Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15984, for Esek Smith, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R.I.
Smith, Esek
NUMBER
S. 15984
carded
CONTENTS
A. Oct. 16 1758 in Providence R.I. - ship at sea. In 1802 son of Newark, Caledonia Co. N.H. d. June 22, 1820

N o 18.043
Vermont
Esek Smith
of Paledonia Co. in the State of Vermont, who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Atwell in the R. Island line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of July 1833, and sent to John Bridgeman J r Lamoille Vt
  Arrears to the 14th of March 1833  160.00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Sept 1833  40.00     $ 200.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book E Vol. 3 Page 91

Cert. ret d in a dead letter and sent to Pen r on the 2 o August 1833.
Dear Sirs to Hon John Mallett Esq r 3 rd Auditor 9 th Jany 1843.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 16 th April 1838. Ho from March to 22 nd June 1840. a/c notified 17 th Feb 1840.

12242
Ezek Smith
Obj. 11. 12. 16.
Committed
3 years
$80. -
John Bridgman p. Esq.
Hon. Lamoille
Vt
Mr. Calhoun
H. A.
✓

BRIEF in the case of  Ezek Smith of Newark  County of Caledonia in the State of Vermont  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted in the Spring In 1778 — 8 — private Gen. Hitchcock } 14 th Regt Capt. John Angell } R. Island Continental   Out again fall of 1778 as volunteer. — 2 — " Eleazar Dents, Capt. } R. I. Lt. Amos Atwell } State Militia   during the winter of 1778- 1779. 1778 - out in short time - 3/4ths of his time volunteer March 1779 1 6 — " Same officer Capt. George Kibbe Lt. Amos Atwell Capt. M. Shipple Lt. John Dopping  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
not any
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
North Providence R. Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditional
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
not properly attached
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. Williams Examining Clerk.
14. July 1833

Esek Smith Declaration 12. 242

State of Vermont } ss. District & County of Caledonia }
On this 20 th day of August, A.D. 1832 person- ally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Benj. H. Denning Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia, aforesaid now sitting Esck Smith a resident of Newark in the District and County aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed - June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - To wit
I Esck Smith of Newark, County of Caledonia & State of Ver- mont depose & say that I was born in Providence in the County & of Providence State of Rhode Island on the 16 th day of October A.D. 1758, being now in my 74 th year - There is a record of my age in the office of the former Town Clerk of North- Providence. I lived in the town of North Providence originally a part of Providence when I enlis- ted a volunteer in the Revolutionary War in the spring of 1775 soon after the battle of Lexington being in my 17 th year of age. I enlis- ted for eight months in the Continental Service. I was attached to the 12 th  Regt as will be seen by my discharge - in the company of John Angell: his cousin Israel Angell was my Major - Fitchcock was my Col. - Nathl Green was Genl - My Company was ordered to Roxbury Mass. where it was embodied with the Regt. We marched from North Providence through Rehoboth, Attlebury, some of the other towns are forgotten, thro. Dedham into Roxbury - Our Regt remained at Roxbury about three weeks, I think & were then ordered to Prospect Hill - I was stationed on Pros- pect Hill during the remainder of my term of enlistment. I was alternately on guard & fatigue - I was in no battle during this term of service - After my discharge I returned home & I was a private during every term of service in which I was out - I was out again in the fall of 1776, for two months & was stationed at Warwick Neck. The country for thirty miles on the east & west shores of the Narragansett Bay at the head of which

Our Regt remained at Roxbury about three weeks, I think & were then ordered to Prospect Hill. I was stationed on Prospect Hill during the remainder of my term of enlistment. I was alternately on guard & fatigue. I was in no battle during this term of service. After my discharge I returned home & I was a private during every term of service in which I was out. I was out again in the fall, I think of 1776, for two months & was stationed at Warwick Neck. The country for thirty miles on the east & west shores of the Narragansett Bay at the head of which Providence is situated, was open to incursions of the enemy. On that account the Militia of the State were in almost constant requisition to guard the shores. During the last-mentioned period of service, I was a volunteer & was attached to the company of Eleazar Jenks of North Providence in the Regt of Col. Amos Atwell of the State Militia. The Regt was embodied at Warwick Neck. I do not remember the names of my other officers. There was but Col. Atwell's Regt stationed at Warwick Neck at this time. The precise time of my enlistment or discharge is not remembered. I think it was in the latter part of Sept that I enlisted & about the first of December that I was verbally discharged. I know it was very cold weather when I was discharged. The occasion of being out at this time was to prevent the enemy landing from a large frigate which was anchored off against Warwick Neck. We marched thro Providence, Cranston, into Warwick.
I was out again during the same winter at Patuxet. The precise period is not recollected, but my impression is that I was out a month at this time under the same captain as before. There was but my company at Patuxet. My employment was to guard the shore. During During the years 1776 - 77 & 78 I was out in short terms of service of three weeks, four weeks, six weeks & two months at a time guarding the shores at different points. My full & firm belief is that more than three quarters of my time during those years was spent in the way described in the publick service. I was out so frequently under so many different officers, was stationed at so many different positions & so many years having elapsed since the service that I find myself confused & unprepared to give a detailed relation of my services during those years. I do not remember of being at home but at short intervals during the three years referred to. A soldier's life was my occupation during that period. I remember of being stationed at Bristol at one time for a month or more. At another time at Newport a month; before it was taken by the enemy. At this time I was hired by a man whose name was Whipple I think, as he was drafted. My officers names at these several enlistments are forgotten. I was out in Gen. Spencer's expedition in the fall of 1778. I am not positive whether this expedition was in 77 or 78 but it was in the latter year, because I think it was the next

at home but at short intervals during the three years referred to. A soldier's life was my occupation during that period. I remember of being stationed at Bristol at one time for a month or more. At another time at Newport a month; before it was taken by the ene- my. At this time I was hired by a man whose name was Whipple I think, as he was drafted. My officers' names at these several enlistments are forgotten. I was out in Gen. Spencer's expedition in the fall of 1778. I am not positive whether this expedition was in -77 or -78 but think it was in the latter year, because I think it was the next year that I enlisted for nine months. My best recollection is that I was out two months during this expedition. Ezekiah Smith  Smith was my captain. Amos Atwell was colonel. I was stationed at Howland's Ferry most of the time. A portion of the time I was stationed five or six miles below the Ferry in the advance guard. Afterwards the advance guard was ordered back to the Ferry & preparations were made to transport the troops across to the island. The intention was to cross in the night but the moon rising disclosed the operations of the army to the British who immediately commenced a heavy cannonade from their redoubts, the army were ordered to retire back from the shore: the expedition entirely failed. I was soon after verbally discharged & returned home. In March 14. D. 1779 I enlisted for nine months a volunteer in the company of Capt. William Whipple of Providence. One Phillips was Major. John Topping of Newport was Col. Genl. Sullivan was commander in chief. There was but two Regts raised by the State to my know- -ledge commanded by Col. Topping & Lararick.
Three hundred dollars bounty was given to those who enlisted for nine months. My company were first ordered to East Greenwich on the west side of the Bay, where we remained three or four weeks guard- ing the shore. We were then ordered to cross the Bay to Howland's Ferry, where the Regt. was embodied & remained there on guard until the expedition onto the island of Rhode Island under Genl. Sullivan, which I think was in the latter part of July. The French fleet under D. Estaign had arrived. I was present in the action which was fought on the island & after the retreat of the American army my Regt. was stationed at Howland's Ferry. I remained there until early in Sept. when I was selected with fourteen more, I think, from Col. Topping's Regt. to complete the Life Guard of Genl. Sullivan, who was then at Providence. I remained at Providence in the Genl's Guard until my term of enlistment expired and I was verbally discharged. Aaron Man was capt. of the Guard. John Weston was first Lieut. Patter was 2nd. Soon after my attachment I received my Regimental Uniform & etc.

The shore: The expedition entirely failed. I was soon after verbally discharged & returned home. In March 24. D. 1779 I enlisted for nine months a volunteer in the company of Capt. William Whipple of Providence, one Philips was Major. John Topping of Newport was Col. Genl. Sullivan was commander in chief. There was but two Regts. raised by the State to my knowledge commanded by Col. Topping & Canaries.
Three hundred dollars bounty was given to those who enlisted for nine months. My company were first ordered to East Greenwich on the west side of the Bay, where we remained three or four weeks guarding the shore. We were then ordered to cross the Bay to Howlands Ferry, where the Regt. was embodied & remained there on guard until the expedition onto the island of Rhode Island under Genl. Sullivan, which I think was in the latter part of July. The French fleet under D. Olaign had arrived. I was present in the action which was fought on the island & after the retreat of the American army my Regt. was stationed at Howland's Ferry. I remained there until early in Sept. when I was selected with fourteen more, I think, from Col. Topping's Regt. to complete the Life Guard of Genl. Sullivan, who was then at Providence. I remained at Providence in the Genl's Guard until my term of enlistment expired and I was verbally discharged. Aaron Man was capt. of the Guard. John West was first Lieut. Pitter was 2nd. Soon after my attachment to the Guard the Capt. received my Regimental Uniform. I had a suit in uniform with the rest of the Life Guard. This was the conclusion of my service in the war. I have my discharge under my first enlistment for eight months & a receipt from Capt. Man for my Regimental Uniform while I was attached to the Life Guard of Genl. Sullivan. I have no doubt but men are living in Rhode Island who were my associates during my first and last terms of service; but whether any are living who were with me during the short periods of service rendered is uncertain. I have lived in North Providence in Foster Rhode Island, & in Newark Vermont since the Revolution. I have lived in Newark for twenty years last past. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Ezek Smith
Sworn to and subscribed by the above named Ezek Smith this 20 th day of August, A.D. 1832
Before Dey H. Dunning Judge of Probate
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 this Court further certifies that Eleazer Packer and Philemon Hartwell whose certificates are herunto annexed are well known to the Court as gentlemen of respectability whose statements are fully entitled to credit.
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of...
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of September A.D. 1832 Amos Paul, Register.
I Eleazer Packer of Newark Caledonia County & State of Vermont, certify & say that I have been intimately acquainted with Esau Smith of this town for nearly twenty years past & have ever esteemed him a man of truth & veracity. I have often heard him relate the story of his revolutionary services. The general belief of the people in his neighborhood is that he was out in the Revolutionary War - Eleazer Packer
State of Vermont } Newark August 16 th 1832. Caledonia County } Then personally appeared Eleazer Packer the subscriber of the above certificate & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth. Before Philemon Hartwell J. Peace.
I Philemon Hartwell of Newark Caledonia County & State of Vermont certify & say that I have been intimately acquainted with Esau Smith of this town for nearly twenty years past & have ever esteemed him a man of truth & veracity. I have often heard him relate the story of his revolutionary services. The general belief of the people in his neighborhood is that he was out in the Revolutionary War - Philemon Hartwell
Sworn to & subscribed this 16 th day of August 1832. Before Eleazar Packer J. Peace.

Explanatory Declaration And certificates in the case of Essex Smith

Caledonia County Vt
State of Vermont
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Caledonia Esau Smith who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot speak positively as to the precise length of his service more than he has already stated in his declaration. In answer to the 5 th interrogatory prescribed in the Regulations of the War Department, the Applicant deposeth and saith that he does not remember the names of his officers other than those with whom he served as he hath set forth in his Declaration during the eight months service under the first enlistment for which he has produced his discharge which is attached to his original Declaration. The Applicant recollects that there were many other Continental Regts. quartered with his own, but does not recollect that there were any Militia Regts. that served with his Regt during the first eight months. He does not recollect the members of any other Regts than his own, nor the names of their officers, nor the general circumstances of his service more fully than he has already stated in his Declaration. As to my second term of service for two months in the State Militia, I do not remember any other officers than those stated in my Declaration. I think there was no other Regt. but my own. The general circumstances of my own service I cannot state more fully than I have. My third period of service I cannot state more fully than I have. My captain and inferior officers were the same as those under whom I served under the second enlistment. During the short periods of service that succeeded in the years 1776 - 77 - 78 I cannot remember my officers names. During these years I belonged to the State Militia. Eleazar Jenks was my captain during most of the terms of service rendered by me in those years. I do not recollect that there were were more than one company stationed together during these periods. My employment was to guard the shores from the incursions of the enemy.

During these periods of service I was not in the vicinity of any Regular troops - I cannot remember any other circumstances as to my services during the years last mentioned than those described in my Declaration - I cannot remember any other circumstances touching my services in Gen. Shencers expedition than those set forth in my Declaration - In my Declaration I have given the names of my Captain and Col. in that expedition My other officers names in that expedition are forgotten.
My nine months service in 1779. I have detailed as fully as I can remember in my Declaration. My officers names are there given and the general circumstances of my service during that period - Genl Glover and the troops under his command I think were in the expedition and in the battle on the Island of Rhode Island - There were likewise French troops on the island. I do not remember the names of the officers who commanded the subdivisions of the army during this term of my service - Ebenezer Smith
Sworn to and subscribed this 11 th day of March A.D. 1833 -
Before me S. E. Tilton Justice of the Peace

We Eleazar Packer and Phileman Hartwell residing in the town of Newark in Caledonia County and State of Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Esau Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and also to the Declaration number 12.242 filed in the Court of Probate for the District and County of Caledonia on the 20 th day of August (A.D. 1832) we also certify that we believe him to be seventy four years of age as he has declared in his Declaration - 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 -
Eleazar Packer
Phileman Hartwell
The Above sworn to Excepting what is Included within the Parenthesis.
Sworn to and subscribed this 11 th day of March 1833.
Before me Nathaniel C. Tibbels Justice of Peace.
I Esau Smith of Newark in Caledonia County and State of Vermont depose and say, in answer to the twelfth objection in the Brief enclosing my returned Declaration for a pension that there is no Clergyman residing in the town of Newark aforesaid or in the vicinity which is the reason assigned for not producing a Clergyman's affidavit.
Esau Smith
Sworn to and subscribed this 11 th day of March A.D. 1833.
Before me Nathaniel C. Tibbels Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont } Caledonia County ss }
I Benjamin H. Deming clerk of the county court for said county do hereby certify that Nathan iel C. Hibbey is a Justice of the Peace for said county and that I believe the foregoing signatures purporting to be his to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court this 12 th day of April A.D. 1833.
Benj a H. Deming Clerk
I Amos Paul Register of the court of Probate for the District of Caledonia in the State of Vermont do hereby certify that it appears to said court that Eleazer Packer and Philemon Hartwell are residents in Newark in the county of Caledonia, are respectable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12 th day of April A.D. 1833.
Amos Paul Register

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 12 th , 1843.
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," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The adm rs of Ezek Smith, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Montpelier, Vt. Agency, at the rate of — Eighty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March — to the 22 nd June 1840.  Respectfully, yours,
J. Woodson
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Power of Attorney To J. Bridgman Jr

Know all men all men by these presents that I Essek Smith of Newark, Caledonia County & State of Vermont have made, constituted & appointed & by these presents do make constitute & appoint John Bridgman Jr. of Lyndon in said County my true & lawful Attorney for me, in my name & to my use to make application to the War Department of the United States for a pension for services rendered by me in the Revolutionary War agreeable to the provisions of the Act of Congress of 1832 for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution. And I do hereby authorize the said Bridgman to furnish & transmit to the War Department the evidence deemed necessary to substantiate the said application & as my Attorney to receive the returns of the Department & do all other acts & things lawful & necessary in the premises, myself approving, ratifying & confirming the same. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 16 th day of August A.D. 1832.
In presence of Essek Smith George C. Calhoun
Essek Smith
State of Vermont } Caledonia County } Lyndon August 16. 1832.
Then personally appeared Essek Smith, signer & sealer of the foregoing Power of Attorney & acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act & deed.
Before me George C. Calhoun Justice of the Peace

P  15984 INVALID.
File No. 15984 Esch Smith Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 349
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
John Bridgman Esq.
Lamoille
There is no such office or } Maine town in Maine.

Esch Smith S.F. 15984 R.V.
Esch Smith
Esch Smith

Camp on Prospect Hill Dec 31 st 1775 Ysek Smith a. Soldier in the 14 th Reg t . is hereby Discharged from the Army. By Israel Angell Major of the 14 th Reg t .
Providence Dec 1775 head of Whitesmith one coat one waist one pair of breeches Stearone Man