Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4595, Peter Harder, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New York    

Harder, Peter  
Eve

NUMBER
R. 4595

CONTENTS
Page 2

5192
New York
Peter Harder
of Washington in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company command by Captain Miller of the Regt command by Col. Van Ressr in the New York line for 13 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Feby. 1832 and sent to Hon. [Pitchen?] H of R

Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832  $65.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4th M. '37  21.66
$86.66

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. C Stiles Clerk
Book D.  Vol. 5.  Page 127
Page 3

State of New York
County of Washington SS
On this 28th day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Hon John Willard Charles F. Ingalls Benjamin F. Skinner and John Moss Judges of the County Court in and for said County now sitting Peter Harder of the town of Argyle in the county of Washington and state of New York aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th July 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated In the month of July or August 1777 the company of militia to which he was attached were called in to actual service and mustered at Claverack in the county of Columbia and state of New York and marched from there to Saratoga where they entered in actual service untill after the capture of Burgoine in the month of October 1777. he continued doing duty at said time as a common soldier for the term of three months, when he was discharged and returned home to  Claverick [Claverack].
That in the year 1778 about the month of June or July he was again called out by the order of Government and mustered at Claverick aforesaid and marched to lake George and remained in that vacinity [vicinity] doing duty as a common soldier for the term of three months and was then discharged and returned to Claverick [Claverack]. 
That in the month of June 1779 the company to which he was attached was again called out and were mustered
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at Claverick and went west to Fort Plain on the Mohawk River he was with said company in actual service as a common soldier at the latter place for two months and from there was marched to Fort Edison where they were stationed for one month and then was discharged and returned to Claverick.
In the month of June 1780 he was again called out to oppose the ravages of the Indians upon the Mohawk and continued in actual service for three months when he was again discharged and returned to Claverick.
In the month June 1782 he was again called out and was mustered at Claverick and marched to Stillwater where he continued for two months and was discharged and returned to Claverick.
The names of the officers under whom he served were Capt. Miller, Lieut. Peter Van Renssalaer, Maj. Harry Van Renssalaer, Col Robert Van Renssalaer and the others he has forgotten.
He was generally engaged in reconnoytring the position of the Indians and militia troops and was in no general battle and from the year 1777 to the close of the campaign in 1782 he was almost constantly on duty as a common soldier in the actual service of the United States.
At other times than those particularly renumerated the Regiment to which he belonged was ordered out and on all occasions when that took place he accompanied them.
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he continued to reside in Claverick [Claverack] until about the year 1801 when he removed to Argyle where he now resides and where he has continued to reside.
1.  That he was born in the town of Claverik in the said county of Columbia in the year twenty seventh day of March 1753. 
2.  That the record of his age is in the family of his mother in the county of Columbia, but he has in his possession no record, but has no doubt the above is correctly stated
3.  At the several times when he was called into service he resided at Claverick aforesaid; and from 1801 to the present time he has resided in Argyle aforesaid.
4.  He was called into service at the several times above mentioned in conquen [consequence] of the Regiment to which he was attached having been ordered out and went into actual service
5.  The names of the regular officers were as stated herein before as far as he can recollect 
6.  He never recd. any written discharge to his knowledge

The persons by whom he is known and who will testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his having been a soldier of the revolution and who live in his immediate neighborhood are Archibald White and Abraham Killmore of the town of Argyle in said county
The aforesaid officers he believes are all dead and he has no knowledge that he can prove actual service by any living witness
That he has no documentary evidence by which to establish his claim.
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He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of Agency of any state.
Peter Harder X his mark
J. S. Leigh Clk

We Archibald White a clergyman residing in the town of Argyle and in the said county neighbours of the within named Peter Harder and Abraham Killmore of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Peter Harder who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Arch. Whyte
Abraham Killmer

Sworn & subscribed in open court this 30th day of August 1832 
J. S. Leigh Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Archibald Whyte who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said town of Argyle in the said county of Washington. And that Abraham Killmore who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Argyle, and is a credible person and
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that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Jesse S. Leigh Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Washington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Harder for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of August 1832
J. S. Leigh Clk
Page 8

The within application of Peter Harder for a Pension was
enclosed to me by David Russell Esqr Mr Russell is an Atty &
Counsellor of law in Washington County N.Y. an honorable man,
and now a member of the NY Legislature I am confident therefore
that this declaration has not in any respect been altered since
it was passed upon by the Court
I do therefore hope that this
memorandum will be considered a sufficient authentication
Nath'l Pitchen
Jany 26. 1833
Page 9

State of New York
Washington County} ss
On this 15th day of February 1844 personally appeared before The undersigned a Judge of the county courts of the county of Washington and State aforesaid, they being Courts of record, Eve
Harder a resident of Argyle in the County and state aforesaid aged 81 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Peter Harder who was a
private, in the Revolutionary war, and drew a pension of forty three dollars and some cents ^the [posting?] a sum not now [?] as the certificate thereof is returned to the war office per annum up to the day of his death. She further declares that she was married to
the said Peter Harder on the 4th day of August 1781 and that her husband the aforesaid Peter Harder died in Argyle on the 14th day of August 1842 and that she has remained a
widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed, and that she has not learned to write.
Eve Harder X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me 
John Mc Lean First Judge
of the county courts of the County and state aforesaid

I John McLean Judge of the County Courts of the County and State aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, that Eve Harder who is described in, and who executed the foregoing declaration
is that widow of Peter Harder who was a private in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner, and died on the 14th day of August 1842
and she was married to the said Peter Harder on the 4th day of August, 1781, And I the said Judge do certify the Eve Harder aforesaid is not able to appear in open court to make her declaration for a pension on account of old age and bodily
infirmity and that she is a person of known credibility.
John McLean First Judge
of the county court aforesaid

The interlineation in the foregoing declaration was made by me at & before the attestation thereto by the said Eve Harder
John McLean First Judge aforesaid
Page 10

I Eve Harder of Argyle in the County of Washington and State of New York aged 81 years, being first duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I was married in
the town of Claverick in the County of Columbia to Peter Harder on the 4th day of August 1781 by Mr. Shepherd a dutch reform minister, and that the record of the said marriage was made in a clutch Palm book was made by George Lane the fall the marriage took place, and after that the records of the birth of my children were made in the said Palm Book. I further depose and say that the leaves which contain the said record were taken from the said Palm Book where they have remained as a family record
till now, by myself, and that I am the Identical person described in the record of the marriage which the leaf here unto annexed contains.
Eve Harder X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed this 15 day of February 1844
Before me John McLean First Judge
of the County Court of the County of Washington and State aforesaid.

And I John McLean do certify that Eve Harder who is described in, and executed the foregoing deposition is a credible witness.
John McLean First Judge
of the County Court of the county and state aforesaid.
Page 11

Rev. War
No. 4595 Peter Harder

Translation
of a private or family record written in German on two small sheets of paper evidently detached from a memorandum book. The paper and the writing have all the appearance of being old and would indicate that the record is genuine.
Eva Land was married to Peter Harder August 4th 1781.
1. Our daughter Christina is born the 17th of February in the year of Christ 1782.
2. Our second daughter Mary is born on the 27th of March in the year of Christ 1785?
3. On the 12th day of August 1787 is born my daughter Jeanne.
4, This daughter Lydia is born November 9th in the year 1790.
5. Our daughter Katherina is born on the 17th of February 1793.
6. On July 17th 1796 is born my daughter Kitty?
7. Elizabeth Harder is born on the 21st of March 1799.
8. Hetty Harder was born in the year of Our Lord 1805, on October 13 and died May 1st 1806.

N.B. The correctness of the names of the 6th and 8th child is in doubt

Fred J. Braendle, Translator
October 2d 1914
Page 12

Peter Harder

16
Pry. 22'33

David Russell Esq
Washington Co
NY

Hon. Nath'l Pitcher
H. R.
P 210
Page 13

Brief in the case of Peter Harder of Argyle (town) County of Washington in the State of New York
                  (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   In Open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled or bodily infirmity? 

3. How old is he?  Seventy Nine years  79

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period:
-was called into service July or Aug. in 1777
-about June or July 1778 was called out
-June 1779 called out
-June 1780 "ditto"
-June 1782 "ditto" 

Duration of Service:
-3 Months
-3 months
-2 Months
-3 Months
-2 Months

Rank:
As a Private
As a Private
As a Private
As a Private
As a Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served/
Gen Miller, Lieut. Peter Van Renselaer, Col. Rob't Van Renselaer, Major Harry Van Rensselaer


5.  In what battles was he engaged?
Not any

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
 Claverack, Columbia Co. New York

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?     By traditionary evidence

8.   Are the papers defective as to for or authentication? and if so, in what respect?   Certified of Hon. N. Pitcher M.C. as to his belief that the papers are those that passed the Court accompaning [accompanying] the declaration

x Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
           [signature] Chas. G. Wilcox Examining Clerk 
                            Jany 17th 1833
Page 14

In reply to your request of ____________, received _______________ for a statement of the military history of __Peter Harder_____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,  you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.     
                                         R. File.     4595

Date of Enlistment:
July or Aug. 1777
June or July 1778
June 1779
June 1780
June 1782

Length of Service
3 Months
3 Months
2 Months
3 Months
2 Months

Rank.
Private

Officers under whom service was rendered
Capt. Miller
Colonel Robt. VanRensselaer

State
N.Y

Battles engaged in, ________________
Residence of soldier at enlistment _Claverack N.Y.______
Date of Application for pension, _Aug. 28, 1832  His cl was al. ____ [claim was allowed]
Age at date of Application; ___ B Mch27, 1753 at Claverack, Columbia Co. N.Y. 
Remarks:  He mar. Aug. 4, 1781, at Claverack N.Y. Eve or Eva Land; he died Aug. 14, 1842, at Argyle, N.Y., and she died ^Jan 24, 1848, aged 85 years Children: Christina, b. Feb. 17, 1782; Mary b. Mch. 27, 1785. Jeanine, b. Aug 12, 1787; Lydia, b. Nov 9, 1790, Katherina, b. Feb. 17, 179; Kitty (?) b. July 17, 1796; Elizabeth, b. Mrch 21, 1799; Hetty (?) b. Oct. 13, 1805 d. May 1, 1806

             Respectfully,
                                           Commissioner.
Page 15

"Eva Land ist getramit Petrus Harder
Den 4 ten Augustus in Jahr Christi 1781
-----------------------
Unser Tockderlein
Christinel ist Gebohren detis
19. Februari im Jahr
Christi 1782.
---------------------

Unser Zweydes Tochter Mar
gebohren den 27 Mar.
n Jahr Christi 17_8
---------------------
the 19 Day of aug
in the year 17_7
my daughtr borne
san[illegible]
Page 16

hitty harder was born in the year of our Lord 
1805 October 13
Hitty harder deseast [died] May the first 1
                                1806


The 17 day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand 796 is my taugh[t]er born gibly
Page 17

[German language]

An Sar__ tochder
Ulea ist gebohren
[I?] den 9 November im jahr 1790
unser Tochderlein
Cadrina ist gebohren
den 17 februarius
im iahr [yahr] 1793
---------------
Elizabeth
Harder is
Born 21 day Mar 
in year 1799
---------------
Page 18

Troy, March 21, 1846
Sir
The inclosed papers as in the case of Eve Harder you will please examine them when [illegible words] and if there is anything lacking inform me what it is.
Respectfully yours
S.M. Bragg

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington city
 DC
Page 19

Troy
August 6, 1846

Sir

I have been urged by the friends of Mrs. Eve Harder who claims a pension on account of her late husband Peter Harder dec, The claim has been rejected as I understand for want of additional evidence of her husbands serveses [services], which they are unable to furnish. The enclosed is a letter from the Comptroller of this State, showing that Peter Harder,s name does not appear on the files in that Office, The old Lady is very poor, and for a long time has been confined to her room, on account of bodily infirmity, And unless she receives assistance from Government, she must go to the Country House, Therefore I hope you will take her case under consideration, and be as charitable as circumstances will allow,

Respectfully Yours
J,L,Edwards Esq } C W Peoble
Com of Pensions
Washington D C
Page 20

6149.

Eve Harder, N.Y.

Suspended, 

Let'r S.M. Bragg Sept. 23, 4[?]
Hon E.D. Culver, 23 Jany
C.W. Peoble, Sept. 3d, 1846
Hon. J.H. Boyd & Aug. 19 1852
W.H. King May 5, 1853

Act July 4th 36
Page 21

Washington County N.Y.
Argyle Nov. 27, 1852
Sir
Your letter addressed to Hon. J.H. Boyd of the date 19th August 1852 was duly transmitted to me by Mr Boyd. I only received it however a few days since. It refers to the case of Eve Harder widow of the late Peter Harder by your letter of that date, you say that "as her husband was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 if she survived the  passage of the joint resolution of Congress of 1st July 1848 the service will be admitted & her children pensioned" Now she died as I am informed on the 24th day of January 1848 & did not therefor survive the passage of the resolution you refer to. I have  examined the several Pension Acts & the opinions of the Attorney General from time to time & I conclude that it is not necessary that she should have survived the 1st July 1848 to enable her children to take that joint resolution did not confer a Pension, but established a rule of proof: the proof had been commenced before her death & was not completed at her decease & according to the decision of Hon. J. L. Edwards made April 5th 1839 to Hon. Levi Woodbury in the case of Jesse Gove Vermont found in the Pension Laws as compiled by Commissioner of Pensions in 1849 ^ page 114 the children have a right to take at all Events the [sur..id?] the Passage of the appropriation act for the payment of revolutionary & other pensions passed for the year ending 30th June 1847 & approved May 7th 1846 and in that act similar provision is [illegible] to proof (only not conclusive)
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is made as in the resolution of July 1st 1848. I would refer you to the opinion of Hon. J.M. Mason attorney Genl of the date June 23, 1846 also found in the 2d page of the appendix in the compilation of pension laws above so referred to & in the spirit of that opinion I think there can be no doubt in the case. I make these suggestions for the reason that the children are poor and are not able to incur any unnecessary expense & could ask you to write me as soon as convenient for you your opinion on this point & if favorable as I have no doubt it will be I then will have the declaration made as pointed out in the letter of August 19th 1852 before referred to. At the same time please inform me before what office the declaration of the children must be made. I make these inquiries because I am not a professional pension agent but from motives of benevolence am assisting the children of Eve Harder in obtaining this small pittance from government.
Yours Respectfully,
William H. King
Page 23

[circular stamp on lined paper]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
D
SEP 29 1914
Page 24

Rev Ser[vice]
Greenwich N.Y.
Sept. 26, 1914.
Pension Bureau:
Messrs:
Kindly give me information such
as you may have of Peter Harder
of the New York Militia, who served
during the Revolutionary war and
was listed among the pensioners in
1835.
Thanking you.
Very Truly
(Miss) Verna McGeoch
40 Salem St.
Greenwich
New York
(Albany County Militia
Eighth Regiment)
Page 25

J. L. Edwards Esq

Please communicate the information asked for in to the above to me and oblige.

                                         Yours
                                          E.D.Culver
Page 26

1914, Oct. 2 History to Miss Verna McGeoch
FW
Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 2 1873
REJECTED
4595
P.O.
Eve Harder
Service
Enlisted: _____________,18
Discharged:___________,18
Application filed: ________,18
Alleged:  ___________________________
_____________________________________
Re-enlisted: __________________________
_____________________________________
Attorney: _____________________________
P.O. __________________________________
_______________________________________
__________ Recognized.  __________Contract
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for _________, 18
Page 27

Charles Peoble

Troy NY
Page 28

Comptroller Office
Albany 4th Aug. 1846

Sir
The name of Peter Harder does not appear on the books & files in this office relating to the Revolutionary period.

Yours Respectfully
Philip Phelps
Dep Compr

Chas. Peoble Esq
Troy
N.Y.
Page 29

6149
Eve Harder
NY
Act July 4th. 36
45915
husband died Augt. 14th ,42
Page 30

I Lydia Kilmer of Argyle, Washington County and State of New York aged 59 years, being first duly sworn according to law, do depose and say that I am the daughter of Eve and Peter Harder and that a record of their marriage,  also the births of part of their children was placed in a dutch Palm* Book belonging to my mother aforesaid, and that the leaves containg [containing] said record have remained in the said Palm Book ever since as a family record, and that they were taken from said Palm book by my mother aforesaid, I further depose and say that my mother remains the widow of Peter Harder who was a private in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner, and died August 14, 1842, and that my mother who is the applicant for a pension is the identical person named in the record of marriage here unto annexed, and further the deponent saith not,
Lydia Kilmer X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of February 1844
                          Before me, John Mclean First judge of the County courts of the County of Washington and state aforesaid.

I John McLean do certify that Lydia Kilmer executed the foregoing deposition is a credible witness.
                          John McLean First Judge
of the aforesaid county courts.

[Note: a palm book was a small handheld book, often used to record family dates]
Page 31

State of New York Washington County SS
I Henry Shipherd Clerk of said County do hereby certify that John McLean Esqr whose signature is affixed to the within and annexed jurats and certificates was at the time said signatures purport to have been made a Judge of the County Court of said County duly qualified and that signatures are genuine that are thus subscribed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County the 20th day of March AD 1844
H Shipherd Clerk