Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements

Pension Application of William Smith: S31976

                        Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris

State of Georgia}         On this seventh day of July 1833 personally appeared in open court

Clark County}              before Asbury Hall presiding judge of the Superior Court now sitting William Smith Resident of said County of Clark & State aforesaid aged 79 years who having first duly sworn, 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– He states that he was born in Sussex County Virginia on the 22nd April 1754, his age is recorded in his family Bible now in his possession, lived in Sussex about ten[?] years in Brunswick about eleven & Henry about 12 years & then moved to York District South Carolina, lived in South Carolina about nineteen years & moved to Georgia, where he now lives. He lived in Henry County Virginia when called into service – the Militia for the County, were classed & the class to which he was attached was called into service about the 1st March 1781 – upon a three months tour commanded by Capt. David Lanier, that they joined General Green [sic: Nathanael Greene] Army at the old Iron works [sic: probably Troublseome Iron Works, also known as Speedwell Furnace, Rockingham County NC] the day after the Battle of Gilford [sic: Guilford Courthouse]

–After joining Genl Green served under Capt Josiah Sharp & James Prully Lieutenant  served out three months with Genl Greens Army – After joining Greens Army at the Iron Works and remaining there some days we marched to C. Ramseys Mill upon Deep River, remained there a few days, and then marched to Camden.  there we had a scrimage with the Brittish. Picketts [sic: possibly the skirmish on 22 April 1781]  was there commanded by Major Kirkwood [sic: probably Capt. Robert Kirkwood]

there was discharged at Camden [sic: apparently before the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill on 25 April 1781] – after remaining there a few days & returned home to Henry County Virginia – never received any discharge nor has he any written evidence in his possession of his service –  After remaining at home a short time was again called into service upon another tour of three months, which I commenced about the middle of July 1781– In consequence of a very severe & [word illegible] injury by Riding, a contusion[?] on the right leg at the time we were ordered on the last occasion, to march, instead of performing service as a soldier, I was by order of Major John Marr directed to take charge of a Baggage Waggon – took charge of the waggon & team, at Maj. Martins at Henry County, & managed it as a Driver for about six weeks – while I was driver of the waggon I performed service in the neighbourhood of [two words illegible] Henry Court House & Col Penns & Bladensburg & was then discharged from the management of the waggon returning it to Col. Penn – Major John Marr accepted, as he stated to me, that six weeks service in the management of the waggon as equaled to the service of the three months tour for which I was last called into service – He mentions the names of Fa[rest illegible] J Haynes & Hiller[?] Bledsoe – who can testify to his character for veracity & thier belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution –

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state

Sworn to & subscribed the the day & year aforesaid} [signed] William Smith