Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27569, for Ezra Smith, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Smith, Ezra
W. 27569
CONTENTS
Born 1754 at Sudbury Mass. and there Died Feb 22, 1834. he was son of Henry.

New York N o 28.638
Heirs of Ezra Smith dec d . of Jefferson Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Nixon of the ————— commanded by ————— in the Mass. Troops line for 23 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon. D. Wardwell H.R.
Arrears to the 4th time of his death, which commenced allowance ending
was on the 22 nd February 1834 $227.88
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book E. Vol. 4 Page 123

67 Ezra Smith Pension papers
30128
died 22 Feb'y 34
Adm d 23 mo. pre $76.66
Hon. D. Wardwell HR

State of New York
County of Suffolk ss. On this 26 day of February 1834 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County aforesaid, Henry Smith, a resident of Elsieburgh in said County, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, for a deed to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832, for Ezra Smith.
The said Deponent does hereby declare that he is aged forty eight years & is the son of the said Ezra Smith who now & has for the last nine years lived with this Deponent, that the said Ezra Smith for the last eight or ten years has lost his mental faculties & for the last three years his mind has been & is now so much impaired as not to know even his own childhood, & is now entirely helpless & speechless by reason of the dumb palsy. — This Deponent has always understood & in part knows that the said Ezra was born in Sudbury, County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts, & is now aged 80 years, and from his childhood, this Deponent has heard his father the said Ezra & then relate the circumstances of his services in the Revolutionary war so often that this Deponent has become perfectly familiar with the history of them as follows: Before the commencement of hostilities, the said Ezra enlisted into Capt. Milyon's Company of Minute

men at Sudbury aforesaid and went during the winter season of 1775 five miles for weekly service  exercise , but for how long a time this Defendant cannot say. When the Regulars came to Concord he immediately marched with the company to the relief of the place, & he there contin- ued in the service for eight months with what were called the eight months men, & was stationed at Cambridge. At the expiration of this period of service he enlisted into the year service and marched directly to New York, where he remained until the place was captured by the British. At this time he was sick & just escaped being taken prisoner, but through the friendship of a Car-man he was taken up & carried to a Dutch family not far from the City, where he remained for several weeks until he recovered, when he repaired to the Army & marched through the Jerseys into Pennsylv- ania. After having served out his year service he returned home to Sudbury & remained there until the surrender of Burgoyne, at which time he again enlisted for the term of three months to guard the prisoners & was stationed at Cambridge. After having served through the three months, he retired from the service & settled at Sudbury & subsequently at Nelson Sturdivant New Hampshire where he remained until nine years since when he came to live with this Defendant at Edinburgh aforesaid.

And this Deponent further declares that being so well satisfied of the said Ezra his father having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war not only from the frequent & consistent relations of his father, attitude of sound mind, but from the general understanding & belief of the neighborhood of his father while this Deponent resided there, about a year since he took a journey into the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Vermont, for the purpose of collecting testimony to establish the said Ezra's claim to a pension but was unable to collect any more testimony than is contained in the affidavits herunto annexed. This Deponent formerly was acquainted with several persons in Sudbury aforesaid from whom he expected to obtain direct & full testimony of the said Ezra's services, especially from one James Hanes formerly of Sudbury who became a pensioned under the limitation act about the year 1818, as this Deponent thinks for whom the said Ezra as this Deponent has always understood made an affidavit, which will probably appear by reference to the Pension Department of that time, but the said Hanes & all the others except as herunto annexed were dead while this Deponent was looking for testimony as above stated he heard of one Peter Smith who was with the said Ezra, & now lives in the State of Vermont, County of Windham & Town of Grafton, & is a pensioned as this Deponent was informed. This Deponent went to see him & found him entirely insane unable to give any affidavit

This Deponent further declares that the said Ezra did not apply for a pension before he became insane because he then had some property
He further declares that Phebe Smith the wife of the said Ezra & mother of this Deponent died about one year since
And this Deponent further declares that he knows of no other witness living who can testify to the said Ezra's services, & that from all the former statements of the said Ezra & from the general belief of the neighbourhood where the said Ezra formerly lived, she having been insane since he has lived in Ellisburg - aforesaid, this Deponent has always understood & fully believes that the said Ezra served as a private soldier in addition to the wintered service as a Minute Man, during the full term of Eight Months, One year & three months as above stated, that he has never received any pension for the same & that he is now entitled to a pension under the act of June 7 1832.

And the said Henry Smith further declares that his declaration as above and all the papers hereto annexed were prepared & arranged during the week previous to the present sitting of the said court which commenced on the 24 th inst. and that the said Ezra Smith died at this Deponent's house late in the night of Saturday last the 22 nd inst. but that this deponent does not suppose it to be necessary to alter the form of his said declaration papers otherwise than will appear by interlineations
Henry Smith
Subscribed & sworn in open court This 26 th day of February 1834. J. P. Burckhard Clerk

We John Sargent residing in the Town of Edinburgh & Jason Marsh residing in the Town of Adams — do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Smith who subscribed & swore to the above Declaration & know him to be a man of truth & veracity, & that his word is to be relied upon with entire confidence.
Subscribed & sworn to in open Court this 26 day of February 1834 P. Burnham Clerk
John Sargent Jason Marsh
And the said Court now in session do hereupon appoint & order Calvin Skinner Esq. Counsel of the Court to examine into the matter above stated & to report to the said Court how real the truth of the matter of the said Henry Smith being the son of the said Ezra Smith & of the insanity & inability and also after the death of the said Ezra Smith, & also of other matters touching the claim of the said Ezra Smith to a pension —
And the said Calvin Skinner appointed as above mentioned hereby reports to the said Court (now here) that he has examined witness on oath touching the matter above mentioned & it appears that the said Henry Smith is the son of the said Ezra Smith, that the wife of the said Ezra is dead, & that the said Ezra lately  was living in Edinburgh has been for several years past insane & entirely helpless & unable to and that he died on the 22 nd inst. And he further makes a Declaration for himself.

reports that from examination of the matter, it is his opinion that the said Ezra Smith was a soldier of the revolutionary war as stated in the above declaration of the said Henry Smith made sworn in open Court this day of Febry 1834
C. Skinner
P. Brachard Clerk
And the said Court certifies that it appears to them that the said Henry Smith is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to full credit & also that John Sergeant & Jason Marsh who have signed the above certificate are credible persons & are entitled to full credit. And the Court also declares their opinion after the investi- gation of the matter, that the above named Ezra Smith is as a revolutionary soldier & served as stated in the Declaration of the said Henry Smith
I Felix Brachard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ezra Smith for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 26 day of February 1834
P. Brachard Clerk

Egon Mittner
2 off St. John
11

I Jacob Whitney of Hous in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Ezra Smith who was born in Sudbury in said County and that he was in the army at Cambridge in the revolutionary war in that I was in the same company with him about six weeks in the month of January and February in the year 1776 it was then said that he was one of the eight months men but I staid but about six weeks he was the first corporal in our company our company was commanded by Capt Minot of Watford - I have no doubt but that he served eight months but I served only six weeks and the said Ezra Smith now lives in Ellisburg in the State of New York and further I say not Jacob Whitney
Middlesex ss Feb 20 th 1833 Then the above deponent personally appeared before me and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best recollection before me Augustus Tower Justice of peace
I hereby certify that the above deponent is a man of truth and veracity Augustus Tower
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss I Isaac Dake Register of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify that Augustus Tower Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing deposition is a person of the peace within said county. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal official this twenty third day of February AD 1833 Isaac Dake Register

I Thomas Smith of Sudbury in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts Declare and say that my Brother Ezra Smith was born in Sudbury in the year 1754 and that he enlisted for eight months some time in the Summer of the year 1775 and went to Cambridge and I have no doubt he served in the army the whole of the term of eight months for he came home at the end of the term and I further say that the said Ezra Smith enlisted for one year some time in the year 1776 and marched to New York and in the month of September the same year I was a soldier in the army at White Plains and I saw him there in the army and after his term of service was out he returned home I the deponent say that I am about seventy seven years of age
Thomas Smith
Middlesex ss. Febry 28 th 1833 then the above Deponent personally appeared and made solemn oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best recollection Before me Augustus Tower Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above deposition is a person of truth and veracity
Augustus Tower
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
In Probate Office.
I Isaac Iske Register of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Augustus Tower Esquire, whose own proper signature is above written is a justice of the Peace within said County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of February A D 1833
Isaac Iske Regr of Probate

I Thaddeus Smith of Reading in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont, aged 66 years, - do testify and say, that at the commencement of the American Revolutionary war, I Resided at Sudbury, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with my Father, Henry Smith, - At the time I was 9 years of Age in Oct r following; My Brother Ezra Smith, was at work about a Mile from my Father at the time News of Lexington Battle arrived, that the Regulars had come to Concord. My Father was absent at the time , selling his Wot to Capt. Sedgeons. My Brother Ezra came home, enquired for Father, took his Gun and other Accoutrements, and immediately left the house and hastened to the Middle of the town, and joined those with the led Capt. Nixon, Company of Minute Men, he having enlisted in said said Company as a Minute man, sometimes prisoners. He then continued Service as a private Soldier in said Company 8 Months Stationed at at Cambridge. After his time was out he enlisted into the "year Service". He went directly to New York, where he was Stationed until they were driven out by the British; from thence permanently thro' the province into Pennsylvania. After his year was out he came home and Staid until after Burgoyne was taken. He then enlisted for 3 Months as Captain to guard the Burgoyne prisoners at Cambridge, which time he served. - At the time my S r Brother was Stationed 8 Months at Cambridge, I went with my Father, in the month of June, with an Ox team to carry a load of straw for the Soldiers to Lye upon in the Barracks at Prospect hill, and we there and there saw my S r Brother with said

Nippon Company, farther than this, I was not knowing personally to the performance of said services, but the facts were understood in the family at the time and also by general report, as is herein before stated. My said Brother Ezra Smith, was considered, at the time he first entered the service, to be 21 years of age, and now resides at Ellersburgh, N. Y. — Thaddeus Smith
State of Vermont } Canandigua 11. February 1833 Windsor County ss. } Personally appeared Thaddeus Smith and made solemn Oaths to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. I also certify that the above named Thaddeus Smith is a creditable witness.
Before me Jabez Proctor Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Windsor County ss. }
I Benjamin Sloan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Jabez Proctor, to whom has affixed his name to the above is a Magistrate duly qualified and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature. — In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Woodstock this 11th day of February A.D. 1833.
Benj. Sloan

30128. Ezra Smith
Asst to E.D. Bangs March 19 '34
Hon D. Wardwell House Reps U.S.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22 March 1834
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 subjóined 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. Those 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 Elyon Smith
   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.     1 8 — Private Capt. Viford 60 years Camp   1 — — " not mentioned Meafuchan 1803   3 — "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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
The claimant is referred to E. D. Bang, Secretary of the State of Massachusetts for proof of his service in that State

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 inquiry 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 with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[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.
The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Em Smith Pension papers. Investigation Certificate
Hon R. Wardwell

State of New York Jefferson County ss:
Benjamin Wright Surrogate of the County of Jefferson do hereby certify that it hath been satisfactorily proven to me that Ezra Smith late of the town of Ellisburgh in the County and State aforesaid dec d died on the 22 nd day of February A.D. 1834 last past that he said Ezra left no widow and that Henry Smith Reuben Smith Jesse Smith Ezra Smith Rebecca Sergeant wife of John Sergeant Ruth Sheldon wife of Shaul Sheldon & Lucretia Osgood wife of John Osgood are the children heirs of the said Ezra Smiths dec d and that there are no other children or heirs of the said Ezra.
And I do further certify that I have on this 7 th day of May A.D. 1834 in due form of Law appointed Henry Smith one of the heirs above named Administrator of the said Ezra Smith dec d and that the letter of Administration to the said Henry on the Estate of the said Ezra is duly recorded in this Office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office & subscribed my name this 7 th day of May 1834 at Adams in said County —
Benjamin Wright Surrogate

June 24, 1939.
Mrs. R. F. Keeler 81 East 9th Street Holland, Michigan.
BA-J/111 Ezra Smith W. 27569
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Ezra Smith, who died in 1834 in Ellisburg, Jefferson County, New York.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 27569, based upon service of Ezra Smith in the Revolutionary War.
Ezra Smith, son of Henry Smith, was born in the year 1754, in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; the name of his mother was not given. He lived with his father in Sudbury during the first years of the Revolutionary War; his brothers, Thomas, and Thaddeus who was born in October 1766 in Sudbury, lived at home then.
Ezra Smith belonged to Captain John Nixon's company of minutemen before the battle of Lexington and was called out April 19, 1775 and served five days. He enlisted shortly afterwards and served eight months as private in Captain John Nixon's Massachusetts company; he enlisted about January 1776, for one year, served as corporal in Captain Minot's Massachusetts company, and marched to New York in the fall of that year; he enlisted in 1777 and served three months, guarding the prisoners who were taken at the time of the surrender of General Burgoyne.
The soldier resided for some time afterwards in Sudbury, Massachusetts, after which he resided in Nelson, New Hampshire; he moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson County, New York, and resided there with his son, Henry, during the last eight or ten years of his life. He died at the home of said son, February 22, 1834. The soldier's wife, Phebe, died about one year previous to his death; her maiden name and the date of their marriage are not shown.

Henry Smith, the soldier's son, was Administrator of the estate of Ezra Smith; this son was a resident of Ellisburg, Jefferson County, New York, in May 1834, aged then forty-eight years. He applied then for the pension which was due him and his brothers and sisters on account of the service of their father in the Revolutionary War. Pension was allowed. The names of the surviving children of this soldier, Ezra Smith, were given in May 1834, as follows: Henry Smith; Reuben Smith; Jesse Smith; Ezra Smith; Rebecca Sergeant, wife of John Sergeant; Ruth Sheldon, wife of Abram Sheldon; and Lucretia Osgood, wife of John Osgood.
In 1833, the soldier's brothers, Thomas and Thaddeus Smith, made affidavits regarding his service; the former resided then in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and was aged about seventy-seven years; the latter resided in Reading, Windsor County, Vermont.
One John Sargent was a resident of Ellisburg, New York, in 1834, and was present when the soldier's son, Henry Smith, made application for pension, but his relationship to the family was not stated.
In order to obtain the names and addresses of the persons to whom this pension was paid, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
Heirs of Ezra Smith Certificate #28688 Issued May 14, 1834 Rate $76.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 until Feb. 22, 1834 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Novr. 14, 1903. Hist to Mrs. L. S. Lansing Watertown N.Y.
1919 May 15 - Hist to Mrs. H. L. Shatt Letter in S. F. 12/15/7 Peter Beebe 1939. June 24. Hist. to Mrs. R. F. Keeler S.H.
Ray
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 27,569
Heirs Ezra Smith Prev N. Y. Vols.
Act: Rev. June 2 1882
Index:—Vol. A , Page 237
[Arrangement of 1870.]

J. BVA Sec. of War Office Washington D.C. 28688 Dear Sir:
May I trouble you to find among your Revolutionary War records whether the name of Ezra  Smith , who probably went to the war from

Sudbury, Mass, rec'd a pension from your office. He was in the battle of Concord, Lexington, and we think of Bunker Hill.
We have an idea he removed to Nelson N.H. about 1782, or Shenobato, and to Jefferson Co. New York about 1828. We cannot locate either of these dates at all definitely.

He died at Sillsburg Jefferson Co. N.Y. Feb 22 nd 1834, and we have heard rec'd a pension. He was called Capt. but we do not know when this rank was conferred.
Any information you can give us in regard to him - date of enlistment - term from which he enlisted time of service - date of pension &c, as well

the fact whether that he was a private or an officer will be very gratefully recd -
Hoping to hear of your earliest convenience. I am
Very sincerely William S. Budlong
No address given G.S.

32 STERLING STREET. WATERTOWN, N.Y.
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
Will you kindly see if the following were made application or were pensioners of the Revolutionary War, and send me anything you may find in regard to them?
Ezra Smith, from Sudbury, Mass. Jan. 13. 1759/60: enlisted from Sudbury; after war removed to Bolton, Mass.

then to Nelson, Mr Hampshire, and finally came to Rodman, Jefferson Co. Mr York, about 1802: died Feb. 27. 1834.
2. Daniel Todd, Sr. Bm. Mr Haren, Conn. Feb. 5. 1724/5. moved to Old Derby, Conn. and was made a freeman there. Sept. 16. 1777. do not know date of death, which occurred probably at Old Derby. Conn.
3. Daniel Todd, Jr. Bm. Sept. 9. 1757, Old Derby, Conn. made freeman " " " Sept. 6 1777. do not know date

of death, but was not until after 1801, at least.
Please send to address below, and greatly oblige,
Yours very truly,
Grace Moffett Lansing. November second. 1903
Address.
Mrs. L. S. Lansing, 32 Sterling Street, Watertown, New York.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
H. F. 27569
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ezra Smith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 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.     Summer 1775 8 mos. Pvt. John Nixon Mass.   Jany 27 Feby 1776 1 year Capt. Minot   3 mos. Quincy Brigadier General   at Cambridge  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Sudbury Mass. Date of application for pension, Feby 26 1834. The cl. was a C. Residence at date of application, Ellisburg Jefferson Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, b. at Sudbury Mass. in 1754. Died Feby 22, 1834. Remarks: He was the son of Henry Smith and married Phoebe who died about one year prior to Feby 1834. Children: Mary who was 48 yrs old in 1834. Resided: Jesse: Ezra. Rebecca wife of John Sergeant: Ruth wife of Abram Sheldon and Sarah wife of John Osborn.
Very respectfully,
Brother Thomas Sheldon
Commissioner.

81 East 9th Street Holland, Michigan
May 1, 1939
Veterans' Administration Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Will you please send a copy of the pension papers of Ezra Smith , Captain, b. 1754, Sudbury, Mass.; d. 1834, Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N.Y.; m. Phebe Walcott of Bolton, Mass.
Very Truly yours,
(Mrs. R. J.) Grace C. Keeler
Ezra Smith served in the Revolutionary War from Sud- bury, Mass.
1775 9

New York Revo.
Ezra Smith Suspended
Let. to Mr. Wardwell 10 April 1834.
Act. 7 June '32

Hon. D. Wardwell
Member of Congress City of Washington.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 28 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Ezra Smith, as a private, is borne on a Roll of Capt. John Nixon's company of Minute Men, where he is allowed for service five days, April 19, 1775. days 5
Ezra Smith claims for further services under Capt. Nixon; but the rolls which he describes are not found in this office.
The rolls in this office are very incomplete; particularly for the "8 months men" of '75 - and there are no rolls remaining for that service later than the early part of August. The circumstance that Ezra Smith is found on the roll of "minute men" under Capt. Nixon is not presumptive proof that he continued to serve under that Captain, as most of the minute men in the year 1775 did so continue to serve.
Edward D. Bangs. Leg