Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9740, for Elijah Smith, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn Mass.
Smith, Elijah Hannah
R. 9740
CONTENTS
1775 res. of Dufresne's Company In 1778 recd. South Berkshire, Mass. died Oct 2, 1844 at Springfield Mass.

State of New York Allegany County 3 ss: On this 10 day of June 1845, personally appeared in open Court of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the aforesaid County of Allegany, Chester Smith of the town of Rushford in said County aged fifty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836; That he is together with Elijah Smith of the town of Cambria in the County of Niagara and State of New York, Hannah Granger widow of Oliver Granger of the town of Aron in the County of Livingston and State of New York, Revanna West wife of Browning West of the town of Herkime in the County of Herkimer and State of New York, Ebenezer Smith of the town of Canadoe in the County of Tioga and State of New York, Sally Howe wife of Ira Howe of the town of Castile in the County of Wyoming and State of New York, and Ezra Smith of the State of Ohio, the town and county unknown, are the children and only lawful Heirs of Elijah Smith and Hannah Smith deceased, and that they were all over the age of twenty-one years, and all that were living at the death of their mother the said Hannah Smith: That their father the said Elijah Smith was a soldier in the Army and War of the Revolution; and that their Father the said Elijah Smith was married to their Mother the said Hannah Smith, (whose name previous to the marriage was Hannah Rodgers) in the Month of February 1778, in the town of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts by the Rev: Ezra Reeves settled Minister of said town; That their Father the said Elijah Smith died on the second day of October, 1824, in the town of Sempronius in the County of Cayuga and State of New York; and that their Mother the said Hannah Smith died in the town of Rushford in the County of Allegany and State New York on the 18 th eighteenth day of January 1845, that their Mother

The said Hannah Smith had been for some time previous to her death taking measures in order to procure evidence of services rendered by their Father the said Elijah Smith in the War of the Revolution and also evidence of their marriage for the purpose of making application for her Pension; and that their mother the said Hannah Smith did on the 29th day of March, 1844, make her declaration in order to apply for her Pension, as soon as evidence of services and marriage could be obtained which was in progress at the time of her death; And he further declares, that Abraham Lyon of Rushford in the county of Allegany and State of New York is their duly authorised Attorney to present their claim to the Pension Office and receive stipend for them, and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed before me in open court this 10 day of June 1845
William Windsor Clerk
Chester Smith
Allegany County ( ) Clerks Office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Angola this 10th day of June A D 1845
William Windsor Clerk of said County

State of New York
Albany County ss; On this 29 day of March 1844. Personally appeared before me Abraham J. Lyon a judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Albany. Hannah Smith a resident of the town of Rushford in said County of Albany aged Ninety three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of Elijah Smith who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution - that her husband the Elijah Smith Enlisted in the Spring of 1775 and served two months. That he was a resident (at the time he enlisted) of the town of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts - and that soon after the first term of service, she thinks about one week or ten days, he Enlisted again for two months and served his second term out - does not recollect his Captain's name that he served the above term of service under, but thinks the Colonel of the Regiment was John Durgée or Durgy, that the Sergeant's name was Bial Vernal or Farnum -; That in the year 1776 she thinks, he enlisted for Nine months under Captain Browning and served his time out; That after her Marriage - and she thinks in the year 1777 or 1778, he enlisted under Captain Browning for four months and served most of the time out and came by being discharged - and that the said Capt. Browning was killed in Battle near Philadelphia -; that her husband served as substitute for one - Samuel Ward - some two or three months in the year 1775 - or 1776. She also thinks he served as a substitute for Job Fuller
She further declares that she was married to the said Elijah Smith on the fifteenth day of February 1778, in the town of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts by the Rev. Ezra Reeves - settled minister of said town - that her husband, the aforesaid Elijah Smith, died on the 2 day of Oct 1824 at the Town of Seneca Falls in the County of Cayuga and State of New York and that she knows her husband was in the service after her marriage to him

And she further declares that her husband the said Elijah Smith kept a family record for about twelve years after her marriage to him until they had five children by him and then it was burned by their house being burned and since that time she has not had any family record of their marriage or the ages of her twelve children that she had by her husband the said Elijah Smith. And she further declares that she is still the widow of the said Elijah Smith and has not been married. And further saith not sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first above written At Pigeon for Hannah X Smith Judge of Shelby County mark.
I hereby certify that Hannah Smith who made her mark to the foregoing declaration in my presence is wholly unable by reason of age and bodily infirmity to appear in open court or write her name At Pigeon Judge
6632
Re sec 13. 1848

State of New York Allegany County } ss: I Samuel C Wilson, Surrogate in and for the county aforesaid. Do hereby certify that Chester Smith of the town of Rushford in said County of Allegany, has been by me duly ap- pointed Administrator of the Estate of Hannah Smith deceased, who was at the time of her death entitled, or claimant for a pension from the United States, under the act of 4 th July 1836; was a resident of the County of Allegany in the State of New York, and died in the town of Rushford in said County, in the year 1845, on the 18 th day of January; That she left children whose names are Chester Smith, Hannah Granger, Elijah Smith, Roxanna West, Ezra Smith, Ebenezer Smith and Sally Howe, that they were all over the age of twenty one years, and the only surviving children and lawful heirs of the said Hannah Smith, deceased, at the time of her death.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Angelica this 14 th day of February in the year of our Lord 1846.
Sam C Wilson
Surrogate.

State of New York } Albany County } ss: I Samuel C. Wilson, Surrogate, in and for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify That at a Surrogates Court held at Angelica in said county on the 14 th the day of February, 1846, satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court That Hannah Smith, deceased, was intitled or a claimant for a pension from the United States; was a resident of the county of Albany in the State of New York, and died in the town of Rensselaer in said County of Albany, in the year 1845, on the 18 th the day of January; that she left children whose names are Chester Smith, Hannah Granger, Elijah Smith, Roxanna West, Ezra Smith, Ebenezer Smith and Sally Howe, that they were all over the age of twenty one years, and the only surviving children of the said Hannah Smith, deceased, at the time of her death.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Angelica this 14 th the day of February in the year of our Lord 1846.
Sam C. Wilson } Surrogate.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions Washington D. C.
The deposition of Jonathan Callis & Martha Callis relating to the marriage of Elijah Smith & Hannah Smith - to be used on the petition of the latter for a pension for the services of her husband &c.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
I, RICHARD BLISS, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that John Smith & J. Foster Esquire whose signatures are affixed to the certificate on the papers hereto annexed, was  are at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to their  his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Smith and believe their  his signature to said certificate is genuine.
Foster
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five
Richd Bliss Clerk.

Elijah Smith of South Brimfield and Hannah Rogers of Stafford, Postea in order for Marriage February 12 1778 Joel Rogers Parish Clerk
South Brimfield. Oct. 26th 1778 - At a Parish meeting pursuant to a Notification, first voted William Carpenter Moderator to regulate said Meeting - 2 d voted that the Money raised at the last Parish meeting to hire Soldiers, shall be collected as it is assessed - Attest Joel Rogers Parish Clerk
I certify that the above is a true copy of Record -
A. G. Rogers } Town Clerk of Wales formerly South Brimfield
State of Massachusetts } Hampden County } ss
May 16th 1845 Then personally appeared Austin L. Rogers Clerk of the Town of Wales and made oath to the truth of the above copies, by him subscribed. Before me John Smith Justice of the Peace

I Lydia Green (Aged Eighty years) of Wales in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Testify and say that I was formerly acquainted with Elijah Smith of Holland and his wife whose Maiden name was Hannah Rogers and I think and believe they had some children when they went from Holland, and it was always believed by all who were acquainted with the said Elijah and Hannah that they were lawfully Married and that they sustained good characters so long as they lived in this section of country and further the Deponent says not
witness John Smith
Lydia her X Green Mark
Hampden ss. May 16th 1845
Then personally appeared Lydia Green (and being by me examined and cautioned to testify the truth and the whole truth relating to the Marriage of Elijah Smith and Hannah Rogers to be used in the Pension Office at Washington D.C. on the Petition of said Hannah Smith widow of said Elijah Smith for a pension for his services in the revolutionary war Made Solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition -
Before me John Smith Justice of the Peace
I hereby Certify that the deponent above named is well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity -
John Smith Justice of the Peace

Jonathan Collis of Brimfield, County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & Phoebe Collis wife of the above named Jonathan, do testify & say, that we formerly, viz in the years eighteen hundred & thirteen, resided in the town & County of Hampshire & State of New York, that we were near neighbors, & intimately acquainted with Elijah Smith & Hannah Smith, maiden name Hannah Rogers, who were reputed to be husband & wife, had a family of ten or eleven children, were of good reputation, & both members of the Baptist church, & that we have never heard a doubt or suspicion from any one that they, the said Elijah & Hannah, were not lawfully married. We understood by said Elijah & Hannah that they were from this County - he from Holland & she from (then) South Br. Subi Wales (now Wales) & have often heard him relate his perils & sufferings in the revolutionary war, and further the deponents say not. Jonathan Collis
Witness. Justus Foster. Hampden ss. May 16, 1845.
Phoebe her mark Collis
Then personally appeared the above named deponents before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace within said County of Hampden, & being by me carefully examined, cautioned & sworn according to law, to testify the truth & the whole truth, relating to the marriage of Elijah Smith formerly of Holland & Hannah Rogers formerly of Wales in this County, to be used in the pension office at Washington D.C.

on the petition of the said Hannah Smith, widow of the said Elyah Smith for a pension for his services in the revolutionary war, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by them subscribed, in my presence, said deposition being first reduced to writing by me. —
Festus Foster, Justice of Peace.
To the above I add my certificate that I am personally acquainted with the above named Jonathan Collis, & know his wife Phoebe Collis by reputation, & that they both sustain a good reputation for truth & veracity, & I have no doubt of the entire truth of the foregoing deposition.
Festus Foster, Jus. Peace.

97402
P. O.
Hannah Smith
Service: wid. of Elijah
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension, as follows;
Re-enlisted: The service on the records credited to Elijah Smith would be sufficient to place this case on the pension roll; but there is no certainty.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
1936. Rept 2d Inf. Pur' Cal Mnt L. Ireland in re these claims. See R. San Antonio, 74 5774. MM 7/21/36

V. W. Church South 6632 N.Y. A. J. Lyon, Jany 29 1846 same May 22, '40 to same Feb. 4. '47 same Apr 12. 1847
Ad 4 July 1836

Rev Claim of Elijah Smith Dec Hannah Smith Wid der
Suspended N. G. Roll
Claim filed by the heirs - by A. J. Lyon Esq. Rushford N.Y.
I am unable to state under what Law -
I desire to see the papers on file -
Jas. G. Austin Present for A. J. Lyon Esq

State of New York
Niagara County ss Elijah Smith of the town of Cambria County of Niagara State of New York. being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the son of widow Hannah Smith who is now applying for a pension that this deponent is now sixty five years of age - that this deponent has always understood from a child that his father Elijah Smith deceased, was a soldier and served in the Revolutionary War at two or three times two months one time nine months and at another time four months, that this deponent is the eldest child but one of the said Elijah and Hannah Smith and that there were eight children younger than this deponent of this deponents fathers family - That this deponents father and mother lived together as husband and wife from the earliest recollection of this deponent until the death of his said father which occurred in the town of Seneca Falls Cayuga County State of New York on the second day of October one Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty four (1824) that the said Hannah Smith is now and has been a widow since the death of this deponents father: that she the said Hannah has lived with this deponent about sixteen years since the death of her said husband
Elijah Smith
Sworn and Subscribed
the 18 th day of Sept 1844
before me Lewis Daggett } Justice of the Peace
I certify that the said Elijah Smith is a respectable person
Lewis Daggett Justice of the Peace
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. NIAGARA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
JAMES C. LEWIS, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Lewis Daggett Esquire, before whom the annexed instrument appears to have been presented acknowledged, was at the time of taking such presented acknowledgement a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, duly qualified and sworn and authorized by the laws of said State to take the same; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and believe that the signature subscribed to said certificate of acknowledgement, is genuine, and that said instrument was  acknowledged according to the law of said State of New-York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and impressed my seal of office, at Lockport, the 20 day of September A. D. 1844
James C. Lewis Clerk

6632
Hannah Smith dec d and Elijah
N.Y.
Act of July 36 m 78. d 24
[Faint, illegible handwriting, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Nov 1/ 1819.
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 Elizah Smith of Springfield is there entered on a pay roll of Capt. Nathan Shute's Col. Jacob's Penn July 1. 1778. Amount, 14 days. There are no rolls of Capt. Browning for 1777, 1778 or 1779 in this Office.
ms. A. 9. 2. 10

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Peasey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Application of Hannah Smith, widow of Elijah Smith, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution for Proof of the services of her Husband the said Elijah Smith. Sets forth and states as follows. viz; That her husband the said Elijah Smith enlisted in the Spring of 1775. for two Months and served his time out! that he was at the time a resident of the town of Brimfield or Sturbridge Massachusetts. and soon after the first term of service. she thinks about one week or ten days. he enlisted again for two months and served his second term out does not recollect his Captains name that he served the above terms of service under but thinks the Colonel of the Regiment was John Dury or Durgan Sturbridge the Sergeants name was Bial Verman. That he enlisted for 9 months. she thinks in the year 1776. and served his time out under Captain Browning of Brimfield: that in 1777. or 78 he enlisted under Captain Browning for four months. and served most of his time out and came home by being discharged which was his last service as she believes — and that the said Capt. Browning was killed in battle near Philadelphia. And her husband served as a substitute for one Samuel Hard two or three months in 75 or 76. State of New York  Hannah Smith  mark  of the town of Rushford  State of New York Know all men by these presents that I Hannah Smith widow of Elijah Smith who was a Private in the War of the Revolution. do hereby appoint Orville Boardman my true and lawful attorney to make application for me to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for proof of services rendered by the said Elijah Smith during the war of the Revolution.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This 18 th day of January 1844.
In presence of A. Dyer Judge and Chester Smith Hannah Smith mark

State of New York Allegany County } ss; Be it known that on this 18 th day of January, 1844, before me the subscriber a judge of the there in and for the said county of Allegany personally appeared Hannah Smith for within above named and acknowledged the foregoing within power of attorney to be her free and voluntary act and deed. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned. A Haysom judge of
Allegany County Courts
I do hereby further certify that the said Hannah Smith above mentioned cannot write her name for reason of age and bodily infirmity. A Haysom judge

State of New York Albany County ss Clerks Office of William M. Morrison Clerk of said County do hereby certify that A Deposition before Me the Affidavit of Thomas Smith was taken to the within Form of Attorney before whom the same was acknowledged as at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed thereto to be in his own proper handwriting Witness my hand and the Seal of said County at Albany on this 20th day of January A.D. 1844 - William Morrison Clerk

Widow of Elijah Smith or any widow of a Revolutionist Rushford Allegany Co
NY. 1848

STATE OF New York County of Cattaraugus } ss. Chester Smith being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the son of Elijah Smith deceased, to whom a pension was probably due , that this deponent is directly interested in said claim.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 13 day September 1854 and (I do hereby certify that the said Chester Smith is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by him being directly interested in said claim.)
Chester Smith N B L Stevenson Justice of the peace
Know all Men by these Presents, That I Chester Smith  son of Elijah Smith deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested in the claim or application for a pension
Witness my hand and seal, this 13 th day of September 1854  Chester Smith
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
N B L Stevenson
STATE OF New York County of Cattaraugus } Be it known that on the 13 day of September 1854 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Chester Smith above named, and duly acknowledged the above power of attorney and affidavit to be his act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and date above mentioned.
N B L Stevenson Justice of the peace
TO ARAD JOY, of Ovid New York, Sir: I the son of Elijah Smith deceased do hereby constitute and appoint you my agent and attorney to investigate my claim to a pension; you are, however, to run your own risk as to success, pay your own expenses, hunt up the proof, and if you fail in the end to secure a pension, you are to lose all that you have done and expended, and make no charge against me . But on the other hand, to compensate you for the risk you run, and for your trouble and expenses I agree, if you secure a pension to give you a sum equal to one-quarter part of the amount of such pension up to the day of first drawing the same, and I further agree to execute all of my own papers free of expense to you. You are to be furnished with a history of the case.
- Chester Smith

Comptroller's Office, Connecticut ? Hartford Nov 15th 1845
On application for evidence of the service of Elijah Smith in the war of the revolution I have examined the documents in this office relating to that war and find a paper headed "A pay roll of the 5th Company in the 1st Regt raised by order of Genl Assembly Colony Connecticut May 1775" whereof Caleb Prowbridge is entered as capt, containing the name of Elijah Smith who is stated to have enlisted May 25 and to have served to Decm 20th, 6 mo 25 d
Also in the record of settlement with the 5th Connecticut Regt, 1st Skillip's Bradley Esq Col, before 1st Jan 1780 is the name of Elijah Smith who is stated to have commenced service May 12, 1779 and to have been settled with Jan 1, 80, time of service 2- year, mo 7 19 - exp. days £63. 5. 4 Also the name of Elijah Smith again appears in the record of settlement with the same regt and same Col for the year 1780 who is stated to have commenced service 1st Jan, 80 and to have been settled with May 11, 80 time of service - 4 months 9 days. wages £8. 1. 4
A Carrington, Comptroller
I find but one Elijah Smith in the Connecticut line and his service is as above stated, and for recruiting the army in 1781 the Town of Ashford in this state is allowed a bounty of £30 for Elijah Smith. A Carrington, Comptroller

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1502. 202 378
302
756
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1502 763 56 (50) 7510 1256

Kirkford Jan 5th 1845
Sir
Enclosed I send you the claim Of the heirs of Hannah Smith widow of Elijah Smith for a pension under the act of July 4th 1836 I have been collecting evidence in this case for the last two years thinking I would come up to your rules before I sent the claim to you but I have got so much evidence and so contradictory that I am unable to understand it and have conclu- -ded to forward all the papers to you hoping you would be able to understand the evidence better than I do
That Elijah Smith was in the service there is no doubt from conversing with his widow before her death I was fully satisfied that her husband was entitled to a pension she said her husband was bound to a man by the name of Johnson when the war commenced in 75 in the state of Connecticut in Stafford or Ashford that the most of his service was done in that state she was 93 years of age and her recollections very imperfect and what recollects his officers names but very imperfectly and possibly might have served in the Continental troops
I am very respectfully Yours - Oth Servant A Hays
Hon J L Edwars Com of pensions

Ovid N.Y. Sept 16. 1854
Sir
I inclose power of attorney, in behalf of Hannah Smith widow of Elijah, she was an applicant under the law of 1838 from the state of New York
Please furnish me with a copy of the alleged service in this case, & of what service is admitted, is the marriage admitted -
I am most respectfully Your Obl Servt Abad Joy
Hon L.P. Waldo Conn!

Comptroller's Office Hartford June 27 th 1846
A. J. Lyon Esq Sir
On examination I find the name of Eliah Smith capt. in Col. Coombs Regiment in 1775. I also find the name of Elijah Smith in the line having done service before in 1779 1780, whether as private or not does not appear but appearances would indicate as a private. Your letter would seem to indicate that you had obtained evidence from the records in this office before but not being able to find any memorandum of a former examination are unable to say whether these names among in different places are for the same man or which is the one of which you desire more information.
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt Mason Cleveland Comptroller

Pension Office,
May 22, 1846.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 18 th February last, I have to state that the evidence of the date of the death of Hannah Smith, and the statement as to her surviving children is satisfactory; but no proof has as yet been furnished in compliance with the requisition of my letter of the 29 th January, which insisted upon the identity of Mrs. Smith's husband being established in connexion with the service credited to Elijah Smith in the Comptroller's office at Hartford, and in the office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts. Until this be done in a satisfactory manner, the claim cannot be allowed.
A. J. Lyon, Esq. Rutherford, N. Y.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
June 3. 1846.
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 names of H. Bruning and Parmach Varnum, mentioned in the annexed letter, are not borne upon roll of Capt. Howlee's Company, nor that of Elijah Smith, nor upon rolls of any other Captain with said Smith. The only rolls of any Officer of the name of Bruning in this Office are those of Capt. Joseph Bruning for the year 1780 upon which the name of said Smith is not borne. Said Capt. Howlee belonged to Springfield. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. And said Capt. Bruning to Brimfield both towns in the same County.
John G. Palfrey; Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Albany County N.Y. Rushford June 1 st 1846.
Hon. Secretary of State, Massachusetts
Sir
I learn from the Commissioner of Pensions that the evidence of Revolutionary service of Elijah Smith is not satisfactorily identified, therefore have deemed it proper to transmit to you copies of two letters I have received from the Commission of Pensions in reference to the case, which are as follows:
Pension Office.
January 29 th 1846.
Sir
In the case of Hannah Smith, deceased, the proof of her marriage in 1778 is satisfactory, but there is no evidence whatever that would connect her husband with the Elijah Smith who served in the Connecticut Troops. He was a Massachusetts man, resident of Brimfield, as she asserts, in 1778 under an apprenticeship and the town record of his marriage shows that he resided there in 1778 when she married him. It is admitted that the presumption is in favour of her husband's identity with the Soldier from Brimfield in 1778 under Capt. Rowles of the Guards although she has not named that officer. If there was a Lt. Browning in Rowles company it would be satisfactory that she had described the service in the certificate and should

be allowed for it. The court should certify the date of her death and names of administrator and names of the children
I am, Sir, respectfully yr Olt servt. J. S. Edwards
A. J. Lyon Esq Pushford N.Y.
Copy
Pension Office May 22, 1846.
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 18 th February last, I have to state that the evidence of the date of the death of Hannah Smith, and the statement as to her surviving children is satisfactory; but no proof has as yet been furnished in compliance with the requisition of my letter of the 29 th January, which insisted upon the identity of Mrs Smith's husband being established in connexion with the services credited to Elijah Smith in the Comptroller's Office at Hartford, and in the Office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts. Untill this be done in a satisfactory manner, the claim cannot be allowed.
Very Respectfully, Your Olt Servt. J. S. Edwards
A. J. Lyon Esq Pushford N.Y.
Copy

From the annexed copies of the letters of Hon. Mr. Edwards you will no doubt further know what is required to identify the service referred to in the case of Elijah Smith. His widow also set forth that there was a Sergeant Varnum or Farnum in some of the company, that her husband served in. and it further contained Therefore you will please be so good as to re-examine the Rolls in your office and ascertain if any further identity can be found to substantiate the claim, or if any other service of said Smith is found, and forward to me your Certificate as soon as may be convenient
Very Much Oblid Your Obt. Servt A. J. Lyon By O. Boagman
N.B. The widow of said Smith set forth that he served under us Capt. Browning - but it is possible that Browning may have been a Lieut. or Ensign.

Know all men by these presents, That I Chester Smith Administrator , to obtain Pension of the County of Cattaraugus and State of New-York have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint, THOMAS EWING, Jr., of Washington City, my true and lawful attorney, irrevocably for me and in my name to receive from the United States all such sum or sums of money as may be due me on account of and the remainder of the heirs of the Estate of Elizah Smith , deceased. To wit: Elizah Smith, Jr. , Ezra Smith , Ebenezer Smith , Hannah Granger , and Sally Hove . And to examine all papers at the Pension office in relation to the claim of said heirs, and to prosecute therefor, on account of the Revolutionary services of said Elizah Smith .
and in my name to execute such receipts and acquittances for the same as may be necessary, and generally to do all lawful acts and things touching the premises; and an attorney or attorneys under him for the purposes aforesaid, to make and at his pleasure to revoke; hereby confirming all and what- soever my said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises, by virtue of these presents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2 d day of January 185 2 .
Chester Smith
Administrator
State of New York County of Allegany } to wit:
On this 2 d day of January 185 2 , Chester Smith personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and acknowledged the above power of attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein expressed.
C. Brooks
J. P.
State of New York County of Allegany } to wit:
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That C. Brooks Esq., before whom the above acknowledgment was made, and who has hereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the County Court, for the County aforesaid, this 3 rd day of January
185 2 .
John J. Rockefeller Clerk.

Rushford February 18 th 1846.
Sir
Enclosed I transmit to your department, Certificate of the Court and Surrogate, as to the date of the death and names of Administrator and children of Hannah Smith, deceased, whose papers and application for a pension are on file in the Pension Office and referred to in your letter of the 29 th ult; I am still in hopes that you will be able to trace and find evidence of more service of her husband on the Records or Rolls in the War Office at Washington, which you will please have examined, she appeared to be confident that she understood that her husband entered the service in 1775, and that his last service was some time in the latter part of the war, under a Cap t Browning on a tour to or near Philadelphia and that Cap t Browning was killed about that time at Mud Fort, therefore I have thought that possibly his name may be borne upon some of the Rolls at Washington: at the same time I submit the case to your decision
I have the honor to be very Respectfully
Yours & A. J. Lyon By O r Boardman
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Feb. 26. 1846.
Charles C. Russell
Hawaii
Washington City D.C.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

(C 12)
592 I'm off Jany 29- 46
In the case of Hannah Smith dec? the proof of her marriage in 78 is satisfactory but there is no evidence whatever that would connect her husband with the Elijah Smith who served in the Con t Troops - He was a Mass. man resident of Brimfield as she affirms in 75 under an apprenticeship and the Iowa record of his marriage shows that he resided there in 78 when she married him. It is admitted that the presumption is in favor of her husband's identity with the soldier from Brimfield in 78 under Capt. Rowlee of the Guard, altho she has not named that officer - If there was a V th Brownson in Rowlee's company it would

be Satisfactory that she had described the service in the certificate & should be allowed for it — The Court should certify the date of her death & names of Adm. & each of the children
M. A. O. Vagn Henry 29 '46
A. J. Lyon Esq Rushford N.Y.

Rushford January 6 th 1846.
Sir
Enclosed I transmit to you what further evidence I have been able to procure to substantiate the claim of Heirs of Hannah Smith deceased, widow of Elijah Smith =
I have been informed that the said Elijah Smith at some time previous to his death had employed a Mr J. A. Hulbert of Auburn N.Y. to make application for a pension for him under the act of 1818. possibly his papers may have been sent to your office and filed there but we do not know as the papers were forwarded. the said Hulbert having been a long time dead. we can not find any thing of the papers with his relics.
I now submit the case to your further decision
Respectfully yours O. S. Lord. A. Hays
Hon. J. S. Edwards Com. of Pensions.

Prusim Office February 4 th , 1847
Sir
From the Certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts, now presented in the case of Hannah Smith and Widow of Elijah Smith it appears that Lieut Bunning and Sergeant Farnum or Varnum are not found upon the Rolls of Capt Rowlee with Elijah Smith. This together with the fact that Mrs Smith's marriage took place during the period that Elijah Smith was in service in 1778 under Capt Rowlee, shows beyond a doubt that that person was not her husband. The Service Certificate to Elijah Smith upon the record in the Comptroller's Office of Connecticut cannot be admitted in this case as Mrs Smith was, at that time a citizen of husband was to Massachusetts.
A. J. Lynn Esq Rochester N.Y.

Comptroller's Office Hartford Ct. Nov 9, 1896
A. J. Lyon Esq Sir
In answer to your request for evidence in the case of Elisha Smith would say that I have made search and find that Elisha Smith was in service in 1775, near Boston under Capt. Caleb. Trowbridge who I suppose was from Poncept in Middlesex County. I think that fact may be shown. We have no more in this office of identifying soldiers except what the Service should that service found is of some consequence, if it is the right man. Should you want a Certificate of the service named you can inform us. Fee for search and Certificate is $2.00 — Again other cases are in process of examination
Very Respectfully Yours &c Mason Glandau Compt.

N.Y.
Let A. H. Lyon. Apr 25, 1831 N. J. 23. Sept 1831.
97 H 0
Feb 11 th July 1836

1867 Rushford March 17 th
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the Sub declaration of Chester Smith in support of the claim of the heirs of Hannah Smith widow of Elijah Smith both deceased now on file in your Office under the act of the 4 th of July 1836 I have been to great expense in looking up evidence in this claim always believing it to be an honest claim and since investigating it am fully satisfied that her husband was in the service from Connecticut. The old lady told me at the time I drew her declaration that her husband was bound an Apprentice to Benjamin Johnson in Stafford and went into the service from there in 75 and was at Bunkerhill. I forgot then knowing that Stafford was in Conn and Brimfield in Massachusetts did not make the distinction that I had ought to have made she being then over 90 years of age and almost impossible to make her know or understand what was said to her. She also said that at the time of her marriage her husband came home out of the service and soon after returned and was in the service four months after the marriage
It is not strange to me that the old lady should misinform respecting her husband's services at her advanced age I think a liberal allowance ought to be made I wish you would carefully review this claim and if you suggest any thing that we can do we will try to comply if not the claim must fail
Hon J. L. Edwards Com of Pensions
I am very respectfully Your O bt Serv t A. H. Dyer

State of New York } Allegany County } ss; On this 24th day of February  8th day of March , 1847, personally appeared before me Samuel White a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, Chester Smith a resident of the town of Rushford in the county of Allegany and State of New York, aged fifty three years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following sub declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, ; That he is the son of Hannah Smith, deceased, who was the widow of Elijah Smith who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution; That he always understood from his earliest recollections from his Father the said Elijah Smith and his mother the said Hannah Smith and others that his father the said Elijah Smith was a resident of Stafford in the State of Connecticut and that it was in the state of Connecticut that he was an apprentice or lived with a Dea Benjamin Johnson in the year 1775, and that in 1775 entered the service from there and on a tour to Roxbury and Boston. That his father was about about eighteen or nineteen years old when he first entered the service, that he always under- stood his father that he was in the service from Connecticut a number of terms or tours before he went to Brimfield Mas, at which place he was married in 1778. That he was on furlough at the time he was married and returned immediately to the army and service after his marriage — That he understood him that he was at one time in Col John Durgess Regt. from Norwich Vt. That he was in the service from different places and different times and tours and under different officers whose names he does not recollect except a Capt. Browning — but always understood his father to have been in service from Connecticut & Mass. both — and always understood him to have done most of his service from Connecticut. That he was in the service at different times all through the war. —
Chester Smith
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before Samuel White Justice of Peace

State of New York Albany County ss.
William Brewster Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Samuel White Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly com- missioned and qualified and authorized to take the same and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name Subscribed thereto is his proper hand writing.
Witness my hand and the Seal of said County this 12th day of March A.D. 1817 Thomas Brewster Clerk

196 Pension Office April 13 d 1847
Your communication of the 17 th ult o in the Case of Hannah Smith dec d Widow of Elijah Smith has been received and in reply I have to inform you that My letter of the 4 th of February was written under the belief that the term of Service credited to Elijah Smith of Brimfield under Capt Rowles as certified by the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Mass. terminated on 1 st July 1778, and of course if Mrs. Smith was married in February of that year her marriage must have been consummated during Smiths engagement in that term of service which afforded strong ground for the opinion that that soldier was not her husband. To meet this Objection the affidavit of Chester Smith Mrs. Smiths Son, is now produced in which he states, that he has always understood that his father was at home on furlough at the time of his marriage and that he returned to the Army and remained shortly after his marriage."

Upon a reexamination of the Secretarys Certificate it is found that the Service under Roulac did not end on 1 st Jany 1778, but commenced on that date. It is very clear therefore that the testimony of the the witness taken to meet the requisition in this case, and that the facts stated by him could have had no existence and unless some satisfactory explanation of his testimony can be given it will discredit the claim altogether.
M r Smith was not the brother of Elijah Smith of the Connecticut Line, as the records of that Service in this office show that he was in Winter quarters with his regiment at Valley Forge in February 1778 the date of her marriage
A. J. Lyon Esq Rushford N.Y.
H. J. Lyon Apr 12. 1843

74 Rutherford New York
Dec. 13, 1880
A. J. Lyon
appeals from the decision of the late Commissioner of Pensions in certain cases &c —
Capt. Russell, Mili- tary and re-examined these cases —
Referred to the Com te of Pensions who will re-ex- -amine the cases & advise Mr Lyon of the result.
Dept. Int. 2 Jan 11/81

Rushford, N. Y. Dec. 13, 1850.
Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior Dear Sir,
You will find by reference to papers on file in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, that I have been employed, for a number of years, in presenting claims for pensions, both for revolutionary soldiers, and their widows. You will also find in the said Commissioner's office, declarations and evidence in support of claims for the widows of Elisha Baker, John Pool, Robert Campbell and Morris Powers, all of which have been rejected by Mr. Edwards. And believing as I do, that sufficient evidence has been furnished by me, and forwarded to that department to entitle each and every one of them to a pension, under the several acts of Congress, therein named, I take this method to appeal from the decision of the said Commissioner. Understanding it to be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior, whenever an appeal shall have been made, to examine all the declarations and evidence in such cases, I feel confident that you will not hesitate to grant them all a pension. If you should come to the conclusion, that some additional evidence is wanting in one, or more of the cases above named, you will please to point it out, and I will endeavour to supply it. You will also find the claim of the heirs of Hannah & Elizabeth Smith and the claim of the heirs of Eleanor & William Wells, which have been of long standing and rejected by the said Commissioner of Pensions which I likewise appeal. Also the claim of the heirs of Jonathan & Mahatabel Fisk: Fisk was a pensioner, and his widow survived him, and was living until after the passing of the act, of July 7th. 1832.
Respectfully Yours
A. H. H. Stuart
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart Secretary &c

A. J. Lyon Esq. Pursiford NY
Apr 25 1857
Sir: The case of Hannah Smith dec'd, widow of Elijah has been again examined, but with the same result which was communicated to you by the letter of my predecessor under date of Apr. 12, 1847. The marriage in this case is admitted, but like the case of Elizabeth Pool, there is no evidence of as much as six months service by the claimant's husband. The records of Conn. & Mass. both show a short service performed by Elijah Smith which if we could be satisfied were one and the same soldier would be sufficient to place her on the roll, but as there is no reliable evidence of that fact the claim is again disallowed.
Kirby - (signed) F. S. Evans for Comr
Copied from book letter of 1851 AW

Pension Office.
23 d Sep r 1854.
Sir,
Enclosed please find the copy of a letter from this Office to A. S. Lyon Esqr. of date 12 th April 1847, which will explain the condition of the claim of Hannah Smith dec d widow of Elijah of New York. It is contrary to the rules of this Office to send you copies of the evidence on file.
Abra pay Esqr. Quid. N. Y.