Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3924, for William C Smith, Georgia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Ga.
Smith, William C.
NUMBER
S.3924
CONTENTS
born Mecklenburg Co. Va. Mar 4, 1762
res. during Rev. Wake Co. N.C. & Wilkes Co. Ga.
Lincoln Co. Tenn. in 1833.
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State of Tennessee }
Lincoln County       } 
On this 18th day of April 1833 personally appear in open court before William F. Long, William F. Smith & Samuel Todd Justices of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid now sitting William C. Smith a resident of the County of Lincoln and State of Tennessee aged seventy one 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and
served as herein stated
He was born in Mecklenburg County Virginia on the 4th day of March 1762. He has always kept a record of his age until a few years past he had the misfortune to get his house burnt and it was thereby destroyed it was taken from his mothers prayer book
He Volunteered in the latter part of the month of May 1779 at Hilsboro North Carolina for the term of nine months his Captain was Lewis Bledsoe afterwards Major & Colonel Bledsoe his Lieutenant was Richard Frazier afterwards Major Frazier his ensigns name he cannot now recollect his Colonel was Joseph Mabane General Lincoln at that time was the commander of the Southern Division and was stationed some where in South Carolina
he dont know precisely where Col. Mabane received orders to March to downing creek in the lower part of North Carolina with his regiment to try to rescue some prisoners which the Brittish and Torys had taken and to subdue and disperse the British and Torys who had
Rendezvous on said creek and formed a large regiment and were Killing Robbing & taking prisoners and committing all kinds of Deperdations they Marched through [Wake] by Raleigh and straight on to Montgomery and on to Anson County NC Where Downing Creek is situated When we arrived at said Creek we found a large Company of Brittish and Torys had united and formed a large regiment and were commanded
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By Colonel Faning and Mayor McGirth two British officers shortly after our arrival we had a hat battle on the South side of said creek which resulted Gloriously to the cause of Liberty but a great number on both sides were killed wounded and taken prisoners on the american side amongst the prisoners was Governor Burke who they had taken before the battle the then acting Governor of the State of North Carolina after the above defeat the Brittish and Torys retreated and collected
a reinforcement about twenty miles above on the head waters of said creek at a place called Lindleys Mills Col. Mabane ordered us to take up the line of March and  and persue on after them when we arrived at said Mills we found we were in advance of the flanking party of
the Brittish & Torys by the intelligence of our spies we crossed the creek below the mills but from the above intelligence we recrossed back again dismounted and left a small guard to take care of our horses then formed a line of Battle and marched about one quarter of a mile and meet the enemy and changed a few rounds of fire when they precipitately
retreated They sent word if we persued them they would put to death the american prisoners they had taken before and at the time of the Battle of Downing creek in the first
engagement Col Mabane thought most expedient not to persue them immediately so we remained there a short time In order to learn the maneuver and to ascertain which way
they were aiming we soon learned that they were aiming for Virginia and were going to take a kind of a [circuritory] route through the lower parts of North Carolina we discovered where they would cross the Roanoke River and
we by taken a [shred] cause could get to the place where they intended to cross the River  Col Mabane ordered us to take up the line of March and to proceed to [Halfax] County and there to waite for the enemy to arrive We marched through the Counties of Cumberland Johnson & Nash and on to the place where they intended to cross the Roanoake River this applicant believes that it was in [Halifax] North Carolina where they stop and found they were ahead of the Brittish and Torys
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same day or two travel and that the Brittish and Torys were under the necessity of coming the road that Col Mabane and his regiment were encamped upon We now had sufficient time to select our Battle ground in such a maner that it would prove advantageous
to us which was an old field grown up with thick Shruberry on one side and a perfect glade on the other side our orders were to conceal ourselves on the shrub side and to waite for the approach of the enemy who shortly made their appearance We saw and knew Gov Burke who was Barefooted and And when they arrived opposite to us we arose from our concealment and gave them a Blast which come upon them like a thief in the
night for they were wholly unprepared they betook themselves to flight we retook the whole number of prisoners and a considerable number of the Brittish and Torys we then took up the line of March for head Quarters which
was at that time this applicant believes was at or near Raleigh NC When we arrived within three miles of head Quarters we received intelligence that a party of Brittish and Torys had rendezvoused on Cape Fear River near the
Great Swamp and Gov Burke was escorted home by a few soldiers and the Brittish & Tory prisoners under a sufficient guard was sent on to head Quarters the remainder of which your applicant was one under Col Mabane Marched to the above named Rendezvous on By Fayetteville Near Cross Creek and on to the Raft Swamp which is in Roberson County South Carolina We arrived at the Samp a little before sun down and encamped about a quarter of a mile from the Brittish and Torys who was encamped in the Samp our Col thought it expedient to send out a Company of Spies in order to obtain the strength and intention of the enemy and the most advisable
mode of attack Col Mabane ordered out sixteen men an Ensign this applicant cannot now recollect his name and fifteen others amongst which number your applicant was one Whe proceeded to make discovery
and before we had discovered them we had passed them when the fired upon us and took your
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applicant and four others of the Whigs prisoners who were before and the Eleven others Broke and run Back to our Camps and were safe
They kept us until next morning about day
light when the Whigs commence fire upon them and the Brittish and Tories were so much alarmed that they called all hands into Battle except a very few who were left to guard us prisoners we had Concluded that we had as soon suffer death as to be kept prisoners by the Brittish and Torys I then told my fellow prisoners that now was the time for us to make our escape they took me at my word and we all broke and run like heroes But thanks
be to kind providence when the guard fire after us they hit none but my self which was by a bullet which strucke me about half way between the knee and ancle and passed through between the two leg bones and come out of the flesh I was so much rejoiced at our
fortunate escape that I never felt its pain until we reached our Camp although I experienced it sorely after I arrived at our Camp the americans soon quelled them and put them to flight our Col ordered us to take up the line of March for home we done so and went on till we arrived at a public store this applicant thinks it was in Montgomery County and there they were all discharged your applicant was dicharge by his Captain Lewis Bledsoe from whom he received it and he left it until some years ago he got his house burnt and it was
Burnt in it at the time he was called into service
he was living in Wake County North Carolina
he served nearly twelve month in this tour but only Received a discharge for nine months the time for which he volunteered after they were discharged and on their way home Col Mabane his Captain and Several others was going on to Wake County where they all lived they come across a Tory in an old field who
Col Mabane knew and the Col swore he would
take him or his life he charged upon him and the
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Tory broke and run and Col Mabane after him on his horse through the old field in the field there was a gully and some grape vines had grown over it Colonel Mabane went to charge the gully and his horse got entangled in it and fell and threw him the Tony turned and shot Col Mabane as he was getting up and kill him We Burried Col Mabane and this applicant
returned home to Wake County North Carolina
He again volunteered in November 1780 at
Hilsboro North Carolina for the term of six months his captain was James Frazer his lieutenants name he cannot now recollect Richard Frazier Major Lewis Bledsoe Colonel General Nathaniel Green had been appointed Commander of the Southern Army in place of General Gates we paraded at Hilsboro NC and had orders to March to the lower part of North Carolina for the purpose of driving some Tories out of the County We marche through the Counties of orange Cheatham Mongomery and down to Fayetteville to cross creek where we come upon a party of Tories and soon made them fly - we had orders then from Gen Green to keep continually in movement in the lower part of the State first from one part to another on the waters of Pee Dee and broad rivers
we remained there for some time until we received orders from General Green to come up Nearer the center of the State During the above time we had several Tory skermishes at this time news come come that Cornwallis had arrived in North Carolina with a large army for the purpose of taken the whole state General Green had before this had regiments in nearly all parts of the State whiping and driving the Torys when he heard that Cornwallis had come over into the State of NC
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He sent for all the regiments that were out to replace and assemble at Guilford County North Carolina as the british  were expected (?)  there every day to commence an attack the regiment your applicant  belonged to was at the time this was assumed in Chatham County NC they took up the line of March for guilford County  NC and Marched with all speed for life  to get to General Green's main army before the British Commenced the attack, But when they arrived with in a fortnight of Guilford Court House North Carolina they heard the firing of the guns  and they were convinced that the battle had commenced. Col. Bledsoe thought it most advisable not to March up until he could learn how the armies were situated he then formed the line of Battle and we remained there until the firing ceased when we learned how we could get to the army in safety we Marched  &  General Green's army that night which was encamped a short distance from Guilford Court House (at Spar ... (illegible) iron works ) was one of the last fought Battles during the war Green & Lord Cornwallis wanted themselves at the head of their respective armies and  a throng of americans ( Americans) were obliged to retired from the field of Battle yet the british (British) armies suffered an immense loss and could not pursue the victory . This action happened on the 15th day of March1781 the British tired of the sport of fighting Green took up the line of march to South Carolina Green remained in North Carolina for some time and he then proceed to South Carolina before he commanded marching for South Carolina
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your applicants term of Service expired and he received a written discharge from his Captain James Frazier for the term of six months service at the time he was called in to service   he was living in Wake County North Carolina after he was discharged  & he returned home he had always kept his discharge until he got his house burnt and it was burnt amongst his papers. In month of May 1781 he subscribed for William Wellsmouth for the term of three months a man by the name of Hinton was Captain he has forgotten the name of his lieutenant. William Hinton , Colonel Henry Lane, Major Nathaniel Green,  General at (?) Hilston  North Carolina was where he was when he subscribed they Marched from Hilston up to Guilford  and there served General Green's army . General Green was at the time of Marching to South Carolina to join General Mon...(illegible) he hear that there was a small party of Tory collect at the Narrow of the Yadkin river and thought it most advisable not to take all the forces out of the state he therefore told Colonel Hinton to take his regiment  and  go to the narrows of the Yadkin River and disperse the Tories and to go to Raleigh NC as the legislature of the state was going to meet there in a few weeks and  Guard it until he sent for him or until further orders. Col Hinton Marched his regiment to the Narrows of the Yadkin and there we had
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two or three little Tory skirmishes and them Marched to raleigh (Raleigh ) where the legislature had Convened and there we remained until your applicants term of Service expired and he was discharged by his Captain By a written Discharge which was Burnt in his house when all his aforementioned discharges were burnt at the time he was called in to service he was living in Wake County North Carolina. He enlisted in Wilks county State of Georgia some time in the spring of 1789 for the term of twelve months his Captain was Charles Williamson his General was Clem Hanson (?) to River  Major Clark General  C they were called to fight the Indians the  march from Wilks County to the Oconee iver in the State of Georgia  and then stationed upon the River they built a ford General Clark would Divide them out in Companys and they  would take it by turns and go out in company and attacked the Indians they had frequent skirmishes with the Indian. The Indians had crept up near Scotts Fort and Helen two young women out to milk and had carried them about twenty miles from the place  we were stationed  General Clark when he come to hear of the  ...(illegible) he ordered a large part of is men to pursue them and rescue the women your applicant was one of the company who went for that purpose.
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We overtook them at the standing peach tree in the State of Georgia where they had taken up camp and were holding a consultate  on it was after night we Marched upon them and took them by surprise and rescued the two young women and took a great number of the Indians prisoner we then returned to our fort we remained there some time until your affiant was discharged the war ceased and he was discharged his Captain Charles Williamson give it to him for six months the term he had served he enlisted for twelve months but was discharged at the end of Six months his discharge was destroyed By the fire at the time he got his house burnt at the time he was called into service he was living in Wilks County Georgia after the war was over he moved to Pendleton District  South Carolina where he lived until about Sixteen years ago he moved to Lincoln County Tennessee where his son now lives .He has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services He swears that he has served as a private as above mention in defense of his Country not less than two years first  nine months ..  (? ten) months three months  Six months the length of time that has elapsed since the service
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And the consequent lapse of memory have accompanied a great many circumstances and names of men and places to escape his  recollection the time above set forth he positively served for a hole he claims a Pension He is known in his present neighborhood to  William Millner & Philip Koons Esq. 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 in the United States. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. (his mark X) William C. Smith  Sworn to in open Court on the 18th day of April 1835. F. L. Kincannon  (signed) Clerk  We Samuel M. Cowan A clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee and Draca Myers  Residing in the county & State last aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William C. Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion  Sworn to and subscribed the day and the year aforesaid. Saml. M. Cowan (signed) ( illegible notation under signature) Sworn to in open  Court 19 April 1833  F. L. Kincannon  (signed) Clerk
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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 soldier of the revolution and served as he states And the  court further Certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Cowan who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee And that Draca Myers who has also signed the same is a resident in the County and State aforesaid  and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit . Samuel Todd ( signed)  W.F. Long ( signed)  Will F. Smith (signed)   I F .L. Kincannon Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter session for Lincoln County Tennessee Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court ni the matter of the application of William C. Smith for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 15th day of April 1833. Francis L. Kincannon ( signed/sealed ) Clerk         Address to A.Q. Nicks Esqr Fayetteville Tennessee
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left page) 13626 West Tennessee William C. Smith of Lincoln  County in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by  Captain Hinton of the Regiment he commanded by Col Jones in the North Carolina line for 18 months West Tn. Line Records o.k. , April  '14  Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 60 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May and sent to A.Q. Nicks Fayetteville  Arrears to the 4th of  March  120 Semi - anl. allowance ending  (? Sept) 30  (items totaled $120 & $30  -  $150 ){Revolutionary Claim , Act June 7, 1832.}  Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk , Book E Vol. 7 Page 96  ( right page note) death not in AB
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No, 25.101 Wm C Smith Lincoln Co Tennessee from 1779 private 18 months $60  Hinton Jones N.C  Francis L. Kincannon Clk Lincoln Co Tennessee
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
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, shewing the Service of William C. Smith Lincoln Co Tennessee
Period when the service was rendered.  Duration of the claimant's service.  Rank of the claimant.
Vol May 1779 9 months Private
Vol Nov 80 6 months  "
Sub May 1781 3 months  "
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt Bledsael
Col Bledsael
Genal Lincoln
Capt Frazier
Col Bledsael
Genrl Green
Capt Hinton
Col Jones
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
71 years [illegible ] N Carolina
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditional evidence before the Court
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Document is page 2 of
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
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Document is page 3 of the Regulations

Signed by John N Ashton
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September 14, 1935
BA-J/MCS
William C. Smith, S.3924

Miss Ethel Smith
c/o Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
195-197 West Main Street 
Gastonia, North Carolina
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 3924, based upon the military service of William C. Smith.
He was born March 4, 1762, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.  The names of his parents were not given.
While living in Wake County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May, 1779, and served nine months as private in Captain Lewis Bledsoe's company in Colonel Joseph Mabane's North Carolina Regiment, was in the battle of Drowning Creek, was later taken prisoner by the British and Tories and while making his escape he received a gunshot wound in the leg.  He enlisted in November, 1780, and served six months as private in Captain James Frazier's company in Colonel Lewis Bledsoe's North Carolina regiment.  H enlisted in May, 1781, and served three months as private in Captain Hinton's North Carolina regiment and was in several skirmishes with the Tories at the narrows of the Yadkin River.  While living in Wilkes County, Georgia, he served six months from the spring of 1789 in Captain Charles Williamson's company under General Clark and was engaged against the Indians in Georgia.
From Wilkes County, Georgia, he moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina, where he lived until about 1817 when he moved to Lincoln County, Tennessee.
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He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18,1833, at which time he was living in Lincoln County , Tennessee.  
One William F. Smith was Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Lincoln County , Tennessee, in 1833 but it was not stated that he was related to the soldier, nor was it shown that the soldier was married.            
Very truly yours                          
A.D. HILLER                                              Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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September 14, 1935
BA-J/MCS

Miss Ethel Smith
c/o Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
195 - 197 West Main Street
Gastonia, North Carolina
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Ralph Smith, William Smith and William C. Smith who were pensioned from Lincoln County, North Carolina.
Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for furnishing such information, this office is unable to send more than two records to each inquirer.
You are furnished herewith, the records of Ralph Smith and William C. Smith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Thomas Burke was in Phila . in the Contl Continental Congress in 1779 at time 
Soldier alleges his capture.  See NC, records  Vol 14 page 307  
 83924  
 Burke captured Sept 14.1781 at Hillsborough and the prisoners were not recaptured as soldier states.  Gov Burke was taken to Charleston . See Lossing Vol. 2. page 571.  So we have left out all statements about the Governor — 
AW.
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1935 Sept 14 Hist to Miss Ethel Smith see letter in Ralph Smith  W.7184  M.C.S.   
3924 INVALID.  (note ) Rev War   
File No. 3924 
William C. Smith  Pvt. N.C. line  
Act :  June 7, 1732
 Index: - Vol. A , Page 345 
[Arrangement of 1870]  
N.C. & Ga. Line . Records corrected Apr.1.04