Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File [Illegible], for Frederic Smith, Connecticut
Page 1

[Service] Conn. // Smith, Frederic or Frederick // [Number] S. 23428

[Contents]
Born in 1762 at Norwich, New London Co. Conn, see at end. Lebanon, New London Co. Conn. 
In 1832 res. of Colchester, New London Co. Conn.
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[1?]7065
Connecticut
Frederick Smith
Colchester in the State of Conn. 
he was a Priv. in the Com commanded by Captain [strike] of the Reg.  commanded by Col. Newbury in the Conn. 
line for State Troops Md[?]

[dividing line]

Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the sale of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

[dividing line]

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of July 1833 and sent Pensioner
Colchester, Conn. 

[dividing line]

A[illegible] to the 4th of March 3[?]. // [illegible]. allowance ending [illegible] " // $40- // 10 [line] // $50 [line] // {Revolutionary Claim, // Act June 7, 1832.} 

Recorded by E. D. Bullock  Clerk 

Book E // Vol. 3 // Page 40
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Frederic Smith

10.853 Application for Pension with additions

Admitted [illegible]
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[Letter head]
State of Connecticut // County of New London} SS. Colchester

[Letter body]

On the 5th day of September [A?]1832 personally  appeared in open court, before Benjamin Trumbull Esq., Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester now setting Frederic Smith a resident of Colchester in said New London County aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according Law, [settle?] on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 

That he entered the [illegible] of the United States under the following named offices, and served as previous[?] stated. 

First - That he was born in the year 1762 at Norwich in New London County, State of Connecticut where he resided until he was six years old when he moved to Lebanon in New London County aforesaid and where he resided about thirty years; that in the time of the Revolutionary War then in the seventeenth year of his age he was enrolled in the Militia Company of said Lebanon commanded by Captain William Huntington; and drafted from said Company about the first of March 1779 to perform a three month tour of duty; that in the five part[??] of March 1779 he joined the Company commanded by Cap. Samuel Jones of Hebron Cont. in Col. Newbury Regiment at New London in Connecticut and performed said tour of duty in said Company which was stationed at said New london and employed with others in building a fort about [crossed out word] one mile South of said tour, [crossed out: called fort L-(illegible)], that at the expectation of said three month service he was dismissed by said Capt. Jones [line]. 

2nd - That in the year of 82 about the 10th of March after New London was taken and burnt and the massacre of fort Griswold, Governor Trumbull of the State of Connecticut ordered one hundred men as he raised for three month to go to New London [con't]
Page 5

[con't] in order to repair said fort Griswold and keep garrison, that he volunteered for said three months, and about the 10th of March afore said went to fort Griswold and joined the Companyy commanded by Capt. Stephen Brainard[?] of Colchester Connecticut Genl. McLaller commaned the station, that their first employ was to take up the dirt on the [illegible] in the fort and bury it, this dirt was stained with the blood of the martyrs who fell in defense of their country's liberty, after which they were employed in repairing the fort until abbout the middle of June in the expectations of said three months when he was dismissed by Genl. McLallen; but he never received a written discharge and has no documentary evidence of his services, and knows of no person, whose testimony he can provide who can testify to his decision[services?] except Capt. Hugh Calkins -- whose testimony in here unto annexed; that he has no record of his age except one in his Bible; -- that after the Revolutionary War he removed from Lebanon to Cochester in New London County aforesaid where he has ever since and now resides, that the Rev. Salmon[?] Cone[?] and Rev. Asa Willcox can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a solider of the Revolution. 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pensionor annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 

Frederick Smith

Sworn to & [illegible // the day & year aforesaid}
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We Salmon Cone of Colchester in New London County and Asa Willcox residing in Salem [illegible] County both clergymen hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederic Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, & have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion. 

Sworn to & subscribed // the day & year aforesaid} Asa Willcox // Salmon Cone

And the said Court do declare their opinion, after the investifation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 is appear[?] to them that Salmon Cone who has signed the provided certificate, is a Clergyman resident in said town of Colchester and that Asa Willcox who has also signed the same is a Clergyman and resident of the town of Salem in said New London County and that their statement is entitled to credit ---

I Benjamin M. Trumbull Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Law Court in the matter of the application of Frederic Smith for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto [in?] my hand & [Seal?] of Office this 5th day of September [?]1832

Benj. M. Trumbull
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State of Connecticut
New London County ⎬ SS Colchester
On this tenth day of December AD 1832
personally appeared in open Court before
Benjamin Trumbull Esq. Judge of the
Court of Probate for the District of Colchester
now sitting Frederick Smith the applicant
for a pension in the foregoing declaration
by him subscribed, who being first duly
sworn according to Law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration as a
suppliment thereto-- to wit
That he is confident he was in the service
of his Country three months in each of his
two tours of Military duty set forth in his
said foregoing declaration, but owing to
the length of time which has since elapsed
he is unable to state the precise time when
he entered or left the service in either of the
said tours, and that he served as a private
in both of said tours
Frederic Smith
Sworn to & subscribed this
10th day of Dec AD 1832-

I Benjamin M. Trumbull Clerk of the said Court of
Probate for the District of Colchester do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original and supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Federick Smith for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
office this tenth day of December 1832
B. M. Trumbull
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Hugh Calkins of Norwich in the County of
New London & State of Connecticut sixty six years
old being duly sworn on his oath testifies & says that
in time of the Revolutionary war in the spring of
the year 1782. he served a tour of duty for the
term of two months as a soldier in Fort
Griswold in the County of New London and
State of Connecticut in the company
commanded by Captain Stephen Brainard
of Colchester in said county & he thinks that
his services commenced about the middle
of March & terminated about the middle
of May, and when he joined said company he
found Frederick Smith then of Lebanon
now of Colchester a member of said
company who continued so & served with
him until the deponents time was out
and he the deponent left him the said
Frederick in service in said Fort &
has always understood that he served a
term of three months, and further the
deponent saith not.
Hugh Calkins
Personally appeared before me Mr Hugh Calkins
a person well known to me of credibility, truth and
veracity made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing
deposition by him subscribed
Before me John Hyde
Justice of the Peace for New
London County & Judge of the Court of Probate
for the District of Norwich
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State of Connecticut
County of New London ss
I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court 
in and for said New London County do here -
by certify that John Hyde esq before whom
the within deposition of Hugh Caulkins was
taken is a Justice of the peace in and for
said New London County, and that his sig-
nature thereto affixed is in his own proper
hand writing - In testimony whereof &
have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said County this 25th
day of April A D 1833
John DeWitt Clerk
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File No.   23428
Frederick Smith
Pri Rev War
---
Act: June 7  82
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 350
(Arrangement of 1870.}
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147- 77 st Windsor Park Chicago Ills
Sept 17- 1900
Clay Evans Commissr of Pensions
                              O. W. & N DIVISION
                                                SEP 20 1900
                                                RECEIVED
Dear Sir:- 
I am desirous of obtaining the Military record
of John (sometimes called Joshua) Pierce who
sured in the War of the Rev. He was 2nd Lient
of Mansfield Mass Reg. May to Dec 1775
Captain March 1779 - Retired 1st Jan 1781
He prob drew a Pension. But if not, and you
are not able to give desired information - please
inform me what department in Washington
would be able to send me the Military service-
He died in Leominster in 1812 His wife was
Lydia Pierce
2 -  I should like the Military service of Capt
James Smith who prob drew a Pension in
Harpersfield Del Co N.Y.
He was born in Haddam Conn - Removed
to Harpersfield Del Co N.Y. after the Rev War and
died there in the winter of 1830, or thereabout aged 93 -
His wifes name was Mary Hubbard - He served
in a County  Reg- Prob the Colonels name was
Ely but I am not positive. His son was Frederic Smith 
also a Rev soldier - and also James Smith Jr. These were my ancestors -
Any information will be acceptable -
Very Truly
Mrs James Parham Smith 1916 North New Jersey St Indianapolis
Indiana
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PENSION
1C
SEP
U  19  S
1900
OFFICE
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Amherst D Scovell Esq
Colchester
CT

Admitted
Private  Conn
$20       Indy
Returned a third time
with a hope that a
certificate will soon
issue
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
17 April 1830
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 shew 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
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of

Period when    Duration of the         Rank of           Names and rank of the Field officers    Age at present,         Proof by which the declaration is the service       claimant's service      the claimant    under whom he served.                       and place of abode                      supported.
was rendered   Years  Months  days                                                                                        when he entered                                                      
                                                                                                                                                the service.
                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                             





I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Mr Frederick Smith
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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 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 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
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)
County of) ss.
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.
(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 was
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.
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 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
Page 16

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.
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 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 represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in the character
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and -------
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 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 is 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 or periods 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. 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 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 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 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.
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
Page 17

CONTENTS
A. Jan 10 1765 at Middletown (Berlin), Conn, there at enl.
In 1834 res of Manchester, Bennington Co. Vt

carded
Page 18

Frederick Smith
Bennington in the State of Vermont
He was a Private in the Company commanded
captain Bacon of the Rgt commanded
             the conn
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
rate of 20 Dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of April
1836 and sent to Hon H. Hall  House of reps

Arrears to the 4th of March 1836          $100.00
Semiannl. allowance ending 4 Sept          10.00
                                                                $110.
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by  H L Addison  Clerk
Book  62  Vol. 3 Page 100
Page 19

1st term discredited
by Compt'er certifi


admd
6 mo pri
20 $

Hon. Hiland Hall
Page 20

State of Vermont ⎬      On this 20th day of December in the year 1834 person-
County of Bennington)  ally appeared in open Court, before the Probate
Court in & for the Probate District of Manchester in the County of Benning-
ton & State of Vermont now sitting, Frederick Smith a Resident of Man-
chester in said County of Bennington, aged sixty nine years, who
being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the follow-
ing declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress pass-
ed June 7th 1832
That he was born in that part of the then Town of Middletown
which has since been set off & now forms a part of the Town of Berlin
in the State of Connecticut, on the 18th day of January 1765.
that he knows of no other Record of his age except the Record kept in
the family. That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers & served as herein stated.
That sometime in the month of July 1779, his Brother Noah
Smith was drafted at said Middletown to go on a tour of military
duty for the sum of two months to the Town of Guilford in said
State of Connecticut, that by agreement he took the place of the
said Noah in a Company of Connecticut Militia, under the com-
=mand of one Brown then only a Lieut as he now believes, who was
the highest in rank in the said command that he had any knowl-
=edge as has now any recollection of & cannot now say that the
said Company was at that time attached to any particular
Regiment, but as he understood was to be subject to the control
or direction of the Selectmen of the Town, where they were stationed
for the time being that he marched from said Middletown
to said town of Guilford, where they were stationed for about one month
when they were ordered & marched from thence to Branford, an
adjoining Town in said State of Connecticut, where they were station
=ed remained during the residue of the said Term of two months
when he was regularly discharged by parol, returned to his home in
said Middletown That afterwards in the latter part of May
or first of June 1780. his said Brother Noah Smith was again draf-
=ted at said Middletown to go on another tour of military duty
to New London in said State of Connecticut, for the Term of three
months that he again by agreement took place of the said Noah
in the Company of Connecticut militia then commanded by Capt
Johnson agreeably to his present recollection, & in Col. Hezekiah
Wyllis Regiment - that he marched from said Middletown to said
New London, when they were stationed about one month, when
they marched to a place then called Postannock, about twelve
miles equally to his present recollection from New London, on
Page 21

marched further up said River to Norwich, where they crossed marked
down on the West side of said River to a place called Mohegan, where
he served out the remainder part of said Term received angular
what discharge, recond once more to his home in Middletown
That afterwards on or about the 20th day of July 1781 he was hind
at said Middletown, to take the place of one Barney Dunham then
of Farmington in said State of Connecticut, who had been drafted
for the sum of three months that accordingly he entered the Company
of Connecticut Militia then commanded by Capt Griffin of Sins
bury, & in Pardee of Sharon both in said State of Connecticut
Letter from the State of Rhode Island as Ensign (but who after
took the place of a Lieut in another Company) & in the Regiment
commanded by Col Samuel Canfield that he on or about the
said 20th day of July 1787 marched from said Middletown, this
the within part of the said State of Connecticut & the east part of
the State of New York, to West Point on the North of Hudson River
in said State of New York, when Genl McDougal at that time come
=manded the Fort at that place, & when he arrived, as he believes
on the 25th day of July 1781. aforesaid, & when he was stationed about two
months, when he was sent down on the East side of said River, about
five miles to twood, in which he was employed about a fortnight
from whence he was then ordered to march to Stoney Point, about
fifteen or twenty miles agreeably to his present recollection, further
down said River, when recrossed to the west side of said River from
thence was ordered & marched about three or four miles upon the said
west side of said River, where he was ordered to cut timber & after
a day or two spent in that employment, he was taken sick, Hay there
thus sick about one week, when he was conveyed back in a Boot
up said River to said West Point, where, as he now believes on the
day of Octobering fully completed his said term of therewith
& after his first arrival at said West Point, he was regularly discharged
by a written discharge, signed as he never thinks by Col. Jackson of the
Continentally, which said Discharge has since that time in some
way, & by some accident nor unknown or remembered by him unto
mislaid, or destroyed-that immediately thereafter he returned to his
said home in said Middletown - That sometime in the latter part of
the month of March 1782, he removed from said Middletown to open
town in the State of New York where he resided about two months,
removed to Richmond in the State of Massachusetts, where he lived
two years when he removed from thence to Newburgh in the State of
New York where he continued about four months there removed to the
Town of Bethlehem in the State of Connecticut, where in the adjoining
Town of Woodbury in the same State, he resided alternately for the same
of about two years, after which he continued steadily to reside in the said
Town of Woodbury for the further space of about three years, when about ┃
Page 22

the latter part of January or the fore part of February AD 1791 removed
from thence to the said Town of Manchester where he has ???????
That he has now no documentary evidence to support his said
statements, nor does he now know of any living Witnesses, by whom he
is able to prove his said services, except on A Hubbard, whom he has
found residing in the Town of Middletown in the County of Rutland
in the said State of Vermont, who was a near neighbour & in-
timate acquaintance of his in early life until mar the close of the  re-
volutionary War, whose affidavit he has obtained, & forwards herewith
tending to show a general, & to some extent a particular knowledge of
his various service herein before detailed, of which he was at the time
possessed, thereby confirming & coroborating his aforesaid statements
that as to the general understanding & belief of his said services amongst
his neighbours acquaintance, & his reputation for truth & property, he
expect to be able to procure & produce the testimony of the Revd James
Anderson resident Clergyman in the said Town of
Manchester, & also the Affidavit of the Hon. John S. Pettibone another
respectable neighbour resident in the said Town of Manchester to the same
purport & effect. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or family except the present & declares that his name
is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, Frederick Smith
Sworn & Subscribed to the day      James Anderson
year aforesaid, by & before me      John S Pettibone
Myron Clark Judge
We Samuel Anderson a Clergyman residing in the Town of
Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont & John
S. Pettibone residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with Frederick Smith, who has subscribed
to the above declaration, & that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age
that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to
have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day                  James Anderson
& year aforesaid by before me               John L Pettibone
Myron Clark Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories pre-
scribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court
further certifies that it appears to them that the Revd
(Ray) Samuel Anderson who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the said Town of Manchester, that John S. Pettibone
who has also signed the same is also a resident in the said Town of Man-
chester, & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to
Credit - Certified by Myron Clark Judge of the Probate Court
Page 23

State of Vermont         )         Reuben C. Blackmer Register
Bennington County  Ss)        of the Probate Court in & for the
District of Manchester in the County of Bennington &
State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of said court in
the matter of the application of Frederick Smith for
a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
the seal of the said Probate Court and
subscribed my name this 20th day of
December AD. 1834.
Reuben H. Blackmer Register

32. 472
Frederick Smith

Suspended
Page 24

Rev War   19.470
INVALID
●
File No. 19.470
Frederick Smith
Pri  Rev  War
Act: June 7   32
Index: - Vol. 2,           Page 379
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 25

Frederick Smith born Jany 65
July 79 subn of brother Noah Lt. Brown Selectman         -x  2 mo
June 80   "            "            "     Capt. Johnson.  H. Willis  -x   3 mo
July 81     "  Barry Dunham          " Griffin    Canfield              3 mo
& Fitch witness
first term discredited by Comptroller the 1st service of Brown too
early for claimant (12 years old in 78) and 2nd the sum too ???
to amount to any thing
Page 26

I James Fitch of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont
aged seventy three years do testify & declare that in the summer of the year
1780 I resided in the Town of Windsor in the State of Connecticut, that some
time in the month of May or the forepart of June of that year, agreably to my
best present recollection, I was drafted as one of the militia of said State, to
turn out in an expedition to New London in said State of Connecticut 
for the term of three months, in a Company commanded by Capt Johnson
& in a Regiment of Connecticut militia commanded by Col. Hezekiah
Wyllis I accordingly marched with said Company which I joined to said
New London where we were stationed for a few weeks, & were then ordered
up the River Thames, which we crossed, & were afterwards stationed
for a time at an Indian Settlement called Mohegan near said River
where we were disbanded or dismissed, having been absent upon
said expedition three months, or within a very few days of that time
I very well recollect that Capt Frederick Smith who now resides in
said Town of Manchester belonged to the same Company & served the
the whole of said expedition with me he was then quite young, & as
I understood belonged to the Town of Berlin or Farmington in said State of
Connecticut & took the place of a Brother of his who had been drafted for
that expedition. I also further recollect that in the ???? previous
A. 1779. I also turned out in an expedition to Guilford & Brandford in said state of Connecticut for two months in a company or detachment of Connecticut militia then commanded agreeably to my present recollection by a Lieut Brown, & served on said expedition the full term of two months, about one half of the time at said Town of Guilford & the other half thereof at said Branford & it so happened that the said Frederick Smith then belonged to the same Company or Detachment & served through the whole of said tour of two months, & as I then understood had also taken the place of his Brother, who had been drafted for that expedition & further saith not
                                                                                            his
Witness John Cooke                                               James    X    Fitch
                                                                                          mark
State of Vermont     )          Manchester Dec 12th AD. 1835. Then personally
Bennington County )          appeared the above named James Fitch, & made
solemn Oath that the facts by him stated in the foregoing Affidavit
by him subscribed are true according to his best knowledge recollect-
tion & belief. And I do hereby further certify that the said James Fitch
is a person to me well known, & that he is a credible Witness
Certified by me Reuben H. Blackmer Justice of the peace
Page 27

A
Fred Smith
Page 28

State of Vermont
I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington
County Court hereby certify that Rueben H
Blackmer Esq whose signature appears to the
foregoing is a Justice of the peace within & for
the County of Bennington, duly qualified by
law to act as such, & that his signature I be-
lieve to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name &
affixed the seal of our said Court, at Bennington, this 14th
day of January AD. 1826, & of the Independence of the ┃
United States the Sixtieth
Fees 50c
Henry Robinson
Page 29

I Abel Hubbard of Middletown in the County of Rutland & State of
Vermont aged seventy eight years do testify declare and say
that I have been acquainted with Capt. Frederick Smith who now
resides in Manchester in the County of Bennington in said State of
Vermont from early life that when young we resided but a
short distance from each other in the same town of Middletown
in the state of Connecticut and not more than about a half mile apart
I had knowledge that in the summer of the year 1779 he performed
a tour of duty to Guilford & Branford in said State of
Connecticut of two months or about that length of time & I think in
the Company of Connecticut Militia commanded by Lieut or Capt
Brown, I also was knowing that in the spring or summer of
1780 he served on another tour of about three months service to 
New London in said state of Connecticut. & I believe in Capt D. Johnson
Company & Col. Wyllis Regiment of Connecticut Militia. I also further
recollect that in the latter part of the summer or the fore part of the fall
of the year 1781 he again was out to West Point in the State of
New York in the service & I think in Capt Griffins company and
in Col. Samuel Canfields Regiment also of the Connecticut Militia, but
according to my present impression & belief was absent on that to
of duty three months or more, Although I was not out with him at
either of the above times yet I have fully understood & believe that
he served as above stated, & further saith not
Abel Hubbard
State of Vermont, )      Middletown Dec 5th AD. 1834. Then personally
Rutland County    )          appeared the above named Abel Hubbard and
made solemn oath that the facts by him stated in his foregoing
Affidavit are true according to his best knowledge recollection &
belief, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with
the said Abel Hubbard & consider him to be a man of truth and
veracity, and that his statements are entitled to credit
Certified by me
Jonas Clark
Justice of the peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County
Court for the County of Rutland certify
that Jonas Clark is a Justice of the
peace for said County duly Certified
and that I believe his signature
above to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court at
Rutland this 10th day of December, A.D. 1834
R. Pierpoint
Page 30

Manchester Vt
Dec 25                                     free
The Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.

???? Dec 31
Page 31

Manchester Decr 20. 1834.
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards
Hon Sir, I forward you herewith the
Declaration of Frederick Smith for a Pension    Capt Smith is a
man of respectability, but I am sensible that so many hands
having been practised upon the Pension department, the delay in
his application will be looked upon with considerable jealousy
as to the validity & goodness of his claim, that some explanation
will be necessary or at least proper - He applied to me very early
after the passing of the law, & stated his service, I advised him to
ascertain in some way with more precision that he was then able
to state, whether in his first term of service, the Company to which he
belonged was attached to any particular Regiment, Fife, who was
the commandant, also whether Brown who commanded the Co at
the time was a Capt as only a Lieut of which he was not absolutely cer-
tain being a man of some property, & not in great need of the Pension which
he expected to obtain, & with the sum to which he would be entitled
was so small if he should be able to obtain it, that he neglected or defer
to make application, at the only some at which he could gain the requisite
information, he however at length found a Mr Hullard living in
Middletown in this State, who had some knowledge of his services
but could give him no satisfaction as to the particular point of
enquiry above referred to, he was the only man in this region of
the Country, of whom he had any knowledge, that was able to give
him that information, as knew of his services, he then calculated
to go to the State of Connecticut where his services were performed, ???
he lived at the time, (but was taken sick )& where he expected
to find several persons alive, who were knowing to his services, all
he supposed, could give him the requisite information, but was taken
sick, prevented thereby from going at the time he calculated, & was not
Page 32

able to go until some few weeks since but when he arrived there he
found that all his old acquaintances upon whom he relied for
testimony & information were dead, he could find no native
who had any distinct knowledge of his services, he was unable to
satisfy himself that his first impressions were count that at the 
time of his service specified, under whom he served, sustained
in higher rank than Lieut that he was at the time under no regim-
ental command Since his return the Judge of Probate Court has been absent
until within a few days.  I have also ????? several different
application under very similar circumstances for one of which being in another Probate district I made out a Declaration about at two or three months since but which I understood was not taken at the time, on account of the absence of
the Judge of Probate, & was afterwards deferred an account of a change
made in the office about that time, but I have been told all that it has since
been taken, although I have not as yet received it
My letter which I have not, and & even more of
account of the same initially directed to Samuel Swift, is 
the name of Brother residing in Middlebury in this State,
of them and to Bennington, which on acct of the name was for-
warded from there to Middlebury, from thence sent back to me which
was the case with the two last letters and which came to hand but a few
days since one of them stated to the case of Bartimes Hewitt, who is at
present removed from here, & is living with a son in law in Mohegan
in the State of New York, where he once lived & these I shall probably be able
to answer before long or as soon as I can get information to the persons
to whose cases they refer. Very respectfully, I am Hon' Sir
with due consideration, Yours
Serenus Swift
Page 33


Decr 26th AD. 1804
P.S. This letter with the declaration of Capt Smith was, until the time
in consequence of failure in the return of Affidavits taken to support the same
the County of Rutland, which was sent sometime since, to obtain the Clerk of that
County, Certificate to the same, by whose mistake it was far back as directed
& in the meantime the Declaration of Aaron Boardman referred to in my letter
above, has been returned to me, & which I herewith enclose with the other to
you the reasons for the delay in the application of Mr Boardman and in many
respects very similar to those which I have stated in the case of Capt Smith, at
this time I have not time to be further particular, Respectfully
S.S.
Page 34

A
Fred Smith

Addl  pff
Fredk Smith
Vt


Hon H Hall
HR
Page 35

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connect
29 January 1836
I certify that on examination of the Books & papers of the
late Pay Table office now remaining, I find as follows:
An acct with L Bazaleel Brown, who is credited "By act for
his Comp. Artillery stationed at Greenwich 1778 ￡1316.18. which company is
supposed to have been "Court Guards, but no means are known of ascertaing
the duration of the service
In "Harkells Receipts, under head of Militia service from April
to November 1779. this entry. Officers Payroll Lt Ichabod Brown,￡4.5.7 computed Value &c.
The place where the service was rend is not known
In the same book, in an acct against the United States for Disburse-
ments &c. of "three Regiment under the command of Col. Hez Wyllys for three
months &c., in June 1780, is the following item. Cap. D. Johnson Wyllys &c
￡532.11.1 Amt pd on State Bills &c. Which Regiments are believed to have
been Militia, and stationed at New London
In the same book, in an account against the United States "for
Sundry Expenditures for Bounty, Wages &c. of Troops who served at West Point in
1781 this entry, Company Captain Stephen Griffin Amt Pdin specie &c ￡1017.17.11 Col Saml Canfield is also mentioned in the same account. Which Troops are believed to have been Militia. The duration of their service is not ascertained. -
In the absence of the Comptroller
Juniniah Brown, Treas, of the State of
Connecticut