Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11432, for James Smith, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|
N.C.|Smith, James|S.11432|
Va. 
carded
CONTENTS
b. Oct. 12, 1760 in Hanover Co. Va. 
res. at enl. Buckingham Co. Va.
res. in 1837, Jackson Co. Ala.
Page 2

31.369
Alabama (Decatur)
James Smith of Jackson Co in the State of Alabama who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Eaton of the reg't commanded by Col. Robinson in the *N. Carolina Mil ['line' crossed out] for six months.
*Va. and N.C. 
Records completed Apr. 29.05.SL.
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 20 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of March 1838 and sent to Hon. C. c. clay, Senate U. States
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $140.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 38 10.
$150.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. S. Allison Clerk,
Book D2 Vol. 8 Page 107
Page 3

see letter to 2d Comptroller 2d March 1834
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6th April 1838 from 4 March 1831. to 4 March 1838. Agt. notified 24 April 1839.
Page 4

1
State of Alabama
Jackson County} On this 28th day of July 1837 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the County Court now sitting & for Jackson County Alabama, James Smith signer now a resident of the county & state - aforesaid aged seventy seven the 12th day of October next who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. States that in the year 1775 he entered the service of the United States and under the following named officers and served as herein stated States that in October 1775 he volunteered under one Capt Thomas Ballam - he volunteered for Twelve Months, but at that time was no immediate call for Troops and he went to [illegible] works in Buckington  Buckingham County Virginia when he continued to work untill the 12 Months had elapsed for which he Volunteered he received the same wages as did a soldier
Page 5

2.
and while there he as exempt from all military duties. Shortly  after his return to home from said works he was drafted for six months under Capt Baits (Bates) and marched for Willamsburg where the main Army was stationed under General Morgan before we arrived at that place we received orders from General Morgan to return home and await further orders that we were not needed at that time We did so and our Capt told us to return to our respective homes and hold our sitting in readiness to marched when called upon we did so ['and' crossed out] & no call was ever made untill the Six Months for which we were drafted had elappsed and that was the only discharge he ['ev' crossed out] got 
He further states that in October ['183-' crossed out] 1779 (he then being a Citizen ['Such' crossed out] of what is now E. Tennessee The Volunteers served under Capt ['C' crossed out] Amos Eaton and Col James Robinson and Marched to the Lawn of Nashville to guard the same and protect it from the rangers of the Cherokee Indians he served there ['for' crossed out] at that place
Page 6

3.
for some time and was sent by his officers as one of a guard to guard a company of persons that was passing through the buildings from Kentucky  to the old settlement then in North Carolina where the principle residence then was -  he states that when he left Nashville the officers before mentioned informed him that by the time he got in with said company - his time of service would be so near at an end he need not return to the Army ['at' crossed out] and that was the only discharge he received, (the bound(?) order of the Col) he states in March 1781 he was drafted to go march to a place called Kings Hill in South Carolina where General Furgason (Ferguson) shortly after met with his defeat at the time about the time we were prepared to to march infirmation reached us that Eight hundred Indians were there in the Settlements burning plundering and killing ['and' crossed out] I was then immediately march against said Indians my Capt was John Looney and the General Joseph Martin We marched out in to Powels (Powell's) Valley when the Indians was committing depredations
Page 7

4
came in contact with them killed several and retook plunder that that had taken from Whites they then pressed on after the Indians and again overtook them and had the 2d engagement in which they killed six or seven and wounded several - then they dispersed and We followed them but did not overtake them. 
['Whe' crossed out] then returned by way of Kingston now in E. Tennessee home he was drafted this last time for Six Months and when he returned home General Martin give him a discharge for having served Six Months
He states that he has no documentary evidence to prove his service and knows of no living Witness ['or Witn' crossed out] by whom he can prove the same.
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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.
/s/X his mark James Smith Senior
Sworn to and subscribed before me
/s/Thompson M. Rector Judge of the County Court
Page 9

General Morgain Colonel Robinson General Martin Capt Loony (Looney) Capt. Balloa - 6. did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
ans. I received but one written discharge and that was from General Martin which was burned at the time of the Burning of my house
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who Can testify as to your Character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the revolution
ans. John Jones William Runnels James Woosly David Larkins John Lindsey John Swafford
And the said Court declare their opinion that the above named aplicant was a revolutionary solder and served as he states
/s/Thompson M. Rector
Judge of the County Court
We  John Moon a clergiman residing in the County of Jackson and State of Alabama and Jesse Trench residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Said James Smith Sen'r who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be Seventy Seven years of age the 12 of Oct.
Page 10

next that he is believed and reputed in the Neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution that we concur in that opinion
/s/John Moon Clergy
/s/X his mark Jesse French
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 2nd day of August 1837 
/s/Thompson M Rector 
Judge of the County Court
And the said Court 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 John Moon who has signed proceding certificate is a clergiman residing in the County of Jackson & State of Alabama and that Jesse French who has also signed the same is a resident in the County & State last aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is Intitled to credit
Page 11

matter of the application of James Smith Sr for a pension
[facsimile seal: LS] In testimony whereof I have Subscribed my name and affixed my private Seal their being no publick Seal of office at office in Bellefonte August the 2nd 1837
/s/Moses Jones Clerk CC

34.218
James Smith
['Tennessee' crossed out] Alabama
Hon. C. C. Clay
Page 12

3-525
[initials: own] REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 
Washington, D.C., [blank]' 19[blank]
S.F. 11432
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of James Smith Sr. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
Oct. 1775|12 mos.|Pvt.|(Thomas Ballam|[blank])|Va.|
Oct. 1779|[blank]|[blank]|(Amos Eaton|James Robinson|[blank]|
Mch. 1781|6 mos.|[blank]|(John Loony(Looney)| ✓ )|[blank]|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, with Indians in 1781 near Powels (Powell's) Valley
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Buckingham County, Va.
Date of application for pension, July 28, 1837 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Jackson Co. Ala.
[margin note: 1837-77=1760] Age at date of application, born Oct. 12 1760 in Hanover County Va.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family
To aud. for date of death &c. 
Ctf 31369. issued Mch. 14, 1838. $20. per annum from Mch. 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832. Alabama Agency.
Respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner. 
6-2856
Page 13

[verso]
1917 Mch 29 Hist. to Mrs. Egbert Allen:

[recto]
11432
Rev War INVALID. 
File No. 11,432
James Smith
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 348
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

James Smith
['Tennessee' crossed out] Alabama
suspended
see letter 16th Octr 1837 to Hon. C. C. Clay.
Page 15

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, 
March 16th, 1839.

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," James Smith, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Ala. Agency at the rate of Twenty Dollars ['and [blank] Cents' crossed out] per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1831, to the 4th March 1838. 
Respectfully, yours, 
/s/Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Present.
Page 16

[illegible]
Hon. C. C. Clay
Senate US
Page 17

[handwritten letter]
War Department
Pension Office,
October 16, 1837.

Sir, 
The declaration of James Smith has been examined and filed. He alleges to have volunteered for 12 months, in 1775, but performed no military service. In 1776 he alleges to have been drafted for 6 months,, but before performing any actual service was dismissed until further orders. In October 1779 he alleges to have volunteered under Capt. Eaton, and was marched to Nashville and from there guarded some persons passing through the wilderness. In March 1781, he alleges that he was drafted to march to King's Mountain soon after which Gen'l Ferguson was defeated; but before marching there was ordered to oppose the Indians 
None of the alleged service was of that character provided for by the act of 7 June 1832, excepting the last two tours, which could not have exceeded 6 months. If he will amend his declaration, giving a satisfactory reason, under oath, for not making an earlier application for a pension, a pension will be allowed for 6 months' service. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obt. servt.
/s/J. L. Edwards
Hon. C. C. Clay
Member of Congress.
Page 18

[stamp]
[illegible] FEB 25  ALA

Free
Hon C.C. Clay
at Washington City
Senator in Congress

[on right]  Hon C. C. Clay Senate US

[upside down]
admitted 
Pri 6 months
$20
Page 19

State of Alabama 
Jackson County }  on this 24 day of Febuary personally appeared in open Court before me Thomson M Rector Judge of the County Court in and for said County James Smith signer  aged seventy eight the 12th day of October next who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following supplementary declaration intended as an amendment to one he formerly [made] perhaps in August last, and now on file as to judge from the Letter of J L Edwards Esqr which is under date of October 16. 1837 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832 States that in answer to the Interrogatory [illegible] or rather in giving such information as sworn to he requires only the Commissioner of Pensions he can only state that he was amongst the first from this County who applied for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 he thinks his first application was made in the latter part of 1832 or first of 1833 his was not allowed and his declaration sent back for proof. he then endeavoured to obtain proof and failed.  he then amended his declaration and sent it back as he did the second time all of which was [illegible] application
[rnd of page]
Page 20

applications failed for want of proof as to a part of his alleged served or an account of same informality in the proceedings he states that he has been endeavouring from the first passage of the act to obtain his pension. he states that his last declaration was not sent as a supplimentary for the reason that he was advised to have made out [two?] and send one orignal [original] in its corrected so he again States that he has been diligent from time to time in pressing his claim and in trying to obtain proof to substantiate it-
James X his mark Smith Seigin [signer?]

Sworn to and subscribed before me in open Court this 24 day of February 1838
[signed] Thompson M Rector Judge of the County Court

State of Alabama
Jackson County }  I Thompson M Rector Judge of the County Court in and for said County do hereby Certify that the above named James Smith did on this 24 day of July 1838 appear before me and make out and subscribe and swear to the above declaration or statement and that from my knowledge of the facts I am satisfied that the above statement is true in substance and fact given under my hand and Seal this 24 day of February 1838
[signed] Thompson M Rector Judge of the Country Court
Page 21

State of Alabama
Jackson County }
I Moses James Clerk of the County Court in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said County Court in the matter of the application of James Smith for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my private seal having no official seal of office at office this 24th day of February 1838
Test [signed] Moses James Clk C.C.

The signing of Moses James, Clerk, and T. M. Rector Judge, of the County Court of Jackson County Ala, above, are genuine. There is no public seal of said Court
[signed] C.C. Clay
March 12th 1838
Page 22

[on left]
private Oct 16
ala.

James L. Edwards Esq
Com .of Pension
Washington City

[on right] Hon C. C. Clay
Page 23

Washington City Oct 15th 1837

James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
Enclosed I submit the claim of Mr James Smith Senr of Jackson County, Ala. for a pension.
I am not acquainted with him, or any of his witnesses-- but I know Judge Thompson M. Rector, and am acquainted with his had [hand]-writing; and have no hesitation in saying, as my opinion, that the several signatures of Judge Rector are genuine, and the record, or transcript, may be relied on as correct. There has never, so far as I am informed, been a seal of the County Court of Jackson - nor do I know the Clerks hand writing - but am of opinion from the facts before stated that his signature is genuine.
Very respectfully
your obt. svt.
[signed] C. C. Clay.
Page 24

[stamp]
U.S.PENSION OFFICE.
O
MAR 15 1917

Rev Ser [?]

Americus Ga
Mch. 9, 1917
Washington D. C

it is S11432 NC & Va the only one on Ala agency

Will you please send me the record of Service
of James Smith r.s.  who died in Jackson County,
Ala.  He lived with his son James P. Smith. He drew a pension according to
Page 25

Owens History of Revolutionary Soldiers of Alabama (Census of
Pensioners 1841 p. 148.  He is my Revolutionary Ancestor & want same for Bars on my Y.A.R. Please give me his death date also name of his first wife & children.
Also if Shadrack Pinkston drew a pension, he
died in Washington Co. Ga. One child named Sarah. He
enlisted in [Ga? Ja?]
[signed] Mrs. Egbert Allen
127 S. Lee St Americus Ga.
Page 26

Allen

[stamp]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE.
O
MAR 15 1917