respectfully for a copy of his Declaration.

Yours Respectfully 
Most Obt. Serv.
[signed]
Arad Joy

Hon J L Edwards
Coms. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
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Office of
The Tarrytown "Argus"

The Home Paper.
$2.50 per year

Job Printing
Neatly done.


M. D. RAYMOND, publisher.
Argus Building, Main Street,

Tarrytown, N.Y. June 27 1899

To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.D.

My Dear Sir:

On receipt of this will you kindly send me as soon as may be a transcript of whatever may be of record in your office in the way of an application for Pension by Lieut Thomas Smith who served for a short period in the Militia of this state in the Revolution - Orange County.  I believe the application may have been made over the name (Rev) Thos. G. Smith.  I do not know that his application was granted.
The information is desired in connection with the possible placing of a
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name on the Revolutionary Soldier's monument at this place.

An early reply will much oblige.

Yours Truly
[signed]
M D Raymond
Sec'y Monument Com.

[stamped]
O. W. & N. DIVISION
JUN 30 1899
RECEIVED