Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,232, for Abner Smith, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Smith, Abner
S 18232
Carded.
CONTENTS
at Lynn Conn. in 1757, at end of Marlton, Blue Hill, & etc. in 1832

10295
Abner Haines
Abner Smith
of Cheshire in the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Huntley in the Conn line for 10 days.
Nov. 23/1830
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of April 1833 and Abner Haines Cheshire, Rhode Island
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $66.66 Semestral allowance ending 21 Sept 1833 16.66 $83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. Bliss Clerk Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 118

Declaration of Almer Smith Chester County
8930
1/26—

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss. }
On this fifth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before Aaron Watson Esqr Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire
now sitting, Abner Smith a resident of Marlow in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy five who, 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the month of August or September in the year 1775 he lived in the Town of Syme in the County of New London in the state of Connecticut . That at that time he enlisted under Lieutenant Lee Pay who commanded Sieut Gov. Matthew Griswold's Guard for five months and continued in service until the expiration of the term for which he enlisted. This Guard consisted of thirty two men. In the month of April or May 1776 he was drafted from said town of Syme as a militia man for the term of six months & served in Capt. Samuel Mather's Company. He marched with the company to New London & they being the first company that arrived commenced building Fort Trumbull he continued in the performance of his duty about two months when he was taken sick & sent home. That in the month of September following all the militia in said town of Syme were called for & the said Smith marched under Captain Samuel Huntley to New Haven in Connecticut where he staid about a week when he was transferred to Capt. Bushnell's Company in Gen. Putnam's Brigade. The Colonel of the Brigade was Johnson , from Syme . He marched to the town of Rye in the state of New York & from West Chester near King's Bridge at West Chester he assisted in building a fort. From West Chester he marched with Gen. Washington's army to the White Plains where he was sick & left the army the day of the battle at that place. That according to the best of his recollection he served three months this last time.
was born in Syme in Conn. in the year 1757 — has no record of his age — was living at Syme aforesaid when called into the service, and has lived since the war, and now lives in Marlow

in the County of Cheshire aforesaid — volunteered the first time and was drafted the two last times — The first time no more troops were there except the guard before mentioned — In his second service he recollects that two companies of Continentals were there one of which was called Collins Company — In the third service he recollects that Capt Dan Marvin Capt Hall and Capt Comstock went from said Sym — recollects particularly no other officers — never recd any written discharge — Samuel Comstock and Samuel Comstock Jr live near him in said Marlow and can testify as to his character for veracity and belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Abner Smith
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
We, Samuel Comstock and Samuel Comstock Jr near neighbours to Abner Smith before named do,
hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Abner Smith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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.
Samuel Comstock
Samuel Comstock Jr
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Comstock and Samuel Comstock Jr who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents of Marlow aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Aaron Watson Judge of Probate
I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Abner Smith for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September Anno Domini 1832
Asa Parker Register of Court of Probate

State of New Hampshire } Cheshire County ss }
I John Smith of Marlow in the County of Cheshire & State of said aged Seventy nine years do hereby say that I am Brother to Abner Smith - formerly of Syme in the State Connecticut now of said Marlow New Hampshire that I am now & have been acquainted with said Abner from his birth, that during the Revolutionary War said  Abner was several times in the army he was twice drafted, & once he enlisted, he served a considerable time in Sicutu Governor Grisebold Guard, he was also at the White Plains, I further depose & say that there is not at this time nor has there been for a number of years a clergyman residing residing in said Marlow except for a few months at a time. John Smith
State of New Hampshire January 24 th 1833 Then personally Cheshire County ss } appeared John Smith above named & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true Before me Francis Watson Just. of Peace
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss } I certify that I am well acquainted with John Smith who has sworn & subscribed to the above affidavit and that he is a respectable & credible person Francis Watson Just of the Peace

Cheshire Jp. Feb. 4. 1833
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said county certify that Francis Watson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county - and I believe that the two foregoing official signatures are his. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court - S. Hale Clerk

At 8930 Abner Smith 7 years 10 Months
11 12 4 16 minutes. atom not coupled with Mar 28 1892
$33.30
Francis Matson Esq. Stoddard N.Y. P.107.

89.0
BRIEF in the case of  Abner Smith  of  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75.  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.     In 1775 Aug. or Sept. 3 — 5 — Private Gen. Washington — Lt. Gen. —   1776 Apr. or May 3 about 2 — — Cap. Mathew   " Sept. 7 about 3. — — — Huntley — Cap. Bushnell  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? nine  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Syme Con.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional (not by a clergyman) Living witnesses, - their testimony not in proper form  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct except as to the living witnesses — 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Samuel Wells Examining Clerk.

December 20, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Lonie S. Jones 367 Linden Avenue Buffalo, New York
BA-J/ady Abner Smith S.18232
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letters relative to Ezra Pratt and Abner Smith, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Ezra Pratt, all spellings of the names searched.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.18232, based upon the military service of Abner Smith in that war.
Abner Smith was born in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1757, day, month, and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, Abner Smith enlisted in August or September 1775 and served five months under Lieutenant Lee Lay in Lieutenant Governor Matthew Griswold's Guard. He enlisted in April or May 1776, and served two months as private in Captain Samuel Mather's Connecticut Company. He enlisted in September 1776 and served three months as private in Captains James Huntley's and Bushnell's Connecticut Companies.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Marlow, Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
In 1833 John Smith, aged seventy-nine years, was

living in Marlow, New Hampshire. He was a brother of soldier. There are no further family data.
The soldier Abner Smith died November 23, 1838, On 9/2 place not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Cushing 3      State of New Hampshire I William Evis of Hanover in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire of lawful age do hereby say that during the revolutionary war, and am now well acquainted with Oliver Smith then of Symmes in the state of Connecticut now of Hanover in the state of New Hampshire that I know of said Smith being several times in service as a Private Soldier he served a considerable time in Lieut. Gov. Grewal Guard was also at the white plains I further do say that there is not at this time nor has there been for a number of years a cler- gyman residing in said Hanover except for a few months at a time      W m Lewis
State of New Hampshire January 21 st 1833 Cheshire County ss } Then personally appeared the above named William Evis and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true      Before me Francis Matson Justice of Peace
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss } I certify that I am well acquainted with William Evis who has sworn & subscribed to the above affidavit & that he is a reputable & credible person
Francis Matson Justice of Peace Cheshire ss. Feb. 4, 1833 - I Salome Hall clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said county certify that Francis Matson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county - and I believe that the two foregoing official signatures are his. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court S. H. Hall, Clerk

No 8930 Homer Smith
Francis Mason Esq. Shoalsland N.H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abner 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 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? no credible witness, neither of them a clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? not in proper form
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? no to the living witness
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss
On this twenty-fourth day of January A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Cheshire & State of said Almon Smith who being duly sworn, deposes & says, that the reason he did not obtain the certificate of a clergyman & produce it with his declaration is because there is not at this time nor was there at the time of his making his declaration a clergyman in said Town of Warland who had resided there but a few months, consequently he could not certify as to his character or his acting in his services in the Reformed Church.
Almon Smith
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss
Sworn & Subscribed
The day & year above mentioned
Before me Francis Walson Justice of the Peace
Cheshire Feb 4 1833 -
I Salma Hale, clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for said county certify that Francis Walson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and declare that the foregoing official signature is his. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court.
S. Hale Clerk

Revolutionary section
367 Linden Ave BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Dec 7, 1937
Petitions Administration Washington D.C.
If allowed a pension for service in Revolutionary War kindly send me copy of pension record of
Abner Smith
living Marlton (Cheshire Co.) N.H. Apr. 18, 1787 when he married Alma Moor
He married (2) Aug 30, 1792 Indor Lonina Cary (3) " " Marlton Hannah Prestwich (2)
and had daughter Anna born June 22, 1793 Marlton Married William May
New Hampshire Records name Abner Smith Private in Coos Line - Pension Apr 4, 1831 b abt Placed on pension roll Apr 1, 1833 age 77 = 1756 While residing in Cheshire Co. N.H. Inscribed on Pension list under act of Congress June 7 1832.
Very truly yours Mrs Lonie E. Jones.

18 232
1937 Dec. 20. Hist. to Mrs. Lonie L. Jones A.N.Y.
INVALID.
File No. 18 232
Elmer Smith
By Rev. Ware
Act: June 7 " 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 358
[Arrangement of 1870.]