Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,974, for Larkin Smith, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE Va. 
Smith, Larkin
NUMBER S. 31974
CONTENTS
Pvt.
L. in Cumberland Co. Va. res. there at enl.
reside 1832 ] Oglethorpe Co. Ga.
died Oct 20, 1834
Page 2

12.026
Georgia
Larkin Smith
of Oglethorpe in the State of Geo.
who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Baylor of the Regt commanded by Woodford - in the Va. line for 17 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia -
at the rate of 56- Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18- day of March 1833 and Sent to Geo. M. Dudley - Lexington, Ga.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 113.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 28.33
141.65
I. Oct. 20. 1834
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 193.
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Larkin Smith
Georgia
name on the Va Cont
Roll - admin for 
17 mo as a private
from  1778 $56.66
Capt Baytop
Gen [William] Woodford [illegible]
GM Danley
Admin
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Larkin Smith
County of Oglethorpe in the State of Georgia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 73 or 74

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
[1] Feb in 1778 volunteered
[2] 1781
[1]
Duration of Service.
Years,
[1] 1
Months, 
[2] 3
[3] 2
Days.
Rank. As a
[1] private
[2] "
[3] "
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.
[1] Genl. Woodford Col Heath Cap Baytop
[2] Col Downman Maj. Edmunds
[3] Col Watkins Maj Harcomb

5. In what battles was he engaged? battle of Monmouth

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary two living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations - nor the Credibility of the witnesses certified

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

George Payton
Examining Clerk.
the seal of office is a very important one
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Affidavit
Robert Smith
in
Support of the Claim
of
Larkin Smith
for a Pension
Page 6

Georgia 
Oglethorpe County 

Before me, Jessee Carter one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the 236th District of said County & by virtue of our offices, holding pleas of Debt of Thirty dollars & under & qualified to administer the oath required by law, personally appeared, Robert Smith, an aged & infirm person, before us in open Court & being duly sworn, maketh oath & saith that he & his brother Larkin Smith (who has called on him to state what he knows concerning the services rendered by said Larkin in the Revolutionary war) lived not far apart in Cumberland County Virginia & that Larkin volunteered against the British & performed one year's tour, beginning in the early part of the year 1778, & ending in the early part of the year 1779, in the North towards New-Yorkv& Philidelphia

That not long after his return home from the army in the North, he & this deponent were called upon to perform a three months tour of service in the lower part of Virginia & 
North Carolina & this deponent employed his brother in place as a substitute for $75. to serve in his place & Larkin he believes served in his own place.

Deponent does not know the date of this three months service, precisely but he knows that his substitute had not been
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gone many days before his own name was drawn to perform  duty at Guilford [Virginia]
& this deponent took his place, so that this deponent in truth had performed duty in two ways by himself & his substitute.
Deponent does not recollect whether Larkin ever performed any other duty than that described; but has no doubt that he did if he says so, for he believes him to be a man of the strictest truth & he has a better memory than deponent.

Sworn to & subscribed this 25th day of 
august 1832 before us.
Jesse Carter J.P.
Robert Smith 

We the undersigned Justices of the Inferior Court hereby Certify that Jesse Carter who has taken the above affidavit is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Oglethorpe & state of Georgia & that his signature as such is entitled to full faith & credit

Given under our hands in open court the fourth day of September eighteen hundred  & thirty two.
John Banks
Edwd Coxe
Burl Pope

Justices of the Inferior Court 
of Oglethorpe County 
Georgia
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10,947.
Claim of Larkin Smith
Revolutionary Soldier 1832
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Georgia 
Oglethorpe County Ss

On this third day of September eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Inferior Court of the county & state aforesaid now sitting for ordinary purposes Larkin Smith a resident of said county aged seventy three or four years of who being 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 on th seventh of June of the present year, entitle an act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution 

That he entered the military service of the 
United States against the mother country in the revolutionary war under the following named officers & served as here in after stated. 

That he was born in Cumberland County Virginia & that according to the information received by him from his mother there being no family record he is seventy three or seventy four years of age- he volunteered in the United States service against England on the twelfth day of 
February seventeen hundred & seventy eight with a fixed determination if his life was spared to serve his country as a soldier for the space of twelve months without intermission. This purpose he accomplished under the command of the following officers whom he particularly,
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remembers - he belonged to General [William] Woodford's brigade was a member of the seventh virginia regiment (afterwards called the fifth or third regiment but not until after he had left it) commanded by Colonel Heath a one eyed man but as keen a fellow as ever lived 

the names of the majors he does not recollect & the name of his Captain was James Baytop he marched from Cumberland County in Virginia to Valley forge in Pennsylvania under the immediate command of Lieutenant Major Carrington 

his services that year were performed in the north & consisted principally in marching from place to place & guarding different points as necesily [necessarily] required.
he was in but one battle & that was at Monmouth [New Jersey] under the same officers he thinks whose names are before mentioned

On the twelfth of February seventeen hundred & seventy nine he was discharged at Middlebrook in New York near a small town called Brunswick a river separating between the two places- he had received something for his services & there was a small balance due to his discharge when he gave it to Carrington (the Captain Carrington) who said he was going to Richmond & promised to collect that balance & pay it over but applicant has never seen the discharge nor received the money from that day to this

He had not been at home very long, but cannot say precisely how long before it fell to his lot to serve a tour of three months in the lower part of Virginia & North Carolina
this he did perform & though there was no battle the labors
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of this tour were exceedingly various & oppressive consisting of continued & heavy 
marching some of which was through the dismal Swamp [Dismal Swamp, Virginia] guarding & defending from the beginning to the end of the tour

The time of this tour he cannot fix as to the months & days but thinks it was between the last of the year seventeen hundred & eighty & the spring of the year seventeen hundred & eighty one

his officers on this occasion were Colonel Downman Major Edmonds or Edmondson & captain Richard Allen - he does not know that he ever got a discharge from this service. thinks it probable that his captain got a discharge for the whole company if there was any given at any rate officers & soldiers all went home together; being dismissed at Cabin Point [Surry County, Virginia]

Afterwards but during the same year (1781) he served two months more under General Lawson Colonel Thomas Watkins & Major Philip Holcombe recollects to have been made to wait on this major Holcombe as a nurse during his illness in quarters at Williamsburg [Virginia]

was at Jamestown [Virginia] when the French landed guarding some prisoners that had not been carried down to Williamsburg [Virginia] assisted in escorting them to that place & continued scouring the country between Williamsburg & little York [Yorktown, Virginia]

And even after the expiration of the two months service last mentioned he was for the same & pace of time occupied in going over the country in every direction collecting beef for the army-

Thinks there was a law in those days requiring every man who had beef cattle to give up such a portion of his stock according to number to provision the army and it was made his business to drive these cattle & bring them within reach of the camp.
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He thinks he can establish a part of his service by the testimony of his brother Robert Smith & he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not & has never been on the pension roll of any state in the Union.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Larkin Smith
P. M. Hutchison JJC
Edwd Case J.J.C.
John Banks J.J.C.
Burl Poper J.J.C

We Miller Bledson  a clergyman residing in Oglethorpe county [Georgia] & John Moore residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Larkin Smith who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be of the age therein stated that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Miller Bledsoe M.G.
John Moore 
P. M. Hutchinson J.J.C.
Edwd Case J.J.C.
John Banks J.J.C.
Burl Poper J.J.C.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he States & the court further certifies that it appears to them that Miller Bledsoe who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Oglethorpe [Georgia]
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county & that John Moore who has also signed the same is of like residence & is a Credible person & that there statement is entitled to credit
P. W. Hutcheston J.I.C.
Edwd Coxe J.IC
John Banks J,I,C,
Burl. Pope J.I.C

I William H. Smith Clerk of the Court of ordinary do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Larkin Smith for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this third day of September eighteen hundred & thirty two
William H Smith. Clk
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June 3, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB
Larkin Smith
S. 31974

Mr. G. E. Wood
387 Copenhill Avenue, N. E.,
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31974, that Larkin Smith was born in Cumberland County, Virginia, date not given.

While a resident of that county, he enlisted, February 12, 1778, and served until February 12, 1779, as a private in Captain James Baytop's company in Colonel Heth's Virginia regiment, and was in the battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780 or 1781 and served three months as private in Captain Richard Allen's company, Colonel Downman's Virginia regiment. He also served two months in 1781 as private in Colonel Thomas Watkins' Virginia regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was seventy-three or seventy-four years of age and was a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

Larkin Smith died, October 20, 1834.

The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to soldier's wife or children.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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31974
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 31,974
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 8, Page 382
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Jany 31 - 1902
J. B. Killebrew - Nashville Tenn,
1914 Dec. 7 Hist to Miss Ila Jennings. V.L.M.
1916 Apr. 17 Hist. T. Gordon Freeman
1931, June 3. hist. to Mr. G. E. Wood. M.C.S.
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Larkin Smith which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for him not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

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? yes
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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? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 

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? 

XIV. [notation sign 1]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? yes
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? no
Has the proper officer certified the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes

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? 

XVI. [notation sign 2]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes Ex 2d
_________________________
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 19

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 shown 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.
[notation sign 1]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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[notation sign 2]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 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.
[symbol of pointing finger]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.
Page 20

Affidavit of Robert Colquitt
in support of the Claim of
Larkin Smith for Pension 1832
Page 21

Georgia} Personally came before
Oglethorpe County} Henry T. Dawson a Justice of the Peace for the Lexington district of Georgia Militia in Oglethorpe County, Robert Colquet a revolutionary soldier who being duly sworn deposeth & sayeth that Larkin Smith, who is about to present his claim for a Pension under the act of Congress passed the seventh of June of the present year, served two tours of military service in the war of the Revolution to his own knowledge - to wit, one of twelve months duration in the North towards Philadelphia & one in company with this deponent of three months in the lower part of the State of Virginia.
Robert Calquitt
Sworn to & subscribed before
me this fourth day of September
eighteen hundred & thirty two.
H, T, Dawson J.P.

We the undersigned Justices of the Inferior Court of Oglethorpe County do hereby certify that Henry T. Dawson, before whom the foregoing affidavit has been taken, is a Justice of the Peace for the Lexington District of Georgia Militia in said county & as such is legally authorized to administer oaths & that his signature is genuine is entitled to full faith & credit. Given under our hands in open Court this fourth day of September eighteen hundred & thirty two.
John Banks J,I,C
Edmd Coxe J.I.C
Burl. Pope J.I.C
Page 22

Rev Sec
Birmingham. Ala
Dec 2, 1914
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
My Dear Sir:-
If James or Larkin Smith of Oglethorpe County Ga drew a pension for services rendered during Revolutionary War, Will you please send me an aktract of their pension application.
Thanking you in advance
I am very truly.
Miss Ila Jennings.
164-11th Ave. North.
Birmingham. Ala,
Page 23

PENSION
O
DEC
U. 4 S.
1914
OFFICE
Page 24

387 Copenhill Ave, N. E.
Atlanta, Ga., May 25, 1931.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:-
Will you please give me your record of Larkin Smith, a soldier of the Revolution?
In Knight's Georgia Roster of the Revolution I find on page 463 under caption, "Georgia Revolutionary soldiers list." among others Smith, Larkin. Oglethorpe County, 53.
Our ancestors are from Oglethorpe County, Ga., and intermarried with the Larkin Smith's.
Yours truly,
G. E. Wood.

[stamp]
PENSION
O
MAY
U. 26 S.
1931
OFFICE
Page 25

[header]
TENNESSEE SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

J. B. KILLEBREW, PRESIDENT,
A. S. COLYAR, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT,
A. S. REAVES, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT,
L. R. EASTMAN, SEC'Y AND TREAS,
W. SHERIDAN KANE, ASS'T SECRETARY,
GOODLOE LINDSLEY, REGISTRAR,
JOHN H. DEWITT, HISTORIAN,
REV. D. C. KELLEY, D.D., CHAPLAIN.

BOARD OF MANAGERS.
JNO. P. WILLIAMS,
C. H. EASTMAN,
J. A. CARTWRIGHT,
DR. PAUL W. KIRKPATRICK,
CHAS. S. MARTIN.

[stamp]
To Chf. OWU Div.
Action
JAN 20 1902
COMMISSIONER

[typed letter body]
NASHVILLE, January 18th 1902.

H. Clay Evans,
Pension Commissioner.
Dear Sir:-
For the urpose of determining the eligibility of an applicant for admission to this society I would be glad to receive such information at your command relative to the military history, Revolutionary War, of Larkin Smith of Kings and Queens County, Virginia.
Very truly,
[signed] J B Killebrew
Pres.
Page 26

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-535
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. F. 31,974 Washington, D. C., ________, 19__

In reply to your request of _______, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Larkin Smith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[1] Feby 12, 1778
[2] 1780, or 1781
[3] 1781.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[1] Feby 12, 1779
[2] 3 mos.
[3] 2 mos.
RANK.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[1] James Baytop
[2] Richard Allen
[3] [checkmark]
COLONEL.
[1] Heth
[2] Downman
[3] Thomas Watkins
STATE.
Va

Battles engaged in, Monmouth
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 3 1832 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Oglethorpe Co. Ga.
Age at date of application, 73 or 74 yrs. born in Cumberland Co. Va. died Oct 20. 1834*
*from A.B.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
to other Robert.