Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1505, for Reuben Smith, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
R. J.
Smith Reuben
Sarah

Number
W 1505
B. L. W. T.
3514-100-1794
59-60-55

CONTENTS
Dec 18 [illegible] aged 63 years and res of Burrillville, Providence R. I.
Page 2

A. 647
Rhode Island
Reuben Smith
of Chepacket in the State of Rhode Island
who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded
by Captain _______________ of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Olney in the Rhode Island
line for 2 years and
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension  issued the 5th day of Oct 1838
and sent to S. Y. Atwell
Glouster Rhode Island
Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 $300.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 34 60.00
$360.00

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 Page 130
Page 3

66.677 [illegible]3/55
Rec Ad 5/55
Sarah Smith
widow
Reuban Smith, Sargent
R.I. Cont line
Ad 60 acur Sept 5th/55
Boynton
War of the revolution
U S. Pensioner 
Boynton
Rdw

Benja Cowell
Providence
R I

R I
July 53-noo 1562
Page 4

1562
Rhode Island
Sarah Smith
widow of Reuben Smith
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3rd February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the
26th day of Aug/53
and sent to
Benja Cowell
Providence R. I. 
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under a
February 3/53 Page 54 Vol [illegible]
Feb 3 1853

Reverse side:

Tho. G. Lapham
March 30, 1857
Page 5

Sarah Smith
66677
Page 6

State of Rhode Island, sc.
County of Providence

On this 28 day of March A. D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-five, personally appeared before me, Thomas J. Lapham a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid, Sarah Smith aged 75 years, now resident in the Town of Burrillville in said County, who being duly sworn according to law, declares and says she is the widow of Reuben Smith who was a Sergeant in Capt. not recollected company, and in a Regiment commanded by Col. Olney or Greene in the war of the Revolution, and that her said husband was in actual service more than twenty months in said war, and was honorably discharged.

And she further declares that she was married to said Reuben Smith on the ninth day of October A. D. 1826 by Elder Stephen Place minister [illegible] of Gloucester and that her name before marriage was Sarah Phettiplace and that her said husband died on the 10th day of September A. D. 1835 and that she is now a widow.

And she further declares that she is now a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $124 per annum; which pension was granted her on account of her said husband's services in said war; which pension is payable at the Agency for paying pensions in the City of Providence. And she further declares that when she made a declaration to obtain her said pension she produced satisfactory evidence of her said marriage to her said husband and of his death , to which declaration and the evidence therewith filed, she now refers for proof of her said marriage, of her said husband's death, and her claim to Bounty Land under the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1855, and she makes this declaration for that purpose. She further declares that she has never made any application for Bounty Land before the present.

Sarah Smith X her mark

Mr. Charles S. Smith and Simeon Smith residents of Burrillville in said County & State, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Sarah Smith in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.

Charles S. Smith
Simeon Smith
Page 7

The foregoing Declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the twenty eighth day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the Claim.

Thomas L. Lapham Justice of the Peace

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
PROVIDENCE, sc.

CLERK'S OFFICE, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,
PROVIDENCE, April [illegible] A. D. 1855

I, Amasa L. Westcott Clerk of the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS of said State, within and for the County of Providence:

DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Thomas J. Lapham is and was on the 28th day of March A. D. 1855 a Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield in said County duly appointed and qualified, and authorized to administer oaths and take deposition and the acknowledgment of deeds and other instruments, and that the signature to the annexed Certificate, purporting to be his, is genuine.

IN ATTESTATION WHEREOF, I hereto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, the day and year above written.

Amasa L. Westcott Clerck
Page 8

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Providence sc. District Court, May 28th Term, A D, 1821.

On this 28th day of May 1821 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record within and for said District Reuben Smith aged 63 years, residing in the town of Burrillville in said District & County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: The he served as a private in Col. Angell & Col. Olneys Regiments of the Rhode Island Line six years that he made a previous declaration on the 14th day of April 1818, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 10998. And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war." passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Reuben Smith

A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Reuben Smith viz - 1 old plough - 1 horse harrow - 2 old pots - 2 iron kettles - 7 old chairs - 1 old teakettle - 1 small grindstone - 1 old broad hoe - 1 scythe - [illegible] - 1 chest - 2 pitchforks - 2 old rakes - other than the above he has no property excepted and the said Reuben further declares that he is a labourer & works when he is able but can do but very little having lost the use of his left wrist - he has no family having recently lost his wife who had been sick for fifteen years under their impoverished circumstances he feels entitled to a Pension.

Reuben Smith
Sworn to and declared in open court on the 28 day of May 1821 before Hon. David Howell
Witness Ben Cowell
RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT.
12    Clerk's office of the U.S. District Court, A. D. 1821
  I Benjamin Cowell Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Twelve dollars and --cents.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 29th day of May 1821
Benjamin Cowell
Clerk of said Court
Page 9

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 22d day of March 1853 personally
appeared before me William R Staples 
aponate Justice of the Supreme Court of said State Sarah Smith of Burrillville in said County
aged 72 years who being duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provisions of the second
section of the act of Congress passed February
3d 1853 granting pensions to widows
of the officers & soldiers of the Revolution in
that she is the widow of Reuben Smith
late of said Burrillville deceased who
was a soldier of the Revolution, that
when the acts of Congress of March 18
1818 & March 1 1820 were passed he
applied for & obtained a pension under
said act at the rate of $96 per annum
which he received until his pension was
increased to $120 per annum under the
act of June 7 1832 which pension
he received up to the time of his death
payable at the agency of the United States
for paying pensions in the City of
Providence; and she refers to the
declarations her said husband made
to obtain said pensions now on file
in the Departments at Washington
for proof & evidence of her claim - 
and she further declares that the
was married to the said Reuben
Smith on the ninth day of October 1826
as will appear by the evidence.
Page 10

and that the said Reuben Smith
died on the tenth day of September 1835
that she was married to him at the
time above stated. she further swears
that she was a widow at the passage
of the above act of February 3d 1853
and is now a widow & has never
before made any application for
a pension, she is now entitled by law to
the same pension her said husband received
in his life time -
Sarah Smith her mark X
Witness M Staples
Sworn to & subscribed before me on the day &
year first aforewritten and I certify that from
age & infirmity the said Sarah Smith is unable to attend Court I also certify that I am
not concerned or interested in the prosecution
of said Sarah Smith's claim for a pension
Attest W R Staples aponate justice of the
Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Page 11

I Arca Phetteplace of Smithfield in
the County of Providence & State of Rhode
Island aged 77 years, on oath do testify
and say that I was formaly (formerly) 
resident of Burrillville in said County
and was well acquainted with Reuben
Smith and Sarah Phetteplace who lived
a near neighbor to me in said Burrillville I 
knew them well before & after they were
married they was married as it was
understood by me some time in the
month of October 1826 and after they was
married they went to keeping house together as man and wife until some time in the fall of 
1835, and then the said Reuben Smith died and left Sarah Smith his wife a widow and she
has remained his widow ever since his
death, and is still a widow, and resides in
the town of Burrillville, & has made application for a pension. Her husband Reuben Smith was an officer and a soldier in the war
of the Revolution and did draw a pension
when living. I further state that a short
time before the said Reuben Smith died
he made a will and bequeathed all the
rents & proffits (profits) of his home farm and some
Page 12

personal property to his wife Sarah Smith
who is now the applicant for a pension, as it appears by the examination of the original Will of
said Reuben Smith
Arca Phetteplace
Suscribed and sworn to before me on this
fourteenth day of May AD 1853, and I further
State that the said Arca Phetteplace is a credible
witness
Emor Coe
Justice of the Peace
Page 13

In the name of God Amen. I Reuben Smith
of Burrillville in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Yeoman Being of body week (weak) but of sound mind & memory, Blessed be God do make and publish this my last Will & Testament in manner following Viz. 
Impremis. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Smith the income and profit of all my lands and buildings whereon I now live during her natural life if she shall live single, but if she sees cause to marry then it is my will that she relinquish all her right and title in my real Estate to those holding the reversion forever 
Imprimis I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all money and securities for money my cow thats here to home together with my hog, to her heirs and assigns forever
I also give her the use and profits of all my other
personal Estate that I may possess at my decease during her Widowhood and no longer and at her marriage if she should marry to be relinquished to him who holds the reversion
Impremis. I give and devise to Reuben Smith Son of George A. Smith all my real Estate that I may die possessed of to him his heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath to the aforesaid Reuben my cow that I lent to his Father
George A Smith, To him his heirs and assigns forever
Imprimis. I give and bequeath to Phebe Woodmancy a privilege in my house to keep her things, and to make a home for her if she chooses during her whole life time
Imprimis. I give and bequeath to George W. A. Smith all my wearing apparel to him his heirs and assigns forever
Item I order my Executor herein after named to pay all my Just debts & Funeral charges out of my money or securities for many
Page 14

Item. It is understood that what I have herein given my beloved wife is in lieu of her dower and power of thereto in my next estate.

Item. I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife my whole and sole Executrix to my last will & testament hereby revoking all other or former wills by me made and establishing this and this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Reuben Smith have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty one.

Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by the said Reuben Smith as and for his last will & testament in person of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

Rufus Smith   )
Alvah Smith   )                                           Reuben Smith
Sayles Stowry )                                                      X
                                                                     His Mark

At a court of Probate holden within and for the town of Burrillville in the County of Providence on the 31st day at November 1835

Whereas a Certain Instrument purporting to be the last Will & Testament of Reuben Smith late of Burrillville deceased was presented to the Court for probate the witnesses being present declared on oath that they in the presence of the said Reuben saw and heard him the said Reuben sign seal publish and pronounce  the said instrument to be his last will and testament and that the said Reuben appeared to be of sane mind all parties having had lawful previous notice and no objection to the probate thereof & the said Court having examined the said instrument do consider said instrument is proved, whereupon said Court do approve & allow of the said Instrument and do order and decree the same recorded as the last Will and Testament of the said Reuben

see next page
Page 15

by order of the said court.  D. Smith Probate Clk.
Recorded by D. Smith Probate Clk.
I hereby certify that the aforegoing instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of Reuban Smith late of Burrillville deceased is a true copy of record in the town Clerks office in said town of Burrillville in the state of Rhode Island
Wit. John Walling Jr Town Clerk
Page 16

I John Walling Jr. Town Clerk of the Town of Burrillville in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island do certify and say that by virtue of my said office I have the Custody of the records of my said office.  I have the Custody of the record of the Births and Marriages which have taken place and that have been recorded in said town, and I further certify that I have examined all said records since the year Eighteen hundred and six to the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three and I cannot find the marriage of Reuban Smith to Sarah Phetteplace.  And I further certify that I have reason to believe that many marriages have taken place in said Town since the War of the Revolution which have never been brought to be recorded 
John Walling Jr. Town Clerk
of the Town of Burrillville
Wit Whipple Walling
Providence ss.  Burrillville April 7th 1853
Personally appeared John Walling Jr and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed according to his best knowledge and belief is true
Whipple Walling Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that John Walling Jr the signer of the above certificate is Town Clerk of Burrillville that his character for truth and veracity is good and that full faith and credit may be given to his statement
Whipple Walling Justice of the Peace.
Page 17

Rufus Smith of Providence in the county of Providence and state of Rhode Island on oath deposes and says that he is seventy seven years old, that a number of years ago he lived in Burrillville in said county and was acquainted with Rueben Smith and Sarah Phettiplace and according to the best of his recollection they were married in the year eighteen hundred twenty six.  A number of years afterwards the deponent with the said Rueben Smith's will and was a witness to the will when it was executed by him the said Rueben and this deponent further says that the said Reuben departed this life, according to the best of his recollection in the year 1835 and in November of that year deponent was called before the court of Probate to prove said will and said will was probated about that time.  Said Reuben was a pensioner in his life time.
Rufus Smith
State of Rhode Island
Providence ss
  In the city of Providence this twenty seventh day of May in eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared Rufus Smith and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him signed.
I also certify that the said Rufus is a
Page 18

true and credible witness
Before me
Thomas C Greene
Justice of the Peace
Page 19

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantatations
Providence sc
  I Levi Salisbury clerk of the court of  common pleas within and for the county of Providence aforesaid, being a court of record, do hereby certify that William R Staples Esqr is an appointed Justice of the Superior Court of the State, that Levi Coe is a Justice of the Peace of the town of Smithfield, that Whipple Walling is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Burrillville, that  Thomas C Green is a Justice of the Peace for the city of Providence all in said county, that by law they the said Staples, Coe, Walling and Green are by law authorised to administer oaths and take depositions, and that their signatures hereto annexed are genuine
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said court this 27th day May AD 1853 
Levi Salisbury
Clerk.
Page 20

Smithfield March 21 A 1857
To the Honorable R McClelland Secretary of the Interior I take the liberty to write you a few lines for information I understand that the court of clame at Washington have decided that those widows of the soldiers Who were in the Revolutionary war and Was pensioned under the act of the 3 of February 1853 is entitled to receive five years back pay more than they have Received under the said act
If that be the case I should like to no it I have an aunt that will be entitled to the clame and she requested me to wright o you for information about the clames Being allowed
in the first place I want  to no if the money has been appropriated to pay the pensioners By Congress or not and in the seckond Place If it has, for you to send me the forms that will be sufficient to Procure the clame or to send to your office for the efect
I give you the name of the widow that will be entitled to the clame her name is Sarah Smith of Burrillville She is the widow of Reuban Smith Reuban Smith was in the Revolutionary war as Sergeant and he drew one hundred and twenty dollers per annum and his widow draws the same now.  If you will answer this letter and give me the Demensions I will give you my most sincere thanks and be much obliged
Yours Truly
Thomas J Lapham
Page 21

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME  Smith, Reuban  GRADE  Private  LINE 
Rhode Island
WARRANT NUMER  3514 AND 59-60-55  ACERAGE--100  ISSUED Dec. 29, 1794
W T.3514 to Ephraim Cutler, assignee

* 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.
Page 22

Revy  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1505
Sarah Smith
Widow.
Reuban Smith
Sergt. Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 8. 1853.
Index:  Vol.  In. Page 218
{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 23

See letter to [illegible] Sept 6 1833
Note [illegible] sent 17 July 1821 to Benj Cowell Providence R.I.

10.998 R
Rhode Island
Reuban Smith
of Burrillville in the state of Rhode Island who was a Sergeant. in the regiment commanded by Colonel Olney of the Rhode Island line, for the term of 6 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th of May 1819 and sent to B. Cowell Esquire Providence R.  Island
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 -10 mo 12/30 9/31 85.56
Semi-anl. all'ee ending 4th Sept 181948
$133.56
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March 1818.}
Page 24

59-60 acres
Page 25

[illegible] 53. R. I. Boynton
Page 26

Pension Office
Aug. 17/53
Sir
  Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
S Cole
for Court
F. Burt Esqr
3 [illegible]
Rennt
Reuban Smith, act 1832
$120.oo p. annum -Paid to the 4th Sept. 1835, no date of death on our Books.
F Burt
Auditor
Page 27

Postmark:  PROVIDENCE R.I. OCT 1
Allow $120 per ann. under act 7 June 1832-Sept 2 year ( drop him from the roll of act March 18. 1818)
FREE
J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 28

June [illegible]
No. 2058
Appl. of Sarah Smith widow of Reuban
p $120  1647
R Island
Act 3rd Feby 1853
Rev.
Allow $ 120 per annum[illegible] Feb 3, 1853
Benj. Cowell
Providence RI

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Page 29

Arcade Bank
Providence Sep 9th 1853
Sir
 Your letter of 5th inst is [illegible] with notice to inscribe the name of Eleanor H Whitford widow of Thomas on the roll of this agency in  lieu of one under date of Aug 24 1853, to Eleanor Whitford widow of Thomas , requesting the return of the latter.
  As the name of Sarah Smith widow of Reuban is attached to the same notification, I could not properly  separate them and have to request a duplicate notice for her enrolment.
Very respectfully
Your Obd. Ser
Paris Hill [illegible] and Agt
for F Greene Pen Clk

L. P. Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

X Torn up Sept 15/53
Page 30

Smith
Page 31

Brief in the case of Sarah Smith widow of Reuban
Providence County and State of Rhode Island
act of Feb. 3. 1853
Claim ("original,")
Proof exhibited, ( if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner act June 7 1832 at
$120 per annum
Sgt.
Marriage proved by cr. witts.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?
Death by auds report
Identity, cr. witts

Name and residence of Agent Benjamin Cowell Esqr.
Providence R Island

Examining Clerk.
J L Gray
Page 32

Providence May 30 1853
Sir
  I herewith enclose the applications of Sarah Smith widow of Reuban Smith and Delia Brownell widow of Prince Brownell for pensions under the act of February 3rd 1853.
I am [illegible] Respectfully 
your obt sevt
Benja Cowell

Hon L P Waldo
Page 33

Reuban Smith
  The annexed certificate of Major Dexter is (I presume) the evidence required to enable the applicant to receive a pension of $10 per month.
[Illegible 3 words] at Gloucester R. I.
Sam Z Atwell
atty for R Smith
Page 34

War Department
Pension Office
Sept. 6.1833
Sir.
  Your pension certificate is herewith returned.  You cannot obtain a pension of $10 per month unless you can prove that you were a Sergeant two years.  The papers on our file do not show that you served so long in that grade.  Major Dexter certifies that you were a corporal and a sergeant, but he does not say how long you served in either capacity.
Very respectfully
Your Obed. Serv
J. L. Edwards

Mr. Reuban Smith
Chepacket
R Island
Page 35

I certify that it appears by the Regimental Book that the aforesaid Reuban Smith served as a Sergeant in the Rhode Island Regiment commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene and afterwards by Lieut. Colonel Commandant Jeremiah Olney, on the Continental Establishment, from the first day of January 1781, until the fifteenth day of June 1783, on which day he was furloughed under the General Order of the second day of the same Month.
Jno Z Dexter Major of said Regt.
September 30th 1833.
Page 36

Reuben Smith
Payable semi-annually.  The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in Providence R.I. at the Branch Bank United States.

Recorded
Page 37

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18h of March, 1818, Reuban Smith late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the fourteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fourth day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. L. Edwards in the absence and on behalf of the Secretary of War.
Page 38

Providence 13 June 1820
Sir
I herewith enclose the original application of Charles Berry for a pension also the schedules of Joseph Ide and Reuban Smith and in their behalf respectfully request their claims to be acted on in season, should they be allowed to receive their pensions at the next semi annual payment.
I am respectfully yours
most obt. sevt
Benja Cowell

Chas Berry's papers filed with original claims

J L Edwards Esquire
Page 39

Reuban Smith Sergeant
Judges certificate as to claimants indigent circumstanced wanting
Adm.
Col. Olney's R. Island Regt.
1777-War
14 April 1818
Page 40

It appears by the Regimental Book of Occurrences That the bearer, Reuban Smith, on the first day of January 1777, enlisted to serve during the War, into the Regiment commanded by Colonel Israel Angell in the Rhode Island Line on the continental establishment, That he served faithfully, in said Regiment while at war commanded by said Angell, afterward by Colonel Christopher Greene and lastly by Colonel Jeremiah Olney, in the general and successive capacities of Corporal and Sergeant from the time of his said enlistment until the fifteenth day of June 1783 when he received a Furlough which on the arrival of the definitive Treaty of Paris, became an absolute discharge from said Regiment.
Jno Z Dexter Major and only surviving Field Officer of said Regiment

I Reuban Smith of Burrillville in the District of Rhode Island on oath do declare and say that the above facts are true.  I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances and stand in need of the assistance of my Country for support.
Reuban Smith
Page 41

Be it remembered that on this fourteenth day of April 1818 came before me the within Reuban Smith and made solemn oath to the truth of the declaration by him within subscribed   In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and have caused the seal of the District for said District to be hereto affixed.

David Howell
District Judge.
The signature of the Judge and the seal of the Court are hereto affixed
Witness Benjamin Cowell 
Clk of P Court

Rhode Island District
Providence 7 May 1819
To the Hon: Sec at War
  I am satisfied that the above named Reuban Smith is poor and needy and that he served the nine months required by the Statute of 18 March 1818.
David Howell
District Judge
Page 42

To the Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Reuban Smith of Burrillville in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island [illegible 2 words] that he was a soldier of the revolution and is now a pensioner of the United Sates under the act of March 18 1818.  as will appear by the enclosed certificate, that he was an orderly Sergeant in Capt Daniel S Dexter Company Col Jeremiah Olney's regiment R.I. brigade, Continental troops from the beginning of the year 1777 to the close of the war in 1783. all which will appear by reference to his application for a pension, that as an orderly Sergeant he was entitles to and received the sum of $10 per month.  He therefore requests that a pension may be granted him in conformity with the provision of the act of June 7th 1832 and he hereby surrenders his previous pension certificate. 
Reuban Smith
X his mark
Witness David Phetteplace
S Y Atwell Atty.
Page 43

The Deposition of James Olney of Burrillville in the District of Rhode Island who being engaged according to law testifies and says that he is well acquainted with Reuban Smith of said Burrillville an applicant for a pension  That he has known him for the last ten years and from his knowledge he verily believes him now to be in poor and indigent circumstances and deserving the assistance of his country. said Smith is a laboring man and industrious but is lame and infirm.  This Deponent verily believes him to need assistance according to the provisions of the late act of Congress
James Olney

Rhode Island District
Providence  19 April 1819

I certify that the above named James Olney swears to the above deposition by him and signed before me.
Witness
Benjamin Cowell
Commissioner
Dist Court
R.I. Dist