Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,833, for Eli Smith, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Smith, Eli
H 17833
Deborah
CONTENTS
Michael Litchfield known also as Mary 1824.

888 Connecticut Deborah Smith widow of Eli Smith
born, who died on the 24 March 1824 of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Serjt. Major in the Company commanded by Captain Bradley of the regt commanded by Col Gass in the Connecticut Militia two for nine months & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 50 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of May 1837 — and sent to Genl. C. Woodruff Esq. Litchfield
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $308. — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th '37 25.66
$ 333.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by Book
Vol. 1
Page 89

Deborah Smith N. 438 Conah- 3. Soc.
admittance 8 months Sept 40. - 1 mo 4 days Engr 11. 33 $51.83
24th Oct died - 1824 No papers
refer to Sarah Pick's deed
Geo. C. Woodruff Litchfield Conn

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836
State of Connecticut } Litchfield County } Litchfield
On this 18 th day of October 1836 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within & for the District of Litchfield in said County Deborah Smith a resident of Litchfield in said District aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law acts on her oath make the following decla- ration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836; That she is the widow of Eli Smith late of said Litchfield deceased, who in June 1776 enlisted into a Company of Conn. Troops commanded by Capt Abraham Brattle, Lieut. & Blakeley & Callin & Ensign James Morris in Col. Gays Regiment to serve six months. That the latter part of June said Company was assembled in said Litchfield & said Eli Smith was chosen a Sergeant of said Company That he went to New York & served as a Sergeant in said Company in & near that city, That while there he was detached from said company & placed about the person of Gen Sullivan; that on the day the Battle of Flat Bush was fought he was sent into the City of New York by Gen Sullivan with a written message to Gen Washington; that Gen Wash- ington soon crossed to Long Island, & said Smith at the same time, tho' in different boats went across to Long Island. That the British were just at that time ascending a hill towards the American Camp. That he then learnt that Gen Sullivan was lost & it was afterwards ascertained that he was taken a prisoner That said Smith was among the last who re- treated from the Island to the City of New York That he remained in the City of New York a while & was then taken sick & was removed across

the North River to Paramus in New Jersey; that he was sick in the hospital 21 days & while sick the Americans retreated from the City of New York; that he recovered in a considerable degree his health & rejoined the army at White Plains & continued to serve with his company till the six months for which he enlisted expired when he returned to Litchfield in the last of December 1776. He served at this time as a Sergeant in the Military Service of the United States the full period of six months . After he rejoined on moving from his quarters the army, said Eli was appointed first Sergeant of his company as appears by the accompanying Warrant under the hand of Edward Brill Maj r Comm te
That in April 1777 the militia company to which said Eli belonged in Litchfield went out on an alarm at the time Danbury was burned. They assembled at Litchfield & marched to Danbury Conn. where the British had burned the stores of the American Army; that they pursued the British on their retreat to their vessels & at Compo on Long Island Sound they had a battle with the British in which said Eli was engaged. After the British went on board their vessels said Eli did not immediately return to Litchfield but remained a few days to take care of Solomon Buell a soldier in his company who was wounded in the battle at Compo; that he remained till Buell's relatives came from Litchfield & then the said Eli returned home. That he served at this time as a Sergeant in the Military service of the United States at least ten days .
10 days

In September or Oct 1777 he was called out by his superior Officers with the whole or a part of the Militia company to which he belonged & was ordered to the Schuylkill River to protect the country adjoining from the British who were about to sail up that river to join Gen. Burgoyne at Albany. That he accordingly went & served there as a Sergeant. He cannot state where his superior officers were but remembers that said Col. took the command of the whole or a part of his company & remembers his telling after his return that he was afraid in marching up & down the River to meet the British from Loundon & that for four weeks he did not sleep two nights in the same place with one exception. That he had a severe Catarrhal fever & served at that time, after which, Burgoyne surrendered; that he served at this time & place the full period of two months & then returned to Fitchburg .
(Will be in G.H. Department) 2nd not all of them 22 days
That in the summer or fall of the year 1778 he received an order from Gen. Peter Molineux to guard certain boats belonging to the United States on their way from Boston to Fitchburg & N.Y. by the way of Fitchburg . Said Molineux was at that time in command in the Militia Company in Fitchburg commanded by Capt. Brattle, a Great Great Grandfather. That order said I'd best many years & said Peter Molineux often said it, & that it is now lost she believes it was directed to said Col. by said Gen. Molineux. That said Col. went in pursuance of said order in command of said guard to Fitchburg. After discharging his duty as aforesaid he returned to Fitchburg after having served nine days . That she is aware that Mr. Gannett her witness to this service thinks said Col. served at this time as a Sergeant, but still she believes he served as an Ensign because his commission
9 days

as Ensign which she forwards here with is dated in May 1778
That in July 1779 the whole of the Militia Com- pany to which he belonged or in which Elias Beach was Captain, Timothy Skinner Lieut & said Eli Smith Ensign was called out on an alarm to march to New Haven at the time the British landed there; That said Command- ing officers accordingly marched to that place with the whole or so many of the Company as could be collected; but that when they arrived the British had gone aboard their vessels & sailed down the Sound. That at New Haven there had been a skirmish with the British before said Company arrived there, but none after. That said Com- pany was thereupon dismissed & started for Litchfield; that before the Officers left, there came an alarm that the British had landed at Fairfield; the alarm bell ringing & said Officers collected a few of said company who had not yet started for home & marched to Fairfield, at which place there was a skirmish with the British, there they marched to Nor- walk where the British had landed & occu- ped the town. After the British retreated aboard their vessels said Eli remained with the American Army in that vicinity to watch the British & did not return to Litchfield with said Capt Beach & Ensign Skinner. That she remembers that the Rev Mr Champion her Clergyman came to her & told her that Capt Beach had re- turned; but that said Eli still re- mained with the Army as above stated several weeks, & then returned to Litch- field after having served at least six
Allen 11 days Ensign for Capt Beach's first

weeks , as one hesitant as guaranteed (with a slight smile)
That in September of the same year 1779 said Company commanded by Capt Brack, Great Skin- ner & said Pi as Ensign was called out as an alarm to go to the country near the North River to protect the country; that they marched through P'keepsie into the State of New York to a place called Quaker Hill, That said Company remained in that vicinity a few days & were engaged in no battles or skirmishes to her recollection; no other thing remarkable after to her knowledge occurs; but after leaving at this time two weeks said company return- ed to P'keepsie, said Pi having served as Ensign during said time.
She further declares that she was married to the said Eli Smith by the regularly ordained Clergymen of the parish in which she lived, viz. the Rev Judah Champion, on the 24 th day of March 1779 at which time her name was Deborah Phelps; that said Eli Smith died on the 29 th day of March 1824; & that she has re- mained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof- hereto annexed. Deborah Smith
Swann to & subscribed on the day & year above written
Before me,
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate. { for the District of Litchfield State of Connecticut. —

And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion that after the investigation of the matter that the above named Eli Smith served as above stated & that the facts stated in the foregoing application are true
For William Wolcott, Judge of Probate District of Litchfield State of Conn.
I Phinehas Miner Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Litchfield do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Deborah Munse for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & seal of office this 18 th day of Oct 1836
Phinehas Miner Clerk

I Samuel P. Bolles of the town & County of Litchfield Conn of lawful age, being duly sworn do depose & say that I am Clerk of said Town & that it appears from an ancient Record upon the Books of said Town that — "Eli Smith and Deborah Phelps were married March ~ 24 th A.D. 1779 by the Revd Judah Champion" Dated Litchfield Oct 20 th 1836
Sam. P. Bolles —
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Litchfield At 20 th 1836 Town Clerk
Personally appeared Samuel P. Bolles to me well known to be who is entitled to enclit a made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me
Sec. C. Woodruff Justice of Peace

I Edward Pierpont of the town & County of Litchfield Conn aged 43 years being duly sworn do depone & say that for many years before his death I was well acquainted with Eli Smith late of said town deceased the husband of Deborah Smith of said town. He died at said town between the 20 th day of March & the 1 st day of April, A.D. 1824. I was not present when he expired, but was in the house soon after, being a near neighbor, & assisted in laying out his remains, & a day or two after at- tended his funeral. I have ever since resided near his widow the said Debo- rah Smith & know that she has remain- ed his widow & unmarried ever since his decease. And further saith not. Dated at Litchfield Oct 24 th 1835
Edward Pierpont
State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield Oct 24 th 1836 Litchfield County }
Personally appeared Edward Pierpont to me well known to be who is entitled to credit & who sub- scribed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Geo. W. D. Duff Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Litchfield County, ss Litchfield
I Origen S. Seymour Clerk of the County Court within & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Geo. C. Woodruff is a Justice of the Peace and for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified; and that the signatures to the foregoing certificates which purport to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court this 24 th day of October
A. D. 1836 Origen S. Seymour Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
17833
Deborah Smith
Widow of
Eli Smith
Sergt Rev War
Act:
July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol.
111
Page
223
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Deborah Smith Connecticut
Suspended let G. C. Woodruff 17 Nov - 1836.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, ESQUIRE, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of CON- NECTICUT, in AMERICA ;
To
Eli Smith
Gent. GREETING.
Company or Trainband in the 17th Regiment in this State
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Ensign of the 10th Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge, as their Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust ; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War ; keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their Ensign for the Service of this State. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions, as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Seal of this State, in Stafford the 23 rd Day of May Anno Domini, 1778
By his Excellency's Command,
George Wyllys Sec'y.
Jon: Trumbull

Col. Eli Smith Warrant
Eli Smith Comm. N 1783

To Eli Smith in the fifth Company of the second Regiment of New Series raised by proclamation of the honourable Governor Trumbull to join the Continental Army at New York under the command of Genl Washington Greeting.
I do by these Presents constitute and appoint you the said Eli Smith to be first Serjeant in the Company aforesaid and do hereby authorise and impower you to exercise your said Office in a due discharge of the Duties thereof, which you are carefully and diligently to attend as a Serjeant; for which this is your sufficient Warrant: Given under my hand and Seal in Camp at Philipsborough this 3 d day of December Anno Domini 1776
Edward M c Neill Maj r Comm d

Samuel Seymour of the town of Canaan in Litchfield aged 82 years being duly sworn do depose & say that in April 1777 I went with others of the militia (com- pany in Litchfield to Danbury (was on an alarm that the British had made an attack there) we marched there & pursued the British from Dan- bury to their vessels at Compe where they embarked & then most of us returned to Litchfield. I know that the Smiths stem of the line of Litchfield & was allied with & served with us as one of said company during the time we served. Last the time he served as a Sergeant in said company. He returned to Litchfield after having about a week, but whether said Smith returned with us I cannot say. Salmon Back is a member of our company was wounded in the retreat from the British from Danbury & was not returned to Litch- field till some weeks after I did. And further saith not. Subscribed at Litchfield Oct 21 st 1836
Samuel Seymour
State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield Oct 21 st 1836 Litchfield County }
Personally appeared Samuel Seymour to me well known & who is entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed in my presence
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of Peace

I Solomon Dobb of the town & County of Litchfield Conn aged 76 years being duly sworn do depose & say that on or about the 1 st day of September 1777 I was drafted out of the Militia Company in Litchfield for the purpose of going to the country adjoining the North River to guard the neighborhood against the attacks of the British who were attempting to ride up the North River to effect a junction with Gen. Burgoyne who was marching from the North. I went for that purpose & served along that River watching the British Fleet, through the full period of two months & till after Gen. Bur- goyne surrendered, soon after which we were paraded at Fishkill & dismissed by Gen. Putnam. I remember that Eli Smith of Litchfield served with the Militia at that time & place & as I think in the same compa- ny in which I served namely in Capt. Beech's company as a Sergeant. I will remember that I returned to Litchfield with said Smith & that on our return he with myself & several others slept in the Barn in stead of a Butcher man called Capt. Griffin, & that in the night other New York Soldiers came to the Barn to get Lodging, & that said Smith strongly resisted them as there was not room. Said Smith as I before served through said two months as a Sergeant.
In July 1779 news came to Litchfield that the British had made an attack on New Haven & the Militia Company in said Litchfield were called out to March to New Haven & they did so under their Company officers viz Capt. Beech, Lieut. Timothy Skinner & said Eli Smith as Ensign. When we arrived at New Haven the British had left the town & gone on board their shipping & sailed down the sound; & said Company was then dismissed & I returned to Litch- field but left said Capt. Beech Lieut. Skinner

and said Ensign Eli Smith, behind & all of them as I understood went from New Haven to Fair- field & Norwalk with a few of our company to oppose the British in their attacks on those places. I returned to Litchfield & the same day was ordered with others to go as a guard of ammunition to New Canaan Conn & I left Litchfield for that purpose & went to said New Canaan & then I again saw our Ensign Eli Smith in the service. I left him there when I was dismissed. I therefore personally know that said Smith served as an Ensign as above stated; he served several weeks, but precisely how long I cannot say and further saith not. (Dated at Litchfield Oct 18 th 1836) Solomon D. Gibbs
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss. Litchfield Oct 18 th 1835 Personally appeared Solomon D. Gibbs a witness to me well known & who is admitted to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of Peace

I Amos Gappin of Litchfield Conn aged 81 years being duly sworn de depone & say that in the year 1776 I resided in Berlin Conn & enlisted into Capt Sturlyns Company in Col Gayns Reg t of Conn t Troops for six months in the military service of the United States & in June of that year went to New York & served in & around near that city till the last of December of that year, While stationed there I was sent with Capt Bradly of that Regiment across the North River to assist in removing some sick soldiers across the River to Hoboken I remember that one of those sol- diers was Eli Smith late of Litchfield dec d I came to Litchfield to reside in 1781 & there renewed my acquaintance with Eli Smith of Litchfield & know that he was the one of the soldiers who was sick, & that he was a soldier in Col Gayns Regiment & as I supposed in Capt Bradlyns Company and further with not Dated at Litchfield Sept 30 th 1835
Amos Gappin
State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield Sept 30 th 1835 Litchfield County }
Personally appeared Amos Gappin a witness to me well known & who is entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff

I Eli Brantner of the town & County of Litchfield Conn aged 70 years being duly sworn do depose & say that in June 1776 I enlisted into a Company of Connecticut Troops commanded by Capt Bradley, Lieut Blake by Captin & Ensign Morris, in Col Day's Regiment, in Gen Mawrith's Brigade, & served six months in 1 st Company in the Military service of the United States on Long Island, in the Battle at Flatbush in New York & in that vicinity, till the latter part of December 1776. I then resided in Litchfield & knew Eli Smith of 1 st town, & know that said Smith served with me in 1 st Company in the ser- vice aforesaid as a Sergeant in 1 st Company during the whole of said six months & a part of the time as orderly sergeant. I recollect that while we were standing on Long Island said Smith was very near being captured by a party of the British while executing the orders of his officers.
In April 1777 at the time of the Danbury alarm I resided near said Smith & know that he went as a sergeant in the Militia Company in Litchfield to Danbury to defend that place against the British. He went with many others of 1 st Company for that purpose & was gone several days but cannot say exactly how long.
In the year 1778 & in the summer of said it became necessary to send some stores from Litchfield to Fishkill. I got Andrew Adams an officer in the service of the United States called on Capt Brady of 1 st Litchfield to furnish a sergeant's guard from his Company for that purpose. said Eli Smith was accordingly detached from said Company with 8 or 10 men, of whom I was one, & he went for the purpose of guarding

said Storer from Litchfield to Fishkill & served as Sergeant in Command of 1 st Guard going to, at, & returning from 1 st Fishkill nine days. I served with him the whole of the time
And further saith not
Dated at Litchfield the 10 th day of Oct 1835
Elon Gramton
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Litchfield Oct 10 th 1835 Personally appeared Elon Gramton a witness to me well known & who is entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
Before me
Geo. Woodruff Justice of Peace

Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut December 6th 1835
I certify that there is remaining in this Office a document dated June 12th 1779, headed as follows, to wit, "List of Pay Rolls exhibited and lodged with the Pay Table on account of the Militia who were ordered for the defence of the town of New Haven, Fairfield & Norwalk, on the alarm occasioned by the desert of the enemy, July last," on which the name of Miles Beach appears as Captain, who is entitled for eleven days service, It also appears by said pay roll, that there was one Lieut and one Ensign belonging to said Company, who also served eleven days each, but the names of the said Lieut and Ensign do not appear on said pay roll
Wm Field Comptroller

Deborah Smith Jan 13 438 L 11.00
July '36 add pff
J. P. Brannan Esq. Commission Merchant Washington City D.C.

Litchfield Conn Jan 7 th 1837
J. L. Richards Esq
Sir
Your letter of 17 th Nov last in relation to the claim of Deborah Smith for a Pension under the act July 4 th 1836 was duly recd.
In relation to the service of two months which she claims her husband performed on the shores of the North River in 1779 Permit me to refer you to the application of Col Nathl Goddwin for a Pension under the act of 1832 on file at in your Department in which he states that he served in the militia at that time & place two months . Besides this and the deposition of Solomon Dibley which accompanied her application she has no further evidence & can only reiterate what she stated in her Declaration.
In support in part of her allegations as to her husband's service in July in 1779 I enclose to you the Comptroller's certificate which shows that service was performed by the of whom her husband was one commissioned Officers, for the period of eleven days . She has no proof in support of her allegation that her husband remained & served with the army after the return of Capt Brack.
Respectfully Yours
Geo. C. Woodruff
P.S. Permit me to call your attention to the application of Martha Moss which has been some time in your Office & also to that of Sarah Brown.
G.C.W.
Note The application of Nathl Goddwin was rejected on the ground that he could not not be allowed for a period of 5 months which he supposed might be considered actual Military service.

Oct 28
at 4 July 1836
Rev. Clairs
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Litchfield Conn Oct 24 th 1835
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir
I enclose to you the application of Deborah Smith for a Pension. To prove the service of her husband in September 1779 she would have procured the evidence of the only living witness to that service of which she has any knowledge viz, that of Asahel Peck of this town. But as he was sick & unable to leave his bed, I went to his house to take his deposition but his mind was wandering, at times entirely lost & so feeble that his friends were unwilling, & it would have been improper to have attempted to take his deposition. He is supposed to be suffering under his last sickness & is not expected to recover.
He deserves a pension for as I suppose the same term of service, & in his original Declaration for a Pension under the act of 1832, made in the summer of 1834 he probably stated who his Comp y Officers were among whom should be Eli Smith. Please therefore refer to his orig l Declaration for proof of this term of service.
I also herein enclose a Martha Moss application for a Pension.
Also a Certificate from our Comptroller which furnishes evidence for both Mrs Smith & Mrs Moss.
If their applications are granted please send their certificates to me.
Respectfully yours
Geo. C. Woodruff