Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17014, for Abram Smith, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Smith, Abrain Gibbs Elizabeth
W. 17014
Former widow
CONTENTS
has at end of service book N.J. died in 1779 in Northampton Co. Pa.

Declaration of Elizabeth Gibbs in order to obtain the benefits of the 3 d section of the act of 4 th July, 1836, and of the 1 st section of the act of 4 th of March 3 d of March 1837
State of New York
County of Tompkins ss. On this 29 th day of November in the year 1837 personally appeared before me, Amasa Davis, First Judge of the county courts in and for the county of Tompkins, Elizabeth Gibbs a resident of the town of Dryden in the county and state aforesaid, aged 91 years 9 months and some days, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3, 1837:
That she was married to Abrahm Smith who was a soldier of the Revolution during the whole of the Revolutionary war. That the said Abrahm Smith entered the service as a lieutenant captain, at Sussex county in the State of New Jersey, in the Spring of the year 1778 as near as she can recollect, according to the best of her recollection he was either drafted or entered as a volunteer; That the said Abrahm Smith served as lieutenant captain in a company commanded by his brother John Smith, and continued in the service for a period of six months & upwards when the term of his service as declared now be- lieves, expired by limitation. During this service as declarant has been frequently informed by her said husband, and verily believes he was engaged in the battle of Monmouth under the command of General George Washington and after the battle, was marched with the Army under the

immediate command of General Washington to White Plains -
That shortly after his return home, from the above mentioned service he again entered the service, but in what particular character declarant does not now remember and proceeded up the Delaware to Minisink. The particulars of this service declarant does not now recollect. She however well recollects that her said husband entered service as before stated and continued therein for about six months, and she recollects hearing him remark that he had frequently laid down at night with his mantle wrapt around him and that when he arose in the morning, he was covered with a considerable body of snow.
She well recollects that her said husband the said Abram held a commission as a lieutenant. Since the close of the war the said commission remained for many years in her custody, but now it is either lost or destroyed. At present, declarant has no documentary evidence in support of her claim -
And the said Elizabeth Gibbs further declares that she was married to the said Abram Smith, as near as she can now remember and estimate the time in the fall of the year 1774 in Sussex New Jersey; that her husband the aforesaid Abram Smith died, as near as she can now remember the time in the year 1799 at Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania. That she was afterwards married to John Gibbs of Lansing in the county of Tompkins (formerly Genoa in the county of Cayuga), who died in the fall of

the year 1817; and that she was a widow on the fourth of July 1835, and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by the proof herunto annexed
Subscribed and sworn on the day and year first above written before me
Elizabeth by  of Gibbs mark
Amasa Dana 1 st Judge of Tompkins County Court

July 4 th 1936 &
3 rd Mar 1937.
Maud Abram Smith. Who returned the lenses in Oct 9 in to 8/Jan 1938 & I sent 6 mo.

State of New York
Tompkins County ss John Smith of the town of Dryden in the County of Tompkins being duly sworn deposes and says that the widow Elizabeth Gibbs, formerly the wife of Abram Smith a soldier of the Revolution, who is an applicant for a pension under her present name of Elizabeth Gibbs, is the mother of this deponent; that she now resides with deponent, and although now upwards of ninety years of age, she enjoys a better state of health than old persons usually do. That she is able to lie up and about the house and perform such business as knitting and sewing &c And further this deponent saith not
Subscribed and sworn this 28th day of December 1841 before me -
John Smith
Geo. G. Freer Court of deeds

Reported to Agents
3788
Albany, New York
Elizabeth Gibbs, formerly widow of Abram Smith
who died on the year 1799 of Dutchess Co., in the State of New York who was a P. & Q. Lieut. in the company commanded by Captain John Smith of the regt. commanded by J. G. in the N. Jersey line for 6 months Lieut. — — 80 " " " Private — — 20 $ 1 00 —
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 100 Dollars — — — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Sept. 1842 and sent to Geo. G. Free Albany, N. Y.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1842 $1150. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. 43. 50.00
$ 12 00 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd Part of Aug. 23, 1842 }
Recorded by C. Brown Clerk. Book — Vol. 1. Page 115.

March 1, 1938.
Mrs. G. W. Rice 67 Albemarle Street Rochester, New York.
BA-J/ILL Abram Smith W. 17014
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Abraham Smith, who lived in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, married Elizabeth, daughter of Coonrod Teeter, and died before 1800; you state also that his widow moved to Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, and received a pension.
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 17014, based upon service of Abram (Abraham) Smith in the Revolutionary War. His widow, Elizabeth, was a pensioner of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York.
Abram (Abraham) Smith lived in Sussex County, New Jersey, as early as the fall of 1767. The date and place of his birth, and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Knowlton, Sussex County, New Jersey, he entered service in the spring of 1778, as lieutenant in the company of his brother, Captain John Smith, in the New Jersey troops, was in the battle of Monmouth, after which he marched to White Plains and was discharged, having served six months. Shortly after his return home, he enlisted and served six months as a private in the New Jersey troops (name of captain not shown) under Major Samuel Westbrook, during which he marched up the Delaware valley and was engaged against the Indians in the vicinity of Minisink.
Abram (Abraham) Smith died in the year 1799, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania; the day of his death is not shown.
He married in the fall of 1767, Elizabeth Teeter; they were married at her mother's home in Sussex County, New Jersey. The names

of Elizabeth's parents are not shown.
Elizabeth, Smith, widow of Abram (Abraham), married some time afterwards John Gibbs, of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York (formerly Genoa, Cayuga County); he died in the fall of 1817. The date of this second marriage is not shown, nor the day of death of said John Gibbs.
Elizabeth Gibbs was allowed pension on account of service of her first husband, Abram (Abraham) Smith, in the Revolutionary War on her application executed November 29, 1837. She was then a resident of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York; she stated then that she was aged ninety-one years, nine months, and some days, but did not give the day of her birth.
In 1837, three sons of Abram (Abraham) Smith and his wife, Elizabeth, were shown: Jacob, aged sixty-seven years; Isaac, of Danby, Tompkins County, New York, aged fifty-six years, three months, some days; and John, fifty years and seven months, some days, of Lansing, New York. Jacob Smith, the eldest of these sons, stated that his father frequently recounted his experiences in the Revolutionary War and told of awakening with light snow on his blanket while engaged in the campaign near Minisink; Jacob stated further that his father had his officer's cap, "cocked up on three sides", which he had worn in the war, and that he (his father) would wear it occasionally. In 1841, the son, John Smith, stated that his mother, Elizabeth Gibbs, made her home with him in Dryden, New York. In 1850, said John Smith resided in Ithaca, New York.
November 29, 1837, John Smith, aged seventy-one years and some days, was a resident of Ulysses, Tompkins County, New York. He had lived during the Revolutionary War in Sussex County, New Jersey, where he was a neighbor of Abram Smith and his wife, Elizabeth; no relationship between them was stated.
Conrad (Coenrad) Teeter, Elizabeth's brother, was a resident of Ulysses Tompkins County, New York, on November 30, 1837; he gave his age then as eighty-two years, one month and some days. He stated that he was present at his sister's marriage to Abram (Abraham) Smith, and that said Abram lived in the same house with him when he entered service in the Revolutionary War.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of

person paid, and , possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Elizabeth Gibbs, former widow of Abram Smith, Certificate #3788 Issued September 29, 1842 Rate $100 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of July 4, 1836 New York Agency.
(Referred Aug. 23 - 1842) Act of Congress
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

State of New York Tompkins County } ss. John Smith of the town of Ulysses in the County of Tompkins being duly sworn de- poses and says that he is acquainted is aged seventy one years and some days; that he is acquainted with Elizabeth Gibbs an applicant for a pension for services performed by her husband during the war of the revolution and that he was well acquainted with her and her husband Abram Smith during the said war. That he resided during the period of the said war in Sussex County in the State of New Jersey and was a near neighbour to the said Abram Smith and his said wife Elizabeth. That he well re- members the said Abram Smith performed ser- vices in the said war of the revolution. That he knows the fact from the said Abram having entered the service for that purpose and return- ing again after a period of time. He does not know at this time in what manner the said Abram entered the service whether as a volunteer or otherwise. He, however, is positive upon the point that the said Abram did enter the service and according to his best recollection continued in the service about six months. According to deponent's best recollection he entered the service at one time in the year 1779 or 1780 & continued therein for about 6 months; the important part of this service as deponent understood then it was to protect the  frontier

and guard the frontier against the Indians - The said Abram entered at Sussex aforesaid and Marched to Minisink on the Delaware where the said service was performed - He does not now recollect the names of the officers under whom the said Abram served, but thinks the one was a Major Westbrook
And this deponent further says that he has heard the declaration of the said Elizabeth read, wherein it is stated that the said Abram Smith served under Generals Lee & Washington for a period of six months and fought in the battle of Monmouth under said officers - This deponent from his now recollection cannot now positively say that the said Abram did thus serve though he has no doubt of the fact - He well re- members that the said Abram was frequently from home and sometimes for a considerable length of time, about the period alluded to and it is now, and always has been traditional in the family & descendants of the said Abram that he did thus serve as a lieutenant captain and fought in battle of Monmouth, and this depon- ent has no doubt of the correctness of such tradition -
And this deponent further says that the said Elizabeth since the conclusion of the war was married to one John Gibbs and that she was a widow on the 24th of July 1834 and still remains a widow - And further this deponent saith not
Subscribed & sworn to this 29th day of November 1837 before me -
John Smith
Amasa Dana Judge of Tompkins county Courts
Smith, Abram W.S. WINOGR

State of New York
Tompkins County ss Isaac Smith aged fifty years six years three months & some days and John Smith aged fifty years years seven months and some days, the former of Dinkey and the latter of Lansing in the county of Tompkins being duly sworn depose and say that they are the sons of Elizabeth Gibbs an applicant for pension for services performed by her husband Abram Smith the father of deponents during the War of the Revolution. That they have read the declaration of their said mother and know the contents thereof and from the traditional evidence of their family they have no doubt the truth of the facts therein stated. That they have frequently heard their said father relate the incidents of the war & the perils he had himself taken in the same. That they have frequently heard him say that he fought in the battle of Monmouth; that the day of the battle was very hot, and after the battle was over very many were so warm and thirsty that they drank so much from a run of water as to occasion their deaths. They also remember hearing him speak of his campaign up the Delaware to fight the Indians —
And these deponents further say that they have frequently seen the commission of their father as a lieutenant captain, which he held during the war. That the same was always in the custody of their said mother till within a few years, since which time it has become lost or destroyed —

Smith, Abram
And these deponents further say that the time of the death of their said father the subsequent marriage of their said mother, the time of the death of her latter husband, are truly stated by the said Elizabeth in her said declaration; and that she, the said Elizabeth has ever since been, and now is a, widow.
Subscribed & sworn this 2nd day of November Dec r . 1837 before me
Isaac Smith John Smith
Geo. G. Freer Court of deeds
State of New York
Tompkins County Is Jacob Smith aged sixty seven  eight years being duly sworn deposes and says that he is son of Elizabeth Gibbs an applicant for a pension for services performed by Abram Smith the father of this deponent, during the Revolutionary war; that he has heard the declaration of the said Elizabeth read, and also the foregoing affidavit of his brothers, Isaac & John; that the facts stated by the said Isaac and John, he believes to be true, he has in like manner heard his said father, the incidents of the war & has in like manner seen his Commission as a lieutenant. He has also frequently heard his father say & talk of his suffering while at Minisink up the Delaware to guard the frontiers against the Indians; he has heard him say that he had laid down at night with his blanket wrapped around him & when he arose in the morning was

covered with a considerable body of snow which had fallen during the night —
And this deponent further says that after the conclusion of the war his father had for several years the officer's cap wh. he said he had worn in the service under Genl Washington; that the said hat was cocked up on three sides & his father was occasionally wear the same —
And this deponent further says that he has an indistinct recollection of know- ing of his father's return home, at one time at one time, from the war — And further this deponent saith not — subscribed & sworn this 2nd day of Decr. 1837 Jacob Smith. before me
Geo. G. Freer
Court of Deeds
State of New York Tompkins County ss. I George G. Freer a court of deeds do hereby certify that I am well acquaint- ed with Conrad Peeter, Sidney Drake, Isaac Smith John Smith and Jacob Smith persons who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits before me and that they are men of fair standing in this community credible witnesses and that their statements are entitled to credit — Dated Decr. 4. 1837
Geo. G. Freer
Court of Deeds

State of New York
Somerset County ss. I Amasa Dana first judge of the County of Somerset do certify that I am acquainted with John Smith who made one of the foregoing affidavits before me, another is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit. Dated Dec 9 th 1837
Amasa Dana Judge
Amasa Dana Judge
V 3023 Gabe L. Gibbs Declaration of Ref to obtain a Pension
South Berrien P.D. 22014

State of New York
Tompkins County ss Conrad Teter of the town of Ulysses in the county of Tompkins being duly sworn deposes and says that he is aged Eighty two years one month and some days; that he is well acquainted with Elizabeth Gibbs who is deponent's sister, and an applicant for a pension for services performed by Abram Smith her first husband in the war of the Revolution; that he was well acquainted with the said Elizabeth and her husband during the said war; that during said war war the said Abram resided in Sussex County in the State of New Jersey in the same house with this deponent and worked deponent's farm upon shares. That he well remembers that the said Abram Smith performed services as a soldier during the said Revolutionary War; that the said Abram first entered the service as near as deponent can recollect, at Sussex aforesaid in the Spring of 1778; and continued in the service for about six months, when he returned home. Upon this point deponent is positive; though he did not see the said Abram in actual service, he knows he left his home for that purpose and continued absent for about six months as aforesaid; and deponent is just as sure, from all the circumstances & facts which which transpired under his immediate observation, that the said Abram faithfully served for the said period of six months, as if he had seen him in actual service. During this service as deponent was informed and fully believes the said Abram fought in the battle of Monmouth. The said Abram was an officer in a company commanded by his
64

25 Smith 1837
brother John Smith; he was according to deponent's best recollection a lieutenant captain -
And this deponent further says that not long after his return home the said Abram Smith again entered the service and proceeded up the Delaware to Minisink where his duty was to guard the frontiers against the ravages of the Indians. In this service the said Abram continued six months or more - In relation to this latter period of service deponent is as positive as of the former - the said Abram lived in the same house and worked the farm of deponent when he entered said service & still continued to live with him after his return home - Deponent does not now recollect in what respect the said Abram entered the service whether as a volunteer or otherwise at either time -
And this deponent further says that the said Abram Smith was legally married to the said Elizabeth Gibbs at the house of deponent's mother about seventy years ago as near as he can now recollect; that deponent was present at the marriage and well recollects the name - that they were married by a Justice of the Peace by the name of Hoersack who has been dead fifty years and upwards - The marriage was performed in Sussex New Jersey - That they continued man & wife until some time after the conclusion of the war when the said Abram died; that the said Elizabeth has since the decease of the said Abram been married to one John Gibbs who also died several years ago; that the said Elizabeth was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still is a widow -
Subscribed & sworn this 30th day of November 1837 before me - Geo. P. Freer
his Conrad Teeter mark

Elizabeth Gibbs Declaration affidavits & papers claiming a pension for the services of her former husband Abraham Smith in the war of the revolution
Ref d Dec 21, 1840.
Ref d to Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.
Feb 12. 1841
Committee said to be
January 20 1842
Ref d to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Mar. 8 1842 - Bill 267
Have been
33. Rev. Pensions
Mr. Riggs
Smith, Abram W 19081

State of New York
Tompkins County ss. Isaac Smith of the town of Danby in the County of Tompkins being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is aware of the depositions in the annexed affidavit. That from a communication signed by J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of pensions he observes that said Edwards requires an explanation why the said Abram Smith the husband of the said Elizabeth Gibbs served in the first place as a lieutenant and after wards as a private on the Minisink frontier. The said J. L. Edwards in his said communication remarks, "If he served as a lieutenant, and afterwards as a private, the cause of his reduction should be fully explained."
And this deponent further says, that the cause of said reduction or in other words the reason why his father the said Abram Smith went as a private soldier to aid in protecting the Minisink frontier are the following. That in the outset of the expedition to said Minisink frontier there were more officers than were necessary and the said Abram Smith consented to go and did go as a private soldier. That this is the account of the same as this deponent has frequently understood from his said father during his life time and which this deponent truly believes to be true.
Subscribed to Isaac this 23 day of Feb y 1840 Before me
Geo. G. Greene
Court of deeds
Isaac Smith

Affidavit of Sidney Drake
Smithsonian NJ 617014

State of New York
Tompkins County ss Sidney Drake of the town of Lansing in the county of Tompkins being duly sworn deposes and says that he is aged seventy five years and one month  month that he is well acquainted with Elizabeth Gibbs an applicant for a pension for services of her husband Abram Smith as a soldier of the Revolution; that he well knew the said Elizabeth and her said husband during the revolutionary war; that they, at that time, resided in Sussex county in the state of New Jersey, and lived together as husband & wife & were reputed to be such by all their acquaintances and deponent has no manner of doubt that they were legally man & wife
And this deponent further says that he has heard the declaration of the said Elizabeth for a pension read, and from his knowledge of facts & circumstances, and from traditional evidence which deponent has never heard disputed, he has no manner of doubt but that the said Abram Smith served his country in the war of the Revolution in the manner stated by the said Elizabeth. He well remembers that the said Abram was as pure a patriot as the country produced and that he held the commission of a lieutenant in the war - And further this deponent saith not - Subscribed & sworn this 2 nd day of November  December 1837 before me Sidney Drake Geo. G. Freer Court of dects

27th CONGRESS, 2d Session.
H. R. 267.
( Rep. No. 299. )
MARCH 8, 1842.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. MATHIOT, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL
An Act For the relief of Elizabeth Gibbs.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to place 4 the name of Elizabeth Gibbs, of Tompkins county, New 5 York, on the pension roll, and that she be paid, during her 6 natural life, out of any money not otherwise appropriated, for 7 six months' service of her first husband, Abram Smith, as a 8 lieutenant, and for six months' service as a private in the rev- 9 olutionary war, according to the provisions of the act of July 10 fourth, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, and the explanatory 11 act of March third, eighteen hundred and thirty-seven.
Approved, August 23 d 1842.
A true Copy from the Rolls in this Office.       Stephen R. Habber Dept. of State.       Acty. Secy. Sept. 27 th 1842.

17-014
Rev WIDOW, &c.
193 he
File No. 17014
Elizabeth Gibbs
Wid. of
Abram Smith
Lieut Rev. War
Act July 4. 1836
Index: Vol. a , Page 273
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Jan. 31-198 Mr. Horatio Gates - Milwaukee ratio
1958 - Mar. 1 - Ship. to Mrs. G. H. Rice - J. L. - Wis. C. 8 - Mar. 29 - Lot 20 - Mrs. G. H. Rice in re. to Pat. Ret. and data furnished. M. H. S.
2

N Y ork
Elizabeth Gibbs, who was widow of Abraham Smith Letter to Hon. A. D. W. Bruyn 20. Dec. '37. " to same 17. May '38. " to G. G. Freer 21. Nov. 1838 to Hon. Cyrus Beers 14. Dec. 1838 " to same January 9. 1839 Hon. A. Dana 23. May 1840 do to same Dec 17. 1840.
Act. 4. July 1836

Exam by Dr. Young Dec. 11/50 & returned.

March 29, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MHF:MLB
Mrs. G. W. Rice 67 Albemarle Street Rochester, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you express your appreciation for the record of Abraham Smith, W. 17014, and in which you furnish further genealogical data.
It is gratifying to know that the record cited was helpful to you. Your letter has been placed on file with the papers in pension claim, W. 17014. Thank you for your information. Only such data as are found in the original papers are incorporated in official reports.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rochester N.Y. Mar.9-1938
Veterans Administration A.D.Hiller Executive Assistant
Dear Madam:
I was agreeably suprised at the promptness of the reply to my query on Abraham Smith, Pension Claim W-17014. Your letter contained what I wanted and all I could hope for. Thank you.
For the information of others, Elizabeth Teeter, the widow of Abraham Smith was the daughter of Coonrod Teeter and his wife Catharine Weaver(or Weber). Coonrod Teeter's will on file at Trenton N.J. mentions his daughter Elizabeth as the wife of Abraham Smith.
The Church Records of Knowlton N.J. and Hamilton, Northampton County Pa. give the birth and baptism of six of Abraham Smith's children.
Four of Abraham Smith's sons namely, Jacob, John, Isaac, and Benjamin served in the war of 1812 from Tompkins Co.N.Y.
The widow Elizabeth lived to be 104 years old as stated on page 166 of the "Centennial History of Dryden; Tompkins Co.N.Y.
Respectfully yours
Grace S. Rice
Mrs.G.W.Rice 67 Albemarle St. Rochester N.Y.

Rochester N.Y. Feb.10-1938
Vetrans Administration Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Abraham Smith lived in New Jersey and Pa.near the Delaware Water Gap.He served in the Revolutionary War and died before 1800.He married Elizabeth daughter of Coonrod Teeter(my ancestor).
His widow and her children moved to Dryden,Tompkins County N.Y.and a local history says that she lived to be 104 years old.A family tradition says that she had a pension of $8.00 per.month.
Will you please send me the family data contained in the pension application made on the services of Abraham Smith and also give me the date of the last pension payment as I would like to know the birth and death date of Elizabeth Smith,his widow.
Yours truly
Grace S. Rice
Mrs.G.W.Rice 67 Albemarle St. Rochester N.Y.

No. 110 Mason St. Milwaukee, Wis 7 Jan'y 18 th 1898
The U.S. Pension Office Washington D.C.
Is there any record of a pension paid to Abram Smith, 2 d Lieut. Westchester Co. N.Y. Troops, War of the Revolution - North Salem Company - He died at Bolton Vermont 1808. Was any pension paid to his widow Sarah Crane Smith - a daughter of Col. Thaddeus Crane, who was wounded at Battle of Red Bank under Wooster - '77 - Mrs. Smith died at Bolton, Vermont in 1829.
Very Truly Yours (Rev) Horatio Gates

Elizabeth Gibbs
Wife.

In the matter of Elizabeth Gibbs an applicant for a pension -
Brief
1 st See the declaration of Elizabeth Gibbs. She swears positively to the service of her husband, Abner Smith, for two periods during the war of six months each and upwards. She also swears to having had his commission in her possession for a long time after his death; but that it is now lost -
2 nd Conrad Ketter, aged 82 years when he made his affidavit, swears point blank and positively to both periods of service. Now under heaven can the Com te of pensions get over this affidavit. Ketter is still in good health and of sound and composing mind & memory; and as Judge Dana well knows, a man of strict integrity and unimpeachable veracity.
3 d The testimony of General John Smith - who is now dead is equally positive as to the six months service on the Muisick frontier - and strongly circumstantial as to the first period of service -
4 th Sidney Drake's testimony is reasonably positive. He swears he has no doubt of the truth of the Widows declaration, and knows Abner Smith held a commission as lieutenant during the war.
5 th . The testimony of Isaac & John Smith is very strong & entitled to consideration; they swear to several facts, among the rest, of having frequently seen the commission of their father which has been lost within the last few years -

4 th See Jacob Smiths testimony as being still stronger than the testimony of Isaac and John.
5 The testimony from the office of the Secretary of New Jersey does not amount to much; perhaps nothing. But we all know these records are very imperfect.
6 - The Court of Pensions, in one of his letters refused the claim because there was no reason given why Abram Smith first served as a lieutenant, and afterwards as a private. The reason and explanation is given in an affidavit of Isaac Smith - being the last of the affidavits - to which I invite attention. This affidavit removes the difficulty.

Elizabeth Gibbs Widow of Abraham Smith. on the N.Y. Roll. pensioned under the act of 1836.
L. W. Young Agent

Atuca N.Y. Nov. 24. 1850.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Patents - Sir.
You will be pleased to allow my agent R. W. Young Washington D. C. to examine the papers on file in your office upon which a patent was originally granted to Elizabeth Gibbs former widow of Lieut. Abraham Smith deceased. My mother Elizabeth Gibbs is now deceased.
Yours respectfully.
John Smith. See standard of the late Abraham Smith deceased.

Elizabeth Gibbs, Albany N.Y. Act August 23. 1842, $100 per Annum from the 4 March 1831 [Act July 4. 1836]
Send Cut to
Geo. G. Freer, Ithaca, N.Y.
Rev. J. J. Edwards Pamphlets of Sermons Washington City D. C.
H.C. Miller Sept 27. 42
Sept 27. 1842 Miss Gibbs Hon. J. J. Edwards
F R R

Ithaca Sept 17th 1842
Dr Sir
An act was passed at the late Session of Congress granting to Elizabeth Gibbs of New York a pension. She resides in this County (Tompkins N.Y.) Her business has all been conducted by me from the beginning - and she wishes me to get her certificate from you and make her documents so she can get her pension money. The act allows her for 6 months services of her husband as private & six months as lieutenant, commencing March 4th 1831.
I wrote to Hon Lewis Riggs Member from our district to procure the certificate. Has he seen you on the subject? Perhaps in the press of business he neglected to do so.
If you can not send me the certificate under existing circumstances please write me what steps are necessary to take to procure it.
I hope you will attend to this promptly. as Mrs Gibbs is now over one hundred years old, and though at present in tolerable health, still her life is very uncertain. I wish to draw her pension before her decease
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Yours Respectfully Geo. G. Freer
The Papers on the above mentioned case were sent to me by G. G. Freer Esq. while I was a member of Congress and he is the proper person to receive the pension certificate. Ithaca Sept. 22 d 1842
Amasa Dana late member of Congress

3023 Dec 18 My. Inab.
Mr. Brown
W. W. Brown Mr. Brown
110 Brown A.R.
James L. Edwards Esq. Coun. of Portage Washington

Washington Dec 5. 1837
Sir,
I am requested to present the second application of Elizabeth Gibbs for a pension
very respectfully Your H. Servt
C. D. W. Bryn
James Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions

(No 1) Receipts for cash paid one years interest on certificates signed by Silas Condiet Esqr. Commissioners
   No of recd: No of certif signed by co signed by Payable to Amount L. S. D. One yr Int L. S. D.     14 1696 Silas Condiet Aa. Dunham Abt. Smith 73. 0. 6 4. 7. 7.  
(No 2) Receipts for cash paid the 2 nd years interest on Notes signed by Silas Condiet Commissioners.
   No of recd: No of certif signed by co signed by Payable to Amount L. S. D. One yr Int L. S. D.     38 1696 S. Condiet Aa. Dunham Abt. Smith 73. 0. 6 4. 7. 7.  
(No 3) Receipts for cash paid for the fourth years interest on certificates signed by Silas Condiet Esqr. Commissioners.
   No of recd: No of certif signed by co signed by Payable to Amount L. S. D. One yr Int L. S. D.     135 1696 Silas Condiet Aa. Dunham Abraham Smith 73. 0. 6 4. 7. 7.  

State of New Jersey ss
I, James D. Westcott Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that No 1 is a true extract from a book marked "1 st year" headed "Receipts for cash paid one years interest on certificates signed by Silas Condict Esqr. Commissioner" — that No 2 is a true extract from a book marked "2 nd year" headed "Receipts for cash paid the 2 nd years interest on notes signed by Silas Condict Commissioner" — and that No 3 is a true extract from a book marked "4 th year" headed "Receipts for cash paid for the fourth years interest on certificates signed by Silas Condict Esqr. Commissioner: now remaining in my office. And I further certify, that the said Silas Condict was appointed by the fifth section of an Act passed by the Legislature of New Jersey December 20. 1783 entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the militia and troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same" a Commissioner for the County of Morris "for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay-rolls of the militia and the troops of this State as aforesaid, and also "for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due."
IN Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at the City of Trenton in said State, this twenty-first day of September A. D. 1838 One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
James D. Westcott

Tioga County So Henry Washburn being duly Sworn P deponeth and Saith that he was Seventy Years of age the 3 rd day of April Last, that he was acquainted with Elizabeth Smith widow of the late Abram Smith I think about the Year One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty; that he was well acquainted with Abram Smith her husband, and also that he ( Abram Smith ) was enlisted in the Continental Service and did serve as a Soldier in Sussex County State of New Jersey about the time above mentioned for the term of either Six or Nine Months but cannot recollect which, that Abram Smith was Stationed at Captain Hovers Fort on the Bank of the Delaware, in Wallpack Township; he was a Soldier under the Command of Major Sayre Westbrook, the Captain and other Officers he does not Recollect That Abram Smith when he listed lived I think in the Town of Knowlton County of Sussex and State of New Jersey That this Deponent at that time lived in the Town of Wallpack, and County of Sussex and State of New Jersey That he now lives in the Town of Nichols County of Tioga and State of New York and further Saith not
Sworn and Subscribed before Me the 20 th day of September 1838
Washington Smith S.P.
Henry Washburn

State of New York Friege County Clerk's Office
I, David Wallis Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Washington Smith Esq before whom the within Affidavit was taken was on the day of taking the same an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said Friege County duly qualified to act as such I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature Washington Smith within subscribed is his own proper hand writing.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my name and Affixed the Seal of our said County October 3 rd 1835.
D Wallis Clerk
No. 1.

Oct 9.
Ms. proof
Edw. Gibbs.
4 July 110 5023
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Ithaca Oct r 4 th 1838
Hon J. S. Edwards
Sir - Enclosed I send you some additional evidence in the case of the application of Elizabeth Gibbs widow of Abn. Smith a soldier of the Revolution. There is already on the records of your department several the application of the widow together with several affidavits proving affirmatively that the husband of the applicant did serve for certain periods in the War of the Revolution. I am personally acquainted with the deponents and I can assure you they are men of integrity & respectability and their affidavits may be relied on. To these affidavits, in connection with the proof herewith submitted your honour is respectfully referred -
It will be seen that some proof of the said service has been obtained from the secretary of state of New York Jersey. The absence of this proof was the reason assigned by your Honour for not allowing a pension on the first application.
I should now suppose the evidence is abundant and I hope will be satisfactory. The applicant is desirous of having her claim investigated as soon as may be
Respectfully
Yours &c
Geo. G. Seward
P.S. The applicant is very aged, and in low pecuniary circumstances. Her friends have already expended much time & money in collecting evidence. To

✓
Oct 9.
NY.
add: proof
Eliz: Gibbs,
4 July no 5023
J. S. Schuch
Commons of Union Washington D. C.

Ithaca Oct r 4 th 1838
Wm J. S. Edwards
Sir - Enclosed I send you some additional evidence in the case of the application of Elizabeth Gibbs widow of Abner Smith a soldier of the Revolution. There is already on the records of your department several the application of the widow together with several affidavits proving affirmatively that the husband of the applicant did serve for certain periods in the War of the Revolution. I am personally acquainted with the deponents and I am as sure you they are men of integrity & respectability and their affidavits may be relied on. To these affidavits, in connection with the proof herewith submitted your honour is respectfully referred -
It will be seen that some proof of the said service has been obtained from the secretary of state of New York Jersey. The absence of this proof was the reason assigned by Genl Hovey for not allowing a reconsideration the first application.
I should have supposed the evidence is abundant and I hope will be satisfactory. The applicant is desirous of having her claim investigated as soon as may be
Respectfully
Yours &c
Geo. G. Shear
N.B. The applicant is very aged, and in low pecuniary circumstances. Her friends have already expended much time & money in collecting evidence. H.

In at May 15
NY
W. W. Brown Mr. A. Brown
Dr. Edwin Count of Purvis Washington
A. A. Brown H. R.
31500

Washington May 14 th 98
Sir
After great delay on my part, occasioned by indisposition, I feel it my duty to renew the application of Elizabeth Talbot - for a pension
The high character of the witnesses in support of this claim gives me the most confident assurance that the claim is just and true - if the nature of the evidence is at all admirable I hope it may be allowed -
I enclose you Mr. Fries letter on the subject in my own from weeks ago -
With Great Respect Your H. Servt
Col. Edwards Comt. of Pensions
A.D.W. Bryan

56 1 / 4
John Smith Care of Love & Facer Ithaca (N.Y.)

Newton Sept. 21, 1838.
Sir,
Yours of the 8 th was duly received. After a, patient and diligent search among the papers & records of this office the enclosed is the only evidence. I have been able to prove that Abraham Smith served during the revolutionary war in the Massachusetts militia. Were you able to go state the time, the place, and the officers under whom his services were rendered, it is possible that more information might be obtained. The enclosed is evidence that Ab r Smith served in the Massachusetts militia, but not of the length of time, nor when, nor where.
Yours respectfully James R. Westcott
P.S. It must have been the Treasurer who made the searches alluded to, as you intimate in your letter. Fees for searches, certificate &c $5.00 - which you can remit by mail. J D C

no 2
George G. Freer Esq. Ithaca (N.Y.)

Newton Dec. 8, 1838.
Sir,
Yours of the 3 d inst is rec d . — Payments were made by the paymaster to commanders of companies only. The accounts of the paymaster remaining in the office exhibit a number of payments made at various times for services on the Minisink frontier, and elsewhere, to persons commanding companies under Major Westbrook and Col. Westbrook. If you could ascertain the name of the Captain under whom Mr. Smith served, it is possible some evidence might be obtained as relative to the service of the company, although not of the individual applicant — being a private.
Yours Respectfully
James D. Westbrook
Samuel Arier
When J. Smith went to Elizabethtown where he was under a Major Westbrook of Knoxborough or some such name —
John Smith. Capt.

Great Dec 7
Aug Gibbs NY
Hon. J. S. Edwards Comt of Peninsular
before Burns A.R.
Waiting for letters from the Bureau

House of Rep Dec 6 th 1838
Hon. J. S. Edward Com. of Pensions
In the matter of Elizabeth Fike an applicant, for a pension as the Widow of Abram Smith a Revolutionary Soldier.
Will you have the goodness to inform me what disposition is made of it,
By the memorandum handed me it would appear that the aff ds of Genl. John Smith, Conrad Tuler, Sydney Drake, Jacob Smith, Isaac Smith and John Smith - going to show the service of the said Abram Smith are in my office I am well acquainted with all of them and will know them to be respectable.
My memorandum also shows that there was some additional evidence from the Leg. of Hon. Newberry & some other aff ds .
Yr obed t Serv t
Cyrus Beers

Fin at Recd!!
Rev.
Rev. J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Byron Bacon H. R.

House Rep d 10 th Dec r 1838
Hon. J. S. Edwards Com t of Pensions
In the matter of Elizabeth Gibbs praying for a Pension for Revolutionary services rendered by her first husband Abraham Smith — I have this day rec d a letter from Geo. G. Bree Esq r her atty enclosing a copy of your note to him of the 21 st ult o in which is stated as follows — "according to the claimants statement her husband was an officer; but it would seem from an affidavit of two of the witnesses that he was a private."
Mr. Bree explains in this way," he says "
Mr. Edwards in his letter says according to the claim- ants statement, her husband was an officer; but it would seem from the aff ds of two of the witnesses that he was a private. Now in the campaign in which the Battle of Monmouth was fought he was an officer and that when he was out on the Menimink frontier he was a private — My opinion is that if you will examine aff ds you will so find it.
I will add that the several persons making the aff ds I am acquainted with and know them over

to be respectable and entitled to full assets. please let me hear from you as soon as convenient
Yr Obedt Servt
Cyrus Bend

to Lang
Eliz Gibbs
get them
Rev. J. S. Edwards
Con. of Pensions
Has been Am

House Rep. Jan. 8 th 1839
Wm. L. Edwards, Com. of Pensions
Sir
Will you have the goodness to enclose the papers relating to the application of Elizabeth Gibbs for a pension
Yr Obedt Servant
Cyrus Beed

House of Rep s May 20 th 1840
Hon d J L Edwards Comm ee of Pensions
Dear Sir
I intended to have presented the enclosed pension Papers of Elizabeth Gibbs in person but it rains too hard this morning to go out. Part of the papers appear to have been before you heretofore and a defect found which is supplied by an additional affidavit. I am acquainted with most of the deponents and particularly with Conrad Fater & John Smith who are (or were for Smith is dead) highly respectable and honest men. Smith was a Major Genl in the militia. My acquaintance with Drake and with the other Smiths is up particular but I believe they are all men of character & standing on whose statements you may rely. I enclose, also an abstract or brief also of the affidavits from which you will perceive the views of the applicant. If there be any other information or explanation wanted which I can give let me know and I will call at the office. Permit me to solicit for the case an early examination
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servt Amasa Dana