Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31380, for Jonathan Smith, New Jersey
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Service - New Jersey

Smith, Jonathan

Number - S31380

In June of 1788 in Maidenhead Twp., Hunterdon Co, N.J. [illegible] Princeton, N.J. [illegible]
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27.558.
Kentucky
Jonathan Smith
of Todd Co. in the State of Ky
who was a Pr
in the Company commanded
by Captain Conlin of the Reg commanded
by Col Higher in the N. J.  
line for Militia
1 Yr 5 Mo for $56.667
Inscribed on the Roll of Ky
at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of August
and Sent to [illegible]
'34 F. C. M Sane, Elkton, Ky
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34 170.00
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 28.33
[Total] $198.33
Revolutionary Claim, ┃
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by I F. Springer, Clerk
Book C 2
Vol. 7
Page 45
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In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
State of Kentucky 
County of Todd 
On this 10th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Todd County Court now sitting Jonathan Smith a resident of Elkton County of Todd Ky aged seventy five years, the 30th day of next January, 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 service as herein stated.   I entered the service the 26th day of March 1775 under Captain Peter Gorden Lieut John Schenck 2nd Lieut Joseph Schenck and served under them and field officers Col Jacob Higher Maj. Will Iain Scudder Adjt Joseph Shelton General Pearce one month I volunteered this term of service, and was discharged at Princeton New Jersey where I resided at the time and where we started from when we went into the service. the object of the campaign was to put down the Torries.  We marched from Princeton to Brunswick thence to Woodbride then to Staten Island, where we proceeded to disarm the Torries who made no opposition; returned home at the end of the month.   I was a malitiaman and all the above named officers were New Jersey malitiamen all from Middlesex County
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2 

on the first day of August the same year 1775 I was drafted into the service a malitiamen under the same officers above named who were my company and field officers at home; and I served under them a second term of two months we were this time ordered out against the Brittish whose vessels were hovering along our Shores, we marched from Princeton again to Brunswick WoodBridge thence to Elizabethtown thence to New York, thence to Bargaintown near the city of New York we were ordered down to bargain point to fire on a brittish tender that lay at the point of Statton Island, we fired on her and drove her off, we were discharged at Elizabeth and returned home.
On the first day of June 19 I was again drafted into the service under Captain Samuel Stout I cannot remember my other company officers as they were not the officers ┃ mustered under at home and served under him and Col. Higher Shelton two months, we met at Scudder Mill. We marched from there to Brunswick where the regiment all met, Gen. Heard commanded our Brigade, then to Elizabeth town we lay there until my time expired I was there discharged and came home 
On the first of October after towit 1776 I was again drafted into the service under Captain Orry Longstand served under him & General Heard one & a half months we marched from Princeton to Brunswick there to Wood Bridge then to Elizabeth town where we lay the time out and were discharged, this town was kept garrisoned and generally by the Jersey malitia 
On the 20th of January 1777 I was again drafted into the service soon after the battle of Princeton
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3

and I know of no person whose evidence I came procure who can testify to my service other or further than Philip Smith whose affidavit is hereunto annexed, I hereby relinquish every claim whatever 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

1st I was born the 30th day of Jan. 1758 in Maidenhead township Huntington County New Jersey 
2nd I have a record of my age in my bible taken from my mothers bible when I removed from my mothers 
3rd I was drafted into the service as set out volunteered once as set out and served as a substitute as set out 
4th I was living in Princeton New Jersey when first called into the service and there remained until I went back to Maidenhead Township Huntington County and lived there until I finished my last tour of duty and until I removed to Winchester Virginia Fredrick County in 1790 where I resided about 5 years then moved out of Town into Mithattle  Town same County where I resided eleven years, I then I moved to Kentucky Mason County line there five years, then I moved to Cincinnati Ohio lived there four years, then moved to Logan County Kentucky lived there 6 years then moved to Elkton Todd County Ky where I now live during most of this time.   I have been following my trade of tailoring
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5th I have stated the names of the regulars with whom I was acquainted or served and the general circumstances of my service

6th. I never received a written discharge and none of the Jersey militia ever received any as I was heard of

7th.  I am acquainted in my present neighborhood with Isaack Ayers, John S. Wilson Francis M Bristow, Francis E. McLean William Brewer Jacob Baird Henry Roberts Squire H. Boone Benjamin H. Logan T J Greenfield Jr and Sr and many others who can testify as to my veracity and their belief of my military services.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
(signature)
Jonathan Smith

I Philip Smith do hereby certify that I am well 
acquainted with Jonathan Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and I know of my own knowledge that he performed a considerable part of the services on the revolution that he has set and in his declaration and I believe from the information I have at the time the services are said to have been rendered that he  (unknown word) all that he set forth and more, In the year 1774 between April and December I was in the service with him at Elizabeth town, I served with him and know of my own knowledge that he served then and there two or three months, and when I returned home I
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always served in whatever company he directed me during my substitute term and whenever it came to my tour as drafted I served under Captain Phillips Lieut. Flint ensign Markon, about the last December 1777 I was discharged at Elizabethtown and returned home, and during this eight month engagement we were at Boundbrook Middlebrook and Quibbletown(?), we were  once at Staton Island to take some British stores guarded by refugees or tories we did not succeed, and once in this time we were ordered down to Elizabeth town point to fire on a british vessel that lay in the bay she hoisted her sail and went off
On the first or about the 1st of February 1778 I was again drafted into the service under Captain John Flint Lieut Ralph Lanning and served under them and in the same regiment and brigade as before with the same field officers two months we marched from Maidenhead to Trenton there to Bordentown was there discharged and returned home, nothing of any importance taking place
About the first of June thereafter  to wit 1778 I was again drafted under Captain Philips Lieut. Flint and same field officers and served two months marched from Maidenhead to Cranberry, there to Monmouth and we were in the rear of General Washingtons army at the battle of Monmouth  about the last of June or first of July we then marched to Amboy and then to Elizabethtown where we were discharged
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during each turn herein set out I served as fifer to the company I served in and during this time towit from 1775 to 1778 I performed several other tours of duty that I can not soon explicitly set forth not being able to remember my officers named and during most of the tours before set forth Jacob Fligher son of the Col. served with me as drummer during my whole service the arrangement with the maltitia(sic) was for one half to serve and there the other so that half were constantly on duty, and when ever my turn come I went and this is what I mean when I speak of being drafted
In the month of June 1780 I was again drafted into the service under Captain Ralph Guile Lieut Thos Drake Col. Jos. Philips Maj. Philips and served under them one month an 1/2 March from Maidenhead to Elizabethtown lay there to the end of my term and was there discharged I was not fifer but carried a musket this tour being the only tour I ever did carry one
I never was in any engagement during my service and never served after this tour 
I never served with any continental regiment except that Col. Brearly and Captain Jonathan Philips with Brearlys regiment lay with us a short time at Elizabethtown during my last tour and Captain Margano company and him who were also with us at Elizabethtown we set forth
I have no documentary evidence of my service
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under Captain Shench Lieut. Schench and served under them and field officers Col.  Fligher  Lieut.  Scudder and Maj Sheldon former (unknown word) two months we met a Cranberry and there we lay all this term except when out on scouting parties, the Brittish (sic) were lying the whole time at Brunswick about 18 miles from us during this term a small party of us about 20 went at some time under Captain Schench approached near Brunswick and sent one of our men with a double barrelled gun up to their (sic) out guard to draw them after (unknown word) while we lay in a house near the road to surround any their might follow him, he drew after seven or eight of the Brittish (sic) passed us he fired on the foremost with one of his loads, missed the Brittain (sic) who then approached him to make him a prisoner when he shot him with the other but only broke his arm and they all ran off and we failed in making a (unknown word) prisoner, during this term of my service Captain Morgan a regular officer and  afterwards general who was with us at Cranberry went down two miles below Brunswick where a Tory Captain named Stockton lay, and took him and his company prisoners and brought them to Cranberry and then were sent on to Princeton and was their (sic) discharged and went home to princeton, New Jersey where I resided during the terms of my service mentioned above, I then moved from princeton about the last of march 1777 into Huttington (sic) County
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New Jersey Maidenhead Township where I was born and where my step-father and my mother lived and from where I went to princeton to learn the tailoring trade about the 1st of January 1773. I went home before the time of my apprenticeship expired. 

On the first of April 1777 directly after I got to any anothers (sic) I entered the service as a substitute in the place of William Brige and served in his place one month under captain Philip Philips Leut Elias Hurst ensign Asher Marton field officers Col. Flowton Maj Henry Phipips (illegible) Elias Phlips General Dickison we marched from Maidenhead to Princeton Brunswick-Woodbridge Elizabethtown, there the month expired, I never returned from the first of April 1777 until the first of Dec thereafter but was continually in the service our captain philip philips hired substitutes for men by whom he was authorized to hire in their (sic) places and every other month I served as a substitute, hired by said captain philips in stead and in the place of the individuals for whom he hired men and I never knew in whose place I was serving, I made an agreement with said Captain philips to serve all the summer where I first went out our malitia (sic) arrangement with said Captain philips  was for us to serve every other month the one half being released by the other and whenever my month would expire, I served as a substitute so that I was alternately a substitute and a drafted malitiamen (sic) for the said term of 8 months during this engagement of 8 months , I served under the last mentioned officers, and Captain Guile Captain Titus and Captain Mott all in Col philips regiment General Dickeson Brigade, my arrangement to serve as substitute was with Philips as stated and I
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I left him in the service and do not recollect how long he remained but was several months, I remember that during the time we were together he went to Statton (sic) Island under Captain philips From (unknown word) at Elizabeth town, he served as fifer all the time I knew any thing of his service, and all the time I knew of his service, I resided at the time in Huntington (sic) County, Maidenhead Township, New Jersey, and while he resided in princeton he being a relative and frequently heard of his being in the service, he served under Captain philips in Gen Dickison Brigade and Col Philips regiment when I was with in the service, I knew from the information I have from his mother that he is seventy five years old .he went to princeton to learn the tayloring (sic) trade as he states I am a resident of Trigg county Kentucky at present where I have lived about 12 years I state from my own knowledge and from the information I had at the time he served as were remembered that he Jonathan Smith served in the revolutionary war more than two years constant and actual service The manner of our malitia (sic) service was to serve one month and be relieved the next by the other half of the company so that we were alternately drafted, Jonathan Smith was out in the service from Spring until the latter part of the fall of 1777 and this was the longest engagement he was under, and he was most
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of the time at Elizabeth town which place was kept Garrisoned by the Jersey malitia (sic) for several years and there were but few regulars kept there at any time
subscribed and sworn to thge day and years aforesaid
(signature)
Philip Smith


To John Graham, a clergyman residing in the county of Todd and Francis Bristow, Isaac Ayres, residing in the same, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration-that we believe him to be 75 years of age. that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood a where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
(signatures)
John Graham
Francis Bristow
J Ayres
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We William Brewer and
Isaack Ayers residents of the Town of Elkton
County of Todd and State of Kentucky hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with
Philip Smith who has sworn to and subscribed
the foregoing certificate that he is a resident
of Trigg County Kentucky and has been for 10
or 12 years, and that he is a gentleman of
respectability and veracity and his statement
is entitled to credit
subscribed and sworn to the day & year
aforesaid
I Ayres
Wm Brewer

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after puting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 
soldier and served as he states. And the said
Court further certifies that it appears to them
that John Graham
who has subscribed the certificate to which his
name is signed as foregoing is a clergyman resident
in the County of Todd and is a credable person
and that Isaac Ayers and Francis M. Bristow
who have signed the same are also residents of
Todd County Kentucky and are credable persons
and their statement is entitled to credit
and further certify that it appears to them
that Isaac Ayers and William Brewer
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his
who have subscribed and sworn to the certificate
to which their names are annexed are residents
of Elkton Todd County Kentucky and are
credible persons and their statements are
entitled to credit and it is the opinion of
the court that Philips Smith who has sworn
to the foregoing certificate is a credable
person resident in Trigg County Ky and his
statement is entitled to credit, he made
the foregoing certificate in open Court
and signed the same and sworn to it before
Daniel Carson J.P.
John Bellamy J.P.
Benn Ward J.P.

Willis L. Reeves Clerk of the Todd County Court do certify that
the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of Jonathan Smith for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto at my hand as clerk 
and affixed the seal of my office
This 10th day of December 1832
Willis L. Reeves clk
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September 25, 1934
Xxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MCS
Jonathan Smith, S. 31380

Miss Farfax Meade
5200 Cathedral Avenue
Washington
D.C.

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Jonathan Smith.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.031380, based upon the miliary Jonathan Smith.

He was born January 30, 1758, at Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  About the first of January, 1773, he went from the home of his mother and stepfather (their names not given) in Maidenhead Township, to Princeton to learn the tailoring trade.

While a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, he volunteered March 26, 1775, and served one month as fifer in the New Jersey militia under Captain Peter Gordon and Colonel Jacob Hyer and was engaged in putting down the Torries.  He enlisted the first day of August , 1775, and served two months as fifer in Captain Peter Gordon’s company in Colonel Jacob Hyer’s New Jersey regiment.  He enlisted the first day of June, 1776, and served two months as fifer in Captain Samuel Stout’s company in Colonel Hyer’s New Jersey regiment.  He enlisted the first of October, 1776, and service as fifer in Captain Schenck’s company in Colonel Hyer’s New Jersey regiment.  About the last of March, 1777, he moved back to Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, and enlisted the first of April, 1777, and service eight different enlistments of one month each, as fifer under Captains Philip Phillips Guild, Titus, and Mott, in Colonel Phillips’ New Jersey regiment.  He enlisted about the first of February, 1778, and served two months as
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fifer under Captain John Hunt in Colonel Phillips’ New Jersey regiment.  He enlisted about the first of June, 1778, and served two months as fifer in Captain Phillips’ company in Colonel Phillips’ New Jersey regiment.  He enlisted in June, 1780, and served one and one half months as private in Captain Ralph Guild’s company in Colonel Joseph Phillips’ New Jersey regiment. 

He moved to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia in 1790.  About five years later, moved to another place in Frederick County.  Eleven years later, moved to Mason County, Kentucky.  Five years later, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Four years later, moved to Logan County, Kentucky.  Six years later, moved to Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 10, 1832, while residing in Elkton,  Kentucky. 

In 1832 one Philip Smith, a resident of Trigg County, Kentucky stated that he was a relative of Jonathan Smith and lived in Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, during the Revolution.  The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier’s family.

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Assistance to Administrator
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31380
Invalid
Rej 31380
File No.  31,380
Jonathan Smith
Prv Rev War

Act June 7, 33
Index:  Vol. 2, page 382

[Arrangement of 1870]
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Mar. 7, 1906. Hist. to J. C. Parker 1924 Mar. 28. Mr Lee K. Carr adv. of service and residence MCS 1924 May 3. Hist to Lee K Carr MCS
1931 Apr. 24 Hist to Mrs. A. W. Christian MCS
1934. Sept. 25. Hist to Miss Fairfax Meade MCS
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Jonathan Smith
For 1775 per
17
$56. 66/100

T. E. McLain
Elkton
Kentucky
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personally appeared Jonathan Smith before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for Todd County by Jonathan Smith who being first duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise lenth of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less then the periods mentioned below and in the grades following

For two years & more I lived in the New Jersey Malitia as a fifer & for such service, I claim a pension, and also that his Declaration was sent by the war department to his son in Virginia, and his you mislaid it, and has only sent it to him lately 
August 8th 1834 
given under my hand signed in any 
Jonathan Smith
JM Irwin JP
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I Willis L Reeve Clerk of of the Todd County Court do hereby certify that D Thompson M. Ewing who signed the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the peace & for Todd County by, and under his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine given under my heuet

 In testimony where of I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of my office this 8th day of August 1834 
Willis L. Reeves
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5200 Cathedral Avenue
Washington, D.C.
September 8, 1934

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen

Is it possible to get a copy of your record of Jonathan Smith, who was born in Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, January 30, 1758.  He enlisted at Princeton, N. J. March 23, 1775.   He enlisted again in 1780,

Is it possible to learn anything of his parents?
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Thank you very much for your attention
Yours truly
Mrs Fairfax Meade

Stamp
Received
Sep 11 1934
Mail BOE DIV
READER 12
VETS ADM
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Mrs A.H. Christian
2041 West Tioga Street 
Philadelphia Pa 
Jonathan Smith S.31380 
Personal request Ap. 22 -31
Page 25

Lee Kercheval Carr
5313 Angora Terrace
Philadelphia

March 29, 1924

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Dear Sir:

I am returning your letter of the 28th as requested as I would like to obtain the ful record of Revolutionary War pensioner S.31380, Jonathan Smith, who served in the New Jersey Troops.  By record, I mean the declaration he made regarding his service. Etc.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Yours very truly

Lee K Carr
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Lee Kercheval Carr
5313 Angora Terrace
Philadelphia

Feb 21, 1924

Pension Office, Washington, D. C. 
Revolutionary War Service

Dear Sirs:
 I would like to obtain the pension papers (copies) of Jonathan Smith, who evidently enlisted in Virginia (8th Va. Regiment) and died in Todd County, Kentucky, 1850. I find in Saffells Revolutionary Records Pg. 319 something about this Jonathan Smith but there is something wrong somewhere as it says he was taken prisoner in 1777 and exchanged 1780. Yet during these years he was a prisoner, he was promoted twice.

If the records can be obtained that your office, please advise at the charge will be.  In writing, please tell me if there is a statement on file by the pensioner telling of his service, etc. 

Very truly yours, 
Lee K. Carr 

Stamp – U.S. Pension Office Feb 23, 1924
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PARKER DISTILLING CO., DISTILLERS. 
REDISTILLERS AND RECTIFIERS. 
BLENDERS OF HIGH GRADE WHISKIES. 
213 MARKET STREET. St. Louis, Mo. FEB A. 1906 / 190

Parker’s Pure Old Rye
NEW YORK OFFICE: No. 1 MADISON AVE. 
CHICAGO OFFICE: No. 35 RANDOLPH ST.

Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: - 
Will you be kind enough to furnish me with information regarding Jonathan Smith who enlisted at Princeton, N. J. at between 18 and 19 years of age in the First Company that left Princeton for the Revolutionary War. He served throughout the entire Revolution and was born on Jan. 30th, 1758 and died at Elkton, Ky. on March 10, 1850. As he was a Revolutionary pensioner, of course, you have his full record in the files of your office, and I ask this information in behalf of Mrs. Parker who is his great granddaughter, and of course, eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

By furnishing this information for me, you will very greatly oblige me, and should any expense accrue in searching the records or making the report, I should be more than pleased to mail you a check covering such expense. 

Trusting you will appreciate the importance to us of having his complete record, I beg to remain, 

Your most obedient servant, 
John C Parker Late A V Lieut W S Hoy
Crowdy M S Trour Cladr. Steam”Essex”

Stamp = U.S. Pension Office Feb 7 1906
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April 24, 1931
Rev. & 1812 War Section
MCS:MLB
Mrs. A.W Christian
2041 West Tioga Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sir: 
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31380, it appears that Jonathan Smith was born January 30, 1758, at Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. 

While a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, he enlisted March 26, 1775, and served as fifer in the New Jersey Troops at various times until August 1, 1778, amounting to twenty and one half months, under Captains Peter Gordon, Samuel Stout, Longstreet, Schenck, Philip Philips, Guild, Mott, Titus, and John Hunt, Colonels Jacob Hyer and Houghton. He enlisted in June, 1780 and served one and one half months as private in Captain Ralph Guild's Company, Colonel Joseph Phillips New Jersey Regiment. 

He moved to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia in 1790.  About five years later, moved to another place in Frederick County.  Eleven years later, moved to Mason County, Kentucky.  Five years later, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Four years later, moved to Logan County, Kentucky.  Six years later, moved to Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 10, 1832, while residing in Elkton,  Kentucky. 

There is no data on file as to his family. 
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner
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Rev. & 1812 War Section
May 3, 1924
Lee K. Carr 
5313 Angora Terrace
Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sir: 
I have to advise on that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31380, it appears that Jonathan Smith was born January 30, 1758, at Maidenhead Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. 

While a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, he enlisted March 26, 1775, and served as Fifer in the New Jersey Troops at various times until August 1, 1778, amounting to 20-1/2 months, under Captains Peter Gordon, Samuel Stout, Longstreet, Schenck, Philip Philips, Guild, Mott, Titus, and John Hunt, Colonels Jacob Hyer and Houghton. 

He enlisted in June 1780 and served one and one half months as private in Captain Ralph Guild's Company, Colonel Joseph Phillips New Jersey Regiment. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 10, 1832, while residing in Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky. 

There is no data on file as to his family. 
Respectfully, Commissioner 
M.C.S.
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

March 28, 1924

Mr. Lee K. Carr 
5313 Angora Terrace
Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sir:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War pensioner, S. 31380, Jonathan Smith, who resided in Todd County, Kentucky, was born in New Jersey and served in the New Jersey Troops. 

He moved to Frederick County, Virginia, in 1790, and resided there about sixteen years. 

If you desire his full record please so state, returning this letter. 

Respectfully, 
Commissioner