Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6117, for John Smith, Maryland
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Md.
Smith, John
NUMBER
S. 6117
carded
b. July 17, 1760 in Prince George Co. Md.
CONTENTS
Frederick Co. Md. at enl.
Harrison Co. Va in 1833.
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{top cut off}
John Smith
of Harrison in the State of Virginia who was a pri in the company commanded by Captain Hillary of the ___ commanded by ___ in the Maryland line for 12 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40 Dollars ___ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of July '3{illegible}
and sent J G. {illegible} Clarksburg Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 20
$100
{Revolutionary {illegible} Act June {illegible} }
Recorded by Wm. Miller
Book E. Vol. 6. Pag{illegible}
Page 3

{illegible}  12 March 35 {illegible}
N Goff
{crossed out - "29 Dec Hon Jos Johnson}
{crossed out - 11 March {illegible} Robt Lawther}
{crossed out - " " "  G. G. Brice}
{crossed out - " " "  R Lawther}
{crossed out - {illegible} to N. P. Goff & P. Agt. Dec. 10 1836}
{crossed out - {illegible{ to N. Goff. Mar. 22. {?1837}.}
{illegible} 7 Feby '39 to Hon. J. Johnson
{illegible} 3 Jan 1840 - same
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State of Virginia
Harrison County to wit
On this 25th day of August 1833 personally appeared John Smith now a resident of the same County aged seventy two years in open Court before the {illegible} the County Court of said County now sitting who first being 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 the 7th 1832
That he was born in Prince George County Maryland and resided there with his father until he was about five years of age when his father removed and took him with the rest of the family to Frederick County in the same State where this applicant lived until after the termination of the Revolutionary War, where he married after the war and resided about two years and moved to Washington County Md. where he lived about two years & removed to Alleghany Co. Md. where he remained  about 11 years and then removed to Harrison County Virginia where he has ever since resided
This applicant states that he always understood from his parents that he was born on the 17th day of July 1760 but that he has no record in writing of his age. That in the year 1776 he was enrolled in the Company of Capt. Ralph Hillery who commanded a company of militia in the said county of Frederick in the state of Maryland and was drafted for a two month tour and marched under the command of the said Capt. Ralph Hillery in the Jany of 1777 from Fredericktown in Maryland to Gen. Washington's head Quarters in the state of New Jersey. 
Col. Wm Betty commanded the Regiment to which he was attached and Maj Johnson was the Maj off said Regiment they marched by the way of Tawney Town, Peter Littles Town McAllisters Town, Little York, Pa, Philadelphia where they staid 16 days and from there up the Delaware river to Trenton New Jersey and from there to head Quarters at Bascon's ridge in said last mentioned state a short time afterwards this applicant was attacked with the small pox and was removed to the Hospital where he stayed as well as he now recollects about four or five weeks and having been left there among the sick did not {illegible} home until sometime in the month of April of the same year. In the August following his Brother Henry was detailed on a similar tour of two months but he never having had the small pox and it being reported that the small pox still infested the army this applicant substituted in his stead under the same militia Captain Ralph
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Hillery, Lieut. Jacob Troutman 2 Lieut, Philip Neller - Col. Baker Johnson and Maj. Ogle were the Regimental officers This draft was made in the said County of Frederick & State of Maryland as well as this applicant remembers they marched about the latter part of August 1777 and passed through Little Winchester in sd state to the crossroads to Johnsons ferry on the Susquehanna river from {illegible} to Downingtown Pa from there as this applicant was 
detailed as one of the guard to the Baggage Waggons which moved on to the Red Lyon - the troops moved on to the White Horse where they had skirmish with the enemy - after said skirmish this applicant was again attached to his company under Capt. Hillery and with Capt. Huffs company marched to Jones Tavern & from there to the head Quarters at White Marsh where was Genl. Washington, Genl. Sullivan, Genl. Green and the militia Genl. Smallwood - after the battle at Germantown which took place in Oct. 1777 they retreated to Pike{illegible} Creek and after several marches and counter marches towards Germantown this applicant with the residue of his company were discharged their time having expired this applicant reached his home in Fredericks County Md. sometime in the latter part of October or the beginning of November of the same year
The same Capt. Hillery in the same county of Frederick Md. as well as this applicant now recollects in the June or July of 1781 - made up what was called a select company of militia for a tour of five months of which this applicant was one and enrolled them they were marched by him said Captain Hillery shortly afterwards for Baltimore but were met by an express at the Poplar Springs in Md. and informed their services were not then required they then were dismissed by their Captain till further orders and returned to their several homes and shortly after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown they were again called into service by their Captain (their period of service not having expired) and marched to Nolands ferry on the Potomac where they received the British prisoners taken at Yorktown from the Virginia troops and guarded them back to Fredericktown Maryland and this applicant with the rest of the company to which he was attached so continued to guard them at the last mentioned place
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{may be cut off at the top of page}
he now know of any one of his comrades who are now living to whom he can refer for the evidence of his said services but can refer to the general belief of the neighborhood in which he resided to the following gentlemen - John H Woodford Esq Justice of the Peace of this County. Hanson C Huff Postmaster of Huffsville in said county and John Rightmire in the same neighborhood and Jacob Coplin also a Justice of the Peace in said county and Richard W Moore also at Law and Hambleton Goss a Preacher of the Baptist Church. 
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 any agency or state.
John his X mark Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Saml Kemble J.P.
We {illegible} Hamberton Goss a clergyman residing in the said county of Harrison and Jacob Coplin Esq. also of the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Smith the within named applicant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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 opinion
Hamelton Goss
Jacob Coplin
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Saml. Kemble J.P.
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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 {illegible} Hambleton Goss who has signed the preceding certification is a clergyman resident in the said county of Harrison and that Jacob Coplin Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident also of the said County of Harrison and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Saml. Kemble J.P.
Presiding magistrate of this County Court of Harrison County
I David Davisson Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Smith [illegible}. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26th day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty two and in the {?5th} Year of the Commonwealth
{image of a seal}
D Darepon
Harrison County To wit
"Personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Smith who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and 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; in my first tour as a private three months and a half - For three months as a substitute private for my Brother Henry, and for five and a half months as a private in Capt. Hillery's select company of militia - This applicant served with embodied corps called into service by competent authority that he was either in the field or in garrison during the time his services were performed and was not employed in any civil pursuit but was during the period aforesaid under the orders of his commanding officers - I served the periods above named as a private militia soldier; and for such service I claim a pension. Given under my hand this 12th day of June 1833.
John Davis J.P.
{image of a seal}
Harrison County, to wit.
Virginia
I David Davisson Clerk of the County Court aforesaid hereby certify that the name of John Davis subscribed to the foregoing affidavit is the proper signature of the said John Davis, and the said John Davis is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified according to Law. In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County this 12th June 1833. 
D Davisson C. H. C. 
{Written vertically on left border} 
13424
Declaration of John Smith
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
S. 6117
May 2, 1928
Scotland G. Highland,
Clarksburg Water Board,
Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6117, it appears that John Smith was born July 17, 1760 in Prince George County, Maryland, and resided there until about five years of age, when he moved with his father (whose name is not given) to Frederick County, Maryland. 
While residing in said Frederick County he served as a private with the Maryland troops as follows:
From January 1777, two months in Captain Ralph Hillery's Company Colonel William Betty's Regiment; from August 1777, two months as substitute, for his brother Henry, in Captain Ralph Hillery's Company Colonel Baker Johnson's Regiment; and in 1781, two months in Captain Ralph Hillery's Company. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1832, while a resident of Harrison County, Virginia. 
He stated that he married after the war in Frederick
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County, Maryland, the name of his wife not stated nor is the date of his marriage given.
He died prior to January 2, 1840, leaving no widow.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
{Added by hand} I did not say anything about the pension being suspended - as it was for a reduction from $40 per year to $20 per year - and was an all right claim.
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Revolutionary ✓
6117
INVALID.
File No. 6117
John Smith 
Pri Rev war 
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. M, Page 346
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1925 - May 2  - Hist to Scotland G. Highland
Page 11

6311
Sarah Smith 
of John
Maryland
admitted
Pr Inf. 2 yrs $80
Cap Riley Col Hall 
Md line
died May 07. 1826
Act 7 July 1838
Pensioner 
Annapolis.
Md.
Page 12

{illegible} Lewis Cass
Secretary at War
Washington
Page 13

Clarksburg Harrison {illegible}
Augt. 24th 1832.
{illegible} Lewis Cass 
Secretary at War
Sir 
I send enclosed my claim for a pension as a Revolutionary soldier if placed by your honor on the roll - you will add to that favor an obligation as a poor old soldier by transmitting his certificate to Jasper G. Doddridge Clerk of the United States District Court at this place or should there be any {illegible} that cannot be remedied on my part or any thing relative thereto by transmitting that advice to him I will be enabled to have an opportunity of rectify it
In so doing you will confer a great favor on an old soldier
Respectfully your obt servant
John his X mark Smith
Teste
Richd. W. Moore
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Clarksburg June 12th 1833
I request that the letter within written may be understood as applying to my amended Declaration of this date
John his X mark Smith
Honble Lewis Cass
Sect at War W.D. 
Teste D D Davisson
Page 15

John Smith {illegible}
Harrison cty. {illegible}
{illegible}
{illegible}
12000
35.36
Page 16

John Smith
This man has {illegible} to {illegible} - I could collect no evidence in relation to his right to a pension - from what I have understood from Richard W. Moore clerk of the Federal court who wrote the Declaration in this copy I believe he is {illegible} to {illegible}
W. G. Singleton
Nov. 21. 1834
Page 17

J. L. Edwards, Esqr, 
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City,
D. C.
Page 18

Land Office, Annapolis, March 21st 1836,
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 11th {illegible} respecting the services of John Smith of Virginia, whom you say, claims a pension for military services alleged to have been rendered in the Select Militia of this State," - I have to state, that the name of John Smith, I find upon the muster rolls of Captn. Ralph Hillary's Company, to have served in the Select Militia in 1781, - the rolls however do not show how long they were in service, or for what period they were called out, - indeed, the rolls or papers relating to the Select Militia of the State, afford no evidence whatever that they performed continuous services.
I am very respectfully, 
{illegible}
G. G. Brower
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
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{ink stamp} RICHMOND DEC {illegible}
{INK STAMP} FREE
Dec 3d
Jo Smith
Jo Ney 
{illegible}
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pentions
Washington City.
Page 20

Richmond
1st Decb. 1836
Sir
I enclose you the powers of Atty from Mr Smith and Ney - the pension agent refuses to pay them, because they have not a witness besides the justice who act officially, to the oath of identity, this second rule of Ney {illegible} seems to me to be entirely useless, if fraud was intended how easy would it have been for the witness to the power of atty to have placed his name also to the oath of identity, the papers are right in all other respects, I send them to you, and ask that you will instruct the agent to pay them, if  however you do not {illegible} to do so - will you be good enough to enclose them to "James Read Esqr Clarkesburg Va" who will
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{illegible} his {illegible}
Your Obs Serv
W. P. Goff
Page 22

Washington 2nd Janry 1940
Sir
John Smith the soldier mentioned in the enclosed letter has recently died
The pension certificate not found.  The heirs desire to know how they must proceed in order to draw the arrears due the soldier.  He did not leave a widow
Yours Respectfully
 Jos Johnson
G. W. Crump Esqr
Page 23

3 Jany 1842
Hon Jos Johnson
G. C
Record V 119 Page 145
Page 24

War Department
Pension Office 
3d Jany 1840
Sir 
The enclosed printed instructions should be strictly complied with, to obtain the arrears of Pension in the case of John Smith decd.
I am {illegible}
Hon Joseph Johnson
Ho of Reps.
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Hon. J. Johnson H. R.
Payments to be made 
at Richmond
by the Presd: M. S. Br: Bk
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Virginia
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 6. Page 27 by Wm. Miller Clerk.
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Smith of the State of Virginia who was a private in the war of the revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars and __ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year. 
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 16th day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
John Robb
Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.}
J L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 27

War Dept
Pension Office
Mar 22 1837
Sir, 
Your letter of the 14th last has been received.
The Pension Agent at Wheeling will pay the balance due in the cases of Joshua Jones and James Robinson, on the production of the proper vouchers.
All the Pensioners who have been transferred to the Wheeling Agency will be paid the amount due them, at that agency, but where more than six months stipend is due, the vouchers must be submitted to this office before payment can be made.
John Smith's pension has been
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stopped because it appeared from a re-examination of his papers that he was entitled to {only crossed out} $20 per annum only
Nathan Goff
Mar 22 1837 
GC
Record V42 Page 83
Nathan Goff,
Clarksburg
Va.
Page 29

W. P. Goff Va
10 Dec 1836
GC
Record V 85 Page 373
Page 30

War Dept.
Pension Office
Dec 10, 1836
Sir,
I have directed the Agent to pay the pension {crossed out - of John Smith and} John Nay on the enclosed vouchers.
I cannot order the payment of John Smiths pension because it has been reduced: and no further payment can at present be made.
W. P. Goff. Esqr
Richmond
Va.
Page 31

Robt Lawther
March [illegible}
GC
Record {illegible} 31 Pare 317
Page 32

Department of War
Pension Office
March 26, 1836
Sir
I have received no reply to my letter of inquiry from Mr Brown of Annapolis, {illegible}
that the name of John Smith appears upon the muster rolls of Capt Ralph Hillery's company of select militia on the year 1781, the same year that Mr Smith alleges to have been enrolled for a term of 3 mo.  But by a {illegible} to his declaration, it appears that his actual time did not exceed two months. He says that they were marched shortly after his enrollment which was in June of July 1781 for Baltimore Md an express {illegible} and they returned home and here dismissed.  That shortly after the Battle of Yorktown, they marched to Nolens ferry on the Potomac received the British prisoners and guarded {illegible}, and at Fredericktown {illegible} {illegible}, had remained at that place 5 or 6 weeks. Then it appears that by adding the time occupied by marching to and from Baltimore and to Fredericktown, by the way of Nolens ferry, to the about 5 or 6 weeks, we have the amount of his actual service that year, and as I before observed, it could not have exceeded two months.
The only service besides the above specified
Page 33

Robt. Lawther Esqr
Jackson C H
Va
Page 34

Robt Lawther
Mar 11 1836
GC
Record V31 page 275
Page 35

Department of War
Pension office
March 11 18{illegible}
Sir
I have red. your letter upon the subject of the claim of John Smith of Harrison County, and have written to Annapolis Maryland for the purpose of obtaining proof of his alleged service.
As soon as an answer is returned, I will advise you of the result
{illegible signature}

Mr Robt Lawther
Jackson C H
Va
Page 36

G E Brewer
March 11. 1836
GC
Record V31 page 276
Page 37

Depart of War
Pen Off
March 11 1836
Sir.
John Smith of Va. claims a pension for military service alleged to have been rendered in the state of Maryland during the war of the revolution, in the local and select militia of that state, in the years 1776 - 77 & 81 under the command of Capt Ralph Hillery.  Will you be so kind as to furnish me with {illegible} orders of his service as may appear upon the rolls in your office
{illegible signature}
G G Brewer Esq
Annapolis
Page 38

Hon Jos Johnson
Dec 29 {illegible}
GC
Record V31 Page 84
Page 39

Depart of War
Pension Office
Dec 29 1835

Sir.
The name of Mr Smith of Harrison County was dropped from the roll on the 12th of March last on the [illegible} that his service did not amount to 6 months.
I have the honor to be
Respectfully
{illegible signature}
Page 40

Va
June 29
{illegible}
Clarksburg Va
June 25 1833            Free
Honble Lewis Cass
Secry at War
City of Washington 
Dist. Cola.
Page 41

Hon. Lewis Cass
Secy. at War
Page 42

Clarksburg, June 24th 1833
Honble. Lewis Cass
Secretary at War
Sir
Ill health has prevented me from enclosing the Declaration of Jno Smith, as amended until this time.  It is hoped that it will now be satisfactory - By an appended note to his former letter to you, your Honor will percieve that he again requests his certificate to be forwarded to me; and he requests me to urge as speedy an attention to his case as the convenience of your Department will admit of.
Very Respectfully
Your Servt.
Jasper Y. Doddridge
Page 43

{letterhead}
CLARKSBURG WATER BOARD
ESTABLISHED 1888 RECONSTRUCTED 1910-1927
SCOTLAND G. HIGHLAND, SEC. AND GEN'L MANAGER
MEMBER AM. WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER NEW ENGLAND WATERWORKS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS
A. F. COMBS, CASHIER
PERKINS BOYNTON, CHEMIST-IN-CHARGE OF FILTRATION PLANT

CLARKSBURG, W. VA. March 27, 1928.
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington.
Sir:-
I recently wrote to you for the record of John Smith, revolutionary soldier, who lived in Harrison and Tyler County, Virginia, and died in Tyler County, then Va., prior to 1850. 
He was probably placed on the pension roll July 16, 1833, with commencement of pension March 4, 1831.  He was about 74 years old in 1833, being born about 1759.  Think that his pension was later suspended.  He may have been connected with the Maryland militia, revolutionary war. 
This John Smith married Mary Morris who died in 1870.
Certainly would appreciate a copy of your records pertaining to this John Smith.  He is a relative.  The purpose of this inquiry is to record his name in serious history and for no other purpose.
Respectfully,
Scotland G. Highland

{ink stamp}
PENSION
MAR
U. 28 S.
1928
OFFICE

{Stationary logo - image of mill water wheel with person seated before it.  Quote - "MUCH WATER GOETH BY THE MILL THAT THE MILLER KNOWETH NOT OF"  Shakespeare
Page 44

ans - May 2 '28

{letterhead}
FILTRATION PLANT    FILTERED WATER
CHEMICALLY AND BACTERIOLOGICALLY PURE
CLARKSBURG WATER BOARD
ESTABLISHED 1888   RECONSTRUCTED 1910-1927
{logo - CWB} 
SCOTLAND G. HIGHLAND, SEC. AND GEN'L MANAGER
MEMBER AM. WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER NEW ENGLAND WATERWORKS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS
A. F. COMBS, CASHIER
PERKINS BOYNTON, CHEMIST-IN-CHARGE OF FILTRATION PLANT 

CLARKSBURG, W. VA.     March 21, 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington.
Sir:-
John Smith served in the Revolutionary War.  In 1806 he married Mary Morris, and remain in this (Harrison County, then Va., until 1818), when he removed to Tyler County, Va. 
He died in Tyler County, Va., between 1850 and 1860.  His widow died in Tyler County, W. Va., in 1870.
If he received a pension kindly give me the facts of record.
I am related to him and wish this information for preservation in history and for no other purpose. 
Respectfully,
Scotland G. Highland
 {ink stamp}
PENSION
MAR
U. 22 S.
1928 
OFFICE

{Stationery logo - image of mill water wheel with person seated before it.  Quote - "MUCH WATER GOETH BY THE MILL THAT THE MILLER KNOWETH NOT OF"   Shakespeare