Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9875, for William Smith, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S. C.
Smith, William
NUMBER
R. 9875
CONTENTS
borne near Dorchester, S.C. in 1764
res. at enl. Beaufort District, S.C. there in 1838
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34314

9875

Hon R B Rhett
HR
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State of South Carolina
Beaufort District 
On this day the 13th day of November A.D. 1838 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas for Beaufort District in the State aforesaid now sitting Wm. Smith, a resident of Beaufort in the District of Beaufort aged seventy-four years who being first duty qualified according to Law doth on his affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He entered the Malitia [Militia] Service under Col. Wm. Harden, Major Ladson Cooper, Col. Wm. Davis, Captain Fitts, and Lieutenant Buckner in the early part of the year 1781, and continued in Service through the year 1781, and a small part of the year 1872 when he left the service. At the time of his entering the service he resided with his father on his Plantation called Springfield near Pocotaligo in Beaufort District aforesaid. Declarant was a Volunteer in the service. He went up from his Father's plantation to Augusta and there joined Col. Harden by whom he was received into his family and immediately proceeded to assist in the Siege of a Fort commanded by a British Officer named Col. Brown. Another Fort nearby commanded by another British officer named Col. Grierson had been previously vacated and taken possession of by the Americans. The siege of Brown's Fort continued from ten days to a fortnight when the British surrendered. The next engagement in which Declarant took part was the Battle of Parker's Ferry in the June or July of the same year. In this Battle also Declarant fought under Col. Harden who was assisted in the Battle by a force under the
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command of Gen. Marion. The Battle commenced of about 4 O'Clock P.M. and at the end of it the British marched down to Parker's Ferry which is about thirty five miles from Pocotaligo, and about the same distance from Charleston, and the next morning at an early hour we were in possession of the Battle-ground. Declarant has no documentary evidence and his Brother James Smith whose deposition is hereto appended is the only person who can testify to the above facts, so far as his knowledge extends. All his other witnesses are dead. Declarant claims compensation for his services as a militia man only although he acted for Two or Three months as Assistant Commissary under and by the appointment of the Commissary General Wm. Hort Esquire. But having lost his Commission in the washing of some of his apparel he supposes some objection will be made to his claim for compensation as such. Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. 
Affirmed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Wm. Smith 
before me
J L Richardson 
Associate Judge

We the Revd. John D. Moody a clergyman of the Baptist persuasion residing in Beaufort District in the State aforesaid and Edmund Rhett residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Wm. Smith who has subscribed and affirmed to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that
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that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he is residing to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
John D. Moody
Edmund Rhett
Judge JL Richardson
Associate Judge

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 which with the Answers thereto are hereunto annexed 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 John D. Moody, who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman resident in Beaufort District and that Edmund Rhett who has also signed the same is also a resident of Beaufort District and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
JL Richardson
Associate Judge 

I J.B. Joyner Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Beaufort District in the State of aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing with the Interrogatories and the Answers hereto appended contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Wm. Smith for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this 13th day of November A.D. 1838
[sideways] J. B. Joyner C.C.P.
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Interrogatories.
First: When and where were you born? 
Answer: I was born near Dorchester in the year Seventeen hundred and sixty four
Second: Have you any record of your age? And if so where is it?
Answer: In the family Bible in my Father's handwriting.
Third: Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer: When I was called into service I was living in my Father's family on his plantation near Pocotaligo in Beaufort District. Since that time I have lived excepting one year in Georgia in the same District, and for the last 20 or 30 years in the Town of Beaufort.
Fourth: How were you called into service? Were you drafted? Did you volunteer or were you a substitute? And for whom?
Answer: I served both as a volunteer and a drafted militiaman, but served as a drafted militiaman only a few weeks. As a Volunteer I went up to Augusta in the early part of the year 1781, and served under Colonel Wm. Harden in the Siege of a Fort there, which we captured after ten days hard work and hard fighting. My service as a common soldier continued until some time in the year 1782, but not much of that year.
Fifth: State the names of some of the regular offi-
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-cers who were with the Troops where you served. Such continental and Militia regiments, as you recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer: I served altogether with the Militia. The officers were Col. Harden, Col. Davis, Major Ladson Cooper, Captain Fitts, and Lieutenant Buckner. I think there was a Major Macclaughlin also at times with us from St. Pauls Parish. Fitts and Buckner were our Parish Officers as before stated. After the fall of the Fort at Augusta we were discharged for a short time but soon afterwards were called out again to intercept the progress of the British force marching through the country toward Charleston. We were stationed in the woods by the Roadside about a mile from Parker's Ferry and fired three brisk rounds upon the enemy as they passed in haste down to the Ferry. The Battle was fought at about 4 O'Clock P.M. and in very hot weather. I used a Rifle lent me by my Lieutenant Buckner. Many of the British were killed-at an early hour next day we took possession of the field and marched down to the Ferry and disinterred a number of the Enemies dead. Gen. Marion assisted us in this Battle. As a Drafted militiaman in the latter part of the year 1781, I was engaged in the pursuit of Major Andrew Deveaux who with a plundering or Guerrilla party left the Island of St. Helena and visited the lower part of the Prince Williams Parish. His great temerity hazarded his life, but he escaped our force which was commanded by Capt. Fitts. I was also stationed and served out my time at Purrysburg under the command of Buckner. Our service were of a broken
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kind, my officers would permit me at times to go home and stay a week or two and when no under a Draft or stationary marching backward and forward through Colleton and Beaufort Districts. I never was a substitute for anyone. 
Sixth: Did you ever receive a Discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I never received a written discharge nor do I remember exactly how it took place.
Seventh: State the names of the persons of whom you are now 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.
Answer: I refer to the Hon. R.W. Barnside, the Hon. Wm. I. Grayson, the Hon. R.B. Rhett, the Revd. Richard Fuller, the Revd. Daniel Bythewood, Col. R. DeTreville, the Revd. John D. Moody and Edmund Rhett Esquire. 
JL Richardson
Associate Judge
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[Stamp] [illegible] GEO FEB 26

William Smith Esq
Beaufort So. Ca.

from J. L. Smith

James Smith certificate
Magistrates act & Judge's Signature
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Georgia
McIntosh County 
Personally appeared before me Cornelius MacArdell clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, being the superior Court of this state and County and a Court of Record. James Smith who being duly sworn deposith and saith that he knows William Smith of Beaufort South Carolina to be a relique of the Revolution and that he took an active part in asserting American Independence.  That this deponent is the only surviving contemporary of the said William as far as his knowledge pertains and is a younger Brother of the said William by two years. This deponent being in his Seventy-First year & the said William in his Seventy-Third year. That within the two latter years and to the close of the Revolutionary War, the said William entered the service & to the best of his collection was near two years in the service. That at one period the father of this deponent and the said William were both commissaries with one Hort. That the said William to the full knowledge of the deponent was at one time a volunteer under General Marion & was actively engaged with him at the ambush battle at Parkers Ferry. at another time with Col. Harden. That the said William was also actively engaged (as a volunteer) as this believes) in the service at the Seige of Augusta when Col. Brown was captured. This deponent is positive in the above statement having both from a certain knowledge of the facts as also having been on one occasion present with his Brother William as an assistant to him in preparation for service. With regard to the particular time and the exact
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dates that the said William entered the service or the officers under whom he served or the time of his discharge, this deponent by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory cannot positively say but to the best of his recollection would say that it was the year of 1781. 
Further than this deponent at this time saith not.
Jas. Smith
Sworn to before me a Justice of the Peace for McIntosh County, Ga.
C. MacArdell J.P.

I Cornelius MacArdell do hereby certify that the above deponent is a highly respectable inhabitant of this county & that his testimony is in very respect worthy of credit. Given under my hand & seal this 9th day of February 1837
Cornelius MacArdell
Clerk Superior Court McIntosh County

I Robert M Charlton Judge of the Eastern Circuit of the State of Georgia of the Superior Court of the same and of MacIntosh County in said state (being a court of Record) do hereby certify that Cornelius MacArdell is a clerk of the Superior court of McIntosh County & is fully qualified to take affidavits.
Given under my hand this day of in the year of our Lord 1837
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State of Georgia
I, Robert M Charlton, Judge of the Superior Court of the Eastern District of the State of Georgia, do hereby certify that Cornelius Macardell is the Clerk of the Superior Court of McIntosh County in said State, and that said Court is a Court of Record. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fourth day of February, Eighteen hundred and Thirty Seven.
Robert M Charlton
Judge Supr. Court. E.D. Geo.
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REJECTED
[illegible initials]
9875
P. O. 
William Smith
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as:
"For specification of service."
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for.
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Hon. J.R. Poinsett,
Sec. of War,
Mar. 9. 1839.
O.C.
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War Dep
Pension Office
March 9, 1839
Sir,
In relation to the claim of Mr. William Smith, of Beafort, S. Carolina, whose letter I herewith enclose, I have the honor to state to you that I have carefully examined the case, and I cannot admit the claim, for the reason already assigned in my letter to in Hon. R.B. Rhett of the 5 of January last, a copy of which Mr. Smith has annexed to his letters. It is indispensably necessary, in order to the adjustment of every claim under the act of June 7. 1832, that the service should be specified. The claimant in this case has failed to exhibit the necessary specifications.
I have

Hon. J. R. Poinsett
Secr. of War

---
No. 34319
act 7 June '32
S. Carolina Index which ser & enter this letter
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No. 34319
Wm. Smith
S. Carolina
act 7 June 1832
---
See letter to Hon. J.R. Poinsett, March 9, 1839
---
1832
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Mr. James L Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City

[sideways print]
Dec. 13.
JM-at: 

Hon. R.B. Rhett HR
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Sir
Enclose you the papers of Wm. Smith, to show his right to obtain a pension as a revolutionary soldier under the existing laws of Congress. Pls for you unto paid your [illegible] [illegible] make now done away.
Please let me know your determination as soon as possible.
Your Ob sevt
R Barnwell Rhett
Dec 13th 1838
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Depart of War
Pension Office
Jan. 5 1839

Sir

I have examined the claim of William Smith for a pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, and have placed his papers upon our files.

Mr Smith allege that he entered the militia service as a volunteer, and served as such, and by draft, from the early part of 1781 to 1782. He states that during all this period he was not in actual service but that he occasionally returned home where he remained "a week or two" From this statement, no satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at by which the amount of his actual service can be shown. Nor has Mr. Smith himself attempted to do it.  In a
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[later addition noted at top of page] This is an error - The Pension Office mixed up the claims of two Wm. Smiths who lived in SC, served Pa Troops See 9875 1/2

former declaration, he alleged that he performed about two years service. But
for the same reason now assigned, he claims as disallowed. Each term of duty should be specifically stated, giving the duration of each.
I have the honor.


Hon. RB Rhett
HR

OC
June 7. 32
34319

[sideways text]
R.B. Rhett
5 Jany '39
OC
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Smith, William GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 12531 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 7, 1792 to Robert Means, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.