Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,488, for Jacob Smith, Rhode Island
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Smith, Jacob
SERVICE
Mass. Sea Service
Navy (R.I.)
Privateer

NUMBER
S.21.488

born in Providence R.I. there and at Newport R.I. always
up to 1832 there aged 72 yrs.
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21[61?]
R. Island
Navy [at left] 21043
Jacob Smith of Newport in the State of R Island who was a private in the [branch?] com[manded] by Captain Read of the Rgt com[manded] by Col - (RI) in the Mass Na[val?] line for 6 M [moths?] Seaman
Inscribed in the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 25 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug, 1833 and [illegible] at Newport
Arrears to the 4th of [Dec?] ['33?]  $50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [Sep?] {'33?]  12.50
[Total] $62.50
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by [Po.?] C [illegible] Clerk,
Book 6. Vol. 62 [?] Page 129
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
County of Newport
On this _______ day of September AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, now sitting at Newport, within and for the County of Newport, Jacob Smith a resident of said Town and County of Newport and state aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That he was born in Providence in said state, which place and Newport have been his domicil all his life, and that he is now seventy two years of age. That the following is a just and true narrative of his Naval Services during the revolutionary war. vis
That your Memorialist sailed from Providence on board the armed sloop Montgomery of ten guns and Eighty men in 1776 three cruises. First with Captain Daniel Bucklin, the same year with Capt William Rhodes, and in the same year with Capt Rootenburrough in which three cruises we made fourteen prizes. In 1777 your memorialist entered on board the Brig Fanny of fourteen guns and ninety five men Capt Whittlesee. Sailed from Providence and returned into New Bedford, in which vessel we made six prizes, he then sailed with Capt John Kendricks in the same Brig and made seven prizes, and was on board said Brig ten months and cruised off the Coast of France and the West India Islands. He then entered on Board the ship Rattlesnake of Philadelphia
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seven prizes, and was on board said Brig ten months and cruised off the Coast of France and the West India Islands. he then entered on Board the ship Rattlesnake of Philadelphia mounting twenty guns and one hundred and forty men, commanded by James McColler in which ship we made ten prizes. four burnt and six sent in. and was on board said ship six months; he then went on board the Merchant Brig Bee. Capt Sturgess bound to France, off the Coast of France was taken and put on shore at a place called Chrochet near Nants, travelled to Nants and shipped on board the United States Brig Baltimore Packet. Capt Read mounting twelve guns and sixty men, and in November 1778, arrived in Philadelphia, was on board said Brig four Months, at twelve dollars per Month, sailed from Philadelphia in March 1779 in a Merchantman and was captured the next day off the Capes by the Brig Diligence and carried to New York, ran away from New
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York and travelled to Boston: were [where] He entered on board the United States Ship the Queen of France, Capt Rathbone was on board said ship over six months at twelve dollars a month, in which time we took Nine Ships and a Brig, in company with the Ship Providence Commodore Whipple and Ranger Capt Simpson. In 1780 entered on board the Brig Julius Ceazer [Caesar] of ten guns and Seventy Men, in which vessel we made four prizes. then went on board the Schooner Hibernia Privateer, Capt OBrien of fourteen guns and eighty men in which we made four prizes, then went on Board the Brig Peggy Letter of Marque of sixteen guns and Sixty men as second officer, commanded by Captain Armstrong. was on board Said Brig three months at twenty two dollars a Month, during which we took a Large transport Ship laden with stores bound to New York after a hard fought action. In the same year went on board the Ship Port Packet Capt Ebenezer Stocker of Newbury Port of fourteen guns and forty men as second officer bound to Laguira [Venezuela or Liguria Italy] and from thence to Spain. was on board said vessel Seven Months at twenty six dollars a month. on our passage made one prize, off [St?] Andora [town in Liguria region of Italy] fell in with an English Privateer lugger of sixteen guns and one hundred men. our ship had only fourteen guns and forty five men, after a hard fought action we beat her off with the loss of one man killed and three wounded and arrived the same day in Bilboa [Spain]. from thence went to Bayonne [France] and entered on board the Ship Alexander Capt Gregwor [Gregory. This possibly a French pronunciation Gregoire] of twenty eight guns built in Bayonne and commissioned by Doct [Benjamin] Franklin, entered on board said Ship Feb^y 20.1782 as sailing master at forty dollars per Month Sailed in April for Bordeaux to take in our armament having only on board ten guns and Sixty Men, two days out fell in with the Brig Greyhound from Bristol England
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mounting twenty guns and one hundred and twenty men, fought her from twelve oclock M. until six oclock P.M. and got into Rochelle [France], with the loss of four men killed and twelve wounded, myself slightly. Sailed from thence for Bordeaux were [where] we refitted and took in our armament & Sailed on the tenth of August to cruise off the West India Islands, was captured on the 17 Aug^t by the Mediator of fifty guns. Sir James Lutterel [Luttrell] Master off Cape Finnister [Cape Finisterre, Spain] and was carried to England and put in Mill prison, was kept there until peace, and then sent to Merleaux in France in March, and travelled to Nantz [Nantes] and went on Board Brig Providence and arrived in Providence Rhode Island the 21 July 1783. having been on board said ship and during the time your memorialist was in prison and until his return to America Seventeen Months. Your Memorialist having been during the whole of the war on board some armed vessel commissioned by the States, or by the Congress of the United States, and having been four times a prisoner, and at the taking of over sixty British vessels.
Recapitulation
You memorialist was on board the U.S. Brig Baltimore Packet Capt Rand 4 months at $12 per Month
On board the Queen of France 6 Months @ $12 per Month
On board the Brig Peggy as Second Officer 3 Months @ 22 Doll pmo
On board the Ship Port Packet 7 Months 2 Officer @ $26 pr mo
On board Ship Alexander Capt Gregwor [Gregory] 17 Months Sailing Master @ $40 pr mo
[The following crossed through: Your Memorialist also states that he is not a pensioner of the United States, and never has been, nor has been on any pension roll of the United States.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
[signature] Jacob Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid:
Geo. C. Mason. Clk.
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We Salmon Wheaton a Clergyman residing in the Town and County of Newport and William Hunter residing in the Town and County of Newport, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Smith, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing 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 sailor of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
[signature] Salmon Wheaton
[signature] William Hunter
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid:
[signature] Geo. C. Mason, Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary seaman and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Salmon Wheaton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town and County of Newport and that William Hunter who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town and County of Newport and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. I George C. Mason, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations for the County of Newport, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Smith for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this fifth day of September AD 1832.
[signature] Geo. C. Mason, Clk
[seal affixed to the left]
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[reverse of document of the testimony. Ink has bled through]
Capt Jon Currie Afft [affadavit]
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I Samuel Currie of Providence in the County of Providence on oath do say, the in the year 1776 I was on board the sloop Montgomery mounting ten guns, and carrying eighty men, commanded by Capt Rutenboro on a cruise of privateering - and that Jacob Smith of Newport R I served on board of said vessel with me for the space of three months. [word crossed through] during which time we took a number of prizes - I do further say, I also served with him, in 1778, onboard the Brig Fanny mounting fourteen guns and carrying Ninety Five men and commanded by Capt J[onathan crossed through]^ohn^ Hendrick, for ten months. We [word crossed through] ^cruised^ on the coast of France - and thence to the West India Islands - During which time, we made seven prizes. I also say, that I am well acquainted with Capt Smith and know him to be a Gentleman of [blot] strict veracity.
[signature] Samuel Currie
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
On the day and year below subscribed Personally appeared the above named Samuel Currie and made oath, that the facts above stated were just and true. Before Me
George F Man
Notary Public
Aug. 7, 1832
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[Entries in Table separated by /}
1779 Jacob Smith/[Pound sign]
Septem / To balance due to the ship Queen of France / [Br. pound sign] 16.15.9
              / To Cash for receipt Aug^t 24 (1) /150 "  "
              / To Henry Rice by Virtue of your power of attorney paid him.
               / 1 hhd [hogshead] Sugar Ship F.W. No 86 / 8.2.21
                                                                       /Tare / 3.20
                                                                         --------------
                                                                                  / 7.3.1  54 [Br. pound sign] 419.0.0 
October 26/ To half a hhd Rum L. F. W. No 66 at 120.4.out
               /116 Nett @ 105. 16 [illegible] with Benedict Taber [illegible] / 353.4.5
                /dl^d [delivered?] Henry Rice
                / To Hammock / 9.0.0
Novem 2 /To Cash on acc^t fr receipt. (187) / 113.14.0
             8 / To Cash in full for balance. (196) / 362.17.9/4
                                                                                 -------------
                                                   [Br. pound sign]   1424.11.11 1/4
[continues at top right of page]
Contra
1779
Novem 8 / By one share in the Prizes Captures by the Ship Queen of France / [Br. pound sign] 1424.11.11 1/4

Newport sc Newport - August - 14^th 1832
I certify that the above account - is a true copy from Samuel Browns book, late prize agent - for the ship Queen of France, said Book being now in possession of his administrator William Vernon Esq
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above written - 
[signature] Benj B Howland Justice of the Peace
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[565 written vertically in the upper left margin]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Newport sc. I George C. Mason, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State for the County of Newport, do hereby certify that Benjamin B. Howland is now and has been for several years last past, a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Newport in said County and that his name signed to the within certificate is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at said Newport this fifth day of September AD 1832.
[signature] Geo. C. Mason, Clk.
[seal affixed to the left]
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Newport R. I September 5. 1832
We the subscribers having seen and read the declaration of Jacob Smith to which this is annexed, Do hereby certify that we give full faith and credit to the statement therein made by said Jacob Smith, being well and intimately acquainted with him and knowing him to be a man of truth and integrity and always having understood that he was engaged in the Revolutionary War, in the Marine service of the United States
[signatures]
Cha^s Collins
Audley Clarke
WMB [?] Gibbs
Stephan Cahoone
Jno [John?] P Mann
[apparent seal affixed lower right]
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Hon [Honorable] Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
War Department
Washington
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Providence Sept 10th 1832
Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Sir
This letter will come to your Department in connection with the Statements & other papers of Capt Jacob Smith of Newport in the State of R Island. He applys [applies] for the benefit of the law of the last session of Congress made in behalf of the survivors of those, who, in the revolutionary war, either in the land or naval service, sustained the independence of their country, & who have not been provided for by any former law. I have known Capt Smith for more than
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than thirty years either as an honourable & enterprizing Merchant, or as a most persevering able & skillful Ship Master. In these characters & in all the relations of life he has ever stood - now stands in the very first class of men & citizens. In a long & laborious life he has encountered many overwhelming misfortunes; but during all these events his integrity has risen above all adversity, & his character now stands before his country pure, unsullied & without a single imputation dishonourable to himself or the American Name. On all the statements made by him, concerning his revolutionary service, you may
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may, therefore, fully rely without the least doubt of their truth or correctness
It would, I confess, give me great pleasure, if the full benefit of the law could be extended to Capt Smith, not only because he is to me a much endeared friend, but because no man more deserves to be in a better pecuniary condition, none in the course of a laborious business has brought more revenue into the public Treasury, & none is more distinguished for the magnanimity of the sailor; the integrity of the merchant or the urbanity of the gentleman.
I am, Sir, with high respect
Your Obt Sert [obedient servant]
Tristam Bruges
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5650
Jacob Smith
R.I.
Seaman 6 months
W.C.E.
Sir [?] letter 18 Dec 1832
to Hon T Burgess do
17 June 1833
[notation] 616 [x] 6 [=] 2496
Claimant
Newport
RI
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[Form with handwritten entries in {braces}. Table column entries separated by / ]
{5650}
BRIEF in the case of {Jacob Smith of Newport [RI crossed through} in the State of {Rhode Island}
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? {a Court}
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? { - }
3. How old is he? {72}
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Column headings] Period / Duration of Service / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
[handwritten entries]
In 1776 - 3 cruises does not state the period / 3 [Months] Sloop Mont G F [?] See same [illeg] affi^d / Seaman / On board the Armed Sloop Montgomery of 10 guns & 80 men - Capt Daniel Buckler Capt. Wm Rhodes - Capt Rodenborough
1777 - ditto 2 cruises / 10 [Months] / [Seaman] / Brig Fanny - 14 guns 95 men - Capt. Whittlesee - Capt [illeg] Kendrick -
to Nov. 1778 / 6 [Months] / [Seaman] / Ship Rattlesnake of Philad^a - 20 guns 140 men - Capt MColler -
[to Nov. 1778] / 4 [Months] / [Seaman] / was taken off Coast of France in Merch Brig Bee put ashore at Crochet, - shipped at Nantz on board U. S. Brig Balt. Packet - Capt Read - 12 guns 60 men
1779 March ____ to ____ / over 6 [Months] / [Seaman] / [was captured crossed through] U.S. Ship Queen of France, Capt Rathburne - in which took prizes in company with Ship Providence Com. Whipple & Ranger Capt Simpson
1780 Does not specify the period / [no entry] / Second Officer of Polly 3 Months 2nd Officer of Port Packet 7 months / Brig Julius Casar 10 guns 70 men - sch^r [schooner] Hibernia, Privateer Capt. O'Brien 14 guns 80 men - Brig Polly Letter of Marque 60 guns & 60 Capt Armstrong - Ship Port Packet Capt Stocker of Newburyport
1782 - Feby 20th til peace / he states 17 months / Sailing Mast [Master] of Alexandria / Ship Alexandria ^18 guns^ Capt Gregoire - commissioned by Dr Franklin - this vessel was captured by the Br Ship Mediator of 50 guns Capt Sir James Luttrell - was kept in Mill Prison 'til peace - 
[end of Table]
In several naval Battles - ^aboard Port Packet^ fought English privateer Lugger of 16 guns - beat her off - on board of Ship Alexandria, fought & was taken by British Ship Mediator of 50 guns
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5. In what battle was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence -do - Phild^a Nantz Bayonne - 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By a living witness - By tradition - by an authenticated copy of a Document relating to the Ship Queen of France - evidence & good character
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? All correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] W^m. C. Easton
Examining Clerk
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Invalid
[Form heading crossed through]
Revy
File No. 21488
Jacob Smith
Pri & Seaman
U. S. Navy
Rev War
Act June 7, 1818
Index: Vol 2, Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870]
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J L Edwards Esq^r
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J L Edwards Esq^r Newport R Island Feb^y 5^th 1833
Dear Sir
I rec^d [received] [yesterday?] from the Pension Office a letter dated Dec 13 with my papers returned not being admitted in your Office for want of proof: private armed ships you say are not entitled to anything; The only armed ships I was on board during the War were 1^st the Baltimore Packet Capt Read of Philadelphia 1 month, I have no further proof of that I can say [illegible] oath. The ship Queen of France Capt. Rathbone had attached my papers a certificate prize agents back in Boston showing I was on board that ship the ship Alexander was commissioned by Dr Franklin in Paris and was commanded by a Lieutenant in our Navy who was taken on Board our [illegible]  of our Frigate Early in the war; I had a regular warrant as Sailing master and always supported the Ships belonged to the American Government; the Ship Alexander when taken was sent to [Portsmouth?] (England) And we were taken to Plymouth by which I lost all my [clothes?] & Reports, Capt. Gregwor [Gregoire] is dead and I dont know where to find proof [except?] a [illegible] Dr Franklin papers, it would be infeasible for me at my advanced age to get any
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further proof after 57 years standing very few of the Officers and Crew are living and none in this State. I understood when no other proof could be had my Oath certified by respectable person where I resided was sufficient.
I believe there is no man that served more time on board armed vessel than Myself I was in Prison or in some armed vessel during the whole war and no man wants assistance more than myself but if the proof in my papers are not sufficient it must rest with you what to do and I must rest satisfied the time I was on board the Queen of France I believe must be admitted
I am Respectfully yours [etc?]
[signature] Jacob Smith
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Hon. Tristam Burges
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Newport Sept 5 1833
Hon Tristam Burges
Dear Sir
My papers were [yesterday?] sent from the Pension Office were [where?] they have been laying since the 15 of Dec^r last for want of Proofs private armed vessels are not allowed any thing I was on board [3?] armed vessels belonging to the United States the only proof I have the certificate from the Prize Agents books of the Ship Queen of France which are attached to my papers the Baltimore Packet and Ship Alexander I have no proof except my oath It would be impossible for me at this length of time as it is 57 years since I was in the Baltimore Packet and 55 since I was in the Alexander.
If nothing can be obtained while [I?] was on board either of these vessels the time I was on board the Queen of France ought to be allowed I have enclosed the whole of the papers to you that you may see what I have written in answer to Mr J L Edwards which after reading I would thank you to deposit in the Pension Office
Your attention to this will [faded] your [illegible]
[signature] Jacob Smith
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District and Port of Newport, Collector's Office, September 6th, 1832
This is to certify, that, as it appears by the books of this office, in January, 1798, Jacob Smith, then and now here resident, was past owner and master of the Ship Semiramis of Newport, and together with William Handy, then also of said Newport, as consignees secured the payment of duties on goods imported in said ship to the amount of $29,072.80; that, in June, 1799, being part owner and master of the same ship, as consignee he secured the payment of duties on merchandise imported in the ship to the amount of $32,415.07; and that he continued in commerce here until the year, 1810. Christ Emery, Col.
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Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
[stamped upper right: FREE]
[stamped upper left: PROVIDENCE R.I. JUN 24]
[written vertically at left: addl proof]
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Providence June 24th 1833 Hon James E. Edwards
Sir In your letter of the 14th [illegible]. you must be in error respecting the papers of Capt Jacob Smith. Two or three days before I left Washington they were in the hand of the secretary of War. I delivered them to him myself + he gave them to one of his clerks in my presence + directed him to examine [with] to the character of the two vessels the Alexander + the Mathmon [illegible] since that time I have not seen them. It is really a hard case to include
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all maritime volunteers in the revolutionary war from all benefit of a law made expressly for their benefit & that by such an opinion given in such terms as the one rece^d [received] in your letter. He who gave the trained opinion is I believe the first lawyer who imagined that the word "Naval" could be applied to no other ships than such as were armed [underlined] & that too by a notion [underlined].
I am Sir with high respect
your Obt Svt
[signature] Tristam Bruges
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Relief Thurber
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I Relief Thurber of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode - Island on oath do say that I sailed from Providence on board of the Brig Providence commanded by James Munro the latter part of the year of 1782 or 3 on a voyage to Turks Island thence to Virginia - and France. That while lying in Nantz [Nantes] France Jacob Smith the within named petitioner came aboard of said Brig [words crossed through] ^as passenger^ and that I understood at the time, that he had been released from prison abroad and was on his return to America - and I do further say - that Capt Smith aforesaid arrived in Providence with me in July [year crossed through] [1782 3 crossed through] 1783
[signature] Relief Thurber
Providence sc State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on the 27th of May AD 1833 personally appeared the abovenamed Affiant Relief Thurber and made oath - that the facts contained in the above statement
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were just and true
Before Me
Geo F Man
Notary Public
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office and Hand at Providence the day and year aforesaid
Geo F Man
Notary Public