Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9769, for John Smith, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Ga
S.C.
Smith, John
NUMBER
R. 9769
also served in 1785 & 1786 against Indians
CONTENTS
b. 1761 in York Co. Pa.
res at enl, Richmond Co. Ga.
res in 1836 Henry Co. Ga.
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Georgia          }
Henry County }
Inferior Court Henry County sitting for ordinary purposes on this the 4th day of January 1836
into open court Personally came John Smith 
[Nott.] aged seventy three years and according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration after being duly sworn in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June the 7th in the year 1832 for the relief of Revolutionary Soldiers, That he this deponant entered into the Mellitia service of the United States the summer of Floriday Expedition in South Carolina Gen
Williamsons Brigade Major Middletons Battallion Captain Paces Company under the command of Lieutennant Henry Grable; our duty was to scout and guard the wimon &
children whose Husbands [and fathers] were gone to Floriday in the Expedition we cut their wheat and took care of it for them till their Husbands returned during which time the Indians came in on Ogecha Georgia and killed som of the Inhabitants Lieutenant Grable Raised twenty five volunters of which I made one we went out as far as Fulsoms fort where we met the Inhabitants retreating the Indians had also retreated; and we returned back to our station again and continued to do duty when need was, we divided in small parties and spied and scouted occasionaly till the men
returned from Florida There was a gard kep at Major Middletons Ferry on Savanna River (it being the Line) as the British took possession of the State of Georgia about that time a British Col Camble took possession of Augusta, General Williamson took possession of Liberty Hill opisite Augusta there were several Battles fought to wit at Kettle Creek in Wilks County Georgia and one at Burk County Jail; from floriday expedition till the British took augusta nearly nine Months during which time we were always on the Alert at a Minits warning not knowing when nor where we should be called for [& we] (that is my Fathers family) were refugees (when the British took the state we moved from Georgia into South Carolina) into the same company that I did the first duty; my Brother Alexr Smith substituted in the room of
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John Harvey for three months, (I was not compeled to do duty being under age but men being scarce) I was admited to do duty as tho I
had been, it was the winter after Floriday Expedition how long I serve during floriday Expedition and Gard at Middletons ferry I cant recollect as I kep no record I supose it might have been two or three months [inerupted]; I was admitted to relieve my brother every two weeks while he served as a substitute, it was in the same company that I did the first duty; during the time I was in Camp on [Liberty Mill] the Indians came in on Orgecha and was doing mischief the drums beat up for voluntiers I turned out for one Col Leroy Hammonds commanded we went and had a battle with the 
Indians at Rockey Comfort we killed eight Indians and wounded one whiteman we took three whitemen prisoners a Captain Branham and two by the name of [Linercum] and three Indians we lost our Major Ross who commanded the right wing he got wounded and died soon after we got to Camp at head quarters. Colo Camble retreated from Augusta about this time; Colo Ash came out with a party of men and went in pursuit of him and led his men into the fork of Briar Creek and
Savannah River, where the British came on him and defeated him to his disgrace; my Brothers time was out soon after we both hapned in camp when we were marched off to beach Island where we remained near two weeks, Then we started for Stono Expedition and joined General Lincon and served during that
Expedition in the same Regiment and Company aforesaid we were two months and twelve days gon on hard fatague and duty; the Battle was fought my Brother was in the action I was on gard, when we returned from Stono
my father moved the winter folowing into Georgia again into Wilks County, the lower  corner of it near the Bigsholes on Savanna River where he remains to this day (my father and mother has been dead many years) my Father let me go and live with John Dooley who commanded Wilks County John Cuningham was Major, old General Clark was Lieutenant Colo. I remained in Colo. Dooley family till the Siege of Savanna and some
time after, the Colo. went to the Seig; I stayed at home, when he returned he was sick and much discouraged; the British took the state of
Georgia again; Dooley sent to the British Commander Colo. Brown (who took possession of augusta) soon after) for a Parole for himself and as many of his Regiment as chose to tak it.
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I being one of the family I was included in the Parole; the Tories Captain Wilder with a company came and killed him Colo. Dooley
in his own house notwithstanding his parole; and I narroly escaped I took to the woods and lay out, during which time I was taken by the Tories and confined two weeks and was let Loos again I then concealed myself Generaly; till Cols. Clark and Cuningham and Williamson came in (as they had not taken parole but had
fled); they with many other officers and men came in when I Joined them, the Exact time I lay out I cant tell but it was a whole winter and part of the spring and faul Major Williamson Colo Dun George Dooley who was a Captain Captain Walker with many others Major Shelvey with his Mountain men all came in; we kep a scouting and flying camp seldom stayed three houres in a place till we got strong enough to lay close seig to the town or forts; there was two forts one commanded by the British Colo Brown, the other by Colo Grason the Tory Colo we took them both; Colo Lee came to our assistance with his Infantry & horses; [hoop] Major Eaton fell there by the Tories: I continued on hard duty and fatague during the Sieg from aprile till august when Grasons fort was stormed I was there when Brown surrendered I was there also and was one of the men that was stationed in Grasons fort when Brown surrendered the gave us all the Tories to do as we pleased with them; Colo Lee took charge of the Regulars he marched them off I do not know where - I belong to Captain Walkers company when the seig cominced but not liking to be confined in camp, I inlisted in the State troops of South Carolina Colo Saml Hammons command the terms of our inlistment was we wise each man to receive a Negro of such a value, when we took augusta; what we put into the service of our own was valued we were to receive the same Value when we were discharged I put in a horse and saddle worth $100, which I lost finaly he was stolen the night after Browns fort was taken and I never saw him more when all things were adjusted Captain Bartley Martin who inlisted me, he took the Smalpox and lay during the Seige or from the time he enlisted me, and had don no duty he came however on the ground where we were stationed, which was at Colo Leroy Hammoneses, where he mustered us and made a demand of our Bounties, the Colo refused to comply,
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the Captain flew in a Volian passion drew his sword and swore if the Colo did not comply he would take his life, the Colo left the ground the Captain threw down his commission and stamped it in our presants he took out his Muster Role and called our names who all answered, he told us we wear dismissed and he had no more command over us, we got no written discharge, neither do I believe there
was paper enough to have drawn a regular return for Rations for my part I was orderly Sergants mate, I do not recollect that I ever
saw a return made either for men or rations
during this Seige; so I was dismissed without clothing arms or amunition, we were spearmen; we had to give up our spears
swords and pistols and my hors being gon; I was obliged to return to my fathers Cabin on foot in a state of poverty and without health, in an enemys country I lay there six long weeks in the slow fevour when I had sense. I was afraid
of my life as the Tories were scouting about in small parties lik wolves - when I recovered my heath I went imediatly on duty again the first duty I did was to gard five Tories that was taken in Wilks County by one of our scouting parties we took them to Augusta I think there was three out of the five men hung in South Carolina on horns Creak as they belonged to that quarter they were given up to their own quarter where they belonged to be dealt with as the Law directed-
I still remained in Captain Walkers company some times on duty and somtimes off; I being clased on the Minite Role there was one half plased in the back forts along the frontiers
the other half stayed at home and was to be always ready when called for we remained so till peace was made; I substituted in the room
of John Kilgore of Richman County and served two weeks; there was a Gard kept in Augusta, where the governor Heard stayed during which time general Green lay on the High hills of Santee, there was a command of Fifteen in number picked out and sent under Colo William Few to Genl Green for powder (that article being very scarce and times dangerous) I was one of that command we went through great danger and dificulty through the Tories settlements and returned safe, brought 1500 lb of powder and a quarter cask of Rum to the governer; I then returned home. I stayed a short time; then I substituted again
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in the room of one of my cuzens George Smith of Richman County for two months we went under the command of Captain Townsend we went and reenforsed General Wane when he lay at Ebenezer we did hard duty and lived hard it was in the year 1781 in the months of January February & a part of March the British had possession of Savannah at that time, salt was scarce we drew one gil each day for twenty men the Beaf was so sorrey we could not eate it it was poor cows suckled down
the officers eat the yearlings and the men might eat the cows or do without we quit drawing the Beaf and they gave us double rations of Rice there being no bread we subsisted as well as we could there was neither
vineger soap nor candles drawn by the solders that ever I saw my time run out and I returned home again to wilks County Captain Walkers company, soon after to wit in may the Indians and Tories came in on Fishing Creek in wilks
County to Heards Mill and killed five of our men we all went that could go in pursuit of them Major Anderson of South Carolina Joined us with a command of men Colo Clark commanded, we went and had a scrimmage
near the bigshoals of the ocomey we killed two Indians and one Whiteman and took two white men prisnors whome we hung to a stooping hickery at the lower end of the bigsholes - we lost Captain Holleway we wer gon five days
and had little to eate bread being scarce in them days in the state frontiers of wilks; I did a 2 weeks tower of duty in Gunnelses fort in the room of brother Alexr Smith who was stationed there it was in oat harvest that same
year of 1781 some time afterwards the Indians came in near the Cherokee corner in Wilks I think that was in the year 1785 I will not be certain as to the exact date they killed a family by the name of Stuart the killed some Negros for Samuel Knox and burned their houses the people were all forted in the frontiers in them times-- I went and did a two weeks tower of duty in Benjamin Knoxes fort I got no
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receipt for that. I moved my residence and went to the frontiers and lived with one of my uncles. I served twenty one days in Joseph Scots fort under captain lane, I got a recept for that it was in the year 1786 May and June - I returned then to my old company and was ordered out again to the bigsholes of the
occoney where I served two weekes as a spy, there was forty men of us under the command of Capt Robert Ware, we built a block house on the occoncy River, at the big sholes I got no recipt for that whether capt ware kept any record of the duty that was done I do not know; then Sholderbone Treaty came on
(there was a Vacancy in our company of second Liutennant) - I offered my service and was Elected and before I got my commission was ordered with twelve men (which was the quota required from our company) to the Treaty aforesaid where I served twenty od days 
I had a certificate for that duty but have lost it (it was in the faul of the year 1786 say 20 days) General Twigs commanded I belonged to Dooleys Regiment Major Graveses Battallion Captain Buriks company while I was in service, I went again to the frontiers and lived till the end of the [war] Colo Freeman got the command of the Regement Colo Barber was Lieutenant Colo Major John Clark commanded the Battallion Captain Pots commanded the company I belonged to - I did many small towers of duty two days at a time I cant recollect all - I was at the Battle at Jacks Creak old general Clark commanded we had a hard fight we whiped the Indians, but it cost us dear, we lost three captains Brownfield, Elsbury and Wilson, with several good solders; I was out five days time on scant allowance as well as the rest; and hard duty having very little for man and horse only what nature aforded; when we defeated the Indians we got their provitions which was parched corn flower that and cold watter was a great support to us who had been three days on very little; as for any more duty what I did I cant recolect; all neither will I pretend to do it -
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I received no pention nor pay except $30 I recd at Stono and some more while I garded at Middletons Ferry the sum I dont recolect
it was small and of little value I have drew no pention nor any one for me agreeable to the answer I recd from the war Department to a letter I recd recently
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that my name is not on the pension roll or agency in any state,
Deponent states that he has no discharge or written evidence of his services -
William T Bently & Samuel McClean and Archibald Handerson & Alexander Smith his
brother, are witnesses of his services -
He was born in Pensylvania, York County
Seventeen hundred and sixty one-- has no
original record of his age But has [copied] his
age [with] his Bible at his residence
When called into service first he lived in Richmond County Georgia, he has since the war lived entirely in Georgia, Viz: in Richmond, Wilkes, Ogletorpe, Clark & Henry County
Georgia -
He has stated before how he was called into
service & the officers under whom he served -
He is known to William Crawford & E DeVaugn
who are acquainted with him (& are his neighbors) who can testify to to his character for Veracity &c
Sworn to and subscribed this 4 day of January
1836
Jno Smith R[Illegible]
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[Top is cut off]
[Nathan Talley a clergiman resident of Henry County, William Crawford &] Elijah Devaughn residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with said John Smith who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three 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 opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
Nathan Talley
Wm. Crawford
Elijah D'Vaughan
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and 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 Nathan Talley who have signed the preceding certificate is a Clergiman resident in Henry County, and that William Crawford & Elijah Deavaughn who have also signed the same is also a resident in said County an both credible persons and that their statements are entitled to full credit
John Williams & J.I.C
John T Bentley J.I.C.
Jesse Johnson J.I.C
I William Gray Clerk of the Court of Ordinary for Henry County do hereby certify that the
foregoing [two] sheets, contains the original
proceedings of the Inferior Court of said County, sitting for ordinary purposes in the matter of the application of John Smith for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private Seal there being no seal of office this 4th day of January 1836
Wm Gray {Seal}
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9769.     om
P. O.
John Smith
Service: S.C.
[res.] Ga.
REJECTED
Enlisted: ___________________, 18
Discharged: ________________, 18
Application filed: ___________, 18
The printed list of 1852
gives cause of suspension as
"For further proof and
specification."
[Rest of form not completed]
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Georgia
John Smith 2d
33.619
Suspended
See let to Hon J. F.
Cleaveland, Apl
23d 1836.
Let Lacy Stewart Apl 19/56
9769
Act 7 June 1832
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P
John Smith
Ga. sus 1832
Postmarked APR 3 CLARKSVILLE GA
FREE
Com. of. Pen
Washington
City D C
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March the 25 1856
Clarksville Habersham Co Ga
Commissioner of Pentions
Dear Sir Excuse the liberty I take in addressing you this letter.
Mr John Smith of the County of Habersham has applied for a Pention through a Certain  
J Thos J Huse of Said County and the last he Smith heard Huse Say that the testimony was Sufficient 
he waited some time in Expectation that Huse or His Agent would fork over and when he asks them a bout it he gets no Sattisfactory answer
he wishes to Know through me from you if they have drawed Said pention or not and what has become of it
an early answer would be thankfuly recd
Respectfully Yours
Lacy Stewart
Com of Pen 
Washington
Cty
D C
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Hon J. F. Cleveland
Apl 23, '36
A.C.
23
Recd. Vol. 40, pa. 472
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War Dept.
Pension off
23 Apl 36
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the papers in support of the claim of John Smith 2nd of Henry Co. Geoa enclosed in yours of 14 inst have been examined & placed on our files-
The pro rata character of the pension assured by the act of 7 June 32 renders it indispensable that each item of service taken into its computation shall be seperately adjudicated. Hence you will perceive by the accompanying printed sheet that each claimant is required to make a specific statement of the essential features of each term of actual service in some military corps duly organized & embodied in field or garrison.
This claimant should before a Justice make the statement required & produce the best
evidence in his power. It does not appear
that he has heretofore made application and
he should therefore assign the reasons of the delay.
Hon Jesse F Cleaveland
Ho. Reps
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Lacy Stewart
Apl 19
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Pension Office
April 19, 1856
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 25th ultimo I have to inform you that it does not appear that Thos J. Huse has applied for or received a pension for John Smith of Georgia.
Lacy Stewart Esq
Clarksville
Ga.
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33.619
Georgia
John Smith 2d
suspd
Hon. J. F. Cleveland
H R
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Washington City }
April 14th 1836   }
I Jesse F Cleveland a member of Congress,
from the State of Georgia do hereby certify that
William Gray whose name is hereto annexed is the clerk of the Inferior Court of Henry County in the said State - that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of the said William Gray and
that the signature contained in the paper hereto
annexed is in the handwriting of the said
William Gray - to the best of his knowledge and belief
Jesse F Cleveland
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Apl 14
Ga
Hon. J. F. Cleveland
H R
Mr J L Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City
D C
Original 
John Smith
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House of Representatives
April 14. 1836
Sir
Inclosed I send the declaration of Mr Smith praying a Pension for Revolutionary services, which you will please examine, and give me an early answer, and oblige Your
obt Svt
Jesse F Cleveland
Mr J L Edwards
Pension office
Washington City
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Smith, John
GRADE Private
LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 13728
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED March 25, 1790
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.