Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21979, for Asahel Smith, Vermont
Page 1

SERVICE        NUMBER
Green Mt. Boys         Smith, Asahel         S. 21979
Vt.

CONTENTS
b. Oct. 5 1756 Farmington Con
Res at  Windsor, Windsor Co. Vt. there in 1832
---
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Asahel Smith 
Windsor Co. in the State of Vermont
was a Private in the company command
Captain Wood of the Regt command
Col. Herrick in the Vermont troops
for 13 months & 15 days Private $41.65

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
the rate of 41 Dollars 65 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of July
1833 and sent to Hon. H. Everett Windsor Vt.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 83.30
Semiannl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 20.82
$104.12 

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 91
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State of Vermont
Windsor County

On this 25th day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Isaiah Raymond. Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Hartford and State of Vermont then sitting at Hartland in said County -Asahel Smith resident of Windsor in Said County - aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn, according to lease. Doth on his oath, make the following declaration, to obtain the benefit of the art of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. 
That he enlisted in the month of July 1777 - into a company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Wood and Lieut. Safford and the other Lieut he believes by the name of Omalley. Said company was attached to Col. Herricks regiment of rangers other Majors name was Benj. Waite. and that he entered the service about the time of his enlistment as a volunteer - and marched from Windsor the place of his then residence to Pawlett in the State of Vermont - and from thense was marched down to intercept the return of Bourgoyne - and assist and aid at his surrender on the 17th day of October 1777 - and after Burgoynes surrender - he returned with his company and regiment too Pawlett -and there remained untill he was discharged - which was about six months from the time of enlistment - and that he served as a corporal in E company serving said six month
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that pensions to the said last mentioned enlistment he volunteered and enlisted into Capt. John Grants Company, Col. Warners regiment - one Lieut.in said B company by the name of Barnes - the other not recollected.. That this enlistment was in July 1775 for five months - and that his place of residence at this time was said Windsor - that he entered the service about the same time - and the company to which he belonged went and he with them to Crown Point in the State of New York - and thence went down towards Montreal and at Long Gerle was present at a severe and Skirmish with the Indians in which Col. Warner commanded in person and remained at and about Montreal until the 5 months had expired.  The term for which he enlisted - when he was discharge honorably and returned home with the rest of the company to which he belonged -
that he went as a volunteer - under the command of Capt. Williams to wrest the enemy, who were expelled out of Canada under Burgoyne upon the ice and that this was some time in February 1777 - and he went to Fort Ticonderoga and was absent from home about six weeks - and Burgoyne
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that he volunteered again in 1780 in the month
October - & went from Windsor his then residence
to Royalton Vt soon after the Indians had
burned that place, & he took with him about
thirty men as volunteers - he took the command
them as Liet. & that he remained there
in a [illegible] which they erected at Bethel near that place
the about one month & was
then discharged. and returned home
making fourteen and an half months
service, that he has no documentary
evidence to prove these services
that he was born in Farmington in
the State of Connecticut on the 5th day of
October 1756. that he keeps a record of his age
in his bible that he resided in sd Farmington
till he was eight years of age & then moved to
the town of Windsor & the [illegible]first time in
town, - I have resided in sd town ever since 
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity, except the present & declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the
Agency of any State
Asahel Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid,
Marsh, Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
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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 Rufus Root and
Ebeneser Hoisington, who have signed the preceding
certificates are residents in Windsor and are credible
persons, and that their statements are entitled to
credit

I, Lyndon A. Marsh, Register of the Court
Probate of the District of Hartford, do hereby
that the foregoing contains the original procee
of the said Court in the matter of the application
Asahel Smith for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have
unto set my hand and seal
this 25 day of July A.D. 1832
T. Marsh, Register
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21.977
Asahel Smith
Pri Rev War

Act June 7 32
index Vol.2 Page 379
{Arrangement of 1870}
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6968
Asahel Smith
Volunteer service as a
Lieutenant not allowed
then being no evidence of applicant 
being in service by order from
competent authority or satisfactory proof
of the grades of the service.
(Letter)
admitted
13 mo. 15 day.
Private $41.65
Hon. H. Everett
Windsor Vt
E
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Asahel 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?
No see. Quere 5

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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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?

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?
no see quere 14

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 into prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 to 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 _____ and for such service I claim a pension.
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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, &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 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 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate
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 paper
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Washington G. Feb. 1841
Sir,
wish for an abstract of the service allowed to
Asahel Smith (Pension Certificate No 11.846.)
respectfully

H. Everett

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
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Asahel Smith
affidavit

16. June 1833

I certify that the within
named  Thomas M. Pomroy
is a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Windsor
Horace Everett
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State of Vermont  at Windsor in said County on
Windsor County ⎬the 10th day of June 1833, personally
appeared before me Thomas M. Pomroy a Justice of
the peace for sd County, Asahel Smith of said Windsor
who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason
of old age and the consequent loss of memory
he cannot swear position to the precise length of
his service, nor more particularly than he has done
in his declaration made before the Probate Court
for the District of Hartford on the 25 day of July last
that according to the best of his recolection he
served not less than the periods mentioned below
and in the following grades
for one year one month & a half (in the
three periods first mentioned in my declaration)
I served as a private
soldier and for one month (during the period
last mentioned in sd declaration, I served as a
Lieutenant and for such service I claim a pension
Asahel Smith
Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of June, 1833.
Before me
Thos M. Pomroy, Justice of the Peace
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State of Vermont   on the 25th day of July 1832.
Windsor County ⎬   personally came Ebenezer
Hoisington a credible witness, who being
duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is acquainted with
Asahel Smith of Windsor & that he was
acquainted with him in the revolutionary war
& knows that he served as a soldier
in Capt John Grants Company Col. Warners
regiment as he stated in his declaration
that he served in the said company with
me. I was in that service five months.
that he is perfectly correct as to his
declaration concerning that service.
Sworn before me the     Ebenezer Hoisington
day & year afore -     ⎬ 
Is Raymond Judge of Probate
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State of Vermont
Isaiah Raymond Judge of Probate
for the District of Hartford in the State of
Vermont do hereby certify that the foregoing
affidavit of Ebenezer Hoisington & Rufus Root
on the same that are named & referred in
the certificate of the Register of Probate on
the Original Declaration of Asahel Smith
and to which I have now attacheded this
sheet and that the foregoing affidavit of
Levi Bishop was taken on the day of its
date & by mistake omitted in said certificate
and further certify that the said Bishop 
is a credible person.

In testimony whereof I have here
set my hand this 12th day of June 1833
at Bridgewater in said District
Isa. Raymond Judge of the Court
of Probate
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State of Vermont
Windsor County   on the 25th day of July 1832 
personally came Rufus Root
a credible witness who being duly sworn
doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with
Asahel Smith of Windsor in sd County
during the revolutionary war; I know that
he served six months as he has related in his
declaration in the Rangers under Col. Herrick
that he served with him in the same company
& regiment during term that Smith
came to the assistance of the Govt at Bethel as
he has stated in his declaration and brought
with him thirty men & had the command
of them as Lieut
Rufus Root

Sworn to before me
the day year aforesd
Isa Raymond Judge of
the Court of Probate
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State of Vermont 
Windsor County     on the 25th day of July 1832
personally came Levi Bishop
a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say
he is acquainted with Asahel Smith of Windsor I was
acquainted with him in the revolutionary war &
that he served in Col. Herrick regiment
six months and that he served with him in the same
company during a 2nd period & that he is correct
in his declaration as to that service &  that sd
Smith is correct in his declaration as to hisiservice
under Capt Williams in February 1777 that
he served with sd Smith in sd. Company during the
time he has therein stated  & that sd Smith
is also correct as to his service rendered in June
1777- at the Fort at Ticonderoga & this
service was under a general alarm & I went
with sd Smith & know that he performed the
services as he has stated
Sworn before me the day &         Levi Bishop
year aforesaid.-

Isa. Raymond Judge of Probate
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[illegible]
case of Asahel Smith
Vt
Page 20

I Thomas Chapin of Lowell in the County of Orleans
and State of Vermont, aged seventy three years, formerly
lived in Belchertown, County of Hamshire and State of Massachusetts
Testify and say, that in the year 1780 I was one of the
garrison stationed at a fort in Bethel under the command of Capt
Safford, and was a waiter to Asahel Smith who then performed
duty of Lieutenant in said garrison and he made out the 
provision returns as Lieutenant, and as far as I can recollect I
as his waiter - one month as such, and previous to that time
I marched from Windso runder said Asahel Smith to Royalton when that town
was burnt, and knew that he then held an ensigns commission 
in the Vermont Militia, and also that the said Smith has
since told me that his commission is mislaid lost or destroyed
by accident -
Windsor June 4th 1833 Thomas Chapin
State of Vermont 
Windsor County SS⎬ At Windsor in said County June 4th 1833
Then personally appeared Thomas Chapin the above named
and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
contains the truth and nothing but the truth and I
certify that the said Thomas Chapin has long been known
to me as a respectable and a credible person
Rufus Root Justice of the Peace


Windsor Vt 16 June 1883. I certify that
Rufus Root is a Justice of the peace for
the County of Windsor
Horace Everett
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Veterans' Administration Archives  
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD
Name Smith, Asahel Grade Private Line Sheldon's Cavalry (Connecticut)

WARRANT NUMBER 6512 ACREAGE 100 Issued June 25, 1789
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.