Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21977, for James Smith, South Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Smith, James
NUMBER
S. 21977
CONTENTS
... June or Jan 9, 1751 in Prince William Co. Va,
res. at ... Spartanburgh S.C
In 1832 res of Union District, S.C.
Page 2

16130
South Carolina

James Smith
of Union in the State of South Ca
who was a pri in the company commanded
by Captain Thomas of the Regt commanded
by Col. Thomas in the South Car
line for 9 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of South Car:
at the rate of 30 Dollars --- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July '33
and sent H. Porter
Unionville S.C

Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 60
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept '33 - 15
$75

{Revolutionary Clalim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk
Book E.  Vol. 6.  Page 80
Page 3

Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6 April 1838 from
4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt
notified 20 March 1839.
Order to pay 8th Oct 1839.
Page 4

No 15286
James Smith Union District
S. Carolina

Rev[?]
Amt[?]
9 mo pri $30
5

p. 346

Hancock Porter
Union atty
SC
19 apl 33

John Rogers Union Court
House S.C.
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of James Smith
District of Union in the State of South Carolina
(Act 7th 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? [blank]
3. How old is he? 81
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Column 1] Period.
Drafted In 1778
Drafted in 1781
[Column 2] Duration of Service.
[blank]
[blank]
[Column 3]
As a Private
Private
Private
[Column 4] Name of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Capt Thomas & Col Thomas
Capt White   Genl Greene
Capt Ford   Genl Pickens
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Spartanburgh Dist SC
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Dyer Castor   Examining Clerk.
Page 6

James Smith
Declon
15286
Page 7

State of South Carolina
Union District
To wit
On this 5th day of October 1832
personally appeared in open court, before the
judge of the Court of Common Pleas and
Sessions, now sitting for the District aforesaid
James Smith, a resident of Union District
aged eighty one years, who being sworn
according to Law doth on his oath
make the following Declaration in order
to obtain the benefits 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
him in stated - "I entered the service about 
the 15th September 1778 in Spartanburgh
District SoCar. in Captain John Thomas'
company, in Cololnel Thomas' Regiment
as one of the drafted militia to serve
against the Indians - and marched to
place between Philip Blockhouse and
the Doony River where we remained untill
our time had explained and were then
marched back and discharged - From the
year 1781 I joined a company commanded
by Major White[?] (acting as Captain)
and march to the siege of Ninety Six
the Fort being then occupied by Colonel
Cruger with the British and Tories - we
remained besiegeing the Fort under 
command of Genl Greene untill the [?]
men reinforced by Colonel, or Lord 
Rawdon from Charleston - when the siege was
raised by Genl Greene and were marched
Page 8

home and discharged - I afterwards
joined the company commanded by
Major John Ford, acting as Captain
under command of Genl Pickens and
marched to Bacon's Bridge on Ashley
River and joined the army of Genl
Green; where we were stationed in
a [?] upon the British army to
prevent them from leaving the
city of Charleston - I continued
at this place until my time 
had expired and was finally 
discharged. - I have no documentary
evidence [?} of my service &
I know of no person who served
with me except Captain Hanna
and Major William Smith who served
with me, and who now live in
Spartanburgh Dist SoCar - I do hereby
relinquish my claim to a pension
or annuity except the present, and
declare that my name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any
state - In answer to the interrogatories
put by the Court I answer - 1&2 I was
born in [?] William County, Virginia
on the 9th June 1757 as I have been informed
having no record of my age - 
3. I lived in Spartanburgh when I 
entered the service and have lived in
Union and Spartanburgh ever since
the war and now live in Union Dist.
4. I always served as a draftee
5. I [?] written - 7 I refer to
Page 9

the [?] Willis Walker and to 
John Rogers to prove my character
for truth and moral deportment
James Smith
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year afsd
Jno BA Niall
Pres Judge

Mr Willis Walker
clergyman residing in Union District
does hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with James Smith who
has subscribed and sworn to the
foregoing Declaration, that we believe
him to be eighty one years of age
that he is reputed and believed in
the neighborhood where he resides to
have been a Revolutionary soldier
and we concur in that opinion
Willis Walker
J Rogers
Sworn to & subscribed
Jno B A Niall
Pres Judge

And the said court
does hereby declare its opinion after
the investigation of the matter and
after putting the interogatiories [?]
by the war department
that the above named applicant
was a soldier of the Revolution &
served as he states - and the court
further certifies that it appears that
Willis Walker who has signed
the above certificate is a clergyman
residing in Union District and that 
John Rogers who resides in the 
same is a credible person and his statement
entitled to credit
Jno B A Niall
Pres Judge
Page 10

State of South Carolina
Union District
I John Rogers Clerk of the
Court of Sessions & Common Pleas for Union District
do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original
proceedings in the matter of the application of
James Smith for a pension

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal
of office at Union Court
House this 15th Day of 
October 1832
J Rogers clk
Page 11

February 24, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
Mrs. D. B. Hollingsworth
Edgefield, South Carolina
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21977, that James Smith
was born June 9, 1761, in Prince William County, Virginia.
While residing in Spartanburg District, South Carolina,
he enlisted and served as private in the South Carolina
troops, as follows:
From September 15, 1778, three months in Captain John
Thomas' company, Colonel Thomas' regiment; in 1781, three months
under Major White, and three months under Major John Ford.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October
5, 1832, while a resident of Union District, South Carolina.
There are no family data on file.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 12

[Left side]
Revolution
21977
INVALID.
File No. 21977
James Smith
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol 2, Page 379

Arrangement of 1870.

[Right side]
1927 Jan 13 Hist to Mrs Harvey
M Persons awf
1930 Aug. 15 Hist to Mrs Clay
L. Dean awf
1931 Feb 24. Hist to Mrs
D. B. Hollingsworth awf
Page 13

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office
February 20th 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States, James Smith,-
a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at
the rate of Thirty-- Dollars and [blank]Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837,
to the 4th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 14

Charleston 2 Oct 1839
Sir
I forward herewith for authority
to pay, voucher of James Smith
I am very respectfully
Your ObSev
A Spiars
[?]: Agent

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of pensions
Washington
D C
Page 15

[This page contains line drawings of octogons.]
Page 16

objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Smith which require
further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [blank]
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [blank]
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? [blank]
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [blank]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? [blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [blank]
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? [blank]
Page 17

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his
revolutionary service? [blank]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
[blank]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [blank]
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For___year
___months, and___days, I served as a___. For___ months
and___days, I served as a___; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 18

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not 
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

[Handwritten note:]
If the applicant knows of any
witnesses by whom he can prove his
service, he [?]
[the remainder of this note icannot
be transcribed with confidence.]
Page 19

State of South Carolina
Union District
James Smith
personally appeared before me and deposeth
as follows in order to make more plain
& explicit his application for a pension
under the act of Congress passed the 7th
June 1832 - & saith that he entered 
the service of the United States during the
Revolutionary war against the British Tories
& Indians - The first tour of duty was 
out under Capt John Thomas against the
Indians and was out three months -
The second tour was under Maj White
at the siege of Ninety Six under Genl Green
& remain three months - the third tour
of duty was under Maj John Ford acting 
as captain, marched to Bacons Bridge &
Joined the army under Green again
Which tour was also three months. - This
deponant deposeth that he served three tours
of duty of three months each -
James Smith
Wwrn to & Subscribed before me
this 13th May 1833
Wm Mitchell JS
Page 20

I Wm Mitchell do certify that Mr Jas Smith
is a respectable old gentleman and a man
of veracity  Given under my hand
this 13th May 1833
Wm MItchell JS

State of South Carolina
Union District
I John Rogers
Clerk of the Court of Sessions & Common 
Pleas for said District do certify that
William Mitchell Esq is an acting Justice of
the Peace and properly authorized to 
administer oaths  that his attestation as such
is entitled to credit as such & that his
signature is genuine -
Given under my hand
& seal of office at 
Union Court House
this 13th May 1833
J Rogers clk
Page 21

Monticello, Ga., November 12, 1926.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Will you send me a statement of the military history of
Charles Smith, Sr., Revolutionary Pensioner in Pitt County,
North Carolina, in 1840.
Also of James Smith, Revolutionary Pensioner in Union
district, South Carolina, in 1840.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Harvey K. Persons
Mrs. Harvey K. Persons.
Page 22

723 Second St. S.E.
Moul[?] Ga
July 18, 1930

Bureau Pensions
Washington Ga
Dear Sir:
I understand that
James Smith (born about 1765) of South Carolina
late of Georgia and Arkansas
drew a pension from the 
Government[?] as late as 1840
for Revolutionary services
He was the son of 
James Laurence Smith who

[Stamped]
US PENSION OFFICE
B
JUL 21 1930
Page 23

also served in the Revolution.
This Smith
family was from South Carolina
The James Smith I first mentioned
married Sarah Clara Raintree
Will you please send me all
information you have in
your records concurring this
James Smith
Thanking you 
I am yours truly
Mrs. Clay L. Dean
Page 24

Edgefield SC
Feb-2-30

Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC
Dear Sir - 
Please give me any information
on James Smith who drew a pension
for Revolutionary Service living in
Union County SC at the time of
the Six census 1840.
Do not know how long he had drawn
a pension - 
Another James Smith lived in Edgefield
Co S.C. He died about 15 Jan 1824, wife
was Louhanna Smith. Did he
or she get a pension?
Will appreciate this information
very much
Sincerely
Mrs D B Hollingsworth
Regent Old 96 Dist Chapter D.A.R.
Edgefield S.C.

[Stamped]
US PENSION OFFICE
FEB 6 1931
Page 25

awf
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

January 13, 1927
Mrs. Harvey K. Persons
Monticello
Ga
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 21977,
it appears that James Smith was born June 9,
1751 in Prince William County, Virginia.
While residing in Spartanburgh District,
South Carolina, he enlisted and served as a
private in the South Carolina Troops, as follows
From September 15, 1778, three months in
Captain John Thomas' Company, Colonel Thomas'
Regiment.
In 1781, three months under Major White; and
three months under Major John Ford.
He was allowed pension on his application
executed October 5, 1832, while a resident of Union
District, South Carolina.
There are no family data on file.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 26

August 15, 1930
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Mrs. Clay L. Dean
723 Second Street, S. E.
Moultrie, Georgia

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21977, that James Smith
was born June 9, 1751, in Prince William County, Virginia.
While residing in Spartanburg District, South Carolina,
he enlisted and served as a private in the South Carolina
Troops, as follows:
From September 15, 1778, three months in Captain John
Thomas' Company, Colonel Thomas' Regiment.
In 1781, three months under Major White, and three months
under Major John Ford.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October
5, 1832, while a resident of Union District, South Carolina.
There are no family data on file.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 27

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Smith, James
GRADE Private
LINE Virginia

WARRANT NUMBER [?] 12528 AND 13536
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED November 15, 1791
To Robert Means, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and 
subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.