Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,699, John Goldsmith, S.C.

Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
S. C.

Goldsmith John

NUMBER
S. 31.699

Bo[illegible] S. C.
CONTENTS

Page 2

12280
Georgia
====================
John Goldsmith
Coweta in the State of Geo.
who was a Pri in the Compy commanded
Captain Baker of the Regt commanded
by Cooper
in the S. Car.
line for 14 months-
=============================
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
================================
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of April

1833 and sent to Ricd W. East
clk. Newman, Geo
==================================
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833             93.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept-        23.33
                                                                            =====
                                                                         $116.65
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.       }

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 91

[right side]

Let 26 March 1834
J.  Marshall Esq
[illegible]
__________________________
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of the 6 April 1838 from
4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838
Agt notified 13 Decr 1838.
___________________________

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State of Georgia 
Coweta County 
On this the 18th day of September Eighteen Hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before us, John D Hinton Samuel D Echols and Levi L Welborn, now sitting John Goldsmith a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 71 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - 

That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That I entered the service in July 1779 and left it September 1780. I was living in Camberlin, now Kershaw, district South Carolina, I entered as a volunteer for fourteen months in Captain Thomas Baker's Company the regiment was commanded by Col. Cooper, while in this regiment. I was in two battles against the Tories, one at Mobley, now Kershaw, Meeting House, on Little River, in Camberlin district S.C. and the other at Walkers plantations in the same district. I served three months in Capt Bakers company, and was transferred to Captain Willoughby Barton's Company, in the regiment commanded by Col McCoy, in this company & Regiment. I served Eleven months and was in a battle against the Tories at Wallahorn's Ferry, about three miles below Augusta Georgia - I served with no regular or continental troops. I have seen Gen Morgan & Marion but did not serve with either. I have no documentary evidence, and that I know of no person, whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service. I hereby relinquish every claim

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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
[signed] John Goldsmith

Sworn to & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Sam D Echols J.C.C.C
Levi T. Welborn J.J. C
Jno Hinton J.J.C.C.

Answers to Interrogatories put by the war department
Ans. to the 1st Ques I was born in Camberlin now Kershaw district South Carolina in the year 1761, as my parents have told me-
Ans. to the 2nd Ques none
Ans to the 3d Ques I was living in Camberlin district now Kershaw South Carolina - lived there many years after the revolution, and moved to Georgia, and am now living in Coweta County Georgia
Ans. to the 4th Ques I was a volunteer-
Ans to the 5 Ques I have seen Gen Morgan & Marion but did not serve with either. I did not at any time serve with continental or regular troops, and the general circumstances of my service was such as have been before related
Ans to the 6th Ques I never received a discharge-
Ans to the 7th Ques I will refer to John Houston & James Lee
[signed] John Goldsmith

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid,
Sam D Echols J.C.C
Levi P. Welborn J.J.C.
Jno D Hinton J.J.C.

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We John Houston & James Lee residing in the County of Coweta and State of Georgia, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Goldsmith, who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 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
[signed] John Houston
James Lee

Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Saml D. Echols, J.J.C.C.C.
Levi T Welborn J.J.C.
Jno D. Hinton J.J.C.

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 John Houston & James Lee -- who has signed the preceding certificate are both residents of Coweta County Georgia, (no clergymen being convenient, who was acquainted with the applicant) and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
this 18 September 1832
Sam Echols J.J.C.
Levi T. Welborn J.J.C.
Jno D Hinton J.J.C.

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I Richard W East, Clerk of the Inferior Court of the County of Coweta and state of Georgia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said county in the matter of the application of John Goldsmith for a pension and that John D Hinton, Samuel D Echols & Levi T. Wellborn are Judges of the Inferior Court of the County of Coweta, & State of Georgia, and all due faith and credit ought to be given to their attestations as such.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this the 18 day of September 1832
Richard W. East, C.I.C.

[bottom left vertical]
John Goldsmith
17821

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John Goldsmith
Georgia

No. 17821
________
admit
as a private for
14mo from 1779.   46.66
Capt Baker
Col Cooper
S. C
___
Entd--
Richd W. East Clk
Coweta Co. Ga
Newman

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office 

183

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
claim.
__________________________________________________________________________
A STATEMENT, showing the service of John Goldsmith
===============================================================
Period when the   service was  rendered.   
 July 1779   Vol.
                                                                                                                                                 
 Duration of the claimant's service Year Months Days 
14 Months

Rank of   the   Claimant 
Private

 Names and rank of the  Company Officers under whom he served.  
Capt Thos Baker
Capt Willoughby
Barton

Names and rank of the General and Field officers. 
Col Cooper
Col Mc Coy

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
Mobley's meeting house

Country through which he marched. 

Place of abode  when he entered the service, and age at present period
71 years 
Camberlin
District 
So. Ca.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary         

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

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2
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 instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of 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. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years
 of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 it 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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3 
 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 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 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 of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The 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 bis 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 mouths 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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Revolutionary War Records Section.  3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D. C.,  , 19

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Goldsmith 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.
[table: five column headings, two sub-headings]
[column headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED -  Captain; Colonel | STATE
---
July 1779 | 3 mos | Pvt | Thomas Baker; Cooper | S.C.
---
July 1779 | 11 mos. | [blank] | Willoughby Barton; McCoy | [blank]
---
Battles engaged in, Mobleys Meeting House and Walkers Plantation & at Wallahorns Ferry, 3 miles below Augusta Ga.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Camden Dist. S.C.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 18, 1832. His el. al.
Residence at date of application, Coweta County, Ga.
Age at date of application, born in 1761 in Camden Dist. S.C.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856  

[upper left margin]
S.F. 31.699

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[stamp] RECORD JAN 19 1921 DIVISION

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Internal Revenue Service
Detroit, Mich. Jan 17, 1921
1578 Dickerson Ave.
[seal inscribed with scale of justice, key]
Office of the Collector
First District of Michigan
U. S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Do the records of your office show that there was ever a pension issued to John B Goldsmith, of Coweta County, Ga. He was a Revolutionary Soldier, a member of the South Carolina militia. This company is reported to have disbanded in Virginia.
The party in question was 73 years of age at death and to date had received $139.98 pension; according to data published and recorded in Congressional Library, Washington.
If possible to do so can you furnish me the information above referred to, with the date of birth & death, post office, where pension was received, and any further record of his military service.
Thanking you in advance for the information desired I am
Miss Idelle S. Goldsmith.

[circular stamp: PENSION OFFICE. JAN 18 1921 between U. and S.]

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31699
Revy INVALID
File No. 31699
John Goldsmith
Pri Rev War
---
Act: June 7 32
Index: -- Vol. 2 Page 159
Arrangement of 1870.]
1921 Feby 18 Hist. to Idelle S. Goldsmith

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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 8th 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, John Goldsmith, ---
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Savannah, Georgia, Agency, at
the rate of Forty six - Dollars and sixty six 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 day of March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.