Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21,853, for George Smith, Pennsylvania
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Penn. Smith, George R 21.853
CONTENTS
bo July 1, 1750 in Lancaster co Pa there att enl,
In 1834 res of Campbell Col. Ky
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31.322
George Smith
Drake
Hon Roll Johnson
Examine this declaration again
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State of Kentucky Campbell County} Sct
On this 6th day of June 1834, personally appeared before Richard Nelson Justice of the peace in and for the county of Campbell George Smith a resident of Campbell county Kentucky aged eighty three 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
He will first say that by reason of old age infirmities of body and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot sear positively as to the precise length of his Services; but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period of two years during the continuance of the Revolutionary war, And will now State the different tours of his Service to the best of his recollection but as before intimated he cannot be particular in his Statements But he will state that in the years 1775 He then being a resident of Cumberland County and state of Pennsylvania was regularly enroled as a minute man to be ready at a moments warning And that Cumberland county his then residence was a frontier county and frequently subject to be invaded by the Indians who was as was supposed instigated to do so by the emmisaries of
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Great Britain and that he was frequently called out by his officers for short periods and did serve for short periods but will not take said short periods into the account of his services as he is informed that he can make out a sufficient [illegible] of service with out doing so he cannot in consequence of his loss of memory as stated above give the exact dates of his services but will make such a statement as will bring his turing at least with in the time and not above it It was the [illegible] of the frontier of Pennsylvania to call out the militia in the Spring of the year say about the time of the puting out of the leaves of the trees and when the militia was so called out to station there at some station or fort to remain during the season which the leaves remained on the trees when they were discharged and should at any time the Indians be lurking about at it be believed that that part of the militia in the station would not be sufficient to drive them from the settlement then that part of the militia remaining at home and held as minute men was called out and remained until the danger was believed to be over Now according to the above arrangement and practice of the the constituted authorities this declarant was in the Spring of the year 1778 regularly drafted and called into the service under Captain William Conwell and at a station bearing his name
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and served a period not less than six months. and in the year of 1778 he was again called as before and served a period not less than six months under Captain William Haney and at a station bearing his name And in the Spring of the year 1780 this declarant was again called as before and a period not less than six months under the command of Henry Hogland and at a station bearin his name And in the Spring of the year 1782 he was again called and served a period not less than six months under the command of William Conwell the same that he served under in the year 1776 and at the same station making in all two years which this declarant served as a soldier of the United States in the Revolutionary war and as a drafted man and attached to the Militia of Pennsylvania and as a private soldier he as before stated leaves out much of his services being advised that the time which he has set forth is all that is necessary and he no having a distinct recollection of the [illegible] as he has of that part set forth nor has he as distinct a recollection of that set fort as he could wish because of his old age, infirmities of body and the consequent loss of memory
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He has no record evidence of his services for he does not now recollect whether he was discharged in writing of was discharged by word of mouth but thinks that he was discharged by word of mouth and no offer of a discharge in writing if he would call on his captain for it at a subsequent time and that he never did call on his captain as he did not at that time suppose that it would ever be of any advantage to him He will again say that he has no doubt if he could recollect all his services he could make out much more than two years but he cannot recollect except in a confused manner He does not now recollect who was the Colonel or major of the regiment to which he belonged as he saw them but seldom there being at no time any more than the one company with him And as all of his services was performed in the west he does not know any thing of the Regular officers Continetial proofs no indeed any other he having with a single company He was born on the 1st day of July 1750 in Lancaster county State of Pennsylvania and when a small boy (aged not recollected) he removed to the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania and resided there until the Spring of the year 1802 when he removed to what is now Campbell County State of Kentucky in the
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limits of which he has ever since resided and does now reside He has a record of his age in and old bible now in his possession He does not now know of any person living with whose residence he is acquainted by whom he can prove all or any part of his and will therefore refer to the evidence of William Daniel a clergyman and Benjamine Gosney both residents in the same county with this declarant In consequence of the old age and affliction of body of this declarant he cannot attend at and in court for the purpose of making this his declaration it being twenty six miles to the county seat of Justice He hereby relinquishes every claim what ever 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 or Teritory whatever Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid George Smith
We William Daniel a clergyman residing in the county of Campbell and state of Kentucky and Benjamine Gosney a resident of the same county and sate hereby certify that we are
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well acquainted with George Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and have been acquainted with him more than 25 years; that we believe him to be eighty three years of age and that we believe him to be a man of undoubted varacity; in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and we believe that he cannot without danger to himself attend at and in open court to make his declaration and that we have observed in a few years back a great failure of the memory of the said George Smith Sworn to and subscribed the day year aforesaid William Daniel Benjamin Gosney
And I the said Richard Nelson a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Campbell do hereby declare it to be my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after puting the interrogations perscribed by the War department and receiving answers corresponding with the body of the declaration that the above named applicant (George Smith) who hath sworn to his declaration  was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, And I further certify that it appears to me that William Daniel
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who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergy man resident in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky and that Benjamine Gosney who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county and state and is a credible person and that their statement is entittled to credit. and I also certify as my opinion that the said George Smith is unable to attend at and an open court to make his declaration Given under my hand this 6th day of June 1834 Richard Nelson J.P. CC
State of Kentucky Campbell County Sct
I John N Taliaferro clerk of the county & court of Campbell County do certify that Richard Nelson who has signed the forgoing certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county and that I believe the above signature to be genuine In Testimony wher of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the county this 13th day of June 1834. Jno N Taliaferro clerk of he court of Campbell County
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(3-223.) Revy
No. 21853 , Ex'r.
OLD WAR INVALID.
George Smith, of Ky ). Pri Capt Conwell, Pen temp
Service: REJECTED
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharge: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges: Claim of rejection not found out list of rejected claims printed in 1852 and no correspondence noted on written list of rejected claims
Attorney:
O.
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the frauds upon the pension fund has made the department more particular to a much In this case let the party amend & make oath as to each tour that it regular & authorised by the state & paid as in the regular service or state the facts & with this amendment he ought to be allowed R Johnson
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War Department Pension Office December 4. 1834
Sir, the papers in the case of George Smith have been again examined and they are herewith returned. he claims for four tours of six months each, during which he was stationed on the frontiers to protect them from the depredations of the Indians. It does not yet appear to the satisfaction of the Department, that he belonged to a regularly organized company called into service by competent authority to perform military duty. Unless he can produce evidence other than his own statement to show that the service performed by him was of such a character as is embraced by the act of 7th. June 1832, a favorable decision cannot be had.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully your obdt. Servt. J L. Edwards
see endorsement on this letter
Hon. R. M. Johnson House of Representatives
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W H. V. Drake [illegible] it
Pension case refer it
Contee revolutionary Pension Johnson 44
Hon R. M. Johnson
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Frankfort Ky. Jan 14th 1834
Dear friend I herewith send to you George Smith papers I am satisfied that he ought to served and would succeed but for the frauds which have been [illegible] on the pension office please to lay his papers before congress and use your influence in there favour unless the commissioner of pensions will allow it I have particular enquirey in Mr Smith neighbourhood and all say that they believe him entitled As yet the Legislature done but little save carving out business for a long session You will have seen (before you receive this) who is speaker and who is senator Do not forget me in way of sending me such papers as may be usefull to me yours respectfully W. H. S. Drake
Hon. R. M. Johnson
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To the Hon the Senate and house of Representatives of the U.S. in Congress assembled your petition George Smith will respectfully to your hon body that when the act of congress of the 7th June 1832 passed your petitioner then thought he would not apply under said act for a pension but afterwards having lost his house and furniture by fire he and apply by making a declaration on the 6th day of June 1834 before a Justice of the peace of Campbell county Kentucky the county & state in which your petitioner then and now resides and that afterwards he made two amendments to wit one on the 20th day of August 1834 and the other on the 27th day of September 1834 to which Declaration and amendments you are refered your petitioner does believe that he has complied with the requisitions of the war department yet he has not been placed on the pension Roll which circumstance your petioner does believe has been produced by the [illegible] lately practiced on the pension fund your petitioner therefore prays your Hon body to fall a law placing your
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petitioner on the pension Roll upon the same footing of other Revolutionary pensioners under the act of June 7th 1832 and your pensioner will ever pray [illegible]
George his x mark Smith
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Be it known to all whom it may concern that I George Smith of the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky for the purpose of amending a declaration which I made on the 6th day of June 1834 for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 do hereby certify that by reason of old age, infirmity of body and the consequent loss of memory I cannot sear positive by as to the precise length of my services; but according to the best of my recollection I served not less than the periods mentioned before, and in the following grades: For the year 1776 I served six months as a private soldier in the company of Captain William Conwell at Conwells station in the State of Pennsylvania. For the year 1778, I served as a private soldier Six months under the command of Captain Henry Hogland and at Hoglands Station. For the year 1782, I served six months as a private soldier under the command of Captain William Conwell and at Conwells Station (the same Captain and station which I served under and at in the year 1776) In all of the above Services I was regularly called out by the authority of the public and was in actual service and all the time under the orders of any officer entering the service in the spring season of the year and discharged in the fall season . (refering to my original declaration for further particulars) and for such
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service I claim a pension under the act of congress of the 7th June 1832 Given under my and this 20th day of August 1834.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid } George his x mark Smith
State of Kentucky Pendleton County } set
Personally appeared before me the under signed a justice of the peace in and for the county of Pendleton and State of Kentucky George Smith and after puting his mark and acknowledging the foregoing certificate made oath in due form of law that all the facts set forth in the said certificate are true Given under my hand this 20th day of August 1834 W. H. V. Drake J.P. P.C.
State of Kentucky Pendleton County [illegible]
I Reuben McCarty Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesiad do certify that W.H.V. Drake whose signature in his own proper hand writing is subscribed to the above certificate is and was a the time of subscribing the said a regularly commissioned and acting Justice of the peace in and for County of Pendleton and as such full faith and credit is due to all his official acts In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this 22nd day of August AD. 1834 Reuben McCarty Clk P.Cty.C
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This appiant George Smith of Campbell county Kentucky for the purpose of amending for the second time a declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832. (said original declaration being made on 6th day of June 1834 before Richard Nelson a Justice of the peace in and the county of Campbell) Do say (as is said in his former amendment and original declaration) that by reason of infirmaties of body, old age and the consequent loss of memory that he cannot speak as to the precise length of his services but he is very certain that he served (and not less) the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For the year 1776 he served six months as a private soldier in the company of Captain William Conwell and was quartered at Conwells station in the state of Pennsylvania entering the service about the middle of the month of April and being discharged about the middle of the month of October. For the year 1778 he served six months as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain William Haney and was quartered at the Haneys station & state aforesaid entering the service about the middle of the month of April and being discharged about the middle of the month of October. For the year 1780, he served six months as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain Henry Hogland and was quartered at Hoglands station and state aforesaid entering the service about the middle of the month of April and being discharged about the middle of the month of October. For the year 1782 he served six months as a private soldier in the company  commanded
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by Captain Wiliam Conwell and was quartered at Conwells station (the same station and Captain at and under whom he served in the year 1776) making in all two years that his appliant served as a private soldier This appliant states that in each of the four tours above mentioned he was commanded by officers who he then thought and believed and does now think and believe was regularly commissioned by the proper authority of the state of Pennsylvania an that the officers called this appiant into the service in obediance to orders from the same authority. this appiant further states that in each of the aforesaid four tours he was regularly called out for six months tours and that in no one tour was he discharged in a less time than six months but on the contrary he says that twice certainly and perhaps three times he was retained for a longer time than the six months and that he was held a minute man during the Revolutionary war and was frequently when he was not out in the regular tour called for a few days at a time say some times not more than three or four day and some times for two or three weeks so that adding the time which he was detained over his regular tours and the time he served when he was called for the aforementioned short periods to the aforesaid two years it wold be found that he had served a much longer time than two years but as this affiant is unable to say with any certainty how much should be added for said additional services he has left it out of the calculation
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and that is the reason why he says "that he is unable to state positively as to the precise length of his services" he has however stated so much of said services as he hath such a recollection of that he is satisfied there can be no mistake in the tours of service stated nor in the time claimed for He further says that during all the time he claims for he was in actual service and under the orders of his officers that he was so in service (as he believes) by the order of the proper authority of the state of Pennsylvania that he was engaged in guarding at the several stations mentioned and ranging the county and acting against the enemy (Indians) instigated and encouraged no doubt by the British For which services mentioned before this appiant claims a pension Given under my hand this 27th day of September 1834 Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid} George his x mark Smith
State of Kentucky Pendleton County }Sct.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the county of Pendleton and state of Kentucky George Smith and after hearing read and puting his mark to the foregoing affidavit made oath in due form of law that
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the said foregoing affidavit contained the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the best of his recollection Given under my hand this 27th day of September 1834 W.H.V. Drake J.P.P.C.
State of Kentucky Pendleton County} Sct I R. McCarty Clerk of the County Court for the County Aforesaid Do hereby Certify that W. H. V. Drake whose name in his own proper hand writing is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same one of the regularly commissioned and acting Justices of the peace in and for the County. aforesaid And as such full faith and Credit is due to all his official acts. In Testimony Where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 2nd day of October AD 1834. Reuben McCarthy Clk P.Cty.C