William Smothers' Revolutionary War Pension Application Claim:

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Frankie J. Preston


Cumberland County Records:  William Smothers

July 26, 1824

William Smothers a free man of colour.  This day made his Declaration in these
words. His Declaration and a schedule of his estate which was sworn to in these
words. “Schedule of property and (   ) and this court values the whole of the property
contained in the said Schedule to Forty Dollars”, which is ordered to be certified to 
the Secretary of War.



William Smothers’ Revolutionary War Pension Application Claim:

Original Claim  (S38375)

Declaration in order to be placed on the pension list under the Act of the
18th of March 1818 Virginia, Cumberland County:

On This 26th day of July, 1824 personally appeared in open court (being a
court of record) for this county aforesaid William Smothers, resident said  
county, aged sixty five years, who being first duly sworn, according to---on 
his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision 
(made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March, 1818 and the 1st May 1820, 
that he, the said William Smothers enlisted for the term of --years on 
the --day of --in the year 1781, in the State of Virginia, in the company
commanded by Cpt. Stuplian Southall, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Charles Harrison, in the line of the state of Virginia on the Virginia Continental
establishment.  that he continued to serve in said Corps until the close of 
the war, when he was discharged from the service in Richmond, in the state 
of Virginia, that he herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, 
except the present; that his name is not on the roll of any state, except 
that of Virginia and that the following are his reasons for not making earlier
application for a pension; to wit that he was illiterate himself and had no
friend, who would urge his claim, and take the necessary steps towards obtaining 
it, that he twice engaged a lawyer to attend to it, each of whom after 
disappointing him for a long time, finally did nothing......And in pursuance 
of the Act of May 1st 1820 I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen 
of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since 
that time, by gift, sale or in any manner whatever disposed of any property
or any part thereof with intent thereby so to d-------as to bring myself
within the provisions of, an act of Congress, entitled “An act to provide for 
certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States 
in the Revolutionary War”, passed on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have 
not , nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, 
contracts or debts due to me.  Nor have I any income, other than what is
contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed, so help me
God. 

Schedule of property belonging to William Smothers towit: one cow, three
shoats. two sows, one pine chest, one pot, one dutch oven, one----, six 
chairs, on pine table, six plates, six knives and forks, one d---, one flax 
wheel, one cotton wheel, one hauking reel, two axes, two hilling hoes, two 
plough hoes, one pair wedges, and four acres of land:  his occupation is 
that of a lobourer, and his ability to pursue it, depends principally on his
health, which is as good as that of most persons of his age, and that the only
person of his family, is his wife, Nancy who is about fifty years of age, and 
can only attend to the affairs of the house.  that since the 18th of March 1818, 
no changes have been made in his property, except of a very trivial nature.

                             his
                Wm.       x       Smothers
                            mark 

Sworn to and declared on the 26th day of July 1824 in open court.
     I Miller Woodson clerk of the County of Cumberland do hereby certify,
that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said William Smothers, 
did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, 
against the ------enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engaged on 
the continental establishment.  I also certify, that the foregoing oath, and 
the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copies from the records of the said 
Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court,
that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid
Schedule, is forty dollars.  

Miller Woodson, CC

Mailed to James Barbour Esq.
Secretary al. War
Washington City


Cartersville, April 28th 1825

Dear Sir

I herewith mailed (as the friend of William Smothers), his declaration in
order to be placed on the pension list made in July last.  I sent on the same 
declaration and Schedule to W. Calhoun last fall which was returned to me 
for want of form, the clerk having neglected to affix the seal of the County.  
I hope the declaration herewith enclosed will be found to be in proper form 
and that you will answer our petition as soon as convenient, as the
applicant is in distressed circumstances.

Very Respectfully 
        Your Able Servt
James MCLaurine

Ps  Please send to Cartersville, Cumberland County, Virg.


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