Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,225, for Abraham Smith, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Smith Abraham
S 18,225
Carded.
CONTENTS
born in Woodbridge Conn. May 30. 1760 res at enl. Goshen Conn. res in 1823 Woodbury, Litchfield Co. Conn.

1757 Connecticut
Abraham Smith
of Litchfield in the State of Conn
who was a Pri - in the Conn commands
by Captain Neill of the Regt commander
by Col. Sheldon in the Conn
for militia - 12 mo 14 day
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn
at the rate of 41 Dollars 55 Cents per annum.
to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augt 1833 and sent 6 19
Phoebe Woodbury Conn
Arrears to the 14th of March 33 $ 83.10
Pensant. allowance ending Sep 4 " 2077
$103.87
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ed Dutton Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 41

Abraham Smith
60n Militia
origines
250 1835
Reply to
H B Phelps
Woodbury
60n

State of Connecticut, Probate Court
ss. District of Woodbury
On this 28 day of April 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury which District includes the Towns of Woodbury, Roxbury, Roxbury in Litchfield County, and Watbury in New Haven County, now sitting, at Woodbury: Abraham Smith a resident of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years, who being first 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
1776
2 Mo. 2 Weeks
In July 1776 I joined in Faxon's Connecticut Corps was a private in the military company in that Town. In that month the military were called out for the service of Congress. Captain Moses Hilly was Captain and Aaron Porton was Ensign of said Faxon's Military. On the 20 day of July as near as I can now remember I was mustered in said company at Faxon under said Officers and marched with said company by New Milford Danbury to Stamford, from thence we were transported by Water to Harlem River When at Harlem our company was placed in Col. Elisha Sheldon's Regiment. and remained in that Regiment until discharged. I was in York Place when the British landed and remember the great Thunder Storm and was doing duty in said company. I continued this company with it until a few days before the American Army retreated out of New York. about ten days before the Battle I was sent to the hospital at Kingsbridge with the sick and was at Kingsbridge at the time of the retreat. I left the army between two and three weeks after

I think within the first five days of Oct. I am unable to remember any other officers than those mentioned
1777 In April 1777 I was a private in Patten Militia which company was then commissioned by Capt. Matthew Smith as I was drafted out of said company as about 10 of the month mustered at Litchfield under Capt. Smith and commenced a march for Peeks Kill N.Y. by the way of Danbury Conn. We have not been at Peeks Kill long. not over two weeks when we were called out of the Pickets No 2 when our company left. by order of General McDougal who commanded at Peeks R. and marched towards Connecticut to intercept the British on their march from Danbury which they had burned, to the the Redoubt. we went no farther than Red- ford where information was given that the British had reached their shipping our company returned to Peeks Kill and continued to serve in the same company at Peeks Kill until the first of June and then returned to Patten. our company belonged to Col. Hooker's Regiment.
I do remember names of any other officers. in the company or Regiment.
Peeks Kill
2, Mo.

About the first of Sept 1777. I was at home in Goshen. I lived with Samuel Hopkins 1777 once said Hopkins was drafted for a tour of duty. I agreed with him to go as substitute 2 nd Tour. for him. I was immediately mustered under Peekskill Capt Matthew Smith at Ettenfulce and marched to Peekskill. I arrived at Peekskill early 7 th or 8 th of Sept. Soon after I was detached 2 nd Co. to guard Rice Mills. I remained in the main some days and returned to Peekskill. The British were going up the River and soon attacked Fort Montgomery. I was near Peek- skill when the Fort surrendered in the be- ginning of Oct. I believe. I marched with a detachment up the North River following the British and returned again to Peekskill and was discharged soon after for the war. Our Company belonged to Col Hooker's Regt. I cannot remember any other officers in this expedition.
In the month of May or early in June 1778 at Goshen I enlisted for one year in the alarm company to June, to June 1778 three months at a time. Before the 10 th of the month I was mustered were at Littleton under Capt Col Gillett. He was of the Harninton company. I believe once marched immediately to Horse Neck and lay there a few days. From there we marched to White Plains and were stationed some days.

3, Mo
there a few days. Our Colonel was, Col Pro. and Lieut Col Smith. When at White Plains went to the battle ground where the action the fall before have been fought a large grave or hole have been made in which the American dead were thrown. I thrust my bayonet into it and could never after uncover clean of the stench & threw it away. The fences have been burned by the enemy and large fields of grass & grain were unprotected. We remained but a few days at White Plains and were marched to West Point and after in building a fort South & West of Fort Putnam, upon the Hill. I completed the three months here and left early in Sept & returned home to Posen.
Within fifteen or twenty days after my return I was called upon to go again into the army and was mustered at Pittsburgh South Farms within the four first days of Dec under Capt Col Gillitt and immediately marched to Horse neck by Danbury. Our Company was stationed at Horse neck & Greenwich and were stay until last of Dec. I was discharged there at Greenwich. It was very cold there on the ground. Col Pro commanded the Regiment in both tours under Capt Gillitt. One Clark was first Lieut one Booth Second. One Hunt was Sergeant major in both operations.

Cob Smith was First Col, Col Eno com- manded when there I remember going to the Battle ground & saw a large grave where the Rebels were buried. It was just below Harriet all the lines have been burned off we remained here a few days and were then marched to West point and there completed & forced out the three months I helped build a fort on the Hill West of South of Fort Putnam. I then returned to Dorchester and in two or three weeks was again called out I joined the recruits at Bridgeport from where Capt Joel Gillette and marched to New Bedford about the 1 st of October our company was stationed at New Bedford and at Greenough until the last days of Dec r we were discharged it was cold weather & snow on the ground
3 Was Col Eno commanded our Regiment in this expedition. In the two last expeditions Col Gillette was Captain one Clark first Lieut & one Burr 2 d Lieut. one Hunt was Sergeant Major and Nathan Dowling Sergeant
I was born at Woodbury Connecticut 30 May 1780 and lived in Woodbury until 1774 when I removed to Dorchester and remained there until 1788 when I removed to Haverhill
In 1806 I removed to Woodbury again and continued there until 1817 when I moved to Woodbury where I have run since and

new line. I know of no record of my age but remember to have seen it on a family bible many years since destroyed.
I never received any written discharge. I am well acquainted with the Revs. Rev. L. Brownell & Elyah Dayley & Rev. Joseph Scott.
I have directed enquiry for further proof but after great diligence and labour can find none being all dead or removed to unknown parts of the country.

The said Abraham Smith hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H B Phelps Judge of Probate District of Woodbury We, Joseph Scott a clergyman, residing in the town of Woodbury and Elijah Dayley residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H B Phelps Judge of Probate Elijah Dayley District of Woodbury Joseph Scott
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
Joseph Scott who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Woodbury and that Elijah Dayley who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Woodbury and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H B Phelps Judge of Probate District of Woodbury
William Preston Clerk of the Court of Probate in the District of Woodbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Smith for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this first day of June 183 3 — Office,
William Preston Clerk

No 25665
Abraham Smith Litchfield County Connecticut
12 in o 14 deep Inverts $41.55
C. B. Phelps Woodbury Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abraham Smith Litchfield County Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered July 1776 — 2 14 private Capt Hiles, Col Sheldon 72 years Goshen Traditionary evidence, paper authenticated   Draft Sept 1777 — 2 — " Capt Smith, Lt McDugal Col Hooker Connecticut   Sub - Sept 1777 — 2 — " Capt Smith,   Enlist 1778 — 3 — " Capt Gillette, Col Eno   Served " " — 3 — " Capt Gillette, Col Eno,   Called Capt Gillette Col Eno.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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 within 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Abraham Smith , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, Pensioned as Abraham Smith you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Goshen Conn July 20, 76 2 mos 2 wks. Pvt. Medad Hils Elisha Sheldon Conn   Apr. 10, 77 2 mos. " Matthew Smith Hooker   Sept. 1, 77 2 mos. " " "   May & June 78 3 mos. Joel Gillett Enos   Oct. 78 3 mos. " " "  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Goshen Conn.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 20, 1833
Residence at date of application, Woodbury, Litchfield Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, B. May 30, 1760 at Woodbridge, Conn.
Remarks: Allowed
No further family data
Very respectfully,
no fee

18 225 INVALID.
File No. 18,225
Abraham Smith
His Rev Will
Act: June 7 th .89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1893. May 2. Data as to birth and service furnished to Mrs. McKrells. B. of P. F.S.
1907 July. 8. Hist. to F. S. Bacon's

O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Jan 31, 1907
Searched by
Hill
Original No.
Certificate No.
Claimant,
Soldier,
Abram Smith
Service,
Conn. Service
Rev. War
Remarks:
No V.W. Inv. or wid. as above except Inv. 18,225.
Chief of Division.

17597
F. S. Bacon W. M. van der Kieft
Telephone Call 1008 Rector
Bacon & van der Kieft
Printers and Manufacturing Stationers
19 Broadway, New York
Jan. 28 1907
U.S. Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen —
I am informed that my great great grandfather drew a pension for having fought in the Revolutionary war. As I am anxious to establish the fact that he served I would thank you to inform me whether your records show that Abram Smith of Connecticut drew such a pension.
Please tell me whether there is any expense incident to the search & oblige.
Yours truly,
F. S. Bacon