The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Author: Harold Burton Crapo, Jr.
Patriot John Smith was born on September 3, 1761; possibly in Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. In February or March of 1782, while a resident of Ware or Brimfield, Massachusetts, he enlisted in the Continental Army. He is shown joining as a private in Captain John Burnham's Company, Colonel Michael Jackson's 8th Massachusetts Regiment. He met his company in West Point and he marched with them to New Jersey. Later, he was transferred to the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment, Continental Line until he was discharged on January 4, 1784. His discharge is included in his pension file and is signed “By The Honourable Major-General Knox, Commanding the American Forces on Hudson's River.”
After the war, John moved to Vermont and married Dolly Crary (b. March 15, 1769). Their wedding took place April 28 or 29, 1785 in Clarendon, Vermont and was officiated by an Elihu Smith. She was the daughter of Ezra Crary. John and Dolly went on to have a large family that included Isaac, John, Lemuel, Lyman, Nathaniel, Olive, Dolly, Nathan, Julia, Sally, Spencer, and Anne.
John applied for his pension April 13, 1818 while living in Shewsbury, Rutland County, Vermont. At that time he stated that he had been a resident of Vermont for 32 years. His pension was approved and he collected it through his death on October 2, 1840 in Clarendon, Rutland County, Vermont. His wife Dolly applied for and was granted a widow's pension of $80 per year based on John's service. She remained a resident of Clarendon until her death on August 18, 1846. Dolly was laid to rest beside her husband John in the East Clarendon Cemetery in Rutland County, Vermont. Their headstones still stand where they rest.
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