Richard Smith (1757 - 1840)

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (Caruthers) Smith — married 13 Apr 1786 in Augusta, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 1 Jul 1840 at age 83 in Franklin, Indiana, United States

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Biography

Orderly Sergeant Richard Smith served with 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Richard Smith is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A106727.

Richard Smith is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: P-292921
Rank: Orderly Sergeant

Richard Smith born Jan 10, 1757. Richard was a son of Richard Smith II and Zipporah Smith.

Richard married Jane Caruthers (daughter of James Caruthers) on 13 Apr 1786 Augusta County, Virginia.^{[1][2] [3]} Their children were:

1. John C Smith, b. 1787, d. Sep 1851 Age 64 years

2. Absalom Smith

3. Benjamin Smith

4. Rebecca Smith

5. Isaac Smith, b. c 1795, Washington,VA d. 13 Apr 1867, Oneida, Scott, VA; Age 72 years

6. Johnathan Smith, b. 1805, d. 1892 Age 87 years

The family lived in Brookville, Brookville Township, Franklin, Indiana in 1820. ^[4]

Richard served in the military during the American Revolution in Captain Parson's Dragoons.^{[5][6] [7]}>

The 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Baylor's Horse or Lady Washington's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army raised on January 1, 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Guilford Court House.
The regiment was surprised on the night of September 27, 1778, while sleeping in barns near Old Tappan, New Jersey, in close proximity to British positions. Referred to by the Continentals as the "Baylor Massacre", at least 67 men were made casualties and 70 horses killed. Among the captured was the regimental commander, Lt. Col. George Baylor, who was replaced on November 20, 1778 by Lt. Col. William Washington, transferred from the 4th Continental Light Dragoons.

In 1779, while recruiting and remounting, the regiment rescued James Wilson during the "Fort Wilson Riot". The 3rd CLD was posted to the Southern department on November 1, 1779.Losses of 15 killed, 17 wounded, and 100 men captured along with 83 horses in a night attack by British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton on April 14, 1780, led to the unofficial amalgamation of the regiment with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons, commonly known as the "1st and 3rd Light Dragoons" as Washington deferred to his friend and senior, Lt. Col. Anthony White, whom he had served under in the 4th CLD.
Washington resumed command of the unit on May 6, 1780, when it was attacked on the Santee River and White captured. In the 1781 campaign, Washington and his men distinguished themselves in mounted and charges at the Battle of Cowpens in January, the Battle of Guilford Court House in March, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September.
At Eutaw Springs Washington was pinned under his fallen mount, bayoneted, and captured. Captain William Parsons, the senior surviving officer, commanded the corps until Lt-Col. Baylor was exchanged in June 1782 and resumed command. When the companies of the 4th CLD were parceled out during the siege of Yorktown, the 1st and 3rd accepted its few remaining mounted troopers. The regiment was officially merged into the 1st Legionary Corps on November 2, 1782, with the consolidated unit of five troops designated the 1st Legionary Corps. A member of the 3rd Continental Dragoons was Maryland Congressman Philip Stuart.

Richard Smith passed away on 1 Jul, 1840.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ FamilySearch. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", Richard Smith marriage to Jane Caruthers, 13 April 1786 in Augusta, Virginia.
2. ↑ Link to image of record.
3. ↑ Link to index on Genealogy Trails.
4. ↑ FamilySearch "United States Census, 1820", Richard Smith, Brookville, Brookville Township, Franklin, Indiana, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm.
5. ↑ SAR Link. Pariot P-292921.
6. ↑ Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; Microfilm Publication M246, 138 rolls; 602384; War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; The National Archives in Washington, D.C. Ancestry Sharing Image. Details:

   Name: Richard Smith

   Gender: Male

   Military Place: Virginia, USA

   State or Army Served: Virginia

   Rank: Dragoon

7. ↑ 3rd Continental Light Dragoons

   SMITH, RICHARD: Service: Virginia Rank: Orderly Sergeant

   Birth: CIRCA 1757

   Death: 7-1-1840 FRANKLIN CO INDIANA

   Pension Number: *S16254

   Service Description: 1) CAPT PARSONS, COL WASHINGTON, 2) 3RD REGT CONT LIGHT DRAGOONS

   Active 1777-1782 Country United States Allegiance Continental Congress

   Dragoon Size, regiment of six troops approx. 160 men in 1778 Part of Continental Army

   Nickname(s) Baylor's Horse

   Colors , white coats with blue facings

   Engagements , Battle of Brandywine

   Battle of Germantown

   Baylor Massacre

   Fort Wilson Riot

   Battle of Guilford Court House

8. ↑ FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WB-9LND?cc=2069831&wc=MXMQ-56D%3A355664601 "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872"], 7-vol G Revolutionary War pensioners > image 385 of 466; citing NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962). "Died 1st July 1840".