Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23423, for Ephraim Smith, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Smith Ephraim
S. 23423.
CONTENTS
Aug 28, 1759 at Cheshire, New Haven Co. Conn. thrust inl. In 1832 recd. of Widow Mary Lee N. H.

4639 New York
Ephraim Smith
of Mendon in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regt- commanded by Col. Douglass in the Connecticut line for 19 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of January 1833 and sent to Hon. J. P. Dickey Present
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 — $ 94.99 3/4 Semizant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 31. 66 3/4 $126 66 3/4
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk Book D Vol. 5 Page 207

N o 6634.
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.]

State of New York County of Monroe
On This sixteenth day of August A D 1832, Personally Appeared before me, James Smith, Judge of the County Court, of the County of Monroe & State of New- York, Ephraim Smith, an inhabitant of Mendon in Vaid County, who will be twenty three years of age on the 20 th inst and being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 9 th 1832.
That he was born in Cheshire, County of Newhaven in the State of Connecticut August 20, 1759. When he resided un- til 21 years of age, then removed to Whitestown, Now Oneida County, New York - where he resided 17 years, then removed to Skaneateles Onondaga Co, New York, where he resided about 19 years - In 1824. Removed to Mendon, where he has since resided and he further states, That in May 1776, I enlisted into Captain 7 th Johnsons Company for 7 Months - Parsons & Hines were Lieutenants Vector Ensign - Regiment commanded by Col Douglas of New- Haven, the Regiment was at Derby where we staid a week or two, - then took passage in a Schooner for New York where we ar- rived about the first of June, the Regiment went over to Long Island, I was detained in the Hospital, with the Camp Drummer, when the Regiment returned I joined them, we retreated to Kingsbridge & White Plains. In the Battle at that place, our Regiment was stationed behind a Stone wall The British came up in column in front, after some sharp firing, we retreated, a number of our Regiment were killed, in the retreat, our Regiment was then stationed at a place called Mile Square, - A Captain of Danford was our Lieutenant Col: Arnold of Durham. Major, and Capt. Boye Barnhall of North Haven, the Historian of Connecticut was our Chaplain, Major Lillmeyer, was Brigadier Major During the Action, we had a brook to ford -

Doctor Brunsback regressed. Major Lutton was, to carry him over behind him, ascending the opposite bank, the saddle gave way & both fell into the water, the good Chaplain's hat and wig, went down there. The Campaign was active dur- ing the season & there were many skirmishes. One time of enlistment expired & we were discharged on the twenty fifth of December, our Regiment were State Troops - we were not so written discharges.
In August 1777, as soon as the news of the battle of Bennington arrived, Men were called for & volunteered, we marched direct to Albany - where there was mustered, I was attached to Capt. Blake's company of Col. Sheldon's Col. Regiment, Woodbridge, was Lieutenant Col. - Guy Major, M'Kin- non Adjutant, we marched to the North to Meet Burgoyne, our Regiment, was in both actions prior to his surrender. In the first action we were stationed on the flank, where the Indians had fair play upon us, many officers were killed, Capt. Blake was mortally wounded, we lost from our company two sergeants one by the name of Markham, Col. Biddle & Searsmore placed their regiments so as to take the Indians in front and flank, they made great havoc, we never heard the warwhoop after, Col. Searsmore was wounded in the hand.
In the second battle, our Regiment was near the fort where Arnold leaped his horse thro the embrasure, his horse was killed & himself badly wounded, I assisted to take him from the parapet & carried him to his quarters. Burgoyne surrendered, our Army was drawn up in to file on the plain & the vanquished Army marched thro
The same night, news came that the British were cross- ing the river, we had orders to march directly for Albany. The march was tedious, & without action, we re- mained at Albany a space of time, then marched to Red- Hall remained there till the last of November, & were dischar- ged. In this term I was absent a little over three months.
In the month of May 1778 I enlisted as a minute Man for 18 Months, we were to be equipped at all times

Under Capt. Hitchcock, our duty was at all times, to be ready to repel the enemy who infested the shores of Connecticut I was, stationed, at East Haven Point, & Black Rock Fort - nearly the whole summer, In the winter I was at home, The next season was called to New Haven to repel Bryans army - which we met them in a field, & had a skirmish Our party did not arrive at Danbury, & New Canaan, in time to meet the enemy, we found the places in flames - In the latter part of the season we were stationed at Horse Neck under Col: Palmer, to repel the Canadians & Refugees, who were distressing the inhabitants with great cruelty - While there we had a Loyalist prisoner, who had been notorious for his savage conduct - one evening, seven or eight men, rushed into the room of his confinement, placed a rope round his neck, dragged him to a tree near the door, & hung him, as soon as dead they dispersed. during the period of my enlistment of 12 Months I was on duty from home, more than nine months of division, of frequent calls on alarm, which proved to be groundless - living fourteen miles from the Sound the Militia were obliged to be on the alert for four or five years after the war commenced.
9th
I know of no persons now living that were my comrades in Arms, nor do I know, that any persons are now living, in Chester, the place of my residence during the war, that were there at that time - Except my brother Ira Smith, older than myself, I presume he is still living & if not superannuated I ought refer to him - For my character I would refer to Daniel Kel- logg & Truman G. Jewett Esqrs of Skaneateles, and to Jacob Young, John Dickson & any others in the town of Mendon.
I never received, any military discharge from service. My name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State, & I relinquish every claim whatever to a pension.

Or annuity except the present, I have no official record of my age - It is more than forty years since I left the place of my residence, during the revolutionary war; and in the places of my residence that since that time, should I apply for the statutory evidence of my services, it might, perhaps, with propriety be said, that none existed, except what came from my own narration, I have no record of my age.
Ephraim Smith
I was to be subscribed the day a year aforesaid James Smith Judge of the County Courts of Monroe County And I further Certify, that Deacon Ephraim Smith the above applicant, has been wholly blind for several years, & his bodily infirmities make him unable in my opinion to attend Court - In answer to the interrogatories, made necessary by the war department, as given in his declaration, I have been acquainted with Deacon Smith seven or eight years, I believe him to be a man of veracity & have no doubts of the truth of his statement in his Declaration.
James Smith
I am P. D. P. or the Rev. George G. Sill, an inhabitant of the town of Mendon with whom I am well acquainted, Mr. Sill is the Presbyterian Clergyman of the Place, and both are entitled to credit.
James Smith Judge of the County Courts of Monroe County

I James Dixon of Mendon in the County of Monroe, & State of N.Y., certify - That I have been acquainted with Deacon Ephraim Smith of this town more than thirty years. In Whitesboro he was a Deacon in the Congregational Church. I have no doubt but his age is as he represents it, and from my knowledge of his character I believe his declaration made to obtain a pension to be true -
James Dixon
Sworn & subscribed before me
Aug 17. 1832 James Smith Judge
I George G. Sill certify that I have been a neighbor of Deacon Ephraim Smith for several years, I have no doubt but his age is as he represents it - and from my knowledge of his character, I believe his declaration to obtain a pension, to be true -
George G. Sill
State Supply of the Presbyterian Church of West Mendon
Subscribed / sworn to before me
20th of August 1832
James Smith Judge of Monroe Common Pleas
State of New York
Monroe County ss. I certify that James Smith Esquire before whom the above affidavits purport to have been sworn, was at the time of the same a Judge of the court of common pleas in & for said county and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and readily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavits is his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and official seal this twenty first day of August 1832 -
Leonard Adams clerk

I Ira Smith of Prospect County of New Haven of lawful age Depose and say. That my brother Ephraim Smith, now in his 73 rd year - since to my certain knowledge serve in the Revolutionary war a number of campaigns - particularly a seven months tour in 1776. In 1777 I was myself out in the American Army in Jersey about then & my brother was then up at the taking of Burgoyne & got home before I did & came after me - In 1778 - my said Brother Ephraim was under Captain David Hitchcock into the Company of men liable to be called on at any time and he served some time in this Company how much cannot say - And further I do not know Ira Smith
New Haven County ss. Prospect August 17. 1832 Personally appeared Deacon Ira Smith subscriber of the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same.
before me
J. H. Root Jus Peace
Senate Chamber 18 th Feb y 1833
This certifies that Ira Smith the witness is a credible witness & John A. Root is a Justice of Peace both known to me - the one my son - the other living within 5 miles of my residence James A. Root. U.S. Senator

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ephraim Smith , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( application ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 23,423.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1776 to Dec. 25, 1776 Private Johnson Douglas Conn.   Aug. 1777 to last of Nov. 1777 Blake Thaddeus Cook   May 1778 more than 9 mos. David Hitchcock served short tours at various times and was called out on "alarms" Salmon  
Battles engaged in, White Plains, 1st & 2nd Battle of Stillwater, sur. of Saratoga.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cheshire, New Haven Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 16, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Mendon, Monroe Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born Aug 28, 1759 at Cheshire, New Haven Co. Conn.
Remarks: he stated that he assisted in carrying Arnold to his quarters from the parapet at second battle of Stillwater. Soldier was called Deacon Ephraim Smith, his brother Dea Smith was alive in 1832.
office note
Respectfully,
Capt. Wm Blake, Comp. 13. served under Thaddeus Cook.
3-2856
Commissioner.

Production
23423 INVALID.
1916 Nov. 11. History to Alfred E. Wilkinson &
File No. 23423
Ephraim Smith
1813 New York
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 385
[Arrangement of 1870.]
62

SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
OFFICE OF REPORTERS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
October 20, 1916.
Pension Department, Washington, D.C.
I wish to know what-light the records of the Pension Department can throw on the service of my great-grandfather, Ephraim Smith, S.73473 as a soldier in the revolutionary war. He died in Onondaga Co. N.Y., and was, by tradition I heard in childhood, one of the men who followed Arnold into the Hessian redoubt at Saratoga, in the battle of Sept. 22, 1877; but I did not learn from what colony he served.
However I find that Ephraim Smith, of Easton, Mass., was private in Col. John Bailey's Regiment, of the Mass. line, served throughout the war, and was pensioned Sept. 1, 1782.
Bailey's Regiment, of Learned's Brigade, was one of those sent in on that day in this part of the field. If the pension record of this man is still accessible can you kindly inform me what it shows about this man's service - where he lived when he made the application and when and where he died, if this is shown.
Any information you can give me will be appreciated, and if a fee is required for such examinations I will remit same on being advised.
Very respectfully
Alfred E. Wilkinson

VERSION E OCT 24 1910 S.

I Minimus Russell of York in the County of Livingston a State of New York do hereby say, That before & during the Re- volutionary War, I lived in Waterbury adjoining Cheshire, in the State of Connec- ticut, & was then well acquainted with Ephraim Smith, Now of Menden Mennon Co. New York, & during the War I un- derstood he was in several campaigns - I saw him on his return from the Capture of Burgoyne - I have no Doubt but he represents his age truly, & that his services were as he represents them Divers Quises
Mennon Is.
Sept 7 th 1832, Sworn to before me
Daniel Barns J.P.

State of New York
Morral County ss. I certify that Daniel Bams Esqr. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county, and that I am well acquaint- ed with his hand writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit, is his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and of- ficial seal this fifteenth day of September 1832.
Leonard Adams clerk

War Department Pension Office January 7. 1833
Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of Ephraim Smith are herewith returned for the purpose of having the credibility of his witnesses duly certified.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Yr. Mo. O. St. J L Edwards
Hon. Geo: Dickson House of Representatives