Person:Smith Thompson (3)

Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 5, pg. 255, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret.:

Thompson, Smith - entered service 1777 in Augusta County, Virginia, where he resided, in 16th Virginia Regiment; granted Pension there in 1819; resided there in 1820 abt. age 73 when occupation weaver, with wife abt. age 45 & no children living with them; resided there in 1823 abt. age 75 with wife abt. age 45. F-S38438, R2378.

[edit]

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley's:

Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond: 1789--April 21, James Blakely and Margaret Ruffhead; surety, Smith Thompson.

Page 403.--9th January, 1790. Organization of Staunton Fire Company. W. Bowyer, Michael Bowyer, Alex. St. Clair, Ro. Gamble, James Lyle, Jr., Robert Stuart, Daniel Donovan, A. Stuart, Wm. Abney, R. Douthat, W. Chambers, Jno. and Samuel Boys, P. Heiskell, Jacob Peck, Ro. McDowell, Michael Garber, Michael Sifort, Jacob Geiger, Adam Bickle, James Megongal, A. Waterman, Robert McCullough, J. Holmes for Robert Astrop, Joseph Dickey, John Gorden, Michael Garber, Jr., A. Mustoe, Alex. Humphreys, Geo. Harden, Jno. Fleiger, Sol. Wolfort, Jno. Price, Hugh McDowell, Wm. Forbes, Jno. ( ) Moore, Margt. Reed, Wm. Sharyer, Andrew Cutler, Jno. Gunn, Wm. McDowell, North and Mathews, Alex. Nelson, Jr., Jno. Bosang, Chr. Grove, James McLoughlin, Jno. ( ) Gates, Smith Thompson, Francis Huff, Michael Cawley, Christian Mummer, Nicholas Faulkler, Samuel Merrit, Daniel Kidd, Jno. Tennant, Geo. Weifford, Isaac Ong, Charles Hedrick, Joshua Parry, Henry, Spering, Anthony ( ) Ingleton, Jno. Backenst, James Kenner.

Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond: 1790--April 24, Thomas Layton and Sally Massey. "A girl who has served her time with me. Thomas Smyth." Witnesses, James Guy, Isham Ready; surety, Smith Thompson.

Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond: 1790--October 11, Alexander Thompson and Lettice Bell, widow; own consent; witnesses, John Workman, Lina Workman; surety. Smith Thompson.

Page 318.--13th February, 1791. William Buchanan's estate appraised by James Megongal, John Shannon, Smith Thompson.

Vol. 1 - FEBRUARY 15, 1791. (383) Andrew Coulter, orphan, to be bound to Smith Thompson.

Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond: 1791--February 26, George White and Smith Thompson, surety. George White and Polly Watkins, daughter. Own consent; certificate that she is of age. Witnesses, John Martin, George White.

Page 56.--11th April, 1793. James Lyle, Jr.'s, will, of Staunton--To wife, Margaret, and daughter, Julia (Juliet), estate to be kept for wife's support and Julia's education, infant. Executors, wife Margaret, friends Wm. Lyle, Archibald Stuart. Teste: J. Beal, Smith Thompson, Jinney Stuart, Mary Humphreys. Proved, June Court, 1793, by Stuart and Humphreys. Executors qualify.

Page 59.--Poll of election for two trustees for the town of Staunton, taken 1st January, 1793--For Michael Garber, 18, viz: Jacob Geiger, Robt Gratton, Andrew Cutler, Jno. Boys, Phillip Dyre, Robt. Bailey, Anthony Ingleton, Michael Syford, Jno. Gates, Geo. Weifford, Jno. Gunn, Jno. Backinster, Wm. Heginbotham, Wm. Brieze, Michael Cawley, Jno. Moore, Jno. Price, John Diddy. For Robert Douthat, 22, viz: Jacob Kinney, Daniel Donavan, Robt. McDowell, Peter Heiskell, Jno. Grates, Jos. Dickey, Jas. Barry, Samuel Merrila. Jas. Cochran, Jno. Gardner, Jas. McLaughlan, Jas. Mathews, Alex. Mason, Smith Thompson, Michael Cawley, Wm. Chambers, G. Christian, Jno. Price, Jno. McDowell, Alex. Humphreys. For James McGonegal, 4, viz: Michael Syford, Jno. Gunn, Jno. Backinston, Jno. Diddy. For Peter Heiskell, 25, viz: Jacob Geiger, Andrew Cutler, Jacob Kinney, Jos. Dickey, Jas. Barry, James Cochran, Wm. Heginbotham.

Vol. 1 - JULY 15, 1794. (136) Allan McClean Gwinn Curry to be bound to Smith Thompson, to learn trade of a weaver.

Vol. 1 - JANUARY 16, 1798. (248) Vincent Tapp was a Sergeant-Major, and Smith Thompson a soldier in the Continental Service.

Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond: 1798--January 30, James Brodhurst and Smith Thompson and Wm. Short, sureties. James Brodhurst and Elleanor Ryan, widow of John Ryan, deceased.

Page 339.--17th July, 1798. Subscribers form themselves into a fire company--James Edmonson, Wm. Breckinridge, J. Bowyer, Michael Garber, Sr.; Peter Elliott, Joseph Dickey, John Gorden, Robt. McCullock, Geo. Grant McIntosh, John McCausland, Vincent Tapp, Abraham Teebo, Jacob Leas, Philip Hopkins, David Griener, John Moore, John Fackler, Alex. St. Clair, H. Paul, Jacob Swoope, Samuel Clarke, W. Herren, W. Chambers, Geo. Mitchell, Thos. Barry, David Parry, Joseph Cowan, Hamp Keyes, Cornelius Baldwin, Smith Thompson, John Backenstoe, Jno. Wayt, Jno. Johnston, Robt. McDowell, Jno. Wise, James McGongal, Joseph Points, Ro. B. St. Clair, Andrew Haveouf, Jno. McDowell, Jacob Kinney.

Vol. 1 - April 24, 1823.--Joseph Bell, Jr., deposes to same effect as Smith Thompson, supra, as to his brother, Samuel Bell. Samuel entered the Army 8th day of March, 1777. Samuel died in Staunton in 1788, leaving Sarah, Thomas, John Bell and affiant as his legatees. Said Thomas Bell died testate in Albemarle County; that said John also died testate in Augusta County. Order entered by the Court in accordance with above facts, and further that Thomas Bell left William Love, Robert Washington Bell, Sally Jefferson Bell and Mary Wills his legatees.

Vol. 1 - Corporation of Staunton, to wit: 26th April, 1823.--Smith Thompson deposes: He was well acquainted with Samuel Bell, and that he served in the Virginia Line on Continental establishment during the Revolution as an ensign in Captain McGuire's Company, attached to the 16th Regiment, commanded by Col. William Grayson; that he was afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy and attached to Capt. Thomas Bell's company in the same regiment, the said McGuire having resigned. The said Samuel Bell was at the battles of Brandywine, German Town, Guilford Courthouse, and Hot Water, in which (last) he was wounded in eight or nine places and taken prisoner, and afterwards taken by the enemy to Williamsburg and paroled and continued in the army to the end of the war as a supernumerary officer. Said Bell died in the town of Staunton in year 1788.

Vol. 2 - Samuel Bell's Services and Heirs, 28th April, 1823: On the motion of Joseph and Sarah Bell, two of the legatees of Samuel Bell, it appears by the evidence of said Joseph Bell and Smith Thompson, that Samuel Bell, deceased, entered into the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment on the 8th day of March, 1777, as an Ensign in Capt. McGuire's Company, attached to the 16th Regiment, commanded by Col. William Grayson; that he was afterwards promoted to a Lieutenancy and attached to Capt. Thomas Bell's Company in the same Regiment; he was at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Guilford, and last at the battle of Hotwater, in which he was wounded in 8 or 9 places and taken Prisoner; he was taken to Williamsburg by the enemy and paroled, and continued in the army to the end of the war as a supernumerary officer; that he died in the town of Staunton in the year 1788, having first made his last will and testament, dated 23d September, 1788, and recorded in the clerk's office of said Court, leaving the said Joseph Bell, Sarah Bell, Thomas Bell, and John Bell his legatees; that said Thomas died in Albemarle, leaving a will dated 9th May, 1797, in which William Love, Robert Washington Bell, Sally Jefferson Bell and William Wells were named as legatees; that John Bell died in Augusta County, testate, his will beng dated 11th February, 1797, and leaving the said Joseph Bell his residuary legatee.

Vol. 2 - 28th July, 1823: It is certified by the Court that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court from the evidence of William B. Wallace and William Steele, officers of the Revolutionary War, and of Smith Thompson and Joseph Bell, soldiers in said war, that the facts in the order of 28th April, 1823, concerning the Revolutionary services and heirs of Samuel Bell are true.

Vol. 2 - Smith Thompson makes affidavit in Augusta, June 21st, 1832, that he is a Revolutionary Soldier; was at the battle of Monmouth June 28th, 1778, and was acquainted with James Franklin, who was Lieutenant in Woodford's, or Woodon's Brigade, and was in that battle; he saw Franklin on March 15th, 1781 (then a Captain), at Guilford; saw him the day after the battle in the tent of Col. John Green, who, he thinks, belonged to the Tenth Virginia Regiment.

Vol. 2 - Colonel David Saunders, of Bedford, makes affidavit September 13th, 1832, as to the Revolutionary services of James Dillard: Dillard was an officer in the regular Army; Saunders was himself a soldier of the Revolution. Smith Thompson testifies September 7th, 1832, that James Dillard was a Captain in the Tenth Virginia Regiment on Continental Establishment and was at Guilford and Yorktown. September 27th, 1832.-- It is certified that Benjamin Higginbotham, a Revolutionary soldier, marched from Amherst in a company of Volunteer riflemen under Capt. James Dillard and joined Greene's Army at Guilford.

Vol. 2 - William Patrick's Declaration, September 25th, 1832: Aged 69 years on the 21st of last January; was drafted January 1st, 1781, and assembled at Teas's; in Capt. Thomas Rankin's Company; about four weeks afterwards he was assigned to Capt. Charles Cameron's Company, of Col. Sampson Mathews's Regiment, of which William Bowyer was Lieutenant Colonel and Alexander Robertson Major; was marched to the "Old Bird Ordinary" on the way to Richmond; an express was received that Arnold was about to go up the Rappahannock and destroy the stores at Falmouth; marched to Fredericksburg, where they remained a few weeks, then marched with the company and regiment to Portsmouth; near there he was in several skirmishes on scouting parties; there his regiment joined General Muhlenburg with several regiments of Militia and perhaps some regular troops or "18-months men;" Baron Steuben was training the men at this place; was discharged at Portsmouth, having served three months and nineteen days. Was again drafted, and rendezvoused at Teas's, under Capt. William Finley, about the first of August; in Colonel Samuel Lewis's Regiment; Long was Major; the Company and Regiment marched to New Canton, thence to West Point, where they remained eight to ten days, and marched back by New Canton, down to Cabin Point, crossing the James River about twenty miles above James Town and again at James Town; marched to Williamsburg, where they remained two or three weeks; proceeded to York Town. joining the main army under Washington, Lafayette, and Wayne; was there discharged, having been in no battle; York Town was fought a very short time after he was discharged; was out two months and nineteen days. He was born in Augusta about twelve or fourteen miles east of Staunton on January 31st, 1763. Alexander Williams was with him on his first tour and Smith Thompson returned with him from the second.

Vol. 2 - Alexander Williams' Declaration, September 25th, 1832: Was born within seven miles of Staunton in 1762; was drafted in August, 1776, in Capt. Henderson's Company, and marched under the command of Col. William Bowyer to join General McIntosh's army on the Western Frontier; joined General McIntosh at Fort McIntosh, where he remained some months; thence with the other troops to Fort Lawrence, where he remained but a short time, and was there discharged, and reached home in January, 1777, having been in the service between five and six months. At Fort McIntosh was a Colonel Richard Campbell from Virginia, who commanded regulars; at Fort Lawrence was Colonel or Major Broadhead, who commanded regulars. In March, 1777, he was engaged to serve as substitute for Archibald Lockridge, one of the drafted militia, and marched from Staunton for the protection of the Western Frontiers in the Company of Capt. William Kinkead; was stationed sometime at a block-house called Landers, on the Western Fork of the Monongahelia; there he volunteered with other men to go to another block-house under Ensign James Steele, of the Augusta Militia, where he remained a short time and was discharged, on which tour he was absent four months. In February, 1781, he volunteered as one of the militia of Augusta County, and marched with other troops to South Carolina, in Capt. Thomas Smith's Company in Col. George Moffett's Regiment; they joined the regular army near Guilford Court House, and was selected as one of the riflemen and placed under the command of Col. Campbell, of the Rifle Corps; was under his command in the battle of Guilford, in March, 1781; was in service a few days over two months; Capt. Augustine Argenbright can prove this service. Again he marched in Capt. Thomas Smith's Company from Widow Teas's, under Colonel Samuel Lewis, to Richmond, about August, 1781; marched to various points in the lower part of Virginia; was a few weeks near Williamsburg; thence with General Muhlenberg's Brigade to York Town; was present at the siege and surrender in October, 1781, when he was discharged; was in service about four months; William Patrick and Smith Thompson were on this tour. Augustine Argenbright deposes that he marched with Williams to Guilford Court House. William Patrick deposes that Williams served as one of the Augusta Militia at the siege of York; Patrick was there. Smith Thompson deposes that he knows that Williams served the third and fourth tours.

Vol. 2 - William Patrick's Declaration, September 25th, 1832: Aged 69 years on the 21st of last January; was drafted January 1st, 1781, and assembled at Teas's; in Capt. Thomas Rankin's Company; about four weeks afterwards he was assigned to Capt. Charles Cameron's Company, of Col. Sampson Mathews's Regiment, of which William Bowyer was Lieutenant Colonel and Alexander Robertson Major; was marched to the "Old Bird Ordinary" on the way to Richmond; an express was received that Arnold was about to go up the Rappahannock and destroy the stores at Falmouth; marched to Fredericksburg, where they remained a few weeks, then marched with the company and regiment to Portsmouth; near there he was in several skirmishes on scouting parties; there his regiment joined General Muhlenburg with several regiments of Militia and perhaps some regular troops or "18-months men;" Baron Steuben was training the men at this place; was discharged at Portsmouth, having served three months and nineteen days. Was again drafted, and rendezvoused at Teas's, under Capt. William Finley, about the first of August; in Colonel Samuel Lewis's Regiment; Long was Major; the Company and Regiment marched to New Canton, thence to West Point, where they remained eight to ten days, and marched back by New Canton, down to Cabin Point, crossing the James River about twenty miles above James Town and again at James Town; marched to Williamsburg, where they remained two or three weeks; proceeded to York Town. joining the main army under Washington, Lafayette, and Wayne; was there discharged, having been in no battle; York Town was fought a very short time after he was discharged; was out two months and nineteen days. He was born in Augusta about twelve or fourteen miles east of Staunton on January 31st, 1763. Alexander Williams was with him on his first tour and Smith Thompson returned with him from the second.

Vol. 2 - Alexander Williams' Declaration, September 25th, 1832: Was born within seven miles of Staunton in 1762; was drafted in August, 1776, in Capt. Henderson's Company, and marched under the command of Col. William Bowyer to join General McIntosh's army on the Western Frontier; joined General McIntosh at Fort McIntosh, where he remained some months; thence with the other troops to Fort Lawrence, where he remained but a short time, and was there discharged, and reached home in January, 1777, having been in the service between five and six months. At Fort McIntosh was a Colonel Richard Campbell from Virginia, who commanded regulars; at Fort Lawrence was Colonel or Major Broadhead, who commanded regulars. In March, 1777, he was engaged to serve as substitute for Archibald Lockridge, one of the drafted militia, and marched from Staunton for the protection of the Western Frontiers in the Company of Capt. William Kinkead; was stationed sometime at a block-house called Landers, on the Western Fork of the Monongahelia; there he volunteered with other men to go to another block-house under Ensign James Steele, of the Augusta Militia, where he remained a short time and was discharged, on which tour he was absent four months. In February, 1781, he volunteered as one of the militia of Augusta County, and marched with other troops to South Carolina, in Capt. Thomas Smith's Company in Col. George Moffett's Regiment; they joined the regular army near Guilford Court House, and was selected as one of the riflemen and placed under the command of Col. Campbell, of the Rifle Corps; was under his command in the battle of Guilford, in March, 1781; was in service a few days over two months; Capt. Augustine Argenbright can prove this service. Again he marched in Capt. Thomas Smith's Company from Widow Teas's, under Colonel Samuel Lewis, to Richmond, about August, 1781; marched to various points in the lower part of Virginia; was a few weeks near Williamsburg; thence with General Muhlenberg's Brigade to York Town; was present at the siege and surrender in October, 1781, when he was discharged; was in service about four months; William Patrick and Smith Thompson were on this tour. Augustine Argenbright deposes that he marched with Williams to Guilford Court House. William Patrick deposes that Williams served as one of the Augusta Militia at the siege of York; Patrick was there. Smith Thompson deposes that he knows that Williams served the third and fourth tours.

Vol. 2 - William Armstrong's Declaration, 26th October, 1832: Of the Little Calf Pasture. Was born in Augusta County December 12, 1759; the record is in the possession of his youngest sister, living in Ohio; was drafted for three months in March, 1778 or 1779; rendezvoused at Col Samuel Vance's, on Back Creek; marched to Clover Lick, thence, via Tygert's Valley, to the West Fork of the Monongahela River, where he remained until the June following, when his term expired and he was discharged. The object of this draft was to protect the citizens of that part of the State from incursions of the Indians; he was under the command of Capt. William Kinkead and Ensign James Steele. About the first of March, 1781, he was again drafted, and with other mounted men proceeded via Rockfish Gap, Lynch's Ferry and the Sonca Towns, on Dan River, to North Carolina, where he joined the main army of the south, then commanded by Gen. Greene; he does not recall the place of this junction; after joining the army he, with his companions, was dismounted and the horses were sent back; was in the company of Capt. Guin during the whole tour in Col. Campbell's Regiment; was in the battle of Guilford; they retired to Troublesome Iron Works, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, where he was discharged. In July, 1781, he was again drafted for three months; rendezvoused at Staunton, and marched via Charlottesville, Richmond, and Jamestown to York, where he joined the main army under Washington; on October 17th he was discharged, and returned home two days before the surrender; was under the command of Capt. James Bell, Lieut. John Wackub, Ensign Alex. Crawford; the regiment was commanded by Col. Samuel Lewis and Major William Long. Smith Thompson, aged 84 years, on July 19th last, deposes that he was fellow soldier with declarant at Guilford and Yorktown.

Vol. 2 - 26th October, 1832--It is certified that it is established by the testimony of Frederick Grass and Smith Thompson that Edward Richards entered the Revolution in 1777, or previous thereto, and served the war, first in the Company of Capt. Thomas Bowyer, 12th Virginia Regiment; was appointed Drum Major and served as such to the close of the war.

Vol. 2 - [abt. 26 Oct 1832] - Smith Thompson's Declaration: Mentions Lieut. Robert Kirk, Capt. Granville Smith, Col. William Grayson, John C. Sowers.

Vol. 2 - William Armstrong's Declaration, 26th October, 1832: Of the Little Calf Pasture. Was born in Augusta County December 12, 1759; the record is in the possession of his youngest sister, living in Ohio; was drafted for three months in March, 1778 or 1779; rendezvoused at Col Samuel Vance's, on Back Creek; marched to Clover Lick, thence, via Tygert's Valley, to the West Fork of the Monongahela River, where he remained until the June following, when his term expired and he was discharged. The object of this draft was to protect the citizens of that part of the State from incursions of the Indians; he was under the command of Capt. William Kinkead and Ensign James Steele. About the first of March, 1781, he was again drafted, and with other mounted men proceeded via Rockfish Gap, Lynch's Ferry and the Sonca Towns, on Dan River, to North Carolina, where he joined the main army of the south, then commanded by Gen. Greene; he does not recall the place of this junction; after joining the army he, with his companions, was dismounted and the horses were sent back; was in the company of Capt. Guin during the whole tour in Col. Campbell's Regiment; was in the battle of Guilford; they retired to Troublesome Iron Works, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, where he was discharged. In July, 1781, he was again drafted for three months; rendezvoused at Staunton, and marched via Charlottesville, Richmond, and Jamestown to York, where he joined the main army under Washington; on October 17th he was discharged, and returned home two days before the surrender; was under the command of Capt. James Bell, Lieut. John Wackub, Ensign Alex. Crawford; the regiment was commanded by Col. Samuel Lewis and Major William Long. Smith Thompson, aged 84 years, on July 19th last, deposes that he was fellow soldier with declarant at Guilford and Yorktown.

Image Gallery

References

Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.

Pension Application of Smith Thompson S38438 VA
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris. Revised 30 June 2020.

Virginia Augusta County Sct
On this 26th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen came Smith Thompson of the said County of Augusta before me John Brown Judge of the Superior Court of Chancery appointed to be holden at Staunton and being sworn in solemn form on the holy Evangelist of Almighty god declares as follows that in the month of July in the year 1777 being a resident of Augusta County he came to Staunton in the same County and enlisted as a private with Robert Kirk [S35511] a commissioned officer in the Company of Capt Granville Smith in the 16th Regiment of the Virginia line on Continental establishment [Col. William Grayson’s (BLWt1366-500) Additional Continental Regiment of Infantry] for three years. In the month of October following he left Staunton with his Company for head quarters in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. He joined the army at White Marsh [Whitemarsh PA] and was commanded by Charles Scott, then commander of the Brigade of which the Regiment in which he served composed a part. The following winter he remained at Valley Forge. In the ensuing season he [undeciphered word] with the Army in pursuit of the British & was in the engagement at Monmouth Courthouse [28 Jun 1778]. From that place he went to the White plains and from thence to West Point on the Hudson. In the winter of 1778-79 he was quartered at Bonbrook [sic: Boundbrook] in New Jersey on the waters of the Raritan. In the campaign of 1779 he was with the northern Army, being then commanded by Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, from whose Brigade he was detached to assist in the assault on Stoney point [Stony Point NY, 16 Jul 1779]. He was also present at the taking of Powles Hook [sic: Paulus Hook at present Jersey City NJ, 19 Aug 1779] the same year. In the winter of 1779-80 he was detached for the Southern Service and marched from Morris Town [Morristown] in New Jersey to Charles Town [Charleston] in South Carolina, where he arrived with his detachment about the 7th of April 1780 to assist in the defence of that place untill its surrender [12 May 1780]. The detachment that marched from Morris Town to Charles Town was commanded by General [William] Woodford. During the time he was in service the Regiment in which he served was commanded by Colo Grayson & Colo Guess [sic: Nathaniel Gist BLWt1874-500]. He occasionally served under other commanders when detailed for some particular service. At the surrender of Charleston he was sent to Haderalls point [sic: Haddrell Point] from which place he made his escape and returned to Staunton, having been in actual service about three years. On his way from the South at Petersburg having but twelve days to serve Colo Samuel Hawes [BLWt1066-450] gave him a discharge which he sent to some office in Richmond with a view to get the bounty in Land that the government of Virginia had promised. The said Thompson further states that he has never received any pension either from the State or General Goverment; that he is now upwards of seventy one years of age; and in humble circumstances; his means of support being inadequate, and that therefor he requires the aid of his country for support. Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above written.
At the same time & place came before me Frederic Grass [S39607] a witness on behalf of the
said Thompson and being duly sworn on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth & saith that he came to Valley Forge in the Spring of 1778 before the army broke up being a soldier in the 12th Virginia Regiment. That he then became acquainted with Smith Thompson the person who made the above declaration and who then was a private in the 16th Virginia Regiment; that he saw the said Smith Thompson frequently in the Army during the campaign of 1778 & 1779. In the latter part of 1779 the deponent was detached for the Southern service and he then saw the said Thompson in the same
detachment in passing to Charleston. During the Siege of Charleston this deponent saw the said
Thompson frequently and believes him to have been captured with the other American troops there in that place. Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above written.
I William Evans [S25069] of Buckingham County Virginia do hereby certify that in the years 1777,
1778, & 1779 I served as lieutenant in General Weedon’s [George Weedon BLWt2418-850] Brigade in
the 16th Virg’a Regiment, that during the whole time Smith Thompson now of Staunton Augusta County served as a private soldier in Colo Grayson Regiment. While in that service I became acquainted with him & have seen him frequently since [10 May 1819]

Virginia, Corporation of Winchester to wit:
Doctor Cornelius Baldwin [BLWt255-400] this day [13 May 1819] appeared before me [Obed
Waite] Mayor of the Corporation aforesaid, and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that Smith Thompson was a private in the revolutionary Army and served for some time in the 8th Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo Wood [James Wood BLWt2419-500], being the same Regiment
to which this affiant was attached – that the said Smith Thompson belonged to the Company of Capt Alexander Breckenridge [Alexander Breckinridge] as well as this affiant recollects, and that he acted as a Barber. And that the said Smith Thompson was taken prisoner at the capture of Charleston South Carolina, to the best of this affiants recollection. But he is not able to say how long the said Thompson served in the Revolutionary army, although he is persuaded that it was for a considerable length of time, at least twelve months.

Augusta To witt.
This day Alex’r StClair came before me a Justice of the peace for said County and made Oath
that he was aquanted with Smith Thompson, that he inlisted as a soldier in the Continental Armey in Capt Granvel Smiths Comp’y and was sworn in as a soldier in my counting room by Jno. Tate Esq’r. I think in July 1777 & that he returned to Staunton in this County in or about the year 1780 with Capt Bowen, and was informed at the time that he was discharged at Petersburgh on his way home certified under my hand this 26th day of July 1819
State of Virginia
Augusta County, to wit,
On this 26th day of July 1820 personally appeared in open court (being a court of record) for the County of Augusta (in which proceedings are had according to the course of the common Law, which has unlimited jurisdiction within said county in civil suits, has the power of fine & imprisonment and has all its proceedings duly registered) Smith Thompson aged about seventy three years resident in the said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary war, as follows, that he enlisted in Staunton Virginia on the 10th day of July 1777 with Lieut Robert Kirk of the Company of Captain Granville Smith, that he was then marched to White Marsh and attached to the 16th Regiment commanded by Colo William Grayson; that he was in the Battles of Monmouth Courthouse, Stoney point Powlas Hook and at the seige of Charleston, where he was captured, and that he was afterwards at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse [15 Mar 1781] and the Capture of Cornwallis [19 Oct 1781], and that he was discharged in the month of June 1780. [See endnote.] He is now unable to follow his occupation which is that of a weaver. He has already made a declaration under the act of Congress, passed on the 18th of March 1818 which is dated the 16th July 1819, his pension certificate is dated the [blank] day of October 1819. He further swears that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that he has not since that time, by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring himself 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 day of March 1818 and that he has not nor has any person in Trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due to him, nor has he any income, other than is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by him subscribed. He further swears that the only members of his family are his wife, aged about Forty five years, who is sickly and infirm and unable to contribute materially toward the support even of herself and a small servant girl about Eight years old belonging to John C Sowers of said County.
Schedule, One House and Lot; 2 Walnut Tables & Leather Bottom chairs (old) 2 Split bottom d[itt]o. 1 Loom and harness. 1 Quill wheel and swifts 1 Clock 1 cow and two calves 1 old desk 1 Bible and some religious Books, Debts due me about Ten Dollars against which is to be set off debts due by me, besides the purchase money of the said house and Lot upwards of $100.
Signed Smith Thompson
Sworn to and declared on the 24th day of July 1820 before the said Court of Augusta County Teste
Erasmus Stribling

[The court certified that the valued of Thompson’s property was $760. A veteran with an estate valued at more than $200 was deemed to be too well off to merit a pension.]

To the honourable John C Calhoun Secretary at War of the United States
The representation & remembrance of the undersigned citizens of Augusta County Virginia
respectfully states. That they have understood with some degree of surprise that Smith Thompson one of the living soldiers of the Revolution has been stricken from the Pension Roll on which he had been placed by virtue of the act of Congress passed on the 18th day of March in the year 1818. This act they presume was done in the excercise of the direction which the late act passed on the 1 May 1820 gives to the Secretary at War; and under a belief on his part, that the circumstances of the said Thompson & his pecuniary means rendered any aid for his support on the part of his country unnecessary
The undersigned have been informed that the respectable court of Augusta County entered it as
their opinion on record that the said Thompson notwithstanding he possessed some property enumerated in his Schedule was unable to support himself without the aid of his country. They are willing to add their own Testimony, so far as the facts have come within their knowledge, to that afforded by the official act of the court, and to state it as their belief that the means in the power of the said Thompson are insufficient for his maintenance.
Of the correctness of this opinion there can be indeed but little question. A man of seventy three years of age, exposed in his better days to the hardships of a service more than ordinarily severe; now frequently afflicted with disease, the consequences of his exposure to the inclemency of every climate, can not be expected to acquire a subsistence for himself & his wife by labour alone. His property which indeed is intirely at the mercy of his creditors affords no revenue. His house & Lott so long as it is left in his occupancy may afford him shelter, but where is he to get food & raiment” Is he to sell his property & subsist on it? That might be a transient relief were his property not incumbered. As to his personal property, it will be readily seen that to sell that part which is composed of his mechanical implements & which he can sometimes use, would add to his necessities; the rest is inconsiderable & almost indispensible to his living at all
The undersigned have understood that the said Thompson was stricken from the Pension roll in
consequence of some general rules which it was thought expedient to adopt to carry into effect the act of thee first of May 1820. They will not pretend to say that it was not necessary to adopt such rules, though to them it appears that each case presents a distinct question for seperate consideration. They regret however that by the operation of any such rules, or from any other cause whatever, the bounty of the country should be withdrawn from those, who have fought its battles, and that when afflicted by age & disease they should be deserted, to struggle with want.
The undersigned respectfully submit these considerations to the Secretary at War & beg leave to
suggest a reconsideration of the case of Mr Thompson
[signed] Arch. Stuart Jno. [illegible]

[On 29 Apr 1823 Thompson made a new pension application that is identical to the one following except that it describes the disposal of some of his property. Other documents in the file state in great detail to whom Thompson’s former property was sold and for how much, and they describe Thompson’s lot on Beverley Street in Staunton.]

State of Virginia
Augusta County, to wit:
On this 26th day of November 1823 personally appeared in Open Court, being a Court of record
for said County, denominated the County Court Smith Thompson resident in said County, aged about
seventy five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following
declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of the 18th of March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820, and the first of March 1823. That he the said Smith Thompson enlisted for the term of Three years, on the 10th day of July 1777 in Staunton in the State of Virginia in the Company commanded by Captain Granville Smith in the Regiment Commanded by Colo William Grayson in the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental establishment, that he continued in service in the same Regiment until the 4th of June 1780 when he was discharged by Colo Samuel Hall, Colo. Nathaniel Guest (the Commandant of the Regiment) having been captured by the enemy [Same oath as in the 1820 application repeated here] That since the rendering of my second schedule the house and lot contained therein & the personal property other than what is contained in the annexed schedule has been sold to satisfy Debts and did not sell for a sum sufficient to discharge them. The following is a schedule of my property
6 chairs
1 Oven
1 Loom and tackling
1 Family Bible
3 Hymn Books
1 bed bedstead and furniture
1 bureau
1 old walnut book case
1 Brass Kettle
The said Smith Thompson further declares on oath, that he is a weaver, but, his age & sickness
prevent him from labouring a great portion of his time, that he has a wife about forty five years of age who is sickly & infirm and unable materially to contribute toward her suppot
Smith Thompson
[The court certified the property to be worth $40.]

[The following is from bounty-land records in the Library of Virginia.]
I do certify that Smith Thompson & Ambris Jones [Ambrose Jones W9083] enlisted in Capt. Peter
Grants Company of Regulars of the sixteenth Regiment the 19 Day of July 1777 for 3 years which they served Given Under my hand/ this 2d
day Aprile 1784
Rob Kirk Lieut
of s’d Company

NOTE:
Thompson’s services at Guilford Courthouse NC and Yorktown were probably as a militiaman.
He may not have mentioned them in his original declaration because only service in the Continental Line was credited under the acts of 1818 and 1820.
Thompson does not appear to have been restored to the pension list.
On 11 Dec 1840 Nancy Thompson wrote from Staunton to inquire about the procedure for
obtaining any portion of Smith Thompson’s pension as his widow.

http://revwarapps.org/s38438.pdf
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Staunton News Leader.

Smith Thompson
One of Staunton's most recognizable citizens was Smith Thompson, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1747. He emigrated to the colonies as a young man and was in Staunton when the Revolutionary War broke out. He enlisted in the Continental Army in Staunton on July 10, 1777, and was attached to the 16th Regiment commanded by Col. William Grayson.

Thompson wintered with George Washington's troops at Valley Forge and fought in the battles of Monmouth, Stony Point and Paulus Hook. He was part of the siege of Charleston where he was captured. Thompson escaped and was discharged from service in June 1780.

However, his fighting spirit got the better of him, and he went on to fight in the battle of Guilford Court House and was with Washington when Cornwallis surrendered. He reportedly witnessed the surrender.

Thompson, who returned to Staunton to live after the war, said he was a weaver by trade, but for many years practiced the trade of a barber. He boasted that he had shaved Washington; to prove it, he carried with him a wooden box containing a carefully preserved razor that he claimed to have used on the general.

In 1792 Thompson built a log house on what is now Beverley Street. The house, which was later covered over with clapboard, still stands at 701 W. Beverley St.

As the war slipped into the distant past, Thompson was feted as one of the area's last remaining participants. He was fond of shouldering his crutch and marching through the streets of Staunton during July 4 celebrations; when he became too infirm to walk, he and other veterans were paraded about in a carriage.

His favorite drink was Bailie Nicol Jarvie, a now defunct Scotch whisky.

Smith Thompson died May 12, 1840.

https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/history/2017/09/06/staunton-too-remote-revolutionary-war-but-hosted-disaffected-quaker-prisoners/640231001/
Waddell, Joseph A. (Joseph Addison). Annals of Augusta County, Virginia: with reminiscences illustrative of the vicissitudes of its pioneer settlers biographical sketches of citizens locally prominent, and of those who have founded families in the southern and western states : a diary of the war, 1861-'5, and a chapter on reconstruction by Joseph Addison Waddell. (Staunton, Virginia: C.R. Caldwell, 1902).

pg. 250

Smith Thompson's declaration, made in County Court, July 24, 1820, sets forth that he was then about 73 years old' that he enlisted in Staunton, on July 10, 1777, with Lieut. Robert Kirk, of Capt. Granville Smith's company, attached to the 16th Regiment commanded by Col. William Grayson; that he was in the battles of Monmouth, Stony Point and Paulus Hook, and at the siege of Charleston, where he was captured; that he was discharged from service in the continental line, in June, 1780; and that he was afterwards at the battle of Guilford, C.H. [Court House], and the capture of Cornwallis. He says he was a weaver by trade; but for many years he followed the business of a barber in Staunton, and boasted that he had shaved Gen. Washington, preserving with care the razor he claimed to have used.

pg. 418-419

Smith Thompson was by birth a Scotchman, and in his vigorous manhood a barber by trade. During the Revolution he was at the Battle of Guilford and the "siege of York". Unlike Mr. Tremper, he was fond of "shouldering his crutch", etc., etc. After he became too feeble to walk in procession, nothing pleased him better than to be drawn about the town in a carriage on the Forth of July. Having been reared in the goodly town of Glasgow, be, of course, knew all the people of the place, and is said to have claimed a particular acquaintance with Bailie Nicol Jarvie, of Rob Roy fame.
Augusta County, Virginia. Staunton Spectator
pg. 3, 17 Aug 1853.