Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,603, for Abisha Smith, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Smith, Abisha
S18603
card
CONTENTS
born at Norton, Bristol Co. Mass. May 8, 1761. died at N. Scituate in 1832.

6717.
Massachusetts Abisha Smith
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by Col d Duggett in the Mass for 16 Mos 15 D s 10 c " " " " " " } " " " " " " } " " " " " " } " " " " " " }
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 58 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of March 1833 and sent to J. S. Hodge of Mass
Arrears to 4th of Dec r 1833 $117.30 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 Sept " 29.32 $146.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 98.

16,789
Abisha Smith
16 months 15 days Bruto 1 " Corporeal
Alma
2 a Section 14 th Yrs
Feb 20 1833
P 2600
$ 58.65
J. L. Woodg
H R

BRIEF in the case of  Abisha Smith  of Bristol } in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? absent  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no  3. How old is he? 71  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.     1775 to 76 Thinks in '76 15 Substituted Capt Cobb   do 77 - Time of Spencer's Exp. 2 1 month as subst. Capt Trow   do - 77 - - - - - 3 private Capt Claph Col Daggett   do - 77 - - - - - 1 corporal Capt Hodges   do - 77 - - - - - 2 private Capt Claph   May 78 8 " " Capt Fuller Col Jacobs   Thinks 79 1 " " Capt Robinson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
none mentioned
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Norton Mass
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
4 living witnesses
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
right
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
* Thinks these 3 campaigns were in '77 & first part of '78
14 Feb 1833

I Levi Woodward of Taunton in the county of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being seventy one years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Abisha Smith of Norton a great number of years & that he served in a company with me in the county & State aforesaid one campaign of three months in the army of the American Revolution in said company commanded by Abiel Bliss & in Col Daggett Regiment & that said Smith was a volunteer in said company & we were stationed at a place called Howland Ferry in the state of R.I. & I think it was in the year 1777 & it was about the time of Spencer's expedition (so called) -
Dated at Norton this 13 th day of August 1832
✓ Levi Woodward
Bristol } Commonwealth of Massachusetts
county } ss Before me one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Bristol personally appeared Levi Woodward subscribed to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and quality this 13 th day of August A.D. 1832.
Colonel Leonard Justice of Peace

Abisha Smith was born May 8 th 1761
A true copy of Record attest John Luer } Town Clerk Norton August 28 th 1832 } of Norton

Abisha Smith
10/7/89
J. L. Rodgers HR

ready COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton in and for said County on the twenty eighth day of August - one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Abisha Smith a resident of Norton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein after stated, I was a Substitute for S d Smith in Captain Silas Cobb Company in the year 1775, I was a Substitute for Simon Hodges I think in the year 1776, and served one Month under Israel Drow at a place called Fogland Ferry in the State of R.I. and I will further particulars of my Service in my answer to the fifth Interrogatory and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Norton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and Sixty one
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have a record of my age in a Book kept for that purpose by my Father and in his own hand writing.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I was living in Norton when I was called into the Service, & I have always lived in Norton except three years in which I lived in Mansfield, I now live in Norton.
May 8.

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? I was never drafted, I always volunteered, I was a substitute for Seth Smith half a month at a place called Squantum, and I was also a substitute one month for Simeon Hodges,
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
In the year 1775 I marched from Norton to Squantum near Boston as a private soldier & a substitute for Seth Smith where I was placed in Capt. Silas Cobb's company & Isaac Smith was our Lieutenant, and after half a month I was discharged verbal by Captain Cobb. I have no living witness of the above half month that I know of & must depend on my own statement as confirmed & supported by the Rev. Nath. Clark and Cromwell Bernard. I am not quite certain but think it was in the year 1776, that I served a month campaign in the State of Rhode Island. Said campaign was two months, the first month of which I was a substitute for Simeon Hodges as above stated & served in Captain Israel Snow's company and the second month I was a volunteer in said Snow's company. I marched from Norton to a place called Fogland Ferry in the State of Rhode Island and from there to Providence in said State & our duty was to guard the shores & prevent the enemy from landing. over
month 1/2
month 2

3 after two months I was verbally discharged by Captain Dyer and for proof of this campaign I refer to an affidavit from Jonathan Smith. I also served as a private soldier one other campaign of three months under Capt. Abiel Clapp and in Col. Dazgitt Regiment and we were stationed at and near a place called Hoivlands Ferry in the State of R.I. and it was about the time of Spencer's expedition (so called in the year (as I think) of 1777 & at the end of said three months I received a verbal discharge from Capt. Clapp & returned home & I refer to an affidavit from Levi Woodward to prove this campaign. and I also served one other campaign of one month in a company commanded by Isaac Hoadges & John Dean was our our Lieutenant & we were stationed at a place called Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island. I was a corporal in said company, and I have no living evidence that is near that I know of to prove this campaign & must depend on my own statement as supported in this declaration. — and I also served one other campaign 2 of two months in a company commanded by Abiel Clapp & we were stationed at a place called North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island & I am not certain but think that this the two last mentioned campaigns were all in the years 1777 & the first part of the year 1778, I received a verbal discharge at the close of this campaign from Capt. Clapp & I refer to Jonathan Smith's affidavit to prove this campaign — and I served one other campaign 8 of eight months; I enlisted into a company organized by Captain Jacob Fuller in the month of May 1778 & in Col. John Fages Regiment of Gen. Cornwallis Bri- gade and was at Sullivan's Expedition (so called) and we were stationed the principal part of the time during this campaign in the State of Rhode Island and went on the

8 This campaign - I and I served one other concurrent campaign of eight months; I enlisted into a company concurrent by Captain Jacob Fuller in the month of May 1778 in Col John Jacobs Regiment of Gen. Cornwallis Bri- gade and I was at Sullivan's Expedition (so called) and we were stationed the principal part of the time during this campaign in the State of Rhode Island, and was on the Island at the time of the Battle. After the expiration of said eight months I received a verbal discharge from Captain Fuller, I refer to an affidavit of Jonathan Smith to prove this campaign - and I also served one other campaign of one month I was stationed at Providence in the State of R.I. in a company commanded by Captain Enoch Robinson of Attleborough. I am not quite certain as to the time but think it was in the year 1779 I have no evidence to prove this last campaign but must depend on my own statement as supported by the Rev. Pitt Clarke and Col. Leonard - I have no documentary evidence to prove any of the above services the troops in which I rendered all the above service were called Massachusetts State Troops, all the service that I rendered in the war of the Revolution amounts to seventeen and a half months!

NB. Since this declaration was written I have found a living of one month under Captain Isaac Hodges, to wit John Hobbs is now annexed to others to prove my service as herein stated.
to a campaign whose efficiency in all pay roll service; and, if so,
6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a Soldier during the whole of my service & never had a written discharge. I never had a commission, nor held any office except that of corporal.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
I refer to the Rev. Pitt Clarke and Cromwell Leonard
And the said Abisha Smith doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Abisha Smith
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Daylies , Judge of Probate.
WE Pitt Clarke - residing in Norton and Cromwell Leonard residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abisha Smith - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy one 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.
Pitt Clarke Cromwell Leonard
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Daylies , 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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Pitt Clarke — who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman — resident in the town of Yorton in said County of Bristol, and that Cornwell Leonard who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies,
Judge of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
BRISTOL ss.
I Anselm Basset Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abisha Smith — of Yorton — in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year above written.
Anselm Basset
Rev. Woodward John Cook Jonathan Smith David Lovell

16,789 Abisha Smith
J. K. Hodge NR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abisha Smith which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes No VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? ✓
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ? ✓
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses ? Yes  NO
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 his 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 _____ months 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 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 shewn 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

18603 INVALID.
File No. 18603
Abisha Smith
On New Year
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 388
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I John Cobb of Mansfield in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy four years of age do hereby testify that I have been well acquainted with Abisha Smith of Norton for a great number of years and that he the said Smith served in as a Corporal in a company with me in the army of the American Revolution one campaign of one month said company was commanded by Capt Isaac Hodges & Major Duryea was our Major. & we were Stationed at a place called Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island as I think & in the year 1778 & our troops were called State troops of Mass.
Dated at Norton this 17 th day of August 1832 John Cobb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss Before me one of the Justices of the County Court within and for the County of Bristol personally appeared John Cobb Subscriber to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true according to the best of his recollection and belief, in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 17 th day of August 1832 Barnard Leonard Justice of Peace

I Jonathan Smith a native of the Town of Norton (I now in said Town) in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but when at home a resident of the State of Rhode Island. being of lawful age do testify and say, that I have for a great number of years been acquainted with Abisha Smith of said Norton, and that I served in company with him as a private Soldier in the Army of the American Revolution in three several campaigns amounting in the whole to about twelve months, to wit one campaign of eight months in the company commanded by Jacob Fuller, & in the Regiment of Col. John Jacobs, and Brigade of Gen. Cornell, and the other two campaigns of about four months were as follows the first in the company commanded by Israel Snow & stationed on the shores of the State of Rhode Island and the second, in a company commanded by Abial Clapp, which Service was also in the State of Rhode Island, And that I know that by the said Abisha Smith did serve and perform his duty as a good & faithful Soldier in all the above mentioned campaigns, for the  the  the the
Jonathan Smith
Norton July 5 th 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss, Before me one of the justices of the County } Peace within & for the county of Bristol personally appeared Jonathan Smith Subscriber to the within affidavit, to me well known, & made oath that the same is true in all its parts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this fifth day of July A 1832
Coron. Leonard Justice of Peace

I David Lovell of Mansfield in the county of Bristol of Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of the age of seventy nine years of age do hereby testify & say that Abisha Smith of Norton enlisted & served as a private Soldier in the Army of the American Revolution in a company commanded by Jacob Fuller & in the regiment of Col. John Gookes & in Gen Cornell Brigade - eight months in the year 1778 & said Regiment was stationed on & about Rhode Island & that I served as a Soldier in said company at the same time, & that the said Regiment was called State Troops. - David Lovell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss Before me, one of the Justices of the County } Peace within & for the county of Bristol personally appeared David Lovell Subscriber to the above Affidavit & made oath that the same is true in all its parts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 6 th day of August A D 1832 Cromwell Leonard Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in the said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Cromwell Leonard, whose signature is affixed to the within foregoing certificates, is a Justice of the Peace - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this Twenty Second day of October Eighteen hundred & thirty two - Anselm Barrett

Washington Sep 22 nd 1833
I hereby certify that full credit may be given to the testimony of Levi Woodburn John Potts, John A. Smith and David Lovell the foregoing witnesses James L. Hordges