Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1877, for Henry Smith, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                        NUMBER
Va     Smith, Henry        S.1877
Carded
CONTENTS 
enlisted in Pittsylvania Va.
Iw 1833 [illegible] of Mc Mumles Tenn. aged 79 yrs
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Order to pay 3 Oct 1837.
Date of death not on A13
7219
East Tennessee
Henry Smith
of McMin in the State of E T.
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Shelton Of the Regt. commanded by Col. Clystic in the Va. line for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of E. Tennessee at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of March 1833 and sent to A. R. Turk b.b. McMin Co.
 Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    46.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.  11.66
                                                          58.32
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk.
Book 6  Vol. 7  Page 61
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18833
Henry Smith
Ten.
from 1776 private 7 months $23.33/100.
H. R. Turk, CC
McMinn Co
T.
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BRIEF in the case of Henry Smith of McMinn Co. in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  79.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
(table with columnar headings)
Period.
'Vol. in 1776 Aug:
dr 1780

Duration of Service
Years, 
Months,  4   3
Days.

Rank.
As a pr.
"

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Col. Clystic } Va mo
Capt. Lyons }
Capt. Shelton. "   "

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Pottsylvania Co. Va.
7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   Trady.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Correct .
*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
S. L. Williams Examining Clerk.
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Henry Smith
18535
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DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
State of Tennessee}  SS.
County of McMinn}
On this 20 day of September personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County court of said county, Henry Smith a resident of said county and state, aged about 79 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He entered the service in the militia of Virginia, as a volunteer, in August, as he thinks, 1776, in Pittsylvannia (Pittsylvania) County, under Col. William Christic, Lieutenant Colonel, as well as he recollects, Charles Lewis - Captainn James Lyon, lieutenant Edward Choate ensign George Poore, Sergeant Joseph Cloud - for 4 months. The Service in which these troops was engaged was an expedition against the Cherokees. Lyon's Company crossed New River below the lead mines, at Pearce's ferry, and Holston at the Seven Mile ford, and the troops rendezvoused at the long islands of Holston, three or four miles from the place now called the Boatyard's or Kingsport; thence the troops marched by the Bend of Chucky, and crossed French Broad at or near Buckingham's island, thence to Chota on the Tennessee, where the troops crossed the river, and the night after lay at Tamotty town, the next day crossed Idlics, and marched to the Big Island town, or the Tennessee just below the mouth of isleico, where the troops lay twenty two days, until Col Christic made a truce of peace with the Indians, and the troops were marched to a little Indian town above Chota, and were discharged and left to find their way home the best way they could.
He entered the Service a Second time in the militia of Virginia, as a volunteer, for 3 months, in the year 1780, as declarant believes, under Captain Eliphas Shelton, lieutenant Stephen Lyon, as well as he recollects, in Henry County. The Service in which these troops was engaged was against the tories - upon the waters of the Arrarat, a creek that runs into the  Gardkin. Where troops Secured and guarded the county along the head Waters of the Gardkin on both sides of the river between Virginia and North Carolina. All the country on the head waters of the Gardkin and Down river, was the Scene of their Services occasionally. The troops was discharged after the expiration of their tour of Service in Henry County. Declarant has no witness nearer than Mausy or Dixon Counties in this state, by whom he could prove the above services; declarant received both times written discharges, but they have been long since destroyed.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the 3rd day of September  1832
           his
Henry  X  Smith
         mark

We Abraham Slover a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid, and William Lowry residing as aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and 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 opinin (opinion).
Sworn to and subscribed the 2d day of September 1832.
A. Slover
Wm. Lowry
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Abraham Slover who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, that he and William Lowry who has also signed it, are resident as they therein state, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Will Johnston
Thos Wakefield
John Miller
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I A R Turk Clerk of the County Court of the County of McMinn aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Henry Smith for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at office, this 22nd day of September, 1832
A R Turk Clerk
By his Deputy Wm Sherrill
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February 10, 1939
BA-J/AWF CM
Henry Smith
S. 1877
Miss Mary Kate Hunter
318 south Sycamore Street
Palestine, Texas
Dear Madam:
The data which follow concerning Henry Smith were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 1877, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of Henry Smith, and names of his parents were not stated.
Henry Smith enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, sometime in August, 1776, served four months as private in Captain James Lyon's company, Colonel William Christie's Virginia regiment, in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. He enlisted in Henry county, Virginia, in 1790, (sic) served three months as private in Captain Eliphas Shelton's Virginia company, in an expedition against the Tories on the Yadkin River.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-nine years, and a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee.
The papers on file in this claim contain no discernible data in regard to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and
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possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data - 
Henry Smith
Certificate #7219
Issued March 16, 1833
Rate $23.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
East Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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February 18, 1932

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

William Norman - W.36585
Henry Smith - S. 1877
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Thomas O. Johnson
4301 Alabama Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the records of the Revolutionary War pensioners, William Norman and Henry Smith, both of McMinn County, Tennessee.
Their histories are furnished herewith
William Norman- W. 36585
The data given below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 26585, based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Norman.
He was the son of John Norman, and was born September 2, 1753 in Culpeper County, Virginia.
While residing in said Culpeper County, William Norman served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows: from in October, 1780, five months as substitute for Ezekial Norman (no relationship shown) in Captain Richard Yancey's company; in the spring of 1781, two months as substitute for his father, in Captain James Brown's company, Colonel John Green's regiment, and was in the battle of Petersburg; and soon after, two months in Captain William Green's company at the siege of Yorktown.
After the Revolution, William Norman moved from Culpeper county, Virginia to Henry County, Virginia, where he lived eight or nine years, when he moved to McMinn County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-
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cuted March 4, 1833, then a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee.
The soldier, William Norman, married October 11, 1823 in Henry county, Virginia, Hannah Oaken.
He died July 1, 1841 in McMinn County, Tennessee.
His widow, Hannah Norman, was allowed pension on her application executed August 2, 1854, then aged seventy years and living in Tippan County, Mississippi.
It is stated that she died in the spring of 1857 in Texas.
They reared a family of children, no names designated. 
_____________________________________________

Henry Smith - S. 1877
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 1877, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Henry Smith.
The date, place of birth and names of his parents are not given.
Henry Smith enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in August 1776 and served four months in Captain James Lyon's company, Colonel William Christie's Virginia regiment in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. He enlisted in Henry County, Virginia, in 1780 and served three months in Captain Eliphas Shelton's company in an expedition against the Tories on the Yadkin River.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, then aged seventy-nine years and living in McMinn County, Tennessee.
There is no reference to his family.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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WASHINGTON    October 12, 1931

BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Ralph W. Bell 
1408 N. Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Henry Smith a soldier of the War of the Revolution, who made application for pension in 1832, then living in McMinn County, Tennessee.
The data herein are obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, S. 1877, based upon his military service in that war.
Henry Smith enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in August 1776 and served four months in Captain James Lyon's company, Colonel William Christie's Virginia regiment in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. He enlisted in Henry County, Virginia, in 1780 and served three months in Captain Shelton's company in an expedition against the Tories on the Yadkin River.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, September 3, 1838, at which time he was living in McMinn County, Tennessee, and was aged seventy-nine years.
There are no data as to his family.
This office has no way of ascertaining as to whether this Henry Smith was the one who kept a tavern in the "early days of Knoxville".
In order to obtain the date of Last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly (ibly crossed out) the date of death of the aforesaid Henry Smith, you should
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WASHINGTON    September 11, 1931

BA-J/AWF
Mrs. R. W. Bell
1012 Oak Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1877, that Henry Smith enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in August 1776 and served four months in Captain James Lyon's company, Colonel William Christie's Virginia regiment in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. He enlisted in Henry County, Virginia, in 1780 and served three months in Captain Shelton's company, in an expedition against the Tories on the Yadkin River.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, then a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee, and was aged seventy-nine years.
There are no data as to his family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the aforesaid Henry Smith, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data -
Henry Smith
Certificate number 7219
Issued March 16, 1833
Rate $23.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
East Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
Henry Smith
Certificate number 7219
Issued March 16, 1833
Rate $23.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
East Tennessee Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
I sent this the 2" time as the inquirer had an entirely different address and penmanship did not look alike AWF
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FROM VIRGINIANS IN THE REVOLUTION BY GWATHMY
Page 721
SMITH, H. Capt. Washington Militia 1776
SMITH, Henry, Commissary of Henry militia, 1777
Smith, Henry, Capt. Botetourt
SMITH, Henry, Corp. Continental line
Smith, Henry, Morgan's Riflemen
Smith, Henry, Capt. Tate's Company Augusta
SMITH, Henry, of Monongalia
SMITH, Henry, Sgt. Amhearst (Amherst)
SMITH, Henry, Sr. Woodford county, Kentucky
SMITH, Henry, Mcminn (McMinn) county Key. (must have meant Tenn.)
SMITH Nathan, Surgeon's Mate, Continental line 1781-1783
SMITH, (Henry crossed out) NATHANIEL, Va. Battalion, awarded 2666 acres, Surgeon's Mate.
Page 465
HUNTER, James, II Continental line
(stamp) RECEIVED JAN 3 1939 WAR SUB-DIV {illegible] (numbers 1-12 around the circumference with an arrow pointing to 2)
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318 South Sycamore St.
Palestine, Texas,
December 29th, 1938
Veteran's Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
We are looking for the record of HENRY SMITH
who married Miss SENTER, niece of Governor Senter of Tennessee, who enlisted from Pittsylvania county, Virginia, August 1776. Pension September 3rd, 1832, then a resident of McMinn county, Tenn.
Another record says " HENRY SMITH, soldier from Washington county, Va. lived the last tten years of his life in McMinn county Tennessee.
Does the government record identify this HENRY SMITH with the attached list?
Nathaniel SMITH who married a daughter of Capt. Jonathan Henby, was supposed to be his brother, (see attached list) is there a record of him?  and of 
James Hunter, sometimes called Jr. of Va. Continental Line II?
With much appreciation
Mary Kate Hunter.
(Miss) Mary Kate Hunter.

(stamp)  RECEIVED JAN 3 1939 WAR SUB-DIV [illegible] 23  (numbers 1-12 around the circumference with an arrow pointing to 2)
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February 9, 1939
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
VA-J/MLB
Miss Mary Kate Hunter
318 South Sycamore Street
Palestine, Texas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you requested the Revolutionary War record of Henry Smith who enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, married Miss ____Senter, niece of Governor Senter of Tennessee and who received pension in 1832 while living in McMinn County, Tennessee, and in which you desire to know whether the soldiers of that name cited by you from "Virginians in the Revolution by Gwathmey" were identical with the one whose record you request. You desire the records, also, of Nathan Smith, Surgeon's Mate, Continental Line 1781-1783, and Nathaniel Smith, Virginia Battalion, awarded 2666 acres, Surgeon's Mate, also that of James Hunter, 2nd, Continental Line of Virginia.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file which was made to the United States based upon service in the Revolution of James Hunter who served from Virginia, or who applied for pension while living in that state, nor for a Nathaniel Smith of Virginia who was surgeon's mate. The record has been found, however, of a Nathan Smith, Surgeon's Mate of Virginia, which is furnished you herewith, also the record of Henry Smith.
This office has no way to determine whether or not all you citations in regard to Henry Smith pertain to the soldier of that name whose record is furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Rs
MRS RALPH W. BELL
COLORADO SPRINGS COLORADO
Sept. 17, 1931
(stamp) SEP 26 1931 PENSION [illegible]
Federal Office
Dept. Revolutionary Pensioners;
Dear Sirs:
Have you a pension claim on your books -- of Henry Smith - Rev. War soldier - He was allowed pension on his application executed Sept. 3 - 1832 then a resident of McMinn County - Tennessee. Have you the record of his birthplace - and the place of his death - Also did you have another Henry Smith on record - who kept tavern in the early days of Knoxville - Possibly they are the same Henry Smith - If I am applying to correct office would greatly appreciate your advising me where I might apply - Thanking you- I am Respt yours
Shelley N. Bell
(Mrs. R. W. Bell)
strem att
pm
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(stamp) RECEIVED SEP 29 1931 [ILLEHIBLE] PENSION [ILLEGIBLE] (numbers 1-12 around the circumference with an arrow pointing to 9)
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Chattanooga Tennesse (Tennessee)
Aug- 21- 1931
Bureau of Pensions - Rev. War Dept. 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Could you give me the birthplace of Henry Smith - Washington county Virginia Revolutionary War soldier - He applied for pension (in crossed out) from  Knoxville Tennessee - giving his home as Athens, Tenn- McMinn County - If you have any other personal record at hand I would appreciate it deeply if you would send copy of same. Thanking you, I am
Respt. Yours
Mrs. R.W. Bell 
1012 Oak Street
Chattanooga
Tennessee
(stamp)[illegible] 24 1931
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Rev War  INVALID.

le No. 1877
Henry Smith
Priv. Va Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
dex:- Vol. A, Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1931- Sept. 11- Hist to Mrs. R.W. Bell AWF
1931. Oct. 12 - "  "  "  Ralph W. Bell -
this letter head a different c address ac
cept it AWF
1933 - Feb. 16 hist to Thmeus C. Johnson Sec
letter in William Norman W. 26383 AWF
1939= Feb 10 - hist to Mary Kate Hunter AWF
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BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Henry Smith - which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. *Has he mentioned 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?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX> Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service off the applicant? 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. * If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ** Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  1. 2. 7
EXPLANATORY NOTES
*QUERE V. 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 sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ year ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___. For ___months and ___days, I served as a ___p and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
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 they served two years in the militia, &d. 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 shewn 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 he 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. 
*QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
** QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticate, 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
(hand pointing right) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.