Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,530, for Alexander Smith, Georgia
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S-1776
Service Ga. (Georgia), S.C. (South Carolina
Smith, Alexander
Number S.16,530
Carded
Contents
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Georgia 16,872
Alexander Smith
of Meriwether in the state of Ga.
who was a pri & S.  in the - commanded
by: Captain of the Regt commanded
by Col. Chandler in the Ga. & S.C.
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 25 Dollars and - cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March. 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Oct 33.
and sent to W. B. Ector, Greenville
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833  62.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  12.50
$75-

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath. Rice - Cle
Book E Vol. 6 Page 103.
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Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of the 6th April [incomplete] from 4th Sept 1837 to the 4 March 1838. Agt notified 20th Dec. 1838
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Alexander Smith Ga.
No. 19585
Admtd as 
Sgtt 3mo 15
Pr 3 mo 10
25
E.C
W.B. Ector
Greenville Meriwether Co. Ga.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
April 16 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 in a 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. Those 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 your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
A Statement, showing the Service of Alexander Smith
Period when the service was served | Duration of the claimant's service. | Years. | Months | Days. | Rank of the claimant | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | County through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported. |
1776 vo. | 1 | | | Pri. | Capt. Pratt | Co. Chandler | | | 73 years | |
1778 vol. | | 6 | | acted as first Serg. & pact of the time | Capt H Middleton | Genl. Lincoln | Stone | | | Traditionary |
about 1780 vol. | | 1 | | Pri. | Capt. E. Clark | Col. Inv. Dooly | Siege of Augusta | | | |
1781 vol | | 4 | | Pri. | Capt. Wm. Walker | Maj. Geo. Dooley | | | |
1781 vol | | 1 | 12 | Pri | Capt. Danl. Gunnels | Col. E. Clark Genl. Lee | | | | |
1781 vol | | 1 | Pri | | | | | |

in all 25 months
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
In the continental period - Col. Hammond and original Declaration.
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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 and 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 Vessel 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 cases 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, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
considered a Court of Record.
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Serity of
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provion 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
[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
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the
sons 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. 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with and C. D. residing in (the same)
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 day 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 that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
1
Clerk of the Court of
for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
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 or commission; 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 of detecting the imposition. if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above 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 received 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 to the truth of the statement of 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 represent, 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 the examination, before 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 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 declarant must mention the period of the war when he served. }
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. [underlined] 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 as to what amount of pension he is entitled. [end underline] 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 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 service, 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics], is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlined] 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 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. [end underline] [end { and } bracketed area]

(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. } [letter i bracketed and boxed]

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 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.
[stamp with a finger pointing right] The notes from (a) to (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.


[handwritten note at the page bottom]
The applicant must comply with the notes or abandon all hopes of attaining a favorable decision.
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State of Georgia
Meriwether County
On this nineteenth day of September 1832,
Personally appeared in open Court before me, Walter T. Colquitt, Judge of the Superior Court of the county and State above, now sitting, Alexander Smith, a resident of Meriwether County of State of Georgia, aged seventy three (73.) years and some months, his precise age not known, who first 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 enacted June 7th, 1832.-
1st That he was born in York County Pennsylvania in the year 1759, is now seventy three years and some months of age has no record of his age, from thence removed to Georgia in the year 1775,-entered and began Revolutionary service in 1776,-his entry of service about March and continued in service during one year constantly , discharged in March 1777 after building Kishinev fort Columbia county,-was a volunteer private of Infantry under Captain Pratt Chandler colonel, stationed principally in guarding Childers fort [.  ] county and building and guarding other forts occasionally and scouting and defending the frontier settlements of the State against the Cherokee Indians and Tories.-
2nd -In March or thereabouts of the year 1777 removed to Edgefield district South Carolina and in the later part of the year 1778, he thinks, entered service as a volunteer private of Infantry under Hugh Middleton, captain.  This was about
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The time the British Colonel Brown first took and occupied Augusta and during this service was engaged in a skirmish at Spirit Creek ten miles below Augusta harassing Browns return in a sortie he made on Burke Jail, after this retreated across the Savannah river into South Carolina and entered service in the same capacity under Captain Jeremy Paer, LeRoy Hammond colonel marched and was in and fought in the battle of Stono, South Carolina where he acted as first sergeant- General Lineston commanded the Americans at the Battle of Stono, was discharged there by Captain Paer this he thinks was in the year 1779. This service was six months or more of actual service.
3rd-Again returned and settled in Georgia Columbia county about the year 1780, he thinks, entered service as a volunteer private of infantry under Captain Elijah Clark, John Dooly colonel, this sometime on the year 1780, went on excursion against the Cherokee Indians and scouted around the forts on the frontier settlements.  After this time for a year or more Georgia was almost entirely overtaken and given up to the Tories and Indians and publick spirit and service kept down by the mob of the British at Augusta until the American [illegible] in the South encouraged the patriots to embody and resign at Augusta.
4th-In 1781 he removed to Wilkes County and more active service again commencing he joined Captain William
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Walker as a volunteer private of infantry George Dooly Major, Elijah Clark colonel.  I marched with them to the [illegible] of Augusta in which he was and fought when [illegible] and Grayson forts were captured which he thinks took place sometime in the year 1782 and in which General Lee was the principal commander on the American side, the main [illegible] continued about one month of alone attacking, after the capture he was detailed as the head of a guard boating corn and supplies up Savannah river to support the army at Augusta.-The whole of this service lasted about and fully four months.-
5th. After the capture of Augusta was in many short tours of duty as a volunteer private of infantry defending the frontiers of the state against the Tories and Indians in the years 1782 and 1783, two of which he recollects as of the greatest moment and will state.-One was in a call for volunteer for three months in which he entered and served under Daniel Gunnels captain, George Barber Lieutenant and in which he served six weeks, this he thinks was in 1782 and after this in 1782 or beginning of 1783 was engaged one month in the defense and scout around Pullaras fort, Broad River Elbert county during which time he was in a considerable skirmish or battle with the Cherokee  Indians at Wild Cat Creek, now Clark County Georgia.  These various services rendered immediately following the Seige of Augusta and continued up until the close of the war.
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Summary service 1st. 12 ms
2nd. 1 ms
3rd. 1 ms
4th. 4 ms
5th. 2 1/2 ms
25 1/2 months in all.
Additionally.-He herewith renders a Discharge for thirty days service date 13th December 1793 at Bash’s station Franklin county, then being a frontier fort.-He also renders herewith a Commission as second Lieutenant in the Wilkes County Regiment date 11th April 1791.- The first he actually [illegible] as respects the commission he acted on it only as a peace officer, but both are rendered as showing corroborating his age, military estimation & respectability of character at that day.
He hereby relinquishes any claim the a pension or annuity accept the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of Army of and State. And that he knows of no person by whom to prove his services as hereto set forth and that he has no original documentary evidence to present in proof or corroboration of the same only as herewith rendered.  All Revolutionary vouchers he once had being long since lost and destroyed
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid,
W T Colquitt ( signed ) J. I. C.
Alexr. Smith ( signed )
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We,  John Keith Clergyman & Thos Ware both residing in the county of Meriwether State of Georgia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with  Alexander Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three (78) years & some months of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution , & that we concur in that opinion . Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid .  J. Keith  ( signed ) Clergyman  Thos Ware ( signed )  Wm Colquitt ( signed )  J.I.C.    And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the 4 ) investigation into the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department , that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary soldier  & served as he states & the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Keith & Thos Ware who have signed the proceeding certificate have truly represented themselves in their signatures that they are citizens of the county of Meriwether  State of Georgia that they are ... (illegible ) persons  & that their statement is entitled to credit. Wm Colquitt  ( signed ) J.I.C.
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Amendatory Declaration of Alexander Smith [ Georgia Meriwether County ] Personally appeared before me  Willie B. Eaton a Justice of the Inferior Court for said County Alexander Smith who being duly sworn , deposeth and saith that , by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory , he cannot swear positively as to the entire length of his service , but, according to the best of his recollection  he served not less than the period mentioned below, & in the following grades ; For one year & ten months  & fifteen days , I served as a private & saw three months  I was a first sergeant , & for that service I claim a pension. -  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th April 1833.  Alexr. Smith ( signed ) W. B. Eaton  ( signed ) J.I.C.
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( whole page of script marked out )
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Amendatory Declaration of Alexander Smith
Of Meriwether county, Georgia-
{Georgia, Meriwether County}
Personally appeared before me W. B. Eaton a legal acting Justice of the Superior or County Court in and for said County Alexander Smith a resident of said county and being the identical Alexander Smith of my own personal knowledge, who made his original declaration before the Superior Court of this County on the 19th Sept 1832, and his amendatory declaration on the 30th, April 1833 to both which this is amend, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth depose I say as follows further to amend his said declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7th June 1832 as a Revolutionary soldier.-
Reference to 1st services stated in original declaration.-When he entered service he resided in Columbia county, Georgia.-He swears that he entered services in this tour in March 1776, was a volunteer militia private infantry under State Authority.- He states in the original that he continued in service one year constantly he so considered it as he was almost continuously engaged at observing the exact explanation of the Department and that allowance is only to be
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7.) made for actual service in the field  he proceeds to detail the separate tours of duty during this period. On entering service he was engaged first (as a volunteer Militia Infantry )three weeks , building Hickory fort Columbia County Georgia, whilst at that work volunteered in the Cavalry under State authority as a Militia private, found his own horse, & entered service under Lieutenant John Smith ( my Uncle )  Pratt Captain, no Colonel along, Major's name Garner , marched from Hickory fort through now Warren county  by now Hancock county then the Indian country of frontier & thence to Powell's fort  alias Childer's fort being called differently as respectively occupied by their persons , here he remained  & defended it protecting the residing inhabitants three weeks - This fort was on the head waters of the Ogeechee river. - He was then discharged at this fort by Capt, Pratt without any written discharge in May 1771, though the most of the company marched back tog ether  & separated at the white oak fork of Hickory Creek in Columbia County. During there two tours of six weeks or 44 days besides finding his own horse, whilst in the Cavalry he finding also his own gun & ammunition - This under State authority.  Reference to 2nd service in original Declaration - at the time he entered this service in Edgefield district  South Carolina , until the time expired , joined Middleton near Graybills ferry on Savannah river fifteen miles above Augusta , thence to near Burke jail , within a few miles of it, where just before the advancing British army under Genl. ..( illegible ) Campbell  had driven back the American troops under Col. John Dooley when we retreated back to Augusta - On reaching
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                                                                          ( 8. Augusta Capt. Middleton called for fifteen volunteers to repel  & delay Campbell's advance on Augusta , I volunteered as one of the fifteen, & we met the British at Spirit Creek ten miles below Augusta where we harassed the shirts off the British troops until the main Army  of the American's at Augusta could have further time allowed them to cross the river in to South Carolina ,we had some distant firing & produced a temporary distraction of the British  & formation of new lines ,etc. A discrepancy you will observe here in saying it was Campbell instead of Brown of the British army , the correction I believe true - I returned under Middleton  to Augusta  & crossed into South Carolina immediately following the principle American force, & was stationed at Liberty Hill , South Carolina now called Campbellton , two miles above Augusta under Capt. H. Middleton succeeded by Drury Parris,  Major LeRoy Hammond, Colonel & Williamson General where I remained  three months under the same officers last mentioned to the battle of Stone, South Carolina , going by Alphington , thence by Orangeburg, thence back to Ashley river near Bacon's bridge, thence to Charleston having in custody some British prisoners , some deserters & some captured straggling ; remained there two days , marched thence back to Ashley river then American Head Quarters marched thence under General Lincoln who was principle commander & who had taken command at Liberty Hill to Stone ferry where the battle took place between the Americans & British Army  & which I fought , it was at this battle  I acted as first Sergeant &had so acted previous to
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9) the battle three months - He does not recollect , who commanded the British troops in that battle , the British were apparently defeated but were re-enforced from James's Island when we retreated back to Ashley river, Head Quarters , where he was stationed one week or more, was discharged there by Capt. Pace without any written discharge in the month of June 1779, making not less in this whole service than six months as set forth in original Declaration  . Whilst in this service & stationed at Liberty Hill he was detached & stationed at Beach Island twelve miles below Augusta with Capt. Pace & apart of this command for two weeks as a Corps of Guard & Reconnoiter - I think the number was some ten or fifteen men. & it was from there we on the march to Stone joining the main army from Liberty Hill at Alphington - All his service as a Volunteer Militia, Private, & Sergeant  three months in said capacity.  reference to 3rd Service as stated in original Declaration - He resided in Columbia county when he entered this service, entered as a Volunteer private of Infantry Militia under State authority , under said named Capt Clark at Fishing creek  Wilkes County, marched thence to the Oconee river & to the Oakmulgee river then in the Cherokee nation of Indians during which time for four days hardly ate anything , sent to & occupied Stewart's fort on Broad river now Elbert county for two weeks went to rails fort whilst stationed at Stewart's fort & conting (?)  the adjacent settlements , rails (?) fort was two miles from Stewart's fort, this was in October 1780 , in the march out to the Oakmulgee - trailed the track of a body of Cherokee Indians who had captured some three or four children of a family of the name Webb from Broad river settlement Wilkes county, never overtook the Indians to see them through on their fresh camp where their fires were left burning & wild turkey which they, probably hearing our advance had not time to catch it - was discharged
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at Stewart's fort by a Sergeant whose name he has never forgotten without any written discharge , he being detailed by Colonel Dooley with four or five others after the main body of the command reached Heard's mills WIlkes county returning to go to the protection & reconnoiter of Stewart's fort at Heard's mills camped one night  with a company from South Carolina ..(illegible ) in which company I recollect a Lieutenant by the name of Prince - This Corps under Col. Dooley consisted of two hundred men. This service in station  & counting one month- Entered service Cavalry found his own horse , genl ammunition, was a volunteer private Militia  under State Authority , entered in March 1781 under Henry Ware Captain, lieutenant's name forgotten rendezvoued & joined at Beard's springs Wilke's county , in which county he then resided, marched thence to Joshua Sanders on Little river Wilkes county where he was station two days to concentrate the troops 
 & prepare for an expedition at Sander's embodied & marched through Columbia county into Burke county , ... ( illegible ) on Brushy & Brier creeks Burke county against the Tories destroyed & broke of a considerable settlement of them on those creeks where they were numerous & very barbarous , burnt their houses on their taking refuge in the woods, & returned & was discharged without any written discharge by Capt. Ware in  Wilkes county in the month of April 1781-  This service was twenty two days , return Columbia county. He volunteered & went to the first siege of Augusta but before he reached there met Colonel Elijah Clark the American's has been driven back about to retreat , when he returned after giving a few fires was about only a few days
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11) not mention this necessity to claim it as service ; actual service 4 days  Reference to 4th Service as stated in original Declaration - In the month of May 1782 entered service , then residing in Wilkes county Georgia was a Volunteer private of Infantry Militia under State Authority, his officers as stated in the original Declaration , rendezvoued & joined them at Augusta in the Siege of Augusta in which he has  fought , & continued until the place was captured , as stated in original Declaration  which siege & military duty & time which follows in which he served was six weeks or fifty five days- After Augusta was taken was discharged there, without any written discharge by Capt. Wm Walker i June 1782 -Wm Halliday was his Lieutenant  there .He resided in one days travel of Augusta  & marched there & returned direct. as respects his boating as stated in his original Declaration he may or may not be entitled to pay for it - It was public service under as follows, he was found & given one bushel of corn, a day besides, this service continued two months & fifteen days in the fall & winter of 1782 , the next year after the Siege of Augusta ,he submits it to the Department - He erroneously states the boating as made to Augusta, it was from Beach Island twelve miles below Augusta & sometimes from Augusta to the north of Fishing creek in Wilkes county , under the orders of Genl. Elijah Clark in time of great necessity in the upper settlements & was called "public corn ".  ( bottom of age marked out text )
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Reference to 5th Services as stated in original Declaration. The times of service of those two tours are inversely stated the last one stated should have been first stated. They are now so stated as follows. - He entered service, then residing in Wilkes County, Georgia, in the month of July 1782, as a Volunteer private of Wilkes Infantry under State Authority, rendezvoused James Robert Ware Captain, William Haliday Lieutenant joined at Beards Springs now Lincoln County Georgia, marched there into now Elbert  County to Pullams Fort on Broad river where we were stationed twenty two days protecting the surrounding county against the Indians & Tories, returned the same route scouting the inter-mediate country going & returning. - Was displayed any written displays by Capt. Ware at Fort Pullam.
     Further review at Gunnels Fort now Wilkes County Georgia he then residing in the same County, for three months as a Volunteer in militia Infantry under State authority, David Gunnels Captain, George Purvis Lieutenant at which Fort he continued, & guarded it against the Indians & Tories for forty five days within which time however his company made an excursion against an advancing party of Creek Indians. At or near the Oconee river now Clark County we joined a larger attachment of troops under General Elijah Clark,- Cunningham Colonel, majors name forgotten, Grnl Clark taking command of the whole body; at Wild Cat creek we come on a body of Creek Indians, (erroneously stated Cherokies in my original.) with whom we had a battle killing two Indians & one white man by the name of Gibbs, & took two white men prisoners whom we hung on our return march at the Big Shoals on Oconee river as Indian companies.- They service was performed in June & July 1783.- Marched back through now Oglethorpe County, by & from the Big Shoals now Clark County by General Clark who held a Court Martial there when the two captured white men were
Page 22

13. 
sentenced to be hung, was displayed in July 1783 without any written discharges. The white men hung were by the names of Lovey & Murphy.- 
     Summary service by this amended Declaration.-
1st. Service 1 mos-14 days.-Inf. Cavalry of July.
2nd. " 6 mos-hf private (illegible) Serg.
3rd. " 1 mos Infantry
                               22 days Cavalry.-
4th. " 1 mos 12 days Infy - besides the (illegible)
5th. " 2 mos 7 days "

12 mos. 28 days

Having in the foregoing detail of service been as exact as he is able to be but is by reason of memory as he can not state precisely how long  he amends his declaration by adding the following provision which he  prays may be taken as part of his affidavit. "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Inferior County Court of Meriwether County State of Georgia Alexander Smith, who, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that, by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory,- he can not 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 & in the following grades: For nine months & twenty eight days & served as a Private. For three months & served as First Sergeant; & for such service & claim a pension.-"
     And the said Alexander Smith further deposes & swears that during the times of service set forth in the foregoing original & amendatory Declarations that he "served with an embodied Corps called into service by published authority; that during said services he was always in the field or in garrison; & for the time during
Page 23

14.
which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit."-

     And the said Alexander Smith further deposeth & saith that when he removed from Pennsylvania to Georgia as stated in his original Declaration, he settled in Columbia County, & from thence as detailed in his said original Declaration; he resides in Lincoln County State of Georgia, which during the Revolutionary War was a part of Wilkes County, for forty years & (illegible) following the Revolutionary War; removed thence to Henry County State of Georgia in the year 1823; removed thence then to Troup County State of Georgia in the year 1828; removed thence to his present residence in the year of 1830.- He is known in his present neighborhood by John Keith, clergyman, & Thomas Dare who have both testified in his original Declaration, "to his character for veracity & their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution; besides these he is known by his neighbours to David Keith one of the Justices of the Inferior or County Court, & Sen M. Adams Clark of the Superior or Circuit Court for this county.-
     Sworn to & subscribed before me this 19th day of  September 1833.-
N.B. Actor J.J.C., Alex Smith
   I, Sen M. Adams, clerk of the Superior Court of Meriwether County, State of Georgia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding
Page 24

of the said County in the matter of application of
Alexander Smith for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, Subscribed my name, this 19th day of September 1833-
Levi M. Adams
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Page 25

Alexander Smith
GC
so. 19585
Page 26

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-sion on file in this Bureau. 
Alexander Smith G.F. 16 6-50
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Mch 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 weeks
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Pratt
COLONEL.
Chandler
STATE.
Ga

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1778 & 1779
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos
RANK.
Pvt & 1st Sgt. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Hugh Middleton
Dreery Pace
COLONEL.
Chandler
STATE.
SCo

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 mo
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Dreery  Pace
Elijah Clark
COLONEL.
LeRay Hammond
John Dooley
STATE.
Ga

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Mch 1781
May 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
22 days 
6 weeks
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Henry Ware
William Walker
COLONEL.
Elijah Clark
STATE.
Ga

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1 July 1782
June 1783
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
22 days
45 days
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Robert Ware
Daniel Tunnels
COLONEL.
Cunningham
STATE.
Ga

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
2 Fall & Winter 1782 or 1783
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
2 mos 15 days
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
Elijah Clark
STATE.
Ga

Battles engaged in, Spirit Creek Stone Siege of Augusta & Wild Cat Creek
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Columbia Co. Ga.
Date of application for pension, Sept 19 1832 This clause was allowed
Residence at date of application, Merriwether Co. Ga.
Age at date of application, born in Clark Co. Penn. in 1759
Page 27

Alexander Smith S- 16530 Georgia
Page 28

( very faint text )  [ State of Georgia L ... ( ? Lipham ) County ] This may certify that Alexr Smith has served a faithful tour of Duty at Capt Burke Black horse In an Infantry Detachment commencing the 22nd of November  and ending the 13th of December given under my hand this 23th day of December 1773 Certified by me David Burk Capt. ( signed ) Thomas Dean (?) ( signed ) Lieut  A (?) Company
Page 29

Greenville, Meriwether County, Geo
20th Sept 1833.

S. L. Edwards Esq. 
County Pensions
Washington City

Sir,

Herewith accompanying I present you the amended Declaration of Alexander
Smith, Revolutionary soldier, for a Pension, which is again respectfully
committed to your favorable consideration.

Respectfully your obedient servant
W. B. {illegible}
Agent for Alex. Smith
Page 30

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
December 11th 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, Alexander Smith
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Savannah, Geo. Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and
--- 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,
{illegible} K. Parris

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 31

STATE OF GEORGIA. By his Excellency Edward  ..( illegible ) Governor, and Commander in Chief, in and over the State aforesaid. To Alexander Smith Conl GREETING: WE, reposing especial Truth and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valor, Conduct, and Fidelity , do , these Presents , constitute and appoint you Second Lieutenant of the eleventh Company of Colonel George D ...( illegible) in the Wilkes County Regiment of Militia, formed for the Defense of this State, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of  ...( illegible) by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging ; and we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Privates under your Command t be obedient to your Orders as ...(illegible )  And you are to to observe and follow such Orders and Directions , from Time to Time as you shall receive from me , or future Governor and Commander in Chief of this State for the Time being, or any other your Superior Officers, in Pursuance to a Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force during good Behavior. Dated at Augusta the twenty first Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety One  and in the  fifteenth Year of American Independence. By his Excellency's Command,  Jno Mason , Secry ( signed )
Page 32

May 22, 1912
Mrs. Sallie Smith Geise,
321 Crawford Street,
Dawson, Georgia.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 13" and received
the 15" instant, you are advised that in order to obtain the
date of last payment of pension and probable date of death
of Alexander Smith, Sur. Cert. No. 16,530, Rev. War, application
should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department,
 U.S. Treasury Department, citing the following data.
Alexander Smith, Certificate No. 16,872, issued October 11, 1833,
under Act of June 7, 1832, at the Georgia Agency.

Very respectfully,
J. L. & Davison
Commissioner.
Page 33

Monticello, Ga., June 27, 1923.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:

Will you let me know what your records show concerning the military service of Mordecai Amos, Revolutionary Pensioner in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1840, also of Alexander Smith, Revolutionary Pensioner in Meriwether County, Ga., in 1840.

Respectfully,
Mrs. Verner Roberts
Page 34

(post mark ) [U.S. PENSION OFFICE O MAR 4 1916]
Page 35

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: I find that my ancestor Alex Smith and Jno
Davidson both deem pensions for service in the
Revolution and want to get their records from you.

In the published list of pensioners "Alexander Smith was of Meriwether Co. Ga in 1833, and John Davidson was living in Jasper Co. Ga in 1834, age 74

Please send me also any family records
Page 36

on their application papers and greatly oblige

Yours very Truly
Mr Thos F. Freeman
1166 De Kalb Ave


Atlanta Ga.
{illegible} - 1916-
Page 37

Rev. Sec - R.G.B. -1 (post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE C MAY 15 1912]
Page 38

in York Co Pa. 1759 (age 73)
died
sent my application in for membership in D.A.R. but not being able to find any date of death or will on file as all the records on file had been
destroyed by the burning of Court house. I will now appeal to you to please send me the date of month and year when his pension ceased, will
you please let me hear at an early date. 
Thanking you kindly for same information, I am
Respectfully
Mrs Sallie Smith Geise
Dawson, GA
Page 39

Referred to you by the National Registrar General of the D.A.R.

Mrs Sallie Smith Gene
321 Crawford St
Dawson Ga
Page 40

FEB 23 1912 (post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE D FEB 27 1912]
Page 41

Dawson Ga.
Feb. 24th 1912

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

In reply to yours of the 16th.  I am seeking information to the Revolution service of Alexander Smith, who I find in the Joseph Habersham Historical collection of Ga. Vol I drew a pension. He was from Warren Co I also find in the report of the Daughters American Rev. taken from Senate Documents Vol. 16, third report of the National Society 56th Congress- Oct 11 1800 to Oct 11 1900. that
Alexander Smith was a Sargent.
Can you give me a certificate of
Page 42

his service, or concerning his pension.

Obliged Truly
Mrs. W. S. Dozier
321 Crawford St.
Dawson, GA
Page 43

16530

INVALID

File No. 16530
Alexander Smith
Pri Rev War
Act:  June 7, 32
Index: Vol 1, page 349
Arrangement of 1870
Page 44

Dec. 11 1900
M. A. Smith, Atlanta, GA
1912  {illegible} 5 - Hist. to Mrs. W. S. Dozier
1912 May 22 Sallie Smith Geise {illegible} to and for {illegible}
1916 Mch 14 hist to Mrs. Thos. F. Freeman
1923 Aug 4 Hist to Mrs. Verner Robertson.