Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1591, for Sherwood Smith, Virginia
Page 1

Service
Va.
Smith, Sherwood
Number
S. 1591
Contents
carded
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West Tennessee 23.410

(crossed out) Virginia

Sherwood Smith of (illegible) in the State of Va. who was a (illegible) in the ______ commanded by Captain _______ of the Regt commanded by Col. Dick in the Va line for 6 mo: 19 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 22 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of (illegible) and John G. Baptist Boydton CH-

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833       55.27
Semi-anl. allowance ending 21 mar 34  11.06

                                                   $66.33

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 64 Page 32
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See letter Oct. 16. 1835 to L Webb & Payt. Cir tra to Penn 3 Nov. 1837.
To West Tennessee fr. 4th September 1836. 29. Jany 1838. Notification sent to Pensioner. Reggs + Roads. Williamson County Tenn
Order to pay 20 Sept 1838.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838 - Agt Notified 29 Decr 1838.
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20807
Sherwood Smith
Va.

return if h l m.
Admd as private
6 mo & 19 days 122"

Jno. G. Baptist C.C
Boydton
Mecklenburg
Va
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War Department,
Pension Office,
14. May 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case ina tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, {thus: }). You will, when you return you papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Sherwood Smith Meshlenburg (sic) Co Va.
Period when the service was rendered: During 1787
Duration of the claimants Service.
Years. (blank)
Months. 3
(2nd line) 2
Days. 49
Rank of the claimant. 
pr (unsure)
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Cap Sanders 
(2nd Line) Capallabry
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Dick
(2nd Line) Col Burwell
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
None
County through with he marched.
Va
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Mechlenburg Va (71 is above it)
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
(can't read first line)
(2nd line) not certified to.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered wand who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of classes are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim- ing the benefit of this law its officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ________
 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _____________: A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I __________ of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ________ day of ________ &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of __________ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge of commis- sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration , (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement to the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. -If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
 ______________________ 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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." 
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 reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 
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 papers 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 not to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 claimant's 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. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of Virginia
County of Mecklenburg

On the 18th day of November 1833 personally appeared Richard H. Walker, Sam'l Simmons, Sam'l Daly, and Robert Moore the Court of the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid now sitting Sherwood Smith a resident of Mecklenburg County and State of Virginia 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 pension made by Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States in the year 1777, and served seven weeks at Portsmouth Virginia under the Command of Capt Joseph Peebles & Col. Frederick Martin, that he served three months under the Command of Col Dick, in the Company commanded by Capt Saunders, this service was performed in 1781 near Portsmouth Virg'a, that he further served two months under the Command of Col. Lewis Burville in the Company commanded by Capt Stephen Mabry, this service was performed in the year 1781 at Glocester Virginia. He has no documentary evidence & hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State, he obtained (illegible) but does not remember from whom & being (illegible) he has lost or mislaid them, & he has no living witness by whom he can prove the foregoing service except David Thomas, Carroll Jones, Joseph Bennett, & John Parish. -Sworn & subscribed this day & year hereinafter mentioned..
(left side)
this day Sherwood Smith made oath before me that the above declaration contains the truth.
12th Augt 1833
George Rogers J.P. 

(right side)
                 his
Sherwood  x   Smith
               mark

We Lewis Williams & William Bennett residing in the County of Mecklenburg hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sherwood Smith who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age or upwards & that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion. Sworn this 11th October 1833.

(right side) 

         his
Lewis x Williams
       mark

          his
William x Bennett
         mark
(left side) 
Subscribed to before me a justice of the peace this 11th. Octr 1833

George Rogers JP.
Page 9

The affidavit of David Thomas who being duly sworn sayeth on his oath that Sherwood Smith within named served with him as a soldier in the revolution for the Space of five months, three months in the Regiment Commanded by Col Dirk in the Company Commanded by Capt. Saunders & the other two months in the Company Commanded by Capt. Stephen Mabry & in the Regiment Commanded by Col Lewis Burwell, the above service was performed in the year 1781
David x his mark Thomas
Subscribed & Sworn to before me a
Justice of the peace this 11th Augt. 1833.
Geo: Rogers J.P.

The affidavit of Joseph Bennett who being duly sworn sayeth on his oath that Sherwood Smith within named served with him as a soldier of the revolution for three months in the regiment Commanded by Col. Dirk in the Company Commanded by Capt. Saunders, the service was performed near Portsmouth Virginia and was three months.
Joseph x his mark Bennett
Subscribed & sworn to before me a
Justice of the peace this 11th. Augt. 1833.
Geo: Rogers J.P.

The affidavit of Carrol Jones who being duly Sworn sayeth on his Oath that Sherwood Smith within named served with him as a Soldier in the Revolution for the Space of two months in the Regiment commanded by Col Lewis Burwell & in the Company Commanded by Capt. Stephen Mabry this Service was performed in 1781 near Gloucester Virginia ~
Carrol x his mark Jones
Subscribed & Sworn to before me a
Justice of the peace this 11th Augt. 1833.
Geo: Rogers, J.P.

I do hereby certify that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states & I do further Certify that there are no Clergymen in the immediate vicinity of the applicant & there Clergyman who live the most Convenient having [illegible] recently settled in the County and believed to be either strangers to the said applicant. & I do further Certify, that David Thomas. Joseph Bennett Carrol Jones & John Parish, Lewis Williams & William Bennett whose affidavits are subjoined are Credible witnesses & residents of the County except Parish who lives in Brunswick - given under my hand this 12th Sept. 1833.
Geo Rogers J.P.
Page 10

The affidavit of John Parish aged 82 years taken at the [illegible] house of George Rogers in the County of Mecklenburg Va. who being duly Sworn sayeth on his Oath, that he has been acquainted with Sherwood Smith now present ever since the year 1777. that in that year he served with him a term of six weeks in the Virga. Militia in the regiment then Commanded by Col Fredk: Maclin in the Company Commanded by Capt Jos. Peebles, this affiant well recollects that the said Smith was attached to the Company & Regmt. during the whole six weeks and was left by him in the service where he was discharged, and he understood served a week longer - The sd. Smith discharged his duty as a soldier in a good & orderly manner. & further in the year 1781 this affiant served a tour of three months in the Virginia Militia, That himself & the Said Smith did not in this as in the former Tour belong to the same Company, he the Said Smith going from Mecklenburg to perform his last tour, but he knows distinctly that the Said Smith was not on duty with the Mecklenburg Militia during the Said three months as he saw him every week during that time serving as well as now recollected in the Same regiment, though in different Companies ~
John x his mark Parish
Taken Subscribed & Sworn to before
me this 12th Sept. 1833 ~
George Rogers J.P.

1 Question by the Court. where & in what year were you born
Answer - In Brunswick County Va in the year 1761.
Quest. 2d. have you any record of your age & if so where is it.
Answer - I have a copy of the Record but the original is in Peds County North Carolina.
3d. Where were you living when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Answer - I was living in Brunswick County when called into service, & I have lived in Meckens (where I now reside ever since the Revolutionary War-
4th. how were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute
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for whom?
Answer - For the first term I was a volunteer. in the second and third term I was drafted -
5 state the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services -
Answer - I served under Col Dirk & Genl Muhlenburg I was engaged in no battles during the service -
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
Answer - I never received a discharge as I never asked for it, it not being customary to obtain on in writing.
7th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief that of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer - Lewis Williams, & William Bennett, David Thomas, Joseph Bennett, Henry Jones, Jno Parish.

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, and the said Court further certifies that Lewis Williams, William Bennett, David Thomas, Joseph Bennett, Carol Jones & Jno Parish are credible persons, & that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, John G Baptist Clerk of the County Court of Mecklenburg County State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the said Ct in the mater of the application of Sherwood Smith for a pension, and I do also certify that George Rogers is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of Office this 21st. day of November
1833-
J, G, Baptist CC
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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 18th, 1838.

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," Sherwood Smith, - a Pensioner on the Roll of the West Tennessee Agency, at the rate of Twenty two Dollars and eleven 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 13

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.

County of Williamson ss.
On this Twelvth day of December 1837, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Williamson personally appeared Sherwood Smith who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Jesse Saunders = in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Dick - in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Virginia from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Tennessee - where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Virginia to Tennessee that he had no land in Virginia and not able to labour that he has a son by the name of Isaac Smith in Tennessee who offered to assist him and with whom he wished to live
Sherwood x his mark Smith
Sworn and subscribed to before me,
the day and year aforesaid.
Chelsey Williams 

[pointing finger icon] The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
[pointing finger icon] The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
[pointing finger icon] 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 be sent with the papers.
[pointing finger icon] Mode of authenticating papers.-In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
Page 14

State of Tennessee} This day personally appeared
Williamson County} Edward Giles and Bennet Hargrove Senior before me Chelsey Williams an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and made oath according to law that Sherwood Smith is the Identical Sherwood Smith named in an original certificate from the Office of the Secretary of War and that he is the same person described in annexed affidavit to the best of their knowledge & belief
Sworn to & subscribed} Edward Giles
before me on this 12th} Bennett Hargrove
day of Decr 1837}
Chelsey Williams JP}

State of Tennessee
Williamson County} SS
I Chelsey Williams an acting Justice of the Peace for said County do hereby certify that Edward Giles and Bennet Hargrove Senor are both men of veracity and that full credit should be given to there affidavit given under my hand and Seal this 12th day of December 1837
Chelsey Williams {Seal}
JP for said County
Page 15

The State of Tennessee SS
I Lemuel B McConnico clerk of the county court of Williamson county in the State of Tennessee aforesaid do certify that Chelsey Williams whose signatures appear to the within affidavits of Sherwood Smith and Edward Giles and Bennett Hargrove and to the certificate of the veracity of said Giles and Hargrove is now and was at the time of the taking of said affidavits and making said certificate an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Williamson aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due his official acts
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 1st day of January AD 1838
L B McConnico

The State of Tennessee Williamson County
I Gilbert Marshall chairman and presiding magistrate of the County Court of Williamson County in the State of Tennessee - do certify that Lemuel B. McConnico who has signed the above attestation is a clerk of the County Court of Williamson County aforesaid and was such at the date thereof that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such that said attestation is in due form of law; and that the signature of said Lemuel B. McConnico to the same is genuine. Given under my hand and seal this 15 day of December AD. 1838-
Gilbert Marshall {Seal}
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June 2, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB

Mrs. L. K. Owen
237 Solar Hill
Bristol, Virginia

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1591, that Sherwood Smith was born in 1761 in Brunswick County, Virginia.

While a resident of that county, he enlisted and served as private with the Virginia troops, as follows:- seven weeks in 1777 in Captain Joseph Peeble's company in Colonel Frederick Maclin's regiment; three months in 1781 in Captain Jesse Saunders' company, Colonel Dick's regiment; two months in 1781 in Captain Stephen Mabry's company in Colonel Lewis Burwell's regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed in 1833, at which time he was living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. [handwritten note: omitted mo. & day of execution of application as was too indefinite]

In 1837 he moved from Virginia to Williamson County, Tennessee, to live with his son Isaac.

There are no further data relative to soldier's family.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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FREE
J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

Oct 15
Va roll
Sherwood Smith
Va roll
23,410

[stamp]
RICHMOND
OCT
12
Va.
Page 18

Richmond October 12th, 1835
J L Edwards Esquire
Sir
Your favor of the 10th Inst relative to Jno Parrish's pension is recd - Enclosed you have Sherwood Smiths power of Attorney to collect his pension, which they decline paying at the Bank of Virginia because the word "Revolutionary" is not inserted in the Power of Attorney (the declaration is normal) enclosed is a printed form that was furnished from your off by the officer of the United States Bank. & many of the powers of Attorney are made out agreeable to that form. I would respectfully suggest your giving the Bank of Virginia some general Instructions as to the form of the power of Attorney.
Respectfully
yr obt servt
Lewis Webb
Page 19

Nashville 23d. October 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I have made application this day at the Pension Office at this place ~
Thinking I could draw my pension, and was informed by the Agent that I must apply to you for permission of my name being transferred to this Agency before he could pay me, My Pension was paid me up to the 4th day of September 1836 at Richmond Virginia which do the last Shown Recd. Its my wish that you would have my name transferred to the West Tennessee Agency at Nashville, as a Proof that I am the same person I enclose you my Pension Certificate for your examination, which please to return me with your Instructions to Riggs + Roads Williamson County Tennessee
I am very Respectfully Sir Obt. Servt.
Sherwood x his mark Smith
Test S. Cantrell
Page 20

Bank of Virginia
Novem. 6. 1837

Sir
The last payment to Sherwood Smith, a pensioner under the Act of the 7. June 1832, at 22"/100 dollars per annum was to the 4 day of September 1836.
I am respectfully
Your Obedt. Servt.
Anty. Robinson
for J. Brockenbrough

J. L. Edwards Esq:
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.
Page 21

Nashville 17th. January 1838
J L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
your esteemed favor of the 3d. November 1837, covering a Blank form for me to have my name transferred from the Virginia Agency to that of Nashville West Tennessee as a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of the 7th June 1832 and at the rate of Twenty two dollars & Eleven cents per Annum is duly to hand, and in reply herewith enclose the same properly filled up which I hope will be found to be correct
Please to write me to Riggs + Roads
Williamson County Tennessee very Respectfully Sir
Your Obt. Servt.
Sherwood x his mark Smith
Test
Stephen Cantrell
Page 22

Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville 8th Sept. 1838.

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Dear Sir
At the request of the attorney Isaac Smith of Sherwood Smith a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of the 7th June 1832 and to whom there is one years pension due up to the 4th Instant, I herewith Transmit you his pension Identity for your examination and permission of his payment, my [illegible] of the Act of the 6th April 1838. will not operate on this claim until the 4th November next please to return this claim back to this Office or to the attorney to Riggs + Roads Williamson County Tennessee and much oblige
Your Obt Servt
John M Bass Prest.
& Pension Agent
By S. Cantrell
Page 23

1931 June 2. hist to Mrs. L. K. Owen. M.C.S.

Rev War.
1591.
INVALID.
File No. 1591.
Sherwood Smith
Priv. Va. Line.
Act: June 7. 1832. 
Index:-Vol. A, Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

237 Solar Hill
Bristol Va.
April 29. 1931 -
May Lack of you can let me have a copy of the Revolutionary War Pension of Sherwood Smith of Mecklinburg Co. Va. Militia
He was pensioned in 1835 at the age of seventy-three-?
Is there any mention made of his family?
Page 25

I shall greatly appreciate the assistance of the Pension Office in this research.
Very truly yours
Mrs L. K. Owen.
Page 26

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

NAME: Smith, Shorten
GRADE: Private
LINE: New York
WARRANT NUMBER: 7741
ACREAGE: 100
ISSUED: October 10, 17- (torn)
to Anthony Maxwell, 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.